Spark My Muse

Today, I give you some excerpts from my live chat conversation with scholar Robert J. Monson. We speak together some about the desert elders, but also about Robert's work at the intersection of Blackness, disability, and softness (among other things) and we get into the topics of lust, sexuality, desire which the church has notoriously gotten wrong. Please find the full replay of our time here (the Spark My Muse youtube channel), if you'd like. Becoming a subscriber costs nothing but is helpful to get the word out. ❤️ You'll find more from me at my Substack and there you can contribute your support, starting under $2, GET THE BOOK HERE

Recording of live event with Cindy S Lee on the desert elders

Hello friends, I'm back to share something from the lesson I did at Bethesda EC Church in Reedsville, PA on 4/12/26 and it is the 2nd of four. Some of you may enjoy WATCHING this, and you can try this link: https://youtu.be/YzQE-rGNNpo?si=BsjvHxs1-HoaTjYl At that channel you will also find the 1st lesson from March 29.

The finale of a four part series on consciousness

Coptic Christian Phoebe Farag Mikhail on the first theme of Lent and the Desert Elders

Hi friends,This episode was first created for my youtube channel and I hope you enjoy it here. There are two more in this series at the channel, so please check them out if it interests you. When you Subscribe you can be notified of new material, be able to leave comments, and get alerts for my upcoming live events FEB- MAY. I'm excited to meet up with you then.

The flaws of the Original Sin doctrine...

What big news happened during launch week?

"Lisa, what do you hope for with the release of this book?"

Today I feature a friend of the pod, Rev Jenn Layte to converse about her newest book Follower: How Getting Close to Jesus Brings You to Yourself Please check out my YouTube Channel and subscribe. I'm pivoting beyond audio to video which also includes my Substack page

Today is a conversation with Grace Hamman, PhD about her wonderful new book "Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life" Find photos, video, book link, and more at the substack Get my new book pairs well with Grace's (The Way of the Desert Elders) here

A special reading from Way of the Desert Elders

Nearly healed from nasal surgery, I'm back to talk about emotions I didn't know I had buried and how they pop up (in all of us). Don't forget to get your copy of The Way of the Desert Elders VIDEO of this podcast can be found on the YouTube Channel here

I'm starting a series on the main chapters of my book. We begin with gluttony and lust and learn how the desert elders dealt with these two issues that reared their heads in the desert setting. By understanding their perspective, we can fortify ourselves against the very same obstacles that sometimes foiled them. You can watch a video version of this at the YouTube Channel

Friends, I'm not okay. I've been struggling with the question: Why do the Wicked prosper? I have been feeling terrible sorrow and today I'll be reading the chapter in Psalms that has been keeping me afloat.

Today is a bit different, I'm bringing you word from others. Kind folks who've come alongside me to help others understand the new work. You hear from them today. It is a great comfort to me to have this outpouring of care. Thank you, dear ones! Please make sure to check out the new desert elders devotional I just created and other offering here: https://patreon.com/sparkmymuse/shop

conversation about a fairy tale literary work with Christine Valters Paintner

My newest book "The Way of the Desert Elders" is now listed on Amazon here tiny.cc/elders PLEASE PRE-ORDER! Today, I give you a brief into to the book details and read and explain the table of contents.

My conversation with author, Cindy S. Lee involves topics of great importance and interest to me. Cindy is thoughtful and spacious and one of just a few contemporary authors I cite in my new book on topics of spiritual formation.We discuss themes of her book: Contemplative Witnessing: BIPOC Centered Spiritual Direction Find it here (amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4kyFPqb Some of what we cover:Avoiding the loss of the sacred self.Embodied spiritual practicesSpaciousness as a presence we carryThe power of silence in community and what comes after that. Watch the unedited conversation on Youtube here

Aimee Byrd on identity, belonging, healing, church abuse, and seeing ourselves in each other.