Halfway There

Suzanne Stabile is an internationally recognized Enneagram master, teacher, and author. Today, Suzanne shares her story of finding the Enneagram, how she studied it for years without teaching, and answers your questions. Suzanne grew up being exposed to many spiritual practices and that shows in her openness to them. Suzanne explains exactly what the Enneagram is, why you should not rely on it exclusively, and how it can help your relationships.

Please listen and share Suzanne’s story!

Stories Suzanne shared:

• Founder of Life in the Trinity ministries with her husband

Great quotes from Suzanne:

Every day, at 67 and 71, we get up and ask ourselves the question what is ours to do today, and what is the next right thing for us to do, and what would God have us to do.

When people begin to commit themselves to a deeper spiritual journey, the first two things that happen are they run into the fact that they don’t like themselves. And the Enneagram helps you get over that. And the second thing is struggles with family of origin and with other people. And the Enneagram helps you get over that.

I can’t fall in love with a God that I’m afraid of.

The idea that we are conditionally loved by God is a contributor to conditionally loving other people.

Resources mentioned during episodes (Amazon affiliate links which pay me a small commission if you use them):

• The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships and the The Path Between Us Study Guide

The post Suzanne Stabile Shares How the Enneagram Helps Relationships appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Tony Weedor is a regional director with Advancing Native Mission sending people back to their home countries with the Gospel. Today, Tony shares how he found Christ, what it cost him, and how God is using him now. Tony grew up in a Muslim family in Liberia and describes for us the division and turmoil that country experienced. He is a man of great questions and the Lord used his questions to lead him to Christ when he stumbled into a Bible study one day. The missionaries were not afraid of questions and his heart came alive when he heard the answers. Tony’s story will take you out of North America and into a world few of us get to see.

Please listen and share Tony’s story!

Stories Tony shared:

• Growing up in a Muslim family in Liberia where slavery was still part of the culture

Great quotes from Tony:

The concept of sin and forgiveness was not in my worldview as a Muslim.

In the name of Jesus Christ, demons will have to flee. Who is this guy?

You wash five times a day. You pray five times a day. But you can’t wash your heart. You can’t wash your mind.

If I tell you how many Muslims are coming to Christ through dreams and visions, whether from Pakistan to Egypt, Bangledesh to Nigeria, Nigera to South Africa, you won’t believe it.

Resources Tony mentioned (all links below are Amazon affiliate links and I may be paid a small commission if you use them):

• The Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy: Three Essential Books in One Volume by Francis Schaeffer

The post Tony Weedor and the Cost of the Gospel appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Marie White is an author, Tedx speaker, and YouTuber. Today she shares the story of how the most difficult time in her life became the catalyst for her work as an author. Marie takes us into the moment when she discovered her child was missing, how she cried out to God, and the intimacy she finds with him as she trusts him. She faced every parent’s nightmare and then wrote the book to help other parents going through similar circumstances and found a wider audience than she imagined. Marie’s story is a powerful example of how God turns tragedy into trust.

Please listen and share Marie’s story!

Stories Marie shared:

• Growing up going to church

Great quotes from Marie:

I knew Jesus and I knew I wasn’t good enough.

When the sobs felt forced, I sat up, wiped my face, and went back to sweeping again.

We all have a tendency to marinate on things. We need to hand them to God and let go and that is extremely difficult.

Resources Marie shared:

• Marie’s YouTube channel Bible Stories for Adults

The post Marie White and How God Turns Tragedy into Trust appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Craig Greenfield is the founder and director of Alongsiders International and author including The Urban Halo and Subversive Jesus: An Adventure in Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness in a Broken World (Amazon affiliate link). Craig grew up in a home of generous hospitality which shaped his view of what it means to follow Jesus. Instead of merely inviting the poor into his home, Craig and his wife make their home with the poor.

Today, Craig shares the story of how he became convinced the Gospel is for the poor, moving to one of the world’s highest drug dealing neighborhoods, and the “God questions” that led him back to Cambodia to lead a movement of children mentoring children. Craig inspires me to think about the Kingdom of God in new ways and I know his story will do the same for you.

Please listen and share Craig’s story!

Stories Craig shared:

• The Alongsiders movement that he leads

Great quotes from Craig:

What the eye has not seen the heart cannot grieve.

When you come face to face with real poverty it rocks your world.

We tend to romanticize those who are far away and marginalize those near us.

People have enough condemnation in life. What we need is more love, more joy, more welcome.

Resources mentioned by Craig:

• The Urban Halo, Craig’s first book

The post Craig Greenfield and Good News for the Poor appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Tracy Winchell is the host of the Reboots podcast focusing on turnarounds and rebounds in life. Tracy knows all about rebounding and today she shares how God went from the fringes of her life to the center. The journey took her through a career in television, a tremendous amount of grief, and finding a mission in Celebrate recovery and her podcast. Tracy has become a good friend whose story inspires me and I know she will inspire you, too.

Please listen and share Tracy’s story!

Stories Tracy shared:

• Growing up in a great home and finding Jesus in 4th grade chapel

Great quotes from Tracy:

Put all that stuff People have told me God is aside…

It was exciting to know that the guy I talked to all the time was running for president.

I’m probably never going to get my relationship with God perfectly right this side of heaven.

Recovery is about sanctification.

Resources mentioned by Tracy:

• Tracy’s website where you can get a free Reboot Gear Guide

The post Tracy Winchell and the Value of Starting Over appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Aaron Niequist is a worship leader and author of The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning (Amazon affiliate link). Today, Aaron shares how he stumbled into an historic and liturgical faith. When he realized he no longer believed some of the songs he was using to lead worship, he knew there had to be more. A friend introduced him to Dallas Willard’s work and the Gospel began to seem like good news again. Aaron shares how he collaborated to create a practical worship experience viewing the church as a gymnasium where faith is put into action. If your spiritual well is dry and you’re tired of the same old worship experience, Aaron’s story and his book will refresh your soul.

Please listen and share Aaron’s story!

Stories Aaron shared:

• Growing up in the Plymouth Brethren tradition

Great quotes from Aaron:

It didn’t feel like my faith had much to say to the actual complexity of my life.

As a good Evangelical, I was born again, again.

Our traditions are really, really, good but not near enough.

Resources Aaron shared:

• Aaron’s book The Eternal Current is available now (Amazon affiliate link)

The post Aaron Niequist and Swimming in The Eternal Current appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Michael Kingsbury is a comedic storyteller in Vermont who recently became a Christian. The journey he took to faith is fascinating and will entertain you. Michael always knew he wanted to be a comedian as a young man and eventually attended a branch of the acclaimed Second City in Cleveland, Ohio. He was an atheist but how little he knew about a fellow comedian who died his questions led him on a quest to find God. He says he became a terrible atheist by reading the Bible in secret and attending church. One Tuesday in January 2018, in front of a Subway restaurant, Michael finally gave his life to Christ.

Please listen and share Michael’s story!

Stories Michael shared:

• Growing up in Vermont loosely associated with the local Methodist church

Great quotes from Michael:

If you stick with anything you see success at some level.

You can think you know something about someone and not know anything of significance.

It [his faith] is so brand new. It’s like a set of shoes out of a box that I don’t really know what to do with.

Working on patience is as hard as working on your comedy set.

He’ll find you anywhere even if it’s in front of a Subway restaurant on a Tuesday.

Resources mentioned:

• Contact Mike at his website or Twitter

The post Michael Kingsbury and The Story that Never Ends appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Chris & Joi Copeland are called to be missionaries to Ireland. Today Chris and Joi share why Ireland needs to hear the Gospel again and how you can help them go and share it. The call to go came at an unexpected time in an unexpected way. Joi valued stability but wondered aloud if they had missed their calling. When Chris said “Let’s go!” Joi didn’t know what to make of it. But as they explored the idea of moving their family to another part of the world for the Gospel the vision became clear that God wanted them in Ireland. They share the joys and the sacrifices the call gives and takes and why hope matters so much to them.

Please listen and share Chris & Joi’s story!

Stories Chris & Joi shared:

• The work they will do in Ireland to reach the people

Great quotes from Chris & Joi:

While I’m stable in Christ and his love for me, that does not mean we’ll have earthly stability.

It was a no-brainer. If God calls you to something, you do it.

Resources mentioned by Chris & Joi:

• The website where you can support Chris & Joi

The post Chris & Joi Copeland Say When God Calls You Go appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Coleen Sharp is the host of the Theology Gals Podcast. Today, Coleen shares her story of how suffering revealed her firm foundation. She grew up in the church and never remembers a time without faith. But she did have questions and they led her deeper into the Bible and theology. Coleen shares the ways being a mother shaped her faith. When her family entered a period of suffering and illness she found comfort in Psalms where we can learn how to just cry with others. Coleen’s story shows how a solid understanding of God’s character and love can sustains us through immense suffering of all kinds.

Please listen and share Coleen’s story!

Stories Coleen shared:

• Starting the Theology Gals Podcast

Great quotes from Coleen:

Every Christian is a theologian.

The Lord used parenting in my life to sanctify me.

I want to trust you, Lord, but what if you don’t do what I want you to do?

Resources Coleen mentioned:

• Theology Gals Podcast

The post Coleen Sharp and Building a Firm Foundation appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Dan & Lindsay McKenzie like to say they are “full-time adventurers” and today they share their adventure. Both Dan and Lindsay grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the church, explored a bit during college but ultimately returned to their faith. Their stories play off one another to weave one beautiful story. But as with every story, adversity changes the course of the narrative. Dan and Lindsay learned they could not have children. How they embraced the detour together is a story that will make you cry and inspire you to love everyone you know more deeply. It could have destroyed their faith and their relationship but instead they trusted and pursued the opportunities they could see.

Please listen and share Dan & Lindsay’s story!

Stories Dan and Lindsay shared:

• Living full time in an RV

Great quotes from Dan and Lindsay:

We are full-time adventurers.

I wanted the desires that God wants for me not my own desires.

Sometimes you just have to follow and trust your heart and you aren’t always going to be able to carve out the plan or the life or the job or the career…sometimes the plans that you have aren’t the plans that God has and you have to listen to that.

Everything we do we think of as a team.

Resources Dan & Lindsay mentioned:

• Dan & Lindsay’s website Follow Your Detour

The post Dan & Lindsay McKenzie are Living a Big Adventure Together appeared first on Eric Nevins.