Lisa Harper's Back Porch Theology

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Susie Larson tackle a question most of us will face at some point: How do we move forward when someone’s past—or the pain they caused—makes it difficult to see them differently? Through the tiny but mighty book of Philemon, they explore reconciliation, releasing resentment and shame, and the gospel’s power to transform not only people, but relationships. This conversation reminds us that grace frees us from keeping score and invites us to see ourselves and others not through the lens of what has been, but through the redemptive eyes of Jesus. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in on the porch with us, we're so glad you're here. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Philemon 1:1–25 Acts 20:36–38 Job Galatians 3:28 Genesis 15:9–21 John 4:1–42 2 Corinthians 5:16–17 Philippians 2:5–8 Philippians 4:11–13 Philippians 1:12–14 1 Chronicles 28:2–3 Psalm 50:10 Philippians 4:19 Matthew 6:9–13 Psalm 119:18

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by Pastor Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle for a conversation about why the Bible remains foundational to our faith and how the truth of Scripture shapes the way we live. Along the way, they explore the message of Colossians and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, as well as empathy, forgiveness, discipleship, and why the local church matters. So grab a cup of coffee and your Bible and come hang out with us on the porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Colossians 3:1–2 Exodus Luke 4:16–21 Luke 10:25–37 Philemon 10–16 Matthew 5–7 Colossians 1:15–20 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 Philippians 2:5–11 Ephesians 1:18 Colossians 2:8–10 Genesis 3 Colossians 1:9–10 Ecclesiastes 1:2 Philippians 4:4–7 Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:26–27 Genesis 37–50 John 14:11 John 14:6

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by beloved theologian and friend Dr. Lynn Cohick to wrestle with the question: What does joy look like when your circumstances give you very little to be joyful about? They dig into Paul’s letter to the Philippians—a letter overflowing with joy, yet written from prison—and explore what Paul’s resilience and Job’s faithfulness can teach us about remaining anchored in Jesus when life is painful, uncertain, or simply not what we hoped it would be. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch, we're so glad you're here. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Ephesians 2:10 Acts 16 Acts 21–28 Romans 7:15 Romans 8:38–39 Job 1–2; 20-21 Job 13:16 Psalm 34:8 Psalm 42:3, 11 Psalm 56:8 1 Corinthians 13:12 1 Corinthians 15:42–54 Philippians 1:12–21; 27-30 Philippians 2:25–30 Philippians 3:10; 20–21 Philippians 4:4–8; 11–13

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by brilliant New Testament scholar Dr. Lynn Cohick to dive into the theological richness of Ephesians. Together, they explore the ancient world of Ephesus, unpack what it means to be God’s poiēma—His treasured masterpiece—and wrestle with Paul’s teaching on mutual submission, sacrificial love, and power. Ultimately, Ephesians reminds us that through Jesus, no one is an outsider in the family of God. So grab your Bible and come hang out with us—there’s always room for one more on the porch. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Ephesians 1:3–14; 2; 2:10; 3; 4:1; 5:2, 8, 18–21, 22, 25, 33; 6:10–18  Acts 10; 19   Revelation 2:1–7   1 Timothy; 2 Timothy   Luke 1   Psalm 139   Romans 8:28–29   1 Corinthians 7:1; 11:17   James 2

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by their friend Kristi McLelland for a rich conversation about freedom, family, and what it really looks like to walk with Jesus through the book of Galatians. Together, they unpack the beauty of our adoption into the family of God, the freedom we’ve been given through the cross, and how the fruit of the Spirit becomes tangible in the way we love, serve, and show up for one another. Because the Gospel isn’t simply something we believe—it changes how we live, how we give, and how we carry each other’s burdens. So grab a cup of coffee (or a scoop of mint chocolate chip!) and pull up a chair on the Back Porch with us. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Galatians 1:1–5  Galatians 1:15  Galatians 4:4–7 Galatians 5:1  Galatians 5:16–26  Genesis 17:1  Acts 19  Matthew 28:18–20  Matthew 6:9–13

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by New Testament scholar Dr. Scot McKnight and trauma-informed counselor Adrienne Gibson for a conversation about trauma through the lens of 2 Corinthians. Together, they explore Paul’s vulnerability, the four common trauma responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and the importance of processing our stories within healthy community. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians 10–13 2 Corinthians 10 2 Corinthians 11 Acts 13 Acts 20:7–12 Isaiah 42:1–4 CHRISTIAN COUNSELING RESOURCES: Valor Counseling — Adrienne Gibson Christian counseling resources through Adrienne Gibson: www.valorcounselingaz.com Psychology Today — Find a Counselor To find a counselor in your area, visit Psychology Today and use the filters to narrow your search by location, specialty, insurance, and more: www.psychologytoday.com

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into 1 Corinthians with Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, exploring Paul's call to unity in a church wrestling with division, cultural pressures, and sexual brokenness—and how genuine biblical community calls us back to wholeness. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Psalm 51 1 Corinthians 5:1 1 Corinthians 6:19 1 Corinthians 5:7 Jeremiah 2:13 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 1:18 John 4 Revelation 3:20 Acts 18

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa is joined by theologian and author Dr. Preston Sprinkle for a deep dive into Romans 16 and the remarkable stories of three women who played significant roles in the early church: Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia. Together, they unpack the leadership, influence, and ministry of these women and explore what their stories reveal about women’s roles in the early church and the spread of the Gospel. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and join us on the back porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES Romans 16:1-7 Romans 8 Acts 2 Romans 15 Romans 9-11 Romans 14-15 Romans 1 Romans 2 John 13 Matthew 22 Mark 10 Philippians 2 Romans 16:23 Acts 18:25-26 Romans 16:7 1 Chronicles 22:8 Romans 8:1

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by New Testament scholar and Anglican priest Dr. Michael Bird for a lively dive into the book of Acts. Together, they explore the inseparable connection between Luke and Acts, the significance of Jesus’ ascension, and the Holy Spirit’s powerful work through ordinary believers as the early church quite literally turned the world upside down. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch! SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Acts 20:7-12 Acts 1:8-10 Genesis 1 Psalm 8 Daniel 7 Acts 2:41-45 Acts 17 Acts 13 Acts 2:17-21 Acts 5:40-41 Acts 8:26-40

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa & Allison welcome Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams from She Reads Truth for a rich conversation through the Gospel of John. Together, they explore what it means to move beyond treating the Bible as a rule book and instead encounter it as an invitation to know the Living Word—Jesus Himself. From abiding in Christ to the power of God's living and active Word, this episode is a reminder that Scripture is meant to transform us, not just inform us. Grab your Bible and pull up a chair - we're so glad you're here. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Hebrews 4:12 John 15:4 John 13-17 Hebrews 5:7

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison explore the Gospel of Luke, focusing on Jesus' heart for the misfits, the marginalized, and those often overlooked. Luke reveals a Savior who consistently moves toward the overlooked, the broken, and the unlikely with compassion, mercy, and grace. If you've ever felt unseen, like you don't quite fit in, or questioned whether God could really delight in you, this conversation will remind you that Jesus has always made room for people just like us. So come hang out with us on the porch—we've saved you a seat. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Luke 8:1-3 Luke 16:19-24 Luke 18:9-14 Luke 7:11-17 Luke 13:10-17 Psalm 139:1-18 Luke 15:11-32

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison welcome Dr. Scot McKnight, Dr. Lynn Cohick, and Dr. Michael Bird for a rich conversation on the Gospel of Mark. Together they show why the cross doesn't contradict Jesus' identity as the Messiah—it confirms it. If you've ever wondered how God brings hope through suffering, this episode will encourage you to see the cross as the ultimate expression of His love and victory. So grab a cuppa, your Bible, and come hang out on the porch with us. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 15 Mark 9:1 Mark 8:27-9:1-12 Mark 14:66-69 Psalm 110:1 Daniel 7:13 Mark 10:45 Mark 7:24-30 Mark 9 Mark 10:13–16

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison sit down with Kyle Hebert to discuss his remarkable journey from incarceration at Angola State Penitentiary to a life transformed by Jesus. Together, they explore key themes in the Gospel of Matthew, including forgiveness, mercy, the Beatitudes, and the redemptive power of God's grace. Grab your Bible and come hang out on the porch. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Matthew 5:1-10 Matthew 6:14-15 Matthew 18:21 Matthew 18:15-17 Matthew 18:27

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison head into Ezra and Nehemiah and discover that sometimes God's greatest miracles aren't dramatic moments of rescue—they're the long, faithful work of rebuilding. As God's people return from exile and begin clearing away decades of rubble, we're reminded that restoration often happens one brick, one prayer, and one act of obedience at a time. It's a timely reminder that God still brings beauty from rubble. Pull up a chair and come join us on the porch. We're so glad you're here. Scripture References:  Isaiah 44:26-28 Psalm 51  Ezra 10:2-3  Nehemiah 3:12 Nehemiah 4:10 Galatians 6:15 Nehemiah 2:16 Ecclesiastes 7:2 Ezekiel 37  Nehemiah 6:9

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology takes us into the often-overlooked books of First and Second Chronicles, where Lisa and Allison uncover a beautiful reminder that God is always telling a redemptive story. If you're facing circumstances that feel impossible, this conversation will encourage you to lift your eyes above your current situation and remember that God is still at work, weaving redemption into every chapter of your life. So grab your Bible, a cup of coffee, and pull up a chair on the porch. We're so glad you're here. Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 11:11-14 2 Samuel 23:9-10 2 Chronicles 20:12

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into the final three Minor Prophets—Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi—and explore what it means to trust God in the gap between expectation and reality. Through disappointment, waiting, and redemptive discontent, we’re reminded that God is still at work and His promises are still true. So please grab a cup of coffee and your Bible, and come hang out on the porch with us. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES Haggai 1:1–5 Zechariah 4:6 Zechariah 7:1–3 Zechariah 9:9 Zechariah 14:9; 20 Matthew 21:4-5 Malachi 2:17 Malachi 3:1; 7 Malachi 4:2-3

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by Kristi McLelland for a rich conversation about the Minor Prophets, with a special focus on the book of Hosea. Together, they trace the threads of Hosea’s powerful love story—a living illustration of God's relentless pursuit of His people. While the Minor Prophets contain sobering warnings and calls to repentance, they ultimately point to a God who never gives up on His people and whose story culminates in redemption through Jesus. Pull up a chair and join us—we're so glad you're here. Scripture References: Joel 2:28 Amos 5:24 Obadiah 1:21 Jonah 2:2 Micah 4:4 Nahum 1:7–8 Habakkuk 3:17 Zephaniah 3:17 Hosea 1:2–8 Hosea 2:1; 5–8; 14–20 Hosea 3:2 Hosea 6:1–3

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison journey through the book of Daniel, one of Scripture’s most compelling stories of faith under pressure. As they walk through Daniel, they explore God's sovereignty, the refining nature of trials, and the confidence that comes from knowing He is faithful to the very end. Whether you're navigating uncertainty, opposition, or a season of waiting, this conversation offers fresh hope and encouragement to keep trusting the God who never leaves our side. Grab your Bible, sweet tea, and settle in—we're so glad you're here.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison sit down with Alex Seeley for a powerful conversation about the person and presence of the Holy Spirit through the lens of the book of Ezekiel. Together, they explore God's promise to breathe life into dry bones and what that means for believers who feel weary, discouraged, or spiritually dry. This encouraging conversation is a reminder that God still breathes life into what feels lifeless and that true revival begins with an invitation to the Holy Spirit. Pull up a chair and come hang out with us on the porch—we're so glad you're here.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Howard journey through Jeremiah and Lamentations, exploring the prophetic power of humility, obedience, and unwavering faithfulness in difficult seasons. This rich conversation reminds us that even in our deepest lamentations, God remains faithful, forgiving, and near to the brokenhearted. Pull up a chair - we're so glad you are here.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Brooke Ligertwood dive into the beauty, depth, and prophetic hope woven throughout Isaiah. This conversation is a reminder that God is not after performance, He is after our hearts. Pull up a chair, we're so glad you are here. Book Reference: The Prophecy of Isaiah - J. Alec Motyer

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into the beauty, mystery, and intimacy of Song of Solomon. Together, they explore the poetic imagery, allegorical themes, and surprising significance of female voices throughout the book, while unpacking how Song of Solomon ultimately points to the deep affection God has for His people. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, lean into the heart of God, and rest in the reality that you are fully known and deeply loved. So pull up a chair and stay awhile.

On today’s Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into the wisdom literature of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, exploring the contrast between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly and what it means to live with discernment in a complicated world. From stories about parenting and boundaries to the reminder that life is fleeting and God is faithful, this conversation is both practical and hopeful. Pull up a chair and come hang out on the porch with us!

On today’s Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Amy Orr-Ewing explore forgiveness, repentance, and healing through Psalm 51 and the story of King David and Bathsheba. Together, they unpack why forgiveness isn’t weakness, how Scripture calls us to honestly acknowledge harm, and what it looks like to pursue healing—even in the hardest places. Pull up a chair—we’re really glad you’re here.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison walk through the Psalms as a sacred space where every emotion is welcome. From the unresolved grief of Psalm 88 to the messianic hope of Psalm 22, they remind us that God meets us in both sorrow and praise. This episode becomes an invitation to worship with joy, freedom, and abandon. So grab your Bible, pull up a chair on the porch with us—we’re really glad you’re here.

On today’s Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison unpack the story of Job—his suffering, his questions, and his unshakable faith. Through loss, difficult conversations, and God’s final word, we’re reminded that hope and redemption are never out of reach. Settle in—we’re really glad you’re here.

On today’s Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Lynn Cohick explore the story of Esther, highlighting themes of courage, voice, and obedience. From Vashti’s bold stand to Esther’s pivotal role in saving her people, this episode reminds us how God works through both quiet faithfulness and courageous action. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch—we’re really glad you’re here.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison explore the stories of Elijah and Elisha, along with Huldah the prophetess. Along the way, they reflect on the difference between transparency and vulnerability, the grace God shows in moments of burnout and spiritual drift, and the beautiful reminder that God can use anyone—regardless of visibility or platform—to accomplish His purposes.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa & Allison discuss Solomon, the reflections of Ecclesiastes, and the opening chapters of 1 Kings. Though given extraordinary wisdom, Solomon’s life reveals the danger of pursuing success apart from God. The conversation also reflects on David’s costly act of worship and the deeper truth that true wisdom grows in humble hearts that remain dependent on God’s grace. Come join us on the porch—we’re so glad you’re here.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa Harper, Allison Allen, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle unpack the major themes of 1 & 2 Samuel, including kingship, the word of God, and spiritual warfare. They discuss the rise and fall of Saul, the ascent of David, and the biblical warnings against mediums and spiritists. The conversation highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers and points to Jesus as the ultimate King and Redeemer. Grab a cup and pull up a chair—we’re so glad you’re here on the porch.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle step into the dramatic world of the books of Samuel—where tearful prayers, wise courage, and supernatural moments collide. From Hannah’s heartbreak and Abigail’s bold wisdom to Saul and David’s contrasting paths of descent and ascent, they explore how God’s Word moves through messy families and broken stories to bring restoration. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch—we’re so glad you’re here.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Kristi McLelland step into the book of Ruth—a small but radiant story shining in Israel’s dark days. They unpack misquoted Scriptures, Ruth’s surprising Moabite backstory, and Boaz’s costly kindness, revealing a powerful portrait of covenant friendship and God’s faithful provision. This episode is a reminder that God works through everyday loyalty, kindness, and community. Grab a cup and pull up a chair—we’re so glad you’re here on the porch.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa sits down with Dr. Preston Sprinkle to dive into the book of Judges through the lives of Deborah, Jael, and Huldah—three remarkable women whose stories reveal a God who is both utterly sovereign and intimately kind. They reflect on what Scripture truly reveals about women, leadership, spiritual motherhood, and everyday influence—and how a right view of God’s smiling countenance transforms the way we live, love, and lead. Take a seat and stay awhile; we’re so glad you’re here.

On today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison unpack the book of Joshua—from Jordan River miracles and Caleb’s “give me my mountain” faith to the courage of the daughters of Zelophehad—to explore how God leads us into His promises even when we feel tired, overlooked, or passed over. This episode is a hope-filled invitation to trust that no season of waiting is wasted and that there is still an inheritance in Jesus with your name on it. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison are joined by Kristi McLelland as they explore the beauty and emotional depth of Deuteronomy, reflecting on God’s faithfulness and the loving purpose behind His instructions. With warmth and hope, they invite us to remember what God has done, trust His presence in seasons of scarcity or loneliness, and rest in the truth that we are His treasured possession. So grab a cup, pull up a chair, and settle in - we’re so glad you’re here.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison dive into the book of Numbers, exploring its surprising themes of communication, intimacy, and God’s deeply personal care for His people, reflecting along the way on God’s mercy through the story of Moses and the bold, faithful courage of Zelophehad’s daughters. It’s a hope-filled truth that even in the wilderness, God knows His people by name and never stops drawing them close. Grab a chair and join us on the porch, we saved you a seat.

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Howard invite us to see Leviticus through a surprising and grace-filled lens, not as a punitive list of rules, but as a profound love story. Together, they explore how Leviticus was designed to draw God’s people into relationship, highlighting the Day of Atonement, the heart of the Mosaic Law, and how these themes echo forward into the New Testament. It’s a thoughtful, hope-filled reminder that God’s heart has always been about dwelling with His people. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison continue their journey through Exodus in part two, diving into themes of leadership, Scripture, and the steady kindness of God’s guidance, reminding us that God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on our perfection but on His character. So pull up a chair, grab your coffee, and join us on the porch!

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison take us back into the book of Exodus, one of the most pivotal stories in the Old Testament. Together, they unpack themes of deliverance and bondage, spotlighting the courageous midwives Shiphrah and Puah, the dramatic plagues, and the awe-filled moment at Mount Sinai when God’s glory descended in a cloud. Their conversation reminds us that the God who brought His people out of slavery is still bringing freedom and deliverance to His children today. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

In today's episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa & Allison explore the story of Abraham ~ an unlikely hero chosen by God in sheer grace. Together, they unpack God’s sovereignty and grace in choosing, calling, and blessing people not because of their merit, but because of His faithfulness. So pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

On today’s episode of Back Porch Theology, Lisa and Allison walk through portions of Genesis and reflect on how Scripture consistently restores dignity where it’s been lost. Whether you’re brand new to the Bible or ready to dive deeper, this conversation sets the tone for a year of discovering that there are truly no wasted words in God’s story, so pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

In this episode of Back Porch Theology, Allison Allen and Lisa Harper kick off the first episode of 2026 and an exciting new series, No Wasted Words, as we begin walking through the whole Bible together this year. Along the way, we address common misconceptions about Scripture and share our passion for exploring its overarching themes with curiosity, joy, and reverence. Pull up a chair and join us as we step into a new year and a yearlong journey through God’s Word, opening Scripture together with honesty, curiosity, and hopeful expectation.

On today’s episode of the Back Porch, Lisa and Allison share New Year’s Eve memories, talk about gratitude, and reflect on the hope that comes from remembering God’s faithfulness. They explore the crossing of the Jordan in Joshua and the practice of creating “Ebenezer” stones to mark God’s work. Join us on the porch as we look back with gratitude and forward with hope, we’re so glad you’re here!

In this special episode from the Back Porch Theology Christmas Tour, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Howard come together for a warm, hope-filled conversation about faith, waiting, and the meaning of Christmas. Through laughter, Scripture, and personal stories, they explore biblical waiting, from Zechariah and Elizabeth to Simeon and Anna, reminding us that waiting is never wasted and is always part of God’s story. Wrap up in a blanket, grab a warm drink, and pull up a chair ~ it’s Christmas on the porch.

In this merry-and-brightly honest episode of Back Porch Theology, Allison Allen, Lisa Harper, and Doc H swap stories from their Christmas tour aka their very first bus tour, complete with equal parts joy, Jesus, and questionable sleep schedules. They unpack a few favorite Christmas myths ~ including the real story behind Santa ~ and trace them back to the faith-filled roots of Saint Nicholas, the wise men, and other traditions woven through the season. Grab something warm to sip, ignore the Christmas to-do list for a minute, and pull up a chair, there’s room for you on the porch.

Today on the Back Porch, Rabbi Jason sits with Lisa and Allison to journey through identity, covenant, and the God who brings life from barren ground ~ through the pages of Scripture and the pages of their lives. Grab a blanket, pour a warm cup, and come sit with us.

Today on the Back Porch, we welcome Rabbi Jason Sobel for a porch-side chat about how the threads of Scripture ~ Old and New ~ braid into one story pointing to Jesus’s divine identity and mission. We sit with His self-emptying love (kenosis), where humility becomes strength, and find ourselves drawn into shalom - the wholeness, peace, and restoration secured by the cross and resurrection. Pull up a chair and join us on the porch!

Today on the Back Porch, we’re trading ham for turkey, dressing for stuffing debates, and canned jelly for fresh cranberries as we talk all things Thanksgiving ~ and the deeper gratitude that outlasts the leftovers. We’ll name some hard seasons and the surprising ways God’s goodness has met us there, reminding us that gratitude isn’t denial ~ it’s defiant hope. Take a breather from the Thanksgiving prep, pull up a chair, and join us as we count kernels of kindness from a faithful God.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Today on Back Porch, Lisa and Allison continue part two of their six-part series, Mountains & Valleys, exploring how God meets us in both the highs and lows of life ~ reminding us that challenges aren’t detours but part of the journey, and that God’s promises are never dead, only fulfilled in His perfect timing. So pour yourself a cup of coffee or spiced tea, settle in, and join us on the porch!3

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, we have a special treat for you as we’re sharing a session from Kerygma this past year. Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin, Chief Operating Officer at Christianity Today and founder of Soulfire International Ministries, unpacks “God’s inconvenient promises.” Through the Shunammite woman’s story, she shows how God’s unexpected healing brings shalom and how trusting His presence leads to lasting peace and restoration. You won’t want to miss this message, so grab your favorite beverage and your Bible, and join us on the porch!

During today’s conversation on the porch, Lisa, Allison, and Dr. Brian Litfin unpack the Nicene Creed, emphasizing the Trinity’s unity, the power of the resurrection, and the role of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Litfin contrasts the gospel’s hope with pagan despair, giving historical and cultural insight into Christ’s victory over sin, death, and Satan. You might be asking - How does this all apply to us today? Listen in as we discuss – right here on the porch!

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is one of the best we’ve had in a while because it’s basically a dissertation on why play and celebration should be a part of every Christ-follower’s spiritual formation plan! While there’s no single verse proving that our Savior laughed and played during His earthly life and ministry, there are a plethora of passages that imply it like the literary. The Bible proves over and over again that Christoformity – being shaped like Jesus – isn’t always supposed to be serious and somber. Being playful can be every bit as spiritual as being prayerful. Today’s going to be a fun day on the porch y’all, so you might want to bring a caffeinated drink, a yummy snack, and your Bible. And try to talk one of your small group friends who thinks spiritual maturity and grumpiness are congruent into hanging out with us too, because we’re going to expose that myth as being biblically indefensible! Thanks for carving the time out of your day to be with us – we love getting to spend these moments on the porch with you.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology, Alli and I are tip-toeing carefully into foreign territory because we’re talking about the massive benefit of having moments when we’re not talking! C.S. Lewis wrote extensively about the value of solitary moments and considered silence to be a powerful force for spiritual transformation – he described it as a strategic way to get closer to God. It’s going to be a good day on the porch, y’all – whether you’re a saint of few words or a gabber like us – so please pour yourself a mug of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, grab your Bible, and pull up a chair. We’re so glad we get to spend this time leaning more fully into the love of God with you.

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re talking about the spiritual discipline of fasting – the willingness to forgo food, or social media, or some other physical or emotional comfort in order to focus more of our attention and affection on God. One of my favorite ancient theologians, Thomas A’Kempis, wrote this in his classic book “The Imitation of Christ”: True peace of heart therefore is found by resisting our passions, not by obeying them. Our Savior is the only One who can master us without abusing us. And sometimes, allowing ourselves to feel physical hunger pains is what prompts us to lean more fully into Jesus to satisfy the spiritual hunger in our hearts and minds. We’re diving in pretty deep today y’all, so please grab a tall glass of something refreshing, along with your Bible and a notebook or sticky pad and come hang out on the porch with us. We’re so grateful we get to spend this time with you.

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is the first in a 4-part series exploring the biblical foundations of “Spiritual Formation.” There are lots of strong opinions regarding which practices in particular should be included in a classic spiritual formation plan, but we’re only going to cover a couple here on BPT, beginning with table fellowship. Have you ever noticed how often Jesus gathered around a table with His friends and disciples and shared a meal? The Gospels include as many depictions of our Savior eating as it does Him praying! Frankly, sharing meals and worshipping God are synergistic throughout the Bible. Please grab your favorite beverage, a couple of snacks, and your Bible then come prop your feet up on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here!

Today’s conversation on the porch is a highlight reel of the theological topics that have garnered the most response from y’all. Things like how the gap between our formal theology and our functional becomes a seedbed of hypocrisy. We’re also going to talk about how the Bible is much more about “we” than “me” and how community is the most effective hermeneutic of the Gospel – in other words, we formulate our understanding of who our Creator Redeemer is largely through the lens of community. Which reminds me, the only reason Alli, Dr. Howard and I get to do this podcast is because you choose to pull your chairs up to the proverbial porch with us – thank you. We’re so grateful for this community of faith and it is such a joy to get to dive deeply into the Word of God and lean more fully into the love of God with y’all. So, you know the drill: grab a cup of coffee and your Bible – and come prop your feet up on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here.

Today’s conversation is a first on Back Porch Theology because we’ve chosen three highlights from the entire library of our previous 187 podcasts and put them together in a special Best-Views-From-the-Porch episode that we hope not only puts a smile on your fact but helps you lean more fully into the unconditional love of our Creator Redeemer. And spoiler alert: we’re covering a wide swath of biblical territory today - from Ezer Kenegdo in Genesis to synergos in Romans - so you might want to bring some high energy snacks and don’t forget your Bible. Alli, Dr. Howard and I are so glad you’re here – it’s both an honor and a delight for us to get to spend this time focusing our attention and affection on Jesus with y’all! Thank you very much for choosing to carve out the time to hang out with us.

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is a sequel because Alli and I got to hang out with one of our dear friends, Professor Kristi McLelland. This snippet from Kristi’s new book, Feasting on God’s Word, will give you a glimpse of the adventure we’re diving into today: “Life is both long and short. It has high and low moments. The promise of the Bible is that God is with us in and through it all. He has never been afraid of entering into the dust and ruin; restoration renewal, and repair are part of who He is.” We’re diving in pretty deep today y’all, so I’d encourage you to lean in and listen when you’ve got some breathing space and a little elbow room for the great, big, beautiful – albeit possibly weary – heart of yours. So please grab your favorite beverage, some yummy snacks, and that divine love letter we call the Bible. Then pull up a chair and prop your feet up on the porch with Alli, Professor Kristi, and me – we’re grateful you’ve carved out the time and space to be with us today.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli and I have the distinct privilege of diving deep into this divine love letter we call the Bible with one of our very dear friends who just so happens to be a world-renowned Bible scholar, Professor Kristi McLelland. Kristi spent over a year living in Egypt and Israel so that she could study Scripture in its original socio-historical context, and the fruits of her labor will leave you gob-smacked with wonder over the accessible, redemptive truisms in God’s Word. Just listen to this excerpt from her new book, Feasting on God’s Word, “We are not orphans; we are not fatherless. We do not have to open the Bible and dig something out to feed ourselves. We are not alone in the moment. When we approach the Word of God, we do so as sons and daughters postured to receive. Rather than having to feed ourselves, we are readying ourselves to inherit and take in whatever the living God is ready to say and do as we interact with the Text.” If you want less duty and more delight when you engage with the redemptive narrative and promises found in God’s enscripturated revelation, today’s episode is tailor made for you, baby! So please grab an iced mocha and of course bring your Bible as you pull up a proverbial chair on the porch with us…we’re really glad you’re here!

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is with some of the world’s most renowned Bible scholars and theologians who were with us for Kerygma ‘25 including: Dr. Lynn Cohick, Dr. Craig Blomberg, Dr. Craig Keener, Dr. Dorian Coover Cox, Dr. Scot McKnight, Dr. Jim Howard, Dr. Nicole Massey Martin, Dr. Eva Bleeker, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle. Here’s a sample of just a few of the questions they answer: What’s the significance of the numerous “in Christ” references throughout Paul’s New Testament epistles and how do they prove that God’s love drives His redemptive plan? Why is Augustine’s famous assertion: “In essentials – UNITY; in non-essentials, FREEDOM; in all things – CHARITY” necessary for a well-developed ecclesiology and missional focus? How can those of us who are serious about our faith not lose our heart for Jesus and other image bearers in our quest for biblical accuracy and theological acumen? Why do we have to be careful about merging triumphalism and exceptionalism into our faith narrative? How we can best tune our spiritual ears to the shape in which our Creator Redeemer contextualized this love letter we call the Bible? Today’s dream team of scholars is about to give us a master class of biblically informed wisdom infused with grace and humility. So please grab a jumbo cup of java, your Bible, a notebook, and come hang out on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology, Alli and I are hanging out with one of my dear friends, DawnCheré Wilkerson, who’s really gifted at something I really struggle with, which is waiting. The first time I met DawnCheré – about ten years ago – she and her husband, Pastor Rich Wilkerson, were in the midst of a very long season of infertility. And yet she was somehow pregnant with hope. When I asked her how she held onto genuine hope and joy after so many years of heartbreak and disappointment, she told me that God was teaching her to live in the wait. Waiting is inescapable. And while we might feel like a whole lot of nothing is going on in a slow burn, we couldn’t be more wrong. There most definitely is something going on. God has not forgotten you and because of His immutable presence and grace, we can all experience the miraculous juxtaposition of divine wonder within our waits. So please fix yourself a cup of coffee and your Bible, and come hang out on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here today.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli and I are diving deep into the swirling waters of gender discrimination disguised as biblically-sound exegesis. Recent polls have revealed that for the first time in American church history, young women are leaving mainline Christian congregations at a higher rate than young men and one of the main reasons cited is their observation and/or personal experience with misogyny. With being treated as “less than” simply because they’re female. Thankfully, despite culture’s penchant for the prejudicial treatment of women, God’s redemptive plan reveals itself over and over again in the metanarrative of the Bible, as evidenced by several Old and New Testament stories we’re going to unpack on the porch today. And while we’re calling this episode “Let’s hear it for the girls” we sincerely hope that all of you amazing brothers who’ve pulled up a chair to the porch will stay; because gentlemen, we need you. You’re in a unique position and have more potential than you probably even realize to help broken hearted daughters in the family of faith heal. We need more than a few good and godly men who will stand up for what the Bible really says it comes to this painful, and often polarizing issue. So please grab an extra-large iced beverage and your Bible – unless, of course, you’ve got your hands full skimming frogs out of the pool as we get ready for summer - and come hang out on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here.

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is the part-two sequel of An Antidote to Self-Centeredness Disguised as Spirituality. The bottom line is, it’s more important than ever to embrace the gospel story as the ultimate lens through which we understand life or pretty soon everything’s going to become blurry. Which underscores the new for a new kind of catechism – a fresh way to understand and communicate the concrete, biblical scaffolding of our belief system as Christ-followers. Dr. Trevin Wax calls what we’re talking about today a disruptive discipleship tool…Alli and I can guarantee it’ll put fresh wind in your sails. So please grab your favorite beverage and your Bible and pull your chair right next to ours on this proverbial porch – we’re really glad you’re here!

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli and I are diving into the swampy waters of ideology with Dr. Trevin Wax. Trevin will help us understand and learn how to better practice what some have called counter-catechesis – that is sorting out our Christian belief system in a thoughtful way that effectively says, “You’ve heard it communicated like this on a popular podcast or Instagram reel, but now let’s look at what the Bible actually says about that issue.” Grab a caffeinated beverage and a hearty snack, plus your Bible and a notebook if you’ve got one handy, and then come pull up a chair on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here!

You know that old, familiar ice-breaker question, “If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?” Well, during today’s episode of Back Porch Theology – which was taped live at our 2025 Kerygma Summit a few weeks ago. And yes, we happen to be hugely biased, but y’all this bevy of Bible scholars could aptly be described as Wonder Women. Dr. Lynn Cohick is the Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Director of Houston Theological Seminary. Dr. Eva Bleeker is assistant professor of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care at Denver Seminary. Dr. Irini Fambro, she and her family reside in Dallas where she serves as president of The King’s University. Dr. Dorian Coover-Cox is a beloved Old Testament professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and has tutored hundreds of students in Hebrew over the years. And rounding out this dream team is Dr. Nicole Massey Martin. She’s currently the COO for Christianity Today, and served as a senior VP at The American Bible Society. Today’s episode is going to be FIRE, y’all ~ so please grab a great big iced mocha. Welcome to the porch – we’re so glad you’ve chosen to hang out with us today!

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is a part two, so if you haven’t listened to last week’s conversation with our friend Katherine Wolf, I encourage you to do so. Now before we dive in, I’d like to read a brief excerpt from Katherine’s latest book titled, Treasures in the Dark: “David taught me that laughter and worship aren’t so different. In fact, they are simply two of the shapes that hope takes. Both laughter and worship are most powerful when offered from full brokenness of body or of circumstance. Sure, it’s great to celebrate and praise God when life is good. But whooping with laughter when you can hardly speak or raising your hands in worship from the seat of a wheelchair…now that’s evidence of a soul who has found transcending security and joy in Divine Love. Suffering can harden us to the good things in life, or it can open us up to receive them with abandon.” Grab your Bible if you’ve got one and welcome to the porch…we’re really glad you’re here.

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is with my friend Katherine Wolf about God’s compassionate purpose with regards to our pain. Many of you have probably heard or read some of Katherine’s story – she suffered a massive stroke when she was 26 years old, not long after giving birth to her and her husband Jay’s first son, James. Her story is riddled with debilitating physical and emotional suffering – which she endures to this day – and yet she honestly oozes hope. Because she learned to find treasures in the dark by asking the hard and awkward questions pain prompts: Where is God in this? Am I alone? What is the point of all this suffering? Is hope just a cruel, false promise? Katherine dared to wrestle for answers without letting go of God. This is a rich and layered conversation so it’s best to listen slowly and give the tenderest places in your heart time to soak it all in. Thank you for carving out the time to be with us today…we’re really glad you’re here.

Today is a red-letter kind of day here on Back Porch Theology because Alli and I have the undeserved privilege and absolute delight of having a conversation with one of the world’s foremost experts on the New Testament canon, specifically the Gospels, Dr. Craig Blomberg. It’s not every day you get to sit down with a brilliant saint with a PhD from the University Aberdeen, read an excerpt from his classic book called: “The Historical Reliability of the New Testament” – which, by the way, is just one of almost twenty academic books and commentaries that Dr. Blomberg’s written – and then ask him this question: Will you please explain the term “hermeneutical spiral” as well as how it can be useful as we seek to not simply read and interpret the Bible but actually be read and interpreted by the Bible? Welcome to Back Porch Theology’s scholar edition…we’re really glad you’ve chosen to hang out with us today.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology after the initial belly laughs we dive pretty deep – as is often the case with BPT - into a theme that’s been my heartbeat for the last several years, which is what it really means to live a Jesus-shaped life. To imitate Jesus authentically, not just with religious language and ethical ideology. Theology is anything but sterile subject matter, y’all – it was meant to be lived, not simply learned - because God isn’t a proposition to be examined, He’s a triune personhood with whom we get to engage! So please get yourself a yummy iced latte, and come hang out on the porch with us…we’re really glad you’re here!

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is an encore with Natalie Grant and Bernie Herms because we simply could fit all the wisdom bombs they dropped regarding hanging onto hope when the miracle you prayed for seems delayed into one episode! Plus, since we’ve had lots of DM’s and e-mails from y’all requesting content on how to have more Jesus-shaped relationships, we thought it’d be a good idea to ask Nat and Bernie a few questions about what they’ve learned from 20+ years of marriage, especially given the added stress of extensive travel, public scrutiny, and infertility. We’re so glad you’re here on the porch with us!

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology, I have the absolute delight of diving deep into some real-life stuff with two dear friends, Natalie Grant, and her husband, Bernie Herms. Unless you’re living off the grid and are listening to BPT through a coconut and dental floss, you’ve no doubt heard Natalie’s stellar voice because she’s been a recording artist for over twenty years and has more awards – including multiple female artist of the year awards – than you could fit in the back of a truck. And Bernie’s success as a music producer is every bit as extraordinary as Nat’s; he’s also been honored with a plethora of accolades, including several Grammys. If you feel like you’re running low on hope this season because the miracle you’ve been trusting God for hasn’t happened yet, Nat and Bernie’s story is going to provide both empathy and encouragement and will help reframe our perspectives regarding God’s sovereignty and our expectancy.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re wrapping up a 3-part series on Zephaniah in a series we called “The Theology of Compassionate Consequences”. It may initially sound like an oxymoron – a contradiction in terms - to pair the words “compassionate” and “consequences” together, kind of like “jumbo shrimp” or “act naturally” or “climb down”. It begs the question, “If God really is unconditionally loving, then why do we have to suffer consequences at all?” Here’s the deal y’all, God’s parameters aren’t punitive or pejorative…they are always promissory and protective. Psalm 16:5 says it best, “His boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places.” Alli, Dr. Howard & I are so happy you’ve chosen to carve out this time to hang out on the porch with us, please grab a cup of coffee and your Bible, then feel free to lean back and put your feet up. This is a safe place to lean further into the unconditional love of our Creator Redeemer.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology, the second in a series on God’s severe mercy – which is kind of like saying His divine discipline ALWAYS takes place under a canopy of grace - we’re swimming in the deep end of a colorful, albeit very concise book in the Old Testament called Zephaniah. His overarching theme regarding how our crooked hearts will consistently lead us off cliffs without God’s compassionate intervention reminds me of something one of my favorite authors, Brennan Manning, wrote: “If we gloss over our selfishness and rationalize the evil within us, we can only pretend we are sinners and therefore only pretend we have been forgiven.” Come hang out on the porch with Alli, Dr. Howard, and me.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology – the first in a series of three – we’re going to delve into some pretty spicy subject matter in the colorful Old Testament book of Zephaniah regarding the overt rebellion of God’s people. We’re going to examine how our spiritual ancestors effectively thumbed their noses at God’s holiness, turned their backs on His kindness, and went out and did whatever nasty, selfish stuff their crooked little hearts desired. Plus, they did so despite His gracious warning that there would be serious consequences for their wicked behavior. My guess is things are about to get a little hot up in here so you might want to bring an iced latte to the porch today!

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re going to bring this 4- part series on prayer to a close, which is kind of like taking the very last bite of the very last brownie in a pan. It’s left me wanting more. A few nights ago, I found myself rereading some of the material I’d studied on prayer in preparation for this series and got lost in an old book my dad gave me many years ago by a saint named, E.M. Bounds. He was an attorney and Civil War soldier, who then became a pastor after being seriously wounded in the war, and ultimately a devoted practitioner and prolific author on prayer. I’d almost forgotten that great man of prayer was the pastor of a church right here in Franklin, TN in the late 1800’s, just a few miles from our house. So I drove past his old church, the First United Methodist Church on Fifth Avenue yesterday, and pondered a few of his observations on prayer: • Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet. • Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God’s saints have been held. • I would rather have prayer without words than words without prayer. And finally it was E.M. Bounds who described Christoformity as the consummate shape of prayer, “When we see how the life of Jesus was but one of prayer, then we must conclude that to be like Jesus is to pray like Jesus.” We’re calling today’s episode - our swan song on The Theology of Prayer - “How God Himself Said Grace.” So please grab a cup of coffee, your Bible, and a prayer journal – or my favorite thing to write notes on, which is a neon sticky pad – and come hang out on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here.

Today's episode on Back Porch Theology is really special. I mean, all of them are really special. It's kind of like choosing your favorite ice cream flavor, but this feels more like a real family episode, because I get to bring in some friends from the Found Collective. Found Collective is a new event for women to lean more fully into Jesus with Bible teachers and worship leaders. I've got three of my dear friends from the Found Collective, Hosanna Wong, amazing Bible teacher, spoken word artist, Kari Jobe, who's like a little sister, and one of my favorite modern-day psalmists, and Taya Gaukrodger. Taya is also just an amazing artist and worship leader, and we are just kind of hanging out on the porch talking about Jesus, talking about salvation and all that He's done for us. So, this is a little more testimonial than some of our other episodes, which means I hope you are wearing stretchy pants or something comfortable. I hope you've got some sweet tea or your favorite coffee. We want you to lean back, put your feet up, and just enjoy this time of leaning into the embrace of Jesus more fully on the porch. We are so glad you're here! For tickets to Found: Please visit https://foundcollective.com/

What happens with the supernatural starts to become more natural? During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re peeling off whatever emotional Spanx are left and getting totally vulnerable in the praxis of prayer. This is our third conversation in a 4-part series we’ve titled The Theology of Prayer. Our fervent hope and prayer is that the time we get to spend on the porch today will help demystify the glorious sacrament of prayer and serve as an encouraging catalyst for all of us to become more confident and consistent in our conversations with God. So please grab a cup of coffee – although decaf might be the best option since we’re going to learn a few anxiety-pulverizing prayers – your Bible, and a prayer journal if you have one and come exhale into the kindness of King Jesus with us. We’re glad you’re here.

How do you pray? During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology, we’re rolling up our sleeves in this second of a 4-part series on prayer and getting practical because we’re going to talk about the awesomely vast and varied praxis of prayer. In my experience, far too many of us have been taught - overtly or tacitly - that there’s one “right” way to pray and unfortunately the implication we perceived is that we’re a square peg in the round hole of prayer and don’t know how to “correctly” commune with God. The prayers recorded in the redemptive history of God’s people are wonderfully diverse. There are short prayers and long prayers and quiet petitions and shouted pleas, they reflect both the rapture and the rupture of real people experiencing real life! What IS a common denominator in the conversations people had with our Creator in Scripture is the awareness that we humans can’t make it by ourselves - we NEED His divine help! So please grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea or thimble full of wheat grass juice, a couple of snacks, your Bible and a prayer journal if you have one - otherwise a couple of sticky notes will do - and come hang out on the porch with us. We’re really glad you’re here.

Ever wonder why do we pray? Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is the first of a four-part series we’re really excited and passionate about called The Theology of Prayer. Alli, Dr. Howard and I have talked and dreamed and pondered and of course prayed about doing a series on prayer for years, and I think the main reason it’s taken us so long to finally record this series is because the glorious rich, nuanced, profound, practical and transformative experience of communing with our Creator Redeemer is kind of like the mouth-watering brisket they serve at Buccees. Karl Barth – one of my favorite theologians wrote this, “To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” Isn’t that good? I’m not nearly as wise as those saints but in my experience of being a Christ-follower for more than half a century now, I’ve found prayer to be the very scaffolding of my security and contentment. At this point in my life, prayer is as necessary and life-giving as breathing. We’re really looking forward to the next couple of episodes and we’re so grateful to get to share them with y’all.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology, the very last stop in our topsy-turvy tour through Judges, we’re going to hang out with a hot mess of a man who was my favorite character in biblical narrative – apart from Jesus, of course – when I was a little girl. His name was Samson and I’m not sure why I was so captivated by him when I was a kid because for most of his life, he was a rebel without a clue. Although Sam’s birth announcement was engraved by an angel, and he was doted on by good and godly parents who suffered through decades of infertility before they got pregnant with him, he rejected their morality and devotion to God and went careening in the opposite direction. I’m not going to spoil the audacious end of his story in this preview, but if you’ve been on the porch for the last few episodes, you know that divine redemption is always lurking in the darkest alleys of humanity. Dr. Tim Keller explained it beautifully, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” We’re serving up extra portions of hope on the porch today, so we’re delighted you’ve chosen to pull up a chair to chow down with us. Please grab your favorite beverage, and a Bible and let’s dive into this divine love story and remind our prone-to-wander selves of the miraculous redemption available to us because God’s faithfulness has always been weightier than our flaws!

During today’s podcast on Back Porch Theology we’re exploring one of the greatest leaders in the history of God’s people who just so happens to be a chick named Deb! She was both a judge and a prophetess. Which means she was kind of like a president and pastor rolled into one - the entire prone-to-wander nation of Israel turned to her for leadership, wisdom, and spiritual guidance. And another unlikely heroine makes her debut during Deborah’s timeline, too. Her name was Jael and let me tell you, that woman was LEGIT - she could have held her own against a burly, tatted MMA fighter twice her size! Even though these women’s stories take place long before David’s in redemptive history, they illustrate what God said to Samuel about Davey when he was anointed to be the future king of Israel before he even started shaving, “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” In other words, God delights in using misfits in miraculous ways. Don’t forget, the book of Judges was a bleak chapter in the history of God’s people – there was no king on the throne, the Word of God was not being taught in the land, and most people were doing whatever crooked little hearts desired. It looked as if their toes were hanging over the edge of obscurity. And based on their rebellion and idolatry, they deserved to be fried into greased spots of oblivion by some divine lightning bolt. Instead, our Heavenly Father inserts a couple of unlikely heroes into their drama, which results in an epic military victory as well as a national revival. The brightest mornings often follow the darkest nights when we give God the sole authorship of our story. It a great day to hang out on the porch, so please grab your favorite beverage, your Bible, and a snack and come prop your feet up with us. We love getting to spend this time with you.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re diving into our second in a series called The Theology of ROAR that explores the cyclical, increasingly damaging nature of unconfessed sin. Unbridled rebellion is like a hoard of hungry termites on a piece of damp wood, it eats away at our emotional and relational integrity until there’s nothing left but dust and regret. But here’s the great news, throughout human history God has consistently interrupted the chaos of our rebellion with His compassionate spirit. And when Holy Spirit permeates our conscious, we become not simply cognizant that we’re unwell, we become aware that our Creator is also our Healer. Contrary to the flawed reasoning of many in modern culture, a heightened awareness of our own sin nature doesn’t lead to depression, instead it shifts our fallenness into the realm of real hope! It’s what Jesus was talking about in Mark chapter two when He said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Today we’re going to get up close and personal with a dude who did just that. He started out as a weenie but ended up an epic warrior in God’s kingdom, once again proving that you can start bad and end up awesome when grace invades your story. We’re so grateful you’ve carved out this time to hang out on the porch with us; getting to lean into the unconditional love of God with y’all has become a habit we hope we don’t ever have to break! Which reminds me, if you haven’t already, will you please subscribe to BPT on whatever app you use to listen to podcasts? Your subscriptions ensure that Alli, Dr. Howard and I get to keep doing this podcast, so thank you very, very much.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re diving into a new series called The Theology of ROAR – that’s an acronym for Rebellion, Oppression, Asking for God’s Forgiveness, and Restoration. And you’re going to need to buckle your seat belts for this one because we’re taking an exegetical tour through a really tumultuous time in redemptive history when there was no king on the throne, the Word of God was not being taught in the land, and people were doing whatever their crooked little hearts desired. It was essentially the Wild West of idolatry and rebellion, which quickly led to bondage and oppression, and finally – when God’s image bearers were sick of being flat on their face in the stinky muck of their consequences – they looked up and asked Him to forgive them. And He did…over and over again. Fortunately for humanity, the Bible is riddled with true stories that illustrate how a thimbleful of sincere repentance has the power to unleash an avalanche of divine restoration. Sin is anything but innocuous, y’all – it robs us of peace, shoplifts our joy, fertilizes addictive and narcissistic behavioral patterns, which erode trust and intimacy with our friends and families, and worst still sin creates heartbreaking distance between us and the God who loves us more than we can ask or imagine. And yet His grace is greater still. There is no confessed sin so grievous that it has the power to permanently catapult outside of our Savior’s ability to redeem the ruins of our lives into something truly beautiful. Where there’s real repentance, there is always restoration. Remember how Holy Spirit often manifests as wind in both the Old and New Testament canons? Well, I think some saints are going to get a fresh gust of it in their sagging sails today; no matter what lies the enemy has been whispering to you in the dark when you feel completely alone and like the last drop of hope is draining out of the colander of your heart, I promise, this doesn’t have to be the end of your story. Today’s going to be a good day on the porch and we’re very grateful we get to spend it with you. So please grab a cup of coffee and your Bible and come lean into some fresh grace with us.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re going to dive deep into a miraculous, modern story that highlights how God can take what seem to be the absolute ruins of a life and restore them into a spiritual leader. Sometimes we forget that Abraham was a lunar worshipper before God tapped him to be the father of a theocracy; that Moses was guilty of homicide before God tapped him to lead His people out of captivity; that Elijah had a massive meltdown under a broom tree after witnessing God’s powerful presence on Mt. Carmel; or that John the Baptist – the forerunner of our Messiah – literally doubted the divinity of Jesus when he was languishing in prison. Biblical narrative is riddled with stories about saints who lost their way, only to run headlong into divine mercy in the middle of literal and proverbial deserts. Playwright Oscar Wilde – whose reputation was much more playboy than choirboy – sure spoke the truth when he wrote,“Every Saint Has a Past and Every Sinner Has a Future.” The testimony you’re about to hear is a poignant antidote for shame and loneliness…it will expose ugly, insidious lies like, “I’m too dirty or too damaged to deserve true love” to the light of the Gospel where they’ll shrivel up and die. Frankly, some of the most radiant believers I’ve ever met – certainly the most authentic and grateful Christ-followers – are the ones with the most brokenness in their backstory. In light of John’s proclamation in Revelation 12 – that the enemy is defeated by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony – I believe the next forty minutes has enough tangible hope to help more than a few begin to break free from heavy emotional bondage. However, some of the subject matter we’re going to cover isn’t suited for little ears so if you normally listen in the car with your kiddos in the backseat, please wait until those precious punkins’ aren’t within earshot to pull your chair up to the porch. And when you do so, please bring a large cup of coffee, a few of your favorite snacks, and your Bible - then feel free to exhale and prop your feet up because this is a safe place to relax and lean further into the unconditional love of Jesus, no matter what your backstory is.

We can hardly believe we’ve come to the end of this series called the Theology of Worship! I hope it’s encouraged you as much as it’s encouraged us. Sometimes I found myself white-knuckling it in order to hang onto love, joy, peace and hope during all the public discord and rancor of 2024, so it’s been really lovely to start out 2025 with this deep dive into worship. It’s been like an oasis, where much like the woman at the well I’ve encountered Living Water and have experienced renewal that I wasn’t even aware my heart was yearning for until it found me. Modern theologian John Ortberg wisely said, “I need to worship because without it I lose a sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with blinders on.” We’re wrapping up this series with a super special bow because Jeremy and Adie Camp let Alli and me twist their arms and they’ve come back to help us seal that sense of wonder and gratitude that comes with being a fully devoted worshipper of Jesus Christ. So please grab a cup of coffee, your Bible, a journal and make sure you’re wearing your comfy pants because today’s going to be like a spiritual spa day for your heart. Thanks so much for pulling a chair up to the porch with us, we’re glad you’re here.

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is the second to last in our series The Theology of Worship, and it’s a really special moment for Alli and me because we get to share two dear friends with y’all for the first time here on BPT, Jeremy and Adie Camp. Of course, many of you are probably already familiar with Jeremy because while he’s only 46, he’s already a legend in Christian music with over 6 million albums sold, 44 #1 singles, and more than 2 billion streams. And many of you probably watched the 2020 movie, I Still Believe, which tells the unforgettable story of how Jeremy’s first wife, Melissa, died of cancer when she was very young, and how that tragic loss tested his faith, taught him how to hang onto the goodness of God when life is anything but good, and ultimately led him to Adie. The most believable believers I’ve ever met are those who’ve waded honestly through woundedness without letting go of God’s hand. Those who’ve trudged through dark nights of the soul only to come out on the other side trusting Him more fully, despite still having questions that will never be answered this side of Glory. Jeremy and Adie are those kind of people. Alli and I love them and can unequivocally say that we see Jesus more clearly as a result of their friendship. I can almost guarantee that you will too after hanging out with them today so please grab your favorite beverage, a couple snacks, and your Bible and come camp out on the porch with the Camps and us!

Today's conversation on Back Porch Theology is the fourth in our series on worship and is part two of last week's episode with Darlene Zschech, who many consider to be the mother of modern day worship music. Brooke Ligertwood ~ who's one of the most anointed people I've ever had the pure joy of being led to the throne room of Jesus by and whose songs are also beloved by millions of Christ followers around the world ~ was mentored by Darlene in Australia and Brooke not only refers to her as a mother of worship music, she explains that her longevity of service to the church and devotion to God and His people make her accolades pale in comparison. Because while Darlene paved the way for how so many of us now praise our Creator Redeemer in public sanctuaries, as well as the privacy of our cars and kitchens, she carries her calling with tangible humility. But don't mistake her humility for weakness because she continues to tutor the body of Christ in how worship is a weapon through which we can push back the darkness and hang on to the goodness of God when our circumstances are anything but. Y'all better strap yourself into your rockers on the porch today, because our Aussie "Aunty" is about to take us to church! So please grab an extra large cup of coffee, as well as your Bible and get ready to have your spiritual sword sharpened because you're going to be inspired to plunge it into the scaly heart of that evil dragon, satan, in short order. I truly believe today's going to be a turning point for some of you who've almost given up hope that you'll survive ~ much less win ~ the battle that's currently raging in your heart and mind. We're so glad and so grateful you're here on the porch with us today ~ hang on, I promise fresh hope is right around the corner. He's got you...He has NOT abandoned you and He never will.

Okay I really need your help during today's conversation on BPT ~ which is part of a new series we started this year called "The Theology of Worship." And I'm playing my phone-a-friend card with all of you amazing backporchers because I have the wildly undeserved privilege of hanging out with one of my heroines of the faith and while I'm going to do my very best not to fan-girl since that's tacky and biblically indefensible, I can assure you I'm about to be discombobulated. Plus, when I'm around a saint with as much integrity and wisdom as Darlene Zschech, I tend to babble even more than usual so please pray for me and you might want to hover your finger above the fast forward icon so you can leapfrog over my wind-baggyness! Darlene Zschech is an Australian singer-songwriter, worship leader, author, and speaker. She and her husband Mark are the Senior Pastors of Hope Unlimited Church (HopeUC) on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, which now has churches in the US and India. She's won more awards than you could fit in the back of a Ford F150 ~ including the Gospel Music Association's International Award for influence in praise and worship ~ and has recorded a slew of gold and platinum projects over the past three decades. She's probably the most well-known for writing and singing “Shout to the Lord,” a worship anthem that's been sung by millions and translated into multiple languages. However, when you meet Darlene it becomes immediately apparent that her kindness and humility actually dwarf her extraordinary musical gifts. Today is a really special, red-letter sort of day on the porch so please grab your favorite drink, some yummy snacks, your Bible, and a journal and come prop your feet up with me and "Darls." And don't forget to pray y'all, because I'm already feeling light headed!

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology in our on-going series on the theology of worship is a continuation of last week because we had such an awesome time leaning into all that Scripture reveals Jesus to be, learning from each other’s stories – especially the difficult chapters - and laughing that we simply had to have a part two of this conversation! Aren’t you grateful that being serious about our faith and being serious about ourselves aren’t synonymous? I thoroughly enjoy getting to spend time with people who are fully devoted to Jesus Christ but aren’t full of themselves! And saints who feel free enough to laugh at themselves are my absolute favorite kind of people. Which aptly describes the girl gang we’re hanging out with again today. Hope Darst, Tasha Layton, Hillary Scott and Rita Springer are too young to be called legends, but they have written and sung a multitude of songs that have shaped the musical landscape of worship. Between them they’ve won multiple Grammys and CMA’s and Doves and KLove Fan Awards, and yet this foursome reeks humility. They are much like the Skinhorse in the story of the Velveteen Rabbit…life has worn them thin enough to recognize that whether they have a number one song or fall completely off the charts, Jesus is the only Hero of humanity’s story and commercial success apart from intimacy with our Creator Redeemer is devoid of any real meaning. Mind you, as we continue to emphasize in this series, music is only one facet of how we worship as Christ followers – in fact, the Bible describes worship more as the posture of our hearts than the melody that falls out of our mouths. Which is why the theme of today’s conversation is less about melodic tunes than it is about biblical truths. What does worship look like when we aren’t singing or listening to Christian music? How do we maintain the posture of worshipping God when we’re dealing with deep disappointment, disillusionment, or debilitating depression. Is it possible to have a broken heart and hands raised in praise at the same time? It’s going to get raw and real today y’all, so please grab your Bible, a notebook, and some yummy snacks – I always find chocolate to be an excellent companion when taking raw and real adventures – and come give that great big, beautiful heart God placed in your chest some time and space to exhale on the porch with us. We’re really, really glad you’re here.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology, Alli and I are both bouncing with enthusiastic expectancy because we’ve gathered a phenomenal foursome of wise women whose hearts, minds, and ministries have been shaped by worship. Hope Darst has been leading worship – both in her home church and on stages around the world for decades, although unlike most artists she signed her first record deal at the age of 39 in 2019. Since then, she’s penned several singles that have blessed millions of believers including Peace Be Still, Come Alive, and If the Lord Builds the House. Tasha Layton’s vocational and life experience is crazy colorful – before coming to faith in Jesus Christ, she studied Buddhism and spent four years touring all over the world as a back-up vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry. She’s now a Christian music favorite and her latest single – Worship Through It – which is especially pertinent for today’s conversation – was number one on the charts recently. Our third worship tutor today is Hillary Scott. If you’re a country music fan, you’re familiar with my dear friend Hillary because she’s part of the platinum selling, multiple Grammy and CMA award-winning band, Lady A. What you might not know is that Hillary began her storied musical career as a worship leader and has never stopped using her pipes to point people to Jesus. Rounding out this fabulous foursome of guests on the porch today is Rita Springer. If you mention the name Rita Springer in the company of young worship leaders, it’s likely one or two will involuntarily gasp because she’s sort of like the Michael Jordan of worship leading. In addition to writing and recording songs for the church at large for the past 30+ years, Rita has also mentored hundreds of Christian artists and worship leaders around the world. Having Hope, Tasha, Hillary and Rita here together to dive into the theology of worship is the equivalent of having Muttiah Muralitharan and Richard Hadlee here to dive into the subject of bowling because they are two of the greatest professional bowlers the world has ever seen. Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best analogy since bowling does seem to be more of a niche sport, but the bottom line is we’ve got a few of the most experienced and humble worship leaders of this generation gathered on the porch today to help us lean more fully into the embrace of Jesus, which is what shapes how we live and lead as Christ followers. I’m so excited about how God is going to reveal Himself to us today so please grab your Bible and your favorite beverage and your most comfortable chair and pull it up close to ours on the porch because believe me, you’re going to want to hear every single word these saints share today.

Today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology is all about the contextual biblical scaffolding for a series we’re calling the Theology of Worship. But lest you think we’re going to be talking about the three or four songs before a sermon or our preferred style of music, let me assure you this conversation isn’t just for people who can carry a tune or for those who know how to navigate their Apple music ap! Frankly, our tendency to associate worship solely with music is like limiting ourselves to one food group for every single meal for the rest of our lives – I love Tex Mex y’all, but if I had to eat chips and queso three times a day, every day, for the rest of my life it would be sadly and unnecessarily reductive! In the Christian context, worship is so much wider and deeper and more comprehensive than a song list or a musical genre. Case in point, listen to what one of our favorite theologians here at BPT – Dr. N.T. Wright – says about the centrality of worship: "All kingdom work is rooted in worship. Or, to put it the other way around, worshipping the God we see at work in Jesus is the most politically charged act we can ever perform. Christian worship decares that Jesus is Lord and that therefore, by strong implication, nobody else is. What’s more, it doesn’t just declare it as something to be believed, like the fact that the sun is hot or the sea wet. It commits the worshipper to allegiance, to following this Jesus, to being shaped and directed by him. Worshipping the God we see in Jesus orients our whole being, our imagination, our will, our hopes, and our fears away from the world where Mars, Mammon, and Aphrodite (violence, money, and sex) make absolute demands and punish anyone who resists. It orients us instead to a world in which love is stronger than death, the poor are promised the kingdom, and chastity (whether married or single) reflects the holiness and faithfulness of God himself. Acclaiming Jesus as Lord plants a flag that supersedes the flags of our nations, however 'free' or 'democratic' they may be." In other words, WORSHIP is the fruit and fuel of our faith, the flagpole we rally around as those who’ve been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Worship is the very essence of our spiritual DNA. Just as a half dozen and six communicate the same number of eggs, to have faith in Jesus Christ and to be a worshipper should be synonymous. Worship isn’t simply a verb for the musically inclined among us, it should be the passionate preoccupation of God’s people. Okay, as you can tell we’re pretty fired up today so you’d better grab a cup of something caffeinated and your Bible – unless you’re listening to this while simultaneously trying to figure out how to increase the incline on the treadmill at the gym you just joined because you’re determined to ditch the Spanx in 2025 – and come hang out on the porch with us for some genuine, digital community and hopefully some real encouragement. We’re really grateful to get to spend this time hanging out with y’all.

Today's Happy New Year conversation is akin to dancing with a 500-pound gorilla with balance issues because most of us are going to get our proverbial toes pinched! The reason why is we're going to get real about how our daily digital gluttony ~ from scrolling through social media, Googling down one rabbit trail after another, perusing the pretend aisles of Amazon Prime, and reconnecting with old high school flames who slid into our DMs ~ is making us heartsick. Multiple highly regarded scientific studies over the past few years have revealed that the excessive time most of us spend staring at our phone screens has a negative impact on our neuro-pathways, as well as our primary relationships. Plus, there's irrefutable proof now that adolescents’ brains ~ which are still developing ~ become more sensitive when anticipating social rewards and punishments over time with increased social media usage. In other words, the measurable result of all those hours our kids are spending on TikTok and viewing reels, is a heightened sense of insecurity and self-doubt. Not installing boundaries on the amount of digital data we're consuming every day is the neurological and emotional equivalent of giving a hungry fox the key code to our chicken coup, y'all! So here's the deal ~ after hanging out with my pastor today, Dr. Darren Whitehead ~ who's an expert when it comes to the corrosive consequences of the constant digital barrage of modern culture ~ we're going to invite you to join us for a relatively brief digital detox here at the beginning of 2025 and learn how making our smart phones a little dumber will make our relationships with God and each other a whole lot richer! For some of you saints this single conversation has the potential to change the trajectory of '2025 and not only redeem huge chunks of time locusts have devoured in your life but quite possibly begin the closing the intimacy gap you've unwittingly allowed your phone to create between you and the people you love. So please grab a cup of coffee, your Bible, and a notebook or journal and pull your chair up on the porch with us for this caboose of 2024 conversation. Happy New Year ~ we're really happy you're here.

During today’s Christmas-is-here-y’all conversation on Back Porch Theology we’re talking about the unlikely gift of waiting. Now if you’re anything like me and you got the gift of waiting this season, your first reaction would be to hope it came with a receipt so you could return it! It’s taken me a really long time – no pun intended – but I’m finally learning that when God authors a pause in my story, there’s redemptive purpose in it. Ancient theologian and beloved pastor, Charles Spurgeon explained it much better than I can: If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people. It may initially seem like wishful thinking, if not downright rude and intrusive, to emphasize slowness during the week of Christmas ~ which all too often is filled with more frenzy than figgy pudding, especially when those gifts we ordered on Amazon Prime still haven’t shown up yet the relatives we didn’t order do show up ~ but to quote a dear friend and beloved pastor from this modern era, Steven Furtick: “The only thing harder than waiting on God, is wishing that you had!” So please step away from the scissors and Scotch tape and wrapping paper, put the pot on simmer, dial the pace of the elliptical down to meander, and come exhale on the porch with Alli, Dr. Howard and me. We’re grateful that hanging out with y’all has become part of our holiday tradition.

During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli, Dr. Howard and I will exploring a few of the awesome ~ albeit often overlooked ~ theological truisms in the Christmas story. Because while Jesus is of course the main point and the unmistakable Hero of Luke’s heartwarming birth narrative, if you read between the lines, you’ll find a distinctive trinitarian motif as well. And the Incarnation ~ that is when divine grace was embodied in a baby boy born to an unmarried teenage mom in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago ~ was always intended to be the first of two Advents. Because the infant those ancient shepherds marveled over is the very same Messiah John refers to as the Ancient of Days in the book of Revelation who will return triumphantly to redeem those of us who’ve put our hope in His unconditional love. In other words, there’s an eschatological component to the Christmas story too, y’all! Despite our familiarity with the nativity scene, there’s still some gorgeous facets to discover in that proverbial crown jewel of Holy Writ. So please take a break in your “elving” errands and grab a non-fat, no-foam mocha latte with one pump of peppermint, or a hot spiced apple cider with a hint of caramel, or a nutmeg-laced eggnog with extra heavy yak cream, or whatever overpriced, holiday-themed concoction you prefer, and your Bible, then come prop your feet up on the porch with us. We’re really happy we get to hang out with y’all today!