What God is Not

This week Sister Natalia gives us insight into her reflection on fatherhood and tenderness. She and Father Michael provide examples of how they see fatherhood practically lived out in their day to day lives.References:Patris Corde by Pope FrancisThe Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John ClimacusMy Elder Joseph the Hesychast by Elder EphraimWounded by Love by St PorphyriosThat Man is YouFollow 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 Valeria Salgado. Valeria is a Latin revert who discovered Father Michael's parish and has been participating in Divine Liturgy there. This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia answer some questions on the rites of initiation and the differences between the East and the West. Additionally they talk about the process of changing rites.References:Connect with Valeria on Instagram and TikTokFollow 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 talking about the Saint of the Day (less three days), St. Nathaniel! St. Nathaniel is Sister Natalia's patronal saint. There's also a great discussion at the beginning of the podcast about spiritual direction.References:Lord of the World by Robert Hugh BensonFather Elijah by Michael O'BrienFollow 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 Fr. Michael talks about some key takeaways he's learned after reading a book that reminds us of what we sing (or say) when we sing "Heavenly Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things.References:Everywhere Present:  Christianity in a One-Storey Universe 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 MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

We're joined at the very beginning by Father Nathan Symeon's daughter, Budsy. Such a fun conversation. Father Nathan is the parochial vicar at Father Michael's parish. Then we discuss seeing beauty in the people around us, despite their sins or despite our ability to see the beauty 'at a glance'.References:Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques PhilippeFollow 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

Part 2! The monastery has a new member of the community! Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about the service for the entrance of a dokimos, specifically Intern Olivia! We've broken this up into two episodes.References:Last week's episodeLadder of Divine Ascent by St John ClimacusFollow 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

The monastery has a new member of the community! Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about the service for the entrance of a dokimos, specifically Intern Olivia! We've broken this up into two episodes.Also, it's our one year anniversary! Thanks for being a listener!References:The Year of Grace of Our Lord by Lev GilletAn overview of the different steps in the vocation process at Christ the Bridegroom MonasteryFollow 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

A few weeks ago Father Michael and Sister Natalia were on Instagram Live. We recorded that session for our general podcast listeners. If you want to see this "in person", we've saved the video up on IGTV. References:Our episode on The Jesus PrayerFollow 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

Who's keeping track of consecutive in-person recordings? We're at four now!This week Sister Natalia talks about lessons she's learned from her encounters with children and how those encounters lead her to reflect on her relationship with God.References:The Great Divorce by C.S. LewisFollow 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

Another in-person episode. This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia talk about putting forth effort to pray during Divine Liturgy.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