Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Isaiah 56:1-5.

[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…
Example: Being just and doing right v.1

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 the Gospel.

[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…
Example: Your words will not pass away. v. 33

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Genesis 27:30-45.

[From the original version]

God’s will is done even in the midst of deceit, as in this story of Esau, Jacob, and the blessing. The Chosen People knew the power of the tongue to bless or curse—something we need to remember today. That critical word, that unkind remark has a strong effect upon another. Yet one word of heartfelt prayer can be more powerful. When Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, he knew that the effect of prayer is greater than all the schemes of evil plotted against us.

Who are the “Esaus” in your life? May that list become one with your prayer list. If you have been deceitful toward anyone, repent. Then there is the other side: are you “Esau” to anyone? Who has done you wrong in your life? Be careful about harboring resentment as Esau did. Forgive, and the power of the Lord will flow into your life.

Genesis 27:30—28:9

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Lord, I welcome your blessing.

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