The Wonder Podcast

Did you know God pursues us?

From the beginning of time, God was and is wanting us to know Him and He goes to great lengths to make that happen.

Today on the podcast, Lisa’s neighbor and friend, Tracey, shares how the King of all creation used professors, missionaries, and hard life struggles and lessons to reach her and her husband and bring them out of Mormonism. They were lost and Jesus found them. They experienced first-hand the hope and grace that only comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ. The gospel changed everything for her family and their eternity.

Our conversation with Tracey reminded us of the power of the Holy Spirit, the influence of others in our lives, and how sweet and perfect forgiveness and grace are for the Believer.

Be encouraged by this episode of the podcast, and as you listen, ask yourself this question, “Who is God entrusting to put in my path today that needs the message of Jesus and the hope of the gospel?”

Yippeee! We're TEAM PUMPKIN over here at The Wonder Podcast!

We are giddy, y'all. "It's the MOST WONDERFUL time of the year!"

In this episode of TWP, we share all things FALL! Decor, recipes, activities, feelings...we've got all the feelings.

What's your favorite season? It's Fall for us. Football, soups, gatherings, layers, cooler temps. It truly is the best.

Join us as we discuss all the things and hopefully spur you on to climb into the attic and drag down the pumpkins. It's never too early.

Trust us. ;)

When we launched TWP 3 1/2 years ago, we had NO podcasting experience and hardly listened to podcasts to be quite honest. We knew God had given us a special friendship, we knew we loved people and we knew He had given us a love for His word.

But once we got behind those mics, WE WERE HOOKED!

Here we are 3 1/2 years later still having the time of our lives. THANK YOU for joining us on this journey.

A few months ago, Christian Parenting Podcast Network approached us about joining their community and launching a new podcast in addition to TWP.

After much prayer and consideration, we are excited to share that RAISING SINNERS, A PODCAST WITH LISA AND CHRISSIE, will launch on September 2nd. That's right!

We'll be talking PARENTING every other Thursday and all things WONDER in between. So don't worry...TWP is still our first love!

FOLLOW RAISING SINNERS just like you subscribed to The Wonder Podcast, on your favorite podcast app and you'll never miss an episode or the voices you've come to love! :)

Click the link to subscribe to RAISING SINNERS!

Do you struggle with fear, worry, and anxiety? Even if you're not prone to worry, world events can take us there.

We're human. Fear and anxiety can creep in when we least expect it. So let's talk about it. Listen in and be encouraged by God's word that (always) reminds us that He's got us. He loves us. He is sovereign. He is able. He is there. And He knows our struggles.

Our faith is strengthened in times like these. We are on a journey to know God more. We learn things on the mountaintop, but we REALLY learn things in the valley.

If you're in the valley right now, be encouraged. Your God is near.

Janine Baird is our guest on the podcast this week.  Her journey of suffering is one that points straight to Jesus.  Have you ever wondered how true suffering might affect you?

I'm sure we've all wondered on occasion how we might react when the pressure turns up.  Well, Janine has flourished.  Her story is one not only of suffering but one that magnifies God's presence in her life when she needed Him most.  

For 7 years she's struggled with multiple brain tumors, extreme pain, countless doctors appointments, treatments, and knowing there is really no end in sight.  But God.  

He has given her joy in her journey.  He has given her opportunities to minister and share the gospel.  She's worshipped in radiology rooms across Texas and prayed with sisters and brothers in waiting rooms struggling through the same tests and treatments as her.  

And she's never asked, "why me?' but often asked, "why not me?"

Janine and her husband Kyle have 3 amazing sons, 2 beautiful daughters-in-law, and one precious newborn grandson.  

Hi Friends!

This episode was such a fan favorite we decided to air it again! This originally aired on 5/20/21. (Episode 126)

A former Muslim, Safeeya grew up believing Christians were misguided and Jews were to be hated. Even as a child she had a longing in her heart to know more and find her true identity. It wasn't until she received an invitation to church that she heard the gospel and The Holy Scripture for the first time.

She was given a Bible and the rest, shall we say, is "His story." The Holy Spirit was at work, as Safeeya pursued the yearning in her heart to know the one true God. Safeeya met Jesus Christ and her life has never been the same. Safeeya's story is convicting on so many levels.

For us, it was the power of an invitation. We spend so much of our time going to church that we forget to invite someone. Anyone. Every week. This could change the world. Just an invitation. So listen in and be encouraged that our world is full of men and women longing for something more. That something more is Jesus.

For more information about Safeeya and her ministry, visit Safeeya's Staff Support Fundraiser with Pure Charity, https://go.purecharity.com/

It is always a pleasure to catch up with this lady!

Crystal Yates came into our lives a few years back during a conference in Florida at, of all places, Disney World! And she's been making us smile ever since.

Crystal is one of our favorite worship leaders. A wife, mom, and singer/songwriter, Crystal is so in love with Jesus, her joy for Him is simply not contained. We have followed her to other states to hear her sing and lead worship! Do we sound like groupies??? We are!!!

In this episode of The Friend Zone, Crystal recounts lessons learned through a very difficult time in her life. During a recent illness and lengthy hospital stay, Crystal realized that "fear got loud and God got quiet." But even though she wasn't hearing from Him, He was there. And He was changing her.

Crystal also shares about her wonderful, faithful grandmother. We always love grandmother stories! :) We know you will be encouraged by this episode of TWP. Thank you Crystal for joining us!

As always, thank you for listening to TWP. If you would like to donate to our podcast ministry, you can click The Party Table link at http://www.chrissiedunham.org.

Thank you for your support and encouragement!

After we spoke with our friend Kay Wyma last month about her new book, "The Peace Project," we decided to spend an entire episode talking about mercy.

That's right. Mercy.

So much of that discussion left us wanting more, so here it is.

We discuss why showing mercy is so hard. Why???

The definition of mercy is "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." At its core, mercy is forgiveness. But it seems beyond love and forgiveness.

We hope you'll be encouraged by our discussion. We always want to talk about things that will encourage us but also spur us on.

Thank you for listening and for encouraging us! If you like what you hear, go to Apple Podcasts and give us a 5star review! That would make our day!

Terri Flannagan joined us today on TWP! Let us say she is pure D-lite with a capital D! We LOVE her!

We wanted to talk with Terri and find out how a mom of 3 can launch a consulting business, ministry, and extraordinary home life without breaking a sweat.

She stopped us several times in our tracks, explaining to us that she's not BUSY! And that's not her goal!

Her goal is a FULL LIFE with her husband Chuck and their 3 precious little ones.

God has given her vision, and she doesn't take that lightly. She's a doer. And she gets things done. But priorities keep her focused and intentional.

A few years ago, God placed on Terri's heart the need for a community of women to gather in the Charlotte, NC, area. And Ember was born.

Ember is a quarterly gathering for women to come together to encounter Jesus through worship, teaching, and prayer. We also talk about taking purposeful, intentional breaks from social media. Terri has lots to say about this, and it's so good.

Listen in and be encouraged no matter what stage of life you are in. Thanks for joining us, Terri!

To find out more or get in touch with Terri Flannagan Instagram @terrimflannagan or @emberclt
Website: http://www.terriflannagan.com

We'd love to connect with you! DM us @thewonderpodcast. And we'd love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you are willing to give us a 5-star review, we would be so thankful! If you're interested in partnering with us through a donation to our ministry, please go to http://www.chrissiedunham.org and click The Party Table!

In this episode of The Wonder Podcast's THE FRIEND ZONE our friend Teresa Kreul joins us for all things FRIENDS!!!

Have you ever been the new girl (or guy)? It's not easy.

 Teresa has been the new girl in town a lot through the years and she has navigated it so well! She has friends in high places, low places, and everywhere in between! :)

Friendship can be tricky at times and community is hard.  We chat about all the ins and outs of friendship in this episode and discover that we are all just looking for an invitation.  

Who can you invite to the table today? Enjoy this edition of The Friend Zone!! 

Summer has arrived!!! We are excited over here at TWP!!!

LOTS of things on our lists as we anticipate making this a summer to remember! Swimming, ice cream, sparklers, and all the sights, sounds and smells of summer are on the horizon!!! We hope you will join us in making this summer full of memories in the making.  

What's on your list? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you! 

“The Always God - He Hasn’t Changed and You Are Not Forgotten” by Jarrett Stephens, senior pastor, Champion Forest Baptist Church.

We are so excited to share our conversation with Jarrett Stephens on this episode of the podcast as he tells us all about his new book, THE ALWAYS GOD. Jarrett isn’t new to TWP; he’s been on previously discussing his book THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING. This was a favorite of ours! Have you read it? Hopefully, Jarrett has more projects in the pipeline because he’s a fan favorite!

In THE ALWAYS GOD, Jarrett takes a deep dive into 4 areas, 1) God is always here, 2) God is always working, 3) God is always faithful, and 4) God does his best work in times of waiting.

Can we get an amen???

Listen in and hear more about the inspiration behind Jarrett’s newest work and his heart for Christians finding their confidence in God and God alone.

You can pre-order the book now! It releases worldwide ☺️ on June 1st!

Our guest this week on The Wonder Podcast is the always amazing Abby Turner! (@atabletopaffair)

She's not new to our podcast, we LOVE her! And she's got big, big news y'all! Her book THE LIVING TABLE is here and available for you to order!!! It's full of recipes, devotionals, party ideas, hosting ideas, all the things!!!

We are so excited for her.  She has used her talents and gifted them right back to the Lord.  

Do you ever feel inadequate in the hospitality department? House too small? Kitchen too old? No creativity?

Well, dive into Abby's new book and you'll be invigorated to gather your people and make some memories.  She talks about keeping it simple and that seems to be the main thing that keeps us from hosting and gathering...we think we have to put on a black tie ball.  We don't.

Her words, "dishes in the sink make us more approachable."  Amen. and Amen.  

Here's to entertaining with some dishes in the sink and a load of laundry on the bed! We can do this!!!

Congratulations @atabletopaffair!!! You are pure joy! And your joy is contagious! 

In this episode of The Wonder Podcast, Chrissie and Lisa wrap up their study of 1 Peter!

This letter is full of encouragement and chapter 5 continues the theme. Peter identifies with church leaders in their suffering and responsibility. He reminds them of their purpose and exhorts them to carry on knowing that the Crown of Glory awaits!

Finally, this amazing letter ends with a reminder to “..cast our cares on Him because He cares for us..” Do you have cares you need to cast on Jesus today? We do. Let’s cast them on Him. He cares about every little detail in our lives.

Thank you for joining us on our journey through 1 Peter! 

We would love your support our podcast ministry! Your donation goes to support our podcast. Go to ChrissieDunham.org to donate TODAY!

On this episode of THE FRIEND ZONE, we invited some friends over to join us around the table to have a lively discussion about parenting our adult children!

Linda Paulk, a seasoned guest on The Wonder Podcast, and Candice Myers, mom of 4 who is dabbing her toes in both worlds with 2 young adults and 2 still at home, are our guests this week.

Both are so full of wisdom and encouragement, plus lots of practical advice for this stage of life.  Where is the rule book, people??? If there is one we haven't read it!!!

Nevertheless we have fun discussing our hits and misses as we navigate our new role in our children's lives as they move into adulthood. It's tricky, but so rewarding.  

We also tackle giving unsolicited advice and setting boundaries! Listen in to our round table discussion and join the fun! 

While suffering like the early church isn't something we will ever experience in our lifetime, many around the world have and will.

1 Peter 4 makes it clear, "...rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed you may also be glad with exceeding joy."  Our suffering sanctifies us, and draws us closer to our Savior.  

This chapter of 1 Peter also brought us to the 3rd and final time the word CHRISTIAN is used in the Bible.  We are enjoying our time in 1 Peter.  Only one more chapter to go then we'll tackle 2 Peter!

Are you following along? We hope so! We'd love to hear your thoughts and comments on this book! He is our LIVING HOPE! As always, thanks for listening and encouraging us! 

Resources:

Spiritual Gifts Quiz by Pastor Gene Wilkes