Author: Nick

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Stars of Hope in the Darkness

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the 1 Peter 1:3-9.

As stars scattered across an Advent night’s sky, so does Peter write to Christians flung across Asia Minor. His words flow down the centuries to you to this very moment. If you are lonely, dejected, rejected, or even persecuted, then this letter is especially for you. Read and embrace words of hope intended to lift you from discouragement that comes when darkness seems more basic than light. Pause at those words and phrases that touch you, repeating them as you breathe the saving words of healing salvation.

In verse 4, the word “kept” is a military one. God is a powerful sentry to guard you from the hurt that the Evil One wants to inflict pain upon you. Be embraced by the light that is this passage.

1 Peter 1:1–12

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: A new birth—a living hope .3

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

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A Prayer in the Night

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Psalm.

Tap Here for a video meditation on Psalm 95.

[From the version for young people]

Can you imagine this psalm being prayed in the middle of the night for centuries—about a 2 AM?  How’s that for getting up early!  There are religious communities who live to praise God, work and pray in God’s presence all the time.  They even promise to stay in the same place all the days of their life, challenging us to be careful about all the traveling that we want to do.  Jesus never went beyond the Lands that became holy by his presence.

Pray this psalm in the spirit of those who begin their day in the middle of the night.  While everyone is sleeping the prayer is sung out for the whole earth, inviting all the peoples to return to the basics of life and praise God.

The middle of the night….quiet, peaceful—a good time for prayer…for you too, if you find yourself awake for awhile at that time.  It’s soon to be the middle of the season when nights are much longer than days—winter.   It’s in this setting that we celebrate Advent—the season to become awakened to God and God’s love in our lives.

 Psalm 95

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: All the earth belongs to You. v.4

We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.

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

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The Return

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Ruth 1:1-18.

[From the version for young people]

Let’s take a journey backwards in time—thousands of years ago.  On Tuesdays we’ll be reading a lovely jewel of God’s words from way back then.  It is the book of Ruth.  It’s a small book of only four chapters—one for each of the four weeks of Advent.  In addition, there will be a theme-word that will be the title for each of the Firestarters for these weeks.

      Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David an ancestor of Jesus.  For ages past, God has been carefully weaving his plan like a great tapestry.  Every once in awhile, some different threads enter into the weaving—in this case, a woman who is not a Hebrew marries into a Hebrew family.  It’s a love story that is just beautiful.  About two-thirds of the book have dialogue in them, which makes it a kind of weekly drama.  Feel the emotions of the characters: enter into their lives.  God is up to something with this wonderful lady—and God is up to something with you too!   

Ruth 1

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…

Example: All people as my people v.16

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Advent this year, we read the Book of Ruth.

 

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