Send us a text Join us to illuminate the complex weave of grief and hope during the Advent season. This time traditionally filled with joy and anticipation can be difficult for those mourning a loss. Advent, marked by a sense of waiting, mirrors the journey of grief—a process of waiting for healing and light to break through the sorrow. Examine the paradox of celebrating during a season that amplifies the gap between the world's brokenness and the promise of renewal. We are reminded how communit...
Nov 29, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 48
Send us a text Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal journey, fraught with challenges and moments of profound emotion. offering companionship and understanding to those navigating the tumultuous waters of grief. This episode invites you to explore the comforting embrace of God's unwavering love, as reflected in the scripture of Hosea 11, and how it can serve as an anchor in times of turmoil and uncertainty. Our discussion touches on the imperfections of mourning and the collectiv...
Nov 22, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 47
Send us a text Drawing inspiration from the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we explore how his powerful poem "Who Am I?" invites us to reflect on the essence of our identity and the assurance of being known by God. Weaving in the wisdom of the prophet Jeremiah, learn how peace can emerge from the understanding that our true selves are cradled by divine recognition, even when moments of disconnection and confusion arise. Contemplate what it means to be held and loved by God, especially ...
Nov 15, 2024•12 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Send us a text Have you ever felt truly unmoored after the loss of a loved one, grappling with questions about your identity and future direction? With reflections and spiritual insights to light, using Psalm 71 as a beacon of hope and strength. Through personal stories and scripture, navigate the complex emotions that accompany grief, recognizing how God's enduring presence can serve as our refuge and fortress. Amidst the profound changes and uncertainties, share the solace found in prayer and ...
Nov 08, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 45
Send us a text Grief has a way of reshaping our lives in the most profound ways, and navigating through it can often feel overwhelming. Reflecting on my personal journey after losing my father, I invite you to join me in exploring the subtle yet enduring presence of grief that persists over time. Through the lens of Psalm 138, we discuss the comforting power of gratitude and the unwavering love and presence of God during our darkest hours. Remember, you are not alone—we can walk this path with G...
Nov 01, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 44
Send us a text Have you ever felt the lingering presence of a loved one after they've passed on? We can create a sacred space where we honor their lives, embrace the changes their absence brings, and find guidance through faith and love. Through heartfelt reflections; and, inspired by the wisdom of Psalm 143, we uncover the essence of what the deceased ask of us: to remember them fully, to celebrate their lives, and to cherish their presence in our hearts. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on...
Oct 25, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Send us a text ( Let me be unvarnished for a moment, this episode is lightly edited so that you can see how grief affects people. Forgive me my trespasses.) Back in Episode 27, we talked about my father dying in hospice. Today we discuss what happens when the loss of a loved one brings together estranged family members and stirs up unexpected emotions. I attempt to navigate the raw and emotional journey of losing my father and reflect on the complexities that can arise during such a deeply perso...
Oct 22, 2024•17 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Send us a text Have you ever felt completely alone in your grief, wondering if God was still with you? Offering spiritual insights and reflections inspired by Hosea 11, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to recognize God's everlasting love, even when it feels most distant. Join us as we explore the depths of God's love and presence in our darkest moments. Listen for comforting words that remind you of your intrinsic value and the unbounded love that accompanies you every step of the way. Go ...
Oct 18, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Send us a text CAUTION: PLEASE, DO NOT DRIVE WHILE LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE. On our path through grief, we travel in a tranquil meadow, where simple acts like weaving baskets and storytelling become vessels of wisdom and comfort. Discover how reflections on faith and sacrifice provide profound solace, offering a comforting space to process and embrace your grief. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or Spotify. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FRE...
Oct 11, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 40
Send us a text What if the ancient myth of Orpheus and Eurydice held the key to understanding our own journey through grief and loss? Today, unravel the timeless tale of Orpheus's profound sorrow and his desperate bid to reclaim his beloved from the underworld. Explore the poignant lesson of universal longing to reunite with lost loved ones. We reflect on Margaret Atwood's evocative poems to capture the delicate dance between love and the necessity of letting go, offering a mirror to our deepest...
Oct 04, 2024•17 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Send us a text In this episode of we invite you to envision walking with God amidst the riot of pink blossoms, feeling His love and comfort even during the most challenging times. Through reflective contemplation and inspiration drawn from Deuteronomy 30, we explore how choosing life and prosperity through loving and following God's commandments can lead us to healing and peace. Be gentle with yourself. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or Spotify SPIRITUAL DI...
Sep 27, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Send us a text What role does God play in our journeys through loss and life transitions? Today, we delve into the power of opening our hearts to both our own brokenness and the brokenness of others, allowing God's healing love to flow through us. Through scriptural reflections on Matthew 25 and Mark 10, we explore how love, radical honesty, and surrender can guide us toward freedom and spiritual growth. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us ...
Sep 20, 2024•9 min•Season 3Ep. 37
Send us a text Have you ever felt lost in the whirlwind of daily life, forgetting the deeper connections that bind us to love and faith? This week invites you to slow down and rekindle that divine heartbeat within you. We explore how God’s love, symbolized as golden cords, constantly ties our hearts to His, even amidst our brokenness and struggles. This episode serves as a gentle reminder that in our darkest moments, we are not alone; God is with us, offering His boundless love and support. Be g...
Sep 13, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Send us a text Have you ever walked along a beach and felt an unseen presence beside you, comforting you even in your most profound moments of grief? Experience a serene encounter with Jesus on the shore, a memory that continues to nurture me despite his physical absence. This episode invites you to experience the deep, sustaining love of the divine that stays with us from beginning to end, reminding us of the eternal bonds that link us to God's presence. Remember, God walks this path with you. ...
Sep 06, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Send us a text How does cinema shape our understanding of grief? Let's reflect on how the resolution of the film, "Tuesday", which focuses on the mother learning to be emotionally present for her dying daughter, parallels our own experiences of mourning and gives us a blueprint for navigating our grief. "This mixture of dead-serious drama and imaginative fantasy from the Croatian filmmaker Daina O. Pusic is such a big, weird swing that it’s not surprising audiences didn’t flock to it last summer...
Sep 03, 2024•9 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Send us a text Discover the early church's view of breath as the Holy Spirit and how this ancient wisdom can guide you through meditations in personal grief. By focusing on breath, we can calm our anxieties, open our hearts, and invite divine presence into our lives. This episode is a compassionate guide for anyone navigating loss, offering ways to find comfort and spiritual connection. Join our circle of healing love and support, and allow the Holy Spirit to accompany you in your journey toward...
Aug 30, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Send us a text Inspired by the poignant words of the prophet Hosea, we draw a powerful parallel between the infinite love of God and the awe-inspiring images from the Webb telescope. We are reminded that even in our darkest moments, we are surrounded by an omnipotent love that transcends our understanding and carries us through life's trials and tribulations. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemete...
Aug 23, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Send us a text Have you ever considered how freely you distribute your love and compassion? This episode is an intimate journey through breath, prayer, and the sacred connection with the Divine. We confront the universal longing for oneness with God, and while theology offers a bridge, we seek to ground you in the 'now'—where every breath is a shared prayer. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemeter...
Aug 16, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Send us a text What does it mean to truly heal from the loss of a loved one? Let's explore this profound question by reflecting on a recent memorial service where we honored 1,000 souls. Through the teachings of Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, we discover how each death leaves a lasting impact on countless lives. Walk in this dimension of oneness, where the earth nurtures us in life and in death, and remember this circle of healing and love. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcas...
Aug 09, 2024•15 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Send us a text What if embracing radical love could transform your experience of grief and loss? On this week's episode, we explore the profound power of fearless, open-hearted love and its ability to bring healing and hope during the darkest times. Reflecting on the boundless love of God and your intrinsic value as a spirit on a journey, we break away from the sorrow to remember how we were cherished and known long before grief defined our lives. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Po...
Jul 26, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Send us a text What if the intense pain of grief could morph into a journey of healing and self-discovery? Delve into how grief affects our senses and perceptions, distorting our view of time and reality. By keeping a journal, we can track our emotional progress and hold on to cherished memories. Reflecting on the profound wisdom of Khalil Gibran, we uncover how embracing the fullness of life can reveal the mysteries of death. The early days of grief can feel overwhelmingly painful, creating a p...
Jul 19, 2024•11 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Send us a text Have you ever felt the embrace of grief and wondered where God fits into your sorrow? Join us, as we create a sanctuary for those enduring the heartache of loss, discovering God's intimate presence in our journey through mourning. Throughout this episode, we're cradled by the wisdom of Hafiz, the 14th-century Persian poet, whose verses guide us to a place where pain transforms into comfort and the memories of our beloved become a source of healing strength. We'll explore how grief...
Jul 12, 2024•11 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Send us a text This episode offers a very personal glimpse into the heartbreak and resilience involved in navigating end-of-life care, especially with a family member who once was a vibrant and influential figure. I hope to bring solace and understanding to anyone facing similar heart-wrenching decisions, as well as honoring the unbreakable bonds that sustain us through such challenging times. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Face...
Jul 05, 2024•14 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Send us a text Join us in a weekly exploration of healing. This week's spiritual quest delves into the bardo, an Eastern concept of the transitional space souls may inhabit, examined through a Christian lens. We unveil the spiritual concept of the bardo--a transitional state where souls may find themselves in a moment of hesitation or confusion. We contemplate how God's presence offers solace and guidance even in these liminal spaces. We hope to reconnect with the core of our being. Whether you'...
Jun 28, 2024•13 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Send us a text Share insight into the symbolism of serving tea to Buddha, inviting you to explore the boundless nature of love and compassion. We contemplate the present moment's perfection, finding solace in the unity of the divine breath. Honor our collective journey towards oneness with God. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, California, or Calvary Cemetery in San Jose, Cali...
Jun 21, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Send us a text Have you ever felt the ground beneath you shift, not from an earthquake, but from the seismic impact of grief? As the planet adjusts to the weight of glaciers and the movement of tectonic plates, so do we adapt to the void left by loved ones, seeking solace in the new landscapes of our lives. We learn that the most profound transformations require time, patience, and the gentle passage of time. We invite you into a reflective space where the natural world mirrors our inner tumult ...
Jun 14, 2024•12 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Send us a text Have you ever sought peace amidst the chaos of loss? Comfort your heart with the timeless wisdom of Psalm 139, an anchor during life's storms. Delve into the omnipresence of God, the intricate dance between sorrow and solace, and how these forces play a pivotal role in our lives. Reflect on the contrasting images of light and dark, love and hate, and the journey from the often vengeful deity of the Old Testament to the divine love incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through affirmations an...
Jun 06, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Send us a text Grief often arrives uninvited, transforming our world when we least expect it. This week, we explore the intertwining of loss and light, and the role of faith in navigating the labyrinth of sorrow. Remember, when the night seems endless, there exists a love that shines ceaselessly, guiding us all towards solace. We are reminded that we are never truly alone. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of...
May 31, 2024•12 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Send us a text This episode is a spiritual sanctuary where the wisdom of the Great Spirit and the teachings of the Earth help us navigate the stormy waters of grief with grace and understanding. Together, we explore a tapestry of prayers that speak to the soul, from the profound simplicity of the Lakota Sioux's quest for strength and wisdom to the Cherokee's blessings for peace and happiness. Each sacred word serves as a gentle reminder of our shared humanity and the gifts of understanding that ...
May 24, 2024•10 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Send us a text Embark on a spiritual journey into the terrain of grief and faith, with Jesus whose profound sorrow at John the Baptist's demise unveils a striking vulnerability, a moment of raw emotion that offers a rare glimpse into the heart of a man who embodies wisdom and compassion. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, California, or Calvary Cemetery in San Jose, Cal...
May 17, 2024•17 min•Season 3Ep. 19
