Halfway There

276: Conell & Rhonda Hollins and Marriage Matters

Conell & Rhonda Hollins our podcasters and are first time authors of their forthcoming book marriage material which is a training manual base on their experience teaching for the last 13 years. Today, Conell and Rhonda share how their relationship sharpened their faith, how they became marriage teachers, and tips for staying connected. Conell and Rhonda’s story reminds us that prioritizing your marriage is always a good idea.
Listen to Conell & Rhonda’s story today!
Stories Conell & Rhonda Hollins shared:
Rhonda growing up in Chicago in a religious family
Rhonda outgrowing a performance based faith
When their son Ethan was born needing open heart surgery
Conell growing up in a family that went to church but didn’t believe
Joining the church’s marriage ministry
Learning how to communicate in marriage and “heated fellowship moments”
Rhonda wondering if their work was busy work
Tips for how to get reconnected when you’re busy
Finding time for one another
Why they decided to write a book
Great quotes from Conell & Rhonda Hollins:
Marriage is what you make it. It’s a long conversation checkered with disputes. (Conell)
I was doing my way instead of Yahweh. (Rhonda)
Flowers go a long way. (Conell)
Resources we mentioned:
Conell and Rhonda’s website
Marriage Material: Pre & Post-Marital Training Guide by Conell and Rhonda Hollins
Related episodes:
Meg Glesener and the Smile of God
Tom Schwab and the Richness of Relationship
Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Longings
The post Conell & Rhonda Hollins and Marriage Matters appeared first on Eric Nevins.

275: C. Christopher Smith and Empowering Conversations

Christopher Smith is the Senior Editor of The Englewood Review of Books, and author of several books, including most recently: How The Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church. Today, Christopher shares the place of reading in his spiritual journey, how he learned to untangle depression from doubt, and why he believes in the power of a great conversation. We also talk about some best practices for hosting conversations at your church. Christopher’s story reminds us that we learn best in conversation.
Listen to Christopher’s story now!
Stories Christopher shared:
Starting The Englewood Review of Books
Growing up in a Christian family in Washington D.C. in a Grace Brethren church
His tenuous relationship with church even in college
Developing his sense of historical church through reading
Going to graduate school and learning about the history of ideas
Learning how to disentangle depression from doubt
How community plays into depression
Why embodiment needs to be valued
How the practice of conversation captured his heart
Why defining terms is important for a conversation
What a facilitated conversation looks like
Great quotes from Christopher:
The dark nights of the soul that I’ve been through sometimes feel particularly lonely.
I’m hopeful that when we take our life together seriously, churches can offer hope to those who struggle with loneliness and isolation.
The abundant life of God in community is really good news and much better than the alternative.
Conversation didn’t magically help us resolve things, but it helped us to know and trust one another even when we didn’t agree.
Resources we mentioned:
The Englewood Review of Books
Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster
How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church by C. Christopher Smith
Lost Connections: Why You're Depressed and How to Find Hope by Johann Hari
The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Curt Thompson
Related episodes:
Felicia Song and Digital Discipleship
Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People
Skye Jethani and Living Life with God
The post C. Christopher Smith and Empowering Conversations appeared first on Eric Nevins.

274: Jerry Dugan and Becoming a New Man

Jerry Dugan is the producer and host of Beyond the Rut podcast, a show that discusses pursuing and achieving your dreams without compromising your faith, family, or health. Today, Jerry shares about growing up through divorce, his dad's attempted suicide, and combat experiences that gave him resilience and perspective on life. He also shares how it all led him to give his life to Christ and eventually start serving men through his podcast. Jerry’s story reminds us that the Lord often has plans for us long before we know what they are.
Listen to Jerry’s story now!
Stories Jerry shared:
Growing up in a military family
Encountering racism in his own extended family
His family’s mix religious beliefs
His parent’s divorce and dad’s suicidal period
Praying during Operation Iraqi Freedom
Getting a wake up call in Baghdad
His wife’s prayer for him while he was at war
Giving his life to Christ after going to church for a year
Why he started Beyond the Rut to serve men
Why you should watch Dune
Great quotes from Jerry:
It’s a bigger world than the town I was living in.
The family we wound up with was the complete opposite of all the fears we had.
My daughter cannot know that she had a monster for a dad.
I had a plan to not really be a Christian.
Resources we mentioned:
Jerry’s website, Beyond the Rut
Related episodes:
Travis Johnson and World Changing Community
Dr. Heather Thompson Day and the Sustaining Hand of God
Cliff Haddox and the Story That Grows With You
The post Jerry Dugan and Becoming a New Man appeared first on Eric Nevins.

273: Felicia Song and Digital Discipleship

Felicia Song is  a professor of sociology who studies social and cultural impact of digital technologies. Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age. Today, Felicia share her experience growing up in a fundamentalist, Chinese church, discovering the Holy Spirit in college, and what she’s learned about God by studying sociology. We also talk about her book and how Christians can be wise as we live with technology. Felicia’s story reminds us to be wise about how we think and practice technology as Christians.
Listen to Felicia’s story now!
Stories Felicia shared:
Teaching sociology at Westmont
Growing up in a Christian family in New Jersey
The vibrant Chinese church she attended
Never not believing in God
Joining InterVarsity and interacting with non-Asian Christians for the first time
Attending a Vineyard church for the first time
Discovering that she came from a fundamentalist tradition
Going to L’Abri Fellowship
Noticing her students getting email for the first time
What she’s learned about God from studying sociology
How liturgy formed her experience
Why she wrote Restless Devices
Her encouragement for the way forward with technology
Great quotes from Felicia:
It’s not so much the content that shapes us; it’s really the form or the practices.
As human beings, we are meaning makers.
We live in a meaning-filled world because we serve a meaning-filled God.
We do not need to live under the tyranny of our technologies.
We serve a good Lord, but technologies are often brutal and merciless lords.
Resources we mentioned:
Felicia’s website
Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age by Felicia Song
Fundamentalism and American Culture (New Edition) by George Marsden
Truce Podcast
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
Related episodes:
Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People
Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Healing Our Broken Humanity
Os Guinness and Understanding Our Moment
The post Felicia Song and Digital Discipleship appeared first on Eric Nevins.

272: Brian Sexton and Being Prepared to Serve

Brian Sexton is the host of The Intentional Encourager Podcast and author of People Buy From People: 10 Powerful People Lessons From the Ultimate People Person, My Dad. Today, Brian shares how prayer influenced his life early, his dad’s profound influence, and how he stopped running from a call to preach. He also shares an interesting connection between his family and his wife’s family that he never saw coming. Brian’s story reminds us that with a little intionality, we can all encourage someone every day.
Listen to Brian’s story now!
Stories Brian shared:
Growing up in Ohio in an influential area
The blister that prayer removed as a baby
His dad’s encouragement to know God
Why he always tries to live in repentance
Meeting his wife and how God provided
How his mother-in-law knew his grandfather
Sensing a call to preach during a revival
Learning the value of intentionality
How losing his dad sent him into the spiritual desert
The dream he had about his father
Learning to be his own man
The three points of encouragement
Great quotes from Brian:
People who want to be liberated will do just about anything to be set free.
God is the ultimate connector.
I was trying to reason with God about things he already knew.
If you have a cell phone, you can be an encourager.
Encouraged people, empower people.
Resources we mentioned:
The Intentional Encourager Podcast
Eric’s episode on Brian’s show
People Buy From People: 10 Powerful People Lessons from the Ultimate People Person–My Dad by Brian Sexton
Related episodes:
Vicki Proffit and the Encouragement of God
Blake Brewer and a Father’s Legacy
Sue Donaldson and the Welcoming Heart of God
The post Brian Sexton and Being Prepared to Serve appeared first on Eric Nevins.

271: Hope Johnson and Waiting for God to Answer Prayer

Hope Johnson is a writer and podcaster based in Upstate New York. She is the host of Hope Unyielding, a podcast where people share stories of God's faithfulness in the dark and difficult times of their lives. Today, Hope shares the story of how she learned Russian, struggled during a year teaching English, and how she wrestles with God because her “five year plan” didn’t come to fruition. Hope is a deep thinker whose story will remind you to honor and love the Lord even when you feel like he’s abandoned you.
Listen to Hope’s story now!
Stories Hope shared:
Feeling called to be a writer
Growing up in Maine with a dad who was a professional magician
The example of faith in action that her parents set for her
The encouragement to pray whether she should go to Russia
Learning to separate God from his people in her mind
Going to Gordon College to major in linguistics
Teaching college courses in Russia
Struggling with mental health
The Muslim friend who had a dream about and helped her
Teaching international students English
Struggling with singleness
What it’s like to be a single person in the church
Surrendering her marital status to the Lord after a break up
Learning to be comfortable with being unsatisfied
Learning her identity is in Christ not her relationship status
What churches can do to better serve singles
Great quotes from Hope:
I wish everyone in the church who’s married would realize that there’s something they can learn from us.
I want to offer real stories where real hope shines through.
Faith and feelings are not synonyms.
I’ve learned to sit with not feeling satisfied and not feel guilty about it.
Resources we mentioned:
Hope’s website
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Related episodes:
Tiffany Jo Baker and Giving Life to Dreams
Chuck DeGroat and the Invitation to Obscurity
Alicia Michelle and the Renewing of Your Mind
The post Hope Johnson and Waiting for God to Answer Prayer appeared first on Eric Nevins.

270: Dorsey Ross and the Story We All Tell

Dorsey Ross is a public speaker and podcaster. He was born with Apert’s Syndrome. Today, Dorsey shares his parent’s choice to nurture and support him, going to college when many didn’t think he could, and becoming a speaker and podcaster. Dorsey’s story is full of challenges that he’s overcome with God’s help. His spirit will encourage you to face your challenges, too.
Listen to Dorsey’s story now!
Stories Dorsey shared:
Growing up in Queens, New York
Being born with Apert's Syndrome
His parent’s decision to nurture him
Being picked on and in hospitals as a child
Giving his life to Christ at the age of 13 in a worship service
Asking God why he was born this way
Wanting to become a youth pastor
Going to college in spite of a teacher who didn’t think he could
The Bible study group that helped his anxiety
Going to Bible college and how that shaped him
Seeking a ministry position but the doors kept closing
Getting an opportunity to share his story
Beginning to speak around the country
Why he loves the story of Paul’s thorn in the flesh
Starting a podcast on a whim
Great quotes from Dorsey:
Can’t is not in my vocabulary.
He is our hope. He is our peace.
Whatever you’re dealing with, you’re not alone.
Resources we mentioned:
Dorsey’s website
Related episodes:
Tiffany Jo Baker and Giving Life to Dreams
Cliff Haddox and the Story That Grows With You
Dr. Michelle Bengston and Overcoming Anxiety 
The post Dorsey Ross and the Story We All Tell appeared first on Eric Nevins.

269: Christa Hutchins and How Failure Refines

Christa Hutchins equips busy communicators and leaders with project management and problem solving skills so they can turn their big ideas into a successful ministry or business. Today, Christa shares how she experienced her faith as just one part of her life, how a public failure taught her humility, and how that led her to new opportunities. She also shares how she learned to use her gifts to help others bring their dreams to life. Christa’s story reminds us that God uses failure to refine us.
Listen to Christa’s story now!
Stories Christa shared:
Growing up in Florida in a Christian home
Being aware that she was a performer in church
How she decided to be a chemical engineer
Choosing to walk away from problematic behaviors in college
Joining a Christian group and being discipled
How her career progressed
Failing for the first time and how that influenced her faith
Having to face her pride and learn humility
Volunteering with Proverbs 31 Ministries
Learning that using her skills is ministry
The “new thing” that God was doing with her business
Strategies that help creative people
Great quotes from Christa:
Clarity comes from action.
Failure was part of the route to where God was leading me.
I love you too much to let your dream die.
Resources we mentioned:
Christa’s website
The Move Forward Journal (Use code HALFWAY to get 10% off)
Related episodes:
Merritt Onsa and the Patient Love of God
Dan Rudman and Ripples of the Gospel
September McCarthy and Suffering as Sanctification
The post Christa Hutchins and How Failure Refines appeared first on Eric Nevins.