The Wonder Podcast

We continue our series in 1 Peter and today we discuss the "S" word! That's right! SUBMISSION.

 It's a thing, y'all.  And it's a GOOD THING and it's a GOD THING!

He created it.  We are all under God's authority.  

The whole world is under His sovereign rule and reign.  Jesus was submissive to the Father.  We are all submission to rules and regulations.  We are submissive to government and state, teachers, bosses...and in our marriages.  It's not a bad word.  It's a good word.  

Because it's God's word.  What a beautiful thing it is to walk in truth and light.  Knowing the scriptures brings these negative words into light and they give us LIFE!

So thankful you are on the journey with us through 1 Peter!

We pray you are encouraged.

As we continue our study of 1 Peter, we find ourselves in the 2nd chapter and are blown away by how relevant this letter is to the Church.  

Who needs to crave God's word? We all do!

But do we crave it as much as we did as new followers of Christ? Or have we moved on to other things? Peter encourages the Believers to DESIRE the spiritual milk of God's word as much as they did in the beginning.  

Don't desire the things of this world that lead to nothing! Desire Christ and His Living Word!!! PREACH!!!

We all know the Sunday School answers to the question, "how do we grow spiritually?" but growth occurs in the everyday, mundane moments of life!

Are we Velveeta cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano (for all our non-Italian speakers, that's REAL CHEESE!)??

 Listen in for the real story.  

Enjoy and thanks for listening!!! 

Here we go again!!!

We LOVE studying God's word with you all! These next few episodes will have us in 1 Peter! Let us just tell you that it is FITTING for 2021!

Isn't that the way God's word works? It ALWAYS meets us where we are.  

We are so thankful for this letter from Peter to the dispersed church.  They were hurting and needed a word from the Lord.

Have you ever found yourself in that position? Of course you have! We have, too.  God's word gives us hope...A LIVING HOPE.  

As we enter into Easter weekend, let us encourage you to never lose hope.  Your faith in Jesus Christ is ALIVE because HE IS ALIVE! HE HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE AND HE IS ALIVE!

Thank you, Jesus! And as always, thank YOU for listening.  

This week on The Friend Zone, we thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Aiysha McCarthy!

Full of energy and love for the Lord, Aiysha shares how she met Jesus, learned to walk and lean on Him and how He led her to the PROMISED LAND aka TEXAS!!! YEEEHAWWW! And y'all she is a true southerner now, accent and all.  

We were reminded of God's faithfulness as Aiysha recounted her life story.  He was in all the details of her life, including having a godly grandmother who taught her the hymns of the faith and took her to church as a young girl.

Did we mention this girl can sing? Oh, yes she can!  Make sure you listen to the very end of this episode :) Prepare to go to church! 

Who wants to talk about getting older?? WE DO!!!!

We're entering the 4th quarter and yes, we have had some reservations, but we are also super excited!

In this episode, we'll share some of our concerns, but mostly our anticipation of these years as we grow older, turn a little more grey, and enjoy the fruits of our labors.  

God is with us and in fact He's still carrying us as He always has. The best is yet to come!

Let's do this!!! 

Karen McNeece was called into ministry at a young age, not knowing where God would lead her but suspecting it would be to a remote village in a country far, far away.  

Little did she know that the call was to be in ministry with her husband, who had not been called into ministry at a young age.  His call came later, and the two of them have served God and His people their whole marriage.  

About 5 years ago, God led them to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, a non-profit ministry.  Karen's ministry calling, however, has always been first and foremost to her family.  

A homemaker extraordinaire, Karen loves caring for her husband and two grown children when they are home.  She loves putting "feed under the table" and serving family, neighbors, guests and anyone who enters their home.  

"Home is where ministry takes place," she says and she takes this ministry seriously! A scratch cook, Karen loves to prepare new recipes when guests come over.  And all meals are planned around DESSERT!

Karen is our kinda girl and we LOVED our visit with her.  Thank you for listening in and enjoy our conversation with Karen McNeece! 

Natalie Herrington is a world changer and we mean it!  She heard and felt God's call on her life while on a mission trip to the Philippines and hasn't stopped since.  

So many of us feel God calling us, but are stopped in our tracks with the awesome responsibility and all of the unknowns.  Those things didn't stop Natalie.  She went.  

As a missionary in the Philippines, God used a friendship to forge a ministry.  Natalie is now a wife and mom, but her ministry to orphans and neglected children in Southeast Asia is going strong.  

She chronicled her story in a book she authored, "The Forgotten Ones: A Journey to finding freedom for orphans and neglected kids."  What God has done in her life and continues to do is amazing.  

Recently she founded a ministry, The Something Club - "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something!" Find out more about her ministry at compassionatehope.org.

We continue our series THE FRIEND ZONE this week on The Wonder Podcast with our special guest, Christine Tang.

A beautiful soul, Christine shares her story of how God has shaped her more and more into His image as she has seen her fair share of success mixed with disappointment.

Has God allowed hardship and disappointment in your life, all the while showing you that these experiences are all for His glory? Have you been able to look back over your life and see His plan unfold perfectly, even though you couldn’t see it in the moments?

Our successes and highs in life are just as beautiful and ordained as are our hardships and suffering. He’s in every moment and nothing is wasted in God’s kingdom.

Christine’s joy overflows as she shares all God is doing and has done in her life!

You’re sure to be encouraged and reminded of His faithfulness.

Enjoy!

In this episode of The Wonder Podcast, we continue our conversation with Robin Turner.  
 
We know you have enjoyed hearing Robin share her heart for prayer.  
 
Praying for our spouse is vital in our marriages.  We tackle some hard topics in this episode including praying for a spouse who has walked away from their faith, or who is no longer walking with the Lord.  
 
Robin's answer? Matthew 7 - KEEP ON ASKING, KEEP ON SEEKING, KEEP ON KNOCKING!
 
We continue our prayers even when we don't see God moving because this "helps us to see the big picture and know that He is sovereign and in control." Remember, our time table and God's time table are very different.  
 
Let God fight these battles and you fight them on your knees! Surround yourself with community who are fighting for you on their knees as well!
 
So enjoy this episode, be encouraged and remember to THROW US SOME STARS on the platform you listen to podcasts if you like what you hear! This helps THE WONDER PODCAST reach more people!
 
Thank you!!! 

We had a wonderful time taping an episode of The Wonder Podcast with Robin Turner.  

(We actually had such a great time we kept talking and have 2 parts of this episode.  Next week we'll air part 2!)

She's so godly and full of wisdom.  Wife of Scott Turner, former NFL player, and state legislator, Robin knows the need for prayer in her life, and the need for prayer in her husband's life. We know you'll be blessed by her words of encouragement.

 We tackle the basics, such as "what is prayer and why should we do it?" Seems obvious? Not always.  Robin reminds us to stay strong in our prayers, not giving up, fighting the enemy with scripture, and making prayer a part of our lives, equating it to breathing.  (Now that's important!)

Maybe you've prayed for your spouse and God hasn't moved.  God is always at work.  Stay strong.  Stay committed.  Stay faithful.  

Listen in as Robin shares her heart for the Lord, His Word, and prayer.  As always, thank you for tuning in to The Wonder Podcast.  

Welcome to the very first episode of our new series, THE FRIEND ZONE!

Each month we’ll have a friend or family member on the show to share what God is doing in their life. We’re excited about this! It’s going to be fun and encouraging all at the same time!

This month we are honored to have Kelley McCoy share all that God is doing in her life. Kelley has been mentored by Chrissie for a long time since 2008 to be exact. Chrissie has mentored and discipled Kelley and really takes credit for where she is today. Just kidding…but really.

God has done great things in Kelley’s life and she shares how He got a hold of her, drew her closer to Himself, and began to prepare her for the blessings ahead.

(Enter Jonathan Adkins…☺) Kelley is engaged and marrying her prince charming in a few weeks. It’s fun to hear their love story and how God was working even when it didn’t look like He was working at all.

That’s our God! He’s always at work on our behalf. Listen in and enjoy this lovey-dovey tale of two people falling madly in love!

Texas State Representative Jeff Leach joins Chrissie and Lisa for this episode of The Wonder Podcast.

Jeff and his beautiful wife Becky are friends of our podcast.

Becky has been on several episodes and we’re so thankful for her ministry and encouragement. Full of optimism and
encouragement, Jeff shares his vision for the people of the great state of Texas, as well as for
our nation.

He reminds us to pray for our leaders, get involved where we can, and above all else LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS! We CAN do something when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances... PRAY!

God hears us and is in control of all things. Please pray for Jeff, Becky, their kiddos, and all those giving of their time and talents to serve our states and country.

We’re thankful for you all!

You may or may not be aware that January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

We're honored to have Alicia Bush with us today on The Wonder Podcast.  

Alicia is the founder and CEO of Treasured Vessels Foundation.  Treasured Vessels is a residential community in North Texas operating as a clinically therapeutic aftercare program for survivors of domestic sex trafficking.  

Yes, sex trafficking is as alive and thriving in North Texas as it is in the rest of the world.  

We can all help, even if it's just educating ourselves to know what it is and how we can detect a person being trafficked.  

Please listen to our conversation with Alicia, and visit her website,  http://www.treausredvesselsfoundation.org to learn more.  

As always, thank you for listening and supporting The Wonder Podcast.  

Happy 2021! We made it! Yippeeee!!!!

2020 is in the rearview mirror and we have entered 2021. As we look at the year ahead, we have always made it a habit throughout our friendship to grab a coffee in January and share goals for the year.

We do this according to Luke 2:52 – “and Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man.” So during this episode of The Wonder Podcast, you’ll hear our physical, wisdom, spiritual, and community goals for 2021!

Also, Lisa shares her WORD for the year.

Grab a coffee and listen in…

In this episode of The Wonder Podcast, Chrissie and Lisa re-cap 2020, the highs and lows and in-betweens. 

This year started out with a bang and trip of a lifetime to Israel, but quickly turned when the world stopped turning and they almost didn’t make it home!

From no toilet paper or hand sanitizer, to shutdowns across the world, this will certainly be a year to remember.  What have you learned in 2020?

We’ve all learned something, and the good news is God isn’t finished with us.  He’s still fine tuning us and giving us opportunity upon opportunity to trust Him more. 

2021 will bring its own set of “opportunities” we’re sure, but one thing won’t change…Our God is still on His throne.  We can trust Him on the mountaintop and in the valley, and He is good.  Always. 

Thank you for listening to our little podcast this year.  We’re thankful for you.  Thank you for your support and encouragement. 

Here’s to 2021 and ALL that is to come! We anticipate WONDER-ful days ahead!

The QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS, Trudy Cox joins us on this episode of The Wonder Podcast.

Trudy is a blogger extraordinaire, author, chef, baker, entertainer and so much more! Her home is always ready for guests and she’s never lacking for fresh, homemade baked cakes and cookies filling her home with the aromas of the season.

Her blog, www.chocolatecastles.com, is a go-to for many and in this episode, she shares her most popular blog recipe. Several years back, she authored a collection of stories and recipes, The Princess on the Porch. (available on Amazon).

Her love for all things in the kitchen began when she was in middle school and blossomed 25 years ago as she served in the church. Out of humble service came a ministry and we know you will love Trudy, her story, and her creations!!!

And good news…she has a new book, “Tis So Sweet…Declarations and Desserts” coming February 2021.

This episode will leave you all Christmas-y and ready for the season! Enjoy!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! Yes, it is!

In this episode of THE WONDER PODCAST, Chrissie and Lisa share all their favorite things to do during the Christmas season.

From caroling to sleepovers, they cover it all! At the top of the list are ALL THINGS HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES! How do these things never get old?

Anyway, grab a hot chocolate, get comfy in your pj's and join us for this fun-filled episode!

In this final chapter of Philippians, Lisa and Chrissie discuss Paul’s heart behind the message.

He encourages the church in Philippi to not be anxious about all that is going on. Be steadfast, gentle, and always rejoice! He reminds them that they are all on the same team! It’s such a
good reminder for us, isn’t it? We are all on the same team. We must be gentle with each other.

Anxiety is something Paul certainly dealt with on some level, don’t you think? Yet he reminds us in this chapter to not be anxious…about ANYTHING! And then he goes on to say that he has learned to be content in all circumstances. Our anxiety stems from our inability to be content no matter what comes our way.

“Most Christians are being crucified on a cross between two thieves; yesterday’s regret and tomorrow’s worries.” - Warren Wiersbe

Again, Paul encourages the church to watch how he lives. It’s a bold statement to live by. But Paul is very bold as he leads. It makes a point that we are all influencers.

Whether you’re a friend, parent, co-worker, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, daughter, or son…you’re influencing someone. Can you say, “Follow me…I’ll lead you to Christ”?

As we close this book of study, we’re thankful for the opportunity to study and in turn share
with you. We always appreciate your feedback and encouragement.

Let us know what you would like us to dive into next!

Thanks for listening!

Chrissie and Lisa

Count it all loss. Chapter 3 is where the rubber meets the road.

Paul lists his various accomplishments in life and lets us know that it is all loss compared to knowing Christ.

How many times have we relied on our resume or accomplishments for value, esteem, and worth?

Yet Paul reminds us it’s nothing. Jesus Christ is our all, our everything, our sufficiency. And what a privilege to know HIM!

This chapter also reminds us that what is on our minds comes out in our lives. It’s so convicting to intentionally THINK about what we THINK about.

What is on your mind today? God’s word helps us redirect our thought life from the things of this world to the things of His kingdom.

We get so confused, don’t we? Remember, confusion is NOT from the Lord.

This chapter, y'all! It is full of POWER!

Thank you for diving in with us. We’re LOVING our time
in Philippians.