[From the version for families with children]

Let’s take a journey backwards in time—thousands of years ago.  On Tuesdays we’ll be reading a lovely jewel of God’s words from way back then.  It is the book of Ruth.  It’s a small book of only four chapters—one for each of the four weeks of Advent.  In addition, there will be a theme-word that will be the title for each of the Firestarters for these weeks.

      Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David an ancestor of Jesus.  For ages past, God has been carefully weaving his plan like a great tapestry.  Every once in awhile, some different threads enter into the weaving—in this case, a woman who is not a Hebrew marries into a Hebrew family.  It’s a love story that is just beautiful.  About two-thirds of the book has dialogue in them, which makes it a kind of weekly drama.  Feel the emotions of the characters: enter into their lives.  God is up to something with this wonderful lady—and God is up to something with you too!   

Ruth 1

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Advent this year, we read the Book of Ruth.

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

[From the original version]

What future is there for a eunuch? No progeny—only endless cycles of boring chores, as worker bees in a hive, unable to make the queen fertile. However, the miracle of children and a future will come even for them, if they keep Sabbath sacred space—wombs of time, fertilized by fidelity to God’s Word.

The first Advent candle is lit, sowing a seed of light into the dark womb of night. Place yourself before the candle at the center of those places within where there is anything like despairing darkness. Resist the smugness of those beastly types with their vain feelings of power. Each of their tomorrows will become darker and darker. Take hope. It is Advent. Jesus the light longs to make your heart fertile. Will you let him?

Isaiah 56

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Advent this year, we continue to read Isaiahl.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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.

[From the original version]

A shrill blast pierces the silence of the descending darkness of an autumn evening. It is the shofar, the ram’s horn, summoning the people to a sobering awareness of the end times as the Jewish New Year begins in autumn.

Today the New Year for the Church begins. The voice of Jesus sounds the call for readiness, awareness, sobriety, watchfulness—in short, for prayer. The message shakes us to our roots, loosening those places within where we are bound to a world passing away.

What the shofar is to the silence, the first Advent candle is to the darkness. Enter the beauty of the darkness of this season and the way in which tiny particles of light pierce the night with an expanding joy. Jesus is coming.

Luke 21:25–36

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we give a special focus to the Gospel of Luke.

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.