Halfway There

Jon Fugler is the Chief Content Officer with Trans World Radio and has been writing for Christian audiences for 40 years. Today, Jon shares how he found Christ through sports and then applied his performance based mindset to his faith. He was good at it but, as with all performances, it crumbled eventually. That’s when a friend shared a powerful book that redefined his life with Christ and set Jon on a path of enjoying the company of Jesus wherever he goes. Jon shares the strategies he uses to find peace, accept himself, and experience the Lord. Jon’s story reminds us that you can’t work your way into relationship with God even if you’re doing good things. It’s all about the joy of knowing Christ.

Listen to Jon’s story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories Jon shared:

• His ministry and radio experience

Great quotes from Jon:

The longer we perform for God and the more we do, the closer we think we are.

I was believing the lie that if I was serving Jesus well, I also had a good relationship with him.

We need rhythm in our lives.

Resources we mentioned:

• Jon’s website

Related episodes:

• Skye Jethani and Living Life with God

The post Jon Fugler and the Ditching Performance Christianity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Suzie Eller is an author and podcaster with a new book called Prayer Starters: Talking with God about Hard Times and also the Prayer Starters podcast. Today, Suzie shares about the ordinary people who shaped her in simple ways, why she determined to write about things that mattered after cancer, and how she learned to pray. Suzie brings much wisdom to our prayer life that she’s learned from her own. Suzie’s story reminds us that the Lord is never far away if we only turn an ear toward him to listen.

Listen to Suzie’s story in your favorite podcast app today!

Stories Suzie shared:

• Working at Proverbs 31 and developing her own ministry

Great quotes from Suzie:

Unless we wrestle out those hard questions, our faith is someone else’s faith.

Wrestling with God is part of my faith because it always has been.

Is there a chance, God, that you want to talk to me?

Just show up is a really powerful path to connection with God.

Resources we mentioned:

• Suzie’s website

Related episodes:

• Sue Donaldson and The Welcoming Heart of God

The post Suzie Eller and Getting Started with Prayer appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Noble Gibbens is a coach, speaker, and podcaster known as the EQ Gangster because of his big beard and tattoos. Today, Noble shares how he developed a very unhealthy relationship with God full of self-loathing, what happened when he gave up on performing for people, and the moment he learned about emotions. He also gives us a little strategy for how to properly process emotions when we have them. Noble’s story reminds us that God loves the whole of our human persons including our emotions.

Listen to Noble’s story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories Noble shared:

• Being an executive coach to large companies

Great quotes from Noble:

I didn’t feel safe talking about emotions for four decades.

I thought I was extra holy because I hated myself more than you hate yourself.

I became the Christian that I used to hate.

If you don’t heal your emotional issues, your friends, family, and coworker will be forced to.

Emotionally healthy people help heal people emotionally.

Resources we mentioned:

• Noble’s website

Related episodes:

• Marc Schelske and the Wisdom of Your Heart

The post Noble Gibbens and Emotional Healing for Growth appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Courtney Lowman is a speaker, teacher, and the podcaster behind The Journey of Ruth podcast. Today, Courtney share how she found amazing mentors early on, the moment when heartbreak brought clarity, and the ministry that the Lord has given her since. Courtney is passionate about discipleship because she knows that one “meal” on Sunday isn’t enough to feed you for the entire week. She now provides resources for disciplers around the world including with her newest resource, the Bible Journal for Busy Women. Courtney’s story reminds us that God often has plans for us beyond our limited imaginations.

Listen to Courtney’s story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories Courtney shared:

• Hosting the Journey of Ruth Podcast

Great quotes from Courtney:

Sunday morning is not enough to feed you fully for the entire week.

No one else is going to feed you.

Go out and use the gifts God has given you to serve your community.

Resources we mentioned:

• Courtney’s website

Related episodes:

• Loren Hicks and the Practice of Discipleship

The post Courtney Lowman and Building a Culture of Discipleship appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Peter Englert is a pastor, podcaster, and writer who has a unique ministry using podcasting as a discipleship tool. You know I love to share great examples of new media making a difference. Today, Peter shares how he ended up in ministry, the mentors who showed him incredible kindness, and how his ministry has evolved to include the digital world. Plus, Peter reminds us that digital and physical don’t always have to be in conflict. Often, they actually augment one another.

Listen to Peter’s story in your favorite podcast app today!

Stories Peter shared:

• His ministry in Rochester and online

Great quotes from Peter:

We’re scared to tell our stories but that’s what God wants us to do.

Sometimes we miss out because we are not patient.

If I’m going to be talking 70% of the time, I may as well put it online.

Resources we mentioned:

• Peter’s website

Related episodes:

• Laura Flanders and the Mentored Life

The post Peter Englert and Digital Ministry & Mentorship appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Jodie Niznik served in vocational ministry for over twelve years. Her calling and passion is to equip people to create space for God in their lives and take another step in their journey with Jesus. She does this through writing, teaching, and her Scripture meditation podcast. Today, Jodie shares about how finding Christ at church camp, the first time she learned about lectio divina, and how she helps others engage the practice. Jodie’s story reminds us that there are many ways engage the Lord if we just take a little time.

Listen to Jodie’s story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories Jodie shared:

• The process of lectio divina and the guardrails we need

Great quotes from Jodie:

I had to slow down or I wasn’t going to do any kind of work God called me to (24:16)

There’s not a return but there is a new space.

God wants to speak to you through His Word.

Resources we mentioned:

• Jodie’s website

Related episodes:

• Sharon Swing and How to Listen to Your Life

The post Jodie Niznik and Creating Space for God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Randy Mortensen is a guide for talented management professionals whose drive has led them down a path of compulsive and destructive behaviors, the host of the Courageous Recovery podcast, and a published author. Today, Randy shares how he came to Christ after years of being a church attender, how he finally quit drinking, and the ministries he’s started to help others do the same. Randy work hard and achieves much but has also suffered because of addiction. Randy’s story reminds us that shame never gets the last word because Jesus took it all for us.

Listen to Randy’s story now in your favorite podcast app!

Stories Randy shared:

• Being a public speaker around the world

Great quotes from Randy:

My business life was always very successful, but my personal choices were horrible.

First you have to be willing. Then you have to be obedient. It’s the obedience that’s the hard part.

For those who are struggling with mental health, we need to serve them not judge them.

Resources we mentioned:

• Randy’s website

Related episodes:

• Rob Decker Discovers God’s Tenderness

The post Randy Mortensen and Removing the Stigma of Addiction appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Amy Fritz is the host of the Untangled Faith podcast, a mom, and wife, with a heart for those hurt by leaders they trust. Today, Amy shares how her somewhat charmed upbringing was shattered when her mom died suddenly, how she ran away to Middle Tennessee, and discovering that all was not as it seemed at a prominent Christian organization. Dealing with the sense of betrayal took time and ultimately gave her compassion for others dealing with the trauma from spiritual abuse. Amy’s story reminds us that God is still good even when the leaders who use his name aren’t.

Listen to Amy’s story in your favorite podcast player now!

Stories Amy shared:

• Being a mom and wife in Middle Tennessee

Great quotes from Amy:

I had such a golden growing up experience that I did not see a lot of terribly painful things.

All the truthful things in the world, they don’t stand up next to sitting next to somebody and letting them grieve.

We talk a lot about sin nature but don’t seem to apply it to ourselves.

Narcissism is in the blood of our churches.

I knew God would provide for us.

Resources we mentioned:

• Amy’s website & podcast

Related episodes:

• Kyle Strobel and Integrating Spirituality and Theology

The post Amy Fritz the Community of the Broken appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Don Larson is the CEO and Founder of Sunshine Nut Company cashews where he helps bring work and wealth to Mozambique. Today, Don shares how he found Christ after years of going to church, becoming massively successful, and deciding to walk away from a huge paycheck. Don tells us the story of surrendering to the Lord which led him to start selling nuts around the world. Don’s story reminds us that when God calls you to something, following may be costly but it’s always worth it.

Listen to Don’s story in your favorite podcast player now!

Stories Don shared:

• Living in Mozambique full time working with the Sunshine Nut Company

Great quotes from Don:

God provides everything you need for the calling he has for you.

Business is an incredible platform for showing God’s love.

I realized I’d climbed up the wrong ladder.

Resources we mentioned:

• Sunshine Nut Company

Related episodes:

• Kevin Wilson and Planting Seeds

The post Don Larson and Doing Good with Business appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Nicole Jacobsmeyer is a mom of four, wife, and author. Today, Nicole shares how she nearly lost her faith after suffering, the wise woman who encouraged her to serve even while it was messy, and how she learned to trust God in the middle of it all. Through her authenticity and the sharing of her own struggles, Nicole encourages women to keep going when all seems lost. Nicole’s story reminds us that the Lord is personal and present even as we suffer and that, it’s often those moments where we find him.

Listen to Nicole’s story on your favorite podcast player now!

Stories Nicole shared:

• Being a mom turned author with a young family

Great quotes from Nicole:

The fact that she saw me as Christ does made me want to dive into the Word again.

I always prayed that God would make me more like his Son. We pray that a lot but we don’t know what it will take.

We don’t realize how personal God is.

Resources we mentioned:

• Nicole’s website

Related episodes:

• Sue Donaldson and The Welcoming Heart of God

The post Nicole Jacobsmeyer and Joy After Suffering appeared first on Eric Nevins.