Halfway There

Julie Court is an author, speaker and motivational coach. Today, Julie shares how she gave up on God after it seemed like he never came through, the friend who loved an angry girl, and how she learned to forgive. Julie has a very intimate relationship with Jesus and often talks with him and listens to where he wants her to go. She shares why she went to Kenya after an uprising to speak on forgiveness and how powerfully the Lord worked through her. And, we talk about her book, Incredible Life Makeover, as well. If you have a few things you need to lay down and forgive (isn’t that all of us?), this episode is for you!

Listen to Julie’s story now!

Stories Julie shared:

• Growing up in a home with alcoholism and divorce

Great quotes from Julie:

Not everyone will love someone who is as angry and dysfunctional as I was.

When God asks us to do something extraordinary, he’s going to do something extraordinary.

Only you can destroy your life.

Resources we mentioned:

• Julie’s website where you can get a free chapter of her book

Related Episodes:

• Evan Money Loves Getting Married and Other Joys

The post Julie Court and the Power of Forgiveness appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Os Guinness is an author, speaker, and prominent social critic whose work has profoundly affected many including me. Today, Os shares the story of his rich spiritual heritage. He came to faith as a young man while reading C.S. Lewis, learned from Francis Schaeffer, and has written many books. We also discuss what a Christian view of time looks like and his new book Carpe Diem Redeemed. This is a conversation sure to give you a deeper appreciation for the long lineage of historical faith in Christ and encourage you to trust the Lord with everything, even your time.

Listen to Os’ story now!

Stories Os shared:

• How to respond to loss of Christian consensus

Great quotes from Os:

Every generation is just one more pulsebeat in the life of humanity.

There’s a saying here in Washington, “Jesus plus nothing,” which when you think about it is stupid. It’s Jesus plus everything but under the lordship of Jesus.

As we come to know God we become partners with him in fulfilling his purpose in his world and working as his partners to restore the world.

Doubt is a halfway house.

Resources we mentioned:

• Carpe Diem Redeemed: Seizing the Day, Discerning the Times

Related episodes:

• Douglas Groothuis and Walking Through Twilight

The post Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Dr. Corinne Weaver is a chiropractor helping patients get healthy through holistic methods. Today, Corinne shares the story of the bicycle accident that damaged her health seemingly permanently, how the Lord directed her to chiropractic care, and why it’s important to take care of our bodies. She also teaches us her technique for how to breathe properly and why that is so important for good health. Her books, Learning How to Breathe, and No More Meds, will take you deeper into a natural healing journey. Whether you are healthy, could use a little refresher, or just need to recover from illness, Corinne’s story will inspire and educate you to begin the journey.

Listen to Corinne’s story now!

Stories Corinne shared:

• The accident that dramatically damaged her health

Great quotes from Corrinne:

If we don’t take care of our physical being, it’s going to affect us spiritually, too.

I make time everyday for quiet time whether it’s reading Scripture or just breathing.

I love helping parents that are motivated to make some lifestyle changes for their families.

Resources we mentioned:

• Corinne’s website

Related episodes:

• Dr. Joe O’Tool is Creating a Culture of Care

The post Dr. Corinne Weaver and Learning to Breathe appeared first on Eric Nevins.

In this bonus episode, we catch up with Steve Simms, an author, pastor, and previous guest on Halfway There. Steve’s heart for relationship with Jesus will inspire you to walk a little more closely to him, too. Steve writes books and in this conversation, we talk about his last two books, one about a Christian response to racism, and the other about returning to early Christianity. I think you’ll be inspired by Steve’s heart and words.

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See you next month!

Stories Steve shared:

• Leaving his Salvation Army church

Great quotes from Steve:

Church hurt, hurts.

When people are allowed to have a role in Sunday morning, they grow so much faster.

I want to live what they did in the book of Acts.

You can grow as fast as you seek him.

Resources we mentioned:

• Beyond Church: The Lost Word Of The Bible- Ekklesia

The post Steve Simms and the Joy of Early Christianity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Joseph Agliata is an IT guy and podcaster. Today, Joe shares his story of mental illness, being close to suicide, and potentially hurting others. But his story doesn’t end there. Joe was seeking the peace of Jesus and you can see the Lord’s faithfulness to bring it to him even in a mental ward where Joe clung to his Bible. If you struggle with mental illness, listen to Joe’s story and know that there is hope. If you don’t, you know someone who does (even if they don’t share that with you). Listen to Joe’s story, hear God’s faithfulness to lead him into health, and ask the Lord for the same.

Listen to Joe’s story now!

Stories Joseph shared:

• Why he loves stories and their power

Great quotes from Joseph:

I was a crazy person and now I’m not.

Nobody told me don’t do that, don’t do those laws. I just read it and I did it.

Maybe God knew that’s exactly what I needed.

I don’t want to hide things anymore. I want to show what God has done.

Resources we mentioned:

• Connect with Joseph on Facebook

Related episodes:

• Wesley Ross Harris and Growing Faith and Mental Illness

The post Joseph Agliata and Finding the Peace of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Laura Padgett is an author, dancer, and public speaker, and sometimes an elf. Today, Laura shares how she found the Lord after resisting him for years, the woman who invested deeply in her, and why she started to write stories. Laura is a passionate believer who reminds us of the power of solid mentor relationships and the joy that’s possible if you just trust the Lord. By the end of this episode, you’ll want to dance with the Lord and I wholeheartedly recommend you accept the invitation.

Listen to Laura’s story now!

Stories Laura shared:

• How she became an elf and the joy it

Great quotes from Laura:

I went a good deal fo my life wondering what’s wrong with me, even after I met Jesus.

I’m that child that learned no early and uses it frequently.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could not be so self-conscious all the time?

God does not give unusable gifts.

We have a subscription – lifetime – to humanity.

Resources we mentioned:

• Laura’s website

Related episodes:

• Tim Voss is on a Playful and Fantastic Adventure

The post Laura Padgett and Ambassadors of Joy appeared first on Eric Nevins.

• Growing up in Vancouver, BC

Great quotes from Ryan:

When we play, when we try new things, our parent God as our Heavenly Father, delights in that.

Community is important to balance these ideas.

The Enneagram can really help toward church unity at a time when we need it.

Whoever God has made you to be, own it and know that God is pleased with you.

Resources we mentioned:

• Ryan’s website and his free ebook on the Enneagram, 9 Kinds

Related episodes:

• Suzanne Stabile and How the Enneagram Helps Relationships

Practice the spiritual discipline of lectio divina:

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The post Ryan Lui and Embracing Your Uniqueness appeared first on Eric Nevins.

If the MeToo movement has shown us anything, it’s that the problem of sexual abuse is not just something for others to handle. It’s easy to pretend that the problem belongs to Hollywood or the Roman Catholic Church. But now, Evangelicals also admit to covering up and shuffling around predators in the name of forgiveness. What are the guidelines for redemptive handling of sexual abuse allegations and situations?

Mary DeMuth is an author and sexual abuse survivors advocate. Today, Mary shares her latest book, We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis. We talk about the how far reaching the problem really is, why every Christian should consider themselves a mandatory reporter, and redemptive strategies for handling abuse for churches. Mary’s heart for justice comes from her own story of surviving abuse and working toward healing. She will not settle for cliched grace and forgiveness. Rather, with clarity and wisdom, calls us to discernment and to err on the side of justice and righteousness.

Listen to our conversation today!

Stories Mary shared:

• The problem of sexual abuse in the church

Great quotes from Mary:

The Church is supposed to be a place for the wounded and the broken and we don’t heal in isolation.

Any Christ-follower is obligated to be a mandatory reporter.

We need to err on the side of the weak.

We have to remember that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is a healed heart.

Resources we mentioned:

• Mary’s website full of resources for sexual abuse victims and those caring for them

The post Mary DeMuth and The Safest Place for Sexual Abuse Survivors appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Caroline Abbott is an author, domestic violence advocate, and counselor. Today, she shares the story of how she found the Lord, walked away, and found him again. Along the way, Caroline found herself in an abusive marriage but found little help from the people who she turned to including her church. She recounts some of the misguided things her pastors did and said and gives us tips and resources for bringing the Kingdom of God to abusive relationships. Caroline’s mission now is to help others get out and find themselves again.

Listen to Caroline’s story now!

Stories Caroline shared:

• Why she became a domestic violence advocate

Great quotes from Caroline:

Something in me wanted to know the Lord.

The people around me may have abandoned me but the Lord hasn’t.

It’s a beautiful thing to be able to turn something that’s really dark into something that’s really lovely.

Resources we mentioned:

• Caroline’s website 

8 Day Experience is the process of spiritual reading that I have been using for ten years and the church has used for centuries longer. In this beautiful 30 page digital download, I guide you through reading and reflecting on Mark 1:40-45 bringing your own questions to the surface so you can bring them to the Lord. Your experience will be unique based on your life and relationship with the Lord.

Buy it today!

The post Caroline Abbott and Coming Home to the Lord appeared first on Eric Nevins.

It’s time, my friends, to let go of some bad beliefs.

This episode is a special bonus edition with Cliff Ravenscraft that will challenge you to reconsider the idea of beliefs. Cliff often says “All beliefs have consequences” but what is a belief exactly? And how do bad beliefs affect us? And, what if some of the Christian doctrines we consider important are actually holding us back from enjoying life with God?

Well, that’s what this conversation with Cliff is all about. I hope you enjoy it and adjust some beliefs because of this conversation.

Cliff’s conference, Free the Dream, takes place in Franklin, TN on September 13-15, 2019. I went last year and it proved to be a pivotal moment in my life. I couldn’t recommend it more!

The post Cliff Ravenscraft and the Trash Heap of Bad Beliefs appeared first on Eric Nevins.