Today we will learn the story of Abraham and how God blessed him beyond measure.  Listen with your children and reflect on the blessings that God has lavished on you!  This part of God's Big Story reminds us that God's dreams for us are bigger than we can imagine!

Want to keep talking?  Here are some ideas:

*Pretend to move with your preschooler.  Pack a backpack with favorite things and then play "Follow the Leader."  Talk about how Abraham followed God. (ages 2-4)

*Create a simple obstacle course using couch cushions, pillows and things around the home.  Blindfold your kids and guide them through the course using only verbal directions.  When done, ask: What's the hardest part about being blindfolded?  How does this activity remind us of Abraham? (ages 5-9)

*Ask: Why is it so hard to move or to adjust to new things? What does God do to help you feel better when things change? (ages 10-12)

One last thing!  This week, April asked you to tell about a time when you were scared and you needed to trust God.  Send in your kid's answer by texting a voice memo to 636-280-5433 and they could be featured in next week's episode!  *By sending in a voice memo, you’re providing consent for your minor’s voice to be on the podcast*

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

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122: KIDS VERSION – God Builds A Nation

What does it look like to heed God's calling? If He told you to sell all your possessions and move to a foreign country, would you do it? That's just what He asked of Abram! In this week's episode, Ryan Pfendler will be guiding us through these questions as we look at Abram's calling: What does it mean to be a disciple? Can I follow Jesus and still stay the same as I was? What is Jesus calling me to let go of?

If you’d like to dig deeper, check out these discussion questions [https://messiahstcharles.org/the-story/]. You can complete them on your own, with your Community Group, or with family and friends.

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

121: God Builds A Nation

Today,  we’ll learn about the very first story in the Bible, Creation! Listen along with your kids as Hannah tries to capture the awe and wonder of this amazing part of God’s Big Story!

Want to Keep Talking? Here are some ideas:

 * Play “I spy” and then say, “God created that!” (ages 0-4)
 * Ask, “How can you see God’s amazing workmanship outdoors? Where are some places you’d like to visit?” (ages 5-9)
 * Ask, “What are some things you like about yourself?” Say, “All people are created by God and important to Him.” (ages 10 -12)

One last thing! This week, Hannah asked the question, “What’s your favorite thing that God created?” Send in your kids answer by texting a voice memo to 636-280-5433 and they could be featured in next week's episode!

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

120: KIDS VERSION – Creation

Today marks our first episode of our new series based on "The Story", which will take us through our history from beginning to end. We'll get going with the creation account in Genesis. You've probably heard it before. God creates the heavens and the earth and everything in it. That's what He did, but what about the why behind it? The answer there puts humans front and center of the narrative and makes this awesomely grand and sweeping story one that is extremely personal.

Join Pastor Chuck Schlie as he talks about the why. 

If you’d like to dig deeper, check out these discussion questions. [https://messiahstcharles.org/the-story/] You can complete them on your own, with your Community Group, or with family and friends.


Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

119: Creation  

New to Normal Goes A Long Way this season is the addition of a KIDS VERSION episode, which will be released on Thursdays over the course of 31 weeks. Families, you’re invited to join our hosts, Hannah Lang and April Mueller, and follow along as they bring kids into God's big story through engaging storytelling.

Why do we have a KIDS VERSION episode? The following information from Zondervan, a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications, sums it up nicely:

Why not read God’s story with your family this year? Studies indicate if the extent of your child’s exposure to things of the faith is a only weekly visit to church or Sunday School, the likelihood is very great that when she/he graduates and leaves home her/his relationship with the Lord will turn cold. However, if you as a parent engage your children in the experience of reading and discussing the Bible, chances go up astronomically that they will remain strong in their faith after leaving home. You don’t have to be an expert or have all the answers. You just have to be willing to experience it with them. Get involved in The Story of God. It will forever transform your life and your family’s life.

One last thing! Each week, Hannah and April will ask the kids a question. You can have your kid send in their answer by texting a voice memo to 636-280-5433 and they could be featured in an upcoming episode.

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

118: KIDS VERSION -Discover Your Life Within “The Story”

Happy New Year and welcome to Season 7 of Normal Goes A Long Way! This season, we will be releasing weekly episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (KIDS VERSION) over the course of 31 weeks. We invite you to join our host, Jill Devine, and follow along as we go through the story of the Bible through the words of “The Story”. At the end of Season 7, our hope is you’ll be able to say your spiritual life received a boost in terms of knowledge, awareness of God's involvement in your days, and in your prayer life.

Here’s more information about “The Story” from Zondervan, a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications:

You may be a bit intimidated by the Bible. You’re not alone; many people are. And no wonder, its pages mention odd names like Jehoshaphat and Nebuchadnezzar. It contains accounts from places you probably never heard of, like Sinai and Samaria. And it seems to be made up of a lot of different, seemingly unrelated stories. But it really is one big, exciting story. You can see it easily if you open your Bible to the beginning and then flip all the way to the end.

The first words found in Genesis 1:1 read: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Then, if you turn all the way to the back of the book, Revelation 21:1, you find, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away . . .” In the beginning God is creating the heavens and the earth. At the end he is creating a new heaven and a new earth. So the big question is this: “What on earth happened between the beginning and the end of the Bible?” If you can answer that question you will have uncovered the one seamless story of God.

We’d love for you to read along with us! Here’s a link to purchase your own copy of The Story [https://www.amazon.com/NIV-Story-Hardcover-Comfort-Print/dp/0310458196/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15TAO7PIBV9JN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cI1qrXqLBn6xtpq8f-V6vhRLPSTMS9x07BU8AHzy4BzPsPfWfl7fEA1_8rbcat2ZT03-lt7eRxkoUpPvIWaG9LBZugzbRm6TdfJ7gILe8jAur9oQ8rzapuzPafIrni00l2JjiM104PLnkDSQQl5QooI5FzDaUvZljyFIO1L2Rjxy5dLKdw3wDaUaa-0Y1obH_hTmMNfUWkVFfseliKYsNZzl_mjAonWxE_FJwieTneo.GA7qAjdblppSH-p08gdLKikZU5q2OR4rsPFCM6Z5Cz8&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+story&qid=1736175447&sprefix=the+story%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1].

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

117: Discover Your Life Within “The Story”

‘Twas the night before Christmas ...

Merry Christmas Eve! Joining Jill Devine for a special Christmas Eve episode are three 2nd Graders; Luella, Lu, and Stella. They shared what they know about why we celebrate Christmas, their family traditions, ways to learn about Jesus, and much more.

From everyone at Normal Goes A Long Way, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Seeking The Still: https://seekingthestill.com/

Two Kids and A Career: https://www.jilldevine.com/podcast

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

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116: A Special Christmas Eve Episode Presented By 2nd Graders

This week’s episode was inspired by Louie Giglio’s Waiting Here For You, An Advent Journey of Hope. [https://www.waitinghereforyoubook.com/]

“Advent is a season of expectant waiting and preparation. This devotional is perfect for those who are in periods of waiting or facing uncertainty. Through the story of the coming of Jesus, Advent teaches that waiting is the means God often uses to carry His plans in our lives. Pastor and author Louie Giglio brings hope and peace to readers as they wait with expectation during the season of Advent.”

Listen as Laura Fleetwood walks you through some of the main points of Louie’s Advent devotional.

https://www.waitinghereforyoubook.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Seeking The Still: https://seekingthestill.com/

Two Kids and A Career: https://www.jilldevine.com/podcast

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

115: The Season of Advent

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, Dr. Laura Fleetwood invites you to be still and reflect on the goodness of God, to meditate on the blessings in your life, to give yourself grace, and to give thanks to God. Her prompts in this week’s episode will help you do all those things.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Seeking The Still: https://seekingthestill.com/

Two Kids and A Career: https://www.jilldevine.com/podcast

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

114: A Thanksgiving Reflection and Blessing

Jesus was a master storyteller. Through the use of parables, He could reveal His true nature and communicate important spiritual truths. The stories His followers recorded hold our attention, stir our emotions, and help us remember His teachings. The most popular are recognized by those outside the faith (e.g., the Good Samaritan) and the teachings they contain continue to challenge Jesus’s followers today. In Storyteller [https://messiahstcharles.org/storyteller/], we will look at some of the lesser-known parables to uncover what Jesus was telling His first followers about the Kingdom of God that we are still trying to understand today.

Pastor Chuck Schlie and Ryan Pfendler joined Jill Devine this week to talk about the lesser known parables they preached on during our Storyteller series; The Narrow Door [https://messiahstcharles.org/messages/the-storyteller-the-narrow-door/], Workers In The Vineyard [https://messiahstcharles.org/messages/the-storyteller-workers-in-the-vineyard/], and The Great Banquet [https://messiahstcharles.org/messages/the-storyteller-the-great-banquet/].



Normal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/

Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/

Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheStill/https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735

Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/

Seeking The Still: https://seekingthestill.com/

Two Kids and A Career: https://www.jilldevine.com/podcast

Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill

#madeonzencastr

113: Lesser Known Parables In The Bible (Part 2)

Christianity has become known for judgy people, strange words, confusing rules, and a members-only mindset. This is why I stayed away from the church for so long, but it’s not supposed to be that way. I’m Jill Devine, a former radio music personality with three tattoos and a love for a good tequila. Join me on the Normal Goes A Long Way podcast where we seek answers to real questions with real people about how faith and life intersect.