What God is Not

This week Father Michael talks about the reality of loneliness within our vocation. We talk about relying on God instead of others to satisfy loneliness.References:From Whence Mother Natalia CameThe Space Trilogy Series by C.S. LewisBook 1: Out of the Silent PlanetBook 2: PerelandraBook 3: That Hideous StrengthMere Christianity by C.S. LewisSobornost by Catherine DohertyUrodivoi by Catherine DohertyThe Postal Service: Give UpFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia shares her vocation story up to the decision to enter the monastery. References:Mother Natalia has been on two episodes with Matt FraddEpisode One: Why Sr. Natalia Become a NunEpisode Two: Eastern Catholicism w/ Mother NataliaAn Explanation by Luke Spehar Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week's episode is long but so worth it! We're happy to welcome to the podcast special guest Melkite Joe. Melkite Joe shares a bit of his life story that led to his discernment to enter Holy Transfiguration Monastery in California. If you would like to donate to Melkite Joe's fundraiser, you can find all the details here.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about judgement. She gives some practical examples of judgement and the way it causes a block or barrier between herself and the person as well as herself and God.References:Wounded 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 MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

Father Michael uses two Gospel passages along with some prayer requests in his life to talk about unanswered prayer and how our unanswered prayers unite us with our forefathers.  References:Hidden Sins, Perceivable Virtue (The episode inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray)The Year of Grace of the LordLuke 14: 16 - 24  - parable about the wedding banquet, read 2 Sundays before ChristmasLuke 15: 11 - 32 - the parable of the Prodigal (Reckless) SonFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia talks about how loving people shows us the love of God, and that in loving, both the the lover and the beloved receive fruit. The ability both to give love and receive love are because God gives us those abilities. In loving each other we love God, and that love can heal us. Growing in holiness helps us to grow in love.References:The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St John ClimacusThe PhilokaliaChrist our PaschaFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week we're joined by special guest Catherine! Catherine is a catechumen at the Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary's where Fr. Michael is pastor. Catherine talks about her journey to becoming a catechumen. She shares how truth and beauty  helped her come to the realization of God’s existence.References:Video Parody of Adele's Hello with Christ the Bridegroom Monastery and the Mercedarian SistersMan's Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklMeasurement by Paul LockhartOrthodoxy by G.K. ChestertonThe Catholic Church and Conversion by G.K. ChestertonFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week Mother Natalia shares some reflections she had on poustinia about worry and being present.References:Matt 6: 24 - 24The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother LawrenceThe Monastery's video on poverty: Be Poor with MeAbandonment to Divine Providence by Jeanne-Pierre de CaussadeFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

We're back with another episode on the Mystery of Crowning, with special guest Fr. Joel Barstad.References:Mystery of Crowning: Part 1Mystery of Crowning: Part 2Behold the BridegroomFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week we meet Beth from the media team. Beth talks about her personal vocational discernment and not fearing the unknown.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show