Category Archives: Spiritual Formation

21 Centuries of Quotes in 21 Days – Second Century

St_polycarp_of_smyrnaSecond Century:

When the local governor asked Polycarp to deny Christ and promised to release him from impending execution, the choice for martyrdom was made and the reply came:

“Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has never done me injury; how then can I now blaspheme my King and Savior.”

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, circa 155 AD.

The Soldier’s Pocket Book

Civil-War-soldiers-reading-letter-from-home-631.jpg__800x600_q85_cropEpisode 94 features an exploration of and readings from “The Soldier’s Pocket Book”, a small devotional book created for soldiers fighting in the American Civil War (1861-1865).

While originally written for soldiers in the mid-19th century United States, its contents on prayer, Bible, hymns and exhortations on living the Christian life would make a fine devotional (for soldier or non-soldier) in the early 21st century.

A link to this text on archive.org can be found here

Player and download links are below:

The Happiness of Drawing Near To God – Part 1

WATSON-Thomas_detailEpisode 87 is centered on the reading of the first half of a sermon by the 17th century English minister Thomas Watson (1620-1686).

A link to the podcast episode (Episode 15) on the practices of the Puritans regarding biblical meditation can be found here

A link to a text of the entire sermon “The Happiness of Drawing Near to God can be found here, courtesy of Grace Gems

Player and Download links are below: