Two Edge Talk

Humility: Your Path to Awe

In this episode, Deacon Tim and Cyndi talk about Christian obedience.  Deacon Tim makes the point that if we minimize ourselves, and maximize God, our faith can sometimes open itself up to levels we previously could not have imagined possible. After all, can't we all agree that our Lord is more interesting than any of us? Check out the podcast and let us know what you think.

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Just what IS a Christian, anyway? PART 2

Last week we started a (hopefully) provocative analysis of what we believe it means to be a "Christian".  Our Jewish friends have 613 mitzvot, or commands, they follow; for us, we're following the "spirit of the law" vs. the letter of the law.  Well, that's a little nebulous, isn't it?  So, what does it mean to be a Christian, exactly (or inexactly!).  For more on this, tune in to this week's podcast episode:

 

To download, save this link: Download Just What IS a Christian-pt.2

Christianity 101: just what IS a Christian, anyway?

Let's get down to foundational basics: what does it mean when a person declares himself to be a "Christian"? According to wikipedia.com, a Christian is:

"...a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians believe is the Messiah (the Christ in Greek-derived terminology) prophesied in the Old Testament Hebrew Bible, and the Son of God".

OK- there's a mouthful, but does it really tell us what makes one a Christian? In this day and age, can modern society even agree on a definition of who is truly a member of the "Christian" community? This week's podcast begins to tackle this question.

To download, save this link: The Basics, Part 1

Visions of Mary- It's All About the Message!

How would you feel if you wrote a heartfelt letter to loved ones, and they seemingly ignored the content of the letter and focused on the type of stationery you had selected?

This may be how our Blessed Mother feels in the wake of some of her appearances on earth (often referred to as "Marian Apparitions").  Mary is believed to have revealed herself to us on many occasions throughout the centuries (for example, at Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes, and many other places).  All too often, we have been so fixated on the signs and wonders that we have neglected to take to heart the message being delivered.  

To download, save this link: Visions of Mary

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and ... Ralph?

In this week's podcast, Cyndi and Deacon Tim share some personal thoughts about the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph). Deacon Tim also give some provocative thoughts about the Holy Family through the unlikely lens of a book by Ralph Nader (yes, the famous consumer protection advocate with a tendency to run for president)!

BTW, did you know that you can subscribe to our weekly podcast via iTunes?  Just do an iTunes search in the Music Store for "two edge talk"

 

To download, save this link: Download Holy Family 1-3-10

Make Straight the Way for the Lord!

John the Baptist prepared the world for Jesus, uttering the words of Isaiah the prophet,

"I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"

As we prepare for Christmas, let's reflect on who, in 2009, is preparing the way for the Lord... you, maybe?

To download, save this link: Download Make Straight the Way

Merry Christmas!

Silent Catholics

Question 1 (To our non-Catholic listeners): do your Catholic friends regularly approach you to share their faith with you?

Question 2 (To our Catholic listeners): If the answer to question 1 is "no", then why not?

Listen in for a discussion of the topic.

 

To download, save this link: Download Silent Catholics

Consecration

"Consecration."  The word itself gives a sense of the holiness of the act, doesn't it? One of the many things I appreciate about the Catholic church is the tradition of consecrating oneself, setting oneself apart in the service of God. An act of consecration is an act of total dedication and abandonment, and really.....does God deserve any less? In this podcast, Deacon Tim enlightens us about the various paths to consecration; below is one of the prayers of consecration he mentions. I pray that this is a jump start to your Advent season!

Sacred Heart Act of Consecration Prayer.  I, [state your name], give myself and consecrate to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ my person and my life, my actions, pains, and sufferings, so that I may be unwilling to make use of any part of my being save to honor, love, and glorify the Sacred Heart. This is my unchanging purpose, namely, to be all His, and to do all things for the love of Him, at the same time renouncing with all my heart whatever is displeasing to Him. I therefore take Thee, O Sacred Heart, to be the only object of my love, the guardian of my life, my assurance of salvation, the remedy of my weakness and inconstancy, the atonement for all the faults of my life, and my sure refuge at the hour of death. Be then, O Heart of goodness, my justification before God Thy Father, and turn away from me the strokes of His righteous anger. O Heart of love, I put all my confidence in Thee for I fear everything from my own wickedness and frailty, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness and bounty. Do Thou consume in me all that can displease Thee or resist Thy holy will; let Thy pure love imprint Thee so deeply upon my heart, that I shall nevermore be able to forget Thee or to be separated from Thee; may I obtain from all Thy loving kindness the grace of having my name written in Thee, for in Thee I desire to place all my happiness and all my glory, living and dying in very bondage to Thee. Amen.      By Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.

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Just Jesus and Me?

For a Protestant, an issue which seems troubling is the idea of an intermediary.  Catholics often hear, "What's wrong with just Jesus and me?"  Well, of course there's nothing wrong with a personal relationship with our Savior, but God's plan is even bigger.  Deacon Tim will walk us through this plan as outlined in Scripture.  I bet you'll be surprised!

 

To download, save this link: Just Me and Jesus

An Honest Conversation

Deacon Tim recently had a difficult discussion with a family member who was offended that he thought that the Catholic Church offered universal truth.  In this week's podcast we explore this question:  If you belong to a church, shouldn't you think that it holds universal truth?  Isn't that precisely the point?  Yet, this does not mean that an honest dialogue cannot occur among people of different religions.  Hopefully, this podcast will inspire you not to shy away from these delicate, but important, conversations.

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