examen Archives

Hold Things Loosely

October 5, 2024 by Deanna Bartalini Leave a Comment

Sometimes our bad habits can be opportunities to assess, grow, and determine our next steps. When we hold all the important things of our life loosely it is a bit easier to let them go.

Bad Habits

I have a few bad habits:

I leave my shoes all around the house and then cannot find them when I am going out.
I remember one more thing I have to say as my husband is leaving the room after we’ve finished talking.
I often say yes to new ideas, projects, and opportunities without thinking about what else is going on.
I think I can do it all.

What to Keep, What to Let Go

A few months while talking to a good friend, I realized an opportunity might not turn out the way I wanted. She advised me to hold it loosely so that if it happened or not, I was prepared. This is very similar to detachment. Letting the things of this world not be what we hold onto. Rather, have open hands, ready to receive what God gives or able to let go of what God asks us to let go.

I have had some great new opportunities come my way and said yes to them, willing and with great excitement.

But I let go of nothing. And pretty soon, there was a feeling of overload, rather than peace. What did I need to let go?

It’s not Goodbye

I will no longer be recording this podcast. For now. Will I ever do a podcast again? Possibly. I have enjoyed it very much. I hope I have helped you in your faith life. The wide-ranging and numerous authors I have interviewed have been a great blessing. But at this time, I am turning my focus elsewhere.

Please do stay in touch with me. The best way is to subscribe to my newsletter. This will include a video series on praying with scripture and in the next few weeks I’m hosting a webinar about the Examen.

You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And of course, email me at deanna (at)livenotlukewarm(dot)com

Website link

Thank you for all your support.

Thank you to the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network for hosting me!

God Bless You all and do your best to

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Podcast Index | RSS | More

Filed Under: Not LukeWarm Podcast Tagged With: Catholic, examen, live not lukewarm, podcast, Scripture

A Daily Examen

July 7, 2023 by Deanna Bartalini Leave a Comment

End your day with prayer

Echo the psalmist as he says,

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

With these verses in mind we settle ourselves in for prayer and begin the 5 steps or movements:

5 Steps to the Examen

Thank God for all the graces and goodness you have received today, giving gratitude for his greatness.
Ask God to reveal your sins to you, both those you did and things which you did not do that were possible.
Look back on your day and notice where you saw God and consider where you may have missed noticing him.
Ask for forgiveness, express your sorrow, and allow God’s mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace into your soul.
Ask God for help and grace to improve. If you are facing a challenge, tell him.

End with a prayer of thanks or an Our Father.

Other Options

Here is a link to a variety of daily examen prayers from Ignatian Spirituality.

This week, spend 5-15 minutes praying a daily examen. Think about writing it at least once, taking a bit more time with the prayer.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Podcast Index | RSS | More

Filed Under: Not LukeWarm Podcast Tagged With: conscience, daily prayer, examen, Ignatian spirituality, prayer, reflection, St. Ignatius

An Interview & Book Notes with Christina Semmens

July 24, 2020 by Deanna Bartalini Leave a Comment

Welcome to Christina Semmens, author, speaker and spiritual mentor from Say Yes to Holiness. Christina’s book, Say Yes, Discovering Purpose, Peace and Abundance in your Daily Life was written in response to her own personal experiences and others who are seeking to become saints. A convert to Catholicism, Christina’s life change when a friend invited her to a Good Friday service in a Catholic church. She has a personal encounter with Christ and eventually joined the Catholic Church in 1989. Since then, she has been on a journey to wholeness, growing in virtue each day, living out her faith.

Her book is bilingual, English and Spanish, and focusing on 3 themes: Discovering Deep Purpose, Encountering Authentic Peace, and Embracing Abiding Abundance. Each theme is fully developed, leading you deeper and deeper into your own personal path to holiness.

She talks about being intentional, being aware and the need for a response. How are we living out our faith every day? Christina talks about 4 steps: prayer/meditation, the sacraments, growing daily in virtue and abandoning yourself to God’s will. While she has examples of different ways to engage in these, there is no one size fits all. It is a process, not a program.

I have read parts of her book and cannot wait to get a hard copy of it. I know I’ll want to underline and make notes in it!

To learn more about Christina Semmens go to her website or Facebook page. To receive book notes and news beginning on July 31, text 66866 with say yes to holiness and you’ll be able to stay up to date on what’s new!

The Cappadocian Fathers

For the Not Lukewarm challenge, Christine suggests a daily examen and gave a brief outline: 1 What are you grateful for from your day? What could you have done better? Ask forgiveness for your failings. And ask for a good night’s rest and to do better tomorrow.