merrill's Podcast Page

Sorrow and the Rich Young Man

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:22:00 GMT

What a humbling experience! Today's podcast is a sermon I wrote but which I neither read nor preached. Listen to my sister Gail read for her faith community. For more information about DDUUC, go to http://www.geocities.com/ddixuu/ I'm blogging at http://revmerrill.vox.com/

Daily Writings for January 5-13, 2008

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:04:00 GMT

Here is an audio version of my blog posts for January 5-13, 2008 at http://revmerrill.vox.com/

Merrill's ChitChat

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:54:00 GMT

Today's posting is an audioblog on a variety of topics. See http://merrillsblog.livejournal.com/ for details or download this episode.

Daily Writings for December 27 thru January 3, 2008

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 22:18:00 GMT

Here are my "daily writings" for December 27, 2007 - January 3, 2008. You can read them at http://revmerrill.vox.com/ I provide these in synthesized speech for those who would prefer to listen.

Updates

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:20:00 GMT

In today's podcast, I give you some updates about myself and describe some of my intentions for 2008.

Daily Writings December 19 - 24

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:56:00 GMT

I'm blogging at http://revmerrill.vox.com/ I provide these audio versions of my blog for those who prefer listening to reading the blog.

revmerrill : revmerrill's podcast

merrill — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:18:37 GMT

I talk about my new podcast an

Palm Sunday

Mon, 2 Apr 2007 00:44:00 GMT

Inspiration

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 01:07:00 GMT

Review of Mur Lafferty's heaven and hell

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:04:00 GMT

I review Mur Lafferty's Heaven available from podiobooks.

Mother Hen

Sat, 3 Mar 2007 20:32:00 GMT

Lenten Fruits Podcast Introduction

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:24:00 GMT

I talk about my Lenten podcast.

New Beginnings

Fri, 2 Feb 2007 23:36:00 GMT

On Remembering and Forgetting

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:49:00 GMT

Hearing God's Voice

merrill — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:33:00 GMT

I talk about ways you can hear God's voice in your life.

LIVING STONES

merrill — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:51:00 GMT

I talk about the priesthood of all believers and how this principle gets worked out in our every day lives. Running Time: 24:46

revmerrill : Lenten Fruits

merrill — Sat, 6 Jan 2007 21:59:27 GMT

I make an announcement for my Lenten podcast. The feed is http://feeds.feedburner.com/lentenfruits. Blog: http://lentenfruits.blogspot.com/

revmerrill : revmerrill's podcast

merrill — Sat, 6 Jan 2007 16:09:09 GMT

I read the epiphany story in Matthew 2 and talk about how this story can be helpful in living our real lives today. Running Time: 31:04

Merrill Louise : revmerrill's podcast

merrill — Tue, 2 Jan 2007 20:31:39 GMT

I talk about the meaning of Jesus' incarnation for us especially the title Prince of Peace. I reference Isaiah 9:2-7 and Romans 12:18 as well as Dietrich Bonhoeffer's letter to the Finkenwalde Brethren in 1939. Running Time: 28:42

Merrill Louise : revmerrill's podcast

merrill — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:14:59 GMT

I read and reflect upon the Great O Antiphons. Music supplied by magnatune.com and Cheryl Ann Fulton.

Merrill Louise : revmerrill's podcast

merrill — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 04:18:46 GMT

I talk about Thanksgiving, gratitude and God's providence. Music from agnatune.com.

Merrill Louise : revmerrill's podcast

merrill — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:26:24 GMT

guide@yourreallifespiritualguide.com

Merrill Louise : revMerrill's podcast

merrill — Tue, 7 Nov 2006 21:31:31 GMT

guide@yourreallifespiritualguide.com

Merrill Louise : revmerrill's Podcast

merrill — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:51:23 GMT

revmerrill@yourreallifespiritualguide.com

Merrill Louise : Revmerrill's Podcast

merrill — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 23:23:32 GMT

guide@yourreallifespiritualguide.com/

Merrill Louise : Pastor Merrill Louise's Podcast

merrill — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:17:17 GMT

guide@yourreallifespiritualguide.com

Drive Away

Sun, 8 Oct 2006 20:20:00 GMT

Under My Skin

Sun, 1 Oct 2006 21:05:00 GMT

Anatomy of a Spiritual Life: Community

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:25:00 GMT

See show notes at http://www.reallifespirituality.com/

Challenges

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 20:09:00 GMT

I talk about how Jesus' friends can assist us overcome our challenges. Music is from http://www.magnatune.com/ It is Cheryl Ann Fulton playing The Rising of the Lark. Running Time: 12:10

Caitlin: Great Dog, Loyal Friend, Partner in Ministry

Wed, 6 Sep 2006 18:46:00 GMT

Caitlin was my Seeing Eye dog. Today would have been her fourteenth birthday.

Running Time: 29:36 Size: 20.33mb

Every Malady

Sun, 3 Sep 2006 00:19:00 GMT

Some times are more difficult than others. We wonder why God does not rescue us and make life wonderful for us.

In this podcast, I reference the following items:

Ephesians 6:14-18

A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle

Just for Today:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/staff/m/h/mhb4/al-anon/12_steps.html

I found Ann Judson's quote in Bless God and Take Courage: The Judson History and Legacy by Rosalie Hall Hunt

Running Time: 13:28

Awkward Pictures

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 19:45:00 GMT

I talk about drawing as a way to explore our relationship with God. I reference Fingerpainting on the Moon: Writing and Creativity As a Path to Freedom by Peter Levitt

c

Doing Other Things

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 02:49:00 GMT

I share what other things I've been doing such as getting stuck and getting unstuck--well, at least a little unstuck.
Running Time: 12:35

Faith Journey

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 02:55:00 GMT

Reminder: My feed has changed to http://feeds.feedburner.com/pmlpodcast. Please update your podcatcher. I don't want to loose you as a subscriber.

I ramble on about formulating your faith journey and share with you some of my experiences.

Text: 1 Peter 3:15-16

The Spirituality of Risk Taking

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 01:59:00 GMT

I recorded this for my resume page at http://www.YourRealLifeSpiritualGuide.com/

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Tapestry: http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TNG/episode/68588.html

Babylon Five: http://www.chronology.org/noframes/b-five/monologues.html

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Thunder_Mountain_Railroad

Running Time: 11:03

About the Podcaster

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 18:51:00 GMT

Pastor Merrill Louise is a podcaster, writer and spiritual guide.

âI value the vulnerable, the poor and the poor in spirit. My podcasts are for people who are actively seeking a connection with God or who have a vague sense something is missing from their lives.â

Merrill Louise also writes poetry and a personal blog. For more information, visit http://www.YourRealLifeSpiritualGuide.com/

Bring It All to God

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:54:00 GMT

I talk about using my hands to bring "it" all to God in prayer.

Here's the link for the xcerpt from Peter Levitt's book Fingerpainting on the Moon.

http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/excerpts.php?id=14035

Running Time: 7:25

Freedom

Tue, 4 Jul 2006 20:51:00 GMT

I talk about the freedom of a Christian and my sacred honor. Running Time: 8:38

Pastor Merrill Louise's Podcast : pmlp_2006-07-04_freedom_1.mp3

merrill — Tue, 4 Jul 2006 20:48:19 GMT

There is no description for this file!

Unsettled

Tue, 30 May 2006 18:35:00 GMT

Texts: Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53

I also reference Acts 1:9-11

I combine reflection on Ascension and Memorial Day.

Running Time:18:40 Size: 17MB

Spirit Embrace

Tue, 30 May 2006 15:41:00 GMT

Text: Acts 8:26-40

God shows no partiality.

Running Time: 20:38 Size: 20.4MB

Gateway

Mon, 8 May 2006 13:46:00 GMT

Text: John 10:1-10
I reference Luke 24:13-16
Jesus is our stimulus for choosing new paths.
Running Time: 17.42 Size: 16.1 MB

Gate

Sat, 6 May 2006 13:51:00 GMT

I reflect on using images in our conversations with God.
Texts: John 10:9; Joel 2:28-2
Running Time: 17:31 Size: 16.0MB

Low Sunday

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 01:42:00 GMT

Text: Acts 4:32-35

For information on Roberta C. Bondi's On the Flint River, see

my web page at http://www.RealLifeSpirituality.com for a book review or to purchase it.
The resurrection is a journey from death to life. Gratitude can be our response to this gift from God.
Running Time: 18:33 Size: 16.9 MB

Night on the Flint River

Sat, 22 Apr 2006 00:28:00 GMT

Night on the Flint River: Accidental Journey in Knowing God

By Roberta C. Bondi

ISBN 0-687-02455-2 (alk. paper)

Press

A good read.

Running Time: 8:47 Size:8.1 MB

Going Ahead of You

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:36:00 GMT

Biblical Text: Mark 16:7

Jesus is:

going ahead of you
to Galilee
You will see him there
Just as he told you

This provides a framework for thinking of our lives. There is both comfort and challenge here. Because of the Resurrection, there are new possibilities. We often find them wrapped in what we have already known.

Running Time: 12:07 Size:11 MB

Alarmed and Amazed

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:18:00 GMT

Happy Easter!
Biblical Text: Mark 16:1-8
I also reference Mark 15:47 and Mark 15:40-41.
For Mark Strand's comment on reading a poem, go to the Writer's Almanac for April 11, 2006 at http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/programs/2006/04/10/index.html
For the Gerard Manley Hopkins poem I am reading today, "That Nature Is a Heraclitean Fire and of the Comfort of the Resurrection" go to http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/excerpts.php?id=15492
The women at the empty tomb were alarmed and amazed because their world view was suddenly altered. The young man sitting there told them Jesus was going on to Galilee ahead of them. What does it mean for my life, for your life, if we believe Jesus is going on ahead of us? Where will we go? What will we do? Who will we tell the story to and with whom will we eat?
Running Time: 22:06 Size: 20.2 MB

Shadows

Sat, 15 Apr 2006 01:35:00 GMT

Here's my message for the Tenebrae, Good Friday, worship. Tenebrae means shadows or darkness. The Passion story is read. As the story progresses, the worship space becomes darker and darker until the worshipers are in complete darkness for the reading concerning Jesus' death and burial.
Biblical Texts: Psalm 22 and Mark 14-15
The shadows are all around us. They were all around Jesus, too. Jesus persevered to carry out God's will for his life. With God's help, we, too, can carry out God's purpose for our lives despite the shadows pressing in on us. We can bring light to others and dispell their shadows.
Running Time: 16:13 Size: 15MB

Good Friday Liturgy

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 11:43:00 GMT

Here's a poem I wrote while working on my Good Friday worship plan.
You can read the Passion story in Mark 14-15.
Running time: 5:12 Size: 4.75 MB

Body and Blood

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 01:41:00 GMT

Here is my Maundy Thursday message.
Biblical Text: Mark 14:10-25
For more info about the Gospel of Judas see my web site http://www.RealLifeSpirituality.com/
Jesus is both flesh-and-blood and dvine. By remembering that the story of Jesus' death retold in the story of the Last Supper, we call upon God to act afresh in our flesh-and-blood lives to free us from all kinds of enslavement: physical, emotional, spiritual.
Running Time: 19:08 Size: 17.5 MB

The Gospel of Judas

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 17:50:00 GMT

Some off the cuff remarks on the unveiling of this document. Running Time: 12:03 Size: 11.0MB

Gathering Around Jesus

Mon, 3 Apr 2006 04:10:00 GMT

Text: Mark 6:30-46

1. Ministry is public.

2. In the story âJesus Feeds the Five Thousand,â we have the shape of our worship service with Communion.

3.1 Jesusâ feeding of the five thousand is like Israel in the desert when God provided their food.

3.2 Eating this meal gathered around Jesus reminds us of when God gathered the people at Mt. Sinai.

4. The Churchâs Meal is a dress rehearsal for the End Time Banquet.

5. After the Meal, Jesus sends you out into the world.

As Church, capital C, we are the Community, capital C, gathered around Jesus. Jesus feeds us with the Word, capital W, and with the Meal, capital M.

Running time: 27:03 Size: 24.76MB

Spiritual Hunger

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 02:43:00 GMT

Spiritual guides are not exempt from spiritual hunger. I reflect on my own recent encounter, comparing and contrasting it with physical weight management.

For me, spiritual hunger has two sources:

It comes from my own disconnect from God.
God keeps me hungry enough to want to do God's will to satisfy my hunger.

I share what I have learned to do to satisfy my spiritual hunger.

For online Bibles, check out Bible Gateway.com

Running Time: 27:45 Size: 25.3MB

Hungry for God?

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 03:13:00 GMT

Texts: Mark 1:16-18; Psalm 102

I reference John 4:1 and Matthew 5:13

For my discussion on salt and contemplative prayer, see On Salt: Some Preliminary Thoughts on Prayer and Study which I posted on February 13, 2006. Use the calendar on and click first on February and then on 13.

To read the entire text of The Second Coming go to

A very personal message about my prayer life today. Jesus told Peter and Andrew he would teach them to fish for people. I compare this saying with a falconer training a falcon for the hunt. To be an effective hunter, the falconer must keep the falcon hungry. Is the same true for Christians?

Running time: 24:14 Size: 22.1MB

God's Evangel is for Us to Share

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:01:00 GMT

Texts: Psalm 6 and 1 Corinthians 4

I reference Sandra Schneider's The Revelatory Text: Interpreting the New Testament as Sacred Text and Harry Emerson Fosdick's hymn "God of Grace and God of Glory"

Evangel means good message. It's not a particular kind of Christian, moral outlook or political persuasion. We all can be evangelical, sharing the message about Jesus Christ.

God's evangel is for us to share. It's our wisdom, our power. Our own wisdom and power--or the lack of it-- is unimportant.

Why Am I Here?

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 16:20:00 GMT

I reflect on why I attend worship:

I made a commitment to attend.
The friends of Jesus are present.
Jesus is present in our midst.
We uphold each other by our presence.

God Lives in You (plural)

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:45:00 GMT

The plural refers to the text. Paul is using the plural you (old-fashioned ye) to say that God lives in the Corinthian church.

If I was southern, I could say y'all and not sound funny!

Texts for this message: Psalm 32 and 1 Corinthians 3.

Lent is an opportunity to become teachable. With a teachable spirit, we will come to know God in our midst, Jesus as the foundation of the church and we will recognize God's spirit in all the other churches, too.

Teachable Spirit

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 02:57:00 GMT

I reflect on a contemporary worship gathering I attended in Lent.

I read from Mark 1:29-45.

Having a teachable spirit is an aspect of my pastoral leadership.

I was taught that to end my separation from God, Jesus gave up his freedom of movement to be nailed to the cross.

God's Mercy

Wed, 8 Mar 2006 00:27:00 GMT

Ash Wednesday

Wed, 1 Mar 2006 23:11:00 GMT

Welcome to Lent.

I introduce you to Lent, redefine sin and repentance so you can get started. God's mercy is the source of the new life we are seeking. I also read psalm 51 and an original poem.

Transfiguration

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 01:29:00 GMT

No message this week.

Instead, I share a reading from Luke 9:28-36 and one of my poems.

God's Power

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 05:19:00 GMT

On Salt: Some Preliminary Thoughts on Prayer and Study

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 01:24:00 GMT

Show Notes for God Chooses Us

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 04:45:00 GMT

Biblical Texts: Psalm 33; Isaiah 43:18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

We have an opportunity to do a new thing because God chooses us to do it.

God Chooses Us

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 02:18:00 GMT

Praise Valley

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 02:16:00 GMT

God is the Subject

Merrill.Louise@gmail.com — Mon, 6 Feb 2006 13:12:00 GMT

pmlpodcast@gmail.com

Show Notes for Central Springs of Creativity

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Thu, 2 Feb 2006 20:21:00 GMT

Books: The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to Spiritual Direction Psalms: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching by James Luther Mays Biblical Text: Psalm 36 You can read the Bible online at http://www.biblegateway.com Unscripted and off-the-cuff, I reflect on creativity as a central aspect of pastoral leadership.

Central Springs of Creativity

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Wed, 1 Feb 2006 14:37:00 GMT

God Calls Us

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 14:25:00 GMT

Show Notes for Introducing Myself

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 01:36:00 GMT

I'm Merrill Louise, pastor of the Judson Fellowship: An American Baptist Church. I graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1999 with a Masters of Divinity. After serving a number of churches as vacancy pastor, pastoral assistant and supply preacher, I accepted a call and began serving The Judson Fellowship in Jamestown, New York on June 1, 2004. I was ordained to the Christian Ministry of the Gospel on April 10, 2005.

As pastor, I take seriously the exhortation in Ephesians 4:11-13 to prepare God's people for Christ's service. I practice pastoral leadership in five ways:

1. I preach the Word of God.

2. I lead public worship.

3. I pray out loud in public worship on behalf of God's people.

4. I lead conversations through my own vulnerability, my own questions and doubts, my own wrestling with the Word and with what God would have me do.

5. As a pastor, I am called to invite all people into a deeper relationship with God.

Introducing Myself

merrill.louise@gmail.com — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 22:37:00 GMT

I'm Merrill Louise, pastor of the Judson Fellowship: An American Baptist Church.

I graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1999 with a Masters of Divinity.
After serving a number of churches as vacancy pastor, pastoral assistant and supply preacher, I accepted a call and began serving The Judson Fellowship in Jamestown, New York on June 1, 2004.
I was ordained to the Christian Ministry of the Gospel on April 10, 2005.

As pastor, I take seriously the exhortation in Ephesians 4:11-13 to prepare God's people for Christ's service. I practice pastoral leadership in five ways:

I preach the Word of God.
I lead public worship.
I pray out loud in public worship on behalf of God's people.
I lead conversations through my own vulnerability, my own questions and doubts, my own wrestling with the Word and with what God would have me do.
As a pastor, I am called to invite all people into a deeper relationship with God.