Poets & Saints

Epizody

• 
  We Dazzle Gradually 02.10.2026 5min

  ScriptureProverbs 4:18 (NRSVUE)But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,which shines brighter and brighteruntil full day.RefrainI am being dazzled, gradually, into the light.QuoteBrian Zahnd, from Unseen Existences"I've been gradually dazzled by Christ into a much more hopeful and glorious theology. But along the way I've also learned that I have to tell it slant. I can't always expect someone to see in five minutes what it's taken me fifty years to see. In our pilgrim journey we need to be careful not to blind others with what we have seen. We dazzle... gradually." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Like a Time Bomb 01.10.2026 5min

  ScriptureLuke 8:9–10 (NRSVUE)Then his disciples asked himwhat this parable meant.He said, "To you it has been givento know the secrets of the kingdom of God;but to others I speak in parables,so that 'looking they may not perceive,and hearing they may not understand.'"RefrainThe story is working in me before I understand it.QuoteEugene Peterson, from The Contemplative Pastor"Jesus' favorite speech form, the parable, was subversive. Parables sound absolutely ordinary: casual stories about soil and seeds, meals and coins and sheep, bandits and victims, farmers and merchants. And they are wholly secular. As people heard Jesus tell these stories, they saw at once that they weren't about God, so there was nothing in them threatening their own sovereignty. They relaxed their defenses. They walked away perplexed, wondering what they meant, the stories lodged in their imagination. And then, like a time bomb, they would explode in their unprotected hearts." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  From Milk to Solid Food 30.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureHebrews 5:12–14 (NRSVUE)You need milk, not solid food;for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,is unskilled in the word of righteousness.But solid food is for the mature,for those whose faculties have been trained by practiceto distinguish good from evil.RefrainI am ready for what once would have overwhelmed me.QuoteSt. John of the Cross, from Dark Night of the Soul"The soul, after it has been definitely converted to the service of God, is, as a rule, spiritually nurtured and caressed by God, even as is the tender child by its loving mother, who warms it with the heat of her bosom and nurtures it with sweet milk and soft and pleasant food, and carries it and caresses it in her arms; but, as the child grows bigger, the mother gradually ceases caressing it, and, hiding her tender love, puts bitter aloes upon her sweet breast, sets down the child from her arms and makes it walk upon its feet, so that it may lose the habits of a child and betake itself to more important and substantial occupations." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The Soul That Reaches Forward 29.09.2026 5min

  ScripturePhilippians 3:13–14 (NRSVUE)Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own;but this one thing I do:forgetting what lies behindand straining forward to what lies ahead,I press on toward the goalfor the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.RefrainI am always being drawn further in.QuoteGregory of Nyssa, from The Life of Moses"Such an experience seems to me to belong to the soul which loves what is beautiful. Hope always draws the soul from the beauty which is seen to what is beyond, always kindles the desire for the hidden through what is constantly perceived. And the bold request which goes up the mountains of desire asks this: to enjoy the Beauty not in mirrors and reflections, but face to face." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Tell It Slant 28.09.2026 5min

  Scripture1 Corinthians 13:12 (NRSVUE)For now we see in a mirror, dimly,but then we will see face to face.Now I know only in part;then I will know fully,even as I have been fully known.RefrainThe truth dazzles gradually, so that I may see.QuoteEmily Dickinson, "Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant""Tell all the truth but tell it slant—Success in Circuit liesToo bright for our infirm DelightThe Truth's superb surpriseAs Lightning to the Children easedWith explanation kindThe Truth must dazzle graduallyOr every man be blind—" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Love Everything 25.09.2026 5min

  Scripture1 John 4:7–8 (NRSVUE)Beloved, let us love one another,because love is from God;everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.Whoever does not love does not know God,for God is love.RefrainLove is my refusal of cynicism.QuoteWHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES by Mary OliverWhen I am among the trees,especially the willows and the honey locust,equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,they give off such hints of gladness.I would almost say that they save me, and daily.I am so distant from the hope of myself,in which I have goodness, and discernment,and never hurry through the worldbut walk slowly, and bow often.Around me the trees stir in their leavesand call out, “Stay awhile.”The light flows from their branches.And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,“and you too have comeinto the world to do this, to go easy, to be filledwith light, and to shine.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Called Up Out of the Darkness 24.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureGenesis 1:3 (NRSVUE)Then God said, "Let there be light";and there was light.RefrainI was called out of the darkness.QuoteDavid Bentley Hart, from You Are Gods"From eternity, God has brought forth spiritual creatures into existence in the only way that such creatures could be formed: by calling them to ascend out of the darkness of nonbeing into the infinite beauty of the divine nature. To exist as a spiritual creature is simply to have heard and, from the first instant, responded to this total vocation. Creation is already deification—is, in fact, theogony. For that eternal act—that summoning of all created natures out of the primordial darkness—is most certainly an entirely free and unmerited gift of being, imparted to those who were not and who in themselves had no claim to be; but it is also, and no less originally, the call that awakens the gods." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  It's All a Gift 23.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureJames 1:17 (NRSVUE)Every generous act of giving,with every perfect gift,is from above,coming down from the Father of lights.RefrainIt's all a gift.QuoteJulian of Norwich, from Revelations of Divine Love"And in this he showed me a little thing,the quantity of a hazelnut,lying in the palm of my hand, as it seemed.And it was as round as a ball.I looked upon it with the eye of my understandingand thought, 'What may this be?'And it was answered generally thus:'It is all that is made.'I marveled how it might last,for I thought it might suddenly have fallen to nothing for littleness.And I was answered in my understanding:It lasts and ever shall, for God loves it.And so have all things their beginningby the love of God." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Look Toward Heaven and Count the Stars 22.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureGenesis 15:5 (NRSVUE)He brought him outside and said,"Look toward heaven and count the stars,if you are able to count them."Then he said to him,"So shall your descendants be."RefrainHope returns when I look up.QuoteJ.R.R. Tolkien, from The Return of the King"Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while.The beauty of it smote his heart,as he looked up out of the forsaken land,and hope returned to him.For like a shaft, clear and cold,the thought pierced himthat in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing:there was light and high beautyfor ever beyond its reach." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Theology Is Best Pursued Outdoors 21.09.2026 5min

  ScripturePsalm 19:1 (NRSVUE)The heavens are telling the glory of God;and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.RefrainThe world will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder.QuoteWendell Berry, from The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays"The Bible is best read and understood outdoors,and the farther outdoors the better.Passages that within walls seem improbable or incredible,outdoors seem merely natural.This is because outdoors we are confronted everywhere with wonders;we see that the miraculous is not extraordinarybut the common mode of existence." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Take and Read 18.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureRomans 13:13–14 (NRSVUE)Let us live honorably as in the day,not in reveling and drunkenness,not in debauchery and licentiousness,not in quarreling and jealousy.Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ,and make no provision for the fleshto gratify its desires.RefrainI want to spend my life knowing you.QuoteBrian Zahnd, from Unseen Existences"Lord, as much as I can mean anything,I mean this prayer in this moment:I want to spend the rest of my lifeseeking to know you as you are revealed in Christ. Amen." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Under the Sun 17.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureDeuteronomy 6:4–5 (NRSVUE)Hear, O Israel:The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.You shall love the Lord your Godwith all your heartand with all your souland with all your might.RefrainEven here, the prayers hold.QuoteJürgen Moltmann"When we encounter insoluble problems and despair,we must rememberthat the Shema of Israeland the Lord's Prayerwere prayed in Auschwitz." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  You Will See Heaven Opened 16.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureJohn 1:50–51 (NIV)Jesus said,"You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.You will see greater things than that."He then added,"Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open,and the angels of God ascending and descendingon the Son of Man."RefrainGod is nearer to me than my own soul.QuoteJulian of Norwich, from Revelations of Divine Love"God is nearer to us than our own soul,for he is ground in whom our soul stands,and he is the means that keepsthe substance and the sensuality togetherso that it shall never depart.For our soul sits in God, in true rest,and our soul stands in God in sure strength,and our soul is naturally rooted in God,in endless love." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  I Saw You Under the Fig Tree 15.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureJohn 1:47–49 (NIV)When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him,"Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.""How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.Jesus answered,"I saw you while you were still under the fig treebefore Philip called you."Then Nathanael declared,"Rabbi, you are the Son of God;you are the king of Israel."RefrainI was seen before I was found.QuoteRabbi Johanan bar Nappaha of Tiberius"Why were matters of Torah compared to a fig tree?Just as this fig tree,whenever a person searches it for figs to eat,he finds figs in it,as the figs on the tree do not ripen all at once,so too, with matters of Torah.Whenever a person meditates on them,he finds in them new meaning." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Prayer Is the Oxygen of Faith 14.09.2026 5min

  Scripture1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NRSVUE)Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances;for this is the will of Godin Christ Jesus for you.RefrainPrayer is keeping company with God.QuoteMother Teresa"Prayer is not asking.Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God,at His disposition,and listening to His voicein the depth of our hearts." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Blessed Are the Patient 11.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureIsaiah 30:15 (NRSVUE)For thus said the Lord God,the Holy One of Israel:In returning and rest you shall be saved;in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.PoemBrian Zahnd, Blessed Are the PatientA woman in the kitchen baking breadA farmer in the field sowing seedBoth know they must trust toTiny miracles of fermentation and germinationJesus says—This is how the kingdom of heaven comesQuiet and slow, almost unobservedNothing like tramping armies on the marchOr the inane noise of political campaignsViolence is swift and lies are loudSo the kingdom of heaven is slow and quietBlessed are the patientFor theirs is the way of heavenBlessed are the patientFor they'll be proved wiseBlessed are the patientFor time is on their sideInstead of fighting, striving, connivingThey can wait for the bread to riseThey can wait for the wheat to ripenCauses, crusades, and campaigns cannot waitAnd for this reason they cannot be wise"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"Those in a hurry to change the worldJust make the world more of what it is—Loud and proud and boundTo the powers that beSo Jesus alludes to something otherA woman in her kitchen sipping teaA farmer on the porch with his pipeShe's waiting for the bread to riseHe's waiting for the rains to comeAnd Jesus whispers—This is the way to beBlessed are the patientFor they do it rightBlessed are the patientFor they keep their peaceBlessed are the patientFor they change the world(Without even knowing it) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  A Chair at the Table 10.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureMark 2:15 (NRSVUE)And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house,many tax collectors and sinnerswere also sitting with Jesus and his disciples,for there were many who followed him.RefrainThere is a place at the table, and it is mine.QuoteHenri Nouwen, from Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons"To live in the world without belonging to the worldsummarizes the essence of the spiritual life.The spiritual life keeps us awarethat our true house is not the house of fear,in which the powers of hatred and violence rule,but the house of love, where God resides." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Entertaining Angels 09.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureHebrews 13:2 (NRSVUE)Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,for by doing thatsome have entertained angels without knowing it.RefrainI welcome everything that comes to me today.QuoteThe Welcoming PrayerMary Mrozowski"Welcome, welcome, welcome.I welcome everything that comes to me todaybecause I know it's for my healing.I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions,persons, situations, and conditions.I let go of my desire for power and control.I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval, and pleasure.I let go of my desire for survival and security.I let go of my desire to change any situation,condition, person, or myself.I open to the love and presence of Godand God's action within. Amen." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Under the Oaks 08.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureGenesis 18:1 (NRSVUE)The Lord appeared to Abrahamby the oaks of Mamre,as he sat at the entrance of his tentin the heat of the day.RefrainThe present of our life looks different under trees.QuoteWendell Berry, from A Timbered Choir"I go among trees and sit still.All my stirring becomes quietaround me like circles on water.My tasks lie in their placeswhere I left them, asleep like cattle." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Not Knowing Where He Was Going 07.09.2026 5min

  ScriptureHebrews 11:8 (NRSVUE)By faith Abraham obeyedwhen he was called to set outfor a place that he was to receive as an inheritance,and he set out, not knowing where he was going.RefrainI set out without knowing. Faith is what I carry.QuoteSøren Kierkegaard, from Fear and Tremblingtrans. L.M. Hollander"Through the urging of his faithAbraham left the land of his forefathersand became a stranger in the land of promise.He left one thing behind and took one thing along:he left his worldly wisdom behindand took with him faith." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.