On The Road To Perfection

About On The Road To Perfection

Holy Owned and Operated presents “On The Road To Perfection,” a weekly discussion between Beth and Kristofer Cowles focused on living the Catholic Faith as they take their evening walk.

Publisher

Beth and Kristofer Cowles

Category

religion & spirituality · religion & spirituality · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Jul 2020

Latest episode

29 Feb 2024

Latest episodes

182 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Feb 2024

   Being Who We Are Supposed To Be – Episode 182

   On The Road To Perfection Episode 182: Being Who We Are Supposed To Be Being Who We Are Supposed To Be is something you hear in our episodes all the time. Make no mistake about it, we are not experts at it in practice – but we are a lot better than we used to be because we are purposeful in our pursuit of being perfect in it – hence being on the road to perfection! Because of our ups and downs, we can share what being who we are supposed to be is and how to put it into practice – and how to recover when we fail at it. In this episode, we share what it means to be who you are supposed to be, and how to get to being that! Starting with a brief history of how we got to this way of life and raising children (and ourselves!), we get into our natural calling as Men and Women – and other possibilities if there are chromosomal challenges. We talk about that natural calling God wants us to be, and then what comes out of that – what other vocations beyond being a Man or a Woman. When growing up, we are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And the answer always seems to be a doing – a Fireman, A scientist, a Doctor. But those are “doings”, not “beings”. But then we spend our life pursuing doing what we think we want to do, instead of spending that time discerning who God wants us to be. If we discern His intention and desire for our life – our being – He will then provide for us the necessary means to support that being: the doing. We all have a personal call to holiness: Our vocation. Our vocation – our being who we are supposed to be – is who God created us to be to achieve holiness and He then reveals through discernment how we are going to walk that path, and be on this road to holiness: the road to perfection. First, we get on the wrong foot, not discerning our Man or Woman vocation and recognizing that he has created us to be those, and then we get on anther wrong foot by not discerning the call to holiness, but instead a call to pleasure – what is going to be fun, make me happy, give me pleasure; as opposed to what is going to fulfill my mission that God has planned for me and bring me JOY. Jesus says, “I came that you might have joy, and that it might be complete.” Being who we are supposed to be will bring us joy. It follows, then, that not being who we are supposed to be will bring us misery and unhappiness. Which explains why so many people in this world do not have joy: they are not being who they are supposed to be. Complete joy is in Heaven, and being who we are supposed to be sets us up for Heaven. If we decide who we are going to be without God in the discernment process, we may be far off the mark. We further explain how a boy knows he is a man, and a girl a woman. And who gets to tell them when they are. As parents we do a lot of telling and instructing on the doing, but rarely on the being, that leads to knowing when Man- or Womanhood has been achieved. There are virtues necessary to master or have in good practice to achieve being who we are supposed to be. We discuss some of these, and what true obstacles they can be to becoming who we are supposed to be. In twenty minutes, we squeeze almost an entire three-night parish mission. Hope you can hang on for the ride! Some items on our site that will help in Being Who We Are Supposed To Be, or at least get you started: TWMWU: He Was Made Perfect (https://holyownedandoperated.com/he-was-made-perfect/) Podcast Episode: Discerning God’s Will – Part 1 – Episode 74 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discerning-gods-will-part-1-episode-74/) Podcast Episode: Discerning God’s Will – Part 2 – Episode 75 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discerning-gods-will-part-2-episode-75/) Podcast Episode: God’s Beauty – Episode 160 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/gods-beauty-episode-160/) Podcast Episode: Being Perfect – Episode 165 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/being-perfect-episode-165/) Podcast Episode: Walking In The Catholic Faith – Episode 167 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/walking-in-the-catholic-faith-episode-167/) Podcast Episode: Discernment – What It Is and Isn’t – Episode 176 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-what-it-is-and-isnt-episode-176/) Podcast Episode: Discernment – Peace And Freedom – Episode 180 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-peace-and-freedom-episode-180/) Podcast Episode: Discernment As A Couple – Episode 181 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discerning-as-a-couple-episode-181/) Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with Being Who We Are Supposed To Be.

2. 

   22 Feb 2024

   Discerning As A Couple – Episode 181

   On The Road To Perfection Episode 181: Couple Discernment We are not perfect. We strive for perfection, on the road to Perfection. As a couple, Beth and Kristofer work hard to be who we are supposed to be every day. Sometimes we fail, and sometimes we fail spectacularly! There is less likelihood if the couple discerns together, as one, and there is greater opportunity and possibility of forgiveness, reconciliation, and being better and doing better moving forward. Discerning as a couple starts with some basic rules, one of which we talked about when we opened this series with the episode The No Always Wins (https://holyownedandoperated.com/the-no-always-wins-episode-175/). As we begin this episode, we talk about Deaconate Formation as a good model to start with concerning that critical tool. A lot of what we have practiced in our own marriage comes from Beth’s parents, as well as a great gift from Kristofer’s Dad. While not explicitly taught, each of these deserve the credit for us being generally good at discerning as a couple. Anytime we fail, it’s on us! After an emotional start, we dive into the how-to. Everything we decide and do has a ripple effect (https://holyownedandoperated.com/ripple-effects/). And we aren’t talking about what’s for dinner. We’re talking about discerning as a couple for family, family, planning, and managing the ongoing aspects of life together that challenge us every day. Just thinking about a decision without involving our spouse still affects our spouse. When we talk about discerning as a couple, it involves every aspect of the past episodes, and being certain to not fall into group think or fail to consult consult other sources. Reading scripture, praying together, going to Mass together are all parts of being married that should be in a discernment. The Lord speaks most explicitly to us through our spouse – if we listened and have created the marital relationship that allows it. Discerning as a couple is not “natural” so much as it is something that we have to grow into. The better formed each individual is, the better formed and informed the marriage is. Discerning as a couple is supernatural because of that. Remember, we are discerning the better over the good. We take the last few moments to address couple discernment missing in a relationship that we believe leads to the significant number of divorces in married couples after the children have all left the house. This series has been a thumbnail of the Discernment Parish Mission we provide, tailored to the needs of the community and the needs of the individuals in that community. When your diocese, parish, organization, or individuals need help figuring out God’s direction for them, this is what we help with – giving you tools to keep and practice so that you, too, can reach the goal of discernment – peace and freedom that brings you closer to God, more perfect, more holy, in concert with your primary vocation, on the path you’re supposed to be on – the Road to Perfection – so you can know who you are supposed to be, be who you are supposed to be, and do what you are supposed to do. We are glad to help! Contact us here! Previous Episodes in this Discernment Series: Discernment – What It Is and What It Isn’t – Episode 176 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-what-it-is-and-isnt-episode-176/) Discernment – Listening For God – Episode 177 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-listening-for-god-episode-177/) Discernment – Listening To God – Episode 178 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-listening-to-god-episode-178/) Discernment – Being Open To God’s Messengers – Episode 179 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-being-open-to-gods-messengers-episode-179/) Discernment – Peace and Freedom – Episode 180 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-peace-and-freedom-episode-180/) Some items on our site that will help in Discernment – Peace and Freedom, or at least get you started: Page: Letters Home (https://holyownedandoperated.com/letters-home/) Page: Prayer Basics (https://holyownedandoperated.com/faith-formation/prayer-basics/) Article: Why Doesn’t God Shout? (https://holyownedandoperated.com/why-doesnt-god-shout/) Video: Spirit In Life – Exploring the Holy Spirit | A Video Series (https://holyownedandoperated.com/spirit-in-life-exploring-the-holy-spirit-a-video-series/) Video: Fruits of the Spirit: Peace (https://holyownedandoperated.com/fruits-of-the-spitit-peace/) TWMWU: Follow Christ! (https://holyownedandoperated.com/follow-christ/) TWMWU: This Great Gift (https://holyownedandoperated.com/this-great-gift/) Podcast Episode: Praying With Your Spouse, Part I – OTRTP0004 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/on-the-road-to-perfection-podcast-episode-4-praying-with-your-spouse-part-i/) Podcast Episode: Peace – Episode 32 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/peace-episode-32/) Podcast Episode: Discerning God’s Will – Part 1 – Episode 74 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discerning-gods-will-part-1-episode-74/) Podcast Episode: Discerning God’s Will – Part 2 – Episode 75 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discerning-gods-will-part-2-episode-75/) Podcast Episode: How Do I Listen To And Hear The LORD? – Episode 145 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/how-do-i-listen-to-and-hear-the-lord-episode-145/) Podcast Episode: God’s Beauty – Episode 160 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/gods-beauty-episode-160/) Podcast Episode: Walking In The Catholic Faith – Episode 167 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/walking-in-the-catholic-faith-episode-167/) Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with Discerning As A Couple.

3. 

   15 Feb 2024

   Discernment – Peace and Freedom – Episode 180

   On The Road To Perfection Episode 180: Discernment – Peace and Freedom When you are in the Will of God, you will feel a profound sense of discernment’s peace and freedom. And that is the key to knowing if you have discerned rightly. In this episode, we wrap up individual discernment by discussing the key indicators that tell you that you are on the right track – that you are being and doing as God has ordained. It’s a terrific sense of accomplishment, regardless of what you are called to be or do – even when you discern something that hurts to discern. With a grand example involving Santa Claus, we jump in and get to that peace and freedom idea. Discernment is not necessarily about choosing right from wrong; it’s about choosing the better of the good, choosing the lord over us. Love is an action, and discernment is an action culminating in a decision that requires more action. Peace and freedom are the sense one has that informs them that the action required after the decision is in God’s Will – and that action will bring about what God has ordained, proving He does not deny what he has ordained. Discernment needs to be completed; decisions have to be made. We can get stuck in the thinking circle instead of the discernment cycle = which has a beginning and an end…with a continuation. Peace and freedom give us the strength to follow through on the determination – and if we do not have that peace and freedom, we may have made a decision just to make a decision. This series has been a thumbnail of the Discernment Parish Mission we provide, tailored to the needs of the community and the needs of the individuals in that community. When your diocese, parish, organization, or individuals need help figuring out God’s direction for them, this is what we help with – giving you tools to keep and practice so that you, too, can reach the goal of discernment – peace and freedom that brings you closer to God, more perfect, more holy, in concert with your primary vocation, on the path you’re supposed to be on – the Road to Perfection – so you can know who you are supposed to be, be who you are supposed to be, and do what you are supposed to do. We are glad to help! Contact us here! PS: There’s one more discernment topic; Couple discernment, which fits in great with marriage preparation and married couples’ groups and retreats! Previous Episodes in this Discernment Series: Discernment – What It Is and What It Isn’t – Episode 176 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-what-it-is-and-isnt-episode-176/) Discernment – Listening For God – Episode 177 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-listening-for-god-episode-177/) Discernment – Listening To God – Episode 178 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-listening-to-god-episode-178/) Discernment – Being Open To God’s Messengers – Episode 179 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discernment-being-open-to-gods-messengers-episode-179/) Some items on our site that will help in Discernment – Peace and Freedom, or at least get you started: Page: Letters Home (https://holyownedandoperated.com/letters-home/) Page: Prayer Basics (https://holyownedandoperated.com/faith-formation/prayer-basics/) Article: Why Doesn’t God Shout? (https://holyownedandoperated.com/why-doesnt-god-shout/) Video: Spirit In Life – Exploring the Holy Spirit | A Video Series (https://holyownedandoperated.com/spirit-in-life-exploring-the-holy-spirit-a-video-series/) Video: Fruits of the Spirit: Peace (https://holyownedandoperated.com/fruits-of-the-spitit-peace/) TWMWU: Follow Christ! (https://holyownedandoperated.com/follow-christ/) TWMWU: This Great Gift (https://holyownedandoperated.com/this-great-gift/) Podcast Episode: Peace – Episode 32 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/peace-episode-32/) Podcast Episode: Discerning God’s Will – Part 1 – Episode 74 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/discerning-gods-will-part-1-episode-74/) Podcast Episode: How Do I Listen To And Hear The LORD? – Episode 145 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/how-do-i-listen-to-and-hear-the-lord-episode-145/) Podcast Episode: God’s Beauty – Episode 160 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/gods-beauty-episode-160/) Podcast Episode: Walking In The Catholic Faith – Episode 167 (https://holyownedandoperated.com/walking-in-the-catholic-faith-episode-167/) Your suggestions, questions, and ideas for topics are what we need to keep providing great episodes. Email us or use the contact page to let us know what you would like us to talk about, or comment below to let us know if we picked a good topic with Discernment – Peace and Freedom.

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