Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and James 5:13-20.

Confrontation with compassion: these two words describe the tone of the final chapter of the Letter of James. God’s love flows forth from the way James simply tells the truth.

Throughout the letter there have been various exhortations from James; the final chapter completes the list. Verse 14 unfolds the sacramental power of prayer for the sick and anointing with oil.

John Wesley and the first Methodists knew of the joy of confessing to one another. What would it take you to find this spiritual discipline an attractive addition to your life in community, instead of a threat?

James 5

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Deciding not to complain v. 9

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Lent this year we read the Letter of James, and 1 Corinthians 14-15.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters 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 the Psalm.

Tap here for a video-meditation on Psalm 134.

They’ve arrived! As the elation of marathon runners crossing the finish line, the hands of the pilgrims are raised high as they come into the sanctuary of the Lord. Feet come to rest; now it is hands’ turn to celebrate.

For the pilgrims, it is the joy at what is coming, rather than what is finished. So also for Jesus who crosses the finish line into Jerusalem this coming Palm Sunday, “who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding it shame” (Heb 12:2). The cross is the finish line into heaven’s space. Only from there does Jesus cry out: “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Because of Jesus’s completion of the Father’s will, we can already be in the sanctuary of the risen life now. For you: what further journeying into that precious presence still needs to take place?

Psalm 134

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Come, you servants, bless the Lord. v. 1

We conclude the fifteen “”Songs of Ascent” with today’s Psalm.

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 36:13-23.

The sixteenth century Polish astronomer, Copernicus, demonstrated that the sun is the center, with the earth and planets circling about it. It was a revolution in his day. Elihu’s intervention does the same for Job’s world. Job is not the center: God is. Read today’s passage very slowly, so that your spirit will sense the shift, flowing easily along with his speech. Pause after his questions, so that any egocentric ways of thinking that you have will shift to a prayerful contemplation of God as the center of your world.

Yield to Elihu’s expression of faith and conviction. The images and poetry here will touch your spirit. Be open to the Lord who daily prepares you to receive God’s Word more and more. The concluding passage in Job comes next week, when God finally intervenes and does the talking.

Job 35—37

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Lured out of stress into peace 36:16

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Lent this year we read Job 22 to 37; 41-42.

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