Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 8.

The wider and deeper is David’s contemplation, the greater the sense of comfort and security he finds in God. David’s eyes sweep over the wonders of creation. He takes countless “snapshots” that bear the name of the Creator.

Then suddenly David becomes self-conscious. How tiny is the being whose eye is embracing all this! The insignificance he feels is not negative; rather he is lifted to awareness that the human being is the greatest expression of God’s creative love.

Lift your eyes to an expanse wider than the scope of your limited world and all its problems. May faith in God’s creative, preferential love for you have you believe how very much at home you are in the universe, no matter how tempted you might be to feel how far away and lost you are.

Psalm 8

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Great Your name through all the earth! v. 2

We read 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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Joshua 18:1-7.

Before these chapters conclude with the rest of the lands apportioned to the remaining tribes, there is a simple notice given in the verse for today: the Ark of the Covenant has come to a place of rest; it has found a home. Just as the capital of a state or country is centrally located, so this city is chosen because it is near the center of the lands the Lord gave to the people. It is about 35 miles north of Jerusalem. The Ark will remain there for over 100 years until the Philistines capture it, as we read in 1 Samuel 4.

The tabernacle is the primary sacrament of the presence of God to God’s people. What do you have in your home and your life that reminds you of God’s enduring presence to you in Christ? During this Epiphany season, as the light of Jesus’s presence grows, do something to increase awareness—perhaps a star above your front door or an ornament that stays behind, after all the others have been gathered and stored in the attic.

Joshua 18—19

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: The ark at rest within me 18:1

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Joshua and Proverbs 1—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 Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Isaiah 8:17-22.

A child is promised who will be victorious over the enemies of the southern kingdom of Judah. The child’s name, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, means “The spoil speeds, the prey hastens,” prophesying that Syria and the northern Kingdom of Israel would soon be destroyed by Assyria.

The Lord will give you all the resources you need to withstand any enemy. There will be “children” for you in one way or another, who will continue to bear the name Emmanuel: “God-with-us.”

Immerse yourself in the presence of God until what is awesome in your life is not what is coming against you, but rather the One in whose sanctuary you find refuge and in whose presence you are at home.

Isaiah 8

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 1-13.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Waiting and hoping in You v. 17

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.