This episode of the Transformation Intensive Podcast delves into 'Week 25: Responding to the Love of Christ' from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. As we approach the conclusion of our Ignatian Journey, Ned Arnold introduces a method of for reflecting on the interior movements of the soul and comments on the process of discernment and decision making. Valerie McIntyre introduces the prayer exercises for the upcoming week then leads a guided contemplation inspired by John 10:1-11.   More information at transformationintensive.org.   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic

This episode of the Transformation Intensive Podcast, delves into 'Week 24: Nourishment for Mission' from the spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. The episode begins with a reflection on embracing the joy of Christ's resurrection and extends into practical advice for preparing to share one's transformative experiences from the Transformation Intensive (TI) journey. It emphasizes the importance of remembering through physical objects and invites listeners to find a personal symbol that marks their spiritual journey. A guided contemplation on Jesus' invitation to breakfast, as depicted in John 21, helps followers connect deeply with Jesus. Finally, the Valerie McIntyre discuss the sustenance Jesus provides before sending his disciples on their mission, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own nourishment and preparation for mission. The episode concludes with guidance on prayer exercises and a closing prayer.   00:00 Introduction to the Transformation Intensive Podcast 00:35 Week 24: Nourishment for Mission 01:14 Reflecting on Personal Experiences 02:14 Preparing to Share Your Journey 05:07 The Importance of Remembrance 08:58 Contemplation: Breakfast with Jesus 17:21 Nourishment for Mission: Deeper Insights 23:13 Guidance for the Upcoming Week 26:50 Closing Prayer and Blessing   More information at transformationintensive.org.   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic

In this episode of the Transformation Intensive Podcast, Ned Arnold guides listeners through Week 23, 'Entering the Joy of Christ,' as part of the nine-month spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. The podcast aims to inspire and instruct participants using weekly prayer guides from the transformation intensive notebook. Ned reviews the previous movements, focusing on God's love, Christ's mission, and Jesus' passion, leading to the current theme of resurrection joy. Anne Gemmel leads an imaginative contemplation of John 20. Valerie McIntyre highlights the crucial role of joy in fulfilling our missions and deepening our relationship with God.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 01:41 Entering the Joy of Christ 03:16 Reflecting on the Resurrection 05:37 Spiritual Nosegay: A Practice of Grace 09:02 Imaginative Contemplation of John 20 20:24 Seeking the Grace of Joy 31:37 Practical Suggestions for Prayer   More information at transformationintensive.org.   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic  

In this episode of the Transformation Intensive Podcast, listeners are invited into Week 22, focusing on the theme 'Jesus dies for us.' The podcast delves into Rule 14 from Ignatius, likening the enemy to a military commander examining our vulnerabilities. It encourages introspection on personal weaknesses and reflects on virtues and vices. The episode explores protective measures against spiritual attacks and the importance of reliance on Jesus for salvation. It guides listeners through the emotional landscape of Jesus' crucifixion and provides practical prayer exercises, emphasizing staying present with Jesus during His suffering. The episode concludes with a guided meditation on the crucifixion and reflections to contemplate Jesus' passion and death.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:31 Week 22: Jesus Dies for Us 01:48 Understanding Our Vulnerabilities 02:44 Virtues and Vices 06:35 Protecting Ourselves from Sin 13:12 Encountering Jesus at the Crucifixion 20:41 Prayer Exercises for the Week 28:40 Guided Contemplation of the Crucifixion   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic  

In this episode of the Transformation Intensive Podcast, Anne Gammel welcomes listeners to the 21st week of the Ignatian spiritual exercises, focusing on staying with Jesus during Lent. She shares personal reflections on God's grace, the power of carrying a solidarity stone, and insights into recognizing Jesus in his 'distressing disguise.' The episode also delves into Ignatius' Rule 13, highlighting the importance of bringing struggles into the light to avoid the enemy's deceptive tactics. The discussion includes practical advice on deepening one's connection with Jesus through his Passion, as well as encountering God through the distress of others. Finally, Megan and Tim Davis share their experiences hosting refugee families, shedding light on the profound impact of such acts of love and service. The episode concludes with a prayer written by Peter Faber, reflecting on finding blessings through Jesus' trials.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 01:03 Solidarity Stones and Personal Reflections 02:17 Jesus in His Distressing Disguise 03:57 Rule 13: The Enemy's Tactics 09:37 Union with God Through Suffering 10:58 Revealing Jesus Through Human Weakness 22:00 Personal Stories of Refugee Support 27:39 Tim and Megan's Reflections on Service 37:57 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast, Tim Gemmell, introduces 'Week 20: Jesus Begins His Passion.' The focus is on the third movement of the Ignatian exercises, where participants seek union with Christ in His passion and aim to understand Jesus' human suffering. Tim shares personal reflections on enduring hardships with divine grace and emphasizes waiting for God's grace during times of pain. The episode explores Ignatius' rules of discernment, particularly rules 12 to 14, which deal with resisting Satan's attacks. Advice is given on fighting spiritual battles, utilizing God's truth, renouncing Satan’s lies, and fasting. Valerie discusses the concept of Union with God and what it means in the Spiritual Exercises The episode concludes with instructions for the week's prayer exercises and a Collect for Monday of Holy Week.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:34 Entering the Third Movement: Jesus Begins His Passion 01:39 Personal Reflections and Encouragement 03:50 Ignatius's Rules of Discernment 06:14 Pushing Back Against Satan 09:12 Lenten Reflections and Spiritual Practices 19:26 Union with God: Purgation, Illumination, and Union 28:15 Prayer Exercises for the Week 30:57 Conclusion and Final Prayer   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic

In this episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast, we dive into 'Week 19: The Grace to See.' Ned Arnold, emphasizes the need for the grace to understand both our own blindness and the message of Jesus. The episode explores the parallels between the disciples' spiritual blindness and our Lenten journey, providing insightful reflections from Henri Nouwen and practical advice on deepening prayer. The 'Tip of the Week' encourages listeners to ask for spiritual guidance, drawing from Mark 9 and the importance of a support network. A poignant story about Val's silent retreat illustrates the 11th Rule of Discernment, emphasizing gratitude and humility in spiritual journeys. The episode concludes with a detailed preview of the week's prayer exercises, focusing on Jesus and the disciples' journey from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem, including a guided contemplation of the Anointing at Bethany from Mark's Gospel.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:33 Grace to See: Understanding Spiritual Blindness 04:11 The Importance of Asking for Help 06:24 Relying on Your Support Network 07:44 The Gift of Consolation and Desolation 09:58 Personal Story: Silent Retreat Experience 13:30 Preview of Week 19: The Grace to See 22:23 Contemplation Exercise: The Anointing at Bethany 37:30 Closing Prayer and Reflection   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast, Tim Gemmell, introduces 'Week 18: Jesus, Water, Light, and Life.' Tim explores the importance of recognizing God's stirrings and making connections in spiritual life, illustrated by a 'connect the dot' challenge. The episode delves into Rule 10 of the Ignatian Rules of Discernment, cherishing consolation. Valerie McIntyre previews the upcoming week of prayer and touches on visualizing versus imaginative prayer and how to immerse oneself in gospel stories. The episode concludes with a guided prayer on three segments from the Gospel of John and an encouragement to document and reflect on spiritual experiences.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:35 Week 18: Jesus, Water, Light, and Life 01:09 Connecting the Dots: Spiritual Insights 06:19 Rule of Discernment: Cherishing Consolation 11:25 Imaginative Prayer vs. Visualization 17:28 Parallel Processing in Prayer 20:25 Guided Prayer Experience 32:26 Conclusion and Reflection   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic  

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast delves into 'Week 17: Jesus Heals.' Sandy Sticha introduces the Sacred Heart of Jesus, exploring its historical significance and spiritual depth. She shares personal reflections from her journal about experiencing the Sacred Heart. The episode also covers Ignatius' Rule of Discernment, specifically Rule 9, which involves exploring causes of spiritual desolation. A guided meditation on Mark 5:24-34 focuses on the healing of a woman with a bleeding issue, encouraging listeners to engage deeply with Jesus’ healing power. Concluding the episode, Val highlights the significance of attuning to Jesus' emotions and offers insights on the week’s prayer exercises based on gospel healing stories. Practical advice on preparing for prayer and being open to new revelations is also provided.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:38 Exploring the Sacred Heart of Jesus 01:30 Historical Context and Significance 03:21 Personal Reflections and Journal Entries 05:23 Practical Applications in Prayer 07:23 Ignatius Rules of Discernment 08:44 Causes and Solutions for Desolation 13:20 Guided Contemplation 25:03 Preview of Week 17, Engaging with Gospel Stories 38:29 Conclusion and Final Prayer Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic  

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast introduces 'Week 16: Invitation to Follow Jesus.' Tim Gemmell presents the graces to seek—knowing Jesus intimately, loving Him more intensely, and following Him more closely. He shares personal reflections on the Tip of the Week: God may surprise you! The episode explores Ignatius' Eight Rule of Discernment, emphasizing patience during desolation, and provides practical advice on enduring spiritual storms. A guided meditation on John 1:35-39 prompts listeners to envision themselves following Jesus. Val discusses friendship with Jesus, depicting it as a call to Jesus’ inner circle and a call to biblical sainthood. She concludes with an overview of the upcoming week’s prayer exercises and an encouragement to integrate daily life with spiritual practices.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:37 Week 16: Invitation to Follow Jesus 01:19 God's Surprises in Spiritual Exercises 03:11 Breaking Out of the Box 04:13 Rule of Discernment: Patience in Desolation 08:59 Guided Meditation: Come and See 20:26 Friendship with Jesus: Inner Circle and Sainthood 27:29 Prayer Exercises and Daily Examen 30:13 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic  

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast explores 'Week 15: The Temptation in the Wilderness.' Adam Graber introduces the Tip of the Week, “God will give you more than you can handle,” and the Ignatius Seventh Rule of Discernment. Adam reflects on the nature of temptation using personal anecdotes and biblical insights, specifically emphasizing that to encourage reliance on divine strength. The discussion includes stories of faith, such as Lisa Beamer’s experience post-9/11, and aligns with scriptural guidance from 1 and 2 Corinthians. Practical advice is provided on differentiating between weakness and temptation while embracing God's grace during spiritual trials. Then, Valerie McIntyre introduces the weekly prayer exercises, encouraging listeners to meditate on Jesus' time in the wilderness, and offers strategies for engaging deeply with scripture through imaginative contemplation. The episode concludes with references to C.S. Lewis’s chronicles that illustrate Ignatian discernment and an invitation to watch a relevant homily by Henri Nouwen.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:30 Temptation in the Wilderness 01:50 God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle 02:28 Lisa Beamer's Story of Faith 04:30 Understanding Weakness and Temptation 06:00 Paul's Thorn in the Flesh 13:29 Jesus' Baptism and Identity 15:49 Contemplating Jesus' Temptation 19:12 Ignatian Rules of Discernment in Narnia 24:06 Prayer Exercises and Repetition 26:22 Engaging Imagination in Prayer 30:41 Conclusion and Homily by Henri Nouwen   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast introduces week 14, Jesus Baptism. Ann Gemel comments on the Tip of the Week, “Stand Firm” and introduces Rule 6 of Ignatius’ discernment tools, “Act Against Desolation.” Ann advises acting against desolation through prayer, self-care, and service to others. Valerie McIntyre introduces the prayer exercises for this week emphasizing the humility and humanity of Jesus. The episode includes a guided contemplation of Jesus baptism in the Jordan River.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:39 Stand Firm: Weekly Tip and Personal Reflection 02:46 Scriptural Insights and Rule of Discernment 05:26 Practical Actions Against Desolation 08:10 Personal Anecdotes and Encouragement 12:53 Contemplating Jesus' Baptism 24:51 Guided Contemplation Exercise   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic  

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast explores the 'Two Value Systems' also called The Two Standards in the Second Movement of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. Listeners are encouraged to be honest with themselves and with God, as essential for prayer and spiritual growth. The episode includes Ignatius's Rules for Discernment, particularly Rule 5, “Don’t make big changes in desolation.” Presenters discuss the cosmic battle between good and evil, symbolized in Ignatian exercises as two opposing flag or banners. The meditation aims to help participants recognize the deceits of evil and embrace the genuine life in Christ. Additional tips are provided for women and men on how to engage deeply with these exercises. Val concludes with practical advice on meditation.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:57 The Importance of Honesty in Prayer 05:54 Ignatius' Rules for Discernment 10:05 Understanding the Two Value Systems 22:14 Meditation and Reflection 28:03 Special Considerations for Women 38:56 Concluding Prayers and Final Thoughts

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast welcomes participants into Week 12 of the Ignatian exercises, focusing on Jesus' childhood and hidden years. Host Tim Gemmell emphasizes the importance of preparing the night before to ensure uninterrupted prayer time, outlining practical steps for creating a conducive environment for spiritual exercises. The discussion also delves into Ignatius of Loyola’s rules for discernment, specifically touching on the concepts of consolation and desolation, and how these affect one's spiritual journey. Valerie McIntyre invites participants to contemplate Jesus' humanity and the humanity of the other Bible characters.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:27 Welcome and Opening Remarks 01:22 Preparing for Uninterrupted Prayer 06:59 Rules of Discernment 08:44 Understanding Desolation 13:27 Guided Time of Prayer 15:38 Introducing this week of prayer 17:38 Contemplating Jesus' Childhood 21:17 Imaginative Prayer and Gospel Characters 26:45 Insights on Mary, Mother of Jesus 30:15 Conclusion and Further Reading   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic

In this week’s episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast, Ned Arnold gives a detailed explanation of Rule Number Three of discernment, which addresses consolation and the fruits of the Spirit. Valerie McIntyre introduces Week 11, which focuses on contemplating the Incarnation and Nativity of Jesus Christ. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on familiar biblical stories to gain a deeper, more personal knowledge of Jesus. The episode offers tips on using images and imagination to enhance prayer and meditation. Practical advice on creative and imaginative prayer, supported by visual art, poetry, and even family activities, is given to help participants more fully engage with the exercises. The episode concludes with a guided prayer session using Rublev’s famous Trinity icon.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:34 Entering the Second Movement: Week 11 01:40 The Power of Images in Prayer 04:29 Understanding Consolation 09:04 Prayer Exercises for the Week 10:04 The Role of Imagination in Ignatian Spirituality 17:38 Tips for Creative Prayer 22:27 Daydreaming and Background Prayer 29:35 Guided Prayer Exercise with Icons 40:53 Closing Prayer and Blessing   Music by Austin Sebek, "Something"www.worshipstart.com/royaltyfreemusic  

Slides: it was great to have Ann’s slides for the first presentation because she was giving an overview. But ideally, let’s stick to just one slide. If you look at the discernment slides already created, you’ll see that each slide includes a ”Big Idea.” If you want to modify that phrase to better fit your presentation, that’s fine with me. Just give me a heads up. The Big Idea for each Rule is also listed on our weekly planning document.

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast introduces Week 9, “The Call of the King” and marks the beginning of Movement Two in the Ignatian exercises. The discussion reflects on the first movement's focus on understanding one's identity in God as 'loved sinners' and transitions to responding to this identity. Key themes include gratitude, awe, fear of the Lord, and reflection on Psalm 95. The episode also covers Ignatius' symbolic surrender in Montserrat and the emotional resonance of pledging loyalty to Jesus, encouraging listeners to cultivate readiness to respond to God's call.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:27 Reflecting on Movement One 01:47 Understanding Our Identity in God 04:14 Transition to Movement Two 05:14 The Call of the King 06:31 Psalm 95 Meditation 17:07 Practical Exercises and Resources 20:55 Ignatius's Journey and Commitment 30:30 Reflecting on Inspirational Leaders 37:58 Concluding Prayer and Reflection

This episode of the Transformation Intensive podcast delves into Week 8 of the First Movement, titled 'The Freedom to Say No.' It outlines the week's focus on the human freedom to say “no” to God and its consequences in this life and the next. It also introduces the Ignatian prayer exercise called “A Meditation on Hell” and emphasizes the concept affective union with God. It includes some suggestions for finding peace in the season of Advent, the invitation to experience the weekly prayer exercises as a personal encounter with Jesus rather than a chore, and a guided experience of the Trinitarian Triple Colloquy prayer exercise.     00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:33 Freedom to Say No: Week Eight Insights 01:10 Finding Calm Amidst the Waves in Advent 01:19 Exploring Art and Prayer 03:16 Daily Practices and Tips 03:31 Reframing Your TI Experience 06:22 Triple Colloquy Prayer Practice 19:52 Week Eight Prayer Exercises 26:09 Meditation on Hell: Understanding the Exercise 29:59 Personal Story: Compassion in Action 32:53 Decision Time: Continuing with TI 33:36 Closing Prayer for Advent

This Transformation Intensive podcast episode introduces Week 7 of the First Movement with a focus on receiving forgiveness. The episode covers Ignatius’ first three rules of discernment, describes the experience of consolation, introduces the Trinitarian Triple Tolloquy Prayer Exercise and addresses the challenge of internalized feelings of powerlessness. The episode also includes a Healing of Memories prayer intended for deep reflection on life's past hurts and extending and receiving forgiveness.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:27 Week Seven: Receiving Forgiveness 00:43 Tip of the Week: Expect Consolation 01:38 Rules for Discernment 04:19 The Gift of Tears 05:13 Trinitarian Triple Colloquy Exercise 06:08 Receiving Forgiveness Prayer Exercise 08:14 Internalized Powerlessness 12:34 Healing of Memories Prayer 21:15 Guided Prayer Experience

This Transformation Intensive podcast episode kicks off Week 6 of the First Movement with a focus on forgiving others. The episode highlights the importance of personal and communal rituals in prayer life, the concept of prayer satisfaction, and the transformative power of forgiveness. Listeners are guided through exercises for assessing and praying with memories of desolation and the impact of sin. The episode emphasizes the potential for personal mission to emerge from suffering and prepares participants.   00:00 Introduction to Transformation Intensive 00:28 Week Six: Forgiving Others 01:10 Understanding Personal Prayer Satisfaction 02:50 The Power of Rituals in Prayer 06:12 Forgiveness and Its Impact 11:02 Prayer Exercises and Weekly Focus 12:09 Upcoming Healing Service 12:39 Daily Examen and Final Thoughts 15:08 A Story of Forgiveness