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.
This may sound strange, but I’ve been thinking of joining a dispersed religious order for people from all walks of life. That means married people like me can join. This would be a great next step for me in that it would give me a community of folks like me who are intentionally doing everything … Continue reading To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue
Just started this!! I love St. Teresa of Avila, no one messed with her. If you need human strength, her words can help. I’ve heard this is her book about prayer but as I’m reading it, it seems that it is more about the intentional spiritual journey, the drawing closer to union with God, and … Continue reading The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila
Jan Ruusbroec was a Flemish mystic of the Middle Ages. This book is only an introduction to his work and life. He was a man who only wrote when the spirit moved him to do so. He would walk into the forest to be alone often taking a tablet with him in case the spirit … Continue reading Ruusbroec and his Mysticism by Paul Verdeyen
True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and turned many [to a union with God].” (Malachi 2:6) There is no doubt that to know God better, is to finally have peace. I never knew true peace in my life until … Continue reading The book of Malachi
"…'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you,'…" (Zechariah 1:3) Zechariah is another prophet. He and the prophet Haggai (see yesterday's post) are both trying to encourage the people to complete Jerusalem's temple, but the people keep getting distracted by other things. Sounds a lot like when God calls us … Continue reading The book of Zechariah
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19) Habakkuk awaits the ruin of the unjust Babylonians. He complains twice to God that he wishes God would act now and “destroy” them. There are a couple of points … Continue reading The book of Habakkuk
“You have increased the number of your merchants till they are more than the stars of the sky, but like locusts, they strip the land and then fly away.” (Nahum 3:16) Warning: according to Grammarly, my post today sounds worried and sad. 😬 Here, like in my Bible post on Joel, we have mention of … Continue reading The book of Nahum
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) Now here’s something…WE, our bodies, hearts, and minds are Israel. Now, read it to reference yourself: “…though … Continue reading The book of Micah
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh…three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more … Continue reading Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians
“You have been concerned about this plant [providing you shade], though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right … Continue reading The book of Jonah
BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI 