Dark Thirty: Front Porch Faith

About Dark Thirty: Front Porch Faith

Every evening, pull up a rocking chair and join me on the front porch. Dark Thirty: Front Porch Faith is a nightly devotional where we slow down, open God's Word, share stories from everyday life, and discover that He is still speaking through ordinary moments. From country roads and gardens to heartbreak, hope, family, and faith, each episode is a reminder that God is found in the little things. So grab your sweet tea, settle in for a few minutes, and let's end the day together. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... keep looking for God in the little things. darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

A Dark Thirty Podcast by Lacey Hillis

Category

religion & spirituality · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Jun 2026

Latest episode

13 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Jul 2026

   OPEN HANDS

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description What happens when we finally loosen our grip on the things we can’t control? Tonight we talk about the freedom that comes with open hands and trusting God with what we’re tempted to hold onto so tightly. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   12 Jul 2026

   Peace Without Answers

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Have you ever found yourself in a season where the questions just kept coming, but the answers stayed quiet? You prayed, you trusted, you waited... and somehow peace showed up anyway. Tonight we talk about the kind of peace that guards your heart even before the answers arrive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   11 Jul 2026

   Bigger Than the Storm

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Storms have a way of making us feel small. Whether it’s a broken relationship, a frightening diagnosis, financial uncertainty, or simply a season where nothing seems to be going the way we planned, it’s easy to wonder if we’re going to make it through. But if you’ve ever looked back over your life, you’ve probably realized something remarkable: the storms that once felt impossible eventually became testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Tonight’s episode is a reminder that while the storm may have been big, Jesus has always been bigger. Tonight’s Scripture Mark 4:39-40 “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” Before Jesus ever spoke peace to the storm... He was already in the boat. The disciples were never alone. And neither are we. Devotional Living in the South, we know storms can appear with very little warning. One minute the sky is bright blue. The next, dark clouds roll in, the wind begins to blow, and rain comes down so hard you can barely see the road in front of you. Storms have a way of demanding our attention. So do the storms of life. Some storms arrive as unexpected phone calls. Some come through broken relationships. Some arrive in the form of financial stress, health concerns, disappointment, grief, or unanswered prayers. Most of us wouldn’t choose those seasons. I know I wouldn’t. Looking back over my own life, there have been storms that felt like they would never end. There were seasons when I couldn’t understand what God was doing. Seasons where I prayed for Him to change my circumstances as quickly as possible. But when I look back now, I can see something I completely missed while I was living through them. God was never absent. He was quietly present the entire time. Sometimes He showed up through a friend who called at exactly the right moment. Sometimes through a Bible verse that gave me enough hope to face another day. Sometimes through unexpected strength I didn’t know I had. Sometimes through a peace that made no sense considering everything happening around me. The disciples experienced something similar. When the storm hit the Sea of Galilee, they panicked. Experienced fishermen believed they were about to die. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep. Not because He didn’t care. But because the storm wasn’t bigger than His authority. The same waves that terrified the disciples were completely under His control. How often do we forget that? We spend so much time measuring the size of our storm that we forget to measure the greatness of our Savior. The older I get, the more I realize that every storm I’ve survived has left evidence of God’s faithfulness behind. The storm didn’t destroy me. It deepened me. It taught me to pray differently. To trust more completely. To appreciate the quiet days I used to overlook. Most importantly, it reminded me that God’s greatest promise has never been a storm-free life. His greatest promise is His presence. Sometimes Jesus calms the storm. Sometimes He calms us while the storm continues. Either way, He never steps out of the boat. If you’re walking through a storm tonight, I don’t want to minimize what you’re carrying. Storms are real. They hurt. They can be frightening. But they don’t get the final word. The same Jesus who spoke, “Peace, be still,” still speaks peace into anxious hearts today. You may not see the shoreline yet. But you don’t have to face the waves alone. He is with you. And because He is with you, there is hope—even before the storm passes. Memorable Takeaway The greatest miracle isn’t always that Jesus calms the storm. Sometimes it’s realizing He never left the boat. Reflection * Looking back, where can you see God’s faithfulness in a storm you once thought would overwhelm you? * What storm are you facing today that feels bigger than your faith? * How would your perspective change if you focused more on the One in the boat than on the waves around you? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for never leaving us alone. When life’s storms feel overwhelming and we can’t see beyond the waves, remind us that You are still with us. Strengthen our faith when fear tries to take over. Help us remember that Your presence is greater than our circumstances and that no storm is beyond Your authority. Thank You for every time You’ve carried us through seasons we never thought we’d survive. Thank You for the ways You’ve used those difficult chapters to deepen our faith and draw us closer to You. Whether You calm the storm around us or calm our hearts within it, help us trust that You are always working for our good. Tonight, we choose to rest in the truth that You have never left our boat—and You never will. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Porch Challenge The next time anxiety starts to rise tomorrow, stop for just a moment and whisper these four words: “Jesus is in the boat.” Then pause long enough to remember that His presence is greater than whatever you’re facing. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   10 Jul 2026

   Stop Living in "What If"

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Have you ever noticed how quickly your mind can jump from today to six months from now? One minute you’re folding laundry or driving home from work, and the next you’re replaying conversations that haven’t happened, worrying about problems that don’t exist yet, and carrying burdens that belong to tomorrow instead of today. Tonight’s episode is for anyone who’s tired of living in “what if.” Jesus offers us something better—a peace that comes from trusting Him with tomorrow while living fully in today. Tonight’s Scripture Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus wasn’t telling us to ignore the future. He was teaching us to trust the One who already holds it. Planning is wise. Worrying is exhausting. And only one of those draws us closer to God. Devotional If I’m being honest, my mind has a tendency to get ahead of me. Sometimes I’ll be doing something as ordinary as washing dishes, pulling weeds in the garden, or driving down a backroad, and before I know it, my thoughts have wandered weeks—or even months—ahead. “What if this doesn’t work out?” “What if I make the wrong decision?” “What if my kids struggle?” “What if I fail?” “What if everything falls apart?” It’s amazing how much energy we spend living in days that haven’t even arrived yet. I’ve had seasons where anxiety convinced me I needed to prepare for every possible outcome. I’d rehearse conversations before they happened. Imagine worst-case scenarios. Play out situations that never actually came to pass. By the end of the day, I was completely drained. Not because of what had happened. But because of everything I imagined might happen. Anxiety has a way of asking us to carry tomorrow’s burdens with today’s strength. But today’s strength was never meant for tomorrow’s load. One of my favorite places to spend time is in my garden early in the morning. Before the Georgia heat settles in. Before the phone starts ringing. Before the day fills up with responsibilities. One morning, while I was watering my vegetables, the Lord reminded me of something so simple. I don’t water tomorrow’s plants. I water what’s growing today. Tomorrow’s tomatoes will get tomorrow’s water. If I spend all my time worrying about next week’s harvest, I may neglect the plants standing right in front of me. Life works the same way. When we spend all our energy worrying about tomorrow, we often miss today’s blessings. We miss the laughter around the dinner table. The beautiful sunset God painted across the sky. The conversation with a friend. The answered prayer we’ve already received because we’re too busy worrying about the next request. Fear asks, “What if everything goes wrong?” Faith quietly answers, “What if God is already there?” That one question has changed the way I think. Because when I look back over my life, I realize I’ve lived through things I once feared. Some of them actually happened. Many of them never did. But in every single season, God was faithful. He never once looked at my circumstances and said, “I didn’t see that coming.” He was already there. The same is true for whatever you’re worried about tonight. God is already standing in your tomorrow. He already knows what next week holds. He already knows the outcome of the conversation you’re dreading. He already knows the diagnosis, the job interview, the financial situation, or the decision that’s keeping you awake tonight. And if He’s already there... Why are we trying to carry tomorrow before we even get there? Jesus didn’t tell us not to plan. He told us not to worry. There’s a difference. Planning says, “I’ll prepare wisely.” Worry says, “I’ll carry what only God can carry.” Friend, maybe tonight it’s time to stop borrowing trouble from days that haven’t arrived. God’s grace has always shown up exactly when you needed it. Not a moment too early. Not a moment too late. And tomorrow will be no different. Memorable Takeaway Don’t borrow tomorrow’s burdens with today’s strength. God’s grace will meet you when tomorrow becomes today. Reflection * What “what if” has been taking up the most space in your mind? * How has worrying about tomorrow robbed you of today’s joy? * What would it look like to trust God with tomorrow and fully live the life He’s given you today? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding us that You are already in tomorrow. When our minds race ahead and our hearts become anxious, gently draw us back to the present moment and to Your faithful presence. Forgive us for carrying worries You never asked us to carry. Teach us to prepare wisely without living fearfully. Help us enjoy today’s blessings instead of missing them because we’re consumed with tomorrow’s possibilities. Replace our anxious thoughts with confidence in Your promises. When “what if” begins to fill our minds, remind us that You are already making a way before we ever arrive there. Thank You for being faithful in every season of our lives. Help us trust You one day at a time. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Porch Challenge Tomorrow, every time you catch yourself thinking, “What if...”, stop and replace it with: “What if God already has this?” Then take a deep breath, thank Him for one blessing you can see today, and leave tomorrow in His hands. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   9 Jul 2026

   Fear Doesn't Get the Final Say

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Fear has a way of sounding convincing. It whispers “What if you fail?”... “What if you’re not good enough?”... “What if everyone laughs?” Before long, we find ourselves standing still—not because God closed the door, but because fear convinced us not to walk through it. Tonight’s episode is for anyone who’s been feeling God nudge them toward something new but has been too afraid to take the first step. Whether it’s a new dream, a hard conversation, a calling on your life, or simply trusting God with tomorrow, remember this: fear may speak, but it doesn’t get the final say. Tonight’s Scripture 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Paul reminds Timothy that fear isn’t something God hands to His children. Instead, He gives us His Spirit—a Spirit that strengthens us, steadies us, and reminds us that our confidence comes from Him, not from ourselves. Devotional A few months ago, if someone had told me I’d be writing articles almost every day, recording a nightly devotional podcast, and sharing my faith with people I may never even meet, I probably would’ve laughed. Not because I didn’t love writing. I’ve always loved writing. But putting your heart out there for the world to read? That’s a different kind of vulnerable. Fear had plenty to say. “What if nobody reads it?” “What if people think it’s silly?” “What if someone leaves a hateful comment?” “What if you run out of things to say?” “What if you’re not qualified?” Isn’t it amazing how fear almost always starts with two little words? What if... The funny thing is, fear rarely comes with facts. It comes with possibilities. And most of the time, they’re possibilities that never even happen. I still remember staring at the screen before publishing some of those first stories. My finger hovered over the button much longer than it should have. Not because the story wasn’t finished. Because fear was trying to convince me that sharing it wasn’t worth the risk. Then the Lord quietly reminded me of something. If He had given me the words, why was I more concerned with other people’s opinions than I was with being obedient to His calling? That didn’t make the fear disappear. If I’m honest, I still get nervous. I still wonder sometimes if the words will matter to anyone. But I’ve learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is choosing obedience while your knees are still shaking. Peter understood that. We often remember that Peter sank when he stepped out of the boat. But before he ever sank... He walked on water. None of the other disciples can say that. They stayed where it felt safe. Peter chose to trust Jesus enough to step out. Sometimes we’re so afraid of sinking that we never experience what it’s like to walk by faith. I wonder how many dreams stay hidden because fear convinced someone they weren’t enough. How many ministries never begin. How many stories are never written. How many businesses are never started. How many prayers are never prayed. How many apologies are never spoken. How many lives never change because fear got the first vote. Friend, fear has stolen enough. Enough peace. Enough opportunities. Enough joy. Enough time. It doesn’t deserve another day. Every meaningful step I’ve taken has come with some level of fear. Becoming a mom. Starting over. Changing careers. Launching Dark Thirty. None of those moments felt completely comfortable. But every single one of them taught me something. God has never asked me to be fearless. He’s simply asked me to trust Him. Maybe He’s asking the same thing of you. Maybe He’s nudging you to forgive someone. To serve. To go back to school. To write the book. To start the Bible study. To make the phone call. To finally take the first step you’ve been putting off. If you’re waiting until fear disappears, you may wait forever. But if you’re willing to trust God’s voice more than fear’s, you’ll discover something beautiful. God has already gone ahead of you. The same God who called you is the same God who will walk beside you. Fear may have something to say. But it doesn’t get the final word. God does. Memorable Takeaway Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s choosing to trust God’s voice more than fear’s. Reflection * What has fear been talking you out of lately? * Where is God inviting you to trust Him instead of your own doubts? * What is one small step of faith you can take tomorrow? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding us that fear does not come from You. Thank You for giving us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Lord, You know the places where fear has kept us standing still. You know the dreams we’ve hidden, the conversations we’ve avoided, and the opportunities we’ve let pass because we didn’t feel ready. Tonight, help us hear Your voice more clearly than the voice of fear. Give us the courage to obey even when we feel uncertain. Remind us that You never call us somewhere You won’t also walk beside us. Replace our “What if I fail?” with “What if God is already making a way?” Help us remember that our confidence isn’t found in our abilities but in Your faithfulness. Tomorrow, give us the courage to take one small step of obedience, trusting that You will meet us there. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Porch Challenge Tomorrow, do one thing fear has been talking you out of. It doesn’t have to be a giant leap. Send the message. Fill out the application. Share the story. Have the conversation. Take the first step. Then trust God with the rest. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Your Story Isn't Over

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Have you ever found yourself in a season that felt like it would define the rest of your life? Maybe it was a heartbreak you didn’t see coming. A failure you couldn’t undo. A dream that fell apart. Or simply a chapter that looked nothing like the one you had planned. Tonight’s episode is for anyone who’s wondering if God is still working. It’s a reminder that difficult chapters are not the end of the story—they’re often where God begins writing something even more beautiful. Tonight’s Scripture Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God doesn’t start something only to walk away from it. The same God who began His work in you is the same God who promises to finish it. Even when life feels uncertain, His plans are still unfolding. Devotional One of my favorite things about country living is watching the fields change with the seasons. If you’ve ever driven down a backroad in the middle of winter, you’ve seen fields that look completely lifeless. The rows are empty. Everything is brown. The ground looks forgotten. If you didn’t know better, you’d think nothing would ever grow there again. But every farmer knows something we often forget. A field isn’t dead just because it’s resting. The harvest isn’t over just because you can’t see it yet. Life is still happening beneath the surface. Looking back over my own life, I can see seasons I thought would define me forever. There were times I questioned my purpose. Times I wondered if I’d made too many mistakes. Times I couldn’t imagine God using the broken pieces of my life for anything meaningful. At the time, those chapters felt permanent. Now I can see they were preparation. Some of the deepest lessons I’ve learned about God’s faithfulness didn’t come during easy seasons. They came when I had nowhere else to turn. I learned that God really is close to the brokenhearted because I needed Him close. I learned He really does provide because there were days I didn’t know how everything was going to work out. I learned His peace isn’t something we experience only when life is perfect. It’s something He gives us right in the middle of imperfect circumstances. Would I have chosen those seasons? Probably not. But I wouldn’t trade what God taught me through them. Sometimes we ask God to erase the chapter. Instead, He writes redemption into it. We see that all throughout Scripture. Joseph was sold by his own brothers, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten. If his story had ended in prison, we’d call it a tragedy. But God wasn’t finished. Ruth experienced heartbreaking loss before she experienced redemption. Peter denied Jesus before becoming one of the boldest leaders of the early church. Paul persecuted Christians before God transformed him into one of the greatest missionaries the world has ever known. Again and again, God proves that He specializes in new beginnings. Not because people deserve them. But because that’s who He is. Every sunrise reminds us of that truth. Yesterday is gone. God’s mercies are new. We get another chance to trust Him. Maybe today you’re standing in a chapter you never wanted to write. Maybe you’re wondering if life will ever feel hopeful again. Can I remind you of something? Don’t confuse the chapter with the ending. The Author is still writing. The same God who brought beauty from ashes, hope from heartbreak, and resurrection from a borrowed tomb is still writing stories of redemption today. Including yours. The chapter you’re living today may one day become the testimony that encourages someone else tomorrow. So don’t lose heart. God isn’t finished with you yet. Memorable Takeaway Don’t judge your whole story by one difficult chapter. God is still writing. Reflection * What season have you been afraid will define the rest of your life? * Where have you mistaken a difficult chapter for the ending of your story? * What might God be growing beneath the surface that you simply can’t see yet? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for being the Author of our stories. Thank You for never abandoning the work You’ve begun in us. Lord, I pray for every person who feels stuck in a chapter they never wanted. The one who feels discouraged, forgotten, or weary. Remind them tonight that You are still writing. Give them faith to trust You when they can’t see the next page. Help them believe that even in quiet seasons, You are working beneath the surface. Thank You for using our hardest chapters to deepen our faith, strengthen our character, and draw us closer to You. Help us stop calling finished what You are still writing. Fill us with hope as we remember that our future is safely held in Your hands and that You always finish what You begin. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

7. 

   7 Jul 2026

   Forgiving Yourself

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Why is it so much easier to believe that God forgives other people than it is to believe He has truly forgiven us? We encourage our friends to let go of their past, yet we spend years replaying our own mistakes, wondering what life would look like if we had made different choices. Tonight’s episode is an invitation to stop arguing with God’s grace. If the Creator of the universe has declared you forgiven through Christ, maybe it’s time to stop holding yourself guilty. Tonight’s Scripture Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” David doesn’t paint a picture of a God who keeps our sins within reach. He describes a Father who removes them completely. Not because we deserve it. But because of His incredible mercy and love. Devotional Have you ever driven down a dirt road after a good Georgia rain? You don’t have to go very far before you hit a mud hole. Before you know it, your truck is covered in red clay from the tires all the way up the doors. When you get home, you wash it. The mud reminds you where you’ve been, but you don’t leave it there forever. You don’t park your truck in the driveway every day and say, “Well, I guess this is just what it looks like now.” You clean it. Then you keep driving. Sometimes I think we treat our hearts differently. God washes us clean, yet we keep throwing the mud back on ourselves. We replay conversations from years ago. We think about relationships that ended. We remember the words we wish we could take back. The opportunities we missed. The decisions we regret. The seasons when we wandered farther from God than we ever intended. And somewhere along the way we begin saying, “I know God forgives me... I just can’t forgive myself.” I’ve said those words before. Maybe you have too. But one day, the Lord gently convicted me with a question I couldn’t ignore. If God, in His perfect holiness, has chosen to forgive me... Who am I to continue declaring myself guilty? Think about that for a moment. The God who knows every secret, every failure, every motive, every regret, and every sinful thought looked at the finished work of Jesus and declared, “Forgiven.” Yet I kept trying to appeal His decision. Every time I replayed those old mistakes as though they still defined me, I was trusting my feelings more than I was trusting His Word. That’s not humility. That’s unbelief disguised as guilt. Now, that doesn’t mean we ignore the lessons we’ve learned. Some of our greatest growth comes from our hardest failures. God often uses those seasons to make us wiser, more compassionate, and more dependent on Him. But there’s a difference between remembering the lesson and reliving the shame. One leads to growth. The other keeps us stuck. The enemy would love nothing more than for us to spend our lives staring into the rearview mirror. Because if we’re always looking backward, we’ll miss where God is leading us today. The rearview mirror has a purpose. It helps us glance back. But it was never meant to become the windshield. Friend, maybe tonight you’ve been punishing yourself for something Jesus already paid for. Maybe you’ve been carrying guilt that God has already removed as far as the east is from the west. The cross was enough. Jesus didn’t forgive everything except that one thing you can’t seem to let go of. When He said, “It is finished,” He meant it. So stop rereading chapters that God has already covered with grace. Learn from them. Thank Him for redeeming them. Then keep walking forward. Because your future deserves more attention than your regrets. Memorable Takeaway Don’t keep rereading chapters that God has already covered with grace. Reflection * What mistake do you find yourself replaying over and over again? * Are you remembering the lesson, or are you reliving the guilt? * What would change if you truly believed God’s forgiveness was enough—even for you? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a God whose mercy is greater than our failures. Thank You that through Jesus, our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. Lord, so many of us continue carrying guilt You have already taken away. We replay old mistakes, question old decisions, and punish ourselves long after You have spoken forgiveness over us. Tonight, help us believe Your Word more than we believe our feelings. Teach us to remember the lessons without living in the shame. Help us trust that the cross was enough. Give us the courage to stop defining ourselves by chapters You have already redeemed. Fill our hearts with peace as we let go of what You have already let go of. Help us wake up tomorrow walking a little lighter because we finally believe what You have said all along—that we are forgiven. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

8. 

   6 Jul 2026

   Stop Carrying What Jesus Already Carried

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description If you’re the one everyone depends on, you probably know what it’s like to carry more than you were ever meant to. Whether you’re a single parent, caring for aging parents, trying to hold a family together, or simply doing your best to keep all the plates spinning, the weight can become overwhelming. Tonight’s episode is a reminder that God never asked you to carry the weight of the world. He simply asks you to trust the One who already does. Tonight’s Scripture 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” There is so much comfort packed into one little word: all. God doesn’t ask us to sort through our worries before bringing them to Him. He doesn’t tell us to keep the small ones and only hand Him the impossible ones. He simply says, “Bring Me all of it.” Devotional Being a single mom has taught me a lot over the years. It’s taught me how to stretch a grocery budget farther than I ever thought possible. It’s taught me how to juggle work, school schedules, sports, doctor’s appointments, laundry, dishes, and dinner—sometimes all before the sun goes down. It’s taught me how to be strong when I didn’t feel strong at all. But if I’m honest, it’s also taught me something else. Sometimes I’ve mistaken carrying everything for being faithful. I thought if I just worked harder... Planned better... Stayed stronger... Never asked for help... Then somehow everything would be okay. Maybe you’ve been there too. Maybe your life looks different than mine, but you know what it feels like to carry responsibilities that seem heavier than your own shoulders can bear. One of my favorite examples of this is unloading groceries. Y’all know exactly what I’m talking about. Instead of making two trips, we decide we’re going to carry every single grocery bag into the house at one time. We’ve got plastic bags hanging off every finger. A gallon of milk tucked under one arm. Bread balanced on top so it doesn’t get smashed. Maybe even a case of bottled water dragging behind us. Halfway to the porch, our fingers are turning purple because those little plastic handles are digging into our skin. But do we stop? No. We keep going because making another trip somehow feels like failure. The funny thing is, life works the same way. We pile on one burden after another. Financial worries. Health concerns. Parenting struggles. Loneliness. Old grief. Fear about tomorrow. Stress from work. Heartbreak that still hasn’t healed. And instead of setting any of it down, we convince ourselves we can carry just one more thing. Eventually, we’re exhausted. Not because God gave us too much. But because we’ve picked up things He never asked us to carry. Peter gives us a beautiful invitation in today’s Scripture. He says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” To cast something means to throw it. To release it. To let go. It doesn’t mean handing it to God while secretly keeping one hand wrapped around it just in case. It means trusting that the One catching it is far stronger than the one carrying it. That’s not always easy. Sometimes carrying the burden feels safer than surrendering it. At least if we’re carrying it, we feel like we’re still in control. But the truth is, control is one of the heaviest burdens we can hold. God never asked us to be the Savior of our families. He already sent one. He never asked us to have every answer. He never asked us to fix every problem. He simply asked us to trust Him. So tonight, maybe it’s time to set the grocery bags down. Maybe it’s time to stop believing that everything depends on you. Maybe it’s time to unclench your hands and remember that Jesus has broader shoulders than you do. He is not overwhelmed by your worries. He is not frustrated by your questions. He is not tired of hearing your prayers. He simply says, “Give it to Me.” And because He cares for you, He’ll never drop what you place in His hands. Memorable Takeaway The strongest thing you can do is not carry more—it’s trust more. Reflection * What burden have you been carrying that God never asked you to carry? * Where have you been relying on your own strength instead of God’s? * What would change if you truly believed Jesus could carry what is weighing you down? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for caring about every part of our lives. Thank You that nothing is too small, too complicated, or too heavy for You. Lord, so many of us are tired. We’ve been trying to carry responsibilities, worries, fears, and burdens that were never meant to rest on our shoulders. Forgive us for believing everything depends on us. Teach us what it means to truly cast our cares upon You. Help us trust You with our children, our families, our finances, our health, our future, and the things that keep us awake at night. Replace our anxiety with Your peace. Replace our striving with Your rest. And remind us each day that You are a loving Father who delights in carrying what we cannot. Thank You for never growing weary of us and for always inviting us to come closer. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

9. 

   5 Jul 2026

   Freedom Was Never Free

   Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description The Fourth of July brings fireworks, flags, cookouts, family, and gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. But as beautiful as those celebrations are, they also remind us of something important: freedom has always come with a cost. Tonight’s episode looks at the greater freedom Jesus gives us. The kind that reaches deeper than circumstances, politics, or a holiday on the calendar. The kind of freedom only Christ could purchase. Tonight’s Scripture John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Jesus does not say we might be free. He says if the Son sets us free, we will be free indeed. That is not wishful thinking. That is a promise. Devotional The Fourth of July has a way of making us stop and pay attention. There are flags waving from porches. Kids running around with sparklers. Hamburgers on the grill. Watermelon juice dripping down little hands. Lawn chairs lined up in the grass while everybody waits for the fireworks to start. And somewhere in the middle of all that red, white, and blue, we remember that freedom is a gift. But it was never free. The freedoms we enjoy came through sacrifice. Men and women left their homes, kissed their families goodbye, and served in places most of us will never see. Some came home. Some did not. So we celebrate with gratitude. And tonight, as the fireworks fade, I cannot help but think about the greater freedom we have in Christ. Jesus did not come waving a flag. He came carrying a cross. He willingly stepped into our place. He carried our sin. He took our punishment. He gave His life so that ours could truly begin. Freedom has always required a sacrifice. But Jesus paid a debt none of us could ever repay. Sometimes I think we can get so used to grace that we forget what it cost. We forget the nails. The crown of thorns. The betrayal. The beating. The cross. The empty tomb. We say we are forgiven, but still live like prisoners. We say we are free, but keep carrying chains Jesus already unlocked. It reminds me of watching fireworks. For a few moments, everybody stops. Nobody is worried about the dishes in the sink or the laundry waiting at home. Nobody is focused on tomorrow’s to-do list. Everybody looks up. They are captivated by something bigger than themselves. I wonder how different our lives would look if we spent more time looking up at Jesus than looking back at our past. How much lighter would we live? How much more grateful would we be? How much more willing would we be to forgive others because we know how deeply we have been forgiven? The freedom Jesus gives is not temporary. It is not dependent on who is in office, how much money is in the bank, or whether life is going according to plan. His freedom reaches the heart. It frees us from guilt. From shame. From trying to earn God’s love. From believing we will never be enough. It frees us from sin and death itself. Fireworks only last a few seconds before the sky goes dark again. But the light of Christ never burns out. His freedom is not for one holiday. It is available every single day. So if you have been carrying something heavy, hear this tonight: Jesus did not go to the cross so you could spend your life living in chains. He came so you could walk in freedom. Real freedom. Complete freedom. Freedom indeed. And just like the freedoms we celebrate today, it was not free. It cost Him everything. So that it could cost us nothing. Memorable Takeaway Jesus paid everything so you could live free indeed. Reflection * When you think about freedom, what comes to mind first? * Are you carrying chains Jesus has already broken? * How can you live tomorrow in a way that reflects gratitude for what Christ has done? Prayer Father, Thank You for every blessing we enjoy in this country. Thank You for the men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms. Tonight, we also thank You for the greatest sacrifice ever made. Thank You for sending Jesus to take our place. Thank You for the cross. Thank You for the empty tomb. Thank You that because of Your love, we do not have to live as prisoners to sin, shame, fear, or guilt anymore. Help us never take that gift for granted. Teach us to live like people who have truly been set free. May our lives reflect gratitude instead of obligation. Joy instead of fear. Hope instead of shame. And may we never forget the incredible price that was paid so we could be called Your children. Thank You for loving us enough to give everything so that we could have everything that truly matters. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

10. 

    4 Jul 2026

    When Shame Keeps Knocking

    Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Shame has a sneaky way of showing up when we least expect it. One memory, one rumor, one heartbreak, one mistake—and suddenly we are standing in a place God already carried us out of. Tonight’s episode is a reminder that God is not asking us to live chained to what He is already redeeming. He is doing a new thing, even if it starts small. Even if it looks like one little green leaf after a long dry season. When shame keeps knocking, you do not have to answer the door. Tonight’s Scripture Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God is not only asking us to stop staring backward. He is inviting us to notice what He is growing right in front of us. Devotional Around here, everybody knows old gossip can travel faster than a June thunderstorm. It rolls in loud. It stirs everything up. It makes the sky look darker than it really is. And even after the storm passes, folks can still be out there talking about the damage. But just because people keep bringing up an old storm does not mean God is not already growing something new in the field. Sometimes shame sounds like your own voice. Sometimes it sounds like somebody else’s. Sometimes it is a rumor. Sometimes it is a memory. Sometimes it is a heartbreak that made you question your worth. Sometimes it is a failure that keeps trying to convince you that you are disqualified. But shame is not the Holy Spirit. Shame says, “Look what you did.” God says, “Look what I am doing.” Shame says, “You’re stuck there.” God says, “I am making a way.” Shame says, “This is who you are.” God says, “No, child. That is where I found you.” And that is a big difference. Think about a garden after a hard season. You can have a row that looks rough. Maybe bugs got to it. Maybe the heat nearly took it out. Maybe you forgot to water it one evening because life was pulling you in ten different directions, and by the next day those leaves were drooping like they had given up on living. But then you water it. You tend it. You cut back what needs cutting. And before long, here comes one little green leaf. Then another. Then a bloom. Then fruit. If all you did was stare at what looked dead, you would miss what was still growing. That is how God works in us. He does not deny what happened. He just refuses to let it be the only thing that happened. When God says, “Do not dwell on the past,” He is not saying the past did not matter. He is not saying it did not hurt. He is not saying it did not leave a mark. He is saying the past is not allowed to become the place you live. Some of us have built whole houses in old pain. We decorated them with regret. We hung curtains made of shame. We sat down in rooms God never asked us to stay in. And every time Jesus tried to lead us forward, we said, “But Lord, don’t You remember what happened?” And I imagine Him gently saying, “Yes. But do you see what I’m doing now?” That is the question tonight. Do you see it? Do you see how He has kept you? Do you see how He has softened you? Do you see how He has taught you? Do you see how He has used even the hard parts to make your faith deeper? Do you see how the very thing that tried to bury you has become soil for something holy? Freedom is not pretending the past did not happen. Freedom is refusing to let the past hold the keys. So when shame comes knocking, you do not have to answer. You can let Jesus get the door. And He will tell shame the same thing He told the grave. “You do not get to keep what belongs to Me.” Memorable Takeaway When shame comes knocking, you do not have to answer the door. Reflection * What former thing have you been dwelling on? * Where is shame still knocking, even though God has already forgiven, healed, or carried you through it? * What new thing might God be doing right now that you have been too focused on the past to notice? Prayer Father, Thank You for being the God who makes all things new. Tonight, I pray for every person reading or listening who has been carrying shame from a memory, a rumor, a heartbreak, or a failure. Lord, remind them that shame does not get the final word. You do. Help us stop dwelling in places You have already called us out of. Give us eyes to see the new thing You are doing, even if it is still small. Even if it is just beginning. Even if it looks like one tiny green leaf after a long dry season. Teach us to trust that You are still working. Help us hand You the memories that hurt, the words that wounded us, the mistakes we regret, and the seasons we do not understand. Thank You for not leaving us where shame found us. Thank You for making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Help us walk forward with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

11. 

    3 Jul 2026

    You Are Not Your Worst Day

    Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Have you ever let one bad decision, one painful season, or one heartbreaking moment become the lens through which you see yourself? Maybe no one else even remembers it anymore, but you do. You replay it, question it, and wonder if it somehow changed the way God sees you. Tonight’s episode is a reminder that while your past may be part of your story, it is not your identity. Because of Jesus, your worst day never gets the final word. Tonight’s Scripture Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Those words are some of the most freeing in all of Scripture. Notice what Paul doesn’t say. He doesn’t say there’s less condemnation or that it disappears after we’ve been good long enough. He says there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ. That’s not because we’ve earned it. It’s because Jesus already paid for it. Devotional Drive down almost any country road after a storm, and sooner or later you’ll pass an old tree with a scar running down its trunk. Maybe lightning struck it years ago. Maybe a limb broke off in a hurricane. Whatever happened, the mark is still there. But so is the tree. Every spring it still grows new leaves. Its branches still stretch toward the sky. Birds still build nests in it. Children still find shade beneath it. The scar became part of its story, but it never stopped the tree from becoming what it was created to be. I think a lot of us spend our lives staring at our scars instead of the life God continues to grow around them. One mistake. One failed relationship. One season of poor choices. One chapter we’d rather erase. Before long, we stop saying, “I made a mistake,” and start believing, “I am a mistake.” There’s a world of difference between those two statements. I’ve had seasons where I questioned my own worth because of things I couldn’t change. I wondered if people would always remember the hardest chapter instead of everything God had done before it. I questioned whether my failures had somehow disqualified me from being useful to Him. Maybe you’ve felt that way too. The enemy loves to convince us that our worst moment is our permanent identity. But that’s never been God’s way. Think about the people throughout Scripture. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. David committed terrible sins that affected countless lives. The woman caught in adultery expected condemnation, but instead she encountered grace. None of them were defined by their worst day. They were transformed by God’s mercy. The same is true for us. Romans 8:1 isn’t based on our performance. It’s based on Christ’s finished work. When God looks at His children, He doesn’t see them through the lens of their greatest failure. He sees them through the righteousness of His Son. That doesn’t erase the past. It redeems it. Your scars may remain. They may even become part of your testimony. But shame was never meant to become part of your identity. God isn’t calling you “failure.” He isn’t calling you “damaged.” He isn’t calling you “too far gone.” He’s calling you forgiven. Redeemed. Chosen. Beloved. His child. And when the Creator of the universe tells you who you are, His voice is the only one that truly matters. Memorable Takeaway Your worst day may be part of your testimony, but it is never your identity. Reflection * Have you been allowing one painful season or mistake to define the way you see yourself? * What label have you continued wearing that God has already removed? * How would your life change if you truly believed there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us on our very best days and on our very worst ones. Sometimes we carry labels that You never gave us. We replay old failures, old regrets, and old hurts until they become the way we see ourselves. But Your Word tells us a different story. Thank You that because of Jesus there is no condemnation for those who belong to You. Help us release the shame we’ve been carrying and replace it with the truth of Your grace. Teach us to see ourselves through Your eyes instead of through our failures. When the enemy reminds us of our past, remind us of the cross. When shame tries to speak louder than Your promises, help us hear Your voice above all others. Thank You for redeeming our stories, healing our hearts, and continuing the good work You’ve begun in us. Help us walk into tomorrow confident—not because we’re perfect, but because we are perfectly loved by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

12. 

    2 Jul 2026

    A New Kind of Freedom

    Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description When we hear the word freedom, our minds often drift to fireworks, flags waving in the summer breeze, and the liberties we’re blessed to enjoy. But there is another kind of freedom—one that isn’t determined by a country, a circumstance, or even our past. As we begin our July series, Living Free in Christ, we’re starting with a simple but life-changing truth: Jesus didn’t just save us from something. He saved us for something. He set us free so we could actually live free. Tonight’s episode is an invitation to stop living behind fences that Christ has already torn down and to begin walking in the freedom He has already given you. Tonight’s Scripture Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Freedom wasn’t an afterthought in God’s plan. It was the purpose. Jesus didn’t endure the cross so we could spend the rest of our lives dragging around guilt, shame, fear, and regret. He came so we could experience the freedom of belonging completely to Him. Devotional Have you ever driven past an old pasture where the fence had been taken down, but the cows still stayed inside the same invisible boundary? For years they learned where the fence was. They learned how far they could go. Even after the wire was gone, they continued living as though it were still standing. Sometimes I think we’re a lot like that. Jesus removed the fence, yet we keep living like we’re trapped. Maybe your invisible fence is guilt over decisions you wish you could undo. Maybe it’s shame from something in your past. Maybe it’s believing you’ll never be enough, that God could never truly use someone like you, or that you’ll always be defined by your worst mistake. The enemy loves invisible fences because if he can convince us we’re still imprisoned, we’ll never enjoy the freedom Christ already purchased. I’ve had seasons where I carried burdens long after God had already forgiven them. I replayed conversations in my mind. I questioned my decisions. I wondered if I’d somehow disqualified myself from God’s plans. But over time, the Lord gently reminded me of something I desperately needed to hear. Conviction and condemnation are not the same thing. Conviction comes from God. It lovingly calls us back to Him, inviting us to repent, receive grace, and keep walking forward. Condemnation whispers that we’re too broken, too far gone, or too unworthy to come close. One voice leads us toward Jesus. The other tries to keep us from Him. If you’ve placed your faith in Christ, your identity isn’t rooted in your failures. It’s rooted in His finished work on the cross. You’re not who you used to be. You’re not the sum of your mistakes. You are forgiven. You are redeemed. You are loved. One of my favorite things about summertime is opening every window in the house after a stretch of beautiful weather. Fresh air begins flowing through every room. The furniture hasn’t changed. The walls are still the same. Yet somehow the whole house feels lighter. That’s what God’s grace does. He fills the places we’ve kept shut with fresh air, fresh hope, and fresh reminders that we don’t have to carry what Jesus already carried to the cross. As we begin this new month together, maybe it’s time to open a few windows. Maybe it’s time to stop introducing yourself by your failures. Maybe it’s time to stop measuring your future by your past. Christ didn’t set you free so you could spend the rest of your life standing where the fence used to be. He set you free so you could walk with Him. Memorable Takeaway Don’t keep living inside fences that Jesus has already torn down. Reflection * What invisible fence have you been living inside? * Is there something Jesus has already forgiven that you’re still carrying? * What would change in your life if you truly believed you were as free as God says you are? Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus so that we could experience true freedom—not just someday in Heaven, but here and now. Lord, so many of us are carrying chains You never asked us to carry. We hold on to guilt, shame, fear, regret, and lies about who we are. Tonight, remind us that those chains no longer define us because of what Jesus has done. Help us recognize the places where we’ve continued living behind fences You’ve already torn down. Give us the courage to trust Your grace more than our feelings. Teach us to hear Your voice above every voice of condemnation and to rest in the truth that we are forgiven, redeemed, and deeply loved. As we begin this new month, help us walk in the freedom You purchased for us. Let our lives reflect the joy, peace, and confidence that come from belonging to You. Thank You for never giving up on us and for calling us Your own. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

13. 

    1 Jul 2026

    Welcome to July | Living Free in Christ

    Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Welcome to a brand-new month on Front Porch Faith. Last month, we learned to find God in the little things. This month, we’re taking the next step. Throughout July, we’ll explore what it really means to live in the freedom Jesus has already won for us—not freedom from life’s struggles, but freedom from guilt, shame, fear, comparison, regret, and the burdens we were never meant to carry. Each evening we’ll gather on the porch, open God’s Word, share honest conversations, and discover how to loosen our grip on the things weighing us down so we can hold tighter to the peace Christ freely offers. Wherever you’re starting this month, I’m grateful you’re here. Pull up a rocking chair... Let’s learn to live free together. Theme Scripture Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” This verse will guide us throughout the month as we discover what it truly means to live in the freedom Jesus has already secured for us. Prayer for the Month Ahead Dear Heavenly Father, As we begin this new month together, we first want to thank You. Thank You for carrying us through June. Thank You for every lesson You taught us, every prayer You answered, every quiet moment when You reminded us that You were near. Now, Lord, we place July in Your hands. We ask that You would make this a month of freedom. Free us from the guilt we’ve carried for too long. Free us from fear that keeps us from trusting You. Free us from shame that tells us we’ll never be enough. Free us from comparison that steals our joy. Free us from the opinions of others that have become louder than Your voice. Help us remember that because of Jesus, we don’t have to earn Your love. We don’t have to prove our worth. We don’t have to carry burdens that You have already invited us to lay at Your feet. Teach us what it truly means to live like sons and daughters of the King. When we’re tempted to pick our chains back up, remind us that You already broke them. When we feel discouraged, remind us of Your promises. When we stumble, remind us of Your grace. When we grow weary, remind us that You walk beside us every step of the way. I pray for every person listening tonight. You know exactly what they’re carrying. You know the battles no one else sees. Meet them right where they are. Bring peace into anxious hearts. Bring hope into weary souls. Bring healing where there has been hurt. Bring courage where there has been fear. And above all, draw every one of us closer to You. May this month not simply be another page on the calendar. May it be a month that changes us. A month where we surrender more completely. Trust more deeply. Love more freely. And walk more confidently in the freedom You have already given us through Jesus Christ. We give this month to You. Lead us. Teach us. Transform us. And may everything we do bring glory to Your name. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Tomorrow evening, we’ll begin our first devotion in our new series, Freedom in Christ, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. Goodnight, y’all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

14. 

    30 Jun 2026

    The Little Things Changed Me | Zechariah 4:10

    Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description As we close out our first month together on Front Porch Faith, we’re looking back at the little moments that God used to change us in big ways. Tonight’s devotional is a reminder that God often does His greatest work through ordinary conversations, quiet prayers, small acts of obedience, and faithful beginnings. Through Zechariah 4:10, we’ll celebrate what God has done this month and look ahead with hope for what’s still to come. The little things matter... because God is in them. Tonight’s Scripture Zechariah 4:10 “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Sometimes the smallest beginnings become the greatest blessings. DEVOTIONAL As this month comes to an end... I can’t help but smile when I think about how much of life is made up of little things. Little conversations. Little prayers. Little acts of kindness. Little moments that don’t seem important while they’re happening. Most of us spend our lives waiting for the big moments. The promotion. The wedding. The miracle. The breakthrough. But when I look back over my own life... Those aren’t the moments that changed me the most. It was one conversation that gave me hope. One Bible verse that spoke to my heart exactly when I needed it. One person who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. One decision to keep going on a day when quitting would’ve been easier. And this month... I think God has reminded me of that all over again. When I first started writing Dark Thirty, I had no idea where it would lead. I simply felt like God was asking me to write. One story. One prayer. One day at a time. I never imagined people would begin sharing these stories. Sending messages. Telling me they saw themselves in something I wrote. Praying with me. Meeting me here each evening on this little front porch we’ve built together. What started as one simple “yes” has become a blessing I never saw coming. Not because of anything I’ve done... But because God has a way of taking small beginnings and doing extraordinary things with them. Maybe He’s been doing that in your life this month too. Maybe you’ve slowed down enough to notice a blessing you would’ve missed before. Maybe you’ve started talking to God a little more often. Maybe you’ve found hope again. Or maybe... You’ve simply realized that He has been walking beside you all along. Whatever this month has meant to you... Don’t stop looking for Him. Because God rarely stops working. Tomorrow begins a brand-new month. There will be new stories. New prayers. New lessons. But the God who met us here in June... Will still be walking beside us in July. The little things never stop mattering. Because they are so often where God chooses to meet us. Reflection • What is one small blessing from this month that you never want to forget? • Where have you seen God working in ordinary moments? • How can you carry that awareness into the month ahead? Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for meeting me in the ordinary moments of life. Thank You for reminding me that Your presence isn’t reserved for the mountaintops, but can be found in quiet mornings, everyday conversations, answered prayers, and unexpected blessings. Thank You for every lesson You’ve taught me this month. Help me continue looking for You in the little things. As I step into a new month, help me carry these lessons with me and trust You with whatever lies ahead. May I never overlook the ordinary ways You reveal Your extraordinary love. Thank You for walking with me yesterday, today, and into tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch this month. It’s been a blessing to share these evenings with you, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us next. Tomorrow, we begin a brand-new month, a brand-new theme, and another opportunity to keep growing together in faith. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

15. 

    30 Jun 2026

    Looking Back, I Can See Him | Psalm 77:11–12

    Front Porch Faith A nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Episode Description Have you ever looked back on a difficult season and realized God was working all along—even when you couldn’t see Him? Tonight on Dark Thirty: Front Porch Faith, we’re talking about the power of remembering God’s faithfulness. Through Psalm 77:11–12 and a story about one of the hardest seasons of my life, we’ll discover that sometimes God’s fingerprints don’t become clear until we’re looking in the rearview mirror. If you’re walking through a season that doesn’t make sense right now, I hope tonight reminds you that the same God who carried you before is carrying you today. 📖 Tonight’s Scripture Psalm 77:11–12 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Sometimes the greatest encouragement for today comes from remembering what God has already done. DEVOTIONAL Have you ever looked back at a season of your life and thought, “I don’t know how I made it through that”? At the time, it probably didn’t feel like God was doing much of anything. You were just trying to make it to tomorrow. Just trying to put one foot in front of the other. Just trying to keep your faith when life didn’t make sense. But then time passes. You begin to heal. You start seeing pieces of the puzzle come together. You realize the closed door protected you. The delay taught you patience. The heartbreak drew you closer to God. The difficult season introduced you to people who became lifelong friends. Sometimes we don’t recognize God’s fingerprints until we’re looking in the rearview mirror. That’s why remembering is so important. Not because we want to live in the past, but because remembering His faithfulness gives us confidence for the future. The same God who carried you then is carrying you now. And the same God who is with you today will already be waiting in whatever tomorrow brings. Reflection • What season of your life can you now look back on and see God’s faithfulness? • How can remembering yesterday’s victories strengthen your faith for today’s challenges? PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for being faithful, even when I couldn’t see what You were doing. Thank You for every time You carried me through a season that felt impossible. Help me remember those moments when I begin to doubt or grow discouraged. Remind me that just because I can’t see You working doesn’t mean You’ve stopped. Give me faith to trust that You are still writing my story, and that one day I’ll look back on this season and see Your fingerprints all over it. Thank You for never leaving me. Thank You for never giving up on me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Thank y’all for spending a little time with me on the porch tonight. Tomorrow night, we’re going to talk about the little things that changed me—the ordinary moments God used to shape my heart in extraordinary ways. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... Keep looking for God in the little things. 🌾 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

16. 

    30 Jun 2026

    Growth Takes Time | Ecclesiastes 3:11

    Growth doesn't always happen in big, dramatic moments. More often, it happens quietly—one prayer, one conversation, and one faithful step at a time. Tonight on Dark Thirty: Front Porch Faith, we're talking about trusting God's timing instead of our own. Through Ecclesiastes 3:11 and the story of how Dark Thirty has grown one reader and one day at a time, we're reminded that God is always working, even when we can't see it. If you've been wondering why your prayers seem unanswered or why life feels like it's moving so slowly, this conversation is for you. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Pull up a rocking chair, grab your sweet tea, and let's spend a few minutes together looking for God in the little things. Dark Thirty: Front Porch Faith is a nightly devotional where faith meets everyday life through Scripture, storytelling, and encouragement. New episodes every evening. Until tomorrow morning at Dark Thirty... keep looking for God in the little things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darkthirty.substack.com (https://darkthirty.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

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