Halfway There

Eric Nevins
Halfway There

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. 12 AUG

    362: Jeff Crosby and Longings of the Soul

    What does your soul long for? Have you ever been hit with a wave of longing, at a loss for words for what to call it? What if I told you that those moments are deeply formational and there's even special word for it? Our guest today says that those longings of the soul need special attention and calls us to listen up. Jeff Crosby is the president and CEO of ECPA, the trade association of Christian publishing, and the author of “The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts,” published by Broadleaf Books. Today, Jeff shares how he found mentorship in his father-in-law, the season of life when his faith moved to more spiritual formation focused, and where he discovered the words to describe that soul level longing for Jesus to make all things right. Jeff's story reminds us that our faith is already and not yet but that Jesus can be trusted to meet us in the longing. Listen to Jeff's story in your favorite podcast app today! Stories Jeff shared: Growing up in Indiana and other places Going to Ball State University and meeting his wife Remembering going to church occasionally but not regularly Responding to the Gospel at church camp Hopping on the church bus to keep going to church on his own Being mentored by his father-in-law How the recommended books he received shaped him The moment he looked into the mirror and noticed something changed Discovering spiritual practices and how they helped him What he learned from the psalms Recovering part of his identity as a creator of words The longings we all feel The Portuguese word saudade, and the idea of longing How to identify your longings and invite the Lord into them Great quotes from Jeff: When we are operating out of a strong sense of who God has made us to be, it isn’t hard, it’s joy. "If those are my longings, how has God met me in them, which is different than saying, 'How has God met them?'" Be in touch with the longings of your heart and the ways God is leading you in the midst of them. Resources we mentioned: Jeff’s website The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts by Jeff Crosby The Cross of Christ by John Stott Basic Christianity by John Stott The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue by James Sire Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Related episodes: Suzanne Stabile Shares How the Enneagram Helps Relationships James Bryan Smith and Loved Beyond Imagination Douglas Groothuis and The Twilight of the Soul

    54 min
  2. 5 AUG

    Shadia Hrichi and Christ Over Cause

    Have you ever felt pressured to choose a cause over the Lord? Whether it's today's charged political culture or even certain theological camps, fitting in can be more attractive than staying faithful Christ alone. Our guest on Halfway There today reminds us that we're called to live for Christ and his cause, alone. Shadia Hrichi is a Bible teacher, award-winning author, and speaker who is passionate for seeing lives transformed through the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies as well as a master’s in criminal justice. Today, Shadia shares what it was like growing up in a mixed culture home, how she found Jesus later in life, and the calling she received to go to seminary to become a teacher. She also shares her own moment of feeling separated from God and how that led her to a life-changing insight. Shadia's story reminds us that following the Lord has it's ups and downs but he he never leaves us alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. Listen to Shadia's story wherever you get your podcasts, right now!   Stories Shadia shared: Growing up in New York as the daughter of immigrants Having no religious experience as a child Moving from New York to California Going to a Bible study with her husband The question the pastor asked her and working through her faith intellectually Experiencing wonder of God’s creation Getting divorced a few months after becoming a Christian The support she received from her church Deciding to go to seminary after a conversation with her pastor Her dark night of the soul and the song that helped her What breaks the Lord’s heart and her conversation with him What she learned while studying Rahab Great quotes from Shadia: There is no regular life. It’s all with God. We’re not called to live for a cause. We’re called to live for Christ. Having Bible knowledge does not prepare you to teach. Resources we mentioned: Shadia’s website  Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me by Shadia Hrichi Shadia’s Amazon author page Related episodes: Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures Christy Boulware and Love That Casts Out Fear Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People

    52 min
  3. 29 JUL

    Britt Mooney and Reborn for This

    Have you ever wondered why the Bible says that Christians are aliens and strangers in this world? How can the Gospel spread through people without power in their land? Our guest today reminds us that the Kingdom of God often operates silently and without notice but is never inactive. Britt Mooney is an author, podcaster, and pastor who thrives on telling great stories. Today, he share how he rebelled against cultural Christianity, discovered what it was like to really be an alien, and the theological truth about God that changed how he operated. Britt works to help believers like you understand just how counter-cultural the faith Jesus calls us to is and how beautiful a story it tells. Listen to Britt's story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Britt shared: Growing up in Alabama and Georgia Being dragged to church as a child Playing the church game and finding a personal relationship at a Christian concert Rebelling against cultural Christianity Becoming a public school teacher Receiving a call to Asia to serve How living in Korea shaped his understanding of living as an alien Calling people to the Kingdom of God Praying against racism, especially in the church Being ready to give up on the church and the group that helped him through  Writing We Were Reborn for This Great quotes from Britt: When God accepts you, you don’t need to be part of anyone else’s club. We, of all people, should know that law does not change hearts. Giving up on the Church is the first step to giving up on your faith. Resources we mentioned: Britt’s website We Were Reborn For This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth by Britt Mooney Related episodes: Bill Brown and Waiting on the Lord Gari Meacham and Hitting Life's Curveballs Neil Matthews and Accepting God's Acceptance

    1 hr
  4. 22 JUL

    359: Nancy Lindgren and the Difference of Mentorship

    Ever wished you had a mentor to guide you through life and faith? Feeling isolated and trying to figure everything out on your own is not what Jesus intended for His church. Our guest today reveals how mentorship can transform lives, including your own. Nancy Lindgren is the Founder and CEO of MORE Mentoring, and author of Mentoring Made Real: The Power of Authentic Connection. In this episode, Nancy shares her journey from a young woman with a calling to the leader of a mentoring ministry. She opens up about learning to listen to the Lord in prayer and the pivotal moment that turned mentoring into her mission. Listen as Nancy shares the trials and triumphs of waiting on God’s timing, and how her story exemplifies the need for intentional relationships in the Church. These connections, spanning different ages and experiences, help us grow in our faith in profound ways. Download now to hear Nancy’s inspiring story on your favorite podcast platform!   Stories Nancy shared: Growing up in Nebraska Hearing Christian teaching and music as a child Giving her life to Christ as a young girl The car accident that gave her a sense of calling at 15 Starting a family immediately after college The season when she learned to wait on God Waiting for direction on where to go for two years Learning to listen to the Lord in prayer Learning to wait and be patient The moment when the Lord gave her a mission in 2014 Overcoming challenges in mentoring Writing a mentoring guide in 2016 Making disciples now around the world How to go about engaging the process of mentorship in either direction Great quotes from Nancy: Be a mentor for a season and friends for life. I knew he was a God who speaks. You're absolutely qualified because Jesus qualifies you. Resources we mentioned: Nancy’s website  Mentoring Made Real: The Power of Authentic Connection by Nancy Lindgren Related episodes: Laura Flanders and The Mentored Life Harriett Miller and A Fierce Faith Peter Englert and Digital Discipleship and Mentoring

    51 min

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.

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