Abiding Together

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:                                           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? What voices in the world make it difficult for you to hear God’s voice? 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: What is in me that is blocking God’s love for me and believing that I’m Beloved? 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: What woman in the lineage of Jesus do you relate most to? Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, or Bathsheba? How can you create room for God this Advent? (in areas of personal, family, community) What do you need to let go of to make space for God to restore and redeem?        Journal Questions: What does God want to birth in you this advent? What area of brokenness in your story does God want to bring new life into? 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 Do you have a prayer time scheduled into your day or rhythm of prayer? What form of prayer connects you to God most easily? What commitment are you willing to make to grow in your prayer life? Journaling Questions What do you think God is speaking to you about in your prayer time? 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 What does “abide” mean to you personally? What are some of your obstacles when it comes to abiding in Christ? How do you journey with others (especially other women) in your spiritual walk? Journal Questions In what situations do you find yourself striving instead of Abiding? 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 What advice would you give to your younger self or to yourself right now? How can you incormporate one thing talked about in the podcast into your life? Who are the people you rely on to speak wisdom and truth into your life? Journaling Questions How can I grow in self awareness? 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 What is one way that you commonly experience the beauty of God? How can we call beauty out in other people? What are the beauty counterfeits that have affected your life in a negative way? Journaling Questions How can I co-create with the Holy Spirit to bring beauty into the world? What am I consuming in my world? Is it true beauty of not? 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 What does freedom look like? What comes to mind when you read this scripture, “Let the weak say, “I am a warrior!” 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 Where might God “putting His finger” into a wound in your life so that he can bring  breakthrough? 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: 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). 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 Have you changed how you love or think of someone after hearing their story? What would it look like to love someone close to you without expecting them to fill all your needs? How can you champion the dreams of someone dear to you? Journaling Questions What are the things that hold me back the most from loving well?   Do I believe that God desires to restore & heal me? 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  

Info - Summer Break

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.​​