Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Gospel.

[From the version for young people]

Let’s go inside the Temple with Jesus and some of his disciples.  You would think that the Temple leaders would be angry with Jesus, for just a few days before, he had turned over their tables with lots of money for the animals that people needed to buy for the holy feast of Passover.  Still, Jesus is very bold and enters the Temple.

Stand by Jesus as he talks with you and his friends about what he sees going on.  First he points out the leaders sitting and standing around in their places of honor wanting to show off to others how important they are.  There they are, some sitting in their seats of honor, others standing about making pious gestures meant to impress others. Actually, what is most important to them are themselves and how much they want other people to think they are holy. 

Then, in another area, lots of people are standing in line coming to give their offering in the collection box. Jesus notices a very old lady, all bent over, waiting her turn to give her offering.  Jesus knows what she is giving. What difference does Jesus make between her gift and those of all the others in line with their gifts?

How much of your own money are you willing to give to God when you go to church?  God might even place it on your heart to give an offering instead of spending it on a video game you wanted to buy for yourself. When we give what is a sacrifice to us, it lets God and each one of us know how important God is in our lives…much more important than anything we would have spent with that money…certainly much more important than ourselves! 

Mark 12:38-44

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Wary of those wearing pride v. 38

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Genesis 17:1-14.

[From the original version]

Sarah’s barrenness was interpreted as a curse. Rather than trust in the Lord, she took it upon herself to tell Abraham to have relations with Hagar, Sarah’s maid, so that Abraham could have a son. Ishmael was born, and with it was begotten jealousy between the two women and their children, even to our own day. Modern day Arabs trace their ancestry back to Ishmael.

In chapter 17 we joyfully begin to recall the covenant that God made with Abraham. God introduces himself as El Shaddai, the name we translate as “The Almighty.”

God offers a covenant with Abraham. The sign of this covenant is circumcision—what comes forth in generative life is to be the gift of God and not simply the productivity of the flesh alone. May your heart be circumcised in a response to God’s abundant life.

Genesis 16—17

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Lech L’cha (Go Yourself)
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 12—17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: El Shaddai: “God Almighty” 17:1

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 Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Mark 14:32-52.

[From the version for young people]

The suffering of Jesus begins.  He has been telling this to the disciples; now it’s here. Jesus takes three of his closest friends to be with him during what we call, “The Agony in the Garden.”  Look what happens to the three friends: they fall asleep!

Jesus says that his hour has come, as well as the cup of suffering.  Centuries past, an hour glass would tell the length of an hour.  Can you see something similar between the cup of suffering and the “glass” of the hour that is before Jesus?  

Today, be aware of the actual hours of your day as so many glasses or cups that you fill with wakeful prayer.  As each empties and fills like a cup, stay close to Jesus in his suffering. You know, Jesus continues to suffer in the hours of this day through innocent people losing their lives such as refuge children from countries persecuted by tyrants and wars. Pray in an alert way for them as you help them in their suffering through your prayer.

  Mark 14:32-72

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Not my will, but Yours be done. v. 36

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read
from the Gospel of Mark, this season, chapters 10 to 16.

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.