Bible Love: A Scripture Podcast

Today we're joined by the Official Episcopal Visitor of Bible Love, the Rt. Rev. Brian Cole. Bishop Cole serves the Diocese of East Tenessee.

Before we pick up with Deuteronomy next week, we wanted to take some time out to talk about how we immerse ourselves in Scripture and connect the unfolding Biblical story with our lives.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can we better understand scripture by learning with and from others?
- How do you try to incorporate scripture into your daily life?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rt. Rev. Brian Cole (https://www.dioet.org/the-right-reverend-brian-lee-cole/)
- Being Christian, by Rowan Williams (https://bookshop.org/books/being-christian-baptism-bible-eucharist-prayer/)
- The Bible Challenge (https://www.forwardmovement.org/Products/2114/the-bible-challenge.aspx)
- Lambeth Conference study of 1 Peter (https://www.lambethconference.org/programme/theme-and-biblical-focus/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we talk about changes, trusting God, and how to plan for what comes next.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How do I prepare for changes in my life?
- How can I practice trust in God, even when it is hard to trust?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Check out our new website! (https://www.biblelovepodcast.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 start the journey into the wilderness! We talk about waiting, listening for God, and how we trust.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can I redeem the times I'm called to wait?
- How can I trust that I'm hearing from God?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (https://www.bcponline.org/DailyOffice/devotion2.html)
- Episcopal Worship to Anchor Your Day (https://www.facebook.com/TECAnchorWorship/)
- Join our Numbers reading plan on the Bible App (https://bible.com/p/43929826/a58f05e8aa5bd0db440a7174abe66bbc)
- 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. Kyle Martindale, rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pearl River, N.Y., and host of the Episcopal Priest Explains podcast. We talk about offerings, being set apart, and getting ready for the journey!

Questions for reflection this week:
- How am I set apart for God?
- What am I willing to offer to God?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Episcopal Priest Explains podcast (https://episcopalpriestexplains.buzzsprout.com/)
- St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pearl River, N.Y. (https://ststephenspearlriver.org/)
- Join our Numbers reading plan on the Bible App (https://bible.com/p/43929826/a58f05e8aa5bd0db440a7174abe66bbc)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're together, IN PERSON! We're recording from the nave at Resurrection, Greenwood, and we talk about brokenness, restoration, community, and blessing.

And Alan shares some exciting news!

Questions for reflection this week:
- What can I offer to God? What am I willing to risk to follow Jesus?
- Do I have a community where I can be open and honest? How can I find that?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Join our Numbers reading plan on the Bible App (https://bible.com/p/43598954/f186fc94932d3f2b1274febf6559858a )
- St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Keller, Texas (https://www.stmartininthefields.org/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're joined by the Rev. Canon Jimmy Hartley, who serves as Canon for Formation (amongst other things) in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. We talk about the priesthood, the proper ordering or worship, and finding our role in God's work.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can I invite folks into the life of Christ?
- What is my role? In what ways has God uniquely equipped me to serve?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Join our Numbers reading plan on the Bible App (https://bible.com/p/43598954/f186fc94932d3f2b1274febf6559858a )
- The Hebrew Bible, a translation by Robert Alter (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393292497)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're joined by our first repeat guest, Dr. Tony Hopkins! Tony helps walk us through Numbers, situating the book in the larger narrative, and helping us find our place in the story. Click here to view Tony's notes on Numbers.

Before we pick up with Numbers next week, we wanted to take some time out to talk about how we connect scripture with our lives.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How does "living on this side of Jesus" impact your life?
- What role can you play in helping repent of, and repair, the broken world?
- What does it mean to see the whole journey, while also being mindful of your particular place?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Join our Numbers reading plan on the Bible App (https://bible.com/p/43104592/eea966fff239de3fa82d5aa02948ad50
- Dr. Tony Hopkins, Senior Pastor of First Baptist, Greenwood (https://www.fbcgwd.org/our-staff/)
- Dr. Hopkins notes on Numbers (https://www.edusc.org/uploads/images/numbers-notesbible-love_611.pdf)
- The Priestly Blessing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestly_Blessing)
- Alan's sermon from this past week (https://anchor.fm/alanbentrup/episodes/For-God-So-Loved----a-sermon-for-Trinity-Sunday-2021-e11ruui/a-a5npvjc)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're joined by the most special guest, the Rev. Polk Van Zandt! If you recognize that last name, its because he's the father of our very own Mary Balfour!

Before we pick up with Numbers next week, we wanted to take some time out to talk about how we connect scripture with our lives.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How can we better understand scripture by learning with and from others?
- How do you try to incorporate scripture into your daily life?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- The Rev. Polk Van Zandt (https://www.stgeorgesnashville.org/about/clergy-staff-vestry#TheRevJamesKPolkVanZandt
- Richard Hooker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Hooker
- Sharon McMahon - @sharonsaysso on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we wrap up our study of Leviticus. looking at the blessings and consequences of our union with, and obedience to, God. We look at how these chapters in Leviticus are reflected in Jesus, Pentecost, and our work of reconciliation.

Questions for reflection this week:
- How do you see the ways that God is always with you, walking with you?
- How does your union (or disunion) with God, and with Jesus, affect your daily life? How do you feel more connected? How do you feel less connected?
- What is something you've learned about Leviticus these past few weeks, and how has that shaped your faith?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Holy Imagination, by the Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams (https://bookshop.org/books/holy-imagination-a-literary-and-theological-introduction-to-the-whole-bible/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're joined by the Rev. Greg Millikin, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in New Lenox, Illinois. We talk about God's amazing love for us, our call to love one another, the importance of wrestling with (and taking seriously) scripture, and how sometimes we get a little too focused on the wrong things.

Questions for reflection this week:
- What is it about Leviticus, and these hard texts in particular, that terrifies us?
- How can we wrestle serious with scripture, but through the lens of love? For example, how do we see Lev 18 and 20 with an understanding that chapter 19 ("love your neighbor...") is the fulcrum?
- How can we engage in dialogue around LGBTQ, sexuality, and similar topics, using whatever privilege and authority we have in our contexts?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Grace Episcopal Church, New Lenox (https://gracenewlenox.org/)
- Being Called, Being Gay, by the Rev. Greg Millikin (https://www.churchpublishing.org/beingcalledbeinggay)
- Holy Imagination, by the Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams (https://bookshop.org/books/holy-imagination-a-literary-and-theological-introduction-to-the-whole-bible/)
- Leviticus scene from The West Wing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSXJzybEeJM)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we talk about clean and unclean. From foods, to clothes, to bodily discharge, let's talk about how God sets up standards and conditions for us to pursue holiness. And let's remember the goodness of God in the plentiful forgiveness offered to us!

Questions for reflection this week:
- Who are the people in your life with whom you can be open and honest? Think about those relationships, and how you can support each other.
- Think about your food choices this week. How can our eating and drinking be a spiritual practice?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Every Moment Holy: New Liturgies for Daily Life (https://www.everymomentholy.com/
- The Old Testament, by Michael Coogan (https://bookshop.org/books/the-old-testament-a-historical-and-literary-introduction-to-the-hebrew-scriptures/9780190608651)
- Exodus and Leviticus for Everyone (https://bookshop.org/books/exodus-and-leviticus-for-everyone/9780664233761)
- How to Read the Bible Book by Book, by Gordon Fee (https://www.zondervan.com/9780310518082/how-to-read-the-bible-book-by-book/)
- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw)

Today we're joined by the Rev. Worth Stuart, Priest Associate at Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, Alabama. We talk about the priesthood, God's consistent call (and command) to us, and that time a couple of priests were killed for messing up the liturgy.

Questions for reflection this week:
- Think back to an ordination you've attended. What stood out? For clergy, who do you remember being there?
- What are some times you feel God pushing you to do something, even when you don't think you want to?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Church of the Epiphany in Huntsville, Alabama https://nativity.dioala.org/
- How to Read the Bible Book by Book https://www.zondervan.com/9780310518082/how-to-read-the-bible-book-by-book/
- Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw

Today we talk about the five offerings, what God requires of us, and how we are responsible for our actions (or inactions).

Questions for reflection this week:
- What is our offering? What is God asking us to sacrifice right now?
- Am I speaking up when I see injustice? What can I do to speak up?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- How to Read the Bible Book by Book
https://www.zondervan.com/9780310518082/how-to-read-the-bible-book-by-book/
- Check us out on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKCHgBRNw

Today we're joined by the Rev. (nearly) Dr. David Barr, Associate Rector at St. George's, Nashville. David helps walk us through an overview of Leviticus, examining how we respond to God's graciousness and what it costs us (and God) to pursue holiness.

Questions for reflection:
- How do we respond to what God has done in our life?
- What might we be called to sacrifice in our pursuit of following Jesus?

Resources mentioned in today's episode:
- Leviticus "Bible Brief"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1geI-_M4sTtJXYN8Rn_5lEE_91tWbd_8s/view
- St. George's, Nashville (where David, and Mary Balfour's dad, work) https://www.stgeorgesnashville.org/

Today we talk about where we've been (plagues, commandments, sabbath, and struggles) and where we're going (Leviticus, difficult scripture, and God's unyielding hope).

Questions for reflection this week:
- How do we see God's commandments (for behavior, worship, etc.) as gifts rather than restrictions?
- What does "the cloud of the Lord" mean to you? How do you envision God's presence?

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Episcopal Church Evangelism Team
- Check us out on YouTube

Today we talk about our idols, God's anger, and how we rebuild the covenant.

Questions for reflection:
- What do you think about prayer? Does our wrestling with God, through prayer, change things? Can God's mind be changed?
- What are your idols? What are those things, or people, or parts of ourselves, in which we put too much trust and faith?

We'd love to hear your responses! Click here to drop us an email!

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Episcopal Church Evangelism Team
- Check us out on YouTube

Today we talk about God's instructions for worship, our vocation, and the continual need for sabbath.

Links mentioned in today's episode:
- Check us out on YouTube
- Pastor, by Eugene Peterson

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to drop us an email!

Today we talk about slavery, murder, and the law code. But more importantly, we talk about wrestling with hard things and celebrating God's faithfulness.

Questions to ponder:
- How will you celebrate what God is doing in your life this week?
- How do you wrestle with difficulties in your life?

Links mentioned in today's show:
- Every Moment Holy (the book of prayers from which Mary Balfour read)
- Reverse Lectionary (so you can see the difficult scripture we skip on Sundays)