Bible Love: A Scripture Podcast

Today we wrap up the book of Esther. We look at joy in the midst of sorry, redefining celebration, and God's presence in hard times.

Readings for next week: Nothing!

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- What is Purim (https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/645309/jewish/What-Is-Purim.htm)
- Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God (https://www.andrew-peterson.com/btlog-22)
- Jen Hatmaker (https://jenhatmaker.com/)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Esther (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-esther_527.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Esther
(https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/esther/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we’re joined by Anne Alexis-Harra, Minister for Children & Youth at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Readings for next week: Esther 8-10

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- St. Martin’s, Pennsylvania (https://www.stmartinec.org/clergy-and-staff/)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Esther (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-esther_527.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Esther
(https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/esther/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we dive into the story of Esther. We look at boundaries, beauty, and how love wins in the end.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How have you seen God work through hard, or even toxic, situation?
- What are you willing to do to show God’s love to the world?

Readings for next week: Esther 4-7

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Esther (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-esther_527.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Esther
(https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/esther/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we're joined again by the Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins! Dr. Tony helps walk us through Esther. We talk about religion, identity, and great storytelling.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can we look for God’s presence, even when it isn’t obvious?
- Where have you seen God work through ordinary people and situations?

Readings for next week: Esther 1-3

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins, Interim Senior Minister of First Baptist, Greenville, S.C. (https://firstbaptistgreenville.com/welcome-dr-tony-hopkins-interim-senior-minister/)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Esther (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-esther_527.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Esther
(https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/esther/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)


The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we’re joined by the Rev. Gary Eichelberger, rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Greenville, S.C. We talk about high church worship, social justice, and how we read the Bible through the lens of Jesus.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How does scripture shape our approach to social justice?
- What type of worship fills your soul?


Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Gary Eichelberger (https://www.standrewsgreenville.org/clergy-staff)
- St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Greenville (https://www.standrewsgreenville.org/)
- Gary’s favorite Bible verse, 1 John 3:16-18 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A16-18&version=NRSVA)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we’re joined by the Rev. Paula Jefferson, Priest-in-Charge of St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Texas. We talk about reentry, revival, and making a joyful noise!

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can we shape our life around our community, rather than the other way around?
- What worship practices help you feel God’s presence?

Readings for next week: Nothing!

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Paula Jefferson (https://stchrisfw.org/about-us/our-staff/member-detail/1667734/)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Ezra and Nehemiah (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-ezra-and-nehemiah_735.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Ezra and Nehemiah (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we dive into Nehemiah! We look at what it means to mourn, how we cope in prayer, and what it takes to get to work.

Questions for reflection this week:
- What can we learn from the length of time Nehemiah prayed and wept, versus the amount of time they worked on the wall?
- How can we remain steadfast and hopeful in the face of opposition?

Readings for next week: Nehemiah 8-13

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Ezra and Nehemiah (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-ezra-and-nehemiah_735.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Ezra and Nehemiah (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we wrap up Ezra, where we finally meet the guy. And we talk about moving back home, reorienting our life, and challenging our beliefs.

Questions for reflection this week:
- What can we learn from genealogies, and our heritage?
- How do we read hard parts of scripture through the lens of Jesus?

Readings for next week: Nehemiah 1-7

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Alan’s sermon from Sunday (https://www.stmartininthefields.org/sermon/enduring-word/)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Ezra and Nehemiah (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-ezra-and-nehemiah_735.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Ezra and Nehemiah (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we dive in to Ezra with the Rev. Claire Brown, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Athens, Tennessee. We talk about preparation, returning from exile, and what it costs us when our vision is too small.

Questions for reflection this week:
- What have we learned in the pandemic that has shaped us into a new people of God?
- What does it cost us when our vision of God’s love and inclusiveness is too small?

Readings for next week: Ezra 7-10

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Claire Brown (https://www.stpaulsathens.org/leadership and https://www.revclairebrown.com)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Ezra and Nehemiah (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-ezra-and-nehemiah_735.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Ezra and Nehemiah (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)


The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we're joined again by the Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins! Dr. Tony helps walk us through Ezra and Nehemiah. We talk about community, covenant, and inclusion.

Questions for reflection this week:
- Do I believe that God really cares about the circumstances of my life, and do I trust more in God than in my own abilities and efforts?
- If my pastor asked me to publicly come to the altar and sign a pledge of faithfulness and obedience, how would I feel and what would I do?
- Where is my/our zeal for God creating a blind spot in my/our caring for God’s people? (Where is my/our concern for the first Great Commandment creating neglect of the second Great Commandment?)

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins, Senior Pastor of First Baptist, Greenwood (https://www.fbcgwd.org/our-staff/)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on Ezra and Nehemiah (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-ezra-and-nehemiah_735.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Ezra and Nehemiah (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)


The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we’re joined by the Rev. James Franklin, Episcopal priest and chaplain at Wake Forest University. We wrap up our study of 2 Chronicles, looking at God’s endless love.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can we approach our work in a way that sets it up for the next generation?
- How do we prioritize rest in our lives?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. James Franklin (https://chaplain.wfu.edu/chaplains-office/christian-campus-ministry-staff/rev-james-d-franklin-iii/)
- Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans (https://rachelheldevans.com/searching-for-sunday)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on 1&2 Chronicles (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-chronicles_57.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Chronicles (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

This week we launch into 2 Chronicles, looking at Solomon’s reign, the construction of the temple, and succession (and sabbath) planning.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can we approach our work in a way that sets it up for the next generation?
- How do we prioritize rest in our lives?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on 1&2 Chronicles (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-chronicles_57.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Chronicles (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

This week we finish up 1 Chronicles, looking at his three speeches, how we organize ourselves for mission, and how we prepare for the future.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How do we balance trust in the Holy Spirit and our need to plan?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on 1&2 Chronicles (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-chronicles_57.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Chronicles (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

This week we’re joined by the Rev. Dorian Del Priore, Priest-in-Charge of Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Simpsonville, S.C. We talk about life of David, the true source of power, and how joy undergirds everything we do.

Questions for reflection this week:
- What lessons can we learn from the life of David?
- How can we keep our focus on the true source of power and joy?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Dorian Del Priore (https://holycrossep.org/our-staff-vestry/)
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on 1&2 Chronicles (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/in...)
- The Bible Project intro to Chronicles (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKC...)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstrip

Today we dig into the first part of 1 Chronicles. We look at what we can learn from genealogies, and a little bit about prayer and Christian subculture.

Questions for reflection this week:
- Why do you think genealogies are important to the Biblical story?
- Why are they important to our story?
- What do you think is the purpose of prayer?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Dr. Tony Hopkin’s notes on 1&2 Chronicles (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-chronicles_57.pdf)
- The Bible Project intro to Chronicles (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/)
- The Prayer of Jabez (https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Jabez-Breaking-Through-Blessed/dp/1576737330)
- Sacred Ground (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're joined again by the Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins! Dr. Tony helps walk us through 1 & 2 Chronicles. We look at where the story of scripture has taken us, and where we’re going next.

Questions for reflection this week:
- What do 1&2 Chronicles tell us about God’s call for flawed people?
- How can we look at the larger narrative of scripture, and not just focus on individual stories?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Dr. Tony Hopkins, Senior Pastor of First Baptist, Greenwood (https://www.fbcgwd.org/our-staff/)
- Dr. Tony's notes on 1 & 2 Chronicles (https://www.biblelovepodcast.com/uploads/images/intro-to-chronicles_57.pdf
- The Bible Project intro to Chronicles (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chronicles/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)


The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstrip

Summer is wrapping up so we’re back to it! This week we recap where we’ve been this summer (check out the Women in Ministry series if you haven’t already), and we also talk about what’s coming up.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How have your spiritual practices changed over the summer?
- How have you sought peace and rest this summer?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Every Moment Holy (https://www.everymomentholy.com)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

The show music is "Silver Lining" by Brent Wood, licensed under Soundstripe

Today we talk with The Rev. Peggy Muncie, retired priest in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina

Questions for reflections this week?
- What if you were called to do something that no one of your gender or race was a part of?
- How do your family systems work when both parents are working outside the home?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw