Book Study #1: Searching for and Maintaining Peace

This is the third episode of a six part book study over "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. I am joined by Katie Novitsky and Stefani Blackwell, and we go over chapters 1-6 in part 2 of the book. Part 2 details reasons why we lose our peace and how we can combat those reasons. We find that the desire for control is often at complete odds with our peace and that trusting God is key. That trust is naturally developed as we develop a relationship with Jesus and get to know Him as a real person. We share ways that our relationships with Jesus have brought us peace as mothers and how the distractions of this world never bring us closer to who we want to be. Though there will be suffering in this world, God promises us that He will never leave us without that which we truly need! Join us next week for episode 3, where we will discuss part 2, chapters 7-12. Episode schedule: January 21st - preface, pt 1: ch 1-3 January 28th - pt. 1: ch 4-7 February 4th - pt. 2, ch 1-6 February 11th - pt. 2, ch 7-12 February 18th - pt. 2, ch 13-18 February 25th - pt. 3 Discussion Questions: 1. How was your week? Was there anything from last week's discussion that stayed with you throughout the week? 2. Share one quote from this section that was especially meaningful to you.  3. On pg. 26, Fr. Jacques proposes that “our great drama is this. That man does not have confidence in God.” Can you remember a time in your life that you questioned whether God would take care of you? How did you handle it? 4. Is there anything you find yourself grasping for control of that is disturbing your peace?  5. Have you experienced the peace in front of the Blessed Sacrament that Fr. Jacques Philippe describes on pg. 34-35? How does adoration change your prayer? If you have ever done a regular holy hour, what do you do during that time? 6. St. Therese of Lisieux says, that “God does not permit unnecessary suffering.” What is your gut response to that phrase? Have you ever seen suffering that has brought good? Is it possible for all suffering to bring about good? (For further discussion or prayer on this, consider Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28, and Romans 8:18) 7. Ch. 6 is titled, “God Asks for Everything, but He Doesn’t Necessarily Take Everything.” What do you find yourself holding back from God for fear that He will take it away? (e.g. your time, finances, health, plans for the future, hopes for your children, a problem of a loved one) For further thought… When the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that his wife was going to become pregnant with John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25), he responded with, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” This response doesn’t read all that different than Mary’s, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (Luke 1:34). Why do you think Gabriel responded so differently to Mary than to Zechariah?

This is the second episode of a six part book study over "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. I am joined by Katie Novitsky and Stefani Blackwell, and we go over chapters 4-7 in part 1 of the book. This section speaks further into what it means to be in a spiritual battle, which often centers around our peace. Katie shares how even when Jesus was providing extraordinary peace in her difficult circumstances, she still felt attacks on peace. Though we are in the midst of battle, we remember that the war has already been won by Jesus Christ and we have nothing to fear. When the evil one tries to draw us into battle him ourselves, God draws us near to Him and reminds us that He can and will take care of us if we allow Him. Though God is always guiding and convicting us to grow in holiness, we know that He never pushes us in shame or out of anger. He gently reminds and restores us so that we can live in peace. Join us next week for episode 3, where we will discuss part 2, chapters 1-6. Episode schedule: January 21st - preface, pt 1: ch 1-3 January 28th - pt. 1: ch 4-7 February 4th - pt. 2, ch 1-6 February 11th - pt. 2, ch 7-12 February 18th - pt. 2, ch 13-18 February 25th - pt. 3 Discussion Questions: 1. How was your week? Was there anything from last week's discussion that stayed with you throughout the week? 2. Share one quote from this section that was especially meaningful to you.  3. On pg. 16, Fr. Jacques states that a “necessary for interior peace is what we might call goodwill.” How would you describe the goodwill he is talking about here? 4. Ch. 3-5 focus on spiritual combat. Is this something that you have heard of before? How does it make you feel?  5. Too often we find ourselves at either end of the spectrum when it comes to spiritual warfare. Either completely aloof and unaware of the spiritual battle that is happening or overly fixated on where our inclinations come from and discerning what in our lives is coming from the devil or God. Where do you find yourself on this spectrum?  6. The devil often attacks our peace. Where have you seen these attacks in your own life? (Agitation and worries about the future? Discouragement about your own failings? Frustrations with others? Despair when comparing yourself to others? Another way?) 7. God wants to give us peace that far surpasses what the world can offer us. Have you ever experienced a time when you were given peace in a surprising situation? Or in the midst of a hard decision? Could that have been God at work in you?

This is the first episode of a six part book study over "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. I am joined by Katie Novitsky and Stefani Blackwell, and we go over the preface along with chapters 1-3 in pt. 1 of the book. We discuss how peace is essential if we want to serve and love others--namely, our families. This peace, as Fr. Jacques Philippe asserts, can only be found through Jesus Christ. Jesus, who knows us and loves us, will never abandon us to our anxieties, but if we come to Him and give our lives to Him, He will grant us never-ending peace. Join us next week for episode 2, where we will discuss part 1, chapters 4-7. Episode schedule: January 21st - preface, pt 1: ch 1-3 January 28th - pt. 1: ch 4-7 February 4th - pt. 2, ch 1-6 February 11th - pt. 2, ch 7-12 February 18th - pt. 2, ch 13-18 February 25th - pt. 3 Discussion Questions: 1. Coming into this book study, where in your life do you currently see peace? Where are you desiring more peace? 2. Share one quote from this section that was especially meaningful to you. 3. On pg. 8, Fr. Jacques tells about Saint Seraphin of Sarov, who brought multitudes toward him because of his peacefulness. Who in your life is an example of that same magnetic peacefulness? 4. Jesus says, “Without me you can do nothing.” How does that make you feel (cared for, powerless, defensive, empowered, etc.) and why do you think that is? 5. On pg. 6, it says that maintaining peace is “not an invitation to laziness and inaction,” but to act “under the impulse of the Holy Spirit… and not in a spirit of disquietude, agitation, or excessive hurry.” Describe a time when you’ve seen yourself act in either of these ways. 5. Ch. 3 reminds us that our life will be a “constant and sometimes painful battle” against temptation and sin. How can someone remain in peace if that is the truth? 6. Reflect on Hebrews 12:4-13. How does our negative view of discipline point to a “worldly” perspective? How can we shift our view to be more “heavenly” so that we may view discipline as a form of love?

Although you know I love talking about our faith and prayer, I get the most questions about practical things in our daily life. Whether you are a mom to one or twelve, you can always use some practical ideas for getting stuff done and taking care of business! In this episode, I discuss meal planning! I talk about: Apps I use How to post meals What I take into account when planning How we handle different meals in our family Tips on food and snacks More... Next week we will start a BOOK STUDY on "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. I'll be joined by two dear friends and we will discuss the book in six sections over six episodes. We will finish the study just before Lent with the hope of coming into Lent with a deeper relationship with the Lord and peace in knowing what He is calling us to do. Whether you get the book or not, I feel confident you will get a lot out of these episodes! If you would like to read the book along with us, make sure to purchase it in the next week and ask a friend (or two or three!) to do it with you! We will have discussion questions posted for each episode to help you in go over each section in a group setting. If you would like to prepare beforehand, the first episode will be about the preface and chapters 1-3 in part one of the book. See you then!

Although you know I love talking about our faith and prayer, I get the most questions about practical things in our daily life. Whether you are a mom to one or twelve, you can always use some practical ideas for getting stuff done and taking care of business! In this episode, I discuss laundry tips! Firstly about how to help your kids start doing their own laundry at a young age. If you can pass off the chore of laundry-even for just one or two kids, life can get SO much easier! I talk about: What ages we pass off chores like sorting, putting away, and folding towels How to set up your kid(s)'s closets so that it's practical for them How to teach them to do laundry How to simplify your systems More... Next week we will have another practical episode on meal planning and then on January 21st, we will start a BOOK STUDY on "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. I'll be joined by two dear friends and we will discuss the book in six sections over six episodes. We will finish the study just before Lent with the hope of coming into Lent with a deeper relationship with the Lord and peace in knowing what He is calling us to do. Whether you get the book or not, I feel confident you will get a lot out of these episodes! If you would like to read the book along with us, make sure to purchase it in the next two weeks and ask a friend (or two or three!) to do it with you! We will have discussion questions posted for each episode to help you in go over each section in a group setting. If you would like to prepare beforehand, the first episode will be about the preface and chapters 1-3 in part one of the book. See you then!

This Advent, we are talking about three main aspects of Jesus' hidden life (all the life He lived before going into His ministry on earth), and trying to bring those things into our lives this Advent. The third of these is work. Before Jesus was doing miracles daily and being followed by thousands, He worked as a carpenter and lived an ordinary life in Nazareth that included chores, travel, and a lot of work! As moms, we have so much work we need to do every day that can be very waring, but it can help us to remember that we don't have a God that cannot understand. He also went through all of the drudgery in life and experienced the monotony of normal life. However, Jesus didn't just work for the sake of work. He did it out of obedience to His father and out of love for those around Him. We to can work just for the sake of work, or we can take our work and turn it toward prayer. What work do you have during this last week of Advent? Is there a way to turn it into prayer? Listen in to hear some ideas how!

This Advent, we are talking about three main aspects of Jesus' hidden life (all the life He lived before going into His ministry on earth), and trying to bring those things into our lives this Advent. The second of these is family life. Jesus spent 30 years of His life living with His parents. This was not just about being practical or doing His duty. Jesus modeled to us that family life is SACRED and that He works all things in love. This generation of moms has a temptation to think that work outside of the home is more important than the life that happens inside the home. Do you feel that pull to work on projects outside of the home that will get you more kudos, achievements, or recognition? Is it easy to rush through daily tasks with the family so that you can serve others outside of the family? Maybe God is calling you to lean deeper into family life and reclaim normal moments as extraordinary opportunities to love your family more. Listen in to hear some ideas on how!

This Advent, we are talking about three main aspects of Jesus' hidden life (all the life He lived before going into His ministry on earth), and trying to bring those things into our lives this Advent. The first of these is SILENCE. Silence is hard to come by as a mom in the western world in the 21st century! We are inundated by NOISE and expected to make NOISE. But most of Jesus' life was spent with no large following and no major milestones. There are no miracles recorded at all and it would seem that he was hardly known outside of Nazareth. We can learn from this virtual silence that Jesus lived in. Silence is where we can: Hear God easier Think clearer Be less distracted from the call Jesus gives us as mothers Is God calling you to bring more silence into your life? Listen in for some practical ideas on how!

Join us for the final episode in the peace series! Stephanie Clarisse is the former host of this podcast back when it was called 500 Seconds to Joy, and she is an absolute JOY to talk to! I'm so grateful she came on to share what God has been teaching her as she focuses on peace this year. A verse that perfectly encapsulates this series is Isaiah 26:2, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Stephanie shares how this verse has encouraged her to keep up her daily prayer and to keep Jesus at the forefront of her brain throughout the day. When we can keep our minds on God and trust in Him, we can be steady even though tough times. When we try to create peace by controlling our circumstances or by allowing ourselves to follow any whim that comes, we can simulate peace, but God is the only one who can provide TRUE peace. Stephanie also shares a couple of quotes from the book Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe. This book will be the focus of a book study I will be hosting with two other ladies in January! I hope you join us so that we can continue to grow toward God together!

We make decisions CONSTANTLY as moms. From big ones like "Should we move?" or "Should we have another baby?" to very small ones like "Should spend time cleaning up before I work on the bills?" Not every decision weighs heavily, but the sheer number of decisions does weigh us down, especially when we don't have confidence on what we should do! In this episode, we remember that the only true question we need to ask ourselves is "What does God want?" and that is often an easier question to answer. Here are five ways we can do that: Be in relationship with Jesus (through daily prayer) Read Scripture consistently Take the time to ASK God and listen for His answer Carefully discern big decisions Accept God's permissive will (and forgive yourself when you get it wrong) For discerning big decisions, I highly recommend the book What Does God Want by Fr. Michael Scanlan! It is practical, short, and great for evaluating opportunities and choices. I love it so much that I did a series over it on this podcast back when it was called 500 Seconds to Joy! Check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-better-part-intentional-living-for-christian-moms/id1481909779?i=1000584622291