{"podcast":{"title":"Grace for All","slug":"grace-for-all-6595211","podcast_index_feed_id":6595211,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/graceforall/","website_url":"https://1stchurch.org","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/2428ce1f-9c22-4f5a-acd7-88e0a40ad9bf/Grace-for-All-3000.jpg","author":"Jim Stovall, Greta Smith, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN","episode_count":300,"summary":"\"Grace for All\" is a daily devotional podcast from the laity of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. Each episode presents scripture and a brief reflection, written and recorded by members of our church. These short episodes are meant to inspire you and support your journey of understanding and faith. We believe the central message of Jesus is one of grace. Grace for all human beings. Grace for All is a podcast ministry of First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN","last_synced_at":"2026-07-17T16:20:38.196226+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211"},"episode":{"title":"Who Am I to Bless the LORD?","slug":"who-am-i-to-bless-the-lord","published_at":"2026-06-29T07:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211/who-am-i-to-bless-the-lord","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211","url":"https://graceforall.captivate.fm/episode/who-am-i-to-bless-the-lord","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5718233a-415f-4d23-971a-653aef567aaf.mp3","summary":"Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. Bless is an action verb. It is not passive and should not be. For those who do not remember the grammar lesson inherent in that statement, being passive subverts who is the actor and who is the object. In other words, it is a mistake to hide who is taking action and who is receiving that action. As humans we are quick to say, “may the LORD bless me and keep me.” But have I blessed the LORD? Have I praised and asked that the LORD be blessed? Personally, I’ve never really thought about how much I have asked to be blessed but never really blessed the LORD with my whole heart. My initial reaction to the concept is that I am not worthy to bless the LORD. I have found myself wondering why God would want my blessing. I feel unworthy. I think that my blessing is worth very little. How could I possibly bless the LORD? Instead of showering the LORD with praise, I have looked at things in life and wondered why they have not been blessed. I think things could be better. I think they are too broken. I think a lot of things. But have I ever really returned the blessings to God? Have I actively with my whole heart sung praise to the LORD for all of the benefit and wonder that is bestowed on me every moment of everyday on this Earth? Of course I haven’t, and yet I go about my day asking God to bless this and do that. I pray that this or that happens this or that way. I pray that God take care of me. I pray that God shine his light on me. I have always focused on what God blesses. Or more accurately, I have always focused on what my human understanding thinks is blessed or should be. And then through His love I understand. All acts of t…","meta_description":"Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. Bl…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":385,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/grace-for-all-6595211/episodes/who-am-i-to-bless-the-lord/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211/who-am-i-to-bless-the-lord.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}