Written Spoken

In Episode 4 of Season 13, Esther continues to reflect on practical steps to develop and maintain the practice of consistent praise to God. She does a deeper dive into the concept of being intentional about praising God and provides additional strategies to aid in implementing and maintaining this practice. Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode: Scripture Verses : Psalm 103:1 (NIV). Habbakuk 3:1...

In the 3rd Episode of Season 13, Esther focuses on two steps that can help us to develop and maintain the practice of praising God consistently: 1) making the decision to praise God at all times; and 2) catching ourselves complaining and repurposing our complaints. Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode: Scripture Verses : Psalm 3:1-3 (NKJV). Psalm 103:1 (NIV). Habbakuk 3:17-18 (NKJV). Habbakuk 3...

In the second episode of Season 13, Esther invites us to reflect on the purpose of our praise to God, on what praising God at all times accomplishes. Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode: Scripture Verses: Psalm 50:23 (NKJV). Psalm  8:2 (NIV). Psalm. 33:1 (AMP). Psalm 147:1 (AMP). Psalm 67:5-7 (NKJV). 2 Corinthians 10:4 (AMP). Ephesians 6:11-18 (NKJV). 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 (NKJV). Acts 16:16-40...

In Episode 1 of Season 13, Esther introduces the focus of the new season, “Developing the Practice of Consistent Praise to God,” and reflects on the question, “Why praise God at all times?” Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode Scripture Verses: Examples of the psalmist David’s experiences : Psalm 34:1 (NKJV). 1 Samuel 16:1-11; 17:26-29; 18:5-7. 1 Chronicles 15. 2 Samuel 11:1-17; 12:1-13. Psalm...

In the final episode of Season 12, Esther focuses on the last recorded song in the Bible. This song is known as “The Song of Moses and of the Lamb.” Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode: Article: Audrey Alessio - “ Do You Hear God in Good Music? Listening for the Immortal Song | Desiring God ” Scripture Verses: Revelation 15:1-4 (NIV). Malachi 3:6 (NIV). Hebrews 13:8 (NIV). Deuteronomy 32:4 (NI...

In today’s episode, Esther focuses on singing to God during difficult seasons of life, referred to as “wastelands.” She also shares reasons to sing and what enables us to sing in wastelands. Resources Referenced in Today’s Episode: Articles: Bob Kauflin - “ Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing? ” Scott Hubbard - “ Raise Your Song in the Night. ”   Scripture Verses: Psalm 96:5 (AMP). Psalm 47...

In Episode 5 of Season 12, Esther continues to focus on the practice of singing to God. She directs our attention to what author Mark Vrogep describes as "one of the most theologically informed practices of the Christian life," lament. Resources referenced in the episode: Lori Stanley Roeleveld’s article, “ What Does it Mean to Lament? Bible Meaning Explained ” Mark Vrogep’s article, “ T...

In Episode 4, Esther continues Season 12's focus on the practice of singing to God.  She highlights another of the Songs of Ascent in the Bible, Psalm 131, and considers what it means to engage in the practice of quieting our souls as we journey through life. Resources referenced in the episode: Max Lucado, Daily Devotional, February 27, 2020 “ Why God Hates Pride ” “ Quieting the Soul ” blog...

In Episode 3, Esther continues Season 12's focus on the practice of singing to God.  She highlights the Songs of Ascent in the Bible (Psalms 120-134), reflects on Psalm 121, one of the Songs of Ascent, and shares instructions from the psalm that can help us navigate stages of our journey through life.  Resources mentioned in the episode: “What Are the Songs of Ascent in the Bible?” by Madeline...

In Episode 2, Esther continues Season 12’s focus on the practice of singing to God. She reflects on the first recorded song in the Bible and highlights several of its themes for personal application. Resources mentioned in this episode: “ Favorite Song of All ” - Lyrics  “ Favorite Song of All ” - Video Scriptures verses in the order referenced: Job 38:4-7 (NKJV).  Job 2:11 (NIV). Exodus. 14:26-30...

Our focus in Season 12 is the practice of singing to God. In Episode 1 Esther reflects on five questions related to the practice of singing to God: “Who is to sing to God?” “Why sing to God?” “What do we sing to God?” “How do we sing to God?” and, “When do we sing to God?” Resources mentioned in this episode: Bob Kauflin’s resources: “ Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing? ” and “ What Shoul...

In Episode 7, the final episode of Season 11, Esther reflects on the Resurrection of Christ Jesus and what it means to live out the truth of the Resurrection in our daily lives. Resources mentioned in this episode: Matt Perman’s article, “ 6 Things Christ Accomplished by His Death .” John Piper’s article, “ Six Gifts of the Resurrection .” The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother of the Resu...

In Episode 6 of Season 11, Esther focuses on Holy Week and reminds us that, from the moment of His birth, every step Jesus took was in the direction of Golgotha and the Cross, to willingly pay the incomprehensible cost to redeem us. Resources mentioned in this episode: “ If That Isn’t Love ,” written by Dottie Rambo. Scriptures verses in the order shared: (Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture...

In Episode 5 of Season 11, Esther returns to the invitation issued by John the Baptizer in John 1:29, and reflects on what it means to gaze at the Lamb of God, and on what we will see as we do so.  Resources mentioned in this episode: Scriptures verses in the order shared. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version: John 1:29. Hebrews 12:1-...

In Episode 4, Esther focuses on the invitation issued by John the Baptizer, in John 1:29, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Scriptures verses shared in Episode 4 (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the NKJV): John 1:29. John 1:6-7, 28-29. Luke 1:41, 44. John 1:14. John 5:39. Luke 24:27. Exodus 25:9, 31. Hebrews 12:2-3. Exodus. 25:31. John 1:4, 9; 8:1...

In Episode 3 of Season 11, Esther invites us to let the fact that Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, and Valentine’s Day occur on the same day this year, prompt prayerful reflection on the greatest of loves. Link to the history and lyrics of James Weldon Johnson’s iconic hymn, " ⁠Lift Every Voice and Sing⁠ " Link to Jack Zavada’s article, " 4 Types of Love in the Bible " Lin...

In this second episode of 2024, Esther ties the ordinary yet life-giving and essential act of breathing to God’s work in us, His children.   Scripture verses shared in the episode: Genesis 2:7 (AMP, ESV). Acts 17:28 (ERV). Psalm 104:29. Psalm 150:6 (VOICE). Philippians 2:13 (ISV). Psalm 69:30-31 (AMP). Psalm 50:15 (AMP). Psalm 91:15 (AMP). Hebrews. 13:8 (AMP). Psalm 46:1-3, 7 (NKJV). Hebrews 10:23...

In this first episode of 2024 and the new season of the podcast, Esther reminds us that God’s work in our lives is an ongoing process. Scripture verses shared in the episode: Philippians 2:13 (HCSB). Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV). Isaiah 55:6-9 (NKJV). Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NKJV). Links to As One Being Taught and Fitly Spoken, the blogs from which some of the podcast's content originate: As One Being Taught –...

In this bonus episode of the Holiday Edition of the podcast, Esther shares several verses of Scripture and a prayer.   Scripture verses from today’s episode: ⁠Psalm 90:12 (TPT)⁠. Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV). Psalm 139:1-10 (TPT). Joshua 1:9 (AMP). Isaiah 43:2 (AMP). Isaiah 41:10 (ESV). Isaiah 26:3-4 (AMP). Psalms 23: 1-6 (NKJV). Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV). Psalm 90:12 (TPT). Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV). Psalm 139...

In Episode 4 of the Holiday Edition of the podcast, Esther focuses on love, the theme of the 4th week of the Advent Season and reminds us that God is Love.  Scripture verses from today’s episode: John 3:16 (AMP). Isaiah 9:6 (ESV). 1 Corinthians 13:13 (TLB). 1 John 4:8 (ESV). 1 John 1:10 (VOICE).  John 3:17 (ESV). Ephesians 3:17-19 (TLB). Romans 8:35-39 (NLT). Links to As One Being Taught and Fitly...

In Episode 3 of the Holiday Edition of the podcast, Esther focuses on joy, the theme of the third week of the Advent Season. Biblical joy is distinguished from the secular definition of joy. Scripture verses from today’s episode: Luke 1:38-45 (ESV). Psalm 16:11 (ESV). Psalm 21:6 (ESV). Matthew 1:23 (AMP). Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP). Acts 5:41. Philippians 3:1. Romans 15:13. 2 Corinthians 6:10. Matthe...

There seems to be unrest, violence, wars or threats of war on almost every continent and there is often unrest within each of us. Esther reminds us in Episode 2 of the Holiday Edition of the podcast, that God’s peace is available to us in all circumstances. Scripture verses from today’s episode: Psalm 29:10-11 (NKJV). Judges 6:1-10 (NLT). Judges 6: 11-19, 23-24 (AMP). Psalm 71:5 (AMP). Psalm 28:7...

In this first episode of the Written Spoken Podcast's 2023 Holiday Edition, which is centered on the Advent Season, Esther focuses on Hope, the theme of week 1 of Advent. Scripture verses from today's episode : Romans 15:13 (NLT). 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV). Psalm 71:5 (NKJV). 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.  Lamentations 3:24 (GNT). Psalm 62:5 (NKJV).  Romans 15:13 (TPT). Genesis 3:15. Click here...

In episode 7 (the final episode) of Season 10, through the story of the Samaritan who Jesus healed of leprosy, Esther encourages us to consider the typical distance between when we receive a gift from God and when we give Him thanks.  Scripture verses in Episode 7: Luke 17:11-19 (NKJV) Emmons, R. A., and Michael E. McCullough. "Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation...

Psalm 92:1 states, "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High" (NKJV). In Episode 6 of Season 10, Esther focuses on a prayer of thanksgiving penned by the psalmist king David and invites us to engage in our own prayers of thanksgiving and praise as we listen.  Scripture verses in Episode 6. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture verses are from the...