Author Archives: Todd Spencer

Music: Atonement by Trinity Music*(https://www.atltrinityworship.org/trinity-music) *used with permission

Photo by Simon Matzinger from Pexels* Music: Cello Improvisation by Eugene Friesen* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission

        Photo: Pikes Peak Through the Trees, taken by Todd Spencer Music: Canyon Chaconne by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission        

* This reading comes from Rubem Alves’ book, Tender Returns. I read this with the expressed permission from the translator of the book, Glenn Alan Cheney. I am grateful for the honor!      

Music: Drawing Me Closer by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.sleepyhollowchurch.org/wp/stephen-iverson-2/) *used with permission

            Music: A Sound Arises by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.sleepyhollowchurch.org/wp/stephen-iverson-2/) *used with permission  

Holy Thursday Contemplative Meditation- 4.9.2020  

              Photo: Surprising Grace in a Park, taken by Todd Spencer, April 2020. Music: Be Still My Soul, Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission  

      Photo: It Is Well With My Soul Park Bench, taken by Todd Spencer, Rampart Park, Colorado Springs Music: My Father’s Smile by Jeff Holmes, on Paul Winter’s 23rd Annual Summer Solstice album* *used with permission        

            Photo: A Prayer for a Pandemic by Cameron Bellm* (http://krugthethinker.com) Music: Agnus Dei sung by Jen Reardon with Trinity Music*(https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission  

        Photo: Pikes Peak Sunset, taken by Todd Spencer Music: Air for Keetu by  Paul Winter* *used with permission  

Friends, I’m away for Board of Ordained Ministry business all week. Please help yourself to my archives and find one or two lectios to assist your meditation and prayer. I’ll be back soon. Deepest Peace, Todd

https://lectiodivinatodd.com/2017/03/06/john-31-17-for-sunday-march-2017/ Artwork: Waiting for the Wind by Jan Richardson*(janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Time Has Come by Stephen Iverson* (https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenIverson) *used with permission

        Another one from my archives for this week’s text. Enjoy! https://lectiodivinatodd.com/2017/02/27/matthew-41-11-for-sunday-march-5-2017/ Peace with You, Todd    

For this week’s Lectio on Matthew 17:1-9, drop by here: https://lectiodivinatodd.com/2017/02/21/matthew-171-9-for-sunday-february-26-2017/ Deepest Peace, Todd  

Here is one from the archives! Enjoy! https://lectiodivinatodd.com/?s=Matthew+5%3A21-37&submit=Search

            Photo: Prayer Candle in Todd’s Office Music: Ead’s Alpine Experience by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

            Artwork: Flight of Knowledge by Mary DeLave (marydelave.com) Music: Be Still and Know by Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

            Photo: HospitALLity by Martha McIver, recently displayed at St. Gertude’s Monastery, Idaho. Music: My Feeling Heart by Stephen Iverson* (https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/StephenIverson) *used with permission  

          Photo: Rock Dove* (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbidae#/media/File:Rock_dove_-_natures_pics.jpg) Song: Alleluia by Stephen Iverson* (https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/StephenIverson) *used with permission            

          Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbidae#/media/File:Treron_vernans_male_-_Kent_Ridge_Park.jpg* Song: A Quiet Time by Stephen Iverson* *used with permission

              Photo: The Bright Star Alpha Centauri* (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_bright_star_Alpha_Centauri_and_its_surroundings.jpg) Music: Afternoon Sun by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission

Hello Listeners, I’m heading out in a few minutes to have surgery on my shoulder. Your prayers are welcome. I hope to get back to the podcast (and fly fishing!) soon. In the meantime, I encourage you to make use of the Search field on my webpage to find an episode or two that wouldContinue reading “Surgery. Back sometime soon…”

          Photo: East River near Crested Butte, Colorado; taken by Todd Spencer Music: Lullaby at Pumpkin Springs by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *Used with permission

              Music: Moonstones and Chromosomes by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

              Photo: Benet Hill Monastery Entrance, Black Forest, Colorado; take by Todd Spencer on First Saturday Prayer Day, November 2, 2019. Song: The Simple Gospel by United Pursuit, sung by Todd Spencer.

            Photo: Saint Gertrude’s Monastery, Cottonwood, Idaho, taken by Todd Spencer during the Fall 2019 Residency of the Stewards of the Mystery spiritual direction training program. Song: I Will Trust by Marty Reardon and Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

            Photo by my childhood friend, Hugh Hood, who died in a car wreck last week. Just a few days before he died I asked if I could share some of his photos on my podcast page. He was so kind to say yes! I love you Hugh. We willContinue reading “2 Timothy 4:5-8, 15-18 for Sunday, October 27, 2019”

        Photo: Fall in the Rocky Mountains, taken by Pamela Murphy, Colorado Springs, Colorado * Song: Air for Keetu by Paul Winter * *used with permission  

              Song: Drawing Me Closer, by Stephen Iverson, sung by Todd Spencer

            Music: Lullaby at Pumpkin Springs by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission  

            Photo: Taken by Pamela Murphy, near Hugo, Colorado, 8.31.19.* Song: Cello Improvisation by Eugene Friesen on Paul Winter’s album, 23rd Annual Summer Solstice Celebration* *used with permission

Photo: Todd fishing the Taylor River near Crested Butte, Colorado. While I’m away, search my site for an episode that will help you be present with God. There are hundreds on here! Deepest Peace, Todd

            Photo: Campfire Pinecone; by Emeldil; Wikipedia; CC BY-SA 3.0; Created: 27 March 2008 Music: Lullaby on Three by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

      Photo: Wilkerson Pass, Colorado; taken by Todd Spencer, August 2019 Music: Ead’s Alpine Experience by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

              Photo: Grandmother Tree, Ute Prayer Tree of Fox Run Park in Black Forest, Colorado; taken by Todd Spencer Song: If I Give it All by Will Reagan sung by Todd Spencer

      Photo: Skagway Reservoir, Colorado; taken by Todd Spencer, July 2019 Song: There Is Nowhere by Marty Reardon and Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

          Song: Drawing Me Closer by Stephen Iverson, sung by Todd Spencer* (https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/StephenIverson) Photo: Burning barn, from https://www.pca.state.mn.us/featured/growing-problem-burning-demolished-farm-buildings *used with permission

        Photo: Mountains from Devil’s Courthouse, North Carolina, taken by Todd Spencer Song: Spirit of the Living God by Audrey Assad, sung by Todd Spencer        

              Photo: Old Road in the Forest, St. Gertrude’s Monastery, Idaho; photo taken by Todd Spencer Song: Most Invited Guest by Stephen Iverson * (https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/StephenIverson) *used with permission  

      Hello Listeners, This week, I am re-broadcasting an episode from 2013 for this week’s lectionary Gospel text. Enjoy. Deepest Peace, Todd Artwork: To Have Without Holding by Jan Richardson* (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Be Quiet by Mr. Bish* (http://soundcloud.com/mr-bish/be-quiet) *used with permission

          Photo: A Forest Chapel, Saint Gertrude’s Monastery; taken by Todd Spencer. Music: Deleted Scene #1, Plowshares by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission      

              Artwork: Jailer in Philippi, Engraved by Joseph Mulder (1658 – ca. 1728) from the design of Arnold Houbraken; from the collections at Pitts Theological Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University; http://pitts.emory.edu/dia/image_details.cfm?ID=130228 Song: As a Deer Longs by John Philip Newell, sung by Suzanne Butler* (https://heartbeatjourney.org/books/) *Used with permission

No podcast this week. I’m at the side of my Dad in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, as we share his final moments on Earth. He’s home on hospice care. It’s a messy thin place. God is guiding us. Back soon. Deepest Peace, Todd

              Photo: Saint Gertrude’s Monastery, Cottonwood, Idaho; taken by Todd A. Spencer Music: Let Me Hear by John Philip Newell, sung by Suzanne Butler* (https://heartbeatjourney.org/books/) *used with permission

Photo: The view from the beloved Levine stretch of the Arkansas River; Howard, Colorado. Photo taken by Todd Spencer, April, 2019. Been on the river fly fishing and now doing the necessary catching up on work. Hope to produce another podcast soon. I encourage you to search my archives for a good Lectio. There areContinue reading “Back soon, friends…”

              Music: Look This New Day by Stephen Iverson*(https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenIverson) *used with permission

            Artwork: Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Three Marys, 1910 Fisk University, Nashville, TN 42″ x. 50″ (as found on http://artvent-artventures.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-calling-of-henry-o-tanner-religious.html, April 15, 2019). From the above listed blog post, Julie Schauer writes of Tanner: Henry Ossawa Tanner, the most important African-American painter born in the 19th century, should probably beContinue reading “Luke 24:1-12 for Sunday, April 21, 2019”

          Song: A Quiet Time by Stephen Iverson* (https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenIverson) Photo: Young Donkey Colt (found on: http://westernjurisdictionumc.org/lent-2017-good-news-riding-on-a-colt-of-a-donkey/; April 8, 2019) *used with permission

        Image: Spikenard Flower (as found on https://tisserandinstitute.org/spikenard-sustainability/) Music: Atonement by Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

With family in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma this week. Dad is back in the hospital. We welcome prayers. Thank you. God’s Peace with You, Todd

        Image: Hawk in Kurdistan by Sarchia Khursheed *(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hawk_in_Kurdistan.jpg) Music: Majmin by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

Friends, I will not get to record this week’s lectio podcast. I’m in Wyoming for Board of Ordained Ministry meetings and now delayed due to the “bomb cyclone” blizzard (I know, what?) that came through here yesterday. The interstates are closed. Glad to be with a whole bunch of good souls from my UMC connectionContinue reading “Back soon”

          Artwork:Brooklyn Museum – Jesus Ministered to by Angels (Jésus assisté par les anges) – James Tissot – overall.jpg; Created: between 1886 and 1894 – Public Domain Song: Alleluia by Stephen Iverson* https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenIverson *used with permission

    Photo: Cumulus Clouds Panorama * (Fir0002/Flagstaffotos;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cumulus_clouds_panorama.jpg) Music: Cello Improvisation by Eugene Friesen* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission  

            Song: Can I Take This Weight by Stephen Iverson* (https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenIverson) *used with permission

            Song: Moonstones and Chromosomes by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

                Song: Majmin by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission  

              Artwork: Mandela by Karla Neumann Smiley* Music: Air for Keetu by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission  

I had a family emergency and won’t be creating a podcast this week. I encourage you to dig into my archives for an episode to pray and meditate with. Hope to be back next week. Godbless, Todd

                Photo: Flyfishing Lower Grape Creek, Colorado by Todd A. Spencer* Song: Ead’s Alpine Experience by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission    

          Photo: Rock Dove, by Alan D. Wilson* http://www.naturespicsonline.com – http://www.naturespicsonline.com/galleries/14#5 (higher resolution version obtained in correspondence with website owner), CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1488292 Song: Alabaster by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission        

Dear Listeners, I’m back home in Broken Arrow where I grew up, visiting my parents. No podcast this or next week. But here’s a little merciful bit from Parker Palmer’s latest book, On the Brink of Everything, for your day: “Solitude does not necessarily mean living apart from others; rather, it means never living apartContinue reading “Savoring Parker Palmer…Back Soon”

            Artwork: Adoration of the Shepherds (1622), by Gerard van Honthorst – Google Art Project, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45542035* Music: Sweet Dreams, Little One by Paul Winter* (https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18456094) *used with permission  

            Photo: Vulpes Fox, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vulpes_vulpes_laying_in_snow.jpg; Shiretoko-Shari Tourist Association* Song: Light that Finds Me by Stephen Iverson (https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenIverson)* *used with permission                      

              Photo: By Steve Jurvetson – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23906915* Song: Alleluia by Stephen Iverson* (https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenIverson) *used with permission

          Photo: Flowers outside a home in the village of Lindisfarne Island, UK, taken by Todd A. Spencer, 2010. Song: Make Your Home in Me by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204) *used with permission

May you catch the Joy, always…

            Photo: Ruins of the Abbey on Lindisfarne Island, take by Todd A. Spencer* Song: Moonstones and Chromosomes by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission  

        Photo: Early Morning Before Sunrise, Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho; take by Todd A. Spencer, 2018 Music: Ead’s Alpine Experience by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com)  

Photo: View from Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho, taken by Todd Spencer, 2018; during Stewards of the Mystery spiritual direction training residency #1. Song: Silence of a Candle, sung by Theresa Thomason with Paul Winter Consort* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission        

        Photo: Good Morning Estes Park, taken by Todd A. Spencer, 2018* Music: Alabaster by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

I’m away this week for Board of Ordained Ministry and Clergy Orders meetings. I will not be creating a podcast. I encourage you to use the search field on the website to find an episode for your meditation and prayer this week. Deepest Peace! Todd Photo: Good morning, from Estes Park taken by Todd Spencer,Continue reading “Back soon…”

              Photo: A Fall Day on the Prayer Path, John Wesley Ranch, taken by Todd Spencer Music: Song to the Mountains by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.come) Benediction Song: May the Lord Bless You and Keep You by Todd Spencer, 2018 *used with permission

          Photo: Aspen Glory at John Wesley Ranch, taken by Todd A. Spencer Music: Lord I Have Good Reason by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) Benediction Song: May the Lord Bless You and Keep You by Todd A. Spencer* *used with permission  

          Photo: Sanctuary of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, on the campus of Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, taken by Todd A. Spencer Song: May the Lord Bless You and Keep You by Todd A. Spencer

        Artwork: Mobius Strip By JoshDif – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0* (https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18456094) Music: Redbud Siesta by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission

          Photo: Canyon Rim of Ute Valley Park, Colorado Springs, taken by Todd Spencer Music: Lullaby on Three by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

I encourage you to use the Search field on my website to find a text and episode to guide your time for holy listening this week. Deepest Peace with You! Todd

        Photo: Todd at an ancient Bristlecone Pine Ute Prayer Tree on Pikes Peak, leading a contemplative hiking group. Bristlecone Pines like this are 1,500-4,000 years old. Photo taken by Susan Wesley Hartley. Music: Atonement by Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

              Music: Hummingbird’s Ballad by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission

            Photo: Contemplative hiking group near ancient Bristlecone Pines on Pikes Peak, taken by Todd Spencer Music: Hallelujah, Help Us Pray by Trinity* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

          Music: Honoring Song by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission          

              Music: Agnus Dei by Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

              Music: Afternoon Sun by Paul Winter* (paul winter.com) *used with permission

              Song: Drawing Me Closer by Stephen Iverson* http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission  

Music: Canyon Lullaby by Paul Winter* (paul winter.com) *used with permission        

              Music: Dreamcatcher, from the album, Canyon Lullaby by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission  

            Music: Mystery, by Paul Winter, sung by Theresa Thomason, on the album, 23rd Annual Summer Solstice Celebration.* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission

Dear Listeners, Enjoy searching my archives for a back episode for your time of meditation and prayer this week. I am away for a bit and taking a break from creating podcasts. I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start! Deepest Peace, Todd

              Photo: Statue of Saint Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis, Santa Fe, New Mexico; taken by Todd Spencer, June 2018. Music: Be Still My Soul, Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

Photo: Sunrise Hike in Arizona by Todd Spencer Music: Hidden Things by John Philip Newell and Linda Larkin, sung by Suzanne Butler* (http://heartbeatjourney.org/books/) *used with permission    

            Photo: First United Methodist Church, Colorado Springs, Chapel; taken by Todd Spencer Music: Canyon Chaconne by Paul Winter* (paul winter.com) *used with permission    

Photo: Morning in Chacreseca, Nicaragua with Volcanos in view by Todd Spencer Sung Chant: As a Deer Longs, by John Philip Newell and Linda Larkin, sung by Suzanne Butler* (http://heartbeatjourney.org/books/) *used with permission      

          Photo: Mosaic representing Pentecost in the St. Louis Cathedral by Pete unseth – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34507581* Music: Honoring Song by Paul Winter* (paulwinter.com) *used with permission  

      Photo: Mount Shavano, near Salida, Colorado, taken by Todd Spencer Music: Lullaby on Three by Trace Bundy* (trace bundy.com) *used with permission  

        Photo: Tomahawk State Wildlife Area, South Park, Colorado, taken by Todd Spencer Music: Prayer of the People by Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

          Photo: Spring Snow at John Wesley Ranch, Divide, CO, taken by Todd Spencer while preparing to lead Mountain Sabbath Retreat, April 22, 2018. Music: Make Your Home in Me by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

          Artwork: A Shepherdess with her Flock by Eugene Verboeckhoven, created in 1870, Public Domain.* Music: Can I Take this Weight by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

                Icon:  Icon of the Resurrection, By Surgun100 – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8724640* Music: Agnes Dei by Trinity Music, featuring Jen Reardon* *used with permission

          Photo: The Tomb of Jesus (http://linworthumc.org/holy-week-schedule/) Music: How Deep the Father’s Love by Marty Reardon and Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *Used with permission  

              Artwork: The Temple at Night by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Song: Drawing Me Closer to You by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Song: Atonement by Trinity Music and Marty Rearden* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

I won’t get to the podcast this week as I am away from my office with conference ministry duties. Help yourself to one of the hundreds in the archives. Deepest Peace, Todd

              Song: Light and Truth by Trinity Music and Marty Reardon* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) Photo: Campfire Pinecone by Emeldil; Wikipedia; CC BY-SA 3.0; Created: 27 March 2008 *used with permission

        Song: Make Your Home in Me by Stephen* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

          Photo: Laughing Dove, common to Israel By Charlesjsharp from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography, as found on Wikipedia; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Laughing_dove_(Spilopelia_senegalensis_cambayensis).jpg Song: Hallelujah by Trinity Music and Marty Reardon* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

            Photo: Sunrise at Lizard Creek Campground, Grand Tetons National Park by Todd Spencer* Music: There is Nowhere by Trinity Music and Marty Rearden* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

                Artwork: Wilderness and Wings by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Lord I Have Good Reason by Stephen Iverson *(http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission    

              Artwork: A Place for the Prophet by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Drawing Me Closer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

              Artwork: Jonah’s Blessing by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Song: Be Still My Soul, Trinity Music* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

            Photo: Lizard Creek Campground, Grand Tetons by Todd Spencer Song: My Feeling Heart by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission  

Photo: New Day Tree on Piestewa Peak by Todd Spencer Song: Alleluia by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission    

            Photo: Snow on the Old Road at John Wesley Ranch by Todd Spencer Music: Make Your Home in Me by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission  

Artwork: Magnificat by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Atonement by Trinity Music and Marty Reardon* (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/trinitymusic6) *used with permission

Photo: Sunrise Hike on Piestewa Peak by Todd Spencer Music: Most Invited Guest by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission