Spark My Muse

We need to build the muscles to create inner solitude.

Today, I share a bit about something we need so urgently. Howard Thurman is a spiritual mentor I most cherish. You can do a search on this website and find much more work I've down related to him. Please check it out. ONE MORE THINGA related article I just wrote is a great companion to my audio here. https://sparkmymuse.substack.com/p/where-is-the-treasure-in-the-field?r=388bh I go into the two mo...

There's a dynamic connection between flexibility and healthy personalities. It took me many years of healing to not be swept into self-hate when I messed up. Here's what helped.

finding a new despair in the future from the elderly

Here is a excerpt as part of the series I've created for my Spark My Muse YouTube Channel (Here's the link to find the rest: youtube.com/@Sparkmymuse) This part 4 in the series of 7 explores how the nature of desire is a signpost to the infinite. Longing, bliss, desire are more than they appear to be. This series distills the too-often obtuse work of David Bentley Hart from his book The Experience...

What you are about to hear is part two of seven in a series explaining a foundational book by David Bentley Hart. My interest in high theism is strengthened by the fact that you can have a deep faith, be a skeptic, or a confused doubter and still embrace these first principles and ideas about existence. Please enjoy all seven in the series as they roll out this summer at my youtube channel: youtub...

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 (th...

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

Vainglory, Envy, Pride and Creating a Rule of Life

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.---UPDATE:Here is the 3rd one from April 19https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlIKZ...

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?

Experiencing the mystery of God in ordinary moments and finding embodied spirituality.

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

Research and Tactics for more meaning

How I defeated the threats of loneliness

Lee Coate and Simon Doong from A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast conversed with me on the themes of the Sermon on the Mount and on Christianity in the time of Empire (and conservative Christians cult mentalities) To watch the (unedited) conversation go here: YouTube.com/@Sparkmymuse Here's the book getting into the wild! Some launch team readers got their copy and my do they seem excited. • Get...

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