What God is Not

This week Sister Natalia talks about her reflection on humility while she was on poustinia.Father Michael and Sister Natalia Out and AboutHope in the Desert: Sr. Natalia spoke at St Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church Link to Sister Natalia's poemFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

Father Michael picks up where Sister Natalia left off with the Prayer of St Ephraim.References:First Episode 1 covering the Prayer of St EphraimPrayer of St Ephraim - there are various versions of this prayer throughout, so you may find different translations online.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week we're talking about the Prayer of St Ephraim, and walk through the specifics of the prayer with suggestions of what to look for in your life to put the prayer in action.References:Prayer of St Ephraim - there are various versions of this prayer throughout, so you may find different translations online. Proto-Cathedral of St Mary FB Page for Livestreaming of MatinsFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week we're going back in time a few weeks and talking about the saints of the day of recording, February 11th: St Charalampus and Venerable Prochorus the Orach Eater. References:Link to Father Michael's guidance on the Great Fast to his parishionersProto-Cathedral of St Mary FB Page for Livestreaming of MatinsThe Prologue of OhridErin PlannedShrine of Our Lady of MariapochLittle WomenFather Michael and Sister Natalia Out and AboutFr Michael was on National Catholic Register's Register RadioSister Natalia and Sister Petra were on yesterday's Pints with Jack. Check it out!Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week Sister Natalia shares a reflection from her recent time in poustinia, and talks about a word that she heard during her time in poustinia.References:Poustinia by Catherine DohertyLeadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger InstituteLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottChrist the Bridegroom's Writeup on PoustiniasFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week Sister Natalia and Father Michael talk about experiences of hearing God in prayer, how they knew the voice they were hearing was of the Lord, and how that can be different for each individual. References:Sober Intoxication of the Spirit by Raniero Cantalamessa Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

It's Question and Answer time! We cover a variety of topics in this week's episode. If you've got more questions send them our way: Email, Facebook, Instagram!References:Books:The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection Translated by Benedicta WardThe Art of Prayer Edited by Kallistos WareThe Paintings: Father Michael suggests that you zoom in on the faces in both paintings.The Assumption or The Dormition, a fresco by Juan de Jesus Munera Ochoa in the Cathedral of San Pedro de los Milagros (Saint Peter of the Miracles) in Antioquia, Colombia. Peter and John Running to the Tomb by Eugène Burnand, currently at the Musée d'OrsayPrayer Written by Sister NataliaFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

This week Father Michael and Sister Natalia reflect on living without. We're often mistaken on what we "need", what we can do without, and what we can't do without.References:Forgiveness Vespers - Page 21 of the Order of Vespers for the Great FastSummary of 8 Evil Thoughts defined by EvagriusFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

Father Travis joined us for a second episode. This week we're talking about spiritual friendship, how our friendship with each other can build each other up and draw us closer to Christ.References:From Christendom to Apostolic Mission by University of MaryOutcast Catholic with Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane DemanCompanions of Christ, DenverQuote from Evagrios: "When suffering from the fever of unclean passions, my intellect afflicted with shameful thoughts, I have often been restored to health by your letters, as I used to be by the counsel of our great guide and teacher."Quote from St John Chrystostom on Friendship: "He who loves, ought so to love, that if he were asked even for his soul or life, and it were possible, he would not refuse it. I do not say, 'if he were asked,' but so that he would even run to present him with the gift. For nothing, nothing can be sweeter than such love; nothing will fall out there that is grievous."Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show

It's finally here! The most shouted-out person on the podcast joins Sister Natalia and Father Michael for two episodes. This week we're wrapping up the series on the Byzantine Divine Liturgy. The people receive Communion and are sent forth on mission.References:Outcast Catholic with Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane DemanLinks for previous episodes on the Divine Liturgy:Part 1: Preparing to PreparePart 2: Liturgy of the CatechumensPart 3: Great EntrancePart 4: Creed and AnaphoraPart 5: EpiclesisPart 6: Preparation for CommunionPart 7: Getting Closer to CommunionFollow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryEmail us! whatgodisnotpodcast@gmail.comSend us a textSupport the show