Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 121.

Picture Jesus in the crowds making their way to Jerusalem. Since he was twelve years old, three times a year he walked to the great city surrounded by pilgrims chanting this psalm and all the psalms that fill our Wednesdays in Lent. There would be a final journey to Jerusalem and the lament over the city heard only by the olive trees on the mount, and then the final walk up Calvary’s hill with the cross.

Six times in the psalm, the word shamar sings itself, naming the Lord as “keeper” and “preserver.” Meditate on this word, sighing its sweet sound over and over as you mull over its inner meaning of God as a hedge around you. No matter what lies before you in your journey—challenge or temptation—the grace, power, and presence of God press on before you and hedge you all around.

Psalm 121

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: You keep from evil—Shamar v. 7

We pray in Lent this year, Psalms 120 to124.

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 Job 4:1-11.

A Chinese proverb says, “Never speak unless you are improving on the silence.” Job’s so-called “friends” would have been much better at being quiet those seven days, than in speaking their hurtful words. Presence in silent love with one in grief releases more power than words.

However, silence is not enough for Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. As you read their speeches, do so with the discerning heart that the Spirit will give. Their words are tempting fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Many of the verses are true and beautifully expressed in the dance of poetry that abounds in this book. However, it is not the whole truth, and nothing but the whole truth will do; anything less is a lie.

The friends become part of Job’s problem, instead of part of his solution. Be aware of the power of your silent presence.

Job 4—5

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Silence absorbing suff’ring 2:13

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the Season of Lent, we read the Book of Job.

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 Jeremiah 4:1-3.

The Lord calls Jeremiah to be the emotional expression of a God outraged, grieved, and simply hurt at the infidelity of the people.

God feels. How could it be otherwise, since we are made in God’s image? The Lord expresses all these emotions through Jeremiah, longing that the people be shaken from their evil, adulterous, idolatrous practices, and turn to the Lord once again.

Get ready with a heart open to receive the pain of your divine spouse. Do not stop short with guilt and shame; these block your spirit. Go deeper. Let the hard, numb soil of your soul be loosened to receive the pure seed of God’s Word. Drop down to that place within where there is deepest sorrow for your sins, all of which are variations on the theme of infidelity to the Lord. Pour out your heart in repentance. The Lord wants you back.

Jeremiah 4—6

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 1-13.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: My heart open before You 4:4

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.