Being There for a Friend

Something for each of us to remember when we see a friend in pain: they need our presence rather than our platitudes. 

Friday • 8/19/2022 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 140; Psalm 142; Job 2:1-13; Acts 9:1-9; John 6:27-40

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6-11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Book of Job, A Timely Read

Every era, I think, has reason to feel Job is a timely read.

Thursday • 8/18/2022 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 131; Psalm 132; Psalm 133; Job 1:1-22; Acts 8:26-40; John 6:16-27

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Longing for a Better Day

In John 6 Jesus launches the Eucharistic Feast.

Wednesday • 8/17/2022 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:145-176; Judges 18:16-31; Acts 8:14-25; John 6:1-15 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

"You Search the Scriptures ..."

You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life.

Tuesday • 8/16/2022 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 121; Psalm 122; Psalm 123; Judges 18:1-15; Acts 8:1-13; John 5:30-47

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

His Savior Has It Under Control

Although the narrative of God’s redemptive love meets opposition, Stephen knows his Savior has it under control.

Monday • 8/15/2022 •

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 106:1-18; Judges 17:1-13; Acts 7:44–8:1; John 5:19-29

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2-6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

When the Spirit Will Re-Mold Resistant Hearts

Samson is permitted to prefigure—if in a diminished way—One who will give his life for the rescue of his people.

Friday • 8/12/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 102; Judges 14:20–15:20; Acts 7:17-29; John 4:43-54

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6-11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

God Uses Flawed Messengers

Samson is strong and clever—a lion-slayer and a riddle-maker.

Thursday • 8/11/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 105:1-22; Judges 14:1-19; Acts 6:15–7:16; John 4:27-42

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A Divine Appointment

It turns out that a “divine appointment” awaits the celebrated “Woman at the Well.'“

Wednesday • 8/10/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 101; Psalm 109; Judges 13:15-24; Acts 6:1-15; John 4:1-26

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

But If It Is from God

Rabbi Gamaliel, this powerful member of the Sanhedrin, argues for tolerance for the Jerusalem followers of Jesus.

Tuesday • 8/9/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 97; Psalm 99; Judges 13:1-15; Acts 5:27-42; John 3:22-36

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

His People's Shepherd

In John’s gospel, Jesus will reveal himself as that great I AM—as his people’s shepherd.

Monday • 8/8/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 89; Judges 12:1-7; Acts 5:12-26; John 3:1-21

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2-6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

There Are Only Two Religions in the World

The Lord of History shows himself as the ultimate host who has saved the best wine (his Son) for last.

Friday • 8/5/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 88; Judges 9:1-21; Acts 4:13-31; John 2:1-12 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6-11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Power of God's Re-Creative Life-Giving Spirit

Pentecost is remaking the coward who wouldn’t even admit to knowing Jesus.

Thursday • 8/4/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 83; Psalm 145; Judges 8:22-35; Acts 4:1-12; John 1:43-51
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

More Than He Dared Ask For

The lame man got so much more than he had dared to ask for.

Wednesday • 8/3/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:97-120; Judges 7:19–8:12; Acts 3:12-26; John 1:29-42
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

He is There Now, Just as Much as in the Past

"For the Lord and for Gideon!" Gideon's instructions betray his transformation from fear to arrogance.

Tuesday • 8/2/2022 •

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 78:1-39; Judges 7:1-18; Acts 3:1-11; John 1:19-28
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

About Trusting God

We note God's patience with cowardly Gideon's lack of faith.

Monday • 8/1/2022 •

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 80; Judges 6:25-40; Acts 2:37-47; John 1:1-18
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2-6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A Song for Deliverance

Thus, Deborah’s song anticipates the other half of Jesus’s baptism on the Cross: his rising to life and victory.

Friday • 7/29/2022 •

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 69; Judges 5:1-18; Acts 2:1-21; Matthew 28:1-10
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6-11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

God Will Bring His Redemptive Purposes to Fruition

The surprise is that the woman who ultimately seals this victory is not Deborah, but someone else.

Thursday • 7/28/2022 •

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 71; Judges 4:4-23; Acts 1:15-26; Matthew 27:55-66
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A Most Unlikely Hero

I cannot but reflect on the comparison between Ehud’s left-handedness and the scorned “left-handedness” of God’s plan to conquer sin and death through a most unlikely hero:

Wednesday • 7/27/2022 •

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 72; Judges 3:12-30; Acts 1:1-14; Matthew 27:45-54
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

More Than Conquerors

The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet.

Tuesday • 7/26/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalms 61 & 62; Judges 2:1-5, 11-23; Romans 16:17-27; Matthew 27:32-44
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Our Tears

David envisions each of his tears being acknowledged, treasured, and preserved by his Heavenly Father, his Counselor, Friend, and Advocate.

Monday • 7/25/2022

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalms 56, 57, & 58; Joshua 24:16-33; Romans 16:1-16; Matthew 27:24-31 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2-6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here