Kris McGregor Archives

IP#91 – Fr. Jonathan Morris – God Wants You Happy on Inside the Pages

“God Wants You Happy – from self-help to God’s help” by Fr. Jonathan Morris challenges the wisdom espoused by New Age self-help experts with the time-tested counsel found in the Bible. Readers who may have sought solace in popular self-help books like Eckart Tolle’s A New Earth, Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret, or Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success will be enthralled by Morris’s moving argument about the enduring spiritual succor awaiting in Scripture. There’s no “secret” here, the Good News proclaims itself loud and clear…check it out!

Check out Fr. Morris’ book here

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IP#90 Mark Brumley – Light of the World on Inside the Pages

I can’t get enough from Pope Benedict XVI, especially when he shares with all of us his innermost thoughts and insights! “Light of the World: The Pope, The Church and the Signs of the Times” by Peter Seewald had such a fascinating conversation with our Holy Father that it seems to be the gift that just keeps giving. Mark Brumley took time out of his busy day as president of Ignatius Press to shed more “light” on this incredible book and the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

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Check out more on the book here

IP#89 Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J. – Introduction to Christianity on Inside the Pages

“Introduction to Christianity” by Cardinal Joseph Ratizinger (Pope Benedict XVI) is a modern day classic! Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., founder of Ignatius Press and student of Pope Benedict, joins us to break open the gift of insight and wisdom contained in this inspirational work of our Holy Father. As the Pope Benedict states in the preface in the 2nd edition of the book, that approach, taken in the book, puts the question of God and the question about Christ in the very center, which leads to a “narrative Christology” and demonstrates that the place for faith is in the Church. It is an excellent edition to all Christian libraries and a must for anyone seeking a richer appreciation of the teachings of faith. Pope Benedict uses the Old and New Testament, the teachings of the Fathers of the Church and generations of Saints, as well as the beauty of the Church’s Tradition to ponder the reality of Christ. It’s beautiful!

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For more information on this work as well as all the books by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), go to www.ignatius.com

IP#88 Amy Welborn – Flannery O’Connor, her life and work on Inside the Pages

Flannery O’Connor is challenging, engaging, funny and heartbreaking, she is a spiritual master and one of America’s greatest writers. She is absolutely one of my favorite writers of all time! She is NOT to be missed. Flannery O’Connor has said that “Grace must wound, before it can heal”. That is what her work does; she holds a mirror up to our faces and asks, “So…who (or what) do you see?”

Amy Welborn is a master apologist for the work of Flannery O’Connor. I could think of no one better to talk to about O’Connor’s work. Be sure to check out Amy’s blog “Charlotte was Both”. I love it and visit everyday! I’ll go out on the same limb with Amy and say I think she is a saint (just not declared as one…yet).

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IP#86 Deacon James Keating – Spiritual Fathers on Inside the Pages

Deacon James Keating is the editor of “Spiritual Fathers: A Workbook for Priests and Dads”. In this episode, Deacon Keating gives us profound insights on male spirituality and even helps women to understand what they can do to support the guys in their lives. Not to be missed!

From the description offered by IPF of “Spiritual Fathers”: “Together, the father and the priest can meet an urgent need in the family and Church today: presenting the spiritual life as a true journey to personal happiness. In many boys’ minds, worship, prayer, and service to others is the way of women. This error in judgment is often born in boys because their fathers are absent in the home as initiators of prayer and instructors in moral life. This error is further compounded by the absence of priests in the life of young men. This lack of masculine role modeling in the spiritual life results in boys being ignorant of the true nature and adventure of entering the spiritual life and guiding others to do so as well.”

You can find out more about this workbook here

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IP#85 Mark Brumley – Pope Benedict’s XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth part 2 on Inside the Pages ep 2

Episode 2 Jesus of Nazareth part 2: Holy Week From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrction by Pope Benedict XVI is INCREDIBLE…absolutely worth the wait! It would be like making a “sophie’s choice” to pick between the two, but if I had to, this work by our Holy Father would be it. A meditation which brings us to contemplate the person of Jesus…especially meaningful in the context of Holy Week and Easter! Pope Benedict XVI shows us once again the importance of making the journey from the “head to the heart”. Mark Brumley is a master in breaking open the riches found in this treasure box of a book.

Visit the Jesus of Nazareth II site

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For part 1 of our discussion with Mark visit: IP#85 Mark Brumley – Pope Benedict’s XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth part 2 on Inside the Pages ep 1

IP#84 Mark Brumley – Pope Benedict’s XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth part 2 on Inside the Pages ep 1

Episode 1. Jesus of Nazareth part 2: Holy Week From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrction by Pope Benedict XVI is INCREDIBLE…absolutely worth the wait! It would be like making a “sophie’s choice” to pick between the two, but if I had to, this work by our Holy Father would be it. A meditation which brings us to contemplate the person of Jesus…especially meaningful in the context of Holy Week and Easter! Pope Benedict XVI shows us once again the importance of making the journey from the “head to the heart”. Mark Brumley is a master in breaking open the riches found in this treasure box of a book.

Visit the Jesus of Nazareth II site

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For part 2 of our discussion with Mark visit: IP#85 Mark Brumley – Pope Benedict’s XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth part 2 on Inside the Pages ep 2

IP#83 Karl Schultz – How to Pray with the Bible on Inside the Pages

Sometimes when folks think of the practice of Lectio Divina, the spiritual prayer of pondering God’s Word, they think of a quiet meditation. But more than that, Karl Schultz, the author of “How to Pray with the Bible -The Ancient Prayer Form of Lectio Divina Made Simple”, shows us that it might be quiet, it is also vibrant, interactive and a deeply fulfilling relationship with God in prayer. Karl is a master of this type of prayer and has much to share. I love it! As a Benedictine oblate, it is at the heart of our spiritual practice. Not to be missed, take a listen….

Find out more here

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IP#82 Lisa Hendey – The Handbook for Catholic Moms on Inside the Pages

“The Handbook for Catholic Moms” just about has it all (and I don’t say that lightly). Whether you’re a stay at home mom, out in the work world, or one who’s nest is empty, this book has a bounty of shared experience, how-to’s, and a host of helpful spiritually nurturing helps and guides for every area of life. It’s solidarity for the Catholic mom! Lisa Hendey deserves high praise and thanks for being one of the first to venture out into the “digital sea”. She serves as a fine navigator, helping us all learn how to navigate in the ever more complicated world we now find ourselves living in. Practical, spiritual, fun, and well worth it, “The Handbook for Catholic Moms” is more than a resource, it’s a companion on the journey. Visit CatholicMom.com, it’s great!

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IP#81 Joseph Callewaert – The World of St. Paul on Inside the Pages

“The World of St. Paul” is a marvelous book, which accurately chronicles the life of St. Paul beautifully, but because of Joseph Callewaert’s writing we get glimpse of his heart as well. Joseph is an extraordinary man who is an ardent student of St. Paul, and he brings to us the fullness of his life and times in way that only someone who truly prayed with St. Paul could. It is a book for the common man, which is void of all the silly political agendas you find in some of the more recent biographies of this great saint by authors who have their “issues” with Christianity. Joseph is firmly anchored in the Church and it’s rich tradition and scholarship passed down through the ages. It was a wonderful read.

Check out Joseph’s book here

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