S14 E14 - Leading with God-Given Authority (Part 2)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we continue our conversation about leading with our God-given authority, particularly in our spiritual or biological motherhood. We talk about how God has blessed us with the Sacraments, Scripture, and prayer to fight spiritual battles. We reflect on the importance of rooting our identity in Christ, how Our Lady modeled feminine leadership, and practical ways to do spiritual warfare. We also discuss generational bondage, repairing trust, and the power of an apology given and received. Heather’s One Thing - Her playlist and her friendship with Michelle...
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S14 E13 - Leading with God-Given Authority
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we reflect on leading with our God-given authority rather than worldly influence. We discuss the importance of remembering our identity in Christ and how true authority is a display of intimacy that has been rooted in a real tangible love. We share the ways we may have been wounded by authority figures in our past, why these wounds can distort our perception of authority, and how to heal from these wounds so that we can lead others into the light of Christ. Heather’s One Thing - from My Kitchen Little Sister Miriam’s On Thing - The book by Dr Gerry Crete...
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S14 E12 - Living in the Resurrection
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we reflect on the themes of resurrection, grief, and hope in Pope Francis’ . We chat about the sadness of unfulfilled dreams and the tender places in our hearts where we are afraid to hope and want to stay in the tomb. We also talk about the anxieties and worries that can come with trying to figure things out on our own and the importance of surrendering our plans to God. Just like Christ, we are called to walk through the sufferings of this life with Him into the Resurrection. Heather’s One Thing - Her Heather’s Other One Thing - The book by Rachel...
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S14 E11 - A Time of Renewal (Holy Week: Focus)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we conclude our Lenten study on the book “A Time of Renewal” and discuss the theme of “focus”. We chat about our natural temptation to focus on our woundedness, why we should take action and invite Jesus into these places, and how our wounds can be transformed into signs of the resurrection power of Christ. We also talk about the crosses we bear and the importance of recognizing the little resurrections in our life. Friends, thank you for journeying with us this Lenten season. We look forward to seeing you again after Easter! Heather’s One Thing - ...
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S14 E10 - A Time of Renewal (Lent Week 5: Scholarship)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we continue our Lenten study on the book “A Time of Renewal” and focus on how life is a continual process of refinement and how true learning comes through the healing found in suffering and communion. We also talk about the feelings of shame that accompany situations where we fall short, the importance of recognizing our limitations in humility, and how God desires to redeem our deepest wounds to help us grow in communion and love. Heather’s One Thing - Sarah Kroger’s new song Sister Miriam’s On Thing - Heather Khym’s (AGAIN!!)...
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S14 E9 - A Time of Renewal (Lent Week 4: Filling Up the Sufferings of Christ)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we continue our Lenten study on the book “A Time of Renewal” and focus on the theme of “filling up the sufferings of Christ”. We reflect on the connection between repentance and love, recognizing how they complement each other, and the beauty of repentance as an intimate act of drawing nearer to God. We share our own struggles during this Lenten season, how others have helped keep us accountable, and the importance of helping others grow in holiness. Lastly, we chat about the significance of renouncing falsehoods about ourselves and embracing the truth about our...
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S14 E8 - A Time of Renewal (Lent Week 3: The Right Kind of Zeal)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we continue our Lenten study on the book “A Time of Renewal” and focus on the theme of the right kind of zeal. We chat about how we may be feeling tired and tempted to relax our Lenten penances and discuss the importance of taking time to reflect on why we felt called to take on a specific sacrifice and then recommitting ourselves with zeal to carry it out. We also talk about the joys of living in covenant with the Lord, the heartache we should experience when our hearts wander, and the beauty of giving ourselves totally to Him out of love. ...
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S14 E7 - A Time of Renewal (Lent Week 2: In Conversation with Jesus)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we continue our Lenten study on the book “A Time of Renewal” and focus on the theme of being in conversation with Jesus. We reflect on the importance of reserving space for dialogue with God, surrendering to Him our own plans and desires, and allowing Him to love us in our poverty. The process of dying to self is always accompanied with the hope in the promise of resurrection and new life that Jesus offers. Heather’s One Thing - In thanksgiving for Deacon Bob and Fr Dave Pivonka letting her use their studio to record this episode and for being...
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S14 E6 - A Time of Renewal (Lent Week 1: True Self-Denial)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we continue our Lenten study on the book “A Time of Renewal” and focus on the theme of true self-denial. We reflect on the importance of recognizing our need for God’s love and allowing ourselves to be transformed by His grace. We also share personal experiences and insights on repentance, amendment, and trusting in God’s plan especially when the desires of our heart are not being fulfilled. We end by discussing the joys that can come from Lent when approached with a tender, sensitive, and alert heart. Heather’s One Thing - Heather’s Other One...
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S14 E5 - A Time of Renewal (Lent Intro: A Time of Reflowering)
Abiding Together
In this week's episode, we begin our seven week Lenten study of the book “A Time of Renewal” by Mother Mary Francis P.C.C. In this episode we cover the introduction and the sections on the first four days of Lent. We discuss how Lent is an opportunity for us to grow in intimacy with God and how viewing fasting as a time of renewal, not suffering, can help us encounter a deeper transformation. We also reflect on our ability to help others grow in holiness, why Lent is the Springtime of the liturgical year, and how we can allow ourselves to bloom this Lenten season. Heather’s...
info_outlineIn this episode, we begin our four part Advent series on the book The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander. Today, we focus on part one and discuss the sections on Emptiness, Fiat, Advent, and Pastoral. We reflect on the gift of virginity, how our own life experiences can alter how we view this gift, and how Our Lady perfectly models the truth about the fruitfulness of giving our full selves in love. We also chat about the beauty of accepting our littleness and how only through the act of emptying ourselves can God truly give us what He desires.
We encourage you to go at your own pace so that the Lord can fill your heart with what you need to hear this Advent season.
Heather’s One Thing - Advent Worship playlist and the song Hungry by UPPERROOM
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Christmas Peaceful Piano playlist
Michelle’s One Thing - The painting A Mother and Child looking at the Virgin and Child by Reginald Bottomley and steps to practice Visio Divina with the image.
Journal Questions:
- How do I allow myself to be filled by the Bridegroom?
- How do I view chastity – as a sour apple, or as the first fruits?
- What is distracting me this Advent season?
- What image depicted by Caryll Houselander is resonating with me most (the reed, the chalice, and the nest)?
Discussion Questions:
- How can I empty myself to more fully receive the Bridegroom?
- What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to say “yes” to?
- What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to say “no” to?
- How is the Lord continually purifying and refining you?
- How am I tempted to say “I’m just a…”?
Quotes to Ponder:
“Advent is the season of the secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of Divine Love growing in silence.” (Houselander, Caryll. The Reed of God (p. 38). Copycat. Kindle Edition.)
“It is always a love story, a culmination of love between the Spirit of Light and the Bride of the Spirit.” (Houselander, Caryll. The Reed of God (p. 19). Copycat. Kindle Edition.)
Scripture for Lectio:
“Be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)
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