Abiding Together

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: What stands out to you as you read the quote "To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer." Have you ever received a blessing from someone that really resonated with you? What was it like to receive it? How do I experience prayer as coming into God's blessing? Journal Questions: Where can I start blessing people in my life today? 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? 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 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: God looks upon each of us as unique and chooses us personally. How can you make space to understand this truth more deeply? Do you sometimes feel like you have to hustle or strive for God's favor and attention? Gratitude is the cure for complaining and criticism. How can you grow in gratitude? Do you surround yourself with people that speak goodness, truth, and beauty into your life? Journal Questions: We become what we focus on. What is blooming in the garden of your heart these days? 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. 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

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: What does it looks like in my life to become the Beloved in all that I think say and do? Are there areas in my life where I am listless and bored even though I am busy? What's happening in those areas? 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: How do you use being "busy" as an excuse for growing in your relationship with God and being present to your own life. When your heart is restless, where or what do you turn to in the world in attempt to satisfy it? 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 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. Join the Facebook discussion group here 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: What are the voices that try to keep you from living your life as the beloved? How can we live out being the beloved concretely in our day to day life? 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: What is your interior response to hearing that you are the beloved? 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 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: 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? Have there been dreams in your life that you have surrendered that God may want to resurrect? Do you have someone in your life to help you midwife your dreams? Could you offer that to someone in your life? Journal Questions: Where are you settling in your life for less than what God desires for you? What is life all about? Why do you do what you do? 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 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: What barriers and mentalities do you need God to purify and remove in your heart, in regards to unity? In what relationships, with people of other faiths, do you need to listen more instead of share your opinion? 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: What can I learn from other Christian denominations? Are there areas in your life and relationships where you focus more on being "right" that being charitable? 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 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: What areas in your life is God pruning or wanting to prune right now? Fruit can be good or bad. What are the fruits that are growing in your life? 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: What areas do you distrust that God has your good in mind? What are the motives behind the choices you make in the big areas of life? 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 

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: Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that you didn't feel equipped to do? How have deep friendships with people of faith supported you during the highs and lows of life? How can you practically make more room in your life to journey and abide together with a small group? Journal Questions: What area in your life do you need to believe and trust that God will be faithful to His promises? 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

Happy New Year! Welcome to Season 3! In this episode we talk about beginning again, our word of the year, not settling for mediocrity, and how to engage in your life with new perspective and openness to the love of God. One Thing We Love This Week: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Deep friendships. Especially with Heather and Michelle of course :) Michelle's One Thing - The prayer "Disturb Us Lord" - by Sir Francis Drake Heather's One Thing - Reckless Love by Cory Asbury Discussion Questions: What is your word of the year? If you don't have one, when will you make time to listen to what God has for you this year? How will you be intentional about living into your word of the year? What areas in your life do you need to begin again and receive the grace to start over? What areas do you need to "unclench your fists" and let it go, so that God can come in power? Journal Questions: In what areas have you settled for mediocrity? How do you specifically want to become more fully alive in various areas of your life? (family, health, spiritual, community, emotional health) What was God sewing into your life last year? How do you think that's connected to what He has for you this year? Quote to Ponder: "The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective." ― G.K. Chesterton

In part 4 of our Advent series "Believe" we are super excited that we get to record together in person! We talk about what it means to believe and hold on to God's promises even in dark times and we reflect on Mary's "fiat". One Thing We Love This Week: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - In thanksgiving and gratitude to God for my 15th anniversary of my vows and being able to spend it with Heather and Michelle. Michelle's One Thing - Our listeners who are missionaries! Thank you for being obedient! Heather's One Thing - Soup! Here's the recipe for Heather's Potato Soup 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup flour 3-4 cloves garlic 1 small onion chopped fine 6 medium potatoes washed, unpeeled, and diced medium 2 cups chicken stock 2 cups milk half pound of bacon diced and cooked till crispy salt, pepper, paprika to taste 1tbsp or more of chicken Bouillon paste for additional flavor at the end Melt 1/2 cup butter in large pot over medium heat add garlic and onion and sauté after about 2-3 minutes sprinkle in all the flour and stir cook for about 2 minutes slowly add milk and whisk while you add it Add chicken stock Add diced potatoes, salt, pepper, paprika Bring to a boil, stirring regularly put on lid and simmer on low, stirring regularly When everything thickens either puree soup with hand blender or partially mash potatoes in the pot with masher. If it needs more flavor, add chicken bouillon paste and mix through Add crispy bacon serve with yummy bread :) Discussion Questions: Have you ever noticed God in an inconvenient interruption? What do you need to be obedient to right now and make your own "fiat" (yes) to? In what areas of your life do you find it hard to trust God? Why am I guarded with God? Journal Questions: Where in your life are you settling for half the promise of God instead of the full promise? Take time to renew your promise to God. How are you going to specifically renew your commitment to Him in your daily life? How are you going to specifically renew your commitment to Him in your daily life? The saints are you on your side. What saints do you need to intercede for you right now? Quote to Ponder: "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her" - Luke 1:45