Tending the Garden of our Hearts

In the final part of their Dormition series on the Life of the Theotokos, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the details of her passing from earthly life.

In part two of their Dormition Fast series on the life of the Theotokos, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the role of the Theotokos during the years of her Son's public ministry, and look at what she did and where she went after He ascended to heaven.

As we begin the Dormition fast, we will spend some time learning about the Theotokos along with Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger. In this episode, we learn about the miracle of her birth, how she spent her childhood, and what prepared her to answer with the "yes" that changed the world.

This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich discuss The Parable of the Two Debtors, from Luke 7: 36-50. What is Jesus trying to teach us about forgiveness?

This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich read the Parable of the Two Sons. Which is better? Saying you won't go to work but then going anyway, or saying you will work but not showing up?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger discuss the Parable of the Good Samaritan. There are many ways to react when a person is struggling -- how can we react as Christ wishes?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger take a look at the Parable of the Rich Fool, and ask how we can avoid being fools ourselves!

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger talk about the very rich man who just kept stepping over poor Lazarus, as he lay suffering at his gate. Is it that God wants to help the poor, or that He's actually using the poor to help the rich?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger talk about how one goes about building a tower or preparing for war. Are you prepared?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger talk about the unjust steward. It's bad to be unrighteous, right? Does God always want you to be honest and exact -- or would He rather see some mercy?

This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich consider the Parable of the Servants Waiting for their Lord. We'll be thinking about the Second Coming, and about how important it is for Church leaders to do a good job of watching over Jesus' house.

This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich ask what we can learn from this tenacious widow.

This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich take a look at the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. How interested is God in bringing you home?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger take a look at the Parable of the Wicked Husbandsmen who refused to pay their rent, and attacked their landlord's representatives. What does that have to do with us?

This week, Elissa and Kristina explore the parable of the talents.

This week, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger explore the what Jesus means when He says, "The last will be first and the first will be last."

This week, Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger explore the parable of the marriage feast, and how God calls all of us into a wonderful banquet, even if He has to go find us in the highways and the hedges!

This week, Elissa and Kristina take a look at the Ten Virgins, and why five of them could not just give the others some oil!

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger consider the unmerciful servant and the lesson he learned about how only a forgiving heart can receive forgiveness.

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore three short parables. What is Jesus saying about how we enter into the Kingdom, and how we can stay there?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the meaning behind Christ's parable of the leaven which completely and permanently transformed three measures of meal.

This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich explore the multi-layered meaning behind this simple, one-sentence parable! How is the Kingdom of God like a mustard seed?

This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger explore the big question of why bad things happen in this world through a look at the simple and understandable Parable of the Wheat and the Tares!

Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich begin this unit on the Parables of Christ with a consideration of what parables are, and a look at the Parable of the Sower!

Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! This week, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger take a look at the Parable of the Last Judgement (or the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats) and ask how we can become sheep instead of goats.

Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich take a look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Which brother are you?

Kristina and Elissa are re-releasing their series on the Parables, just in time for the Triodion! Throughout Great Lent and into the summer, we'll be learning the Parables and exploring the wisdom they contain! We begin with the Publican and the Pharisee, and prepare our hearts for Great Lent by remembering that we must be humble if we hope to know God. Find related materials at tending-the-garden.com/parables

In our last episode, we looked at our Heads and our Hearts, considering ideas from the book Bread and Water, Wine and Oil, by Archimandrite Meletios Webber. This week, in part two, we'll think about how exactly our feelings work, and how they effect us. Be sure to check out our website to get the free printable that goes with this episode: tending-the-garden.com

In this episode, Elissa and Kristina talk about a really big idea: the Nous. What is your heart, what is your mind, and what is your soul? With some help from the book Bread and Water, Wine and Oil, by Archimandrite Meletios Webber, we'll try to understand it together. And check out our website to get the free printable that goes with this episode: tending-the-garden.com

Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger tell about St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis consider the Magi: who were these wise men from the East, and what made them decide to seek out the Baby Jesus?

Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! Kristina and Elissa read St. Luke's account of Christ's birth, stopping along the way to consider the many ways that God communicates His love to us.

Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! As the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers approaches, Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger look at the first chapter of Matthew's gospel and discuss the meaning of the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate St. Nicholas Day! As the feast of the very beloved St. Nicholas approaches, Elissa and Kristina tell his life story, and consider the significance of giving in secret.

Let's get to know a little known saint from Belarus! Her prayers saved a soldier and his friends, and we think you're going to find the story very interesting!

Today we consider the amazing story of St. Ia, an Irish Princess who wanted to preach the word of God!

In the final days of the great city Constantinople, God sent a wonderful Empress to comfort the people as they struggled through really hard times.

In this amazing story, one of the devil's most powerful servants becomes a Christian because of the example of a teenage girl!

St. Paul didn't start out as a follower of Christ, and he wasn't one of the twelve Apostles — and yet, he was probably the most influential Apostle of all!

Did you know that St. Paul's cousins were famous saints too? Intelligence and faith ran in his family! These sisters were holy unmercenary doctors, and we think you're going to like them!

Bishop Basil had a very interesting obedience — one that you might want to consider too!

Aubree's curious about All Saints Day, and so are we! Here's everything you ever wanted to know about it…

Aubree's curious about All Saints Day, and so are we! Here's everything you ever wanted to know about it…

As Pascha comes to its conclusion with Ascension and then Pentecost, we consider how all of these feasts fit together in God's great plan for us. God loves us and wants to be united to us — and Jesus ascending into heaven is a big part of that!

As Pascha comes to its conclusion with Ascension and then Pentecost, we consider how all of these feasts fit together in God's great plan for us. God loves us and wants to be united to us — and Jesus ascending into heaven is a big part of that!

In this episode, Elissa and Kristina answer a special request from listener Luke to talk about none other than St. Luke of Crimea!

In this episode, Elissa and Kristina answer a special request from listener Luke to talk about none other than St. Luke of Crimea!

In this episode, we'll meet two of St. Emmelia's very famous and distinguished sons, and one of their friends.

In this episode, we'll meet two of St. Emmelia's very famous and distinguished sons, and one of their friends.

Elissa and Kristina had a request for the life of St. Emmelia — but it's hard to talk about her without discussing the whole family! So this time, we'll talk about Macrina, Macrina and Emmelia, but next time, we'll talk about Gregory, Gregory and Basil!

Elissa and Kristina had a request for the life of St. Emmelia — but it's hard to talk about her without discussing the whole family! So this time, we'll talk about Macrina, Macrina and Emmelia, but next time, we'll talk about Gregory, Gregory and Basil!