What God is Not

Today Mother Natalia reflects on Pentecost, the return of praying the Heavenly King prayer, and kneeling and penance that is reintroduced after the celebration of Pentecost. Plus we’ve got a mini-topic on angels!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about prayer. Mother Natalia talks a little bit about what the term "spousal prayer" means at her monastery. We talk about the "outcome" of prayer and advancing in prayer.References:Beginning to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony BloomFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about healing, living in the present moment, and allowing Our Lord to work in the present reality. Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Father Michael links the story of the loaves and the fishes to the story of the Samaritan woman. He talks about how we can see God working in our lives and differentiating that from the "work that we're doing."We've also got a special announcement for our Photina patrons!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

Today we're joined by special guest, Barry Alvord, father of Beth from our media team. Barry talks about a time in his life when he experienced three big crises, how he realized he was struggling with negative thoughts, and how he sought to counteract them.References:Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives by Elder ThaddeusThe Monks of Tibhirine by John W. KiserWounded by Love by Elder PorphyriusFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

Today's episode was inspired by a talk on Fellowship that Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia gave for God with Us Online. Fr. Michael uses today's episode to talk about all the stuff they didn't have time for in that talk. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia talk about the importance of fellowship, serving others, and foot washing.References:Fellowship, the talk for God With Us OnlineSetting the Table by Danny MeyerFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

Today's episode is a recording of the talk Mother Natalia gave at the SoCal Byzantine Retreat Day in March. Mother Natalia talks about the promises God makes to us and that He fulfills His promises. She uses the scripture of the day for the feast of the Annunciation to link the promises in the  Annunciation to the promises made in the Old Testament, and then talks about ways we can see God's promises to us in our lives.References:Luke 1:26-38The Year of Grace of the Lord Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

Today Fr. Michael talks about shame, the causes of it and what we can do to prevent it. We talk about how Jesus approaches us in our sin, looking to cover our shame but not hide our sin, and how we can use that same approach with ourselves and others we encounter. We have practical discussion about "shaming" others, and how that can be problematic when we do not know the entire story.References:How to Profit From Your Faults by Joseph TissotTalk by Fr. Stephen FreemanFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

This week Fr. Michael talks about how we're all called to live authentic Catholic lives, striving for salvation of souls and not necessarily "checking the Catholic boxes". He specifically talks about how parish priests and monastics can help the laity in this regard, and how the needs of parishes differ from one parish to the next.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

Father Michael and Mother Natalia recorded this episode live in California! On today’s episode they talk about the longing Israel had for God to fulfill His promises, and how we also have desires God longs to fulfill. Our aches and His promises are gifts. References:Watch it Live!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show