Take a slow breath in and release. Again. One more deep, steady breath. Now pause and receive these words: "Your peace is not fragile, nor is it fleeting. Your peace is anchored in the eternal."

This meditation guides you through a sacred journey where breath and prayer intertwine, creating space for divine peace to dwell. Drawing from Jesus' words—who calmed storms with "Peace, be still" and promised "My peace I give to you"—we explore peace not as the absence of conflict but as the active presence of God dwelling within us.

Through gentle rhythmic breathing paired with the prayer "Peace of Christ fill me, Peace of Christ flow through me," you'll experience how your body becomes a vessel for tranquility. But this practice extends beyond personal serenity. As the meditation deepens, you're invited to visualize this peace expanding outward—embracing family, neighbors, the forgotten, and places of conflict. The profound truth emerges: "In Christ, we are one body, one spirit, one life in God. Your peace is their peace. Their peace is your peace."

The saints and mystics have long understood that authentic peace transforms us from mere recipients into channels of divine presence. By the end of these ten minutes, you'll carry with you not just momentary calm but an enduring invitation to live as a peacemaker—anchored in God, witness to the Spirit, and a blessing for our troubled world. Join us in this sacred breathing space where every inhale becomes a prayer and every exhale becomes a seed of peace.

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This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

The most radical teaching of Jesus might be the simplest: "Love your enemies." But what does this look like in practice, especially in our divided world?

Through the metaphor of "God's museum," we're invited to reimagine who belongs in the divine family. Picture walking through galleries displaying Earth's wonders—stones, rain, seas—but mostly photographs of people, including those we struggle to love. This perspective shift challenges us to recognize sacred value in everyone, even those who oppose us.

Jesus didn't just talk about loving enemies—he modeled it by bringing together disciples who would naturally be enemies, like a zealot and a tax collector. When he commands us to "let them bring out the best in you, not the worst," he's offering a revolutionary way to handle opposition. Instead of responding with hatred or indifference, we're called to "respond with the energies of prayer," connecting to love as our power source.

This sermon explores how everyday frustrations (like repeatedly dropping a tape measure) become opportunities to practice this love-centered approach. We can choose between anger at inconveniences or gratitude for the bigger picture. Similarly, we can focus on differences that divide us or the underlying unity that transcends them.

The teaching delves into how tenderness marks spiritual maturity, challenging cultural definitions of strength. Through the practice of communion—patiently waiting as others receive—we physically embody what it means to rejoice in others' blessings. This sacred meal reminds us we belong to God's family where there's enough love for everyone.

Ready to transform how you respond to opposition? Listen now and discover how loving your enemies might be the most powerful spiritual practice available to us today.

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Take a sacred pause from the noise of everyday life and enter into a space where your breath becomes prayer. This guided Christian meditation invites you into the ancient spiritual practice that saints and mystics have treasured for centuries.

With gentle guidance rooted in scripture from Philippians, we'll journey together through a series of breath prayers that transform ordinary breathing into holy communion. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." These words create the foundation for our contemplative experience.

The meditation incorporates the beautiful rhythm of inhaling divine love and exhaling our response—"Lord Jesus, fill me with your love" as you breathe in, and "Let me become love" as you release. This simple pattern, practiced mindfully, creates a profound shift in your spiritual awareness. We explore visualization techniques that help you perceive Christ's love as "light, soft, golden, radiant" filling your entire being and washing away fear, anxiety and bitterness.

Perhaps most transformative is the realization that through this practice, "you are becoming the answer to your own prayer." The Holy Spirit works within you, making you a vessel of the very love you seek. As you experience how "to return to love is to return to God," you'll discover that divine presence is never far away—it's as close as your next breath.

Whether you're new to contemplative prayer or have practiced it for years, this meditation offers a sacred moment to reconnect with the source of all love. Experience how the ancient words "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me" can become "a holy whisper in the chambers of your heart." Subscribe to our podcast for weekly guided meditations that help you cultivate a deeper spiritual life through the transformative power of breath prayer.

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake