Welcoming God

Sarah Haykel
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SPIRITUALITY

Hey spiritual seeker!  My name’s Sarah Haykel and I’m the host of Welcoming God, a podcast for spiritual seekers. In this podcast, I’ll be sharing the goodness of Welcoming God back into my life after years of rebelling against the God of my Catholic upbringing and years of honest seeking on a personal spiritual path. I’ll share my consistently evolving understanding of God and what I’m learning on the path, to help create a God accessible to the every day person.   We’ll have honest and sometimes hilarious conversations about how to go from being a “spiritual” person to a God-loving person. Understanding God as a benevolent guide. What does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does it mean to surrender to God? Cultivating a spiritually mature understanding of God. Learning how to discern God’s truth and will for our lives. How to cultivate the most important relationship you’ll ever have, with God, on a daily, moment to moment basis. Come along on this spiritually rEvolutionary journey where we get to know God. This podcast is marked as explicit because there may be swearing or content appropriate for mature audiences in some of the episodes.  

  1. From Force-Fed Religion To Belonging By Welcoming The Whole Season

    6D AGO

    From Force-Fed Religion To Belonging By Welcoming The Whole Season

    Love this AI description, so I'm using it!  I've edited a bit, but enjoy it's take on this fourth and final episode of Season 4 of Welcoming God. Some moments are revelatory. Walking into church decked in Christmas lights, I felt overcome with joy—and then a sudden inner tension, the old fear that joy requires certainty, rose up immediately after. That crack revealed a tender truth: many of us were taught that belonging depends on perfect belief, and our bodies still brace at the holidays as if doubt disqualifies us from the feast! We walk through that tension with care as I trace the child part that heard faith as force-fed and the present day adult me who still longs to belong choose to reframe celebration as an act of welcome rather than a test. We widen the lens to include the nativity story, the cultural warmth of Christmas, and the cosmic rhythm of the winter solstice—the return of the light that gives everyone a way in. Instead of passing a theology exam, we practice curiosity: let the manger be beautiful even if you’re unsure of every detail, let candles and cookies sit beside carols and quiet prayers, and let nature’s turning seasons preach their own kind of gospel. At the heart of this finale is a simple claim: inclusion is not a loophole, it’s the point. Drawing on Jesus’s open table, I invite you to show up as you are—full believer, partial believer, curious skeptic, or somewhere unnamed—and to welcome every part of yourself to the celebration. We explore practical steps for sensing the body’s “brake pedal,” making room for mixed feelings, and receiving the season’s gifts without pretending. The blessing stretches across hemispheres and traditions: may the growing light carry us into a year with more joy, less suffering, and a deeper sense of home. If this resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs permission to belong before they believe.  Visit WelcomingGod.com to sign up for our newsletter, download the ebook companion to season one, and connect with Sarah directly through the contact form at the bottom of the web page.   Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com Support the show

    11 min
  2. Finding Peace Between Christian Tradition, Celtic Rituals and Natures Rhythms

    JAN 27

    Finding Peace Between Christian Tradition, Celtic Rituals and Natures Rhythms

    This Christmas season, I was struck with a new awareness: that I could celebrate and honor the traditions of Christianity, Celtic celebrations and the natural rhythms of the seasons and solstice.   What a revelation: to be able to celebrate and honor various traditions in the returning of the light, both the physical, natural light of the sun and days getting longer.  And, the celebration of the Christ Light that was emulated through Jesus.   What do you think?  How do you celebrate this time of year?  What's special and sacred about it all for you? Thank you for listening and please share this podcast with a friend! Visit WelcomingGod.com to sign up for our newsletter, download the ebook companion to season one, and connect with Sarah directly through the contact form at the bottom of the web page.   Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com Support the show

    15 min
  3. What To Do When God Says "Wait"

    JAN 20

    What To Do When God Says "Wait"

    What do we do when God's call for us is to "wait."  How do we listen?  And, why?  What's truly important about heeding God's call? In this episode of Welcoming God, I talk about this and share a funny story about ice cream that led to an important realization about accepting when "not much is going on" in my life as a source of peace instead of boredom and an attempt to escape from loneliness.   Thank you for listening and please share this podcast with a friend! Visit WelcomingGod.com to sign up for our newsletter, download the ebook companion to season one, and connect with Sarah directly through the contact form at the bottom of the web page.   Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com Support the show

    13 min
  4. New Years Rituals: The Importance of Integration, Intention & Celebration

    JAN 13

    New Years Rituals: The Importance of Integration, Intention & Celebration

    New Years rituals and reviewing our previous year can be game changers!   In this episode, I share the importance of integrating past experiences and celebrating accomplishments, large and small, through a year in review practice. And, how one word can help guide us into co-creating a more intentional new year! A "year in review" and new years intention setting ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you desire.  How will these two things support you to live a more God-led and God-centered life into the New Year? Thank you for listening and please share this podcast with a friend! Visit WelcomingGod.com to sign up for our newsletter, download the ebook companion to season one, and connect with Sarah directly through the contact form at the bottom of the web page.   Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com Support the show

    16 min
  5. When Strangers Become Angels: A Roadside Miracle and Its Ripple Effects

    10/07/2025

    When Strangers Become Angels: A Roadside Miracle and Its Ripple Effects

    A flat tire becomes a gateway to a beautiful, miraculous moment when a group of strangers enthusiastically changes Sarah's tire without being asked. The experience sparks a beautiful exchange of kindness that continues when Sarah promises to bake them a cake as a thank you and then actually feels God's guidance to follow through and do it! Their mutual astonishment at each other's generosity creates a profound moment of human connection that transcends the ordinary! This unexpected roadside encounter opens up deeper reflections on how God's love manifests through human kindness and the importance of discerning divine guidance in our daily lives. Sarah explores the nuanced difference between following social expectations to "be nice" versus responding to specific spiritual promptings. Through this simple yet profound exchange, she discovers that "we are God's Love in action!" – that divine intervention often wears human faces. The story challenges listeners to slow down their awareness, notice what lies beneath surface reactions, and cultivate deeper discernment about when and how to respond to the presenting needs around them. Sarah shares how practices like centering prayer, meditation, and various forms of divine contemplation create internal space to hear God's guidance more clearly. The flat tire incident becomes a parable about the unexpected ways divine orchestration weaves through ordinary moments, revealing that "not everything is as it seems." When we remain open to these sacred surprises, we participate in creating ripples of goodness that extend far beyond what we initially perceive. Visit WelcomingGod.com to sign up for our newsletter, download the ebook companion to season one, and connect with Sarah directly through the contact form. How might you recognize the divine guidance flowing through your everyday encounters today? Music by Song Channel Music.  Listen at SongChannelMusic.com Thomas Hubl's Mystic Cafe Feminine Power is a course I took many years ago and had a different set of teachers then.  But, this link goes to one of the main teachers info about the current version of this course, which I know nothing about!   Lee Carroll's Kryon Parable, The Journey Home: Michael Thomas and the Seven Angels Support the show

    20 min
  6. Sitting With God: A Simple Meditation Practice

    09/30/2025

    Sitting With God: A Simple Meditation Practice

    Have you ever wondered if spiritual connection could be simpler than we make it? What if the most profound practice required nothing more than your willingness to be present? Sitting With God is a simple practice that offers restoration and joy without elaborate steps or rigid structures. Unlike many spiritual disciplines that demand specific techniques, this approach simply invites you to pause and acknowledge the divine presence that's already here, right here in this moment with you. Whether for a moment between meetings or during a quiet afternoon, this practice creates space for genuine connection with what I call "The One True Source." I began this practice years ago when a spiritual coach encouraged me to spend daily time with God. Those late afternoon sessions felt like a simple gift to give myself after the workday – restorative moments of pure presence filled with joy. Now, after a year of practicing centering prayer, I've returned to Sitting With God for its beautiful simplicity and profound nourishment. The practice is remarkably accessible: just stop whatever you're doing and give yourself the grace of time to be with God. There are no rules. Sometimes I even doze off, but mostly I remain in a relaxed state, simply enjoying divine presence. Before automatically reaching for the TV remote or comfort food at day's end, consider whether something deeper is calling you to this sacred pause instead. Ready for a gentle challenge? Try Sitting With God daily for the next seven days, even if just for a moment. How will you remind yourself? Perhaps set an alarm, leave notes where you'll see them, or establish a specific time for this divine appointment. However you approach it, I'd love to hear how this practice unfolds for you. Visit WelcomingGod.com to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free ebook that accompanies the first season of this podcast. Have questions? Reach out through the Get In Touch section on the website. Your journey of simply sitting with God might be the spiritual practice you've been seeking all along. 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.   Gerald G. May MD, The Awakened Heart: Living Beyond Addiction. Support the show

    10 min
  7. Spiritual Meditation: Exploring Lectio, Visio, Audio and Nature Divina Meditation

    09/23/2025

    Spiritual Meditation: Exploring Lectio, Visio, Audio and Nature Divina Meditation

    Have you ever noticed something that instantly captures your attention—a phrase in a book, a striking image, an unexpected sound, or a moment in nature that makes you pause? That "shimmering" sensation might be more than coincidence; it could be an invitation to a deeper spiritual experience. Drawing inspiration from Christine Valters Painter's book "Lectio Divina: The Sacred Art," I share a transformative practice that expands the ancient tradition of sacred reading into our multisensory daily lives. Lectio Divina traditionally involves allowing a word or phrase from sacred text to stand out—to "shimmer"—and become a focal point for meditation. But this approach extends beautifully beyond reading to visual experiences (Visio Divina), sounds (Audio Divina), and encounters with nature. What makes this practice revolutionary is its embrace of both the beautiful and the challenging. That loud motorcycle disrupting your peace? The traffic jam making you late? These frustrations can become unexpected gateways to spiritual insight when approached with curiosity rather than resistance. I share my own experience with neighborhood noise disturbances and how viewing them through this contemplative lens offers new possibilities for processing difficult or annoying experiences and emotions. The beauty of this practice lies in its simplicity and accessibility. You don't need special training, equipment, or even much time—just one to five minutes daily of noticing what shimmers at you and asking, "What is here for me?" This can happen during your commute, while washing dishes, or walking through your neighborhood. Sacred texts can come from any tradition that speaks to you, or even from poetry that feels meaningful. Try this simple practice for the next seven days: Notice what shimmers at you daily—whether it feels good or not—and spend a few moments in contemplation with it. I'd love to hear how it goes!  Contact me through WelcomingGod.com, where you can also sign up for our newsletter to receive a free companion ebook to the first season of this podcast. 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.   Lectio Divina -The Sacred Art by Christine Valters Paintner Support the show

    11 min
  8. Navigating Christian Confusion

    09/16/2025

    Navigating Christian Confusion

    Have you ever found yourself shocked by the beliefs of people who follow the same faith as you? That jarring moment when you realize someone reading the same Bible has arrived at conclusions that seem completely foreign—or even extreme—to you? I recently experienced what I can only describe as a "veil-lifting moment" after attending a Bible study where I encountered perspectives that felt extreme compared to my understanding of Christianity. This led me down a rabbit hole of research where I discovered an even wider spectrum of interpretations than I could have imagined. The experience left me questioning not just others' beliefs, but my own approach to sharing my spiritual journey. What struck me most was how we all engage in the same behavior—trying to convince others our interpretation is correct while dismissing views that don't align with ours. Yet Jesus's central message couldn't be clearer: love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. He even said people would recognize his followers by their love for one another. So why do we spend so much energy arguing and judging instead of understanding and loving? This episode invites us to create space between receiving information that doesn't resonate and immediately reacting to it. I share my personal struggle with this challenge and invite you to consider how you might approach differences with curiosity rather than defensiveness. What might happen if, instead of jumping to correct others, we paused to invite divine guidance into our conversations? Whether you identify as a Christian or follow another spiritual path, the question remains the same: How do we honor our own truth while making room for others to honor theirs? And, more importantly, how do we allow others viewpoints, those that resonate and those that don't, to continue to grow, heal, expand and mature on our own spiritual journey? Join me as we explore these important inquiries together, seeking not to win arguments but to embody the love at the heart of Jesus's teachings. Subscribe to receive the free Welcoming God ebook at WelcomingGod.com and continue this journey of spiritual discovery together. 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.   Support the show

    16 min
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About

Hey spiritual seeker!  My name’s Sarah Haykel and I’m the host of Welcoming God, a podcast for spiritual seekers. In this podcast, I’ll be sharing the goodness of Welcoming God back into my life after years of rebelling against the God of my Catholic upbringing and years of honest seeking on a personal spiritual path. I’ll share my consistently evolving understanding of God and what I’m learning on the path, to help create a God accessible to the every day person.   We’ll have honest and sometimes hilarious conversations about how to go from being a “spiritual” person to a God-loving person. Understanding God as a benevolent guide. What does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does it mean to surrender to God? Cultivating a spiritually mature understanding of God. Learning how to discern God’s truth and will for our lives. How to cultivate the most important relationship you’ll ever have, with God, on a daily, moment to moment basis. Come along on this spiritually rEvolutionary journey where we get to know God. This podcast is marked as explicit because there may be swearing or content appropriate for mature audiences in some of the episodes.  

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Haykel
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Welcoming God
  • Show Website
    Welcoming God