S11 E08: Lent Part 2: Freedom of Heart
About This Episode
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!
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Show Notes
One Thing We Love This Week
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 something you could never imagine giving up for the Lord?
When it comes to fasting during Lent - do you see God as a slave driver with high expectations, hoops to jump though, and demands upon you or as a lover worthy of your sacrifices?
How can this small group help one another in the area of fasting through accountability?
Journal Questions:
What do you hunger and thirst for? Do you allow the Lord to satisfy your desires? How do you dull your desires, choosing comfort or convenience first?
What lies - “God won’t satisfy. God cannot provide the comfort I desire. I have to do it for myself because God won’t provide.” - are you tempted to believe when you choose fasting?
Instead of allowing shame and condemnation about the things you crave, how can you feel your desires as a sign to come closer to Jesus?
Quote to Ponder
“Penitential fasting is obviously something very different from a therapeutic diet, but in its own way it can be considered therapy for the soul. In fact, practiced as a sign of conversion, it helps one in the interior effort of listening to God.”
Scripture for Lectio Divina
“It is well that we are here.”
This episode is sponsored by
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Check out the Abiding Together Shop and Heather’s New Book!
Did you know that we have our very own Abiding Together shop filled with very cute mugs, t-shirts print stickers, scripture cards, and much more. Michelle has designed most of these items and they each reflect saints, quotes, and inspirations that have been a part of our podcast discussions over the years.A couple of my favorites are the quit talking to the dang snake. And our coffee is the eighth sacrament mug. This Easter we'd like to highlight the Saint story cards that would be great for your Easter baskets. Michelle created these in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Our Sunday Visitor. They feature Saint John Paul the second, Mother Teresa, Saint Therese, and St. Francis of Assisi. These story cards offer a new way to learn, pray, and play together while deeply reflecting on your own journey towards sainthood, you can order these using the code abide10 for 10% off. Just head over to abidingtogetherpodcast.com/shop.
Also Heather just finished writing a book called Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy with Jesus. This book asks questions like what if God's promises are real? What if we truly could live the abundant life that Jesus is offering to us? Through her personal stories, scriptural truth, church teaching and practical tools. You'll be invited to break through the barriers that prevent you from trusting and experiencing the deep love of Jesus and to be transformed by the freedom that comes when we vulnerably bring our entire selves to Jesus, the divine healer, restorer and miracle worker. You can use code abide22 at avemariapress.com for 20% off today.