Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Genesis 11:1-9.

[From the original version of the book]

What arrogance—to think about getting to heaven by building a tower, instead of being lifted up to heaven by God! The seventeenth century Rabbi, Chaim Ibn Attar, suggested that the sin was also found in placing humans in tight, vertical space, when God had intended the population to be spread out. Naturally he made this comment before the advent of high apartments and office buildings. Though these are not evils in themselves, one wonders where the boundaries of justice are, in decisions emanating from skyscrapers around the world that result in unjust distribution of the world’s resources.

The Day of Pentecost reversed Babel’s confusion of tongues, as recorded in Acts 2. We need to allow our mouths to be regulated by the Spirit-tongue of fire in the head and heart.

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: Language confused when there’s pride v. 7

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 14:1-11.

[From the original version]

The final month of God’s year of grace is here. Leaves lie on the ground; days are getting colder and shorter. Autumn, as well as spring, is a prayerful time to ponder the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The plot to kill Jesus, woven beneath the fabric of the Gospel itself, now comes to completion with the cooperation of someone from the inside—Judas. In the Anointing at Bethany, extravagant love for Jesus is literally poured out at the same time as extravagant hatred surges ahead.

Take the alabaster flask of your life and empty it out in love and abandon, as do the very leaves pour themselves from the trees. The anointing is a symbol of resurrection. Go inward and adore your Lord.

Mark 14:1–31

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Pouring oil of the heart v. 3

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Revelation 5:11-14.

[From the original version]

Imagination, fueled by faith, transports us into the divine presence. Clear a space within so that a slow reading of these verses can allow you to paint the picture of the wondrous vision which John shares with us.

These are the final weeks of God’s year of grace. Enjoy five Thursdays that lift us on high, far above the hassles of earth, to spiritual places that will renew your life and fill you with joy. Though there will be visions of intense struggles between good and evil in the heavenly plane, this assurance courses through every verse: God is the ultimate victor.

As flashes of light that brighten the night, come hymns of praise sung in heaven that give an audio dimension to what our eyes see by faith. Four of these refrains are present in today’s passage. Pray them aloud over and over, perhaps creating spontaneous tunes.

May all that you see and hear, fill your day with heaven.

Revelation 4—5

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Blessing and honor to You 5:13

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In season of Kingdomtide this year,
we read 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Revelation 4—11.

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.