Sunday
A podcast of this service from Daily Office Radio is embedded here.
—
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
“You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?”
Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.
Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the LORD.
Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.
You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYERS
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
—
Monday
A podcast of this service from Daily Office Radio is embedded here.
—
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalm 31:1-5
In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O LORD, O God of truth.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 13:20-21
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYERS
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
(Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
—
The Annual Council of the Diocese of West Texas gathered for Compline, February 26, 2015. (via Twitter)
Tuesday
A podcast of this service from Daily Office Radio is embedded here.
—
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, *
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
He shall say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust.”
He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter *
and from the deadly pestilence.
He shall cover you with his pinions,
and you shall find refuge under his wings; *
his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, *
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the plague that stalks in the darkness, *
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
A thousand shall fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand, *
but it shall not come near you.
Your eyes have only to behold *
to see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
Because he is bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver him; *
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; *
I am with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him to honor.
With long life will I satisfy him, *
and show him my salvation.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 5:8-9a
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.
Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYERS
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
—
Wednesday
A podcast of this service from Daily Office Radio is embedded here.
—
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalm 134
Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 13:20-21
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYERS
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
(Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
—
Thursday
A podcast of this service from Daily Office Radio is embedded here.
—
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
“You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?”
Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.
Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the LORD.
Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.
You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYERS
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
—
Friday
A podcast of this service from Daily Office Radio is embedded here.
—
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The maker of heaven and earth.
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father:
We have sinned against you,
through our own fault,
in thought, and word, and deed,
and in what we have left undone.
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
forgive us all our offenses;
and grant that we may serve you
in newness of life,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
May the Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Psalm 31:1-5
In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O LORD, O God of truth.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 14:9, 22
Lord, you are in the midst of us, and we are called by your Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God.
Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYERS
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
(Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
—
Saturday
A podcast of this service from Daily Office Radio is embedded here.
—
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 134
Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 5:8-9a
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.
Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYERS
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come to you.
A Collect for Saturday
We give you thanks, O God, for revealing your Son Jesus Christ to us by the light of his resurrection: Grant that as we sing your glory at the close of this day, our joy may abound in the morning as we celebrate the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.++
The Daily Office 
My website is:
http://web.me.com/marshal.cousins
I greatly appreciate all the time,effort and creativity that is expended
in creating the Daily Offices Compline. Each day I check the images
first to “see what Josh has for us today.”
Josh, thank you for your work and also to anyone who may help you.
I read the Morning Office at my office on work days and the Evening
Office at home. Having your work online is a great convenience. Do
you have a bio some place that I could read? Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marshal,
Thank you. 1.2 million page-views we’ve had and this is the first time anyone’s requested my biography! But it’s pleasing to me, so why not.
7 Josh Thomas Factoids
One for every day of the week!
1. Born 1951 in a small town in Indiana. Lived as an adult in New York, Charlotte, NC, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio and smalltown Illinois, then bought a house two doors down from where I grew up in Indiana.
2. I love to garden, hate to mow. The rich black loam that makes my garden grow also does wonders with weeds and grass.
3. Studied Bible, theology, liturgy and ministry under Robert Ervin Faulkenberry, Ann Brooke Bushong, Thomas Tull and Howard E. Galley, Jr., commissioned lay Evangelists in the Episcopal Church. Galley was General Editor of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (U.S.A.). Faulkenberry was an associate of Martin Luther King Sr. in Atlanta and active in the civil rights movement; later he became Christian Education director in my home parish in Indiana. Bushong founded the National AIDS Memorial at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York. Tull was a missionary in Fort Yukon, Alaska (though I will never set foot anywhere near there). I was commissioned an Evangelist in 1976 by the Bishop of Indianapolis on behalf of the Presiding Bishop; I hold a rare national preaching license in this Church.
4. While a student with Galley, Bushong and Tull at the National Institute for Lay Training at General Theological Seminary, New York, I participated in my first Gay Pride March in 1974, when there were more startled onlookers than marchers. Thought I owed this to Amos, Hosea, Isaiah and Jesus, but it was scary.
5. Social worker specializing in community organization, crisis intervention and mental health. Founded the world’s second oldest AIDS organization in Cincinnati in 1983. Completed social work internship at the oldest one, Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York, 1984, then returned to Ohio as a reporter for a Gay newspaper so I’d have “thousands of clients, not just a few.” Clandestinely married my advertising manager in front of a priest and 40 guests, including my mom, 1991.
6. Author of three novels; one based on my newspaper scoop about a serial killer, the other a seriocomedy about the world’s first Gay “University.” The first sold more than the second, but (September 2012) I’ve just released a third one anyway.
7. Greatest achievement: founded dailyoffice.org, 2004, after I got sick of flipping pages in books all the time. Complained to God, “Why isn’t this all online?” God said, “Great idea! I appoint you.”
I’ve complained ever since, but never missed a day.++
LikeLiked by 3 people
I just discovered this by way of online compline at my church. Now it is the way I end my day in such peace. Thank you and God bless you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for this. I really appreciate it.
LikeLike
We’re glad you came, Nancy.
josh
LikeLike
Thank you for posting this, Josh. And for dailyoffice.org!
LikeLike
Good to read your bio. More faithful in participating in Morning prayers, but slowly adding other times. This helps me “center” my life like never before. Thanks Josh…..
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Don, centering our life around God is what it’s all about. As complicated as “religion” can be, what with theology, liturgy, Church history, Bible study and all the rest, most of Jesus’s message is really simple: Love God, love your neighbors, do unto others as you’d have them do unto you, and live with Christ as your constant companion through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the reminder.
The Office is the means of doing all that. The more we participate in it, the better off we are. It only takes me a few hours of normal life to start forgetting who and what I’ve sworn my loyalty to in baptism – but the Office brings me back to the center, like you said. The more we make time for the psalms, scripture and prayer, the more they become a habit in the best sense, integral to how we live. And it just builds on itself until it’s incorporated into our bodies. For every person, who we are is what we do – so let’s see to it that what we’re doing enhances our being.
Then on Sundays and holy days, let’s go to the chapel and get fed. We’re not alone on this planet, we’re part of a community and relationships are paramount. What the Office and the Sacraments do for me is enhance my relationship with my Friend, as well as my friends. I run these sites because they’re how I become myself.
josh
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Thank you, Josh,
I discovered your site about a month ago. I try to get to Morning Prayer and Compline. Sometimes I do, and sometimes morning rushes and nighttime fatigue interfere. I have put the two times into my ‘reminders’ for my medications (7 to 8 times per day for those). So besides all of those reminders, I hear drum solos to remind me to stop and pray.
My mother says ‘if your days seem to unravel, maybe you should hem them in with prayer.’
Thanks again.
God bless you and continue with the Spirit’s inspirations.
Maureen
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Maureen, this is about the best comment we’ve ever got – and we get good ones.
“Sometimes I do, and sometimes morning rushes…” is how it is for most people.
I try to say often that that is okay; God is happy whenever we turn to heaven.
As for those drum reminders, I think God understands if all you can do right now is take your medications and stay on keel. Pray when you get the chance, and don’t feel guilty; it’s the turning-to that matters. Two seconds, not the whole liturgy if you can’t do it.
Someday I’ll be happy if someone writes, “I can’t always do Morning Prayer, but I always come and look at the pictures.” That would make my year.
The more often we turn to God, the closer we get to God; but it’s not like s/he’s lonely up there, with all those saints and grandmas running around. God has a fabulous time, which is why it’s called heaven.
Be well. I sense that spiritually you’re doing just fine. I am thrilled you are one of us, so God bless Maureen.
Josh
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Josh – thanks so much for the bio. I feel I have known you for years, but realize I didn’t know anything about you! Everything I read in your bio is consistent with the gentle soul who guides this site.
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Thank you, Cameron. Somehow I missed your comment until now, but I’m grateful for your support and for adding your voice to all our prayers.
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I am so grateful for this resource. Would it be possible to present the Late Night prayers with a dimmer background, or even white text on black? It would be helpful for bedtime screen use. Blessings on you and your ministry.
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Rhetta, I have to look into that. My first reaction is that the background color probably has to be the same on all pages, but I don’t know that for sure. In most cases black type on a white background is best for reading online, but if we can dim this a little that would be great. Thanks for the suggestion.
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At the age of 66, I could no longer resist the transcendant joy of the Episcopal liturgy, nor the constant warmth and spirit of welcome of the local Episcopalian priests and communicants. I nonetheless pay tribute to the Scottish Presbyterians of whose church I was a member until my conversion this January, by reading and listening to Compline
accompanied by an electric candle(the old folks home where I live doesn’t allow any sort of flame) but they have no prohibition on the generous poring of Johnny walker Black on the rocks that I enjoy to unwind along with Compline and my candle. While my wife is not an Episcopalian, even as I sit alone in the darkened quiet living room of our tiny apartment I never feel alone late at night at Compline because not only do I hear the voices of you, Josh and Julie, but because I have come to believe what they told me at “Inquirer’s Class:” namely, that when you pray the Daily Office, you are in the company of thousands around the world who are doing the same at the same time.
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What a joy to receive this, Tony! Thank you for listening and letting us know.
These were some of the first recordings we made for Daily Office Radio, and I’m already wanting to do them over again. Julie sounds great, but I don’t like the guy she recorded with at all. 🙂
She taught me a lot just by recording with her; her voice is soothing, while I sound energetic to the point of being aggressive. It’s probably because I’m in the habit of waking people up every morning with live webcasts of Morning Prayer; at night we want to help people rest, not get them marching around the parade grounds with a barking drill sergeant.
A week later we recorded Compline from the New Zealand Prayer Book too, and I’m eager to get those up and running. We are still ironing out kinks with Daily Office Radio; it sounds great, but our original programming is taking longer than expected. When I finally have time to post them, let me know what you think. The NZ services are much longer than our Compline, but they’re beautifully written and I’m hoping the male reader slows down a bit.
I hear that with a good healthy shot of Johnny Walker Black, a person even learns not to mind an electric candle. It’s the thought that counts.
Josh
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I just wanted to report that you can pray Compline silently anywhere included sitting at a bar at the Cyrus boutique hotel in Topeka Kansas eating my supper and puzzling my fellow imbibers and diners. I had just spent the better part of the week at a family reunion in Omaha, two thirds of which, like much of the rest of that state, much of Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas were under floodwaters. I was very grateful to have navigated my way back to Arkansas driving, despite Siri, unaware of all the flooded roads. on my iPhone telling me loudly I was failing to stay on route. I believe God gave me a sign along the way to lighten my worries… One billboard along the way said: “Thank you Jesus for voting our casino the best in the state again” I know it’s supposed to be one person, one vote, but I assume Jesus got three…
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It’s much easier to pray in a bar with a phone or iPad than having to lug Prayer Book and Bible everywhere we go. Jesus is portable, too!
Prayers for the flooded states in the Plains and Midwest. We feel for the farmers and everyone else.
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I thank you for all your excellent work in providing this resource. It has helped me in the legitimate practice of my faith and reminds me each day of who and what we are called to be , by our Lord and Savior.
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