Our Latest Program: Sunday December 15, 2019
Bishop Brian Cole: The Gift of Doubt
Bishop Brian Cole reminds us that Mary, Jesus’s mother, and John the Baptist were real people. John has been preparing the way, making room for the Messiah, and it seems in Matthew 11 that he’s become concerned his work may be in vain—he is experiencing doubt because Jesus is not meeting his expectations for the Messiah. His doubt can be instructive for us...
Day1 Articles
Frederick Buechner's Weekly Sermon Illustration: Advent 3: Be Patient
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Third Sunday in Advent. Here is this week’s reading from James 5:7-10
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton: Midnight Stillness
Advent—a season of expectation. God is up to something. We are urged to watch and wait. “Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” (Isaiah 40:9). “At midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him’” (Matthew 25:6).
David Crumm Interviews Peter Wallace: Rediscovering the Emotions of Jesus in ‘Heart and Soul’
ReadtheSpirit.com editor David Crumm interviews Day1 host Peter Wallace about the new book he edited, "Heart and Soul: The Emotions of Jesus," by Robert Law. Plus Duncan Newcomer offers his insight on the book and its provocative topic.
Frederick Buechner's Weekly Sermon Illustration: John the Baptist
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent. Here is this week’s reading from Matthew 3:1-12...
Peter Wallace: How to Spend 30 Days with Abraham Lincoln - Foreword to the New Book
Recently we presented an interview of Duncan Newcomer--author of the new book "30 Days with Abraham Lincoln"--by David Crumm. Day1 host and producer Peter Wallace wrote the foreword to the book, and here it is.
Frederick Buechner's Weekly Sermon Illustration: Advent
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the First Sunday in Advent. Here is this week’s reading from Matthew 24:44...
ReadtheSpirit.com: The Hope of Unity on Our National Day of Thanksgiving, 2019
As bad as our national divisions are today, they were far worse in October of 1863. Duncan Newcomer writes in his newly released 30 Days with Abraham Lincoln about what the founder of Thanksgiving, Abraham Lincoln, found to unify a bleeding nation.
Frederick Buechner's Weekly Sermon Illustration: Reign of Christ (Psalm 46)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Reign of Christ. This week's reading is Psalm 46:10a...
David Crumm: Greg Garrett Invites Us on a Pilgrimage through the Bible and Other Great Books
Got a book lover on your holiday shopping list? Inspirational writer Greg Garrett has two wonderful books of interest to a wide range of readers interested in spirituality.
Peter Wallace: A Full and Passionate Life: Robert Law and "The Emotions of Jesus"
Day1 host and producer Peter Wallace reveals why he revised and updated a century-old book on the emotions of Jesus by a Scottish Presbyterian preacher.
Day1 Video
Day1 Video Feature
Day1 Salon with NextGen Preachers
Day1 gathered 7 next generation pastors and church leaders to discuss where the church is heading. Moderated by the Rev. Chris Henry, the other participants are the Rev. Palmer Cantler, the Rev. Brandon Duke, the Rev. Lauren Holder, the Rev. Victoria Lawson, the Rev. Rob Lee, and the Rev. Joshua Scott, with Peter Wallace--Day1 host and producer--introducing.
Day1 Video Feature
Day1 Presents Presiding Bishop Michael Curry: “We Need Some Witnesses to the Way of Jesus!”
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, offered a stirring message on the Jesus Movement and how we can play a role in reviving the mainline churches to follow the Way of Jesus today. Watch his unforgettable message now! And feel free to share it.
Day1 Video Feature
Day1 Minute with Leanne Van Dyk - Part 1
In this Day1 Minute, Dr. Leanne Van Dyk of Columbia Theological Seminary takes us to the Mount of Transfiguration to see the glory of Jesus. Watch now for a moment of inspiration!
Day1 Video Feature
Day1 Minute with Susan Sparks - Part 1
Pastor, author, and comedian Susan Sparks calls on Jesus Christ and Dr. Seuss to help us conquer our worry in life. Watch this Day1 Minute and grab some inspiration!
Day1 Video Feature
Day1 Minute with Anna Carter Florence - Part 1
Anna Carter Florence offers inspiring insight about the two girls in the reeds and their radical decision... in this Day1 Minute.
Day1 Video Feature
A Day1 Minute with Diana Butler Bass - 1
Take a minute to watch an inspiring word from author and scholar Diana Butler Bass in our new Day1 Minute video series!
Day1 Video Feature
Susan Sparks: Laughing Our Way to World Peace
Rev. Susan Sparks, former lawyer and now standup comedian and Baptist preacher, shares insights on how humor can lead to world peace at a TEDx Talk in Atlanta.
Day1 Video Feature
Episcopal Preaching Foundation: The Science of Forgiveness in the Practice of Preaching
The Episcopal Preaching Foundation marks 30 years of inspiring seminarians and priests to be better preachers. In 2017 the Preaching Excellence Program was co-sponsored by EPF in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation bringing 'The Science of Forgiveness in the Practice of Preaching.'
Day1 Video Feature
Day1 Honors the Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long
Tom Long is a 2017 Day1 Community Leader of Faith. Tom Long is the Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. A Presbyterian minister, he is internationally renowned as one of the best preachers of his time. He has taught preaching for over 40 years, at Erskine Theological Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary, and Candler. He has written dozens of books and served as senior editor of the New Interpreter’s Bible and editor of Theology Today, as well as other journals. He has served as the chair of the Day1 Advisory Board since its inception 15 years ago.
Day1 Video Feature
Day1 Honors John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz is a 2017 Day1 Community Leader of Faith. John was the longtime general manager of the Atlanta Braves and became president after the 2007 season. He is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atlanta.
Day1 Audio
William L. Self Sermon Archives
It is Finished!
In his final service as pastor of Johns Creek Baptist Church, Bill summarizes his life of ministry, offers counsel to the church, and paraphrases Gary Cooper’s line from, “The Pride of the Yankees,” when he says, “I’m the luckiest man that ever lived.”
William L. Self Sermon Archives
Depression: Its Cause and Cure
Sometimes we feel like the prophet Elijah, so depressed we want to run away and quit. But God provides for us, even when we feel alone and abandoned.
William L. Self Sermon Archives
Taking Control of Your Life
You can act your way into a new way of feeling easier than you can feel your way into a new way of acting. Know what you want. Dream. Believe. And then get ready for what God is doing with you and you know what’ll happen? You’ll be in charge of your life and you’ll give it to God.
William L. Self Sermon Archives
Roadblocks to Renewal
Bill Self says many Christians are like the people in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, who did not believe in him, so he could do few miracles. “The power of God, the immediate power of God in our lives, is much more available than the average Christian knows, or is willing to dare tap ... This is the central tragedy of any church, that God in Jesus Christ is willing to do much more in and through us than we are willing to do or to let him do.”
William L. Self Sermon Archives
No Cross, No Crown
Bill Self said in this sermon, “If you think you have a Christian faith without a cross, you don’t have a faith. We want a faith that makes us feel good. We want a faith that gives us four ways to get along with everybody, three ways to save our marriage, two ways to make sure that we don’t get in trouble. And all of that little, shallow “Reader ’s Digest” kind of religion will not do a thing for you. That kind of religion is not going to get to the heart of the human problem...”
William L. Self Sermon Archives
Is Our Gospel Too Small?
Bill Self said, “Politicians can come and go, philosophies can come and go, elections can come and go, but the church of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel of God is forever. We need to unhook ourselves from these petty causes ... Changing this world is the only vision big enough for the cross of Jesus Christ and it’s the only vision big enough for a church that takes its calling seriously.”
William L. Self Sermon Archives
Back To Basics
Bill Self says many Christians are like the people in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, who did not believe in him, so he could do few miracles. “The power of God, the immediate power of God in our lives, is much more available than the average Christian knows, or is willing to dare tap ... This is the central tragedy of any church, that God in Jesus Christ is willing to do much more in and through us than we are willing to do or to let him do.”
William L. Self Sermon Archives
For Such a Time as This
Bill delivered the 1977 annual sermon at the Southern Baptist Convention in Kansas City, MO, which was the keynote sermon. He challenged the convention to expand its vision, think more creatively and minister more courageously, saying, “Who knows whether we have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
William L. Self Sermon Archives
Come Home, Atlanta!
Taking his text from the story of the Prodigal Son, Bill Self said Atlanta, “like the Prodigal, have left our father’s home. I think we need to take a good, hard look at where we are and what we’ve done, and I think that in our journey to be uptown, and our journey to be like New York, and our journey to take our place in the middle of what may be the nation and the world, we have left our father’s home.” He urged, “Come home, Atlanta. Get up out of the farmer’s pig stye and come home!”
Day1 Audio Feature
Gordon Stewart: Two Universities: Paris and Liberty
In this audio feature, the Rev. Gordon Stewart compares Thomas Aquinas' experience at Paris University with today's Liberty University.