Hear the prayer of this extraordinary leader who would mastermind and complete the rebuilding of the walls about Jerusalem. Compare Ezekiel and Nehemiah. Ezekiel’s vision of the Temple was not intended to be completed in an earthly manner: not so for Nehemiah. Vision, planning, energy, and sweat went into the completion of a 1.5 mile, 8 foot thick wall about the city. Workers had one hand on tools of reparation, the other on weapons of defense. Chapter 3 is as a great memorial plaque.

Rejoice to be within the walls of the new temple—the risen body of Jesus. Pray in compassion for the countless others outside the boundaries of this Body who live without the full protection of Jesus against the onslaughts of all the evils of our worldly society.

Nehemiah 1—4

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Your gracious hand upon me 2:8

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the Easter Season this year we read Easter: Prov 24 -26; Nehemiah.

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

Visions from the Lord can be filled with many details, as in Ezekiel’s vision of the restored Temple and the return of the people from Exile. You will find it helpful to refer to a translation converting ancient measurements into modern ones. Go first to the end of chapter 42, noting the dimensions of the outer court—an immense square, 840 feet on each side—almost the length of three football fields! If you want to make your own blueprint of the vision, take an 8½ x 11 inch piece of paper, folding it to make an 8½ square, each inch being 100 feet.

Yet even more expansive than the dimensions of the Temple described here, is the temple Jesus offers us— one beyond measure within which to live and move and have our being, his very risen Body.

Ezekiel 40—42

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Sacred space surrounding me 42:15ff

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the Easter Season this year we read Ezekiel 33—48.

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.

God led the Chosen People from slavery in Egypt; however, a new kind of oppression later arose. Religious leaders became slaves to greed and power, exploiting the people as evil shepherds who rob and murder sheep— God’s people. A new Exodus was needed. It came with Jesus.

The center Sunday of Easter has traditionally been “Good Shepherd Sunday.” By the gentle call of each by name, Jesus leads us, his wounded and abused sheep, out of the oppressive dimension of the institution of religion, into a glorious new sheepfold. There the sheep are so one with the shepherd that the bond is the same as that between the Father and Jesus.

Let go and give yourself to the Lord, then God will hold onto you; no one will be able to snatch you out of God’s hand.

John 10:22–30

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: I hearing the Shepherd’s voice. v. 27

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, during the Easter Season, we read from John’s Gospel, with Luke on the Seventh Week.

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.