Halfway There

236: Rob Lohman and Breaking Addiction

Rob Lohman currently helps people suffering from substance abuse to find freedom from addiction and incarceration. Today, Rob shares his journey of avoiding consequences for destructive actions, the moment God spoke to him in a bar, and the action that sent him to prison. Today, Rob helps others break the chains of addiction as an interventionist. His story reminds us that God is still pursuing us no matter how messy our lives become.
Listen to Rob’s story now!
Stories Rob shared:
Growing up in several cities in a Christian family
Drinking beer behind the bushes at church camp
Alcoholic tendencies in high school
Avoiding consequences throughout college
Not liking himself and needing a change of heart
The moment the Lord spoke to him in a bar
Sensing God’s presence as he lifted a barbell too much for his weight
Discovering gambling at 15
Learning how to live sober
Meeting his wife and getting married
Dealing with creeping insecurity after marriage and fatherhood
His finances getting messed up through gambling
Setting boxes on fire on his patio
The journey of confession
Getting arrested after confessing
Being sentenced to 13 years in prison
His wife’s journey of trying to figure out what to do
Discovering who he is in Christ
Repairing his marriage after getting out
Getting trained to do recovery intervention
Great quotes from Rob:
Parents and loved ones, don’t ever quit praying for your kids.
Resources we mentioned:
Rob’s website
Seven Days In Utopia
Victory Over the Darkness: Realize The Power Of Your Identity In Christ by Neil Anderson
Related episodes:
Mike Savage and God’s Great Sacrificial Love
Amber Cullum and the Journey to Grace
Mark Casson and the Clay’s Perspective
The post Rob Lohman and Breaking Addiction appeared first on Eric Nevins.

235: Christina Dent and Compassion for Others

Christina Dent, Founder and President of End It For Good, a conservative nonprofit advocating a health-centered approach to drugs rather than a criminal justice approach. Christina lives in Mississippi and changed her own mind about how to best handle drugs after she became a foster parent. She started End It For Good several years ago to invite others to learn and consider changing their minds too so we can save lives, preserve families, and strengthen communities.
Today, Christina shares how she survived a literal train wreck, the loving mom who challenged her views of drug addiction, and starting End It For Good to educate others on the issue. Christina’s story reminds us that the grace of God heals our deepest needs.
Listen to Christina’s story now!
Stories Christina shared:
Leading End it For Good
Growing up in a Christian home in Mississippi
Giving her life to Christ at a Christian camp at 9
Family devotions and how that influenced her
Experiencing a train wreck in Chicago
Her parent’s cancer diagnosis
How the suffering shaped her
Meeting a mother and child through foster care
The problems with our cultural narrative about drugs
Why it’s easier to “otherize” people
Researching to find a better way to handle drugs
The three ways that prohibition of drugs harms people
Understanding the reasons why people use drugs
What your church can do to help
Great quotes from Christina:
I want my life to matter. If it’s short or if it’s long, I want to be faithful.
Her struggle with addiction is not a lack of love for her son. This is not a criminal issue. What a tragedy it would be to take this son from a mother who dearly loves him.
We’re using trauma to fix a problem made worse fundamentally by trauma. The criminal justice system is not the right tool for a complex medical crisis like drug addiction.
Resources we mentioned:
End It For Good
2 Minutes
Chasing the Scream (The Opposite of Addiction is Connection) by Johann Hari
Related episodes:
Shari Malott and Fighting for Hope
Rob Decker Discovers God’s Tenderness for Him
Craig Greenfield and Good News for the Poor
The post Christina Dent and Compassion for Others appeared first on Eric Nevins.

234: Paul Edwards and Serving God’s Other Children

Paul Edwards is an executive ghostwriter, CEO, bestselling author and host of Influencer Networking Secrets podcast. Today, Paul shares the story of finding Christ at a lonely time, struggling with pride in his work life, and the communities that changed the course of his life. Paul knows the value of a great connection and today, he’s using skills he learned in insurance to serve others. Paul’s story reminds us that we’re all God’s children with a calling to serve.
Listen to Paul’s story today!
Stories Paul shared:
Leading a marketing firm for faith-based leaders
Growing up in Edmonton, Canada then moving to the US
Relationship with his father who is an atheist
Finding Christ in England at Hillsong Church
Losing his job and looking for work
Joining the US Military and going to Iraq
Learning how to network while working in insurance
Feeling completely alone as he struggled
The Wild at Heart Boot Camp that changed his life
Mentoring young adults and how that plays into his calling
Deciding to write a book about networking
Why networking is so valuable
Great quotes from Paul:
Most people’s lack of faith is stemming from pain somewhere in their life.
Everytime I develop professionally it’s because I’m in a mastermind.
It’s a privilege to serve God by serving his other children.
Resources we mentioned:
Paul’s website
Influencer Networking Secrets: How to Build the Magnetic Influence, Meaningful Connection and Profitable Publicity of a Radically Generous Entrepreneur by Paul Edwards
Wild at Heart Boot Camp
Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
Related episodes:
Gill Bentham and Living in the Locks with the Lord
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
Neil Matthews and Accepting God’s Acceptance
The post Paul Edwards and Serving God’s Other Children appeared first on Eric Nevins.

233: Cherrilynn Bisbano and the Struggle for Identity in Christ

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award winning author and speaker. Today, Cherrilynn shares about finding Christ at her lowest point, sensing God’s presence, and learning to study the Bible as a spiritual practice. Cherrilyn also shares how the Lord revealed her identity as his and used her gives to completely change her career. Cherrilynn’s story reminds us that the Lord is always working to show us who we are.
Listen to Cherrilynn’s story now!
Stories Cherrilynn shared:
Helping writers achieve their dream of publication
Suffering 18 losses in her family in a short time
Growing up in New England in a military family with an abusive father
Looking for the way to heaven in her 20s
Putting her identity in her relationship with men
Finding Christ when her sister asked her to pray for her
Learning to accept God’s love for her
Overcoming complaining as a practice
Feeling a spiritual hug at her lowest point
The value of the word “Abba” to her
How the Lord is using her gift of encouragement in the writing industry
Why you can trust God
Great quotes from Cherrilynn:
I tried to find my identity in men, in my job, everywhere but Christ.
He wants to use you to breathe life into other people but he first needs to breathe life into you.
Immanuel is not just a Christmas carol. It’s a way of life.
Resources we mentioned:
Cherrilynn’s website
Shine Don’t Whine by Cherrilynn Bisbano
Related episodes:
Blake Brewer and A Father’s Legacy
Lauren Gaskill and the Joy of Healing
Randall Sean Garcia and the Father’s Love for Us
The post Cherrilynn Bisbano and the Struggle for Identity in Christ appeared first on Eric Nevins.

232: Kevin White and Audacious Generosity

Kevin White is a pastor and author of Audacious Generosity. Today, Kevin shares the story of finding Christ as a young man, feeling called to ministry, and almost burning out while trying to achieve. When the church he planted voted him out, he had to reconsider what God was asking of him. Through the struggle, he founded a ministry that today serves over 500 families in his area. Then the Lord awoke his heart to India and he’s taken over 1,000 people to visit and minister there. Kevin’s story reminds us that it’s all God’s grace so we can hold everything with an open hand.
Listen to Kevin’s story now!
Stories Kevin shared:
How 2020 is different for him
Giving his life to Christ at 10
Being relieved that his parents got divorced at 12
Feeling very lonely and lost in high school
Going to a Gospel meeting to report on a mission trip and how that changed his life
Reading the Bible for hours and asking his pastor for answers
Feeling called to ministry
The woman who paid for his first year of college with unexpected scholarships
The two halves of his life
Feeling like not enough throughout his ministry
Getting voted out of the pastorate
Being angry with God for not honoring his sacrifice
The pastor who discipled him through the process of going through the spiritual desert
His first trip to India and how it changed him
The lean years and how he searched for God’s presence
The prayer that began to change his situation
Founding a ministry that serves 500 families a month
Turning over the ministry to others
Taking 1000 people to India on mission trips
The miracle of technology for spreading the Gospel
Passing on generosity to his children
Great quotes from Kevin:
As a 17 year old I knew the desire for peace.
When I went to India, I saw the presence of God in a way I had never been exposed to in America.
Giving is not an expectation; it’s an opportunity God gives us.
Resources we mentioned:
Kevin’s website
Audacious Generosity: How to Experience, Receive, and Give More Than You Ever Thought Possible by Kevin White
With Love From Jesus
Related episodes:
Jeff Brodsky is Barefoot Until the Last Child is Rescued
Amber Cullum and the Journey to Grace
Craig Greenfield and Good News for the Poor
The post Kevin White and Audacious Generosity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

231: Sarah Symons and Setting the Captives Free

Sarah Symons is the Founder and Executive Director of Her Future Coalition, an international charity fighting human trafficking and other severe gender violence with shelter, education and employment. Over the past 15 years, Her Future Coalition has walked alongside over 5000 women and children in India, Nepal, Cambodia, and Thailand on their journey to freedom and independence. Today, Sarah shares how she found faith, the mixed blessing of a legalistic background, and how God directed her to a film that changed her life. Sarah’s story reminds us that God is setting captives free and sometimes it’s not a metaphor.
Listen to Sarah’s story now!
Stories Sarah shared:
Helping women become slavery-proof
Growing up in Michigan in a Unitarian family
Going to a somewhat legalistic Baptist church at 13
Attending Bob Jones University and how that stagnated her faith
Her career as a singer/songwriter for film and TV
Watching a movie about trafficking at the Tribeca Film Festival
Emailing an organization working in Nepal
The experiences that moved her on her first trip to Nepal
Experiencing God’s love wrap around her after seeing horrific devastation on human faces
How people can get involved
Her spiritual gift of relentless positivity
The connection between mind and body
How Covid affected education in India
Great quotes from Sarah:
A lot of people wish we could drop in and offer a workshop. But it’s a ten year walk to recover, at least.
It certainly was a life-changing opportunity but not in the way I planned.
God was everywhere for me in all that. I couldn’t have done that trip without my faith.
Resources we mentioned:
Her Future Coalition
International Justice Mission
Standing in the Way: From Trafficking Victim to Human Rights Activist by Anjali Tamang & Sarah Symons
Related episodes:
Jeff Brodsky is Barefoot Until the Last Child is Rescued
Jordan Vargo and Justice on a Mission
Craig Greenfield and Good News for the Poor
The post Sarah Symons and Setting the Captives Free appeared first on Eric Nevins.

230: Blake Brewer and A Father’s Legacy

Blake Brewer is on a mission to help 1 MILLION Dads write at least one well written, meaningful, lasting Legacy Letter to their children. Blake has three children under 5. He absolutely loves being a father. As he leads his family and his children, he draws from many mentors, but none more important than his late father Larry Brewer. Today, Blake shares how losing his father and the letter he left changed the course of his life. Blake’s story reminds us that a father’s approval, attention, and adoration mean everything to their children.
Listen to Blake’s story now!
Stories Blake shared:
Growing up in Texas in a Christian family
When his dad took a day off work to take him to the pastor
Refusing to pray in public at church camp
Studying accounting in college
The day his life changed when his dad died on vacation
Praying for God to save his dad’s life
The letter that his dad left for him
What his dad encouraged him to do
Grieving for his dad
Asking why this terrible event happened
The first time he shared his faith with someone
Having the idea to start a movement helping dads give letters to their kids
The impact you can have on your kids
Great quotes from Blake:
If there’s a God, do I even want to follow a God who would allow this to happen?
It was so healing for me to share to start to minister to other people and allow God to work through me.
Every time I was scared, I would go back to my dad and it was like courage from my dad.
Resources we mentioned:
Blake’s website: Legacy Letter Challenge
The Fuel & The Flame: Ignite Your Life & Your Campus for Jesus Christ by Steve Shadrach
Related episodes:
Randall Sean Garcia and the Father’s Love for Us
Caroline Harries and the Invitation to Hope
Tim Winders and Redefining Success
The post Blake Brewer and a Father’s Legacy appeared first on Eric Nevins.

229: September McCarthy and Suffering as Sanctification

September McCarthy has been married to her husband Dan for 30 years. Together they have ten children and four grandchildren. They have been homeschooling their children for 24 years, and have launched six, with four more still at home. Today, September shares how she met Jesus at family camp, how losing multiple children shaped her, and why she took a whole year off. Her sabbatical brought healing and clarity for where God is taking her and her ministry. September’s story reminds us that suffering and sabbath is for our sanctification.
Listen to September’s story now!
Stories September shared:
Raising ten children and four grandchildren
Her ministry of writing and speaking
Taking a one year sabbatical from her work
Growing up in a very goal driven home
Meeting Jesus at 13 years old at family camp
Losing multiple children
Why she and her husband have ten children
The friend who told her it was time to heal
Living with fear and wrestling with it
Feeling insecure at a conference event
What she learned about herself during her sabbatical
Her wheel of priority
Her best parenting tips for all parents
Great quotes from September:
A place of healing is not fixed by a one week vacation.
Some of my best “yes moments” are saying no.
Confidence misplaced will lead to bankruptcy.
Resources we mentioned:
September’s website
September’s Shop
The Mom to Mom Podcast
The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (Case for … Series) by Lee Strobel
Related episodes:
Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Expectations
Jay Holland and the Goodness of God
Lauren Gaskill and the Joy of Healing
The post September McCarthy and Suffering as Sanctification appeared first on Eric Nevins.