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Front Porch with the Fitzes

Front Porch with the Fitzes, is a weekly chinwag featuring author Elyse Fitzpatrick and two of her three kids, Jessica Thompson and Joel Fitzpatrick. Sometimes some unexpected folks might even drop by and sit for a spell. Every week they’ll jibber about faith, family life, things that interest them in culture or news, and what they’re learning about the Lord and their Christianity. Imagine sitting on the front porch of your ol’ Kentucky home, listening to three slightly off-kilter believers talk about life, do a lot of laughing at each other and everyone else…and then, of course, there’s always the bluegrass music playing in the background.
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All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2015
Dec 15, 2015

Well... you'll find it hard to believe but the traditions of those crazy Fitzes. They just might be a little more looney than you ever suspected. There's a certain creature that came into the family's life... probably from a bog... about 10 years ago that makes an appearance every Christmas. We're not kidding -- it's so creepy. And then, in light of the tragedies in Paris and San Bernardino, we take a little time to talk about how to talk with your kids about life in this world and finally discuss the kind of world the Savior first entered, looking at a poem about Christ's condescension. Enjoy!

Dec 8, 2015

It's the Christmas season and that means that the Fitzies are out on the front porch in their long underwear reminiscing about days gone by while they drink cocoa (without any moonshine!). Traditions are a wonderful part of their holiday season, so they remember the times when the whole family would gather together in an enormous jalopy to head out and gander at Christmas lights. In their "culture" segment, they discover the truth about a man who screams like a little girl and what the police discovered, which reminds them of a special (but not holy) night when a skunk invaded the family manse. Jessica then invites us all to come and adore Christ the Lord. Pull up a chair, why don't ya?

Nov 24, 2015

Happy Gobble, Gobble Day! Whelp, it's the holidays and the Fitzies are together again imagining delectable delights and the yumminess of Pink Fluff, extra cups of butter and Michelle's caramels. And then, once the feasting is over, it's time to fall into a food coma so you can be ready for your Black Friday shopping -- You'll be amazed to hear what some parents will do in order to get that perfect toy and what one woman did because her beau at all the salsa. Then Elyse will answer Satan's question, "Can a man be right before God?" Listen while you baste your bird.

Nov 17, 2015

In celebration of the Veteran's Day holiday, some sweet little kids joined us on the front porch were discussions ensue about whether bacon causes cancer or not (everyone agrees not eating enough bacon would be hazardous to your health). The conversation migrates to our favorite episodes of America's Funniest Videos (Elyse does not take any responsibility for the things the children say during this discussion), while Jessica draws a delightful analogy between high school cheerleaders who are confident in their identity and how Jesus has sought us and freed us. We got some wonderful fried okra goin'... stop on by, will ya?

Nov 10, 2015

After their road trip up to interview the certified smart guy, Dr. Dan, the Fitzies rolled on home and set up shop again on the front porch. This week, we talk about why making your bed is a mortal sin. Jessica proves her gifting by recalling the prophecy she made about the KC Royals, which led to a conversation about the Royals' can-do spirit, The Martian, Matt Damon, and the "glory story." Joel closes out our time together with a devotional about God's shocking generosity in light of our failures. Thankfully, there were no trucks backing up.

Nov 3, 2015

Today the Fitzes pile in their ol' jalopy and head on up the road to Concordia University in Irvine where they spend some time with their ol' amigo, Dan Siedell, a certified smart guy. Dan's area of expertise is contemporary art and he really knows how to "engage culture" as we say. Sometimes we even know what he's talking about. But... he's also an expert on the Skunk Ape, Sasquatch and Black Eyed Children. Note: Parts of this program might not be appropriate for little kids or adults who like gazing at their Thomas Kincade paintings. Enjoy!

Oct 27, 2015

What's more dangerous thanks sharks? No... it's not mallo-dogs or crushing candy! On the porch today we'll talk about the selfie phenomenon, costumes past and present for the "Fall Festival" a.k.a. Halloween, Star Wars and how to treat adults who beg for treats. You'll also hear Elyse explain how she's being transformed by "All Things" we've been give in Christ... a transformation by the gospel.

Oct 20, 2015

Ah... the fall. No, not the fall of mankind, but autumn. A time when old people (Like Elyse and friends) vacation and people stop posting pics of their feet. On this week's podcast Elyse talks about hiking trails for the first time, Florence Chadwick, and not giving up. Jami Nato stops by for a spell, brings greetings, and talks about God's pronouncement over Jesus before Jesus heads out to the desert. Drop by for a front porch visit, won't 'cha?

Oct 13, 2015

Jessica, Joel, and Elyse are joined this week by Allie, Jessica's daughter, who tells us about herself and her special friend, Sparkle Chest. Joel raves about a "magnificent" book, "All the Light We Cannot See," while Jessica reminds us of our adoption, using the words of Romans 8 and JI Packer. Elyse is lurking there on the front porch too interjecting comments about the fantasy football league. You'll love the name of Jessica's team. Come and hang out a bit.

Oct 6, 2015

Out on the Front Porch today, Jess jibs about how to overcome eating addictions by developing video-game addictions; which opens up a whole exchange about Candy Crush, Goats, and the... Padres? As an equal-opportunity offender, Elyse complains about people who take their pets into restaurants and worst of all onto airplanes. You won't believe the story she tells! In the devotional segment, Joel talks about Jesus and his ongoing fast, while he awaits his bride and the marriage feast to come. If you stop by early enough, we'll get some biscuits and gravy cookin'... while we hum some sweet bluegrass music.

Sep 30, 2015

Where do Nutella, waffles, Costco and an arrest for abuse intersect? On this week's Front Porch, of course. While you're there, you'll here Jessica (try to) make connections between Cyndi Lauper and... Scriptures (?) in an amusing segment called "Let's Get Praise!" Elyse confesses astonishment at God's description of David as, "a man after God's own heart." Wait! What? And just for fun Phil wanders out onto the porch too, so come on by for a visit. We've got some sweet tea for 'ya. 

Sep 23, 2015

On the front porch today, Joel reviews and recommends a new book that teaches children how to protect their bodies, "God Made All of Me" by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb. Elyse reveals the family's connection to front porches, bluegrass, outhouses and Kentucky (and some famous people), while the three of them begin and end theif singing careers with a painful rendition of "Bill Groan's Goat." Jess then talks about our natural propensity to justify ourselves out of Luke 10:26 confessing her own self-justification strategies with stick figure family drivers. Come on over and sit a spell.

Sep 23, 2015

In this episode, Jessica bants about parents who break all the rules of proper kid-picking-up from school, Joel teaches us about beard oil and the sweetness of fellowship in the Body of Christ from Psalm 133, and Elyse uses Hannah Anderson's blog from Christ and Pop Culture about the ITV program, Broadchurchto talk about how confession of sin facilitates fellowship. 

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