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✨ Epiphany: The Gift of Receiving God ✨

Join us for this special Epiphany episode of Stories and Other Things Holy.
Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson dives into the profound mystery of the incarnation, reflecting on God’s vulnerability and what it means for us to truly receive the gift of divine love.

In this heartfelt story, Terry recalls a personal encounter that illuminates the deep connection between giving, receiving, and participating in God’s work in the world. Together, we explore:

The paradox of the wise men giving and receiving gifts.
The transformative power of saying “yes” to God’s gifts.
How our willingness to receive enables God’s work in the world.

🟡 What resonated most with you? Share your thoughts below!
🟡 Join the conversation: Like, subscribe, and share this episode with your friends and loved ones.

Richard Rohr (Amazon): https://amzn.to/4h5NSIz
Sara Thomsen (Amazon): https://amzn.to/3PoBmrX

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💬 "God's capacity to be God in the world depends on our willingness to receive the gift."

#StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #EpiphanyReflections #GodsGift #ReceivingGodsLove #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #Podcast

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Happy New Year and welcome to the latest episode of Stories and Other Things Holy!

In this special New Year’s episode, we dive into the unforgettable story of Mr. Riva, a man whose life was forever changed by an extraordinary encounter with Pope Francis. Our principal storyteller Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson reflects on the courage it takes to embrace life’s messiness and the transformative power of love and vulnerability. Together with host Joshua Minden, they explore what it means to believe in new beginnings and live out the call to "always begin again."

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The profound story of Pope Francis and Mr. Riva’s healing embrace.
• The significance of St. Benedict’s call: “Always we begin again.”
• Why love and healing are often found in life’s messiest moments.
• How we can risk vulnerability and welcome renewal in the new year.

🔔 Don’t miss this inspiring episode to start your year with hope and courage!

👉 If you’ve been moved by this story, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to our channel.
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🎄 Merry Christmas! In this heartfelt episode of Stories and Other Things Holy, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson takes us back to his childhood with a story that reminds us of the power of belief and wonder during the Christmas season. When Terry’s brother, determined to preserve the magic of Christmas, goes to great lengths to recreate Santa’s visit, a profound lesson in faith and imagination emerges.

✨ Join us as we explore the courage it takes to "make belief," the beauty of childlike wonder, and the enduring mystery of the incarnation. How can choosing to believe, even for one more year, transform our lives and relationships? Terry’s reflection is a powerful reminder that the divine is woven into the everyday, and Christmas is an invitation to embrace the chaos with hope, faith, and joy.

🎁 What would it mean to believe one more year? Share your thoughts and reflections below!

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to spread the magic of Christmas! 🌟

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Welcome to the fourth and final week of our Advent Reflection Series on Stories & Other Things Holy!

This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson reflects on Rachel Held Evans’ profound meditation on the incarnation, exploring:

• The mystery of God’s vulnerability in becoming human
• Mary’s radical self-giving and her role in feeding God Himself
• The connection between surrender, self-giving, and new life
• How Advent calls us to say “Amen” to God’s presence in the messiness of life

Let this reflection invite you to embrace the beauty and mystery of the incarnation, and to offer your own “Yes” to God this Advent.

Rachel Held Evans
Wholehearted Faith (2022 - Amazon)
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again (2018 - Amazon)

#StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #AdventReflections #Incarnation #RachelHeldEvans #GodWithUs #MarysCourage #FaithJourney 🌟

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Welcome to week three of the Stories & Other Things Holy Advent series!

This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson reflects on Joyce Rupp’s stirring words about birthing new life and Meister Eckhart’s challenge for all of us to become “mothers of God.” Advent isn’t just about commemorating a past event—it’s about making space for God to be born in us today.

In this episode, we explore:

• The concept of spiritual availability: Are you willing to be open to God’s work in your life?
• Joyce Rupp’s prayer for trusting the birthing process of the Spirit
• Advent as a “Lamas class for believers”—a time of preparation and courage

Let this reflection inspire you to endure the sweat and the groans of spiritual growth, trusting that new life is waiting to burst forth.

Joyce Rupp, OSM
Prayers to Sophia: A Companion to "The Star in My Heart" (Amazon)
The Star in My Heart: Discovering Inner Wisdom (Amazon)
Vessels of Love: Prayers and Poems for the Later Years of Life (New - Amazon)

💬 Reflection Prompts:

1. Where might God be inviting you to create space for something new in your life?
2. What does spiritual availability mean to you this Advent season?
3. How can you practice courage and trust in the unknown?

#StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #AdventReflections #SpiritualBirth #GodWithUs #TrustAndCourage #FaithJourney

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Welcome to week two of the Stories & Other Things Holy Advent series! This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a moving story inspired by Fr. Richard Fragomeni’s homily about God’s radical declaration to join us fully in our chaos.

In this episode, we explore:

• How God’s presence in our chaos transforms our perspective
• The comforting image of God’s compassion as a loving parent
• Why Advent invites us to welcome God’s companionship in our messiest moments

Let this reflection be a reminder that you are not alone and that God dwells with us in all of life’s chaos.

Fr. Richard Fragomeni is a priest of the Diocese of Albany, NY. He is a professor in the Word and Worship Department at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, and Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago.

Amazon: Let Us Adore Him: Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas

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#StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #AdventReflections #GodInOurChaos #Compassion #RadicalLove

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Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! This week begins our Advent series, a time to reflect on the surprise and grace of the incarnation. Inspired by Greg Boyle’s moving story of his mother, we explore:

• The essence of Advent as a "surprise party" for the incarnation
• What it means to wake up and say, "You’re Here!" with gratitude and awe
• How this season can help us recognize God’s presence in our lives today

We’ve kept this episode short to allow more space for you to reflect and pray during this busy season. Access additional prayer prompts and reflections on our website: StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly.com.

Greg Boyle, SJ
Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times (NEW) Hardback or Kindle
The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness (2023)
Hardback, Paperback, or Kindle

🌟 Join us each week as we journey through Advent together. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn for more reflections and updates.

#StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #AdventReflections #RecognizingGrace #GregBoyleStory #SurpriseOfTheIncarnation

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Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! This week, Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson shares a powerful story about Sister Joan Chittister’s experience during a near-crisis on a plane, where she moves from saying a prayer to becoming a prayer. In conversation with Joshua Minden, they explore:

The difference between saying prayers and becoming a prayer
How suffering and desperation deepen our connection with God
The significance of the body in prayer and the incarnation
Why memorizing prayers can become an embodied spiritual practice
This episode invites you to reflect on how grace moves through us, even in moments of fear or uncertainty.

Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B.
Book: The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage https://amzn.to/3UUs5Li
Book: The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life https://amzn.to/3Z8C9Tw


💬 Share this episode with friends and loved ones, and let us know what grace stirs in your heart.
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Let’s continue the conversation and hunt for grace together. #StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #PrayerInAction #BecomingAPrayer #SpiritualReflection #JoanChittister

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