Jesus

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The Cleft in the Rock

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Exodus 33:12-23.

 Forty days and forty nights, Moses fasts upon the mountain, filled with the presence of the Lord. Jesus, who is the presence of God, does the same at the beginning of his ministry. May the time of Lent find you in God’s presence, your awareness of it increased by fasting and faith.

Be with Moses as you listen to his communion with the Lord, the renewal of the covenant and the promises that God makes. Moses longs to see the glory of the Lord. Moses rests in the cleft of the rock, covered by God’s hand as God passes by. The rock now is Christ—the cleft, the open side of Jesus on the cross. The glory of God is Jesus’s compassion and forgiveness from that cross. The people see the presence of God in the face of Moses. The glory of God will radiate from your face if you spend time in the cleft in Jesus’s side.

Exodus 33:12—34:35

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Ki Tissa (Take a Census) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.

Exodus 30:11—34:35

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I hear You utter my name. 33:12

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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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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Colors from Deep Within – Revised

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

[From the original version -Revised]

Sealed inside each of us are energies both dark and bright. Danger comes when the darker side of us is repressed. Better to break open the seal and let in the light of the Lord pierce the darkness to give you appropriate and even creative expression; otherwise, the darkness could have its energies explode in rage, irritable reactions, unkindness, and gossip.

Accept the entire range of your feelings. Feelings are neither good nor bad: they just are. Recognize and accept them and they will tend to flow outward in ways similar to the images of today’s reading.

Inner energies: be aware of this as you read about the opening of six of the seven seals. Strong contrasting images explode in each one. Color vary from bright to grotesque. How do you identify with these vibrant images? Revelation: it is the book, as well as God showing you God’s face from deep within your being.

Revelation 6

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Darkness not speaking to me

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In season of Kingdomtide this year,
we read 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Revelation 4—11.

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.