How to Find Joy in Hard Times: Philippians

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