Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

Jesus’s words that you will read sound more like something ending, rather than the beginning of a new church year. It appears to be the reversal of the first verses of Genesis when God created light, the sun, and the moon. Darkness comes again, as though chaos, first bound by God at the beginning of the Bible, is swallowing up God’s creation again. These are signs of the beginning of something gloriously new—the total reign of Jesus in creation. However, as often happens in our own personal lives, “Things have to get worse before they get better.” Present with you right now, the Lord seeks to turn the chaos of your life into one of order and light, even when you do not see it. Walk awakened in faith and not in fear.

Mark 13:24–37

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You are near: door of my heart. v. 29

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year, we read the Gospel of Mark, chapters 1-2.

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.

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Genesis 34.

You will read about the evil act of revenge of Simeon, Levi and their men upon those who violated their sister, Dinah. Such evil will continue in them and the rest of the brothers when the story of Joseph is told.

The vengeance of his sons outrages Jacob. God comes to Jacob and tells him to go to Bethel, a place sacred in the memory of Jacob, where he met the Lord in a most special way (Gen 28:11–22). There his name is changed from Jacob to Israel. That place becomes a holy remembrance for Israel and his descendants.

Do you have a place or places in your life where you especially met the Lord? Such places bring back the sense of the original blessings the Lord has given you. Make a retreat to those places in your mind—even make plans to visit them sometime.

Memories are important. They keep us in touch with the Lord who is always with us, but which we might be forgetting in the haste and pace of life’s movement.

Genesis 34:1—35:15

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Vayishlah (And He Sent) 
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.
Genesis 32:3—36:43

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I’m standing on holy ground.

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

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

Recall the mountains in this Gospel—the setting for the Beatitudes in “The Sermon on the Mount,” Mount Tabor where the Transfiguration of Jesus took place, Mount Calvary, and finally this mountain where your King bids farewell and gives “The Great Commission.”

On this last week of another year of grace, place yourself among those first disciples who heard the commission. Feel yourself a part of the Church, bonded together in such a way that Christ lives in you and works through you because of the connections you have with the members of Christ’s body.

Take the Great Commission personally. How are you living it? What changes in your life need to take place? Advent begins in two days: will you be disposed to live in the Kingdom? A new year of grace is about to rush in for you!

Matthew 28:16–20

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You will be with us always. v. 20

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Matthew 19 to 28.

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.