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
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
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
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
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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S18 E9 - The Way of Trust and Love: Being Reconciled to Our Weakness
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 3: Being Reconciled to Our Weakness. We talk about how our struggles with ourselves often spill over into our relationships with others and how learning to accept our own weakness can soften our hearts towards the weakness we see in those around us. We also reflect on the tension between accepting our littleness and desiring real conversion, how we become more aware of our imperfections as we draw closer to the Lord, and the gift of community in helping us clearly see our lives. This week, we invite you to...
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S18 E8 - The Way of Trust and Love: An Elevator for Small Children
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 2: An Elevator for Small Children. We talk about the quiet places of discouragement, and self-reliance that keep us striving instead of surrendering. We also reflect about how radical dependence on God is not laziness, the subtle ways we resist being little before a loving Father, and how our poverty is a doorway into deeper trust. This week, we invite you to fall into the Father’s arms, allow Him to pick you up, and rest in the One who delights in you. Heather’s One Thing - The Prince of Egypt...
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S18 E7 - The Way of Trust and Love: A Completely New Way
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on “” and focus on Chapter 1: A Completely New Way. We reflect on the “little way” of St. Thérèse, the invitation to become spiritual children before the Father, and how weakness becomes the very place where Christ comes to meet us. We also talk about the difference between being childish and childlike, why true maturity in faith begins with admitting our own poverty, and how small acts of courage open the door to deep healing. This week, we invite you to name the desires stirring in your heart and let the Holy Spirit awaken a new...
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S18 E6 - The Way of Trust and Love: Introduction
Abiding Together
In this episode, we begin our Lenten book study on “” and focus on the Introduction. We talk about how St. Thérèse’s “little way” offers hope to weary hearts who feel small, fragile, or poor. We discuss how the Lord can transform our lives in a moment, how to boast in our poverty instead of bemoaning it, and the power of a listening heart. This Lent, we invite you into a gentler, deeper journey—one rooted not in striving, but in trust and love. Heather’s One Thing - and everyone who put together this experience Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Michelle’s One...
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S18 E5 - Entering the Desert
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on Lent as a Holy Spirit led journey through the desert to bring us into a deeper union with God. We talk about the resistance many of us feel to fasting, why Lent is not a self-improvement project, and the importance of discerning our Lenten practices. We also discuss how, through Lent, our true identity as beloved daughters is revealed, tested, and healed. Before Lent begins on Wednesday, we invite you to notice where your heart may feel numb, distracted, or defensive, and ask the Holy Spirit what He desires to restore. Our Lenten book study “” will begin next...
info_outlineHappy Easter! In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study on “The Way of Trust and Love” 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. Let us enter into this Easter season with renewed hope, gratitude, and a deeper surrender to God’s unfailing love. We will see you in two weeks!
Heather’s One Thing - Fire 50 Challenge with Many Parts Ministries. It’s a free 50-day spiritual journey designed to deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit!
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The Divine Mercy Novena and Divine Mercy Sunday
Michelle’s One Thing - Join us in praying The Divine Mercy Chaplet
Resurrection Power
By: Michelle Benzinger
A crucible is the place where the refiner’s fire is not your enemy, but your tender witness of integration.
It is where certainty melts,
where control dissolves,
where the identities you once clung to
lose their shape in the flame.
The crucible is where faith stops being an idea and melts into surrender,
where you no longer hold God at a distance,
but find Him somehow
in the very fire you once feared.
It is a holy undoing that makes space for a deeper yes.
It is an invitation into the Paschal Mystery.
It is the Holy Spirit’s invitation into the Resurrection power.
Journal Questions:
- Where do I turn in my trials and disappointments?
- Where in my life have I been avoiding the fullness of the Paschal Mystery (suffering, waiting, and resurrection)?
- What renunciations and declarations do I need to make today?
- What are the questions on my heart? Do I absolutely need the answer to do God’s Will today?
Discussion Questions:
- What has God revealed to you in your current trials?
- How are you choosing to intentionally feast during these 50 days?
- How has God called you to a mature and adult faith in this season of life?
- What does Resurrection power and glory look like in your life?
Quotes to Ponder:
“They” (her friends the saints) “want to see how far I am going to push my trust.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
“When we realize that’s happening—that we’re going round and round and getting nowhere, that our questions aren’t producing light but only bitterness and blame—we must have the courage to put those questions aside and ask ourselves another. It’s the only essential one, after all, and it will always be answered: What attitude does God want me to have toward this situation? The point is to move from “Why?” to “How?” The real question isn’t “Why is this happening to me?” but “How should I live through these things?” How am I called to face this situation? What call to growth is being made to me through this? That question will always get an answer.” (Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, Page 129)
Scripture for Lectio:
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)
Sponsor - Glory: Women’s Gathering:
If you’re ready to intentionally embrace a spirit of Resurrection in your life this year, we invite you to register for the Glory: Women’s Gathering hosted by Steubenville Conferences in partnership with Heather Khym.
Join Heather, Michelle, and our dear friends Debbie Herbeck, Sarah Kaczmarek, Monica Richards, and Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR this coming June 5-7 in Steubenville, Ohio, as we gather with women across generations and seek God’s restoration and healing. This gathering will include talks, worship, prayer experiences, and the opportunity to interact with fellow Abiding Together listeners and new friends from all over who will be flying in.
Heather and Michelle would absolutely love to meet you. Whether you come with your Abiding Together small group, with a close friend, or on your own, we can’t wait to gather in fellowship with you.
Registration is still open for the Glory: Women’s Gathering. Ticket prices go up after April 16 - grab your ticket today! Visit steubenvilleconferences.com/events/glory for more information or to register!
Timestamps:
00:00 Glory: Women’s Gathering
01:23 Intro
02:09 Welcome
02:41 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote
03:18 Trusting Through Suffering
05:57 Trials of Faith, Hope, and Love
07:49 Will We Run to God?
08:46 Living the Resurrection as Women
11:34 Feeling Panic in the Trial
14:05 Declaring Our Belief
15:36 Setting Aside Our need for an Answer to “Why”
17:28 Resurrection Power
20:07 Trials Have the Power to Make Us More of Our True Selves
24:40 Help Me in My Unbelief
27:00 What Has God Done this Lent?
28:41 One Things