Welcoming God

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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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 different directions, making it challenging to prioritize our spiritual wellbeing. Yet the foundation of living spiritually begins with carving out intentional moments to nurture our relationship with the divine. This episode explores how to create a sustainable daily practice that invites God's presence into our daily lives.

The secret lies in starting small. Whether it's one minute or ten, choosing a specific time each day creates a sacred appointment with God that gradually transforms our spiritual awareness. Like "plugging into source"—connecting to the infinite energy that sustains all life—these daily touch points cultivate a deeper relationship with both ourselves and the divine. Through consistent practice, we develop discernment, learning to recognize God's guidance amid the noise of our own thoughts and external influences.

Your practice should evolve with you—flexible yet consistent, disciplined yet grace-filled. My own spiritual routine has transformed dramatically since I began in 2001, adapting to different seasons while maintaining its essential purpose. 

The key questions remain: When will you practice? For how long? What form will your practice take? How will you remember to do this? 

By answering these questions with honesty and creating systems of accountability, you establish the foundation for spiritual growth that extends far beyond scheduled practice times into a life lived in conscious communion with God.  How can it get any better?  

Check out Sarah Ban Breathnach's book, Simple Abundance, here.

Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

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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 slave trader who murders his own brother and carries a massive physical burden up a mountain as penance. When he finally faces the indigenous people he once terrorized, something unexpected happens—instead of the execution he deserves, he receives mercy as his burden is cut away, leaving him transformed by forgiveness.

The scene powerfully mirrors what God does for each of us. Many walk through life with shame "strapped to our necks like a hunk of junk," but divine mercy severs these burdens, setting us free. I invite you to consider how you might extend this same transformative forgiveness to yourself today. How might your life change if you could forgive yourself as completely as God already has?

Beyond the compelling imagery, this reflection challenges us to become "this forgiving presence" within ourselves. If God has already forgiven us, how will we forgive ourselves?

How has mercy transformed your life? What burden are you ready to let tumble down the mountainside? Join our community as we explore these profound spiritual journeys together.

Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

Go to WelcomingGod.com for more info about the podcast and to subscribe to our email newsletter.  

Find Savannah Guthrie's book, Mostly What God Does, here.  The chapter I read from today is called Mercy, Chapter 21, pages 191-194.

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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 loved by God, others or myself. Standing in an auditorium listening to praise singers declare "God, we know you love us," I experienced a heart-breaking moment of clarity – all my spiritual seeking had somehow missed this essential truth. This revelation marked the beginning of my authentic journey opening my heart up to God.

Working with my spiritual coach became pivotal when he asked, "Do you believe God is benevolent?" My immediate "no" revealed deep-seated anger and betrayal I felt toward the Divine. Years of combined spiritual coaching and trauma therapy helped me uncover what blocked my relationship with a loving God. I learned not to believe "the first lie" – that I wasn't whole, complete, or perfect already, in the eyes of God. And understanding the truth that nothing can ever separate us from God; we're always connected to the Source of It All.

Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is loving your neighbor as yourself and loving God with all your heart. Yet how often do we overlook the "as yourself" part? This self-love isn't selfish – it's alignment with divine truth that can heal relationships and transform our experience as humans. As Anita Moorjani explains, loving ourselves in the present moment has the power to heal the past and shape our future.  It's that powerful!

I invite you to explore these questions: What would change if you truly knew you were loved by God, no matter what? How might you cultivate the same unconditional love for yourself? Take time today – through journaling, meditation, or contemplative walks – to discover what embracing divine love could mean for your life. Your journey toward accepting God's love might be the most important spiritual work you'll ever do.

Please subscribe wherever you listen and consider leaving a review or rating, as it helps others discover this kind of support on their spiritual journey.

Check out Anita Moorjani here.

Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

Go to WelcomingGod.com for more info about the podcast and to subscribe to our email newsletter.  

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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 within, followed it despite reservations, and witnessed the results. These moments of authentic spiritual choice aren't just random coincidences—they're glimpses into what's possible when we prioritize our most essential relationship, that with The One True Source.

I share my conviction that our connection with the divine constitutes "the only relationship that truly matters," forming the foundation for everything else in our lives. Unlike temporal relationships that change or end, this spiritual partnership offers consistent companionship throughout life's ups and downs. I reveal a deeply personal note I keep in my kitchen: "God says, 'Just stay with me...' And God's sentiment is that if you do go elsewhere, that's okay too, but 'come back to me,' God says.  'Always come back!'"—words that capture the unconditional nature of divine love.  God's always here waiting patiently to partner in union with us!

This episode acknowledges that following God's guidance doesn't eliminate suffering, but provides God's presence through all experiences. The present moment becomes our meeting place with the divine—"pure loving presence" available right now. 

I encourage you to spend just five minutes reflecting on what benefits you've experienced when following rather than resisting spiritual guidance. Your answers might surprise you and transform how you approach this most essential relationship.

Please subscribe wherever you listen and consider leaving a review or rating to help others discover this journey of spiritual exploration.

Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

Go to WelcomingGod.com for more info about the podcast and to subscribe to our email newsletter.  

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In this episode, we explore the profound question of why we attempt to navigate life's challenges alone when God's divine guidance is constantly available to us and the benefit, necessity, of surrendering to the Divine. 

We'll explore how our resistance to surrendering to a higher power often stems from protective psychological patterns that may no longer serve us. It's in compassionately inquiring within ourselves that can help create real change in our lives and in our relationship with God.  

In this episode, we'll look at:

• The concept of "effortless effort" emerges when we allow guidance to flow through us from a greater source
• Internal parts that try to protect us often operate from outdated perspectives formed years ago
• Every internal part has a benevolent intention even when its actions may be dysfunctional
• Surrendering to divine guidance doesn't mean life becomes easy, but it can become more aligned
• Compassionate self-inquiry allows us to understand our resistance without shame or judgment
• Understanding why we resist our connection to Source gives us greater agency to consciously connect with Source

If you're interested in Internal Family Systems, or IFS, a powerful therapy model by Dr. Richard Schwartz, go to https://ifs-institute.com/ for more info and to find an IFS therapist in your area.

Thanks for subscribing to this podcast wherever you listen, and considering leaving us a review or rating, as it helps more people find and benefit from this show.

Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

Go to WelcomingGod.com for more info about the podcast and to subscribe to our email newsletter.  

Support the show

What does it truly mean to welcome God into our lives? 

Journey with me as I unravel the complex relationship I've had with the divine—from growing up in a Catholic household where God felt like a judgmental, controlling force, to discovering a deeply nurturing relationship with what I now understand as the Source of all life.

My path hasn't been linear. After years of rebellion against organized religion, I felt an unexpected call to reopen my heart to God and Jesus in 2014. Yet even then, when my spiritual coach asked me in 2019 if I believed God was benevolent, my honest answer was "no." I felt betrayed, controlled, and judged by a deity who seemed to be sometimes laughing at my struggles rather than supporting me through them. I was so wrong about this Source!  But, it would take me years of spiritual coaching to understand this (more on this in another episode!).

The transformative practice of Centering Prayer became my sanctuary during an existential crisis in 2024. Sitting in silence with divine presence taught me to find comfort in darkness and uncertainty. Through this contemplative tradition, alongside influences from Buddhism, Taoism, Sufism, yogic philosophy and more, I've discovered something remarkable—when I truly surrender to divine guidance (even when it contradicts my immediate desires), the outcomes are consistently better than anything I could orchestrate alone!  So true.

This podcast speaks directly to spiritual seekers who feel repelled by religious language but sense a calling toward something greater. If you're angry at religious traditions, questioning your spiritual path, or simply feeling a tug toward deeper meaning, you're welcome here. 

I don't have all the answers—I'm still seeking myself—but I'm committed to sharing the goodness that flows from an intimate, bonded relationship with the source of all life, the most important relationship we'll ever have! 

Subscribe to join me on this journey of spiritual maturation, where we'll explore what it means to welcome God beyond the limitations of religion or preconceived notions.  

Go to WelcomingGod.com to sign up on our email newsletter.  

Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

Lee Carroll's Kryon Parable, The Journey Home: Michael Thomas and the Seven Angels

Depeche Mode, Blasphemous Rumors.

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Hi, my name's Sarah Haykel.  

In this podcast episode, I'm sharing the premise of this podcast: to share the goodness of God in my life after of opening my heart back up to Godin 2014 and what I'm learning on this spiritual path.

This podcast explores connecting with the One True Source, God,—beyond religious boundaries or labels—and discovering the transformative power of surrendering to divine grace, guidance and support.

• God as "the one true source" that transcends religion, gender, and human limitations.
• Moving from seeing God as non-benevolent to recognizing God's innate goodness.
• Working with God doesn't mean life becomes perfect—challenges still exist.
• Connecting with God as friend, confidant, guide, and support system.
• No requirement to join a religion or become a monk/nun to live a consistently, fulfilling spiritual life guided by God.
• Coming from a Christian background while embracing a broader spiritual perspective
• Actively seeking and learning alongside listeners

Please subscribe wherever you listen and consider leaving a review or rating as it helps others discover this kind of support on their spiritual journey.

Go to WelcomingGod.com to sign up on our email newsletter and to share what topics you'd like to hear about in future episodes via the Get In Touch section at the bottom of the page.  

Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com

The Four Gospel Journey Class info at JanaRentzel.com.

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