Anatomy of Freedom with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR

Merry Christmas! This week, Jake and Bob have a heartfelt conversation about loss and healing during the Christmas season. Bob shares about recently losing a family member and reflects on the healing power of being present with one another during times of grief. They also explore the significance of Jesus’ birth, the complexities of self-reflection in the context of healing, and transforming traditions into opportunities for deeper connection and presence.    Key Points: Navigating grief during the holidays is challenging The gift of presence is a healing experience during loss Jesus' birth represents hope and healing Jesus models perfect humanity and dependence on God Self-reflection can lead to self-absorption if not balanced with self-giving We are never truly alone, even in our struggles   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by their longtime friend, Dr. Tom Nelson, a sports activation specialist. They discuss Dr. Tom’s journey of integrating faith into his medical practice and the physical and spiritual healing that has occurred as a result. Dr. Tom shares about the relationship between emotional and physical healing, a new perspective on the anatomy of a wound, and several inspirational patient stories.   Key Points: The integration of prayer and medicine leads to healing Dr. Tom emphasizes the importance of understanding the whole person as body, mind, and soul in medicine Emotional wounds can directly affect physical health Breath plays a crucial role in our physical and emotional well-being The body compensates for injuries, leading to further complications Appropriate touch and physical presence can positively impact the healing processes   Resources: Activate and Dominate (Dr. Tom’s website) Douglas Heel  Kingdom Medicine Man Your Post – Book   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob answer your questions! They discuss topics ranging from the effectiveness of 12-step groups and obedience in religious life to explaining love to someone who has never experienced it and more. We enjoy receiving your emails and encourage you to send us a message or a question for a future show on our website here.   Key Points: 12-step groups can be beneficial for healing and community support Community is crucial in the healing process Spiritual abuse can occur in religious settings and this leads to deep wounds Pain that is not transformed can be transmitted to others Love is defined as willing the good of the other Experiencing beauty can be a pathway to understanding love   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob continue their conversation on redemptive suffering. They reflect on the Song of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53 and how Jesus redeems suffering itself. Jake and Bob also discuss how Jesus experienced all seven deadly wounds, challenged each identity lie, and how this in turn helps us challenge our own identity lies so that we too can love through sorrow.   Key Points: Communion with Jesus is healing Confronting our judgements about God leads towards healing Jesus experienced each of the seven deadly wounds yet because His identity was rooted in the Father, He did not accept any identity lies. Only when our identity is rooted in God, can we truly love while suffering   Resources: Real Suffering by Dr. Bob Schuchts Real Suffering Online Video Series with Dr. Bob Schuchts (and others) Healing the Whole Person online video course Healing the Whole Person workbook (select PDF or hard copy in the dropdown menu)   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob dive deep into the concept of redemptive suffering. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, processing a medical diagnosis, or struggling to love your neighbor, we all experience suffering in many forms throughout our lives. Jake and Bob discuss how these sufferings allow us to see clearly into our hearts and notice the compassionate ways God is working to unite us more closely to Him. They also explore the nature of suffering as an experience of evil, the healing power of suffering, and share personal stories of how suffering redeemed their lives.    Key Points: Suffering is the experience of evil Redemptive suffering often involves facing deeper issues than we initially recognize Our understanding of God is often revealed in our response to suffering Community and communion with others are essential during times of suffering Surrendering to God in suffering leads to healing   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Carrie Archual, a longtime friend and prayerful intercessor in their families’ lives. Carrie walks us through her profound journey of a cancer diagnosis.  From learning surrender to experiencing deep spiritual consolations, Carrie shares the transformative power of faith in the face of suffering. They also discuss the duality of pain and healing and how true healing isn’t always physical restoration alone.    Key Points: Healing is often more than just physical restoration of our bodies Faith can provide a profound peace amidst chaos and suffering Offering one’s suffering for another brings meaning to the suffering God is already there with us in our darkest moments The physical and emotional wounds we experience in our lives are opportunities to see and experience God’s faithfulness and grace. Resources:   JJ Heller - Only Time Will Tell (Music Video)   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Isaac Wicker, a licensed counselor and co-founder of Known, a 12-week online Catholic coaching program to heal wounded relationships with God the Father. Isaac shares his story of his own mental health journey, his approach to helping others overcome their struggles and discover their worth, as well as the role of loving people in therapy. They also discuss the importance of bringing all our emotions and desires to God, especially when we are exploring our own woundedness.    Key Points: All good therapy is rooted in love. Isaac’s approach to help low-income adults overcome their struggles involves focusing on values and collaborative problem-solving. The Kown program helps individuals discover their purpose and live fully alive by healing our wounded relationship with God the Father Being secure and relational with God allows for exploration of difficult emotions without being overwhelmed. Having a concrete schedule, routine, and accountability within the healing process helps one stay dedicated along the sometimes difficult journey.   Resources: Isaac’s Website (Ready to Be Known) [email protected] The Whole Human Podcast with Isaac Wicker   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR to discuss the anatomy of freedom. Fr. Mark-Mary talks about the three pillars of freedom, the components of being loved, and how these concepts have helped bring about healing within his ministry work. They also discuss the importance of naming our needs, surrendering them to God, and why this act of surrender helps us love and be loved more authentically.   Key Points: The three pillars of authentic freedom are being seen and known, loved, and safe. The components of being loved include being heard, understood, chosen, and receiving personal treatment. Being loved authentically also involves being celebrated, sacrificially served, offered forgiveness, and pursued.  Having clear rules, consistency, and sufficient resources contribute to our sense of safety. We should surrender our needs to the Father so that we can then be more open and able to receive healing from those around us.   Resources: Fransiscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs) on Ascension Presents (YouTube) Poco a Poco Podcast The book Habits for Holiness by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR The book The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You Into the Heart of God by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob go back to the basics of healing. They reflect on the idea that it is not what happens to us that harms our souls, but rather our response. Jake and Bob also discuss the problem of evil done to another, the challenges that come with accepting the reality of what happened, and the role of pain in the healing process.    Key Points: There is a difference between blame and responsibility. It is important to hold abusers accountable while also recognizing our personal role in the healing process Our souls are harmed in our response to a trauma but that does not mean we are responsible for the trauma itself Grace and divine assistance are necessary for acknowledging the reality of what happened and experiencing healing Healing is the process of being restored to our original God-given glory. It involves encountering God as the source of our healing and developing a right relationship with Him Healing is not just the removal of pain, but the freedom to will the good and the capacity to live in accordance with our true nature   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!

This week, Jake and Bob are joined by Fr. John Burns and Sr. Miriam James Heidland to talk about their ministry called Friends of the Bridegroom. Their ministry seeks to renew the Church through the healing, renewal, and expansion of women’s religious life in America. They also discuss the nuptial meaning of every vocation, the unique beauty women bring to the Church, and how in every state of life, we are all called to live for another.   Key Points: Priests and religious play a vital and unique role in the health and healing of the Church A Church without religious sisters is like a family without a mother No matter our state of life, we are not meant to be living for ourselves. Our hearts are made to be lived for another  Friends of the Bridegroom seeks to bring God’s glory forth by awakening a movement in the Church for the restoration of the Bride. When the Bride radiates, everyone understands their place within it.  Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are three ways we can offer a penitential sacrifice for the renewal of the Church.   Resources: Friends of the Bridegroom Website Healing Through Forgiveness with Sr. Miriam and Fr. John (from SEEK23) Forgiveness Meditation with Sr. Miriam   Connect with Restore the Glory:  Instagram: @restoretheglorypodcast  Twitter: @RestoreGloryPod Facebook: Restore the Glory Podcast   Never miss out on an episode by hitting the subscribe button right now! Help other people find the show and grow in holiness by sharing this podcast with them individually or on your social media. Thanks!