Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation
on Psalm 138.

 Muslims pause five times each day to pray. They face the great mosque in Mecca. Jewish synagogues face Jerusalem. The physical turning of the body toward these holy places elevates awareness that only God is center of life. There is a tradition of churches facing east, place of sunrise and symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.

Face the direction of your church. How does this feel? Sense the gentle tension in the sacred thread that joins you and your community to that place in your life. Let this be a symbol of your facing the Lord who is more powerful than whatever else you are “facing” in life.

David prays in the last verse similar to Paul: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6).

Psalm 138

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: I give You thanks with my whole heart. v. 1

We continue to read the Psalms in numerical order.

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 Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Proverbs 30:21-33.

Beneath the proverbs of Agur, the unknown writer of this chapter, there lies a method to open yourself to the inward rush of wisdom. The writer is a contemplative. There are five groups of sayings, each characterized by the way that simple observation of God’s creatures brings the sacred writer to applications in human life.

Listen to Agur as he speaks to you while he is observing creatures, commenting to you about each one. The Holy Spirit teaches you to do the same. Look about your life, your day—the simple details you may overlook or even resist that can teach you about God’s ways. That spider of which you are afraid … Look at the web. What is God telling you about patience, delicacy, method, weaving, silence, planning, the Bible: The Word-Wide Web!

Proverbs 30

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Every word of Yours proves true. v. 5

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 30—32
and 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes 9—12.

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 Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Deuteronomy 24:14-22.

Mercy and justice are blended in these laws of Israelite society. Laws of justice have changed; those of mercy and compassion have not. The essence of the motive for compassion is the word “remember” found in 24:19 and verse 22. The energy for compassion comes from solidarity with those whose lives are being diminished. Every person in need can present him or herself before you, prompting you to utter from your heart: “I’ve been there; I too have been a slave in Egypt.”

There we would continue to be, but for the mercy and grace of God upon our lives. Be a sacrament of love; be like Moses, who in the power of the coming Christ, led those in bondage in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land—the Kingdom that God is ever opening to you.

Deuteronomy 24:14—25:19

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Ki Tetze (When You Go Out) 
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. 
Deuteronomy. 21:10—25:19

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You give rest from enemies. 25:19

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