Renewal of Religious Life - Interview with Fr. John Burns

In this episode we talk with Fr. John Burns about the importance of the renewal of religious life as a huge part of how the Church will heal and be restored. We discuss how important it is for us to have a visible sign of a religious sister who lives her vocation as the bride of Christ and shows us that our hearts are made for God. We also discuss vocation as a calling to love and how restored femininity and masculinity is essential for fully living our calling.

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Fall Feels Playlist

Michelle’s one thing - Awakening Love- An Ignatian Retreat with the Song of Songs - Gregory Cleveland, OMV 

 Heather’s one thing - Brandt Jean forgives his brother’s killer and invites her into relationship with Christ. 

 Fr. John’s one thing -  The gift of shared ministry at parish mission with Sr. Miriam 

Extra Resources

Pope Francis’ Homily (the end of the doc on brideship) - 

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2019/documents/papa-francesco_20190202_omelia-vitaconsacrata.html

Discussion questions:    

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. How do religious sisters speak to the realities of the relationship that Christ desires with all of us?
3. Our vocation is to love. How is God calling you to fully live that out in this season of life?
4. Fr. John said  that the consecrated heart blesses all of femininity by reminding the world what it looks like to be claimed and spoken for by the King of Kings. How do you feel about the truth that you are claimed and spoken for by God. How should this change your life?

Journal Questions:

1. We are all the bride. How does that language of being the bride of Christ make you feel?
2. What can you learn about your relationship with God from the visible sign of religious sisters?
3. Where does your idea or current reality of your vocation/calling need to be healed and restored?

Quote to Ponder - “there is nothing a woman cannot do when she knows that she is perfectly understood at all times and that she is loved” - Mother Mary Francis

Scripture for Lectio Divina -  Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

Eucharist Amazement: May We Never Lose Our Wonder

In this episode we talk about the new pew report that shows only ⅓ of American Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. We share about how we need to renew Eucharistic amazement in tangible ways and share our own experiences of the power of the Eucharist in our lives. 

Sister Miriam’s one thing - The Homesick Candle  Heather sent to me for my birthday.

Michelle’s one thing - A new worship playlist called Crossing Over

Heather’s one thing - My teenagers, I love them so much!

Extra Resources

Ecclesia De Eucharistia by Pope John Paul II

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html

Link to Lanciano miracle

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html

Discussion questions:    

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. If you’ve had a powerful moment with Jesus in the Eucharist, briefly share that with your group.
3. How can I/do I enter more fully into the mystery of the Eucharist and liturgy?
4. What are some tangible ways you can make the Eucharist the source and summit in your life and the life of your family?

Journal Questions:

1. In what ways have I become “too familiar” with sacred things, sacred spaces, and the Eucharist?
2. How can I further prepare my heart to receive Jesus in the Eucharist?
3. In what places of your heart do you need God to open your eyes to see who He is?
4. What does the “spousal language” we used in the podcast, stir in your heart? Are there any parts that you need to ask Jesus to heal?

Quote to Ponder - “I would like to rekindle this Eucharistic “amazement”- Saint John Paul II

Scripture for Lectio Divina -  John 6:35-36 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.”

How to Accompany Someone Through A Hard Season

In this episode we talk about how to journey with each other through hardships and offer the powerful gift of presence. Walking through suffering with each other is sacred ground, so we need to learn how to become a compassionate presence and honor the vulnerability in others, while also being vulnerable ourselves. We talk about how to discern what we are able to offer to others and how we need to ask the Holy Spirit how to respond instead of falling into codependency or taking on the problems of others.

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Surrender Prayer 

God, my Father, I thank you for all that you are, and all that you do for me through your son Jesus Christ. I praise you for my life, for your mercy and for your Eucharist. 

 In Jesus’ name, Father, I place myself entirely in your Heart. I surrender to you my whole self, my heart, my mind, my memory, my imagination, my will, my emotions, my passions, my desires, my body, my sexuality, my desire for human approval, my weaknesses, my sins.

 I surrender every person in my life to you. I surrender every situation in my life to you. I surrender every relationship I am in to you. I surrender every concern I have to you. I surrender every fear I have to you. I surrender every doubt I have to you. I surrender all confusion I have to you. I surrender all sadness I am experiencing in my heart to you. I surrender all my wounds to you. I surrender all anxiety and worry I have to you. I surrender all that deceives me in my heart to you. I trust you to care for me and others in a perfectly loving way.

As I have emptied myself, and surrendered everything to you, I ask you now, Father, to fill me with your Holy Spirit and all the gifts and fruits of your Spirit. Holy Spirit you are the source of love, hope, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, tenderness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Purify my desires. Help me to open my heart to you. Help me to become perfectly receptive as a pure child. Help me to believe in your love for me. Help me to hope in your love. Help me to receive from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus all grace and virtues necessary for me to become the person you created me to be. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your son, God Almighty Father.

O Most Holy Immaculate Virgin Mary. I entrust this prayer to your Heart, and ask you to press it to your sorrowful and immaculate heart and intercede for me to your Son Jesus. Please help me to be as you are, a loving disciple, an obedient servant, a true child of God. Amen.

Michelle’s one thing - A new St. Therese shirt design “I Choose All” and story card from Michelle’s Meaningful Market store. It comes out on St. Therese’s feast day October 1. Enjoy 15% off with code - ABIDE15

Heather’s one thing - Hannah Van Noort, Heidi Bouwman, and Lisa Marquis for their work behind the scenes at our men’s retreat.

Extra Resources

Evangelli Gaudium Section on Accompaniment #169-173

Discussion questions:    

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. What does it look like to make space for each other?
3. What is the difference between loving someone well and becoming codependent?
4. Why is the gift of presence so healing and powerful?

Journal Questions:

1. Is there someone in your life that needs your heart and presence right now?
2. What is a hard place in your own life that you need the presence of someone close to you? How can you ask them for that?
3. Are there relationships where you are trying to be the savior instead of letting Jesus be Savior.

Quote to Ponder - “I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes.” - Jean Vanier

Scripture for Lectio Divina -  2 Corinthians 9-10 “but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

I Choose You

In this episode we talk about the beautiful words of Jesus in John 15:16 where he tells us that He has chosen us and that his desire is that we bear fruit that will last. It’s the deepest desires of every heart to be known, to be chosen, and to belong, but often we don’t believe the truth of our belovedness in the core of our being. We chat about the difference between fruit that lasts and success and how being rooted deeply in Jesus is essential for good fruit in our life.

Sister Miriam’s one thing - The Song by NEEDTOBREATHE “A Place Only You Can Go”

Michelle’s one thing - The most wonderful time of the year...College Football is back!

Heather’s one thing - The first class relic of St. Therese the Little Flower, sent to me by Fr. Josh Johnson. You can also check out his podcast Ask Fr. Josh

Also Jesse and Kathleen of A Guy and a Girl cover NEEDTOBREATHE

Discussion questions:    

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. How do you feel when you imagine God saying to you “ I choose you”.
3. What is one wound that you need Jesus to speak into. To speak His words of healing that you belong?
4. Discuss the difference between fruit that lasts and success? Where do you hope to see good fruit in your life?

Journal Questions:

1. Do you know deep in your gut that you belong to God? Why or why not?
2. Where are you striving to find your identity outside of God?
3. Do you love to be loved or do you love because you’ve first received it?

Quote to Ponder - “Let's remind one another that what brings true and healing joy is not successfulness, but fruitfulness" - Henri Nouwen

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 15:16 “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last”

Words Have Power

In this episode we talk about how words have incredible power to either bless or curse, to build up or tear down. We talk about how social media can be a place of connection, but also a place where we quickly forget to treat people with dignity. The truth that our words have power to restore, heal, be prophetic is something that can challenge us to be more discerning about how we speak and take the lead by being people who bless others.

Sister Miriam’s one thing - A gift of a handmade journal made by Magdelena. Thank you so much!

Michelle’s one thing - The Steubenville Encounter Conference in Dallas

Heather’s one thing - The podcast “Every Knee Shall Bow” on the Ascension website 

Discussion questions:    

1. What struck you from the podcast?

2. When have you witnessed the desire to be right as more important than caring for and respecting another person? Is this something you have struggled with?

3. What would it look like if we all started intentionally offering life giving words to those around us instead of criticism, negative humor, and harshness?

4. How might God be calling you to speak goodness and blessing to someone in your life?

Journal Questions:

1. What type of patterns have you gotten into with not using your words to bring life?

2. Is the Holy Spirit asking you to go back and ask forgiveness from someone who you have hurt with your words?

3. Take time to reflect on how you speak to others, your tone and your words. How do you think other people feel when you speak to them?

Quote to Ponder: “Do not accept anything as truth that lacks love and do not accept anything as love that lacks truth.  One without the other is a destructive lie” - St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

Welcome to Season 6! To kick off our new season, we dive in deep and talk about how we are all called to live a life of holiness. We discuss that in the midst of difficulty all around us, we are called to pursue a disciplined spiritual life and live radical holiness. We also talk about the tension between accepting our weakness, but not justifying our sin. The truth is that we have to be willing to go down to the depths, so that God can truly raise us from the dead to new life.

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Fr. Jacques Phillipe’s book/guided retreat “The Way of Trust and Love” 

Michelle’s one thing - Maverick City Music “Real Thing”

Heather’s one thing - Bishop Robert Barron’s book “Letter to a Suffering Church” 

Discussion questions:    

1. What decisions do you need to make in this season to grow in holiness?
2. How does our Catholic theology move from understanding to becoming an everyday reality for you and your family?
3. What is one area that you need to grow in discipline and self control that will lead to a good fruit in your life?
4. What is holding you back from going “all the way down” to the depths of your own heart, where we need to experience the power of the Holy Spirit and His freedom?
5. What would be your theme song right now in this season of life?

Journal Questions:

1. Try to journal out a spiritual plan for this year. What are the main areas that you want to focus on? What places of laziness, hardness of heart, discipline, do you want to grow in?
2. What is one relationship you are struggling with that you need to ask yourself, “how can I respond in love to this person”?
3. What is one sin that you try to justify in your life? How can you surrender this to God and the power of His grace today?
4. What are some survival techniques that have helped you to get through previous seasons, but are not going to work for you in this new season?

Quote to Ponder: “instead of viewing your poverty as a handicap, and obstacle, accept it and welcome it as a grace” - Jesus to St. Thérèse (from The Way of Trust and Love)

Scripture for Lectio Divina - 2 Corinthians 12:9 “but he said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

This is our final episode of season 5! We revisit some of our favorite episodes and talk about the beautiful moments we have experienced with our community of listeners and Facebook discussion group. We also talk more about what restored femininity and masculinity looks like and our desire to see women fully live out their calling in the Church.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam’s one thing - Our awesome listeners!
• Michelle’s one thing - All of the young adult missionaries!
• Heather’s one thing - The “Shine” retreat with Blessed is She

Discussion Questions

1. What stuck out to you from Season 5? How has that impacted your spiritual walk with God?
2. What are you most grateful for this year?
3. What do you think is necessary to have good and hard conversations where differences of opinion are present?

Journal Questions

1. How has your word of the year born fruit so far this year?
2. Write out the graces you have received during this first half of the year. How have you seen God move? Where do you still need God to act in your life?

Quote to Ponder
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is the happiness doubled by wonder” - G.K. Chesterton

Scripture for Lectio Divina - 2 Corinthians 4:15
“Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”

In this episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we discuss the power of living a forgiving life, especially when it comes to parenting children, and how unforgiveness in our life can keep us in bondage, and stems from a wound that needs healing. We talk about how sometimes forgiveness feels like we are letting people off the hook, instead of it being a willingness to release our grasp and open ourselves up to God's grace.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam’s one thing - Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness SEEK Talk with Fr. John Burns
• Michelle’s one thing - Endow - Discovering the Doctors
• Michelle’s other one thing - Story of forgiveness
• Heather’s one thing - Blessed is She daily devotional for children ages 8-12 called Rise Up

Discussion Questions

1. What is one area where you are finding it hard to offer forgiveness?
2. Sister Miriam quotes this “resentment is like drinking a little bit of poison every day and hoping the other person dies.” Discuss this truth in your own life.
3. How can you model a life of forgiveness? If you have children, how can you teach your children about forgiveness?
4. How have you experienced the mercy of God in your life?

Journal Questions

1. Who in your life do you need to offer forgiveness to? What is holding you back from this?
2. Journal about how you have felt God’s mercy in your own life
3. How have I hurt people in my life and need to ask for forgiveness? In what ways can I restore the relationship?

Quote to Ponder
“Forgiveness is the restoration of freedom to oneself, it is the key held in our own hand to our prison cell” - Saint Pope John Paul II

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Matthew 6:12
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us”

In this episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Fr. Mike Schmitz! Fr. Mike is a wonderful speaker and evangelist, but more than that, he is a beautiful witness of what it looks like to be a spiritual father. We discuss spiritual fatherhood in the priesthood and some of the stumbling blocks in our relationship with God the Father. We also discuss what restored masculinity and the family looks like.

One Thing We Love this Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing - The book The Life Model: Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You
Michelle’s one thing - Summer hospitality and potlucks!
Heather’s one thing - The music video for “Fall On Me” by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli
Fr. Mike’s One things - Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax and The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Campbell

Discussion Questions
Do you feel like you can trust God? What makes you distrust his heart at times?
What is your experience of fatherhood in your life? How has this impacted your relationship with God the Father positively or negatively?
What does a rebirth or renaissance of the family look like in our world today?

Journal Questions
Sit with the words, as if said from God the Father, “I am proud of you”. What stirs in your heart?
Who in your life has revealed the heart of God the Father to you?
In what areas do you need to experience restoration in your relationship with your earthly father and with God the Father?

Quote to Ponder
“I know I can trust God the Father as my dad” - Fr. Mike Schmitz

Scripture for Lectio Divina - 1 John 3:1
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”

As we approach Pentecost this week, we thought it would be awesome to re-release our conversation from last year about the Holy Spirit with our dear friend, Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR. Fr. Dave created the popular series on the Holy Spirit called “The Wild Goose” with 4PM Media and he was just named the new President of Franciscan University.

We had the pleasure of hearing Fr. Dave’s story and chatted with him about how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and practical ways to open up to a new Pentecost in our own hearts. We were moved and inspired by this conversation and hope that you will be too. You can check out the free Wild Goose Series here.

One Thing We Love This Week

• Sr. Miriam’s One Thing – Meaningful Market’s Father’s Day print and postcards! find them here. 15% your entire order at Meaningful Market with discount code - Abide15
• Michelle's One Thing - New study from Blessed Is She “Blessed Conversations study on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy called Misericordia”
• Heather's One Thing - This new Pentecost playlist I created.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever pondered the idea that the Holy Spirit never leaves us? Discuss how this truth could change the experience of how you go through daily life?
2. Scripture says, “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom”. What area do you need the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to in your life right now?
3. How are you going to prepare for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit as we approach Pentecost this Sunday?

Journal Questions

1. How could you open your heart to the Holy Spirit in a deeper way this Pentecost?
2. Fire illuminates what we cannot see. Take some time to pray for the Holy Spirit to come and illuminate those areas in your heart?
3. Fr. Dave said that free people make the world nervous. How would your life look differently if you truly lived in freedom?

Quote to Ponder
“The Holy Spirit brings people into divine life as children of God where they can live, as true children, in a relationship of intimacy, freedom, and faith in the love and mercy of God.” – Pope Francis

Scripture for Lectio Divina - 2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather discuss how to have fruitful and authentic small group discussions that provide safety and opportunities for deep connection with others. We give insights into how to talk in a vulnerable way, how to sit at one another’s feet and listen, and what the ingredients are for meaningful conversations. We hope this offers some helpful insights for going deeper in your friendships and small faith groups with other women.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam’s one thing - Heather’s Greek Salad (diced cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet onion and feta (you can get it without goat milk if you like) and the amazing Abbotsford Greek Islands restaurant dressing.

• Michelle’s one thing - Reading books aloud with her daughter. She is using this website to read The Secret Garden.

• Heather’s one thing - Making an awesome charcuterie board. Here’s a link with a video of how to make one. Also, you can pinterest this and find other cool ideas. I love including a raised bowl with some little chocolates in it as well. Dried apricots, mixed nuts, sliced pepper salami, Boursin, baby dills, cheese, brie, are some of my favorites.

Discussion questions

1. What blesses you the most in good conversation?
2. What makes you feel safe in conversation and what makes you feel uncomfortable?
3. What is bringing you joy right now in your life?
4. What is a theme going on in your life this year?
5. What does restored femininity (masculinity) look like?

Journal Questions

1. Do you spend more time sharing or listening in conversations? How can you grow in the area that you're not as strong in?
2. Who is someone in your life that you need to make time to sit at their feet more often?
3. What holds you back from sharing your heart?

Quote to Ponder
“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.” - Brene Brown

Scripture for lectio divina - Sirach 14-16
“Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them.”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather discuss their own personal prayer lives and how it has changed through seasons and vocation. They also chat about how to develop a rhythm of prayer, cultivating spiritual disciplines, and how to pray with your spouse.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam’s one thing - The beautiful hike at Heather’s house
• Michelle’s one thing - Devotion to the Sacred Heart
• Heather’s one thing - Our friend of the podcast Michael Corcoro

Discussion Questions

1. What form of prayer do you find easiest? What is the most challenging for you?
2. How can you experience the gift of prayer in this season of your life?
3. What ushers you into the presence of God quickly?
4. Discuss the idea of a daily conversation with God throughout your day.
5. If you're married, how can you pray with your spouse this week?

Journal Questions

1. How is God inviting you to make time with Him?
2. What is most on your heart right now to speak with God about?
3. What devotions are you drawn to and why?
4. What are the things that distract you in prayer?
5. What spiritual disciplines do you need in your life right now?

Quote to Ponder
“Love to pray. Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of Himself” - St Teresa of Calcutta

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Jeremiah 29:12
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather recap their conference on restoring the beauty with special guest Fr. Josh Johnson. We talk about the four themes of our weekend and how this applies to all of us at every stage in our spiritual journey. We also discuss what it looks like to have restored hearts, femininity, hope, relationships.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam’s one thing - Book by Dr. Conrad Bars I Will Give Them a New Heart
• Michelle’s one thing - Being together
• Heather’s one thing - Her husband Jake (also the incredible Hannah Van Noort)
• Fr. Josh’s one thing - Fr. Lucio Choi & Heather’s family

Discussion Questions

1. Fr. Josh said that when we allow Jesus into our painful places that he will not hurt us, he will only love us. What does this stir in you?
2. Sometimes we can brood and focus on our pain or lies more than the truth. What does this do to your heart when you do this? How can you change this pattern?
3. The word restore means to stand again. What is a part of your life that you would like the Lord to raise you up, to stand again?
4. Where in the garden of our souls is Christ present, but we don’t recognize him?
5. What is one area from your childhood that God wants to restore in you?
6. What does it mean to restore the beauty in the Church?

Journal Questions

1. God asks us, “would you let me love you in your deepest shame and vulnerability?” Journal your own prayer response to this question.
2. If we are in relationship with Jesus and know his voice, we can better perceive where he is in challenging moments in our life. Pause and reflect on where Jesus is right now in the difficulties of your life.
3. How is God asking you to restore the beauty in yourself and the Church?

Quote to Ponder
“How many times in our life is Christ present in our garden, in our soul, but we think he is the gardener?” - Sister Miriam

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Lamentations 5:21
“Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old.”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about the gift and calling of motherhood. Whether it be biological or spiritual motherhood, every woman is called to offer her maternity. Motherhood stretches our hearts to love more deeply and give new life to others. We talk about adoption and spiritual motherhood, which allows others to be born in our hearts as we image the gift of adoption that God has given to us.

Visit ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing - the beauty of Bowling Green, Kentucky
Michelle’s one thing - weekend getaways with her spouse
Heather’s one thing - two songs from the new Hillsong United album, “People”: Clean
and Highlands (Song of Ascent)

Discussion Questions

1. Where do you experience the joy of maternity and femininity?
2. What would you like Jesus to heal in your maternity and femininity?
3. How is God inviting you to expand your heart to love others?
4. What does it mean to be a life giver?

Journal Questions

1. Is there someone that God is placing on your heart to offer your gift of maternity to?
2. How does God need to expand your view of motherhood?
3. Reflect on your relationship with Our Blessed Mother. How can you grow in this?

Quote to Ponder
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other” - Mother Teresa

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 19:26-27
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about Pope Francis' Easter message and how we can truly live in the Resurrection. We discuss the power of God that can roll away even the hardest stones in our heart and what the common blocks are to hope in Jesus.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love this Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing - Seminarians at Mundelein Seminary
Michelle’s one thing - Writings of Fr. Padro Arrupe, SJ
Heather’s one thing - The Song “Healer” by Upperroom worship and in case you missed it, here’s Heather’s Easter Playlist - Hallelujah Is Our Song

Discussion Questions

1. What is the stone that I need to remove, what is the name of this stone?
2. Am I expecting to find the Risen Jesus in the most painful parts of my heart and story?
3. Where am I giving into discouragement and where have I lost hope?
4. What struck you from Pope Francis' message or the podcast and why?

Journal Questions

1. What practical things do I need to do to live in the new life God has brought to me instead of the old way?
2. Where am I looking? At graveyards or looking for the Living One?
3. What place in my heart do I need to invite the resurrected Jesus?
4. Spend some time remembering the good things God has done in your life.

Quote to Ponder
“Human history does not end before a tombstone, because today it encounters the “living stone”, the risen Jesus. We, as Church, are built on him, and, even when we grow disheartened and tempted to judge everything in the light of our failures, He comes to make all things new” - Pope Francis

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 11:25-26
"Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’ Do you believe this?”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about the gift of God's mercy. In light of the diary of St. Faustina, they discuss how often we don't turn to God in our weakness and sin because of shame or a belief that we are not worthy. The truth is that God's mercy is a free, inexhaustible gift that our loving Father wants to give to us in abundance.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing - Springtime and flowers
Michelle’s one thing - Her trip to Dallas
Heather’s one things - Free 50 day Easter Devotional “Arise”

The new Hillsong Young & Free acoustic album
Easter Playlist - Hallelujah Is Our Song

Discussion Questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast this week?
2. What has been a stumbling block for you in receiving God’s mercy?
3. Often we think of God as a harsh Father, but in fact he shows us His vulnerability as He pours out His heart to us naked on the cross. Share you thoughts on this.
4. What is one main area that you need to trust God?

Journal Questions:

1. What is your heart response to God’s gift of complete vulnerability, naked on the cross, giving His heart to you?
2. What do you really want to ask God for, confident that He knows best and He is good?
3. Why is it hard for you to trust God?

Quote to Ponder:
“Jesus I trust in You!” - St. Faustina

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather have another heart to heart conversation with our good friend Dr. Bob Schuchts. Dr. Bob is a family and marriage counsellor for 40 years and founder of JPII Healing Center. Dr. Bob shares about the 7 universal wounds in the human person that affect how we relate to others, ourselves, and God. He teaches about how those present themselves in our lives and how we can begin the healing journey that leads to freedom.

You can find more about Dr. Bob’s ministry at https://jpiihealingcenter.org/

Dr. Bob’s book “Be Healed” - https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-healed-dr-bob-schuchts-copy/

All his other books - https://jpiihealingcenter.org/shop/

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing - Song “Come out of Hiding” Steffany Gretzinger
Michelle’s one thing - Song “You Don’t Miss a Thing” by Amanda Cook
Heather’s one thing - Shredded Buffalo Chicken Recipe (see recipe below)

For the instant pot:

• Add to pot - 3 lbs frozen chicken, 1 packet of powdered ranch dressing,
• ½ - ¾ of a 17.5 fl oz bottle of Franks buffalo wing sauce (must be buffalo flavor)
• Manual cook for 20 min.
• When it’s done, do a natural steam release for 10 min, then manual steam release the rest.
• Drain excess liquid if you don’t want it.
• Add 3 tablespoons of butter
• Shred chicken with 2 forks
• Serve on buns or tortilla wraps with all the extras you enjoy.

If using a slow cooker, add the chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch package, cook on low for 6-7 hours, shred, then add butter and cook for one more hour.

Discussion Questions

1. What struck you from the podcast this week?
2. How can we cooperate with the healing that God wants to bring into our lives?
3. Who is a safe person around you who can speak truth to you, encourage you, and lift your gaze to the Father?
4. Which of the 7 wounds do you resonate the most with in this season of your life?

Journal Questions

1. What is something you often overreact about that may be revealing a deeper area of woundedness?
2. What mindsets or negative beliefs do you think you have brought from your childhood into your adulthood?
3. Write down the 7 wounds that Dr. Bob mentioned. What is your first memory of when each of those wounds entered your life? Ask Jesus what He wants to speak to you about that.

Quote to Ponder

“Life comes through the heart” - Dr. Bob Schuchts

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Isaiah 53:5
“By His wounds we are healed."

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather finish up their Lenten series on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. They talk about how God wants to build a house where he dwells within us and how we are invited to be receptive and open instead of self protective. They dig into what causes us to lose peace and ask how are we letting the Prince of Peace take care of our difficult situations in life.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing - Bishop Barron Presents with Leah Libresco (Facebook link)
Michelle’s one thing - Think Like a Tree - Live Oaks
Heather’s one thing - Story behind the song “As You Find Me” by Hillsong United

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes me lose my peace?
2. What are the things that are keeping God from creating the house that he wants to build in us?
3. Is my interior house (in my heart) a place where other people can flourish in my presence?
4. Where am I not receptive? Where is there a block in my heart and why?

Journal Questions:

1. Am I really allowing Christ to be the Prince of Peace over the difficult situations or busyness in my life or am I trying to manage it all?
2. What are other people’s experience of being around me? Do they feel safe? Do they feel loved and at peace? (Ask a close friend who loves you and then journal and pray about it.)
3. What are the ways that you self protect and why?

Quote to Ponder:
“Keep your soul at peace” - St. François-Marie-Jacob Libermann

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather continue the conversation in week five of Lent on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about how we often cover up our weakness and sin in attempts to make ourselves more presentable to God, but that God wants to draw near to us in our weakness and receive every part of us. We also talk about some rules of discernment and how to abandon our will to God in total trust.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week

Sister Miriam’s one thing: The song “Build My Life” by Housefires
Michelle’s one thing: Beautiful Easter plates designed by Erica Tighe at beaheart.com
Michelle’s other one thing: This new Alleluia cake topper
Heather’s one thing: The Abiding Together small groups that are meeting together!

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you ever feel like you need to “cover up” before approaching God? Do you feel an unhealthy sense of guilt that keeps you from coming to Jesus vulnerably?
2. Why do you think it’s hard for you to look at your own weakness and sin?
3. What struck you about Fr. Jacques rules of discernment? How can you apply this to your life?

Journal Questions:

1. How can I grow in self awareness?
2. How can I remain faithful and trusting when I’m in the desert?
3. Do I really want to live the full life that Jesus is offering with raw vulnerability instead of fear and hiding?

Quote to Ponder:
“Love is able to profit from everything, the good as well as the bad that It finds in me, and to transform it into Itself.” —St. John of the Cross

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather continue the conversation in week 4 of Lent with Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about the frequent human experience of wishing that we had a different life or circumstance than the one we really have. We discuss how the enemy can block us from understanding where God is in our suffering and that the key is to allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and open our eyes to a new perspective.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week

Sister Miriam’s one thing: The documentary “Free Solo”
Michelle’s one thing: Prayer of Abandonment
Michelle’s other one thing: Be Brave in the Sacred, Mary Lenaburg
Heather’s one thing: The song “Confident” by Steffany Gretzinger and Bobby Strand

Discussion Questions

1. Where is the enemy trying to make you believe that real life is elsewhere?
2. We are not called to do life on our own. Where do you need to invite the Holy Spirit into your life to be your comforter and guide?
3. What is one situation where you need a new perspective, given by God, on your life circumstances?

Journal Questions

1. Do I pay attention to see how God is providing for me? How can I pay attention to my life in a deeper way and not just go through the motions?
2. Take some time to delight in God and his movement in your life. Journal about what comes to mind.
3. In the main circumstances in your life right now, what is your heart really longing for? Take time this week to invite God into that longing.

Quote to Ponder
“We often live with this illusion, but it’s often an error. It’s not the exterior circumstances that must change, it’s above all our hearts.” —Fr Jacques Philippe

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather continue the conversation in week three of Lent on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about how fear often causes us to self protect or hustle to escape suffering instead of trusting God. We discuss the power of making space for God and his providence in our lives and how we can trust him when we experience suffering.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week
Sister Miriam’s one thing: The song "Open Space” by Housefires
Michelle’s one thing: The song “Awakening” by Amanda Cook
Heather’s one thing: Peace playlist

Discussion Questions

1. What is the biggest thing you fear will be lacking or absent in your life?
2. Where do you think you need to make space for God to show his abundance and his providence?
3. St John of the Cross says that God gives in the measure that we expect. Discuss that quote and how you can grow in expectation of God’s goodness.

Journal Questions

1. What area have you been acting as though you and your own power are the answer to the problem? How can you begin to open your heart to God there?
2. Where in your life do you need to experience how capable and powerful God is?
3. Why don’t you have confidence in God?

Quote to Ponder
“The Lord can leave us wanting relative to certain things (sometimes judged indispensable in the eyes of the world), but he never leaves us deprived of what is essential: his presence, his peace and all that is necessary for the complete fulfillment of our lives, according to his plans for us.” —Fr. Jacques Philippe

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Matthew 6:31-33
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather continue the conversation on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace.

They discuss the importance of learning to fight the right battles and how often the enemy distracts us by enticing us to live small stories and fight the wrong battles, which we often lose or exhaust us. We also talk about being anchored in the identity as children of God, the power we gain from keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, and where our true home is.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Pope Francis’s Lenten letter

Michelle’s one thing - Lauren Daigle - Love Like This

Heather’s one thing - Documentary movie about Mr. Rogers “Won’t You Be My Neighbor”

Discussion Questions:

1.) Do you notice in your life that you are putting energy into small stories (battles) rather than the bigger stories that are led by the Holy Spirit?

2.) What does true healing and forgiveness look like?

3.) Am I fighting my battles from a place of my identity being anchored in a beloved daughter/son of God or do I try to fight battles on my own?

4.) What are some practical ways you can you keep in the gaze of God in the busyness of life?

Journal Questions:

1.) What are you doing in the area of growing in personal holiness?

2.) Where are you coping out of fear rather than surrendering to the Father?

3.) The psalm say, my home is by your altars. Where do you often make your home instead of by His altars?

Quote to Ponder:

“Spiritual combat consists precisely in this; defending one's peace of heart against the enemy who attempts to steal it from us” -Fr. Jacques Philippe

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 16:33

“I have told you these things so that you will have peace in Me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage! I have conquered the world”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather begin Lent with reflections on the book Searching For and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe. They chat about the truth that without God we can do nothing and that searching for peace isn’t about doing more, but opening to the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are challenged by our calling to be peacemakers and we can’t do that if we don’t have the peace of God first within us. We also ask, what is taking our attention away from the gaze of God this Lent?

Visit ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sister Miriam’s one thing - St. Faustina’s book Way of the Cross
Michelle’s one thing - The book The Contemplative Rosary with St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Avila by Dan Burke
Heather’s one thing - The Blessed is She Shine Retreat and the reliquary at St. Tim’s parish in Phoenix, Arizona

Discussion Questions:

1.) What area of life do you struggle with the most to maintain peace?
2.) How can I let Jesus act in me? What are the stumbling blocks that hinder Him from acting in me?
3.) God speaks in the quiet places. What are the places where you can get quiet enough to hear God?
4.) Can you be a peacemaker without having peace within yourself first? Discuss.
5.) What’s the one thing that keeps us from staying in the Father’s gaze?

Journal Questions:
1.) Is life too much for you or too much for the Lord? Ponder and reflect on where a lie might be in this.
2.) Where have you given the enemy ground to assault your heart and mind and steal your peace? How can you take that ground back with the power of God?
3.) What area do you need God to draw you close and minister to you this Lent?

Quote to Ponder:
“It would be more efficacious to remain peacefully before the gaze of God and to allow Him to act and work in us with His wisdom and power” - Fr. Jacques Philippe

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 15:4-5
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather talk with special guest, Dr. Bob Schuchts. Dr. Bob has been a marriage and family therapist for 40 years and is the founder of the JP II Healing Center. He shares about the five areas of intimacy in marriage and the role of healing and restoration in the places that have hurt that intimacy.

Check out more info about Dr. Bob’s ministry

Check out his books:

“Be Healed”

“Be Transformed”

“Real Suffering”

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The playlist “Peaceful Classical Music”

Michelle’s One Thing - The Netflix series “Call the Midwife”

Heather’s One Thing - Jake taking me to see Justin Timberlake! So fun.

Dr. Bob’s One Thing - The book “The Same Kind of Different As Me”

Discussion Questions:

1) Which one of the 5 areas of intimacy do you struggle with the most? If you’re not married this still applies. (spiritual unity, emotional intimacy, daily companionship, cooperative teamwork, sexual intimacy)

2) What are the places that you need to work at keeping your heart open in relationships, when you feel the fear of being hurt?

3) How do you need to be more honest in your closest relationships?

4) What is the next right thing you need to do in your marriage (or closest friendship or personal life)?

Journal Questions:

1) What issues from your childhood and dating relationships did you bring into your marriage (or will bring into your marriage or future vocational calling)?

2) How can I become more receptive to the love of God, so that I can share that more easily in my marriage or close relationships?

3) If you’re married, consider having the conversation Dr. Bob suggested. “What is the state of our union”? And use the 5 areas of intimacy as a guide.

4) Where do you need to offer forgiveness?

Quote to Ponder:
"Our most natural tendency is to try to get the other person to be what we need so that we can be loved well. Rather, to let go of that and just honestly love somebody, is when God becomes present." - Dr Bob

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Ephesians 4:2-3
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”

Next week we will begin our Lenten series on the themes of “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” by Fr. Jacques Philippe. This book is super small, but jam packed with wisdom. You don’t need to read the book to follow the podcasts, but if you’d like to read it, you can purchase it on Amazon.

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather talk about living with the reality of depression, anxiety and hardships in life. We have some vulnerable conversation about our personal journeys and share the things we have learned along the way that have anchored our hearts in the hope of Jesus and allowed for healing and growth.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Adam Young- The Purpose of Counseling

Michelle’s One Thing - Tasha Cobbs - Queen of Soul

Heather’s One Thing - “Even When It Hurts” by Hillsong United

Discussion Questions:

1) What stood out to you in this podcast?

2) Where are the places that you struggle to rest in God and believe He is trustworthy?

3) What has helped you have hope in times of trial?

4) What allows you to rest, receive, and not isolate when you’re struggling?

Journal Questions:

1) What might be stunting your emotional and spiritual growth?

2) What are two scriptures that you can memorize to anchor you in the midst of trial?

3) Jesus longs to heal us. What is the area that He is putting His finger on right now?

Quote to Ponder:

"Depression doesn't define who I am. It's a part of my story, as a lot of broken parts are, but Jesus is the one who gives me my identity and tells me who I am and that's where we need to look to him and hear his voice in all the parts of our story" Heather Khym

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Lamentations 3:21-24
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul “therefore I will hope in him.”

**Special Lenten Announcement!

We will be doing a book study together beginning on March 4! The book will “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” by Fr. Jacques Philippe **

Today in the Abiding Together Podcast, we wrap up our book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe Part 4 (chapters 13-18). We chat about the resurrection, what it means to be restored and reconciled, and making space for childlike wonder. We hope you’ve enjoyed this book study with us.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

The “Abiding” Women’s Conference in Louisiana

Discussion Questions:

1) When have you had an experience of mercy?

2) Who is someone that you need to offer mercy to?

3) What do you experience when God has you in a process or journey? Are you able to be patient or are you filled with unrest and anxiety?

4) Do I live life in grey, stone cold, or do I live life in technicolor?

5) Where am I dying and need Christ to bring life and make things new?

Journal Questions:

1) Where do you need to ask God for mercy in your life right now?

2) Where is my heart hard?

3) How can I allow time and space for playfulness, joy and childlike wonder?

Quote to Ponder:

“We are not on earth to guard a museum, but to cultivate a flowering garden of life” - Pope John XXIII

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Romans 6:4-5
“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

Special Lenten Announcement!

*We will be doing a book study together beginning on March 4! The book will “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” by Fr. Jacques Philippe *

Today in the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Heather, and Michelle progress with the book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (chapters 9-12). They continue to relate the story concepts with our spiritual life by discussing themes like the false narrative of the enemy, the dynamic of stoney hearts that God wants to restore and turn to flesh, true living of the paschal mystery, and the power of God’s resurrection power in our lives. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam’s One Thing - Fire Within- Fr. Thomas Dubay

Michelle’s One Thing - The movie “Gifted”

Heather's One Thing - The Abiding Together small groups! We love you!

Discussion Questions:

1) What is one of the false narratives that the enemy has been telling in your life?

2) What do you think the Father wants to say about that?

3) What area of your heart do you feel has been turned to stone or has been hardened? Why?

4) “Hurting people, hurt people”. Discuss this concept and how we can offer a response of healing.

5) Where have you settled for the dry bread from the enemy instead of the banquet that God is offering to you?

Journal Questions:

1) Instead of being child like, we can be childish with God. What is the difference between those two dynamics that you can see in your own life?

2) The enemy makes empty promises. What is one that you can see he has made to you in your life?

3) What is one promise of God and His faithfulness that you have seen at work in your life?

4) “Battle looks like surrender”. What is one battle that you need to move into a disposition of surrender to God?

Quote to Ponder:

"Aslan is on the move” - C.S. Lewis - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

*Scripture for Lectio Divina - Ezekiel 36:26 *

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Today we continue our book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe Chapters 5-8. We reflect deeper on the story and how it relates to our spiritual lives. Themes such as the battle of light and darkness, jealousy and making others feel small, the power of the name of Jesus, surrender vs control and how the story of Narnia is an echo of what our hearts long for in Christ.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam’s One thing - The women from the “Undone” retreat https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/undone-womens-conference-tallahassee-fl/

Michelle’s other one thing - The book “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson

https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-Story-Justice-Redemption/dp/081298496X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548091113&sr=8-1&keywords=just+mercy

Heather's One Thing - Evangelization Ministry of Catholic Christian Outreach https://cco.ca/resources/faith-studies-series/

Discussion Questions:

1) What is one truth about God that you can see in your story?

2) Where do you need to grow into your royal identity as a daughter/son of God?

3) Discuss the truth about how the name of Jesus contains His presence. How could this change how you pray?

4) “He isn’t safe, but He’s good.” Discuss this quote and surrender vs. control.

Journal Questions:

1) Who can you go to who can speak wisdom into your life?

2) Like Edmund, are there any places of your life that you feel fear when you think about God?

3) What parts of your heart have been turned to stone and need the warmth of God’s hand to bring them back to life?

Quote to Ponder:

"Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” - C.S. Lewis - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Revelation 21:4-7

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Today we begin our book study on The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chapters 1-4). We dive into the themes of this chapter such as innocence, faith, temptation, sin, and shared adventure. We hope you will continue to join us on the journey into this wonderful story, which we hope will help us reflect more deeply on our relationship with Christ, our own story of faith and redemption, and the invitation to adventure with God.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam’s One thing - The song “Pieces” (the live version) by Amanda Cook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg4O5dqzN68

Ascension would like to offer you a 20% discount through the month of February on Fr. Josh Johnson’s book Broken and Blessed. Just go to www.shop.ascensionpress.com click on Broken and Blessed and enter the promo code fatherjosh (for US residents only)

Michelle’s other one thing - New song “Electricity” by Ellie and Drew Holcomb https://www.drewholcomb.com/news/2019/1/11/electricity-new-music-from-drew-amp-ellie-holcomb

Heather's One Thing - New Worship Playlist “Into the Deep” https://open.spotify.com/user/12184473750/playlist/4gHBMwlnndJaBp4jjYxpAQ?si=uQs5kI_-RQCHiso29p3hRg

Discussion Questions:

1) What stood out to you in the reading for this week?

2) Where in my life has the enemy taken a place, where I have lost hope and need Christmas to come?

3) For the women - Discuss the difference of femininity between Lucy and the witch. How has this affected your life?

4) When we numb our heart and our identity, we numb our wonder and our inheritance. Discuss this.

5) Where are the places and spaces that you can find wonder that leads to God?

Journal Questions:

1) How has the enemy spoken things in your life that bring about shame?

2) What are the parts of Edmund you see in yourself? What parts of Lucy do you see?

3) What is your Turkish delight (sin or temptation) that keeps you bound?

4) Where are the places you hide from the Lord and others?

Quote to Ponder:

"And what wonderful adventures we shall have, now that we are all in it together." - (Lucy) CS Lewis

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Matthew 18:3

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Stories are powerful ways to communicate deep things of the human experience in a way that touches us and makes us more human. Jesus is the perfect example of being a master storyteller, making His truth and teachings relatable and personal. We discuss how we can open our spiritual eyes to stories and movies to see how they speak of the bigger story of salvation and the longings of the human heart. We also share about how our owning our stories is key.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam’s One thing - Clemson crushing Alabama in the National Football Championship

Michelle’s other one thing - Fr. Mike Schmitt’s talk from the Focus SEEK Conference. Watch it here at minute 45:35 - https://youtu.be/ZcBidOcLUsc

Heather's One Thing - Song “Highs and Lows” by Hillsong Young & Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEBOJMXqSdQ

Discussion Questions:

1) What is your favorite story or movie that has parallels with the story of Salvation? Why do you love it so much?

2) Do you relate to the quote “for most of us, life feels like a movie we’ve arrived at 45 minutes late”? How connected to you feel to the larger story of Salvation in your daily life?

3) Have you ever wanted to take the pen out of God’s hand and write your own story? How do you need to grow in trust that He writes the best stories?

Journal Questions:

1) What do you think is your role to play right now in the story of Salvation?

2) What movies or books do you love? How do those relate to the Story of Salvation?

3) How are you pursuing truth, beauty, and goodness in the stories and movies you consume?

4) What are three themes of your life story? What does God want to say about that?

Quote to Ponder:

“A story is a way to say something that can't be said any other way." - Flannery O'Connor

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Psalm 139:13-16

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Welcome back for Season 5! In this episode, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather kick off the new year by discussing the concept of a “word of the year”, a word given to us by God to help shape our heart, mind, and direction for 2019. They each share what they believe God has spoken to them for this year, how to cultivate it, and how we can listen to the voice of God and His guidance.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam’s One Thing - A Wonder Woman fridge magnet, gift from our friend Mary

Michelle’s One Thing - The movie Pride and Prejudice

Heather's One Thing - The new movie Mary Poppins Returns! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jsfXDZLIY

Discussion Questions:

1) What is your word of the year? If you don’t have one, how might you make room for God to speak to you about this coming year?

2) What practical things do you need to help this word take root and bear fruit in your life?

3) How could this be fruitful in your spiritual life?

4) What struck you from this week’s podcast?

Journal Questions:

1) What does God want you to know through that word right now?

2) If you don’t have a word of the year, what is happening in your heart when you think about the concept?

3) How will you make room for your word of the year from God?

Quote to Ponder:

“We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new. Imagine that we could live each moment as a moment pregnant with new life. Imagine that we could live each day as a day full of promises. Imagine that we could walk through the new year always listening to a voice saying to us:

“I have a gift for you and can’t wait for you to see it! Imagine!” - Henri Nouwen

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Isaiah 61:1-3

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.”

Merry Christmas from Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather! Today the ladies of Abiding Together bring you a special minisode: A Christmas Blessing.

In this weeks episode we finish up our Advent series, the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius, with a wonderful conversation with special guest Debbie Herbeck. Debbie is a wife, mother, and grandmother who disciples young women and lives radical love in action. She shares with us her journey from Judaism to Catholicism, the cost of the Gospel in her own family, and her life changing encounter with Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She also shares how Mary has been pivotal in her life and challenges us to open our hearts to love. To find out more about Debbie you can check out beloverevolution.com and you can check out her three books: Safely Through the Storm, Love Never Fails, Firmly on the Rock.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:
Sr. Miriam’s One Thing - The character “Clara” from The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Michelle’s One Thing - Spirit Break Out - Kim Walker Smith

Michelle’s other one thing is experiencing the masculine genius with Fr. Josh, her husband Chris, and Paul George.

Heather's One Thing - Debbie’s Husband Peter Herbeck (listen to one of his talks )
Heather’s other one thing was her visit to St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal

Debbie’s One Thing - The phrase “Mission Impossible” - Reflecting on God’s call for us love an impossible person.

Discussion Questions:

1) Who is Mary in your life?

2) When have women spoken into your life in a way that brought forth life in you?

3) What is God asking you to speak into other women’s lives?

4) In what area of your life do you need to hear God tell you that you have value and an important role to play?

Journal Questions:

5) In what areas to you feel hidden in your life? How might God want to be present to you there?

6) Who in my life is God calling me to be present to and love really well?

7) What is one of the basics of the spiritual life and Gospel message that God wants you to get back to?

Quote to Ponder:

“Do small things with great love” - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Luke 1:39-56

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

We continue our Advent mini series on the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius and interview the lovely Ali Hoffman! Ali is also known as “theoodlesofdoodles” on instagram where she creates beautiful quotes and art and is also a full time youth director. We chat with Ali about women being able to celebrate one another’s gifts and live in community over competition and much more!

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam’s One thing - Art piece Bouguereau-Song of the Angels

Michelle’s other one thing - Love is Christmas - Sara Bareilles
https://youtu.be/LIODr_RWwEc

Heather's One Thing - Matt Maher “Jingle Bells” https://youtu.be/AcPdRWNP00M

Ali’s One Thing - Blessed is She Advent Journal https://blessedisshe.net/product/bearing-light-advent-devotional/

Discussion Questions:

1) What does it look like to relate as community instead of as competitors?

2) What do people need to safely share their gifts with other people without feeling threatened or insufficient?

3) What is one thing that God is speaking to you this Advent?

Journal Questions:

1) How can I grow in my friendships and offer love more freely?

2) Do you believe like Mary that God will fulfill His promises?

3) How can you slow done this Week of Advent?

Quote to Ponder:

"Advent is a time for this arising." - Catherine Doughtery

Scripture of the Week - Luke 1:39-56

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Today we begin a short Advent series on the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius. We break open what happens in the power of community and what it means to come together in a circle and champion one another and to offer a place to be seen, known, and celebrated. We use the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth as the model and share our own story of how we met, how God has used our fellowship to encourage and fight for one another and how to offer true friendship and love for one another.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam’s One thing - Heather’s Advent Playlist

Michelle’s other one thing - The book by Madeline L'Engle - And it was Good: Reflections on Beginnings

Heather's One Thing - Advent book by Ann Voskamp “[Unwrapping the Greatest Gift - A Family Christmas Celebration ]"(https://amzn.to/2QlPSE9)

Also the song “Noel” by Lauren Daigle

Discussion Questions:

1) What stands out to you about Mary and Elizabeth's friendship?
2) When have women spoken into your life in life giving ways?
3) What does a safe circle of friends look like for you?

Journal Questions:

1) How do you need self-care this week? This year?
2) In what ways do you need to grow in your ability to be a good friend to others?
3) When was one time that you were hurt, leaving you feeling wary and hurt in future relationships with women?
4) What is god asking you to risk so that something can be birthed in you this advent season?

Quote to Ponder:

"Love still takes the risk of birth" - Madeline L'Engle

*Scripture of the Week *- Luke 1:39-56

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

In today’s episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we talk about the Lordship of Jesus and what it means to truly submit our lives to Him. It’s often easy to fall into the trap of doing good religious works, without truly giving our whole life to the Lord. We chat about the truth of how it’s in losing your life that we find it, what submission practically looks like, and how to encourage one another to look at the areas that are incongruent in our lives.

One Thing We Love This Week:

1. Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Taking time to reflect on the graces of the last year and writing them down to grow in gratitude

2. Michelle's One Thing - Stephan Colbert - Liturgical Dance "The King of Glory" https://youtu.be/oASYa-Wkroc

3. Heather's One Thing - The worship song “Sails” by Pat Barrett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC7mNAsx7Vw

Discussion Questions:

1. What areas is God calling you to submit under His Lordship?
2. What does it look like to live life like a daughter of the King and what does it look like to live life as an orphan?
3. What is a false impression you have of God? How can you reencounter Jesus for who He really is?
4. Do you believe and trust in God’s abundance?

Journal Questions:

1. What areas do I hold onto to my own life and refuse to give it to God?
2. Look honestly into your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you an area that you don’t trust God.
3. When are you going to make time to encounter and abide in Jesus each day this week?

Quote to Ponder:

“We pray that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly sing your praise” - Collect from the Solemnity of Christ the King

Scripture of the Week - Philippians 2:9-11

“Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In today’s episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we interview the wonderful Fr. Josh Johnson! Fr. Josh shares with us his insights about how the feminine genius complimenting masculinity is meant to restore the Church. He shares about his personal encounters with Christ in the deepest places of his wounds and how that changed his life and shaped his ministry. We also talk about how all of this impacts the current scandals in the Church and our response to our own sin, hiding, and pursuit of personal holiness.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Fr. Josh’s One Thing - His book “Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation”
https://shop.ascensionpress.com/products/broken-and-blessed-an-invitation-to-my-generation
His other one thing - Book “In Sinu Jesu” When Heart Speaks to Heart” by A Benedictine Monk
https://www.amazon.com/Sinu-Jesu-Speaks-Journal-Priest/dp/1621382192

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - This series on “The Place We Find Ourselves” podcast.
How Healing Happens-Part 1 https://adamyoungcounseling.com/24-how-healing-happens-part-1/
How Healing Happens-Part 2 https://adamyoungcounseling.com/25-how-healing-happens-part-2/
How Healing Happens-Part 3 http://theplacewefindourselves.libsyn.com/26-how-healing-happens-part-3

Michelle's One Thing - The Greatest Showman - Re-imagined
https://open.spotify.com/user/atlanticrecords/playlist/21KCZhsVe5JZCEWpQWiKIl
The book Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles by Raymond Arroyo - https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Angelica-Remarkable-Network-Miracles/dp/0385510934/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1541622157&sr=8-1

Heather's One Thing - Fr. Josh’s podcast “Ask Fr. Josh” https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/askfrjosh/
Also the song “It is Well” by Kristine DiMarco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI

Discussion Questions:

How can your femininity compliment masculine hearts in healthy ways?
Fr. Josh said that you can’t take a vacation from your vocation. How can you embrace your vocation in a deeper way?
Share your thoughts about the concept of fasting from talking so you can listen more to people around you (lectio divina of the person).
When is a time that you have experienced the tenderness of God?

Journal Questions:

How can you be more tender with people you are walking with in your life?
Where is a room in your heart that God asked to enter that you have said “no” to Him?
What would it look like to give God total access into your heart and life?

Quote to Ponder:

“Womanhood and manhood are complementary not only from the physical and psychological points of view, it is only through the duality of the "masculine" and the "feminine" that the "human" finds full realization.” Saint John Paul The Great, Letter to Women

Scripture of the Week - Luke 1:78-79

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Today's Abiding Together Podcast is part 4 of our series on the women doctors of the Church. This episode is on St. Thérèse of Lisieux. We talk in depth about her “little way”, a path of deep trust in God that allowed her to love in small and courageous ways and led to her sainthood. We chat about the universal call to holiness, the acceptance of our weaknesses, and how to grow in deeper trust.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Undone Women’s Retreat:
https://jpiihealingcenter.org/event/undone-womens-conference-tallahassee-fl/
Michelle's One Thing - A Light So Lovely - The spiritual legacy of Madeline L' Engle - by Sarah Arthur
https://www.amazon.com/Light-So-Lovely-Spiritual-Madeleine-ebook/dp/B07B6DCPJT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541443431&sr=8-1&keywords=a+light+so+lovely+the+spiritual+legacy+of+madeleine+lengle
Music by Marie Miller
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIm-_SUJsuOulFZtyjCXh0HYMQ0wpjCX8
Heather's One Thing - Book “The Way of Trust and Love” - by Fr. Jacques Philippe
https://www.amazon.com/Way-Trust-Love-Retreat-Therese/dp/1594171653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1541451900&sr=8-1

Discussion Questions:

1) St. Thérèse surrendered in trust to God, in what ways do you need to grow in trust?
2) St. Thérèse embraced small sacrifices to love God and her neighbor, how can you make small sacrifices this week for love?
3) God is drawn to our weakness. Have you or how have you allowed yourself to experience God’s deep love in your areas of weakness?
4) God works miracles in the mundane moments of life, if we open our hearts to grace. How can you become more aware of God’s presence in the simple places of normal life?

Journal Questions:

1) How is God calling you to become “little” and more dependent on God in your life?
2) What areas of brokenness do you need to invite the Savior to come in to today?
3) St. Thérèse talked about the importance of all the flowers being different. How is God calling you to let go of jealousy and comparison and embrace your gifts?

Quote to Ponder:

“God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.” - St.Thérèse of Lisieux

Scripture for the week - Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

We have a discussion group on Facebook that you are most welcome to join. If you have a Facebook account, just request access by clicking here https://www.facebook.com/groups/147228892631737/

We did a little spontaneous video podcast a couple of weeks ago, which we posted on our Facebook Abiding Together Podcast page. Here it is in case you missed it https://vimeo.com/298429907

Reading Recommendations about St. Therese:

The Way of Trust and Love - by Fr. Jacques Philippe

The Story of a Soul - by St. Therese

I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux - by Jean D'Elbee

33 days to Merciful Love - Fr. Micheal Gaitley

Shirts of Flame - A year with St. Therese of Lisieux - by Heather King

Today’s episode is Part 3 of our series on the women doctors of the Church, on the life of St. Teresa of Avila. We talk about the great gift of her spiritual writings, her humor, her practical wisdom and her reforming spirit. We talk about growing in self awareness and how we can move through spiritual pitfalls.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Song “Fear Not” by Kristene DiMarco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0GQp-vTqOw

Michelle's One Thing - Blessed Is She advent Journal
https://blessedisshe.net/product/bearing-light-advent-devotional/

Also the new Ascension Series coming soon called “Rejoice”
Heather's One Thing - The movie Les Miserable with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD53IYJlot8

Discussion Questions:

1) What struck you from the podcast this week?
2) What areas of comfort do you cling to that may be causing resistance in growing deeper in your relationship with God?
3) What is one practical “little by little” choice that you can make to grow this week?
4) In what places do you need more healing in your life? How can you open the door to healing in one practical way?

Journal Questions:

1) What are the areas that I tolerate and give in to sin in my life, instead of going deeper?
2) Think about your week. To grow in self awareness, journal about your reactions to a situation or person and why you responded the way you did?
3) What young parts of your own heart need to encounter the love of God?
4) Do you believe that God will be there, as your Healer, if you open the door to past wounds?

Quote to Ponder:

“Either we are brides of so great a King or we are not.” - St. Teresa of Avila

Scripture for the Week - Zephaniah 3:16-20

In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do not let your hands fall limp. “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. “I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts—They came from you, O Zion; The reproach of exile is a burden on them. “Behold, I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors, I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes”

*Listen to our Doctors of the Church Spotify Worship Playlist *- https://open.spotify.com/user/12184473750/playlist/6uqQ8RwDh4xkDP0IxB9O65?si=GD4CrGUPTR2xbqDzA_ybTg

Reading Recommendations:

Interior Castle - St Teresa of Avila https://www.amazon.com/Interior-Castle-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486461459/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1540866080&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=interior+castle&psc=1

The Way of Perfection - St Teresa of Avila https://www.amazon.com/Way-Perfection-St-Teresa-Avila-ebook/dp/B07JKNDT67/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540866028&sr=8-1&keywords=the+way+of+perfection+by+st.+theresa+of+avila

The Four Teresas - Gina Loehr https://www.amazon.com/Four-Teresas-Gina-Loehr-ebook/dp/B004HKJ8PM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540865886&sr=8-1&keywords=Four+teresas

Today’s episode we dive into the life of St. Hildegard of Bingen, part 2 of our series on the women doctors of the Church. We talk about how amazing this woman was, her many talents and how she used the power of her voice and influence to help restore the Church. We also discuss places that we have lost our voice, the trap of self doubt, and letting God be strong in our weakness.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Anonymous 4 album “The Origin of Fire”
https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Fire-Visions-Hildegard-Bingen/dp/B00B3SPEQI/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1540407535&sr=8-20&keywords=anonymous+4

Michelle's One Thing - The Ministry of Ordinary Places - Shannan Martin
https://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Ordinary-Places-Waking-Goodness-ebook/dp/B07BB665J5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540413147&sr=8-1&keywords=shannan+martin

Heather's One Thing - The song “New Wine” by Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbJaM_EneMw

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever believed the lie that its too late for certain dreams or callings to come to fruition in your life?

2. In what ways do you diminish who you are and fall into self doubt?

3. How can you open the door wider to the Holy Spirit to use your gifts, not just as your own talents, but to help build his Kingdom of love?

4. How can we cultivate friendships that we feel free to be vulnerable without judgement?

Journal Questions:

1. How has self doubt crippled you in your story?

2. What is Christ calling me to for a time such as this?

3. How can you begin to accept your weakness as an opportunity to draw close to God and receive His strength?

4. Where in my life do I answer to others opinions instead of my identity in God?

Quote to Ponder:

“We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a home. Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.” - St. Hildegard of Bingen

Scripture for the week - Proverbs 15:2,4-5,7

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouths of fools spout folly. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible. The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.

Here's a worship playlist we created to go along with the Doctors Series. We pray it blesses you.
https://open.spotify.com/user/12184473750/playlist/6uqQ8RwDh4xkDP0IxB9O65?si=qOkfzpk8SduajrCESN-LfQ

To order the prayer/study journal accompaniment for the Doctor series head over to Meaningful Market Shop - https://meaningfulmarketshop.com/collections/doctors

Reading Recommendations:

Secrets of God

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-God-Writings-Hildegard-Bingen-ebook/dp/B00HEN3IXW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1540407704&sr=8-12&keywords=st+hildegard+of+bingen

Hildegard of Bingen-Doctor of the Church

https://www.amazon.com/Hildegard-Bingen-Doctor-Church-2013-01-02/dp/B01FIVV50O/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1540407917&sr=1-6&keywords=hildegard+of+bingen+doctor+of+the+church

Today we begin our 5 part series on the women Doctors of the Church by first exploring the life of St. Catherine of Siena. St. Catherine was a preacher, influencer, writer, miracle worker, and mystic. In this episode, we chat about Catherine’s example of intimacy with God, her fiery heart and voice of conviction, how her hidden life fueled her passion for the Church and restoration, and how we can follow her example in specific ways.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Divine Mercy Shrine in Poland
• Michelle's One Thing - Brother Isaiah’s new song - https://aleteia.org/2018/10/17/brother-isaiahs-love-song-for-the-bride-is-balm-for-a-wounded-church/ and check out his album Poco a Poco
• Michelle’s other one thing - Rosary bracelet - https://chewslife.com/new-siena-rosary-bracelet-dalmatian-jasper/
• Heather's One Thing - The St. Francis of Assisi Movie “A Sign of Contradiction” by Fr. Dave Pivonka and 4pm Media https://www.signofcontradiction.com/

Discussion Questions:

1. What does restored femininity look like in your life?

2. Where can you see God in your childhood? Where do you need to ask Him to reveal Himself?

3. What do you love? What burns your heart? Where is Christ calling you to true love that radiates from within?

Journal Questions:

1. How is God inviting you to bring your feminine genius to your world?

2. What suffering in your life is God asking you to unite with His, that He wants to restore and heal?

3. How has the enemy come into my life to seek, kill, and destroy things that God wants to use to bring life and glory to the world?

4. What areas in your hidden life within, need to experience mercy and transformation so that you can be a witness of restoration to the Church?

Quote to Ponder:

“I promise you, that, by this means, her beauty will be restored to her, not by the knife nor by cruelty, but peacefully, by humble and continued prayer, by the sweat and the tears shed by the fiery desire of My servants” - Jesus to St. Catherine of Siena

*Scripture for the week - Ezekiel 37:1-7 *

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.

Learning how to pray is one of the topics Christians are continually striving to learn more about. In this episode we talk in depth about a couple of forms of prayer and also share some of our personal experiences and insights from our own prayer life. We hope that this conversation blesses you and encourages you to pray and encounter Christ more deeply. 

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Her best pals Heather and Michelle!
Michelle's One Thing - The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today by Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Heather's One Thing - Bishop Barron Video “Christ Call You To Mission.” Also the song “Speak to Me” by Kari Jobe

Discussion Questions: 

What tends to distract you from taking time to pray each day? How can you prevent it?
What type of prayer do you find most fruitful in your life?
What is your experience with Lectio Divina?
Do you believe that God wants to speak to you, personally?

Journal Questions:

If you don’t have one, make a prayer plan for each day of your week.
Spend some time in the gaze of God, what do you believe He is speaking to your  heart?
Where have you seen God’s truth today? Where did you see a lie?

Quote to Ponder:

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” - St. Therese of Lisieux

In this episode we talk about how to begin dreaming about the things God is calling us to, which is very different than the cheesy instagram notion. We also share about dreams being deep desires that God places in our hearts to build up the kingdom and how to invite the Holy Spirit to restore the broken place so that new life can come forth.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Torin Wells “Known” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbQ6Lfh5L14

Michelle's One Thing - Reese Witherspoon’s book “Whiskey in a Tea Cup https://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Teacup-Growing-Taught-Biscuits-ebook/dp/B07CL96ZWB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537585554&sr=8-1&keywords=reese+witherspoon+whiskey+in+a+tea+cup
And the LIFEWATR video about art in schools - https://youtu.be/86Yr9rMV-GY

Heather's One Thing - My kids!

Discussion Questions:

1. What dreams do you believe that God has placed in your heart?
2. Do you trust that God has good things in store for your future or is this a place of doubt? What is the doubt tied to?
3. What are the little things that God is calling you to be faithful to right now?
4. How can your close friends encourage you to pursue your dreams and God’s calling on your life?

Journal Questions:

1. What is lacking in the world around you that God could be calling you to respond to?
2. What dreams are lying dormant in your heart?
3. Invite the Holy Spirit to stir up dreams again in your heart. Write down what you think He is speaking to you.
4. What is something you sued to love when you were younger that God may want to redeem and restore?

Quote to Ponder:

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet” - Frederick Buechner

Extra scriptures for this episode

"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” - Joel 2:28

“The LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end,and will not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and not delay. - Habakkuk 2:3

In this episode we talk about the scripture from John 15 where Jesus invites us to abide in Him and remain in His love. We discuss the importance of being rooted in Christ and the stumbling blocks that get in the way of that. We particularly explore the concept of littleness vs striving and self reliance.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Working in her mom’s garden!

Michelle's One Thing - Haley Stewart’s new book “The Grace of Enough” - https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Enough-Pursuing-Throwaway-Culture-ebook/dp/B07CXFQQ3L/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537561852&sr=8-1&keywords=the+grace+of+enough+haley+stewart

Heather's One Thing - “Late Have I Loved You” by Gungor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WoCwuPXhvM

Discussion Questions:

What holds you back from being vulnerable with people in your life?
What might God be asking you to say no to so that you can be more present with those in front of you?
Authentic Christianity is not lived in isolation. What is one way you can breakthrough the isolation and connect with your community more regularly?

Journal Questions:

    1. The little things are really the big things in the spiritual life. What are the little things that God is asking you to be faithful to?     2. What parts of your heart do you need to surrender in vulnerability to God today?     3. Where are your roots planted?  

Quote to Ponder:

“All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted” - St Teresa of Avila

In this episode we talk about the power of connection and the shared human desire to be connected to one another. We discuss how authentic Christianity is not lived in isolation, the importance of vulnerability, being present to the present moment, and learning to love well and grow out of unhealthy patterns of relating to others.

Welcome to Season 4! We are so excited to start our new season in collaboration with Ascension. In our first episode we talk about our summer, introduce ourselves to our new listeners, but most importantly we share our perspective and our journey through the ongoing news of the scandals within the Church.  

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast 
Michelle's One Thing - Blog post by Shannon Evans 
Heather's One Thing - Where You Are - Leeland with Bethel Music 
Extra Resources - Response by Fr. Mike Schmitz
Extra Resources - Response by Bishop Robert Barron

Discussion Questions:    

1. What do you think is your role to play in restoring beauty in the Church?

1. In your stages of grieving the scandals in the Church, how can you invite Jesus in to heal and restore your heart?

2. What are some practical ways you can pray for the victims of abuse and the restoration of the Church?

Journal Questions:

1. What is holding you back from something that God is calling you to do?

1. Who is someone that you can encourage to offer their gifts in a specific way?

2. How is God calling you to be a part of the renewal of the Church?

Quote to Ponder:

“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.” - St. Augustine 

While the ladies are taking the summer off here is a bonus episode where we get the chance to get to know Michelle Benzinger a little better.

Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast | Android Phone | Spotify | RSS

Michelle Benzinger - Michelle Benzinger is a national women’s speaker, creative entrepreneur, and advocate for marginalized women and children. She is the visionary leader of Greenhouse Collective and the creative director of Meaningful Market. She co-hosts a podcast, Abiding Together with Sr. Miriam Heidland and Heather Khym. Michelle and her husband, Chris, have served in global and domestic missions for the past 15 years with their six children (two adopted from Haiti) and now reside in Pensacola, Florida.

Greenhouse Collective: facebook | instagram | website Meaningful Market: facebook | instagram | website

While the ladies are taking the summer off here is a bonus episode where we get the chance to get to know Sr. Miriam James Heidland a little better.

Sr. Miriam James was raised in Woodland, WA and is a graduate of the University ofNevada-Reno where she played volleyball on a scholarship and majored in Communications.

Upon graduation, she joined the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), a missionary community that serves global areas of deepest apostolic need. Sr. Miriam has served at various SOLT missions including Rome, Seattle and Texas. In addition to speaking, her apostolates have included working with elementary school students, parish ministry, coaching high school volleyball and co-hosting a Catholic radio program.

Her story has been featured in the Seattle Times, The National Catholic Register and heard on Relevant Radio, Sirius XM, Catholic Answers Live and EWTN’s Life on the Rock, as well as Steubenville conferences, the Share Jesus campaign and international conferences and retreats. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology from the Augustine Institute and often attends courses at the Theology of the Body Institute. Her book titled Loved As I Am was released in 2014 from Ave Maria Press.

The ladies are off for the summer, but we have a bonus interview so you can get to know Heather Khym a little more.

In our last episode before we break for summer, we talk about the highlights of the season and revisit some of the themes that we loved. We had a lot of joking and laughter as we shared some of our personal experiences and we also checked in about our word for the year.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - School of Greatness Podcast-Lewis Howes
• Sr. Miriam's other one thing - Steubenville Conferences
• Michelle's One Thing - Sarah Kroger’s new album kickstarter campaign
• Heather's One Thing - Worship leader Michael Ketterer’s audition on America’s Got Talent. Here is one of his worship songs

Quote to Ponder:

"We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness" - Francis Chan

In this episode wrap up our study of Gaudete Et Exsultate with chapters 4 & 5. We talk about everything from bullying on social media, the pitfalls of gossip, discernment, and how we can get rid of the poser and experience freedom in humility and poverty of spirit. We also talk about the gift of joy in the midst of struggle and living holiness in the small things.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J. M. Nouwen
• Michelle's One Thing - That the Golden State Warriors won the State Championship!
• Heather's One Thing - Interview with Bishop Barron on The Gathering Place Podcast by Blessed is She
• Heather’s other one thing -16 year old worship leader Payton Allen from Bethel

Discussion Questions:

1. How is God calling you to grow in having beautiful speech in relationships and on social media?
2. Discuss how humility and acceptance of your own poverty can increase your dependence on God?
3. Pope Francis says that “unless you let him warm you more and more with His love and tenderness you will not catch fire and how will you be able to set the hearts of others on fire”. Are you experiencing a dynamic encounter with God? If not, how could you begin this relationship?
4. Am I excluding God from any area of my life because of fear?

Journal Questions:

1. What am I passing on to people through my witness? Is it rule following, a good way to live, or a vibrant and personal relationship with God?
2. Am I spending time listening to the heart of God and giving to others from that place? Spend some time with God, what is He saying to you this week?

Quote to Ponder:

“Let us ask the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us a fervent longing to be saints for God’s greater glory and let us encourage one another in this effort. In this way we will share a happiness that the world will not be able to take from us.” - Pope Francis

In this episode we discuss chapters 2 & 3 of “Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)” by Pope Francis. We talk about our tendencies to fall into judgmentalism or self reliance and how these creep into our spiritual life. We also talk about the beauty of the Beatitudes and our call to get honest with ourselves about our pride and embrace poverty of spirit so as to fully live the Christian life and embrace grace more fully.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - A Meditation on Givenness by John Paul II
• Michelle's One Thing - Celebrating Good and Faithful Priests especially the newly ordained
• Heather's One Thing - Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you tend to struggle more with an intellectual approach to your spirituality that leads to judgment or with acting more on your own power and not relying on grace?
2. What is your favorite Beatitude and why?
3. What do you think about when Pope Francis says "the Beatitudes are like the Christian's identity card"?
4. Pope Francis says we can only live the Beatitudes with the power of the Holy Spirit. What is one Beatitude that you need the power of the Holy Spirit to help you live today?

Journal Questions:

1. What holds you back from loving the poor in a personal way?
2. Who do I need to show mercy to this week?
3. How is my life working for other people?

Quote to Ponder:

"Yes I have many human faults and failures...But God bends down and uses us, you and me, to be his love and his compassion in the world; he bears our sins, our troubles and our faults. He depends on us to love the world and to show how much he loves it. if we are too concerned with ourselves we will have no time left for others” - St. Teresa of Calcutta

In this episode we begin our 3 part study of “Gaudete Et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)” by Pope Francis. We start with a discussion of Chapter 1, “The Call to Holiness”, and that this call is not for the elite, but for everyone to live out in their own unique way. We talk about the misconceptions of what holiness looks like, share some personal stories of how God brought freedom to areas we felt pressure to live a certain way, and how God wants us to come alive.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Prayer of Release
• Michelle's One Thing - “One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both” by Jennifer Fulwiler
• Michelle’s Other One Thing - “My Reading Life” by Pat Conroy
•  Heather's One Thing - Bishop Robert Barron’s talk to Google staff
• Heather’s other One Thing - Corn and bean salsa Recipe

One can of sweet corn whole kernel drained One can black beans drained Juice of one fresh lime A handful or two of chopped cilantro (to your taste) Half a jar of salsa (your choice) 1 cup (ish) grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese A little shake of salt Stir together and serve with corn tortilla chips If it needs more flavor add more salsa and/or lime juice

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the quote, “Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church"?
2. Holiness is lived out in the little things and flows out to the big things. What are some ways that you choose to live out holiness in little ways?
3. How have you possibly misunderstood what holiness is "supposed to look like" in your life, vocation, and work and how have you felt pressured by this?
4. Where is God trying to make you come more alive this week?

Journal Questions:

1. Am I more interested in having more followers on social media than making disciples of Jesus?
2. What areas do you feel pressure in your life to be and live a certain way? How might God want to bring freedom?
3. How do you think that you are called to live out your holiness in a personal way, that is specific to your unique gifts and personality?

Quote to Ponder: “Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church” - Pope Francis

If you’d like to join us for our next study, it starts May 28th - “Gaudete Et Exsultate - On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World” by Pope Francis. If you’d like to read it, you can find it at your local Catholic book store or order it on Amazon

In this episode we talk about how to thrive during the summer, when we aren’t in our normal schedules. We chat about some strategies to continue growing in our relationship with God and flourish in whatever situation we are in. We focus on the categories of rest, play, prayer, connection, beauty, self care, and community. We hope you enjoy this conversation.

If you'd like to host a coffee time, lunch, or dinner with a few women, here are some questions to put on the table to spark some good conversation.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - “Awakening Love: An Ignatian Retreat with the Song of Songs”
• Michelle's One Thing - The Royal Wedding sermon
• Michelle's Other One Thing - Steph Curry’s momma correcting him for using bad language at a game :)
• Heather's One Thing - “Where You Are” by Bethel and “Pieces” by Bethel

Discussion Questions:

1. How can I more deeply connect with the people God has entrusted to me and with the Lord this summer?
2. What is most important to me to have as foundations that will rightly order the rest of my day?
3. How does God want you to play this summer in ways that feed your heart and allow you to receive His joy?
4. How can you cultivate the discipline of pausing for beauty and holy wonder?

Journal Questions:

1. What is my spiritual plan this summer?
2. Where am i growing with the Lord?
3. What does it look like for me to have ongoing fellowship with the Holy Spirit?
4. What do I need to do for self care this summer?

Quote to Ponder:

“Vacation time offers the unique opportunity to pause before the thought-provoking spectacles of nature, a wonderful ‘book’ within reach of everyone, adults and children. In contact with nature, a person rediscovers his correct dimension, rediscovers himself as a creature, small but at the same time unique with a ‘capacity for God’ because interiorly he is open to the infinite”- Pope Benedict XVI

In this month of May, dedicated to mothers, we wanted to talk about our Lady, our Mother Mary. In this episode we chat about the calling of all women to spiritual motherhood and how we relate to Mary as our mother. We also discuss how Mary can be a powerful model for us of openness to the will of God and filling of the Holy Spirit and how she can assist us in our journey closer to Jesus.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Art “Mary and Eve by Sr. Grace Remington, 2013”
• Michelle's One Thing - Love Good Culture
• Heather's One Thing - Fish Taco’s (defrost frozen Mahi Mahi from Costco, sprinkle with Montreal Chicken spice (or whatever you have) and grill for a few minutes each side until it flakes. Serve with a buffet of chopped cilantro, black beans, tortilla chips, salsa, grated cheese, sliced lime, jasmine rice, and soft tortillas) YUM!

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is Mary in your life?
2. Mary has various titles such as Refuge of Sinners, Star of the Sea, Blessed Mother. What is your favorite title for Mary? Why?
3. Have you had anyone in your life that you’ve experienced as a spiritual mother or who you have been a spiritual mother to?

Journal Questions:

1. How could you grow in your relationship with Mary this month?
2. How can you follow the model of Mary in openness to the Holy Spirit?
3. What can Mary show you about what it means to be a woman?

Quote to Ponder:

“Mary, she existed in the divine mind as an eternal thought before there were any mothers. She is the mother of mothers she is the world's first love” -Fulton Sheen

As we approach Pentecost this week, we thought it would be awesome to have a conversation about the Holy Spirit with Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR. Fr. Dave created the “Wild Goose” project with 4PM Media and has a deep devotion to the Holy Spirit. We had the pleasure of hearing Fr. Dave’s story and chatted with him about how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and practical ways to open our hearts to a new Pentecost in our own hearts. We were moved and inspired by this conversation and hope that you will be too. You can check out the free Wild Goose Series

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - "Til We Have Faces” Audiobook
• Michelle's One Thing - Personal Retreat with a cool priest - Father Nathan Halloran,SJ and LSU students.
• Heather's One Thing - New podcast for ministry leaders My Life In Ministry
• Heather's Other One Thing - "Closer" by Lifepoint Worship
• Fr. Dave’s One Thing - The scripture this week
• Fr. Dave’s Other One Thing - The guy who climbed El Capitan

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever pondered the idea that the Holy Spirit never leaves us? Discuss how this truth could change the experience of how you go through daily life?
2. Scripture says, “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom”. What area do you need the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to in your life right now?
3. How are you going to prepare for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit as we approach Pentecost this Sunday?

Journal Questions:

1. How could you open your heart to the Holy Spirit in a deeper way this Pentecost?
2. Fire illuminates what we cannot see. Take some time to pray for the Holy Spirit to come and illuminate those areas in your heart?
3. Fr. Dave said that free people make the world nervous. How would your life look differently if you truly lived in freedom? 

Quote to Ponder: "The Holy Spirit brings people into divine life as children of God where they can live, as true children, in a relationship of intimacy, freedom, and faith in the love and mercy of God." - Pope Francis

In this week's episode we wanted you to hear the final talk from our Royal Women’s retreat. Mary Bielski talks about our inheritance as children of God, who is the King of Kings. She passionately shares about what it means to operate in authority, how to become more aware and strengthened by the cloud of witnesses, and how to live out our calling and purpose and receive provision from God.

Here is the video Mary shows during the talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEiSF8HpyDg

Discussion Questions:    

1. You have a royal inheritance as a child of God, the King of Kings. What does this mean to you?
2. We have authority as daughters of the King. How can you begin to walk in this authority in the way you act and pray?
3. The orphan spirit can keep us from experiencing the inheritance that God has for us because we aren’t ready for it. In what areas does God desire you to grow in maturity so that you can receive His inheritance?

Journal Questions:

1. How can you pray with more authority?
2. How do you need to grow in self care so that you are filled up and can offer more to those God has entrusted to you?
3. Where do you need to give God your fiat?

Quote to Ponder:

“The message of the gospel isn’t about just getting into heaven, its about heaven getting into us” - Mary Bielski

In this weeks episode we reflect on the theme of our Royalty and how we are adopted daughters and sons of the King and therefore we are royal. We discuss the themes from the women’s retreat we did together in British Columbia last week and share about God’s invitation to us, our identity, how to grow in intimacy with Him, and our royal inheritance.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Bloom Tulip Festival
• Michelle's One Thing -The film "Embracing the Unknown"
• Michelle's Other One Thing - Steffany Gretzinger - Oxygen
• Heather's One Thing - Hillsong - “New Wine”
• Heather's Other One Thing - Hillsong - “Touch of Heaven”

Discussion Questions:

1. God invites us to come to Him as children. What does it mean, and look like, to approach the throne of God boldly?
2. What is home for you and what makes it home? How does this relate to our desire for God and how He reveals His love?
3. How did you feel when Michelle said, “your vocation and your calling are not at war with each another?

Journal Questions:

1. How do you usually approach God? Fearful, boldly, only when you need something?
2. What is the narrative in your heart and mind about your identity? Is it God’s narrative?
3. Most of us come from a defeated mindset, but what would it look like to operate from a place of victory in your life?

Quote to Ponder:

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My delight is in her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.” - Isaiah 62:1-5

There is good news and bad news.

The bad news is Michelle, Sr. Miriam, and Heather planned on recording a podcast while at the Royal Retreat held this last weekend in British Columbia. Because Michelle's flight was over 3 hours late they didn't have time to record a new podcast.

The good news is we have a recording of Heather's talk from Saturday of the retreat on intimacy.

Here are the two videos Heather used in her talk:

• Adoptions
• Wedding first looks

Discussion Questions:    

1. How does it make you feel when God says the words “you are mine”?
2. Do you believe that you are delightful to God, even in your brokenness

3. What do you think blocks your intimacy with God?

Journal Questions:

1. What ways do you bond with God and what are the ways you need to open the door to?

2. Journal about what the veil is in your life?

3. What broken parts of the parent child relationship or marriage relationship analogies affect your relationship with God?

Quote to Ponder:

“There can be no intimacy – emotional intimacy, spiritual intimacy, physical intimacy – without vulnerability. One of the reasons there is such an intimacy deficit today is because we don’t know how to be vulnerable. It’s about being honest with how we feel, about our fears, about what we need. Vulnerability is a glue that holds intimate relationships together” - Brene Brown

In this week's episode we break open John 21, where Peter goes back to his old way of life, encounters Jesus, and reconciles with him. We discuss how we often go back to our old ways after Lent, but that God is calling us to deeper intimacy and transformation.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - “Find Me” - Jonathan Helser
• Michelle's One Thing - “What a Beautiful Name” - Hillsong
• Heather's One Thing - “Nothing Without You” - Will Reagan

Discussion Questions:    

1. What are some reasons why you go back to old ways of living, like Peter did in John 21?
2. What struck you about the story of Peter during the podcast?
3. How can you specifically open yourself up to the grace of the Easter season and Pentecost?

Journal Questions:

1. How do you picture God looks at your when you have sinned and messed up? Does this image need to be redeemed?
2. How can you unveil your heart more to God?
3. What is God speaking to you this Easter season?

Quote to Ponder:

“The invitation this Easter season is to come out of hiding and really let the Lord see us” - Heather Khym

We thought we would have a little fun this week with a light hearted conversation about some of our favorite things from movies to saints and everything in between. We have learned that in order to have thriving relationships, its so important to never stop learning about the other. Laughing and chatting about things we love, bonds people. We hope you'll take an opportunity to discuss your favorite things with a few friends over a coffee or glass of wine.

In this weeks podcast we finish our Life of the Beloved book study with “Living as the Beloved” and the epilogue. We discuss how God is Love and He desires to be loved by us. All that God has done for us deserves a response, a personal response to His goodness, His love, and His sacrifice. Thank you for joining us for the book study and we look forward to continuing the journey with you each week with the podcast.

Join the Facebook discussion group here.   One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - the Easter Vigil Mass, so beautiful
• Michelle's One Thing - Starburst Jelly beans...Alleluia! Lent is over!

• Heather's One Thing - Easter playlist   Discussion Questions:    

1. How can you respond to the gift of God’s love in a personal way?
2. Discuss your thoughts on this quote “the world is evil only when you become its slave”.
3. How do you or can you bring the light of Christ into your world in a specific way?
4. Do I present and witness to the Gospel as “Good News” and witness with joy?

Journal Questions:

1. What does it look like for me to live out of my belovedness in the mission field God has me in?
2. How have I slipped into living a small story instead of living in the larger story, God’s story?
3. What area of my life do I need to bring into the light and love of Christ?   Quote to Ponder:

“The unfathomable mystery of God is that God is a lover who wants to be loved” - Henri Nouwen

In this weeks podcast we reflect on the next chapter in Life of the Beloved, “Given”. We talk about the greatest gift we can offer another is not our talents, but our very selves. This allows for the deep connection and intimacy we all long for, but to give ourselves we need to first possess ourselves and know our identity as beloved.

Join the Facebook discussion group here.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Steffany Gretzinger - Reckless Love
• Michelle's One Thing - Lisa Brenninkmeyer’s son Jonny Brenns is on American Idol! Here’s his audition!
• Heather's One Thing - Magnolia Journal

Discussion Questions:    

1. When faced with an opportunity to give to another, we often will count the cost. What are the things that make you turn down opportunities to offer yourself to others?
2. What are the gifts that you receive when you are willing to share your life with others?
3. What are specific ways you can go beyond offering your talents to people, to giving of yourself?

Journal Questions:

1. How do I live like an orphan in regards to giving?
2. In what relationships do I take more than I give? How can I practically begin to change this dynamic in those relationships and offer more to the other?
3. Judgement of others can often cause us to pull away from people, but when we remember we are loving Christ when we love that person it changes us. Who in your life can you do a better job of loving today?

Quote to Ponder:

“Our real gift is not so much what we can do, but who we are” - Henri Nouwen

This week we continue our book study of “Life of the Beloved” chapter 5, “Broken”. We talk about how our brokenness is unique to our story and that God wants to bring healing and restoration to us. We discuss the ways that we can often numb out to the pain and how God is inviting us to live a more full and abundant life by living our identity as beloved.   One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - “I’ll Keep You Safe” - Sleeping At Last
• Michelle's One Thing - Mary Williams “Behold”
• Michelle's Other Thing - Quote by Brennan Manning "When I am aware of my belovedness, I am more compassionate and playful, I take myself less seriously, I become aware that the breath of the Father is on my face and that my countenance is bright with laughter in the midst of an adventure I thoroughly enjoy.”
• Heather's One Thing - “Closer Than You Know” - Hillsong United  

• Heather's Other Thing - “Here Now” - Hillsong United     Discussion Questions:    

1. What stands out to you as you read the quote “The first step to healing is not a step away from the pain, but a step toward it.”
2. Have you ever considered your brokenness as being unique and not something to compare to other peoples?
3. Where do you tend to bring your brokenness and numb out instead of bringing it to God? How can you make a change this week in this area?

Journal Questions:

1. What area does God want to bring deeper healing into my life?
2. How can I “befriend” my brokenness and bring it under “the blessing”?
3. How can I practically pursue more healing in my life today?

Quote to Ponder:

“The first step to healing is not a step away from the pain, but a step toward it” - Henri Nouwen

This week we continue our book study  “Life of the Beloved” chapter 4, “Blessed”. We talk about how the deepest affirmation of our being comes from God who desires to bless us. Many of us have experience so many words of destruction and negativity that need to be restored by true blessing from God and one another. Hope you enjoy this weeks podcast!

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The gift of the priesthood giving their lives in the service of their bride
• Michelle's One Thing - "Better is one day' by Trey McLaughlin
• Heather's One Thing - My sweet mom. Nothing like the love of a good mother when you're sick.

Discussion Questions:    

1. What stands out to you as you read the quote “To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer.”
2. Have you ever received a blessing from someone that really resonated with you? What was it like to receive it?
3. How do I experience prayer as coming into God’s blessing?

Journal Questions:

1.  Where can I start blessing people in my life today?
2.  Have I ever had someone speak words to me or over me that were not blessings? Have I ever felt cursed or stuck because of what someone said to me or about me?
3.  How can I concretely be more attentive to the blessings that come to me day after day and year after year?

Quote to Ponder:

"To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer" - Henri Nouwen

This week we dive into part 4 of “Life of the Beloved” chapter 3, “Taken”.

We talk about how being chosen by God does not exclude others, rather it is personal and includes everyone. We also discuss how to unmask the world, declare truth over our lives, and cure the critical heart with gratitude. Hope you enjoy this weeks podcast!

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - “Fearless and Free” study on Ephesians - by Lisa Brenninkmeyer of Walking With Purpose
• Michelle's One Thing - Gratitude for the life and legacy of Billy Graham
• Heather's One Thing - The Instant Pot. Frozen chicken breasts in 12 minutes people!

Discussion Questions:

1. God looks upon each of us as unique and chooses us personally. How can you make space to understand this truth more deeply?
2. Do you sometimes feel like you have to hustle or strive for God’s favor and attention?
3. Gratitude is the cure for complaining and criticism. How can you grow in gratitude?
4. Do you surround yourself with people that speak goodness, truth, and beauty into your life?

Journal Questions:

1. We become what we focus on. What is blooming in the garden of your heart these days?
2. Have you ever felt left out in the Church community? This is not how the Church is meant to be. Consider opening your heart to God’s healing and restoration in this area.
3. In what area of your life do you need to declare and claim God’s truth right now?   Quote to Ponder:

"When we keep claiming the light, we will find ourselves becoming more and more radiant” - Henri Nouwen

In this episode we discuss “Life of the Beloved” chapter 2, “Becoming the Beloved”

We chat about how we can allow the knowledge of being the Beloved to become infused in our daily life, moment by moment. We also talk about living the abundant life and allowing our hearts to desire heaven.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Michelle's One Thing - Defender by  Rita Springer
• Heather's One Thing - Your Love Defends Me by Matt Maher  
• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Winter Olympics Cross Country Skiing

• Sr. Miriam's Other One Thing - Heather's Lenten Worship Playlist   Discussion Questions:

1. What does it looks like in my life to become the Beloved in all that I think say and do?
2. Are there areas in my life where I am listless and bored even though I am busy? What’s happening in those areas?
3. What is the process God has me in to become the beloved? What steps is He taking to open up my heart to Him?

Journal Questions:

1. How do you use being “busy” as an excuse for growing in your relationship with God and being present to your own life.
2. When your heart is restless, where or what do you turn to in the world in attempt to satisfy it?
3. How can you practically make space to listen to the voice of God speaking the truth of your Belovedness?   Quote to Ponder:

“Becoming the Beloved means letting the truth of our Belovedness become enfleshed in everything we think, say, or do.” - Henri Nouwen

In this episode we discuss the first chapter of our book study “Life of the Beloved” called Being the Beloved. We talk about what it means to be Beloved and the voices that come against that truth.

Join the Facebook discussion group here

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - “Agape” by Bear’s Den
• Michelle's One Thing - “The home is not the one tame place in a world of adventure; it is the one wild place in a world of rules and set tasks.” by G.K. Chesterton
• Heather's One Thing - “I Surrender” - by Hillsong

Discussion Questions:                                        

1. What are the voices that try to keep you from living your life as the beloved?
2. How can we live out being the beloved concretely in our day to day life?
3. Nouwen says, you can’t give the gift of being beloved if you haven’t received it. How can we receive this truth more deeply.

Journal Questions:

1. What is your interior response to hearing that you are the beloved?
2. What are your thoughts about Henri Nouwen’s assertion that being the beloved expresses the core truth of our existence.

Quote to Ponder:

“Being the beloved expresses the core truth of our existence” - Henri Nouwen

In this episode we begin our Lenten book study of “Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. We begin with an introduction of who Henri Nouwen is and the Prologue.

Join the Facebook discussion group here

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Superbowl
• Michelle's One Thing - Eli Manning/Odell Beckham Jr commercial
• Heather's One Thing - St. Francis Xavier's arm relic

Discussion Questions:

1. Mark 10:21 says “He was moved for compassion for him” Has there been a time when God put someone on your heart to journey with them?
2. Have there been dreams in your life that you have surrendered that God may want to resurrect?
3. Do you have someone in your life to help you midwife your dreams? Could you offer that to someone in your life?

Journal Questions:

1. Where are you settling in your life for less than what God desires for you?
2. What is life all about? Why do you do what you do?
3. Was there one quote or phrase that stood out to you from this chapter?

Quote to Ponder:

“Your story, is the story with which you can come to know God’s story better, and it is his story that makes your story worth living.”

In this episode we discuss the prayer of Jesus for unity, that we would all be one. We chat about how this is the heart of God and how we can grow in unity among denominations with our Christian brothers and sisters as the body of Christ.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Sacrament of Marriage and good married couples
• Michelle's One Thing - This video about Matt Maher's thoughts on Christian unity
• Heather's One Thing - "Now and At the Hour" - by the Brilliance

Discussion Questions:                                        

1. What barriers and mentalities do you need God to purify and remove in your heart, in regards to unity?
2. In what relationships, with people of other faiths, do you need to listen more instead of share your opinion?
3. In our society, people of good will must unite. What is one practical way that you could participate in this type of unity?

Journal Questions:

1. What can I learn from other Christian denominations?
2. Are there areas in your life and relationships where you focus more on being "right" that being charitable?
3. Where does Jesus want to encounter you this week?

Quote to Ponder: "That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me"

In this episode we talking about spiritual pruning and how its a difficult part of the process, but necessary to bring about growth and good fruit.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Safe
• Sr. Miriam's Other One Thing - Beyond The Blue
• Michelle's One Thing -  Print from Katie Fitzgerald - Sr. Miriam quote
• Heather's One Thing - Lifepoint Worship "Closer"

Discussion Questions:                                        

1. What areas in your life is God pruning or wanting to prune right now?
2. Fruit can be good or bad. What are the fruits that are growing in your life?
3. What areas do you need to let God shift your perspective that you are not a victim, rather you are a "strugglers" and with God we are "overcomers"?

Journal Questions:

1. What areas do you distrust that God has your good in mind?
2. What are the motives behind the choices you make in the big areas of life?
3. What areas do you need to repent and begin again?

Quote to Ponder: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does beat fruit he prunes to make it even more fruitful." - John 15:1-2 

We are so excited to share this interview we did with our good friend Jenna Guizar. Jenna is the founder and creative director of Blessed is She, a Catholic women’s community committed to deepening a life of prayer starting with daily Scripture devotionals and supportive sisterhood. We had a great and heartfelt conversation with Jenna about her ministry, how she balances work and life with 4 children (including one cute newborn who was also a guest on our podcast!), and just her journey of faith and how she abides together with her people. Hope you enjoy this rich conversation.

To find out more about Blessed is She check out BlessedIsShe.net, on facebook, on instagram, and on pinterest

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The character "Rey" in the new movie "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
• Michelle's One Thing - TV Series "Madam Secretary"
• Heather's One Thing - Movie "The Greatest Showman"
• Jenna's One Thing - Song by Bethel Music "Perfect Peace"

Discussion Questions:                                        

1. Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that you didn't feel equipped to do?
2. How have deep friendships with people of faith supported you during the highs and lows of life?
3. How can you practically make more room in your life to journey and abide together with a small group?

Journal Questions:

1. What area in your life do you need to believe and trust that God will be faithful to His promises?
2.  Have you ever felt like you don't "fit inside the box"? If so, how might God be calling you to offer your unique gifts to your community/church/family?

Quote to Ponder: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her" - Luke 1:45

Happy New Year! Welcome to Season 3! In this episode we talk about beginning again, our word of the year, not settling for mediocrity, and how to engage in your life with new perspective and openness to the love of God.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Deep friendships. Especially with Heather and Michelle of course :)
• Michelle's One Thing - The prayer "Disturb Us Lord" - by Sir Francis Drake
• Heather's One Thing - Reckless Love by Cory Asbury

Discussion Questions:                                        

1. What is your word of the year? If you don't have one, when will you make time to listen to what God has for you this year?
2. How will you be intentional about living into your word of the year?
3. What areas in your life do you need to begin again and receive the grace to start over?
4. What areas do you need to "unclench your fists" and let it go, so that God can come in power?

Journal Questions:

1. In what areas have you settled for mediocrity?
2. How do you specifically want to become more fully alive in various areas of your life? (family, health, spiritual, community, emotional health)
3. What was God sewing into your life last year? How do you think that's connected to what He has for you this year?

Quote to Ponder: “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.” ― G.K. Chesterton

In part 4 of our Advent series "Believe" we are super excited that we get to record together in person! We talk about what it means to believe and hold on to God's promises even in dark times and we reflect on Mary's "fiat".

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - In thanksgiving and gratitude to God for my 15th anniversary of my vows and being able to spend it with Heather and Michelle.
• Michelle's One Thing - Our listeners who are missionaries! Thank you for being obedient!
• Heather's One Thing - Soup!

Here's the recipe for Heather's Potato Soup

1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup flour 3-4 cloves garlic 1 small onion chopped fine 6 medium potatoes washed, unpeeled, and diced medium 2 cups chicken stock 2 cups milk half pound of bacon diced and cooked till crispy salt, pepper, paprika to taste 1tbsp or more of chicken Bouillon paste for additional flavor at the end

• Melt 1/2 cup butter in large pot over medium heat
• add garlic and onion and sauté
• after about 2-3 minutes sprinkle in all the flour and stir
• cook for about 2 minutes
• slowly add milk and whisk while you add it
• Add chicken stock
• Add diced potatoes, salt, pepper, paprika
• Bring to a boil, stirring regularly
• put on lid and simmer on low, stirring regularly
• When everything thickens either puree soup with hand blender or partially mash potatoes in the pot with masher.
• If it needs more flavor, add chicken bouillon paste and mix through
• Add crispy bacon
• serve with yummy bread :)

Discussion Questions:                                        

1. Have you ever noticed God in an inconvenient interruption?
2. What do you need to be obedient to right now and make your own "fiat" (yes) to?
3. In what areas of your life do you find it hard to trust God? Why am I guarded with God?

Journal Questions:

1.  Where in your life are you settling for half the promise of God instead of the full promise?
2. Take time to renew your promise to God. How are you going to specifically renew your commitment to Him in your daily life? How are you going to specifically renew your commitment to Him in your daily life?  
3. The saints are you on your side. What saints do you need to intercede for you right now?

Quote to Ponder: "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her" - Luke 1:45  

In our third part of our Advent series we discuss how to find stillness in the busy chaos of life. God speaks in the stillness and its there that we meet him and find the answers to our restless souls.

One Thing We Love This Week: 

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing -  "Song of Solomon" - by Jesus Culture with Martin Smith
• Heather's One Thing - Family Daily Advent Reflections - Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp
• Michelle's One Thing - Love is Christmas - Sara Bareilles   I don't care if the house is packed, Or the strings of light are broken. I don't care if the gifts are wrapped, Or if there's nothing here to open.

Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it. Love is simply joy that I'm home.   I don't care if the carpet is stained; we have food upon the table. I don't care if it's gonna rain, our room is warm and stable. Love is who we are, and no season can contain it. Love would never fall for that.   Let love lead us, love is Christmas.   Why so scared that you'll mess it up? Imperfection keeps you haunted. All you need is your best my love, that's all anyone ever wanted. Love is how we do, let no judgment over- rule it. Love I look to you, and I sing.   Let love lead us, love is Christmas. Let love lead us, love is Christmas.   Discussion Questions:

1. God wants to give us good things, but often we don’t have room. Where can you make room this week for God?
2. When are you going to take time to “pause” this week and hear the whisper of His voice?
3. What is my spiritual and emotional diet looking like right now?

Journal Questions:

1. What in your life do you need to loosen your grip on so that you can trust God more deeply?
2. Have you stilled my heart to hear God’s opinion and wisdom about the things you’re concerned and worried about?   Quote to Ponder:

"If you can’t be still and wait, you can’t become what God created you to be.” - Sue Monk Kidd

In this episode we continue our Advent series by talking about our identity as the beloved sons and daughters of God. In our deepest longing to be loved and known, God the Father calls us His beloved and invites into intimacy with Him.   One Thing We Love This Week:  

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The dentist!
• Michelle's One Thing -   The Saint Project AND When Beauty Met Truth
• Heather's One Thing - The Eggnog Latte…you gotta try it (but skip the nutmeg on top)

Discussion Questions:                                          

1. God goes to great lengths to experience relationship with us, what do you think you can do in this season of Advent to be open to Him in a greater way?
2. What voices in the world make it difficult for you to hear God’s voice?
3. How did you feel when Sr. Miriam said, “Jesus Christ is not indifferent to you, He’s not just tolerating you, His heart aches for you. You are Beloved to Him”?

  Journal Questions:

1. What is in me that is blocking God’s love for me and believing that I’m Beloved?
2. What do I believe about who God is? Do I believe He is more like a police officer, task master, or genie? Do I know deep down He desires a deep relationship with me?

Quote to Ponder: “I kept running around in large or small circles always looking for someone or something to be able to convince me of my Belovedness. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that call us the “Beloved”. Being the Beloved expresses the core truth of our existence.” - Henri Nouwen

In this episode we begin our 4 part Advent series with the topic of "Belonging". Here we talk about the gift of belonging to God's family and what this means to us as Christians. We also reflect on the women in the lineage of Jesus and how He redeemed their stories.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - good people especially the Texas A&M students
• Michelle's One Thing - Michelle's new shop Meaningful Market has launched! 15% off discount code: abide
• Heather's One Thing - Spotify Advent Playlist - Christmas Joy Playlist

Discussion Questions:

1. What woman in the lineage of Jesus do you relate most to? Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, or Bathsheba?
2. How can you create room for God this Advent? (in areas of personal, family, community)
3. What do you need to let go of to make space for God to restore and redeem?       

Journal Questions:

1. What does God want to birth in you this advent?
2. What area of brokenness in your story does God want to bring new life into?
3. What lesson can you learn from Our Lady this advent?

Quote to Ponder: “You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” - Brené Brown

In this episode we talk about prayer as an encounter with Love, a conversational relationship with God. We talk about different ways to pray and connect with the heart of God, what to do in seasons of dryness, and cultivating the discipline of prayer in your schedule.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Heather's One Thing - Deliverance Prayers: For use by the Laity
• Michelle's One Thing - College Football - GO NOTRE DAME!
• Sr. Miriam's One Thing -Hope - God is good, he will fulfill His promises

Group Questions

1. Do you have a prayer time scheduled into your day or rhythm of prayer?
2. What form of prayer connects you to God most easily?
3. What commitment are you willing to make to grow in your prayer life?

Journaling Questions

1. What do you think God is speaking to you about in your prayer time?
2. When do I relate to God as a fairy Godmother rather than a loving Father who desires my heart?

Quote to Ponder

"You, eternal Trinity, are a deep sea. The more I enter you, the more I discover, and the more I discover, the more I seek you.” St Catherine of Siena ​

In this episode we have a special guest and dear friend Lisa Brenninkmeyer! She is the founder of Walking With Purpose, a Catholic women’s Bible study that aims to bring women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We chat about how she seeks to abide with Christ in the midst of balancing busy family life and work and how to abide with others in community.

Walking with Purpose bible studies WalkingWithPurpose.com

Download this beautiful Abide in Me printable scripture verse.

Check out this video about Walking With Purpose

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Lisa Brenninkmeyer  One Thing - "The Life of the Beloved" by Henri Nouwan
• Michelle Benzinger's One Thing - Celebrating Life
• Heather Khym's One Thing - Good old fashioned pranks with friends
• Sr. Miriam's One Thing -  - Her new coffee mug

Discussion Questions

1. What does “abide” mean to you personally?
2. What are some of your obstacles when it comes to abiding in Christ?
3. How do you journey with others (especially other women) in your spiritual walk?

Journal Questions

1. In what situations do you find yourself striving instead of Abiding?
2. What commitment can you make today to intentionally abide more deeply in Christ?

Quote to ponder

"if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask for whatever you wish and it shall be done for you." John 15:7

In this episode we talk about advice and words of truth we wish we could give to our young adult selves. We speak about places of identity, calling, that your vocation is not the finish line, and the importance of allowing people with wisdom to speak into your life.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Heather Khym's One Thing - Brene Brown
• Michelle Benzinger's One Thing - Blessed is She Advent Journal
• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Yeti Cup

Group Questions

1. What advice would you give to your younger self or to yourself right now?
2. How can you incormporate one thing talked about in the podcast into your life?
3. Who are the people you rely on to speak wisdom and truth into your life?

Journaling Questions

1. How can I grow in self awareness?
2. Where do I often try to find my identity other than God? Work? Attention from others? Vocation? Labels?

Quote to Ponder "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire" - St Catherine of Sienna

In this episode we talk about the quote "Beauty will Save the World" by Dostoevsky. We discuss how true beauty leads you outside of yourself to humanity and to the Divine Creator, whereas the counterfeits lead us away. We address how paying attention to our life allows us to experience epiphanies of beauty.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Don’t Believe the Lie, Bill Johnson
• Michelle Benzinger's One Thing - Examen Journal
• Michelle Benzinger's Other One Thing - CreatingToLove.com
• Heather Khym's One Thing - Nurses and doctors who offer care for people in need. You rock!
• Heather Khym's Other One Thing - Bring Him Home by the Canadian Tenors

Group Questions

1. What is one way that you commonly experience the beauty of God?
2. How can we call beauty out in other people?
3. What are the beauty counterfeits that have affected your life in a negative way?

Journaling Questions

1. How can I co-create with the Holy Spirit to bring beauty into the world?
2. What am I consuming in my world? Is it true beauty of not?
3. When and how can I create space/pause to encounter beauty?

Quotes to Ponder “We do not want merely to see beauty... we want something else which can hardly be put into words- to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it."- CS Lewis

“Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.” ― John Eldredge, Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

In this episode we talk about how breakdown can lead to breakthrough if we allow God to enter into our pain. Join us as we discuss how to grow in deeper intimacy with God and experience healing and restoration.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Heather's one thing - "No Longer Slaves"
• Michelle's one thing - fall weather and green and white pumpkins
• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - St. Hildegard poem

Holy Life-Giver Doctor of the desperate. Healer of everyone broken past hope, Medicine for all wounds, Fire of love, Joy of Hearts, fragrant Strength sparking Fountain, Protector, Penetrator, in You we contemplate how God goes looking for those who are lost and reconciles those who are at odds with Him Break our chains!

You bring people together. You curl clouds, whirl winds, send rain on rocks, sing in creeks, and turn the lush earth green. You teach those who listen, breathing joy and wisdom into them.

We praise You for these gifts, Light-giver, Sound of joy, Wonder of being alive, Hope of every person, and our strongest Good.

Group Questions

1. What does freedom look like?
2. What comes to mind when you read this scripture, “Let the weak say, “I am a warrior!”
3. Have you ever approached God as if He was more like as if He was more like a fairy godmother than a loving Father?

Journal Questions

1. Where might God “putting His finger” into a wound in your life so that he can bring  breakthrough?
2. What is one practical way I can begin the journey from breakdown to breakthrough?

Quote to Ponder

“In my deepest wound I saw Your glory, and it dazzled me” - St. Augustine

In this episode we discuss how to be a people of hope and not give into despair amidst the tragedy that we experience in the world. If we can keep the hope of heaven in our hearts, we can answer God's invitation to be a beacon of hope to a hurting world.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Michelle's one thing - "Let it Be" by Alicia Keys and John Legend
• Sr. Miriam's one thing - Matt Maher "Into Your Hands" from the album Echos
• Heather's one thing - Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins by Mel's Kitchen Cafe (see the recipe at bottom)

Group Questions 1. Do you find it hard to have hope in times of hardship? 2. What would it look like to speak hope into the life of someone that is hurting? 3. How can you grow the virtue of hope in your life?

Journaling Questions 1. What are some the negative beliefs you have about God when you don’t see Him intervene in our problems the way that we think He should? 2. Do I believe that God can bring life to dead places?

Quote to Ponder “Do not be dismayed but the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you” - L.R. Knots

Ingredients:

• 1 2/3 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup (15oz can) canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup butter, softened​​
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients. In separate bowl whisk butter, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin puree. Add dry ingredients, mix till combined, then add chocolate chips. Pour into greased muffin tin (or use muffin liners).
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Don’t over bake or they will be dry!

Chris Benzinger and Jake Khym are back as our guests as we talk about the art of loving well. We journey into the topics of recognizing one another’s stories, championing dreams, how to bring the questions of our identity to God and fighting for (not against!) the ones we love.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Chris's One thing -  The word "fierce"
• Michelle's One thing -  33 Days to Merciful Love, Michael E.Gaitley, MIC
• Sr. Miriam's One thing -  Fall candles
• Heather's One thing -  The Storybook Bible
• Jake's One thing -  "When the Soul Listens: Finding Rest and Direction in Contemplative Prayer" by Jan Johnson

Group Questions

1. Have you changed how you love or think of someone after hearing their story?
2. What would it look like to love someone close to you without expecting them to fill all your needs?
3. How can you champion the dreams of someone dear to you?

Journaling Questions

1. What are the things that hold me back the most from loving well?  
2. Do I believe that God desires to restore & heal me?
3. How have I expected people to love me in a way that only God can?

Quote to Ponder

“Love the Lord your God, and love one another. love one another as He loves. Love with strength and purpose and passion and no matter what comes against you. Don’t weaken. stand against the darkness, and love. That’s the way back into eden. That’s the way” - Francine Rivers

In this episode we feature our first guests! And they are men!! Jake Khym and Chris Benzinger join us as we delve into how to pray for your children, the blessing of their hearts and the hope we have for those whom God has placed in our lives. They not only capture how to father your children well, but also how to live as a child of God.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Michelle's One thing - The Unfathomable: Third Time’s a Charm??? WITH CHRIST ALONE
• Chris's One thing - Podcast by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser
• Sr. Miriam's One thing -  St Hildegard of Bingen- Secrets of God
• Jake's One thing -  Our dog Bosco
• Heather's One thing -  Meatballs! I use this recipe for the meatballs then freeze them. I use them in spaghetti sauce or meatballs sub. A perfect hearty meal when you need something fast.

Group Questions 1.  How does the truth of living as a daughter/son of God the Father change how you experience His love? 2. How can you pray differently for your children or those who God has entrusted to you?

Journaling Questions 1. How can I let the Father's love into my heart in a deeper way? 2. What are the "secrets" that you desire God the Father to speak to you heart? 3. If you're a parent, what are the "secrets" about their worth and identity do you need to speak to your children?

Quotes to Ponder “Your children’s ‘little eyes’ gradually memorize and interpret with the heart that faith is one of the greatest inheritances you have received from your parents and ancestors…. and if you hand on the faith and live it well, that is where the transmission happens.” - Pope Francis

"The purpose of journeying together in spiritual friendship and spiritual community (whether there are just two of you or whether you are in a small group) is to listen to one another's desire for God, to nurture that desire in each other and to support one another in seeking a way of life that is consistent with that desire. ” Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation

In this episode we talk about busyness vs rest, choosing to live the abundant life, what recreates us and the pace which God is setting in our hearts. Heather also recounts her harrowing battle with a scorpion while Michelle single handedly fights off sharks in the ocean!

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One thing - Engaging Hope in Seasons of Disappointment- Melissa Hessler
• Michelle's One thing - Cultivate vol. iv: Creativity Unlocked
• Heather's One thing - So Will I (100 Billion X) Amanda Cook

Group Question: 1. How do you feel about your pace of life right now? 2. Do you feel that you're really listening to your life? 3. What does an ideal sabbath day look like to you?

Journal Questions: 1. What makes you come alive?    a. spiritually (prayer+sacraments)    b. socially (recreation)    c. creatively (experience god's awe and wonder)    d. physically (food+exercise)    f. community 2. What do you need to say no to in this season  of life?

Quotes To Ponder: "The purpose of journeying together in spiritual friendship and spiritual community is to listen to one another's desire for God, to nurture that desire in each other and to support one another in seeking a way of life that is consistent with that desire." - Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation

“Present is living with your feet firmly grounded in reality, pale and uncertain as it may seem. Present is choosing to believe that your own life is worth investing deeply in, instead of waiting for some rare miracle or fairytale. Present means we understand that the here and now is sacred, sacramental, threaded through with divinity even in its plainness. Especially in its plainness." - Shauna Niequist, Present Over Perfect: Leaving behind frantic for a simpler, more soulful way of living.

“A tree can be only as strong as the forest that surrounds it." - Peter Wohlleben

Welcome to Season 2 In this episode we talk about beginning a new season, the daily encounter with God, the gift of presence in the moment to moment and the hidden life of trees (as well as nuns with chainsaws!)

Please check out our new website and discussion questions for each episode of the podcast!

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Michelle's One thing - South Toward Home, Margaret Eby
• Sr. Miriam's One thing  - The Power of Silence- Cardinal Robert Sarah
• Heather's one thing - Canva

Group Question: 1. How do you need the people around you to speak into your life to help you grow? 2. What are some of the practical ways you can cultivate community in this season of life? 3. Who is God calling you to offer the "gift of presence" to?

Journal Question: 1. What invitation is the Holy Spirit extending to you in the season?

Quote To Ponder: "A tree can be on as strong as the forest that surrounds it." Peter Wohllenden

In this episode we wrap up our 5 part series on Pope Francis’s “Joy of the Gospel”. Sr. Miriam shares about her experiences at the USCCB Convocation that just finished in Orlando. We also discuss chapter 5, which is all about being Spirit filled evangelizers. This is our last episode of this season. We hope you’ll catch up on any previous episodes you missed and join us for a brand new season 2 on September 18, 2017!

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Heather’s one thing - the album “Wonder” by Hillsong United
• Michelle’s one thing - our awesome listeners!
• Sr. Miriam’s one thing - book “Let the Fire Fall” by Fr. Michael Scanlan

In this episode we discuss chapter 4 of Pope Francis's "Evangelii Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel". In this episode we talk about how the call to move beyond our personal experience of faith to bring the Kingdom of God to the world. Also our need to learn from the poor in our midst and remember that we belong to each other.​​

In this episode we discuss chapter 3 of Pope Francis's "Evangelii Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel". We focus on the importance of love as the heart of the Gospel and how we need to have an ongoing personal encounter with this Love before we can evangelize. We also talk about the Pope's thoughts on the maternal dimension of evangelization.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Heather's one thing - "It is Well" Kristene DiMarco
• Michelle's one thing - Essays On Woman by Edith Stein
• Sr. Miriam's one thing - "Wonder Woman" movie

In this episode we talk about the second chapter of Pope Francis's "Evangelii Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel". We discuss some of the challenges of today's world and of pastoral worker and how to not be a sour puss :)

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Michelle's one thing - VisualGrace.org
• Sr. Miriam's one thing - water with lemon
• Heather's one thing - gathering with other women

In this episode we begin part 1 of our 5 part series on Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel". We discuss the first chapter and what it means to be a missionary disciple who first encounters Christ personally.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's one thing - Debbie Herbeck's ministry Be Love Revolution
• Michelle's one thing - Darling Magazine ​* Heather's one thing - Experience a priest's ordination

In this episode we talk about how God often calls us to wait and how we can find Him in the waiting. Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather share insights and personal stories about how they have grown close to God in times of waiting and how the process is actually just as important as the end result.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's one thing: Scented candles and god's mercy
• Heather's one thing: Lying down and weakness
• Michelle's one thing: Gratitude

"In this episode we talk about Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, and how we can prepare our hearts for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We focus in on 2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom". ​

Pentecost Novena

Links mentioned in the conversation:

• Heather: Fr. Dave Pivonka - Wild Goose free video series
• Michelle: TED TALK: Adam Grant

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Heather's one thing – Music by Joe Zambon (iTunes) ("Jesus I Love You" video)
• Michelle's one thing – Book "Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World" by Adam Grant Sr. Miriam's one thing – Bishop Robert Barron - Free Daily Reflections

"This episode is part 2 of our series on spiritual warfare called "Fight Like A Girl". We discuss two more essentials in spiritual warfare which are taking authority and declaration. We begin with the quote from the Chronicles of Narnia

"Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face, But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up. “I’m sorry, Aslan,” she said. “I’m ready now.” “Now you are a lioness,” said Aslan. “And now all Narnia will be renewed. But come. We have no time to lose.”

One Thing We Love This Week

• Heather's one thing - Loved seeing U2 in concert last week. I especially love that Bono shamelessly mixes beauty, passion, God, music and worship into what he does. Here's a video of two faith infused songs from a previous tour, Yahweh and (Psalm) 40. He gets the whole crowd worshipping and they don't even know it. Notice the rosary around his neck...it was given to him by Saint John Paul II! Hope you'll watch it till the end... Yahweh & "40"
• Michelle's one thing - T-shirt designs Feminine Genius, Avila, and Wildflower
• Sr. Miriam's one thing - Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

In a small blender-

1 cup almond milk

1/3 cup plain greek yogurt

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon chia seeds Splash of vanilla extract

1 scoop Protein and Greens (the good stuff! tastes like a barnyard but it’s awesome!)

Fresh fruit or frozen fruit (in lieu of ice cubes) to taste Enjoy! (just floss after eating all the chia seeds! ;) )

Joan of Arc said “I am not afraid, I was born to do this”

We are in a world at war and as women we are called and empowered to fight for truth, beauty, and goodness. Join us as we have a conversation about practical ways to spiritually battle and wear the armor of God.

In this episode we reflect on the quote “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” Saint John Paul II. We talk about what it means to be an Easter people and how to walk in the power of the resurrection in our own lives.

One Thing We Love This Week

• Heather's one thing - AbbotsfordTulipfestival.ca
• Michelle's one thing - LetterFolk.com
• Michelle's letter board in action

"In this episode we reflect on the scripture John 15:4-5 where Jesus invites us to abide in His love. Many of us live a life of striving and struggle, rather than accepting the invitation of abiding and trust."

One Thing We Love

• Sr. Miriam's one thing: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
• Heather's one thing: houseofbelonging.com
• Michelle's one thing: Hidden Figures Movie
• Heather also referenced this song: "Undivided" by Amanda Cook
• Michelle also referenced this book:Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

In this episode we discuss the power of community, the circles of community, the call to build one wherever you are and practical tips on how to do so! (Introverts-there is hope!)

"We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist

One Thing We Love:

• Sr. Miriam’s one thing: End Time Sins Are In The Church 2017 by Francis Chan
• Michelle's one thing : Reshma Saujani's Ted Talk - Teach Girls bravery, not perfection
• Heather's one thing : Blessed Is She Pentecost Journal

In this episode we recap the beautiful retreat we were blessed to lead March 31-April 2 in British Columbia. We were joined by 200 women from Canada and the US who journeyed with us into the deep realities of God’s unfailing love, healing from shame, fixing our gaze on Jesus and being equipped (and sometimes uncomfortable!) by the Holy Spirit.

One Thing We Love:

• Michelle's one thing: "Walking on Water - Reflections on Faith and Art" - Madeline L'Engle
• Sr. Miriam’s one thing: Raising Great Girls by Dr. Meg Meeker and guest Dr. Leonard Sax *warning: mature content*
• Heathers one thing: The Crown on Netflix

In this episode we discuss maternity as part 4 of 4 in our series on the Feminine Genius. We talk about the incredible gift of being life-bearers in both spirit and body, the role of being a shelter for one another and the challenges of spiritual and physical motherhood.

“The woman’s soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold.” - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

One Thing We Love:

• Sr. Miriam's one thing: Less Than a Minute to Go: The Secret to World-Class Performance in Sport, Business and Everyday Life
• Michelle's one thing: A Mountain Between Us - Charles Martin
• Heather's One thing: Scone Recipe

In this episode we discuss generosity as part 3 of 4 in our series on the Feminine Genius. We talk about the power of God's love which gives us the ability for generosity, our potential fears in being generous and a woman’s amazing capacity to give the gift of love to the world.

“The level of any civilization is the level of its womanhood. The reason is to be found in the difference between knowing and loving. When we know something, we bring it down to the level of our intelligence. Examples of abstract subjects must be given to children to suit the level of their minds. But when we love something, we always have to go up to meet it. For example, if we want to master music, we must obey its laws and meet its demands. Since a woman is loved, it follows that the nobler a woman is, the nobler man will have to be to be deserving of that love. That is why the level of any civilization is always the level of its womanhood.” - Venerable Fulton Sheen

One Thing We Love:

• Beauty and the Beast (2017)
• Scatter and Sow

In this episode we continue out 4 part series on the Feminine Genius as we discuss the topic of "Sensitivity". We reference the Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem on the Dignity and Vocation of Women

One Thing We Love:

• Poets and Saints by All Sons and Daughters
• The Young Catholic Woman - web instagram

 In this episode we begin a 4 part series on the Feminine Genius as we discuss the topic of "Receptivity". We reference the Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem on the Dignity and Vocation of Women

One thing we love:

• "Something Just Like This" by Coldplay
• "Fall Afresh" by Jeremy Riddle
• The Privilege of Being a Woman by Alice Von Hildebrand
• Sr. Miriam's favorite greek yogurt

This week we talk about "Talitha koum" aka "Little girl arise"

Mark 5:32-45 (nab)

And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

One thing we love:

• Viola Davis's acceptance speech
• Dr. Mary Healy's book - Healing Bringing the Gift of God's Healing to the World

On this episode we discuss Pope Francis's Lenten Letter and share our thoughts on how to make our Lenten commitments. Download here

The One Thing We Love

• You Are Free Be Who You Already Are - Rebekah Lyons
• She Reads Truth - Isaiah Lenten Bible Study
• Stations of the Cross cards - by Blessed is She
• Examination of Conscience App - Reimagine

We each reveal our word for 2017 and how God is deeply speaking into our lives in this area, we also discuss how to listen to God's voice and how you can choose your word for the year. 

The One Thing That Is Bringing Me Joy

• Even When It Hurts by Hillsong
• Behold (Then Sings My Soul) by Hillsong
• Letter to my Daughters by Mayou Angelou
• Grit by Angela Duckworth
• Novena to Our Lady Untier of Knots
• LAST TESTAMENT POPE BENEDICT Last Testament: In His Own Words by Pope Benedict XVI (Author), Peter Seewald (Author)

We discuss the quote, "if ever there comes a time when the women of the world come together purely and simply for the benefit of all mankind, it will be a force such as the world has never known." And we introduce our favorite things of the week!