Abiding Together

Heather Khym, Michelle Benzinger, Sister Miriam James Heidland

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.

Religion & Spirituality Religion Religion & Spirituality Christianity

Available Episodes

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S16 E2 - Pilgrims of Hope
In this episode, we talk about Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction on the Jubilee Year of Hope! A Jubilee year occurs once every 25 years and it is a year set apart and consecrated just for our Lord. We chat about what it looks like to be pilgrims of hope, especially in the places where we have deep sorrows or unfulfilled desires. We reflect on how we can bring these tender places to our Lord and let them be illuminated, so He can redeem and restore the light of hope in our lives. Keeping our hearts open to hope can be painful and crucifying. But when we enter into this pilgrimage, we are transformed in the light of hope. Heather’s One Thing - The Podcast Burning Hearts with Rachel Herbeck Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Heather’s Acoustic Worship Spotify Playlist Michelle’s One Thing - Jubilee by Maverick City Music Other Resources Mentioned: In Defense of Hope a talk by Jackie Hill Perry Announcement: Join us for our Lenten Study beginning March 5th, 2025 as we journey through “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor“ by Dr. John Bergsma. We look forward to sitting at the feet of a leading scholar as we unpack what the Lord has in store for us in the year of Jubilee. Order your copy at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. Amazon has very limited copies, so we recommend you order from St. Paul Center to ensure you receive your copy before Lent begins! Journal Questions: Where in my life am I experiencing hopelessness? What idols do I place my hope in? How can I look at this year through the lens of hope? Think about an area of hopelessness in your life. What do you believe about the situation? What do you believe about yourself in this situation? What do you believe about the Lord in this area? Discussion Questions: Where in your life is it scary to have hope? When have you experienced the buoyancy and freedom of hope? How is Christ inviting you to hope this year? How does your hopelessness impact your understanding of the character of God? Quotes to Ponder: "Begin again with hope." (Pope Francis) “Indeed, the jubilee is a new beginning, the possibility for everyone to start anew from God. With the jubilee we start a new life, a new phase.” (Pope Francis) Scripture for Lectio: “Hope does not disappoint.” (Romans 5:5) Sponsor - Glory: Women’s Gathering: Franciscan University, and Heather Khym from Life Restoration are holding their first ever Steubenville women’s conference! We absolutely love the theme they've chosen: The Spirit and the Bride Say Come. Heather will be joined by an amazing lineup of speakers including Michelle Benzinger, Sr. Josephine Gerrett, Sarah Kaczmarek, Debbie Herbeck, Fr. Tim Hepburn, and Sarah Kroger leading worship! Join women across generations to worship God, hear from Spirit-filled speakers, and make room for conversation with one another and with Jesus the Bridegroom. Mark your calendars for June 6th-8th 2025 and click this link to register! Timestamps: 00:00 - Glory: Women’s Conference 1:31 - Intro 1:39 - Welcome 6:16 - Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote 6:51- Why Hope? 10:01 - Hopelessness and Fear 12:20 - Grieving Hopeless Areas 16:29 - A Place of Healing 17:41 - It’s A Pilgrimage 19:33 - The Grace of Jubilee 21:55 - Patience 23:50 - An Invitation to Transformation 25:50 - Challenge to Mature 27:22 - Our Lady Mother of Hope 29:26 - Lenten Book Study Announcement 32:01 - One Things
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S16 E1 - Word of the Year
Welcome to the season 16 kickoff with our annual tradition of the Word of the Year episode! Each year, we 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 what our words for 2025 mean to us and chat about the Saints journeying with us this year. We are excited to be back and look forward to seeing what this season will bring. Heather’s One Thing - This Strange Land Podcast Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Jubilee Year podcast episode from the Poco a Poco Podcast Michelle’s One Thing - Notre Dame Football and Marcus Freeman and time with Heather and Sister at the 2025 SEEK Conference in DC Other Resources Mentioned: Word of the Year video from Blessed is She Beautiful Holiness Beautiful Holiness: A Spiritual Journey With Blessed Conchita to the Heart of Jesus by Kathleen Beckman Under the Gaze of the Father by Archbishop Martinez (A retreat written for Blessed Conchita) Journal Questions: If you’ve been selecting a word of the year for a few years now, reflect on how the words have built on each other over time. Through what golden lens does God want me to see my year? How can I approach this new year with a spirit of integration rather than novelty? In what circumstances of your life do you feel like God isn’t showing up? Discussion Questions: How did you experience your word for 2024? What is the Lord doing for you this year? How is the Lord inviting you to greater faithfulness in 2025? Do you feel like any particular saints have been chosen to journey with you this year? What is your word for 2025? Quote to Ponder: “The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year, but rather that we should have a new soul.” (G.K. Chesterton) Scripture for Lectio: “And a word spoken in due season, how good it is.” (Proverbs 15:23) Sponsor - Rooted for Good: Rooted For Good is your go-to destination for luxurious, all-natural skincare and self-care products designed to nurture your skin and enhance your well-being. Our products not only smell and feel incredible but also reflect your commitment to clean, wholesome living. As a Catholic-owned and operated business, Rooted For Good is dedicated to making a difference. With every purchase, 10% of the proceeds go toward uplifting individuals in need in developing countries. When you choose Rooted, you're not only caring for your skin—you’re contributing to a mission of hope and generosity! We’re honored to sponsor the Abiding Together podcast, a community rooted in faith, inspiration, and connection. This partnership is extra special, as many women in the Abiding Together community have been integral to Rooted’s amazing growth. Today, women across the U.S. and beyond trust Rooted products as a key part of their skincare routines. Discover why over 90% of Rooted’s customer reviews are 5-star testimonials! Our thoughtfully priced products make premium natural skincare accessible to everyone. Founded by a Catholic mom of six boys, Rooted For Good was built on the belief that every woman deserves high-quality skincare that aligns with her values. Make the switch to all-natural skincare in 2025—your skin will thank you, and your heart will feel good knowing you’re making an impact. Join the growing community of women who love Rooted For Good and experience the difference for yourself. Use promo code Abide10 to enjoy 10% off your purchase at RootedForGood.com. Start your journey to radiant, natural beauty today! Timestamps: 00:00 - Rooted for Good 01:31 - Intro 02:23 - Welcome 04:01 - Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse 04:34 - What is a Word of the Year? 08:24 - Michelle’s Word(s) 14:10 - Heather’s Word 24:10 - Sister’s Word 32:15 - One Things
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S15 E14 - Encountering Emmanuel: Week Four
In this week's episode, we conclude our 4 part Advent study of Heather’s new book Encountering Emmanuel. We discuss how we all have deep cries within our hearts and how Jesus coming as a baby gives voice to those longings and sorrows that we hold. We also reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the love of God, the power of a name in calling out our truest identity, and the great adventure of falling in love with the Lord. Friends, thank you for joining us on the journey this Advent season. We look forward to next year and pray the Lord reveals Himself to you in a deeper and more intimate way this Christmas season. God bless! Heather’s One Thing - 2025 SEEK Conference in DC and the Ave Maria Press team Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming choral arrangement Michelle’s One Thing - Our amazing staff (Kristina, Camille, Kate, and Kathy) and The Genesis Prescription Program with SoulCore Other Resources Mentioned: Encountering Emmanuel Resources Announcement: Season 16 will begin on January 20th, 2025! Journal Questions: What would it look like for light to be born in the darkness of my life? Where are the places I’m trying to escape or overcome my own humanity? Where in my spiritual life do I feel like I’ve plateaued? Pray the Litany of Encounter. Which line resonates with you at this moment? Discussion Questions: When you think about seeing Jesus face-to-face, what questions, fears, or excitement are in your heart? Where do you need the Holy Spirit to overshadow you? What graces have you received this Advent? What is Jesus inviting you to this Christmas season? Quote to Ponder: “Jesus has chosen to show me the only way which leads to the divine furnace of love; it is the way of a childlike self-surrender, the way of a child who sleeps, afraid of nothing, in its fathers arms.” (St Therese of Lisieux) Scripture for Lectio: “And His name shall be called Emmanuel, which means God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) Sponsor - Stonecrop Wealth Advisors: Are your financial decisions truly aligned with your Catholic faith? Many investors are unaware that their portfolios might be supporting causes that contradict their deepest values in Christ. At Stonecrop Wealth Advisors, we believe it’s possible to invest in a way that reflects and honors your beliefs. We offer faith-based investment portfolios that avoid companies involved in activities contrary to Christian values, such as abortion, pornography, or pride parades. Instead, we focus on supporting businesses that align with the teachings of the Church and work to build the Kingdom of God while contributing positively to society. As a fee-only fiduciary, our primary mission is to serve your best interests. We offer financial advice and investment management designed to help you achieve your long-term goals without compromising your values. Whether you’re an individual, family, business, or non-profit, we’re here to provide you with a new path toward a faith-driven financial future. No matter where you are on your financial journey, you can start aligning your investments with your faith today. If you’re ready to transform your financial strategy and help ensure your investments are working to build a future guided by faith, reach out to Stonecrop Wealth Advisors. As part of our commitment to helping you, we’re offering a free financial plan and portfolio analysis. We’ll help you discover which of your current investments might be funding activities that go against your beliefs and guide you toward a faith-aligned investment strategy. To learn more and take the next step toward aligning your finances with your faith, visit https://www.stonecropadvisors.com/abidingtogether Investment advisory services are offered through Stonecrop Wealth Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Timestamps: 00:00 - Stonecrop Wealth Advisors 01:13 - Intro 02:19 - Welcome 05:03 - Jesus Comes to Show Us God’s Love 07:07 - The Liturgical Seasons 08:33 - He Comes with a Cry 11:38 - He Comes with a Name 12:27 - He Comes as a Person with a Face 16:00 - He Comes with the Holy Spirit 20:30 - He Comes as a Gift to the World 25:10 - Litany of Encounter 29:02 - One Things
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S15 E13 - Encountering Emmanuel: Week Three
In this week's episode, we continue with “Week Three” in our 4 part Advent study of Heather’s new book Encountering Emmanuel. We meditate on the vulnerability of Jesus as a baby and how He comes as one who is little so we can know that we are loved in our littleness. We also reflect on what it looks like to have hope, how to love with an open heart, and the deeper meaning of incense. Jesus’ heart is an open place of refuge where we find the comfort and relief we so desperately need this Advent season. Heather’s One Things - The upcoming women’s conference at Franciscan June 6-8 (registration opens January 29, 2025) Sponsored by Abiding Together and Deacon Bob Rice’s new Scriptural Rosary Cards Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Restore the Glory Podcast episodes on redemptive suffering (Carrie Archual) (Part 1) (Part 2) Michelle’s One Things - This mug from Deacon Bob Rice, Trader Joe's winter peonies, and The Portal of the Mystery of Hope by Charles Peguy Other Resources Mentioned: Encountering Emmanuel Resources Resources The Hidden Meaning of Incense w/ Fr. Boniface Hicks Journal Questions: What does abundant life look like in my life at this time? How can I lean into Hope today? When did I become so serious? How can I allow the Lord to transform my woundedness into a sweet fragrance for the Lord? Discussion Questions: How do you conflate abundant life with perfection? Where are you holding onto hopelessness? How can you live more openly even in the midst of pain? How can you embrace more play in your life? Quote to Ponder: “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken.” (C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves) Scripture for Lectio: “I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.” (Hosea 11:4) Sponsor - Catholic Women & Couples NFP: Catholic Women & Couples NFP (CWCNFP) is a lay Catholic organization that is pleased to offer 100% free Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness Classes to any Catholic woman or couple 18 years of age and older. Their ministry exists to aid Catholics in pursuing lives in full harmony with Church teaching. By learning a fertility awareness method, Catholic women can be more in tune with their hormones, understand their fertility patterns, and plan their family in accordance with Church teaching. It is estimated that only 20% of Catholics have ever attempted a NFP method. CWCNFP’s ministry exists to change that statistic. They believe all Catholic women and couples should learn a fertility awareness method, no matter their vocation or state in life. With online classes, they work with your busy schedule and offer classes in both Spanish and English. Many NFP courses can cost up to $300, but CWCNFP’s classes are ALWAYS free. They specifically teach the Billings Ovulation Method ®, which is very similar to the Creighton Method. However, they know that the Billings Method might not be for everyone, so if a client would like to learn a different NFP method they have a special partnership with MyCatholicDoctor that allows them to learn any method of their choosing as long as they have qualifying insurance. With qualifying insurance, this NFP instruction through MyCatholicDoctor would be covered. In addition, teens or non-Catholics who do not qualify for CWCNFP’s free NFP program will be able to find fertility awareness courses through MyCatholicDoctor, in which CWCNFP will assist with setting up. To learn more and to sign up for free classes, visit their website www.ccnfp.org or follow them on Instagram @cwcnfp Timestamps: 00:00 - Catholic Women and Couples NFP 01:30 - Intro 02:22 - Welcome 04:20 - Vulnerability and Hope 08:12 - Loving with an Open Heart 11:41 - Incense 16:06 - The Language of Play 22:22 - Thoughts for the Third Week of Advent 24:37 - One Things
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S15 E12 - Encountering Emmanuel: Week Two
In this week's episode, we continue in our 4 part Advent study of Heather’s new book Encountering Emmanuel and focus on “Week Two”. We ponder the reality that we are welcomed into Jesus’ family as heirs and children of God. We also discuss the restoration that takes place in family, relating to each other as spiritual family, and the ache we experience for union with God in Heaven. Heather’s One Thing - The community at Franciscan Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Gingerbread and gingerbread cookie recipes Michelle’s One Thing - The gift of community in North Carolina Other Resources Mentioned: Encountering Emmanuel Resources Journal Questions: How do I “sanitize” the Gospel and oversimplify the transformation Christ came to bring us? In what parts of my heart am I not attached to the Lord? Do I believe the Lord delights in the poor parts of my heart? Or do I believe He merely tolerates them? How do I experience the Divine Ache in my life? Do I run from the ache or run towards the Lord when I experience it? Discussion Questions: How have you experienced healing and restoration within your family? How have you experienced the Trinity as a family? How often do you consider the hope and reality of Heaven? Have you experienced the transformation from deep aches to lasting hope? Quotes to Ponder: “The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”: “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.” “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.” “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.” (CCC 460) Scripture for Lectio: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:14-17) Sponsor - In.spired Living: Inspired Living is a Catholic home decor, book and gift shop dedicated to helping you create a beautiful home full of reflections of the eternal. At Inspired Living we believe that our lives of faith begin at home, and therefore should be a reflection of that which is eternally beautiful, God Himself. At Inspired Living we have intentionally curated and brought to one place, the best of Catholic items across the web- whether that be, decor for your home, gifts for sacraments or books and sacramentals for enhancing your Iives of faith. We have brought them all together in one place, offering a unique array of handcrafted goods and exquisite gifts, made by artisans, not only in the United States, but around the world. Inspired Living is a small, family run business and we love partnering with artists and their families, all who are committed to bringing eternal beauty into the home. For all Abiding Together Listeners enjoy an exclusive 20% off discount using the code ABIDING20 at checkout. Visit us at theinspiredliving.net Inspired living - bringing eternal beauty to the home Timestamps: 00:00 - In.spired Living 01:08 - Intro 02:00 - Welcome, Scripture Verse, and Quote 04:58 - Familial Love of God 06:58 - Adoption and Belonging 10:47 - The Desire to Be Received 15:13 - A Way to Heaven 19:53 - The Ache Within Us 21:45 - Kindness vs. Comfort 24:59 - One Things
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