Hello, my friend. Thanks for joining me today. You're likely familiar with the story of the first sin. The moment in the Garden of Eden when Eve defied God's instruction to not eat the fruit from one specific tree. But have you ever considered what was at war in Eve's mind and heart? Maybe she wasn't simply prideful, or disobedient, but perhaps she was first afraid?
Hello, friend. Welcome back to the Encouraging Word Podcast. Today's episode finds us considering one of the most common human emotions: worry. And in Matthew Chapter 14, we're reminded of one of God's most enduring promises: with Jesus, you always have enough.
Today on the show I'm joined by Angie, who's greiving the fact that her adult daughter went "no contact" recently, withdrawing from family activities and isolating her daughter from seeing her grandma. Angie is grieving both the loss of her relationship with her daughter as well as her granddaughter, and wondering if there is anything she can do to move toward reconciliation and connection. I talk her through the building blocks of a safe relationship,what she can and what she can't do, and what it means for her to work on creating a space of safety and security for her adult daughter and their relationship with one another, even through their differences. According to Angie, their differing political views have kept her daughter away, so we spend some time talking about navigating the difficult territory when there is a stark contrast of views and perspectives between two people, whether politically, theologically, or otherwise. This episode is more important in this generation and culture than it ever has been before, so take the time to listen, process, and learn alongside Angie. To go deeper in your relationships with others, grab a copy of People Skills and learn the skills you need to strengthen your relationships.
The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:
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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.
Jennie Lusko is the guest - on her own podcast - to celebrate the release of her new devotional Fresh Mercies Every Day, a 40-day book drawn from decades of her personal journals (yes, she has over 100 of them, all laid out chronologically on the floor). Levi, Jennie, and their firstborn daughter Alivia dig into the writing process, Jennie's lifelong journaling habit that started at age eight, and what it actually looks like to receive God's mercy instead of just trying to earn it. Plus: Jennie's most-prayed prayers, her quiet time hacks, and the Jurassic Park speech Levi somehow turns into a tribute to his wife.
Connect with us on social!
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Fresh Mercies Everyday: https://bit.ly/4dPREWB
Passion + TAYA + Luskos on Tour: https://bit.ly/4fS5Lxa
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:
00:02:27 - Levi confesses he secretly read the book before Jennie gave it to him
00:07:38 - Alivia's Japan mission trip
00:10:56 - The story behind Fresh Mercies Every Day
00:17:06 - Over 100 journals laid out across the floor
00:30:16 - How do you stop trying to earn mercy and just receive it?
00:36:33 - Jennie's quiet time ingredients (and the timer trick)
Sit down with the Luskos and Jackie Hill Perry for a conversation on the church's response to homosexuality, how God's holiness leads us to freedom, and writing words that matter.
Links:
Connect with Levi: levilusko.com @levilusko on social media
Connect with Jennie: jennielusko.com or @jennielusko on social media
Connect with Fresh Life Church: freshlife.church or @freshlife on social media
Connect with Jackie Hill Perry: jackiehillperry.com or @jackiehillperry on social media
Summary: What's up! This week on the POGcast, the girls are talking about summer haircuts, friendships that carry you through every season (and sightings of the unofficial Point of Grace!), and the real joys of being a child of God.
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:
2:26 What's Up: Sunshine, Summer Cuts, and the K-LOVE Fan Awards
7:25 Circle of Friends: Cruises, Music, and Some Real-Life Golden Girls
14:08 What in the Word: John 1, Tim Keller, and the Joys of Being a Child of God
24:02 Circle Up: Catalina Crunch, Zazzle.com Personalized Playing Cards, and "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence
Sit down with Jennie, Levi, and his dad, Chip as they recount stories of childhood, upbringing, origin stories, parenting, and leaving a legacy.
Connect with us on social!
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
Chip: @chiplusko
Today's conversation on Back Porch Theology took place in Wilmore, KY, on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, because Alli and I had the phenomenal privilege of spending time with one of our favorite - and I mean one of the most favorite of all our favorites - Bible scholars, Dr. Craig Keener. I quote or cite Dr. Keener all the time because his book on hermeneutics, his commentaries on the New Testament, and his classic Bible Background Commentary are some of the sturdiest scaffolding I've built my Christocentric belief system on. He's the one I paraphrase every time I say, "If you get out of the Bible what you were expecting to get out of the Bible, you need to raise your expectations!" because Dr. Keener is among the wise saints who've taught me that the redemptive truisms in this divine love letter we call the Bible are always bigger and better than our finite human minds can comprehend! His life's work proves that Scripture isn't a flat text to memorize or a proposition to study, but it provides a way for us to engage with the only true God who sees us and loves us, and is always in pursuit of our hearts. For Alli and I, getting to spend the day with Dr. Keener felt like being junior high kids who love singing in the choir but aren't particularly melodic, yet we got invited to harmonize with Pavarotti! And the best part about this conversation wasn't even the wisdom bombs he humbly dropped, y'all - it was how his heart is surely bigger than his extraordinary brain because even though Dr. Keener is a world-renowned New Testament scholar, almost every time he talked about the love Jesus has lavished him with, his eyes welled up with tears. I'm telling you, this man walks with God and just being in his presence helped us lean more fully into our Savior's embrace. So please grab a cup of coffee (or one of those fancy electrolyte-enhanced waters) and your Bible - unless you're picking dog hairs off your black jeans, of course - and come spend some time on the porch with us.
Do It Anyway is available wherever you buy books.
What political party would Jesus join? In this episode, Lance Hahn talks about Christianity and party politics. He will talk about the Republican and Democrat platform and analyze them through a Biblical lens. Is it possible that Christians can be on opposite sides of the aisle? Absolutely. New shows drop every Tuesday. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Zach Windahl - author of The Bible Simplified - joins Levi and Jennie for a conversation about why so many believers still feel lost in scripture, what finally clicks when you see the whole Bible as one connected story, and the wild COVID wedding that required a cross-state drive with two hours to spare just to get a marriage license. They dig into making the Old Testament less intimidating, how 66 books become one story that changes everything, Bible memorization, and raising kids who love God's word. Plus: the chocolate chip cookie recipe Zach promised to share.
Connect with us on social!
Zach: @zachwindahl
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Check out Zach's book The Bible Simplified: https://bit.ly/3PX79Um
Check out the Bible Simplified Study Guide: https://bit.ly/3NZs2O3
Zach's famous chocolate chip cookie recipe: https://bit.ly/4cii8k2
Spend "a Year In the Gospels" with us:
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:
00:13:57 - Introducing The Bible Simplified
00:20:19 - Why you can't really understand the New Testament without the Old
00:25:07 - Theology for normal people
00:35:42 - If you could condense the entire Bible to a tweet...
00:38:57 - Zach's favorite book of the Bible and the Jewishness of Jesus
00:45:48 - Bible memorization, handwriting the whole NT, and honey on slates