Halfway There

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

Halfway There episodes

August 31, 2020209: Kara-Kae James and Creating Space
Kara-Kae James is an author, blogger, and podcaster. Her newest book is called TOGETHER, A Journal for Mom & Me. Today, Kara-Kae shares her journey as a kid keeping up appearances, how she struggled to trust even though she knew all the right answers, and growing comfortable with her questions. Kara-Kae also shares her journaling practices with her kids and how adopting a son changed her world. Throughout her story, Kara-Kae shows how she creates space for people to be and become themselves. Her story reminds us that God is not daunted by our questions but embraces them and us.
Listen to Kara-Kae’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Kara-Kae shared:
Growing up in Oklahoma as a church kid
Having a legalistic view of God as a young person
How checking all the boxes made her faith not her own
The behind the scenes of church work that jaded her
Knowing all the right answers but still struggling with God
How pastor’s wives can live in authenticity
Learning to be comfortable with her questions
Pursuing her dream of writing
Creating space for people to land with their questions
Her journaling practices with her kids
Adopting their son and how that changed their family
Great quotes from Kara-Kae:
The church was my safe place.
I can easily tell you all the correct answers even if i’m battling in my mind whether or not I believe them.
Sometimes letting things fall apart and asking hard questions is what will truly transform us.
Resources we mentioned:
Kara-Kae’s website
Together, a Journal for Mom & Me: A Guided Experience Connecting Moms and Kids to God and Each Other by Kara-Kae James
Mom Up: Thriving with Grace in the Chaos of Motherhood by Kara-Kae James
Leading and Loving It
Kara-Kae’s Amazon list of books about race
Related episodes:
Karen Gonzalez and the God Who Sees
Ryan Lui and Embracing Your Uniqueness
D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention
The post Kara-Kae James and Creating Space appeared first on Eric Nevins.
39 min
August 27, 2020Bonus: Craig & Janice Hammersmith and Small Signs & Big Promises
Craig & Janice Hammersmith are an ordinary couple follow God’s extraordinary vision for their lives. Today, Craig & Janice share their journey from suburban family to working with students in Luxembourg. Craig shares the restlessness he felt working a tech job, how he received Luxembourg citizenship, and the amazing connections that confirmed God’s call on their family. The Hammersmith’s story reminds us that the Lord works with small signs if we are paying attention.
Listen to the Hammersmith’s story today!
Stories Janice & Craig shared:
Janice growing up in El Paso as a pastor’s kid
How the Lord protected her family
Craig growing up Roman Catholic before he went to public middle school
How his life changed after his mom became a believer
How their decisions in high school shaped them
Meeting one another at Colorado Christian University
The moment he reject a student who later committed suicide
How Craig got citizenship in Luxembourg
Getting connected with YoungLife
The small ways God led them to agree to go to Luxembourg
How the Lord used their kids to confirm they should go
The spiritual climate in Luxembourg
Great quotes from Janice and Craig:
We wouldn’t find the big sign. What we saw was a bunch of small signs and a bunch of promises.
Resources we shared:
Give to the Hammersmiths to help them go to Luxembourg
Watch a video about the Hammersmith’s journey
Related episodes:
Carol Wilson and Following the Lord’s Lead
Chris and Joi Copeland and When God Calls You Go
David Jacob and Seeking After God
The post Craig & Janice Hammersmith and Small Signs & Big Promises appeared first on Eric Nevins.
52 min
August 24, 2020208: James Prescott and Processing Grief Well
James Prescott is an author, podcaster, and Twitter boss (he’s always thought-provoking which I admire a great deal). Today, James shares the story of the trauma and grief he suffered by his mother’s sudden hospitalization as a child. When she returned to the family, her faith strengthened his but when she died years later, James began to ask God some questions. James shares his contemplative journey and why he started the Poema podcast. His story reminds us that it’s okay to ask God questions because He often uses them to mature us into his image.
Listen to James’ story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories James shared:
The season of grief as we endure a pandemic
The two responses to grief
Growing up in a Christian family in the Methodist
The moment his mom woke up after a coma
Being more interested in Jesus after his mom’s injury
Making a decision at 15 to follow Jesus
Growing in discipleship as a college student
Questioning God after his mom died
Finding a new community that allowed him to ask his questions
His changing theological beliefs
Finding a more contemplative expression of his faith
The transcendent moment during a Taizé service
Starting his podcast Poema
Great quotes from James:
This God I believe in is not big enough for me.
I changed how I believe as much as what I believe because how you believe is really important.
Sometimes you can be in pain and not know it
You are not alone. Whatever is going on in your life, you are not alone.
Resources we shared:
Connect with James on Twitter or his website
NOOMA Complete Collection
The Sabbath (FSG Classics) by Abraham Heschel
Related episodes:
Ty Wyss and the Kindness of God
Jennifer Eikenhorst and an Accidental Hope
Mark Karris says Stop Being Superstitious and Put Your Faith into Action
The post James Prescott and Processing Grief Well appeared first on Eric Nevins.
1 hr 1 min
August 17, 2020207: Meg Glesener and the Smile of God
Meg Glesener is a mom of eight raising her family in Seattle, a podcaster, and moderator of Christian Podcasters Association. Today, Meg shares growing up in an unsafe environment, how a Christian girl willing to be her friend changed her life, and her passion for the outcast. Meg also shares with us the bittersweet emotions of letting her children grow up and follow their own faith journeys. Everything Meg does is full of joy and compassion for others. Her story reminds us of God’s heart to leave the 99 to pursue the wayward one.
Listen to Meg’s story now in your favorite podcast player!
Stories Meg shared:
Growing up in Southern California in a non-Christian family
Bouncing around as a kid in a volatile family
Turning to sports and school for meaning
How her dad ended up in rehab
Meeting a girl who invited her to an afterschool program
Giving her life to Christ and not knowing how to tell her parents
Sharing Christ with her twin sisters and seeing her family come to Jesus as well
Choosing to have a large family
Her passion for meeting those with needs
Struggling with parenting as kids make their own choices
Her life prayer in Jude 24
Starting her own podcast, the Letters from Home Podcast
Turning her home into a safe place for others
Great quotes from Meg:
From the very beginning of our marriage we wanted to serve the Lord.
When I think of the Lord’s love and mercy and goodness in my own life, how can I not pour that back in?
There’s no perfect parenting. It’s a walk with God.
Resources we mentioned:
Meg’s website
Connect with Meg on Instagram
Christian Podcasters Association on Facebook and Instagram
Related episodes:
John Swanger Shares Light in Dark Places
April Diaz and Power and Justice in the Kingdom
Troy Greenwood and His Mid-Life Awakening
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48 min
August 10, 2020206: Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People
Jay Kim, a pastor in the Silicon Valley and the author of Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age. Today, Jay shares how being alone as a child shaped him, wandering into agnosticism as a college student, and how Brennan Manning was just what he needed. We talk about the dark season struggling with infertility, too. Then, we discuss his book, why tangible people are so important, and how churches can hold that value even while they engage online. This conversation is the perfect one to have in the midst of a global pandemic and I know it will encourage you.
Listen to Jay’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Jay shared:
Pastoring a church in Silicon Valley
Emigrating to the United States after his mom’s conversion
Being alone a lot as a child and how that shaped him
Thinking that his church involvement meant he loved the Lord
Wandering in college a bit
The college friends that invited him for pizza and Brennan Manning
The people and practices that keep him grounded
How he discovered practices that help
Struggling with infertility and how that shaped him
Why he wrote Analog Church
How analog practices and meetings transform us
Great quotes from Jay:
I discovered they weren’t looking for someone with answers, they were looking for someone to affirm their questions.
When you go through valleys, the emotion trumps your theology.
Incarnation is by definition analog.
Transformation happens in analog, always and only.
Resources we mentioned:
Jay’s website
Connect with Jay on Twitter and Instagram
Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age by Jay Kim
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out by Brennan Manning
Skye Jethani’s article about The Case Against Sermon-Centric Sundays
Related episodes:
ddd
Caroline Harries and The Invitation of Hope
Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures
The post Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People appeared first on Eric Nevins.
52 min
August 03, 2020 205: Gari Meacham and Curveballs and Spiritual Scars
Gari Meacham is an author, speaker, and founder and CEO of The Vine Uganda, a nonprofit. Today, Gari shares the story of how her family was broken by alcohol, the picture of Jesus that kept her from suicide, and her thirty-eight year marriage to former New York Yankee Bobby Meacham. We talk about the process [...]
58 min
August 03, 2020205: Gari Meacham and Curveballs and Spiritual Scars
Gari Meacham is an author, speaker, and founder and CEO of The Vine Uganda, a nonprofit. Today, Gari shares the story of how her family was broken by alcohol, the picture of Jesus that kept her from suicide, and her thirty-eight year marriage to former New York Yankee Bobby Meacham. We talk about the process of rising through the ranks of baseball twice. Plus, Gari shares how her darkest moment led to her greatest ministry.
Listen to Gari’s story in your favorite podcast app, now!
Stories Gari shared:
Growing up in Colorado in an unbelieving family
Her father’s accident that changed their lives
Turning to food for comfort and struggling with anorexia in college
Giving her life to Christ while contemplating suicide
Being on fire for the Lord and digging into Scripture
Speaking at a conference with Beth Moore
Teaching elementary school while her husband coached the minor leagues
Founding The Vine Uganda in Houston
The difficult season when she learned her husband had been unfaithful
How the Lord healed them as they pursued Him
Writing book and her latest Beyond Free
Great quotes from Gari:
I am a wild woman for the Lord because I know how real he is.
The great thing about spiritual scar tissue is that it heals stronger than that tissue was before the injury.
God answers every prayer.
Resources we shared:
Gari’s website
Connect with Gari on Facebook
Beyond Free by Gari Meacham
Spirit Hunger: Filling Our Deep Longing to Connect with God by Gari Meacham
The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers
Related episodes:
Brandy Goebel and Running Back to You
Terry Wardle and the Healing Journey
Mark Waltz and Radical Acceptance in Relationship
The post Gari Meacham and Hitting Life’s Curveballs appeared first on Eric Nevins.
58 min
July 27, 2020204: Tom Schwab and the Richness of Relationship
Tom Schwab is the Chief Evangelist Officer of Interview Valet. Today, Tom shares about growing up in a Roman Catholic family, finding Christ at a men’s retreat, and how he experiences the Lord. Throughout our conversation, Tom comes back to the idea of relationships: with God, with his family, and in business. Tom has a unique approach to life and business by serving those around him and it’s fun to watch. His story reminds us that, in the end, relationships are what matter.
Listen to Tom’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Tom shared:
Growing up in suburban Chicago
Getting into the Navy on a clerical error
What his relationship with God was like growing up Roman Catholic
Finding Christ at a men’s retreat
How experiencing God’s love changed his view of the world
The year of discernment when considering marriage to Karen
Starting Interview Valet
Losing his friend to liver cancer and how Tom processed that with God
How the podcast industry is going to change
How Interview Valet can help you
Great quotes from Tom:
I yelled. God listened. He was patient with me.
There’s a lot of problems in the world today but there’s no better time to be alive.
The richness of my life is the richness of relationships
Resources we mentioned:
Interview Valet
Inbound Marketing, Revised and Updated: Attract, Engage, and Delight Customers Online by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah
Related episodes:
Cyd & Geoff Holsclaw and the God Who Likes You
Trevor Kapralos and the Power of Christian Community
Ronda Nelson and the Gift of Grace
The post Tom Schwab and the Richness of Relationship appeared first on Eric Nevins.
45 min
July 20, 2020203: Cheyenne Olson and Scripture as Foundation
Cheyenne Olson is spiritual mentor, writer, and podcaster who spends her time with high school and college students. Today, Cheyenne shares the story of how studying theology awakened her love for the Lord, discovering repressed memories of abuse, and the first time the Lord spoke to her about the healing process. Cheyenne has a passion for creating safe spaces for people to meet the Lord vulnerably even if that means 2:00 AM phone calls. Cheyenne is pressing into her new life as a writer and following where Jesus leads.
Listen to Cheyenne’s story on your favorite podcast app today!
Stories Cheyenne shared:
Living in the Twin Cities with her family
Seeing lifestyle changes when her parents found Jesus
Discovering how to study Scripture in college
How studying Christian Theology shaped her
Wrestling with depression as she was starting a family
Discovering memories of sexual abuse in her past
How the Lord dismantled her and built her back up
Beginning to teach others how to read Scripture
Why people are craving discipleship
The joy she feels watching others fall in love with Jesus
Her process for discipleship
Starting her podcast Beyond Quiet Time
How the Lord applied the parable of the talents to her
Great quotes from Cheyenne:
He changed me because he changed the way I thought.
To grow in the faith, start in the Gospels; get to know who Jesus is.
You can’t fall in love with somebody you don’t know.
Resources we mentioned:
Cheyenne’s website
Cheyenne’s podcast, Beyond Quiet Time
Related episodes:
Mary DeMuth and Her Avenue of Healing
Curtis Sergeant and the Catalyst of Movements
Laura Flanders and the Mentored Life

The post Cheyenne Olson and the Foundation of Scripture appeared first on Eric Nevins.
41 min
July 13, 2020202: Erik Fisher and the Productive Life
Erik Fisher is a productivity podcaster who hosts the Beyond The To Do List, a show I used to listen to all the time in corporate America. He has also spent years as a social media expert and currently serves as the Director of Social Media Education at Agorapulse. Today, Erik shares his relationship with the Lord as a child, how his brother’s brain tumor challenged his faith, and why productivity is a life thing not a work thing. Life is too short to waste even a moment and Erik’s story reminds us that we can serve the Lord with our habits.
Listen to Erik’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Erik shared:
Feeling thankful to have a secure job right now
Born into a Christian family in upstate New York
Talking to God as a child
His brother’s brain tumor
Beginning to take ownership of his faith as a highschooler
How going to a youth group event as a high schooler changed the course of his life
Struggles with marriage and how that affected his faith
When his daughter was born early and how that challenged him
How he got into productivity
Why productivity and faith aren’t that dissimilar
Why he doesn’t consider himself evangelistic
Great quotes from Erik
Does what you present yourself as match who you are?
I don’t see productivity as a work thing; I see it as a life thing.
I might be that pivot point for someone else.
Resources we mentioned:
Beyond the To Do List
Erik on Twitter
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Related episodes:
Vicki Proffit and the Encouragement of God
Mark Scandrette and Unconventional Christianity
Tracy Winchell and the Value of Starting Over
The post Erik Fisher and the Productive Life appeared first on Eric Nevins.
48 min

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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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