This summer on Pray & Ponder, we are going to read the Psalms together. Because the Psalms give us words to say to God that we might not have otherwise. They give us words to remember. They give us words to rejoice. They give us words to be sad and angry and frustrated. They give us words to hope and to long for that which is to come. And through all of these words, we will come to know more of WHO God is.
Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Happy Easter!! For all of Lent, we've been patiently waiting and preparing for this day. Come and listen to the joyful story of Jesus rising from the grave and finding his friends. Thank you for praying and pondering with us for all of Lent. Today's reading comes from Matthew 28:1-10. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Today, Good Friday, is the saddest day of Holy Week. We'll listen to the story of how Jesus died this morning. But, once we can understand today's story, we can get ready to celebrate Easter together on Sunday, and understand how amazing Easter really is. Today's reading comes from Matthew 27:26-61. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Have you ever wondered why we call today "Maundy Thursday"? Have you ever been dirty, and then someone cleaned you up? Join us this Maundy Thursday as we pray and ponder together. Today's reading comes from John 13:1-17. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Today, we'll read a story about one of Jesus' friends who decides to betray Jesus for money. I wonder how you see God at work in it -- even in these difficult circumstances? Today's reading comes from Luke 22:1-6. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Today, we'll read a couple of stories in which we see people who love Jesus very much. They responded to Jesus with great love--how does Jesus respond to you? Today's reading comes from Luke 7:36-39, 44-50 and Matthew 26:6-13. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Do you ever wonder about some of the words we hear in the Old Testament? This week, we're remembering that Jesus is the perfect rescue plan. What do you think that Jesus was trying to tell people when he turned over tables in the temple? Today's reading comes from Matthew 21:12-17. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Happy Palm Sunday, and welcome to Holy Week! Come today and listen to the story of Jesus entering into Jerusalem like a king. Have you ever wondered about why it's called, "Palm Sunday"? Today's reading comes from Matthew 21:1-11. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
We have a list of suggested resources -- Bibles, books, and websites -- which we think may be helpful to you, grownups who love their kids. You can find that list of resources here on our website. And, you can always reach out with questions or suggestions -- louise@restorationarlington.org .
Can you believe that nothing is impossible for our loving God; the same God who knows, is crazy about you, and goes with you everywhere? Come and listen to this story of God rescuing one of Jesus' best friends, Peter. Today's reading comes from Acts 12:1-17. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Sometimes, God takes things away from us only to give them back in a spectacular way. God is pretty incredible, isn't he? Come listen to this story with us today. Today's reading comes from Acts 9:1-20. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Have you ever been invited to something exciting? Today, we'll read a story about Jesus' friend, Peter, inviting some of his new friends to turn away from their old life and turn toward God who can forgive their sins. Pray and ponder with us. Today's reading comes from Acts 3:11-26. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Can you imagine if you couldn't walk your whole life, and then suddenly, one day, you could? In the story we read yesterday, we heard about Jesus' very special gift. And today, we see that very special gift help Jesus' friends do something very special indeed. Today's reading comes from Acts 3:1-10. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Have you ever received an awesome gift--maybe even the best gift ever? In today's story, Jesus gives the apostles a very special gift; and by reading, we see that Jesus gives this very special gift to us as well. Today's reading comes from Acts 1:4-8 and Acts 2:1-4. You can find it here. You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
We've seen Jesus do some pretty amazing things this week, haven't we? The story today, recorded by Jesus' friend John, might be even MORE amazing. We also see that even though Jesus is amazing, he gets sad sometimes too. Pray and ponder with us this morning. Today's reading comes from John 11:1-43. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Have you ever reached out to Jesus for help? We'll read a story today where we see that people trusted Jesus enough to ask him for help, even when it seemed like no one could help. Today's reading comes from Matthew 9:18-26. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Have you ever needed help--and then someone helped you? Come and listen to the amazing story about the time when Jesus helped one of his best friends, Peter, do something amazing. Today's reading comes from Matthew 14:22-33. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
I wonder if you have ever been afraid and someone calmed you down? Ponder with us today the amazing story about the time when the wind and waves obeyed Jesus. Today's reading comes from Matthew 8:23-27. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Jesus is amazing, isn't he? Come and listen to the story about the time when Jesus took a few fish and loaves and fed 5,000 people. I wonder if you have ever been afraid that there won't enough of something? Today's reading comes from Mark 6:30-44. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Do you know what it means to have faith? Or even to have faith that can heal? Pray and ponder with us today. Today's reading comes from Luke 17:11-19. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book. I wonder what the ten men meant when they called out to Jesus to have pity on them? I wonder why Jesus responded to them the way he did? I wonder what they thought about what Jesus said to them? I wonder what they expected to happen? I wonder w...
Do you want to get well? This is the simple question that Jesus asks not only this man, but us as well. Listen with us today. Today's readings come from John 5:1-15. You can find them here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book I wonder why Jesus first asked the man if he wanted to get well? I wonder what the man thought when Jesus healed him so quickly? I wonder about all that the Jewish leaders were thinking when they saw that the man was healed? I w...
Today, we'll read a story about a blind man who just wanted to see. Come pray and ponder with us this morning--together. Today's reading comes from Luke 18:35-43. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book. I wonder what the blind man knew about Jesus that made him call out to him? I wonder why the people leading the way commanded the blind man to stop and be quiet? I wonder why the blind man disregarded them and shouted even louder? I...
Have you ever felt like you couldn't move? Today, we'll read a story about a man who was stuck; Jesus was the only one who could make him unstuck. Today's reading comes from Mark 2:1-12. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book. I wonder what people believed about Jesus that brought them to the home where Jesus was preaching? I wonder what they longed to hear him say? I wonder how the friends got the idea to go through the roof? I wo...
Have you ever been to a wedding? Come and listen with us as we read the amazing story about the time that Jesus went to a wedding. Today's reading comes from John 2:1-11. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book. I wonder what Mary, the mother of Jesus who on the night he was born treasured up all those things that happened with the angels and the shepherds, I wonder what she was expecting Jesus to do? I wonder what Jesus meant when ...
Sometimes it feels hard to do what Jesus tells us to do. Today we'll read a story about a rich young man whom Jesus loved, and hear the thing that Jesus asked him to do. Today's reading comes from Mark 10:17-31. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
How do you find yourself changing when you spend time with Jesus? Take a listen with Miss Louise today as we hear a story about Jesus' best friends, the disciples, and how they changed when they spent time with him. Today's readings come from John 1:43-51 and Mark 3:13b-19. You can find them here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Listen in with Miss Louise today as we read a story about Levi the tax collector in Mark 2. Where might your heart be 'sick' and in need of Jesus' healing? Today's reading comes from Mark 2:13-17. You can find it here . You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Have you ever been fishing? Have you ever been fishing...with Jesus?! Let's wonder about the time that Jesus and the disciples went fishing together. Today's reading comes from Luke 5:1-11. You can find it here. You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Do you know that Jesus loved spending time with children? Come, read the story of the little children, and wonder about it with us. Today's reading comes from Mark 10:13-16. You can find it here. You can also follow along with our “Rooted and Grounded in Love” devotional book....
Join Miss Louise today as we explore the famous story of the two sons and their father. I wonder what made the younger son come back? Come, let's wonder about this story together.
