Welcoming God

This Christmas season, I was struck with a new awareness: that I could celebrate and honor the traditions of Christianity, Celtic celebrations and the natural rhythms of the seasons and solstice.  

What a revelation: to be able to celebrate and honor various traditions in the returning of the light, both the physical, natural light of the sun and days getting longer.  And, the celebration of the Christ Light that was emulated throug...

What do we do when God's call for us is to "wait."  How do we listen?  And, why?  What's truly important about heeding God's call?

In this episode of Welcoming God, I talk about this and share a funny story about ice cream that led to an important realization about accepting when "not much is going on" in my life as a source of peace instead of boredom and an attempt to escape from loneliness.  

Tha...

New Years rituals and reviewing our previous year can be game changers!  

In this episode, I share the importance of integrating past experiences and celebrating accomplishments, large and small, through a year in review practice. And, how one word can help guide us into co-creating a more intentional new year!

A "year in review" and new years intention setting ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you desire.  How will t...

A flat tire becomes a gateway to a beautiful, miraculous moment when a group of strangers enthusiastically changes Sarah's tire without being asked. The experience sparks a beautiful exchange of kindness that continues when Sarah promises to bake them a cake as a thank you and then actually feels God's guidance to follow through and do it! Their mutual astonishment at each other's generosity creates a profound moment...

Have you ever wondered if spiritual connection could be simpler than we make it? What if the most profound practice required nothing more than your willingness to be present?

Sitting With God is a simple practice that offers restoration and joy without elaborate steps or rigid structures. Unlike many spiritual disciplines that demand specific techniques, this approach simply invites you to pause and acknowledge the divine ...

Have you ever noticed something that instantly captures your attention—a phrase in a book, a striking image, an unexpected sound, or a moment in nature that makes you pause? That "shimmering" sensation might be more than coincidence; it could be an invitation to a deeper spiritual experience.

Drawing inspiration from Christine Valters Painter's book "Lectio Divina: The Sacred Art," I share a transf...

Have you ever found yourself shocked by the beliefs of people who follow the same faith as you? That jarring moment when you realize someone reading the same Bible has arrived at conclusions that seem completely foreign—or even extreme—to you?

I recently experienced what I can only describe as a "veil-lifting moment" after attending a Bible study where I encountered perspectives that felt extreme compared to my u...

Join me for a continuation of this evolving spiritual journey in Season 3 of Welcoming God, which launches Tuesday, September 16th.

While we prepare for our return, we're excited to offer a special gift to you - a free companion ebook to Season 1. This thoughtful resource is designed to support your personal introspection and help you discover what you're truly seeking on your spiritual journey. The ebook serves ...

Have you ever found yourself learning the same spiritual lesson over and over again, wondering why you keep forgetting what you thought you already knew? This fascinating exploration of our continuous learning journey reveals why repetition may be essential to spiritual growth.

At the heart of this episode lies a powerful metaphor: We are Mount Zion, not the weather that surrounds it. Drawing from Martin Laird's "...

What happens when we finally stop fighting reality and simply accept what is? Not resignation to circumstances, but a profound spiritual opening that transforms our relationship with life itself.

Most of us carry some form of denial—parts of reality we refuse to acknowledge or accept because they feel too painful, too threatening, or too disruptive to our sense of safety and happiness. This episode explores the fascinating...

What happens when you begin to question the spiritual path you've been walking? When the God you thought you knew becomes a question mark rather than an exclamation point? This deeply personal episode explores the disorienting yet ultimately transformative experience of going through a spiritual crisis.

After an unexpected ending to a five-year relationship with my spiritual coach, I found myself adrift in questions a...

We're back after a two-month hiatus with the start of our four-week summer season. Recent unexpected changes and life experiences have felt challenging and prompted reflections on personal growth, trauma integration, and the journey towards personal and spiritual maturation.

In the first episode of season two, I'll discuss: 

• Moving from the first half of life (focused on success and achievement) to the second half (i...

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!  

Plea...

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 integ...

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 p...

Have you ever struggled to maintain a consistent spiritual practice amid life's constant distractions and seeming demands? Creating space for authentic connection with God doesn't require hours of meditation or elaborate rituals—it simply needs our heartfelt desire and commitment.

We live in a world where everything competes for our attention. Responsibilities, relationships, work, entertainment—all pull us in di...

Have you ever felt weighed down by shame so heavy it seems impossible to escape? The burden of our past mistakes can weigh on us, yet the most transformative power in the universe awaits: forgiveness.

This Good Friday episode takes us deep into a scene from the film "The Mission," beautifully described in Savannah Guthrie's book "Mostly What God Does." We witness the journey of Rodrigo Mendoza, a s...

Have you ever wondered if God truly loves you, especially during life's most challenging moments? This question lies at the heart of our spiritual journey, and today's episode explores the profound revelation that transformed my relationship with the divine.

Despite decades of meditation, mindfulness practice, therapy, and personal development work, I discovered in 2014 that I still didn't fundamentally feel...

What truly happens when we choose to follow divine guidance instead of our own plans? This deeply reflective episode explores the profound benefits of "going with God" rather than against the spiritual current that's here to guide our lives.

Building on our previous exploration of barriers to spiritual surrender, I invite you to remember those pivotal moments when you listened to that quiet voice of truth wi...