The Next Move of God

Friday, November 29, 2013
Luke 24:36-53

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Photo Courtesy – http://www.pinterest.com/

Something interesting about the Gospel of St. Luke: it begins in the temple, and ends in the temple. This is an important theme from yesterday’s reading from Revelation. The temple at the beginning and the end of St. Luke’s Gospel are like bookends that hold the Gospel together.

Join the disciples and catch their joy as they wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. They know that their Lord Jesus is risen. They can wait with hope for the next move of God.

Let’s you and I wait with joy and hope for the next move of God upon our lives!

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Jesus stands: “Peace be with you.” v. 36
“Touch and see that it is me.” v. 39
Open my mind to Your Word. v. 45
Jesus must die and arise. v. 46

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the last of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

The Thief Taken Up

Sunday, November 24, 2013
Luke 23:33-43

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Photo Courtesy – http://thesefortydays.blogspot.com

Mingle with the crowd at the cross of Jesus. What do you hear? Shouting and mocking. Two thieves were bound to their crosses next to Jesus. One of them added his voice to the shouting; the other kept silent, watching Jesus and listening to the silence that flowed from his breaths. The Spirit moved into the heart of this thief. Listen to the sweet conversation between Jesus and him. No longer did this man even notice the crowd, or hear all the noise; he even forget his own pain for a moment as he gave himself to Jesus.

A famous spiritual leader, Fulton Sheen said: “The thief on the left wanted to be taken down; the thief on the right wanted to be taken up!”

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
“My Father, please forgive them.” v. 34
This is the King of the Jews. v. 38
Lord Jesus, remember me…v. 42
Now with You in paradise. v. 43

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the last of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from
The Revised Common Lectionary.
Year C is dedicated to the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

Joy and Wonder

Friday, November 22, 2013
Luke 24:1-35

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Abraham Bloemaert “The Emmaus Disciples”
1622 – Oil on wood, 145 x 215,5 cm
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels
Visit the Web Gallery of Art http://www.wga.hu

I love praying today’s story, imagining that I am walking with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. You do the same. Feel their sadness and their disappointment as they walk along the road, perhaps on their home. They going to return to the life they knew before they met Jesus.

Jesus walks with these disciples who don’t recognize that it was Jesus. Catch their joy and wonder when they recognize Jesus as they break bread together. We too recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread of Holy Communion.

Jesus opens their minds to understand the Scripture. Just before you pray the Bible passage each day, pray to the Holy Spirit that your mind as well be opened to understand and believe.

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
“He is not here, but risen.” v. 5
From suffering to glory v. 26
Seeing You in broken bread v. 30
My heart burning within me v. 32

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the twelfth of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

Yoked with Christ

Sunday, November 17, 2013
Luke 21:5-19

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Photo Courtesy – http://www.soulshepherding.org

Imagine if the plow last Spring was lazy—just wanted to stay in the shed and not have to push its pointed tip against the soil. There would be no seed; there would be no harvest for us to give thanks to God for on Thanksgiving.

God’s Word is like seed, falling into the soul as though the soul were soil. Like the plow, we need to do work, loosening the soul’s soil. Once that is done, the Word of God simply drops into our hearts, ready to have our lives become more like Christ, the Word of God.

In days of old, plows were pulled by beasts of burden with a yoke around their necks. Let’s be yoked with Christ who is pulling our “plow” with us! He said, “My yoke is easy and my burden light!” Matthew 11:30

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Your Temple is in my heart.
May evil not terrify. v. 9
Words of wisdom in my mouth v. 14
Grant, O Lord, that I endure. v. 19

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the twelfth of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from
The Revised Common Lectionary.
Year C is dedicated to the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

Silence Around the Cross

Friday, November 15, 2013
Luke 23:44-56

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Photo Courtesy – http://www.silk.net/

Evil has apparently won on the first Good Friday. It is as though all of creation, while never ceasing to praise God as we found in Psalm 148, is now weeping at the great sadness of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Like the lance that opened Jesus’ side, the cross stabs the earth with the pain of Jesus hanging on the cross.

However, with the death of Jesus, the sounds change. No longer do we hear the shouts of so many mocking Jesus. Jesus’s voice rises from the cross: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Then a Roman centurion breathes out words of faith and praise of God.

Feel the silence around the cross as the crowds move away, leaving only a few faithful women and a member of the council that condemned Jesus. He didn’t go along with the horrible plan to crucify Jesus. Now he has a chance to pay deep respect to Jesus by preparing him for burial. Join this small group of those who loved Jesus. Stay with them; feel their pain and sorrow.

May this evening be peaceful for you, and the Sabbath tomorrow, especially silent and restful, because you believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
I carry Your cross, O Christ. v. 27
Darkness while You are dying. v. 44
In Your hands is my spirit. v. 46
The Sabbath: I rest in You. v. 56

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the eleventh of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

Focus on Jesus

Sunday, November 10, 2013
Luke 20:27-38

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Andrea del Sarto – “Christ the Redeemer”
Wood, 47 x 27 cm – Santissima Annunziata, Florence
Visit the Web Gallery of Art http://www.wga.hu

One of the religious groups at the time of Jesus were called Sadducees. In addition to other jobs, they took care of keeping the Temple neat and clean. Along with the Pharisees, they got very angry and upset when they saw crowds of people turning away from them and listening to Jesus teach in the Temple. With eyes wide open and ears focused, so may people found delight, joy and healing when Jesus was around.

One day a group of Sadducees decided to trip Jesus up with a question about life after death. They believed that when you die you were buried—that’s it. You’ll read about their trick question and how Jesus responded.

If you were in the crowd, wouldn’t it bother you that some hecklers were interrupting Jesus? When you read today’s story and everyday when you read the Bible, keep your focus on Jesus’ words and on his beautiful face shining in your heart.

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Silent before Your wisdom
In Your body all are one. v. 35
Child of the resurrection v. 36
You are God of the living. v. 38

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the eleventh of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from
The Revised Common Lectionary.
Year C is dedicated to the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

The Good Thief

Friday, November 8, 2013
Luke 23:13-43

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Vecellio Tiziano – “Christ and the Good Thief”
c. 1566 – Oil on canvas, 137 x 149 cm
Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna
Visit the Web Gallery of Art http://www.wga.hu

Pilate was so afraid of making the Jewish crowd angry, that he forgot to be fair, compassionate and simply honest about Jesus who stood before him. Like a coward, he gives in and sentences Jesus to death.

Stand before Jesus on the cross. Listen to the crowds mock and shout at Jesus. There are a few faithful women standing at the foot of Jesus’ cross, quietly weeping.

One more person silently observes all that is going on—one of the criminals on the cross alongside Jesus. He has come to be called, “The Good Thief.” Like Zacchaeus, high up in a tree, so does this man, lifted high on the cross as Jesus, see all that’s going on. In the middle of the mocking and shouting of the crowd, he is aware of the love that flows from Jesus, just as does Jesus’ blood. Catch the beauty of the words that Jesus and he share together.

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Carrying the cross of Christ. v. 27
“My Father, please forgive them.” v. 34
This is the King of the Jews. v. 38
Now with You in paradise. v. 43

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the tenth of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

On the Shoulders of Saints

Sunday, November 3, 2013
Luke 19:1-10

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Photo Courtesy – anchorwallace.com

Zacchaeus, the tax collector, was a short, little man. Just as other tax collectors, he was hired by the Romans to bang on the doors of God’s people and get them to pay their taxes to Rome. They were hated by the Hebrew people. As short as he was, Zacchaeus bowed his head even lower, as he walked about the streets of Jerusalem. He didn’t look at others in the eye, so that he wouldn’t have to catch their dirty looks.

Watch how all this changes when he learns that Jesus is coming down the main street. He climbs up a tree to get a better look, way above the crowd, who were so very happy that Jesus was passing by. His face and head are up. Jesus and he make eye contact; a gentle shock of joy passes through Zaccaheus’ body as he and Jesus smile at each other. That was the beginning of a new life for him. Next comes the joy of a meal together and a life dedicated to serving Jesus.

As happens this year, very often this Gospel occurs on All Saints’ Sunday. Just as I sat on my Dad’s shoulders when I was a child, just as Zacchaeus in the tree, it is as though we are sitting on the shoulders of beautiful friends and relatives, saints who have passed on to us, their faith in Jesus and were filled with his love. They helped us to see Jesus more clearly and to follow him more closely. Let us thank God for all the saints in our lives.

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Wanting to see you, Jesus v. 3
Out on a limb for Jesus v. 4
You staying within my heart v. 5
You seek out and save the lost. v. 10

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the tenth of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from
The Revised Common Lectionary.
Year C is dedicated to the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

Silence: Barrier to Badness

Friday, November 1, 2013
Luke 23:1-12

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Nicolaus Knüpfer – “Christ before Herod Antipas”
Oil on panel, 46 x 61 cm
Szépmûvészeti Múzeum, Budapest
Visit the Web Gallery of Art http://www.wga.hu

Jesus doesn’t have very much to say when he stands before Pilate. But what it comes to Herod, Jesus says nothing at all, as Herod tries to have Jesus do some miracle, as though what Jesus was about was performing magic. Jesus does’t say anything—just complete silence! Herod cannot find anything to get Jesus to do what he wants.

Jesus doesn’t have very much to say when he stands before Pilate. But what Sometimes there are those who pick and poke at us to get us to do something they want, just because for some weird reason they like to control us. Simple silence can be a way of turning the negative forces back on the other so that they can hear their own voice and decide to stop bothering you. Silence is like a barrier to badness. With God’s help, we never need lose peace in our hearts.

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Lord, You are the Messiah. v. 2
May I be found innocent. v. 4
Silent before the Herods. v. 9
Gathering friends in the Lord. v. 12

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the ninth of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

God, Be Merciful to Me!

Sunday, October 27, 2013
Luke 18:9-14

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Photo Courtesy – http://londinoupolis.blogspot.com

My kindergarten teacher was a short, sweet religious woman. She taught generations of children as they began the long years of learning. She had a chart of Bible images for her lessons. In my mind, I can still see the one for the Pharisee and the Publican; I’ve posted it on the blog. The two persons are in strong contrast in the picture: to the left and in the front, with face lifted up, is the Pharisee; to the right, toward the back of the temple, is the humble tax collector with his face down. He simply prays for God’s mercy on him.

God’s mercy and love are far greater than any sin in this world. So whatever wrong you may have done, just let this simple Bible breath flow in and out with your breathing: “God, be merciful to me!”

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Turning inward to my God v. 13
God, be merciful to me! v. 13
Those exalted are humbled. v. 14
Those humble are exalted. v. 14

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the ninth of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from
The Revised Common Lectionary.
Year C is dedicated to the Gospel of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.