Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 148.

Preoccupation with something or someone, obsession with a thought or habit—all these constrict the wideangle view of creation which we need to maintain. The psalmist has this perspective. At the very heart of matter—more intimate than the bustling movement of atoms and molecules—lies the creative activity of God lifting every thing, animal and person into existence. It is there, at the deepest core that each article of creation is in praise of its creator. From the heights of heaven where God dwells, every creative thing finds its master-image. The dust of the earth—as toner in a copier—arranges itself according to this image.

Enter into God’s creation at the inspiration of the psalm for today. Find your life, with all its details, thoughts, and feelings, set against the background of creation ever-singing praise to God.

Psalm 148

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Praise the Lord, all creation. v. 5

We continue to 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 2 Chronicles 29:1-11.

At last, there is relief from chapters summarizing wicked deeds of kings! The good king Hezekiah sets out to restore true worship. The first step is to take out the rubbish that has accumulated in the sanctuary.

If you compare this account with the similar one in 2 Kings 18–20, you will notice expansions on the theme of worship. The momentum of fervor in celebrating the Passover carries them into another seven days! Singing has great importance in the life of renewed worship.

Do you have any rubbish—or at least excess baggage—that is filling your inner sanctuary? Catch the fresh fervor of this reading. Together with the reading from Malachi yesterday, let the Spirit sweep your inner house clean as you pattern your life after the sacred words you are hearing these days.

2 Chronicles 29—32

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Cleansing my inner temple. 29:18

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 30—32
and 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes 9—12.

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 Malachi 1:11-14.

The final weeks of the cycle of prophets are dedicated to the last sacred writer of the Old Testament, Malachi. From him the torch would be passed to Matthew.

We are in the middle of the fifth century, B.C. The Temple has been rebuilt. Just as in the case of the original Temple of Solomon, when many lost interest in faithful worship and drifted to idolatry, so does Malachi call for authentic worship along with compassion. He teaches that the union of mercy and sacrifice is the kind of worship that God wants.

The slogan for Hallmark Cards has been applied to God the Father sending Jesus to us: “He cared enough to send the very best.” Will you return your very best to God in a fervent life on fire by personal and communal worship together with dedication to service?

Malachi 1

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You have loved us for always. v. 2

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide we read Habakkuk to Malachi.

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.