Abiding Together

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather discuss their own personal prayer lives and how it has changed through seasons and vocation. They also chat about how to develop a rhythm of prayer, cultivating spiritual disciplines, and how to pray with your spouse. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - The beautiful hike at Heather’s house Michelle’s one thing - Devotion to the Sacred Heart Heather’s one thing - Our friend of the podcast Michael Corcoro Discussion Questions What form of prayer do you find easiest? What is the most challenging for you? How can you experience the gift of prayer in this season of your life? What ushers you into the presence of God quickly? Discuss the idea of a daily conversation with God throughout your day. If you're married, how can you pray with your spouse this week? Journal Questions How is God inviting you to make time with Him? What is most on your heart right now to speak with God about? What devotions are you drawn to and

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather recap their conference on restoring the beauty with special guest Fr. Josh Johnson. We talk about the four themes of our weekend and how this applies to all of us at every stage in our spiritual journey. We also discuss what it looks like to have restored hearts, femininity, hope, relationships. One Thing We Love this Week Sister Miriam’s one thing - Book by Dr. Conrad Bars I Will Give Them a New Heart Michelle’s one thing - Being together Heather’s one thing - Her husband Jake (also the incredible Hannah Van Noort) Fr. Josh’s one thing - Fr. Lucio Choi & Heather’s family Discussion Questions Fr. Josh said that when we allow Jesus into our painful places that he will not hurt us, he will only love us. What does this stir in you? Sometimes we can brood and focus on our pain or lies more than the truth. What does this do to your heart when you do this? How can you change this pattern? The word restore means to stand again. What is a

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about the gift and calling of motherhood. Whether it be biological or spiritual motherhood, every woman is called to offer her maternity. Motherhood stretches our hearts to love more deeply and give new life to others. We talk about adoption and spiritual motherhood, which allows others to be born in our hearts as we image the gift of adoption that God has given to us. 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 - the beauty of Bowling Green, Kentucky Michelle’s one thing - weekend getaways with her spouse Heather’s one thing - two songs from the new Hillsong United album, “People”: Clean and Highlands (Song of Ascent) Discussion Questions Where do you experience the joy of maternity and femininity? What would you like Jesus to heal in your maternity and femininity? How is God inviting you to expand your hea

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about Pope Francis' Easter message and how we can truly live in the Resurrection. We discuss the power of God that can roll away even the hardest stones in our heart and what the common blocks are to hope in Jesus. 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 - Seminarians at Mundelein Seminary Michelle’s one thing - Writings of Fr. Padro Arrupe, SJ Heather’s one thing - The Song “Healer” by Upperroom worship and in case you missed it, here’s Heather’s Easter Playlist - Hallelujah Is Our Song Discussion Questions What is the stone that I need to remove, what is the name of this stone? Am I expecting to find the Risen Jesus in the most painful parts of my heart and story? Where am I giving into discouragement and where have I lost hope? What struck you from Pope Francis' message or the podcast and why? Jo

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sr. Miriam, Michelle, and Heather talk about the gift of God's mercy. In light of the diary of St. Faustina, they discuss how often we don't turn to God in our weakness and sin because of shame or a belief that we are not worthy. The truth is that God's mercy is a free, inexhaustible gift that our loving Father wants to give to us in abundance. 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 - Springtime and flowers Michelle’s one thing - Her trip to Dallas Heather’s one things - Free 50 day Easter Devotional “Arise” The new Hillsong Young & Free acoustic album Easter Playlist - Hallelujah Is Our Song Discussion Questions: What struck you from the podcast this week? What has been a stumbling block for you in receiving God’s mercy? Often we think of God as a harsh Father, but in fact he shows us His vulnerability as He pours out His heart to u

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather have another heart to heart conversation with our good friend Dr. Bob Schuchts. Dr. Bob is a family and marriage counsellor for 40 years and founder of JPII Healing Center. Dr. Bob shares about the 7 universal wounds in the human person that affect how we relate to others, ourselves, and God. He teaches about how those present themselves in our lives and how we can begin the healing journey that leads to freedom. You can find more about Dr. Bob’s ministry at https://jpiihealingcenter.org/ Dr. Bob’s book “Be Healed” - https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-healed-dr-bob-schuchts-copy/ All his other books - https://jpiihealingcenter.org/shop/ 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 - Song “Come out of Hiding” Steffany Gretzinger Michelle’s one thing - Song “You Don’t Miss a Thing” by Amanda Cook Heather’

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather finish up their Lenten series on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. They talk about how God wants to build a house where he dwells within us and how we are invited to be receptive and open instead of self protective. They dig into what causes us to lose peace and ask how are we letting the Prince of Peace take care of our difficult situations in life. 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 - Bishop Barron Presents with Leah Libresco (Facebook link) Michelle’s one thing - Think Like a Tree - Live Oaks Heather’s one thing - Story behind the song “As You Find Me” by Hillsong United Discussion Questions: What makes me lose my peace? What are the things that are keeping God from creating the house that he wants to build in us? Is my interior house (in my heart) a place where o

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather continue the conversation in week five of Lent on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about how we often cover up our weakness and sin in attempts to make ourselves more presentable to God, but that God wants to draw near to us in our weakness and receive every part of us. We also talk about some rules of discernment and how to abandon our will to God in total trust. 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 song “Build My Life” by Housefires Michelle’s one thing: Beautiful Easter plates designed by Erica Tighe at beaheart.com Michelle’s other one thing: This new Alleluia cake topper Heather’s one thing: The Abiding Together small groups that are meeting together! Discussion Questions: Do you ever feel like you need to “cover up” before approaching God? Do you fe

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather continue the conversation in week 4 of Lent with Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about the frequent human experience of wishing that we had a different life or circumstance than the one we really have. We discuss how the enemy can block us from understanding where God is in our suffering and that the key is to allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and open our eyes to a new perspective. 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 documentary “Free Solo” Michelle’s one thing: Prayer of Abandonment Michelle’s other one thing: Be Brave in the Sacred, Mary Lenaburg Heather’s one thing: The song “Confident” by Steffany Gretzinger and Bobby Strand Discussion Questions Where is the enemy trying to make you believe that real life is elsewhere? We are not called to

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle, and Heather continue the conversation in week three of Lent on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. We talk about how fear often causes us to self protect or hustle to escape suffering instead of trusting God. We discuss the power of making space for God and his providence in our lives and how we can trust him when we experience 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 song "Open Space” by Housefires Michelle’s one thing: The song “Awakening” by Amanda Cook Heather’s one thing: Peace playlist Discussion Questions What is the biggest thing you fear will be lacking or absent in your life? Where do you think you need to make space for God to show his abundance and his providence? St John of the Cross says that God gives in the measure that we expect. Discuss that quote and h

Today on the Abiding Together Podcast, Sister Miriam, Michelle and Heather continue the conversation on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book Searching for and Maintaining Peace. They discuss the importance of learning to fight the right battles and how often the enemy distracts us by enticing us to live small stories and fight the wrong battles, which we often lose or exhaust us. We also talk about being anchored in the identity as children of God, the power we gain from keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, and where our true home is. 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 - Pope Francis’s Lenten letter Michelle’s one thing - Lauren Daigle - Love Like This Heather’s one thing - Documentary movie about Mr. Rogers “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” Discussion Questions: 1.) Do you notice in your life that you are putting energy into small stories (battles) rather than the bigger stories that are le

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