Halfway There

Jennifer Rosner is affiliate assistant professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of Finding Messiah: A Journey Into the Jewishness of the Gospel, which releases on May 24, 2022. Today, Jen shares how a Jewish girl found Christ in college, how her faith actually grew at Yale seminary, and the dark night she experienced in her graduate work. She reminds us that questioning God and faith are not mutually exclusive. Jen’s story is a testament to the unity of the Gospel in the Testaments.

Listen to Jen’s story now!

Stories Jen shared:

• Growing up in Lake Tahoe, CA in a Jewish family

Great quotes from Jen:

There’s a real humility to saying “I don’t know but let’s talk about it together.”

It’s a spiritual discipline to sit with the tensions.

Resources we mentioned:

• Jen’s website

Related episodes:

• Skye Jethani and Living Life with God

The post Jen Rosner and Finding Messiah appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Angus Nelson is a high-performance coach for men, one of America's top performance strategists and founder of Evolve Men Coaching. Today, Angus shares with us how he found Christ and the zeal with which he pursued ministry. Then, his business and life hit the proverbial fan and he had to reconsider his attitudes toward success, money, and most importantly, himself. Now, Angus reminds us of the power available to those in Christ including you.

Listen to Angus’ story today!

Stories Angus shared:

• Growing up in Central Wisconsin

Great quotes from Angus:

Humility is leaning into who you truly are.

When you show up as vulnerable, you give people permission to do the same.

I’m not afraid to show my shadows because we all  have them.

Resources we mentioned:

• Angus’s website

Related episodes:

• Mike Sares and Water, Spirit, and Scum

The post Angus Nelson and the Power of Being in Christ appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Amy Debrucque is a wife, mom of four, cancer survivor, and co-author of Embolden. She is the founder of the Life On Purpose Movement and host of the Life On Purpose Podcast where she encourages women to live on purpose instead of fear. Today, Amy shares how she found a personal relationship with Jesus, how a cancer diagnosis changed that relationship, and her mission to help women live in courage. Amy’s story reminds us that whatever you’re afraid of, the Lord is bigger.

Listen to Amy’s story now!

Stories Amy shared:

• Growing Roman Catholic in Central New York

Great quotes from Amy:

Fear is real but courage can get the final say. Unknown

I had two boxes: my whole life and I had God. I didn’t realize they were so disconnected.

Embrace those awkward and uncomfortable moments because it does get easier.

For as much time as we spend scrolling through other people’s lives on social media, we can take some time for ourselves.

Resources we mentioned:

• Amy’s website

Related episodes:

• John Morgan and How to Overcome Fear

The post Amy Debrucque and Conquering Fear appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Allen Taylor is an author, editor, and publisher. His most recent release is I Am Not the King, a personal testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ. Today, Allen shares with us the pentecostal church he was raised in, how study helped him escape legalism, and how he became a writer. Allen shares that grace is the key that helped him overcome sin. Allen’s story reminds us that the Lord is always working even when we struggle.

Listen to Allen’s story today!

Stories Allen shared:

• Working as a freelance technology author

Great quotes from Allen:

Legalism is evident to everyone except those who are in it.

God breaks down barriers.

Resources we mentioned:

• Allen’s website

Related episodes:

• Travis Johnson and World Changing Community

The post Allen Taylor and Giving Up Control appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Heather Oncken is an entrepreneur, a nurse, and a fellow podcaster. Her show Connecting in the Chaos is about how to develop and maintain friendship as an adult. Today, Heather shares how her family came to Christ, why she walked away from Christ as a young woman, and how the Lord redeemed all the pain it caused. We also talk about why she started a podcast about friendships and some ideas for how to make friends and be a good one. Heather’s story reminds us that your intentional action matters in your relationships with God and others.

Listen to Heather’s story today!

Stories Heather shared:

• Heather’s heart for friendship

Great quotes from Heather:

She saved me because she’s what brought me back to the Lord.

I think He is honored with our honesty.

The brokenness showed me how much I needed other people.

We think of friendships as a luxury but they are essential.

Resources we mentioned:

• Heather’s website

Related episodes:

• Merritt Onsa and the Patient Love of God

The post Heather Oncken and How to Be a Friend appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Chris Martin is an editor at Moody Publishers and a social media, marketing, and communications consultant. He writes regularly in his Substack newsletter, Terms of Service, and is publishing a book by the same name in February. Today, Chris shares how he was led into ministry, got a job working in publishing, and why he thinks social media does more harm than good. We have an extensive conversation about what social media is doing to us, common misconceptions, and what we can do to think more critically about it. Every Christian should be asking and seeking answers to these questions. Chris’ story reminds us that God often leads through our circumstances to the exact place we need to be.

Listen to Chris’ story now!

Stories Chris shared:

• Growing up in a Christian family in Indiana

Great quotes from Chris:

I want you to steward your gifts better on the internet.

Even though I’d grown up in church, I’d never been taught theology.

Man created social media to serve man; but man has come to serve social media.

Social media are not neutral tools that can be used for good or evil.

Resources we mentioned:

• Chris’s website

Related episodes:

• Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People

The post Chris Martin and How Social Media Shapes Us appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Marjorie Gunnoe is a psychology professor at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. Her book The Person in Psychology and Christianity, is soon to be released. Today, Marjorie shares the story of how her fundamentalist background shaped her, the moment that allowed her to ask more questions, and why she was so interested in psychology. We also talk about the concept of original sin and why it’s time to rethink it. Marjorie’s story reminds us that Christian faith and sciences like psychology are not inherently locked in conflict.

Listen to Marjorie’s story now!

Stories Marjorie shared:

• Growing up in Michigan into a conservative, fundamentalist family

Great quotes from Marjorie:

In some ways, the God that I knew growing up was always far away.

Every Christian prioritizes different Scriptures

I need the central orientating theme of love.

You don’t need to compartmentalize your faith and science.

Resources we mentioned:

• The Person in Psychology and Christianity: A Faith-Based Critique of Five Theories of Social Development by Marjorie Gunnoe

Related episodes:

• Cyd & Geoff Holsclaw and the God Who Likes You

The post Marjorie Gunnoe and Integrating Faith and Science appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Alec Kassan is a podcaster, author, and  consultant for online ministries. Today, Alec shares how he experienced the leading of God, found his purpose while exploring many options, and began serving online ministries. Alec also shares that busyness does not always equal accomplishment. He learned to rest in what God wanted even if it meant moving on from a project. Alec’s story reminds us that his ways are not our ways.

Listen to Alec’s story now!

Stories Alec shared:

• Growing up in New Jersey in a Christian family

Great quotes from Alec:

I was trying to feel fulfilled by filling my schedule.

You don’t focus on the fruit first; you have to focus on the root.

Resources we mentioned:

• Alec’s podcast

Related episodes:

• Jonathan Monsour and How Faith Became His Own

The post Alec Kassan and Planting Your Purpose appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Michelle Lazurek is a multi-genre, award winning author, and literary agent. Today, Michelle shares the story of the high cost she paid to follow Jesus in a tradition other than the one she grew up in. She also shares the moments when had to surrender to the Lord and the path that led her to a writing career. Her latest book is I Surrender All (Sort Of), and we talk about those moments when we don’t want to, even when it’s good for us. Michelle’s story reminds us that the Lord is gentle especially when we struggle.

Listen to Michelle’s story now!

Stories Michelle shared:

• Growing up going to church with her grandmother

Great quotes from Michelle:

I had been in Catholic school my entire life and I couldn’t touch the Bible.

I thought to myself, “What else do I need to know about my faith?”

The church has always be family to me.

You’re a writer whether you write for ten people or ten thousand.

Jesus does what he wants to do with his books when he wants to do them.

Resources we mentioned:

• Michelle’s website

Related episodes:

• Hope Johnson and Waiting For God to Answer Prayer

The post Michelle Lazurek and Learning to Let Go appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Robin T. Jennings is an ordained Episcopal minister and author of 3 books on spiritual growth through vision and renewal. Today, Robin shares his unexpected journey to seminary and the priesthood, discovering spiritual renewal and formation, and learning to surrender to the Lord. Robin’s heart is to serve the next generation as they face new challenges to their discipleship to Jesus. Robin’s story reminds us that walking with the Lord is a partnership.

Listen to Robin’s story now!

Stories Robin shared:

• Finding himself in a season of solitude and silence

Great quotes from Robin:

What silence has done for me is allow the Lord to have a word.

Once you love someone, you find yourself  closer to something you call holy.

When it comes to surrendering to God, that’s the source of love.

Resources we mentioned:

• Robin’s website

Related episodes:

• Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation

The post Robin T. Jennings and the Light of the World appeared first on Eric Nevins.