In this Say Yes to Holiness 1:1 Conversation podcast, Christina speaks with Karen Stiller, author of 'Holiness Here'. In their conversation, they discuss the importance of holiness in everyday life.

Karen shares her own faith journey and how she was inspired by her husband's commitment to holiness. She also emphasizes the need for honesty and transparency in our spiritual growth and encourages readers to believe in their own holiness. Karen suggests practical steps such as sitting in a room and affirming, 'I am holy', and being open to opportunities for acts of love and forgiveness. Finally, Karen also highlights the power of community and accountability in our journey towards holiness.

Takeaways

• Holiness is not just for the 'perfect', but for everyone. We are called to participate in our own transformation and believe in our belovedness.
• Practical steps towards holiness include affirming our holiness, being open to acts of love and forgiveness, and growing through both love and hardship.
• Honesty and transparency are essential in our spiritual growth. Sharing our struggles and mistakes with others creates a space for growth and accountability.
• Reading spiritual books and engaging in spiritual practices can deepen our understanding of holiness and support our journey towards sanctity.
• Believing in our own holiness and embracing the journey of growth can bring meaning and purpose to our faith.

Sound Bites

• "We want to change and we want to know that this life of faith is an adventure."
• "Holiness is transforming union with God."
• "We are holy, but then we get to do holy and then we will grow."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:00 Karen's Faith Journey and Vocation as a Writer

07:12 Redefining Holiness and Embracing the Journey

15:09 Discussing Holiness Differently to Propel Growth

23:04 Moving Beyond Messiness and Brokenness

26:50 Practical Steps Towards Holiness

29:38 The Power of Honesty and Accountability

35:10 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

To learn more about Karen and her work, go to: www.karenstiller.com

The Say Yes to Holiness podcast seeks to provide Food for the Head, Heart, Hands and Feet to help inspire, encorage and accompany you on the journey towards holiness...

In this episode, Christina Semmens discusses the significance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how we can embrace the waiting period before Pentecost. She emphasizes the importance of stripping our intellect of passions in order to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Semmens also highlights the role of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, in nourishing our souls and allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. She encourages listeners to do good deeds with love, asking for Mary's intercession, and to remain steadfast in their faith despite the imperfections of the Church.

Takeaways

• Stripping our intellect of passions allows us to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, nourish our souls and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
• Doing good deeds with love, through the intercession of Mary, is essential.
• Despite the imperfections of the Church, we should remain steadfast in our faith and trust that God will reform His Church according to His will.

Sound Bites

• "When our intellect, our reason, is stripped of the passions, then we are truly open to the Holy Spirit."
• "The Holy Spirit brings Jesus to you, for example, for you to consume body, blood, soul, and divinity."
• "Without love, deeds, even those that seem quite extraordinary count as nothing."

Chapters

• 00:00 Embracing the Waiting Period Before Pentecost
• 08:48 Nourishing Our Souls Through the Sacraments
• 15:15 Doing Good Deeds with Love

May this podcast help inspire, encourage and accompany you in doing WHATEVER IT TAKES so that you may continue to grow in holiness as we tell the Master of Death, “Not Today!”

In this episode, Christina speaks with Rachel Balducci, a writer and co-host of the GIST on Catholic TV, shares her journey of finding her identity and purpose as a wife and mother. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our worth and identity come from being known and loved by God. Rachel also discusses the power of prayer and the need to create sacred spaces to connect with the Lord. She encourages women to find their unique gifts and wait on God's timing, rather than trying to do everything at once. Rachel's work as a writer has allowed her to share her personal experiences and lessons learned, while also inspiring others.

Takeaways

Our worth and identity come from being known and loved by God.

Create sacred spaces and spend time in prayer to connect with the Lord.

Recognize and embrace your unique gifts, and wait on God's timing.

Share your personal experiences and lessons learned to inspire others.

Sound Bites

"I'm a mom. That's my primary vocation."

"We're too quick to let our identity come from the things we do."

"You have value beyond measure."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:28 Rachel's Journey to Being a Writer and Co-Host

05:15 The Importance of Recognizing Our Worth and Identity

09:03 Discovering Passion and Adventure in Life

14:31 The Power of Prayer and Creating Sacred Spaces

25:41 Finding Peace and Truth in Prayer

29:03 Advice to Her 18-Year-Old Self

32:23 Conclusion and Where to Find Rachel's Work

www.rachelbalducci.com