Abiding Together

In this weeks episode we reflect on the theme of our Royalty and how we are adopted daughters and sons of the King and therefore we are royal. We discuss the themes from the women's retreat we did together in British Columbia last week and share about God's invitation to us, our identity, how to grow in intimacy with Him, and our royal inheritance.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Bloom Tulip Festival
• Michelle's One Thing -The film "Embracing the Unknown"
• Michelle's Other One Thing - Steffany Gretzinger - Oxygen
• Heather's One Thing - Hillsong - "New Wine"
• Heather's Other One Thing - Hillsong - "Touch of Heaven"

Discussion Questions:

1. God invites us to come to Him as children. What does it mean, and look like, to approach the throne of God boldly?
2. What is home for you and what makes it home? How does this relate to our desire for God and how He reveals His love?
3. How did you feel when Michelle said, "your vocation and your calling are not at war with each another?

Journal Questions:

1. How do you usually approach God? Fearful, boldly, only when you need something?
2. What is the narrative in your heart and mind about your identity? Is it God's narrative?
3. Most of us come from a defeated mindset, but what would it look like to operate from a place of victory in your life?

Quote to Ponder:

"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My delight is in her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married." - Isaiah 62:1-5

There is good news and bad news.

The bad news is Michelle, Sr. Miriam, and Heather planned on recording a podcast while at the Royal Retreat held this last weekend in British Columbia. Because Michelle's flight was over 3 hours late they didn't have time to record a new podcast.

The good news is we have a recording of Heather's talk from Saturday of the retreat on intimacy.

Here are the two videos Heather used in her talk:

• Adoptions
• Wedding first looks

Discussion Questions:

1. How does it make you feel when God says the words "you are mine"?
2. Do you believe that you are delightful to God, even in your brokenness

3. What do you think blocks your intimacy with God?

Journal Questions:

1. What ways do you bond with God and what are the ways you need to open the door to?

2. Journal about what the veil is in your life?

3. What broken parts of the parent child relationship or marriage relationship analogies affect your relationship with God?

Quote to Ponder:

"There can be no intimacy – emotional intimacy, spiritual intimacy, physical intimacy – without vulnerability. One of the reasons there is such an intimacy deficit today is because we don't know how to be vulnerable. It's about being honest with how we feel, about our fears, about what we need. Vulnerability is a glue that holds intimate relationships together" - Brene Brown

In this week's episode we break open John 21, where Peter goes back to his old way of life, encounters Jesus, and reconciles with him. We discuss how we often go back to our old ways after Lent, but that God is calling us to deeper intimacy and transformation.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - "Find Me" - Jonathan Helser
• Michelle's One Thing - "What a Beautiful Name" - Hillsong
• Heather's One Thing - "Nothing Without You" - Will Reagan

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some reasons why you go back to old ways of living, like Peter did in John 21?
2. What struck you about the story of Peter during the podcast?
3. How can you specifically open yourself up to the grace of the Easter season and Pentecost?

Journal Questions:

1. How do you picture God looks at your when you have sinned and messed up? Does this image need to be redeemed?
2. How can you unveil your heart more to God?
3. What is God speaking to you this Easter season?

Quote to Ponder:

"The invitation this Easter season is to come out of hiding and really let the Lord see us" - Heather Khym

We thought we would have a little fun this week with a light hearted conversation about some of our favorite things from movies to saints and everything in between. We have learned that in order to have thriving relationships, its so important to never stop learning about the other. Laughing and chatting about things we love, bonds people. We hope you'll take an opportunity to discuss your favorite things with a few friends over a coffee or glass of wine.

In this weeks podcast we finish our Life of the Beloved book study with "Living as the Beloved" and the epilogue. We discuss how God is Love and He desires to be loved by us. All that God has done for us deserves a response, a personal response to His goodness, His love, and His sacrifice. Thank you for joining us for the book study and we look forward to continuing the journey with you each week with the podcast.

Join the Facebook discussion group here. One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - the Easter Vigil Mass, so beautiful
• Michelle's One Thing - Starburst Jelly beans...Alleluia! Lent is over!

• Heather's One Thing - Easter playlist Discussion Questions:

1. How can you respond to the gift of God's love in a personal way?
2. Discuss your thoughts on this quote "the world is evil only when you become its slave".
3. How do you or can you bring the light of Christ into your world in a specific way?
4. Do I present and witness to the Gospel as "Good News" and witness with joy?

Journal Questions:

1. What does it look like for me to live out of my belovedness in the mission field God has me in?
2. How have I slipped into living a small story instead of living in the larger story, God's story?
3. What area of my life do I need to bring into the light and love of Christ? Quote to Ponder:

"The unfathomable mystery of God is that God is a lover who wants to be loved" - Henri Nouwen