Hello, friends.

Part 3 of the Holy Ghost Stories Creation Series is live this morning. Today’s installment imagines the events described in Genesis 1:9-10—here’s Eugene Peterson’s rendering in the Message:

God spoke: “Separate!
Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;
Land, appear!”
And there it was.
God named the land Earth.
He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.

It’s fascinating to think that—as some have already observed—all the water that will ever be, is right now. Here’s to stepping back in time and watching Yahweh gather that water to reveal an exquisite landscape.

WATER, BEHAVING

As you listen to Part 3, you’ll see that I’ve wondered aloud if this is when Yahweh instills water with its fascinating properties. Here’s the kind of moment where you see several of those properties at work:

STONE TEMPLE

Ask my family and they’ll tell you: I love rocks. Man I love them. Not sure what it is about them that has my heart—maybe it’s growing up in Florida (where there are almost no rocks at all)? Here are some good ones I came across in Ireland in March—tell me they’re not beautiful:

Anyway, we get the chance in this episode to geek out for just a moment about rocks and about soil and about the endless formations our unquenchably creative God bestows upon the dry land.

OH, AND SPRINGS!

It seems this is the point in Creation when Yahweh creates this absolutely wonderful thing called springs. Springs have always been intriguing to me, but I was recently on a hike in the desert and came across a bonafide spring. Sunburned and out of water, I’d been hiking for a while—then this spring. Cold, clear freshwater bubbling up from the ground in the middle of an absolutely barren place. Truly—it felt like a miracle.

Speaking of miracles, there’s a spring about three hours from our home in Arkansas that discharges no less than 9 million gallons of water per hour. Absolutely mindblowing.

HAPPY LISTENING

After you’re done with this one, go for a swim or touch some rocks and thank your Creator for such an equisite place to call home.

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FRIENDS OF THE SHOW

Did you see the delightful thing we shared on Instagram yesterday? A couple of months ago, a devoted Holy Ghost Stories listener in Arizona sent me an email. Here’s a bit of what he said:

“Your podcast has truly impacted my life in ways that I don't even know how to put into words. I have completely fallen in love with the Bible, and especially the One who inspired it, in a whole a new way because of you. Each episode has deeply impacted me and left me on the cusp of tears, if not fully crying. The number of ways you all have impacted me is more than I know how to say. You've helped me through some of the hardest times of my life.”

He then went on to share that he was soon to be married, and that he and his fiancé wanted to invite us to the wedding.

“We truly just love you guys and wanted you all to know you're more than welcome to come. So if you somehow find yourselves on our side of town or are craving yet another trip please stop by. It would truly be such an honor.”

Well, what do you say to that other than ‘yes’?

We couldn’t bring the whole team (he was kind enough to invite the entire Hazefire Studios crew), but Jennifer and I found some cheap tickets, flew out to Phoenix, drove a few hours up into the mountains, and found seats waiting for us. “Are you the Holy Ghost Stories guy?” was an oft-repeated question. “I am!” I’d reply, and then I’d listen as each person shared their favorite episode or told me how HGS is shaping their faith. As I write this, I’m struggling to find the words to express how humbling this was and how absolutely delighted I am that God is using this podcast to bless such wonderful people in so many places.

Easton and Alexia, thanks for the privilege of coming to your wedding. May Yahweh bless you!

That’s the latest! If you’re digging this series, send it on to a friend. Let’s provoke some worship this week.

Gratefully,
Justin

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