Halfway There

When you think of the mission field, what countries come to mind? Africa? South America? Maybe Asia?

What about France?

Today’s guest is Carol Wilson, a woman who heard God’s call to go so she gave up her beloved teaching job and took a step. We talk about how the end is never really clear until much later. Instead, you just take one step toward what you sense God calling you to and see what happens. Carol did just that and He took her all the way to France where she served as a missionary for 36 years.

In today’s episode, Carol shares the story of her conversion at a Billy Graham crusade in Des Moines, Iowa, her call to the mission field, and stories from her ministries including what made her question whether she was in the right place and meeting Francis Schaeffer.

Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links):

Great quotes:

Little by little, over the year, I can say things happened in my life…that caused me to see the need in France.

When I got there I learned it was called the graveyard of missionaries because there are so little results there.

If you’re willing to follow the Lord’s leading, he is able to lead you exactly where he wants you.

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The post Carol Wilson and Following the Lord’s Leading appeared first on Eric Nevins.

How does a Michigan farm boy turn into a travelling minister who builds up the church around the globe? Today’s story is proof that you just never know how God is going to use the events in your life, even the ones you don’t think are for your good at the time.

The story belongs to Dell McDonald who I call the elder statesmen of our church. In our conversation, Dell shares the story of how he came to Christ in the middle of plowing a field, why he entered the Air Force, and how his sudden departure from the military was actually perfect timing for the work God would call him to do.

That work involved ministering to Christian members of militaries around the world with an organization called Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching, and Service.  He shares a remarkable story about a time when their work prevented potential slaughter. Once again, God was working even when it was difficult for anyone to know.

Dell and I talk about the Holy Spirit and his conviction that sometimes we just make it too complicated and, if we would just look, we would see God directing us everywhere.

Books that have influenced Dell (Amazon affiliate links):

Great quotes in our conversation:

If you’re a believer, sometimes you’ll cause a stir.

My thoughts and ideas and relationship with the Lord has been formed by a lot of people, not just one.

We talk a lot as believers about the Holy Spirit…but we don’t live that way. It’s knowledge we know that but we don’t experience it.

That’s what brings us Christian joy, the fact that we have this confidence: God is directing our steps.

God can use you as a soldier where you are.

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The post Dell McDonald Says God Can Use Even You appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Today my guest is Laura Flanders who serves as the director of the training and mentoring program at Denver Seminary. This was a special conversation to me because Laura served as my training center director during my time at DenSem. Her commitment to honesty in spiritual formation shaped me and planted the seeds of many of the ideas that show up in the show each week.

Christians of all varieties are always working on learning more about God, who He is and how He works. That’s why we are always reading the Bible and spending time in prayer.

Good ways to learn and grow, right? But what happens when our ideas about God are challenged by events that make no sense to us? Or even makes us angry?

In 2001, Laura’s family had an experience that was deeply troubling and caused her to reconsider God. She was “furious” that God did not protect her family after the event which led her on a year long journey to trust God again.

She shares the way God has brought her through the anger to a new perspective using Hebrews and the suffering of Jesus as an example. With the cross in mind, the suffering that Laura shares with us – suicide, Alzheimer’s, and Japanese beetles – makes more sense. If Jesus faced opposition (Hebrews 12:3) then we can expect to as well. “Do I have eyes to see and hear?”

Great quotes from our conversation:

My life theme is I’m constantly looking for ways to facilitate dialogue and interaction between human persons. I’ll do that wherever I’m at.

My favorite definition comes from the Uncommon Individual Foundation which says Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.

I had to wrestle with the fact that, for some mysterious reason, God does not choose to rescue me from all my suffering. That’s a hard fact to swallow.

Alzheimer’s became a journey of me really learning how to love someone the way God loves.

Links to things we discussed:

My First White Friend by Patricia Raybon

With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani

Laura’s blog is called Colorado Backyard Gardner where you can find out more about her, gardening, and the spiritual side of getting your hands in the dirt. Be sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram and sign up for her newsletter.

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The post Laura Flanders Shares Jesus and Her Bleeding Heart appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Matthew Rennels shares his story of overcoming bipolar and anxiety. He grew up in a Lutheran family but, like many, gave up any connection to God in college. But then while working as a newspaper reporter in the Bible Belt, Matthew worked with a Christian. At first, he was was wary but then one day he just asked if he could go to church with the guy. And that was it. He gave his life to Christ not in a moment but in a flash.

Matthew shared several of his hardest times including the last year when his life has changed dramatically through divorce, the sudden loss of his father, and a change of scenery from Florida to South Dakota. When asked what his experience of God is through this he gave the most honest answer: “It’s been a little back and forth.” Sometimes the life of faith is back and forth. The trick is to keep going.

In a recent blog titled How to Find God’s Shining Light after a Divorce, Matthew shared his experience of divorce, wavering faith, and getting through to see God again. He’s a gifted writer and if you’re struggling with anything that makes you question all the times you were sure about God, read this post because you’re not alone.

Books Matthew mentioned:

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life – Henry Cloud

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for YourselfCoDependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Taking Care of Yourself – Melody Beattie

Great quotes from our conversation:

I lost my connection with a fellowship of believers entirely and, no surprise, I lost my faith in God entirely.

Three things one year hit me pretty hard…and it led me to wonder why. I read the Bible everyday, I’ve gone to church every week, I’ve kept myself pretty clean…I couldn’t understand what was going on. It really challenged me. You know, you can shake your fists at God in that instance but I think God says “I didn’t say you would have a perfect life.” I don’t know where I got that belief.

God keeps on opening doors for me and every time I’m amazed.

That’s usually the way fears work: if we just take those little steps, if we just try a little higher rock, and we keep on setting the bar a little higher it will come natural and we won’t even think about it anymore. We will just be able to do what we never thought we could do.

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My guest today is Richard Jacobson who is a former pastor turned artist, animator, and now author. His book Unchurching: Christianity without Churchianity is written for the millions of Christians who are leaving organized churches. They aren’t alone and in Richard they may have found a leader.

You may expect that someone writing against the current structure organization of churches to be bitter and angry at the church, with an axe to grind because they were hurt at some distant point in the past. Richard’s heart is not that way at all. I once heard a professor say to a class on church leadership that if you want to criticize the church, go ahead, but make sure you love her first. Richard’s heart is 100% there. He loves the church and believes there are better ways to create disciples than the present corporate structures.

When the Holy Spirit speaks, he speaks with power.

Wouldn’t a God who is omnipotent  and omniscient that can do anything, be able to make you know [when His presence is near]?

It’s kind of a backwards idea to think that the starting place for entering into a relationship or having an encounter with God is external when He’s God with us and we are His temple. We’re talking about a very internal thing. We are talking about the indwelling presence of God. Of course it makes sense that it would start with something happening inside you.

In the show we talked about Richard’s videos which are so fun. He uses them to share his views. You can find his YouTube channel here and the one we talked about called Is Church Leadership Backwards? Check them out for a very good-and entertaining-explanation of Richard’s ideas.

Why are we not asking whether this form of corporation is consistent with our calling to be a community?

Get the Unchurching Podcast, too!

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