See today’s reading in the light of the resurrection account in John 20:1–18. You will find the search for Jesus’ body by Mary Magdalene expressed in ways similar to those found in the beginning of the passage for today. The clinging of Mary to Jesus finds echo in 3:4.

Lush images flow throughout the dialogue between the Shulamite woman and the Beloved. This is the way God loves you in Jesus. Fall in love with God again.

You might write a prayer-letter to God using images here as elements of your expression. May your search for love and for God be as strong and adamant as the search for the Beloved.

Song of Songs 3—4

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Seeking You whom my soul loves 3:1

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Easter this year we read Proverbs 11—12 and The Song of Songs.

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

Forty-seven times the number four appears in Ezekiel, seven times in just six verses in chapter 10. As the Alphabyte “Quarters” suggests, four is basic to life, symbol of fullness and completion.

Slow down your reading so that the images in Ezekiel can come alive in you. Go with him to the places where he leads. The four faces have led to various later interpretations of finding the faces of the Evangelists. St. John is the Eagle as he soars in heights of sublime understanding of Jesus.

Be ready for the heights of communion with God where the Lord wants to take you. The Lord is doing a miracle of re-creation in you as anything stony in your heart is transformed into a heart of flesh.

If you were to be one of those faces, which one would it be and why?

Ezekiel 10—11

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Easter we read Ezekiel 1—16.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Moving with the Lord’s glory. 10:18

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.

The setting of the Last Supper before Jesus is lifted up on the cross is offered here before Jesus is lifted to heaven in the Ascension. Jesus has just heard the protestations of Peter that he would never deny Jesus. Jesus must have descended in an instant to an inner garden of agony. Nonetheless, from these depths of Jesus’s heart we begin to hear the most exalted words ever addressed to humans: we are called to live with God.

The essence of this living-with is found in the Greek word meno meaning “to dwell, remain, abide,” etc. The noun form, “mansions,” or “dwelling places,” occurs only two times in the Bible, in the verse for today and in verse 23. The way in which the Father and Son mutually indwell becomes the model for how we are meant to live with God.

Take this Greek word, meno and repeat it repeatedly today until it burrows its way into you.

John 14:1–14

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You taking me to Yourself v. 3

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

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.