Category Archives: Lectio Divina

Artwork: Touch Me Not by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Jesus Prayer by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204) *used with permission.    

Artwork: Where the Way Leads by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Tres Capos by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) * used with permission      

Hello friends, I invite you to use the Search field to access one of the hundreds of previously recorded podcasts for your meditation and prayer needs this week. I’ll return with a new edition in a few days.  Deepest Peace, Todd

Artwork: Mud in Your Eye 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) *used with permission    

Sorry, friends. I was gone most of the week and then I got sick. I’ll be back next week. Thank you for your patience. Deepest Peace, Todd

Artwork: Waiting for the Wind by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: The Time Has Come by Stephen Iverson* http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204 *used with permission      

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

Artwork: Transfiguration II by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Interlude and Invocation by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission        

Artwork: Blessing Cross by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.come) *used with permission      

Artwork: Love is the Most Ancient Law by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Communion by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission      

Photo: The Winter Retreat hoodie, FUMC Youth, Colorado Springs, CO, January 2017 Song: Alleluia by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Artwork: Litany of the Blessed by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: A Holy Rest by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission    

  Artwork: Casting, by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Deleted Scene 1, Plowshares, by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission    

Photo: Pikes Peak from Palmer Park by Todd Spencer Music: Stone’s Serenade by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission      

Photo: Christmas Eve Candlelight, First United Methodist Church, Colorado Springs Music: Love Song by Trace Bundy (tracebundy.com)      

Artwork: The Day of the Lady by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Song: Peace Be Still by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204) Nature Sounds: Windy Winter Solstice– Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai* (https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice) *used with permission

Photo: Sunset over Pikes Peak by Todd Spencer Nature Sounds: Windy Winter Solstice– Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai* (https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice) *used with permission    

Photo: Snow and Clouds of Pikes Peak by Todd Spencer Song: Lord God Heal Me by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204) *used with permission    

Photo: Inner Beauty Shines Through, a pine in the shadows of Mt. Shavano, Colorado by Todd Spencer Song: Lord God Heal Me by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204)    

    Music: Credo III by Dan Gibson from his cd, Solitudes: Peaceful Gregorian Chants (https://www.amazon.com/Illumination-Peaceful-Gregorian-Dan-Gibson/dp/B000WGWWB2)

Photo: Peace at the Exit at Bent Hill Monastery, Black Forest, Colorado by Todd Song: As a Flower by Stephen Iverson* http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204 *used with permission    

  Photo: Labyrinth of Benet Hill Monastery, Black Forest, Colorado by Todd Spencer Music: Peace Be Still by Steven Iverson* http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204 *used with permission  

Photo: Hiking Intemann Trail with Lukas Nature Sounds: Spencers’ Backyard Fountain    

Photo: Fall Leaves at Mueller State Park by Todd Spencer Music: Be Still by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission      

Photo: San Gabriel Sanctuary, California by Todd Spencer Music: Pruninghooks by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Used with permission      

Photo: Sunset from the mountain at Camp Egan, Oklahoma. Todd’s spiritual home. Nature Sounds: Todd and Debi’s backyard fountain      

Hi, I hope you are well. As I’ve mentioned recently, I am taking renewal leave right now. So, my posting activity is pretty slow. Take some time searching the archives for a good audio for you today! Deep Peace of Christ, Todd Photo: From fly fishing trip in Pagosa Springs, August 2016

Photo: Slate River near Crested Butte, Colorado by Todd Spencer Nature Sounds: Backyard Fountain at the Spencer Home by Todd Spencer      

Photo: Todd selfie on the Smith River, Montana. Great fly fishing, August 2016! Nature Sounds: Sutherland Creek Waterfall off of the Intemann Trail, Manitou Springs, Colorado, recorded by Todd Spencer    

                Photo: Flowers in Gravel at John Wesley Ranch by Todd Spencer Nature Sounds: Sutherland Creek Waterfall off of the Intemann Trail, Manitou Springs, Colorado, recorded by Todd Spencer

I’ll be posting off and on through the next weeks. I encourage you to use the search field on my site to explore my past posts. May you discover God’s deepest grace and peace this day! -Todd Photo: sacred art in Grace Cathederal, San Francisco, California

Artwork: The Wrestling Is Where the Blessing Begins 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) *used with permission    

Photo: Smoky Front Range by Todd Spencer Music: Missile Bell by Trace Bundy* *used with permission      

Photo: Back Valley of John Wesley Ranch by Todd Spencer Music: Urban Challenge by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

Photo: Pikes Peak Sunset by Todd Spencer

I’m away for my doctoral graduation and a little family time. Perhaps you would like to search my archives for a text?  The photo is of a beautiful Bougainvillea, one of my favorite plants which flourishes so colorfully in Phoenix!

Photo: Clouds Hugging Pikes Peak, by Todd Spencer Song: Only Love by Stephen Iverson http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204      

Photo: This is the cover from Rohr’s book, Things Hidden, which I draw from so often. Song: Peace Be Still by Stephen Iverson* (http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/cd000204) *used with permission  

Friends, I apologize for the earlier technical difficulty with this week’s podcast! You should be able to access the audio now. Thank you, Karen Crutchfield, for bringing the problem to my attention. Deepest Peace, Todd Icon: This is a version of The Holy Trinity icon written by Andrei Rublev of the 15th Century. This particular version hangsContinue reading “Fixed…John 15:26-16:15 for Sunday, May 22, 2016”

Photo: Courage at Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, Scotland by Todd Spencer Music: Deleted Scene #1, Plowshares by Trace Bundy (tracebundy.com)    

Photo: Patience  Pillar of Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, Scotland by Todd Spencer Music, piece #1: Be Quiet by Mr. Bish (http://soundcloud.com/mr-bish/be-quiet) Music, piece #2: A Holy Rest by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)    

Sorry, but no podcast this week…Stay tuned!

Photo: Beautiful Clouds Before the Rain, take by Todd Spencer Music: Tiny Lolf’s Journey, by Trace Bundy (tracebundy.com)      

Image: Circle Journaling. This is my visual for the exercise I describe at the conclusion of the podcast. Placing the word, phrase, image that was given to you as you listened to the text being read in in a circle/shape in the middle of the page, draw lines outwardly from there to other circles where you areContinue reading “John 10:22-30 for Sunday, April 17, 2016”

Photo: That’s the little Cuthbert’s Isle, just off the shore of Lindisfarne Island, England. One September night, a few years ago, when I meant to spend just a few hours of the night in prayer on Cuthbert’s Isle, I accidentally got stranded the entire night due to a very high and fast rising tide. During the night,Continue reading “John 21:1-19 for Sunday, April 10, 2016”

Photo: Andy Raine, of the Northumbria Community, showing me the way to the prayer holes in the cliffs of Lindisfarne Island, England, at midnight. That path soon disappeared. The wildness, mystery and laughter made this a very thin place and moment in time for me!      

Photo: Prayer Crypt at Marygate Retreat House on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England, by Todd Spencer Music: Your Living Breath by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission      

Photo: Sanctuary Window, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco taken by Todd Spencer Music: Love Song by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission      

Artwork: A Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Peace, Be Still by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission      

Artwork: From a Long Way by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Coronation by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission      

Artwork: Cerezo Barredo’s weekly gospel illustration (as found at The Text This Week) Music: As a Flower by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)  

            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    

Photo: Deadwood Joshua Tree by Michelle DeRusha* (Through the Wilderness, February 27, 2012) Music: Joy and Sorrow by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission        

Artwork: The Transfiguration of Our Lord, as found on the website http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/luminous.html Music: Lord God Heal Me by Stephen Iverson (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)    

Artwork: Love is the Most Ancient Law by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Only Love by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson)    

Hello Listeners, I’m sorry but I am technologically stuck right now and cannot post a new podcast. Computer issues need to be addressed. Until I find a fix, you might want to use the search field on my site to find a lectio from my archives. I’ll be back soon so don’t give up onContinue reading “Sorry, tech problems”

Photo: Pikes Peak Sunset January 9, 2016 by Todd Spencer Natura Sounds: Windy Winter Solstice– Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai* (https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice) *used with permission    

Artwork: Something Old, Something New by Jan Richardson (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Stone’s Serenade by Trace Bundy (tracebundy.com)

Artwork: Winter Solstice by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Anchor by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission  

              Artwork: Knocking from the Inside by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Song: Gabriel and Mary by the late Garrison Doles (http://www.garrisondoles.com/products.html) *used with permission

Artwork: Getting the Message by Jan Richardson * (janrichardsonimages.com) Song: Right Before Me by Stephen Iverson * (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission    

Artwork: Making Way by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Song: Make Your Home in Me by Stephen Iverson, sung by Todd Spencer (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission    

  You are invited to check out the archives of  my previous 3 years of podcasts by using the search field. Gone for Thanksgiving in Oklahoma with my folks!  Photo: John Wesley Ranch, Divide, Colorado. First big snow of the winter, November 2015, by Chris Thornton.

              Photo: A North Carolina Fall by Todd Spencer Music: Surely God by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Please support me as I sleep outside in the cold November 12th to help get more teens off of the street! The above photo is of my box and tarp in which I slept last year for the Night Out to End Youth Homelessness. My personal goal is to raise $2,000. Our group goal is toContinue reading “Mark 13:1-8 for Sunday, November 15, 2015”

Photo: Cannon Yard in Fall by Todd Spencer Music: The Time Has Come by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Photo: Pikes Peak in Fall by Todd Spencer Music: Intro in Open D by Todd Spencer

Photo: One Honey Locust Leaf by Michelle DeRusha* Intro: Todd’s Open D Intro by Todd Spencer* Song: Peace Be Still by Stephen Iverson* *used with permission

Artwork: Beneath the Longing by Jan Richardson (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Credo III by Dan Gibson (http://www.discogs.com/label/133737-Dan-Gibson-Productions-Ltd)

Artwork: What’s the Invitation by Jan Richardson* (jandrichardsonimages.com) Music: Right Before Me by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) Nature Sounds: Dawn Chorus Australia by Tai* (https://soundcloud.com/search/sounds?q=dawn%20chorus%20australia%20tai) *used with permission

                Artwork: Honest About Dark and Light by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Refugee by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

Artwork: Heartbeat Liturgy by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Open My Eyes by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Photo: Borrowed from Michelle DeRusha’s fine blog* (michellederusha.com) Music: Timepiece by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

          Artwork: Self-Sacrifice by Michelle DeRusha (michellederusha.com) Music: Your Way by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Photo: Cuthbert’s Isle (looking from Lindisfarne Island, where St. Aidan founded his Irish Christian monastery) by Todd Spencer* Music: Missile Bell by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *Used with permission

Artwork: Tangled Up in You by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Your Living Breath by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Artwork: And Open Our Eyes to Behold Love’s Face by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: Anchor by Trace Bundy* (tracebundy.com) *used with permission

Photo: Claw Rock (near Perry Park, CO) by Todd Spencer Music: As a Flower by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *used with permission

Photo: Blue Ridge View (Devil’s Courthouse), NC by Todd Spencer Nature Sounds: Windy Winter Solstice– Lakefield National Park, Cape York by Tai*(https://soundcloud.com/nature-sounds/windy-winter-solstice) *used with permission

Photo: Feather Hung in a Tree by Todd Spencer Music: Peace Be Still by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission

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  

Artwork: Love is the Most Ancient Law by Jan Richardson* (janrichardsonimages.com) Music: A Holy Rest by Stephen Iverson* (www.audiblefaith.com/authors/Stephen+Iverson) *Used with permission

Music: Stone’s Serenade by Trace Bundy (tracebundy.com) Art: Martyrdom and Death of John the Baptist, Catherale d’Amiens, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=29348 [retrieved July 6, 2015]

Image: Lakota Hope Prayer Posts, White Clay, Nebraska by Todd Spencer

Hello Friends! While I am partnering in service with the people of Pine Ridge Reservation, I will not be producing a podcast. Check back soon.  Deepest Peace, Todd   

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