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Today on the Back Porch, as we wrap Mountains & Valleys, Lisa, Allison & Dr. Howard linger on one last ridgeline: Solomon's story. We watch the golden king step off the path, small compromises becoming idols, until a fractured heart splinters a nation. We consider why sound theology must interpret culture and how Ecclesiastes summons us to fear God and keep His commands. Press pause on the Thanksgiving hustle, pour a warm coffee, and join us on the porch.

Hello, friend. I hope you're well today.

 The last few episodes, we've seen Joshua and the Israelites face one obstacle after another. Well this week is a biggie - crossing the Jordan River. But this story isn't just about getting from one side of a river to the other. It's about how God delivers us from what stands between us and him.

Do you ever feel spiritually tired-like your faith could use a workout? In this episode, Christine Caine draws wisdom from Matthew 22:34-40 to show how loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind is the key to lasting strength, purpose, and wholeness. She'll help you identify what's clogging your spiritual arteries, how to heal a wounded soul, and how to train your thoughts to align with God's truth. This episode will empower you to live strong from the inside out and flourish in every area of life.

✨ Listen in & discover: 

* How to guard and strengthen your spiritual heart.

* Why a healed soul leads to freedom and purpose.

* How to renew your mind and replace toxic thoughts with God's truth.

 Get your free Episode Reflection Guide → http://bit.ly/4gx1ZYk

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️ SUBSCRIBE: https://bit.ly/ChristineCaineSubscribe

ORDER Christine's newest book, Don't Look Back → https://linktr.ee/christinecaine 

ORDER Christine's new devotional, "You're Not Finished Yet" → https://linktr.ee/christinecaine 

 For more great stuff, check out:

LISTEN to Christine Caine's Life and Leadership Podcast→ https://linktr.ee/christinecaine

DONATE to Equip & Empower Ministries: https://linktr.ee/christinecaine

 Follow Christine on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChristineCaine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theChristineCaine/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristineCaine

Christine Caine is a speaker, activist, and bestselling author who awakens people everywhere to discover their God-given purpose and live transformed lives for Jesus. Alongside her husband, Nick, she founded A21, a global anti-human trafficking organization that prevents exploitation, recovers victims, and empowers survivors. She also launched Propel Women, an initiative equipping women worldwide to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and live confidently in their calling. Through Equip & Empower, Christine activates people everywhere to live on mission for Jesus.

Christine is the author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, and she holds a Master's Degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College. For over 30 years, she and Nick have faithfully served the global Church. You can tune into her weekly Equip & Empower and Life & Leadership podcasts for practical insights and encouragement, always pointing to the hope found in Jesus. Christine and Nick live with their daughters, Catherine and Sophia. To learn more about Christine and her resources, visit http://www.christinecaine.com.

Hi, friend. I hope you're having a good day.

 Today's episode brings us to one of the unlikeliest heroes of the Bible-Rahab. Maybe you know her story. Maybe you relate to her story. Nothing to lose, pulled from the bottom of the pit and pressed into service for God's plan. God used her because she trusted him. May we all have that in common with Rahab.

Today on the Back Porch, buckle up for a soulful road trip. Lisa and Allison explore Psalm 84 with the sons of Korah, tracing the Valley of Baca-the valley of tears-as a map for our own hard stretches where God meets us in grief, teaches us contentment, and invites us to be fully present right where our feet are. Fill your cup with coffee or cider, wrap up in a blanket, and wander out to the leaf-strewn porch.

Have you ever wondered what kind of faith causes Jesus Himself to marvel? In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks the powerful story of the Roman centurion from Luke 7 and challenges us to live with bold, risk-taking faith that amazes God, as opposed to unbelief that leaves him disappointed. You'll be inspired to trust God beyond your comfort zone and to live the kind of supernatural life only faith can make possible.

✨ You'll discover:
* Why faith requires trust more than understanding.
* How to overcome fear, doubt, and the need for control.
* What it means to live a bold, risk-taking faith that pleases God.

Get your free Episode Reflection Guide → http://bit.ly/4gx1ZYk

+ + + + 

SUBSCRIBE: https://bit.ly/ChristineCaineSubscribe
ORDER Christine's newest book, Don't Look Back → https://linktr.ee/christinecaine
ORDER Christine's new devotional, "You're Not Finished Yet" → https://linktr.ee/christinecaine 

For more great stuff, check out:
LISTEN to Christine Caine's Life and Leadership Podcast→ https://linktr.ee/christinecaine
DONATE to Equip & Empower Ministries: https://linktr.ee/christinecaine

Follow Christine on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChristineCaine/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theChristineCaine/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristineCaine

Christine Caine is a speaker, activist, and bestselling author who awakens people everywhere to discover their God-given purpose and live transformed lives for Jesus. Alongside her husband, Nick, she founded A21, a global anti-human trafficking organization that prevents exploitation, recovers victims, and empowers survivors. She also launched Propel Women, an initiative equipping women worldwide to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and live confidently in their calling. Through Equip & Empower, Christine activates people everywhere to live on mission for Jesus.

Christine is the author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, and she holds a Master's Degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College. For over 30 years, she and Nick have faithfully served the global Church. You can tune into her weekly Equip & Empower and Life & Leadership podcasts for practical insights and encouragement, always pointing to the hope found in Jesus. Christine and Nick live with their daughters, Catherine and Sophia. To learn more about Christine and her resources, visit http://www.christinecaine.com.

Faith doesn't need fame-it needs faithfulness. In this episode, host Christine Caine sits down with Swedish pastor and author Lina Nielsen for an honest conversation about staying steadfast in a world that's moved on from church. From leading in one of the most secular nations on earth to raising daughters who love Jesus, Lina shares how she's kept her fire for God through changing seasons, cultural shifts, and challenges in leadership. You'll be reminded that purpose isn't built on popularity-it's built on daily obedience.

SHOW NOTES:

Rooted for the Long Haul

Christine and Lina reflect on 25 years of friendship and ministry-from early youth conferences to building a thriving church in Stockholm. They discuss how staying close to Jesus is the only way to stay the course.

Leading in a Secular Culture

In a nation where faith is often forgotten, Lina shares what it's like to lead a church that's relevant, relational, and reaching people who've never walked into a church before.

Faithfulness Over Fame

Both Christine and Lina talk about choosing obedience when no one's watching, serving quietly, and resisting the pull toward performance-based ministry.

Reaching a Generation Hungry for Meaning

As Sweden's next generation turns from success to significance, Lina describes how young people are rediscovering Jesus-and why authenticity and hope are transforming lives.

Empowering Women and Raising Daughters

Lina opens up about writing her book, "Secrets of a Sister" and helping young women find identity, confidence, and purpose in Christ-no matter what culture says.

Find Lina Nielsen on Instagram, @LinaMNielsen

Hello, friend. Thank you for joining me for another Encouraging Word.

It can be difficult to tune out the negative voices around us. It can be difficult to tune out the negative voices in our own heads! If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you know we just did a bunch of episodes about that. But thankfully, God has given us his Word, just as he gave Joshua and the Israelites, to help us know and heed his voice. 

Today on the Back Porch, we're visiting the Jezreel Valley, the Plain of Armageddon, where battles were fought, prophets spoke, and God proved faithful. At this fertile, strategic crossroads of history, Scripture's conflicts ultimately point us to hope in Jesus. Pour yourself a hot cup of coffee or cider, settle into a blanket, and meet us on the fall-kissed porch.

Have you ever felt like the storm should have taken you out? In this episode, Christine Caine walks through Acts 27-28 and shows how the apostle Paul survived a storm, a shipwreck, and a snake bite-all because he refused to give up. With powerful encouragement, Christine reminds you that even when your journey doesn't go as planned, God still has a purpose for you-right where you are.

What you'll learn:
- How to endure trials without internalizing the pain.
- Why revival often comes in unexpected places.
- What it takes to keep moving forward after you've been bitten.

This is part of our Resilient Hope Summer series - real talk and encouragement to keep your faith strong in every season.

Don't forget to grab your free Episode Reflection Guide here!

P.S. We made a bonus resource for you this summer. Download your free 'Hope Kit' now!

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Christine Caine is a speaker, activist, and best-selling author. She and her husband, Nick, founded the anti-human trafficking organization The A21 Campaign. They also founded Propel Women, an initiative that is dedicated to coming alongside women all over the globe to activate their God-given purpose. Each week she brings you a Gospel-centered message filled with Biblical truths that will equip and empower you to step into the life God has for you. 

Today on the Back Porch, as we wrap Mountains & Valleys, Lisa, Allison & Dr. Howard linger on one last ridgeline: Solomon's story. We watch the golden king step off the path, small compromises becoming idols, until a fractured heart splinters a nation. We consider why sound theology must interpret culture and how Ecclesiastes summons us to fear God and keep His commands. Press pause on the Thanksgiving hustle, pour a warm coffee, and join us on the porch.

Faith doesn't need fame-it needs faithfulness. In this episode, host Christine Caine sits down with Swedish pastor and author Lina Nielsen for an honest conversation about staying steadfast in a world that's moved on from church. From leading in one of the most secular nations on earth to raising daughters who love Jesus, Lina shares how she's kept her fire for God through changing seasons, cultural shifts, and challenges in leadership. You'll be reminded that purpose isn't built on popularity-it's built on daily obedience.

SHOW NOTES:

Rooted for the Long Haul

Christine and Lina reflect on 25 years of friendship and ministry-from early youth conferences to building a thriving church in Stockholm. They discuss how staying close to Jesus is the only way to stay the course.

Leading in a Secular Culture

In a nation where faith is often forgotten, Lina shares what it's like to lead a church that's relevant, relational, and reaching people who've never walked into a church before.

Faithfulness Over Fame

Both Christine and Lina talk about choosing obedience when no one's watching, serving quietly, and resisting the pull toward performance-based ministry.

Reaching a Generation Hungry for Meaning

As Sweden's next generation turns from success to significance, Lina describes how young people are rediscovering Jesus-and why authenticity and hope are transforming lives.

Empowering Women and Raising Daughters

Lina opens up about writing her book, "Secrets of a Sister" and helping young women find identity, confidence, and purpose in Christ-no matter what culture says.

Find Lina Nielsen on Instagram, @LinaMNielsen

Today on the Back Porch, buckle up for a soulful road trip. Lisa and Allison explore Psalm 84 with the sons of Korah, tracing the Valley of Baca-the valley of tears-as a map for our own hard stretches where God meets us in grief, teaches us contentment, and invites us to be fully present right where our feet are. Fill your cup with coffee or cider, wrap up in a blanket, and wander out to the leaf-strewn porch.

In this episode, Caleb and Kelsey discuss how money (or lack of) has affected their marriage, they share a story about their homeschooled kids attending tutorial for the first time, and Caleb rants about how award shows are antiquated. They also debate whether they'd rather be in a horror movie with their friends or a romantic comedy with their enemies.

In this mailbag episode, John and Wayne answers questions from listeners like: developing long-time team members, setting work boundaries while at home, keeping your team motivated when you aren't winning, the upcoming election season and more. Send in a question for next month's mailbag episode by emailing parker@leadershipinblackandwhite.com or by DM'ing us on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram for more great leadership content: Pastor John (@johnsiebeling), Pastor Wayne (@waynefrancis), Podcast (@leadershipinblackandwhite). Leave a rating and review to give us your feedback and help the show continue to grow!

Licensed counselor and author Debra Fileta joins Levi and Jennie for a live Q&A on building emotionally healthy homes-whether you're single, married, or knee-deep in carpools. We kick off with Debra's new picture book for littles, "Any Day Emotions," and how naming feelings (even the tricky ones like guilt and jealousy) helps kids learn what to do with them. We also talk about Levi's new tween book, "Don't Worry, Warrior," and why story-driven teaching sticks with 8-12-year-olds. 

From there, it's a fast-paced, heartfelt session tackling real questions: consistent toddler discipline without losing connection, encouragement for single parents finding community, wisdom for blending families with grace and boundaries, and practical ways siblings can repair ruptures with real apologies. We close by reframing "peace at home"-less candlelit calm, more everyday wholeness in Christ amid the beautiful chaos. 

Connect with us on social!
Debra: @debrafileta
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife

[Links]
Any Day Emotions by Debra Fileta: https://bit.ly/4paOT6x
Don't Worry, Warrior By Levi Lusko: https://bit.ly/498LNLs
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY

Give a year-end gift to send Native youth to Movement Conference!
Your generous year-end gift below will remove every barrier so students from the reservations can experience Movement Conference, where they'll encounter the love and freedom of Jesus.
Give Your Gift: https://levilusko.com/ye-donate?&utm_campaign=LLM1225&utm_medium=website&utm_source=podcast&utm_content=pod

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

Time stamps
14:06 - What to discuss with your spouse when planning/trying for kids
19:13 - How to discipline a toddler consistently while staying connected
26:10 - Single mom navigating distance from family and absent father
31:06 - "Biblical" approach to blending a newly blended family
49:34 - Keeping a peaceful home with hormonal preteens and little ones
54:57 - Rhythms to recharge marriage with a 6-month-old at home

Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado joins Levi and Jennie to talk taming your thoughts, grandparent joy, and the kind of hope that actually holds. Max shares the wild family headline-three daughters pregnant at once-and how becoming "Papa Max" has reshaped his rhythms and perspective.

They dive into Max's new book, Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life, walking through "picky thinking," spotting the "UFOs" (untruth → false narrative → overreaction), and the practice of uprooting lies and replanting truth. The conversation gets practical on media intake, the real brain/relationship fallout of porn, and Max's storyteller toolkit-from dog tales to Amelia Earhart-and why the message must always lead the illustration. They wrap with a glimpse of Max's "The Only One" series on the uniqueness of Christ and a quick nod to tattoos (yes, really).

Connect with us on social!
Max: @maxlucado
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife

[Links]
Tame Your Thoughts: https://bit.ly/49QUxpN
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

Timestamps
04:44 - Grandparenting joy, rhythms, and "Papa Max" & "Dee Dee"
05:49 - Why Max wrote Tame Your Thoughts and reader feedback
07:45 - The three tools: picky thinking, UFOs, and replanting truth
16:55 - Guard your intake: screens, sleep, and porn's real fallout
23:31 - How Max collects stories and lets the message lead

There is so much to celebrate today! Shelley pays tribute to our American veterans, Denise throws a baby shower, and Leigh honors a friend's life well-lived. Have a coffee (or a Diet Coke!) break with the gals and join the circle of friends. 

1:55-8:36 - Birthdays and baby showers, trip to Michigan

8:36-16:12 - A loving tribute and friendships with women

16:12-20:21 - Adoption

20:21-26:00 - Turkey time, Winter Wonderland vinyl, Manger Throne devotional book

Today on Back Porch, Lisa & Allison kick off a new six-part series Mountains & Valleys, exploring how God meets us in both the highs and lows of life. From Lisa's 50-mile Appalachian Trail hike to Moses' burning bush encounter, they remind us that God's presence is steady, His covenant sure, and our journeys best walked with persistence and community. So grab a pumpkin flavored latte, pull up a chair, we're so glad you joined us!

Today on the Back Porch (Part 3 of our Mountain & Valley series), Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Jim Howard walk through the theology of peaks and valleys, from Elijah's bold stand on Mount Carmel to his post-victory crash in 1 Kings 19.  Along the way, we explore how God meets our fatigue and grief with rest, renewal, and the gift of community. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and join us on the porch!