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 continue with part two of our four part Advent series on the book The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander. Today, we focus on part two and discuss the sections on Et Homo Factus Est, the Fugue, Wooden Bambino, and Et Verbum Caro Factum Est. We chat about our desire as women to protect our children, but how this desire can easily morph into control, manipulation, or possession. We reflect on how Our Lady exemplifies perfect surrender and trust as she continually releases her Son back to God as a gift freely given to her by God. We also discuss the role of suffering and brokenness in transformation and the beauty of silence in the rhythm of life.
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 - Butter Tart Recipe
Heather’s Other One Thing - Stovetop Potpourri Recipe
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The simple joys of Advent
Michelle’s One Thing - Support for the heartbreaking loss of the Auburn vs. Alabama college football game
Michelle’s Other One Thing - Chevrolet Christmas Commercial
Journal Questions:
- How do I try to possess or manipulate others to protect them from disappointment or pain?
- Do I see my humanity as a gift or as a burden?
- In the final days before Christmas, when can I create moments of silence to meet Jesus?
- Where do I need a mother?
- Where am I afraid to be mothered?
Discussion Questions:
- How do you allow your fears of vulnerability, dependence, and a lack of control rule your life and your decisions?
- What parts of your humanity do you find God inviting you more deeply into during this Advent season?
- What Fruits of the Spirit do you need to grow in (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)?
- How can you allow Mary to mother you to more fully experience these fruits and bring them to fruition?
Quotes to Ponder:
“Only Christ-bearers can restore the world to life and give humanity back the vitality of love.” (Houselander, Caryll. The Reed of God, page 72).
“Our Lady gave humanity to God as she gave the water to Christ at Cana, to be changed into wine.” (Houselander, Caryll. The Reed of God, page 83).
Scripture for Lectio:
“All things were made by him; and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:3–5)
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