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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 Ultimate Reversal

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

[From the version for families with children]

A few of the disciples are at it again—looking for high positions of honor in Jesus’s kingdom.  It takes a long time for these men to know that they are closer to Jesus when they serve others, than when they sit next to him in seats of privilege.  The privilege for us as Christians is to be invited to be part of Jesus’s loving community of service.  And as for recognition of honor: Jesus was crucified!  So if you love Jesus and want to serve him by loving and serving others, then it will mean a kind of death to our preferences to be looking for “Oscars” and “Emmys” for our Christian performance. 

Verse 44 is the ultimate reversal.  If you want to be first, you must be willing to be counted last!  But this is so good!  The more our pride dissolves, the more the brightness of humility can shine.  Think long and quietly about that verse and see how you can live it one day at a time.   

 Mark 10:35-45 

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

Example: The greatest is the servant. v. 43

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.

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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