 "Late Have I Loved You," is a poetic excerpt from St Augustine's "Confessions." It's a beautiful story of how St Augustine was so enthralled with the world, that he resisted God's calling. In the end, he could not resist God and he finally left worldly things behind and reached for God's peace. How many of us can echo Augustine's sentiment, "Late have I loved you?" I know I can. Even though I was raised to love God as an evangelical, I abandoned God, for paganism and new-ageism. I covered my ears so that I could not hear God. I wanted to live my life on my terms. I didn't understand that I was hungering for God. As St Augustine says, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you." Boy, was I restless. However, even in the midst of my flirtations with the world, God continued to call me. And finally I listened. This website is called "BeautySoAncient.com"in gratitude and acknowledgement that, like St Augustine, I resisted God, but He never gave up on me. He continued to shout, flare and blaze, until I was able to see. He did not allow me to die in my sins, but he called me to his Holy Catholic Church. Late, have I loved you, Dear Lord. Thank you for saving me and calling you to your Holy Catholic Church. Episode notes  

LifeSmything with Cynthia Burley

42: Late Have I Loved You by St. Augustine - God Doesn't Give Up On Us!

Because of all the Valentine's Day media hype, so many of us end up feeling lonely on Valentine's day. However, what actually happens is that we allow ourselves to get manipulated into experiencing deep longing for a mate on this Valentine's day. IN THIS PODCAST Remember that Valentine's Day is just another day. Be thankful for your past failed relationships Celebrate your growth in your understanding and knowledge of courtship. Make contact with one person of the opposite sex. Spend some time with the God of love. 

41 - 5 Ways to Combat Loneliness on Valentines Day

As some of you know, I am extremely attached to Amazon. Whenever I see a new book, I want it. Well, last week, I received, Mother Angelica's Guide to Practical Holiness. It's a wonderful, practical book that I highly recommend. In a chapter titled, "Three Keys to the Kingdom", she lists three types of people who seek God in the wrong ways. Through emotions (feelings). Through intellectual pride. Through a domineering will. Are You Seeking God Through One of These Three Wrong Ways?   EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 40 - Are You Seeking God Through These 3 Wrong Ways (Mother Angelica)?

Sometimes when we want to suffer for our Lord, we are drawn to external mortifications and penances like self-flagellation (whipping), wearing hairshirts and cilices. Why is that? Two reasons - first, we want to go hardcore and in our minds, whipping yourself is EXTREMELY hardcore. The second reason, is one we might not like admitting. Maybe we find it easier to self-flagellate than to restrain ourselves from answering an insult? Dom Scupoli, in his book, the Spiritual Combat, suggests some other penances that we might do instead of, or in addition to, any external mortification. In this podcast,  IN THIS EPISODE: 5 Penances Catholics Can Do Instead of Self-Flagellation Silence & retirement; Humility & charity; Patient endurance of the greatest injuries; Render good for the evil of your enemies; Take care to avoid the smallest faults; EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 39 - 5 Penances Catholics Can Do Instead of Self-Flagellation

T Humans are driven to get married, first of all to procreate, but secondly to build a bond with another human being that you can trust with your life. You want to be with someone who understands you and will help you to get to heaven. Life is not easy and we are often so distracted by the cares and worries of life that we forget about our spouses. And so, the relationship grows cold. However, there are things that can be done to build intimacy in your marriage.   IN THIS EPISODE: 5 FREELANCE JOBS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR STAY-AT-HOME-MOMS Physical intimacy Cook together. Having regular meal times. Playing board or card games. Date night! Give each other space. Communicate throughout the day Pillow talk EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 38 - 8 Ways to Build Intimacy in Your Marriage

Teen vogue posted a guide to anal sex on Christmas Day. This is not the first time they posted this. It's almost like they do it to rile up Christians. This had me thinking about how important it is to either homeschool or put your kids in good Catholic schools, rather than risk the secular culture influencing them to abandon their beliefs. Some couples think their finances won't allow them to homeschool, although with budgeting, it is often possible. However, there is nothing wrong with a stay-at-home mom and being a Proverbs 21 woman and bringing in a little income, if she so desires. IN THIS EPISODE: 5 FREELANCE JOBS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR STAY-AT-HOME-MOMS Bookkeeping/Account Internet Marketer Writer Graphic Designer Seamstress EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 37 - 5 Freelance Jobs That Are Perfect for Stay-at-home Moms

Sometimes anger and hate for someone is so intense that it makes us sick, but we keep being angry. Is there no way of dissolving the anger? Luckily there is a way and both religion and psychology confirm it. Now how would you like to get rid of your strong feelings of anger that both shame you and control you? Listen to the podcast to see how praying can help.   IN THIS EPISODE Praying for someone decreases aggression. How praying causes cognitive "re-appraisal. How increases charity. Anger poisons us, not the person you're angry at. EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com ?

Ep. 36 – How To Dissolve Your Anger & Hate Through Prayer

Apparently, it has become a "thing" for Christian women to take "boudoir" photos. Boudoir photography  is a "photographic style featuring intimate, sensual, romantic, and sometimes erotic images of its subjects in a photographic studio, bedroom or private dressing room environment, primarily intended for the private enjoyment of the subject and his or her romantic partners." This doesn't sound like something a Catholic would be interested in, but there are tons of articles which aim to convince women that boudoir photos are a legitimate gift for one's husband. What is this world coming to?   IN THIS EPISODE Why do women do boudoir photo shoots? Should Christian women take Boudoir photos? The link between low self-esteem (lack of confidence) and boudoir photos. The risk of lust. Why you should not give your husband sensual pictures of you while he is travelling for work? Does posing for sexy pictures make you strong? How sensual pictures can affect your marriage. EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 35 – Should Christian Women Take Boudoir (Sensual) Photo Shoots For Their Husbands?

On Tuesday, November 5th, 11, Washington D.C., Nov 5, 2019, more than 11,000 "scientists" signed a "climate change emergency" letter. This letter calls for a "gradual reduction" in the world's population. This warning was was published in BioScience journal and was signed by 11,258 scientists from 153 countries. I know that a lot of you are sick of the climate change agenda. However, if the climate change cult is urging people to not have children, I think this is good news for us, no?   IN THIS EPISODE The climate change letter signed by over 11,000 Scientists. How the climate change apocalypse predictions have always been wrong. Why this news should make us happy. What is the ONE thing we Christians need to do to counter climate change? EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 34 – Climate Change Letter Signed by Scientists is Good News for Christians

Recently during the Amazonian Synod, 5 statues of the the Pachamama idol, the earth mother goddess, revered by the Amazonian people, were placed in a Chapel of the Carmelite Church of Santa Maria in Transportina, Rome. On October 21, these statues were taken and thrown into the Tiber River. This action was received with great joy by many Catholics, and statements of condemnation from the Vatican and Pope Francis. What are we to make of this event? How about us? Do we have any Pachamamas in our lives?   IN THIS EPISODE What is a Pachamama? Was it wrong for the men to take the Pachamama and throw them in the Tiber river? The danger of mixing indigenous religions with Catholicism. A case study of "mixing it up" in Haiti. What are the Pachamamas in our lives? EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 33 – What's Up With the Pachamama Idols & Have You Thrown Your Pachamama in the Tiber Yet?

I am convinced that the Rosary is the secret to having a strong marriage. It certainly is one of the reasons why we have a strong marriage. If you're having a lot of marital conflict, try praying the rosary daily -- even when you don't feel like it -- even when you are angry at each other.   It's so easy to take pride in being a "straight shooter". A straight shooter is someone who is honest and forthright. You see, straight shooters don't sugarcoat. They "keep it real". However, there's that pesky little thing called charity isn't there? Even straight shooters have to be charitable, or else all effort is for naught.   IN THIS EPISODE How to tell if you're a straight shooter or if you're not. The pros and cons of being a straight shooter. What do the Saints say about being charitable? How to be charitable during debates by being curious. The "Feel, Felt, Found" technique. Never call an idea or the person "stupid". How to use stories to tell the truth, charitably. EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com

Ep. 32 – How to be a Straight Shooter, Charitably

I am convinced that the Rosary is the secret to having a strong marriage. It certainly is one of the reasons why we have a strong marriage. If you're having a lot of marital conflict, try praying the rosary daily -- even when you don't feel like it -- even when you are angry at each other. You'd be surprised at how praying the rosary can melt away the anger. Is one of you dealing with sins of impurity, jealousy, or a wandering eye? Pray the rosary, daily. IN THIS EPISODE The Seven Blessings of the Rosary. Why my husband and I have a strong marriage. How the Rosary can dissolve any anger between you and your spouse. Pray the rosary with your children, no matter how young, how old. The rosary purifies our soul. The rosary helps us to practice virtue. The rosary enriches us with graces and merits.  EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com.

Ep. 31 – The Rosary: Secret to Having a Strong Marriage

"Suffering is not negotiable, sweetheart," is a paraphrase of something Mother Angelica said. She stated, " Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it's a requirement." And yet, we hate to suffer. I know I do. However, suffering will come and when it does come, God will give us the grace to handle it. IN THIS EPISODE We all will suffer. To get to heaven, we must suffer. Even if you feel weak, God will give you the grace and strength to handle your suffering. God sends us suffering because he loves us. Suffering unites us with Christ and his goals. What my experience with the events of 9/11 says about my desire to suffer. What being robbed at gunpoint tells me about my desire to suffer.   EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com.  

Ep. 30 – Suffering is Not Negotiable, Sweetheart

This podcast was partly inspired by the hate that I saw directed at Catholic author, podcaster and course creator, Taylor Marshall when he released his latest book, "Infiltration", along with some other Catholics entrepreneurs I have seen attacked, especially if their offering is a digital offering. Why do some Catholics hate Catholic Entrepreneurs? IN THIS EPISODE The Four Reasons Why I think some Catholics can't stand to see or support Catholic entrepreneurs. Is there a difference between making money in the digital space and selling a physical product? Do you need a degree in a topic to be an expert on it? Is it a sin to be rich or to make money? Is blocking people from making a living online considered "defrauding a worker of its wages"? The Proverbs 31 woman and online businesses.  The role of envy in people's responses to Catholic entrepreneurs.   EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com.  

Ep. 29 –Why Do Some Catholics Hate Catholic Entrepreneurs?

Virginity is a wonderful thing and ideally every spouse should be a virgin before marriage. Alas, we live in a fallen world, full of sin. As a result, there are a lot of sinners with past sexual history, who are trying hard to live chaste lives, but can do nothing about their history. If you really desire to marry a virgin, you might ask yourself, "Am I being selfish for wanting to marry a virgin"? IN THIS EPISODE Should you break up with someone who reveals his or her past sexual history to you during courtship? How to deal with disappointment at not being able to give each other the gift of celibacy. Does sexual history affect marital happiness? How do you deal with insecurity that arises from your experienced spouse possibly comparing you to others? What to do if your spouse lied to you about previous relationships?   EPISODE NOTES  Lifesmything is a podcast of beautysoancient.com.  

Ep. 28 – Am I Being Selfish For Wanting to Marry a Virgin?

St Ignatius says, "He who goes about to reform the world must begin with himself, or he loses his labor.” St Augustine pleads, "Let me know myself; let me know thee". Bottom line: We can't change the world until we change ourselves. Join me as we work to improve ourselves so that we can be light in the midst of darkness.

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LifeSmything with Cynthia Burley

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