tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136441802011-12-14T19:07:58.006-08:00Daily OfficeA Progressive Christian's journey though the Daily Office lectionary of the Episcopal Church.Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1133307676711592452005-11-29T15:38:00.000-08:002005-11-29T15:41:16.726-08:00Year 1, Advent 1, TuesdayToday's Readings:Amos 3:1-112 Peter 1:12-21Matt 21:12-22Amos discusses cause and effect, the lion does not roar unless it has prey, the bird does not fall from the sky unless it has been snared, the trap does not spring unless it has caught something, and the Lord does not act without the prophets revealing it. The Lord says that because Ashdod and Egypt do not know how to do right, they will beJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1133211879423176332005-11-28T13:04:00.000-08:002005-11-28T13:04:39.436-08:00Year Two, Advent 1, MondayToday's Readings:Amos 2:6-162 Peter 1:1-11Matt 21:1-11Amos continues the Lord's warnings: everything those in authority rely on will be taken away, they will be stripped of their power for their abuse and oppression of prophets. Prophecy is important, it allows anyone (Amos was a farmer, after all)Peter opens his second letter with encouraging words.His divine power has given us everything Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1133212048734803612005-11-27T16:05:00.000-08:002005-11-28T13:07:28.736-08:00Year Two, Advent One, SundayToday's Readings:Psalm 146, 147, 111, 112, 113Amos. 1:1-5,13-2:81 Thess. 5:1-11Luke 21:5-19Amos lists the sins and punishments for Damascus, the Ammonites in Rabbah, Moab in Kerioth, Judah, and Israel....because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals, they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way; father Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1124389906063144392005-07-09T11:28:00.000-07:002005-08-18T11:31:46.103-07:00Proper 9, SaturdayToday's Readings:1 Samuel 17:31-49 -- Link to NRSV TextActs 11:1-18 -- Link to NRSV TextMark 1:14-28 -- Link to NRSV TextDavid volunteers to fight Goliath. Saul gives him his armor, but it is so bulky that David cannot move. Goliath laughs at the unarmored boy who challenges him. David claims that he will kill Goliath and the world will see that the Lord does not save by the sword nor the spearJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1124387944541119052005-07-08T10:55:00.000-07:002005-08-18T11:07:04.416-07:00Proper 9, FridayToday's Readings:1 Samuel 17:17-30 -- Link to NRSV TextActs 10:34-48 -- Link to NRSV TextMark 1:1-13 -- Link to NRSV TextDespite watching their baby brother's annointment as King, David's older brothers chastise him for 'coming out to watch the battle.' He witnesses Golith's challenge to the Israelites.Peter preaches his new understanding that God is not a tribal God and does not show partialityJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1123200440385691322005-07-07T17:01:00.000-07:002005-08-04T17:10:09.306-07:00Proper 9, Thursday.Today's Readings:1 Samuel 16:14-17:11 -- Link to NRSV TextActs 10:17-33 -- Link to NRSV TextLuke 24:36-53 -- Link to NRSV TextThe Spirit of the Lord leaves Saul and an evil spirit of the Lord torments him. On advice, Saul sends for David who is known for his skill with the lyre. David's playing soothes Saul. The Philistines start acting up to war again. They send Goliath as their champion. Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1122258578465381862005-07-06T19:26:00.000-07:002005-07-24T19:29:38.466-07:00Proper 9, Wednesday: Suspicious PeterToday's Readings:1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Link to NRSV TextActs 10:1-16 -- Link to NRSV TextLuke 24:13-35 -- Link to NRSV TextGod tells Samuel to go to Jesse in Bethlehem to find the new King. Samuel goes through the progression of David's older brothers before annointed David, youngest son of Jesse, King.Cornelius, a centurion in Ceasarea, worship God, who tells him to send for Simon Peter in Joppa.Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1121985890243404982005-07-05T15:40:00.000-07:002005-07-24T19:25:41.656-07:00Proper 9, TuesdayToday's Readings:1 Samuel 15:26-35 -- Link to NRSV TextActs 9:32-43 -- Link to NRSV TextLuke 23:56b-24:11 -- Link to NRSV TextSaul admits his sin of listening to the people instead of God, and repents. Samuel kills Agog, and the Lord is sorry that he made Saul king.Peter heals a man in Lydda named Aeneas, and this causes many people to convert. Tabitha (Dorca) is raised from the dead.The women Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1121811772478349052005-07-04T15:21:00.000-07:002005-07-19T15:22:52.480-07:00Proper 9, Monday: The Death of Jesus pt. 2Today's Readings:1 Samuel 15:1-3,7-25 -- Link to NRSV TextActs 9:19b-31 -- Link to NRSV TextLuke 23:44-56a -- Link to NRSV TextSamuel is very difficult. The message of God to Saul here is: commit Genocide. Total Genocide, kill the men, women, and children, and destroy their crops and animals and houses. Erase them from existence. The Amalekites fought Israel, and for that God wants them to Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1121811446537412882005-07-03T15:15:00.000-07:002005-07-19T15:17:26.546-07:00Proper 9, Sunday: Many are called...Today's Readings:1 Samuel 14:36-45 -- Link to NRSV TextRom 5:1-11 -- Link to NRSV TextMatt 22:1-14 -- Link to NRSV TextObscure ancient rites using the Umin and Thummin to determine who is the source of sin at the moment: Saul and Jonathan or the people of Israel. Finally, just Jonathan is blamed, but not killed. The people of Israel ransom Jonathan for what he has done for the Lord.Paul Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1121736636493132732005-07-02T18:25:00.000-07:002005-07-18T18:33:42.156-07:00Proper 8, Saturday: Musings on the afterlifeToday's Readings:1 Samuel 14:16-30 -- Link to NRSV TextActs 9:10-19a -- Link to NRSV TextLuke 23:32-43 -- Link to NRSV TextIn Samuel, Saul calls another roll. Jonathan is not there. Saul has the ark brought forth. As chaos ensues in teh Philistine camp (thanks to Jonathan), Saul draws his army into battle. Israel wins the day. Saul commands the troops not to eat before nightfall. Jonathan Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1120678018324343082005-07-01T12:25:00.000-07:002005-07-06T12:26:58.330-07:00Proper 8, Friday: Why did Jesus die? Pt 1.Today's Readings:Psalm 140,1421 Samuel 13:19-14:15Acts 9:1-9Luke 23:26-31In Samuel,there is no smith in Israel, so there are no weapons to fight the Philistines. Jonathan, one of the few with armor and weapons, goes to a Philistine camp and kills twenty or so.In Acts, Saul seeks approval to travel and arrest followers of 'The Way' when he sees a light and hears a voice. He is blind after this, Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1120156451836309902005-06-30T11:29:00.000-07:002005-06-30T11:34:11.856-07:00Proper 8: ThursdayToday's Readings:Psalm 131,1321 Samuel 13:5-18Acts 8:26-40Luke 23:13-25Several years later, the Philistines prepare for anothe battle, and Saul organizes the troops again, but Samuel does not show up on the seventh day. Saul takes itupon himself to offer the sacrifice. Samuel arrives and chastices Saul. Philip is told to head south, he meets a Eunich, baptizes him, and is taken away to Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1120082375411871202005-06-29T14:57:00.000-07:002005-06-29T14:59:35.416-07:00Proper 8: Wednesday: A Dangerous Thought about PilateToday's Readings:Psalm 119:145-1761 Samuel 12:1-6,16-25Acts 8:14-25Luke 23:1-12Samuel begins to say good-bye. he challenges anyone to charge him with misdeeds, and gives the people a final warning to be faithful to God. (Note: he doesn't tell them to repent from their sins, just to stop them). In Acts, the Samarians believe in Jesus because of Phillip, and Peter and John come to annoint them Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119905935787156612005-06-28T00:02:00.000-07:002005-06-27T13:58:55.793-07:00Year One, Proper 8: Tuesday: The mantle of KingshipToday's Readings:Psalm [120],121,122,1231 Samuel 11:1-15Acts 8:1-13Luke 22:63-71Saul hears of the Ammonites aggressions and raises an army by threatening Israel's population of oxen. Saul defeats the Ammonites. The people fall in line and want to kill Saul's earlier detractors. King Saul forbids it.Saul/Paul begins to arrest members of the Jesus movement, and Phillip preaches in Samaria, Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119903993167945482005-06-27T13:18:00.000-07:002005-06-27T13:26:33.170-07:00Year One, Proper 8: MondayToday's Readings:Psalm 106:1-181 Samuel 10:17-27Acts 7:44-8:1aLuke 21:52-62Samuel summons the people of Israel at Mizpah and announces that Saul is their king. Nahash, king of the Ammonites, tortures Jews across the Jordan. Stephen finishes his narrative, he declares that God is in heaven (quoting Isiah) and not in the house that Solomon built. He levies his charge against the council and they Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119903167037151972005-06-26T00:59:00.000-07:002005-06-27T13:12:47.083-07:00Year One, Proper 8: Sunday: Faith as TrustToday's Readings:Psalm 1181 Samuel 10:1-16Romans 4:13-24Matt 21:23-32Samuel annoints Saul and gives him signs of future encounters. Saul prophesies, but what he says is not recorded. Saul returns home but does not tell his father about being annointed. Paul's letter to the Romans describes the promise God made to Abraham coming through faith. Matthews Gospel tells the same story from Proper 5Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119735780174117372005-06-21T14:42:00.000-07:002005-06-25T14:43:00.176-07:00Proper 7, Tuesday: JudasToday's Readings:Psalm 97,991 Samuel 6:1-167Acts 5:27-42Luke 21:37-22:13The Ark is returned after seven months, with guilt offerings. The Sadducees threaten to destroy the apostles, but are counciled by Gamaliel that if Jesus was human, the apostles will lose steam and the movement will disappear; if the Jesus movement comes from God, then there is nothing the Sadducees can do to stop it. SatanJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119373184807989272005-06-21T09:55:00.000-07:002005-06-21T09:59:44.810-07:00Temporarily AwayI hate to not be able to get posts up for this week. I will post them at the end of the week. My wife and I are leaving town for a few days. I could have worked ahead, but it didn't work out this week. I plan on working a day or two in advance after I get back and date the entries so they will hopefully appear at a more convenient time. I realize that my posts go online around noon, but I'm Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119735695356467432005-06-20T14:38:00.000-07:002005-06-25T14:41:35.356-07:00Proper 7, Monday: Protective GodToday's Readings:Psalm 89:1-181 Samuel 5:1-12Acts 5:12-26Luke 21:29-36The Ark is taken to Gath and Ekron, and those cities suffer. At the portico of Solomon, the apostles are arrested after many are healed; they are released from prison and return to their teaching. Jesus tells us of the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.In Samuel and Acts, we read about a protective god who makes an effortJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119735028003976462005-06-19T14:29:00.000-07:002005-06-25T14:37:13.813-07:00Year One, Proper 7, Sunday: Material DetachmentToday's Readings:Psalm 66,671 Samuel 4:12-22James 1:1-18Matt 19:13-30James writes that faith brings wisdom, doubt does not. We are tempted by our own desire, which gives birth to sin, which gives birth to death. Talk about a hot and cold passage. While I am a lover of wisdom myself, I don't see doubt as a bad thing, but this passage can easily be used to justify statements like "believe or Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119121432449551412005-06-18T12:02:00.000-07:002005-06-18T12:03:52.453-07:00Proper 6, Saturday: Who's side are you on?Today's Readings:Psalm 87,901 Samuel 4:1b-11Acts 4:32-5:11Luke 21:20-28The Philistines attack Israel. Israel loses, and Eli's sons haul out the Ark of the Covenant to let God win the fight. The sons of Eli die and the Philistines capture the Ark. Last night I went to hear Joan Chittester give a talk at Trinity Cathedral. She opened with an anecdote about a boxing match between a young Jewish Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1119034766839910382005-06-17T11:56:00.000-07:002005-06-17T11:59:26.843-07:00Proper 6, Friday: BlasphemyToday's Readings:Psalm 881 Samuel 3:1-21Acts 2:37-47Luke 21:5-19Samuel is called, but mistakes the voice of the Lord for Eli. When Eli percieves that the Lord is calling Samuel, he instructs Samuel to respond to the Lord. After that, the Lord comes to Samuel and tells him that Eli's family will fall because of the blasphemy of his sons. Eli's response to this is "It is the Lord,let him do whatJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1118950882793287882005-06-16T12:32:00.000-07:002005-06-16T12:41:22.796-07:00Proper 6, Thursday: Stumbling BlocksToday's Readings:Psalm 83 or 841 Samuel 2:27-36Acts 2:22-36Luke 20:41-21:4An angel comes to Eli and tells him that his sons will die, and on that day God will raise up a prophet. Peter teaches the crowds about Jesus' resurrection and how God raised him from death. Jesus reiterates two very important lessons: don't be a poseur, and be generous even in poverty.Yesterday I wrote about God wanting Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1118865497673425972005-06-15T12:57:00.000-07:002005-06-15T12:58:17.676-07:00Daily Office, Proper 6, Wednesday: Living in the ResurrectionToday's Readings:Psalm 119:97-1201 Samuel 2:12-26Acts 2:1-21Luke 20:27-40Samuel is a rough read. It's hard to hear about God not letting someone hear the truth because God wants to kill that person. It is not easy to hear it when God 'hardens the heart' of the Pharoh in Exodus, it is not easy to hear that He 'hardens the hearts' of Eli's sons. It's the action of a tribal God, but when the bookJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1118865399704389312005-06-14T12:55:00.000-07:002005-06-16T12:42:10.616-07:00Proper 6: Tuesday: What do we owe the Emporer?Today's Readings:Psalm 78:1-391 Samuel. 1:21-2:11Acts 1:15-26Luke 20:19-26Hannah 'lends' Samuel to the Lord. Isn't that interesting? As a member of God's creation, Samuel and Hannah already belong to the Lord, but Hannah's dedication is similar to our modern promises made when we baptize infants: we promise to raise them in the Lord. Hannah goes to the extreme by letting Samuel grow up in the Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1118690962031115252005-06-13T12:27:00.000-07:002005-06-13T12:29:22.033-07:00Year One, Proper 6, Monday: Who deserves the covenant?Today's Readings:Psalm 801 Samuel. 1:1-20Acts 1:1-14Luke 20:9-19Today we read about the birth of Samuel. His mother was Hanna, a second wife, and barren. The first wife of Elkanah has children. Hanna begs God for a male child and promises to give the child to God for God's service. She gives birth to Samuel.In the Book of Acts we read about Jesus' ascension and promise of Pentecost. Jesus Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1118689797313631692005-06-12T12:08:00.000-07:002005-06-13T12:09:57.320-07:00Year One, Proper 6, Sunday: The Peace of GodToday's Readings:Psalm 93,96 Ecclus. 46:11-20Rev. 15:1-8Matt 18:1-14The story of Samuel implies that there is a separation between Samuel and God. I mean that Samuel is not speaking for God, he is not the voice of God. I just found it interesting that the prophets brought their own humanity to their message of Godliness.In Matthew we read about greatness. Jesus says that true greatness is likeJosh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13644180.post-1133136300989752521990-11-27T16:00:00.000-08:002005-11-27T16:05:01.000-08:00Year Two: Advent One: SundayToday's Readings:Psalm 146, 147, 111, 112, 113Amos. 1:1-5,13-2:81 Thess. 5:1-11Luke 21:5-19Amos lists the sins and punishments for Damascus, the Ammonites in Rabbah, Moab in Kerioth, Judah, and Israel....because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals, they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way; father Josh Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691825921866017675noreply@blogger.com0