Thinking about the changing seasons we’re in in which here in Central Texas, it looks like Fall is starting to happen with several cooler weather days in a row, only to get hit with heat again. Nevertheless, I see many thriving and growing, even in this climate. They’ve learned to adapt, figuring out a way to continue forward, with good roots, and great soil. That’s the theme today- soil. I invite you to take a break. Let’s examine ourselves with the offerings below. Consider this: What’s the soil of our heart looking like these days?
For our Bible Break time together on 11 Sep 2025, this is what I shared with the women who came. I want to share it here with you as well, in case you want to follow along with us using these offerings. May you also take your own ‘Bible Break on Thursdays‘ with God too and be blessed. You can find a schedule for Fall 2025 here. (BTW, I’m not sure if I will prepare and post something when I am out of town yet, but a staff member will be filling in next week in my absence. I can’t wait to hear how she uses this Bible Break time in-person with the students on Thursday!) Blessings and peace!
Bible Break on Thursday’s – September 11th, 2025
Welcome!
Quote: “If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere” — Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Devotion
For the reading this week, I chose this passage from Matthew 13:1-23 read in the NLT translation copied here:
13 Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets[a] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,
For they look, but they don’t really see.
They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,
‘When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’[b]
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.
18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Music Pause
(You are invited right now to take 3:33 minutes to breathe, listen to this song and/or take a break for your mind.)
Prayer Reading
(Reading the Blessing from The BTS Convocation 2021: We are God’s Soil: Spiritual Leadership in a Climate-Changed World” found here)
As we gather,
May we release our grip on other responsibilities in life, and find ourselves grounded and
present, here, now.
May we put aside our todo list and step into this space curious and open to what is
offered and how it might inspire and inform the way we move in the world.
May we be gentle with anything that aches in our bodies, in our relationships, in our
work, in our earth.
May we be generous with our stories, our hopes, our vulnerability and let the community
here lift, inspire, and encourage us.
May we surrender what is not working, what is holding us back, past failures, …
And offer them as compost, that might be transformed for future growth.
May we smile and be playful exploring a creative part of ourselves too often neglected.
May we be observant and reverent for the way spirit moves in unexpected ways.
As the earth holds us, may we remember to hold each other.
Amen
Student Responses
(You are all in the same boat, ladies. So I hope that you can get to know one another on this journey and find encouragement through one another to get you through this time together. So share your name again and something that stood out to you today or how you’re feeling with the group so we can get to know you. We want to hear from everyone.)
- Share something that stood out to you from the quote, the reading, the song, the prayer – anything -… share something along with your name with us today. (Feel free to do this below- whoever you are- as well in the comments, if you’d like to leave one with the public from these materials I shared above!)
- (Again, this was a precious time of hearing more from each person. I love this part so much because different points and emphasis are shared with one another and we learn from one another.)
Prayer
I pray for you right now, for anyone that might be reading this!
Lord God, keeping in mind those not here with us- we pray that you are with them Lord. I thank you so much for today. For bringing each person here. They have come for a reason (or see this post) for a reason. I pray God that you’ll be with them, in this time, wherever they are, whatever they’re doing. Lord God help make a way when the way is difficult, and it will be at times. Remind us how you’re with us in this journey and with us on our path. God “send down your rain and light and with your help we’ll be the soil, to bring the world to life. Bring us to life.”* Lord God, Bring us to life and give us new life, in You. Lord give us eyes to see and ears to hear – we long to truly hear and understand You.** “As the earth holds us, may we remember to hold each other.”***
Amen
*- see “The Soil Song” by Pax Ressler above
** see Matthew 13:18-23 above
**- see “BTS Convocation 2021 blessing” above
CWJC’s annual fundraiser is happening this month, September 23rd, called “Baskets of Hope.” I haven’t personally attended yet, but I probably will this year. Details about this event is on the link below. Will you consider praying for this event with me and supporting this event financially, if you feel led to do so? https://cwjcwaco.org/baskets-of-hope-annual-fundraiser/ Thank you!
(Download updated printable for Bible Break on Thursday’s Fall 2025 calendar is here.)
- Kickoff Fall 2025 & introduction here
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