Same Old Song

Aaron and Jacob break down the text for the Second Sunday in Lent, which are Genesis 15:1-12,17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; and Luke 13:31-35.

Aaron and Jacob take the plunge into the purple season, discussing the readings for the First Sunday in Lent, which are Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, and Luke 4:1-13.

Jacob and Aaron parse the readings for Ash Wednesday, which are Joel 2:1-2,12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; and Matthew 6:1-6,16-21.

Aaron and Jacob peruse the readings for the Last Sunday after Epiphany, which are Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, and Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a].

Aaron and Jacob review the readings for the Seventh Sunday in Epiphany, which are Genesis 45:3-11, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; and Luke 6:27-38.

Jacob and Aaron explore the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Epiphany, which are Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, and Luke 6:17-26.

Jacob and Aaron dig into the readings for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, which are Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13]; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; and Luke 5:1-11.

Aaron and Jacob unpack the readings for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, which are Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and Luke 4:21-30.

Aaron and Jacob discuss the readings for the Third Sunday after Epiphany, which are Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; and Luke 4:14-21.

Jacob and Aaron break down the readings for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, which are Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, and John 2:1-11.

Aaron and Jacob take us through the texts for the First Sunday after Epiphany, which are Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, and Luke 3:15-17 & 21-22.

Aaron and Jacob discuss the readings for Epiphany Sunday, which are Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, and Matthew 2:1-12.

Jacob and Aaron discuss the readings for the First Sunday after Christmas, which are Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7; and John 1:1-18

Jacob and Aaron break down the readings Christmas II, which are Isaiah 62:6-12, Titus 3:4-7 and Luke 2:(1-7)8-20. Merry merry!

Aaron and Jacob unpack the readings for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, which are Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, and Luke 1:39-45.

Jacob and Aaron unpack the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent (Year C), which are Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 3:7-18.

Aaron and Jacob explore the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C): Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11 and Luke 3:1-6.

The return of Same Old Song! Jacob Smith and new co-host Aaron Zimmerman dive into the lectionary readings for the First Sunday of Advent (Year C): Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, and Luke 21:25-36.

In this episode we discuss the lectionary readings for the fourth Sunday in Lent (A): 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14 and John 9:1-41. Show Notes: Of all the emotions associated with darkness, none is more powerful than depression. Those of us who have experienced it know that, like darkness, depression is frightening. The great American writer David Foster Wallace was not exaggerating when he described depression as a “large dark billowing shape,” “the billowing black sail of hell.” Sigmund Freud theorized that depression is anger turned inward. Child psychologist Dorothy Martyn defines it as “a loss of stature in your own eyes.” As we all know, anger at oneself and loss of stature can be justified. In my own life, depression has always had a trigger, usually a perceived failure of some kind— something as significant as the break-up of a relationship or as trivial as the purchase of the wrong kind of air-conditioner. Still, anyone who has been depressed, or dealt with a depressed person, knows that it

In this episode we discuss the Lectionary texts for the third Sunday in Lent (A): Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11 and John 4:5-42. Show Notes: In his autobiography, Days of Grace, tennis champion Arthur Ashe wrote: “I have always been a firm believer in the therapeutic value of adversity. Of all people, athletes must reach an accommodation with losing, and learn to make the best of it.” Ashe died of AIDS received through an injection given by a tainted needle. He wrote his story knowing that he was leaving behind fame, fortune, and a lovely family. For every Olympic athlete we watch as they receive their gold medal, there are thousands of others who almost made it, but didn’t. I was present when a friend lost his chance of going to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by a hair. His non-Christian father was mortified at his failure, but my friend grew through it into a strong servant of Christ. Compare that with the sign on the walls of the Princeton University boathouse: “Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser.