Deep Breath

Michelle & Tina want you to know about a virtual group coach experience beginning October 10th for 6 weeks. Discover a thriving wellness community dedicated to empowering women like you.Listen to this short episode to hear more about this wellness journey. In this episode we talk about how overwhelm can cause us to freeze in our wellness journey. We want to set you up for success before the holidays. After you listen, you can join the group or one of the "backstage pass" options to learn more at: https://livingyourbreakthrough.com/shopAnd look for a new Living Your Breakthrough Instagram page coming soon!

Michelle & Tina want you to know about a virtual group health coach experience beginning October 10th for 6 weeks. Discover a thriving wellness community dedicated to empowering women like you. Listen to this short episode to hear more about this wellness journey that will help you understand your unique body holistically, uncover the root causes of unwanted symptoms or health concerns, and receive positive support.After the episode, if you'd like to join the group or one of the "backstage passes", go to https://livingyourbreakthrough.com/shop.

There are many ways God speaks to us, but our bodies, which He created and called "good" is one of those ways. And yet, we often ignore the signals our bodies give us. Our body is where the Spirit resides (I Corinthians 6:19). As Barbara Brown Taylor says, "....trust the body to enlighten the soul." What if we stop to ask what God is trying to tell us through our body's signals and functions? Quotes from: Eugene Peterson, Barbara Brown Taylor, Celeste Snowber Schroeder (Embodied Prayer), Tara Owens, and Jan Richardson (The Sanctuary of Women).For more information on integrative spiritual practices, go to breatheandbe.net.

It is with sadness that we announce this is our final "official" Deep Breath episode (although there may be some announcements here and even a meditation or lectio divina from time to time). In this final episode you'll hear: A message from Lexie Why we've decided to discontinue new episodes and what is next An encouragement to practice the disciplines in community Some reflection questions and a blessing Thank you! Thank you to all our faithfulness listeners, and even those who jumped in from time to time. We have had an absolute blast doing this podcast since March 2020! All the episodes will stay here indefinitely as a library of spiritual practices. We hope you enjoy them. Books referenced: Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith, by Henri Nouwen Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, by Ruth Haley Barton

This is #3 in the Joy Summer Trilogy and again, Lisa Ostreim joins the podcast to chat about the true meaning of joy, where it originates and this idea of fueling your joy when it seems dormant. Is it possible to feel joy without Christ? We share some practical ways to travel that "on ramp" back to joy if you're feeling you've lost it. Quotes and definition of happiness and joy from Anne Robertson appeared in Brene Brown's book, Atlas of the Heart.

Here's #2 in our Joy Summer Trilogy. This week Lisa Ostreim interviews Michelle about where she finds joy, even in trials. How does she recover her joy? This interview is both practical and relatable. Leave a voicemail for us and tell us where you've been finding joy recently and your voice will be in #3 of the Trilogy next week! (See the link below) Scripture referenced: Ecclesiastes 5:19-20b and 8:15 in The Message version.

This is the first episode in the Joy Summer Trilogy. This first episode covers Joy vs. Happiness. What's the difference? Is joy connected to pain or sadness? It's not easy to define joy. Here's just a few thoughts, particularly from the saints that have gone before us. Coming up in the Joy series: Lisa interviews Michelle regarding joy in her life and we hear from you, our listeners about where you are finding joy. Scroll to the link to leave a voicemail and let us know your name and where you're finding joy these days. Book reference: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster

Summer is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest. Wondering if you find yourself scrambling to fit it all in, including some rest and play, but finding yourself exhausted and empty at the end. Is it possible to create a rhythm for our summer that takes into account our work, our season of life, our need for play and rest, and our desire to connect with God? I'll share some examples and walk you through some reflection questions to help you create you learn from past summers and tune in to your desires and longings for this year. It might be just a small new practice or an experience or event you add to your summer, but the goal would be to end the summer flourishing and alive. Here's a freebie: the prayer of examen: https://breatheandbe.net/store/ols/products/the-prayer-of-examen For more on the subject of rhythms and summer, listen to: #56 What do you want to wear yourself out with (and for whom)? #88 Summer: Identify Your Season #120 Days of Permission Please leave us a voice message and tell us: What is sparking joy for you right now? We will include these in an upcoming trilogy on Joy!

So much in this episode: God and time, the evolution of clocks, slowness, and the gifts those with disabilities bring us. Amazingly, these subjects all flow together and cause us to take a challenging look at the way we view both time and those with disabilities. After all, we will all grow into disability as time moves on. It's only a matter of time. Discover what role the Benedictine monks had to play in invention of the clock. How can we become friends of time and embrace slowness and a pace that is new to us? The episode is based largely on the book, Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship by John Swinton. The author references his information on the clock and time from the book, Time Wars: The Primary Conflict in Human History by Jeremy Rifkin. Closing prayer from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie, updated and revised by Susanna Wright. More episodes on time: #79 Wasting Time With God #125 Shorter Days: A Gift of Rest Locate the Message button on your listening platform to leave us a voicemail for our upcoming episodes on JOY! Just your name, and where you listen from, and what is sparking joy in your life right now. Thank you in advance for sharing what brings joy with us and for passing this episode on to someone who might enjoy it.

A short lectio divina and reflective meditation for when you feel dry and thirst for more of God. Where are those places that feel dry? This reading will be from Psalm 63:1-8. Other verses that are great for those dry times are: Psalms 42:2, Psalms 107:9, Psalms 143:6. Grab a quiet place and maybe a journal and sit and drench your Spirit in God's Word and His presence. Book reference and episode inspired by: In the Sanctuary of Women by Jan L. Richardson