Another kind of reasoning behind meditating on Scripture. Then, some focused time with the third verse of Peter's second letter.

"His divine power has given us all things for life and godliness through our knowledge of the One who called us by His very own glory and goodness." (This translation is my own.) 

The Aquifer is produced in association with Boise Oasis and Mountain Home (Idaho) Seventh-day Adventist Churches. You are invited to attend Saturday morning services if you find yourself in either of those cities. 

Does the message of Jesus sidestep the question of why we suffer? Or is there something else going on--something deeper?

Music, "Job's Plea," performed by Anarkissed. Copyright 2019. Used by permission.

If you're in the Boise or Mountain Home, Idaho areas, and are looking for a church home, join us on Saturday at one of the following locations:

Boise Oasis 501 N. Curtis Rd. Worship 10 am Classes 11:15 am A contemporary/international service.

Mountain Home Adventist Church 2425 American Legion Blvd. Classes 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am A family-oriented traditional service. 

DEVOTIONAL: Does an ancient map rediscovered 130 years ago show one of the stops on Abraham's first journey through Canaan? What is Abraham's link to you and me?

If you're in the Boise area, join us at Oasis Church for "Count the Stars," a full-length play based on the life of Abraham. The shows are Friday May 3 and Saturday May 4 at 7 pm. You can call 208-322-6601, email [email protected], or visit the website at countthestarsboise.com.

Romans 6:11, God's Word version. Dealing with distractions.  If you're in the Boise or Mountain Home, Idaho areas, and are looking for a church home, join us on Saturday at one of the following locations:

Boise Oasis 501 N. Curtis Rd. Worship 10 am Classes 11:15 am A contemporary/international service.

Mountain Home Adventist Church 2425 American Legion Blvd. Classes 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am A family-oriented traditional service. 

Philippians 4:11-13 (excerpted). The value of including additional context when meditating. 

If you're in the Boise or Mountain Home, Idaho areas, and are looking for a church home, join us on Saturday at one of the following locations:

Boise Oasis 501 N. Curtis Rd. Worship 10 am Classes 11:15 am A contemporary/international service.

Mountain Home Adventist Church 2425 American Legion Blvd. Classes 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am A family-oriented traditional service. 

Jesus on "meaningless repetitions" - prayer versus magic - mantras and Christian meditation - the value of repetition - Meditation on Philippians 1:6, "God began doing a good work in you, and I am confident that He will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again."

Ocean waves recording by klankbeeld, https://freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/.

The contrast between what Sumerians believed about their gods, and the reality of the God that revealed Himself to Abram, could not be greater--so great that they could not be even in the same category. When Abram left Ur, he didn't just leave behind a cyclical view of time--he led the way into a whole new way of viewing deity.

Choosing a Bible version for meditation - strict word-by-word translations versus more dynamic ones - blowing the dust off familiar verses - Meditation on Jeremiah 31:3, "The Lord came to us from far away, saying, 'I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. So I have helped you come to Me with loving-kindness'" (New Life Version).

Remembering the point of meditation in following Jesus - praying about what you think about - Meditation on Isaiah 1:18, "Come, let us settle this, says the Lord; though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool" (Christian Standard Bible). 

The Aquifer was recorded and produced at the Boise Oasis and Mountain Home Adventist Churches.  Mountain Home Saturday Service Times: Classes: 9:30 am Worship: 11:00 am Boise Oasis Saturday Service Times: Worship: 10:00 am Classes: 11:15 am

Additional Credits: 

"Pathway", written and performed by Anarkissed. Copyright 2018. Used by permission.

Letter to Ea-Nasir paraphrased from a translation by Leo Oppenheimer, Letters From Mesopotamia. University of Chicago, 1967. PDF available at:

https://oi.uchicago.edu/sites/oi.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/shared/docs/letters_from_mesopotamia.pdf