Shows
Reading in Church & Other Distractions“Dog Years”The readings for Sunday, November 24, 2019. The three year lectionary cycle comes to an end with The Reign of Christ Sunday. Jeremiah offers some clever wordplay in Jeremiah 23. Mike offers some thoughts on the beginning and end of… Continue Reading →2019-11-1600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Nerd Meetup”The readings for November 17, 2019. Both Old Testament readings focus on the end times, and both in Isaiah. 2 Thessalonians finishes by telling folks to get to work. And Jesus focus on the end times, but not the way… Continue Reading →2019-11-0900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“You Made It Weird”The readings for November 10, 2019. Someone finally listens to a prophet. The psalms sorta come to an end in Ps 145. The end times are a topic in 2 Thessalonians, and another group thinks they can outsmart Jesus. Haggai… Continue Reading →2019-11-0200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Crowd-Sourced Speed Limit”The readings for November 3, 2019. We read Rob’s favorite scripture in the Bible and read even more Psalm 119. Mike opens the discussion of 2 Thessalonians and challenges the traditional readings of Zacchaeus. Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 Psalm 119:137-144 2… Continue Reading →2019-10-2800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Squirrel & Pie”The readings for October 20, 2019. In a quick moving podcast, Rob & Mike ACTUALLY discuss Jeremiah’s “Book of Comfort.” They take a manageable bit of Psalm 119. Paul gives his last exhortations to Timothy. And a good-for-nothing judge, actually… Continue Reading →2019-10-1200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Liturgical Hacks”The readings for October 13, 2019. Rob gets to talk about his favorite verses in Jeremiah. Memory is participatory in Psalm 66. Paul writes some beautiful confessions, or he copies them, we aren’t sure which. And the Samaritans maybe aren’t… Continue Reading →2019-10-0500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Juice & Crackers”The readings for October 6, 2019. Mike and Rob work through some dark (and light) texts the Old Testament readings, including the darkest worship song ever. Paul offers his last words to Timothy, and Jesus tries to teach the disciples… Continue Reading →2019-09-3000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Nebuchadrizzle”The readings for September 29, 2019. Jeremiah buys real estate in a buyer’s market. God speaks in the psalms. Money is a sticky topic of conversation in 1 Timothy and in Luke 16. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 1… Continue Reading →2019-09-2100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Classic Jeremiah”The readings for September 22, 2019. Things are pretty depressing this week. God laments in Jeremiah 8 (probably). The psalmist laments in Ps 79 (definitely). Paul sets up his argument to deal with church division in 1 Timothy. And the… Continue Reading →2019-09-1600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“God Thing”The readings for September 15, 2019. Back after another break caused by life circumstances! Jeremiah sees creation unraveling. The psalmist worries about those who live lives without regard for God. Paul is the chief of sinners in 1 Timothy, and… Continue Reading →2019-09-0700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Germans”The readings for August 11, 2019. The guys have a new streak going, 2 in a row. Rob deals with the same text in two books. Mike talks about Hebrews and Jesus is still on a journey. Isaiah 1:1, 10-20… Continue Reading →2019-08-0300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Breakup Journal”The readings for August 4, 2019. Back and better than ever! Or at least back & better…okay…we’re back. We read about God’s rough breakup in Hosea. Book V begins in Ps 107. We are hidden with Christ in Colossians, and… Continue Reading →2019-07-2700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“God’s Not Through With Me”The readings for June 7, 2019. Elisha pulls a power move against Naaman. The psalmist praises God. Paul wraps up Galatians, and Jesus sends out a crack team of 70ish missionaries who shame the 12. Also, don’t miss what’s become… Continue Reading →2019-06-2900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Footsteps”The readings for June 30, 2019. Elijah gets his dramatic exit. The psalmist struggles with exile. Paul tries to get a church to focus on the Spirit, in his own quiet understated way. And Jesus stars a long journey that… Continue Reading →2019-06-2200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Deerology”The readings for June 23, 2019. Elijah has a rough day. The Sons of Korah start singing in the Psalms. One of Paul’s most quoted verses might not be saying what people think it is saying. And the guys have… Continue Reading →2019-06-1600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The Korean Taco”The readings for June 16, 2019. It’s Trinity Sunday. Woman Wisdom works in Proverbs 8. Humanity is celebrated in Psalm 8. Mike spends more time in Eastern theology in Romans, and Jesus wraps up his sermon in John 16. Proverbs… Continue Reading →2019-06-0800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Briny Barnacle”It’s Pentecost! The readings for June 9, 2019. People don’t like God being in charge in Genesis. Mike celebrates talk like a pirate day again in Ps 104. Pentecost comes in Acts…and also in John apparently. Genesis 11:1-9 Psalm 104:24-34,… Continue Reading →2019-06-0100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Numbers Matter”The readings for June 2, 2019. Mike and Rob chose the readings for Ascension Sunday. Rob covers the place and function of Ps 93. Mike looks for Ascension language in Ephesians, and they read the two Ascension episodes from Luke… Continue Reading →2019-05-2600 minReading in Church & Other DistractionsTrue LiesThe readings for May 26, 2019. Paul founds his favorite church. Rob sees some connections to Numbers in Psalm 67. The end is a beautiful thing in Revelation, and the dialogue in John points to an interesting time in the… Continue Reading →2019-05-1800 minReading in Church & Other DistractionsEarth, Wind & FireThe readings for May 19, 2019. Mike has an ideal way to read Acts 11, though it is a little shorter. Everything is praising God in Psalm 148. Things are looking good in Revelation, and Jesus is about to show… Continue Reading →2019-05-1200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Good Shepherds”The readings for May 12, 2019. Rob and Mike get to do a rare “in-person” podcast. Peter is on journey of faith in Joppa. Psalm 23 is back for its sixth appearance in the lectionary. The love affair with Revelation… Continue Reading →2019-05-0400 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The Avengies”The readings for May 5, 2019. Paul isn’t converted by commissioned in Acts 9. Translation issues bother Rob in Psalm 30. Jesus is God in Revelation 5. And John goes back to the future in John 21. Acts 9:1-6 Psalm… Continue Reading →2019-04-2700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Hebrew, Judes, & Revelations”The readings for April 28, 2019. The book of Acts starts taking Rob’s OT readings again. The psalmist celebrates God for who God is in Ps 150. A celebration of Revelation begins, and Mike finds a new source for John… Continue Reading →2019-04-2000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“More Fiber”The readings for Easter Morning, April 21, 2019. This time, Rob brings up Revelation, but to talk about Isaiah. The psalm seems familiar, but different. Peter finally understands what he means when he says “all,” and the angels treat the… Continue Reading →2019-04-1300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“No Pain, No Gain”The readings for April 14, 2019. Rob & Mike opt for the passion readings this week. Rob gives a survey of the Servant Songs in Isaiah and briefly touches on Psalm 31, just long enough to reveal his frustration with… Continue Reading →2019-04-0600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Talk to the Horse”The readings for March 31, 2019. Rob gives the odd context of Joshua. Mike starts horsing around in Psalm 32. Paul & Corinth try to reconcile to one another, and Mike & Rob both have a love affair with Luke… Continue Reading →2019-03-2300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“That 90s Show”The readings for March 24, 2019. Rob and Mike get their podcasting groove back a little better this week. The covenant of David gets shared in Isaiah. God satisfies in the Psalm. Paul interprets more wilderness narratives in 1 Corinthians.… Continue Reading →2019-03-1600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Now, We’re Even”The readings for Sunday March 10, 2019. Moses reminds Israel to remember where they came from (and who’s responsible for them being there). This week’s psalm has had some problematic use in the New Testament. Mike finally solves the Jew/Gentile… Continue Reading →2019-03-0200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Shoveling Out the Barn”The readings for March 3, 2019. Moses’ face shines forth in Exodus, and Rob and Mike discuss troubled translations. God’s kingships shines forth in the Psalm. Paul uses Moses to make his point in Corinth which directly connects to modern… Continue Reading →2019-02-2300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Two Guys and a Bird”The readings for February 24, 2019. Jospeh reunites with his brothers. The psalmist tries to understand why the wicked prosper. Resurrection seems important to Paul, and Jesus gives some bad financial advice which somehow reminds Mike of Revelation. Genesis 45:3-11,… Continue Reading →2019-02-1600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Kinda Big Deal”The readings for February 10, 2019. Rob and Mike work through their weather woes. Isaiah has a difficult call experience. David has more to say in Book V of the psalter. Paul finally addresses resurrection in 1 Cor 15. And… Continue Reading →2019-02-0200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Too Much Day”The readings for February 3, 2019. For old time’s sake, Rob and Mike have some audio issues (though thankfully not as serious as in times past!). But in the midst of it, they talk the call and frustrations of Jeremiah.… Continue Reading →2019-01-2600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Just a Fire Walk with Thee”The readings for January 13, 2019. Isaiah offers comfort in scary international times. Anything Baal can do, Yahweh can do better in the Psalm. Mike works through some of his questions in Acts, and Jesus is baptized in Luke, but… Continue Reading →2019-01-0500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“A Donner Party Christmas”The readings for December 23, 2018. It’s the Christmas show! Micah looks forward to good news. The lectionary picked an unusual psalm and dips back into Hebrews, and Mike and Rob love the Magnificat! Micah 5:2-5a Psalm 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10… Continue Reading →2018-12-1500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Dr. Buzzkill”The readings for December 16, 2018. On the third Sunday of Advent, the lectionary dips into Zephaniah and Isaiah. Mike & Rob reflect on their love for Philippians, and John the Baptist’s “good news” is a challenge to the status… Continue Reading →2018-12-0800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Super Chillax”The readings for December 2, 2018. It’s a brand new year! And Mike and Rob begin Year C with a small section from Jeremiah and a rather confusing Psalm. There’s a quick jump into 1 Thessalonians. And Mike explains how… Continue Reading →2018-11-2400 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“It’s Not About Me”The readings for November 25, 2018, Reign of Christ or Christ the King Sunday. David’s last words in 2 Samuel, though not exactly his last words overall. One more psalm of ascent. Mike and Rob take a deep dive in… Continue Reading →2018-11-1700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“That Darn Satan”The readings for October 7, 2018. The lectionary dips into Job for a few weeks, which makes Rob happy. The psalmist is totally crushing it. Hebrews will featured to the end of the church year, and Mike finds an interesting… Continue Reading →2018-09-2900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Donkey Millstone Community Church”The readings for September 30, 2018. We dip into our ONLY Esther reading in the lectionary. The second of the Ascent Psalms tries to make a word count, and Mike wanders around through James and Mark, which is fine because… Continue Reading →2018-09-2200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Don’t be stupid”The readings for September 16, 2018. After a brief delay, the podcast is up. Rob & Mike discuss Lady Wisdom in Proverbs and a beautifully combined psalm in Ps 19. James urges Christians to tame their tongue (something the guys… Continue Reading →2018-09-1100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Cupid, Eros & Alexa”The readings for August 26, 2018. Mike has his audio problems fixed! Rob struggles more with Solomon and proposes different context for Psalm 84. Mike discusses the armor of God by not actually discussing the armor of God, and the… Continue Reading →2018-08-1800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Goth Jesus”The readings for August 19, 2018. Mike had some technical issues this week which created a really interesting effect. So, pretend it was on purpose, and this podcast comes from the early days of podcasting when podcasts ran on kerosene… Continue Reading →2018-08-1100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The Passion of Lego John”The readings for July 15, 2018. Mike & Rob have a new audio arrangement to cope with Rob’s new job opportunity. So, new opportunities to make mistakes are ahead! David brings the ark to the Temple (though not quite as… Continue Reading →2018-07-0700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Psalmist Blues”The readings for July 1, 2018. The astute among you will notice we missed a week. BUT we have attempted to make amends by providing a blues guitar riff to Mike’s reading of a classic lament psalm (performed by Dr.… Continue Reading →2018-06-2300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Jug-Band Christmas”The readings for June 10, 2018. Israel wants a king like the cool nations. The last cycle of Davidic psalms begins in Book V of the Psalms. Mike & Rob marvel at Paul’s rhetorical gifts in 2 Corinthians. And the… Continue Reading →2018-06-0200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Thunder Shirt”The readings for May 27, 2018. It’s Trinity Sunday and with it come some familiar texts. Rob focuses on texts that aren’t included with Isaiah’s call. Yahweh shows off in Psalm 29 (and scares Mike’s dog). Paul & John have… Continue Reading →2018-05-1900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Mr. Whiskers”The readings for May 20, 2018. It’s Pentecost and the spirit of God is busy! The dry bones raise in Ezekiel. God has an extreme pet in Ps 104. Mike summarizes his dissertation in the discussion of Acts 2. And,… Continue Reading →2018-05-1200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Mumble Word”The readings for May 13, 2018. Rob struggles with the apostles decisions in Acts. Mike things Rob has gone full rabbinic interpretation in Psalm 1. Jesus seems to be paid by the pronoun in his prayer in John 17, and… Continue Reading →2018-05-0500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Classic Jesus”The readings for April 15, 2018. Mike and Rob discuss God dragging the church in Acts to inclusion whether they like it or not. They review a psalm which challenges the rich (possibly), and they revisit themes of sin and… Continue Reading →2018-03-3100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The Freak”The readings for April 1, 2018. The readings for Easter Sunday. Rob & Mike talk eschatological food in Isaiah and celebrate with Ps 118 again. They talk resurrection in 1 Corinthians and how John draws readers into the resurrection. Isaiah… Continue Reading →2018-03-1700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Angel Knees”The readings for March 25, 2018. With all the options for verses this week, Mike and Rob had to make some choices. Their first choice was to answer email. Then they hear the words of the Servant in Isaiah and… Continue Reading →2018-03-1000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Snake on a Stick”The readings for March 11, 2018. Rob and Mike answer a twitter question. Rob makes an interesting (but confusing) discovery in Numbers. The lectionary breaks up a psalm again. The guys reflect on the use of Ephesians 2 early in… Continue Reading →2018-02-2400 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Kevin”The readings for March 4, 2018. The guys work through the 10 commandments. Rob breaks down a complicated (but beautiful) Torah psalm. They guys talk about wisdom and foolishness in 1 Corinthians. And Mike explains why Jesus’ ONE temple cleansing… Continue Reading →2018-02-1700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Snowpocalypse”The readings for February 25, 2018. It’s the 2nd Sunday of Lent and the guys talk name changes and circumcision in Genesis. They focus on the happy parts of Psalm 22, but naturally Robert wants more. They unpack Paul’s arguments… Continue Reading →2018-02-1000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Stranger Things”The readings for February 18, 2018. It’s the first Sunday of Lent. Mike & Rob talk about God’s covenant not to flood the earth again. They discuss half the alphabet of an acrostic psalm. They try to interpret a difficult… Continue Reading →2018-02-0300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Tide Pod-Cast Challenge”The readings for February 11, 2018. Mike and Rob deal with deja vu in 2 Kings. They read the happy parts of Psalm 50. Mike tries to navigate what is happening in 2 Corinthians. And Rob gets a little closer… Continue Reading →2018-01-2700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Not my baby”The readings for December 31, 2017. It’s the first Sunday after Christmas. Rob and Mike find hope in Isaiah and try to organize creation’s choir in Ps 148. They note Paul’s skill in Galatians and share some student stories about… Continue Reading →2017-12-1600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Sassy Psalms”The readings for December 24, 2017. The fourth Sunday of Advent comes as late in the calendar as it can. Mike & Rob discuss Davidic Covenant and the Temple and read what might be the sassiest psalm in the Bible.… Continue Reading →2017-12-0900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Biker John”The readings for December 17, 2017. It’s the third Sunday of Advent. Mike and Rob debrief from their recent trip to Boston, and Mike makes some movie recommendations. They find the jubilee message in Isaiah, and they “listen to the… Continue Reading →2017-12-0200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Squirrel Thanksgiving”The readings for November 12, 2017. This week, the Old Testament readings are merely prelude to Mike’s discussion of two eschatological passages. For good or for ill, Mike’s previous encounters with other ways of reading the text create what might… Continue Reading →2017-10-2800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Dadisms”With readings for November 5, 2017, Rob & Mike talk about crossing the Jordan in Joshua, personifications of chaos in the Psalms,Paul’s fatherly advice for Thessalonica, and Jesus escalating his rhetoric with the leadership in Jerusalem. Joshua 3:7-17 Psalm 107:1-7,… Continue Reading →2017-10-2100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Decorative Gourd Season”This weeks readings are for October 29, 2017. It’s the 21st week after Pentecost. Rob deals with the lectionary’s choice to skip to the end of the Torah. Mike points out the gentle and nurturing spirit of Paul, seriously…AND more… Continue Reading →2017-10-1400 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Little Caesar”The readings for October 22, 2017, the twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. The lectionary drops us into the middle of a story in Exodus. The psalmist looks forward to God’s justice being everywhere. Mike explains Paul’s adaptation of 1st century correspondence,… Continue Reading →2017-10-0700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“That Escalated Quickly”The readings are for October 15, 2017 and the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. God and Moses argue over who brought the people out of Egypt, Rob wants to focus on extra verses in Philippians, and Mike sheds some light on… Continue Reading →2017-09-3000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Blood from Turnips”It’s the 17th Sunday after Pentecost with the readings for October 1, 2017. Rob and Mike talk about the two water from rocks stories in Exodus & Numbers. They look for Exodus in Exile in Psalm 78. Mike reminds us… Continue Reading →2017-09-1600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“What the What?”It’s the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, and the readings for Sunday, September 24, 2017. Mike and Rob debate manna. Paul finds a supportive church, and the Rob’s mind gets blown again, this time in Matthew. Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Philippians… Continue Reading →2017-09-0900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Kerplunk”It’s the 15th week after Pentecost. Rob and Mike seem to have finally fixed the audio problems. They reflect on the Red Sea crossing scene in the Prince of Egypt, finish up the readings in Romans, and talk about how… Continue Reading →2017-09-0200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Holy Ghosting”It’s Proper 18, or the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. Rob answers the #1 Old Testament question, “Why is God so mean in the OT?” Mike answers the #1 New Testament question, “Why is Paul so mean in the NT?” And… Continue Reading →2017-08-2600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Big Boy Pants”It’s the 13th Sunday after Pentecost. Mike struggles to introduce himself again, but the audio issues are fixed. They have their typical rhythm. Rob dives deep into Moses call. Mike talks about the challenges to the Christian in Romans 12… Continue Reading →2017-08-1900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Haters are My Motivators”It’s Proper 16 and the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Rob and Mike have a new sound set up, which works really well at the beginning and seems to go off the rails during the Matthew conversation. We discuss the name of pharaoh,… Continue Reading →2017-08-1200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Broseph & the Canaanite Brosophine”It’s the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, and the guys wrap up the story of Joseph, talk about the Bible’s love of cliffhangers, and Mike redeems the story of the Syro-Phoenician woman for Rob so that Jesus doesn’t seem so mean.… Continue Reading →2017-08-0500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Who Da Man?”It’s the ninth Sunday after Pentecost and Mike can’t even get through the introduction this week without playing with his toys. Rob takes a radical position on Jacob’s wrestling match. The psalmist confidently proclaims his innocent. Paul wrestles with Israel’s… Continue Reading →2017-07-2200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Who’s a Good Boy?”It’s Proper 10 and Rob and Mike debate exactly HOW Esau brought food to his father in the Jacob narratives . They also revisit Psalm 119, finally get to Romans 8 after Mike’s teasing for weeks, and start looking at parables… Continue Reading →2017-07-0100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Gang Lingo & Dis-Interesting Piety”It’s the 4th Sunday after Pentecost and Mike & Rob continue their consecutive reading of Genesis, explore the power of lament, appreciate Paul’s depth, and try to find balance between the challenges of the Christian life and the comfort one… Continue Reading →2017-06-1700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Chess with Spock & Cooking Tips”It’s the third Sunday after Pentecost. Mike & Rob continue the journey through Genesis and Romans. Genesis 21:8-21 Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew 10:24-392017-06-1000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Harassed Sheep and Crummy Valentines”It’s the second Sunday after Pentecost. What about the Exodus as a controlling narrative underlying all of the New Testament readings? Mike is more and more convinced. Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)2017-06-0300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Everything is awesome, Governor!”It’s Trinity Sunday, and Mike lets Rob make up for lost time and Old Testament readings by talking about Genesis 1…and talking and talking about Genesis. Can you tell if Rob likes Genesis 1? Genesis 1:1-2:4a Psalm 8 2 Corinthians 13:11-13… Continue Reading →2017-05-2700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The Peanuts Pentecost Special”Pentecost Year A and Mike & Rob have lots of texts to choose from. Rob lobbied for getting an Old Testament reading back. Numbers 11:24-30 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Acts 2:1-21 John 20:19-232017-05-2000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Rain gods and Ramblin’ men”It’s the seventh Sunday of Easter. Mike & Rob talk about the beauty of Hebrew poetry, rotten movie adaptations, and yet MORE connections between 1 Peter and James. Acts 1:6-14 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 John 17:1-112017-05-1300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The Lord is my Grandma”It’s the fourth Sunday of Easter. Mike’s cold medicine seems to have worn off, so Rob & Mike continue reading in Acts, noting ways the church looks like Jesus. They revisit Psalm 23 after just a few weeks. They talk about… Continue Reading →2017-04-2200 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Cowbells & Gallivanting Penguins”It’s the third Sunday of Easter and unfortunately, Mike is fighting a head cold. Even more unfortunately, he’s taking cold medicine and brought a cowbell. Once Rob gets the podcast under control, the guys talk about Pentecost, suffering, and the… Continue Reading →2017-04-1500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Locked Doors & Lucky Ducks”It’s the 2nd week of Easter readings and Rob works out his frustrations at losing an Old Testament text for the whole Easter season, Mike struggles to stay in Year A, and the disciples don’t receive quite as much peace… Continue Reading →2017-04-0800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Survivor Guilt & Imposter Syndrome”It’s Easter Sunday of Year A, and Rob & Mike have a lot of texts to choose from. Mike was kind of enough to let Rob have two Old Testament texts. Jeremiah 31:1-6 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-182017-04-0100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Kooky Psalms & Sound Effects”It’s the sixth Sunday in Lent, Passion Week is about to begin, and Mike has brought a sound effect board…cause apparently, that’s what Lent needed. Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 27:11-542017-03-2500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Hipsters, Surfer Bibles & Siege Cakes”Week 5 in Lent, and Rob & Mike discuss dry bones, the right way to make siege cakes, and the subtext of the Lazarus story. So much good stuff, it wouldn’t fit in an hour, so they super sized it.… Continue Reading →2017-03-1800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Punks, Chaos, & Flashbacks”It’s the fourth Sunday in Lent, and this week Rob & Mike look at one of the most beloved texts in the history of the church, Psalm 23. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-412017-03-1100 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The DUFF and the Runaway Bunny”It’s the 2nd Sunday in Lent. Everything changes in Genesis. God’s guarding through everything in Psalms. Romans is still complicated. And Rob & Mike go swimming with elephants in John 3. Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-172017-02-2500 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Naked Snakes & Infected Monkeys”Back on Year A, Rob & Mike tackle the texts from the first Sunday in Lent. It seems they are in the theological deep end–from extreme nudity at creation to a quick dip into a complex argument in Romans… Genesis… Continue Reading →2017-02-1800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Awkward Pauses & Collective Sighs”It’s the seventh week after Epiphany. This week, Rob and Mike find the center of the Gospel message…in Leviticus… Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119:33-40 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5:38-482017-02-0400 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Devo, The Cookie & The Sad Chair”Sixth Sunday after epiphany and Rob & Mike skew old with more references to 70s Rock Bands, but they make up for it by giving some sound potty-training advice…oh…and Bible interpretation. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-372017-01-2800 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“The Karate Kid & How To Avoid What The Bible Actually Says”It’s the texts from 4th Sunday after Epiphany, and Rob and Mike interpret some favorite passages and give life tips on how to avoid reading what the Bible actually says. Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-122017-01-1400 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“It’s a Plunderful Life: Isthmus-time at Corinth”It’s the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany. Rob and Mike divide up the plunder and pick up their “people nets.” Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-232017-01-0700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Bad Gumbo”Year A Epiphany 2: Rob and Mike thought sleep deprivation would really boost the quality of their podcast. Does it work? Well, they are certainly enjoying themselves… Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-422016-12-3000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Coloring with the Black Crayons & Oh That’s What My Sermon Meant”In spite of some audio problems, Rob & Mike look at the texts of the first Sunday after Epiphany, full of Servant Songs & Jesus’ Baptism: Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-172016-12-2400 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Soup to Nuts & Scary Clowns”It’s the 1st Sunday after Christmas and Rob and Mike aren’t sure what texts they are reading! But they finally settle on: Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-232016-12-1700 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Singing Soldiers & Scary Yule Logs”Year A Christmas Readings: A Christmas to remember! Rob and Mike celebrate Christmas in the most extreme ways. Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)2016-12-1000 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Bible Math and Pig Apologetics”Israelite history, math in the Bible, the New Testament’s use of Old Testament scripture, and of course, pig apologetics on the Advent Week 4 podcast. Rob and Mike know people can’t get enough of math and pig apologetics. Isaiah 7:10-16… Continue Reading →2016-12-0300 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Lions, Tigers, and Swamp Jackals, Oh, My…”Week 3 and still going. This week, Rob and Mike provide a bonus 5th text. This week’s scriptures: Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 Luke 1:46b-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 2016-11-2600 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“Lenny Kravitz and the Extreme Petting Zoo”Rob and Mike are back for Week 2! Free range conversation on this week’s scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-122016-11-1900 minReading in Church & Other Distractions“It’s the Apocalypse, Charlie Brown”Rob and Mike begin their new podcast with the lectionary texts from the first week of Advent. They also host their first guest to talk about “What IS a lectionary?” Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-442016-11-1200 min