HI THERE! I'M BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI, FREELANCE WRITER, HISTORICAL RESEARCHER, & PERPETUAL SEEKER OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. WELCOME TO MY SPACE WHERE I SHARE THE BOOKS I'M READING, MY SPIRITUAL FINDINGS, FLOWERS IN MY GARDEN, AND LOST STORIES. ALL ARE WELCOME HERE.
Needed me a little Robert Murray M’Cheyne this morning (19th century Presbyterian Minister—Edinburgh, Scotland). His pastoral letters supply a thirsty soul with living water. He knew the Bible so well and never failed to tie a small sermon into his letters. To comfort a parishioner after the death of her brother: “Are there any need … Continue reading Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne
We are halfway through the Bible! Since the Fall of 2019, I have been writing really brief reviews of the books of the Bible. They are my own contemplative thoughts that no one has to agree with, but I hope speak only truth and leave room for your own contemplation. The order I have been … Continue reading Halfway through the Bible. If you’re on Instagram follow this hashtag!
The absence of God leads to a life of vanity & vexation. This is the main theme of Ecclesiastes. What are we filled with when God is absent from our souls? Ego, pride, vanity—the ‘self’. When we are consumed with ‘self’ all we produce and put into the world is filled with ‘self’ and therefore … Continue reading The book of Ecclesiastes
"Truthful lips endure forever, But a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” (Proverbs 12:19) . . “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, But those who promote peace have joy.” (Proverbs 12:20) . . . Most of Proverbs was written by Solomon, known to be the wisest man who ever lived. In … Continue reading The book of Proverbs
Finished writing in an entire journal yesterday, and it’s time to begin a new one! These are my prayer journals, the worn one on the left is the old one. Took me a little over four months to fill every inch with essays on prayer and spiritual journeying. Also if you swipe you’ll see a … Continue reading Journaling and prayer. What are your thoughts on homemade communion?
I like to follow the breadcrumbs of authors I admire. If an author quotes another or happens to really like a certain book or person then I investigate whomever they suggest. St. John of the Cross is one of those breadcrumbs. I’m so excited to read his work. This book is 800 pages, not exactly … Continue reading The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross
Today is Good Friday! I feel so much joy today I can barely contain myself. My heart feels so full of love, as if it glows. The light of Jerusalem seems to be with me today. Do you ever feel this way? “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer … Continue reading The Book of Nehemiah on Good Friday
Contemplative Vision by Juliet Benner is a book about contemplating religious art with prayer in mind and using it to expand our prayer life by gazing at the face of God through it, seeing His face and meditating about the art’s purpose/story, and the artist’s time creating it. The book discusses using art as a … Continue reading Contemplative Vision by Juliet Benner
For months I did my own personal study on tears, because I was crying everyday for various reasons, mostly for other people. Not really knowing what would come of it, I began journaling my experience and realized that my tears for others and tears for my family were a form of contemplative prayer for them. … Continue reading Tears Today
Maybe this will be white noise today, but maybe it will be some relief. I recently watched a documentary about Lorna Byrne, the woman who sees angels. She has seen them her whole life. They speak to her, they tell her things. They are with everyone, she says. Everyone is born with a guardian angel … Continue reading Lorna Byrne: The woman who sees angels.
BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI 