Abiding Together

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: How is God calling you to grow in having beautiful speech in relationships and on social media? Discuss how humility and acceptance of your own poverty can increase your dependence on God? 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? Am I excluding God from any area of my life because of fear? Journal Questions: 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? 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: 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? What is your favorite Beatitude and why? What do you think about when Pope Francis says "the Beatitudes are like the Christian's identity card"? 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: What holds you back from loving the poor in a personal way? Who do I need to show mercy to this week? 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: Discuss the quote, “Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church"? 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? 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? Where is God trying to make you come more alive this week? Journal Questions: Am I more interested in having more followers on social media than making disciples of Jesus? What areas do you feel pressure in your life to be and live a certain way? How might God want to bring freedom? 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: How can I more deeply connect with the people God has entrusted to me and with the Lord this summer? What is most important to me to have as foundations that will rightly order the rest of my day? How does God want you to play this summer in ways that feed your heart and allow you to receive His joy? How can you cultivate the discipline of pausing for beauty and holy wonder? Journal Questions: What is my spiritual plan this summer? Where am i growing with the Lord? What does it look like for me to have ongoing fellowship with the Holy Spirit? 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: Who is Mary in your life? Mary has various titles such as Refuge of Sinners, Star of the Sea, Blessed Mother. What is your favorite title for Mary? Why? 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: How could you grow in your relationship with Mary this month? How can you follow the model of Mary in openness to the Holy Spirit? 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: 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? 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? How are you going to prepare for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit as we approach Pentecost this Sunday? Journal Questions: How could you open your heart to the Holy Spirit in a deeper way this Pentecost? Fire illuminates what we cannot see. Take some time to pray for the Holy Spirit to come and illuminate those areas in your heart? 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:     You have a royal inheritance as a child of God, the King of Kings. What does this mean to you? We have authority as daughters of the King. How can you begin to walk in this authority in the way you act and pray? 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: How can you pray with more authority? 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? 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: God invites us to come to Him as children. What does it mean, and look like, to approach the throne of God boldly? 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? How did you feel when Michelle said, “your vocation and your calling are not at war with each another? Journal Questions: How do you usually approach God? Fearful, boldly, only when you need something? What is the narrative in your heart and mind about your identity? Is it God’s narrative? 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:     How does it make you feel when God says the words “you are mine”? Do you believe that you are delightful to God, even in your brokenness What do you think blocks your intimacy with God? Journal Questions: What ways do you bond with God and what are the ways you need to open the door to? Journal about what the veil is in your life? 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:     What are some reasons why you go back to old ways of living, like Peter did in John 21? What struck you about the story of Peter during the podcast? How can you specifically open yourself up to the grace of the Easter season and Pentecost? Journal Questions: How do you picture God looks at your when you have sinned and messed up? Does this image need to be redeemed? How can you unveil your heart more to God? 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.