Assault on Idolatry

At the heart of Paul’s “great mystery of godliness” is the living Jesus, not an inanimate rock. 

Friday • 8/11/2023 
Friday of the Tenth Week After Pentecost (Proper 13) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 88; 2 Samuel 12:1–14; Acts 19:21–41; Mark 9:14–29 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Jesus's Transfiguration

The Jesus whom Paul preaches is not to be trifled with.

Thursday • 8/10/2023 
Thursday of the Tenth Week After Pentecost (Proper 13) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 83; Psalm 145; 2 Samuel 11:1–27; Acts 19:11–20; Mark 9:2–13  

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

We Have a Merciful King

Whatever our hurts, in Jesus we have a King who is merciful, generous, and welcoming.  

Wednesday • 8/9/2023 
Wednesday of the Tenth Week After Pentecost (Proper 13) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:97–120; 2 Samuel 9:1–13; Acts 19:1–10; Mark 8:34–9:1 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Way of God

It is a brilliant setup to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ.

Tuesday • 8/8/2023 
Tuesday of the Tenth Week After Pentecost (Proper 13) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 78; 2 Samuel 7:18–29; Acts 18:12–28; Mark 8:22–33 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Bread of Life

They’ve only brought one loaf of bread. 

Monday • 8/7/2023 
Monday of the Tenth Week After Pentecost (Proper 13) • Year One 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 80; 2 Samuel 7:1–17; Acts 18:–11; Mark 8:11–21 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

David's Elevation

David finally becomes king over God’s united people.

Friday • 8/4/2023 
Friday of the Ninth Week After Pentecost (Proper 12) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 69; 2 Samuel 5:1–12; Acts 17:1–15; Mark 7:24–37 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Holy and Unholy

The difference between holy and unholy isn’t external. 

Thursday • 8/3/2023 
Thursday of the Ninth Week After Pentecost (Proper 12) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 70; Psalm 71; 2 Samuel 4:1–12; Acts 16:25–40; Mark 7:1–23 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Lord of Creation

He is Lord of creation. We need not be afraid. 

Wednesday • 8/2/2023 
Wednesday of the Ninth Week After Pentecost (Proper 12) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 72; 2 Samuel 3:22–39; Acts 16:16–24; Mark 6:47–56 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Gospel-Bearers

Europe would be forever changed by this boatload of gospel-bearers. 

Tuesday • 8/1/2023 
Tuesday of the Ninth Week After Pentecost (Proper 12) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 61; Psalm 62; 2 Samuel 3:6–21; Acts 16:6–15; Mark 6:30–46 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A Hot Mess in Need of Fixing

I made the mistake this morning of checking the news services before beginning my devotions.

Monday • 7/31/2023 
Monday of the Ninth Week After Pentecost (Proper 12)  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 56; Psalm 57; Psalm 58; 2 Samuel 2:1–11; Acts 15:36–16:5; Mark 6:14–29 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

House of God

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.

Friday • 7/21/2023 
Friday of the Seventh Week After Pentecost (Proper 10) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 31; 1 Samuel 21:1–15; Acts 13:13–25; Mark 3:7–19a 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Commandments

The commandments are about making us more, not less, alive.

Thursday • 7/20/2023 
Thursday of the Seventh Week After Pentecost (Proper 10) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 37; 1 Samuel 20:24–42; Acts 13:1–12; Mark 2:23–3:6 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Elasticity of Spirit

Change or Die.

Wednesday • 7/19/2023 
Wednesday of the Seventh Week After Pentecost (Proper 10) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 38; 1 Samuel 20:1–23; Acts 12:18–25; Mark 2:13-22 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Smoke Goes Upwards

For David, “the smoke goes upwards” for the sake of God’s mission in the world.

Tuesday • 7/18/2023 
Tuesday of the Seventh Week After Pentecost (Proper 10) 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 26; Psalm 28; 1 Samuel 19:1–18; Acts 12:1–17; Mark 2:1–12 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Mercy of God

And encouragement is what he bestows wherever he goes.

Monday • 7/17/2023 
Monday of the Seventh Week After Pentecost (Proper 10)  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 25; 1 Samuel 18:5–16; 27b–30; Acts 11:19–30; Mark 1:29–45 

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

A text version of this podcast can be found here