Abiding Together

We Are Family: God the Father

With this episode we start a 3-part series on the persons of the Trinity. This week, we talk about God as Father and what it means that he cares for us as a Father. It is through connecting to how the Father sees us that we will discover the truth of who we are, especially in the profound reality that God sees us through the lens of love.

Sister Miriam's one thing - Request for prayers for an upcoming trip to the Philippines where I will be leading a retreat for our sisters there.

Michelle's one thing - The women at the Blessed is She Shine Retreat in Baltimore. Also, Awake My Soul from Hillsong

Heather's one thing - My Acoustic Worship Spotify Playlist

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. Have you experienced God's fatherhood in a personal way? Share about that.
3. Trust in God the Father often looks like letting go and resting. How can you surrender self-reliance and rest in God in your everyday life?
4. What is your favorite attribute of God the Father and why?

Journal Questions:

1. Reflect and journal about this scripture: Romans 8:14-17. What does it speak to you personally?
2. Am I willing to consider that my view of God might not be true? Where can I seek healing in my relationship with the Father?
3. What is God trying to say to you as a Father?

Quote to Ponder - We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus. - St. John Paul II

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Romans 8:14-17 "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

The Power of Scripture

In this episode we talk about the power of scripture, the Word of God. It is through delving into the Word of God that we encounter the heart of God, we find out who we are, and we proclaim the truth of who He is. We talk about scriptures that have impacted us and new scripture cards you can buy in our new shop.

Sister Miriam's one thing - All of our listeners in Ireland!

Michelle's one thing - Morning walks with my husband. Also the book "Live Big, Love Bigger" by Kathryn Whitaker

Heather's one thing - The song "Heart of God" - by Hillsong Young and Free

Purchase our Abiding Together Scripture Cards

Extra Resources

Walking with Purpose Bible Studies

Jeff Cavins Bible Timeline

Andrew Swafford bible study on the book of Romans

Blessed is She

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. Have you experienced the scriptures speaking to you in a personal way? Share about that.
3. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit. How can you use this weapon in your everyday life?
4. How can you bring scripture into your everyday life?

Journal Questions:

1. Reflect and journal about this scripture. Isaiah 43:2-4 What does it speak to you personally?
2. How do you feel when you hear that the scriptures are a love letter from God to you?
3. What is your favorite scripture and why?

Quote to Ponder - In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, "but as what it really is, the word of God". "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them." - Catechism of the Catholic Church #104

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Isaiah 55:11 "so is my word that goes out from my mouth:It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Renewal of Religious Life - Interview with Fr. John Burns

In this episode we talk with Fr. John Burns about the importance of the renewal of religious life as a huge part of how the Church will heal and be restored. We discuss how important it is for us to have a visible sign of a religious sister who lives her vocation as the bride of Christ and shows us that our hearts are made for God. We also discuss vocation as a calling to love and how restored femininity and masculinity is essential for fully living our calling.

Sister Miriam's one thing - Fall Feels Playlist

Michelle's one thing - Awakening Love- An Ignatian Retreat with the Song of Songs - Gregory Cleveland, OMV

Heather's one thing - Brandt Jean forgives his brother's killer and invites her into relationship with Christ.

Fr. John's one thing - The gift of shared ministry at parish mission with Sr. Miriam

Extra Resources

Pope Francis' Homily (the end of the doc on brideship) -

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2019/documents/papa-francesco_20190202_omelia-vitaconsacrata.html

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. How do religious sisters speak to the realities of the relationship that Christ desires with all of us?
3. Our vocation is to love. How is God calling you to fully live that out in this season of life?
4. Fr. John said that the consecrated heart blesses all of femininity by reminding the world what it looks like to be claimed and spoken for by the King of Kings. How do you feel about the truth that you are claimed and spoken for by God. How should this change your life?

Journal Questions:

1. We are all the bride. How does that language of being the bride of Christ make you feel?
2. What can you learn about your relationship with God from the visible sign of religious sisters?
3. Where does your idea or current reality of your vocation/calling need to be healed and restored?

Quote to Ponder - "there is nothing a woman cannot do when she knows that she is perfectly understood at all times and that she is loved" - Mother Mary Francis

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Revelation 22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."

Eucharist Amazement: May We Never Lose Our Wonder

In this episode we talk about the new pew report that shows only ⅓ of American Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. We share about how we need to renew Eucharistic amazement in tangible ways and share our own experiences of the power of the Eucharist in our lives.

Sister Miriam's one thing - The Homesick Candle Heather sent to me for my birthday.

Michelle's one thing - A new worship playlist called Crossing Over

Heather's one thing - My teenagers, I love them so much!

Extra Resources

Ecclesia De Eucharistia by Pope John Paul II

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html

Link to Lanciano miracle

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. If you've had a powerful moment with Jesus in the Eucharist, briefly share that with your group.
3. How can I/do I enter more fully into the mystery of the Eucharist and liturgy?
4. What are some tangible ways you can make the Eucharist the source and summit in your life and the life of your family?

Journal Questions:

1. In what ways have I become "too familiar" with sacred things, sacred spaces, and the Eucharist?
2. How can I further prepare my heart to receive Jesus in the Eucharist?
3. In what places of your heart do you need God to open your eyes to see who He is?
4. What does the "spousal language" we used in the podcast, stir in your heart? Are there any parts that you need to ask Jesus to heal?

Quote to Ponder - "I would like to rekindle this Eucharistic "amazement"- Saint John Paul II

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 6:35-36 "Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe."

How to Accompany Someone Through A Hard Season

In this episode we talk about how to journey with each other through hardships and offer the powerful gift of presence. Walking through suffering with each other is sacred ground, so we need to learn how to become a compassionate presence and honor the vulnerability in others, while also being vulnerable ourselves. We talk about how to discern what we are able to offer to others and how we need to ask the Holy Spirit how to respond instead of falling into codependency or taking on the problems of others.

Sister Miriam's one thing - Surrender Prayer

God, my Father, I thank you for all that you are, and all that you do for me through your son Jesus Christ. I praise you for my life, for your mercy and for your Eucharist.

In Jesus' name, Father, I place myself entirely in your Heart. I surrender to you my whole self, my heart, my mind, my memory, my imagination, my will, my emotions, my passions, my desires, my body, my sexuality, my desire for human approval, my weaknesses, my sins.

I surrender every person in my life to you. I surrender every situation in my life to you. I surrender every relationship I am in to you. I surrender every concern I have to you. I surrender every fear I have to you. I surrender every doubt I have to you. I surrender all confusion I have to you. I surrender all sadness I am experiencing in my heart to you. I surrender all my wounds to you. I surrender all anxiety and worry I have to you. I surrender all that deceives me in my heart to you. I trust you to care for me and others in a perfectly loving way.

As I have emptied myself, and surrendered everything to you, I ask you now, Father, to fill me with your Holy Spirit and all the gifts and fruits of your Spirit. Holy Spirit you are the source of love, hope, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, tenderness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Purify my desires. Help me to open my heart to you. Help me to become perfectly receptive as a pure child. Help me to believe in your love for me. Help me to hope in your love. Help me to receive from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus all grace and virtues necessary for me to become the person you created me to be. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your son, God Almighty Father.

O Most Holy Immaculate Virgin Mary. I entrust this prayer to your Heart, and ask you to press it to your sorrowful and immaculate heart and intercede for me to your Son Jesus. Please help me to be as you are, a loving disciple, an obedient servant, a true child of God. Amen.

Michelle's one thing - A new St. Therese shirt design "I Choose All" and story card from Michelle's Meaningful Market store. It comes out on St. Therese's feast day October 1. Enjoy 15% off with code - ABIDE15

Heather's one thing - Hannah Van Noort, Heidi Bouwman, and Lisa Marquis for their work behind the scenes at our men's retreat.

Extra Resources

Evangelli Gaudium Section on Accompaniment #169-173

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. What does it look like to make space for each other?
3. What is the difference between loving someone well and becoming codependent?
4. Why is the gift of presence so healing and powerful?

Journal Questions:

1. Is there someone in your life that needs your heart and presence right now?
2. What is a hard place in your own life that you need the presence of someone close to you? How can you ask them for that?
3. Are there relationships where you are trying to be the savior instead of letting Jesus be Savior.

Quote to Ponder - "I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes." - Jean Vanier

Scripture for Lectio Divina - 2 Corinthians 9-10 "but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong."

I Choose You

In this episode we talk about the beautiful words of Jesus in John 15:16 where he tells us that He has chosen us and that his desire is that we bear fruit that will last. It's the deepest desires of every heart to be known, to be chosen, and to belong, but often we don't believe the truth of our belovedness in the core of our being. We chat about the difference between fruit that lasts and success and how being rooted deeply in Jesus is essential for good fruit in our life.

Sister Miriam's one thing - The Song by NEEDTOBREATHE "A Place Only You Can Go"

Michelle's one thing - The most wonderful time of the year...College Football is back!

Heather's one thing - The first class relic of St. Therese the Little Flower, sent to me by Fr. Josh Johnson. You can also check out his podcast Ask Fr. Josh

Also Jesse and Kathleen of A Guy and a Girl cover NEEDTOBREATHE

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. How do you feel when you imagine God saying to you " I choose you".
3. What is one wound that you need Jesus to speak into. To speak His words of healing that you belong?
4. Discuss the difference between fruit that lasts and success? Where do you hope to see good fruit in your life?

Journal Questions:

1. Do you know deep in your gut that you belong to God? Why or why not?
2. Where are you striving to find your identity outside of God?
3. Do you love to be loved or do you love because you've first received it?

Quote to Ponder - "Let's remind one another that what brings true and healing joy is not successfulness, but fruitfulness" - Henri Nouwen

Scripture for Lectio Divina - John 15:16 "You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last"

Words Have Power

In this episode we talk about how words have incredible power to either bless or curse, to build up or tear down. We talk about how social media can be a place of connection, but also a place where we quickly forget to treat people with dignity. The truth that our words have power to restore, heal, be prophetic is something that can challenge us to be more discerning about how we speak and take the lead by being people who bless others.

Sister Miriam's one thing - A gift of a handmade journal made by Magdelena. Thank you so much!

Michelle's one thing - The Steubenville Encounter Conference in Dallas

Heather's one thing - The podcast "Every Knee Shall Bow" on the Ascension website

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from the podcast?

2. When have you witnessed the desire to be right as more important than caring for and respecting another person? Is this something you have struggled with?

3. What would it look like if we all started intentionally offering life giving words to those around us instead of criticism, negative humor, and harshness?

4. How might God be calling you to speak goodness and blessing to someone in your life?

Journal Questions:

1. What type of patterns have you gotten into with not using your words to bring life?

2. Is the Holy Spirit asking you to go back and ask forgiveness from someone who you have hurt with your words?

3. Take time to reflect on how you speak to others, your tone and your words. How do you think other people feel when you speak to them?

Quote to Ponder: "Do not accept anything as truth that lacks love and do not accept anything as love that lacks truth. One without the other is a destructive lie" - St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."

Welcome to Season 6! To kick off our new season, we dive in deep and talk about how we are all called to live a life of holiness. We discuss that in the midst of difficulty all around us, we are called to pursue a disciplined spiritual life and live radical holiness. We also talk about the tension between accepting our weakness, but not justifying our sin. The truth is that we have to be willing to go down to the depths, so that God can truly raise us from the dead to new life.

Sister Miriam's one thing - Fr. Jacques Phillipe's book/guided retreat "The Way of Trust and Love"

Michelle's one thing - Maverick City Music "Real Thing"

Heather's one thing - Bishop Robert Barron's book "Letter to a Suffering Church"

Discussion questions:

1. What decisions do you need to make in this season to grow in holiness?
2. How does our Catholic theology move from understanding to becoming an everyday reality for you and your family?
3. What is one area that you need to grow in discipline and self control that will lead to a good fruit in your life?
4. What is holding you back from going "all the way down" to the depths of your own heart, where we need to experience the power of the Holy Spirit and His freedom?
5. What would be your theme song right now in this season of life?

Journal Questions:

1. Try to journal out a spiritual plan for this year. What are the main areas that you want to focus on? What places of laziness, hardness of heart, discipline, do you want to grow in?
2. What is one relationship you are struggling with that you need to ask yourself, "how can I respond in love to this person"?
3. What is one sin that you try to justify in your life? How can you surrender this to God and the power of His grace today?
4. What are some survival techniques that have helped you to get through previous seasons, but are not going to work for you in this new season?

Quote to Ponder: "instead of viewing your poverty as a handicap, and obstacle, accept it and welcome it as a grace" - Jesus to St. Thérèse (from The Way of Trust and Love)

Scripture for Lectio Divina - 2 Corinthians 12:9 "but he said to me "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

This is our final episode of season 5! We revisit some of our favorite episodes and talk about the beautiful moments we have experienced with our community of listeners and Facebook discussion group. We also talk more about what restored femininity and masculinity looks like and our desire to see women fully live out their calling in the Church.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam's one thing - Our awesome listeners!
• Michelle's one thing - All of the young adult missionaries!
• Heather's one thing - The "Shine" retreat with Blessed is She

Discussion Questions

1. What stuck out to you from Season 5? How has that impacted your spiritual walk with God?
2. What are you most grateful for this year?
3. What do you think is necessary to have good and hard conversations where differences of opinion are present?

Journal Questions

1. How has your word of the year born fruit so far this year?
2. Write out the graces you have received during this first half of the year. How have you seen God move? Where do you still need God to act in your life?

Quote to Ponder "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is the happiness doubled by wonder" - G.K. Chesterton

Scripture for Lectio Divina - 2 Corinthians 4:15 "Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

In this episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we discuss the power of living a forgiving life, especially when it comes to parenting children, and how unforgiveness in our life can keep us in bondage, and stems from a wound that needs healing. We talk about how sometimes forgiveness feels like we are letting people off the hook, instead of it being a willingness to release our grasp and open ourselves up to God's grace.

One Thing We Love this Week

• Sister Miriam's one thing - Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness SEEK Talk with Fr. John Burns
• Michelle's one thing - Endow - Discovering the Doctors
• Michelle's other one thing - Story of forgiveness
• Heather's one thing - Blessed is She daily devotional for children ages 8-12 called Rise Up

Discussion Questions

1. What is one area where you are finding it hard to offer forgiveness?
2. Sister Miriam quotes this "resentment is like drinking a little bit of poison every day and hoping the other person dies." Discuss this truth in your own life.
3. How can you model a life of forgiveness? If you have children, how can you teach your children about forgiveness?
4. How have you experienced the mercy of God in your life?

Journal Questions

1. Who in your life do you need to offer forgiveness to? What is holding you back from this?
2. Journal about how you have felt God's mercy in your own life
3. How have I hurt people in my life and need to ask for forgiveness? In what ways can I restore the relationship?

Quote to Ponder "Forgiveness is the restoration of freedom to oneself, it is the key held in our own hand to our prison cell" - Saint Pope John Paul II

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Matthew 6:12 "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us"