Bible Love: A Scripture Podcast

Today we're joined by the Rev. Dr. Anna Brawley, rector of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Columbia, S.C. We dive into the book of Judges, and how our stories of failure and faithfulness reveal God's presence. Questions for reflection this week: - Why do we always need to have the "answer?" - How can I embrace asking more questions? - What can we learn from our stories? Links mentioned in today's e...

Today we're joined by the Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas and provisional bishop of the Episcopal Church in North Texas (Alan's bishop!). As we take a break between Joshua and Judges, we talk about the lenses through which we view scripture, and how we let Jesus' words shape our lives. Questions for reflection this week: - Do we follow Jesus, or do just wor...

Today we're joined by the Rev. Dixon Kinser, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. As we wrap up Joshua, we talk about real estate contracts, ancient trash talk, faithful outsiders, and how Jesus changes our relationship with the enemy. Questions for reflection this week: - What does it mean to be faithful in hard times? - How does Jesus reshape our understanding of power an...

Today we continue our march through Joshua, looking at conquest, consequences, and God's presence in the fight. Questions for reflection this week: - How can we rest in the assurance that God is with us in the hard times? - What does it mean to live as if everywhere we go is holy ground? Links mentioned in today's episode: - A Women's Lectionary for the Church (https://www.churchpublishing.org/wom...

Today we're joined by the Rev. Greg Farrand, Episcopal priest and Executive Director of Second Breath. We jump into the first five chapters of Joshua, preparing to enter the Promised Land! We talk about genocide, prostitution, and a God who is with us in the mess. Questions for reflection this week: - What can we learn from the person of Rahab? - What does it mean that God is with us in the mess?...

Today we dive into Joshua, with a great overview by the Very Rev. Cynthis Briggs Kittredge (Dean of Seminary of Southwest). We talk about how we understand Biblical history, how we wrestle with hard parts of the Bible, and how God remains faithful even when we are human. Questions for reflection this week: - How do you wrestle with the hard parts of Scripture? - How do you understand history, when...

Today we're celebrating one year of Bible Love! We look back at where we've been, what we've learned, and what we're excited to do next! Questions for reflection this week: - How has your relationship with scripture changed over the past year? Links mentioned in today's episode: - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZKC...) The show music is "Silver Lining" by B...

Today we're joined by the Rev. Allison Sandlin Liles. Allison is Priest-in-Charge of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Hurst, Texas (Alan's neighbor!), and editor of Grow Christians (a community of Christians practicing faith at home). Before we pick up with Joshua next week, we wanted to take some time out to talk about how we incorporate Scripture and faith with families, how we immerse ourselve...

Today we are joined by the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers, the Presiding Bishop's Staff Officer for Church Planting! We talk about succession planning, leading for a future we may not get to see, and how we follow God even when we don't know where we're going. Questions for reflection this week: - How can we plan now for a future we may not see? - How can we share leadership to help others grow? Link...

Today we talk about blessings and curses, returning to relationship, and choosing life. Questions for reflection this week: - How do I make time and space in my life for repentance and return? - How do I keep the Word close to me? - How can I choose life every day? Links mentioned in today's episode: - The Bible App (https://youversion.com/the-bible-app/) - Dwell audio Bible (https://dwellapp.io)...

Today we're joined by the Rev. Ian Lasch, and we talk about Deuteronomic Code! We talk about our penchant for idolatry, God's desire for holiness, and how all of this is set up to help orient us toward generosity for God and our neighbors. Questions for reflection this week: - What are the habits that I can establish that will make me more grateful? - How will I trust gods abundance? - How can I u...

Today we're talking about God's love! Moses reminds the Israelites that they (and we) are all a part of the covenant, regardless of time and space. And we're also reminded of our penchant for idolatry, and how we love because God first loved us. Questions for reflection this week: - What does it mean to know that we are chosen by God? - Why do we too often fall into idolatry? - How do we keep scri...

Today we're joined by the Rev. Furman Buchanan, rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Greenville, S.C. We talk about our need to remember our story, God's unfailing love for us, and how our ministry is always pointing beyond anything we might be able to see. Questions for reflection this week: - How do we remember what God has done for us? - How do we respond to God's call to make a place for...

Today we're joined by the Rev. Alexis Carter Thomas! Alexis helps walk us through Deuteronomy, situating the book in the larger narrative, and helping us find our place in the story. Questions for reflection this week: - What does it mean to be loyal to God? - How have we experienced God's loyalty to us? Links mentioned in today's episode: - Alexis Carter Thomas (https://www.alexiscarterthomas.com...

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 scri...

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/UCQt8M5fw3DImMNZ...

Today we're joined by the Rev. Nicholas Beasley, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Columbia, S.C. (and former rector of Mary Balfour's parish!). We talk about God's emotions, the Israelites fickleness, and how we respond when things get hard. Questions for reflection this week: - How do I react when my journey gets hard? - What is the cost of reconciliation with others? Links mentioned in t...

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 A...

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 Exp...

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 tod...

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...

Today we jump into the first two chapters of Numbers, where we see a census, a master-planned community, and a God of order. Questions for reflection this week: - How do I know when God is speaking to me? What is God speaking to me right now? - How does my ancestral home shape who I am today? The good? The not-so-good? Links mentioned in today's episode: - Join our Numbers reading plan on the Bibl...

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: - H...

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...

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 J...