Halfway There

Sean Douglas is an Air Force Veteran, TEDx Speaker, Master Resilience Implementer, International Radio Show Host, Business Strategist, and author. Yes, he’s really busy! Today, Sean shares how he overcame abuse and alcoholism, found Christ, and began to discovered how the Lord want to use him. Sean grew up in an guilt-laden, religious home thinking God only wanted to punish him. It wasn’t until his wife dragged him to church years later that he finally understood how the grace of God could take his troubled past and turn it into a vision for helping many like him.

Listen and share Sean’s story today!

Stories Sean shared:

• Sean shares about his businesses and speaking opportunities

Great quotes from Sean:

What will I do more of than anyone else?

We pour our life into our spiritual journey now.

Now, almost every decision I make, I listen for that little voice.

Resources Sean mentioned (Amazon affiliate links that send a commission to me if you use it):

• Sean’s website The Success Corp and podcast Life Transformation Radio

The post Sean Douglas from Abused to Ambitious appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Thomas Umstattd is the author of Courtship in Crisis and the host of the Creative Funding Show. He works with authors to help them sell more books. Thomas is one of the most articulate people I know and the thoughtful way he engages his faith will make you to think differently, too. Today, Thomas shares his story of being distracted by a version of the prosperity Gospel and how the Lord used experience to break free from it. His story has everything from viral blog posts, to feelings of abandonment when he changed his views, and even a dating grandmother.

Listen and share Thomas’ story today!

Stories Thomas shared:

• Growing up in a “middle of the road” homeschool, Christian family

Great quotes from Thomas:

When everyone around you has kissed dating goodbye you can’t date even if you want to.

Twisting the Gospel to do something that seems like a good thing is still twisting the Gospel. Twisting the Gospel makes it wrong.

The love of God was like a warm blanket around my shoulders.

You never really know God is with you in those dark places until you go to those dark places and experience God being with you.

Resources Thomas mentioned:

• Thomas’ podcasts The Creative Funding, Novel Marketing, Liberty Buzzard

The post Thomas Umstattd Jr. and Untwisting the Gospel appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Evan Money is a coach and author who marries his wife all over again every year. Today, Evan shares why he marries his wife every year, the spiritual benefits of constant wedding planning, and how it inspires others. Evan is a high energy guy living his life to the fullest potential. He shares why he thinks he is constantly being converted, learning how to love himself, and how to practice being present. And he leaves us with a challenge to put as much effort into learning to love our spouse as we do fantasy football (ouch!).

Please listen to and enjoy Evan’s story!

Stories Evan shared:

• What he means by “life to the full”

Great quotes from Evan:

Let’s figure out how to create your life to the full and what does that look like being authentic to your life and faith?

Life is really about, I believe, living your dreams and serving other people. Greatness is doing them both at the same time.

I don’t think you can commit to a marriage and not commit to Christ.

What would it look like if you put as much energy into romancing your wife as you do into fantasy football?

Resources Evan mentioned (Amazon Affiliate links that send me a small commission when you use them):

• Evan’s website

The post Evan Money Loves Getting Married and Other Joys appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Vicki Proffit is the executive director of Sarah’s Home which serves girls rescued from sex trafficking. Today, Vicki lets us into her sweet relationship with the Lord through periods of waiting, finding direction, and miraculous provision. Vicki shares her concern to finish her life well in serving the Lord and the experiences that bring her to her knees before him. We also talk about Sarah’s Home, the problem of trafficking, and how you can be aware of trafficking in your area. Vicki’s heart comes through in a big way and will be an encouragement to you.

Please listen and share Vicki’s story!

Stories Vicki shared:

• Her mission to trafficked girls at Sarah’s Home

Great quotes from Vicki:

Any weaknesses or idiosyncrasies I have are definitely not [my parent’s] fault.

There’s a yearning in my heart, now, that I want to finish well.

When it’s all about me, you don’t care who you hurt.

Resources we mentioned:

• Finishing Well: The Adventure of Life Beyond Halftime by Bob Buford

The post Vicki Proffit and The Encouragement of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Michael Woodward is the founder of jumbleTHINK and B-Side, husband and father. Today, Michael shares how the Lord led him into pastoral ministry, how seeing the best and worst of the church changed his perspective, and why he started a podcast. His trust in God has grown through business struggles and seeing the dark side of ministry. Michael’s heart for helping others step into their dreams will inspire you to live intentionally.

Please listen and share Michael’s story!

Stories Michael shared:

• Growing up in the church in Central Pennsylvania

Great quotes from Michael:

In that imperfection with each other in relationships that are broken and with broken people we still see the glory of God and the goodness of God and that is a beautiful picture to me.

I don’t care what your dream is. I care that you’re living in it.

God does have a purpose for you and you are so much more significant than you realize.

Resources Michael mentioned (Book links are Amazon affiliate links that send a small amount back to me if you use them):

• Michael’s podcasts jumbleTHINK and B-Side

Here is an example of what Michael is doing with The B-Side. In this episode, I’m the guest. I hope it encourages you.

The post Michael Woodward and Living a Significant Story appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Anna Scheller is a wife of 36 years, mom of 7, black belt and business owner. Today, Anna shares her story of learning to trust God through anxiety, losing money in business, and dealing with abuse of her children. Anna stands out as an example of how the Lord uses such difficult times to refine  and gives the grace needed at just the right time. Anna’s heart for mentoring women and teaching sales as a service will inspire you to be just a little more confident and take the next step toward the abundance of the Kingdom.

Please listen and share Anna’s story!

Stories Anna shared:

• Her ministry now including a Taekwondo ministry

Great quotes from Anna:

I had no peace but I wanted peace from God.

Jesus cares about every aspect of your life and if you’re willing to yield it to him, he will lead you through it and out of it. And you will be singing and dancing and rejoicing before you know it.

Prosperity is a bigger picture than money in the bank.

Resources Anna mentioned:

• Anna’s Facebook

The post Anna Scheller and Yielding to Grace on the Way appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Alex Vasquez is an inspiring Christian who encourages others to be entrepreneurs. He owns a media company, ALEXVMEDIA, helping people get more online traffic for their business. Alex shares the choices that changed the course of his life including giving his life to Christ, repenting and turning his heart back to his wife, and deciding poverty wasn’t for him. Throughout his story, Alex shares the books that shaped him including the one he was reading when he met his wife, the books that shaped his walk with the Lord, and the ones that made him into the businessman he is today.

Please listen to and share Alex’s story!

Stories Alex shared:

• Growing up in a non-Christian home and turning to music to soothe his wounds

Great quotes from Alex:

I have so many stories when he was far away but he was really near.

I want to be the Joseph for my family.

Poverty is not how much you have in the bank but how you think.

Resources mentioned by Alex (Amazon affiliate links that send a commission to me if you use them):

• AlexVMedia

The post Alex Vasquez and Learning to Live in Abundance appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Mary DeMuth is the author of thirty-six books. But it’s the story behind why she started writing and how the Lord used the process to heal her that will fascinate you. Mary shares her story of sexual abuse as a child, her chaotic home, and knowing nothing of God beyond swear words. When she found Jesus, he used the writing process to bring her to joy. Today, Mary explains how that process worked and the advocate she is becoming for victims of abuse. Her joy is hard won and beautiful as a result. I know you will be changed by her story!

Please listen and share Mary’s story.

Stories Mary shared:

• Her podcast Pray Every Day

Great quotes from Mary:

The Lord used the bent that he made me to be the avenue of healing.

An untold story never heals.

You will heal in waves and layers.

We have expelled the tutors from our midst.

Resources we mentioned:

• The Seven Deadly Friendships: How to Heal When Painful Relationships Eat Away at Your Joy by Mary DeMuth

The post Mary DeMuth and Her Avenue of Healing appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Grace Ji-Sun Kim is Associate Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion and author of 15 books and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Her family found community in church after emigrating to Canada where she began to have some of her deep questions answered. Grace’s questions eventually led her to study theology which was not an easy field to pursue for a woman but her calling was clear. She wrote Healing Our Broken Humanity with Graham Hill as an exploration of the practices it takes to embed the Gospel in our communities to allow us to love with Christlikeness.

Please listen and share Grace’s story!

Stories Grace shared:

• Immigrating to Canada from Korea and finding community in church

Great quotes from Grace:

I had all these unleft questions that I wanted to tackle. Who is God? How do we experience God in this world?

I don’t think these male pastors, even till this day 20-something years later understand how sexist those comments were and how hurtful.

If God loves all people, whatever ethnicity and culture that we’re born into, God must love both men and women equally.

Resources mentioned by Grace (Amazon affiliate links which send a commission back to me if you use them):

• Healing Our Broken Humanity: Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing the World by Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill

The post Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Healing Our Broken Humanity appeared first on Eric Nevins.