SPEAKER_00: Welcome, beloved.
SPEAKER_00: I invite you to take a deep breath in and let it slowly release.
SPEAKER_00: We are gathering in the presence that holds us all.
SPEAKER_00: The presence of peace.
SPEAKER_00: The presence of Christ, who is all peace.
SPEAKER_00: Let your body arrive.
SPEAKER_00: Let your breath deepen.
SPEAKER_00: Let your shoulders soften.
SPEAKER_00: And let your heart open to the mystery of here, now.
SPEAKER_00: Listen to the word of the Lord from Philippians chapter four.
SPEAKER_00: Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life.
SPEAKER_00: Let your joy overflow and let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.
SPEAKER_00: Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing.
SPEAKER_00: Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.
SPEAKER_00: Tell him every detail of your life.
SPEAKER_00: And then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding will guard your heart and your mind through Christ Jesus.
SPEAKER_00: Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind.
SPEAKER_00: And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.
SPEAKER_00: To choose what we will dwell upon.
SPEAKER_00: The Apostle tells us to fix our thoughts on all that is beautiful, true, pure, kind, holy, and merciful.
SPEAKER_00: This is not a denial of what is hard.
SPEAKER_00: It is an alignment with what is eternal.
SPEAKER_00: When we lift our thoughts toward goodness, our minds become sanctuaries of peace.
SPEAKER_00: Close your eyes.
SPEAKER_00: Notice your breath in through the nose and out through your mouth.
SPEAKER_00: Let your breath be prayer.
SPEAKER_00: With each inhale, receive peace.
SPEAKER_00: With each exhale, release worry.
SPEAKER_00: Perhaps joy, gentleness, gratitude, kindness, or peace.
SPEAKER_00: Hold that word gently in your awareness.
SPEAKER_00: Let it take form in your breath and in the rhythm of your heart.
SPEAKER_00: As you breathe, imagine your mind turning toward that good thing, like a flower turning toward the light.
SPEAKER_00: Each time your thoughts wander, simply notice them, and then return to your chosen word, your sacred focus.
SPEAKER_00: Is there warmth?
SPEAKER_00: A lightness, a sense of calm.
SPEAKER_00: This is the holy peace that transcends understanding.
SPEAKER_00: The stillness that guards your heart and mind.
SPEAKER_00: Let gratitude rise gently now, not forced but natural.
SPEAKER_00: Like water welling up from a deep spring.
SPEAKER_00: Give thanks for the ability to choose what you think about.
SPEAKER_00: This is your sacred power.
SPEAKER_00: The choice to return again and again to that which is true, to that which is lovely, to that which is good, to that which is God.
SPEAKER_00: Slowly bring your awareness back to this moment.
SPEAKER_00: Feel your feet on the ground, your breath steady, your spirit calm.
SPEAKER_00: Carry this peace with you.