S14 E14 - Leading with God-Given Authority (Part 2)

04/29/24 • 44 min

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In this week's episode, we continue our conversation about leading with our God-given authority, particularly in our spiritual or biological motherhood. We talk about how God has blessed us with the Sacraments, Scripture, and prayer to fight spiritual battles. We reflect on the importance of rooting our identity in Christ, how Our Lady modeled feminine leadership, and practical ways to do spiritual warfare. We also discuss generational bondage, repairing trust, and the power of an apology given and received.

Heather’s One Thing - Her Battle Cry playlist and her friendship with Michelle and Sister Miriam and the way they have helped her through dark seasons in life

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Having Heather visit and The Litany of the Waiting Woman

Michelle’s One Thing - Bee Still a Catholic Jewelry Company

Other Resources Mentioned:

Priscilla Shirer’s talk on the Armor of God and the schemes of the devil
Sr. Miriam and Fr. John Burn’s talks on forgiveness (Healing Through Forgiveness and Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness)
Sr. Miriam’s Forgiveness Meditation
Renouncing Lies and Announcing Truth – 7 Deadly Wounds
Scripture Verses on Identity

Journal Questions:

What areas does the enemy often attack me in this area? What are my frequent sins?
What are the deeper longs behind my frequent sins?
Am I tempted to under-spiritualize or over-spiritualize the sufferings, temptations, and attacks in my life?
When did I last go to confession? When am I planning to go next?
What battles have I inherited from my family? How can I take responsibility for those battles?

Discussion Questions:

How can you apply the invitation to worship rather than worry in your current season?
What are the prayers and tools God has given you out of love to help you on this journey?
Who has been entrusted to you? How can you pray for them and do battle?
Where in my life can I invite Christ’s Precious Blood into my life and family?
What are some of Jesus’ promises in response to the attacks you face?

Quote to Ponder:

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Scripture for Lectio:

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Sponsor - Leanne Bowen:

Today’s sponsor is Leanne Bowen Fine Art. Leanne is a Catholic Artist and a stay at home mom. She has released a beautiful collection of candles, prints, and gifts just in time for Mother's Day, Confirmations and all the upcoming Sacraments! She has an incredible Holy Spirit candle and a baptism candle that smells just like Chrism. These are beautiful gifts intentionally curated for those receiving their Sacraments. Her most popular print, Sacrifice of Love, depicts a married couple embracing the cross on their wedding day. It is bound to be the most intentional gift your friends or family will receive for their wedding.

Leanne also just released a batch of bronze Prayer Card Holders that are absolutely stunning. They come in a three pack of each of the Hearts of the Holy Family. They are sturdy and beautiful- the perfect weight to hold small prints. She is offering 15% off site wide to all our listeners with the code ABIDE15 at www.LeanneBowen.com.

Heather’s One Thing - Her Battle Cry playlist and her friendship with Michelle and Sister Miriam and the way they have helped her through dark seasons in life

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Having Heather visit and The Litany of the Waiting Woman

Michelle’s One Thing - Bee Still a Catholic Jewelry Company

Other Resources Mentioned:

Priscilla Shirer’s talk on the Armor of God and the schemes of the devil
Sr. Miriam and Fr. John Burn’s talks on forgiveness (Healing Through Forgiveness and Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness)
Sr. Miriam’s Forgiveness Meditation
Renouncing Lies and Announcing Truth – 7 Deadly Wounds
Scripture Verses on Identity

Journal Questions:

What areas does the enemy often attack me in this area? What are my frequent sins?
What are the deeper longs behind my frequent sins?
Am I tempted to under-spiritualize or over-spiritualize the sufferings, temptations, and attacks in my life?
When did I last go to confession? When am I planning to go next?
What battles have I inherited from my family? How can I take responsibility for those battles?

Discussion Questions:

How can you apply the invitation to worship rather than worry in your current season?
What are the prayers and tools God has given you out of love to help you on this journey?
Who has been entrusted to you? How can you pray for them and do battle?
Where in my life can I invite Christ’s Precious Blood into my life and family?
What are some of Jesus’ promises in response to the attacks you face?

Quote to Ponder:

Scripture for Lectio:

Sponsor - Leanne Bowen:

Previous Episode

S14 E13 - Leading with God-Given Authority

In this week's episode, we reflect on leading with our God-given authority rather than worldly influence. We discuss the importance of remembering our identity in Christ and how true authority is a display of intimacy that has been rooted in a real tangible love. We share the ways we may have been wounded by authority figures in our past, why these wounds can distort our perception of authority, and how to heal from these wounds so that we can lead others into the light of Christ.

Heather’s One Thing - Chicken Khao Soi (Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup) from My Kitchen Little

Sister Miriam’s On Thing - The book Litanies of the Heart by Dr Gerry Crete

Michelle’s One Thing - Beatify: Lullabies with the Saints (an album of Catholic lullabies) from Beatify with Josh Blakesley and Kelly Lombardi

Other Resources Mentioned:

The Restore the Glory Podcast series on Parts Work (Parts Work (Part 1) w/ Gerry Crete; Parts Work (Part 2) w/ Brya Hanan; Parts Work (Part 3) w/ Bishop Andrew Miller)

Journal Questions:

How have I abdicated my God-given authority?
When do I perceive surrender to be a form of defeat?
How has authority been misused in my life?
How is God inviting me to stay with Him in faithfulness and obedience?
Where do I need to be both honoring and honest?

Discussion Questions:

How often do you think God is holding out on you?
How do I lose sight of God-given authority by seeking out worldly influence?
What accountability do I need to choose surrendered, God-given authority over worldly influence?
When have you felt safe under God’s authority?
How do you need to grow and mature to better lead and serve others?

Quote to Ponder:

“The fourth commandment opens the second table of the Decalogue. It shows us the order of charity. God has willed that, after him, we should honor our parents to whom we owe life and who have handed on to us the knowledge of God. We are obliged to honor and respect all those whom God, for our good, has vested with his authority.” (CCC 2197)

Scripture for Lectio:

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Next Episode

S14 E15 - Life in the Power of the Holy Spirit (with Dr. Mary Healy)

In this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Mary Healy, author, and professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, to talk about living life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Healy shares how her life was radically transformed through an encounter with the Holy Spirit and reflects on the beauty of allowing the Holy Spirit to work in her life. We also chat practically about how to live life day by day in the power of the Holy Spirit, how to learn to hear and respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and how we can prepare our hearts for Pentecost.

Heather’s One Thing - Wild Goose Series on the Holy Spirit

Heather’s Other One Thing - Peter and Debbie Herbeck (check out Renewal Ministries and Be Love Revolution)

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Springtime!

Michelle’s One Thing - Camp Chosatonga (for boys) and Camp Kahdalia (for girls) and Mission on the Mountain

Dr. Mary Healy’s One Thing - Blessed Elena Guerra

Journal Questions:

When did the love of God first become real to me?
Have you ever experienced “white knuckle” Christianity?
How can I live my life in the power of the Holy Spirit?
What areas of my life are hardest to surrender to the Holy Spirit?
Where in my life have I rationed the Holy Spirit? Where am I blocking the Holy Spirit?

Discussion Questions:

When do you feel like your failures are too much for God?
What has your experience been with the Holy Spirit?
Who in your life is filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit?
What sacrifices have I had to make to surrender more fully to God?

Quote to Ponder:

“I would sacrifice myself a thousand times if I had the lives . . . I will go and I will do as the Holy Spirit inspires me” (Catherine of Sienna)

Scripture for Lectio:

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2:1-4)

Sponsor - Hallow:

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