[From the version for families with children]

Every last Tuesday of the church year, we take a look at a book that is said to have been written by Solomon toward the end of his life. It’s called Ecclesiastes.  He takes somber look in many ways, yet one that has quiet wisdom running through it. Solomon stands at the end of his life and looks back on everything.  From that point of view, things fall into place alongside other things and events.  

“Finishing is better than starting”…I like that line.  The crowd of people beginning to run a Marathon is not as interesting as the few that lead the race and the ones who come in ahead of all. 

As you imagine the end of your life, whether it ends in the far off distance, and maybe even sadly, much sooner: take a moment and go to the end and think for some moments about what was really important to you in your whole life.  I hope it’s got something do to with loving others, finding God’s plan for your life and doing it, looking at the qualities about yourself by which you’ll want to be remembered.  

Well, you’re not dead yet!  There’s time for you right now to become the kind of person you really want to be.  

Ecclesiastes 5—8

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 22—23; 2 Kings; Ecclesiastes 5—8.

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 version for families with children]

Daniel is given a vision of what is going to happen at the end of the world.  Matthew, Mark and Luke have similar stories offered by Jesus and his disciples as they stand before the great Temple. The book of Revelation has similar stories.  

It sounds like a scary time, yet Jesus our King is in charge and with us.  The picture of the man in linen white…Though Daniel lives centuries before Christ, he gets a glimpse of  Jesus in this man dressed in linen.  I’m reminded of Revelation 7 we read a few weeks back, how the suffering of the saints caused their clothes to become white when they were drenched in the blood of the lamb: Jesus.

So we come to the end of book of Daniel which has been with us for the past thirteen Mondays.  This young teenager went through adventures, saw visions—every moment if his life, he was touched by God because he was willing to be close to God and to do what God wants.  If you and I have that same desire, God will show us what we need to know about the deep, inner meaning of things.  This does not only mean at the end of the world, but at the end of each moment, when we pause and spend some time being quiet. God will give us the wisdom to understand what situations and events mean from God’s point of view.  Hey, now there’s a point of view I would like to have!

 Daniel 12  

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year, we read the Book of Daniel.

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 of the book]

With eyes of faith, gaze upon Jesus your King standing before Pilate, a puppet governor. Jesus is clothed in a purple robe, the color of kings. His blood turns the cloak yet into greater kingly crimson. Listen in on their somber conversation about truth and power. Though they speak on a level plane, face to face, Jesus’s word invites us to lofty heights of understanding and belief.

Pray to the Spirit that you comprehend the exalted nature of Jesus’s Kingdom. Though bloodied and beaten, Jesus is the only Lord of glory, power, and might. Through his love, surrender, and total dedication to the Father’s plan, Jesus finds his kingship. No other place but in Jesus will you fulfill the plan that the Father has for you.

John 18:33–37

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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.