Food for the Soul

14 Episodes
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By: Michael A. Clarke

Reflections from morning devotions as well as Food for the Soul programs. Opportunities to reflect and to go deeper into the vastness of God God's grace. A willingness to journey beyond what we know and discover what is within.

Awakened by Love: An Easter Reflection on Divine Potential
#4
04/20/2025

This Easter morning reflection centers on the profound and transformative message of divine love found in the resurrection story. Moving beyond militant interpretations of Christianity, the speaker emphasizes that the core of Jesus’ message is not combat but love—an intense, cleansing, and consuming love that, like light, effortlessly dispels darkness. Through the intimate exchange between Mary Magdalene and the risen Christ, the reflection highlights a recognition beyond words—one that awakens the divine within us. The Easter message, then, is not merely about belief, but about awakening to the divine love embedded in every human being, a love not co...


Rivers in the Desert: Embracing the God of New Things
#3
04/09/2025

Drawing on the words of Isaiah and the metaphor of rivers flowing through dry places, this reflection invites us into the sacred art of letting go. Life, like nature, is never static, and the Spirit is constantly birthing something new in and around us. But too often, fear of change and attachment to the familiar keep us stuck in old patterns. This talk reminds us that God’s movement is not constrained by our absolutes, and true transformation begins when we release what we think we know and open our hearts to what is becoming. The desert can bloom—but...


"Letting Go to Receive: Living in the Grace of the Present"
#2
04/06/2025

This gentle yet stirring reflection invites us to examine the ways we unconsciously hold on to the past—memories, pain, beliefs—and how such attachments hinder our spiritual growth. Through evocative metaphors and compassionate insight, the message calls us to recognize what is no longer serving us and to release it, finger by finger if necessary, in order to make space for the gifts of the present. Living in grace means learning to discern what is truly "you" and what is simply "stuff"—and having the courage to let the old depart so the new may arrive.


Becoming One with the Flow: A Spiritual Invitation to Openness
#1
04/04/2025

In a world marked by constant upheaval and change, this reflection invites us to release the need for fixed anchors and instead find steadiness through spiritual openness and expanded perspective. Drawing on the imagery of divine immovability not as resistance, but as total embrace, the talk gently challenges inherited beliefs and urges us toward a more harmonious, inclusive view of God, self, and others. It is a soulful meditation on releasing rigid certainty and embracing the divine in all things—both the stillness and the storm.


Becoming the Self: Growing into Freedom Together
#12
03/25/2025

This talk explores the deep tension between conformity and the emerging call to authentic individuality in today’s changing world. It highlights the generational divide between tradition and self-expression, urging mutual understanding. Ultimately, it invites us into a shared journey of freedom—one that honors both personal purpose and collective growth.


Listening for Harmony: The Path to Inclusion and Balance
#11
03/18/2025

This reflection explores the tension between progress and regression in our world, emphasizing the importance of openness and inclusion. It warns that exclusion and ignoring diverse perspectives lead to conflict, both globally and within our communities. True harmony is not found in rigid control but in embracing dynamic balance, where every voice is heard. The call is to listen deeply, transcend division, and foster compassion, creating a world where understanding leads to peace.


Embracing Our Spiritual Essence: Beyond Limitations
#10
03/09/2025

Michael discusses the concept of energy, equating it to "chi," the "holy spirit," or simply "energy in motion." He emphasizes that we are all part of this energy, not separate from it, and that our unique experiences color the spirit. Michael critiques limiting beliefs that create hierarchies and separate us, advocating for the removal of such barriers to recognize our inherent divine potential. He highlights practices like yoga and meditation that help us connect with this energy and encourages adopting beliefs of abundance and possibility to unlock our full potential and bring about the fullness of the divine.


Unshackling the Mind: Overcoming Limiting Thoughts and Embracing Self-Discovery
#9
03/03/2025

Michael discusses the importance of self-reflection and therapy within the Caribbean culture, which often shuns the practice due to stigma. He emphasizes that unaddressed subconscious thoughts can limit personal growth and self-worth, leading to negative self-perception and inhibited potential. Michael suggests that journaling or other forms of self-expression can help individuals confront these thoughts and move past them. He also highlights the value of periods of fasting and solitude to focus on inner work and remove external distractions, allowing for deeper self-awareness and personal growth.


Embracing one’s true self. Letting go of what hinders
#8
02/24/2025

The importance of inner work.  Use of therapy and journaling and other forms of self reflection to enable a greater understanding of the inner workings of one”s true self


Maintaining Balance
#8
02/24/2025

Realizing the importance of holding a grander image of the Divine. An image that includes everything both good and bad. God is in all things and all things are in God. 


The Importance of Balance: Reflections on Goodness, Evil, and Interconnectedness
#7
02/16/2025

Michael reflects on the concept of balance in nature and society, emphasizing that everything is interconnected and must maintain a delicate equilibrium. He discusses how imbalances in nature, such as predator-prey relationships, and in human health, which can lead to illness, highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing these imbalances early. He also touches on the balance between good and evil, suggesting that kindness, love, and generosity are essential counterparts to violence and evil. He calls for individuals to manifest goodness and compassion to maintain this balance, referencing biblical teachings and the need for mercy and forgiveness to create...


The Power of Love: Nurturing Children in Our Communities
#6
02/13/2025

Michael reflects on the power of love, emphasizing its unexpected presence in human existence. He recounts a tragic incident involving a child in Beijing struck by a vehicle, highlighting the community's collective concern and prayer for the child's recovery. He advocates for a national campaign of loving acts towards children, stressing the need for material and emotional investments beyond formal education. He calls for creating safe environments, ensuring no child goes hungry, and treating children as human beings deserving of love, care, and protection. He urges the community to nurture children with love to foster positive choices and development.<...


"Thinking for Yourself: Seeing Beyond the Surface"
#5
02/02/2025

  We often accept what’s on the surface without questioning what lies beneath. But growth requires curiosity, courage, and the willingness to think for ourselves. This talk explores emotional intelligence, belief systems, and the evolving human experience—challenging us to listen, reflect, and embrace change with an open heart and mind. In a world of shifting perspectives, understanding who we are and what we truly believe has never been more important.


What is man that you are mindful of him?
#4
01/28/2025

Michael reflects on the human condition, questioning our true purpose and the distractions that prevent us from realizing our potential. He suggests that societal systems may intentionally keep us preoccupied to hinder our growth. Michael criticizes the tendency to deify spiritual or intellectual leaders, which separates them from the human experience and allows us to avoid introspection. He advocates for a return to heart-based living, emphasizing emotional intelligence over intellectualism. He urges individuals to recognize their inherent greatness, as suggested by figures like Jesus, and to discover their true selves beyond societal teachings and limitations.