Hi!

Season 2 will start Tuesday, July 15th and will be a four week season. I want to know what you'd like to hear about on Welcoming God.

Please go to WelcomingGod.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to the "Get In Touch" section and send me an email answering the question, "What would you like to hear me talk about on Welcoming God?"

See you July 15th on your favorite podcast listening platform!

Please share the podcast with someone you know would benefit from it!

With Sincerity,

Sarah

Music by Song Channel Music. Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

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What happens when we pause to notice what's happening within us? Freedom emerges in that space between stimulus and response.

This guided mindfulness meditation introduces a simple yet profound practice of noticing—bringing awareness to breath, physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions without judgment. Unlike many meditation practices that feel disconnected from everyday life, this approach is designed to be integrated into your daily activities, creating more choice in how you respond to challenging situations.

We explore the fascinating concept of confirmation bias—how our existing beliefs create filters through which we interpret all experiences. When someone doesn't respond warmly to us, do we automatically assume it confirms our unworthiness? Or can we create space to consider alternative perspectives? The practice of noticing helps us recognize these interpretive patterns as they arise.

The physical component of mindfulness serves as our anchor. By bringing attention to bodily sensations—the weight of our body supported by a chair, the movement of breath, areas of tension or relaxation—we establish presence that grounds us in reality. These physical cues often reveal emotional states operating below conscious awareness, giving us valuable information about what's happening internally.

Throughout the meditation, we bring God into our practice of noticing, asking for guidance and understanding with the sensations we experience. This spiritual dimension adds depth to our awareness, connecting us to wisdom beyond our limited perspectives.

Whether you're new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers practical guidance for cultivating presence that transforms reactivity into conscious choice. Try the practice today and notice how it changes your experience of everyday moments. What patterns might you recognize when you pause to notice what's happening within?

Music by Song Channel Music. Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

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988 suicide and crisis hotline to call info here.

PsyhcologyToday.com find a therapist page here.

Internal Family Systems find a therapist page here.

Check out Jim and Jori Manske of Non-Violent Communication here.

Check out Eckhart Tolle's work here.

Check out Amber Elizabeth Gray's work here.

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Prayer transforms our spiritual journey from transactional requests to authentic divine communion. Whether you've prayed your entire life or struggle to understand what prayer means, this episode offers fresh perspectives on connecting with the God through prayer.

The foundation of meaningful prayer isn't found in perfect words or formulas but in genuine intention. We explore various approaches—from traditional petitionary prayer to contemplative sitting with God—and examine what makes each practice powerful. Many of us unconsciously default to treating prayer as a spiritual to-do list or desperate bargaining tool when life gets difficult. But what happens when we shift our perspective?

The concept of "the perfect prayer" offers a revolutionary approach: "God, may your perfect will be done for the greater good of all." This simple phrase releases us from the burden of knowing what's best and opens us to divine wisdom beyond our limited understanding. It requires courage to surrender our agenda and trust in something greater, but through this surrender we can experience profound freedom and peace.

Christian contemplative traditions offer another pathway through practices like centering prayer, where we simply sit in God's presence without agenda, consenting to God's divine presence within us. This form of prayer creates space for transformation that goes beyond words and concepts. Even brief moments of intentional connection can profoundly impact our spiritual journey.

This week, consider your true intention when you pray. Is it to get what you want, or to align with divine will? Choose one prayer practice that resonates with you and commit to it daily. Your spiritual journey deepens not through perfection but through consistent, authentic connection with the divine presence that holds us all.

Music by Song Channel Music. Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

Go to WelcomingGod.com to subscribe to our email newsletter and receive updates about all things Welcoming God.

Listen to MC Hammer's song, Pray, here.

Keith Kristich at Closer Than Breath, a "contemplative community for the spiritual seeker."

Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation.

Living the Sacred Yes, Affirmations for Action by Rev. Deborah L. Johnson, pg. 100-101.

Love poems from God by Daniel Ladinsky, pg. 287-288.

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