faith

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Rest In Peace – Corrected

For centuries, monastic communities have been chanting this verse at the beginning of the final sacred hour of the day called Compline. The word means “complete,” as the final prayer takes place before retiring. It suggests that the day is now complete by the final frame of prayer that finishes the day as a sacred work of art for the Lord.

As the day ends and you drop off to sleep, there is a final reminder that the dark energies of evil are still awake and at work. The world forgets that evil is a conscious, personal, malicious, energy constantly directed at destroying goodness by blatant, blasphemous affronts to the glory of God. “Be sober, be vigilant,” but never afraid. The power of God exudes in all four verbs of verse 10: “restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” However strong are the forces of evil, the power and glory of God are greater still. Rest in peace.

1 Peter 5

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Self clothed with humility v. 5

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

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The Day of Atonement – With Recording

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Jonah 4:2-11.

In the course of the years of seminary, God blessed me with the friendship of a cantor in the Reformed tradition, the late Sidney Venetianer. Along with his family, Sid became my life-long, devoted friend until his death in 1993. One Yom Kippur, I joined him in a complete fast of twenty-four hours, prescribed by the Torah for this day. That day sealed for me what has become a love for Judaism and a desire that we rediscover its profound rhythms for prayer, devotion to the Lord and openness to the ongoing flow of God into our lives.

The essence of the day is prayer and repentance, with the assurance that God is listening and merciful. It is a day of closeness in the Jewish Community, both those on earth and those beyond the grave, as remembrances of names of the community rise forth at the service on this day. It is a fitting day to visit a synagogue. As Christians, we bring the assurance of God’s forgiveness and atonement in Jesus Christ.

The Book of Jonah is read in its entirety on this day. (You will find Firestarters for this book in the Eighth and Ninth Weeks of Pentecost, Year C.)

Jonah 1-4

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Sifting till anger is gone. Jonah 4:10-11

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

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The Holiness of Marriage

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Gospel.

Jesus has strong words about divorce and remarriage. Does this situation apply to you? Rather than rationalize what Jesus teaches, let the Lord convict you where there was sin in your life in this regard. It does not mean that God wants you to return to a shattered or abusive relationship.

The Eastern Church sees marriage and divorce in the following way. There is a difference between a precious, ceramic vase that is cracked and can be fixed and one that is shattered into smithereens on the floor. In keeping with the analogy with marriage, both circumstances likely involve sin. In the one, effort needs to be made for repair. In the other, grief over the loss and moving on, humbled yet grateful for saving grace.

Mark 10:2-16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Kingdom entered as a child v. 15

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year B, we read from the Gospel of Mark.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.