Halfway There

By Eric NevinsSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality Personal Journals

Halfway There episodes

November 02, 2020218: Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Longings
Rachel Welcher is an editor at Fathom Magazine, a poet, and an author whose book Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality is about to be released. Today, Rachel shares how she followed all the purity culture rules before marriage, how she felt when her marriage ended in divorce, and developing a more holistic sexual ethic. Rachel’s story reminds us that God wants our hearts no matter what our circumstances are.
Listen to Rachel’s story now!
Stories Rachel shared:
Growing up in Northern California as a pastor’s kid
Realizing at age 11 that she could have her own a relationship with God
Having a “blessed life” without suffering through her mid 20s
Following all the rules as she dated her first husband
Her husband’s crisis of faith that created her own
Why “it could have been worse” doesn’t bring comfort
The friend who allowed her to lament
Dealing with shame and depression after her divorce
What the Lord taught her through wrestling with him
Learning that following Jesus doesn’t require all of her previous theological commitments
Going to graduate school at St. Andrews
Beginning to be published as a writer
Discovering that spiritual disciplines are not a replacement for necessary medication
Why she loves writing poetry
Deciding to reread purity culture books for how they impact a victim of sexual abuse
Great quotes from Rachel:
Doing the right things does not guarantee a good inner life.
God can allow great suffering for his children and still love us.
The calling to honor God with our sexuality doesn’t end at the alter.
What if we talk to teenagers about the spiritual growth through periods of unmet longing?
Resources we mentioned:
Rachel’s website
Rachel’s Twitter
Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher
Two Funerals, Then Easter by Rachel Joy Welcher
Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out
Related episodes:
Thomas Umstattd and Untwisting the Gospel
Rebecca Lemke Talks Purity, Legalism, and Finding Grace
J. Parker and How the Gospel Applies to Sex
The post Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Longings appeared first on Eric Nevins.
53 min
October 26, 2020217: Os Guinness and Understanding Our Moment
Os Guinness is an English author and social critic and a previous guest on Halfway There. His work is largely responsible for this podcast and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to speak with him. Today, Os shares what it was like being at L’Abri with the Schaeffers, why we need to understand the cultural shifts of the 1960s, and the scandal of discipleship in the American church today. Os is a gifted writer and thinker who helped me understand our historical context. This conversation is sure to encourage you to engage differently.
Listen to Os now!
Stories Os shared:
Visiting and working at L’Abri with Francis and Edith Schaeffer
The kind of people who came by L’Abri
How he became a writer
How understanding the 1960s helps us understand today
The difference between the American and French revolutions and their impacts today
Why the Biblical view of freedom is unique
How to engage on social media
How to following your calling to make a change
The collapse of transmission in the American church
How to think about revival
Why now is the time to reclaim our understanding of freedom
Great quotes from Os:
You can’t understand today’s crisis without understanding the 60s.
The challenge today is not just to say “injustice” but to say “Whose view of justice are you using to redress the problem?”
We who are called to be salt and light are clearly neither salty nor light-bearing if we’re the majority and uninfluential.
Resources we mentioned:
Os Guinness’s website
The Dust of Death: The Sixties Counterculture and How It Changed America Forever (IVP Signature Collection) by Os Guinness
Repressive Tolerance
The Second Evangelical Awakening by J. Edwin Orr
Related episodes:
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
Laura Flanders and the Mentored Life
Kyle Strobel and Integrating Spirituality and Theology
The post Os Guinness and Understanding Our Moment appeared first on Eric Nevins.
48 min
October 19, 2020216: Kaitlyn Schiess and Why Everything is Spiritual (Even Politics)
Kaitlyn Schiess is an author and minister. Her new book is The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor. Today, Kaitlyn shares what she learned growing up in a Christian family, choosing to go into ministry instead of law, and how churches can engage the spiritual formation of politics. Kaitlyn shares some key ways churches can engage their neighbors and why they must talk about politics. Kaitlyn’s story reminds us everything is spiritual and forming even if we neglect it.
Listen to Kaitlyn’s story today!
Stories Kaitlyn shared:
Growing up as a military kid moving around
Her faithful parents who were highly involved in church
Changing her perspective on giving her life to Christ
Feeling God’s peace, comfort, and presence at a camp meeting
Reading the Bible in a year as a way of developing her faith
The camaraderie that came from the debate team
Recognizing what an idol performance was for her
Serving at camp with middle schoolers and how one week changed her life
The pastor who began to open doors for her
Choosing to go to seminary instead of law school
Why she wrote the Liturgy of Politics
How churches can engage their neighbors
Why churches must be talking about politics
Great quotes from Kaitlyn:
You think people in your churches know things but they don’t and it blows their minds.
The political participation that people are involved in is forming them spiritually.
If you’re not talking about politics, you’re not being apolitical. You’re actually just reinforcing whatever bad theology people have.
Start with taking care of your soul.
Resources we mentioned:
Kaitlyn’s website
The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess
Desiring the Kingdom (Cultural Liturgies) by James K.A. Smith
The Ordinance
Related episodes:
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention
Chris Staron Calls a Truce on the Culture War
The post Kaitlyn Schiess and Why Everything is Spiritual (Even Politics) appeared first on Eric Nevins.
45 min
October 12, 2020215: Skye Jethani and Living Life With God
Skye Jethani is an author, speaker, consultant, and ordained minister. He also serves as the co-host of the popular Holy Post Podcast, a weekly show that blends astute cultural and theological insights with comical conversation. Today, Skye shares how growing up in a religiously mixed home shaped him, deciding to follow Christ against his father’s wishes, and why it’s surprising he has written so many books. Skye also discusses his works including his book With, and his latest What if Jesus was Serious? Skye’s story proves that no matter what our plans are, the Lord will lead us where he will for our good.
Listen to Skye’s story today!
Stories Skye shared:
Living in the shadow of Wheaton College
Growing up in a religiously mixed family
Losing a younger brother when he was in second grade and how that affected his family
Navigating different cultures
Traveling a lot as a kid and how that influenced him
The man who gave him a word from the Lord near Nashville
Deciding to follow Christ regardless of his dad’s approval
The moment that set the course for his college experience
His undergrad mentor who was a bit of a mystic
Arguing with his father over going to seminary
Exploring many traditions of Christianity
The difference between historic Evangelicalism and fundamentalism
Experiencing a dark night in 2005 when he learned perseverance
The discipline of worship
How he started writing and where that led him
Writing his book With
How culture is changing and what the Church can do to engage
Why he started doodling and how that turned into What if Jesus was Seri0us?
Great quotes from Skye:
I did not like the subculture I thought I had to buy into in order to follow Jesus.
I benefited from a broad exposure to Christian traditions.
Anybody who has benefited from anything I’ve done in ministry or book I’ve written or anything else you can thank an atheist.
Resources we mentioned:
Skye’s website where you can sign up for With God Daily
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani
What If Jesus Was Serious?: A Visual Guide to the Teachings of Jesus We Love to Ignore by Skye Jethani
The Case Against Sermon-Centric Sundays in Premier Christianity
The episode of the Holy Post about the differences between evangelicalism and fundamentalism
Related episodes:
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
Suzanne Stabile and How the Enneagram Helps Relationships
Aaron Niequist and Swimming in the Eternal Current
The post Skye Jethani and Living Life with God appeared first on Eric Nevins.
1 hr 4 min
October 05, 2020214: Erin Davis and the Twin Anchors of Life in God
Erin Davis is a speaker, author, and blogger. Her latest book is 7 Feasts: Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament. Today, Erin shares how Scripture began to make sense after her conversion, how her husband encouraged her to teach, and the season of grief that refined her. We also talk about why the Old Testament is valuable to reveal God to us. Erin’s story reminds us that God reveals himself in Scripture and we can find him wherever we read.
Listen to Erin’s story now!
Stories Erin shared:
Growing up in a mixed religious house in Missouri
Visiting a new church and being invited to a retreat
Giving her life to Christ at that conference
Discovering her gifts as she interacted in youth group
Noticing how Scripture made more sense after giving her life to Christ
Bouncing around in college a bit
Noticing the girls in her church’s youth group needed depth
How her husband encouraged her to use her gifts
Learning to be present with the Lord more often
Walking through a season of grief
The crucible of suffering and what she learned
The professor who discouraged her from writing
Deciding to pursue a career as a writer and teacher
How she decided to study the 7 feasts
What she hopes her book will accomplish
Great quotes from Erin:
Anywhere I could teach the Bible, I’d go.
There are two anchors in my life: God is sovereign and God is good.
If you don’t have the sovereignty of God when you’re suffering, you don’t have anything.
Resources we mentioned:
Erin’s website
7 Feasts: Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament by Erin Davis
Related episodes:
Aimee Byrd and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Bryan Wolfmueller and the Joy of Theology
Stephanie Rousselle and Tasting All the Spices
The post Erin Davis and the Twin Anchors of Life in God appeared first on Eric Nevins.
46 min
September 28, 2020213: Stephanie Rousselle and Tasting All the Spices
Stephanie Rousselle is a wife, mom, podcaster, public speaker, writer, and former women's ministry director. Today, Stephanie shares what it was like growing up in France as an atheist, what happened when she let God in for a week, and learning to love Scripture. Stephanie has traveled and lived around the world which gives her an insight into how culture affects our reading of Scripture that few can claim. She also has a podcast and shares why her show is called Gospel Spice. Her story reminds us that God is always seeking us out even when we are not seeking him.
Listen to Stephanie’s story on your favorite podcast app!
Stories Stephanie shared:
Growing up in France as an atheist
Coming to the United States as a foreign exchange student at 16
Thinking that everyone in the U.S. was a Christian
How her host family created room for her with vulnerability
How the resurrection finally convinced her to follow Christ
Opening her life to the Lord for one week
The rest she experienced that changed her life
Returning to France convinced she was the first French Christian
Moving around the world multiple times
Learning about how we approach Scripture culturally
Seeing the cost of being a Christian in Africa
Why it was hard for her to accept God’s acceptance
Starting her podcast, Gospel Spice
Great quotes from Stephanie:
On occasion, God shows such grace as to reveal himself to those not seeking him.
If you do not see Jesus as the most beautiful lover of your soul, just ask the Holy Spirit to do that work to make you fall in love with him again.
I had tasted the chocolate and there was no going back.
Seasons of relative darkness highlight the light.
If something else besides Christ could have saved us, God would have given it.
Resources we mentioned:
Stephanie’s website
Stephanie’s podcast, Gospel Spice
More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell
The C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (8-Volume Box Set): An Anthology of 8 C. S. Lewis Titles: Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, Miracles, The … The Abolition of Man, and The Four Loves
Related episodes:
Carol Wilson and Following the Lord’s Leading
Rob Karch and Embracing God in the Unexpected
Tony Weeder and the Cost of the Gospel
The post Stephanie Rousselle and Tasting All the Spices appeared first on Eric Nevins.
1 hr 1 min
September 21, 2020 212: Neil Matthews and Accepting God's Acceptance
Neil Matthews is a husband, father, and the producer of the podcast Other People’s Shoes where he creates space to hear one another’s perspectives. Today, Neil shares how he got swept into youth ministry, lost it all after a startling confession, and found a new ministry in podcasting. Neil relates his struggle with pride as [...]
56 min
September 21, 2020212: Neil Matthews and Accepting God’s Acceptance
Neil Matthews is a husband, father, and the producer of the podcast Other People’s Shoes where he creates space to hear one another’s perspectives. Today, Neil shares how he got swept into youth ministry, lost it all after a startling confession, and found a new ministry in podcasting. Neil relates his struggle with pride as a cover for his deeper woundings. He learned to depend on grace in humility while listening to what others are going through. Neil’s story reminds us that God is shaping us for the good through even the hardest experiences.
Listen to Neil’s story now!
Stories Neil shared:
Growing up in Southern California
Moving to Oregon before sixth grade
Choosing Christ and getting baptized
The night he almost committed suicide
The mentor who gave him a DC Talk tape
Giving his life to Christ at youth group once and for all
The night his youth leader quit in scandal
Getting swept into ministry as a 19 year old
Pursuing credentials as a pastor
How pornography derailed his career as a pastor
Reconciling with the pastor who fired him through his podcast
The absence of God he felt in that season
Getting baptized again on April 15, 2012
Learning to accept God’s acceptance of him
Great quotes from Neil:
Pain is something all of us walk in. How are we going to use it?
God sees me as who I am more than I do.
I am so important to him that I don’t need to get importance from anyone else.
Resources we mentioned:
Neil’s podcast website, Other People’s Shoes
You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church . . . and Rethinking Faith by David Kinnaman
Neil’s episode with the pastor who fired him, You Lost Me Season Finale
Related episodes:
Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures
Meg Glesener and the Smile of God
John Swanger Shares Light in Dark Places
The post Neil Matthews and Accepting God’s Acceptance appeared first on Eric Nevins.
56 min
September 14, 2020211: Aimee Byrd and Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Aimee Byrd is an author and podcaster. Her latest book is Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and it has caused quite the controversy. Today, Aimee shares how she longed for discipleship in college, met people of various theological stripes when she opened her own coffee shop, and learned to write in order to answer the questions others are asking. She is deeply concerned about the discipleship of women. Aimee has a knack for creating a conversation around important topics for disciples everywhere. Her story reminds us that what we believe about God shapes who we become in him.
Listen to Aimee’s story today!
Stories Aimee shared:
How Aimee became passionate about theology
Joining the Mortification of Spin podcast
Growing up in a Southern Baptist church and family
Realizing she wasn’t living the the way she wanted to after a night of partying
Thirsting for discipleship in college
Opening a coffee shop after college and engaging people of different theological stripes
Starting a Bible study for women in her church
How her pastor’s condescending attitude sent her on a journey
Moving to a new area and church and the lonely time that led to her writing
Struggling with being different in middle school
How selling her half of the coffee shop challenged her identity
Why she wrote Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Great quotes from Aimee:
You need discernment in a Christian bookstore.
I think my writing articulates questions regular people already have.
Just because put the word “biblical” in front of something doesn’t make it so.
Resources we mentioned:
Aimee’s website
Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd
No Little Women: Equipping All Women in the Household of God
Related episodes:
Coleen Sharp and Building a Firm Foundation
Alex Lombard and Sticking to the Truth
Thomas Umstattd and Untwisting the Gospel
The post Aimee Byrd and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood appeared first on Eric Nevins.
55 min
September 07, 2020210: Bobby Jackson and Community that Heals
Bobby Jackson is a man of many hats: pastor, licensed therapist, and leader in the field of student care. Today, Bobby how he found stability in church as a kid, how deployment as an Army medic changed his life, and the car crash that led him to surrender to the Lord once and for all. Bobby has spent years developing programs to help students in pain and shares how his program can be used in churches around the country. Bobby’s story reminds us that no matter how far we think we’ve run, God will never let us go.
Listen to Bobby’s story now!
Stories Bobby shared:
Changing jobs and starting Rally Point Ministry
Growing up as an Air Force kid
The role of faith as he moved around
The influence of his mom on his faith
Why he went into youth ministry
Getting into theater in high school
Admission to Moody Bible Institute
Ending up in the Army and the difficulties of coming home
Being left by his wife and chasing her for a year
The season when he wrestled with God about the challenges
The “mini-miracles” that happened at his lowest
Feeling a degree of healing from his injuries
Totalling his car on the day he decided to rebel against God
The community that helped him heal
How he started ReGroup
Great quotes from Bobby:
Kids don’t inform Santa that they don’t believe he exists. But that’s the letter I wrote to God.
Community was a big part of my healing experience.
Every break in a relationship is two ways.
Resources we mentioned:
Rally Point Ministry
Related episodes:
Terry Wardle and the Healing Journey
D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention
Trevor Kapralos and the Power of Christian Community
The post Bobby Jackson and Community that Heals appeared first on Eric Nevins.
45 min

About Halfway There

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Each episode of Halfway There features an ordinary Christian sharing their story of spiritual formation on the journey of life with God. Go beyond the classic Christian testimony into the ups and…

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