Podcasts about Agape

In this powerful spiritual talk, "Enough Is Not an Achievement," Rev. Lee explores self-worth, inner truth, spiritual awakening, and releasing the need for approval. Discover why your value was never something to earn, prove, or chase, but something to remember beneath the noise of the mind. Return to your authentic self. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/  

What if the love you've been searching for has always been within you? In this inspiring spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores why lasting love is never found outside yourself but discovered through self-awareness, inner peace, and unconditional self-love. Learn how to stop seeking validation, awaken your true nature, and experience the freedom of authentic love that never depends on circumstances or other people. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

The Gabfest's end is nigh but we've still got a few bits of culture to gab upon. This week, Steve and Dana are joined by longtime Gabfest star pinch hitter Dan Kois. First up for consideration: Pixar's Toy Story 5. In this fifth installment of the computer animation studio's flagship franchise, the threat to the vital bond between toy and child are computers themselves. Will Pixar, of all entities, save us from the threat of screentime? Maybe not. Is it nice to be back with Woody, Buzz, Jesse and the gang of plushies, dolls, and various transitional objects? Maybe so.Next, the panel drops into the indie comedy ecosystem of the streaming service Dropout TV and talks about its chaotic cult hit game show Game Changer, now in its eighth season. Does the goofy hijinks therein offer a framework for the future of TV? They discuss. Finally, supreme, very special friend of the program (SVSFOP) Wesley Morris joins to talk about the New York Times' package on the six sentences that define America and his essay in it about Nina Simone's “Mississippi Goddam.”In our bonus episode, Wesley sticks around to theorize with Steve, Dana, and Julia about the point of even having podcasts about culture.EndorsementsDana: "What Steven Spielberg Taught Me About Fear, Catharsis, and Being Human" by Wesley Morris in The New York Times as well as, maybe for the first time ever for Dana in Gabfest history, a piece of technology: the MacBook Neo.Julia: The ongoing career—after composing the Gabfest theme—of the composer Nicholas Britell including his work for the NBA and particularly the composition "Agape" on the film score of If Beale Street Could Talk. Wesley: The potato salad recipe in Pearl Bailey's cookbook Pearl's Kitchen: An Extraordinary Cookbook.Dan: Writing fan mail to authors whose work you love. Also, the music of the recently departed South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, particularly the album Mindif.Steve: The semi-fictionalized documentary about David Hockney A Bigger Splash and Philip French's review of it for BFI. Also, David Denby's 1990 New York Review of Books essay "The Real Thing" about the documentarian Frederick Wiseman. --Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gabfest's end is nigh but we've still got a few bits of culture to gab upon. This week, Steve and Dana are joined by longtime Gabfest star pinch hitter Dan Kois. First up for consideration: Pixar's Toy Story 5. In this fifth installment of the computer animation studio's flagship franchise, the threat to the vital bond between toy and child are computers themselves. Will Pixar, of all entities, save us from the threat of screentime? Maybe not. Is it nice to be back with Woody, Buzz, Jesse and the gang of plushies, dolls, and various transitional objects? Maybe so.Next, the panel drops into the indie comedy ecosystem of the streaming service Dropout TV and talks about its chaotic cult hit game show Game Changer, now in its eighth season. Does the goofy hijinks therein offer a framework for the future of TV? They discuss. Finally, supreme, very special friend of the program (SVSFOP) Wesley Morris joins to talk about the New York Times' package on the six sentences that define America and his essay in it about Nina Simone's “Mississippi Goddam.”In our bonus episode, Wesley sticks around to theorize with Steve, Dana, and Julia about the point of even having podcasts about culture.EndorsementsDana: "What Steven Spielberg Taught Me About Fear, Catharsis, and Being Human" by Wesley Morris in The New York Times as well as, maybe for the first time ever for Dana in Gabfest history, a piece of technology: the MacBook Neo.Julia: The ongoing career—after composing the Gabfest theme—of the composer Nicholas Britell including his work for the NBA and particularly the composition "Agape" on the film score of If Beale Street Could Talk. Wesley: The potato salad recipe in Pearl Bailey's cookbook Pearl's Kitchen: An Extraordinary Cookbook.Dan: Writing fan mail to authors whose work you love. Also, the music of the recently departed South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, particularly the album Mindif.Steve: The semi-fictionalized documentary about David Hockney A Bigger Splash and Philip French's review of it for BFI. Also, David Denby's 1990 New York Review of Books essay "The Real Thing" about the documentarian Frederick Wiseman. --Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Season 2 final episode before our summer break, Michael explores what it means to live Consciousness First — to recognize that true transformation begins not by changing outer circumstances, but by shifting where we are living from within. He teaches that we are not our thoughts, emotions, or conditions, but the awareness in which they arise. Through reflections on intention, perception, Divine intelligence, and the power of living from inner guidance, Michael invites listeners to remember that Consciousness is the starting point of a meaningful, intentional life. This episode is a reminder to stop being driven by external demands, reconnect with the Presence within, and live with the essential question: What does Life want to express or become as me?   New Season Starts September 2nd! Highlights Include: -Why "Consciousness First" means remembering that your real identity is awareness itself, not the thoughts, emotions, or beliefs moving through you. -How changing your consciousness begins with clearing the inner film of inherited beliefs, social conditioning, fear, superstition, and old perceptions. -The importance of living intentionally instead of letting circumstances, media, emotional contagion, or external noise decide where your attention goes. -A powerful ocean analogy that helps distinguish between consciousness itself and the temporary content passing through your awareness. -How awakening begins the moment you realize you are not the thought, opinion, belief, or emotional state moving through your mind. -Why God consciousness is not about becoming religious, but becoming increasingly aware of the vast presence moving in, through, and as you. -How perception determines experience, and why spiritual practice helps clean up perception so you can see life from a higher awareness. -A teaching on the strange attractor field, the future self, and the greater version of life that is always calling you into fuller expression. -Why emotions are not the arbiters of truth, and how attitude, character, and willingness shape destiny more powerfully than karma or circumstance. Next, Michael closes the episode with a guided meditation on smiling inwardly, realizing Oneness, awakening to your True identity, and allowing consciousness to transform the content of your life. ✨ What's your Life Question? Have questions about your relationships, finances, life purpose, or how to understand  world events through a spiritual lens? Submit your Life Question to podcast@michaelbeckwith.com — your question could be featured in an upcoming episode to inspire others on their journey! ✍️Love Take Back Your Mind? This podcast grows through your support. If you've been inspired by an episode, we'd love to hear from you! Consider leaving a 5-star review or drop a comment. It helps others join this journey of growth and connection.

Discover the deeper truth of unconditional love, self-love, spiritual awakening, and inner peace. In this powerful talk, Rev. Lee explores why outside love is temporary, why true love begins within, and how to stop seeking fulfillment from the world. Return to the love that needs nothing and is always present. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

Discover how the subconscious mind shapes your reality by accepting the dominant idea you give it. In this spiritual talk, Rev. Lee explores conscious choice, belief, mindset, inner transformation, and the power of thought to create a greater life. Learn to choose ideas that support peace, abundance, self-awareness, and spiritual growth. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

Explore how to stop outsourcing your well-being to people, circumstances, possessions, and life events. In this spiritual talk, Rev. Lee shares powerful insights on self-awareness, inner peace, emotional freedom, personal growth, conscious living, and reclaiming your power from the outside world. Discover how true well-being begins within. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

Discover how your focus creates your experience and shapes the reality you live each day. In this spiritual talk, Rev. Lee explores awareness, mindset, conscious living, personal growth, and how the way you focus can open the door to peace, clarity, and possibility. Shift your attention and transform your life.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

In this powerful Week 18 message of The Science of Mind Journey, Rev. Lee Wolak explores "Guilt, Shame, and Unworthiness" and reveals how these hidden patterns quietly shape our thoughts, choices, relationships, and spiritual growth. In the Science of Mind teaching, we are not broken, fallen, or separate from God. We are individualized expressions of Infinite Mind, but when guilt and shame dominate consciousness, we forget our true nature and begin creating from fear, self-judgment, and limitation. This spiritual talk invites you to look honestly at the beliefs that keep you feeling unworthy, undeserving, or disconnected from your greater good. Through New Thought wisdom, metaphysical teaching, self-awareness, and practical spiritual insight, you will learn how to release the false identity built around past mistakes, inherited shame, and old conditioning. If you are seeking spiritual awakening, emotional healing, self-forgiveness, inner freedom, conscious living, personal transformation, and a deeper understanding of your divine nature, this message will help you return to the truth: you are worthy, whole, and free now. Subscribe for more teachings on self-realization, spiritual growth, inner transformation, universal principles, and awakening to the power within. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers—spiritually, emotionally, and in community—consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

June 21, 2026 Pastor Mark Bintliff- The Quest for Agape 1030AM

June 21, 2026 Pastor Mark Bintliff- The Quest for Agape 830AM

Agape love—the selfless, sacrificial love modeled by Jesus and made possible through His resurrection carries unbelievable power. While friendship in the church is a blessing, God calls believers to something deeper: love that acts, gives, and sacrifices for fellow Christians. This love is not merely based on feelings or mutual benefit but is rooted in Christ's example of laying down His life. We can challenge our people to express this love tangibly—through generosity, presence, and empathy. We can also reassure them that even when their hearts condemn them, God is greater and His love secures their identity and confidence before Him. We are and remain God's children by his grace.Support the show~ Changing lives with Jesus! Facebook | YouTubeInstagram @dscsienna

Send us Fan MailGreg is an Adelaide-based former bouncer and security guard who spent years working inside some of the biggest and most iconic venues in South Australian history.He is also the co-owner of DFC, one of the fastest-growing MMA promotions coming out of South Australia.But Greg's story goes far beyond the doors of Adelaide's nightlife scene. As a young man, he found himself closely connected to the daughter of the leader of Agape, a notorious Adelaide-based cult with a dark and unbelievable history.This episode covers the golden era of Adelaide partying, life on the doors, the rise of South Australian MMA, and Greg's personal connection to one of the strangest cult stories this city has ever seen.I've got a huge amount of respect for Greg for sitting down and telling his story so openly. I hope you enjoy this one.

In this inspiring Rev Lee Wolak talk, discover how true spiritual mastery comes from learning to relax into what is rather than resisting reality. Explore mindfulness, acceptance, conscious living, inner peace, self-awareness, and the transformative power of love. Learn how releasing resistance opens the door to greater wisdom, compassion, emotional freedom, and authentic spiritual growth. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

Join Michael at his Mt. Shasta Summer Retreat, July 30 - August 2! Click here: https://events.agapelive.com/mt-shasta-summer-retreat/.  Our first letter comes from Madeline: Madeline is working to heal deep feelings of not belonging that were shaped by years in predominantly white environments. She asks how to build genuine spiritual confidence—and trust her own worth—in a world that often measures value through status, race, and hierarchy. Our next letter comes from Christie L. in Northern California: Christie is holding a vision of justice for a loved one caught in a painful legal battle, but as time passes, doubt and impatience creep in. She asks how to trust the vision without feeling naïve—and whether true faith means holding steady even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Next, Michael leads a guided meditation. ✨ What's your Life Question? Have questions about your relationships, finances, life purpose, or how to understand  world events through a spiritual lens? Submit your Life Question to podcast@michaelbeckwith.com — your question could be featured in an upcoming episode to inspire others on their journey! ✍️Love Take Back Your Mind? This podcast grows through your support. If you've been inspired by an episode, we'd love to hear from you! Consider leaving a 5-star review or drop a comment. It helps others join this journey of growth and connection.

In this powerful Rev Lee Wolak talk, discover how your dominant emotions shape your thoughts, decisions, behaviors, and overall life experience. Learn why fear, anger, guilt, love, and gratitude influence your reality and how self-awareness allows you to regain emotional mastery. Explore practical spiritual insights for emotional intelligence, personal growth, inner peace, conscious living, and lasting transformation. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

In this powerful Rev Lee Wolak talk, discover why life was never meant to be controlled, avoided, or limited to only pleasant experiences. Explore spiritual growth, self-awareness, mindfulness, acceptance, and personal transformation through the full spectrum of human experience. Learn how every challenge, success, loss, and triumph can become a doorway to wisdom, freedom, inner peace, and conscious living. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

A “Yes” to God rarely starts as a lightning bolt. More often, it shows up as a quiet invitation, a repeated nudge, a desire you did not manufacture but cannot ignore. We start with a simple question: How do you recognize an invitation from God?  How do you tell the difference between your own impulse and the Holy Spirit drawing you into something deeper?From there, we dig into Agapao and why it matters for real life, not just theology. We walk through the four movements of divine love: Agape gives first, pursues without quitting, Agapetos names us as God's beloved, Agapeton forms us into a usable vessel, and then Agapao flows outward through us to others. If you feel stuck in performance, burnout, or constantly trying to “get it right,” this framework reframes spiritual growth as an encounter rather than achievement.Then we stand with Peter in John 21, on the shore at dawn, where Jesus restores the disciple who denied him. The details matter: Jesus calls him “Simon,” asks hard questions with surprising gentleness, and even meets Peter at the level of love (phileo) he can honestly offer. The moment becomes a blueprint for Christian restoration, identity, and calling, ending with a commissioning that does not wait for Peter to feel flawless. We close with a guided reflective pause and a simple breath prayer: Agape meets me where I am, not where I should be.If this helps you hear God more clearly and receive grace more deeply, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find this conversation."Have Questions, Send us a Message" This podcast is a production of The Center for Biblical Coaching and Leadership. If this episode has been useful or inspiring to you in any way, please share it with someone else.  Lastly, please follow the show and write a review.If you want to go deeper on this journey, visit www.tcbcl.org to learn how we're walking this path together through biblical coaching, spiritual formation, and the ROOTED Global Movement. 

Join Michael at his Mt. Shasta Summer Retreat, July 30 - August 2! Click here: https://events.agapelive.com/mt-shasta-summer-retreat/.  Today, Michael welcomes Dr. Sue Morter.  Sue is an internationally acclaimed speaker, Master of Bioenergetic Medicine, and thought leader bridging science, spirituality, and human potential. As the founder and CEO of the Morter Institute for Bioenergetics, she teaches how to reprogram the body's electromagnetic energy flow through embodiment, self-healing, and higher consciousness. Her latest book, The Anatomy of Awakening, explores the hidden codes that help unlock the truth of who we are and live from our divine destiny.  Conversation Highlights Include: -Why awakening is not about fixing yourself, but remembering the divine wholeness that has always been who you truly are. -How embodiment shifts spiritual practice from trying to leave the body into fully inhabiting life with presence, clarity, and purpose. -A deeper look at the "God body" as the energetic bridge between the physical self and the higher consciousness we are learning to embody. -The importance of rewriting your identity so you stop seeing yourself as separate from Source and begin living as an expression of it. -How the body uses sensations, tightness, emotion, and energy to guide you back toward the parts of yourself that need awareness and integration. -Why spiritual practice is not meant to be an escape from life, but a way to bring your true self into relationships, family, work, and the world. -How bringing attention back into the body helps reclaim energy, soften old protective patterns, and expand your capacity to live authentically. -A powerful reframing of Love as the organizing force of the Cosmos, not just an emotion exchanged between people. -Why heaviness, sadness, anxiety, or fear can become doorways into healing when you follow them inward with breath, presence, and compassion. Michael closes the episode with a guided meditation on the inward smile, gratitude, divine identity, and remembering that everything you need is already within you.

In this inspiring Rev Lee Wolak talk, explore the powerful balance between your human experience and your divine nature. Discover how spiritual awakening, self-awareness, mindfulness, and personal growth help you embrace both your humanity and your higher self. Learn how to navigate life's challenges with wisdom, compassion, authenticity, and inner peace while living from your true spiritual identity. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

Stop Arguing with Yourself is a powerful spiritual talk about inner conflict, self-awareness, peace of mind, conscious living, and personal transformation. Rev. Lee Wolak explores how the mind fights reality, creates emotional suffering, and blocks inner freedom. Learn how to stop debating with confusion, return to truth, and live with clarity, presence, and spiritual power. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://agapetx.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount/

In this powerful Week 17 message of The Science of Mind Journey, Rev. Lee Wolak explores "Doubt and the Divided Mind" and reveals how doubt weakens our creative power, disrupts spiritual alignment, and keeps us from fully stepping into the life we are here to live. In the Science of Mind teaching, thought is creative, but when the mind is divided between fear and faith, clarity and confusion, trust and hesitation, our results become scattered. This spiritual talk invites you to examine where doubt may be operating in your consciousness and how to return to a deeper place of inner knowing, self-trust, and spiritual certainty. Through practical insight, metaphysical teaching, and bold spiritual truth, you will learn how to recognize the divided mind, release inner conflict, and align your thoughts, feelings, and actions with the greater possibility seeking to express through you. If you are on a path of spiritual growth, self-awareness, conscious living, personal transformation, or Science of Mind study, this message will help you move beyond hesitation and into greater faith, clarity, and empowered living. Subscribe for more teachings on self-realization, spiritual growth, inner transformation, universal principles, and awakening to the power within. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers—spiritually, emotionally, and in community—consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

In this powerful spiritual growth talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how self-judgment, limiting beliefs, fear, and inner criticism keep you stuck. Discover how self-awareness, personal responsibility, conscious living, and spiritual truth help you stop blaming life and start creating freedom, confidence, healing, and transformation from within.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/giving/#givenow

Join Michael at his Mt. Shasta Summer Retreat, July 30 - August 2! Sign up by June 14 to receive Early Bird Savings! Click here: https://events.agapelive.com/mt-shasta-summer-retreat/  Our first letter comes from Maggie: Maggie feels heartbroken and pushed to the sidelines by her daughter and daughter-in-law. After being kept at a distance during major life moments—including the birth of a new grandchild—she asks how to navigate the pain of feeling unwanted while keeping her heart open. Our next letter comes from Emme: After two decades of friendship, Emme is questioning whether a relationship she once cherished is truly reciprocal. She asks how to honor a deep spiritual connection while setting healthy boundaries around a friendship that often feels one-sided. Finally, Michael leads a guided meditation. ✨ What's your Life Question? Have questions about your relationships, finances, life purpose, or how to understand  world events through a spiritual lens? Submit your Life Question to podcast@michaelbeckwith.com — your question could be featured in an upcoming episode to inspire others on their journey! ✍️Love Take Back Your Mind? This podcast grows through your support. If you've been inspired by an episode, we'd love to hear from you! Consider leaving a 5-star review or drop a comment. It helps others join this journey of growth and connection.

Discover the power of spiritual community and like-minded people who accept, support, and challenge you to grow. In this inspiring talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how connection, personal growth, self-awareness, and conscious living help you step into your greater yet to be with courage, truth, and purpose.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Why do you never feel like enough? In this spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores conditioning, self-worth, approval seeking, inner peace, emotional freedom, and the belief that we need more to feel complete. Learn how to release the need for validation, control, and certainty, and remember your wholeness within. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Join Michael at his Mt. Shasta Summer Retreat, July 30 - August 2! Sign up by June 14 to receive Early Bird Savings! Click here: https://events.agapelive.com/mt-shasta-summer-retreat/  Today, Michael welcomes Dr. Paul Conti. Dr. Paul Conti is a celebrity-endorsed psychiatrist, renowned author, and President of Pacific Premier Group PC, a comprehensive mental health clinic providing therapy, coaching, and consulting services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States and abroad. He has been featured on leading podcasts with hosts including Tim Ferriss, Andrew Huberman, and Mel Robbins. In his latest book, What's Going Right , Dr. Conti offers a paradigm-shifting approach to mental health, highlighting the brain's "generative drive"—the innate force that fuels creativity, connection, purpose, and resilience. Rather than focusing on what's wrong, he provides practical tools for cultivating peace, contentment, emotional well-being, and ultimately, a more joyful life. Conversation Highlights include: -Mental health is not a matter of being either healthy or broken, but an ongoing practice that requires the same care, attention, and maintenance as physical health. -A powerful shift in perspective reveals how focusing exclusively on "what's wrong" creates blind spots, while beginning with "what's going right" opens the door to honest self-awareness and lasting change. -An exploration of the three core human drives—assertion, pleasure, and the generative drive—and why creating goodness, meaning, and contribution is essential for a fulfilling life. -The importance of approaching yourself with compassionate curiosity rather than shame, criticism, or fear when uncovering patterns that no longer serve your well-being. -Why cynicism often develops as protection against disappointment, yet ultimately blocks connection, joy, trust, and the ability to recognize goodness in life. -A practical framework for understanding the structure and function of self, offering a roadmap for personal growth, emotional healing, and greater resilience. -A discussion on meditation as a pathway to mental clarity, emotional regulation, inner peace, and a healthier relationship with your thoughts. -Insight into how recurring challenges—especially in relationships—can reveal unconscious patterns that become opportunities for deeper self-understanding and transformation. -The concept of life narrative and how many people unconsciously define themselves by failures and disappointments while overlooking their resilience, strength, and successes. Next, Michael closes the episode with a guided meditation centered on empowering questions that activate possibility, shift perception, and invite the mind to discover evidence of abundance, health, and goodness.

Discover how memory without emotion becomes wisdom. In this spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores healing the past, releasing emotional triggers, self-awareness, inner freedom, and conscious living. Learn how to remember without being pulled back into pain, transform old wounds into insight, and let the past serve your growth.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Discover how to become the certainty in a world filled with doubt. In this spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores inner wisdom, faith, self-awareness, and how to stay centered when life feels uncertain. Learn how to quiet fear, trust your inner guidance, and live from calm confidence.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

In this powerful spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how personal transformation begins when we release old beliefs, old patterns, and old ways of reacting. Learn how letting go creates space for new experiences, spiritual growth, inner peace, conscious living, and greater awareness. Discover why freedom begins when you stop gripping what no longer serves you.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

In this inspiring spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how your life purpose is to awaken to your infinite nature through present moment awareness, gratitude, inner peace, and well-being. Learn how to release the past, stop fearing the future, and live fully now with greater consciousness, clarity, and spiritual freedom. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Acting As If is one of the most powerful spiritual practices for personal transformation, conscious creation, and living from a higher state of awareness. In Week 16 of The Science of Mind Journey, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how to stop waiting for outer conditions to change and begin embodying the consciousness, confidence, faith, and spiritual identity of the person you are becoming. This teaching reveals how your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, choices, and actions shape your experience of life. Acting As If is not pretending, faking, or denying reality. It is aligning your inner world with the truth of who you are before the outer world has fully caught up. When you think, speak, feel, and act from your desired state of being, you begin to impress the subconscious mind and move in harmony with spiritual law. This video is for anyone seeking spiritual growth, self-awareness, mindset transformation, manifestation, emotional healing, inner power, faith, and a deeper understanding of Science of Mind principles. Learn how to live from possibility, embody your vision, and become an active participant in creating your life. Subscribe for more teachings on self-realization, spiritual growth, inner transformation, universal principles, and awakening to the power within. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers—spiritually, emotionally, and in community—consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Introduction: Introduction: How Do I Love? (1 Corinthians 13:1-7) Love ABSENT. (1 Cor 13:1-3) Love ACTIVE. (1 Cor 13:4-7) 1 John 4:8 – God is love. Ephesians 5:1 – Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. LOVE is Patient. LOVE is Kind. LOVE Does Not Envy. LOVE Does Not Boast. LOVE Is Not Arrogant. LOVE Is Not Rude. LOVE Does Not Insist On Its Own Way. LOVE Is Not Irritable. LOVE Is Not Resentful. LOVE Does Not Rejoice At Wrongdoing. LOVE Rejoices With The Truth. LOVE Bears All Things. LOVE Believes All Things. LOVE Hopes All Things. LOVE Endures All Things. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Questions and Answers: How Do I Love? Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:36Open up your Bibles with me please to the book of 1 Corinthians and chapter 13 While you're turning there as is our custom I'm going to ask that you would please pray for me to communicate God's word clearly and accurately as I should and I will pray for you to have a heart open to receive what it is the Lord wants to teach us from his word today All right? Let's just take a moment and pray. Father, just a few minutes ago we were talking about being watchful in prayer. Father, make us watchful for the fruit that will come as your word is applied. The radical difference There will be when your people in this church apply what it is you've told us in this passage we're looking at today. Let your Spirit be our teacher. Father, open our hearts up. Remove any distractions from our hearts and minds. Help us to really dial in right now. We ask in Jesus' name.02:03And all of God's people said, Amen. Amen. 1 Corinthians chapter 13. If you've been with us through this study in 1 Corinthians, you've seen that Paul was going through problem after problem after problem after problem in the church. This church had a lot of problems. There were cliques and there were lawsuits There was sexual sin, and there was people insisting on their rights, and they made the Lord's Supper a fiasco. But really, if you wanted to sum up chapters 1 through 12, it really all boils down to one thing. Paul's saying, your lack of love for one another is the problem.03:04They just didn't love each other the way that God has called us to love. And because that's the problem, now we get to chapter 13 where we get to the solution. It's love. It's love. And some of you might be like, ah, yes, yes, yes. 1 Corinthians 13, I know this one. This is where Paul writes the wedding poem.03:34But this passage is used a lot at weddings, but I want you to understand, Paul wasn't in the middle of addressing the church's problems and was like, yeah, we've got to figure out this spiritual gift thing because you're all messed up. Oh, I just had an idea for a wedding poem. I better write this down while it's fresh. It's not a wedding poem.04:00Pastor Taylor talked last week about how the Corinthian church was so messed up about spiritual gifts. And Paul's like, no, no, no, I'm going to show you a more excellent way. Here's the more excellent way. The heart of ministry. The heart of using spiritual gifts. It's not talent.04:30It's not who works the hardest. It's not who puts in the most hours. It's not who's the most creative. The heart of ministry is love. And if you're sitting here today and you're like, yeah, love's not really my thing. Well, it's God's thing. And if you're like, well, you know, I'm just not really a loving person.05:00Well, then you better get on board. Because love is at the top, according to God. When the fruit of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5, what's first? It's love, right? Paul tells us in Romans 13 that love fulfills the law. Jesus in John 13 said, Do you know? Oh, come on. I gave you so many hints. It's love. It's love. We've got to get on board. We have a little problem, though, in our language. We use the word love so generically, right? We say love for everything, right? But it doesn't all mean the same thing, right?06:00I can say I love hockey and I love my dog and I love my wife, but I don't love all those things the same way. You see, the Greek was a more specific language. They had different words for love. One word was eros. That's where we get the word erotic. That's the hubba hubba, husband and wife kind of love. Another word for love is, That's friendship love. Like Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. But the grandest word for love we're going to be talking about today is agape love. Agape. Agape is self-sacrificing. Agape is you ahead of me.07:02And understand that love isn't about feeling. All right? Feelings come, sure. And feelings go. But love isn't about feeling. Love is about doing. Right? Did Jesus love? Did Jesus love? How do we know? Everything from washing the disciples' feet to laying down his life on the cross, everything he did was an experience.07:30of love.07:35So how about you?07:38Are you a loving person?07:45Oh, in church we certainly idealize it.07:49Right?07:52But do we actually do it?07:56So on your outline today, how do I love?08:00I want to encourage you to not let, look, okay.08:04Because some of you have told me that you like to try to fill in the blanks ahead of time.08:10All right, fess up. Who does that? Raise your hand. Who tries to fill in the blanks? Okay.08:14Come on, this is a safe place to confess, and it's also a good place to repent.08:18I'm going to ask you to please not do that, because you're going to look at the outline today, and be like, oh, this one's easy. Love, love, love, love, love, love.08:25I'm going to ask you to hold on, hold on, all right?08:28and just walk in step with me. Will you do that? All right. So how do I love? In this passage we're looking, it's a very familiar passage, and he just talks about two things. There's two things here, right? And the first one is love absent. Love absent. Look at the first three verses. He says, if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love.09:01I'm a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.09:08And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing.09:22If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned I have not love.09:31I gain nothing.09:36You see this list here, what he's doing.09:38He's mentioning certain spiritual gifts here.09:42Did you see that?09:43And what he's doing is he's giving exaggerated examples of using spiritual gifts.09:51Like using them to the max.09:54But he says, if I use spiritual gifts, even to their peak performance, if I use them, but I don't genuinely love people, it results in, you see it? Nothing. It's not worth a thing if you don't love. See, the Corinthians, like us, so many times want the gifts of the Spirit, but not the fruit of the Spirit.10:24Paul says anything done without love is useless. Look at this example list of spiritual gifts. First of all, he talks about tongues. We're going to spend in a couple weeks quite a bit of time talking about what the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is about. But notice here, he says, if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, like what's angel language? What is that? Well, biblically, there is no such thing.10:54You see throughout these verses, He's exaggerating everything. He's saying, even if I speak a language that they only speak in heaven. He says, even if I did that, but I don't genuinely love people, it's just noise. It's just like banging a gong over and over.11:24How would you last? Probably not very long, right? And somebody would say, well, what happened in church? And you would say, nothing happened in church today. Well, there was some great music. And then the pastor got up and thought he was on the gong show. It was ridiculous. Next, he talks about prophecy.11:54Oh, by the way, he says prophecy is the greatest gift. In chapter 14, verse 1, we talked about this before. Prophecy literally means speak before. It's speaking God's truth before people. We cannot possibly overstate the magnitude of what happens when the Word of God is proclaimed.12:24I was reading about preaching this past week, and one preacher put it this way. He says, when the Word of God is proclaimed, we are bringing eternity into time. I was like, wow, wow, that's what's happening. But to get up and proclaim the Word of God, motivated by self-glory or fame or pride, but not motivated by loving people, it's nothing.12:54Next gift he talks about is knowledge. Do you notice the exaggeration? Here it is again. He says, understand all mysteries and all knowledge. More exaggeration, right? Like, who understands all knowledge? Who understands all mysteries? Like, what do you mean by mysteries? Well, the mystery was just things unknown to man, things only God knows. He's like, even if I knew Every single thing that God himself knows. Things no one else knows. You see, church, you can be highly educated. You can know the Bible frontwards and backwards. But if you don't love people, it's a big nothing.13:55All right, next gift, he talks about his faith. Do you see that? He says, if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains. Does that sound familiar? Faith moving mountains. Jesus talked about that. Matthew chapter 17, Matthew chapter 21. You know, it's the person that's like, you know, I have all faith. I believe. I believe for it. I claim the promise. I believe for it.14:24I just don't love those church people. Paul says you're nothing. And then he talks about the gift of giving. Again, exaggeration, hyperbole. He says I could give away every single thing that I own. And we do know that giving can be motivated by man's applause, right? Matthew 6. Giving can be motivated by guilt or peer pressure or obligation.14:57But if your giving isn't motivated by love, it gets you nothing. Even, even giving your body to be burned. You're like, time out, time out. Who gives their body to be burned? Like, what other motivation could somebody have for giving up their life for someone?15:24or for a cause or... Well, you could ask the Muslims. Because in Islam, dying as a martyr is the only sure way to heaven. They tell these young men, yeah, if you give your life to the cause of Islam, when you get to heaven, you're going to have 70 virgins to enjoy for all of eternity. Do you think they're motivated by love? So see, you can be a martyr.15:56But it doesn't necessarily have to be motivated by love, does it? Here's the bottom line with these first three verses. Paul's saying it doesn't matter what you do in ministry. It doesn't matter how well you do it. Because if you don't love people, you're wasting your time. To what degree? Well, notice in verse 1, he says if you don't love, you produce nothing.16:23Right? Just a clanging cymbal. You produce nothing. Verse 2, he says, if you don't love, you are nothing. And in verse 3, he says, if you don't love, you gain nothing. You've wasted your time. Since this is true, we better understand how to love people.16:53Love Absent. Secondly, let's talk about Love Active. You didn't start filling in your outline yet, did you? Like getting ahead? You didn't start getting ahead, did you? Okay. All right, Love Active. Love Active. Like, okay. A lot of people have different ideas about what love means, what it looks like, how to do it. What does the Bible say? Well, I get some great news for you. There's no ambiguity here whatsoever.17:23Actually, there are 15 words and phrases here that describe love. All right? 15 sub-point sermon. When's the last time you had one of those? All right? Look at verses 4 through 7. He says, love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast.17:53It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Yep.18:27That's not really the point though, is it? The point's not FYI. The point is not for you to walk out here today to say, well, now I have a better understanding of how the Bible defines love. That's not the point. The point is, is this how you love? The point is, Does this list describe you? Does this list describe me? And isn't it just so ironic that church can be the hardest place to love people? Do you notice that? Sometimes it is. Why is that?19:27Well, we're not all BFFs, right? We're just not. We're a family. We're a body. It's easy to love the people that you like. But God allows difficult people in the church.19:53And difficult people are here to test you. To see whether you really love or not. Do you? We'll find out when you encounter somebody that's hard to love. So, here's what we're doing with your outline. You know, 1 John 4 and verse 8 says, God is love.20:26In Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 1, says, therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.20:35So, if God is love, and we are called to imitate God, that means we are to imitate God's love.20:51So your outline here this morning is more of a test. And this is going to show you where you need to grow in love. Since God is love, and since we are to imitate God, here's what we're going to do as we go through, and we're just going to spend a moment on each of these.21:21in the Bible, you should be able to put your name in the blank. And if you truly love like God, the passage should still make sense. Right? So here's what I want you to do. As we go through these, I want you to write your name on the blank. And I want you to hold on to this outline. I want you to keep it as a bookmark in your Bible. And I want this to be a test that you give yourself to say, Does this describe me? Is this how I love people in the church? Alright? It's going to get uncomfortable. But we're committed to this. Right? Put your name down. First it says, love is patient. Put your name down. Can you say that? Can you say, Jeff is patient?22:23Is that you? Because you realize some people just require more patience. Have you noticed? Have you noticed that there are people that we deal with in the church are like, they should have gotten it by now. They should have gotten it six months ago and they still haven't gotten it. Are you a patient person? Patience means I don't write them off.22:51You know what? I'm done. Patience says, you know what? I'm committed to them. Put your name down. Jeff is patient. Can you say that? Secondly, love is kind. Put your name. Jeff is kind. Are you a kind person? The Greek root for the word kind is literally It's always trying to benefit others. Always looking to bless others. Kindness is not tearing people down. It's looking to build up and encourage. That's what kindness is. Can you say that? Jeff is kind. Put your name in there. Next. Love does not envy.23:51Jeff does not envy.23:56We saw last week in verse 31, Paul says, you're coveting the showy gifts.24:05Paul's like, you just want to look like you're the most spiritual person at the church.24:13They had a problem with envy.24:17So let me ask you, how are you doing with envy?24:23Like when somebody in church is talked about, and somebody says, wow, they are such a godly example. And you hear somebody being honored at church, and ooh, that just rubs you the wrong way. And you're like, they're nothing special. Jeff doesn't envy. You know why? Because love looks at people's gifts.24:50different. Love is glad when someone is used by God. Not critical. Love is cheering the rest of the team on. Not envying. Jeff doesn't envy. Next. Love does not boast. Put your name in. Can you say that? Jeff does not boast. This could literally be translated blowhard boasting. It's the person that does and says everything to make himself look good. Everything they do, everything they say, put the spotlight on me. Do you see how awesome and godly and great and perfect and biggest, best, most, goodest I am? Always wanting the attention, always wanting the accolades, You see, envy, wants what other people have. Boasting is to try to make people envy what you have. And love does neither. Right? Can you say that? Jeff does not boast. Next, love is not arrogant. Put your name in the blank. Write it down. Write it down. You're like, I haven't signed my name this many times since I bought a house. Right? Write your name down. Can you say that? Jeff is not arrogant. Arrogance is just the force behind boasting. Right? It's that belief that I'm better than everyone else. I'm the most spiritual person here. But you know, when you truly love other people, you're not going to exalt yourself over them. You're like, you know what?26:50I'm nothing special. I'm a saved sinner. Just like the rest of you. I'm not on any higher plane or exalted status. We're all in the same place here. Sinners saved by grace. So what do I possibly have to be arrogant about? Put your name in the blank. Can you say that? Jeff is not arrogant. Next, love is not rude.27:21Jeff is not rude.27:26That's just treating or speaking to people with disdain.27:32Right?27:32We talked about the rudeness of the Corinthians, right?27:35They had their potluck and people would show up early.27:41And they brought a tuna new casserole or whatever to share with everyone.27:45But they'd show up early and they'd hog it all down themselves.27:48And then people would come later and there wasn't anything for them. Do you know what that's called? Rude! That's rude! And love is not rude. So Jeff should not be rude. And you should not be rude. Right? Lots of ways to be rude. There's lots of ways. Interrupting people. Just talking right over them. Making sure you get in your jerky comment. Go zing them! Right?28:18Just being dismissive. Love isn't rude. Next, love does not insist on its own way. Can you say that and it still makes sense? It's convicting, isn't it? You think the only reason I'm sweating is because it's 120 degrees?28:51Jeff does not insist on getting his own way.28:59That's the biggest problem in church.29:04We're all self-centered.29:06We're all self-centered.29:08I want everything how I prefer.29:10Okay?29:11Church will be great as long as I get everything that I prefer.29:14The music, the kids' ministry, how money is spent, etc., etc., No, no, no, no. Jeff doesn't insist on getting his own way. Love says, look, I want what's best for everyone. I trust the leadership to make decisions. And if things are decided at the church, even if it's not my preference, I just want what's best for everyone. That's what love says. I was thinking about these characteristics, by Jesus, specifically this one, you realize Jesus never did anything just for himself. Did you ever notice that? Everything Jesus did was in perfect submission to his Father and to benefit and bless other people. Jesus never took a day where he's like, you know what, today's about me. I'm having a me day. I'm having a mental health day. I'm going to the spa. Jesus never did that.30:19Jeff does not insist on getting his own way. Next, love is not irritable. Can you say that? Put your name in the blank, write it down, write your name. Jeff is not irritable. This term, irritable, it's actually an explosive term. It's talking about the outbursts.30:48it comes when you're annoyed to the point of breaking. Do you know what I'm talking about?30:56Do you know what I'm talking about?30:58You're annoying me now. Do you know what I'm talking about?31:02I'm getting a little irritated.31:03Do you know what I'm talking about?31:05Where you're just like annoyed and you just keep eating it and annoyed, you just keep eating it and then find like, enough!31:11I've had enough!31:13It's explosive, right?31:15That's what this word means.31:17Like, irritable. Irritable. And some people just, they're personally offended by everything. Some people are just personally offended by everything. What will offend me today? They just roll out of bed on my way to church. What's going to offend me at church today? Is it going to be something said in a sermon? Is it going to be something said in a conversation where the ironing board used to be?31:50What's going to offend me today? Just constantly looking for something to irritate them. But no, no, no, no. Love doesn't do that. Love doesn't take up an offense. Love doesn't get irritated. I care too much about these people to take issue with everything. Jeff isn't irritable.32:18Next. Love is not resentful. Put your name down. Jeff is not resentful. By the way, your name. I keep saying Jeff because that's my name. I better not see your outline where it says Jeff down. Your name. Okay, so like irritable is the explosive term. Resentful is the slow burn term. Resentful. It's just, it's holding a grudge.32:47That's what it is. Actually, in the Greek, it was an accounting term. That's why some Bibles translate this, love keeps no record of wrong. Jeff is not resentful. Jeff should never keep a record of wrong. Can you say that? Oh, we're so good, right? Our memory is terrible.33:17except when it comes to other people's mistakes. Then our memories are great. Right? I don't like her. Why? Because this one time she said this. I don't like him. Why? Because this one time, you know, back in 1987, he did this. I will never forgive her for doing that. It's resentful. You know, somebody, that person could have been having a bad day.33:46The whole thing could have been a complete misunderstanding, but no, no, no, no. I got that in the vault now. All right? I'm resentful. I'm resentful. But love keeps no record of wrong. Do you know why? Do you know why? Do you know who else doesn't keep record of wrong? God. What is it? Jeremiah 31, Hebrews 8, a promise so glorious. He said, in both testaments. God has promised under Jesus Christ He will remember our sins no more. And if there's ever anybody who is justified to keep a record of wrongs against me, it would be God. That because of Jesus Christ, when you receive Him, when you believe in Jesus Christ, when you accept Him as your Lord and Savior, He takes your sin away.34:48And he keeps no record of it. God keeps no record of sin. Love says, Jeff shouldn't either. Right? Can you say that? Next, love does not rejoice at wrongdoing. Jeff does not rejoice at wrongdoing. You're like, rejoice at wrongdoing?35:16Who does that? Everybody does that. We take pleasure. We take pleasure in other people's sins. Like, what do you mean? But just imagine if one of the leaders of our church was caught in some sin. Oh, you're going to see some nastiness come out of people if that would happen. One is you're going to see, People comparing themselves to that leader. You're like, well, I'm not a great person, but I'm not as bad as him. Or the gossip, right? The leader was caught in some sin. There'd be so much gossip. Hey, did you hear what he did? Did you hear about that? There'd be so much gossip going around about that. We delight in other people's sin.36:16Oh, and the slander. That guy, you know, Gossip's ugly cousin, slander. Like, oh, did you hear what he did? Oh, he's not so high and mighty now, is he? Oh, he, oh, leader in the church, huh? Oh, look at him now. Love doesn't rejoice at wrongdoing. So Jeff should not rejoice at wrongdoing because if something offends God, why would I take joy in that? Love is never happy at someone else failing.36:46But love rejoices with the truth. Jeff rejoices with the truth. Dishonesty leads to distrust. Relationships must be built on truth. Can you say that? You rejoice with the truth. You rejoice with honesty because dealing in truth is God's way. And homestretch here.37:16Love Bears All Things. Jeff Bears All Things. Your name Bears All Things. What does that mean? Bears All Things. Literally, the word means to cover. That's literally what the Greek word means. It's covering. It's covering someone's failures and covering someone's sins. Now, yes, when someone is in sin, we talked all about this, we address sin.37:46But what we do not do is parade it around for other people. Like we tell our kids, don't tattle. Right? Don't tattle. Why? Because love doesn't do that. Right? When I was a kid, you know what we called tattling? See who remembers. Being a narc. How many people remember being a narc? Okay? Don't be a narc. All right?38:16we address sin, but we don't parade it around. All right, next, love believes all things. Jeff believes all things. Your name believes all things. But that doesn't mean you're gullible. She'll believe anything. Like, hey, the moon's made out of ham. Like, oh, didn't know that. Like, no, no, that's not what it means.38:46It means believing the best about a person. That's what it means. It's believing the best about a person. It means not being suspicious. That means if a comment is made, if a comment is made that can be taken one of two ways, you take it the good way. That's what it means. I believe the best about them. I don't believe that he said that to hurt my feelings.39:15I believe the best about them. That's what it means. Does that describe you? Or like you hear some rumor, right? Like somebody's like, hey, you know, last Thursday I heard, I was at Walmart and the Browns were in Walmart and I heard Taylor cussing out his wife. I would say, I don't believe that. I don't believe that. Why? Because I believe the best about Taylor.39:47That's what love does. Like, I know this guy. He wouldn't do that. Love believes the best about people, right? Negative example, Job's friends. Remember we went through Job a while back. Remember them? They come to comfort Job and they're like, so you're having a bad day, are you? Well, you must be a terrible sinner. No, love believes.40:15best. Love hopes all things. Jeff hopes all things. Your name hopes all things. Can you say that? It's never giving up on a person. That's what it means. It's never giving up on a person. Oh, he messed up again. I'm disappointed again. Love remembers. Jeff remembers. You remembers. We are all works.40:45in progress. Every single one of us works in progress. And love says, he'll get there. He'll get there. I'm not giving up hope. And then finally, love endures all things. Jeff endures all things. Your name endures all things.41:18Can you say that? That means we survive. The relationship that we have survives even terrible times. That's what that means. With all this patience and kindness and selflessness, you know, the hard times are going to come.41:48And when the dust settles, I'll still be here.41:56No matter what happens, listen, I am for you.42:04No matter what.42:06Because love never lets go.42:13Our worship team would make their way back up to the platform. You might be looking at your list right now. And like me, you look at some areas here. You're like, wow, this doesn't quite describe me the way that I wish that it did. What do I do about that?42:43that are like, meh, meh. I guess I gotta try harder, huh? No. No. Because you can't, look, when it comes to love, you can't fake love. But you also can't muster it up. There's only one thing you can do with love.43:14And that's funnel it. It has to come from God. So I want you to hang on to this. Because wherever you are deficient, you need to take that to God. And I'd like us to do that right now. If you just bow your heads for a moment, please.43:43Just bow your heads. And I want to pray a prayer that is for all of us. Father, we look at your word, we look at this list that under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote to the Corinthians and ultimately to us. We look at this list, Father, and there's so many ways that we fall short. So many ways we should be doing so much better. So many ways we have completely blown it.44:15But Father, we thank you that this list describes you. You haven't given up on us. You continue to pursue and change us. Father, you have called us to imitate you. But the only way we can have love at all because you first loved us.44:48So Father, I pray not just for myself, but for my brothers and sisters here, for those who are streaming or listening to the podcast later.44:56I pray, Father, that we would take this list before you and take an honest assessment and cry out to you for the kind of heart change that only your Holy Spirit can bring about.45:13And Father, might we be a church where more and more our testimony is.45:25We're not perfect and we've got a lot of growing to do, but we are committed to loving one another.45:34We ask this in Jesus' holy and precious name.45:38Amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 13:1-7What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Which aspect of love (1 Cor 13:4-7) seems the easiest (“most natural”) for you? Why?Which aspect of love do you personally find the most difficult for you? How can you grow in this area?Why do you think the kind of love described in these verses can be so difficult in the church? BreakoutPray for one another.

In this powerful spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how to stop suffering over problems that are not happening now. Learn how mindfulness, present moment awareness, inner peace, spiritual growth, and conscious living help you release fear, quiet the mind, and stop giving life force to imagined stress.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Today, our first letter comes from Heather B.: After years on a spiritual path, Heather feels drawn back to the teachings of Jesus and the Bible in a deeply meaningful way. She asks how to embrace her love for Christ while still honoring the Truth and divinity she sees present in many spiritual traditions. Our next letter comes from Lara: Lara wonders about the nature of Oneness, spirit guides, and the soul's journey. As she comforts wounded parts of herself, she asks whether we are, in some sense, our own guides—or if loving spiritual support also exists beyond us. Next, Michael leads a guided meditation.  ✨ What's your Life Question? Have questions about your relationships, finances, life purpose, or how to understand  world events through a spiritual lens? Submit your Life Question to podcast@michaelbeckwith.com — your question could be featured in an upcoming episode to inspire others on their journey! ✍️Love Take Back Your Mind? This podcast grows through your support. If you've been inspired by an episode, we'd love to hear from you! Consider leaving a 5-star review or drop a comment. It helps others join this journey of growth and connection.

In this powerful spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how freedom, mindfulness, inner peace, and personal transformation begin when we stop trying to control life and consciously choose the meaning we give each experience. Discover how awareness grows when you shift your thoughts, release emotional attachment, and create a new story.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

There are now Christian energy drinks called Yahweh and Agape, and for $1.99 a minute you can pray with an AI avatar of Jesus. Brian From unpacks both as symptoms of the same disease: the commodification of faith that makes Christianity fast, convenient, and stripped of the transcendence people are actually searching for. The single most powerful thing parents can do to help their kids hold on to faith into adulthood? Show up to church — consistently, both parents, every week. The data is striking. Then a meditation on why celebration is not just fun but a genuine spiritual discipline, grounded in the Old Testament model of remembering God's faithfulness whether circumstances are good or bad. A viral social media post from a popular YouTuber who terminated a pregnancy after a Down syndrome diagnosis sparks a pointed conversation about what the abortion debate actually looks like in real life, not in policy terms. College professors at UC Berkeley are now reteaching middle school math because incoming students can't do it — AI is accelerating the crisis. Warren Buffett still lives in the same house he bought 76 years ago. And the remarkable true story of George Danzig, who accidentally solved two of the most famous unsolvable problems in mathematics because nobody told him they were unsolvable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special Agape Latte at Bapst Library at Boston College, Joshua Snyder, Associate Professor of the Practice, Theology, and Director of the Faith, Peace, & Justice Minor, discusses friendship, forgiveness, and faith! Watch the video of Josh's Agape Latte at https://youtu.be/VxuRYIyuKDE  Date of talk: November 12, 2025 Learn more about and follow Agape Latte: Website: https://bc.edu/agapelatte Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agapelatte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgapeLatte/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/AgapeLatte 

In this episode, Michael welcomes Master Mingtong Gu. Master Mingtong Gu is an internationally recognized teacher of Wisdom Healing Qigong, founder of the Chi Center and the Wisdom Healing Qigong community, and a leading voice in energy healing, mind-body medicine, and embodied spiritual awakening. Drawing from ancient Chinese healing traditions and decades of personal practice, his work helps people reconnect with the body as a source of healing, consciousness, resilience, and transformation. His latest book, Coming Home to Embodied Awakening, explores how returning to the body restores wholeness, inner peace, and human connection in an age of distraction and AI.  Conversation Highlights Include: -A powerful exploration of how modern life keeps people trapped in the mind, disconnected from the body, and separated from their deeper humanity. -Why so much suffering comes from living externally—searching for love, peace, fulfillment, and healing outside ourselves instead of within. -An honest conversation about embodiment as the practice of returning to the body again and again, especially in an age of distraction, technology, and AI. -How healing begins when people stop resisting what they feel internally and start meeting the body with compassion, presence, and awareness. -A profound reframe of the body not as a machine, object, or "rental vehicle," but as a sacred expression of life itself. -What happens emotionally and spiritually when people reconnect with their bodies and begin to experience groundedness, wholeness, self-love, and inner peace. -A beautiful reflection on meditating in the middle of Times Square and discovering stillness, presence, and sacredness within chaos and noise. -The story of a childhood near-death experience, forgotten trauma, asthma, and the realization that the body remembers what the mind forgets. -Why healing is not linear, but a spiral of awareness, growth, detoxification, and returning to deeper levels of Truth and consciousness. -A practical framework for transformation through acceptance, activation, and appreciation—moving from inner contraction into embodiment, empowerment, and gratitude. Michael closes the episode with a guided meditation on presence, observation, embodiment, sacred silence, and anchoring  Heaven on Earth through awareness.

In this powerful Rev Lee Wolak talk, discover why anxiety often arises when we try to hold on to certainty in a constantly changing world. Explore the connection between fear, attachment, control, and psychological security. Learn how mindfulness, acceptance, spiritual awareness, and living in the present moment can reduce anxiety and create lasting inner peace, resilience, and emotional freedom. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

In this powerful Rev Lee Wolak talk, discover the hidden conditioning that keeps you believing happiness, peace, and fulfillment are somewhere outside of you. Explore how the constant need for more approval, success, possessions, and certainty creates suffering and separation. Learn practical spiritual insights on self-worth, awareness, inner peace, personal freedom, and awakening to the wholeness that already exists within. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Visualization is more than imagination. It is the spiritual practice of seeing a new possibility within, feeling it deeply, and beginning to live from that truth now. In this powerful Science of Mind Journey talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores the connection between visualization, embodiment, spiritual awareness, and personal transformation. You will discover why simply thinking about a better life is not enough. True transformation happens when your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, energy, and actions begin to align with the person you are becoming. Visualization opens the inner doorway, but embodiment is what allows that vision to become your lived experience. This video is for anyone seeking greater spiritual understanding, conscious creation, emotional alignment, inner growth, and a deeper connection to the power within. Learn how to use your imagination consciously, shift your state of being, and begin living from the awareness that your outer world responds to your inner consciousness. Subscribe for more teachings on self-realization, spiritual growth, inner transformation, universal principles, and awakening to the power within. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers—spiritually, emotionally, and in community—consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

In this thought-provoking Rev Lee Wolak talk, explore why humans constantly seek psychological security in a world defined by change. Discover how attachment to certainty, beliefs, identities, and expectations creates anxiety and suffering. Learn how acceptance, mindfulness, spiritual awareness, and inner resilience can free you from fear and help you find peace in an ever-changing reality. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Stop preparing to live and start fully living now. In this powerful spiritual talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores present moment awareness, conscious living, personal growth, spiritual awakening, mindfulness, self-empowerment, and breaking free from the illusion of someday. Discover how to stop waiting, trust life, and step boldly into the life calling you now.  Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Our first letter comes from Beu: After the birth of her daughter, Beu found herself trapped in survival mode as stress, exhaustion, and relationship strain overwhelmed her nervous system. Now that the relationship has ended, she asks how to discern whether it truly ran its course—or whether fear and postpartum survival shaped the outcome. Our next letter comes from Lori H. in Canada: Despite years of meditation and inner work, Lori feels shaken by the suffering and injustice she sees in the world. She asks how to stay rooted in love, hope, and spiritual clarity without becoming consumed by anger, helplessness, or despair. Next, Michael leads a guided meditation. ✨ What's your Life Question? Have questions about your relationships, finances, life purpose, or how to understand  world events through a spiritual lens? Submit your Life Question to podcast@michaelbeckwith.com — your question could be featured in an upcoming episode to inspire others on their journey! ✍️Love Take Back Your Mind? This podcast grows through your support. If you've been inspired by an episode, we'd love to hear from you! Consider leaving a 5-star review or drop a comment. It helps others join this journey of growth and connection.

Discover how karma, subconscious programming, spiritual growth, mindfulness, and personal transformation shape your life like inner software. In this powerful talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores how your thoughts, choices, reactions, and beliefs update your reality every day, and how freedom begins when you consciously create new inner programming. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Discover how stillness, quiet, and relaxation help reset the mind, calm the nervous system, and support emotional healing, mental clarity, spiritual growth, and overall well-being. In this inspiring talk, Rev. Lee Wolak explores why true health begins when you stop living from stress and learn to come from a relaxed state. Sign up for my daily thought and weekly newsletter by clicking this link: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/free-affirmations If you find value in what Agape offers spiritually, emotionally, and in community, consider becoming a supporting member. Your recurring contribution helps us continue to share truth, healing, and transformation with the world. Click here to become a supporter: https://www.agapespiritualcenter.com/recurring-contributions/

Today, Michael speaks with Oneika Mays. Oneika is a meditation teacher, yoga practitioner, and writer whose work centers on mindfulness, loving kindness, and compassionate living. After leaving a successful career in retail leadership following profound personal loss and transformation, she spent more than a decade bringing meditation and healing practices into spaces often overlooked—working with individuals and communities who have felt judged, forgotten, or alone, leading her to working on Rikers Island with incarcerated individuals. Her book, Sit With Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation, explores grief, self-compassion, unconditional friendliness, and the courage it takes to truly face yourself. Conversation Highlights Include: -How profound loss, career upheaval, and a canceled wedding became the catalyst for a completely different way of living. -Choosing discomfort and transformation over staying trapped in a life that no longer felt aligned or authentic. -A deeply honest reflection on grief, and learning to hold sadness and joy at the same time without denying either experience. -Why asking better questions creates expansion, self-awareness, and curiosity instead of emotional shutdown and certainty. -An invitation to "sit with yourself" by meeting discomfort, shame, fear, and uncertainty with tenderness instead of avoidance. -How real freedom often begins in the moments we stop running from difficult emotions and allow ourselves to fully feel them. -A powerful conversation about loving people you may never agree with, like, or understand, while still recognizing their humanity. -What more than a decade of teaching meditation inside Rikers Island revealed about judgment, compassion, trauma, and human connection. -An honest look at prison systems, accountability, restorative healing, and why true transformation requires support beyond punishment. Next, Michael closes the episode with a guided meditation on introspection, remembering your True nature, awakening to Divine Presence, and living from expanded awareness.

This week on Barely Famous, Kail sits down with Codi and Tabby, the women behind Agape, Delaware's piercing-only studio, for a conversation that goes far beyond body jewelry.Codi and Tabby open up about building a business from the ground up, creating a safe space in an industry that has not always felt welcoming, and what it really takes to work, love, and grow together. From their unexpected love story to navigating faith, sexuality, entrepreneurship, and the pressure of being women in business, this episode is honest, funny, emotional, and deeply thought-provoking.They also get into what Agape means, how faith shaped Codi's journey, the conversations that challenged both of them, and why creating an experience matters just as much as offering a service.It's a conversation about love, purpose, community, identity, and choosing to keep showing up even when the path does not look the way people expect.Follow Agape on Instagram and check out their website for booking options & info.Get your Fatherless Behavior Tour Tickets HereFor full video episodes head to patreon.com/kaillowryThanks for supporting the show by checking out the sponsors!Shopify: Start your one dollar a month free trial period at shopify.com/famousProgressive: To get your auto insurance quote head to progressive.comHERS: start your initial free visit at forhers.com/barelyfamous.Direct TV: Go to directv.com/genrepacks and sign up today.To find the right home for you head to apartments.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.