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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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Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! In this episode, Terry Nelson-Johnson and host Joshua Minden take us on a journey inspired by an encounter on a hot summer hike. A dad and son fully committed to “hunting for everything” becomes a powerful reminder to open our eyes and hearts to the grace surrounding us. Terry reflects on the idea of hunting for grace in everyday life and how these simple, joyful moments hold unexpected wisdom.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How a hiking story reveals hidden layers of grace
• Reflections on making “belief” and embracing a sense of wonder
• The power of grace in everyday encounters and relationships
• A call to see the world through eyes ready to seek and find grace everywhere

Thank you for being part of Stories & Other Things Holy. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to follow along with each story and reflection, and check out our website StoriesandOtherThingsHoly.com for additional reflections, prompts, and more.

💬 Share this episode with friends and loved ones, and join us in hunting for grace in your own life. #StoriesAndOtherThingsHoly #FindingGrace #EverydayMiracles #SpiritualReflections

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Welcome to Stories & Other Things Holy! This episode invites us to laugh, reflect, and find holiness in our shared experience of aging. Terry Nelson-Johnson brings us a hilarious gym story that leads to a powerful reflection on what it means to embrace our limits with grace. With Joshua Minden, they discuss the beauty of getting older, accepting our diminishing abilities, and finding humor in life's inevitable changes.

Join us as we explore:

• The spiritual insights of aging and diminishment
• How humor and laughter can open us to grace
• The cultural obsession with youth and its impact on our souls
• Embracing the mystery of life and death

Remember to sign up for our email newsletter at StoriesandOtherThingsHoly.com for additional reflections and "grace-ercises" to deepen your spiritual practice. If you’d like to support our mission, visit our website’s support page.

Thank you for being here. Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with those you love. Let’s keep the conversation going!

The Essential Rumi, New Expanded Edition (Amazon)

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