If you confess Jesus as your Savior, every day you're being targeted. Satan wants nothing more than to separate God from His people, and he's really, really good at knowing how to go about it. We all have trials and temptations in life, and Satan has a great sense of timing. He knows when we're most vulnerable to his lies and what he can use to tempt us.

That's a lot of doom and gloom, but it's the reality of life for a Christian. Of course, we're not without hope! Early in His ministry, Jesus endured (and conquered) Satan's temptations. We have tools against the devil's schemes—and a loving God on our side who will go to any length to save us. In this week’s episode, Pastor Chuck Schlie looks at the beginning of Jesus’ mission of salvation.

If you’d like to dig deeper, check out these discussion questions. You can complete them on your own, with your Community Group, or with family and friends.

https://messiahstcharles.org/the-story/

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

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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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163: Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Today we will learn about how Jesus was born into this world to be our rescuer! Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas:

Ask: What special baby was born? Why did God send his Son? (To save all people) When do we celebrate Jesus’ birth? (at Christmastime) What is your favorite part of celebrating Jesus’ birth? (ages 2-5)

What would you say if an angel appeared to you? Why do you think the angels appeared to shepherds instead of powerful, rich people? Not a lot is recorded about Jesus’ growing-up years. Do you think Jesus was a good kid? Why do you think that? (ages 6-10)?

John writes that life was in Jesus and “that life was the light for all people.” What do you think that means? Is God’s light for all people? If so, why don’t all people know Jesus as Savior? (ages 11-12)

One last thing! This week April asked, “Why do you think God sent his son to be a savior for EVERYONE?”. Simply record a voice memo and send it in a text to 636-280-5433. You may even be featured in an upcoming 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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 162: KIDS VERSION - The Birth of the King 

After a nice summer break, we're returning to our message series based on "The Story" and looking at the Christmas narrative in Chapter 22.

See that simple manger? Removed from the pageantry we typically associate with the season, its humbleness reflects the values of the kingdom that Jesus ushers in. He arrives in an unexpected form to a world where what he said and did was contrary to the expected order.  Reading and learning about our savior's birth in the context of God's grand story of redemption and outside the trappings of the holiday season, we get a fresh opportunity to reflect on an incredible gift from an incredibly loving God.  Join Pastor Jim Mueller in this week’s episode to worship the newborn king!

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

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161: The Birth of the King 

We hope your summer has been going great! In this bonus episode, Hannah and April reflect on past episodes and what they're looking forward to with future episodes.

Join Hannah and April on Thursday, August 7th for a brand new episode of Normal Goes A Long Way For Kids!

KIDS Summer 2025 Update

We hope your summer break is going well! In this week's episode, our host, Jill Devine, provides an update on when regular episodes resume and what to expect after summer break. Make plans to join us on Tuesday, August 5th for a new episode based on Messiah's sermon series, "The Story".

Summer 2025 Update

Today we learned about when God helped Nehemiah rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Parents, want to extend the discussion with your kids? Here are some discussion questions:

For your kiddos ages 2-4, say: What did Nehemiah and God’s people build? Walls can make a city feel safe. What makes you feel safe?

For your kiddos ages 5-9, say: Nehemiah didn’t get too discouraged when enemies tried to stop him and trick him. He prayed to God for help! What do you do when you feel discouraged? What could you do?

For your kiddos ages 10-12, say: Do you understand how the story of Nehemiah fits into God’s big story? Why do you think God continues to help His people even when they disobey him?  
Here’s our big question this week: Did you enjoy this podcast? Did you learn something new about God or the Bible? Did your family talk about God for the first time together?

Please share your feedback and stories with us by emailing jmccoy@messiahnetwork.org Have a great summer!

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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160: KIDS VERSION - Rebuilding The Walls

We've reached the end of Old Testament section in The Story. We’ve seen the cycle of the story- God’s people sin, receive judgment, cry out, God saves them, and they fall back into their old patterns of sin again. Now that they've been rescued from slavery, it might seem like we'll know what happens next- God's people fall back into idolatry. But they don't. Gods people never fall back into the habit of idolatry. They lost their kingdom, they're weak, they're subservient to other worldly powers. But God used this weakness to change their hearts. By their own power, they couldn't achieve righteousness, but by the power of the Spirit, they've been changed. We today are powerless to change ourselves. We find ourselves unable to break free from our sin and our destructive habits.  Listen to this week’s episode as Ryan Pfendler explains by the power and work of Jesus, we are changed. By his power we are transformed and made new.

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

159: Rebuilding The Walls

Today we will learn about Esther and the amazing story of how she became a queen and helped save God’s people. Parents, want to keep talking? Here are some ideas:

Ask: Who was Esther (Esther was a Jewish girl who was made a queen) What hard things might you have to do? Who can help you? (ages 2-5)

What do you think Esther made for the big dinner with King Xerxes and Haman? What would you have made? If you were in Esther’s place, what would you have asked the king to do? (ages 6-10)

Esther prepared for her meeting with the king by fasting and encouraging others to fast with her. What does it say about Esther that she went to God with her request first? Talk about a time when you went to God in earnest prayer before making a decision. What happened? (ages 11-12)

One last thing! This week April asked, “How can you SHOW God’s love to the people around you?”. Simply record a voice memo and send it in a text to 636-280-5433. You may even be featured in an upcoming 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

#madeonzencastr

158: KIDS VERSION - The Queen of Beauty and Courage

Over the past few months, we've seen God come to the aid of His people over and over again. Whether through dreams or prophets, God guides the Hebrew people in times of war and times of peace. Perhaps you find it hard to relate to stories of people whom our God is constantly revealing Himself to. If so, Esther's story might be one you can identify with. And what a story it is! It's got palace intrigue, a petty villain intent on destruction, and a courageous queen who risks her life to save her people. What it doesn't have is God intervening. Or does it? In this week’s episode, Pastor Chuck Schlie explains how we are going to see how God is with us even when it feels like He isn't. In hopeless situations, He is working the good.

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

157: The Queen of Beauty and Courage

Today we learned about when God’s people got to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Parents, want to extend the discussion with your kids? Here are some discussion questions:

For your kiddos ages 2-4, say: What did God’s people build? Who did God’s people promise to follow? Who do you follow? (Play follow the leader!)

For your kiddos ages 5-9, say: God’s people pitched in their gold and silver to make the temple magnificent. Talk about a time you worked together with someone else to accomplish a big thing.

For your kiddos ages 10-12, say: The people got distracted building their own homes before completing the temple. Why is it important put God first in our lives?

One last thing! This week Hannah asked, “Why do you think God wants us to work together with others?”. Simply record a voice memo and send it in a text to 636-280-5433. You may even be featured in an upcoming 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

#madeonzencastr

156: KIDS VERSION - The Return Home

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.