I wonder how you know God's promises are true? Do you SEE how his promises come true? Do you HEAR how his promises come true? Do you just KNOW? Follow along as we read about how Mary saw and heard and knew that God's promises were true -- and that anything is possible with God! Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Looking for a daily reading guide for Advent? Check this out. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe s...
Dec 13, 2021•16 min•Season 5Ep. 14
I wonder if you have ever heard something so surprising that you were . . . speechless? Follow along as we read the story of Zechariah -- a man who heard some amazing news from an amazing visitor -- all of which left him speechless. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Looking for a daily reading guide for Advent? Check this out. You can find the NIRV version of today's reading here. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to su...
Dec 06, 2021•17 min
I wonder about a time you may have run away or tried to hide from God? I wonder if there is a time when you wanted to argue with God? I wonder what you notice about how God is with you, even when you try to go away from him? Follow along as we read about a time the prophet Jonah ran away from God and a time when Jonah argued with God as we wonder about how our God is a God who is with us. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restora...
Nov 30, 2021•19 min•Season 5Ep. 12
I wonder if you’ve ever had something unexpected happen to you? I wonder how you respond to unexpected things? Follow along as we read from 2 Kings 5 and see the unexpected ways God is at work in the life of a man named Naaman -- changing not just his outsides but his insides, too. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode....
Nov 22, 2021•17 min•Season 5Ep. 11
I wonder what silence sounds like to you? I wonder what you hear in the silence? Follow along as we read from 1 Kings, the Psalms, and the Gospel of Mark and see and hear how God speaks. Come! Let's listen and talk to God as we pray and ponder. Together. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode....
Nov 15, 2021•16 min•Ep. 10
I wonder if you’ve ever seen something so powerful that it changed the way you thought about things? I wonder if it changed what -- or rather who -- you put your trust in? Follow along as we read 1 Kings 18 from the Old Testament and witness the power of God and how His power changed the hearts of those who worshiped something else other than God. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to su...
Nov 08, 2021•19 min•Season 5Ep. 9
I wonder if you’ve ever taken a wrong turn and gotten lost? What did you do when you discovered that you were not where you needed to be? Today's story shows us where to turn -- to whom we should turn -- when we see how our "wrong turns" land us in a place where we should not be. Follow along as we read Numbers 20-21 from the Old Testament and reflect on what it means that the Lord always makes a way to save us. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to restorationarlington.org for mor...
Nov 02, 2021•19 min•Season 5Ep. 8
I wonder if you’ve seen a situation differently from others because of what you believe? In today's story, we'll see how Joshua and Caleb see things differently because of what they believe about WHO God is -- loving and kind, trustworthy and true, a faithful promise maker and promise keeper. I wonder what you'll -- uh -- SPY as you listen today? Follow along as we read parts of Numbers 13:1-14:38 from the Old Testament and reflect on what it means to trust God and enter his rest. Come! Let's pr...
Oct 25, 2021•17 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Have you ever noticed a shadow that made you wonder what the actual thing making the shadow was like? In today's story, we'll take a look at God's love for his people and how laying out the best ways to live show us who God is AND create a shadow that hints at his ultimate rescue of his precious people. I wonder what you'll notice -- as a shadow or in full -- as you listen today? Follow along as we read parts of the Old and New Testament and reflect on the rules and laws that God laid out in Exo...
Oct 18, 2021•19 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Do you ever wonder about God's power that is both gentle and mighty? In today's story we'll hear about the ways in which God sees and listens and rescues as he keeps his promise to protect his special people. I wonder what you know about God's gentle and mighty power? I wonder where you have seen that kind of power? Join us today as we look at God's faithfulness to Moses and God's power at work in and through him. Follow along as we read portions of Exodus 1-14 . Come! Let's pray and ponder. Tog...
Oct 11, 2021•32 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Do you ever wonder what it means to be a promise maker and a promise keeper? God, who is faithful and true, is the BEST promise maker and promise keeper! He promises things and he follows through on those promises -- no matter how much time there is between when he makes that promise and when he keeps it. He tells us in today's story that he has given a reminder of his promise to us. But I wonder if there are ways you see and know God's promise? I wonder how he reminds you of his love and faithf...
Oct 04, 2021•21 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Do you ever wonder about how God made us -- and what that tells us about how he feels about us? Do you ever wonder about that perfectly perfect relationship with the God who created us and how it was broken? Do you ever think about the whole story from God's perspective? Join us today as we wonder together about God's BIG love for us and what that love looks like. Follow along as we read from Genesis 1:26-2:25; 3:1-24 . Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together....
Sep 27, 2021•25 min
Do you ever think about all the things that God made? I wonder if you have a favorite thing that he created? Join us as we wonder together about the ways God made the world and everything in it and what that tells us about WHO God is! Follow along with these scriptures as we read from Genesis 1:1-28, 31; Genesis 2:1-3 and begin at the beginning to tell God's BIG story of his BIG love for his people. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information...
Sep 20, 2021•16 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Do you ever wonder why we say the three most important things at the end of each episode of Pray & Ponder? Do you ever wonder what those words really mean? Join us today as we listen to God's Word that tells us that "God really does know you! He's crazy about you! And he goes with you everywhere!" Follow along with these scriptures. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode....
Sep 16, 2021•15 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Wild Wondering With God — Episode 10 — clouds write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: stretch out on a blanket and look up at the clouds in the sky try these experiments to make clouds at home learn how to paint a “happy little cloud” with Bob Ross read with a buddy or by yourself: watch this read aloud of Little Cloud by Eric Carle read Clouds by Anne Rockwell read this National Geographic...
Sep 03, 2021•14 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Wild Wondering With God — Episode 9 — ROCKS write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: clean some rocks paint rocks stack some flat rocks to build a cairn read with a buddy or by yourself: read A Rock Is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston read Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig read Banner In the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman — an adventure story read aloud for older elementary kids share ...
Aug 27, 2021•9 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Wild Wondering With God — Episode 8 — trees write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: climb a tree and see how the view changes make a neighborhood tree identification guide using this online tool for help if you need it do a bark rubbing play this game in an area with several trees: In pairs, have one person blindfolded and another person lead the blindfolded person through the wooded area t...
Aug 20, 2021•12 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Wild Wondering With God — Episode 7 — birdsong write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: scroll down to capture the instructions and inspiration for creating mixed-media bird nests grab a paper lunch bag, roll down the sides to make a nest, then gather and fill and “feather” your nest with found treasures be inspired to work like a bird to weave your own nest read with a buddy or by yourself:...
Aug 13, 2021•16 min•Season 4Ep. 7
write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: make a bee-utiful craft while also working on those fine motor skills make a dragonfly with a straw and some paper go on a bug hunt to see what kinds of insects you can find stay up late to watch or catch lightning bugs read with a buddy or by yourself: The Strange Tale of Ben Beesley by Restoration’s own Matt McNeil is a MUST READ. Full of the Gospel...
Aug 06, 2021•14 min•Season 4Ep. 6
write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: here are some nature play ideas for littles play with colors and textures — and grow independence — as you do a little floral arranging read with a buddy or by yourself: read aloud together The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina Yan Glaser — a sweet chapter book about transformation read Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn as you follow a ...
Jul 30, 2021•12 min•Season 4Ep. 5
write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: make some art like Eric Carle, inspired by his book The Tiny Seed grab a little bag of seeds and sort and classify them: How are they alike? How are they different? Use this site on seeds to help you understand more in depth. gather some fallen treasures to create nature sculptures do some sorting, predicting, and sprouting with seeds read with a budd...
Jul 23, 2021•12 min•Season 4Ep. 4
write about what you are thinking and seeing and experiencing: print these journal response pages as a booklet do some creative or playful things: create a water-based sensory bin for younger kids check out these ideas for water play for older kids here are some wonderful ways to explore with watercolors quench your thirst with these infused water recipes have a “leaf race” — toss two leaves into a creek and watch them as they float to the finish line read with a buddy or by yourself: soak in th...
Jul 16, 2021•21 min•Season 4Ep. 3
do some creative or playful things: mix some dirt and a little bit of water and paint with mud make “clean” mud dough make “mud muffins” play “Stuck in the Mud”. It’s just like freeze dance. Sort of. And it’s played without mud. :) read with a buddy or by yourself: read Mud by Mary Lyn Ray read A New Green Day by Antoinette Portis read Yucky Worms by Vivian French — then go dig in the mud for worms read Little Blue Truck with a Gospel perspective write about what you are thinking and seeing and ...
Jul 09, 2021•13 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Wild Wondering With God — Episode 1 — Wind do some artsy things: gather sticks and string to make a wind chime https://www.mudandbloom.com/blog/windchimes make a wind sock https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Windsock-for-Children paint with watercolors using a straw by dropping paint on the paper and blowing the paint with the straw instead of a brush https://babbledabbledo.com/how-to-do-blow-painting-with-straws/ read with a buddy or by yourself: read Christina Rossetti’s poem, “Who Has Seen the Win...
Jul 02, 2021•11 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Season 4 of P&P starts next week! Enjoy this trailer, and don't forget to listen beginning next Friday, July 2! Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode.
Jun 25, 2021•5 min
Today, we'll close out Season 3 of P&P with a look at the Book of Revelation. Stay tuned for a trailer for Season 4 of P&P, dropping soon! Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode.
Jun 14, 2021•25 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Today, we'll hear the story of Paul and the Thessalonians. You can find the NIRV version of today's reading here. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode....
Jun 07, 2021•12 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Today, we'll take a look at the book of Ephesians. You can find the NIRV version of today's reading here. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode....
May 31, 2021•16 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Today, we'll talk about a disagreement between friends in Corinth. Find the NIRV version of the readings here. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode....
May 24, 2021•20 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Today, we'll read the story of the Jerusalem Council. You can find the NIRV version of today's reading here. Head over to restorationarlington.org for more information on Restoration and Pray & Ponder. Remember to subscribe so that you never miss a new episode....
May 17, 2021•14 min•Season 3Ep. 32
