Author Archives: Todd Spencer

Luke 13:31-35 for Sunday, February 21, 2016

            Music: I Will Arise sung by Martha Bassett* (http://www.marthabassett.com/albums/) Photo: Mosaic at the foot of the altar in Dominus Flavit chapel built on the traditional site where Jesus stopped and wept over the city of Jerusalem (as found at https://thelifekinetic.wordpress.com) *used with permission    

Back soon! 

Hey Friends! I’m up at John Wesley Ranch (Divide, CO) working on trails and doing fire midigation with a team of wonderful teenagers this week.  I’ll return soon. Meanwhile, there are 150 episodes in the archives available for your pleasure. Try using the search field on the upper right.  Deepest Peace, Todd  

Mark 1:9-15 for Sunday, February 22, 2015, First Sunday of Lent

                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.      

Matthew 21:33-46 for Sunday, October 5, 2014

      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”

Matthew 21:23-32 for Sunday, September 28, 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”

Matthew 20:1-16 for Sunday, September 21, 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)

Matthew 18: 21-35 for Sunday, September 14, 2014

      “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”

Exodus 3:1-15 for Sunday, August 31, 2014

                  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”

Exodus 1:8-2:10 for Sunday, August 24, 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”

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 for Sunday, August 10, 2014

      “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”

Genesis 32:22-31 for Sunday, August 3, 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”

Genesis 29:15-28 for Sunday, July 27, 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”

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 for Sunday, July 13, 2014

              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”

Acts 7:54-8:1 for Sunday, May 18, 2014

        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”

Acts 2:14a, 33-41 for Sunday, May 4, 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”

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 for Sunday, April 27, 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”

Genesis 12:1-4a for Sunday, March 16, 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”

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 for Sunday, March 9, 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”

Matthew 5:38-48 for Sunday, February 23, 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”

1 Corinthians 3:1-9 for Sunday, February 16, 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”

Matthew 5: 13-20 for Sunday, February 9, 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”

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 for Sunday, February 2, 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”

Matthew 4:12-23 for Sunday, January 26, 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”

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 for Sunday, January 19, 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”

Matthew 3: 13-17 for Sunday, January 12, 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”

Matthew 2:13-23 for Sunday, December 29, 2013

        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”

Matthew 11:2-11 for Sunday, December 15, 2013

                          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”

Matthew 3:1-12 for Sunday, December 8, 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”

Matthew 24:36-44 for Sunday, December 1, 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”

Colosians 1:11-20 for Sunday, November 24, 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”

Luke 21:5-19 for Sunday, November 17, 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”

Luke 20:27-38 for Sunday, November 10, 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”

Luke 19:1-10 for Sunday, November 3, 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”

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 for Sunday, October 27, 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”

Psalm 66:1-12 for Sunday, October 13, 2-13

        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”

Luke 17:5-10 for Sunday, October 6, 2013

        “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”

Luke 16:19-31 for Sunday, September 29, 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”

Genesis 12:1-3 for Sunday, September 15, 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”

Genesis 11:1-9 for Sunday, September 15

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”

Luke 14:7-14 for Sunday, September 1, 2013

        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”

Hebrews 12:18-29 for Sunday, August 25, 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”

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 for Sunday, August 11, 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)

Colossians 3:1-11 for Sunday, August 4th, 2013

        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

      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 7:1-17 for Sunday, July 14, 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”

1 Kings 19:1-15 for Sunday, June 23rd, 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”

Luke 7:1-10 for Sunday, June 2, 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”

Romans 5:1-5 for Sunday, May 26, 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”

John 14:8-27 for Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 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”

John 17:20-26 for Sunday, May 12, 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”

John 14:23-29 for Sunday, May 5, 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”

Revelation 21:1-6 for Sunday, April 28, 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”

John 10:22-30 for Sunday, April 21, 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”

Acts 9:1-6 for Sunday, April 14, 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”