Habakkuk’s name means, “embrace.” To embrace with the heart what eyes do not see, this is the essence of faith and the power of the verse for today. It was the byword of the Reformation of the sixteenth century.

Habakkuk and God relate through questions and answers similar to the Book of Job. But there is more intimacy and “give and take” here, than in Job. Yet as Job, the prophet has eyes of wonder at his world. Join your eyes with his as you read. Notice the contrast between how the book begins and how it ends.

Place yourself at a vantage point such as the prophet takes at the beginning of chapter 2. With eyes of faith, watch what God is going to say to you today in this reading and in the events of your day, which will be soaked with grace.

Habakkuk 1—3

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide we read Habakkuk to Malachi.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: The righteous will live by faith. 2:4

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.

Seeing is much more than simply noticing that something or someone is before you. It involves how you receive, understand, and are moved by what is there. More than eyes, the heart is the organ of sight.

We begin this final thirteen-week season that stretches before us with Jesus at a dinner with Pharisees “watching Him closely.” Imagine their squinted eyes and knitted brows as they behold Jesus’every move. These are not the wide-eyed eyes of those lost in wonder at the presence of God in Christ; rather they are the strifefilled glances of judgment, condemnation—stares that want to bind Jesus as tightly as the eyelids pressing about their eyes.

How do the eyes of your heart receive the teaching of Jesus about the etiquette of dinner invitations? Are you open to see beneath and beyond the world into the Kingdom? This week, be aware of your senses of sight and smell.

Luke 14: 1, 7–14

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Make me humble and simple. v. 11

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. 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.

Persons on their deathbed are often able to put their things in order and make final arrangements before they die; so too in the case of Moses. Instructions are given about how the poor are to be treated and the ordinances for the freeing slaves. Once again, the commandment is stated about celebrating the three major pilgrim festivals—Passover, Pentecost (“Weeks”) and Tabernacles.

We often take for granted the yearly celebration of festivals and holidays. Of course, the word “holiday” is from “holy day.” Originally, the Lord commanded such celebrations as a way to fill the year with remembrances of God’s saving activity on behalf of God’s people. We are responding to the instruction given by God through Moses. How do you celebrate holidays? Are they holy … or not so holy?

Deuteronomy 15:1—16:17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You’re blessing me here and now 15:4

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