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.
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.
Hello, friend. I hope you're doing well today. We're beginning a new series of episodes this week, tackling the topic of fear. Fear comes up a lot in the teachings of Jesus. In fact, the most common command issued by Jesus is some version of "Do not fear." Easier said than done, right? But with God's help, it's possible, my friend. You can fear less tomorrow than you do today.
Courtney Pray Duke joins Levi and Jennie for a deeply moving conversation about grief, healing, and the unexpected ways God meets us in our hardest moments. From the physical toll of writing her story to the vulnerability of releasing it into the world, Courtney shares what it's really like to carry hope after unimaginable loss.
After losing her husband Andrew in a tragic accident, Courtney found herself navigating life as a young widow with three kids-learning to survive, to trust God in the unknown, and eventually, to live again. This episode holds space for the tension of heartbreak and joy coexisting, while offering a powerful reminder: even in the darkest valleys, God is present, faithful, and still writing a beautiful story.
Connect with us on social!
Courtney: @courtneyprayduke
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Get And She Got Up by Courtney Pray Duke: https://bit.ly/41JAjJb
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Subscribe for more exclusive content:
Time Stamps:
0:03:36 - "The most unglamorous thing I've ever done"
0:11:35 - When God speaks in a dream
0:16:13 - The blue-sky day that shattered everything
0:35:29 - The long road back to Thanksgiving
0:39:16 - The battle cry that became a muscle
0:43:21 - community, casseroles, and learning to do the bills
1:00:04 - Why this book is for everyone - even people who haven't lost anyone yet
1:02:00 - "And she got up": the Scripture, the title, the whole testimony
Today on the show I am joined by Kirby Kelly for an on-air counseling session, as we process her past trauma of growing up with alcoholic parents. In this emotional conversation, Kirby opens up specifically about her complex relationship with her mother, who continued to relapse into addiction to alcohol until she passed away unexpectedly in 2023. Kirby is now expecting her first baby girl, and a new layer of trauma and mother wounds has made its way to the surface of her life. She is dealing with a layer of new emotions as she grieves for the mother she never had, and also grieves the fact that her mom will not be here with her during this vulnerable season of her life as she herself becomes a new mom. We process the concept of God showing up to her as a good father, but what it means to ask him to fill in the gaps of our mother wounds as well. This episode is SO powerful, vulnerable, and emotional - and is so necessary for anyone who can relate to experiencing the trauma of mother wounds. Go deeper in healing from the trauma of your past, with my book Are You Really OK?
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.
Hello, friend. I hope you're doing well today. This week on the podcast we're wrapping up our series exploring the profound gift of God's grace. If you've missed any episodes, I invite you to go back and catch up. My prayer is you will receive this great gift that meets your greatest need, and that you will learn what happens when graces reach into every part of your life. Let grace get you.
Circle up! On this episode of the POGcast, Point of Grace is talking about caring for widows, what it means to become a worshipper, and new ways to enjoy the beauty of nature.
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:
1:57 What's Up: Mother's Day, #1 Parties, and Graduations
4:42 Circle of Friends: Doris, Comfort Trees, and Caring for the Widow
12:50 What in the Word: The Practical Definition of Worship
23:00 Circle Up: Fruit Savers, Source Naturals Wellness Formula, and "Wild Wonder"
Mentioned on the POGcast:
Freshmage Fruit Storage Containers for Fridge with Removable Colander
"Wild Wonder: What Nature Teaches Us About Slowing Down and Living Well" By Stephen Proctor
Source Naturals Wellness Formula Advanced Immune Support
Courtney Pray Duke joins Levi and Jennie for a deeply moving conversation about grief, healing, and the unexpected ways God meets us in our hardest moments. From the physical toll of writing her story to the vulnerability of releasing it into the world, Courtney shares what it's really like to carry hope after unimaginable loss.
After losing her husband Andrew in a tragic accident, Courtney found herself navigating life as a young widow with three kids-learning to survive, to trust God in the unknown, and eventually, to live again. This episode holds space for the tension of heartbreak and joy coexisting, while offering a powerful reminder: even in the darkest valleys, God is present, faithful, and still writing a beautiful story.
Connect with us on social!
Courtney: @courtneyprayduke
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Get And She Got Up by Courtney Pray Duke: https://bit.ly/41JAjJb
Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY
Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe
Subscribe for more exclusive content:
Time Stamps:
0:03:36 - "The most unglamorous thing I've ever done"
0:11:35 - When God speaks in a dream
0:16:13 - The blue-sky day that shattered everything
0:35:29 - The long road back to Thanksgiving
0:39:16 - The battle cry that became a muscle
0:43:21 - community, casseroles, and learning to do the bills
1:00:04 - Why this book is for everyone - even people who haven't lost anyone yet
1:02:00 - "And she got up": the Scripture, the title, the whole testimony
The key to thriving is redefining. Listen in on a beautiful, refreshing, perspective-shifting conversation with Jay and Katherine Wolf on redefining thriving, suffering strong, post traumatic growth, joy, laughter, and cultivating contentment.
Links:
Sign up to get Brass Tack and Life Hacks: levilusko.com
Fresh Life Leadership College: freshlife.church/college
Suffer Strong: https://amzn.to/3wjwkS5
Hope Heals: https://amzn.to/2Qvig8I
Suffer Strong Podcast: https://apple.co/2T4LtbC
Hope Heals Camp: hopehealscamp.org
Connect with Jay and Kathrine: hopeheals.com or @hopeheals on social media
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
Sit down for a conversation with the Luskos and Ben Stuart, Pastor of Passion City Church in DC, on fighting to serve, fighting to rest, irrational fears, and how not to run a marathon.
Links:
Order Levi's New Book: lastsupperbook.com
Connect with Levi: levilusko.com or @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 Ben Stuart: restandwar.com or @ben_stuart_
Order Ben's New Book, Rest and War
Sit down with the Luskos for a conversation with Judah and Chelsea Smith on marriage Monday, pastoring your kids, digital church, being disruptive and why the church shouldn't just be full of Christians.
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 or @freshlife on social media
Connect with Judah: @judahsmith on social media
Connect with Chelsea: @chelseasmith on social media
Connect with Churchome: or @churchhome on social media
In this Part 2 of our Panel Series, seasoned Mentor Mums answer viewer questions about real life issues!
Listen & watch every Monday! Remember to subscribe so you never miss starting your week with uplifting encouragement and real life tools for mums!