Podcast Archives - Creative Commons Prayer

Poem by Thom Shuman (CC BY 2.0)

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This week we’re featuring poetry by Thom Shuman.

To kick things off, we have a poem inspired by Matthew 15:11—and a conversation between Thom and Kyle about these kinds of poems and prayer for liturgy and beyond. See below for more about Thom’s ministry, including links to his work.

“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Matthew 15:11

You can support Thom Shuman and Creative Commons Prayer by purchasing Thom’s work on Amazon using the links below. 

The Jesse Tree by Thom Shuman

Daily Readings for Advent

Gobsmacked by Thom Shuman

Daily Readings for Advent

Thom M. Shuman is a graduate of Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL) and Union Presbyterian Seminary (Richmond, VA). Currently active in transitional/interim ministry, his liturgies, poems, and prayers are used by congregations all over the world, and by individuals for personal devotions.  

His Advent book, Christmas Eve in the Diner, has just been published by Wild Goose Publications.

His Advent devotional books The Jesse Tree (2005) and Gobsmacked (2011) have been published by Wild Goose Publications/The Iona Community, as well as his wedding liturgy, Now Come Two Hearts.  

Wild Goose has recently published The Soft Petals of Grace.  He is a regular and frequent contributor to the Iona Community’s worship resources and prayer books.

Thom blogs at Occasional Sightings of the Gospel, Prayers4Today, and Lectionary Liturgies.

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Episode & photo by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

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On the last day of my four-week grand jury term of service, I felt moved to reflect, especially on the pathos and paradox of an experience being simultaneously wonderful and awful. I think those are the times when we learn and grow.

Obviously, I’m not allowed to say anything about the cases we heard, so these are reflections primarily about what it was like to step out of my usual routine for four weeks.

I hope these spontaneous (and then hastily edited) thoughts are helpful to anyone who might be going through something similar. I realize there are much worse ways to have your life interrupted, but we can only experience what we experience.

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The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Wouldn’t be right to have any conversation about the U.S. justice system without a nod to this important book.

13TH by Ava DuVernay

Diddo this film. Some reflections about it from the pulpit here.

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Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

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On today’s episode, we have the entirety of the Book of Jonah (World English Bible translation).

Twice in the last month or so I’ve had reasonably in-depth conversations in social settings about this eccentric but accessible book. It’s a story, it seems to me, about God’s generosity and our frequent inability to receive it.

And it’s certainly a lot more than just the story of the whale … in fact, I find that most people don’t know or remember what happens next. Let’s change that.

Included below is the text of chapter 3, which is the part that appears in the lectionary on Sundays.

World English Bible (Public Domain)

1 The LORD’s word came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”

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Read Scripture: Jonah by The Bible Project – FREE

This project does incredibly beautiful work. I don’t always agree with their theological perspective, but their stuff is always worth a look.

Jonah Run: An Infinite Runner Game set in Temple Times by BimBam – FREE

Silly and fun, from the most creative religious educators I know.

Bible Briefs: Jonah by Karen A. H. Wacome – FREE

From the introductory series edited by Virginia Theological Seminary & Forward Movement.

Jonah Tossed Overboard by Melanie Matthews – FREE to use in worship with attribution

From the (sadly no longer operating) Old & New Project

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Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

Mango Journeys based in Cambodia! Warren the owner of Mango, actually an Aussie guy, sorted out our itinerary, click to view, we booked a couple of flights and it was done. Vietnam has a lot of Buddhist tradition like Myanmar so we figured that the people would be similar to the lovely people of Myanmar we met last year. Plus the landscape and scenery looked so green and lush so it all boded well.\r\rHowever when we arrived in Saigon, all the Vietnamese still call it Saigon, in mid December it turned out that it was still the rainy season. So it was quite cloudy, foggy and rainy.....and it stayed like that for most of the holiday actually. We hadn't quite bargained for that, Myanmar was dry and sunny at the same time last year so this was quite a dramatic change. We were also in their winter so no crops were growing, hence all the lovely green and golden paddy fields you see in the brochures were mostly brown and muddy. Vietnam is big and very busy, there were a huge amount of","created_timestamp":"1482827112","title":"Mai Chau Valley paddy field Impression","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="“Mai Chau Valley paddy field Impression” [cropped] by Neville Wootton via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?fit=768%2C548&ssl=1" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-456" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?resize=500%2C357&ssl=1" alt='"Mai Chau Valley paddy field Impression" [cropped] by Neville Wootton via Flickr (CC BY 2.0) - reminds me of Psalm 16' width="500" height="357" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?resize=500%2C357&ssl=1 500w, https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?resize=768%2C548&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C731&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?resize=134%2C96&ssl=1 134w, https://i0.wp.com/www.creativecommonsprayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/32577633363_42b5ce4942_o-1.jpg?w=1536&ssl=1 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px">

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This week’s podcast episode once again incorporates the lovely “Dragon Country (Apple & Clove)” by Alexander Westmacott, this time as music “in conversation” with a slow reading of Psalm 16. Thanks to Judy Howard for the feedback about that track and the suggestion to let it play with voiceover.

You probably know this psalm. It’s a great one for reading in the style suggested by the story I tell from Bishop Mark Dyer. There are just so many single-verse gems that it’s nice to be able to pause throughout.

Book of Common Prayer, Public Domain

1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *

2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *

3 But those who run after other gods *

4 Their libations of blood I will not offer, *

5 O LORD, you are my portion and my cup; *

6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *

7 I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; *

8 I have set the LORD always before me; *

9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *

10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, *

11 You will show me the path of life; *

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Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit by Walter Brueggemann

A classic

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Poem by George Herbert (Public Domain)

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This summer my friend and mentor Roger Ferlo introduced me to a wonderful George Herbert poem entitled “The H Scriptures II.” It’s a meditation on how scripture hangs together as a whole and also how, in a sense, scripture reads us.

In this episode I read the poem a couple of times with some quiet guitar music for reflection time in between.

OH that I knew how all thy lights combine,

This verse marks that, and both do make a motion

Such are thy secrets, which my life makes good,

Starres are poore books, & oftentimes do misse:

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The Complete Works of George Herbert (only $1 on Kindle!)

Sensing God: Reading Scripture with All of Our Senses by Roger Ferlo

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Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

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Monday means podcast day. Today we’re returning to a Music for Prayer episode. This is a track from a Creative Commons Japan remix project called, if I’m understanding correctly, Ecchu-Owara-Bushi. This is a folk melody handed down in Yatsuo, Toyama, Japan and played on the kokyu (stringed instrument at left in the photo).

I don’t know if there is any particular spiritual significance to this song, but I think it’s very beautiful. The repeated rhythmic pattern across ascending and descending melodies lines grounds the listener’s experience. Enjoy.

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Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

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Our first conversation about prayer. We’ll do this every month or so. I think it’s important to set some context for how/why we might pray with media and in other “non-traditional” ways.

Our guest this week is the inimitable Kristin Saylor, an Episcopal priest and Breathwork practitioner based in New York City. She also happens to be my wife. I’m inspired every day by the originality and fierceness Kristin brings to the quest for, in her works, “ridiculously authentic living.”

Kristin discusses the evolution of her thinking about “what counts as prayer.” And she describes her remarkable journey with the Breathwork community in our spiritually hungry town, first as participant and now as a certified practitioner.

You can learn more about Kristin at kristinsaylor.com. Here’s a brief excerpt from a recent blog post. It should give you a sense for the reflections, and the practices, she has to offer.

What if, instead of all that, we did something truly radical? What if, instead of raising our defenses, we softened and made space for the Feeling? What if we welcomed it, held it, and truly felt it, with as much compassion as we can muster?

These days, I am learning that, when we do this difficult work, not only do Feelings pass more quickly and leave less destruction in their wake…they also have so much more to teach us.

The Creative Commons Prayer podcast is published every Monday and is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and more. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review to help us get discovered by more people interested in prayer and media.

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Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

Happy St. Francis Week from Creative Commons Prayer!

Because he’s just that awesome, and his feast day is coming October 4. There’s a good chance a church near you is celebrating it this weekend with a Pet Blessing.

Today we have a slight modernization of his Canticle of the Sun. Centuries ahead of its time, it’s a prayer in praise of God’s creation.

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Translated by Paschal Robinson (public domain) and slightly modernized

Here begin the praises of the creatures which Blessed Francis made to the praise and honor of God while he was ill at San Damiano.

Most high, most powerful, good Lord,

Praise be to you, my Lord, with all your creatures,

Praised be my Lord, for Sister Moon and for the stars,

Praised be my Lord for Brother Wind

Praised be my Lord for Sister Water,

Praised be my Lord for Brother Fire,

Praised be my Lord for our sister, Mother Earth,

Praised be my Lord for those who forgive others for your sake

Praised be my Lord for our sister, Death,

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,

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Episode by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

Our first guided reflection podcast, in the style of Pray As You Go—but shorter. It’s a story you’ve probably heard, about Elijah’s journey to meet God on a distant mountain. The prophet has been through a lot recently, and this encounter with the divine helps him take stock and discern what’s next.

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1 Kings 19:11-13a (WEB, CC0)

The LORD said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.”

Behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake a fire passed; but the LORD was not in the fire.

After the fire, there was a still small voice.

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave.

What might it mean that Elijah hears God not amid the dramatic and frightening cacophony but in quiet stillness?

Can you remember a time of solitude that was meaningful for you? What sensations and feelings does that memory bring back?

Both before and after this story, God asks Elijah to do some difficult things. Do you think God might be challenging you to grow in some way? Is there a first step you could take that would help you further reflect on this possible path?

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Episode by Kyle Matthew Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)

Our first video-based Bible Illumination, a Storycenter-style visual interpretation of Psalm 5.

The audio version on the podcast feed has a little bit of commentary about praying with the the psalms.

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Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O LORD; *

Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, *

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; *

For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, *

Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; *

You destroy those who speak lies; *

But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; *

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness,because of those who lie in wait for me; *

For there is no truth in their mouth; *

Their throat is an open grave; *

Declare them guilty, O God; *

Because of their many transgressions cast them out, *

But all who take refuge in you will be glad; *

You will shelter them, *

For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous; *

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