Months ago, while thinking of what my next Friend of the Show Monthly Meetup study might be, I realized we really need a primer on how to study and interpret the Bible before we dive into a writing as rich as the Gospel of John. I suggested Ignite, then, and John's Gospel prevailed in the group vote.Returning from my July tour in Australia, I was also thinking of how to share the trip and all that Parousia Media, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, and I shared there, while also gearing up for my next podcast series (I had not definitively decided what the subject of the next series should be). I got to digging backward in my archives, and I HAVE NEVER DONE AN IGNITE SERIES.  I have never done a hermeneutic study; never taught people how to approach the Bible; never given you a map for how to study and interpret the Bible! I was stunned; I cannot believe it; I feel like a terrible daughter of the King!SO! This next series will be on Ignite. Get your signed copy here, or buy it on Amazon (unsigned, because I can't sign what doesn't ship from me), or if you're in Australia, get it at Parousia Media. I'll be sharing my whole trip, and how to study and interpret the Bible. Whether you're a beginner or student, this will be your hermeneutic - a Catholic standard for how to study and interpret what you read with the mind and heart of the historical Church - so you don't get lost in the genres or history timeline or geography or idioms or incomplete interpretations while reading and studying.Thank you with all my heart to my newest Friends of the Show, Christina N; Suzanne H; Petra K; Julie B*; Patricia H; Rebecca S; Claudia P; Rosanne B; Mary Z; Suzanne JK; Natalie C; Patricia B; Jeannette H; Sarah F; Gabriela M; Rosemary W; Yolanda J; Rebecca M; Kathleen F; Marina S; Erin R; Chloe F; Carolyn McG; Brigitte E; and Michael W, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content! *Extra thank you!Our new Monthly Meetup Bible study series on the Gospel of John for monthly Friends of the Show begins August 21st! ﻿Click here for Charbel Raish of Parousia Media's Australian Tour highlight video, including Deacon Harold's events and a brief overview of Parousia's ministry.Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers - Dynamic Deacon https://deaconharold.com/ Parousia https://www.parousiamedia.com/Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 – Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Minutes 24:01-36:00 – Minutes 36:01-48:00 – TranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Months ago, while thinking of what my next Friend of the Show Monthly Meetup study might be, I realized we really need a primer on how to study and interpret the Bible before we dive into a writing as rich as the Gospel of John. I suggested Ignite, then, and John's Gospel prevailed in the group vote. Returning from my July tour in Australia, I was also thinking of how to share the trip and all that Parousia Media, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, and I shared there, while also gearing up for my next podcast series (I had not definitively decided what the subject of the next series should be). I got to digging backward in my archives, and I HAVE NEVER DONE AN IGNITE SERIES.   I have never done a hermeneutic study; never taught people how to approach the Bible; never given you a map for how to study and interpret the Bible! I was stunned; I cannot believe it; I feel like a terrible daughter of the King! SO! This next series will be on Ignite. Get your signed copy here, or buy it on Amazon (unsigned, because I can't sign what doesn't ship from me), or if you're in Australia, get it at Parousia Media. I'll be sharing my whole trip, and how to study and interpret the Bible. Whether you're a beginner or student, this will be your hermeneutic - a Catholic standard for how to study and interpret what you read with the mind and heart of the historical Church - so you don't get lost in the genres or history timeline or geography or idioms or incomplete interpretations while reading and studying. Thank you with all my heart to my newest Friends of the Show, Christina N; Suzanne H; Petra K; Julie B*; Patricia H; Rebecca S; Claudia P; Rosanne B; Mary Z; Suzanne JK; Natalie C; Patricia B; Jeannette H; Sarah F; Gabriela M; Rosemary W; Yolanda J; Rebecca M; Kathleen F; Marina S; Erin R; Chloe F; Carolyn McG; Brigitte E; and Michael W, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content! *Extra thank you! Our new Monthly Meetup Bible study series on the Gospel of John for monthly Friends of the Show begins August 21st! ﻿ Click here for Charbel Raish of Parousia Media's Australian Tour highlight video, including Deacon Harold's events and a brief overview of Parousia's ministry. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers - Dynamic Deacon <a href="https://deaconharold.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://deaconharold.com/</a> Parousia <a href="https://www.parousiamedia.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.parousiamedia.com/</a> Join the Parousia mailing list at <a href="https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/</a> Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here <a href="https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/</a> to learn ways that you can contribute. LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  Minutes 12:01-24:00 –  Minutes 24:01-36:00 –  Minutes 36:01-48:00 –  Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

01_Ignite, Australian Tour Highlights

Koinonia is a transliterated form of the Greek word, meaning fellowship, solidarity, partnership, fullness of love, sharing all things in common, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, or a contribution. Koinonia is the state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Christian church, the Body of Christ. It includes spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit who embraces and empowers you to do all things.The Eucharist is the sacrament of communion with one another in the one Body of Christ. This was the full meaning of eucharistic koinonia in the early Catholic Church. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, "the Eucharist is the sacrament of the unity of the Church, which results from the fact that many are one in Christ."Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Dianne S; Jim &amp; Bella O'H; Bonnie C; Mary McG; Dawn M; Jeanne F; Gae C; Carlene G; Allison K; Madison T; Eileen N; Sarah R; Katie R, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of John! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Is there a Christian brother or sister with whom you need to make an attempt at reconciliation? Are you being called to full communion with the Catholic Church in the Eucharist? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 – HS makes alive the "dead" abstracts of the Creed and the Bible: they become personal, Jesus becomes present; they have power; LOVE as flame, living water; dead OT vs alive NTMinutes 12:01-24:00 – Trinity as unity; no divisions; koinonia = fellowship, reciprocity and mutuality, solidarity, sharing all things in common, fullness of love; spiritual gifts; what unity looks likeMinutes 24:01-36:00 – unity in the Eucharist, liturgy, communal life; Protestant vs Catholic community Minutes 36:01-48:00 – HS moves us to respect diversity and differences, not erase them; forgiveness and reconciliation; a current "difference of opinion" in the Church; unity + community = koinonia = HSTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Koinonia is a transliterated form of the Greek word, meaning fellowship, solidarity, partnership, fullness of love, sharing all things in common, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, or a contribution. Koinonia is the state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Christian church, the Body of Christ. It includes spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit who embraces and empowers you to do all things. The Eucharist is the sacrament of communion with one another in the one Body of Christ. This was the full meaning of eucharistic koinonia in the early Catholic Church. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, "the Eucharist is the sacrament of the unity of the Church, which results from the fact that many are one in Christ." Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Dianne S; Jim &amp; Bella O'H; Bonnie C; Mary McG; Dawn M; Jeanne F; Gae C; Carlene G; Allison K; Madison T; Eileen N; Sarah R; Katie R, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of John!  LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Is there a Christian brother or sister with whom you need to make an attempt at reconciliation? Are you being called to full communion with the Catholic Church in the Eucharist?  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 – HS makes alive the "dead" abstracts of the Creed and the Bible: they become personal, Jesus becomes present; they have power; LOVE as flame, living water; dead OT vs alive NT Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Trinity as unity; no divisions; koinonia = fellowship, reciprocity and mutuality, solidarity, sharing all things in common, fullness of love; spiritual gifts; what unity looks like Minutes 24:01-36:00 – unity in the Eucharist, liturgy, communal life; Protestant vs Catholic community  Minutes 36:01-48:00 – HS moves us to respect diversity and differences, not erase them; forgiveness and reconciliation; a current "difference of opinion" in the Church; unity + community = koinonia = HS Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

06_Koinonia

Discernment of spirits used to solely mean "diagnosing" whether someone was led by the Holy Spirit or the enemy. But it's more complicated than that, isn't it? The same person, even holy people, can be influenced by both the Holy Spirit and the enemy.Ignatius of Loyola compiled and systematized the Desert Fathers' tradition of discernment, so that now we understand "discernment of spirits" to mean deciding for oneself or another what must be attributed to the Holy Spirit, and what comes from one's own imagination or the suggestion of the enemy. Because St. Ignatius of Loyola's rules for discernment are so substantial, I have included a simplified version specific to discerning whether we are hearing from the Holy Spirit or not. (Copy, paste, print, and share!)Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Sarah S; Michael T*; Sheila I; and Roger L, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans! *Whoa, thank you!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)What decision are you trying to make right now for which you can use the Rules for Discernment to determine how the Holy Spirit is leading you? Are you also looking for His answer in your circumstances and in the daily readings?V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 – what it means to pray "in Jesus' Name"; rules of life and faith in religious communities and for each of us; how the Holy Spirit reveals Himself in Scripture and teaches through the ChurchMinutes 12:01-24:00 – the Church as the "pillar and foundation of truth," not the Bible (1Tim 3:15); "no Scripture is of private interpretation" (2Pet 1:20); the HS preserves the Church and us from errorMinutes 24:01-36:00 – love and obedience first: 1) Choose, 2) Deny Him nothing, 3) Remember the seasons; two types of HS inspirations; good and bad vs good and best Minutes 36:01-48:00 – rules for discerning the HS's voiceTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Discernment of spirits used to solely mean "diagnosing" whether someone was led by the Holy Spirit or the enemy. But it's more complicated than that, isn't it? The same person, even holy people, can be influenced by both the Holy Spirit and the enemy. Ignatius of Loyola compiled and systematized the Desert Fathers' tradition of discernment, so that now we understand "discernment of spirits" to mean deciding for oneself or another what must be attributed to the Holy Spirit, and what comes from one's own imagination or the suggestion of the enemy. Because St. Ignatius of Loyola's rules for discernment are so substantial, I have included a simplified version specific to discerning whether we are hearing from the Holy Spirit or not. (Copy, paste, print, and share!) Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Sarah S; Michael T*; Sheila I; and Roger L, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans! *Whoa, thank you! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿  O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) What decision are you trying to make right now for which you can use the Rules for Discernment to determine how the Holy Spirit is leading you? Are you also looking for His answer in your circumstances and in the daily readings? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 – what it means to pray "in Jesus' Name"; rules of life and faith in religious communities and for each of us; how the Holy Spirit reveals Himself in Scripture and teaches through the Church Minutes 12:01-24:00 – the Church as the "pillar and foundation of truth," not the Bible (1Tim 3:15); "no Scripture is of private interpretation" (2Pet 1:20); the HS preserves the Church and us from error Minutes 24:01-36:00 – love and obedience first: 1) Choose, 2) Deny Him nothing, 3) Remember the seasons; two types of HS inspirations; good and bad vs good and best  Minutes 36:01-48:00 – rules for discerning the HS's voice Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

05_Our Rule of Life, Discernment

When attempting to discern what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us, it's important to know the things that only He can do. Jesus and Mary model for us that when we see any of these things happening, we know it is an invitation to cooperate with Him. I mentioned in this episode that Jesus searched for fruit in the Jewish faith, and found none. But HE IS the fruit. Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Savior, is the fruit on the vine of Judaism. And we are the fruit of the tree of His Cross, through the Holy Spirit. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Lori K; Janice S; and Erin B, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)One of the most helpful tools in our arsenal against discouragement and despair in the spiritual life is "fruit searching." Where do you see fruit from the Holy Spirit's work in your life and the lives of those around you? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the fruit of His activity, remembering that as He reveals the fruit, it is also His invitation to cooperate with Him there. V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 – conviction of sin; not accusation but invitationMinutes 12:01-24:00 – conviction of righteousness and judgment; judgment falls on the enemy, not the peopleMinutes 24:01-36:00 – the suffering of God with manMinutes 36:01-48:00 – things only the Holy Spirit can doTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

When attempting to discern what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us, it's important to know the things that only He can do. Jesus and Mary model for us that when we see any of these things happening, we know it is an invitation to cooperate with Him.  I mentioned in this episode that Jesus searched for fruit in the Jewish faith, and found none. But HE IS the fruit. Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Savior, is the fruit on the vine of Judaism. And we are the fruit of the tree of His Cross, through the Holy Spirit.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Lori K; Janice S; and Erin B, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿  O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) One of the most helpful tools in our arsenal against discouragement and despair in the spiritual life is "fruit searching." Where do you see fruit from the Holy Spirit's work in your life and the lives of those around you? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the fruit of His activity, remembering that as He reveals the fruit, it is also His invitation to cooperate with Him there.  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 – conviction of sin; not accusation but invitation Minutes 12:01-24:00 – conviction of righteousness and judgment; judgment falls on the enemy, not the people Minutes 24:01-36:00 – the suffering of God with man Minutes 36:01-48:00 – things only the Holy Spirit can do Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

04_Things Only the Holy Spirit Can Do

The heaviest burden of man is not things and circumstances, it is himself. Man, himself, is a burden, because he does not want to be who he is before God and others."I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate [Counselor, Helper, Comforter, Intercessor, Paraclete] that He may abide with you forever" (John 14:16). The Advocate or Comforter is "another" - one like Jesus - but one Who abides forever, rather than temporarily as in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit advocates and comforts in three primary ways: 1) poverty, 2) presence, and 3) pleasure.When we have been comforted in our poverty with His presence, He becomes our pleasure. Then, and only then, we are able to also bear the burden of others' poverty with our presence, which becomes our pleasure. Ruth Burrows was quoted as saying, "It is a sacrifice to let others be who they are." When I have been fully and clearly received by God in my weakness, and He stays present to me, I am able to pass on that pleasure to others: the mercy sandwich. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Claire M; Gina K; Missy McK; and Michele R, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)The story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of God is in Genesis 32:22-32. You can read a reflection on it here. When you are confronted with and wrestling with your own weakness, do you confess it to God and to others readily? What if that's the necessary element to receiving His blessing in your weakness? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  servant versus Son; the promise of the HS as a new Genesis, a new creation; existence versus loveMinutes 12:01-24:00 – the HS comforts us in our weakness (poverty) and teaches us to love itMinutes 24:01-36:00 – humility and false humility; Jacob wrestles with the Angel, confesses his weakness, and receives a blessing (new name/identity)Minutes 36:01-48:00 – a new presence of Jesus, not a substitute; "you're my pleasure"TranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

The heaviest burden of man is not things and circumstances, it is himself. Man, himself, is a burden, because he does not want to be who he is before God and others. "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate [Counselor, Helper, Comforter, Intercessor, Paraclete] that He may abide with you forever" (John 14:16).  The Advocate or Comforter is "another" - one like Jesus - but one Who abides forever, rather than temporarily as in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit advocates and comforts in three primary ways: 1) poverty, 2) presence, and 3) pleasure. When we have been comforted in our poverty with His presence, He becomes our pleasure. Then, and only then, we are able to also bear the burden of others' poverty with our presence, which becomes our pleasure. Ruth Burrows was quoted as saying, "It is a sacrifice to let others be who they are." When I have been fully and clearly received by God in my weakness, and He stays present to me, I am able to pass on that pleasure to others: the mercy sandwich.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Claire M; Gina K; Missy McK; and Michele R, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿  O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) The story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of God is in Genesis 32:22-32. You can read a reflection on it here. When you are confronted with and wrestling with your own weakness, do you confess it to God and to others readily? What if that's the necessary element to receiving His blessing in your weakness?  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  servant versus Son; the promise of the HS as a new Genesis, a new creation; existence versus love Minutes 12:01-24:00 – the HS comforts us in our weakness (poverty) and teaches us to love it Minutes 24:01-36:00 – humility and false humility; Jacob wrestles with the Angel, confesses his weakness, and receives a blessing (new name/identity) Minutes 36:01-48:00 – a new presence of Jesus, not a substitute; "you're my pleasure" Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

03_Another Advocate, The Mercy Sandwich

The Holy Spirit is the intelligent love that connects everything in the universe. He is always active, always creating, always revealing, always incarnating in us, and always resurrecting. Where is he? “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3: 8). Mysterious. Unpredictable. You only “see” him by his effects.So, then, how do we see and hear the Holy Spirit? Jesus tells us there are two conditions.Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Karen C; Margaret J; Glen McD; Arlene R, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Obedience in love is the requirement for hearing the Holy Spirit speak to us and to seeing His activity in and around us. Where has He spoken to you about obedience through this episode? What do you want to say to Him about that? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  Jesus models how to hear and see God working; how not to hear the HS; God takes the initiativeMinutes 12:01-24:00 – "If you love me, keep my commandments"; an obedience problem is a love problem is a hearing problemMinutes 24:01-36:00 – love relationship is the key; unforgiveness as a block to hearing and seeing the HSMinutes 36:01-48:00 – authority issues as a block to hearing and seeing the HSTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

The Holy Spirit is the intelligent love that connects everything in the universe. He is always active, always creating, always revealing, always incarnating in us, and always resurrecting. Where is he? “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3: 8). Mysterious. Unpredictable. You only “see” him by his effects. So, then, how do we see and hear the Holy Spirit? Jesus tells us there are two conditions. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Karen C; Margaret J; Glen McD; Arlene R, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in a monthly Bible study on the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿  O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Obedience in love is the requirement for hearing the Holy Spirit speak to us and to seeing His activity in and around us. Where has He spoken to you about obedience through this episode? What do you want to say to Him about that?  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  Jesus models how to hear and see God working; how not to hear the HS; God takes the initiative Minutes 12:01-24:00 – "If you love me, keep my commandments"; an obedience problem is a love problem is a hearing problem Minutes 24:01-36:00 – love relationship is the key; unforgiveness as a block to hearing and seeing the HS Minutes 36:01-48:00 – authority issues as a block to hearing and seeing the HS Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

02_The Love Relationship, The Mystery of the Holy Spirit

In this hour of all-but-universal darkness, we need a spiritual deepening that makes us really dare to live out the power of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Nothing less will save us or our world. This series is an invitation to step into the fire of the Burning Bush, a fire that burns without consuming, without scorching, without singeing; a fire that arrives on the wind, is fed by the wind, and rests upon the crown of each disciple, sending him out to light flames of love and light in our world. This fire and wind is the Holy Spirit.O souls, created for these grandeurs and called to them! What are you doing? How are you spending your time? . . . You are blind to so brilliant a light and deaf to such loud voices. -John of the CrossThis series is not about the Charismatic Movement; it's not about tongues and miracles and healing. It's about a "still more excellent way" (1 Cor 13). Love, the POWER. The Mystery.First, we'll explore the mystery. The Holy Spirit reminds us that God is mystery. The Son is God revealed, no longer hidden. The Spirit is God who is still concealed, the unfathomable depths of God, unreachable and incomprehensible. “The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor 2:10). And "you know Him, because He dwells in you" (John 14:17).Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Jessica S; Savana A; Katherine P; Yolanda J; Celeste C; Carmen L; Lynne A; Anna B; and Angelica A, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: Our Bible study on the Book of Romans meets tonight!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Our Mass, the highest form of prayer, begins with, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" from 2 Corinthians 2:13. What do you know about "fellowship" after this episode? What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to?V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  dogma concerning the HS; wind and breath; the one who acts, but the act Himself; the Person of the HSMinutes 12:01-24:00 – HS in OT and NT; creating power, revealing power, incarnation power, resurrection powerMinutes 24:01-36:00 – the Person giftMinutes 36:01-48:00 – the gift of love; fruit of the Spirit, agape and eros; koinoniaTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

In this hour of all-but-universal darkness, we need a spiritual deepening that makes us really dare to live out the power of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Nothing less will save us or our world. This series is an invitation to step into the fire of the Burning Bush, a fire that burns without consuming, without scorching, without singeing; a fire that arrives on the wind, is fed by the wind, and rests upon the crown of each disciple, sending him out to light flames of love and light in our world. This fire and wind is the Holy Spirit. O souls, created for these grandeurs and called to them! What are you doing? How are you spending your time? . . . You are blind to so brilliant a light and deaf to such loud voices. -John of the Cross This series is not about the Charismatic Movement; it's not about tongues and miracles and healing. It's about a "still more excellent way" (1 Cor 13). Love, the POWER. The Mystery. First, we'll explore the mystery. The Holy Spirit reminds us that God is mystery. The Son is God revealed, no longer hidden. The Spirit is God who is still concealed, the unfathomable depths of God, unreachable and incomprehensible. “The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor 2:10). And "you know Him, because He dwells in you" (John 14:17). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Jessica S; Savana A; Katherine P; Yolanda J; Celeste C; Carmen L; Lynne A; Anna B; and Angelica A, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: Our Bible study on the Book of Romans meets tonight! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Our Mass, the highest form of prayer, begins with, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" from 2 Corinthians 2:13. What do you know about "fellowship" after this episode? What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  dogma concerning the HS; wind and breath; the one who acts, but the act Himself; the Person of the HS Minutes 12:01-24:00 – HS in OT and NT; creating power, revealing power, incarnation power, resurrection power Minutes 24:01-36:00 – the Person gift Minutes 36:01-48:00 – the gift of love; fruit of the Spirit, agape and eros; koinonia Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

01_The Mystery of the Holy Spirit, God Who Is Still Concealed

For this last, summary episode in the Angels series, I am offering the best concise 48-minute synopsis on angels and spiritual warfare I know of. Ha! The Bible shows us that the spiritual battle we are all engaged in is centered on fear versus faith. So please enjoy the first chapter of my book Fearless, without interruption.Technical note: the podcast hosting service I use has not been working for over a week; this is why you did not get this podcast last week. I couldn't get it fixed between Holy Week, Easter, and Monday when my silent retreat began. As a work-around (it's still not working), I added the audio through the native player on my site, so it looks different. I should have it fixed by the next series in a few weeks. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Morgan J; Monica H*; Savana A; Jessica S; and Elysia G, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans!*A special "thank you"!LOVE the Word® is a method of praying with Scripture based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)I learned so much through researching and offering this series for you! What was your main takeaway? How about sharing it with us in community, here? I'll share mine with you too!V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Holy Archangels, pray for us. All you Holy Angels, pray for us. Angel of God, guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer live streams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesJohn of Damascus, An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book II Chapters 3-4Catholic Encyclopedia, AngelsSt. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, First Part Question 108Dionysius the Areopagite, The Celestial HierarchyOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  Fearless, Conquer Your Demons and Love with Abandon, Chapter 1, Sonja CorbittMinutes 12:01-24:00 –  continuedMinutes 24:01-36:00 – continuedMinutes 36:01-48:00 – continuedTranscriptGet the Fearless book and/or audio book here.

For this last, summary episode in the Angels series, I am offering the best concise 48-minute synopsis on angels and spiritual warfare I know of. Ha! The Bible shows us that the spiritual battle we are all engaged in is centered on fear versus faith. So please enjoy the first chapter of my book Fearless, without interruption. Technical note: the podcast hosting service I use has not been working for over a week; this is why you did not get this podcast last week. I couldn't get it fixed between Holy Week, Easter, and Monday when my silent retreat began. As a work-around (it's still not working), I added the audio through the native player on my site, so it looks different. I should have it fixed by the next series in a few weeks.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Morgan J; Monica H*; Savana A; Jessica S; and Elysia G, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans!*A special "thank you"! LOVE the Word® is a method of praying with Scripture based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) I learned so much through researching and offering this series for you! What was your main takeaway? How about sharing it with us in community, here? I'll share mine with you too! V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Holy Archangels, pray for us. All you Holy Angels, pray for us. Angel of God, guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer live streams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes John of Damascus, An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book II Chapters 3-4 Catholic Encyclopedia, Angels St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, First Part Question 108 Dionysius the Areopagite, The Celestial Hierarchy Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  Fearless, Conquer Your Demons and Love with Abandon, Chapter 1, Sonja Corbitt Minutes 12:01-24:00 –  continued Minutes 24:01-36:00 – continued Minutes 36:01-48:00 – continued Transcript Get the Fearless book and/or audio book here.

07_Angels Series Takeaway

This series probes what the Bible, the Catechism, Church Fathers, St. Thomas Aquinas, and contemporary exorcists reveal about angels, their relationship to God, one another, and the human race. Episode 1 explores what it means to say angels are "spiritual and incorporeal beings" and the extraordinary powers and abilities they employ in their tasks.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Laura H; Alisa K; Robin N; Deborah B; Robin D; Carrie JH; Joanna C*; Silvia F; Dorothy G; Clara G; Jane M; Kim R; Christine Y; Genevieve M; Jamie R*; Marcie C; Jean A; MJO; Monica M; Gabriela M; Jill S; Kate H; Mary W; Michele Van W; and Norma C, for loving and lifting me! *A special “thank you” for your generosity! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Have you ever experienced angelic visitation or intervention? How do you know? If you've never said "hello" to your guardian angel, do so now, since he is with you this very moment.What more do you want to know about angels? You might ask the Holy Spirit, directly, to teach you what you want to know throughout this series.  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Holy Archangels, pray for us. All you Holy Angels, pray for us. Angel of God, guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer live streams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesJohn of Damascus, An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book II Chapters 3-4Catholic Encyclopedia, AngelsOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  The Catechism and Catholic Encyclopedia as the structural context for our exploration of angels; what the Catechism says about angelsMinutes 12:01-24:00 – Biblical languages and their nuances for the word "angel;" messengers of God; when the angels were created; Genesis 1Minutes 24:01-36:00 – John of Damascus on angels Minutes 36:01-48:00 – St. Thomas Aquinas on the angels' nature; what it means that they are "spiritual" and "incorporeal," or bodiless TranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

This series probes what the Bible, the Catechism, Church Fathers, St. Thomas Aquinas, and contemporary exorcists reveal about angels, their relationship to God, one another, and the human race. Episode 1 explores what it means to say angels are "spiritual and incorporeal beings" and the extraordinary powers and abilities they employ in their tasks.   Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Laura H; Alisa K; Robin N; Deborah B; Robin D; Carrie JH; Joanna C*; Silvia F; Dorothy G; Clara G; Jane M; Kim R; Christine Y; Genevieve M; Jamie R*; Marcie C; Jean A; MJO; Monica M; Gabriela M; Jill S; Kate H; Mary W; Michele Van W; and Norma C, for loving and lifting me! *A special “thank you” for your generosity! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿﻿  O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Have you ever experienced angelic visitation or intervention? How do you know? If you've never said "hello" to your guardian angel, do so now, since he is with you this very moment. What more do you want to know about angels? You might ask the Holy Spirit, directly, to teach you what you want to know throughout this series.   V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Holy Archangels, pray for us. All you Holy Angels, pray for us. Angel of God, guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer live streams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes John of Damascus, An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book II Chapters 3-4 Catholic Encyclopedia, Angels Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  The Catechism and Catholic Encyclopedia as the structural context for our exploration of angels; what the Catechism says about angels Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Biblical languages and their nuances for the word "angel;" messengers of God; when the angels were created; Genesis 1 Minutes 24:01-36:00 – John of Damascus on angels  Minutes 36:01-48:00 – St. Thomas Aquinas on the angels' nature; what it means that they are "spiritual" and "incorporeal," or bodiless  Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

01_Angels Are Spiritual Creatures

Sonja Corbitt

New around here? Welcome!Woops! I just tripped myself trying to curtsy for you in my schlepping boots (seriously, the html keeps kicking out my left arrow, curtsy, right arrow). No problem. I’m more flaming Bible teacher than Southern belle anyway, hence the “evangelista” moniker. Yes, I made up a word, but it’s entirely applicable, since by definition an evangelist simply shares the good news of the Gospel from his own point of view. And honey I’m no “him,” but I always have a point of view, so I’m your evangelistaaaah.Speaking of good news, isn’t holiness more domestic than cosmic (right?) — in the trenches of dirty bathrooms, fighting children, irritable spouses, the struggle to stop raging or overeating, crazy schedules, and overwhelming workloads? We’re all sweating and dirty with the effort to love and lift all He’s given to us (John 17) – those people, duties, callings, and longings that break our hearts and make them sing, sometimes at the same time. But most times, we need to be loved and lifted ourselves.So my Bible study media resources are created with you in mind, always with an emphasis on healing and rest. Bites of spinach that taste like cake, to help you make a space in your busy heart and schedule for God to love and lift you all the all the way up into His great lap, where all you’ve been given is loved and lifted too.My message is simple: Jesus literally loves you to death; let Him. I found that impossible once, myself – due to a deep, raw father wound – but I can’t wait to show you what the Lord taught me in the Scriptures in the times I was hurting, guilty, enraged, lonely, discouraged, and exhausted.How about we get started? Take a listen, below, and let’s find out where God wants to begin loving and lifting you through the Scriptures!Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Deborah B; Robin D; Carrie JH; Joanna C*; Silvia F; Dorothy G; Clara G; Jane M; Kim R; Christine Y; Genevieve M; Jamie R*; Marcie C; Jean A; MJO; Monica M; Gabriela M; Jill S; Kate H; Mary W; Michele Van W; and Norma C, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans!  *A special "thank you" for your generosity!  LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Next SeriesIt's Lent. It's time for you to be healed.ConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.

New around here? Welcome! Woops! I just tripped myself trying to curtsy for you in my schlepping boots (seriously, the html keeps kicking out my left arrow, curtsy, right arrow). No problem. I’m more flaming Bible teacher than Southern belle anyway, hence the “evangelista” moniker. Yes, I made up a word, but it’s entirely applicable, since by definition an evangelist simply shares the good news of the Gospel from his own point of view. And honey I’m no “him,” but I always have a point of view, so I’m your evangelistaaaah. Speaking of good news, isn’t holiness more domestic than cosmic (right?) — in the trenches of dirty bathrooms, fighting children, irritable spouses, the struggle to stop raging or overeating, crazy schedules, and overwhelming workloads? We’re all sweating and dirty with the effort to love and lift all He’s given to us (John 17) – those people, duties, callings, and longings that break our hearts and make them sing, sometimes at the same time. But most times, we need to be loved and lifted ourselves. So my Bible study media resources are created with you in mind, always with an emphasis on healing and rest. Bites of spinach that taste like cake, to help you make a space in your busy heart and schedule for God to love and lift you all the all the way up into His great lap, where all you’ve been given is loved and lifted too. My message is simple: Jesus literally loves you to death; let Him. I found that impossible once, myself – due to a deep, raw father wound – but I can’t wait to show you what the Lord taught me in the Scriptures in the times I was hurting, guilty, enraged, lonely, discouraged, and exhausted. How about we get started? Take a listen, below, and let’s find out where God wants to begin loving and lifting you through the Scriptures! Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Deborah B; Robin D; Carrie JH; Joanna C*; Silvia F; Dorothy G; Clara G; Jane M; Kim R; Christine Y; Genevieve M; Jamie R*; Marcie C; Jean A; MJO; Monica M; Gabriela M; Jill S; Kate H; Mary W; Michele Van W; and Norma C, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans!  *A special "thank you" for your generosity!  LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)   O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)   V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)   E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Next Series It's Lent. It's time for you to be healed. Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.

Who Is Sonja Corbitt? An Introduction

love and lift all you’ve been given // Catholic media created with you in mind, Bible study spinach that taste like cake. What’s an “evangelista”? Find out at biblestudyevangelista.com.

Gratitude is the only thing that has been found to actually increase your baseline happiness, called dispositional happiness. Other things, such as self-medication, will cause a temporary increase in happiness, but then you return to the baseline. But over time gratitude increases dispositional well-being, or happiness, permanently!Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Jennifer M; Deborah W; and Maureen G, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Which of the strategies for practicing gratitude do you feel most drawn to? Can you implement each one? Is it surprising that God made thanksgiving good for us? What do you want to say to Him about that? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our families and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, through Whom all blessing from You is possible. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesLinks to 198 studies on gratitude.Overview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  reviewing the difference between gratitude and thanksgiving; understanding dispositional gratitude and dispositional happiness Minutes 12:01-24:00 – research findings on how and why gratitude affects happiness Minutes 24:01-36:00 – more studies and their findings; strategies for practicing gratitude: saying "thank you," writing letters, gratitude journalMinutes 36:01-48:00 – Ignatius Examen, counting the steps, smile, reframing, random acts of kindness (love bombs); the meaning of charity; creation thanks GodTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Gratitude is the only thing that has been found to actually increase your baseline happiness, called dispositional happiness. Other things, such as self-medication, will cause a temporary increase in happiness, but then you return to the baseline. But over time gratitude increases dispositional well-being, or happiness, permanently! Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Jennifer M; Deborah W; and Maureen G, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Which of the strategies for practicing gratitude do you feel most drawn to? Can you implement each one? Is it surprising that God made thanksgiving good for us? What do you want to say to Him about that?  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our families and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, through Whom all blessing from You is possible. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Links to 198 studies on gratitude. Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  reviewing the difference between gratitude and thanksgiving; understanding dispositional gratitude and dispositional happiness  Minutes 12:01-24:00 – research findings on how and why gratitude affects happiness  Minutes 24:01-36:00 – more studies and their findings; strategies for practicing gratitude: saying "thank you," writing letters, gratitude journal Minutes 36:01-48:00 – Ignatius Examen, counting the steps, smile, reframing, random acts of kindness (love bombs); the meaning of charity; creation thanks God Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

04_How & Why Gratitude Heals

According to the Scriptures, complaining and thanksgiving are both multipliers. Complaining multiplies scarcity, fear, futility, and purposelessness; while thanksgiving multiplies a few loaves and fishes to feed all who are present, with plenty left over.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Jannifer S, and Carolyn McK, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Have you thought about how thanksgiving for what "little" you might have could actually be the catalyst for receiving more from God as a gift? What has the Lord said to you about that through this episode? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our families and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, through Whom all blessing from You is possible. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  overview of NT prayers of thanksgiving in the Gospels and Paul Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Jesus' prayers of thanksgiving and what they brought forthMinutes 24:01-36:00 – thanksgiving is not for God; what God desires from us in thanksgiving, and what happens when we are properly thankful, especially in sufferingMinutes 36:01-48:00 – an overview of "thanksgiving" in the CatechismTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

According to the Scriptures, complaining and thanksgiving are both multipliers. Complaining multiplies scarcity, fear, futility, and purposelessness; while thanksgiving multiplies a few loaves and fishes to feed all who are present, with plenty left over.   Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Jannifer S, and Carolyn McK, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja in our Bible study on the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Have you thought about how thanksgiving for what "little" you might have could actually be the catalyst for receiving more from God as a gift? What has the Lord said to you about that through this episode?  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our families and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, through Whom all blessing from You is possible. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  overview of NT prayers of thanksgiving in the Gospels and Paul  Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Jesus' prayers of thanksgiving and what they brought forth Minutes 24:01-36:00 – thanksgiving is not for God; what God desires from us in thanksgiving, and what happens when we are properly thankful, especially in suffering Minutes 36:01-48:00 – an overview of "thanksgiving" in the Catechism Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

03_Thanksgiving Is the Multiplier

Once, when wallowing in suffering and complaining to God, "Why me?", He answered me with, "Why not you?"It was a sobering question that re-ordered my negative thinking toward thankfulness for all the terrible things I didn't have that I could. That was when I realized it can always be worse, a reality I remind myself of every time something "bad" happens. The Jewish practice of praying the Eighteen Benedictions, or The Amidah, taught them that everything in life is ultimately a gift - undeserved and unmerited - from the great Benefactor, Who is gift Himself. Such a practice of constant thanksgiving centers one's life on eternity and prevents the faith-killing entitlement that leads to futility, purposelessness, negativity, and finally hell. Because the truth is, everything is gift, and we don't deserve any gift whatsoever. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Ashley L; Tina S; Holly A; Amanda S; Beth W; Peggy H; Glora C; G&amp;H E; Mary S*, Mary P; Jennifer A*; Anita C; Elizabeth P*; Diana R*; Debby F; Dawn M; Maria H; Theresa H; Stella V; Kerry K; and Christina S, for loving and lifting me! *A special "thank you" for your generosity! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: Our Bible study on the Book of Romans meets January 9!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)The familiar Mass prayer, "Blessed are You, Lord God of all creation, through Your goodness we have received this bread to offer..." is a traditional prayer of blessing over a meal. Do you say a blessing over your meals? Always? In public? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about that?V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our families and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, through Whom all blessing from You is possible. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesPrevious episode on the Our FatherOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  Jewish prayers of thanksgiving, or blessing; The Amidah, or Eighteen BenedictionsMinutes 12:01-24:00 – life is all blessingMinutes 24:01-36:00 – the biblical connections between gratitude and humility, ingratitude and futility and purposelessnessMinutes 36:01-48:00 – the biblical connection between gratitude and wisdom and restTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Once, when wallowing in suffering and complaining to God, "Why me?", He answered me with, "Why not you?" It was a sobering question that re-ordered my negative thinking toward thankfulness for all the terrible things I didn't have that I could. That was when I realized it can always be worse, a reality I remind myself of every time something "bad" happens.  The Jewish practice of praying the Eighteen Benedictions, or The Amidah, taught them that everything in life is ultimately a gift - undeserved and unmerited - from the great Benefactor, Who is gift Himself. Such a practice of constant thanksgiving centers one's life on eternity and prevents the faith-killing entitlement that leads to futility, purposelessness, negativity, and finally hell. Because the truth is, everything is gift, and we don't deserve any gift whatsoever.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Ashley L; Tina S; Holly A; Amanda S; Beth W; Peggy H; Glora C; G&amp;H E; Mary S*, Mary P; Jennifer A*; Anita C; Elizabeth P*; Diana R*; Debby F; Dawn M; Maria H; Theresa H; Stella V; Kerry K; and Christina S, for loving and lifting me! *A special "thank you" for your generosity! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: Our Bible study on the Book of Romans meets January 9! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) The familiar Mass prayer, "Blessed are You, Lord God of all creation, through Your goodness we have received this bread to offer..." is a traditional prayer of blessing over a meal. Do you say a blessing over your meals? Always? In public? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about that? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our families and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, through Whom all blessing from You is possible. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Previous episode on the Our Father Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  Jewish prayers of thanksgiving, or blessing; The Amidah, or Eighteen Benedictions Minutes 12:01-24:00 – life is all blessing Minutes 24:01-36:00 – the biblical connections between gratitude and humility, ingratitude and futility and purposelessness Minutes 36:01-48:00 – the biblical connection between gratitude and wisdom and rest Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

02_Life Is a Benediction

Gratitude is a worldview, but is it a secular worldview or a sacred one? If gratitude is so obviously good for us, emotionally and physically, why are we so ungrateful? And why are Christians who have so much to be grateful for as negative and as physically unhealthy as the godless? Biblical gratitude helps us return our hearts to the eternal. Living in the midst of so many evils, temptations, and sins, the problem becomes losing sight of the eternal, of becoming distracted. Gratitude helps us focus properly, and that’s why it heals.In this episode, we look at the etymology of the word gratitude, "the three benes," the differences between the secular and sacred views of gratitude, and the number one reason why we should be grateful. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Cheri M, Sheila H, and Frances P, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: Our Bible study on the Book of Romans meets January 9!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Do you seek the Lord "diligently"? Do God's words to Abram, "I am your exceedingly great reward" fall flat for you in the face of your suffering? What do you want to say to Him about that?V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our family and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior. Amen. +It's Time for You to Be HealedConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  secular and sacred views of gratitude; the problem with Cain's offeringMinutes 12:01-24:00 – Old Testament and New Testament evolution of the concept of thanksgiving; the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin language roots of the term "gratitude"Minutes 24:01-36:00 – the three benesMinutes 36:01-48:00 – God's "goodness" to Abram; the number one reason to be gratefulTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Gratitude is a worldview, but is it a secular worldview or a sacred one? If gratitude is so obviously good for us, emotionally and physically, why are we so ungrateful? And why are Christians who have so much to be grateful for as negative and as physically unhealthy as the godless? Biblical gratitude helps us return our hearts to the eternal. Living in the midst of so many evils, temptations, and sins, the problem becomes losing sight of the eternal, of becoming distracted. Gratitude helps us focus properly, and that’s why it heals. In this episode, we look at the etymology of the word gratitude, "the three benes," the differences between the secular and sacred views of gratitude, and the number one reason why we should be grateful.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Cheri M, Sheila H, and Frances P, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: Our Bible study on the Book of Romans meets January 9! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿  O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Do you seek the Lord "diligently"? Do God's words to Abram, "I am your exceedingly great reward" fall flat for you in the face of your suffering? What do you want to say to Him about that? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for all of the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage; our food and shelter; our health; the loves we have for one another, our family and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior. Amen. + It's Time for You to Be Healed Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community  for healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:00-12:00 –  secular and sacred views of gratitude; the problem with Cain's offering Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Old Testament and New Testament evolution of the concept of thanksgiving; the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin language roots of the term "gratitude" Minutes 24:01-36:00 – the three benes Minutes 36:01-48:00 – God's "goodness" to Abram; the number one reason to be grateful Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

01_The Number One Reason to Be Grateful

Perhaps we think back to the Garden of Eden and imagine how glorious it would be to live like Adam and Eve in Paradise before the fall, with our souls clear and free and full of light, and in full and immediate control of the appetites of the body. Or we try to imagine our lives without the darkness and difficulties of the suffering we have personally endured? What kind of healthy, happy person "might have been"?What if the elevation of the human person in Christ is actually BETTER than it would have been if sin and suffering had never entered the human picture? What if you, yourself, are becoming BETTER through the healing of your personal suffering, in Christ, than you would have been if you had never experienced that suffering?Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Chloe F; Noreen C; and Ester L, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're studying the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Is the Holy Spirit inviting you to consider your personal suffering differently? Is it too hard to even imagine that He could elevate you ABOVE what your potential would have been without that suffering?V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Tell Him everything in your heart right now. Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Precious Blood of Jesus, flow through me. Mary, Mother of Divine Love, take the Precious Blood of Jesus to the throne of God, the Father, and offer it in sweet humble adoration, then send it back flowing by the Holy Spirit as a healing of body, mind, heart, and soul. Grant me complete and total healing as I cooperate with you, Lord Jesus, in the healing of my soul and body as you direct. Amen. +Get Healed Already!ConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community, where I'm offering healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:12:00 – Suffering, its meaning and purpose as personal and apostolic purification in John Paul II's Salvifici Doloris Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Creation, angels, the Garden and sinlessness, the soul's full, immediate control of the bodyMinutes 24:01-36:00 – The disorder of soul and body at the Fall, and loss of control of the body; restoration and elevation in Christ and proper hierarchy of the human personMinutes 36:01-48:00 – O happy fault!, "grace builds on nature," "where sin abounds, grace superabounds," and the implicationsTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Perhaps we think back to the Garden of Eden and imagine how glorious it would be to live like Adam and Eve in Paradise before the fall, with our souls clear and free and full of light, and in full and immediate control of the appetites of the body. Or we try to imagine our lives without the darkness and difficulties of the suffering we have personally endured? What kind of healthy, happy person "might have been"? What if the elevation of the human person in Christ is actually BETTER than it would have been if sin and suffering had never entered the human picture? What if you, yourself, are becoming BETTER through the healing of your personal suffering, in Christ, than you would have been if you had never experienced that suffering? Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Chloe F; Noreen C; and Ester L, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're studying the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Is the Holy Spirit inviting you to consider your personal suffering differently? Is it too hard to even imagine that He could elevate you ABOVE what your potential would have been without that suffering? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Tell Him everything in your heart right now.  Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Precious Blood of Jesus, flow through me. Mary, Mother of Divine Love, take the Precious Blood of Jesus to the throne of God, the Father, and offer it in sweet humble adoration, then send it back flowing by the Holy Spirit as a healing of body, mind, heart, and soul. Grant me complete and total healing as I cooperate with you, Lord Jesus, in the healing of my soul and body as you direct. Amen. + Get Healed Already! Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community, where I'm offering healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:12:00 – Suffering, its meaning and purpose as personal and apostolic purification in John Paul II's Salvifici Doloris  Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Creation, angels, the Garden and sinlessness, the soul's full, immediate control of the body Minutes 24:01-36:00 – The disorder of soul and body at the Fall, and loss of control of the body; restoration and elevation in Christ and proper hierarchy of the human person Minutes 36:01-48:00 – O happy fault!, "grace builds on nature," "where sin abounds, grace superabounds," and the implications Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

03_Degradation of the Body, Physical Healing and Faith Series

It's hard to impossible to be physically healthy when you hate your body. Media, trauma, disease, pregnancies, abuse, ageing, bullying - how a person perceives her appearance and feels in his body directly impacts his or her physical health. What is the truth about your body?"The human body shares in the dignity of "the image of God": it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit . . . For this reason man may not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good and to hold it in honour since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day" (CCC 364-365). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Patty K; Michele F; Donna H; Mary L; Carlene G; Kathy B; Elaina C; Christine D; Suzette S; Deb F; Katrina H; Leslie A; Barbara S; John P; Casey M; and Linda P, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're studying the Book of Romans!September's Monthly Bible Study Meet-up for Friends of the Show is September 19 at 7:00 PM CDT. LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿﻿O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)What events or relationships in your life affected your body image? Have you talked to God about that? Do you see your body at all differently after this episode?V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Tell Him everything in your heart right now. Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +Go Deeper in Your HealingConnectJoin me in the Sacred Healing community, where I'm offering healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:12:00 – Outline of the new series, biblical emphasis on the body for salvationMinutes 12:01-24:00 – Christian view on human person as spirit and matter, "woven veil" in the OT tabernacle and the body as a veil for the Spirit of God in the Holy of Holies of the soulMinutes 24:01-36:00 – heresies from church history regarding the body; Gospel of the Body; Incarnation, Assumption, and ResurrectionMinutes 36:01-48:00 – physical healing in the Bible and throughout church history, Veritatis Splendor on what one does in the body affects the soul and vice versaTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

It's hard to impossible to be physically healthy when you hate your body. Media, trauma, disease, pregnancies, abuse, ageing, bullying - how a person perceives her appearance and feels in his body directly impacts his or her physical health. What is the truth about your body? "The human body shares in the dignity of "the image of God": it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit . . . For this reason man may not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good and to hold it in honour since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day" (CCC 364-365).  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Patty K; Michele F; Donna H; Mary L; Carlene G; Kathy B; Elaina C; Christine D; Suzette S; Deb F; Katrina H; Leslie A; Barbara S; John P; Casey M; and Linda P, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're studying the Book of Romans! September's Monthly Bible Study Meet-up for Friends of the Show is September 19 at 7:00 PM CDT.  LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) What events or relationships in your life affected your body image? Have you talked to God about that? Do you see your body at all differently after this episode? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Tell Him everything in your heart right now.  Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + Go Deeper in Your Healing Connect Join me in the Sacred Healing community, where I'm offering healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:12:00 – Outline of the new series, biblical emphasis on the body for salvation Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Christian view on human person as spirit and matter, "woven veil" in the OT tabernacle and the body as a veil for the Spirit of God in the Holy of Holies of the soul Minutes 24:01-36:00 – heresies from church history regarding the body; Gospel of the Body; Incarnation, Assumption, and Resurrection Minutes 36:01-48:00 – physical healing in the Bible and throughout church history, Veritatis Splendor on what one does in the body affects the soul and vice versa Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

01_Somata, Meaning “Bodies” – Physical Healing and Faith Series

Unity, permanence, holiness, reverence, glory: "For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church" (Eph 5:29-32).This is where I get to tell you some wonderful news from here on the home front about the Catholic Evangelista apostolate. The next series, Somata, on physical healing begins September 12!Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Norma C; Natalie C; and Chris G, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're studying the Book of Romans!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Has the Holy Spirit brought to mind a way you are thankful for your spouse or community? What can you do to show them your appreciation and gratitude? What do you want to say to Him about that?V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Tell Him everything in your heart right now. Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +ConnectTake the next step in your healing journey. Join me in Sacred Healing, where I'm offering healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:12:00 – Catholic Encyclopedia on Ephesians 5:22-33Minutes 12:01-24:00 – final thoughts on cherishing one another in marriage and other vocationsMinutes 24:01-36:00 – next series is on physical healingMinutes 36:01-48:00 – news from home and ministryTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Unity, permanence, holiness, reverence, glory: "For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church" (Eph 5:29-32). This is where I get to tell you some wonderful news from here on the home front about the Catholic Evangelista apostolate. The next series, Somata, on physical healing begins September 12! Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Norma C; Natalie C; and Chris G, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're studying the Book of Romans! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Has the Holy Spirit brought to mind a way you are thankful for your spouse or community? What can you do to show them your appreciation and gratitude? What do you want to say to Him about that? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Tell Him everything in your heart right now.  Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + Connect Take the next step in your healing journey. Join me in Sacred Healing, where I'm offering healing prayer livestreams, Bible studies, LOVE the Word® takeaways, a healing masterclass and other courses, a dynamic phone app, and a flourishing community to help you experience deeper healing.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:12:00 – Catholic Encyclopedia on Ephesians 5:22-33 Minutes 12:01-24:00 – final thoughts on cherishing one another in marriage and other vocations Minutes 24:01-36:00 – next series is on physical healing Minutes 36:01-48:00 – news from home and ministry Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

07_Cherished Takes Time, Cherished Series

So you're needy? You were created to be needy. In fact, you were created with an abyss of neediness because your neediness was meant to be satisfied. You were created to be cherished. Adam and Eve were created needy: they needed food, water, work, and intimate relationship before sin ever entered the Garden. The tragedy of sin was that it separated Adam and Eve from the Source that was meant to satiate their neediness. But Jesus restored our connection to the Source. So embrace your neediness, direct it properly, and you will grow out of leeching and/or stoic behaviors that prevent you from fully satiating the neediness that otherwise eats you alive. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show Ann T; Amarys R; Mariann H; Michele T; Jessica J; Mary C; Fidelis L; Peggy P; Susan D; Martina MacD; Tracy D; James McN; Ellen C; Linda D; Mary McJ; Peggy H; Hannah C; Michelle M; Susan G; Rebecca H; and Amy B for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're starting our Bible study on the Book of Romans this week!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Where do you turn when you feel needy and weak? Have you noticed that your tendency to grasp outwardly for love is driven by feelings of abandonment, rejection, and or worthlessness? What happened during your Emmanuel Moment? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +ConnectI am no longer on Facebook. Join us in the new community forum, where we're talking about spiritual gifts, daily LOVE the Word takeaways, healing, caregiver support, and lots more. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:12:00 – general outline of the Cherished series, the biological need for love, neediness in the GardenMinutes 12:01-24:00 –  satiate, not substitute; the pain of separation and judgment Minutes 24:01-36:00 – embracing neediness and weakness, leech vs. stoic, Emmanuel MomentMinutes 36:01-48:00 – the limbic system and how it relates to music, art, prayer, meditation, emotion, healing; Mary shows us how to experience being cherishedTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

So you're needy? You were created to be needy. In fact, you were created with an abyss of neediness because your neediness was meant to be satisfied. You were created to be cherished.  Adam and Eve were created needy: they needed food, water, work, and intimate relationship before sin ever entered the Garden. The tragedy of sin was that it separated Adam and Eve from the Source that was meant to satiate their neediness. But Jesus restored our connection to the Source. So embrace your neediness, direct it properly, and you will grow out of leeching and/or stoic behaviors that prevent you from fully satiating the neediness that otherwise eats you alive.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show Ann T; Amarys R; Mariann H; Michele T; Jessica J; Mary C; Fidelis L; Peggy P; Susan D; Martina MacD; Tracy D; James McN; Ellen C; Linda D; Mary McJ; Peggy H; Hannah C; Michelle M; Susan G; Rebecca H; and Amy B for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're starting our Bible study on the Book of Romans this week! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Where do you turn when you feel needy and weak? Have you noticed that your tendency to grasp outwardly for love is driven by feelings of abandonment, rejection, and or worthlessness? What happened during your Emmanuel Moment?  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + Connect I am no longer on Facebook. Join us in the new community forum, where we're talking about spiritual gifts, daily LOVE the Word takeaways, healing, caregiver support, and lots more.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:12:00 – general outline of the Cherished series, the biological need for love, neediness in the Garden Minutes 12:01-24:00 –  satiate, not substitute; the pain of separation and judgment  Minutes 24:01-36:00 – embracing neediness and weakness, leech vs. stoic, Emmanuel Moment Minutes 36:01-48:00 – the limbic system and how it relates to music, art, prayer, meditation, emotion, healing; Mary shows us how to experience being cherished Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

01_So You’re Needy?, Cherished Series

Sandwiched between St. Paul's sermon on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, and his correction of abuses of sign gifts in chapter 14, is perhaps the most beautiful treatise on love ever written. Should you have all the "best," most visible gifts, should you know and understand everything there is to know and understand, should you be martyred -- none of it profits you nor anyone else a thing, if not rooted in love.If the subject of spiritual gifts is new to you, the process of discerning your gifts may be confusing or overwhelming. What a comfort to realize we ultimately only need to "do" one thing: abide in love. So, what is love, really?Take the spiritual gifts inventory quiz and learn about the gifts. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show Sania K; Monica J; Trena W; Cyndy Mc; Joene M; Barbara O; and Mary C, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're starting our Bible study on the Book of Romans next month!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)What is the most impactful thing you have learned throughout this series on spiritual gifts? Are your spiritual gifts beginning to manifest more clearly? Have you drawn closer to the Holy Spirit? Perhaps this prayer by St. Bonaventure can help draw you more deeply into the love of the Holy Trinity: "Holy Spirit, I love you; Holy Spirit I invite you; Holy Spirit I expect you." Come Holy Spirit!  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +ConnectI am no longer on Facebook. Join us in the new community forum, where we're talking about spiritual gifts, daily LOVE the Word takeaways, healing, caregiver support, and lots more. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:12:00 – fanning our gifts into flame (1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 1:6)Minutes 12:01-24:00 –  St. Paul addresses abuses of sign gifts; 1 Corinthians 13Minutes 24:01-36:00 – defining "love," agape = treating others better than they deserve when it's in their best interestMinutes 36:01-48:00 – renewing the churchResourcesDecree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Pope Paul VIOn the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, Christefideles Laici, Pope John Paul IIFruitful Discipleship, Sherry WeddellIuvenescit Ecclesia, The Relationship Between Hierarchical and Charismatic Giftsin the Life and the Mission of the Church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Sandwiched between St. Paul's sermon on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, and his correction of abuses of sign gifts in chapter 14, is perhaps the most beautiful treatise on love ever written. Should you have all the "best," most visible gifts, should you know and understand everything there is to know and understand, should you be martyred -- none of it profits you nor anyone else a thing, if not rooted in love. If the subject of spiritual gifts is new to you, the process of discerning your gifts may be confusing or overwhelming. What a comfort to realize we ultimately only need to "do" one thing: abide in love.  So, what is love, really? Take the spiritual gifts inventory quiz and learn about the gifts.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show Sania K; Monica J; Trena W; Cyndy Mc; Joene M; Barbara O; and Mary C, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We're starting our Bible study on the Book of Romans next month! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) What is the most impactful thing you have learned throughout this series on spiritual gifts? Are your spiritual gifts beginning to manifest more clearly? Have you drawn closer to the Holy Spirit? Perhaps this prayer by St. Bonaventure can help draw you more deeply into the love of the Holy Trinity: "Holy Spirit, I love you; Holy Spirit I invite you; Holy Spirit I expect you." Come Holy Spirit!   V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + Connect I am no longer on Facebook. Join us in the new community forum, where we're talking about spiritual gifts, daily LOVE the Word takeaways, healing, caregiver support, and lots more.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:12:00 – fanning our gifts into flame (1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 1:6) Minutes 12:01-24:00 –  St. Paul addresses abuses of sign gifts; 1 Corinthians 13 Minutes 24:01-36:00 – defining "love," agape = treating others better than they deserve when it's in their best interest Minutes 36:01-48:00 – renewing the church Resources Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Pope Paul VI On the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, Christefideles Laici, Pope John Paul II Fruitful Discipleship, Sherry Weddell Iuvenescit Ecclesia, The Relationship Between Hierarchical and Charismatic Gifts in the Life and the Mission of the Church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

07_The Greatest of These Is Love, Spiritual Gifts Series

Now that you've taken the quiz, listened to the talks, and read a little about your gifts, what's next?First: a warm welcome to new listeners and a sincere request to you to stay subscribed through Pentecost. St. Paul says we, the church, are the answer to renewal for the Church and the world (Eph 4), and you need a community in which to grow and discern your spiritual gifts in power and effectiveness. I hope you and I might even become friends. So give yourself the gift of God's word from the "one table" of the Scriptures and the Eucharist (CCC 103), and listen for the next several weeks. Please.Below is my closing audio and video message from Saturday afternoon at the Spiritual Gifts Conference, in case you missed it. In it, I offer you a path forward and next steps to continue your discernment.This week you have time to catch up on any of the episodes from the Spiritual Gifts Podcast Series you may have missed, and next week I'll give you the stats on the quiz over the 12K who registered and took it; we will begin looking at the categories of spiritual gifts -- Equipping Gifts | Service Gifts | Sign Gifts -- exploring the gifts individually, and ways they can be clustered. If you had questions about differences in this weekend's gift quiz results and others you have taken, the podcasts in the remainder of this series will help clear up your questions, as we dig deeply into the the nuances between the gifts and how the differences help us distinguish between gifts that are otherwise similar, such as leadership and apostleship. Click the picture below to get the previous shows in the spiritual gifts series. Take the spiritual gifts inventory quiz and learn about the gifts here. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show Josie O'R; Deirdre E; Suzette S; Maria L; Therese F; Claire &amp; Z; Jill D, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)﻿O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)Where are you confused about your gifts? What did you learn about them over the weekend? Do you lack opportunities to use your gifts? What do you want to say to the Holy Spirit about that? V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +Bible Study Evangelista is on the Laudate app!ConnectI am no longer on Facebook. Join us in the new community forum, where we're talking about spiritual gifts, daily LOVE the Word takeaways, healing, caregiver support, and lots more. What We Discussed | Show NotesOverview:Minutes 00:12:00 – A path forward and next steps for discerning your spiritual gifts Minutes 12:01-24:00 –  Minutes 24:01-36:00 – Minutes 36:01-48:00 – ResourcesDecree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Pope Paul VIOn the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, Christefideles Laici, Pope John Paul IIFruitful Discipleship, Sherry WeddellIuvenescit Ecclesia, The Relationship Between Hierarchical and Charismatic Giftsin the Life and the Mission of the Church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithTranscriptClick here for a transcript of the show.

Now that you've taken the quiz, listened to the talks, and read a little about your gifts, what's next? First: a warm welcome to new listeners and a sincere request to you to stay subscribed through Pentecost. St. Paul says we, the church, are the answer to renewal for the Church and the world (Eph 4), and you need a community in which to grow and discern your spiritual gifts in power and effectiveness. I hope you and I might even become friends. So give yourself the gift of God's word from the "one table" of the Scriptures and the Eucharist (CCC 103), and listen for the next several weeks. Please. Below is my closing audio and video message from Saturday afternoon at the Spiritual Gifts Conference, in case you missed it. In it, I offer you a path forward and next steps to continue your discernment. This week you have time to catch up on any of the episodes from the Spiritual Gifts Podcast Series you may have missed, and next week I'll give you the stats on the quiz over the 12K who registered and took it; we will begin looking at the categories of spiritual gifts -- Equipping Gifts | Service Gifts | Sign Gifts -- exploring the gifts individually, and ways they can be clustered. If you had questions about differences in this weekend's gift quiz results and others you have taken, the podcasts in the remainder of this series will help clear up your questions, as we dig deeply into the the nuances between the gifts and how the differences help us distinguish between gifts that are otherwise similar, such as leadership and apostleship. Click the picture below to get the previous shows in the spiritual gifts series. Take the spiritual gifts inventory quiz and learn about the gifts here.  Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show Josie O'R; Deirdre E; Suzette S; Maria L; Therese F; Claire &amp; Z; Jill D, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.   L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.) ﻿ O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) Where are you confused about your gifts? What did you learn about them over the weekend? Do you lack opportunities to use your gifts? What do you want to say to the Holy Spirit about that?  V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. + Bible Study Evangelista is on the Laudate app! Connect I am no longer on Facebook. Join us in the new community forum, where we're talking about spiritual gifts, daily LOVE the Word takeaways, healing, caregiver support, and lots more.  What We Discussed | Show Notes Overview: Minutes 00:12:00 – A path forward and next steps for discerning your spiritual gifts  Minutes 12:01-24:00 –   Minutes 24:01-36:00 –  Minutes 36:01-48:00 –  Resources Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Pope Paul VI On the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, Christefideles Laici, Pope John Paul II Fruitful Discipleship, Sherry Weddell Iuvenescit Ecclesia, The Relationship Between Hierarchical and Charismatic Gifts in the Life and the Mission of the Church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Transcript Click here for a transcript of the show.

The Conference Is Over, What’s Next?

I love listening to this show. It is very inspiring and brings me closer to God

Very inspirational

I agree with every good thing that has been said by everyone else here.  Thank you, Sonja!

Ditto

love and lift all you’ve been given // Catholic media created with you in mind, Bible study spinach that taste like cake. What’s an “evangelista”? Find out at <a href="http://biblestudyevangelista.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">biblestudyevangelista.com</a>.

Bible Study Evangelista Show

The Bible begins and ends with marriage. "Scripture speaks throughout of marriage and its 'mystery,' its institution and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its end, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation, the difficulties arising from sin, and its renewal 'in the Lord' in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church. 'From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and the dignity of their state by a special sacrament'" (CCC 1602, 1638).Friends of the Show get all Premium Content! Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show: Kathy D, and Fred F, for loving and lifting me!LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja's method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.L - Listen (Receive the Word.)﻿O - Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)What did you learn or remember about marriage through this show? What did the Holy Spirit bring to the surface for you? What does He want you to do now?V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)If you are married, what is one affirming statement you can make to your spouse this week? What is one affirming action you can take in obedience to the readings today? Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)We thank you, O God, for the Love You have implanted in our hearts. May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feeling, and concerned for each other's needs and wishes. Help us to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings. Increase our faith and trust in You and may Your Prudence guide our life and love. Bless our Marriage O God, with Peace and Happiness, and make our love fruitful for Your glory and our Joy both here and in eternity. Amen + Bible Study Evangelista is on the Laudate app!Share the LOVEShare the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.  Read the TranscriptYou can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here.

The Bible begins and ends with marriage. "Scripture speaks throughout of marriage and its 'mystery,' its institution and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its end, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation, the difficulties arising from sin, and its renewal 'in the Lord' in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church. 'From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and the dignity of their state by a special sacrament'" (CCC 1602, 1638). Friends of the Show get all Premium Content! Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show: Kathy D, and Fred F, for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja's method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) ﻿ O - Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.) What did you learn or remember about marriage through this show? What did the Holy Spirit bring to the surface for you? What does He want you to do now? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) If you are married, what is one affirming statement you can make to your spouse this week? What is one affirming action you can take in obedience to the readings today?  Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) We thank you, O God, for the Love You have implanted in our hearts. May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feeling, and concerned for each other's needs and wishes. Help us to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings. Increase our faith and trust in You and may Your Prudence guide our life and love. Bless our Marriage O God, with Peace and Happiness, and make our love fruitful for Your glory and our Joy both here and in eternity. Amen +  Bible Study Evangelista is on the Laudate app! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here.

07_Marriage, A Biblical Walk through the Sacraments

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