Tending the Garden of our Hearts

Kristina and Elissa consider the importance of our relationships with each other and how they help us grow closer to God?

Kristina and Elissa contemplate the Good Samaritan and the wonderful nugget of wisdom to bear each other's burdens.

Elissa and Kristina consider what St. Paul taught about giving thanks in all things, and how remembering this nugget of wisdom can fill our lives with joy and love.

Elissa and Kristina continue their “nuggets of wisdom” series by considering that not only are YOU an icon of Christ, but everyone else is too!

Kristina and Elissa discuss how this “nugget of wisdom” can improve your life: You are an icon of Christ!

Elissa and Kristina are back, after taking time off to deal with some health struggles. In this episode, the talk about a nugget of wisdom that can really help in the midst of difficulty.

Kristina explains the reason why the Tending the Garden podcast will take a short break from episodes.

Elissa Bjeletich and Kristina Wenger tell about a beloved saint. You can send your prayers to: St. John Maximovitch c/o Holy Virgin Cathedral “Joy of All Who Sorrow” 6210 Geary Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94121

This week, we get to know St. Porphyrios, the modern saint from Mt. Athos whose wisdom has enlightened so many!

Elissa and Kristina tell about Saints Cosmas and Damian from Asia Minor. They were brothers and doctors who helped people get well without charging any money.

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

Christ is risen! Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger consider the real meaning of myrrhbearing and incarnation, both for the Holy Myrrhbearers and for us today!

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 Davis 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 Davis ask what we can learn from this tenacious widow.

This week, Kristina Wenger and Elissa Bjeletich Davis 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 Davis 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!