The Normal Christian Life

18. The Role of Women in the Church w/ Laura Shoulders & Mary Bielski

Providentially released on the (observed) Feast of the Annunciation, this episode is a an honest and affirming conversation between the two priests, and previous guests Laura and Mary, on the roles that women are called to in the Church today. While at first focusing on women's authority in ministry (including the true empowerment the Holy Spirit grants to women in the charisms), the conversation shifts to the need for a renewed mind regarding the principles of ministry that Jesus enjoins on His disciples - and subsequently, our vision of woman's role in God's plan. Finally, Laura, Mary and the priests join in praying for a blessing on all women, especially listeners, that they may fully embrace the gift of their femininity and unique calling.

17. Kerygma: Reclaiming the Heart of the Gospel (w/ Laura Shoulders)

While faithful Catholics have many ways of approaching and discussing the Gospel narrative, there is one narrative that lies at its heart. "God so loved the world that he sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." In the season of Holy Week and Easter, there are so many points to reflect on that it's possible to miss the forest for the trees. The kerygma - the proclamation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, his entire life and mission - is not primarily about ethics, morality, suffering, or Catholic theology and liturgy. It is about love: about God taking the initiative to set us free and restore us to a glorious life of union and intimacy with Him.

16. God's Sheep Hear His Voice

If you are a Christian, God speaks to you . . . and you can expect to hear Him. While our conscience can guide us to distinguish right and wrong, Christianity demands that we be more than just "decent", moral people. Through His Holy Spirit, He wants to give us concrete guidance in our lives as a Shepherd, Father, and Friend. In this episode, our hosts discuss the ways in which God speaks to us; how we can discern His voice; the effects it has in our lives and hearts; and how He wants us to respond.
Moreover, God wants to not only speak to us in our prayer, but He also wants to speak to others through us. Continuing last week's conversation on prophecy, our hosts also delve more into the topic of prophecy: its practical application, some guiding principles, its impact throughout history, and its role in the Church which is needed today more than ever.

15. The Power of Prophecy w/ Mike Nolan

What would you do if God spoke to you directly? God does still speak today through many believers who have the gift of prophecy, but he also wants to give you supernatural revelation to build up others as well! In this episode, Mike joins our hosts again to give an introductory explanation of the charism of prophecy – its varied forms and purposes – while sharing many astounding personal stories of life-changing prophetic words, both given and received. These testimonies from Mike and our hosts should “crowd out the doubt” and convince every listener that God truly loves us and wants to be close to us – to guide, exhort, and encourage us throughout our lives. May the culture of our Church become a prophetic culture once again!

14. "Jesus Didn't Die for a Powerless Church": Testimony by Mike Nolan

In the face of the world's challenges, we Christians sometimes feel helpless and settle for spiritual maintenance. But the cross of Jesus has obtained much more for us than just spiritual survival. In his life and ministry, Mike Nolan demonstrates that we can unleash the power of God's kingdom all around us, by simply choosing to receive what already belongs to us by divine inheritance.
A friend of our hosts, Mike Nolan is a husband and father of seven from South Bend, Indiana. Through his ministry, Shadow on the Water (https://shadowonthewater.com/), Mike heads pilgrimages, an online mentoring community, and many missionary ventures. In his lucid and deeply insightful testimony, Mike shares how he, in his late 40's, changed his approach from striving to be a "good enough" disciple to radically embracing his identity as a son of God and lover of Jesus; and how, by simply being himself with that understanding, Mike has been able to manifest God's glory and power in the context of his ministry.
 

13. Objections to the Charismatic Renewal, Part 2: Real Dangers

While the previous episode addressed some misconceptions regarding the charismatic renewal and gifts, this episode spells out some of the concerns and even dangers that our hosts have observed within the charismatic lifestyle. While fear is useless (Mark 5:36), prudence and sometimes caution are necessary in the spiritual journey. This frank discusssion will hopefully address some lingering objections listeners may have, as well as challenge current charismatics to not grow complacent.
Some concerns covered include:
Celebrity worship
Having "a direct pipeline to God"
Opening doors to evil spirits
Making spiritual experience a measure of authority
Abusing the spiritual gifts
Spiritual immaturity
Worldy aspects of "charismatic culture"

12. Objections to the Charismatic Renewal, Part 1: Common Misconceptions

Christians seeking to live their faith more radically encounter many roadblocks, especially as they develop an interest in the spiritual gifts. In this challenging episode, our hosts attempt to address some of the common misconceptions that needlessly discourage Catholics in particular from embracing the charismatic renewal and spiritual gifts. Some objections addressed here include:
It's just weird.
What if it's fake, and I get deceived?
What if it's dangerous or demonic?
The saints weren't charismatic, why should I be?
Isn't it prideful to ask for supernatural things or talk about them?
We're Catholic, and this stuff seems more Protestant/Pentecostal...
Charismatics are into progressive music (even "demonic rock music")
Don't charismatics believe in a prosperity gospel?
If all this crazy stuff is real, how come I haven't heard about it before?
 

11. God's Faithful Love: Testimony by Fr. Tony Cecil

Fr. Tony Cecil is a close friend of Fr. Chris who was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky in 2019. In his disarming and powerful testimony, Fr. Tony describes his early years growing up with a single father who modeled God's faithfulness to him; his first year as a priest, when anxiety and suffering compelled him to seek inner healing; and finally, a miraculous physical healing and an encounter with Jesus that would redefine his sense of his priestly identity and transform his ministry.

10. New Wineskins: The Purpose of Fasting (Lenten Special)

Why do we fast, practice self-denial, and learn to say “no” to ourselves? This episode offers a perspective on asceticism that is challenging, yet also profoundly positive. We Christians are called to pursue a radical lifestyle of fasting and self-denial – not to punish ourselves or earn God’s love, but to be freed from earthly attachments and to become “new wineskins”, ready for an infilling of the new wine of the Holy Spirit.

9. Vocation: Calling, Not Identity (w/ Mary Bielski)

If you are struggling in the discernment and pursuit of your vocation, this episode is for you! Mary Bielski joins our hosts to address the difficulties that sincere Catholics, young and middle-aged, face today in pursuing or fully embracing God's calling. In particular, they discuss the discouragment and fear that arises when we conflate our baptismal identity with our vocation to a particular state in life. Finally, they offer encouragment through testimony and Scripture for the uplifting and renewal of our minds in this regard.