The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives

IP#36 Neil Lozano – Resisting the Devil on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

It’s all about conversion…continually turning towards the Lord and allowing Him to heal us. Deliverance ministry really acknowledges the power of Jesus Christ to make all things new and to heal the damage done to us by sin and those spirits which get into our brokeness and wounds to drive us away from God. Neil Lozano has done extraordinary work with the “Unbound Ministries” ; it truly allow us to let the Father “deliver us from evil”. This is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject. Absolutely a must for everyone on the spiritual journey!!! “Be not afraid”, and really “all you need is love”.

find Neil’s work at www.heartofthefather.com

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From the book description:

Do you feel chained to a particular sin pattern that you cannot break?

Do you still feel guilty, ashamed, and doomed to repeat a besetting sin even after receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation?

Then you may find a way to spiritual freedom through deliverance prayer.
In Resisting the Devil, author Neal Lozano shows that sometimes evil spirits tell us lies that lock us into sins and personal problems. He explains the practice of deliverance, a way of dealing with such demonic influences that is supported by the teaching and traditionof the Catholic Church.
–Learn how to recognize the activity of evil spirits
–See how deliverance from spiritual bondage can be gentle, safe, and effective –Understand how deliverance differs from exorcism and how deliverance and Reconciliation can work together–Read the testimonies of women and men who have been freed through deliverance ministry.

IP#218 Dick Lyles – Answer Your Call on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

I cannot recommend a book more highly than this, “Answer Your Call: Reclaim God’s Purpose For Faith, Family, and Work” is OUTSTANDING! The combined gifts of Dick and Martha Lyles have brought us must a gem which serves as a practical everyday guide for prayer and discernment. The book description below and the interview I have with Dick can provide just some of the reasons why this work is so important, but neither really goes far enough. I have heard from so many men and women looking for spiritual directors, guides, mentors, anyone or anything that could help them to respond to that “still, small voice” deep inside themselves; here is the book I’ll now tell them to start with. While this isn’t the answer to all questions and quests, this is work offers a great start and foundation. Great for individual study, as well as for groups. For pastors, deacons, pastoral ministers, parents, but most importantly, for the every day man or woman trying to “answer God’s call”!

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You can find the book here

From the book description:

Answer Your Call helps Christians discern their purpose from a Catholic perspective—think of it as a Catholic response to The Purpose Driven Life. Building on the premise that every person has a unique set of natural gifts meant to be used in concert with God’s supernatural graces, readers will find practical insights on what prevents someone from hearing and responding to God’s call, as well as how to reclaim and live their calling in the home, workplace, and community. Answer Your Call goes beyond mere theory, using key questions, short quizzes, and practical exercises to help the reader implement the material. You’ll learn:

What causes us to lose sight of God’s presence

How we lose touch with our natural gifts

The three dimensions of our divine call

Understanding discernment in relation to purpose and call

How you can plan to implement your call

Interspersed with Scripture and Catechism quotes, as well as wisdom from popes and saints, Answer Your Call will guide you to carry out God’s purpose in every dimension of your life.

WOL2 – What is “Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)” -The Way of Life – Reflections on the teachings of Pope John Paul II w/ Dr. Carson Holloway – Discerning Hearts

WOL2 – Episode 2 – What is “Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)”? What does this have to do with Liberal Modernity? What is wrong with public culture we now have? What is the Culture of Death? Are there defects that go at the deepest foundational levels of our culture that have led to this behavior? Human dignity has to be recognized on all levels. Who was Thomas Hobbes, English philosopher and proponent of absolute government? His life and times? And what are the damaging effects of his thought on the value of the human person? What would be Bl. John Paul’s response?

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The Way of Life, Carson Holloway examines the fundamental philosophers of modernity-from Hobbes to Toqueville-to suggest that John Paul II’s critique of modernity is intended not to reject, but to improve. Thus, claims Holloway, it is appropriate for liberal modernity to attend to the Pope’s thought, receiving it not as the attack of an enemy but as the criticism of a candid friend.

For other episodes in the series visit Dr. Holloway’s Discerning Hearts page

This series is based on Dr. Holloway’s book “The Way of Life”

DOS#16 – The 14th Rule – Discernment of Spirits w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts

The Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Serves as an introduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Igantius of Loyola

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Episode 16 – The Fourteenth Rule:

Likewise, he behaves as a chief bent on conquering and robbing what he desires: for, as a captain and chief of the army, pitching his camp, and looking at the forces or defenses of a stronghold, attacks it on the weakest side, in like manner the enemy of human nature, roaming about, looks in turn at all our virtues, theological, cardinal and moral; and where he finds us weakest and most in need for our eternal salvation, there he attacks us and aims at taking us.

The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free – Serves as an introduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
“The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul”
as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola can be found here

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”.

For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: www.frtimothygallagher.org

For the other episodes in this series visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

POC#3 The Power of the Cross with Michael Dubruiel episode 3 – Discerning Hearts

Episode 3 – The Cross of Christ teaches us… – Second Week

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In “The Power of the Cross”, Michael Dubruiel penned a truly exceptional meditation on the Cross of Christ which serves beautifully as a source for reflection any time of the year, but it is particularly poignant and compelling during the weeks of Lent. Several years ago Bruce and I had the chance to have a series of conversations with Michael during Lent using his book for reflection…it was a big hit with the audience. Those discussions have been remastered and made available once again here. Michael died unexpectedly in of February 2009, but his gifts continue to be shared through his books and many other venues, and hopefully through this humble portal. The sentiments and teachings Michael offers is truly timeless.

Episode 3 – The Cross of Christ unites… – Michael discusses:

Day 8 – The Temporal and Eternal
Day 9 – Those Divided by Sin
Day 10 – In Humility
Day 11 – In Sin
Day 12 – Those Who Suffer For Justice
Day 13 – Us in the Work We Have to Do
Day 14 – God’s Mercy and Love

Michael’s wife, author Amy Welborn, has made “The Power of the Cross” available as a free e-book available over the internet ! I HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work…there also plans to make it once again available as a paperback book.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

“This is how you are to pray…” with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Gospel MT 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.“This is how you are to pray:Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

DOS#15 The 13th Rule – Discernment of Spirits w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts

Episode 15 – The Thirteenth Rule:

Likewise, he acts as a licentious lover in wanting to be secret and not revealed. For, as the licentious man who, speaking for an evil purpose, solicits a daughter of a good father or a wife of a good husband, wants his words and persuasions to be secret, and the contrary displeases him much, when the daughter reveals to her father or the wife to her husband his licentious words and depraved intention, because he easily gathers that he will not be able to succeed with the undertaking begun: in the same way, when the enemy of human nature brings his wiles and persuasions to the just soul, he wants and desires that they be received and kept in secret; but when one reveals them to his good Confessor or to another spiritual person that knows his deceits and evil ends, it is very grievous to him, because he gathers, from his manifest deceits being discovered, that he will not be able to succeed with his wickedness begun.

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The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free – Serves as an introduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
“The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul”
as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola can be found here

For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: www.frtimothygallagher.org

For the other episodes in this series visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

Faith Check 22 – Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina

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When the Holy Father says that the practice of a certain devotion would lead to nothing less than the renewal of the Church,¹ we do well to sit up and take notice.

Pope Benedict XVI said exactly this about the practice of lectio divina, which is an ancient form of praying over the Scriptures. In lectio divina, a passage is read and followed by silence. The hearers focus on a single word or phrase that jumps out at them and allow the “still small voice of the Lord” to speak to their hearts. The same passage is read another two or three more times, with each reading followed by another period of silence, and a time of sharing may follow for the edification of all.

Many parishes are starting groups for lectio divina and it can also be done during individual prayer time. Sacred Scripture is our spiritual food, the lamp unto our feet and director of our steps. But this can’t happen if God’s Word remains on our bookshelf collecting dust.

Let us crack open our Bibles and not only read God’s Word, but prayerfully and slowly listen to what the Holy Spirit is speaking personally to us this day.

1 – From Address of Pope Benedict XVI to the Participants of the International Congress Organized to Commemorate the
40^th Anniversary of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation ‘Dei Verbum’: “If [Lectio divina] is effectively
promoted, this practice will bring ot the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime.”

POC#2 The Power of the Cross with Michael Dubruiel episode 2 – Discerning Hearts

Episode 2 – The Cross of Christ teaches us… – First Week

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Episode 2 – The Cross of Christ teaches us… – Michael discusses:

Day 1 – Our Mission
Day 2 – To Live the Gospel
Day 3 – How to Pray
Day 4 – About Repentance
Day 5 – How to Trust and Give Thanks
Day 6 – Reconciliation
Day 7 – How to Love

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

POC#1 The Power of the Cross with Michael Dubruiel episode 1 – Discerning Hearts

Episode 1 – The Preliminary Lenten Days – Ash Wednesday through Saturday of that week.

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Episode 1 – The Preliminary Lenten Days – Michael discusses:

Ash Wednesday – Eternal Life or Death?
Thursday – Jesus’ Invitation
Friday – How Much We Need Jesus
Saturday – A Matter of Life and Death

Michael’s wife, author Amy Welborn, has made “The Power of the Cross” available as a free e-book available over the internet ! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work…there also plans to make it once again available as a paperback book.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

The Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Serves as an introduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Igantius of Loyola

Episode 3 – The Cross of Christ unites… – Michael discusses:

Day 8 – The Temporal and Eternal Day 9 – Those Divided by Sin Day 10 – In Humility Day 11 – In Sin Day 12 – Those Who Suffer For Justice Day 13 – Us in the Work We Have to Do Day 14 – God’s Mercy and Love

Gospel MT 6:7-15

Lectio Divina

When the Holy Father says that the practice of a certain devotion would lead to nothing less than the renewal of the Church,1 we do well to sit up and take notice.

Episode 2 – The Cross of Christ teaches us… – Michael discusses:

Day 1 – Our Mission Day 2 – To Live the Gospel Day 3 – How to Pray Day 4 – About Repentance Day 5 – How to Trust and Give Thanks Day 6 – Reconciliation Day 7 – How to Love

Episode 1 – The Preliminary Lenten Days – Michael discusses:

Ash Wednesday – Eternal Life or Death? Thursday – Jesus’ Invitation Friday – How Much We Need Jesus Saturday – A Matter of Life and Death

Day 8 – The Temporal and Eternal
Day 9 – Those Divided by Sin
Day 10 – In Humility
Day 11 – In Sin
Day 12 – Those Who Suffer For Justice
Day 13 – Us in the Work We Have to Do
Day 14 – God’s Mercy and Love

When the Holy Father says that the practice of a certain devotion would lead to nothing less than the renewal of the Church,¹ we do well to sit up and take notice.

Day 1 – Our Mission
Day 2 – To Live the Gospel
Day 3 – How to Pray
Day 4 – About Repentance
Day 5 – How to Trust and Give Thanks
Day 6 – Reconciliation
Day 7 – How to Love

Ash Wednesday – Eternal Life or Death?
Thursday – Jesus’ Invitation
Friday – How Much We Need Jesus
Saturday – A Matter of Life and Death