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:
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, 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.
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
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 worship leader and songwriter, Taya Gaukrodger, of Hillsong United for a rich conversation on her history, backstory, and the stories that shape who she is. With rich insight on worship leading, relationships, the Holy Spirit, and living a life of worship to God.
Links:
Dirt and Grace Live from the Holy Land: https://bit.ly/3vsfdNI
23 and me: https://bit.ly/2SA4GSoc
1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp: https://amzn.to/3bWfdOB
Crushing Snakes Live at Passion 2020: https://youtu.be/6qUPAI-VVhY
No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green: https://amzn.to/3bWsTsL
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers: https://amzn.to/2SwsC8S
Connect with Taya: @tayagaukrodger 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
Women's minister, author, and Texas-born-and-proud Tasha Calvert joins Jennie for one of those conversations that just makes you exhale. Tasha gets honest about going through the motions for years - church attendance, all the programs, filling in every blank - while still missing the real thing, and how God used a crisis in her marriage to finally get through to her. They also talk about her new book Set Apart for More, why holiness has basically disappeared from our vocabulary, and why surrendering control is actually the most freeing thing you can do.
Connect with us on social!
Tasha: @tistashcalvert
Levi: @levilusko
Jennie: @jennielusko
Fresh Life Church: @freshlife
[Links]
Get Tasha's book Set Apart for More: https://bit.ly/4tXFtgw
Visit Tasha's website: https://bit.ly/42UsW2v
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:
00:02:00 - Santa Fe, New Mexico, and why every American city is starting to look the same
00:05:18 - Meeting her Houston husband at church - and the Baylor vs. A&M rivalry that almost doomed them
00:08:26 - The hard season: lawsuits, depression, and a sister's wake-up call about marriage
00:12:28 - When God said "shut up" - and how silence saved her marriage
00:34:58 - Why holiness has vanished from our vocabulary (and Tasha's mission to bring it back)
00:46:04 - Tasha closes in prayer for the listener who's exhausted and ready to let go
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.