Pauses - they are a part of life. You may know them by other labels: interruptions, nuisances, calamities, or even victories that force us to slow down and think about where we are going and where we have been. Many of the writers of the Psalms experienced pauses similar to yours, often on a magnitude most of us have never imagined. These struggles or celebrations are expressed in the songs they wrote and some of those psalms are peppered with invitations to stop, stay a while, and ponder their words more deeply. Those pauses are called "Selahs." Dave Cook's fascinating book, Selah - Pauses for Life: Exploring the Selahs of the Psalms, helps the reader probe these Selahs. One part biblical study, one part devotional, this illuminating, close examination of the Selahs of the Psalms brings fresh insights to readers about -- not only the book of Psalms and its authors -- but the many Selahs found in our lives as well. Dave and his wife, Wendi, have been blessed with five amazing children and nine wonderful grand-children. They served as missionaries in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines for 20 years. While there, he worked with national pastors and helped to found a three-year on-campus Bible Institute. After returning to the States, he has served as a Christian school principal and, later, as pastor of a church in upstate New York. Dave has been through numerous Selahs of his own which God has used to help him grow. Visit Dave's blog "Musings of a Follower" at www.christfollower.net.
