Hello, my friend. Thanks for joining me on the podcast today. There are few guarantees in life, but there is at least one thing that's true for us all - life comes with storms. And where you turn your eyes when trouble comes makes all the difference.
Sensitive Content Disclaimer: The following conversation includes sensitive information, covering themes of abuse.
Today on the show I am joined by my friend Tim Ross for an on-air counseling session as we process the concept of vulnerability in relationships. What does it mean to be vulnerable? I guide him through the analogy of seeing vulnerability like a pool - equipped with both a shallow end and a deep end. Vulnerability means to go first, to take that first jump, and to invite people to the deep end of your life, and share authentically. He opens up about the moment that changed everything for him, where he decided that he will never keep a secret again, and his journey toward being open and honest in every part of his life. We process through both the benefits and the risks of vulnerability, how to find friends who are willing to go there, and why being open and honest is not a gender thing - it's an invitation to all. This episode is filled with lessons to learn and things to process about your own life, and what holds you back from sharing authentically. Don't miss this on-air session, and then go deeper with your relationships by grabbing a copy of People Skills.
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.
Licensed counselor and author Debra Fileta is back for her third appearance, and this one hits different - she's here to talk about the skill we're all convinced we already have. Levi and Jennie dig into Debra's new book People Skills, unpacking why our tech-saturated world is quietly eroding our ability to connect, why most of us privately think this book is for someone else (spoiler: it isn't), and how communication styles - passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive - show up in something as simple as a wrong order at a restaurant. Plus: Debra shares the moment God changed her perspective on public speaking anxiety, Jennie confesses she's a chameleon in social situations, and Levi admits cocktail parties are somehow scarier than 10,000-person crowds.
Connect with us on social!
Debra: @debrafileta
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Get Debra's book People Skills: https://bit.ly/4fco6Vl
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Time Stamps:
00:07:46 - Introducing People Skills - and Jennie's very tabbed-up copy
00:08:26 - Why we're losing the art of real human interaction
00:18:44 - The room full of strangers exercise: how do YOU show up?
00:25:45 - Stop focusing on what they give you, focus on what you can give
00:49:10 - Passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, assertive
Hi, friend. Thank you for joining me for another Encouraging Word. Today's episode features a story found in Mark Chapter 2. Maybe you know it - it's about a man who is unable to walk and goes to great lengths to be in the same room with Jesus. He wants to be healed. And he is, but that's not really the point of the story.
Circle up! This week on the POGcast, Point of Grace shares a sweet story about childhood friendships, special tips for bringing the gospel to our global neighbors, and the best kind of sunscreen to wear with glasses.
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:
1:36 What's Up: Babysitting, Soccer Games, and Jigsaw Puzzles
7:42 Circle of Friends: Spence, George, and Having a Family of Friends
13:38 What in the Word: How Do We Share The Gospel With Our Global Neighbors
25:37 Circle Up: "Remarkably Bright Creatures," Personalized Party Cups, and Mineral SPF Powder
Mentioned on the POGcast:
SarahCCreative Custom Party Cups
Roe Wellness SPF 50 Mineral Powder
"Remarkably Bright Creatures" By Shelby Van Pelt
Today's conversation on Back Porch Theology is the second episode of our sizzling summer series called If God is Perfectly Good Then Why Did ______ Happen? The refreshing spiritual topic we've been swimming in is theodicy - a multi-syllabic theological term that means the vindication of our Redeemer's absolute goodness and providence in view of the existence of physical and moral evil. And in this episode of our series, we're going to focus on the freedom that accompanies trusting more fully in God's immutable - unchanging - compassion. I don't know about you, but true freedom didn't come quickly or easily for me. Even though I put my faith in Jesus as my Savior when I was a little girl, it took me a very long time to trust Him as my Liberator. Even as an adult with a seminary education, I spent years bound by chains of shame. I deeply resonated with what Pastor Steve Brown wrote in his book: A Scandalous Freedom, "The similarity between real freedom and the freedom experienced by many Christians is the difference between the taxidermist and the veterinarian; while you do get your dog back, one collects dust while the other jumps, slobbers and barks." Our sincere hope and fervent prayer is that God uses this conversation to help at least one precious saint finally shake loose from the formaldehyde of religiosity, shame, or paralyzing guilt. Alli is in the middle of her move and will be back with bells on soon, but Kyle Hebert - whose contagious joy captivated so many of you last week - has graciously agreed to guest host again. So please grab a cup of iced coffee and your Bible, unless you're frantically clinging to a giant, inflatable couch-looking thingie while some sadistic boat-driver slings you mercilessly across a lake, of course, and come hang out on the porch with us.
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You've probably heard of the Enneagram - can it actually help you understand your kids or your spouse? Enneagram coach Beth McCord is teaching how this tool can aid spiritual and relational growth in your home. You'll see how the Enneagram can help you navigate disagreements better with your spouse and more. In today's conversation, we'll talk about:
2:40 - These are the 4 core motivations for every person
3:50 - Be alert of your weaknesses
9:20 - Seeing through your spouse's lens
11:20 - How do you find out your Enneagram?
13:00 - How can you appreciate and leverage how you're wired
15:00 - What if your Enneagram is in direct conflict with your spouse's?
20:30 - Discovery is not recovery
25:00 - What this picture reveals about God our Good Shepherd
Beth McCord is the bestselling author and co-founder with her husband Jeff of "Your Enneagram Coach," one of the largest Enneagram platforms in the world and the only one of its size to that teaches people how to use the Enneagram from a faith based perspective. More than 2 million people have taken their online Enneagram type assessment. Beth and her husband Jeff have a new book, "More Than Your Number: A Christ-Centered Enneagram Approach to Becoming Aware of Your Internal World."
Learn more on their website Your Enneagram Coach yourenneagramcoach.com
Learn more about Arlene's book 31 Days to a Happy Husband. arlenepellicane.com
Learn more about the masterclass. happyhomeuniversity.com/happyhusband
In this week's message, "The Story of the Bridesmaids," Pastor Tauren Wells walks us through how Jesus tells a story in Gospel of Matthew 25 that cuts deep; everyone knew He was coming, but not everyone was ready. It's a wake-up call that you can't live off someone else's fire or yesterday's oil. This has to be personal. Don't just assume you're ready... stay close, stay filled, and keep your fire burning.
Message Notes: https://linkly.link/2gOdP
Scripture References:
Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 13:44
Matthew 22:2
Matthew 7:21-23
Jeremiah 20:9
Luke 21:25-28
Matthew 24:36, 40-44
Revelation 19:6-9
Join us on Sunday's!
9a | 10:45a | 12:30p
10:45a - Champions Club (our Special Needs Program for ages 4-12)
12:30p - ASL & Spanish Translation
Location:
The Crossover
1717 Scottsdale Dr
Cedar Park, TX 78641
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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
Sensitive Content Disclaimer: The following conversation includes sensitive information, covering themes of abuse.
Today on the show I am joined by my friend Tim Ross for an on-air counseling session as we process the concept of vulnerability in relationships. What does it mean to be vulnerable? I guide him through the analogy of seeing vulnerability like a pool - equipped with both a shallow end and a deep end. Vulnerability means to go first, to take that first jump, and to invite people to the deep end of your life, and share authentically. He opens up about the moment that changed everything for him, where he decided that he will never keep a secret again, and his journey toward being open and honest in every part of his life. We process through both the benefits and the risks of vulnerability, how to find friends who are willing to go there, and why being open and honest is not a gender thing - it's an invitation to all. This episode is filled with lessons to learn and things to process about your own life, and what holds you back from sharing authentically. Don't miss this on-air session, and then go deeper with your relationships by grabbing a copy of People Skills.
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.