Abiding Together Podcast By Heather Khym Michelle Benzinger Sr Miriam James Heidland cover art

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 Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • S18 E10 - The Way of Trust and Love: Trusting More and More
    Mar 23 2026

    In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on Chapter 4: Trusting More and More. We reflect on the tender places where our trust in the Father has been wounded—especially in the disappointments we carry with ourselves, our children, and the circumstances in our lives—and how God gently invites us to bring those disappointments to Him. We also talk about the lies that quietly erode our trust in God, the temptation to carry life's burdens alone, and the way simple rhythms of prayer allow God to personally reveal to us His goodness. This week, we invite you to honestly bring your disappointments before God and ask Him to reveal to you His goodness.

    Heather's One Thing - The Springtime!

    Sister Miriam's One Thing - March Madness

    Michelle's One Thing - Her floor to ceiling library!

    Journal Questions:

    • Where do I lack trust in the Father?
    • When do I see God as my enemy?
    • What narratives of your life are you seeking to control?
    • What is bothering me most acutely right now?
    • What am I carrying that I need to let go?

    Discussion Questions:

    • Where do you take your disappointment?
    • Where are you experiencing agitation?
    • How are you tempted to manage the Lord's revelations in your life?
    • What might be an appropriate prayer prescription for your current agitations?
    • How is God inviting you into the safety of the Holy Family this Lent?

    Quotes to Ponder:

    "This work of restoring trust in our hearts is an essential aspect of the spiritual life. Wounded by original sin, our hearts are riddled with fears and doubts. It takes time to be cured of them. Maybe that will never happen completely in this life, but we can nevertheless make great strides in trusting more." (Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, Page 69)

    "Trust works miracles." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)



    Scripture for Lectio:

    "But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." (Psalm 86:15)

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    Timestamps:

    00:00 Rooted for Good

    01:22 Intro

    02:08 Welcome

    03:03 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

    03:42 What to do with Our Disappointments

    08:16 Honesty is Not Something to Fear

    10:36 Nourishing Trust

    12:56 Developing a Rhythm of Prayer

    16:40 The Tender Touch of a Mother

    19:32 Heaven is a Family

    23:14 One Things

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    28 mins
  • S18 E9 - The Way of Trust and Love: Being Reconciled to Our Weakness
    Mar 16 2026

    In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on Chapter 3: Being Reconciled to Our Weakness. We talk about how our struggles with ourselves often spill over into our relationships with others and how learning to accept our own weakness can soften our hearts towards the weakness we see in those around us. We also reflect on the tension between accepting our littleness and desiring real conversion, how we become more aware of our imperfections as we draw closer to the Lord, and the gift of community in helping us clearly see our lives. This week, we invite you to receive God's love, extend that love to yourself, and then offer it freely to others.

    Heather's One Thing - Attending the funeral of Francis Bergsma

    Sister Miriam's One Thing - Stations of the Cross with Our Sister St. Thérèse from Little Way Books

    Michelle's One Thing - The funness of our listeners!

    Journal Questions:

    • Where am I experiencing a lack of harmony in myself and in my relationships with others?
    • Do I truly desire conversion? What parts of me are resistant to conversion?
    • Where am I looking at the weaknesses of others instead of examining myself?
    • When do I speak to myself with words of self-condemnation?

    Discussion Questions:

    • What weaknesses or defects are you wrestling with right now? How is God inviting you into deeper communion with Him in this weakness?
    • How is the Lord inviting you to embrace littleness this Lent?
    • Where is the Lord calling you to forgo constant management of your life and to embrace the mystery & trust of a life with Christ?
    • How have you slowed down this Lent? How has this slower pace impacted your spiritual life?

    Quotes to Ponder:

    "If we accept ourselves as we are, we also accept God's love for us. But if we reject ourselves, if we despise ourselves, we shut ourselves off from the love God has for us, we deny that love. If we accept ourselves in our weakness, our limitations, it will also be easier for us to accept other people. Often, quite simply, we can't get along with other people because we can't get along with ourselves." (Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, Page 48-49)

    "I am no longer surprised by anything, I am not sorry to see that I am weakness itself. On the contrary, I glory in it, and I expect to discover new imperfections in myself every day. (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

    Scripture for Lectio:

    "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Morning Star Studio

    00:56 Intro

    01:42 Welcome

    03:58 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

    04:45 Embracing Our Weaknesses First

    9:00 Having a Real Desire for Conversion

    13:55 Fearing Our Weakness

    15:54 Desiring to be a Saint

    18:55 Familial Living vs Transactional Living

    22:21 One Things

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    28 mins
  • S18 E8 - The Way of Trust and Love: An Elevator for Small Children
    Mar 9 2026
    In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on Chapter 2: An Elevator for Small Children. We talk about the quiet places of discouragement, and self-reliance that keep us striving instead of surrendering. We also reflect about how radical dependence on God is not laziness, the subtle ways we resist being little before a loving Father, and how our poverty is a doorway into deeper trust. This week, we invite you to fall into the Father's arms, allow Him to pick you up, and rest in the One who delights in you. Heather's One Thing - The Prince of Egypt Movie Sister Miriam's One Thing - Bishop Erik Varden's Lenten Reflections to Pope Leo (I especially recommend the reflections entitled: Bernard the Idealist, God's Help, Becoming Free, and Splendour of Truth) Michelle's One Thing - Art Lectio Instagram Account Journal Questions: Where are you feeling discouraged?Where do I experience self-reliance, codependency, or hypervigilance in my life?When in the past have I made agreements that I have to rely on myself and fix everything? Where am I living out a pattern of childhood wounds and identities? Discussion Questions: How have you experienced failure this Lent?When do I grasp, kick, and flail like a child in my spiritual life?When did God last remind you that you are not God? How did your heart respond to it?Where is God inviting you to embrace your littleness rather than run from it? Quote to Ponder: "Being little means not attributing to ourselves the virtues we practice, or believing ourselves capable of anything, but recognizing that God places this treasure in the hands of His little child so that she can use it when she needs it; but the treasure is still God's." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux) Scripture for Lectio: "All you who labor, who are bent under the weight of your burden, who find the demands of the Law too heavy, come to me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28) Sponsor - The JPII Healing Center: Jesus longs to heal every hidden hurt in your heart—Do you want to be healed? For the past 20 years, the John Paul II Healing Center, founded by Dr. Bob Schuchts, has offered healing retreats, trainings, and workshops to help people experience deeper intimacy and communion with the Blessed Trinity. And now, you can experience our transformational teaching, Healing the Whole Person, right at home. This 8-part video series expands on the teaching offered by Dr. Bob Schuchts and Sr. Miriam James Heidland at our Healing the Whole Person weekend retreats. For the past two years, this series has blessed thousands of groups and individuals across the world by drawing the brokenhearted close to the abiding love of the Blessed Trinity. Through in-depth teachings, prayerful meditations, reflective journaling, and pre-recorded Q&A sessions, you are gently guided through your sorrowful mysteries into joyful restoration. The Abiding Together Community can use code Abiding25 to receive 25% off individual and group leader subscriptions. This offer ends April 13th. To learn more and begin your journey, visit www.jpiihealingcenter.org Healing The Whole Person Series Link: https://virtual.jpiihealingcenter.org/start Timestamps: 00:00 The JPII Healing Center 01:31 Intro 02:18 Guiding Quote 04:39 Discouragement is the Downfall of Souls 08:27 Subtle Agreements We Make Throughout Our Days 10:50 Surrender is Not Laziness 13:26 Illumination is Spiritual Progress 15:55 Being Curious About Our Own Heart 18:34 Becoming Little is Maturation 20:47 Suffering in Communion with the Father 23:53 The Father Cannot Resist His Children's Trust 27:14 Am I Still Lovable if I am Little and have Needs? 29:44 One Things
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    35 mins
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This podcast and Sr Miriam, Heather& Michelle have so much to offer, and the insightful conversations have had such a positive impact on my life. Everyday I listen to an episode has positive ripple effect on me.

Loving & growing in Utah

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I really find this podcast encouraging. I found it last year the same month my mom died from breast cancer and have found their conversations contemplative and healing. it's been hard getting back into my spiritual routine but this podcast has become a part of my new normal.

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I am always amazed at how much these ladies whom I don't know yet me. God uses their podcast and it changes how I think and act. Thank you so much.😇

Nail on the head

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