Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Job 16:1-8.

Imagine the terrible, sudden death of your child. A friend comes to the funeral. Instead of comforting you, the person blames you, saying that it was your entire fault! Make this personal; imagine a specific loss, with some “friend” you know coming to you in this heartless way.

This is what Job experienced, making his suffering even more dreadful. His so-called friends accuse and taunt him. They are more interested in debating their side of a theological position, than in giving love.

Job’s response in today’s reading has the heart-rending cry of many a psalm. There is beauty here, poetry in pain. Job teaches that it is okay to pour out one’s feelings to the Lord in prayer. Can you feel the anger driving his expression? Any pockets of pain, fear, or anger inside of you that need to become chapters in your book of life?

Job 16—17

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Hands that are clean grow stronger v. 9

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the Season of Lent this year we read Job 15-21; 39-40.

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 Nick read the Firestarter and Jeremiah 23:1-6.

Open rebellion and refusal to follow the Lord: this is what has become of God’s people in the 6th century B.C. God raises up Jeremiah whose hammer-like and fiery words are meant to shake the hearts of the people into repentance and recovery of God.

We know more from Jeremiah than from any other prophet about what it is like to speak on behalf of God. He finds his call repugnant and frustrating. Yet the fire still burns within. The alternative? Give up and refuse to prophesy—infinitely more difficult.

Only by doing what God calls you to do will you find inner peace and ultimate meaning to your life. The fire of God’s call upon your life transforms personal preferences. Yield to God.

Jeremiah 21—23

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the Season of Lent this year we read Jeremiah 18 to 35.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You gathering us as sheep v. 3

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 Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

This is the first time that Jesus predicts his Passion. He hears the anointed confession of Peter given the gift of knowing that Jesus is the Christ. Yet Peter is not ready to hear about the suffering of his Christ. Having just received a new name, he gets another: “Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Peter is shaken up—and needs to be. And you: do you shrink from following Jesus when you see him carrying a cross ahead of you and when he asks you to take up yours? Take it up. Do not stand with it. Carry it forward.

Think of the ashes again. What you make alone does not go with you into eternal life, but only what God makes through you. “How do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?”

Mark 8:31–38

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Saving life by losing life v. 35

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.

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.