Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Job 15:1-6.

 Tuesdays and the Book of Job: open yourself to this intriguing, often tedious study of how it is that the righteous suffer. Job confronts us with the challenge to meet suffering with hope and trust in the Lord, despite our incapacity to understand.

Job has three friends who claim there must be some sin that Job committed to account for his sufferings. They go back and forth in dialogue three different times. This being Year B, we begin with the second series of dialogues. You might want to review the first three chapters of the book that give the entire work its setting.

Job is an especially fitting book with which to journal. When your spirit echoes his, there is a dialogue beginning in your heart—one that the Spirit wants to direct. What is this back and forth movement within you? You and who else are the participants in the dialogue? Write and see.

Job 15

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Neither do You condemn me. v. 6; Jn 8:11

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 20:7-9.

Two objects are set before you today, a pot and a flask. As you reflect upon these broken articles, become them. In what way are you broken? What would God have to do to you to remake you more fully into God’s image? Is there a spirit of rebellion in you as there was for the people in Jeremiah’s time?

This is a sad and tragic period for God’s people. The energies of their lives burn before the altars of false gods. Jeremiah’s anger and outrage find full expression in the lament that begins with 18:19. Gratefully, God does not take vengeance as fully as Jeremiah would have liked.

What does the Lord tell you about yourself as you read these vibrant images? Feel the Lord’s own hurt, indignation and grief over God’s people. Become one, not only with the pot, but also with the potter. Let God break you and remake you.

Jeremiah 18—20

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the Winder Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 40 – 55.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Taken to You by Your love v. 7

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.

A forty-day journey to Easter began this past week with Ash Wednesday. We started our life’s journey from dust; we will return to dust. The Holy Spirit has breathed over our dust so that we can live now as we will live forever.

Let us begin this journey with nothing but the ashes of our “stuff.” Allow the things of our creation alone— what is outside God’s will—to be brought to naught. Ashes are the leftovers when everything is gone. Burn all your “bridges over troubled waters,” your escape from pain, and decide to go down into those turbulent waters with Jesus who carries you. He is with you on this journey. He goes into the desert of nothingness and temptation.

The journey is vertical as well as horizontal. The heavens are your goal and mine. The path is open now, for you are with Jesus in whom the Father is well pleased.

Mark 1:9–15

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: With You in the wilderness v. 12

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year, we read the Gospel of Mark, chapters 1-2.

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.