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Divine Intimacy Radio

Divine Intimacy Radio is a haven of rest and wellspring of spiritual life for those seeking intimacy with God and the enlightened path of Catholic mystical and ascetical wisdom. Weekly we will explore topics like prayer, spiritual direction, meditation, contemplation, holiness, and much more.
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Now displaying: Page 20
October 21, 2016 - Into the Deep: Step Two of Discovery Prayer - Reflecting 0
Oct 21, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa dissect Melissa's prayer experience with the Parable of the Prodigal Son and apply it to the steps of discovery prayer, focusing on step two - reflection.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Saint Peter cast his net out into the deep when instructed by Jesus and was abundantly blessed. The same is true for our prayer lives. We must have the same faith and trust in God to cast our own nets out into the deep and He will bless us abundantly.
  • Step two of discovery prayer is reflecting. What does this mean? What are some examples of this practice?
  • Dan guides Melissa through an examination of her own personal prayer experience with the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
  • How does reflection aid the faithful in their desire to know and love God?

Resources:

October 14, 2016 - Into the Deep: More about Reading in Discovery Prayer 0
Oct 14, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa delve more deeply into the first step of discovery prayer. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How should we enter into prayer? What prayers are best to begin our sacred time with God?
  • Keep distracting electronic devices out of your prayer space.
  • What is the best pace for saying vocal and/or mental prayer?
  • Begin discovery prayer with the gospels. 
  • What is the best method for reading the gospel passage?

Resources:

October 7, 2016 - Into the Deep: Step One of Discovery Prayer - Reading 0
Oct 7, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa reiterate the importance of establishing a prayer commitment and delve into the first step of deepening one's prayer life through discovery prayer.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why is practicing mental prayer important?
  • What is the purpose of a prayer commitment?
  • The first step of discovery prayer is reading a short passage of Scripture or spiritual reading.
  • How is reading during discovery prayer different than everyday reading?

 

Resources:

September 30, 2016 - Into the Deep: Making a Commitment 0
Sep 30, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa lay out the importance of making a solemn commitment to God as a step to building a successful prayer life. 

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How do we discern God's voice from our own during prayer?
  • How can we add spiritual reading to a busy schedule?
  • Why is making a solemn commitment to God important in the spiritual life?
  • What is the best way to go about making this commitment?

Resources: 

September 23, 2016 - Into the Deep: Sacred Elements 0
Sep 23, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa explain the three sacred elements necessary to progress most successfully in prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Heeding the advice of the saints by establishing three key elements to one's prayer life will vastly improve his or her prayer experience.
  • These three key elements include sacred time, space and attention.
  • What is the best time of day to pray?
  • Why is a sacred space important to one's prayer life?
  • Will challenges occur even when we are dedicated to deepening our relationship with God? If so, how can we overcome these challenges?

Resources:

September 16, 2016 - Into the Deep: An Overview of Discovery Prayer 0
Sep 16, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa provide the layout for a successful experience in prayer by introducing discovery prayer (or lectio divina).

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • The spiritual doctors of the Church describe mental prayer as being essential to a successful prayer life.
  • By praying discovery prayer with the Gospels, one will encounter Christ, who transforms the soul.
  • Discovery prayer consists of reading, reflecting, responding, resting and resolving.
  • What are the sacred elements of prayer?

Resources:

September 9, 2016- Into the Deep: Jumping Into Prayer 0
Sep 9, 2016

Description: Praying is not reserved only for holy souls. All souls need prayer to bring them to the heights of holiness. On this episode of Divine Intimacy Radio, Dan and Melissa stress that the most crucial element of beginning a prayer routine is to pray!

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • If someone wants to establish a lasting, meaningful prayer life, he must jump in and get started.
  • A common misunderstanding is that one must be holy in order to start a meaningful prayer life when the opposite is true. One must start a prayer life first in order to be holy.
  • Reading countless books on prayer is not a substitute for prayer. 
  • Beginning a prayer routine is difficult, but as one practices and learns, it becomes easier and more enjoyable.

 

Resources: 

September 2, 2016 - Into the Deep: God's Love for Us 0
Sep 2, 2016

Description: Dan and Melissa explore the reality of God's desire for a deep, lasting relationship with each individual soul.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What does it mean to say that God "thirsts" for us? How is this reality possible?
  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that God seeks to meet us at the well, longing to give us living water so that our thirst might be forever satisfied.
  • Who is it that places the desire for God in our souls?
  • God will always bring to completion what He has put into motion.

 

 Resources: 

 

August 26, 2016 - Into the Deep: Why Pray? Part III of III 0
Aug 26, 2016

Description: What is prayer? This week Dan and Melissa debunk the popular idea of prayer only as a means of attaining what we want. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is prayer?
  • How do the saints describe a healthy, meaningful prayer life?
  • How can we avoid treating God like a vending machine?
  • What is the result of a deep prayer life?

 Resources: 

August 19, 2016 - Into the Deep: Why Pray? Part II of III 0
Aug 19, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa explore the depth of God's love for each and every soul He created and how this eternal love draws each of us to prayer.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show: 

  • What is the importance of realizing God's personal love in one's life?
  • How should we respond to this deep, personal love?
  • Why is prayer a matter of justice?
  • Why does God deserve our prayers?

 

Resources:

August 12, 2016 - Into the Deep: Why Pray? Part I of III 0
Aug 12, 2016

Description: Why should we pray? This week Dan and Melissa dive into Dan's new book on prayer titled, Into the Deep: Finding Peace through Prayer and begin to discuss the importance of establishing a real, meaningful, lasting relationship with God.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why pray?
  • How can we grow closer to God if we do not spend meaningful time with Him?
  • Prayer leads us to holiness.

Resources:

August 5, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits, Rule 14: Strategies of the Enemy 0
Aug 5, 2016

Description: This week, Dan and Melissa discuss the enemy's plan of attack on the soul.

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How can one discern his or her vocation properly in accordance with God's will? 
  • How can we quickly overcome spiritual desolation?
  • The enemy watches us closely and attacks us at our weakest spiritual point. 
  • How can we fortify our defenses against the enemy and succeed in virtue?
  • How can we recognize our root sin?

Resources:

July 29, 2015 - Discernment of Spirits, Rule 13: Breaking the Spiritual Silence 0
Jul 29, 2016

Description: Dan and Melissa address Rule 13 on the enemy's plan to keep us quiet during spiritual desolation.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is Rule 13 of the Discernment of Spirits?
  • Is there ever a time when a soul matures to the point of no longer experiencing spiritual desolation?
  • How can a soul discern between experiencing suffering and desolation?
  • The importance of making known the temptations of the enemy to combat his power over the soul.
  • To whom should one reveal his or her spiritual battles, temptations, or desolation?

Resources: 

July 22, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits , Rule 12: Strength and Weakness in the Face of the Enemy 0
Jul 22, 2016

Description:

How strong is the enemy? Today Dan and Melissa discuss strength and weakness when faced with temptation from the enemy.

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is Saint Teresa of Avila’s advice about the tactics the enemy uses to dissuade those beginning to establish a prayer life?
  • Cooperation with God’s grace is essential in establishing a prayer life.
  • Saint Francis de Sales warns us that it is dangerous to receive a gift from God and ignore it.
  • Saint Therese of Lisieux says that “A soul in the state of grace has nothing to fear from demons, who are cowards, capable of fleeing before the gaze of a little child.”
  • Saint Ignatius suggests that we must be strong against the attacks of the enemy and resist temptations.

Resources:

 

 

July 15, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: An Overview 0
Jul 15, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa discuss how the rules of Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Discernment of Spirits has impacted their lives.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • The rules of The Discernment of Spirits that have had the most impact on Dan and Melissa.
  • Which rules seem to be the most important in establishing a closer relationship to Christ?
  • Is a daily examination of conscience necessary to grow in the spiritual life?
  • How can the life and writings of Saint Therese of Lisieux help inspire those called to the vocation of marriage and family life?

Resources:

July 8, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: Rules 10 & 11 "Confidence in God" 0
Jul 8, 2016

Description: During this episode of Divine Intimacy Radio, Dan and Melissa explore what it means to prepare oneself for spiritual desolation and to place one's confidence in God.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • When in consolation, how do we prepare ourselves for upcoming desolation?
  • How does a melancholic personality approach this strategy without falling into desperation and depression?
  • What does it mean to place our confidence in God?
  • How do we discern between desolation and anxiety of daily life?
  • How can we properly discern a vocation to the religious life?

 

Resources:

July, 1, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: Rule 9 "Causes of Spiritual Desolation" 0
Jul 1, 2016

Description: Why does God allow spiritual desolation? During today's show Dan and Melissa walk through the causes of spiritual desolation using "Rule the Ninth" of The Discernment of Spirits as well as determine the difference between desolation and aridity in the spiritual life.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is the difference between spiritual desolation and aridity?
  • Why does God allow desolation in the soul?
  • How does God show His love through spiritual desolation?
  • What are the causes of spiritual desolation?

 

Resources: 

June 24, 2016 - Overview of the Discernment of Spirits and a Guide to Lectio Divina 0
Jun 24, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa examine the characteristics of God working in the soul vs. Satan attacking the soul and explore the meditative prayer practice of Lectio Divina.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What characteristics does God exhibit while working to bring a soul out of mortal sin?
  • What characteristics does Satan exhibit while trying to keep a soul bound to mortal sin?
  • What characteristics are exemplary of a soul experiencing spiritual consolation or desolation?
  • How does one approach the meditative prayer method of Lectio Divina?
  • What is an example of this practice?

 

Resources:

June 17, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: Rule 8 "Patience in Desolation" 0
Jun 17, 2016

Description: During this episode of Divine Intimacy Radio, Saint Ignatius exhorts us to work to achieve patience during desolation, look ahead to the inevitable end of our suffering and return to consolation with God.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is desolation?
  • We must work to be patient. It is not easy.
  • How can we practice patience?
  • How does the enemy trick us into believing we must make a change in our spiritual lives?
  • How does one cope with long term experiences of desolation such as terminal illness?
  • Saint Ignatius suggests that we insist upon prayer, meditation, much examination and extending ourselves in penance.

 

Resources:

June 10, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: Rule 7 "Resist the Agitations of the Enemy" 0
Jun 10, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa discuss Rule 7 of Saint Ignatius' Discernment of Spirits, which encourages the soul seeking God to resist any agitations put forth by the Enemy.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How can we resist the agitations sent by the Enemy to draw us away from forming a relationship with Christ?
  • If I do not feel God's presence, does that mean He has abandoned me in my desolation?
  • Will God rescue me from my desolation?
  • How do I recognize God's presence during spiritual desolation?

 

Resources: 

June 3, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits, Rule 6 0
Jun 3, 2016

Description: The Discernment of Spirits, Rule 6 states that when on experiencing spiritual desolation, he or she needs to make a change against the spiritual desolation itself. 

 

Topic/Questions covered in the show:

  • Is suffering meritorious for the soul when experienced outside of or without Christ?
  • What are the characteristics of true peace vs. false peace?
  • How can one experience the peace that Jesus promises in Scripture?
  • According to Rule 6 of the Discernment of Spirits, we must insist more on prayer, insist more on meditation, be spiritually awake, and insist more on penance. 
  • How does spiritual desolation manifest itself in everyday life?

 

Resources:

May 27, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits - Rule 5 0
May 27, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa discuss the fifth rule of Saint Ignatius' Discernment of Spirits which states that one is never change spiritual commitments while experiencing spiritual desolation.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Does spiritual consolation always precede spiritual desolation?
  • When in spiritual desolation one should never change the commitments he or she has made when in spiritual consolation.
  • Is there any reason why one could change his or her situation while in desolation?
  • Loving God despite the experience of spiritual desolation is a proof of love.

 

Resources:

May 20, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: Rule 4 "Spiritual Desolation" 0
May 20, 2016

Description:

This week Dan and Melissa explore the meaning of spiritual desolation and how to recognize it through the examen prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Rule 4 - "I call desolation all the contrary of the third rule, such as darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to low and earthly things, disquiet from various agitations and temptations, moving to lack of confidence, without hope, without love, finding oneself totally slothful, tepid, sad, and, as if separated from one's Creator and Lord. For just as consolation is contrary to desolation in the same way the thoughts that come from consolation are contrary to the thoughts that come from desolation."
  • Is distraction in prayer a type of desolation?
  • What is the difference between depression and spiritual desolation?
  • Spiritual desolation (Rule 4) as the opposite of spiritual consolation (Rule 3).
  • Tactics of the enemy to draw a soul away from God.
  • The importance of the examen prayer to recognize the spiraling effect of negative thoughts and overcome the desolation that follows.

 

Resources:

 

May 13, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: Rule 3 "Spiritual Consolation" 0
May 13, 2016

On this week's show, listen as Dan and Melissa discuss Saint Ignatius of Loyola's third rule of Discernment of Spirits, "Spiritual Consolation".

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Saint Ignatius' Third Rule of Discernment of Spirits: "The third is of spiritual consolation. I call it consolation when some interior movement is caused in the soul, through which the soul comes to be inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord, and, consequently when it can love no created thing on the face of the earth in itself, but only in the Creator of them all. Likewise when it sheds tears that move to love of its Lord, whether out of sorrow for one's sins, or for the passion of Christ our Lord, or because of other things directly ordered to his service and praise. Finally, I call consolation every increase of hope, faith and charity, and all interior joy that calls and attracts to heavenly things and to the salvation of one's soul, quieting it and giving it peace in its Creator and Lord."
  • What is spiritual consolation?
  • How can I recognize if I am experiencing it?
  • Can a person with an affinity toward one spirituality (i.e. Carmelite, Franciscan, Ignatian) benefit from the writings and teachings of a different spirituality

Resources:

May 6, 2016 - Discernment of Spirits: Rule 2 0
May 6, 2016

Dan and Melissa discuss the second rule of Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Discernment of Spirits, focusing on movement toward God and recognizing the effect of the enemy on our spiritual progress.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Discernment of Spirits - Rule 2: "In persons who are going on intensely purifying their sins and rising from good to better in the service of God our Lord, the method is contrary to that in the first rule. For then it is proper to the evil spirit to bite, sadden and place obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, so that the person may not go forward. And it is proper to the good spirit to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations, and quiet, easing and taking away all obstacles, so that the person may go forward in doing good."
  • When confronted with temptation it is important to recognize the thoughts pushing us toward sin are from the "bad spirit" who seeks to disrupt our spiritual progress.
  • Using an examination of conscience at the end of the day can make us more acutely aware of our daily sins and successes.
  • God is always drawing us to Himself, but we must recognize His work in our souls through the world around us.

Resources:

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