Ponderwell

In this episode, we hold space to ponder self-control as the fruit of the Spirit. I pray these simple moments help steer our thoughts toward surrender and away from striving in the nuances of our lives today.Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we hold space to ponder the gentle heart of Christ, and what gentleness might look like as one of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. I pray these simple moments help steer our thoughts toward seeking and finding the gentleness of God in our lives today. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we consider together faithfulness as an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. Not only do we get to ponder the faithfulness of God in our lives - his faithfulness to us - but also his transforming power to make us into a people of faithfulness. We lean in to look at our lives, everything we have been given - through the lens of God's faithfulness. We ask the question, "how can I be faithful today with what I've been given?" Whoever we are, wherever we are - what if we could just truly look around at our lives and choose to see his faithfulness?  Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we hold space to ponder goodness as one of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. I pray these simple moments help steer our thoughts toward seeking and finding the goodness of God in our lives today.  Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we hold space to ponder kindness. We consider that we can't (for long) pour out true kindness unless we continuously pursue awareness of and actively receive the kindness of God first as individuals. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we take a few minutes to ponder patience...and we consider what it might look like to walk with God at an un-hurried pace. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we hold space to ponder peace - embracing the invitation to abide and surrender. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we take a few minutes to bring to our minds what scripture says about joy. We hold space to ponder joy - both related to earthly circumstances and eternal ones.  Joy we find easily and joy we find ourselves hoping for, waiting for - looking ahead to. What does joy look like in sorrow, in grief, in loss? What does joy look like in the midst of the little, everyday things? What does God's joy look like? Together, we ponder.In Hebrews 12, we see the kind of joy Jesus looked ahead to:"...for the joy set before him he endured the cross..."  "Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross..." Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we take a few minutes for a simple reflection on love as the fruit of the Spirit. Our hope is to lean into each of our own individual relationships with God, becoming presently aware of his love for us - that we might be compelled to pursue loving others today. this is what love says:You are precious.You are made with purpose.You are worthwhile. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we settle back in and set the scene for the next few weeks of thinking on purpose about the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5. Our main priority is to posture ourselves to ponder the fruit of the Spirit in such a way that we are not striving, but instead we're leaning toward Jesus - letting his heart rub off on ours through abiding communion with him  - in his transforming mercy. So glad you're here.

In this episode, we come to our last Advent reflection of the year and give space to ponder Mark 10:46-52. Together we consider this powerful interaction between Jesus and a blind man - a moment Jesus chose to stop for.   Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

As we continue through Advent, we consider a piece of scripture together from Luke 2:25-35, about a man named Simeon. Together we look back at this man's powerful response when he first saw the young, infant Jesus. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we continue through the Advent season with a simple moment to reflect on a portion of Psalm 27. "The Lord is my light and my salvation—    whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life—    of whom shall I be afraid?"Psalm 27:1  Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we begin our first week of Advent reflections. A simple moment to tend to our hearts and minds with truth as we make our way toward Christmas. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we continue slowly and simply pondering peace. Together we look to scripture to fill our minds with truth.  We camp out here today:"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13  Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we continue a series on pondering peace. Weary ones, take heart -  this is the invitation of JESUS:“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 To join me this Advent season, order your She Reads Truth study book here today and use discount code JILLIAN15 at check out!*Order now to get the book in time for Day 1, which is November 27!https://www.shopshereadstruth.com/products/advent-2022-study-book-she-reads-truth Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we being a series on pondering peace. Put simply: what does scripture say about it...what does Jesus say about it? Psalm 34:14 "...seek peace and pursue it."John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." (words of Jesus) To join me this Advent season, order your She Reads Truth study book here today and use discount code JILLIAN15 at check out! *Order now to get the book in time for Day 1, which is November 27!https://www.shopshereadstruth.com/products/advent-2022-study-book-she-reads-truth Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we make space to both prayerfully look at our inner spiritual life as it is today, as well as consider how we might intentionally posture ourselves toward the peace of God as we move forward through our lives. Together we look at Proverbs 4:26  which says, “Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.”This episode is for you if you could use a gentle self check-in, to reset and walk intentionally into the last few months of the year. As always, our hope is to remember what is true about God, and what is true about us. To join me this Advent season, order your She Reads Truth study book here today and use discount code JILLIAN15 at check out! *Order now to get the book in time for Day 1, which is November 27!https://www.shopshereadstruth.com/products/advent-2022-study-book-she-reads-truth Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we remember together that God created and owns both day and night, both summer and winter. We take heart by remembering that whatever we're walking through in this soul season, it belongs to God. He is trustworthy to hold the beginnings, endings, and middles of our lives. Every story line. There is no season where he is not looking upon his children with love. He does not slumber, but he cares for us always. In the dark of night, and in the early mist of morning. The day is his, and his also is the night. Scripture to ponder in this episode:"The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter."Psalm 74: 16-17Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In this episode, we ponder together the heart of Jesus for us, and what it is to know and be known by him. We pull from the book Gently & Lowly by Dane Ortlund. Scripture to ponder in this episode:“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In today's episode, we steer our thoughts toward surrender by pondering this question, borrowed from my friend Hannah Semyour:What do I need to remember about God during this season? (or put differently: when I look at a specific season in my life, what promise from God or what piece of scripture do I wish I had written on my bathroom mirror, helping me to remember it every day?)My personal answer to this question during a specific season of my life was rooted in Isaiah 32:20 that says "how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream..."This idea that there is blessing in the before...blessing in the places in our lives where we get to sow our seeds at the river of God, not knowing what they will become. Before we can see the growth. Before the garden. For a surrendered soul, it is a blessing to not know what the future holds - but to joyfully wait in wonder at what our loving father will do with our willing, trusting, simple obedience. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In today's episode, we steer our thoughts toward surrender by pondering these words:“If I draw security from times when work is 'going well' then I'm leaving myself vulnerable to draw insecurity from times when it's not going as well. No, I draw security from Christ. God provides everything.” - Cole Edwards "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." Psalm 36:7-9You are loved by God - it is the truest thing about you. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

In today's episode, we steer our thoughts toward surrender by pondering these words:“It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular; it is why he does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart, and he can therefore do no common act.” A.W. Tozer  “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17Assume God is crazy about you, and then do whatever you do based on that thought. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

This week we intentionally dive back in to pondering what's true about God and what's true about us, together. In this episode, we remember the invitation into friendship with God - and that we are welcomed home into his goodness exactly where we are today. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell WebsiteShow Hope 

We're signing off for the summer! But before we do, we're taking a look back at our passage in Matthew 6 as whole and lingering there - on the words of Jesus - once more. Together we pray for the summer ahead, and we anticipate his goodness. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34In this episode, we come to the final two verses of our passage. Together we ask ourselves, what are we seeking first and foremost in our lives today? We hold the words of Christ as an essential lifeline to our souls. If he instructs us to first seek his kingdom and his righteousness- it must be because that is how he knows we will thrive, by his design. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” In this episode, we reflect once again on the strength and love of our Heavenly Father. We remember together that as our thoughts are filled with who God is and who we are to him, we begin to relax into our lives. Questions fade when we trust that God knows what we need, and that he loves us. The space for worry gets smaller and smaller as we give more and more space to dwelling on the astonishing love of our Father. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”In this episode, we reflect on the love of God and his careful attention and intention to the grass of the field - and all the more to his children. We consider together the heart of any parent toward their child, and we remember God as our perfect Heavenly Father. We pause to practice reflecting on God's faithful and caring hand in our every day lives, with expectation. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

About this episode:  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29  In this episode, we continue our walk through the words of Jesus in Matthew 6. We reflect on the invitation of Jesus to turn our eyes toward his creation, once again - this time to the flowers of the field. We're invited to see, consider, and remember: the intricate, detailed, specific, tender, powerful hand of God…in the flowers of the field and in the day to day moments of our lives. Together we ponder that the same God who lends his care to the quiet, effortless beauty of wildflowers is the same God who calls us his masterpiece, created anew in Christ.Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:27 In this episode, we linger around this question Jesus asked - and we hold space for truth. We reflect on the uselessness of worry, and we also take courage from Paul's words in 2 Corinthians, as a balm to the reality of our weakness when it comes to worry: "...I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Together we practice childlike, faithful imagination - holding God's word as a guide to our thoughts.Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26In this episode, we continue through our passage and pause on Jesus' words in verse 26. Together we dwell on the kindness of a Father who tends to every bird, and tends all the more to each of his children. We think on purpose about the way he loves us, using the Word of God as our guide. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"In this episode, we ponder the first verse of our passage. We consider the weight of these words, “do not worry,” when they are said by Jesus. We dwell on the question he asked, “isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” as well as look to what his word says the answer is.Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

In this episode, we begin our next slow and simple walk through scripture - the words of Jesus, from Matthew 6:25-34. Today we take a look at the passage as a whole, as well as a glimpse at the Message version. Together we make space for the word of God to fill our minds, anticipating his faithfulness in our every need.Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18In this episode, we linger on the armor of God passage as a whole and we spill over to the verse just after the final piece of the armor is defined. We are told simply to pray - all sorts of prayers at all sorts of times, in the Spirit.  To put on the armor of God, really, can not be done with out prayer…with out communion with Christ. Together we ponder: When are we invited to pray? What does prayer remind us of? How might we live in a posture of prayer? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17In this episode, we dwell together on the final piece of the armor of God, laid out for us in Christ - the word of God. We take a look at the commentary from Charles Spurgeon on this particular verse, considering that the sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon noted in the text. Together we ponder both the tenderness and the power of the Spirit, the voice of our shepherd, and the pages of scripture accessible to us, full of God-breathed words. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Take the helmet of salvation…” Ephesians 6:17In this episode, we reflect on what we see through out scripture about salvation. We continually see that the Lord is often called our salvation, and we spend time considering what it may look like to give the Lord that title in our every day lives. Together we ponder: What are we calling our salvation in this life? Are we depending on anything or anyone else other than God to bring us life everlasting? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16In this episode, we consider what it means to extinguish the flaming arrows of evil with the shield of faith. Together we remember that the debt we owe in our sin has been cancelled and paid in full by Christ; it is when we hold up this truth, believing in the strength of the Lord, that we are shielded from the enemy's arrows. Together we ponder: how do we hold up the shield of faith today, in our specific lives and circumstances?Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:14-15In this episode, we seek to reflect on and embrace the peace of God that surpasses understanding. Together we consider what scripture says about peace, and how we are invited to arm ourselves with it. Together we ponder: How might we posture our hearts and minds to realize peace is ours in Christ? Do we think of peace only as a nice idea, or instead as something we're invited to actually experience in Christ? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” Ephesians 6:14In this episode, we consider righteousness as part of the armor of God. Together we remember that according to Romans 3, the righteousness of God is given through faith. We do not arm ourselves with our own faulty attempts at righteousness, based on our own works - but we arm ourselves with the righteousness of God, by faith! Together we ponder: Are we striving for our own righteousness, based on our own works? Or are wearing the righteousness of God, through faith? How do we turn our eyes to what God has done rather than fixate on what we do? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” Ephesians 6:14 In this episode, we arm ourselves with truth - and we recognize that lies are the weapons of the enemy. We recall that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life - so we know truth in our lives by knowing Jesus in our lives. Knowing him is our hope, and our way of arming ourselves with truth! Together we ponder: How do we recognize lies? How do we know what is true? What lies in our lives can we recognize and talk back to with truth?Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11In this episode, we prepare for our slow and simple walk through each piece of the armor of God by first embracing on our identity in Christ. We want to approach the armor of God as an extension of who we already are in Him, rather than a to-do list or something to strive for in our own strength. If we stand on our own strength, we won't stand long. If we stand on the strength of Christ, we stand firm in victory on an unbreakable foundation. Together we ponder: Who does God say we are? Who is the armor of God for? What does the armor of God protect? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

In this episode, we take one last lingering look at Psalm 23, in light of the last 6 weeks. With intentional remembrance of the deep, true, personal love of God - we walk through the passage once more with fresh faith. We reflect on what Charles Spurgeon once called the sweetest word of the entire psalm - “my.” Together we ponder: God is my specific shepherd, through my specific life, through my specific circumstances. Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”In this episode, we ponder the holy confidence reflected in the final verse of Psalm 23. Longing for such confidence, we remember the gentle and kind heart of God - who does not abandon us in our doubt, but comes toward us. Together we ponder: What does it look like to believe goodness and mercy are following us? What do we do when we don't feel like that is true? How do we invite God to reassure us of his faithfulness? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In this episode, we feast on Psalm 23:5 - reflecting on the heart of our God, who prepares a table for his children while the enemy is present. We seek to still our souls to a state of awe, that he offers us communion with him forever. He is our cup overflowing. Together we ponder: what does the action of preparing a feast while the enemy is present convey about God's authority? What does it look like to truly come to the table of God? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” In this episode, we continue using Psalm 23 to redirect our thoughts toward the eternal story of restoration. As we ponder verse 4 together this week, we tenderly consider the dark places we walk in our lives, and we seek to deeply remember that our shepherd is with us. Together we ponder: What is true about the valley? How can our awareness of brokenness draw us toward Christ? Why is it that we truly have nothing to fear?Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“He restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.” In this episode, we continue our simple reflection on Psalm 23 as we dwell on verse 3. Using the Word of God to steer our thoughts toward surrender, we remember what it is to embrace our need for restoration. Together we ponder: What do we do with our need to be restored? How does the reality of the faithfulness of God change our perspective on the paths we're walking in our lives? Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters”In this episode, we continue our walk through Psalm 23 - reflecting on verse 2. The peaceful streams and green pastures we long for are available to us in Christ. Together we ponder: what does the peace of God look like? How do we embrace rest? What does it mean to be led to quiet waters in the midst of all the brokenness and sorrow we face? + Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Sufjan Stevens + Meadow by Jillian EdwardsFollow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”In this episode, we begin our intentionally slow walk through Psalm 23 - starting with verse 1. Using the passage as a guide to set our thoughts on God, we reflect on the heart of God as our shepherd - guiding us faithfully and tenderly through all seasons. Together we ponder: what does it look like to give God the title of shepherd in our day to day lives? How do we come to believe we truly lack nothing in all circumstances?  + The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brennan Manning Follow Ponderwell on InstagramPonderwell Website

This introductory episode is all about the invitation to pursue peace by pondering well. From “think about such things” (Philippians 4:8)  to “set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2) to the promise of Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” - it's clear in scripture that tending to our thoughts is a deeply significant practice. This podcast exists to help us steer our thoughts away from striving and toward surrender, as we intentionally reflect on the heart of God.Follow Ponderwell on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponderwellpodcast/Website: https://jillianedwards.co/ponderwell