My goal for us this Advent is to experience His wonder daily.
How?
We’ll begin each day by praying, Come Lord Jesus
and then reflect on the Christ of Christmas.
Some days we’ll sense His presence,
some days we won’t,
but drawing near to Him,
reflecting on the WONDER of Him and His Word,
will help us move through the season with
the right heart attitude:
loving well,
letting go,
and experiencing His peace.
Then, we won’t end up like this:
There is also going to be an optional audio each day
from “Wonderpod.” Sarah Dahl, a wise mother I so respect, does it for
children, but we are all to be children at heart, living in childlike wonder.
Try it for at least a few days to see if it ministers to you. If not, or you don’t have the time, just skip it.
Sunday, December 1st:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- When and where will you spend time with Him each day — and what can you do so your mind isn’t distracted from this time despite your Christmas “to do” list
- Pray: Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Sarah Dahl is the daughter-in-law of my dear friend Ann, and I’m extremely impressed by her very thoughtful website for children. Her team has produced a short daily devotional for children that can be heard wherever podcasts are found. Subscribe for free or click here and then click on Listen.
4. Any reflections on the podcast?
Monday: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
5. Did you experience any wonder yesterday — in your time with Him or during your worship service? If so, share.
Connecting with the great old hymns also connects us with believers from generations past. The theology is so rich in these lyrics from Charles Wesley. As you listen and meditate on the words, be ready to share any theology that caused you to think or to wonder!
6. Did anything stand out to you? What and why?
7. Meditate on these words from Zechariah’s prayer in Luke 2:67-75 and share anything that strikes you.
Listen.
8. Any reflections on the podcast?
Tuesday: Israel’s Hope and Consolation
Jesus was Israel’s hope and consolation, and He is also ours. This is one of my favorite passages from psalms:
9. Share a recent (if possible) time when you had great anxiety but the Lord’s consolation brought joy to your soul. (We want to wonder with you!)
10. What anxieties do you have right now that you can bring to Him, with thanksgiving? (Phil. 4:6)
Listen.
11. Any reflections on the podcast?
Wednesday: Hope of All The Earth Thou Art
Here’s a fact that causes me to wonder. Eighty percent of the participants of all the world’s religions are in the area where that religion was founded — BUT NOT CHRISTIANITY. IT IS EVERYWHERE. Here is a map of the predominant religion of the continents of the world. Look and WONDER. The brown is Christianity — this is an older map, I couldn’t get the newest to work here, but the brown has spread, especially in Africa.
Charles Wesley, who wrote the lyrics to Come Thou Long Expected Jesus founded the Methodist Church, which has good roots. It was the African Methodists who insisted this year to the North Americans that the Methodist church hold to God’s definition of marriage. One man said, “You came to my ancestors and asked them to give up polygamy — and it was hard — but they obeyed for they wanted to be true to God’s definition of marriage. So why are you coming to us now and asking us to abandon God’s definition of marriage?”
Think of our brothers and sisters from every tribe and nation singing Christmas carols now — and wonder!
12. What was John’s vision in Revelation 7:9-10.
13. What from the above produces wonder in your heart?
Listen.
14. Any reflections on the podcast?
Thursday: Born A Child and Yet A King
Meditate on the lyrics, noticing in particular the four lines that begin with “Born.”
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
15. Write out the four sentences with born in them. Do any cause you to wonder? If so, why?
16. How does Isaiah 9:6a echo “Born a child and yet a King?”
Listen.
17. Any reflections on the podcast?
Friday: By Thine Own Eternal Spirit Rule In All Our Hearts Alone
18. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-4 and pray what stands out to you for yourself for this day.
19. Do you have a favorite rendition of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus? If so, share it here and tell us why you love it.
Listen.
20. Any reflections on the podcast?
Saturday: Share the Wonder
Listen.
21. Any reflections on the podcast?
22. How did the Lord meet you or bring wonder to your heart this first week of Advent?
86 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I want to feel His presence. I need Him. I like that we will focus on Him purposefully.
2. When and where will you spend time with Him each day — and what can you do so your mind isn’t distracted from this time despite your Christmas “to do” list.
This one is harder. I usually try to complete my bible study in the early mornings. I need to try harder to get up in the mornings deliberately to do this. I will purposely get out of bed each morning instead of lying in bed and falling back asleep.
3.
Pray: Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
4. I listened to the first podcast if We Winder with Cooper. I liked it! I’m not sure he understands just listening though. I’ll try it again tomorrow with him. The first one is 13 min. That was long for him. I liked the child praying at the end though. So sweet!
I didn’t know that wonderpod would be so long. I need to correct what I said. Thanks, Laura.
The others are shorter. We are trying it again today.
Hi Dee, thank you for this opportunity to join your group.
So glad to have you Tina! Love your adjective.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I appreciate this honesty–“Some days we’ll sense His presence, some days we won’t”, it relieves ahead of time the pressure and guilt of when I feel I’ve failed, and reminds me this is forgiven.
This charge inspires me–“but drawing near to Him, reflecting on the WONDER of Him and His Word…”
And I love this definition, of the right heart attitude:loving well, letting go, and experiencing His peace.
I want to love others well, especially when I am weary and it is hard. I want to let go of the past pain, regret, weight…and live in His peace.
2. When and where will you spend time with Him each day — and what can you do so your mind isn’t distracted from this time despite your Christmas “to do” list.
I want to think on a new spot, maybe just for advent. I usually come to my desk & computer because many of my devotions are online…but as you can imagine that gets distracting. I’m also committed to our family advent reading each night, with a new book this year and our favorite tradition, a mini tree with daily ornaments tied to Scripture. My older son is really good about holding us accountable to it!
I’m excited about this podcast! I have never seen her website before and it looks amazing!
Lizzy– always so good to have you. I do think you’ll love her podcast. She would love you!
I love your tradition of a mini tree and ornaments with scripture for advent. Would you share what you use?
Chris, thank you–you are so sweet. I made it up 10 years ago and my kids (especially my 13 yr old son!) makes sure we do it every year! I just bought a mini tree and then went to Hobby Lobby and bought metal jewelry charms (attached a hook to make into mini ornaments), to go with 25 days of Scripture. I have a silver chest/box I got at target one year with 25 little boxes/doors. In each day is a small bag with a verse on a slip of paper and a matching charm/ornament. So for example Psalm 145:18 “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” with a little telephone ornament.
So creative! I love this. I think I’ll see if my 12 year old would like to help me make one. I love this idea. Thank you for sharing.
Sunday, December 1st:
What stands out to you from the above and why? – The innocence of the little girl, how awesome it would be to have that kind of excitement. I need to get back to finding the joy in everything I see or hear. The childlike faith is what this world needs.
When and where will you spend time with Him each day — and what can you do so your mind isn’t distracted from this time despite your Christmas “to do” list – I sometimes do my blog study at lunch at work. I put my headphones in and drown out the ‘noise’ from the others around me. Thankfully I’m in an area by myself so I don’t have to much distractions. I also have done the blog at night before I go to bed, but my husband and I are doing advent readings at night now so I will have to see how it all fits in.
Pray: Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. – Lord help me to find this peace that only you can give to me. My mind tends to wander lately on things I have no control over. Set me free from ME. Remove my fears from my mind Lord. Come in to ‘my world’ and set me free from all distractions. In Jesus Name I pray.
Julie, I prayed your prayer along with you, for both of us.
Me too…
Sunday, December 1st:
What stands out to you from the above and why?
“…drawing near to Him, reflecting on the WONDER of Him and His Word,
will help us move through the season with the right heart attitude:
loving well, letting go, and experiencing His peace.”
I want to be in wonder for who Christ is. He has “visited” me so much this year with His loving kindness and I want to bask in who He is and not just on what He has done for me and my family.
When and where will you spend time with Him each day — and what can you do so your mind isn’t distracted from this time despite your Christmas “to do” list.
I have my alarm set to wake up early which would be a challenge but I will ask for His help to get me out of bed.
Pray: Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Sarah Dahl is the daughter-in-law of my dear friend Ann, and I’m extremely impressed by her very thoughtful website for children. Her team has produced a short daily devotional for children that can be heard wherever podcasts are found. Subscribe for free or click here and then click on Listen.
https://www.wewonderpod.com
4. Any reflections on the podcast?
I love everything about it- Sarah’s calm voice, the sounds in the background, and the prayer of the little boy. It was uncanny that this morning I woke up to the soft sound of the wind. So, when Sarah was talking and the sound of the wind came through, it was just like God coming to visit again. He is in the wind-that was such a kiss from the King for me. Having just finished last month’s blog on Thanksgiving and having learned to appreciate His creation made my senses more sensitive to His presence in His creation.
Dee, I sent the link to several young moms in our congregation so they can check out Sarah’s podcast.
So glad you liked Wonderpod and are passing it on, Julie!
I think I will do the same Bing. Thanks for the idea!
4. Any reflections on the podcast? – I loved it. WOW what a great insight to make it simpler. I have to say I never noticed before the capital B in the word Branch in verse 1 of Isaiah 11. And the Root of Jesse in verse 10. I love how God puts everything together for us to understand His Word. I have to use many versions sometimes to get a clear understanding, but the We Wonder for December 1 was great.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The picture of the Santa flat on the floor. Made me laugh but oh such a true picture if I get caught up in the to-do’s and present buying over dwelling in the quiet place with Him.
2. When and where will you spend time with Him each day — and what can you do so your mind isn’t distracted from this time despite your Christmas “to do” list. I am spending time with him in my room with the door shut, or I have thought about going in my car in the garage. You would be amazed at how quiet those two places can be in the winter when I can’t get outside and go to the graveyard down the street or on my back patio. 🙂
I am spending time with Him in Psalms, and via making a remembrance list-the many times He has come to me, glimpses of His Grace in my life and glimpses of how he is working in my and other’s lives I am praying for. I am also reading and praying the Psalms. For me, remembering is crucial to help me see that yes he is concerned with every detail of my life and those around me (when satan tells me different), and that He will never forsake or leave me. While writing down remembrance of the past, I am trying to get in the habit of writing down ways I see him moving soon after He does.
So good, Rebecca!
I am spending time with Him in Psalms, and via making a remembrance list-the many times He has come to me, glimpses of His Grace in my life and glimpses of how he is working in my and other’s lives I am praying for.
Oh Rebecca, I smiled…I suppose the graveyard down the street would be pretty quiet! I love your idea of making a remembrance list!
Rebecca, I, too love graveyards. It is so quiet and always offers me a reality check about the temporariness of this world but with much hope for the next.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“Reflecting on the wonder of Him and His Word will help us move through the season with the right heart attitude: loving well, letting go, and experiencing His peace.” (And not ending up like the flattened Santa) It is the right heart attitude produced by focusing on Him that leads to the rest. I do not love well when my expectations, whether of people or “how things should be” are front and center. By the way, on Leslie Vernick’s FB page, she has a very good facebook live video that she did just before Thanksgiving on how to move through this season with less stress; it is worth watching.
2. When and where will you spend time with Him each day – and what can you do so your mind isn’t distracted from this time despite your Christmas “to do” list?
I’d like to try to be “here” every morning, as what happens when I put it off until later is, it never happens. But also, as I read through this week, I want to listen to the podcast in the evening, to make time for Him then. I don’t always have paper and pen near-by, but a good tip I heard recently from author Leeana Tankersley is that while you are having your time with Him, if something pops into your mind like “we need coffee filters”, she draws a box in the upper corner of her paper, and she will write down that thought in the box. Then, she refocuses.
3. Dear Lord Jesus, please come to me, and to each one of us in this study, as we reach out our empty arms to You. We are broken, hurting, afraid, regret-filled, anxious, worried, distracted. Please wash us, daily, in Your forgiveness, love, and mercy. And grant us Your peace.
4. Any reflections on the podcast?
Love, Love, Love it! I listened last night and again this morning. I also sent the link to my 19 year old daughter at college. She’s been trying to do a daily devotional at school, and I told her that although this is for children, it’s for us grown-ups, too. I used to do an Advent wreath with my children when they were younger. We’d light the candle each night and read something from Scripture. Maybe this podcast will help her keep the tradition alive. I found that it reminded me a bit of praying the daily Examen, as in the part where you take a deep breath, inviting the Spirit in, and as you breathe out, feeling surrounded by His love. And the use of your imagination; imagining the trees – their colorful Fall leaves and their bare branches stretching up to the sky. I could almost feel my hand on the surface of that tree stump. I plan to listen every day.
Susan oh how I feel broken, hurting, afraid, regret and all of them. And oh how I need His help to get me straight. I also thought how helpful the podcast was for adults. Made it so much easier to understand with my clogged mind.
5. Did you experience any wonder yesterday — in your time with Him or during your worship service? If so, share.
I love snow! We got an extra day today because we were slammed with a winter storm. I have a group dancing on December 15th in church and the piece isn’t completely choreographed. I asked God for a snow day to choreograph and He provided. I also needed “help” with the choreography…I felt “in the mood” last night and ended up writing the entire dance except a few lines. The end of the piece came together perfectly, using 32 counts where each person walks into a position and holds a tableau. I couldn’t have had a better session. Thank You Lord! I now have time to play with the toddlers and grade some more today 🙂
Wow Laura!! That’s exciting how He met you with exactly what you asked for! Have fun playing today!
Laura, I wonder how many others are as excited about the snow day as you are LOL. Glad you got your dance done though.
I know you’re right but I just don’t get it! Snow is beautiful, it’s fun, and it reminds us of His power when we lose ours (hahaha). I think people don’t like it because it takes their control out of the picture. Sure there are damaging things, but we usually get help. Most people have wood stoves or fireplaces up here. Most people help each other snow blow and snowplow (I have had a neighbor help me out of snow banks and plow for me just because). It gets hairy when people get on the roads so better to stay off, right? You can always put on another layer in the cold, you can’t take enough off in the heat. BTW, we have another snow day today!!! Yay again! I’m such a kid at heart…
Laura, I’m a kindred spirit with you about the snow! What I loved to do with my kids when we’d go out to play in the snow was to lie on my back and make a snow angel, and then just lie there looking up at the sky. The snow kind of muffles and quiets all noise, and it was so still, peaceful, and quiet lying there. I also loved to go sled riding. So yay for you that you get another snow day!
5. Did you experience any wonder yesterday – in your time with Him or in your worship service?
Well, I skipped church yesterday morning…it wasn’t the greatest morning because my husband and I were in a disagreement. I did have a wonder-ful time with my daughter though as we decorated the tree together. We have the same ornaments, year after year; many made for me by my children and many passed on to me by my mom. My daughter took this beanbag Santa out of the box and smelled it and said, “It still smells like grandma’s house.” I did also feel a sense of wonder, that childlike wonder, as I listened to that podcast last night!
6. Did anything stand out to you? What and why?
I would say the reasons why Jesus came. To release His people from their fears and sins, to give them hope and peace, and consolation. To give them rest. That’s like a math equation: A life minus guilt from sin, fear, regret, and hopelessness equals rest.
7. Meditate on these words from Zechariah’s prayer in Luke 1:67-75 and share anything that strikes you.
What stands out to me is that it is written in present tense: He HAS come and HAS redeemed His people. He HAS raised up a horn of salvation for us. This isn’t some future promise; Zechariah says it’s happening NOW. Jesus hadn’t been born yet; He was still in Mary’s womb, but God’s plan of salvation was happening.
I love your post Susan! I too have ornaments from my parents, grandparents, and children. It is sweet. We haven’t put our tree up yet; Christmas always comes so fast to me as I get older. I have spent most of the day shoveling out the house and cars and building a snowman with Cooper! We are in the midst of a huge renovation in our house (my 30th anniversary present of new wood flooring). So, we are having to be very flexible this season. We were married on December 22, 1989. Maybe we will get to the tree tonight? I have a artificial one that has lights. It’s not the best (I love real trees) but it’s easy. Since I live in a forest the fir trees get lights outside and those are my real trees!
I love your math equation too! So true 🙂
Interesting about the word “has…”
6. Did anything stand out to you? What and why?
Of course it was all the galaxies that were streaming in the video of “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus!” That prompted a discussion of creation and size of the universe with Cooper. I had to show him the Hubble “Deep Field” image. Here’s a link. So amazing to me.
https://hubblesite.org/image/3886/category/58-hubble-ultra-deep-field
Then, we listened to the Wewonder podcast together and Sara was speaking of God creating the world. Such a good link.
7. Meditate on these words from Zechariah’s prayer in Luke 2:67-75 and share anything that strikes you.
Dee I think this is Luke 1, not 2.
I love the promise that was kept by God. Thank You Lord!
Zechariah thanks God for sending a Savior to rescue the people. He acknowledges that God made a promise to Abraham and kept it. He says God was merciful. Because of these things we can serve God without fear in holiness.
I love Advent. And I love your suggestion of praying “Come, Lord Jesus” each morning of Advent. I do not have little children with us at home any more, except for weekends so I can’t do Advent with them in the usual sense, but I have listened to the two initial “Wonder” podcasts and found them soothing and thoughtful. Perhaps I will choose one each weekend and have my grandsons listen as well when they are here.
My heart is heavy this year as one of our sons (and his wife) has walked away from our faith, claiming that we cannot know if God exists or not, and science is what is important and facts and logic. He and his family (two young boys) now live too far away for us to visit at Christmas and I wonder how they can even celebrate Christmas without Christ in it. Will they forsake all mention of Jesus’ birth or will they allow the trappings with the Heart gone out of it? I know God continues to work and I pray for them earnestly; but I am heart-broken.
Come, Lord Jesus. Bring light to this dark sad world. Open our eyes to your truth, your realness, your love. Renew our broken, even rebellious hearts. Heal. Comfort. Forgive. Love. We do not deserve you and yet you come. Thank you, Lord.
I lift up your son and his wife, Diane!
I just said a prayer for your son Diane. I’m so sorry.
Oh Diane. I can only imagine how heavy your heart is for your son and his family. Please Lord, pierce through the darkness, the doubts, the fear–YOU are Light and Truth. Remind them who You are, open their hearts to You again. In Jesus’ Name
Oh Diane, I’m so sorry to see this. How hard that has to be for you and your husband. I will be praying for their eyes to be reopened to the truth of Christ and the real purpose for his coming.
Diane. am sad to hear about your son. I agree with your prayer. “Come, Lord Jesus. Bring light to this dark sad world. Open our eyes to your truth, your realness, your love. Renew our broken, even rebellious hearts. Heal. Comfort. Forgive. Love. We do not deserve you and yet you come.”
Diane, I am sorry for your broken heart over your son and daughter-in-law. I am sure that through your prayers, God will continue to be at work, even if “behind the scenes” for now. I will pray for them too.
I haven’t listen to it yet, but enjoyed her ministry in MS after Hurricane Katrina.
Welcome, Cheryl — so glad Mohave you with us. I don’t know about Sarah’s ministry after Hurricane Katrina. What can you tell us?
What stands out to me? I love the words to this hymn! I am going to pray this every day: Come Lord Jesus!
I have a wonderful small upstairs room where I can pray and have my quiet time. I am able to look out at the sky and trees and enjoy the first part of the day.
The wonder I see: “Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release me, Let us find our rest in Thee.” This is such a wonderful promise that I can be set free from my anxiety and my sin. I have been feeling overwhelmed and I know that as I pray, I will be released from my mindset and the sin that results from lack of faith. A very dear cousin just passed away and I am mixed in my feelings. He is free from suffering, but I have lost a hero in the faith.
Shirley I’m sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family to find peace, comfort and strength from the Lord during this time.
“I can be set free from anxiety as I pray.” May He comfort you in the loss of your very dear cousin.
4. Dee, thank you so much for giving us this podcast! What a gift Sarah has! It’s just so calming, beautifully done.
5. Did you experience any wonder yesterday — in your time with Him or during your worship service? If so, share.
We taught Sunday School yesterday for 5-6 yr olds, and one sweet boy got my heart deep. He was adopted from Africa 2 years ago, and has Down Syndrome. He is amazing. Joy floods from him. We played “red light green light”, and when it was his turn, just in his natural humor, he would throw in “pink light” and we all laughed. But the sweetest was when they were drawing a picture of their favorite gift. He asked for help in drawing baby Jesus.
6. Did anything stand out to you? What and why?
We were just playing this last night! I so love Fernando Ortega.
These words spoke to me this time: “long expected”–I felt convicted here. Do I live expectantly, excited? I think about the things I look forward to, or even expect, like the arrival a package–how much more should I be expectant of Him?!
“born to set thy people free”–He has born to free me, and yet I so quickly re-entangle myself in fear, sin, idols…but still, He comes to “from our fears and sins release us”, so we may “find our rest in thee.”
He is the “joy of every longing heart”, And I want only Him to rule mine.
7. Meditate on these words from Zechariah’s prayer in Luke 1:67-75 and share anything that strikes you.
It shows us who God is, His heart–“He has visited and redeemed his people”–He became man, like us, to save us, from our enemies, from all attack.
He is full of mercy.
And it tells us what our heart response should be–so that we “might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.” As Dee said in the beginning, our right heart attitude of : loving well, letting go, and experiencing His peace.
What a wonderful story of the little boy in your S. S.!
5. Did you experience any wonder yesterday — in your time with Him or during your worship service? If so, share. – I felt the presence of the Lord with me at Church more than normal. It seemed like each song we sang, was put in the list to play just for me. As I sang, I could feel the tears starting and the Lord being with me. It was a powerful time yesterday for me.
6. Did anything stand out to you? What and why? – I love how all of our joy and rest points to the One and Only One that can give us those things. He came to set us free. We need to open our hearts to Him. He was brought to us for us to have peace in him.
7. Meditate on these words from Zechariah’s prayer in Luke 2:67-75 and share anything that strikes you. Dee I think this should be Luke 1:67-75. It has been put in place from the very beginning of time that that our redemption is in the Lord. He was sent to save us from our enemies and we don’t need to be afraid to let others know that we serve a mighty God.
Thanks — I’ll fix it!
1. Did you experience any wonder yesterday — in your time with Him or during your worship service? If so, share.
I stayed home yesterday but was blessed to listen to Shane and Shane’s songs based on Psalms. They have one that is titled: ‘I will wait for you” that ministered to my heart. A friend wanted to visit and we had tea and some homemade blueberry bread. We talked about many ways Christmas is celebrated around the world. Then we read part of Max Lucado’s book, Angels. It was below freezing here and very cold but the quiet at my house and the comfortable visit with my friend was so wonderful for both of us. Then a phone conversation with a lady from our church whose husband has to be taken to the hospital because of a stroke. He has had some mini ones but this time it was serious. I prayed with her over the phone and after we hang up, my heart was warmed by the wonder of the reality of God’s omnipresence-He was with me and then with my friend and me sharing tea and then with our church friend and her husband in another city.
Connecting with the great old hymns also connects us with believers from generations past. The theology is so rich in these lyrics from Charles Wesley. As you listen and meditate on the words, be ready to share any theology that caused you to think or to wonder!
2. Did anything stand out to you? What and why?
“From our fears and sins release us,Let us find our rest in Thee.”
I prayed to God to release me from daily fears. The friend I mentioned above sent me a text late in the night and she shared that she is afraid of what might happen to her husband. Again, the Word of God and this song came to mind. Shared some more verses with her. Earlier this evening, my husband told me he got a hold of this friend of ours and she said that her husband has “woken up” some. He was unconscious for most of the day yesterday.
Theology: Jesus is our only Savior; He is our rest. He freed us from sin and its power. He is our only hope. He reigns! He has given us the Spirit who is with us and who is our comforter.
7. Meditate on these words from Zechariah’s prayer in Luke 2:67-75 and share anything that strikes you.
Zechariah’s prophecy had far-reaching implications. If I were listening to him when he was speaking, hope would have welled up inside of me. V. 73 speaks of the oath given to Abraham but it applies to me as well having received Christ as my Savior and Lord. God remembers his holy covenant. This hope is as mine as it were for the hearers of this spoken prophecy. Come, Lord Jesus!
Loved the description of your Sunday afternoon, Bing.
Looking forward to this for our children and me!!
I Kinda like you already Kimberly! 🙂
Welcome Kimberly!
9. Share a recent (if possible) time when you had great anxiety but the Lord’s consolation brought joy to your soul. (We want to wonder with you!)
I have let go of anxiety for the most part because I learned a long time ago to give that to God and let Him do His thing. However I am human and sometimes I get nervous. I think I shared this story but it’s the only one I can think of that fits. At the beginning of the school year my husband and I were trying to get the babies into schools because it was time and we didn’t have a sitter anymore. We were not sure how we would pay for it though…daycare (even at churches) is expensive. We were looking at $2000/month. We decided to apply for assistance (although it PAINED me to do so; I am a take care of myself girl). We had lots of trouble with the application and it literally took us 3-4 months to get everything straight (the gov is so streamlined – NOT!) Anyway by the time we went back and forth with them we thought we would probably get lucky and have to pay just half the cost. It ended up we are paying nothing but a nominal fee to one of the schools. I think God has played a roll in each part of our challenges with the babies. We are blessed. We give the other school money for supplies when they have cooking projects and such. Thank You Lord for all You do for us!
10. What anxieties do you have right now that you can bring to Him, with thanksgiving? (Phil. 4:6)
Thank You Lord Jesus, for bringing the sweetest young ladies to dance with me this year. It has worked out well and they are “troopers!” However, I am fairly nervous about the dance we have committed to do for our cantata on the 15th. We were supposed to rehearse tonight but I’m not sure we will be able to because school is canceled again due to inclement weather. Ugh. I have the dance choreographed, but no way to teach the girls unless I video myself and then post that to FB. We are in a crunch time I have never been in before and the only way we will get it done is if You are near. Oddly, I have had a peace about this up to this point. Thank You for Your goodness and kindness to us. Could You please provide a way for us to learn the rest of the piece tonight if possible and then we can just practice, practice, until time to dance for real? In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen.
Laura, I have missed your stories and your honest openness when I wasn’t following this blog . I am so glad that you were able to get government assistance to put the babies in schools. It is so true that “God has played a role in each part of our challenges with the babies.” Thank you, Lord.
Also, I agree in prayer with you that somehow the dance will be learned and will give honor to God. I am glad you are continuing to dance to the Lord.
8. Any reflections on the podcast?
How can I say “thank you” to God for the creation around me? I wonder how I show God’s image to the people around me? Are there parts inside of me that feel empty and confusing like the waters before God spoke? I wonder how God’s Holy Spirit is hovering near, and looking at those parts of me with love. That got me. I can feel that I am something of a mess inside, with jumbled emotions; both love and dislike, compassion and resentment, tenderness and unforgiveness. It makes me want to retreat and hide from God. What an image to keep hold of, that the Spirit is hovering near and looking on with love. He wants to help me.
Susan — I think you and Sarah are kindred spirits.
9. Share a recent time when you had great anxiety but the Lord’s consolation brought joy to your soul.
I can’t give too many details, but a few weeks ago I got a really disturbing call from my daughter who is at college, explaining a crisis with one of her classes and professors. It sure made me anxious and she was a real mess. The outcome was different from anything I could’ve imagined. I believe my daughter walked away from this crisis with what I would say was her coming clean with God and others. I think our children all have to come to a point in their lives where they do their own wrestling with God and make faith in Him their own. Kind of a forging of their own relationship with Him and not what we, as parents, have taught them, helped them, or encouraged them to do. Like when they were younger, we would say the prayers or help them to pray, like putting words in their mouth. Now the words came from her own heart and they were her own. Now I see a fledgling relationship between her and God. I looked up the definition of consolation: the comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment. I know that she received His consolation.
10. What anxieties do you have right now that you can bring to Him, with thanksgiving?
Lord, I can get a little anxious this time of year, and especially now that I contemplate hosting Christmas Day at my house this year. I remember with thanksgiving the beautiful Christmas days at my mom’s, and how she made everything so lovely, inviting, and the delicious food. It’s hard to step into her shoes, for sure. But the most important thing is for my family to be together. It all doesn’t have to be perfect. I still wake up anxious about what to do with my life, even on a daily basis, without my children in the home to care for. It’s been like losing a job that I loved. I don’t want to live my life selfishly, and I thank you that You helped me to take a step of faith, out of my comfort zone, yesterday, when I went to visit an elderly woman in her home who is homebound. I wondered how it would go. I was anxious not to overstay my welcome, and yet our visit ended up being two hours and we had so much to talk and laugh about. I also am anxious for my son’s safety as he is out of the country right now, working. I can only give this to God, as I don’t have any control over it.
Oh Susan — I delight how you are stepping out on faith using your gifts to bless.
And I praise the Lord so for what He is doing in your daughter’s life.
11. Any reflections on the podcast?
I love that God never gives up on us. I also like the music in the background while Sara speaks.
9. Share a recent (if possible) time when you had great anxiety but the Lord’s consolation brought joy to your soul. (We want to wonder with you!)
I think for me it was just too many concerns coming at me in such a short period of time particularly this past month of November. It was as if the enemy was fully bent on preventing me from giving thanks. But God brought consolation through His Word and the Bible Study written by Priscilla Shirer, “The Armor of God.” It was like He knew I was going to have some intense spiritual battle and He provided some strong weapons in my arsenal. J “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
Susan, I too looked up the meaning of consolation J and found the same meaning as you did.
10. What anxieties do you have right now that you can bring to Him, with thanksgiving? (Phil. 4:6)
Lord, I am thankful that I can come to you with any anxiety I have. I am casting my anxieties on you because I know you care for me (I Peter 5:7) In my finite mind I am anxious about how to finish the school year with so many things clamoring for my time and my money. But I thank you that my time and money are really YOURS, to begin with. I need not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6) nor worry about money (you own the cattle in a thousand hills Psalm 50:10). I thank you that what time and money you will provide is what I and those I love would need. Just as you have been faithful in the past, you will be faithful today and tomorrow. Help me live a life of contentment, generosity without hesitation, and service offered to you and not to man.
Great prayer, Bing.
Think of our brothers and sisters from every tribe and nation singing Christmas carols now — and wonder!
I am thinking and being in wonder right now of the many international students, we have had the privilege of knowing when we were with the Navigators. And then later, as we got involved with student ministry in Lawrence and then here in Maryville. We have not seen many of them for many years now-it will be a wonderful reunion one of these days!
12. What was John’s vision in Revelation 7:9-10.
a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.”
13. What from the above produces wonder in your heart?
a. White robes! “Clean before my Lord I stand, and in me not one blemish does He see” by Nancy Honeytree
b. A multitude that no one could count! And I am one of them. Thank you, Lord.
12. What was John’s vision in Revelation 7:9-10.
John saw a great crowd that shouted, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” They were from “every nation” and carried palm branches.
13. What from the above produces wonder in your heart?
Reminds me of Palm Sunday?
This is SO TRUE:
“One man said, “You came to my ancestors and asked them to give up polygamy — and it was hard — but they obeyed for they wanted to be true to God’s definition of marriage. So why are you coming to us now and asking us to abandon God’s definition of marriage?”” WOW.
15. Write out the four sentences with born in them. Do any cause you to wonder? If so, why?
This one hits a nerve…
”Born to reign in us forever,”
Jesus is in us. God put Himself within us. I think that is so awesome!
16. How does Isaiah 9:6a echo “Born a child and yet a King?”
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/isa.9.6.esv
He was born a child as we all are, but He has the weight of the world on Himself.
17. Any reflections on the podcast?
I am one of the stars God showed Abram.
Love all your wonderings, Laura!
11. Any reflections on the podcast?
This was the one about the serpent and the fruit. I like the way she handled this one, the way she presented it to her young audience. It is a sad reality that once our eyes are opened and we see and know things that we didn’t before, there’s no going back. We cannot regain our lost innocence. Adam and Even couldn’t undo what had happened in their hearts and they couldn’t put their hearts back together. This is worth pondering: I wonder what it suddenly felt like to be afraid of God? She asked, “Have I ever wanted to hide from someone who loves me? How does that feel in my body, in my heart? Are there parts of me I want to hide from my family, from my friends, from God? Can I believe that God always wants to come find me.”
12. What was John’s vision in Revelation 7:9-10?
John’s vision was of people from all over the world, of every tribe, tongue, and nation, standing together before God’s throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches, praising God together.
13. What from the above produces wonder in your heart?
What struck me was how easily we, as Americans, are willing to abandon or modify truth. The African Methodists historically made a great sacrifice to refrain from polygamy, understanding that to be God’s people you must give up your idols. It is certainly hard today because as God’s people, we don’t want to behave hatefully towards the LGBTQ community. How do we balance truth and love? It is also interesting how the brown parts of the map show that what Jesus told his first disciples to do has happened.
14. Any reflections on the podcast?
The story of Noah and the Ark was, for a long time, a children’s story to me. But when I really start to ponder it, it’s a pretty horrific story. I guess I morbidly wonder where all the drowned bodies of people and animals went? I also wonder how God could be so sorry that He made people that He destroyed them all, even the animals. Because things went pretty quickly back to the same kind of evil that made Him do it in the first place. On the podcast, she described the flood as washing things clean. What needs to be washed clean in my heart?
Totally agree with you post all over! I had to leave the Methodist church about 10 years ago because I didn’t feel they were sticking to sound doctrine. I couldn’t feel like I was being true to my Christian faith when I was (in my eyes) not following the doctrine I had come to know over the years. What kind of Christian was I if I just changed the doctrine to fit my situation? It’s hard to follow the way of Christ, but oh how meaningful it is as well! The hard things in life are the most rewarding.
So true, Susan: The story of Noah and the Ark was, for a long time, a children’s story to me. But when I really start to ponder it, it’s a pretty horrific story.
18. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-4 and pray what stands out to you for yourself for this day.
Oh Lord, thank You for providing a new self for us. I pray I can put on the ways You have shown us to be. I do falter, often. It is my human self that gives in to the ways of the earth. Ugh! It’s so easy. The harder way is Your way, and it is good. Please find a way to help me remember You when I begin to blow it. I pray in Your Holy Name. Amen.
19. Do you have a favorite rendition of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus? If so, share it here and tell us why you love it.
My favorite would have to be the old school hymn we would sing when I was young in my church growing up. I miss the old hymns! This one reminds me of my home church (although the church is a bit larger than ours was).
https://youtu.be/iUbCbT4Yuog
20. Any reflections on the podcast?
The story of Abraham and Isaac has always made me uncomfortable inside. I get wanting to trust God, but I can’t imagine tying my kid up and preparing to kill him. It is scary every time I hear it or read it! I guess the good part is that a ram “shows up.” God was faithful to His people because they were faithful to Him.
18. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-4 and pray what stands out to you for yourself for this day.
What stands out is “your life is hidden with Christ in God”. We, in our culture today, have put an emphasis on”self-care” and finding ourselves. Sometimes I also wonder “who am I” really, I am only defined by my roles or others expectations or assumptions of me as wife, mother, grandmother, pastor’s wife. friend. Especially now as my role as pastor’s wife is changing I wonder where is my “voice”. Where is the truest me in the midst of life? I was skimming through a notebook this morning and found a quote from Wilbourne’s “Union with Christ” that speaks deeply to this issue.
“You are more and most yourself when united with Christ. He covers you, he shields you, he represents you before the Father. He also fills you, illuminates you, and animates you, making you more yourself and more human than you could ever be on your own.”
I obviously wrote down this quote because it spoke to me on a deep level at the time. “You are more and most yourself when united with Christ.” Oh, if I could truly rest in that and dig deep into trusting and uniting myself with Christ. If only each person would stop pursuing their self-centered “self-care” and focus on Christ. What a difference it would make!
So good, Dianne.
15. Write out the four sentences with born in them. Do any cause you to wonder? If so, why?
Born to set they people free; Born thy people to deliver; Born a child and yet a king; Born to reign in us forever.
My thoughts: God could have come down in all of His splendor and glory but He chose to be like us by being born. He came as a child, asked us to be like children in our faith, and ultimately will reign as king. From the manger to a throne. Form lowliness to His rightful place in Heaven and in our hearts.
16. How does Isaiah 9:6a echo “Born a child and yet a King?”
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
The government will be on his shoulders means He rules and therefore He is King!
Listen.
https://www.wewonderpod.com
17. Any reflections on the podcast?
Abraham looked at the stars and God said His descendants will be as numerous as the stars which couldn’t be counted. Look at the mirror-you will see a daughter or son of Abraham. God’s promise to Abraham a long time ago is still happening with us. We are Abraham’s children when we believed and have Jesus Christ in our hearts.
18. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-4 and pray what stands out to you for yourself for this day.
Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Daily, Jesus speaks to the Father on my behalf. Lord, thank you!
19. Do you have a favorite rendition of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus? If so, share it here and tell us why you love it.
I don’t think I have a specific favorite rendition of this song. I did find a rendition on Youtube by Red Mountain Music and the song had 4 stanzas! I followed a thread and it brought me to another site called congregational singing where each line had a corresponding verse from the Bible! Stanzas 2-3 which I am not familiar with was added and copyrighted by IVCF in 1998, it wrote. It has an unsecured URL so I am not attaching it here but will look them up. Such rich biblical truths in this song by Charles Wesley. Here is the third stanza that blessed my heart.
Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end
By His life He brings us gladness, Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend
Leaving riches without number; Born within a cattle stall
This the everlasting wonder; Christ was born the Lord of all.
21. Any reflections on the podcast?
I wonder why it’s called “Jacob’s ladder” when there isn’t a ladder in the story? I think it was terrible that Jacob stole his brothers blessing from the blind father Isaac. So mean to take advantage of him like that.
I have a friend who has had a similar occurrence but in modern times…. it just dawned on me. Her parents were getting old and losing their faculties. She was taking care of them when the father died. The mother began to have altzheimers (?) really bad. My friends 3 brothers began to convince their mom that the sister (my friend) was spending all her money (the moms). In this case, the parents were leaving my friend a lot of their inheritance. The brothers wanted it all and they didn’t want my friend to have any. The mom went with the brothers and changed the will and my friend was not even allowed to visit the mom as she was dying. It was very sad. The mom and my friend had been very close. I couldn’t believe that family members could treat each other so poorly. To this day my friend has not spoken to any of her brothers. She moved away from the family home when her mother died because the brothers told her she was no longer welcome there. I grieve for my friend because she never got to go to her mothers funeral or pay her last respects to her. Those men will be judged by God, I know that, however, my friend suffered in this world. So sad. I know she feels awful that she couldn’t be there for her mother in the end, but it was a very bad situation with lawyers and law enforcement involved.
22. How did the Lord meet you or bring wonder to your heart this first week of Advent?
I was thinking of a certain student that I had a long time ago (15 years), a few weeks ago. I can’t remember why I was thinking of her. Last night at Grace’s Christmas program I saw her and couldn’t believe my eyes! I approached her and asked her if she remembered me. She did immediately! It was a sweet reunion. I laughed with her and reminisced for a few minutes. I wished her a Merry Christmas and moved away. She approached me as she left and said she was so happy that I came up to her. That made me feel nice inside. I’m not sure of the significance of the meeting, but I do think it was a God kiss.
The week began with 2 feet of beautiful snow. It was shortened at work, with only 3 days I had to teach. It ended with meeting my former student. Today I will rehearse with the dancers and decorate our house to prepare for the season. I love seeing all the lights around town with the snow. So beautiful!
I have been contemplating Christianity this week. In my bible study at church we are reading about the 5 women who are in the direct lineage of Christ. It has been a wonderful study using a book called, “Lineage of Grace,” by Francine Rivers. The five women are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. It is historical fiction and the leader is running it like a book club reading. I have really enjoyed it. We are on Mary so I have been thinking about her experience. All the controversy, the marriage, the donkey ride being pregnant, etc.
I also have Ann Voskamp’s sons advent wreath on a table and we move the donkey and Mary along each day. Other then that, we have a ton of renovation going on in our house (new flooring) and haven’t really decorated much. The house is in major disarray! Before we know it, Christmas will come and go so quickly. That makes me sad because I want to relish in the moment. I wonder why our lives have to fly by so fast as we get older. I want to be a kid again!
Sad story about your friend, though we know it is not the end of the story.
You are a kid again! 🙂
Laura, what happened to your friend….awful. It never stops amazing me in a bad way what people are capable of doing for the love of money and greed. That they would turn on their own sister like that, and prevent her from being with her mom as she was dying. I remember one patient of mine telling me that his children were like wolves, anxious to put him in a nursing home and to get all of his possessions and money.
10. What anxieties do you have right now that you can bring to Him, with thanksgiving? (Phil. 4:6)
I do have some anxiety right now, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster time emotionally already, and my daughter will be home soon. Help me Father to run to You with my needs rather than allowing anxiety to build, to trust You as my Father to bring strength, healing, peace. Thank YOu.
12. What was John’s vision in Revelation 7:9-10.
A great crowd–from every nation, standing before God’s throne, crying out “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
13. What from the above produces wonder in your heart?
I love the picture of racial unity in Heaven, of every nation and tribe praising His name–it is awe-inspiring. This scene is a beautiful picture of His worthiness to be praised.
15. Write out the four sentences with born in them. Do any cause you to wonder? If so, why?
Born to set Thy people free;Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever,
I actually printed this hymn on the back of our Christmas card this year! I love it. I think the first, “born to set Thy people free”–boldy proclaims His purpose, to be our Savior, and that we ARE His people, we are His own, we belong to Him.
16. How does Isaiah 9:6a echo “Born a child and yet a King?”
“For to us a child is born…and the government shall be upon His shoulder”
18. Meditate on Colossians 3:1-4 and pray what stands out to you for yourself for this day.
“…Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
This is what the Lord drew me here this morning to hear. He knew how desperately I needed to be reminded of this today. My hope is with Him. It reminds me too of what Keller says about Romans 8:28–our hard things will be used for good; our good things can never be lost, and our best is yet to come.
19. Do you have a favorite rendition of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus? If so, share it here and tell us why you love it.
I love Fernando Ortega, that’s probably my favorite. And then Sandra McCracken (Indelible Grace)
That’s my order for favorites on Come Thou Long Expected Jesus too.
Praying for you, dear Lizzy.
oh I want to share a gift God just gave! I had bought a new advent book for devotions this year–and it is good, but a little dry. My 6 year old is totally lost by it and my 13 year old feels guilty admitting it is boring. So by last night, I was so discouraged. Then I came here this morning and after doing the lesson, about an hour ago, I called everyone downstairs and said rather than doing our usual nightly devotion, I wanted to share something with them. We listened together to the wonder podcast. I hadn’t played it for them yet this week because I just wasn’t sure what they’d think–but they LOVED it! And I feel so encouraged! So, putting aside my new book for another year, and we will continue on with the podcast! 🙂
Oh Lizzy — this makes me so glad! I am so impressed with Sarah, and I am so glad your children love it.
Lizzy, I agree….the podcast is WONDERFUL. It is engaging and imaginative. I’ve been sending it daily to my daughter!
15. Write out the four sentences with born in them. Do any cause you to wonder? If so, why?
Born to set Thy people free.
Born Thy people to deliver.
Born a child and yet a king.
Born to reign in us forever.
It is interesting that most would believe that being under a king means that you are not free. Jesus was born to set His people free; born a king, and born to reign in us forever. So this is a very different sort of monarchy. Because in truth, He does give us the freedom to rebel if we want to. We aren’t thrown in a dungeon or executed for treason against the king. So having Jesus as your king, reigning in your heart, is actually your freedom. My sixth grade teacher wrote “Self control equals freedom” on the chalkboard the first day of school. Being under the control of Jesus and the Spirit equals true freedom.
16. How does Isaiah 9:6a echo “Born a child and yet a king”?
It says that a child is born to us; a son, and the government will be on his shoulders.
17. Any reflections on the podcast?
I really liked how she invited us to imagine being right behind Abram as he went out of the tent (hear the tent flap close), and imagine being outside in the dark, no street lights, and how many stars you would be able to see. Now, look up. What did Abram think? Then, go back into the tent with him, and look around. There was God’s promise, yet in the tent was just Sarai, Eleazar, and Abram. I believe placing yourself in the Scripture story is the practice of Lectio Divina. It impacted me to think of what was going on in Abram’s mind after he looked at millions of starts, and pondered “my descendants”, but then went back into the reality of what he had at the moment.
Interesting you remember that about your sixth grade teacher!