Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Ep 1221 | Uncle Si Refuses to Let a Long-Lost Sister Walk Away from God & What Is Faith?

Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Tread Lively
Guests: Al Robertson, S.I. (Seth) Butler, James Robertson, Philip McMillan

Episode Overview

This episode of "Unashamed" dives deep into themes of faith, family, and spiritual legacy. The Robertsons circle around a moving, true story: Philip McMillan's reconnection with his long-lost sister Kim, their emotional journey, and her embrace of faith after decades apart—all sparked by relentless pursuit and the power of connection, forgiveness, and the gospel. The conversation naturally expands to the meaning of faith, the significance of spiritual family, and the nature of Jesus’ mission, as the Robertsons reflect on key biblical passages and personal experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Philip McMillan's Family Story: A Lost and Found Sister

• Backstory and Reconnection

  • Philip recounts how, twenty years ago, his sister Kim found him unexpectedly. After meeting only briefly, they lost touch for two decades.
  • Recently, after several failed attempts to reconnect, Philip received a Facebook message from Kim, which led to them meeting again and rekindling a sibling bond.
  • Quote: "She cries a lot...she's emotional. But I just said, I'm glad to know that I have a relationship with this person now who's been my sister all this time, but I didn't know." – Philip McMillan [09:13]

• Spiritual Connection and Conversion

  • The family’s DNA was discussed as more than physical—a spiritual connection that drew them together despite years apart.
  • Kim expressed longing for the joy she'd witnessed in Philip's life, leading her to learn about and then accept the Gospel.
  • The journey culminated in Kim being baptized by Philip.
    • Quote: "She said, 'I believe this, and there's been an emptiness inside of me that I need to feel.'" – Philip McMillan [09:42]
    • Quote: "She came to the building on Sunday. We went down, talked for a little while. She went down front. She confessed Jesus as lord and was baptized on Sunday." – Philip McMillan [12:10]
    • Memorable Encouragement from Uncle Si:
      "What are you waiting for? You've been searching for this your whole life, and now you found it. You're like a mule, backing up." – Uncle Si [10:57]

2. What is Faith? A Biblical Exploration

• Faith Beyond Definition
  • The crew discusses Hebrews 11:6 and Romans 4:17—faith seen as trusting in what cannot be seen and believing in God’s promises beyond material reality.
    • Quote: "[Faith is] being sure of what we hope for or certain...the evidence of things not seen." – James Robertson [16:45]
  • They highlight Abraham's faith, who trusted God's promise to raise Isaac, believing in the unseen.
• Courtroom Imagery and Faith
  • The Book of John is explored as having a courtroom feel: “It’s a trial jargon...this is the verdict...Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness.” – Al Robertson [17:55]

3. Forever Family & Spiritual Legacy

• Family as Core Theme

  • The episode is part of the "Forever Family" series, using Acts 2 as a blueprint for spiritual community across generations.
  • Stories intersect personal family with biblical family, showing the gospel’s power to transform and unite.

• Testimonies of Faith’s Ripple Effect

  • Al shares an impactful story of a man whose life changed a decade after watching a gospel video—underscoring how legacies of faith reach far beyond their initial moment.
    • Quote: "Dad's been gone now, almost a year, but he's still breaking through." – Al Robertson [13:20]

4. Human Longing, the Holy Spirit, and True Fulfillment

• Longing and Searching
  • Referencing U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," the group discusses human yearning for something deeper, concluding only faith and the Holy Spirit can fill that void.
    • Quote: "If you hadn't found it through this and through what Christ did, you ain't ever gonna find [it]." – Philip McMillan [22:56]
• The Fruit of the Spirit
  • Uncle Si links Kim’s spiritual search to “the untouchable”—joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit, which are experienced but unseen.
    • Quote: "What she was searching for is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Joy, peace, things that I call them the untouchable. And back to faith. You can’t see them, but you can see the result and you can feel the result." – S.I. (Seth) Butler [23:02]

5. Living Faith Out in Real Life

• Beyond the Law: Jesus and the Spirit
  • Discussions focus on how Jesus fulfilled the law by offering something more—a presence within (the Holy Spirit)—enabling believers to endure uncertainty, pain, and life’s unpredictability.
    • Quote: "If your focus is on Jesus and his presence in you, all of a sudden, even though you’re still going to experience fear, anxiety, worry, doubt...there’s a presence inside of me that I’m focused on that’s going to turn all those negative emotions...to faith." – James Robertson [27:59]

6. Jesus’ Power and Sacrifice

• Reflections on Christ’s Crucifixion
  • A significant portion is devoted to the emotions stirred by Jesus’ self-sacrifice, his suffering, and the injustice he endured—emphasizing forgiveness even for his executioners.
    • Quote: "When he was hanging on the cross, dying, he’s forgiven: 'Father, they don’t know what they’re doing.'" – S.I. (Seth) Butler [53:55]
  • The vast contrast between Christ’s authority as creator and his willingness to submit to suffering out of love is discussed at length.
    • Quote: "You have no idea the power Christ had...he could have done them in right there." – Philip McMillan [54:03]
    • Quote: "With just one thought and you’re burnt to a crisp." – S.I. (Seth) Butler [54:57]

7. Living in the Tension: Kingdom Citizens in the World

• Navigating Earthly Challenges

  • Al relates Jesus’ example of paying taxes (Matthew 17) with a coin from a fish’s mouth to living responsibly in the world, despite being part of a greater kingdom.
    • Quote: "Even though we understand larger than the world, we still have to live in this world. Trust me, every April 15th, I have the same feeling like, ugh...but you know what, Jesus showed me the example..." – Al Robertson [49:45]

• Earthly Power, Authority, and God’s Sovereignty

  • The team discusses Pilate’s limited authority, with Jesus reminding him that all power is allowed from above (John 19), and the ongoing folly of human governance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Uncle Si’s Unyielding Encouragement [10:57]
  "You’ve been searching for this your whole life, and now you found it. You’re like a mule, backing up."

• On Spiritual DNA and Family [09:24]
  "There’s something there because we both share that DNA...and you feel it. You know it." – Al Robertson

• On Faith as Evidence of the Unseen [16:45]
  "There’s evidence of things I can’t see—which kind of turns on its head a courtroom setting..." – James Robertson

• On Seeking the Intangible [23:02]
  "What she was searching for is the fruit of the Holy Spirit...you can’t see them, but you...feel the result." – Uncle Si

• On True Treasure [37:21]
  "You was worried about a dollar bill, and I was giving you the keys to the kingdom of God." – Uncle Si

• On Christ’s Forgiveness [53:55]
  "When he was hanging on the cross, dying, you know, he’s forgiven: Father, they don’t know what they’re doing."

• On the Enduring Mission [58:04]
  "The human race is never going to learn. That's why we got a job job today." – James Robertson

Episode Timeline

• [02:50] – S.I. Butler introduces the central study: contemplating the last day of Christ’s life.
• [04:00] – Philip McMillan shares his gratitude for spiritual mentoring and recounts the “lost sister” story.
• [07:10] – Kim’s sudden loss of contact, decades apart, and the moving journey to reconnection.
• [09:42] – The spiritual moment: sharing the gospel with Kim and her decision.
• [10:47] – Uncle Si’s direct call: "What are you waiting for?"
• [12:26] – Kim’s baptism by Philip and the emotional significance.
• [13:20] – Al Robertson: Legacy, faith stories, and “Forever Family” theme.
• [16:15] – Romans 4 and Hebrews 11: exploring the nature and logic-defying reality of faith.
• [22:42] – Cultural references: U2’s song as a metaphor for spiritual searching.
• [27:59] – James discusses how the presence of Jesus/Spirit transforms negative emotions.
• [36:00] – Jesus, the coin, and taxes: lessons on material security and living as dual citizens.
• [39:19] – Al and Si parallel Jesus on the cross and the thieves' responses.
• [46:46] – Faith is about believing beyond what the earth has to offer.
• [53:43] – The crew wrestles with the depth of Jesus' suffering, love, and the nature of true power.
• [56:46] – On earthly authority and God’s sovereignty amid politics and protest.
• [58:04-end] – Reflecting on humanity’s failure to “learn”—and why the faith mission continues.

Tone and Style

• Authentic & Country-Warm: The conversational, good-natured banter characteristic of the Robertsons remains: down-home wisdom, laughter, and gentle ribbing.
• Intensely Personal: The story of Philip and Kim is told with vulnerability and deep emotion.
• Biblically Anchored: Every topic circles back to scripture, faith, and living it out.
• Urgent & Encouraging: The hosts and guests place urgency on sharing the gospel and helping listeners see their purpose in God’s story.

Final Takeaways

This episode powerfully intertwines family restoration and spiritual renewal, demonstrating how God’s legacy extends through generations and unexpected reunions. The Robertsons openly wrestle with the challenges of faith—its mystery, its evidence, and its call to live as a “forever family” rooted in Christ, not only for themselves but for anyone willing to take that step, no matter how long it takes.