Abiding Together

Today we begin our book study on The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chapters 1-4). We dive into the themes of this chapter such as innocence, faith, temptation, sin, and shared adventure. We hope you will continue to join us on the journey into this wonderful story, which we hope will help us reflect more deeply on our relationship with Christ, our own story of faith and redemption, and the invitation to adventure with God.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One thing - The song "Pieces" (the live version) by Amanda Cook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg4O5dqzN68

Ascension would like to offer you a 20% discount through the month of February on Fr. Josh Johnson's book Broken and Blessed. Just go to www.shop.ascensionpress.com click on Broken and Blessed and enter the promo code fatherjosh (for US residents only)

Michelle's other one thing - New song "Electricity" by Ellie and Drew Holcomb https://www.drewholcomb.com/news/2019/1/11/electricity-new-music-from-drew-amp-ellie-holcomb

Heather's One Thing - New Worship Playlist "Into the Deep" https://open.spotify.com/user/12184473750/playlist/4gHBMwlnndJaBp4jjYxpAQ?si=uQs5kI_-RQCHiso29p3hRg

Discussion Questions:

1) What stood out to you in the reading for this week?

2) Where in my life has the enemy taken a place, where I have lost hope and need Christmas to come?

3) For the women - Discuss the difference of femininity between Lucy and the witch. How has this affected your life?

4) When we numb our heart and our identity, we numb our wonder and our inheritance. Discuss this.

5) Where are the places and spaces that you can find wonder that leads to God?

Journal Questions:

1) How has the enemy spoken things in your life that bring about shame?

2) What are the parts of Edmund you see in yourself? What parts of Lucy do you see?

3) What is your Turkish delight (sin or temptation) that keeps you bound?

4) Where are the places you hide from the Lord and others?

Quote to Ponder:

"And what wonderful adventures we shall have, now that we are all in it together." - (Lucy) CS Lewis

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Matthew 18:3

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Stories are powerful ways to communicate deep things of the human experience in a way that touches us and makes us more human. Jesus is the perfect example of being a master storyteller, making His truth and teachings relatable and personal. We discuss how we can open our spiritual eyes to stories and movies to see how they speak of the bigger story of salvation and the longings of the human heart. We also share about how our owning our stories is key.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One thing - Clemson crushing Alabama in the National Football Championship

Michelle's other one thing - Fr. Mike Schmitt's talk from the Focus SEEK Conference. Watch it here at minute 45:35 - https://youtu.be/ZcBidOcLUsc

Heather's One Thing - Song "Highs and Lows" by Hillsong Young & Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEBOJMXqSdQ

Discussion Questions:

1) What is your favorite story or movie that has parallels with the story of Salvation? Why do you love it so much?

2) Do you relate to the quote "for most of us, life feels like a movie we've arrived at 45 minutes late"? How connected to you feel to the larger story of Salvation in your daily life?

3) Have you ever wanted to take the pen out of God's hand and write your own story? How do you need to grow in trust that He writes the best stories?

Journal Questions:

1) What do you think is your role to play right now in the story of Salvation?

2) What movies or books do you love? How do those relate to the Story of Salvation?

3) How are you pursuing truth, beauty, and goodness in the stories and movies you consume?

4) What are three themes of your life story? What does God want to say about that?

Quote to Ponder:

"A story is a way to say something that can't be said any other way." - Flannery O'Connor

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Psalm 139:13-16

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Welcome back for Season 5! In this episode, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather kick off the new year by discussing the concept of a "word of the year", a word given to us by God to help shape our heart, mind, and direction for 2019. They each share what they believe God has spoken to them for this year, how to cultivate it, and how we can listen to the voice of God and His guidance.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - A Wonder Woman fridge magnet, gift from our friend Mary

Michelle's One Thing - The movie Pride and Prejudice

Heather's One Thing - The new movie Mary Poppins Returns! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jsfXDZLIY

Discussion Questions:

1) What is your word of the year? If you don't have one, how might you make room for God to speak to you about this coming year?

2) What practical things do you need to help this word take root and bear fruit in your life?

3) How could this be fruitful in your spiritual life?

4) What struck you from this week's podcast?

Journal Questions:

1) What does God want you to know through that word right now?

2) If you don't have a word of the year, what is happening in your heart when you think about the concept?

3) How will you make room for your word of the year from God?

Quote to Ponder:

"We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new. Imagine that we could live each moment as a moment pregnant with new life. Imagine that we could live each day as a day full of promises. Imagine that we could walk through the new year always listening to a voice saying to us:

"I have a gift for you and can't wait for you to see it! Imagine!" - Henri Nouwen

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Isaiah 61:1-3

"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory."

Merry Christmas from Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather! Today the ladies of Abiding Together bring you a special minisode: A Christmas Blessing.

In this weeks episode we finish up our Advent series, the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius, with a wonderful conversation with special guest Debbie Herbeck. Debbie is a wife, mother, and grandmother who disciples young women and lives radical love in action. She shares with us her journey from Judaism to Catholicism, the cost of the Gospel in her own family, and her life changing encounter with Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She also shares how Mary has been pivotal in her life and challenges us to open our hearts to love. To find out more about Debbie you can check out beloverevolution.com and you can check out her three books: Safely Through the Storm, Love Never Fails, Firmly on the Rock.

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The character "Clara" from The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Michelle's One Thing - Spirit Break Out - Kim Walker Smith Michelle's other one thing is experiencing the masculine genius with Fr. Josh, her husband Chris, and Paul George.

Heather's One Thing - Debbie's Husband Peter Herbeck (listen to one of his talks ) Heather's other one thing was her visit to St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal

Debbie's One Thing - The phrase "Mission Impossible" - Reflecting on God's call for us love an impossible person.

Discussion Questions:

1) Who is Mary in your life?

2) When have women spoken into your life in a way that brought forth life in you?

3) What is God asking you to speak into other women's lives?

4) In what area of your life do you need to hear God tell you that you have value and an important role to play?

Journal Questions:

5) In what areas to you feel hidden in your life? How might God want to be present to you there?

6) Who in my life is God calling me to be present to and love really well?

7) What is one of the basics of the spiritual life and Gospel message that God wants you to get back to?

Quote to Ponder:

"Do small things with great love" - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Scripture for Lectio Divina - Luke 1:39-56

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

We continue our Advent mini series on the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius and interview the lovely Ali Hoffman! Ali is also known as "theoodlesofdoodles" on instagram where she creates beautiful quotes and art and is also a full time youth director. We chat with Ali about women being able to celebrate one another's gifts and live in community over competition and much more!

Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday!

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One thing - Art piece Bouguereau-Song of the Angels

Michelle's other one thing - Love is Christmas - Sara Bareilles https://youtu.be/LIODr_RWwEc

Heather's One Thing - Matt Maher "Jingle Bells" https://youtu.be/AcPdRWNP00M

Ali's One Thing - Blessed is She Advent Journal https://blessedisshe.net/product/bearing-light-advent-devotional/

Discussion Questions:

1) What does it look like to relate as community instead of as competitors?

2) What do people need to safely share their gifts with other people without feeling threatened or insufficient?

3) What is one thing that God is speaking to you this Advent?

Journal Questions:

1) How can I grow in my friendships and offer love more freely?

2) Do you believe like Mary that God will fulfill His promises?

3) How can you slow done this Week of Advent?

Quote to Ponder:

"Advent is a time for this arising." - Catherine Doughtery

Scripture of the Week - Luke 1:39-56

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

Today we begin a short Advent series on the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius. We break open what happens in the power of community and what it means to come together in a circle and champion one another and to offer a place to be seen, known, and celebrated. We use the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth as the model and share our own story of how we met, how God has used our fellowship to encourage and fight for one another and how to offer true friendship and love for one another.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One thing - Heather's Advent Playlist

Michelle's other one thing - The book by Madeline L'Engle - And it was Good: Reflections on Beginnings

Heather's One Thing - Advent book by Ann Voskamp "[Unwrapping the Greatest Gift - A Family Christmas Celebration ]"(https://amzn.to/2QlPSE9)

Also the song "Noel" by Lauren Daigle

Discussion Questions:

1) What stands out to you about Mary and Elizabeth's friendship? 2) When have women spoken into your life in life giving ways? 3) What does a safe circle of friends look like for you?

Journal Questions:

1) How do you need self-care this week? This year? 2) In what ways do you need to grow in your ability to be a good friend to others? 3) When was one time that you were hurt, leaving you feeling wary and hurt in future relationships with women? 4) What is god asking you to risk so that something can be birthed in you this advent season?

Quote to Ponder:

"Love still takes the risk of birth" - Madeline L'Engle

*Scripture of the Week *- Luke 1:39-56

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

In today's episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we talk about the Lordship of Jesus and what it means to truly submit our lives to Him. It's often easy to fall into the trap of doing good religious works, without truly giving our whole life to the Lord. We chat about the truth of how it's in losing your life that we find it, what submission practically looks like, and how to encourage one another to look at the areas that are incongruent in our lives.

One Thing We Love This Week:

1. Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Taking time to reflect on the graces of the last year and writing them down to grow in gratitude

2. Michelle's One Thing - Stephan Colbert - Liturgical Dance "The King of Glory" https://youtu.be/oASYa-Wkroc

3. Heather's One Thing - The worship song "Sails" by Pat Barrett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC7mNAsx7Vw

Discussion Questions:

1. What areas is God calling you to submit under His Lordship?
2. What does it look like to live life like a daughter of the King and what does it look like to live life as an orphan?
3. What is a false impression you have of God? How can you reencounter Jesus for who He really is?
4. Do you believe and trust in God's abundance?

Journal Questions:

1. What areas do I hold onto to my own life and refuse to give it to God?
2. Look honestly into your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you an area that you don't trust God.
3. When are you going to make time to encounter and abide in Jesus each day this week?

Quote to Ponder:

"We pray that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly sing your praise" - Collect from the Solemnity of Christ the King

Scripture of the Week - Philippians 2:9-11

"Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

In today's episode of the Abiding Together Podcast, we interview the wonderful Fr. Josh Johnson! Fr. Josh shares with us his insights about how the feminine genius complimenting masculinity is meant to restore the Church. He shares about his personal encounters with Christ in the deepest places of his wounds and how that changed his life and shaped his ministry. We also talk about how all of this impacts the current scandals in the Church and our response to our own sin, hiding, and pursuit of personal holiness.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Fr. Josh's One Thing - His book "Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation" https://shop.ascensionpress.com/products/broken-and-blessed-an-invitation-to-my-generation His other one thing - Book "In Sinu Jesu" When Heart Speaks to Heart" by A Benedictine Monk https://www.amazon.com/Sinu-Jesu-Speaks-Journal-Priest/dp/1621382192

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - This series on "The Place We Find Ourselves" podcast. How Healing Happens-Part 1 https://adamyoungcounseling.com/24-how-healing-happens-part-1/ How Healing Happens-Part 2 https://adamyoungcounseling.com/25-how-healing-happens-part-2/ How Healing Happens-Part 3 http://theplacewefindourselves.libsyn.com/26-how-healing-happens-part-3

Michelle's One Thing - The Greatest Showman - Re-imagined https://open.spotify.com/user/atlanticrecords/playlist/21KCZhsVe5JZCEWpQWiKIl The book Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles by Raymond Arroyo - https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Angelica-Remarkable-Network-Miracles/dp/0385510934/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1541622157&sr=8-1

Heather's One Thing - Fr. Josh's podcast "Ask Fr. Josh" https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/askfrjosh/ Also the song "It is Well" by Kristine DiMarco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI

Discussion Questions:

How can your femininity compliment masculine hearts in healthy ways? Fr. Josh said that you can't take a vacation from your vocation. How can you embrace your vocation in a deeper way? Share your thoughts about the concept of fasting from talking so you can listen more to people around you (lectio divina of the person). When is a time that you have experienced the tenderness of God?

Journal Questions:

How can you be more tender with people you are walking with in your life? Where is a room in your heart that God asked to enter that you have said "no" to Him? What would it look like to give God total access into your heart and life?

Quote to Ponder:

"Womanhood and manhood are complementary not only from the physical and psychological points of view, it is only through the duality of the "masculine" and the "feminine" that the "human" finds full realization." Saint John Paul The Great, Letter to Women

Scripture of the Week - Luke 1:78-79

"By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Today's Abiding Together Podcast is part 4 of our series on the women doctors of the Church. This episode is on St. Thérèse of Lisieux. We talk in depth about her "little way", a path of deep trust in God that allowed her to love in small and courageous ways and led to her sainthood. We chat about the universal call to holiness, the acceptance of our weaknesses, and how to grow in deeper trust.

One Thing We Love This Week:

Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Undone Women's Retreat: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/event/undone-womens-conference-tallahassee-fl/ Michelle's One Thing - A Light So Lovely - The spiritual legacy of Madeline L' Engle - by Sarah Arthur https://www.amazon.com/Light-So-Lovely-Spiritual-Madeleine-ebook/dp/B07B6DCPJT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541443431&sr=8-1&keywords=a+light+so+lovely+the+spiritual+legacy+of+madeleine+lengle Music by Marie Miller https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nIm-_SUJsuOulFZtyjCXh0HYMQ0wpjCX8 Heather's One Thing - Book "The Way of Trust and Love" - by Fr. Jacques Philippe https://www.amazon.com/Way-Trust-Love-Retreat-Therese/dp/1594171653/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1541451900&sr=8-1

Discussion Questions:

1) St. Thérèse surrendered in trust to God, in what ways do you need to grow in trust? 2) St. Thérèse embraced small sacrifices to love God and her neighbor, how can you make small sacrifices this week for love? 3) God is drawn to our weakness. Have you or how have you allowed yourself to experience God's deep love in your areas of weakness? 4) God works miracles in the mundane moments of life, if we open our hearts to grace. How can you become more aware of God's presence in the simple places of normal life?

Journal Questions:

1) How is God calling you to become "little" and more dependent on God in your life? 2) What areas of brokenness do you need to invite the Savior to come in to today? 3) St. Thérèse talked about the importance of all the flowers being different. How is God calling you to let go of jealousy and comparison and embrace your gifts?

Quote to Ponder:

"God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint." - St.Thérèse of Lisieux

Scripture for the week - Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

We have a discussion group on Facebook that you are most welcome to join. If you have a Facebook account, just request access by clicking here https://www.facebook.com/groups/147228892631737/

We did a little spontaneous video podcast a couple of weeks ago, which we posted on our Facebook Abiding Together Podcast page. Here it is in case you missed it https://vimeo.com/298429907

Reading Recommendations about St. Therese:

The Way of Trust and Love - by Fr. Jacques Philippe

The Story of a Soul - by St. Therese

I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux - by Jean D'Elbee

33 days to Merciful Love - Fr. Micheal Gaitley

Shirts of Flame - A year with St. Therese of Lisieux - by Heather King