What God is Not

Latest Episodes:

Weak Forever Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

This week Mother Natalia comes to us with some hot takes fresh off her poustinia. She talks about fear, love, vulnerability, and weakness. She talks about each of those in our relationship with God as well as our relationship with others. This episode is deep!
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Learning to Pray Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

This week Fr. Michael talks about how to pray and providing suggestions to friends who ask for help in praying. He talks about how prayer methods (rote prayer, contemplative prayer, etc.) work differently for each person, but ultimately how important prayer is to our daily lives and relationship with God.
References:
The Art of Prayer by Kallistos Ware.
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives by Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
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If I Knew Jesus Loved Me #SEEK24 Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

This week’s episode was recorded live at SEEK24. Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia are joined by Fr. Boniface Hicks. They talk about how our lives would change if we inherently knew that Jesus loved us. They talk about ways this is exhibited in daily life, in prayer, in the confessional. They also talk about a sticker that premiered at SEEK and how it came to be.
Thanks to SEEK for having us and to Spoke Street Media for recording this episode.
References:
Fawn and Flight with Kristin Molitor
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Great & Holy Week Part 3 Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Today we conclude our series of the liturgies for Great and Holy Week. This week’s episode covers Great and Holy Friday, Great and Holy Saturday, and Pascha Sunday.
This is our 200th episode. We're so grateful to our listeners for your prayers and support!
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Great & Holy Week Part 2 Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

This week we continue our series of the liturgies for Holy Week. Today's episode covers Presanctified Liturgy on Holy Wednesday, matins for Holy Thursday, and Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday.
References:
The Year of Grace of the Lord by A Monk of the Eastern Church
Isaiah 61:1-3
Therapy of Spiritual Illnesses by Jean-Claude Larchet
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Great & Holy Week Part 1 Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

This week we're kicking off a three part series where we walk through the liturgies for Holy Week. Today's episode covers Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
References:
The Year of Grace of the Lord by A Monk of the Eastern Church
Great Lent by Fr. Alexander Schmemann
Behold the Bridegroom
Useless but not Worthless
Monday Readings: Matt 21:18-43, Ezekiel 1:1-20, Exodus 1: 1-20, Job 1:1-12, Matt 24:3-35
Tuesday Readings: Matt 22:15-23:39, Ezekiel 1:21 - 28, Exodus 2:5-10, Job 1:13-22, Matt 24:36 - 26:2
Wednesday Readings: John 12:17 - 50, Ezekiel 2:3-3:3, Exodus 2:11-22, Job 2:1-10, Matt 26:6-16
Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.
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Creative Almsgiving Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

This week Fr. Michael reflects on the encounter of Simeon and Anna with the child Jesus when Jesus was presented in the Temple. Fr. Michael also shares some creative ideas for almsgiving that you can incorporate during the Great Fast and even throughout the year.
Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.
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The Ache Yells Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

This week Mother Natalia continues her discussion from a few episodes about the ache and longing we have in our hearts for eternity. She talks about the exodus and pilgrimage through this life, the goods that we can ache and long for, and how ultimately earth is not our home.
References:
Into Great Silence
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
The Ache Speaks with Mother Petra
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus
Psalm 137
Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.
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Collision of Themes Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

On this week's episode, Fr. Michael works through some ideas he has for a homily he's giving later that day. He talks about the need to be cognizant of the work God is doing in our lives, our heads, and our hearts.
References:
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus
Episode 200!
We're celebrating our upcoming episode 200 by hearing from you! Record a 20-30 second video (or audio only) clip talking about how the podcast has impacted your life. Upload to your Google drive and then share with dbratnick@gmail.com so our friend David can compile. Your videos can be vertical or horizontal. We may not be able to use all the submissions but look forward to watching them! Thanks for your support.
Follow and Contact Us!
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Join our Goodreads Group
Fr. Michael's Twitter
Christ the Bridegroom Monastery
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Martyrdom and Fasting Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

This week Mother Natalia takes a mini-topic request on recent Byzantine saints and also talks about fasting. Her discussion on fasting covers some of the reasons she likes fasting, the ways she can grow, and then some general practicalities on fasting.
References:
Father Vasyl Lonchyna
What Suffering is Not with Mother Iliana
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John Climacus
Follow and Contact Us!
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