Deep Breath

Lectio Divina Psalm 103:8-14 Lent meditations: www.breatheandbe.net/store

Summer is often defined by the qualities of sunlight and warmth. With more daytime, sunshine, and (sometimes) more free-time come opportunities for adventure, play, and fun. Likewise, we experiences these characteristics within when the soul is in summer. When it's summertime internally you may feel more light and free, joyfilled and even childlike. Life in general shifts from heavy and burdensome...

Springtime is a time to plow and plant - in the garden and in the soul. It's a good season for cleaning and decluttering - within the home and within the heart, and possibly the mind too. There's work involved, a laboring to bring forth new life. If you are in a springtime in your soul, we offer you several spiritual practices to try-on in order to participate with the activity of the Spirit withi...

There are seasons in nature and in life, and there are seasons we experience within. The soul undergoes what we see reflected in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Sometimes you're flourishing with new life, sometimes your fruitful and reaping a harvest, and sometimes is dark and dormant. We hope these 4 episodes help you identify what season you are in in order to participate with the activity of...

What's it like to make decisions WITH God and others? Have you wanted ways to make space for God to be IN your decision making? We are continuing to share our experiences with spiritual practices in business and in community. If you haven't listen to episode 84 "Spiritual Practices in Business", we encourage you to go back and hear the conversation we had with our friend Coach Pam! Praying in Colo...

We welcome back our friend Pam Jackson to Deep Breath Podcast this week. Pam is a fully trained business and Life Coach. For over 14 years she's worked along side small business owners and entrepreneurs; guiding and equipping them to reach their full potential. We asked her to share how she integrates spiritual practices into business, the work place, and entrepreneurship. And friends, for those w...

This short meditation from Matthew 6:29 - 34 is meant to give you opportunity to pause, reflect and soak in God's Word. This reading is from The Message version.   Journaling Prompt: What is God doing in your life? Where do you see Him at work?

"How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?" - Ruth Haley Barton. The spiritual practice of a Rule of Life (or Rhythm if you prefer) is to have a scaffolding on which you hang your deepest values. Creating your unique life on-purpose; with clear intentions and conscious thought to who you are and who you are becoming. It takes time and effort to drill into your values and create a life ar...

Hello, friends! We are excited to begin Season 3. But before we say so long to the last year... we are asking ourselves some questions (as per usual with Deep Breath!) We are considering what we've learned over the past twelve months; what we'd like to leave behind and what we'd like to come with us into the new year. And then we're inviting God to prepare us for the next year; set intentions, won...

It's the end of Season 2! We can hardly believe we've done 2 seasons of podcasting, 81 episodes, 2 scripture doodle journals, 2 meditations series (Advent & Holy Week), AND put on a spiritual practices workshop!! Thank you, friends for coming along this journey with us. You have tried things on, connected in community, and made our lives richer. This week, we're reviewing YOUR favorite episodes! W...

We're asking ourselves (and you!): What do you want this holiday season? Consider setting an intention like you would at the start of a yoga class! Name your want. Could that want be even more specific? And then, make any plans or preparations to bring your want to fruition. Do this holiday season on purpose, dig down into your desires, and make efforts to bring them about. We're right there with...

Our last episode in our Just One Thing series is not quite what the title would lead you to believe. To spend time with God is never a waste! What we mean is: how might you enjoy time in God's presence in ways that don't necessarily "produce" something? What's a non-transactional way you'd like to spend time with God? What gives you joy, what brings you delight? Try doing that *with* God this week...

Friends, we'll be taking a holiday break in December. But you won't have to miss us! Stay connected throughout the Advent season with our 4 meditations: The Arrival. They're a meaningful way to engage your heart and mind in the coming of Christ. Enjoy! Breatheandbe.net/store

Our second highest listened to episode of all time is "Centering Prayer"! This week we are talking about it again because it's a fantastic Just One Thing to anchor us into the present... which is literally the whole point of the practice! If you've tried-on this spiritual discipline before and felt like you failed, or you wrestled so hard to quiet your thoughts you were more exhausted than rested,...

We're really excited to try-on our Just One Thing this week: Thin Places. This one is brand new to us! But the practice has ancient roots in Celtic Christianity. A Thin Place is a location or a moment in which your sense of the sacred is more pronounced. Where the space between the transcendent and the common place is exceptionally narrow. When has the veil between heaven and earth felt thin to yo...

Your "Just One Thing" for this week proves we're using minimalism to be in the moment! Under 3 mintues in length, but with the power to hold you in the present, in the presence of God. Let this blessing roll over you like a wave. Breathe deep and check in: is your well running dry? Let yourself come into this space where your soul can safely come out and be seen. And let yourself be.

How's your social life? Maybe that's not a question you've asked yourself in a while! When life is moving at a fast pace, sometimes we forget about our need to connect; specifically connection at the soul level. Be in the here-and-now with someone who knows you, sees you, gets you. Just One Thing this week: reach out to a soul-friend. Checkout: Soul Friends S1 E19

Your "Just One Thing" this week: gratitude. Naming what or who you are grateful for can anchor you to the present. Whether you keep a private daily journal or you collect a corporate family list over the week, focusing on gratitude has the power to command mindset; from scarcity to abundance, from complaint to thanks. Simply pick a way to name what you're grateful for and you'll find yourself pres...

We're starting a new series of episodes we're calling: Just One Thing. Are you experiencing the squeeze of a very full season? Do you find yourself short on time with a long to-do list? So are we! To get grounded we are trying on Just One Thing each week that will tether us to the present in the presence of God. This week we are engaging in Sabbath. One day (or part of one day) of the week to rest...

Are you like us: mourning the end of summer? Even with all the lovely autumn things ahead, we wanted to first say goodbye to the last season. Whether you're anticipating fall with excitement or apathy, slow down with us and reflect on what has come and gone. Notice the blessings, joys, and times of feeling most yourself. Be with the moments that were hard or draining. In every instance - God was t...

We sit down with Christine Sine, author of The Gift of Wonder in this episode! What a gift and a delight to chat face-to-face with the woman who wrote this impactful book. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time together in this series; exploring the many spritual practices and proposing profound questions. Thank you to our friends who read along with us and participated in community. Mentioned: https...

We stretch our understanding and definition of hospitality to the current circumstances. We may not be able to welcome everyone into our homes for a meal right now, but we can invite people into "safe spaces"? Through listening and laying aside defense, can we be good hosts for each other's souls? As summer winds down, we wrap up our read-thru of The Gift of Wonder. However! Next week we interview...

We are headed into fall which often means changes to schedules, structures, and rhythm. These shifts led themselves to this great question: what practices would I enjoy (and bring God joy) in *this* season? because practices are "more patterns of purpose than of form".  Another question we're asking ourselves has to do with being aware of where we can offer compassion. The answers will vary,...

Our friends join us on this episode! The Deep Breath Podcast community is talking about spiritual practices in community. Michelle chats with two members of her Gift of Wonder book club. They discuss the benefits of practicing spiritual disciplines in a community setting. And Lexie talks with her friend Stef. Their conversation focuses on play; the many benefits of play and how it can be a spiritu...

Why be grateful and how to practice gratitude consistently? Why rest in ordinary moments and how to do that in the midst of a busy day? Attitude of gratitude and internal stillness while active - sound like things you'ld like to cultivate? Us too! We share how we're engaging in practices, and really, how we're approaching life in general. Whether it's reframing, trying on a new spiritual disciplin...