Chris Taylor is a writer and speaker about sexual intimacy in Christian marriage. She blogs and hosts multiple podcasts about the subject. Today, Chris shares the story of how she became a Christian sex blogger. She tells us about the moment she first experienced Christian community, how sex changed from fun to burdensome, and how God gave her a message from her mess. Her story reminds us that God redeems everything for his glory.

Listen to Chris’s story today!

Stories Chris shared:

• Here ministry to women struggling with sex in marriage

Great quotes from Chris:

Social justice is about caring for other people and making sure they have what they need to live.

I am the poster child for the idea that God uses your mess to become a message.

My sexual journey parallelled my spiritual journey in ways that still surprise me.

Resources we mentioned:

• Chris’s website Forgiven Wife

Related episodes:

• J. Parker and How the Gospel Applies to Sex

The post Chris Taylor and Sex and Spiritual Growth appeared first on Eric Nevins.

James Early is a podcaster and prison minister. Today, James shares about asking questions about faith as a high school student, learning how to apply Scripture practically, and what he learned from being a stay-at-home dad before that was a thing. James loves the Lord and wanted to be a minister early in life. Now his podcast reaches around the world as he shares the message of the Kingdom of God available today. James’ story reminds us that even when we think our impact is small, the Lord use us in unexpected ways.

Listen to James’ story now!

Stories James shared:

• Starting his podcast The Bible Speaks to You

Great quotes from James:

I am really grateful now that I didn’t get those promotions. You’ve got to keep that ego in check.

I can say all the things I’m supposed to say; but when are you putting this into practice?

It’s not your theology that gets you into heaven.

Resources we mentioned:

• James’ website: The Bible Speaks to You

Related episodes:

• Bobby Jackson and Community that Heals

The post James Early and the Value of Christian Unity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Kent Dickerson is a preacher, writer, and seminar presenter, currently from South Korea. Today, Kent shares the story of how he gave his life to Christ, the moment when lust got ahold of him, and how he overcame the struggle of pornography in his life. Kent had a radical encounter with God’s love in the Alps and it changed his life. His story reminds us to focus on God his character and beauty instead of all the other things that impress us.

Listen to Kent’s story now!

Stories Kent shared:

• How he ended up in South Korea

Great quotes from Kent:

I had a relationship with the Bible not the God of the Bible.

I was finally at a place to receive what he had for me all along.

Can I experience you through the temptation?

All my life I’ve been chasing beauty…and it’s because my yearning for God’s beauty was so strong.

Resources we mentioned:

• Kent’s website

Related episodes:

• J. Parker and How the Gospel Applies to Sex

The post Kent Dickerson and Yearning for God’s Beauty appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Karen Swallow Prior is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Today, Karen shares how she resisted the Lord early in life, becoming a pro-life protester and getting arrested five times, and how getting hit by a bus was a mystical experience. Karen also shares how reading classic literature is an important and formative experience that just happens to be fun as well. Karen’s story reminds us that engaging culture means thoughtful reading.

Listen to Karen’s story today!

Stories Karen shared:

• Growing up in a Christian family in the American Northeast

Great quotes from Karen:

My whole life centered around books when I was a little girl.

I love teaching because I love learning.

[Reading fiction] is an embodied, incarnational experience.

This is where the culture is being shaped, on social media.

We are living in a new dark age in the sense that there is so much information that it’s very difficult to tell truth from fact. But the real battle is that we care about the difference.

Evangelicals don’t like the questions; we just like the answers. Art is about the questions.

Resources we mentioned:

• Karen’s website

Related episodes:

• Skye Jethani and Living Life with God

The post Karen Swallow Prior and the Spiritual Practice of Reading Fiction appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Jamie Rowe is a recording artist best known as the lead singer of Guardian. His latest recording is This is Home available wherever you get great music. Today, Jamie shares how the Lord spoke to him as a teenager, discovering he could sing, and how he joined Guardian. The men in the group became mentors and helped him through difficult times. And Jamie shares a dark season a few years ago that cost him his marriage but gave him a new perspective on God’s grace as well. Jamie’s story reminds us that we always depend on the goodness of God.

Listen to Jamie’s story now!

Stories Jamie shared:

• Growing up in Indiana feeling like he didn’t fit in

Great quotes from Jamie:

God is a lot more powerful than we allow him to be.

I love the mystery of Christianity.

In a lot of ways Christian music became my Christianity.

Resources we mentioned:

• Jamie’s website

Related episodes:

• John Schlitt is a Rock Star Redeemed

The post Jamie Rowe and Finding His True Home appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Amber Cullum is a mom and the host of the Grace Enough podcast. Today, Amber shares how she approached singleness, the trip to India that almost broke her faith, and how she learned to listen more. Amber is a woman who loves the Lord deeply and encourages many to follow faithfully. Her podcast is one of my favorites and if you like Halfway There, I know you’ll like Grace Enough. Subscribe today.

Listen to Amber’s story now!

Stories Amber shared:

• Being a mom to three kids

Great quotes from Amber:

I want single people to know that there is such value to your singleness.

God is not just working in my little life.

If you actually sit across from people who are not like you and listen, you may have a different perspective.

Resources we mentioned:

• Amber’s website

Related episodes:

• Terry Wardle and the Healing Journey

The post Amber Cullum and the Journey to Grace appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Matt Tommey is an artist, author and mentor to thousands of Christian artists around the world. His passion is to help artists overcome the roadblocks that have held them back for years and start thriving spiritually, artistically and in business. Matt is the author of 6 books, founder of the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program and host of The Thriving Christian Artist podcast. Today, Matt shares how he learned to “tap dance for Jesus” as a kid, how he almost lost his faith, and choosing to follow the Lord’s design in everything. Matt’s story reminds us that we are partners is sharing the Gospel through the work God created us to do.

Listen to Matt’s story today!

Stories Matt shared:

• Growing up in Georgia

Great quotes from Matt:

The older you get and the more experience you have with the Lord, you just learn to trust.

God births vision out of our desire and our design.

At this point in my journey, I’m not afraid to welcome him into every part of my being.

Resources we mentioned:

• Matt’s website

Related episodes:

• Tim Winders and Redefining Success

The post Matt Tommey and Partnership in the Gospel appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Michelle Rayburn is a freelance writer and podcaster who appreciates how life's difficulties can turn out to be opportunities learn and grow. Today, Michelle shares her sometimes Pharisaical approach to her faith as a young woman, learning to engage people who are not like her, and discovering herself through writing. In every story Michelle shares, she reminds us that it’s okay to be immature so we can eventually become mature in Christ. We only need to accept permission to grow.

Listen to Michelle’s story now!

Stories Michelle shared:

• Editing books and writing to reach women

Great quotes from Michelle:

I think we spend a lot of time debating which one is theologically correct. Outside of that there is this whole world that doesn’t care at all what the differences are between them. They just need some hope.

I realized at one point that I was living exactly as I would if I believed in a works-based religion.

What’s God going to do through this that’s beautiful?

What if the “old marrieds” ask the young marrieds how they can help?

Resources we mentioned:

• Michelle’s website

Related episodes:

• Erin Davis and the Twin Anchors of Life in God

The post Michelle Rayburn and Growing in Christ appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Tim Winders is a performance coach to Executive Teams and Entrepreneurial Leaders. He is an author and the host of the SeekGoCreate podcast. He and his wife, Glori, have been married for over 30 years. They now consider themselves nomads as they currently travel, live, and work in their 39-foot RV named Theo. Today, Tim shares his longing for success, how he slowly lost his business during the Great Recession, and the new ministry the Lord gave him as a result. Tim’s story reminds us that the Lord wants the throne to our life.

Listen to Tim’s story now!

Stories Tim shared:

• Growing up in Atlanta

Great quotes from Tim:

Whining and begging is better than running and hiding.

I had an idol that was acceptable in society. My idol was pursuing success.

Always be working on your relationship with the Father.

Resources we mentioned:

• Tim’s website

Related episodes:

• Erik Fisher and the Productive Life

The post Tim Winders and Redefining Success appeared first on Eric Nevins.