Halfway There

Eric Nevins
  • 5.0 (82)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Each episode of Halfway There features an ordinary Christian sharing their story of spiritual formation on the journey of life with God. Go beyond the classic Christian testimony into the ups and downs, the joys and the difficulties of being a Christian in the 21st century. Our guests offer insights and hope from their own stories. If you ever wondered if God is active and alive, this show is for you.

  1. FEB 24

    372: Lefty Perez and Finding Peace in Christ

    Have you ever wondered if God really can turn your pain into purpose? Our guest today shares the peace he felt when he found Jesus after a lifetime of violence and how he uses it now to help others get free. Hector "Lefty" Perez is a mental health and sobriety advocate. He works installing HVAC systems and helps as many people as he can know the love of Christ. Today, Lefty shares what it was like growing up in East Los Angeles among violence, gangs, and drugs. He tells how he got sucked into the life, the moment he decided to get out, and turning his life over to Christ once and for all. Left also shares the difficult times he's experienced including relapse at times and how it led him to a life where he encourages others to give up drugs and live for Christ. Lefty's story reminds us that God loves us no matter what we have done. Listen to Lefty's story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Lefty shared: Moving states to Colorado Being diagnosed with ADHD at seven and how it’s helped him with a career in trades Growing up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles in an immigrant family His family’s Roman Catholic background Feeling angry as a child at God and his parents The violence he experienced in the neighborhood The neighbor who groomed him to become a criminal Beginning to get involved in crime Working as a bodyguard and making more money than he’d seen before Achieving everything he wanted and feeling anxious about it Attempting suicide and surviving Being given a choice about his future Getting married and struggling with drug addiction Meeting a pastor who shared the Gospel with him Reading John and feeling God’s presence Leading his father to Christ His mother’s disappointing reaction to his new faith Struggling with drug addiction Breakthrough with vulnerability Great quotes from Lefty: Every word I read was like painkiller for my soul and I wanted more. I was searching for peace and I only found it when I allowed Christ in my heart. I prayed, "I've done worse things for a nobody, let me do something good for you, a somebody." Resources we mentioned: Lefty's Instagram (DM him) Related episodes: Christina Dent and Compassion for Others Randy Mortensen and Removing the Stigma of Addiction Mike Bolton and the Power of Yes

    56 min

  2. FEB 17

    371: Ciara Laine Myers and When You Can't See God

    You grew up in church but suddenly, you can't tell if God cares about you. What do you do? Our guest today shares the moment when she didn't recognize herself, didn't feel God's presence, and what she did next. Ciara Laine Myers is an award-winning business owner, blogger, and author of Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision Is Gone. Today, Ciara shares with us her reaction to trauma, the moment her secrets became known, and the practices that brought her back to health. Plus, we talk about calling and why it may not mean what you think. Ciara's story reminds us that no matter how far we feel from God, it's only one step back. Listen to Ciara's story wherever you get your podcasts now!   Stories Ciara shared: Struggling with calling and asking God for fresh insight Growing up on a little ranch in Texas in a Christian family Getting saved when she was five Being abused sexually by a friend at seven Processing her experience in college Deciding to be “bad Ciara” and where that led her Realizing that she didn’t feel God anymore and how that felt Going to the hospital with severe pain being forced to confess her drug use to her grandma Getting back with a previous boyfriend and getting pregnant Deciding to have a date with God for 60 days Getting “serious” about finding her calling Why humility is so important in an influencer culture The vision of her purpose from the Lord The urgency test and the action you need to take Great quotes from Ciara: If good Ciara is being abused, I’m going to be bad Ciara. There was one moment that I looked in the mirror and thought "I don't really feel God anymore, and it was cold." Calling is not a career. It’s a space on Earth to live out your purpose. Resources we mentioned: Ciara’s website Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision Is Gone by Ciara Laine Myers Related episodes: Mary DeMuth and Her Avenue for Healing Chuck DeGroat and The Invitation to Obscurity Dan Rudman and Ripples of the Gospel

    49 min

  3. FEB 10

    370: Jeff Haanen and Faith in Technicolor

    What was the experience for you that changed your faith dramatically? Our guest today shares the moment that moved his faith from his head to his heart and how it changed how he sees everything. Jeff Haanen is a writer and entrepreneur. He’s the founder of Denver Institute for Faith & Work, an educational organization that creates content and experiences around topics related to faith, work, the economy, and modern culture. Today, Jeff shares how he found faith while recovering from an injury, his funny response to praying aloud for the first time, and how he started thinking about faith and work. Plus, Jeff shares his process as he learned humility. Jeff's story reminds us the Gospel is best infused into every aspect of our lives. Listen to Jeff's story anywhere you get your podcasts!  Stories Jeff shared: Growing up in a Minnesota without a strong faith experience Getting hurt before his senior year and reading the Bible and other books Praying in a group for the first time Joining a missions organization and going to Ecuador Learning how to pay attention to people Deciding to go to seminary with an insatiable curiosity Starting the Denver Institute for Faith and Work Noticing “cracks” in his armor Realizing that he was looking for his identity in his work Going on a self-awareness journey Deconstruction how he lived his Christian life Leaving Denver Institute for Faith & Work How serving is crucial for work Great quotes from Jeff: My brain was way ahead of my heart and that's been a lot of my own faith journey.  We need to go on a journey of seeking deep spiritual health. A critical element of that self awareness journey is simply opening ourselves to what is and noticing what's there and not trying to fix it.  Resources we mentioned (Affiliate links): Jeff's website Working from the Inside Out by Jeff Haanen Francis Schaeffer's work The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society by Leslie Newbigin Bernard of Clairvaux  Wellspring Church, Englewood With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani Related episodes: Skye Jethani and Eternity Breaks In Laura Flanders and The Mentored Life Matt Fagioli and Beyond Check Box Faith

    47 min

  4. FEB 3

    369: Sarah E. Frazer and God is Not Disappointed

    Sarah’s story reminds us that while we are sometimes surprised by life, God isn’t and he’s always there with us.

    55 min

  5. JAN 27

    368: Dr. Dan Hummel and Leaving Behind Dispensationalism

    How often do you think about the end times? Ever come home to an empty house and wonder if you'd been left behind? If so, you're going to love this episode because our guest explains where that theological belief—and others you probably hold—came from. Dr. Dan Hummel is the director of The Lumen Center in Madison, WI and a research fellow in the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He authored The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle of the End Times Shaped a Nation.  Dr. Hummel shared his own experiences including how he developed a global perspective as a missionary kid, growing up in a cessationist tradition, and the humility he developed by studying different traditions in Israel. We also talk about dispensationalism, a theological framework that you're probably more affected by than you realize. He details where it came from, how it still influences us today, including how you read your Bible. Dr. Hummel's work and story reminds us that understanding our theological tradition is essential for our spiritual growth. LIsten anywhere you get your podcasts! Stories Dan shared: Growing up as a missionary kid and developing a global perspective How his family of origin shaped his perspective Praying the “sinner’s prayer” as a seven year old How his college experiences in a small church shaped his faith Deciding to study Middle East history The humility he had as he read different traditions Growing up in a cessationist tradition Spending a year in Israel and the experience of being in the minority How studying Christian Zionism led to studying dispensationalism The effect of dispensationalism’s “hermeneutical innovation” Examples of the effects of dispensationalism in America today Great quotes from Dan: Christianity is an inherently eschatological religion. Resources we mentioned: Dan’s website  The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle over the End Times Shaped a Nation by Dr. Dan Hummel How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture by Francis Schaeffer The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate by John Walton With by Skye Jethani Related episodes: Skye Jethani and Eternity Breaks In Peter Englert and Discipleship Ministry and Mentorship Chuck Malott is a Hippy Turned Saint

    1h 26m

  6. JAN 20

    367: Angela J. Herrington and Accepting Your Questions

    Have you ever tried to ask hard questions about your faith only to run into a roadblock somewhere? Sometimes it's simple answers. Sometimes it's others who don't want to acknowledge the questions. Sometimes it's your own heart begging to keep life simple. Our guest today says it's worth asking the questions and offers a path through the uncertainty. Angela J. Herrington is a faith deconstruction coach and host of The Deconstructing Faith Summit who helps people break free from toxic religious culture & empowers them to recover from church hurt. Today, Angela shares the situation that caused her to wonder if everyone could be included in her community and the questions that arose from it. She explains how an accepting community can help, and why you can't outrun yourself. Avoiding the questions doesn't work so Angela shares how she helps others release the stigma and follow where the questions lead. Angela's story reminds us that following Jesus isn't always easy but it is always worth it. Listen to Angela's story now in your favorite podcast app! Stories Angela shared: Growing up in Indiana around the church Being a VBS kid, steeped in Christian culture and giving her life to Christ as a young girl Getting involved in youth group in high school and college Deciding to raise her children in church for their good Finding a groundedness in her faith as she got more connected The decisions that started to crack her understanding of faith worked out Why viewing others as “projects” is harmful The Bible study that became a safe place to ask questions Deciding to go to a more liberal church and finding the same problems Feeling weary about finding safe places to discuss and the church that created that space The ten years of deconstruction she experienced Growing wiser about her involvement Why fundamentalism isn’t good on either side of the spectrum Learning how much her pursuit of connection was driven by trauma Why you can’t outrun yourself What she does as a deconstruction coach Great quotes from Angela: Would I have been welcomed? Or would I have been a project? What’s missing is a really humble understanding of how much in the church is influenced by power. The more you try to outrun yourself, the more damage you’re doing to yourself. The longer you've been in an environment that says you're bad, the longer it will take to discover your own goodness. Resources we mentioned: Angela’s website Deconstructing Your Faith without Losing Yourself by Angela J. Herrington Angela’s free Facebook group for people experiencing deconstruction Related episodes: Brian Zahnd and The Beauty of Christ Jacci Turner and Tumbled People Paul Ybarra and Discovering Kingdom Character

    54 min

  7. JAN 13

    366: Skye Jethani and Eternity Breaks In

    Skye Jethani challenges common misconceptions about heaven, explaining that Jesus viewed it as God’s active presence on earth rather than a distant future destination. He emphasizes that embracing this biblical perspective transforms how Christians engage with the world, aligning their values and actions with the Kingdom of God.

    1 hr

  8. JAN 6

    365: Michelle Nezat and Building Faith Through Song

    It's the new year! Were you one of those who made a commitment to read your Bible more frequently and regularly this year? If so, you're not alone. Our guest today offers a resource to help you reach your goal easier this year. Michelle Nezat is passionate about inspiring you to read, study, and understand the Bible. She is the host of the More Than a Song podcast where she helps you use the songs you listen to on the radio to meditate on God's Word. Today, Michelle shares her story including how she felt called to missions, the difficult conversation that shifted her direction, and the church situation that hurt her. Along the way, Michelle shares how it all led to embracing her calling in a way she never anticipated.  Michelle's story reminds us that a biblical worldview starts in what we consume and that God is always shaping us if we're paying attention. Listen to Michelle's story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Michelle shared: Growing up in Idaho going to church Her mom’s spiritual journey Believing that the Heavenly Father is enough How her grandfather mentored her The conversation with her professor that shifted her course How she ended up in Louisiana How church trauma confused her Learning not to want the platform anymore Beginning to think more deeply about theology Starting her podcast and how the Lord led her through it What she’s learned about herself through podcasting Great quotes from Michelle: Sometimes it takes the uncomfortable to get us off a course. This was really hard so whatever you want to teach me, don’t let me miss it. You’re not going to have a Biblical worldview unless you actually read the Bible. Resources we mentioned: Michelle’s website Related episodes: Andrew Klavan and The Truth and Beauty Karen Swallow Prior and The Spiritual Practice of Reading Fiction Traci Rhoades and the Case of Holy Envy

    47 min
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    out of 5
    82 Ratings

    About

    Each episode of Halfway There features an ordinary Christian sharing their story of spiritual formation on the journey of life with God. Go beyond the classic Christian testimony into the ups and downs, the joys and the difficulties of being a Christian in the 21st century. Our guests offer insights and hope from their own stories. If you ever wondered if God is active and alive, this show is for you.

    Information

    • Creator
      Eric Nevins
    • Years Active
      2016 - 2025
    • Episodes
      394
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © 2024 Eric Nevins
    • Show Website
      Halfway There

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