What God is Not

This week Fr. Michael talks about the deception of Adam and Eve by the devil in Genesis 3. He talks about the ways we can be deceived and how sin blinds us to the deception happening. References: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis Perelandra by C.S. Lewis Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This week Mother Natalia shares a recent prayer experience she had while using Parts Work. She talks about her surprise in encountering many parts that were impacted by something going on in her life. She shares her experience talking to them with Jesus, watching Jesus talk to them, and having Jesus watch her talk to them. She talks about the healing she received from this prayer experience. References: Litanies of the Heart by Dr. Gerry Crete Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram a...

This week Fr. Michael talks about learning to listen for God's voice. He talks about how we can start to encounter God in prayer and hearing Him in our daily life. He reflects on how we know what our our friends and those we love need, and how in a similar way, we can know the voice of God. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send us Fan Mai...

This week we're joined by special guest, Maddie! Maddie is currently a dokimos at the monastery. Maddie talks about C.S. Lewis' book, Till We Have Faces, and how it was so impactful to her in the her time of discernment. She shares themes of the book and how we can see these in our day to day life. References: Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis Dr. Peter Kreeft's Lecture on Till We Have Faces Part 1 and Part 2 Hundredfold by Sister Agnes Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Faceboo...

This week Mother Natalia has a few short topics. First she talks about making her smart phone less smart to help her grow in virtue. Then she talks about spiritual motherhood in response to an email from a listener. Finally, she gives a quick overview of a talk she's giving. References: Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Web...

This week Fr. Michael recounts his recent visit to Thailand. He talks about the people he encountered, especially Fr. Raymond. He shares how Fr. Raymond interacts with his parishioners who span a wide geography. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support the show

This week Mother Natalia shows us how criticism is contagious. She gives a few examples in her life and talks about how she's noticed this in herself and others. She talks about how our interactions with people give them a hint of who we are when we aren't with them, and the way we might build them up or tear them down to others. References: Setting the Table by Danny Meyer Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Tw...

This week Fr. Michael talks about ways the devil may have attacked Adam and Eve's memory, putting shame into memories where there was no shame before. He talks about ways that shame can prevent a full relationship with God. References: Descent into Light Podcast Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support the show

This week Mother Natalia shares a recent conviction she had about being silent during periods of silence. She uses that to give suggestions on what we can do for the Great Fast, moderate things instead of grand gestures. References: The Philokalia, Volume 2 Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Se...

This week Fr. Michael reflects on tradition vs canon, inspired by his recent Christmas tree decorating. (Yes, this was recorded a few weeks back!) He talks about ways to identify tradition vs canon in our individual life, our family life, and our parish life. He talks about the importance of setting norms, even for adults, but also being able to identify when flexibility is needed. Fr. Michael also talks about setting aside work for the sake of rest. References: The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewi...

This week Fr. Michael talks about prayer and being sincere in prayer, both directly with God and also when asking the saints for assistance. He also talks about spiritual fatherhood and some of the ways he's experienced some of the "normal" experiences that biological fathers experience. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support the ...

This week Mother Natalia reflects on the Visitation, and how Mary may have felt seen by Elizabeth. She talks about the importance of being seen by others and the importance of us seeing each other. Mother Natalia also talks about the healing that comes from being seen by Christ in confession. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support t...

This week we have two mini-topics. First we talk about priestly celibacy and married priesthood, the spousal relationship with the church and the spousal relationship with Christ. Then we make a shift and talk about the cycles within the church, daily reception of the Eucharist, and how some of the norms around daily reception of the Eucharist came to be. References: Behold a Great Light: A Daily Devotional for the Nativity Fast through Theophany by Stephen De Young Follow and Contact Us! Fol...

This week Fr. Michael talks about the archangel Gabriel and the meaning of his name. He talks about the manly strength of God and how Gabriel shows us this strength in his actions. Fr. Michael talks about fear of the Lord and how that differs from our fear of people or things that could happen to us. References: Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word by Erasmus Leiva-Merikakis Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter...

This week we've got a banter only episode. Enjoy! References: Finding God in the World: An Introduction to Josef Pieper's Sacramental Worldview The Good News About Being Human in the Age of AI by Hope Schneir Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support the show

This week Fr. Michael walks through the phrase "Let us be attentive. Peace be to all. Wisdom, be attentive!" that we hear during Divine Liturgy. He talks about the etymology of some of the words, the purpose of the sentences, and how we're called to be especially attentive after hearing those commands from the priest or deacon. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Websi...

This week Mother Natalia talks about finding beauty in the midst of suffering. She gives examples of saints lives who were able to find beauty despite their suffering. She also talks about how God draws good out of suffering, despite suffering being an evil. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support the show

This week Mother Natalia reflects on her recent retreat in Colorado. She talks about the rest she had during retreat and the moments of rest she has during her busy life. She talks about the importance of purposefully finding rest throughout our day, week, month, and year. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support the show

This week Fr. Michael takes inspiration from a prayer said by the Maronite priests at the end of Divine Liturgy. He talks about how important the altar is to a priest and how the priest is "tethered" to the altar. He then expounds further into sacred spaces that are important to the lay people and monastics, and how each person can be reminded of this before or after leaving that space. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Gro...

This week Mother Natalia talks about how we are formed by the community around us. She gives examples of formation within a monastic community, family, and friends. She talks about how our formation can lead us down the wrong paths, but through God's grace how we can turn back to the truth. Follow and Contact Us! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook We're on YouTube! Join our Goodreads Group Fr. Michael's Twitter Christ the Bridegroom Monastery Our Website Our Nonprofit Send a text Support t...