Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Genesis 2:15-25.

A second story of creation is told, this time from the tradition that clusters around the covenantal name of God: Yahweh. The focus of creation is that of man and woman. With tender love, God gathers the moist clay of the earth, forming a nose as a sculptor, and breathing God’s life into it. Inspirited earth: that is what you and I are. We live because the breath of God lives in us. Woman is made from the side of man, suggesting the intimate and equal relation that she has with him.

Read the familiar story of the Fall by placing yourself there at that moment of grave temptation and tragic yielding. Sin is original—yet it bears the seed of redeeming promise as the lines of Jesus’s coming are traced here in the very beginning of the Bible.

Linger in prayer with your thoughts and feelings as you conclude the reading.

Genesis 2:4—4:26

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion, Bereshith (Beginning)
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 1:1—6:8

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: We are dust; to dust return 3:19

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 Matthew 24:1-14.

The Good News is not reserved to every other chapter of the Gospels but this one! Greater than the disasters predicted, is the presence of the Lord to those who remain faithful to him. What comfort in this fact! Paul would later exult in Romans 8: 35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” When you experience a resounding “NO ONE” in the depths of your being, then the peace of the Lord will well up from within.

Do not fail to catch the significance of the first verse of the reading. “Jesus departed from the Temple.” Never again would Jesus enter the physical temple. When he left it, so did the Holy Spirit. Evil rushes into the vacuum left when Jesus is not there. Adhere ever more closely to him. Remember: you are a living stone—part of the new temple.

Matthew 24

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Your words not passing away v. 35

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Matthew 19 to 28.

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 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.

Paul uses the image of sexual union to address the Corinthian Christians who had once surrendered their lives to Jesus, later committing fornication, along with other vices. From verse 15 Paul uses this principle: your identity is found from the one with whom you are joined. If joined to a prostitute, you are a prostitute; if joined to Christ, you are “one spirit with him.”

Clear boundaries must be set between those who live in Christ’s body, and those who do not. It is a sacrilege for those who profess oneness in Christ to settle disputes by recourse to those outside this sacred boundary.

Paul’s admonition is strong—as strong as his love for these children begotten of him. Write down the loving and perhaps confronting words the Lord speaks to your heart.

1 Corinthians 6

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: All I do: for the Gospel v. 23

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 1 Corinthians.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.