First Love Church

First Love Church

These podcasts are messages that were preached at First Love Church in Ocala, Florida. We hope that you are encouraged and inspired by what you hear. We are a non denominational, egalitarian church that practices a generous orthodoxy. Find out more about our local congregation online at firstlovechurch.org. #firstlovechurchocala #firstlovechurch #ocalaflorida #egalitarian #Jesuschrist #jesus #nondenominational #pastor #spirituality #christian #eucharist #opentable #tableofthelord #communion #community #spirit #divine #femininedivine #creeds #orthodoxy #equality #welcome #followers #disciple #love #faith #hope #help #recovery #newlife #peopleofpresence #holy #holyspirit #sacred #Sophia #wisdom

Episodes

May 14, 2025 43 mins

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me." These words from Jesus in John's Gospel offer profound comfort in a world where we often feel like strangers, orphans, or forgotten souls.

What story are you telling yourself? It might be limiting what you can see. Like the pastor who couldn't find his guitar because he was convinced someone had left it in the car—when it was safely stored ...

Mark as Played

What story are you telling yourself? In this powerful exploration of Mary's extravagant worship, we discover the transformative practice of "making the beautiful the story" in our lives and relationships.

When Mary broke open her alabaster jar containing perfume worth an entire year's wages to anoint Jesus' feet, she was immediately criticized. Judas questioned her extravagance, suggesting the mone...

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May 9, 2025 45 mins

What happens when we shift from being the grateful recipient of grace to becoming its gatekeeper? In this profound exploration of Jesus' parable of the father with two sons, we discover that this isn't simply a story about a prodigal returning home—it's about two different ways we can miss the heart of God.

The religious leaders criticized Jesus for welcoming "notorious sinners" to his teachings. I...

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A religious scholar asks Jesus what must be done to inherit eternal life, setting the stage for one of Jesus' most profound teachings on compassion. When the scholar tries to limit his obligations by asking "Who is my neighbor?", Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story that continues to challenge our assumptions about who deserves our care.

The parable follows a Jewish man who is beaten...

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Imagine a world where love and hope challenge the very foundations of societal norms. In this episode, we journey through the Advent season, exploring the profound impact of these themes in our lives. We revisit the powerful narrative of Mary and Elizabeth from the Gospel of Luke, revealing how their courage and acceptance of divine will set an example for us all. Through this story, we uncover the importance of consenting to co-cr...

Mark as Played
January 23, 2025 52 mins

Have you ever wondered how peace can emerge from the midst of chaos? In our latest episode, as we follow the journey through Advent, exploring the profound lessons from the story of John the Baptist and Zechariah's transformative song. We promise you’ll discover the significance of doubt, silence, and eventual redemption, as we reflect on the start of a new liturgical year filled with hope and anticipation. Through personal st...

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What if the season of Advent is more than just a countdown to Christmas? Join us on this enriching journey through hope, love, peace, and joy, as we explore how these profound themes can transform us. Through our discussions, we'll unpack the beauty of waiting and uncover the quiet miracles that unfold around us every day. Discover the sacredness of darkness as a space where the Spirit hovers, offering comfort and assurance th...

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What if finding peace amidst chaos is as simple as embracing faith? Journey with us on the First Love Church Podcast as we recount a transformative vacation experience in Arizona that taught us to find serenity in God's unwavering presence. Through personal stories and reflections on the beloved hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness," we explore how unity and community worship can bolster our faith, turning life's dis...

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Can gratitude transform your life into one of peace and joy? Join us as we explore this profound question  As Thanksgiving approaches, we celebrate the power of living a life guided by love and gratitude, inspired. Together, we reflect on the importance of being instruments of peace and bridge builders, much like the Prayer of St. Francis encourages. By embracing gratitude as a lifestyle and an ethical choice, imagine the possibili...

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What if the most transformative power in your life was as simple as love? Join us on the First Love Church podcast as we explore the radical teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, where love and compassion hold the keys to a fulfilling and peaceful existence. We dive into the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time, reflecting on His profound message that challenges us to move beyond superficial labels and pr...

Mark as Played
November 18, 2024 24 mins

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to see the world through God's eyes? In our latest episode, we explore the powerful narrative of Bartimaeus from Mark 10, uncovering the profound impact of simple, heartfelt prayer. Discover how Bartimaeus' cry for mercy parallels our own struggles with spiritual blindness and urges us to re-examine our deepest desires when approaching God. By acknowledging Jesus as the "Son...

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November 8, 2024 54 mins

This episode of the First Love Church podcast invites you to discover the sacredness in ordinary moments. Through biblical narratives and reflections on the natural world, we explore how faith can illuminate the divine in the mundane, and how stories like that of Job remind us of God's omnipotence and enduring love. The wisdom from Hebrews provides a foundation for this spiritual journey, guiding us to seek renewal and hope am...

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November 8, 2024 43 mins

Have you ever wondered why our expectations of divine intervention often clash with a greater purpose? Join us on a thought-provoking journey as we unpack the beautiful complexity of trusting a divine plan that transcends our understanding. Drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus and his disciples, we explore how our desires for worldly assurance often conflict with the path laid before us—a journey marked by faith, humility, an...

Mark as Played
October 9, 2024 44 mins

Salt and Light and what Jesus says his followers are.
Through engaging narratives and personal stories, we challenge you to embody the essence of a neighbor in need, moving beyond superficial acts of kindness to genuine, impactful connections. Hear about a moment of unexpected compassion that transformed a simple task into a profound lesson in love and community. We emphasize that living out Jesus' message means recognizin...

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September 26, 2024 55 mins

What if reorienting your soul could start with a simple Sunday gathering? On this spiritually enriching episode of the First Love Church Podcast, we explore the sacred significance of these gatherings as a time to remember our true identity as beloved children of God. Journey with us through the teachings of Jesus, the Beatitudes, and the book of Philemon, as we reflect on embodying our faith through generosity and action. We'...

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What does it mean to truly live out your faith? This episode of our podcast takes a deep dive into the Book of James, inviting you to explore the dynamic relationship between belief and action; highlighting the vital role of community in spiritual growth. Through reflections on nature, we uncover profound lessons about hope and renewal, emphasizing that genuine faith is shown through our actions, not just our words.

Togeth...

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Discover the profound beauty of finding God in the everyday as we journey through ordinary moments together. Have you ever wondered what it means to see God's presence in the mundane aspects of life? Join us as we explore how ordinary time in the liturgical calendar can transform our daily experiences into sacred encounters. We'll also introduce our five-week focus on the Book of James, emphasizing the importance of perso...

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August 27, 2024 51 mins

Can love truly transform our lives and communities? Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we explore the deep metaphor of Jesus as the bread of life, reflecting on how His teachings on love resonate across cultures. We delve into the Apostle Paul's wisdom on maturity being marked by love and discuss the profound obligations we have in loving not just our neighbors, but our enemies and ourselves. Through the lens of 1 Co...

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April 4, 2024 60 mins

 Join us as we journey through the transformative power of love and resurrection, drawing inspiration from the Easter narrative. 

Mary Magdalene's unwavering love and her poignant vigil during Holy Saturday serve as our backdrop for a conversation about enduring hope and love's capacity to transcend even the grave. Imagine standing before an empty tomb, grief-stricken and yet on the cusp of a miraculous discovery...

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March 12, 2024 46 mins

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, faced with the choice between retaliation or forgiveness, anger or love? Our Lenten journey takes us through these very human experiences, weaving a tapestry of stories that illustrate the transformative power of choosing love, even in the most trying of times. As we navigate the complexities of life, we often overlook the simple yet profound impact of love in action; from the domestic ...

Mark as Played

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