Abiding Together

In this episode, we discuss freedom in Christ. We all have places in our lives where the enemy has whispered a lie. A lie that tells us we will never escape the bondage of our sins. That we will always be slaves to something. But these whispers are just that - a lie. We are not made to be filled with weakness! We are made to live in freedom. Christ came to earth to break the chains of sin and death. He has created a pathway for us to live in freedom. Friends, what if the place of your greatest pain could become the place of your greatest holiness? Join us as we discuss how we are made for freedom.   Heather’s One Thing- Live in the Prayer Room by Jeremy Riddle Michelle’s One Thing - Soul of Shame, Dr. Curt Thompson  Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Double Chocolate Walnut Biscotti Recipe   Discussion Questions: What would it look like for me to be free? Is it more comfortable to live in my chains or pursue freedom? When have I experienced the fruit of inner healing in the past? What is a place of bondage in my

In this episode, we continue our annual tradition, sharing our Word of the Year! Each year we each ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share our words for 2023 and how our words of the year have been connected over time. At the end of the episode, we also share an exciting announcement about our upcoming Lenten Book Study and insights into the theme for Season 12 of the podcast!  Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Belovedness by Sarah Kroger Heather’s One Thing- Only Jesus Playlist Michelle’s One Thing - Amanda Cook Edens  Michelle’s Other One Thing - Placemakers: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace - Christie Purifoy    Discussion Questions: What stood out to you from this week’s episode? Which podcast host’s “word” resonated most with you and why? After prayer and reflection, what’s your word of the year?  How can you see your spiritual progress through the evolution of your words of the year over the past fe

We are so excited to be back! In this episode, we reconnect after an extended break to share with you updates from each of our lives according to the mysteries of the Rosary: joyful, sorrowful, luminous, and glorious. While our first episode back is traditionally our “Word of the Year” episode, we felt the need to open up about what has been going on in our lives the past seven months. Stay tuned for next week’s episode to discover each of our words for 2023. Thank you for being a part of our journey. We are so incredibly grateful for you. Heather’s One Thing- Fr. Mike Schmitz Catechism in a Year Podcast (Trailer Here) Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Hope’s Garden Michelle’s One Thing - Elizabeth Wade Studios  Michelle’s Other One Thing - With all Her Mind: A Call to the Intellectual Life; Rachel Bulman Amazon or Word on Fire Bookstore   Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? How has Christ met me in the Joyful Mysteries of my life? How has Christ met me in the Sorrowful Myste

In this final episode of Season 11, we chat about our favorite parts of the last year’s episodes and have a special announcement about what is coming next for the podcast. We discuss how there is a season for everything and how we are invited to not grasp onto the things that God entrusts to us, but to hold them loosely with a posture of trust and freedom. We also talk about taking time to be quiet and discern what the Lord has for us, what changes need to be made, and what to let go of. We pray that you have a wonderful summer filled with simplicity and moments to spend with Christ. Sister Miriam’s one thing - Prudence - Choose Confidently, Live Boldly by Fr. Gregory Pine, OP  Heather’s one thing - Heather’s playlist - Only Jesus  Michelle’s one thing -   Live Today Well - Creative God  Michelle’s Summer Reading List    Mentioned on the Podcast:  Bryan Stevenson’s Talk from Communion and Liberations’s New York Encounter Searching for and Maintaining Peace Lenten Series   Discussion Questions:     What sto

In this episode, we conclude our series on the identity of Bride: Fruitful Love. We discuss the truth that love was designed to be life generating and to bear good fruit that will last. Although this occurs through biological children within family, it also applies to community and beyond the boundaries of biological ties in the discipleship of others. We also talk honestly about how tenderness, vulnerability, and intimacy are intertwined and what is needed to feel safe and open up. Our body has meaning and was made for an other. We all are invited to grow from brokenness to wholeness in our sexuality. This conversation has some mature content so please be sensitive to little ears listening.   Sister Miriam’s one thing - Our Listeners, Spirit Juice, and Michelle for her vision of the content from this series Heather’s one thing - Best Ever Roasted Brussel Sprouts Michelle’s one thing - Our listeners and everyone behind the scenes making this podcast happen   Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you f

In this episode, we continue with part three of our series on the identity of Bride: Faithful and Honoring Love. We discuss where we have been wounded or where we have wounded others and how that affects current relationships. We chat about how being guarded can inhibit vulnerability and how to navigate our blocks to grow in intimacy. We offer insights into how to come before the Lord with our preconceived ideas and allow Him to speak the truth, as well as how to maintain fidelity in relationships. This week, let us not resign ourselves to mediocrity, but recommit to loving well.  Sister Miriam’s one thing - Tweet about faithful married love Heather’s one thing - Restore the Glory Episode 35 “Healing in Marriage with Heather Khym” Michelle’s one thing - “Be Devoted” by Dr. Bob Schuchts, “Intimate Allies” by Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III, and “Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love” by Dr. Edward Sri   Discussion Questions:       What stood out to you from this week’s episode? What wounded parts of you

In this episode, we continue with part two of our series on the identity of Bride: Full and Total Love. We discuss the perfect model we have in Christ of love without reservation and the distinction between co-existing with those we love and living in complete union. We pray this week you would allow your heart to be transformed to love those around you fully and totally.   Sister Miriam’s one thing - Some People Do - Old Dominion Heather’s one thing - Love Heals ring - Pink Salt Riot Michelle’s one thing - Mary   Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? What does it look like to love without reservation? With your spouse, closest friends or a small group - Do you know enough of one another’s stories to love one another fully? How do we learn to love another when they have parts that aren't beautiful in that moment? How can we learn to be like Christ then? Journal Questions: Where is yout heart holding back, guarding itself, or not loving fully, and why? Is there a fear of

In this episode, we wrap up our identity collection and begin a four part series on Bride. We discuss how God created us for intimate communion with Him no matter our vocation or state in life. We break open the risks of vulnerability and exposure and the deep communion and love we can only experience through intimacy.    Sister Miriam’s one thing - Kale Salad Heather’s one thing - The Hidden Life Playlist on Spotify Michelle’s one thing - Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers    Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? How have you witnessed a bride and groom give themselves freely to one another?  How can you grow in a commitment to continue to grow in the school of love? How do you experience God as a lover?    Journal Questions: How are you a gift to God? How can you exercise freedom in choosing to love God and give yourself to Him?  If married - how do you allow your spouse into your inner garden to bring your hearts to the Lord together? How do you love your spouse with y

In this episode, we conclude in our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam’s book Restore. It’s not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. We discuss entering into the paschal mystery with our whole hearts. We chat about the different characters of the Passion - Judas, Mary of Bethany, Peter - and how we can experience God’s extravagant love through the Holy Week liturgies. We pray that you would be open to the Holy Spirit, carry the light burden of sacrifice this week, and experience the resurrection power of Jesus!    Sister Miriam’s one thing - Soaking in His Presence - William Augusto Bethel  Heather’s one thing - The Life on Purpose Series by Alpha Michelle’s one thing - The Gift of Brother Priests    Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? What traditions have been helpful to your family to enter into Holy Week and prepare for Easter? How can we make this week different, entering into the suffering, death and resurrection of J

In this bonus episode, Sister Miriam provides a beautiful forgiveness meditation that we hope will bring healing and restoration within you and your relationships. We encourage you to find a quiet place in solitude to pray and reflect.

In this episode, we continue in our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam’s book Restore. It’s not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. This week we discuss the healing that comes through almsgiving. We share our own personal experiences of tithing our time, practicing obedience in our vocations, and how almsgiving is more than giving money. We pray that God would grow your capacity to see Christ in the other through the practice of almsgiving!    Sister Miriam’s one thing - Homemade Vegetarian Chili Heather’s one thing - Heather’s Zucchini Pecan Muffins Michelle’s one thing - Once Upon a Wardrobe - Patti Callahan Michelle’s other one thing -  God is Beauty - TOB Institute    Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? In light of almsgiving, what does faithful stewardship look like in your life?  How can almsgiving work to help mature your love?  Where do you let others hold you accountable? Are there specific areas you resist accou

In this episode, we continue in our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam’s book Restore. It’s not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. This week we dive even deeper into the healing power of fasting and share the tendencies and temptations we notice when fasting. We discuss how God desires to identify, uproot, and heal the wounds exposed when we enter into this Lenten practice. We pray this week you would allow God to bring healing and wholeness through the discipline of fasting.   Sister Miriam’s one thing - The Hobbit Audiobook Heather’s one thing - Lent playlist: Songs in the Desert Michelle’s one thing - On Earth as it is Heaven - Father Josh Johnson    Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? How has your understanding of fasting changed since beginning this study?  What are the tendencies within yourself that you notice when you are fasting? How has fasting allowed you to see areas of woundedness and experience God’s heali

In this episode, we continue in our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam’s book Restore. It’s not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. This week we discuss the power of fasting and sacrifices to bring healing within ourselves and deeper communion with Jesus. We chat about how fasting can bring forth repentance and right ordered love when we remember we are saying no, so that we can say a greater yes to Jesus, our lover. We pray that your fasting would bring about healing and restoration this Lent! Sister Miriam’s one thing - French Onion Soup  Heather’s one thing - I Shall Not Want - The Worship Initiative Michelle’s one thing -  Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy with Jesus - Heather Khym Michelle’s other one thing - Sunday Bead Co.    Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? Can you recognize any disordered desires or loves in your day to day life that become more right-ordered through fasting? Is there so

In this episode, we begin our Lenten series as we journey through Sister Miriam’s book Restore. It’s not too late to join us! You can find your copy today at Ave Maria Press. We share our own perspectives entering this new season of Lent before diving into the first section on prayer. We speak about the healing power of the disciplines of Lent: prayer, almsgiving and fasting as a means to lean into our desire and God’s desire for us. We remind one another of the true goal of Lent: union with Christ. We pray that it blesses you.    Sister Miriam’s one thing - Restore the Glory Podcast episode with Archbishop Sample Heather’s one thing - Reconnecting with dear friends and community Michelle’s one thing -  Dig to the Roots - Reform    Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? What is your disposition as we enter the season of Lent? How is God inviting you to receive restoration rather than to white knuckle your way through fasting, prayer and penance?  What does God want to stri

In this episode, we conclude our conversation on motherhood focusing on the feminine genius of maternity. We speak about how to grow in spiritual maternity to allow new life and lasting fruit to come forth through us. We discuss the need to continue to allow others to mother us, as well as the importance of showing up for ourselves and tending to our own needs. We revisit the ideas of abiding in the Lord and living a right-ordered life in community in order to live our vocations as mothers. We pray this week you would bring forth the life God desires to birth in you. Sister Miriam’s one thing - Prayer from Mother Mary Francis “Our Lady is a home where people are helped to be what they can be, to grow to the maturity for which God has destined them. Like her, the family is called to be a place where someone helps me to rise when I stumble. Always a hand reaches out to sustain me, and my hand goes out to help the stumbling one. All these appellations that the Church heaps upon Our Lady show her as both homemake

In this episode, we continue our discussion on motherhood by reflecting on the gift of sensitivity. We discuss how Our Lady reveals in her motherhood how God knows us, notices us and responds to us. We chat about the temptation to conform, wall off our hearts, or see the gift of sensitivity as a liability rather than a tool for healing. We speak about the space within our hearts as mothers that allows for others to room, grow and cultivate their true humanity. We pray for you to experience healing this week!   Sister Miriam’s one thing - Christ Taking Leave of His Mother - Piotr Stachiewicz Heather’s one thing - The mothers in my life that teach me how to be a better mother. Michelle’s one thing - The Lifegiving Home - Sally Clarkson  and The Lifegiving Table - Sally Clarkson    Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? How have you experienced the gift sensitivity through mothers in your life? Is there a particular instance or memory where you experienced healing through the

In this episode, we speak about the impact of maternal wounds caused by distraction, harsh words, and abandonment. We discuss repairing relationships through time, perspective, and understanding the context of the situations our mothers experienced as women. We speak about the importance of maturity as mothers, especially when our children hurt us and how to seek healing, restoration and repair immediately. We pray this week the Lord would respond and be the healer of your wounds! Sister Miriam’s one thing - Verso Alto Coffee Heather’s one thing - On the Altar - Upperroom  Michelle’s one thing - A Mother Like You - JJ Heller  Other Books Mentioned: Sheltered Within Her Heart : 33 days to deeper entrustment to Mary - Joshua Elzner  Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? Every one of us has been born of a woman. How would you describe your relationship with your mother?  How have you seen the power of words at play with your mother, your children (if you have them) or in ot

In this episode, we begin a 4 part series on the identity of women as mother. We talk about the power of motherhood at this time in history and how we are called to cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity. This call is innate in every woman whether they are a biological mother or not. We discuss the power and need for community where we can receive and be received by others and experience deeper healing. Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!    Sister Miriam’s one thing - Restore (also available on Amazon) Heather’s one thing - Faith of My Father album by Steffany Gretzinger Michelle’s one thing - Sheltered Within Her Heart: 33 Days to Deeper Entrustment to Mary   Other Books Mentioned: Essays on Women (Edith Stein) — also available on Amazon  Living from the Heart (E James Wilder)   Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? What are some ways that women can cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity? What ways

In this episode, we declare and claim this new year as a year of God’s favor! We discuss the power of repentance and blessing and the beautiful exchange that God wants to bestow on us as his beloved children. We continue our discussion on becoming a new creation in Christ through repentance, claiming God’s blessings, and destroying areas of idolatry in our life. We pray this week each of you would allow yourself to be found and renewed by the God of restoration! Sister Miriam’s one thing - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - Sarah Kroger Heather’s one thing - Hail O Queen - Damascus Worship Michelle’s one thing - Rhythm - Lisa Keeven Michelle’s other one thing - Crowned for Ashes. You can read more about this ministry through the following interview.   Other Books Mentioned: Deliverance Prayers for the Laity   Discussion Questions:     What stood out to you from this week’s episode? Where does God want to bestow a beautiful exchange in your life (a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of