What does ”ordinary Christianity” look like exactly? Using Scripture, Church history and personal testimony, two Catholic priests, Frs. Michael and Chris Trummer, and Mary Bielski offer a renewed vision of what our lives can be like as Christians. Far from being ”ordinary”, the normal Christian life is an entirely new life empowered by the Holy Spirit -- drawing upon a divine inheritance, manifesting supernatural power, and bearing a staggering promise of glory.
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Do Not Hide Your Face From Me: Faith, Feelings, and Unbelief | S2 E16
1:06:17
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1:06:17Join Fathers Michael and Christopher Trummer in this episode of 'Normal Christian Life' as they explore the fundamental topics of faith and unbelief. They discuss the increasing prevalence of atheism and secularism in the Western world and explore why people are swayed by or struggle with unbelief. Analyzing both rational and non-rational factors i…
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The Hidden Treasure of Suffering | S2 E15
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1:05:45Join Fr. Michael Trummer, Fr. Christopher Trummer, and Mary Bielski in this profound episode of The Normal Christian Life as they explore the concept of redemptive suffering. As we wrap up Lent, they dive into society's attempt to eliminate suffering, using 'The Giver' as an analogy for understanding its significance. They discuss the transformativ…
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Why Is Missing Mass Such a Big Deal? w/ Fr. Michael Trummer
21:55
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21:55"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him" (Jn 3:16-17). God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). Relationship …
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Temples of the Holy Spirit: How Diet, Exercise, Sleep, etc. Affect Your Spiritual Life (S2 E14)
1:33:19
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1:33:19Join Father Michael Trummer and Father Christopher Trummer in this enlightening episode of 'The Normal Christian Life' as they dive deep into the vital relationship between physical health and spiritual well-being. They explore modern obsessions with health and beauty and discuss how physical health can impact emotional and spiritual states. Drawin…
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What a Priest Learned from the Most Serious Confessions He Has Heard w/ Fr. Michael Trummer
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5:43Fr. Michael shares what he has learned as a priest hearing confessions.By Frs. Michael and Christopher Trummer, Joe Herring
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Choosing Silence in a World of Noise (S2 E13)
1:15:41
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1:15:41In this episode of Normal Christian Life, we talk about the significance of silence, especially during the season of Lent. Reflecting on Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and the importance of stillness, this discussion reveals how silence can enhance our spiritual lives, cultivate holiness, and foster a deeper connection with God. Joined by insightful …
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From Duty to Delight: The Priority of Praise (S2 E12)
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1:08:22In this episode of the 'Normal Christian Life,' Frs. Michael and Christopher Trummer and Mary Bielski delve into the essence of worship, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God beyond just music. They share personal experiences and insights into how worship has played a vital role in their spiritual lives. The conversation explores the role of…
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In this episode of 'The Normal Christian Life,' we delve into the significance of spirit-filled community. Building on a previous discussion about friendship, Father Michael, Father Chris, and Mary Bielski explore how community, distinguished by its larger scale and deeper theological context, plays a crucial role in the Christian journey. The epis…
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"I Have Called You Friends”: The Gift of Christian Friendship (S2 E10)
1:01:53
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1:01:53In this episode of the Normal Christian Life podcast, Father Michael, Christopher, and Mary Bielski explore the profound significance of friendship in the Christian life. They discusse the integral role of friends in spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of Christ-centered relationships. They share their own experiences, discussing how genui…
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Childlikeness: Embracing Joy, Humility, and Surrender (S2 E9)
1:04:20
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1:04:20In this episode of The Normal Christian Life, Father Michael Trummer is joined by Miriam Johl and Mary Bielski to explore the theme of spiritual childhood and the profound importance of childlikeness in the spiritual life. Through personal anecdotes, scriptural insights, and heartfelt discussions, the team delves into the distinctive aspects of bei…
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Faith Comes from What Is Heard: An Introduction to Evangelization (S2 E8)
1:15:59
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1:15:59Fr. Michael, Father Christopher, and Mary Bielski - delve into what evangelization truly means and its significance for the renewal of the Church. Explore the importance of personal testimony, the role of miracles and signs, and the power of accompaniment. Discover practical insights and be inspired to take up the call of spreading the gospel throu…
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Does God Always Want to Heal? (S2 E7)
1:03:13
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1:03:13Father Michael and Father Christopher Trummer explore the complex topic: Does God always want to heal? They discuss various Christian perspectives, particularly focusing on views within the charismatic movement that emphasize healing through faith. The dialogue delves into balancing expectancy in God's healing power with submission to His will, sup…
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Living Spousal Intimacy w/ Katie Reis (S2 E6)
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57:04Join our hosts and Katie Reis in an insightful discussion that delves into the lived experience of spousal intimacy with the Lord. Building on the previous episode's theological foundation, this installment explores practical aspects of nurturing a deeper relationship with God through prayer, sacrameånts, and vulnerability. They highlight the impor…
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God’s Spousal Love, Pt. 1: The Greatest Love Story (S2 E5)
1:13:49
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1:13:49In this thought-provoking episode, Father Michael Trummer, Mary Bielski, and Father Christopher, delves into the profound concept of having a spousal relationship with God. Addressing the deeply rooted theological and spiritual aspects of this topic, they discuss the importance of understanding God not just as a friend or father, but as a spouse. T…
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Praying with the Word: Rediscovering Lectio Divina | Encountering the Word Series (S2 E4)
1:21:06
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1:21:06Join our hosts and Mike Nolan in this insightful episode of 'The Normal Christian Life,' where they delve deep into the transformative practice of Lectio Divina. Discover the traditional steps of this ancient form of prayer—Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio—and gain inspiration from personal stories and experiences that highlight how God …
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Relational Prayer with the Word w/ Mike Nolan | Encountering the Word Series (S2 E3)
1:05:31
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1:05:31In this video, join our hosts as they engage in an in-depth conversation with Mike Nolan about the profound impact of scripture on one's personal faith journey. Mike shares his touching testimony of turning to the word of God during challenging times and how it helped to navigate through life's hurdles. The discussion covers how to cultivate a rela…
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Unleashing the Power of God's Word (Part 2 Encountering God's Word Series) (S2 E2)
1:07:19
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1:07:19Join Fathers Trummer and Mary Bielski in the second episode of our video podcast series as he delves deep into the transformative power of the Word of God. In this episode, they discuss the unique attributes of the scriptures, emphasizing their living and active nature, their ability to convict and sanctify, and their essential role in renewing our…
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Catholics Discovering the Word w/ Mary Bielski (S2 E1) Encountering the Word Series)
1:03:22
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1:03:22Join Father Michael and Christopher Trummer and Mary Bielski on the first video podcast of the Normal Christian Life as they embark on an engaging series focused on the Word of God. Discover the profound significance of scripture in the life of a believer, especially from a Catholic perspective. Hear personal testimonies and experiences with the Bi…
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37. That They May Be One: Ecumenism Between Catholics and Protestants (w/ Adriana Gonzalez)
1:40:55
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1:40:55Father Michael and Christopher Trummer are joined by guest Adriana Gonzalez to explore the topic of ecumenism, focusing on unity among believers, particularly between Catholics and other Christians. Adriana shares her personal journey of faith, highlighting her upbringing in a Catholic home, her family's involvement in the Charismatic Renewal, and …
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36. Beyond Familiarity: Intentionally Engaging the Mass
1:32:16
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1:32:16In this episode, Fr. Tony Cecil joins Fr. Michael and Fr. Christopher to explore various facets of enhancing our engagement and experience during the Mass. It emphasizes mindfulness, a contemplative mindset, and the other necessary dispositions of the heart. They discuss the importance of being generous with our time, as well as the nature of inter…
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35. Healing Shame: Making Room for God's Love (Inner Healing Series)
1:16:20
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1:16:20This podcast episode delves into the topic of shame and its impact on spiritual and emotional healing. Fr. Michael, Fr. Christopher, and Joe discuss how shame is often a subtle and deeply rooted wound that affects people's ability to experience God's love and delight. They emphasize that shame is not just another wound, but a core wound since the f…
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34. What is "Catholic Mindfulness"? (Inner Healing Series)
1:08:45
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1:08:45What is "Catholic mindfulness"? Is it a new age add-on to Christian spirituality, or is it compatible with Catholic tradition and orthodoxy? "Mindfulness" can refer to the natural ability to focus our attention fully on the present moment. Defined thus, mindfulness can be understood as essential for meditative prayer and active recollection, and fo…
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33. God's Kindness Leads to Repentence w/ Mary Bielski (Inner Healing Series)
1:31:47
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1:31:47At the end of the day, we are never our own masters: we are either children of God and "slaves of righteousness", or slaves of sin and the Devil. While many of us in the Church are preaching an important message of God's mercy and seeking to address issues of unhealthy shame and guilt, we sometimes overlook or play down this simple reality of our s…
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32. The Holy Spirit, Catalyst for Evangelization (w/ Fr. Mathias Thelen)
1:07:03
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1:07:03While many Catholics are distressed at the division and strife within the Church in recent years, the reality is that the Holy Spirit is offering us an extraordinary grace and opportunity for evangelization. In this episode, Fr. Matthias Thelen joins our hosts to share his testimony, as well as his insights on how the Holy Spirit is working to brin…
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31. One Body, Many Parts: Internal Family Systems (Inner Healing Series)
1:46:52
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1:46:52Within Catholic circles in recent years, a new psychological approach has gained traction: Internal Family Systems (IFS). Our hosts believe this approach offers a deeply insightful way of understanding our complex inner world, that synchronizes well with a Christian anthropology. While not professing to be experts, our hosts offer their own underst…
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30. "Deliver Us from Evil": The Reality and Role of Deliverance Ministry (Inner Healing Series)
1:11:10
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1:11:10Continuing our series on inner healing, Fr. Michael and Fr. Chris team up to introduce the topic of deliverance, and its vital importance within the Christian life. Points addressed include: The real need for spiritual warfare and deliverance in the lives of most people The literal (not figurative) influence of Satan and the demonic within the Bibl…
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29. Forgiveness: The Key to Inner Healing (w/ Miriam Johll) (Inner Healing Series)
1:55:04
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1:55:04Today's world doesn't put a high premium on forgiveness. But Jesus has given his followers, both by word and by example, a clear mandate of unconditional forgiveness. In this series on inner healing, Miriam Johll returns to join the discussion with Fr. Michael and Fr. Chris. Topics addressed include: the effects of unforgiveness, what forgiveness i…
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28. Truths and Lies w/ Laura Shoulders (Inner Healing Series)
1:31:24
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1:31:24Laura Shoulders joins our hosts again to discuss true and false beliefs, and their fundamental importance in our healing journey. In this episode, they discuss: How Satan uses lies as his primary weapon How every lie stems from doubting the truth of God's goodness How even small lies can end up having a huge impact on our lives How to identify iden…
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27. Human Formation: A Catholic Responsibility (Inner Healing Series)
1:22:42
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1:22:42According to Pope St. John Paul II, human formation is the most foundational of all the types of formation required by seminarians. But human formation is not just essential for seminarians - the laity need it as well! "Human formation" refers to the integration of the bodily, emotional, psychological aspects of our humanity; and since "grace perfe…
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26. What's the Deal with Medjugorje? (w/ Mike Nolan)
1:39:30
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1:39:30For over 40 years now, the alleged apparitions of Mary in Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) have been polarizing topic for many Catholics. For some, the apparitions of Mary and the messages are hailed as an extraordinary visitation of grace for our time, with an overabundance of fruits to prove it; while others dismiss the Medjugorje phenomenon a…
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25. Developing a Personal Relationship with Mary (w/ Miriam Johll)
1:45:48
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1:45:48Miriam Johll is a friend of our hosts. Hailing from Iowa, she has a heart for evangelization and healing ministry. Before diving into our main topic, Miriam shares some of her life testimony of personal healing through encounters with God the Father, and her subsequent launch into ministry. While virtually every Catholic is familiar with Mary - her…
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24. The Effects of Pentecost: Have You Received the Holy Spirit?
1:36:50
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1:36:50Do we really believe that Pentecost is an ever-present reality in the Church? Just as health or sickness have diagnosable side effects, so too the presence of the Holy Spirit, first poured out at Pentecost, should have visible "side effects" - both in terms of the fruits of personal heart-transformation (love, joy, peace, etc.), and in its repercus…
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23. Tongues: The Controversial Charism
1:28:05
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1:28:05The "gift of tongues" (or "speaking in tongues") has been an enduring topic of debate and even controversy within the mainstream Church, as perhaps no other gift has. However, as St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians indicates, prayer and praise tongues were a normal part of life in the early Church, and clearly have a place in the Christian l…
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22. Power Perfected in Weakness: Testimony by Alma Pederson
1:26:37
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1:26:37"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..." (Romans 8:28). Few can say this with greater assurance than Alma Pederson. One of Fr. Michael's parishioners, Alma shares vulnerably about her challenging upbringing: her years of growing up in a poor family in Mexico; her teenage years financially supporting her family in…
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21. Inner Healing: A Top Priority (Inner Healing Series)
1:34:24
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1:34:24What exactly is "inner healing"? Is it just another fad of pop spirituality? And if it's not, who needs it? Everyone, or just a few? The answer is: in a fallen world, we all need inner healing. In this episode, our hosts introduce the topic of inner healing, and its crucial role in the renewal of the Church. Topics covered in this episode include: …
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20. "I'm Catholic, and I've Never Experienced God"
2:01:11
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2:01:11"I hear about people having these powerful spiritual experiences, but I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life and never had one! I guess this is what's normal for me." Our hosts have heard this time and again from faithful Catholics, and they understand -- they too have been there. In this follow-up to Episode 4 (The Role of Supernatural Expe…
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19. The Tongue is a Fire (w/ Mary Bielski and Laura Shoulders)
1:13:05
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1:13:05The human tongue has real power. By our words, we can choose to reflect the image of God and to bring life and blessing to others, or we can speak death and deface the beauty and goodness of the world around us. In this conversation, Fr. Michael, Mary Bielski, and Laura Shoulders discuss the power of the tongue and the importance of our words. They…
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18. The Role of Women in the Church w/ Laura Shoulders & Mary Bielski
1:27:24
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1:27:24Providentially released on the (observed) Feast of the Annunciation, this episode is a an honest and affirming conversation between the two priests, and previous guests Laura and Mary, on the roles that women are called to in the Church today. While at first focusing on women's authority in ministry (including the true empowerment the Holy Spirit g…
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17. Kerygma: Reclaiming the Heart of the Gospel (w/ Laura Shoulders)
1:18:45
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1:18:45While faithful Catholics have many ways of approaching and discussing the Gospel narrative, there is one narrative that lies at its heart. "God so loved the world that he sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." In the season of Holy Week and Easter, there are so many points to reflect on that it's p…
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If you are a Christian, God speaks to you . . . and you can expect to hear Him. While our conscience can guide us to distinguish right and wrong, Christianity demands that we be more than just "decent", moral people. Through His Holy Spirit, He wants to give us concrete guidance in our lives as a Shepherd, Father, and Friend. In this episode, our h…
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15. The Power of Prophecy w/ Mike Nolan
1:18:37
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1:18:37What would you do if God spoke to you directly? God does still speak today through many believers who have the gift of prophecy, but he also wants to give you supernatural revelation to build up others as well! In this episode, Mike joins our hosts again to give an introductory explanation of the charism of prophecy – its varied forms and purposes …
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14. "Jesus Didn't Die for a Powerless Church": Testimony by Mike Nolan
1:15:12
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1:15:12In the face of the world's challenges, we Christians sometimes feel helpless and settle for spiritual maintenance. But the cross of Jesus has obtained much more for us than just spiritual survival. In his life and ministry, Mike Nolan demonstrates that we can unleash the power of God's kingdom all around us, by simply choosing to receive what alrea…
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12. Objections to the Charismatic Renewal, Part 1: Common Misconceptions
1:37:21
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1:37:21Christians seeking to live their faith more radically encounter many roadblocks, especially as they develop an interest in the spiritual gifts. In this challenging episode, our hosts attempt to address some of the common misconceptions that needlessly discourage Catholics in particular from embracing the charismatic renewal and spiritual gifts. Som…
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13. Objections to the Charismatic Renewal, Part 2: Real Dangers
1:34:17
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1:34:17While the previous episode addressed some misconceptions regarding the charismatic renewal and gifts, this episode spells out some of the concerns and even dangers that our hosts have observed within the charismatic lifestyle. While fear is useless (Mark 5:36), prudence and sometimes caution are necessary in the spiritual journey. This frank discus…
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11. God's Faithful Love: Testimony by Fr. Tony Cecil
1:29:42
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1:29:42Fr. Tony Cecil is a close friend of Fr. Chris who was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky in 2019. In his disarming and powerful testimony, Fr. Tony describes his early years growing up with a single father who modeled God's faithfulness to him; his first year as a priest, when anxiety and suffering compelled him to seek i…
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10. New Wineskins: The Purpose of Fasting (Lenten Special)
1:28:18
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1:28:18Why do we fast, practice self-denial, and learn to say “no” to ourselves? This episode offers a perspective on asceticism that is challenging, yet also profoundly positive. We Christians are called to pursue a radical lifestyle of fasting and self-denial – not to punish ourselves or earn God’s love, but to be freed from earthly attachments and to b…
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In our times of division and sifting, many Christians share the sense that God, far from abandoning his Church, is calling her members to a renewal of authentic purity of heart today. Mary Bielski (national Catholic speaker; founder, All4Him Ministries) shares her powerful testimony, and then joins our hosts to discuss purity of heart through both …
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9. Vocation: Calling, Not Identity (w/ Mary Bielski)
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1:03:47If you are struggling in the discernment and pursuit of your vocation, this episode is for you! Mary Bielski joins our hosts to address the difficulties that sincere Catholics, young and middle-aged, face today in pursuing or fully embracing God's calling. In particular, they discuss the discouragment and fear that arises when we conflate our bapti…
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7. Is Jesus Healing People Today? Physical Healing and the Gospel
1:27:11
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1:27:11What role - if any - should physical healing have in Christian life today? Using Scripture and personal testimony, our hosts explain why we should press in for physical healing in prayer: to manifest the compassion of Jesus and demonstrate the power of the Gospel to a world mired in skepticism and unbelief. Supernatural healing makes the Kingdom ta…
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6. Becoming the Beloved: Embracing Our Baptismal Identity
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1:07:26Should baptized people see themselves differently? At baptism, our identity is radically transformed from that of a loved creation of God, made in His image, to that of His own adopted son or daughter. But for many Christians, this does not translate to a radical awareness of their adoption by the Father. Our hosts share their insights on being a c…
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