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On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by Kristi McLelland as they explore the beauty and emotional depth of Deuteronomy, reflecting on God's faithfulness and the loving purpose behind His instructions. With warmth and hope, they invite us to remember what God has done, trust His presence in seasons of scarcity or loneliness, and rest in the truth that we are His treasured possession. So grab a cup, pull up a chair, and settle in - we're so glad you're here.

Hello, friend. Welcome back to another Encouraging Word. In Luke 23 we read the account of Jesus appearing before Pilate, of Pilate finding no evidence to charge him, and the crowd demanding the release of another prisoner in exchange for Jesus. It's a remarkable-and literal-picture of what Christ has done for us. He who was blameless took the place of he who was condemned. 

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into the book of Numbers, exploring its surprising themes of communication, intimacy, and God's deeply personal care for His people, reflecting along the way on God's mercy through the story of Moses and the bold, faithful courage of Zelophehad's daughters. It's a hope-filled truth that even in the wilderness, God knows His people by name and never stops drawing them close. Grab a chair and join us on the porch, we saved you a seat.

Hi, friend! Thanks for joining me today on the podcast. The world invites us to work hard, achieve, and prove our worth - society kind of demands we do. The problem is, no one can tell us how much is enough. How many accomplishments or good deeds does it take to offset our blunders and bad days? We'll find the answer in Ephesians 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God."

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Howard invite us to see Leviticus through a surprising and grace-filled lens, not as a punitive list of rules, but as a profound love story. Together, they explore how Leviticus was designed to draw God's people into relationship, highlighting the Day of Atonement, the heart of the Mosaic Law, and how these themes echo forward into the New Testament. It's a thoughtful, hope-filled reminder that God's heart has always been about dwelling with His people. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

Today I'm joined by Michelle, who has been on a journey of saying no to passivity. Being the oldest child in the family, she has had a tendency to become more accommodating than she should. This pattern has followed her into her adulthood and developed into passivity. We talk about 3 important mindset shifts that have to happen in order to see assertiveness as the best way to take care of yourself and others. In order for relationships to be healthy, they have to be balanced! Assertiveness is an important people skill, and we talk through it on this episode of Talk To Me! Dig deeper by ordering my new book People Skills anywhere books are sold. 

The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:

Book a counseling session at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and get started on your healing journey from the inside out TODAY!

DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health. Connect with her on Instagram or at DebraFileta.com.

Tim Tebow is back-and this time he's bringing full-on dad energy. Tim shares the surreal (and hilarious) realities of becoming a father to Daphne Raine, from driving home like a hyper-cautious grandpa to realizing how instantly responsibility rewires your whole brain. Along the way, Levi and Jennie soak up Tim's reflections on what fatherhood has already taught him about God's voice in chaos, and how love turns into action.

Then the conversation turns tender and powerful as Tim opens up about his new book If the Tree Could Speak-a poetic, perspective-shifting retelling of the gospel through the life of the tree that became the cross. From Easter tenderness to the brutal honesty of Calvary, this episode is a reminder that the cross changes everything-and that our calling is to live like we actually believe it.

Connect with us on social!

Tim: @timtebow

Levi: @levilusko

Jennie: @jennielusko

Fresh Life Church: @freshlife

[Links]

If the Tree Could Speak Book: https://bit.ly/4rqk0fE

Look Again Book: https://bit.ly/4aYrDEh

Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY

Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY

Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe

Time Stamps

0:00:18 - Ketones, cold plunges, and dad-life banter

0:01:23 - Bringing Daphne home: joy, fear, and responsibility

0:06:05 - "Splash radius" and worship in the delivery room

0:20:45 - If the Tree Could Speak: the cross through the tree's eyes

0:40:13 - Grief with hope: "he's not lost-he's found"

0:43:12 - "Look Again": seeing people as infinitely valuable MVPs

Hello, friend! I sure hope you're doing well today!

Being a Promised Land person does not guarantee you a problem-free life. In fact, it guarantees the opposite. In John 16:33, Jesus says, "In this world, you will have trouble." Knowing that, what do you do? Follow the example of Caleb in Joshua, Chapter 14, and set your mind on a holy cause.

Hello, friend! I hope you're doing well. 

In today's Encouraging Word, we're taking a look at the first appearance of grace in Scripture, and you might be surprised where it shows up. But the message is unchanged: grace is not up to the one receiving it. It's up to the One giving it.

Your life isn't meant to stagnate-it's meant to overflow with purpose, conviction, and the life of Christ. In this episode, host Christine Caine sits down with author and spiritual formation leader Ann Voskamp for a deeply moving conversation about living "given," guarding against spiritual drift, cultivating a heart of compassion, and staying anchored in Scripture in a distracted world. Ann shares her journey from global activism to deep soul formation-and why believers must reclaim intentional, Scripture-shaped living. If you're hungry to grow in spiritual depth and purpose, this episode will stir your heart.

SHOW NOTES:

A Friendship Formed in the Unexpected

Christine and Ann revisit their years at Wheaton, how two women from opposite ends of the world became spiritual sisters, and the shared passion for Jesus that bonded them instantly.

Seeing the Marginalized Through God's Eyes

Ann reflects on her first global trip to Guatemala City, experiencing the heartbreak of injustice, and discovering that gratitude must overflow into activism. Christine and Ann recall their shared work with A21 and the Roma community in Bulgaria.

The Call to Live "Given"

A powerful discussion on becoming a conduit, not a reservoir-why gifts from God are meant to flow through us, not be hoarded. They explore how generosity keeps the soul alive and how withholding can slowly deaden the heart.

Fighting Drift: One-Degree At a Time

Ann unpacks the danger of slow spiritual drift and why intentionality, Scripture saturation, and Christ-centered community are essential. Christine shares how many leaders fall not by sudden rebellion but by subtle neglect.

Formation for the Battle

Ann describes her doctoral work in spiritual formation and soul care, reframing spiritual disciplines as "means of the Spirit," not self-powered effort. They discuss how formation fuels mission-and why activists burn out without deep roots in Jesus.

Urgency, Eternity, and the Abundant Life Now

Christine and Ann discuss numbering our days, rejecting distraction culture, and embracing the abundant life Jesus offers today-not someday.

Find Ann on Instagram at @annvoskamp

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by Kristi McLelland as they explore the beauty and emotional depth of Deuteronomy, reflecting on God's faithfulness and the loving purpose behind His instructions. With warmth and hope, they invite us to remember what God has done, trust His presence in seasons of scarcity or loneliness, and rest in the truth that we are His treasured possession. So grab a cup, pull up a chair, and settle in - we're so glad you're here.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into the book of Numbers, exploring its surprising themes of communication, intimacy, and God's deeply personal care for His people, reflecting along the way on God's mercy through the story of Moses and the bold, faithful courage of Zelophehad's daughters. It's a hope-filled truth that even in the wilderness, God knows His people by name and never stops drawing them close. Grab a chair and join us on the porch, we saved you a seat.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Howard invite us to see Leviticus through a surprising and grace-filled lens, not as a punitive list of rules, but as a profound love story. Together, they explore how Leviticus was designed to draw God's people into relationship, highlighting the Day of Atonement, the heart of the Mosaic Law, and how these themes echo forward into the New Testament. It's a thoughtful, hope-filled reminder that God's heart has always been about dwelling with His people. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

Join our Circle of Friends this week as the ladies talk about sweet memories in unexpected places (and unusual things to mistake for hair dye!), how a single prayer turned into a Bible study community, the Scriptural basis for Point of Grace's new album "Lady Wisdom," and an old secret for making the perfect cup of coffee.

We want to hear your real stories of true friendship! Email us at pointofgracestories@gmail.com and you may even hear it on the podcast!

Timestamps:

1:33 What's Up: New Puppy Smells, Farmhouse Photoshoots, and Cemetery Celebrations

7:17 Circle of Friends: Taylor, Bible Studies, and Friendships That Bloom From a Single Prayer

16:10 What in the Word: Proverbs, Lady Wisdom (in a Muscle Tee), and (Not) Plagiarizing the Bible

24:39 Circle Up! Little Men, Needlepoint Neck Lights, and an Old Secret to Perfect Coffee

Tim Tebow is back-and this time he's bringing full-on dad energy. Tim shares the surreal (and hilarious) realities of becoming a father to Daphne Raine, from driving home like a hyper-cautious grandpa to realizing how instantly responsibility rewires your whole brain. Along the way, Levi and Jennie soak up Tim's reflections on what fatherhood has already taught him about God's voice in chaos, and how love turns into action.

Then the conversation turns tender and powerful as Tim opens up about his new book If the Tree Could Speak-a poetic, perspective-shifting retelling of the gospel through the life of the tree that became the cross. From Easter tenderness to the brutal honesty of Calvary, this episode is a reminder that the cross changes everything-and that our calling is to live like we actually believe it.

Connect with us on social!

Tim: @timtebow

Levi: @levilusko

Jennie: @jennielusko

Fresh Life Church: @freshlife

[Links]

If the Tree Could Speak Book: https://bit.ly/4rqk0fE

Look Again Book: https://bit.ly/4aYrDEh

Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY

Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY

Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe

Time Stamps

0:00:18 - Ketones, cold plunges, and dad-life banter

0:01:23 - Bringing Daphne home: joy, fear, and responsibility

0:06:05 - "Splash radius" and worship in the delivery room

0:20:45 - If the Tree Could Speak: the cross through the tree's eyes

0:40:13 - Grief with hope: "he's not lost-he's found"

0:43:12 - "Look Again": seeing people as infinitely valuable MVPs

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison take us back into the book of Exodus, one of the most pivotal stories in the Old Testament. Together, they unpack themes of deliverance and bondage, spotlighting the courageous midwives Shiphrah and Puah, the dramatic plagues, and the awe-filled moment at Mount Sinai when God's glory descended in a cloud. Their conversation reminds us that the God who brought His people out of slavery is still bringing freedom and deliverance to His children today. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch! 

 *If you prayed to receive Christ today and would like a complimentary Bible, we'd be honored to send you one. Please reach out to us, available while supplies last.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison continue their journey through Exodus in part two, diving into themes of leadership, Scripture, and the steady kindness of God's guidance, reminding us that God's faithfulness doesn't depend on our perfection but on His character. So pull up a chair, grab your coffee, and join us on the porch!

In this episode, Point of Grace invites you to join them as they talk about Olympic sports that you won't be able to watch this year (and records for poodle grooming!), a touching story of a friendship that sharpened two reconnected college friends, how Jesus responded to suffering, and tips on how to save time when preparing cilantro. We want to hear your real stories of true friendship! Email us at pointofgracestories@gmail.com and you may even hear it on the podcast! Timestamps: 1:32 What's Up: Caring for Parents, Editing at a Wrestling Match, and Olympic Sports That No Longer Exist 7:40 Circle of Friends: The Best of Male Friendships! Randy, Chris, and Being One Another's Eyes   15:36 What in the Word: Romans 5, Sundays with the President, and Our Response To Suffering   26:42 Circle Up: 20-Year-Old Plant Maintenance, Four-In-One Book Caddies, and the Best Way to Destem Cilantro 

In today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa & Allison explore the story of Abraham ~ an unlikely hero chosen by God in sheer grace. Together, they unpack God's sovereignty and grace in choosing, calling, and blessing people not because of their merit, but because of His faithfulness. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

Reed Arvin is a fascinating figure from the golden age of CCM, getting his start playing keys for Amy Grant and eventually becoming Rich Mullins' longtime producer. You want stories? Reed has stories...