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S18 E1 - Word of the Year

Abiding Together

Release Date: 01/19/2026

S18 E19 - Friendship in the Lord: What Friendship Means (Chapters 1 & 2) show art S18 E19 - Friendship in the Lord: What Friendship Means (Chapters 1 & 2)

Abiding Together

In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on what it means to be truly known, deeply loved, and fully at home with another. We talk about why we must first learn to abide in the love of God, how appreciation helps others become who they were created to be, and what it looks like to grow in friendship over time. Whether friendship feels life-giving or challenging in this season of your life, we invite you to bring every desire, wound, and longing before the Lord, who first calls you His friend.    Announcement: You can buy your copy of...

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S18 E18 - Friendship in the Lord: Foreword and Prologue show art S18 E18 - Friendship in the Lord: Foreword and Prologue

Abiding Together

In this episode, we begin our summer book study on Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP. We focus on the foreword and prologue and reflect on the difference between prudence and fear, the ways we self-protect in relationships, and our longing for authentic communion. We also talk about what it means to love without possessing, how to receive others as a gift, and why friendship is a foretaste of heaven.    Other Resources Mentioned:   Announcement: If you’d like a copy of Friendship in the Lord, you can buy your copy from (or ).   Journal Questions: How...

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S18 E17 - The End of A Season show art S18 E17 - The End of A Season

Abiding Together

In this episode, we conclude season 18 by reflecting on the grace-filled moments this past season and the quiet ways the Lord continues to invite us into deeper communion with Him. We share who our favorite guests were, which episodes deeply ministered to us, and what we are hoping for in this next season.  Thank you for spending this season with us, friends. It has been such a gift to walk alongside you in every conversation, prayer, and story shared. We’ll be holding you close in prayer over the summer and look forward to gathering with you again on July 6th, 2026 for our summer book...

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S18 E16 - Preparing for Pentecost show art S18 E16 - Preparing for Pentecost

Abiding Together

In this episode, we reflect on how Pentecost is more than just an event of the past, but can be an ongoing outpouring of God’s love and grace in our lives today. We discuss how the Holy Spirit helps heal our wounds, restores communion with God, and teaches us how to live with power and boldness, even in the places where we feel unable to love the Lord. As we prepare our hearts for Pentecost, we talk practically about cultivating a posture of receptivity, learning to invite the Holy Spirit more deeply into our hearts, and how to allow His fire to illuminate our identity and transform us from...

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S18 E15 - Sacred Wounds show art S18 E15 - Sacred Wounds

Abiding Together

In this episode, we reflect on the sacred wounds of Jesus, the reality of our own woundedness, and Jesus’ invitation to make us well. We talk about how our wounds, so often hidden in shame or self-protection, when transformed, can actually become places of communion and grace. We also share about our personal experiences of facing fear or disappointment and how the slow, often painful, process of healing reminds us that God’s ways are not our own. Jesus tenderly meets us in every broken place within our hearts and ardently desires to make all things new.   Heather’s One Thing - ...

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S18 E14 - Prophetic Motherhood show art S18 E14 - Prophetic Motherhood

Abiding Together

In this episode, we reflect on the beautiful call of women to prophetic motherhood. We talk about how Our Lady models for us a motherhood that speaks life and calls forth goodness to all those she encounters. We also ponder what it means to be a spiritual mother, how Mary can help heal our wounded experiences of motherhood, and the difference between affirmations and prophetic words. As Pentecost draws near, we invite you to ask for Our Lady’s intercession to prepare your heart for a fresh outpouring of grace and to help you become a woman who brings life wherever she goes.  ...

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S18 E13 - Marriage and Meaning with Special Guests Arthur and Ester Brooks show art S18 E13 - Marriage and Meaning with Special Guests Arthur and Ester Brooks

Abiding Together

In this episode, we welcome Arthur and Ester Brooks to talk about marriage, suffering, and the path to lasting love. Arthur and Ester share what it’s like to minister together, revealing both the grace needed and the hard work it takes to love each other faithfully over decades. We also reflect on suffering as an invitation for growth, why pain is fruitful, and how the hardest places in life are where love is purified. Whether you are married, single, or in religious life, intimacy with God is our source of strength for every situation we encounter in life.    Heather’s One Thing...

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S18 E12 - The Way of Trust and Love: Enduring Trials show art S18 E12 - The Way of Trust and Love: Enduring Trials

Abiding Together

Happy Easter! In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 6: Enduring Trials. We talk about how even in the light of Easter, we may still experience suffering and how we can choose to rejoice in God’s goodness when His ways remain hidden. We also reflect on why trials are not signs of God’s absence, how we learn to recognize God at work in the present moment, and how to embrace suffering as a necessary path to share in the fullness of Easter. Friends, in this Easter octave, we invite you to reflect on how God has transformed your heart this past Lent....

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S18 E11 - The Way of Trust and Love: God’s Infinite Mercy show art S18 E11 - The Way of Trust and Love: God’s Infinite Mercy

Abiding Together

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 5: God’s Infinite Mercy. We reflect on the paradox of true strength—how becoming little, dependent, and surrendered before the Lord is the very place where His strength takes root in us. We also talk about what it means to live with a pure heart, not by striving harder, but by bringing every part of ourselves into honest communion with Christ and allowing His kindness to call us higher. This week, as we wrestle with fear, worry, and the temptation to rely on ourselves, we encourage you to be reminded that it...

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S18 E10 - The Way of Trust and Love: Trusting More and More show art S18 E10 - The Way of Trust and Love: Trusting More and More

Abiding Together

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 4: Trusting More and More. We reflect on the tender places where our trust in the Father has been wounded—especially in the disappointments we carry with ourselves, our children, and the circumstances in our lives—and how God gently invites us to bring those disappointments to Him. We also talk about the lies that quietly erode our trust in God, the temptation to carry life’s burdens alone, and the way simple rhythms of prayer allow God to personally reveal to us His goodness. This week, we invite you to...

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More Episodes

Welcome to season 18 kickoff with our annual tradition of the Word of the Year episode! Each year, we ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share what our words for 2026 mean to us and chat about the Saints journeying with us this year. We are excited to be back and look forward to what this year will bring!

 

Heather’s One Thing - Big God, Little Devil by Dr. Sean Tobin (listen to Dr. Sean on the Restore the Glory Podcast too!)

Heather’s Other One Thing - Let There Be by Amanda Cook

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP (buy on Amazon here)

Michelle’s One Thing - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi



Other Resources Mentioned: 

 

Announcement:

Our 2026 Lenten book study will be “The Way of Trust and Love” by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!

 

Journal Questions:

  • What was my word for 2025? How did the Lord work in and through me with that word?
  • What is my word for 2026?
  • How does my heart sit with the word revealed to me?
  • How is the Lord inviting me into deeper love & intimacy in this new year?
  • What is the Lord asking me to delight in?
  • Has the Lord entrusted a particular saint to journey with you this year?

 

Discussion Questions:

  • Reflect on and share about your word for 2025 and the graces you encountered through that word.
  • What images, phrases, artwork, or Scripture verses have been on your mind when praying about your word of the year?
  • What is your word for 2026? How did the Lord reveal it to you?
  • Do you feel surprised, apprehensive, or delighted by your word for 2026? How can you hold onto hope this year?
  • What is the Lord asking you to grow in?

 

Quotes to Ponder:

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.” (T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding")

 

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.” (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity)



Scripture for Lectio:

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:31)

 

Sponsor - CORDA:

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Timestamps:

00:00 CORDA

01:38 Intro

02:25 Lent Announcement

03:10 Welcome

06:43 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

08:24 Sister Miriam’s Word of the Year

12:28 Heather’s Word of the Year

17:16 Michelle’s Word of the Year

25:13 Being Honest with Ourselves and with God

29:20 Our Saints of the Year

33:18 What if I don’t have a Word of the Year?

34:26 One Things