Job does something different than just get locked into a back-and-forth argument with his friends about God. All that has been only making things worse.  His friends don’t really want to comfort Job, they want to argue with him.    

So what Job does is to have a look at the animals of the earth.  They can’t get into the argument, because they can’t speak…or can they?  By the way in which they are, animals “speak” about God. There is a natural joy in being created that every animal has. They don’t have to get bothered arguing.  We catch all of this when we watch them. They’ve got something to “say” about God.  It’s like the cartoons that we like: so many are animals talking!  

Take some of the animals that Job mentions and imagine that you and they are having a conversation right how.  What would they have to say about your life and about God?

Job 12:7-12

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
This year in the season of Lent we read selections Job 1—14 and 38.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Jeremiah and Job seem to be like brothers.  They both have problems with why God doesn’t act the way Jeremiah and Job need God to act.  But look what happens from verse 18.  God’s gets into the conversation with Jeremiah and shakes him up.  It’s as though he is saying to Jeremiah: “Listen, my prophet!  I need you to speak MY words, not yours. It’s not about YOU; it’s about ME—God.  So hang in there. Keep quiet and hold your tongue until I tell you to speak.  I love you. You’re my chosen special spokesman for others.  You’re the man!  But you need to trust me no matter what.  In that way, you’ll keep your eyes on me and not on your troubles.”

Imagine that you are Jeremiah.  What would you answer God at the end of today’s passage, at verse 21?

Jeremiah 15:15-21

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
This year in the season of Lent we read selections from Jeremiah 1—17.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.

I have a friend, Bill, who used to be a locksmith before he became a pastor.  A locksmith is someone who knows how to make locks and keys work right. Bill told me one time of a person who needed to have a key made for his house.  All during Bill’s work, the owner of the house kept looking at him, wanting to be sure that Bill didn’t make an extra key.  Bill said to him: “If I wanted to get into your house, I could pick my way in anytime.  Aren’t I the one who make the key in the first place by picking your lock?”

Jesus has the keys to life and death.  When he brought Lazarus back to life, wouldn’t he have the power to be resurrected himself?  The Jewish leaders were just plain dumb when they got so upset about Lazarus, plotting to kill Jesus.  Jesus allowed this to happen, so that he could show his love for us and more: to share life forever with us. 

John 11:1-45

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Lectionary,
During most of Lent and Easter we read the Gospel of John.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.