Two Edge Talk

Mighty Prayer Warriors

What do the following people have in common?

Number One -

St. Anthony

Number Two-

St. Francis

Number Three-

Ree, aka The Pioneer Woman

....

...

The common denominator? They're my (Cyndi's) go-to guys when I need prayer........

1.  St. Anthony - He was a mighty preacher who brought many to Christ; I often ask him to pray for our little podcast. We Catholics like to get his help when we lose things....in fact, in our next show, you'll hear about a neat little divine occurrence between Deacon Tim and St. Anthony, so stay tuned!

2.  St. Francis - He's more than just an ornamental garden statue!  He had quite a gift with animals, so I often ask him to pray for us when we select a new family pet.   A few months ago, we were in need of a dog, so right before we went into the dog pound, I asked him to pray that we'd choose the right pooch.  The kids and I had narrowed our selection to two:  Sam, sporting just three legs, and Liz, a pathetic-looking thing who was the victim of a broken home.  Just when I was about to choose Sam, he hiked his leg and peed at my feet.  Though I admired his acrobatic urination abilities, I figured that this must be the answer to prayer.  We chose the pathetic Liz, who is blossoming into quite a sweet dog, despite her odd smell (something akin to hominy, of all things).  Thanks, St. Francis, and the smell of hominy is really beginning to grow on us, so no worries! 

3.  Ree (saint-to-be) - Though she likes to portray herself as a ninny, she's quite mighty in prayer, despite appearances to the contrary.  She's the one I called when my 18-month-old drank half a bottle of cough syrup, and we were racing to the ER thirty miles away.  Her prayers were so effective that not only did the little medicine-guzzler survive, he hasn't so much as coughed since. 

The point of this week's podcast is that we are all connected in prayer, even to those who are no longer with us.  Heaven is not a barrier to prayer!  In fact, we propose that it's quite the contrary.  So, if you're accustomed to only asking your own real-life ninnies to pray for you, we're going to suggest that you may have some friends that you don't know about yet.  Friends in high places, as a matter of fact.

Peace be with you, and we hope you meet some new friends this week.  Until then, you can borrow my prayer warriors.  St. Anthony and St. Francis will be a little easier to catch than the Pioneer Woman since they don't have Caller ID - give them a whirl and ask them to pray for you!

*To Download the podcast, save this file: Prayer Warriors

*To listen right this very minute, go to '019 Prayer Warriors" on the page you get when you CLICK RIGHT HERE 

Dear Protestants.......

Thank you for introducing me to my Savior and friend, Jesus Christ.  Without you, I'm not sure I would have ever found Him.  How can I ever thank you for showing me the way to eternal life?  This podcast certainly isn't enough!  I'll catch up with you in heaven, and we'll celebrate - how's that? 

Dear Catholics,
Thanks for deepening my faith.  Without your example, I might not be living the life God had in mind for me - you've shown me what the fullness of faith looks like, and every day I try to get a little closer to that way of living in Christ.  How can I ever thank you enough?  This podcast certainly isn't enough!  I'll catch up with you in heaven, and we'll have a glass of wine and celebrate - how's that?

In this podcast, Deacon Tim and I talk about discipleship, Catholic and Protestant-style.  We also talk about Christians who are just going through the motions (sometimes me!), and what we can do to fully surrender to the Lord.  Hang on to the bitter end, Deacon Tim gives us a blessing that may jump-start your spiritual life!

I hope you'll consider sending this to your Protestant friends who have helped you in your spiritual journey - tell them I said it would be OK for them to be regular listeners!!

TO LISTEN RIGHT NOW:  CLICK HERE and go to 018 Unity part 2 at the top of the list

To download to your iPod, right click and save this file:   download unity_2.mp3

The Common Denominator

When Deacon Tim and I started podcasting, we didn't exactly lay out a plan or create a schedule of shows.  In fact, we decided early on that we wouldn't get bunched up about planning our next topic, but we'd let the Holy Spirit guide us on a week-by-week basis.  Like the Israelites with their manna, we would trust that our supply would be there when we needed it. 

Interestingly, we have discovered that our show seems to appeal to our Protestant friends, and not just the Catholic audience that we expected.  Following that lead, this week we talk about Christian unity - what does it look like?  Is it possible?

In this podcast, we conclude that Christian unity must start with the common denominator which binds all Christians:  Jesus Christ.  From there, it gets a little more challenging.  The discussions must exemplify the "fruits of the Spirit," yet maintain their integrity.   Deacon Tim and I marvel at the ability of our listeners to maintain that delicate balance in our comments section; it really confirms to us that the Spirit is at work in our little podcast.  Thank you, Lord! 

On a completely unrelated side note......I (Cyndi) am the guest "chef" on a food blog written by my best buddy, the Pioneer Woman.   Though you might think that I'm a nice Catholic girl, my ability to make a mean chicken soup might lead you to wonder whether I'm really a Jewish mother.  Check it out beginning June 12 at thepioneerwomancooks.  While you're there, be sure to click over to the Pioneer Woman's daily blog @ www.thepioneerwoman.com   to get a taste of prairie life in these parts.   

To listen to the podcast right now on your computer, CLICK HERE and select "017 Christian Unity"

To download the program for your iPod, right click and 'save as' the following link to your computer: Download 017_christian_unity.mp3

Where Is That in the Bible?

This week, Deacon Tim and I introduce some of those Catholic topics that make people say, "Where do they get this stuff?"  Actually, some very important Christian beliefs aren't specifically spelled out in the Bible - the Trinity, for example.  So where do these things come from, if not Scripture?  Listen and find out!

Next week, you are in charge of the show - we're opening the mail bag!  Got a Catholic question?  Nothing is off limits - bring it on!  Or if you just want to know the secret Catholic handshake, we'll cover that, too. (You know I'm kidding, right?)  We will, however, reveal the secret password.  Post your questions in the comments section, or email us - this should be fun!  And as always, send this podcast around to 52 of your closest friends!

To play this podcast now on your computer select "016 Where is That in the Bible' after clicking THIS LINK

For downloading to your iPod to play later, right click then 'save as' with this link: Download 016_bible_part_2.mp3