Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Ecclesiastes 12:1-8.

Solomon in the evening of his life offers a sobering sense of the theme of the end of all things. While he fell short of the revelation about eternal life, still the perspectives he offers are valuable for personal detachment, setting priorities in life and realizing that the end of earthly life will come for everyone. God’s judgment will be the next event after our death as we all gaze alone with God upon the open pages of each one’s Book of Life.

Read slowly as though you are sipping hot cider on a cold autumn evening. Take chapter 12:6-7, linking it with the encounter of the Good Thief upon the cross. The Lord will remember you in his Kingdom in heaven if you remember your Redeemer in his Kingdom upon earth.

Ecclesiastes 9—12

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Breath returning to my God 12:7

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 30—32
and 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes 9—12.

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 Malachi 4:1-6.

God’s love, like circles and cycles, has no beginning or end. While we mark the conclusion of the three-year cycle of Bible readings and its beginning next week in Advent, the movement of God’s Word is all of one piece. These final chapters of the Old Testament are sutured to the New. The “coming messenger” is John the Baptist. There is unity of ends and beginnings, even as Advent begins the story of God’s grace, yet points to the end, in the Second Coming of Christ.

Chapter 4:8–10 are among the principle texts in the Bible about tithing and giving the first fruits to the Lord. Make connections with economic systems of injustice that exploit the Third World. Linger on the blessed promises of the concluding verses of the Old Testament, and the curse upon those whose hearts are hardened.

Malachi 3—4

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: You are like refiner’s fire. 3.2

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 Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

The final Sunday dedicated to Christ the King has us contemplate our Lord upon the throne of the cross. Place yourself before the cross, aware of the two thieves on either side. Hear the blasphemies of the one, and the tender response of the other. The late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen remarked, “The thief on the left wanted to be taken down; the thief on the right wanted to be taken up!”

As you look upon your King and the ignominy of his throne, may your heart be filled with the same grace with which the good thief responded. Jesus has taken possession of the Kingdom; he will share the paradise of his Kingdom presence with you now, if your prayer is as simple and direct as the one of the saved thief. The cross is the throne upon which Jesus shares his kingship with you. The victory and the joy are there.

Luke 23:33–43

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: My Jesus, remember me. v. 42

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.