Abiding Together

In this weeks podcast we reflect on the next chapter in Life of the Beloved, "Given". We talk about the greatest gift we can offer another is not our talents, but our very selves. This allows for the deep connection and intimacy we all long for, but to give ourselves we need to first possess ourselves and know our identity as beloved.

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One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Steffany Gretzinger - Reckless Love
• Michelle's One Thing - Lisa Brenninkmeyer's son Jonny Brenns is on American Idol! Here's his audition!
• Heather's One Thing - Magnolia Journal

Discussion Questions:

1. When faced with an opportunity to give to another, we often will count the cost. What are the things that make you turn down opportunities to offer yourself to others?
2. What are the gifts that you receive when you are willing to share your life with others?
3. What are specific ways you can go beyond offering your talents to people, to giving of yourself?

Journal Questions:

1. How do I live like an orphan in regards to giving?
2. In what relationships do I take more than I give? How can I practically begin to change this dynamic in those relationships and offer more to the other?
3. Judgement of others can often cause us to pull away from people, but when we remember we are loving Christ when we love that person it changes us. Who in your life can you do a better job of loving today?

Quote to Ponder:

"Our real gift is not so much what we can do, but who we are" - Henri Nouwen

In this weeks podcast we reflect on the next chapter in Life of the Beloved, “Given”. We talk about the greatest gift we can offer another is not our talents, but our very selves. This allows for the deep connection and intimacy we all long for, but to give ourselves we need to first possess ourselves and know our identity as beloved.

This week we continue our book study of "Life of the Beloved" chapter 5, "Broken". We talk about how our brokenness is unique to our story and that God wants to bring healing and restoration to us. We discuss the ways that we can often numb out to the pain and how God is inviting us to live a more full and abundant life by living our identity as beloved. One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - "I'll Keep You Safe" - Sleeping At Last
• Michelle's One Thing - Mary Williams "Behold"
• Michelle's Other Thing - Quote by Brennan Manning "When I am aware of my belovedness, I am more compassionate and playful, I take myself less seriously, I become aware that the breath of the Father is on my face and that my countenance is bright with laughter in the midst of an adventure I thoroughly enjoy."
• Heather's One Thing - "Closer Than You Know" - Hillsong United

• Heather's Other Thing - "Here Now" - Hillsong United Discussion Questions:

1. What stands out to you as you read the quote "The first step to healing is not a step away from the pain, but a step toward it."
2. Have you ever considered your brokenness as being unique and not something to compare to other peoples?
3. Where do you tend to bring your brokenness and numb out instead of bringing it to God? How can you make a change this week in this area?

Journal Questions:

1. What area does God want to bring deeper healing into my life?
2. How can I "befriend" my brokenness and bring it under "the blessing"?
3. How can I practically pursue more healing in my life today?

Quote to Ponder:

"The first step to healing is not a step away from the pain, but a step toward it" - Henri Nouwen

This week we continue our book study of “Life of the Beloved” chapter 5, “Broken”. We talk about how our brokenness is unique to our story and that God wants to bring healing and restoration to us. We discuss the ways that we can often numb out to the pain and how God is inviting us to live a more full and abundant life by living our identity as beloved.

This week we continue our book study "Life of the Beloved" chapter 4, "Blessed". We talk about how the deepest affirmation of our being comes from God who desires to bless us. Many of us have experience so many words of destruction and negativity that need to be restored by true blessing from God and one another. Hope you enjoy this weeks podcast!

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The gift of the priesthood giving their lives in the service of their bride
• Michelle's One Thing - "Better is one day' by Trey McLaughlin
• Heather's One Thing - My sweet mom. Nothing like the love of a good mother when you're sick.

Discussion Questions:

1. What stands out to you as you read the quote "To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer."
2. Have you ever received a blessing from someone that really resonated with you? What was it like to receive it?
3. How do I experience prayer as coming into God's blessing?

Journal Questions:

1. Where can I start blessing people in my life today?
2. Have I ever had someone speak words to me or over me that were not blessings? Have I ever felt cursed or stuck because of what someone said to me or about me?
3. How can I concretely be more attentive to the blessings that come to me day after day and year after year?

Quote to Ponder:

"To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer" - Henri Nouwen

This week we continue our book study “Life of the Beloved” chapter 4, “Blessed”. We talk about how the deepest affirmation of our being comes from God who desires to bless us. Many of us have experience so many words of destruction and negativity that need to be restored by true blessing from God and one another. Hope you enjoy this weeks podcast!

This week we dive into part 4 of "Life of the Beloved" chapter 3, "Taken".

We talk about how being chosen by God does not exclude others, rather it is personal and includes everyone. We also discuss how to unmask the world, declare truth over our lives, and cure the critical heart with gratitude. Hope you enjoy this weeks podcast!

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - "Fearless and Free" study on Ephesians - by Lisa Brenninkmeyer of Walking With Purpose
• Michelle's One Thing - Gratitude for the life and legacy of Billy Graham
• Heather's One Thing - The Instant Pot. Frozen chicken breasts in 12 minutes people!

Discussion Questions:

1. God looks upon each of us as unique and chooses us personally. How can you make space to understand this truth more deeply?
2. Do you sometimes feel like you have to hustle or strive for God's favor and attention?
3. Gratitude is the cure for complaining and criticism. How can you grow in gratitude?
4. Do you surround yourself with people that speak goodness, truth, and beauty into your life?

Journal Questions:

1. We become what we focus on. What is blooming in the garden of your heart these days?
2. Have you ever felt left out in the Church community? This is not how the Church is meant to be. Consider opening your heart to God's healing and restoration in this area.
3. In what area of your life do you need to declare and claim God's truth right now? Quote to Ponder:

"When we keep claiming the light, we will find ourselves becoming more and more radiant" - Henri Nouwen

This week we dive into part 4 of “Life of the Beloved” chapter 3, “Taken”.

We talk about how being chosen by God does not exclude others, rather it is personal and includes everyone. We also discuss how to unmask the world, declare truth over our lives, and cure the critical heart with gratitude. Hope you enjoy this weeks podcast!

In this episode we discuss "Life of the Beloved" chapter 2, "Becoming the Beloved"

We chat about how we can allow the knowledge of being the Beloved to become infused in our daily life, moment by moment. We also talk about living the abundant life and allowing our hearts to desire heaven.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Michelle's One Thing - Defender by Rita Springer
• Heather's One Thing - Your Love Defends Me by Matt Maher
• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Winter Olympics Cross Country Skiing

• Sr. Miriam's Other One Thing - Heather's Lenten Worship Playlist Discussion Questions:

1. What does it looks like in my life to become the Beloved in all that I think say and do?
2. Are there areas in my life where I am listless and bored even though I am busy? What's happening in those areas?
3. What is the process God has me in to become the beloved? What steps is He taking to open up my heart to Him?

Journal Questions:

1. How do you use being "busy" as an excuse for growing in your relationship with God and being present to your own life.
2. When your heart is restless, where or what do you turn to in the world in attempt to satisfy it?
3. How can you practically make space to listen to the voice of God speaking the truth of your Belovedness? Quote to Ponder:

"Becoming the Beloved means letting the truth of our Belovedness become enfleshed in everything we think, say, or do." - Henri Nouwen

In this episode we discuss “Life of the Beloved” chapter 2, “Becoming the Beloved”

We chat about how we can allow the knowledge of being the Beloved to become infused in our daily life, moment by moment. We also talk about living the abundant life and allowing our hearts to desire heaven.