Author Archives: Todd Spencer

Photo: Expansive View at John Wesley Ranch by Todd Spencer* Music: Be Still by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Used with permission

      Artwork: Are You Coming or Going by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Deleted Scene 1, Plowshares by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Used with permission

Photo of hands cross by Jordan McCubbin Music: The Time Has Come by Stephen Iverson (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

Artwork: As Wind Fills a Sail by Jan Richardson* (www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Right Before Me by Stephen Iverson* ((www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Artwork: That We May Breathe Together by Jan Richardson* (www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Your Living Breathe by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission

Artwork: Who Gave You Your Eyes? by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Only Love by Stephen Iverson* ((www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission

Photo: Discovered by way of Google Images at Centre Church (http://www.centrechurch.net/blog/2014/10/24/advwhk2l7spcrpjt5h5y21w72m1au5) Music: Open My Eyes by Stephen Iverson (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

Artwork: Sometimes the Road is a River by Jan Richardson*(janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Holy Rest by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission

              Artwork: Restore the Joy of Salvation by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Missile Bell by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Used with permission

      Photo: Pike’s Peak Sunset by Todd Spencer Music: Tiny Lolf’s Journey by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

   Gone to Oklahoma to spend time with my folks. Back next week! I encourage you to find a podcast from my archives to use this week. There are over 100 to choose from!  Easter Peace, Todd

              Artwork: Risen by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission.

        Artwork: Palm Sunday II by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission.

Photo: Wheat Stalk by Tattoo Kid (http://tattoo-kid.com/wheat-stalk-tattoo.htm) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

              Artwork: Clearly Seen by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

              Artwork: The Temple of His Body by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

Artwork: It Takes a Wilderness by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

                Artwork: Discernment in the Desert by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Nature Sounds: Windy Winter Solstice- Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai*(https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice) * Artwork and Nature Sounds used with permissions.      

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 14,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that manyContinue reading “2014 in review”

Artwork: You Have Known Me by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Peace Be Still by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission.

                Artwork: Discernment in the Desert by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: As a Deer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission.

              Artwork: Wisdom’s Path by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Tres Capos by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

Artwork: Jonah’s Blessing by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Your Way by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

Artwork: And Love Will Rise Up and Call Us By Name by Jan Richardson* (janricharsonimages.com) Music: As A Deer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

              Artwork: An Ancient Light by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Moon Rise by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Artwork and music used with permissions.

Artwork: Presentation in the Temple by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Open My Eyes by Stephen Iverson (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)* *Artwork and music used with permissions.

      Artwork: A Home for God by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Nature Sounds: Windy Winter Solstice 1 – Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai*(https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice) *Artwork and Nature Sounds used with permissions.

      Artwork: A Way in the Wilderness by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Lord God Heal Me by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

      Artwork: Making Way by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Be Still by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Artwork and music used with permissions.

      Artwork: Apocalypse, Again by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and music used with permissions.  

      Artwork: The Temple of His Body by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.come) Music: Refugee by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Artwork and music used with permissions.

      Artwork: Honest About the Darkness, Perceptive of the Light by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Right Before Me by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Artwork and Music used with permissions.

        Artwork: Practicing Inspiration by Jan Richardson * (www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Becca and the Blue Capo by Trace Bundy * (tracebuncy.com) *Artwork and music used with permissions.

      Artwork: Love and Revelation by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: A Holy Rest by Stephen Iverson*(www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Art and music used with permissions.  

      Artwork: The Two Commandments by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Anchor by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Artwork and music used with permissions.

    Photo: Emperor Tiberius Denarius – Tribute Penny (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius#mediaviewer/File:Emperor_Tiberius_Denarius_-_Tribute_Penny.jpg) Music: The Time Has Come by Stephen Iverson (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

      Artwork: Getting Garbed by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Coronation by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Artwork and music used with permission.

      What is our Lord doing in this last hour before his arrest, before his Passion begins? He goes away alone to pray. So we, when we have a severe trial to undergo, or some danger or some suffering to face, go aside to pray in solitude, and so pass the last hoursContinue reading “Matthew 21:33-46 for Sunday, October 5, 2014”

      Abstractions offer the ego lots of payoffs: We can remain seemingly in control; we can live in our heads; we can avoid loving in general or loving anyone in particular; we can avoid humor, paradox and freedom… ~ Richard Rohr, Things Hidden, p.68. Artwork and Music used with permissions. Artwork: And OpenContinue reading “Matthew 21:23-32 for Sunday, September 28, 2014”

      How good of you, God, to make truth a relationship instead of an idea. ~ Richard Rohr Artwork: A Tender and Grimy Grace by Jan Richardson(www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Kyrie Eleison, Dan Gibson’s Solitudes: Peaceful Gegorian Chants (http://www.solitudes.com/Shopping/ViewProductDetails.aspx?productID=INDY_0096741144127_MP3)

      “Standing humbly before God’s gaze not only unites the psyche but it…frees us from…the vertigo of imagination. It’s the whirlpool of imagination, looking here, there and everywhere. Standing before one, accepting God literally allows you to be composed and gathered into one place. You can be in one place; you can beContinue reading “Matthew 18: 21-35 for Sunday, September 14, 2014”

          Artwork: So Loved by Jan Richardson (janrichardsonimages.com) Nature Sounds: Windy Winter Solstice 1 – Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai (https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice)  

                  To have naked interface with the Ultimate Other is to know one’s self in one’s truest and deepest being. When you allow yourself to be perfectly received, totally gazed upon by the One who knows everything and receives everything, you are indestructible…then the voices of theContinue reading “Exodus 3:1-15 for Sunday, August 31, 2014”

The Bible is full of flawed, wounded individuals….Those flaws train them, it seems, for mutuality, vulnerability and honest face-to-face relationship, where you allow the other to influence you. Our word for that is presence or even faith. ~ Richard Rohr, Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality, pp.63-64.  Artwork: The Gift of Story by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com)Continue reading “Exodus 1:8-2:10 for Sunday, August 24, 2014”

Friends, Spending much needed time in Oklahoma with my parents. I’ll return soon. If you would, please pray for my father who is struggling with health issues. Thank you. May God’s hope and joy abide with you this week! Deepest Peace, Todd

      “Healthy religion knows that there are many essential things you can only know by a different path than cerebral knowing…The really great truths, like love and inner freedom, are not fully conceptual…They can never be ‘proven’ to others, whether you’re a Ph.D. or even have five degrees in theology. They are knownContinue reading “Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 for Sunday, August 10, 2014”

      “Mystery is not something that you cannot understand, but it is something that is endlessly understandable! It is multilayered and pregnant with meaning and never totally admits to closure or resolution.” ~ Richard Rohr in Scripture as Spirituality, p. 62. Artwork: Jacob and the Angel by Jacob Epstein, contemporary, 1940, Tate Gallery.Continue reading “Genesis 32:22-31 for Sunday, August 3, 2014”

              “Jesus brings the biblical tradition to a climax when he defines truth itself as personal rather than conceptual. He says, ‘I am the truth”…and then immediately defines himself as on who is in absolute relationship with his ‘Father”…and the Spirit who is in relationship to both…This rearranges theContinue reading “Genesis 29:15-28 for Sunday, July 27, 2014”

              Artwork: In The Presence of the Angels by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Peace Be Still by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

              Good to be back! I hope this week’s lectio stirs up a good drenching of grace. Here’s part of Lucado’s quote I use in the podcast this week: God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes afterContinue reading “Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 for Sunday, July 13, 2014”

On a big mission trip. I’ll return soon! Christ’s Peace, Todd

              Artwork: Pentecost by John Brokenshire (b 1958 ), Oil, c. 2003, Methodist Collection of Modern Christian Art, No.39. Music: Right Before Me by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson).

              Artwork: Learning to Look by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Credo III, Dan Gibson’s Solitudes: Peaceful Gegorian Chants (http://www.solitudes.com/Shopping/ViewProductDetails.aspx?productID=INDY_0096741144127_MP3)

        Artwork: Pentecost Fire by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Your Living Breath by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

                Music: Love Song, by Trace Bundy ()

            Photo: Hill of Ares (Areopagus). Athens by O. Mustafin (This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication) Music: God Let Me Fly, by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

        The genius of the first commandment was that by putting “one God before you,” you were placed inside of one coherent world, with one center, one pattern, one realm of meaning…Having One who affirms us is a very good start for our ego structure and our growth as persons. God, forContinue reading “Acts 7:54-8:1 for Sunday, May 18, 2014”

        May the One who brought you here, to this moment, to this place, in your skin, with your senses and soul, be so very present that your moving and standing and praying and resting and playing and laughing, all make a song only you can sing to the world. Go andContinue reading “Acts 2:42-47 for Sunday, May 11, 2014”

        I invite you to listen to this week’s podcast above and then, if you feel led to do so, post a comment about your experience in the Comment section! Thank you for meditating and praying with me this week. Easter Peace, Todd Artwork: You In Me In You,  by Jan Richardson (UsedContinue reading “Acts 2:14a, 33-41 for Sunday, May 4, 2014”

        Happy Easter! I pray your Easter season is off to a meaningful beginning. Thank you for coming by to pray with the Scripture with me. It would be fun to see who all is listening in with us, so post a comment or a little about yourself! Deepest Peace, Todd Artwork:Continue reading “Acts 2:14a, 22-32 for Sunday, April 27, 2014”

        Artwork: I Do Not Know Where They Have Laid Him by Jan Richardson (Used with permission) (www.janrichardsonimages.com) Nature Sounds: Winter Solstice – Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai (https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice)

      Artwork: Palm Sunday by Jan Richardson (Used with permission) (www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Liturgy by Trace Bundy (http://www.tracebundy.com/index.html)  

      Artwork: Breath Will Come to the Desolate Bones by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com/) Music: Peace Be Still, by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)  

Taking a little time with my family this week. Stay tuned next week for my next podcast edition. Grace and Peace, Todd

        Hi there! What word or phrase or image might have stayed with you after meditating and praying with the passage this week? How might it be food for your soul today? I invite you to share by posting a response to one or to both of these questions in our CommentContinue reading “Exodus 17:1-7 for Sunday, March 23, 2014”

                    Hello there! I want to thank Tiffany Keith, for sharing her art with us. Tiffany has been practicing Lectio with the podcast for a few years now. This week’s art is one Tiffany created in response to last week’s podcast. She shared with me thatContinue reading “Genesis 12:1-4a for Sunday, March 16, 2014”

        Hello there! As we begin our Lenten journey towards the cross, may your heart, your mind, your spirit become drawn to Christ in a new and rich way. May you turn again towards the One who started your life’s adventure by putting life together in the first place. And may theContinue reading “Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 for Sunday, March 9, 2014”

                  Hello! This week, we are meditating upon the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. May the Presence of God be for you like the light that filled that mountain top. And may your fear be lost in Christ’s “Do not be afraid.” Be well. Todd Image:Continue reading “Matthew 17:1-9 for Sunday, March 2, 2014”

        “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” ~ Jesus, in Matthew 5:48 May the graciousness you slow down to truly receive from the One whoContinue reading “Matthew 5:38-48 for Sunday, February 23, 2014”

        “We are the agents of the Creative Spirit in this world…putting on overalls and getting on with the job.” ~ Evelyn Underhill in The Spiritual Life. May our time of quiet with the Spirit then stir us into spreading grace outwardly as we get to the work at hand this day.Continue reading “1 Corinthians 3:1-9 for Sunday, February 16, 2014”

Hello from the sub-zero temperatures of Colorado Springs! My dog, Shadow (a black lab-shepherd mix), and I greet you warmly. You may hear Shadow sniffing around in the background during the podcast this week. I hope it’s not too distracting. It was nice to have her company on this end. The church — where myContinue reading “Matthew 5: 13-20 for Sunday, February 9, 2014”

Good to have you here today! After listening to the podcast, post what you noticed or what was given in our comments section or by emailing me. And, as Merton says, stop trying so hard to pray. Simply wait for God. Be awake and let God ripen your life. Awake! Deepest Peace, Todd Artwork: IntoContinue reading “1 Corinthians 1:18-31 for Sunday, February 2, 2014”

                Hello~ May this time of meditation and prayer be for you, not obedience to some static code but to God who is present here and now and speaking to us, as Albert Edward Day puts it. After listening to the podcast, please drop me a line orContinue reading “Matthew 4:12-23 for Sunday, January 26, 2014”

          Hello There~ I want to express my gratitude for each of you joining in from across the globe. It’s a hoot that almost as many of you are joining in from international locations as from the United Staes now.  And I have been in communication with more of you lately,Continue reading “1 Corinthians 1:1-9 for Sunday, January 19, 2014”

          New Year Blessings! I’m happy to have you with me as we meditate and pray with the Scripture today. May God’s mystery of grace abide with you right now. As H.A. Williams puts it, “The more God gives me his grace…, the more I am myself.” Receive that grace. BecomeContinue reading “Matthew 3: 13-17 for Sunday, January 12, 2014”

        Hello and Christmas Greetings! I am pleased to have you join me in meditation and prayer. I hope your Christmas season is full of light and joy! The coming near of the God of the universe in simplicity and humility of the incarnation is worth our pausing. May that nearness beContinue reading “Matthew 2:13-23 for Sunday, December 29, 2013”

          Greetings, May this final Sunday in your Advent journey be a good one! Would enjoy hearing from you. Deepest Peace, Todd Artwork: Magnificat by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Surely God by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

                          Hello Friends! A quick word or two. I am attempting to get my podcast back up on iTunes so folks can also download episodes in mp3 format. There have been some difficulties, but I think I’m about to get them worked out.Continue reading “Matthew 11:2-11 for Sunday, December 15, 2013”

                  Hello and Welcome! I want to thank Tiffany Keith for sending me the above painting which she created last week as a response to her praying the text with us! I gives me joy to have her creativity with each of you. If you have createdContinue reading “Matthew 3:1-12 for Sunday, December 8, 2013”

                  Hello! This is a place for meditation and prayer and seeking God’s nearness through slowing down with the Scripture. Sometimes the nearness comes as affirmation and sometimes it comes as challenge. And perhaps at times, the silence is all there is. No matter what, I trustContinue reading “Matthew 24:36-44 for Sunday, December 1, 2013”

Hello there! I’m happy to welcome you to my weekly lectio divina podcast. If you would, please, take a brief moment and let me know your name, where you live and what brings you to my podcast. You can write that in the Comments section. This will help me to know my audience better soContinue reading “Colosians 1:11-20 for Sunday, November 24, 2013”

        Hello Friends! If you haven’t yet, please take couple of moments just to leave me your name (first name is fine), where you live and what brings you to my podcast in the Comments section. This helps me stay connected with who is out there in the world, on the otherContinue reading “Luke 21:5-19 for Sunday, November 17, 2013”

      Hello there! I am discerning with God regarding the future of the podcast and/or trying new ways to practice the spiritual disciplines online. Will you do me a favor, please? Just take a brief moment to add a comment on the website with the following: your name, city, country and one reason youContinue reading “Luke 20:27-38 for Sunday, November 10, 2013”

      Greetings! I’m happy you have stopped by to pray with the scriptures with us. How does God make contact with you through this week’s text? I would enjoy it if you would share the image or word or phrase in our comment section. No need to share lots of commentary. Just whatContinue reading “Luke 19:1-10 for Sunday, November 3, 2013”

            Hello Friends! Good to be back this week. I had an amazing experience with my Practicing the Way of Jesus class in San Francisco last week. I highly recommend my professors’, Mark Scandrette and Daniel Kirk’s, books to you. This week’s image is from one of the many worksContinue reading “2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 for Sunday, October 27, 2013”

        It is in falling down that we learn almost everything that matters spiritually. ~ Richard Rohr I pray that in your falling down, getting back up, and resting with God, you find deep mercy for your day today. Deepest Peace, Todd Artwork: Poured Into Our Hearts, by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Credo III, DanContinue reading “Psalm 66:1-12 for Sunday, October 13, 2-13”

        “The biblical revelation is about awakening, not accomplishing. It is about realization and not performance principles. You cannot get there, you can only be there, but that foundational Being-in-God, for some reason, is too hard to believe, and too good to be true. Only the humble can receive it, because itContinue reading “Luke 17:5-10 for Sunday, October 6, 2013”

        Hello there! May your time in quiet meditation and prayer with our scripture text this week be filled with Presence that transforms. Or, perhaps, Presence that begins transformation. It’s always a good time for beginning again. Thank you for joining with me. Deepest Joy, Todd Artwork: I Know Who You Are byContinue reading “Luke 16:19-31 for Sunday, September 29, 2013”

        Hello Friends! I continue in part two of three weeks of meditating and praying with texts from Genesis. I will return to the Revised Common Lectionary in October. I pray your time with God “behind the closed closet door” is full of Presence! Deepest Peace Todd Artwork: Blessing the Way by JanContinue reading “Genesis 12:1-3 for Sunday, September 15, 2013”

Hello Friends! Welcome. After recording this week’s podcast, I realized that I have actually stepped out of the stream of the lectionary. This is because our Senior Minister, Kent Ingram, is briefly allowing some of the Genesis texts to center our congregation as we begin a season of “90 Days of Blessings.” Kent is normallyContinue reading “Genesis 11:1-9 for Sunday, September 15”

Music: God Is My Light written and sung by Todd Spencer Art: Borrowed from Kaleomark Church (http://www.kaleomark.org/2012/07/13/philemon-new-series/)

        Welcome~ I hope your find peace and Being in your time with God during this week’s podcast. Let go and find the nourishment that is the deepest and best for your soul. Come again soon! In God’s Grace, Todd Music: Kyrie Eleison, Dan Gibson’s Solitudes: Peaceful Gegorian Chants (http://www.solitudes.com/Shopping/ViewProductDetails.aspx?productID=INDY_0096741144127_MP3) Artwork: TheContinue reading “Luke 14:7-14 for Sunday, September 1, 2013”

          Hello Friends~ It’s good to be back this week. I hope you will find meditating and praying with God and the Scripture nourishing. What image, word or phrase was given to you this time? Post it in the comments section! Be Well, Be Strong for the Good, Todd Artwork: Gift ofContinue reading “Hebrews 12:18-29 for Sunday, August 25, 2013”

        Hello! May your time meditating and praying be one full of rest and true nourishment today. Thank you for joining me. Deepest Peace Todd Artwork: Secret in the Seed by Jan Richardson (www.janrichardsonimages.com) Nature Recording: Brolga: Grus Nubicunda and Sirus Crane by Tai (https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/brolga-grus-nubicunda-and-1)

        Greetings! Glad you are with us today. Here are the steps to the Pause Prayer from Lindy Douty’s book, Praying in the Messiness of Life (pp. 37-38), which I walk you through in this week’s podcast. Thought it’d be helpful to have in writing as well. The Pause Prayer (use in thatContinue reading “Colossians 3:1-11 for Sunday, August 4th, 2013”

      Amos 8.1-12 for Sunday, July 21, 2013   Hi There! I am glad you have visited my podcast. Like last week, we are attempting to pray with the prophet, Amos, with his strange and hard words of rebuke for the people of Israel, as they have apparently abused and used the poorContinue reading “Amos 8:1-12 for Sunday, July 21, 2013”

Amos 7.1-14 for Sunday, July 14 Greetings, I’ve been away for a couple of weeks. It’s good to be back! Again, summer is my very busy travel season. Thank you for your patience when I am away. I haven’t prayed Lectio Divinia-style with the prophets too often. So, this week’s text is a bit strangeContinue reading “Amos 7:1-17 for Sunday, July 14, 2013”

      Hello Lectio Friend~ It’s good to be back after a brief time away. Summer is a very busy season for me, with mission trips, conferences, special events and such — as well as a bit of vacation. So, that’s just to say that there will be a few more weeks coming upContinue reading “1 Kings 19:1-15 for Sunday, June 23rd, 2013”

      Hello There ~ I’m happy you have come by my podcast site today. Click on the play button above to listen to this week’s audio with Luke 7:1-10. May you find God’s Spirit already present and ready to be with you today. God’s Deep Peace, Todd Artwork: Gift of Story by Jan RichardsonContinue reading “Luke 7:1-10 for Sunday, June 2, 2013”

    Hi There, I hope in some way that you find God’s presence and stirring through listening and paying attention to the Scripture in this week’s audio podcast. What word, phrase, image seemed to arise in the text this time? I encourage you to post it on our Comments section — with or withoutContinue reading “Romans 5:1-5 for Sunday, May 26, 2013”

      In an atmosphere of security and trust, persons are likely to be more ready to change. The child who trusts the mother lets go and takes the first unaided step. A social prophet is better received when listeners have learned to appreciate his or her integrity and friendship. Healthy growth more easilyContinue reading “John 14:8-27 for Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013”

      An ancient saying suggested that there are two wings by which we rise, one being personal piety and the other community charity. No one can fly by flapping only one wing… ~ Harvey and Lois Seifert Artwork: Entwined by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Time Has Come by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) Nature Recording: Windy Winter SolsticeContinue reading “John 17:20-26 for Sunday, May 12, 2013”

      Listen to this week’s podcast here: Hello~ I’ve been up in the mountains fly fishing for a number of days with my two brothers (quite good to be in those waters and wrasselling those trout). So, this week’s podcast comes a couple of days later than usual. I hope this Sixth SundayContinue reading “John 14:23-29 for Sunday, May 5, 2013”

      Listen to this week’s podcast here: The Bible is an act of faithful imagination. It is not a package of certitudes. It is an act of imagination that invites our faithful imagination that makes it possible to live faithfully. The Bible is an act of imagination that is rooted in memory butContinue reading “Revelation 21:1-6 for Sunday, April 28, 2013”

      Listen to this week’s podcast here:   Hello, I hope our Lectio podcast brings some peace and perhaps God’s Presence to your life today. This week, I am pleased to introduce the creative work of Tai at Nature Sounds of Kuranda, Australia. Tai has a real gift in recording natural sounds ofContinue reading “John 10:22-30 for Sunday, April 21, 2013”

      Listen to this week’s podcast here: Acts 9.1-6 for Sunday, April 14, 2013 Hello, If you find this podcast helpful in some way, will you please consider taking one of the following small steps? I invite you to follow us by pressing the Follow button on the right of this window. If youContinue reading “Acts 9:1-6 for Sunday, April 14, 2013”

      Listen to this week’s podcast here:  John 20.19-31 for Sunday, April 7, 2013 May this second week of the Easter season be full of resurrection sightings! Thank you for joining me in praying with the Scripture. Peace to You, Todd Artwork: Into the Wound by Jan Richardson (http://www.janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Time HasContinue reading “John 20:19-31 for Sunday, April 7, 2013”

    Listen to this week’s audio here: John 20.1-8 for Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013   May your Holy Week and Easter be rich with brand new, deep-reaching, life! God’s Love, Todd Artwork: I Do Not Know Where They Have Laid Him by Jan Richardson http://janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Be The Center by Michael Frye, sung by ToddContinue reading “John 20:1-8 for Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013”

      Listen to the audio for this week, here: Luke 19.28-40 for Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013 “Many [of us]…live in a fairly constant state of noise, with their unresolved past and the uncertain present breaking in on them. [We] lack a still center and it is only for such a quiet point thatContinue reading “Luke 19:28-40 for Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013”

      Listen to the audio podcast here: John 12.1-8 for Sunday, March 17, 2013 “I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before…into a Heaven creature orContinue reading “John 12:1-11 for Sunday, March 17, 2013”

Listen to this week’s audio here: Luke 13.1-9 for Sunday, March 3, 2013 Hello~ I am glad you are here. I hope you don’t mind, but I would like to ask for your personal prayer for a dear friend of mine, Alison, who is struggling with a terminal disease. At this moment, she is walking aContinue reading “Luke 13:1-9 for Sunday, March 3rd, 2013”

      Listen to the podcast here: Luke 13.31-35 for Sunday, February 24, 2013 Hello~ As you will hear in this week’s audio podcast (above), we are given another step, another opportunity, to trust more fully in God — like Jesus does in the face of Herod’s hunt and the religious leaders stirring up fearContinue reading “Luke 13:31-35 for Sunday, February 24, 2013”

      Listen to the podcast here: Luke 4.1-13 for Sunday, February 17, 2013   Hello ~ I hope you will join me for a few minutes in meditating and praying with this week’s Gospel lesson (click above). And may your Ash Wednesday and the beginning of your Lenten journey towards the Easter celebration beContinue reading “Luke 4:1-13 for Sunday, February 17, 2013”

      Listen here: Luke 9.28-36 for Sunday, February 10, 2013   We each come to prayer with our distractions. This is not anything to be ashamed of at all. Be kind and gentle with your self as you enter quiet and discover the state of your real reality. The point is not to permanentlyContinue reading “Luke 9:28-36 for Sunday, February 10, 2013”

      Luke 4.14-21 for Sunday, January 27, 2013   Hello There ~ Personal retreats in solitude have been powerful for followers for centuries. As I ask in my podcast this week, I sure would like your input on potential personal spiritual retreat themes. Here’s what I’m up to. I am considering creating downloadable retreatsContinue reading “Luke 4:14-21 for Sunday, January 27, 2013”

      John 2.1-11 for Sunday, January 20, 2013   Thank you for joining me in mediation and prayer with Scripture this week! God’s Peace, Todd Artwork: Wedding at Cana by Jan Richardson (http://janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Alleluia by Stephen Iverson (http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)

Luke 3.15-17 for Sunday, January 13, 2013 I hope your time in meditation and prayer is filled with a sense of God’s whispering and smiling, “You, are my beloved.” Song: Alleluia by Stephen Iverson: http://www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson

      Matthew 2.1-12 for Sunday, January 6, 2013   (NOTE: Maybe read the following only after you have listened to the podcast first. My thoughts were where the text and Jan’s artwork took me. But it will take you somewhere different. I’d enjoy hearing from you and where it takes you as well!)Continue reading “Matthew 2.1-12 for Sunday, January 6, 2013 – Epiphany Sunday”

        Micah 5.2-5a for Sunday, December 23, 2012   O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; And drive away the shades of night, And pierce the clouds and bring us light. ~ O Come O Come Emmanuel I dedicate this time of prayer to all ofContinue reading “Micah 5:2-5a for Sunday, December 23, 2012”

      Isaiah 12.2-6 for Sunday, December 16, 2012     Friends, May this next leg of the Advent journey be enriched by the God Who Comes… Deepest Peace, Todd Artwork: Witness of that Light by Jan Richardson (http://janrichardsonimages.com) Song: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley

    Malachi 3.1-4 for Sunday, December 9, 2012 “He’ll take his place as a refiner of silver…” May this next step of your Advent journey be one of opening yourself to the hope of new life that is right around the corner. Deep Peace, Todd Artwork: Build Your Own Door by Jan Richardson (http://janrichardsonimages.com)Continue reading “Malachi 3:1-4 for Sunday, December 9, 2012”

Jeremiah 33.14-16 for Sunday, December 2, 2012 Metaphor is a form of language that cannot pass…logical scrutiny, cannot make it through the laboratory tests…[The] Bible is chock full of metaphor, which means that if we assume that “literal” is the only means to “serious” we are going to be in trouble much of the time….Continue reading “Jeremiah 33:14-16 for Sunday, December 2nd, 2012”

Matthew 6.25-33 for Sunday, November 25, 2012 Photo by my friend, Ann Beaty, taken at the Lebh Shomea House of Prayer at the La Parra Ranch located in Wild Horse Desert, Texas. My grandfather, Jesse Thornham, grew up on the La Parra. Thanks for sharing that beauty, Ann! Music by Allen Thibeaux, Happy Cascade (http://soundcloud.com/spuddley). Continue reading “Matthew 6:25-33 for Sunday, November 25, 2012”

  Mark 13.1-8 for Sunday, November 18   Jesus Christ… Your sorrow now has passed. Your enemies have failed. You are a definitive smile for humankind. ~ Jesuit Father Luis Espinal Friend~ May your time praying the Scripture be filled with the glow of the “definitive smile for humankind.” What a nice name for Christ,Continue reading “Mark 13: 1-8 for Sunday, November 18, 2012”

Mark 12.38-44 for Sunday, November 11, 2012 Greetings Listener! I pray you find this week’s podcast a nourishment for your day. When you get the chance, post a quick comment about yourself and your experience with the podcast in our Comment section. Another suggestion: If lectio divina is a helpful prayer practice, you may alsoContinue reading “Mark 12:38-44 for Sunday, November 11, 2012”

Isaiah 25.6-9 for Sunday, November 4, 2012 Hello There! Welcome to the Lectio Divina Podcast. As I share in this week’s edition, I have been so pleased to find that we have persons from over 30 countries from all over the world meditating and praying with us by way of this podcast! That being theContinue reading “Isaiah 25:6-9 for Sunday, November 4, 2012”

        Mark 10.46-52 for Sunday, October 28, 2012 Welcome! May any silence, solitude, rest or prayer you enjoy here lead to shared compassion and love with others in your life. Deep Peace, Todd (Artwork: Alison’s Celtic Knot Prayer by Mary Loveday) (Song: That’s me singing the song, Teach Me How To PrayContinue reading “Mark 10:46-52 for Sunday, October 28, 2012”

      Mark 10.35-45 for Sunday, October 21, 2012   Hi there ~ Have you taken a listen to my conversation with Richard Rohr? You’ll find a link to that at the top of the podcast page. Richard has been a keen influence and mentor of mine over the past 17 years. I’m aContinue reading “Mark 10:35-45 for Sunday, October 21, 2012”

Hebrews 4.12-16 for Sunday, October 14, 2012 Hello There ~ Thanks for meditating and praying the Scripture with me today. After listening, I invite you to post the word, phrase, image that seemed to be given to you by using the Leave a Comment button (above, right). Sharing your further reflections is not necessary inContinue reading “Hebrews 4:12-16 for Sunday, October 14, 2012”

    Job 1.1, 2.1-10 for Sunday, October 7, 2012 Teach me how to pray Teach me how to live Make them one and the same To the glory of thy name Please… (from the song, Teach Me How To Pray by Chris Hughes) Greetings! I hope our meditation and prayer time today will beContinue reading “Job 1:1, 2:1-10 for Sunday, October 7, 2012”

      James 5.13-20 for Sunday, September 30, 2012 “God is seeking fellow sufferers who will pause longer than others and look more deeply than others…” says E. Glenn Hinson. May meditating and praying with the Scripture help you and me to pause longer and look more deeply. Honestly, this week’s text is findingContinue reading “James 5: 13-20 for Sunday, September 30th, 2012”

James 3.13-4-3; 7-8a for Sunday, September 23, 2012 “Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts…” God of all goodness and strength, grant me discernment and direction today, as I find you uncovering my real motives, my real desires. Transform my heart into one moreContinue reading “James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a”

Sunday, September 16, 2012. James 3.1-12 Hello there! I hope your day is enriched by praying with the Scripture today. Thank you for joining me. God’s Peace, Todd Image: Lamp of Wisdom, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54977 %5Bretrieved September 10, 2012].

        Sunday, September 9, 2012. Proverbs 22.1-2,8-9,22-23 Hello There! I hope you are having a good week. Thank you for joining in on meditating and praying with the Scripture today. I would enjoy hearing from you. Let me know how you use the podcast, where you are from, what is helpful forContinue reading “Sunday, September 9, 2012 ~ Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23”

Sunday, September 2, 2012 James 1.17-27 Hello ~ Thank you for joining me in meditating and praying with Scripture today. May you hear this good news: God’s presence is available and it transforms and heals each of us. It makes possible the life we were created to live. Be well! ~Todd (Music by Mr. Bish; http://soundcloud.com/mr-bish/be-quiet)

  Sunday, August 26, 2012. Ephesians 6.10-20 Hello Listeners, I hope this week is full of a sensed presence of God’s love and of learning to depend upon that love. Be well. In Christ’s Grip, Todd

Sunday, August 19, 2012, Eph 5.15-20 Greetings~ Thank you for joining me in praying and meditating with the Scriptures today. I hope in some way you will find nourishment and substance from God, just for you, that you may more fully be the one God created you to be. Be Well, Todd

Hello Friends, I hope you will pause today and meditate and pray the Scriptures with me. I hope your summer is rich with God-sightings and adventure and love. Here’s the podcast: Sunday, August 5, 2012. John 6.24-35 In Christ’s Grip, Todd  

Hello There! I’m glad you are praying the Scriptures with me today. Post a comment, prayer, thought or suggestion. Whatever you do, may God’s presence be real and forming and transforming you today. In Christ’s Grip, Todd Here’s this week’s podcast: Sunday, July 8, 2012 Mark 6.1-3 Art By Jan Richardson: Eating the Book

Sunday, June 24, 2012. 1 Samuel 17-32-49 Artwork by Jan Richardson, Eating this Book (http://janrichardsonimages.com/) Song by Todd Spencer, God is My Light (inspired by Psalm 27)