Abiding Together

In this episode we discuss the first chapter of our book study "Life of the Beloved" called Being the Beloved. We talk about what it means to be Beloved and the voices that come against that truth.

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One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - "Agape" by Bear's Den
• Michelle's One Thing - "The home is not the one tame place in a world of adventure; it is the one wild place in a world of rules and set tasks." by G.K. Chesterton
• Heather's One Thing - "I Surrender" - by Hillsong

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the voices that try to keep you from living your life as the beloved?
2. How can we live out being the beloved concretely in our day to day life?
3. Nouwen says, you can't give the gift of being beloved if you haven't received it. How can we receive this truth more deeply.

Journal Questions:

1. What is your interior response to hearing that you are the beloved?
2. What are your thoughts about Henri Nouwen's assertion that being the beloved expresses the core truth of our existence.

Quote to Ponder:

"Being the beloved expresses the core truth of our existence" - Henri Nouwen

In this episode we discuss the first chapter of our book study “Life of the Beloved” called Being the Beloved. We talk about what it means to be Beloved and the voices that come against that truth.

In this episode we begin our Lenten book study of "Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. We begin with an introduction of who Henri Nouwen is and the Prologue.

Join the Facebook discussion group here

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Superbowl
• Michelle's One Thing - Eli Manning/Odell Beckham Jr commercial
• Heather's One Thing - St. Francis Xavier's arm relic

Discussion Questions:

1. Mark 10:21 says "He was moved for compassion for him" Has there been a time when God put someone on your heart to journey with them?
2. Have there been dreams in your life that you have surrendered that God may want to resurrect?
3. Do you have someone in your life to help you midwife your dreams? Could you offer that to someone in your life?

Journal Questions:

1. Where are you settling in your life for less than what God desires for you?
2. What is life all about? Why do you do what you do?
3. Was there one quote or phrase that stood out to you from this chapter?

Quote to Ponder:

"Your story, is the story with which you can come to know God's story better, and it is his story that makes your story worth living."

In this episode we begin our Lenten book study of “Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. We begin with an introduction of who Henri Nouwen is and the Prologue

In this episode we discuss the prayer of Jesus for unity, that we would all be one. We chat about how this is the heart of God and how we can grow in unity among denominations with our Christian brothers and sisters as the body of Christ.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Sacrament of Marriage and good married couples
• Michelle's One Thing - This video about Matt Maher's thoughts on Christian unity
• Heather's One Thing - "Now and At the Hour" - by the Brilliance

Discussion Questions:

1. What barriers and mentalities do you need God to purify and remove in your heart, in regards to unity?
2. In what relationships, with people of other faiths, do you need to listen more instead of share your opinion?
3. In our society, people of good will must unite. What is one practical way that you could participate in this type of unity?

Journal Questions:

1. What can I learn from other Christian denominations?
2. Are there areas in your life and relationships where you focus more on being "right" that being charitable?
3. Where does Jesus want to encounter you this week?

Quote to Ponder: "That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me"

In this episode we discuss the prayer of Jesus for unity, that we would all be one. We chat about how this is the heart of God and how we can grow in unity among denominations with our Christian brothers and sisters as the body of Christ.

In this episode we talking about spiritual pruning and how its a difficult part of the process, but necessary to bring about growth and good fruit.

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Safe
• Sr. Miriam's Other One Thing - Beyond The Blue
• Michelle's One Thing - Print from Katie Fitzgerald - Sr. Miriam quote
• Heather's One Thing - Lifepoint Worship "Closer"

Discussion Questions:

1. What areas in your life is God pruning or wanting to prune right now?
2. Fruit can be good or bad. What are the fruits that are growing in your life?
3. What areas do you need to let God shift your perspective that you are not a victim, rather you are a "strugglers" and with God we are "overcomers"?

Journal Questions:

1. What areas do you distrust that God has your good in mind?
2. What are the motives behind the choices you make in the big areas of life?
3. What areas do you need to repent and begin again?

Quote to Ponder: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the keeper of the vineyard. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does beat fruit he prunes to make it even more fruitful." - John 15:1-2 

In this episode we talking about spiritual pruning and how its a difficult part of the process, but necessary to bring about growth and good fruit.

We are so excited to share this interview we did with our good friend Jenna Guizar. Jenna is the founder and creative director of Blessed is She, a Catholic women's community committed to deepening a life of prayer starting with daily Scripture devotionals and supportive sisterhood. We had a great and heartfelt conversation with Jenna about her ministry, how she balances work and life with 4 children (including one cute newborn who was also a guest on our podcast!), and just her journey of faith and how she abides together with her people. Hope you enjoy this rich conversation.

To find out more about Blessed is She check out BlessedIsShe.net, on facebook, on instagram, and on pinterest

One Thing We Love This Week:

• Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The character "Rey" in the new movie "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
• Michelle's One Thing - TV Series "Madam Secretary"
• Heather's One Thing - Movie "The Greatest Showman"
• Jenna's One Thing - Song by Bethel Music "Perfect Peace"

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that you didn't feel equipped to do?
2. How have deep friendships with people of faith supported you during the highs and lows of life?
3. How can you practically make more room in your life to journey and abide together with a small group?

Journal Questions:

1. What area in your life do you need to believe and trust that God will be faithful to His promises?
2. Have you ever felt like you don't "fit inside the box"? If so, how might God be calling you to offer your unique gifts to your community/church/family?

Quote to Ponder: "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her" - Luke 1:45

We are so excited to share this interview we did with our good friend Jenna Guizar. Jenna is the founder and creative director of Blessed is She, a Catholic women’s community committed to deepening a life of prayer starting with daily Scripture devotionals and supportive sisterhood. We had a great and heartfelt conversation about her ministry, how she balances work and life with 4 children , and just her journey of faith and how she abides together with her people.