Abiding Together

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather begin Lent with reflections on the book Searching For and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe. They chat about the truth that without God we can do nothing and that searching for peace isn’t about doing more, but opening to the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are challenged by our calling to be peacemakers and we can’t do that if we don’t have the peace of God first within us. We also ask, what is taking our attention away from the gaze of God this Lent? Visit ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week: Sister Miriam’s one thing - St. Faustina’s book Way of the Cross Michelle’s one thing - The book The Contemplative Rosary with St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Avila by Dan Burke Heather’s one thing - The Blessed is She Shine Retreat and the reliquary at St. Tim’s parish in Phoenix, Arizona Discussion Questions: 1.) What a

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather talk with special guest, Dr. Bob Schuchts. Dr. Bob has been a marriage and family therapist for 40 years and is the founder of the JP II Healing Center. He shares about the five areas of intimacy in marriage and the role of healing and restoration in the places that have hurt that intimacy. Check out more info about Dr. Bob’s ministry Check out his books: “Be Healed” “Be Transformed” “Real Suffering” Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week: Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The playlist “Peaceful Classical Music” Michelle’s One Thing - The Netflix series “Call the Midwife” Heather’s One Thing - Jake taking me to see Justin Timberlake! So fun. Dr. Bob’s One Thing - The book “The Same Kind of Different As Me” Discussion Questions: 1) Which one of the 5 areas of intimacy do you struggle with the most? If you’re not married this still appl

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather talk about living with the reality of depression, anxiety and hardships in life. We have some vulnerable conversation about our personal journeys and share the things we have learned along the way that have anchored our hearts in the hope of Jesus and allowed for healing and growth. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week: Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Adam Young- The Purpose of Counseling Michelle’s One Thing - Tasha Cobbs - Queen of Soul Heather’s One Thing - “Even When It Hurts” by Hillsong United Discussion Questions: 1) What stood out to you in this podcast? 2) Where are the places that you struggle to rest in God and believe He is trustworthy? 3) What has helped you have hope in times of trial? 4) What allows you to rest, receive, and not isolate when you’re struggling? Journal Questions: 1) What might be stunting your emotio

Today in the Abiding Together Podcast, we wrap up our book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe Part 4 (chapters 13-18). We chat about the resurrection, what it means to be restored and reconciled, and making space for childlike wonder. We hope you’ve enjoyed this book study with us. Visit www.ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether to subscribe to the shownotes and receive them in your email every Monday! One Thing We Love This Week: The “Abiding” Women’s Conference in Louisiana Discussion Questions: 1) When have you had an experience of mercy? 2) Who is someone that you need to offer mercy to? 3) What do you experience when God has you in a process or journey? Are you able to be patient or are you filled with unrest and anxiety? 4) Do I live life in grey, stone cold, or do I live life in technicolor? 5) Where am I dying and need Christ to bring life and make things new? Journal Questions: 1) Where do you need to ask God for mercy in your life right now? 2) Where is my heart hard? 3) How can I allow tim

Today in the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Heather, and Michelle progress with the book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (chapters 9-12). They continue to relate the story concepts with our spiritual life by discussing themes like the false narrative of the enemy, the dynamic of stoney hearts that God wants to restore and turn to flesh, true living of the paschal mystery, and the power of God’s resurrection power in our lives. We hope you enjoy this episode! 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 - Fire Within- Fr. Thomas Dubay Michelle’s One Thing - The movie “Gifted” Heather's One Thing - The Abiding Together small groups! We love you! Discussion Questions: 1) What is one of the false narratives that the enemy has been telling in your life? 2) What do you think the Father wants to say about that? 3) What area of your heart do you feel has been turned to s

Today we continue our book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe Chapters 5-8. We reflect deeper on the story and how it relates to our spiritual lives. Themes such as the battle of light and darkness, jealousy and making others feel small, the power of the name of Jesus, surrender vs control and how the story of Narnia is an echo of what our hearts long for in Christ. 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 women from the “Undone” retreat https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/undone-womens-conference-tallahassee-fl/ Michelle’s other one thing - The book “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-Story-Justice-Redemption/dp/081298496X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548091113&sr=8-1&keywords=just+mercy Heather's One Thing - Evangelization Ministry of Catholic Christian Outreach https://cco.ca/resources/faith-studies-series/ Discussion Ques

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 H

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

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

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 thi

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 gift

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 circl

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: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Taking time to reflect on the graces of the last year and writing them down to grow in gratitude Michelle's One Thing - Stephan Colbert - Liturgical Dance "The King of Glory" https://youtu.be/oASYa-Wkroc Heather's One Thing - The worship song “Sails” by Pat Barrett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC7mNAsx7Vw Discussion Questions: What areas is God calling you to submit under His Lordship? 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

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/2

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.

Today’s episode is Part 3 of our series on the women doctors of the Church, on the life of St. Teresa of Avila. We talk about the great gift of her spiritual writings, her humor, her practical wisdom and her reforming spirit. We talk about growing in self awareness and how we can move through spiritual pitfalls. One Thing We Love This Week: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Song “Fear Not” by Kristene DiMarco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0GQp-vTqOw Michelle's One Thing - Blessed Is She advent Journal https://blessedisshe.net/product/bearing-light-advent-devotional/ Also the new Ascension Series coming soon called “Rejoice” Heather's One Thing - The movie Les Miserable with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD53IYJlot8 Discussion Questions: 1) What struck you from the podcast this week? 2) What areas of comfort do you cling to that may be causing resistance in growing deeper in your relationship with God? 3) What is one practical “little by little” choice that you can make to grow thi

Today’s episode we dive into the life of St. Hildegard of Bingen, part 2 of our series on the women doctors of the Church. We talk about how amazing this woman was, her many talents and how she used the power of her voice and influence to help restore the Church. We also discuss places that we have lost our voice, the trap of self doubt, and letting God be strong in our weakness. One Thing We Love This Week: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Anonymous 4 album “The Origin of Fire” https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Fire-Visions-Hildegard-Bingen/dp/B00B3SPEQI/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1540407535&sr=8-20&keywords=anonymous+4 Michelle's One Thing - The Ministry of Ordinary Places - Shannan Martin https://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Ordinary-Places-Waking-Goodness-ebook/dp/B07BB665J5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540413147&sr=8-1&keywords=shannan+martin Heather's One Thing - The song “New Wine” by Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbJaM_EneMw Discussion Questions: Have you ever believed the lie that its

Today we begin our 5 part series on the women Doctors of the Church by first exploring the life of St. Catherine of Siena. St. Catherine was a preacher, influencer, writer, miracle worker, and mystic. In this episode, we chat about Catherine’s example of intimacy with God, her fiery heart and voice of conviction, how her hidden life fueled her passion for the Church and restoration, and how we can follow her example in specific ways. One Thing We Love This Week: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - The Divine Mercy Shrine in Poland Michelle's One Thing - Brother Isaiah’s new song - https://aleteia.org/2018/10/17/brother-isaiahs-love-song-for-the-bride-is-balm-for-a-wounded-church/ and check out his album Poco a Poco Michelle’s other one thing - Rosary bracelet - https://chewslife.com/new-siena-rosary-bracelet-dalmatian-jasper/ Heather's One Thing - The St. Francis of Assisi Movie “A Sign of Contradiction” by Fr. Dave Pivonka and 4pm Media https://www.signofcontradiction.com/ Discussion Questions: What does restored f

Learning how to pray is one of the topics Christians are continually striving to learn more about. In this episode we talk in depth about a couple of forms of prayer and also share some of our personal experiences and insights from our own prayer life. We hope that this conversation blesses you and encourages you to pray and encounter Christ more deeply.  One Thing We Love This Week: Sr. Miriam's One Thing - Her best pals Heather and Michelle! Michelle's One Thing - The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today by Fr. Timothy Gallagher Heather's One Thing - Bishop Barron Video “Christ Call You To Mission.” Also the song “Speak to Me” by Kari Jobe Discussion Questions:  What tends to distract you from taking time to pray each day? How can you prevent it? What type of prayer do you find most fruitful in your life? What is your experience with Lectio Divina? Do you believe that God wants to speak to you, personally? Journal Questions: If you don’t have one, make a prayer plan for each day of your week.