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Abiding Together

Abiding Together

By: Heather Khym Michelle Benzinger Sr Miriam James Heidland
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 Providing a place of connection, rest and encouragement for women who are on the journey of living out their passion and purpose in Jesus Christ.Abiding Together Podcast 2019 711442 Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • S18 E6 - The Way of Trust and Love: Introduction

    S18 E6 - The Way of Trust and Love: Introduction
    Feb 23 2026

    In this episode, we begin our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on the Introduction. We talk about how St. Thérèse's "little way" offers hope to weary hearts who feel small, fragile, or poor. We discuss how the Lord can transform our lives in a moment, how to boast in our poverty instead of bemoaning it, and the power of a listening heart. This Lent, we invite you into a gentler, deeper journey—one rooted not in striving, but in trust and love.

    Heather's One Thing - The Good News Cruise and everyone who put together this experience

    Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Pause App

    Michelle's One Thing - The Body of Christ

    Other Resources Mentioned:

    • Pope Leo's Lenten Letter
    • Magnificat or Word Among Us

    Journal Questions:

    • Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me this Lent?
    • Where do I feel like the burdens of life are mine to carry?
    • How does my heart respond to St. Therese's Little Way?
    • What does it mean to be childlike and not childish?
    • How will I create time to listen to God this Lent?
    • When listening to God in prayer, what is the posture of my heart?

    Discussion Questions:

    • How is God calling you into deeper love this Lent?
    • Where do you notice weariness or poverty in your life?
    • How can you serve the poor this Lent?
    • What holds you back from listening to the Lord in prayer?
    • How do you want to be transformed this Lent?

    Quote to Ponder:

    "I feel that I am going to my rest … but above all, I feel that my mission is about to begin, my mission of making God loved as I love him, of giving my little way to other souls. If God grants my request, my Heaven will be spent on earth, until the end of the world. Yes, I wish to spend my Heaven in doing good on earth." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

    Scripture for Lectio:

    "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4)

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    Timestamps:

    00:00 SacredSpark

    01:37 Intro

    02:23 Welcome

    03:08 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

    03:53 Seeing Lent as an Invitation of Love

    06:26 Breaking Strongholds

    09:18 The Little Way

    12:44 Feeling Weary and Poor

    14:54 Pope Leo's Lenten Letter

    19:33 Listening to Grow Deeper in Intimacy

    23:04 A Call to Holiness

    26:52 One Things
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    32 mins
  • S18 E5 - Entering the Desert

    S18 E5 - Entering the Desert
    Feb 16 2026
    In this episode, we reflect on Lent as a Holy Spirit led journey through the desert to bring us into a deeper union with God. We talk about the resistance many of us feel to fasting, why Lent is not a self-improvement project, and the importance of discerning our Lenten practices. We also discuss how, through Lent, our true identity as beloved daughters is revealed, tested, and healed. Before Lent begins on Wednesday, we invite you to notice where your heart may feel numb, distracted, or defensive, and ask the Holy Spirit what He desires to restore. Our Lenten book study "The Way of Trust and Love" will begin next week! We look forward to journeying with you. Heather's One Thing - Her Lenten Playlist "Songs in the Desert" Sister Miriam's One Thing - You're Gonna Be OK by Jen Johnson and Bethel Music Michelle's One Thing - Nazareth Organics Announcement: Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks! Journal Questions: Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me this Lent?In the past, how have I turned to self-reliance throughout Lent?Where is my heart not rooted in my true identity?Is there something in the way of me drawing close to the Lord?Where am I performing instead of depending?Where am I controlling instead of trusting?Where am I grasping for love instead of securely attached?Where am I prideful instead of obedient? Discussion Questions: Where do you need springtime in your personal life?How will you respond to your own shortcomings and self-reliance this Lent?How does the Lord want to bring you deeper into your identity?How is the Lord inviting you to live into your Word of the Year deeper this Lent? Quote to Ponder: "Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves… What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment's hesitation." (Catherine Doherty) Scripture for Lectio: "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil." (Luke 4:1-2) Sponsor - COR Expeditions: Are you experiencing the Lord's invitation to draw closer to Him? We encourage you to consider a life-changing course with COR Expeditions this summer. COR Expeditions exists to transform the hearts of Catholics of all ages. COR - short for Catholic Outdoor Renewal and meaning "heart" in Latin - offers an invitation not often heard in our modern world: step away from technology, noise, and constant distraction, and step forward with the Lord into the wilderness, just as so many prophets and saints have done before us. By choosing a course with COR, you are saying yes to being physically, emotionally, and spiritually challenged - in the best possible ways. Our culture often tells women to seek comfort, avoid risk, and doubt their own strength. At the same time, the voice of the enemy quietly whispers that we are not enough. COR offers something radically different: a place of freedom, encouragement, and truth. In the wilderness, you are reminded of your identity as a beloved daughter of God, created with courage, resilience, and deep capacity for joy. COR courses take place in some of the most breathtaking locations of the Rocky Mountain West. Participants carry backpacks, hike miles into the backcountry, and live simply for the duration of the course. While this may sound intimidating at first, you are never on the journey alone. Our experienced instructors provide guidance, training, and support every step of the way. You do not need to be an elite athlete or an experienced backpacker—only willing to show up, try, and trust the Lord to meet you where you are. In the silence of the mountains, away from screens and schedules, many women encounter God in a new and personal way. The physical challenge opens space for prayer. The simplicity brings clarity. The shared experience fosters deep community. What remains is peace, confidence, and a renewed ability to hear the Lord's voice. If you're longing for deeper faith, meaningful challenge, and an experience that will stay with you long after summer ends, COR Expeditions may be the invitation your heart has been waiting for. Learn more and take the next step at corexpeditions.org. Listeners of Abiding Together, use code ABIDE10 to get 10% off any one US-based open enrollment course this summer! Timestamps: 00:00 COR Expeditions 01:31 Intro 02:17 Welcome 04:42 Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse 05:24 Where is the Holy Spirit Inviting Us Into Deeper Union 10:49 Testing Our Identity 15:41 God Speaks Tenderly to Us in the Desert 18:48 How to Discern What We Should do for Lent 25:16 One Things
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    31 mins
  • S18 E4 - Communion with God with John Eldredge

    S18 E4 - Communion with God with John Eldredge
    Feb 9 2026
    In this episode, we welcome author, counselor, and speaker John Eldredge to the show, who is best known for his book Wild at Heart. We have a powerful conversation about intimacy with God in a world full of chaos, suffering, and spiritual hunger. We reflect on what it means to reclaim a "re-enchanted" Christian worldview, how to pray against chaos, the profound gift women have to offer the world right now. We also talk practically about how to pray as a couple, ask John to lead us in a guided "Pause" prayer, and invite you into a moment of stillness, surrender, and loving awareness of Jesus dwelling within you. Heather's One Thing - Midst from the Belonging Co. Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Story I'll Tell by Naomi Raine Michelle's One Thing - The Way of Trust and Love by Father Jacques Philippe Michelle's Other One Thing - Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry John's One Thing - The Abiding Together Podcast! John's Other One Thing - William Augusto Instrumental Background Music Other Resources Mentioned: The Pause AppJohn Eldredge's Website "Wild at Heart"Waking the Dead by John EldredgeThe Sacred Romance by John EldredgeExperience Jesus. Really. by John Eldredge Announcement: Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks! Journal Questions: How am I living like a "practical atheist"?Where are you experiencing chaos in your domain?When in your day can you turn toward the Lord with a simple prayer?How have I experienced the friendship and communion of the Kingdom of Heaven in my life?Where in my life am I believing I am too much and not enough? Discussion Questions: How would you define your domain? What has God entrusted to you?When have you experienced God's beauty and order in the midst of chaos and hatred?How have simple prayers led to transformation in your life?How is God inviting you to be a healing remedy to the world right now? Quote to Ponder: "The story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it." (John Eldredge, Waking the Dead) Scripture for Lectio: "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17) Sponsor - Fully Alive Coaching Program: Fully Alive Coaching Program is a trauma-informed Catholic coaching program for women and men who desire deep healing without compromising their faith. Created by licensed marriage and family therapist Brya Hanan, Fully Alive integrates Catholic Inner Child Work and somatic awareness in a gentle, Spirit-led journey—honoring the body, protecting the soul, and restoring wholeness. For women and men who pray sincerely but still feel guarded, overwhelmed, or fragmented, Fully Alive offers a safe and structured path toward integration and life abundant. Learn more at catholicinnerchildwork.com/fully-alive and follow @catholicinnerchildwork for more trauma-informed and integrative resources to support your healing. Use the code "abiding" or reference it during a consultation to get 10% off! Timestamps: 00:00 - Fully Alive Coaching Program 01:16 - Intro 02:02 - Welcome 04:18 - Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder 06:11 - Where is the Holy Spirit Moving the Church Now? 10:54 - Balancing the Love Story within a World at War 14:08 - Learning to Pray Against the Chaos 19:10 - How to Pray Together as A Couple 21:39 - Being in Union with God 26:13 - How Does God Use Fatherhood to Repair His Children? 29:30 - The Pause App 33:45 - We Are Created for Intimacy with Christ 37:48 - Women are Part of God's Healing Remedy to the World 40:22 - One Last Message from John 44:20 - A "Pause" Meditation 48:30 - One Things
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    55 mins
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