Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

Creation, old and new … Genesis and Mark—feel the blending of these two beginnings as the new year begins. The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters of chaos and gave them a limit they could not trespass so that dry land could come for us to walk upon. It happens again for Jesus by the Jordan. He plunges into the waters of your chaos and mine and emerges onto solid ground. Jesus takes all that would drown you and comes out more than a survivor, a victor! The highway between heaven and earth, blocked by Adam’s sin, is wonderfully open again. Now the voice of God can be heard for you and everyone.

How are you? You can respond much more than the typical, “Hanging in there!” You are more than a survivor; you are victorious in Jesus if you will cling to the Lord as the waters rush around you.

Mark 1:4–11

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Ready to be lifted up

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 Exodus 7:8-24.

The first two plagues come upon the land of Egypt in response to Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Hebrews go. Each of these actions of God is designed to address the various Egyptian gods and to show that they are powerless in the presence of the great I AM. All throughout these moves of God against Pharaoh, God is the one who is really in charge.

When you and I resist doing what the Lord wants of us, the consequences will be a kind of plague. While these may not seem as dramatic as the ones in the Book of Exodus, still many evils can come against you with more effect when you lose the protection of the Lord by resisting God’s ways.

Recovering persons say, “Denial is not a river in Egypt!” You will be in denial as Pharaoh, if you expect to live a happy, free life without prayer and a deep desire to respond to who the Lord calls you to be.

Exodus 7:8—8:15

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Vaera (And I Appeared)
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.

Exodus 6:2—9:35

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I AM living within me.

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.

 Mark tells how people “went out” to be baptized by John in the Jordan. This is the same word in Greek for the Exodus. Jesus is the one who is going to lead you up and out of waters drowning you. Spend time with John and Jesus by the banks of these waters of freedom.

The Gospel of Mark will be our companion for the Fridays of most of this year. I suggest you spend time with a Bible Dictionary and a commentary on this Gospel so that you will appreciate the power of Jesus portrayed by Mark. The more you learn, the more the Holy Spirit will find a mind and heart receptive to the presence of God.

Just as in the Exodus, this presence will go before you as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, splitting open the chaotic waters of your life!

Mark 1:1–8

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Baptized with th’Holy Spirit v. 8

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Luke 1-2; Mark 1-3

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.