Halfway There

220: Michelle Rayburn and Growing in Christ

Michelle Rayburn is a freelance writer and podcaster who appreciates how life's difficulties can turn out to be opportunities learn and grow. Today, Michelle shares her sometimes Pharisaical approach to her faith as a young woman, learning to engage people who are not like her, and discovering herself through writing. In every story Michelle shares, she reminds us that it’s okay to be immature so we can eventually become mature in Christ. We only need to accept permission to grow.
Listen to Michelle’s story now!
Stories Michelle shared:
Editing books and writing to reach women
Growing up in Wisconsin in a Christian family
Rededicating her life to Christ at a youth event
Landing in a Wesleyan church and how that happened
Getting involved in Campus Crusade in college
The emotional impact of reading Luke 18
Becoming willing to share with others who are not like her
Joining other groups to interact with people not like her
Raising support for camp ministry and losing a transmission
Pondering why chickens never fly over
Harvesting cranberries in the marsh
Writing a marriage book with her husband
Developing tools for communication in marriage
Great quotes from Michelle:
I think we spend a lot of time debating which one is theologically correct. Outside of that there is this whole world that doesn’t care at all what the differences are between them. They just need some hope.
I realized at one point that I was living exactly as I would if I believed in a works-based religion.
What’s God going to do through this that’s beautiful?
What if the “old marrieds” ask the young marrieds how they can help?
Resources we mentioned:
Michelle’s website
Write to Publish Conference
The Repurposed and Upcycled Life: A Women’s Small Group Bible Study by Michelle Rayburn
Classic Marriage: Staying in Love as Your Odometer Climbs by Michelle Rayburn
Related episodes:
Erin Davis and the Twin Anchors of Life in God
Jeff Munroe and Stewarding Your Pain
Katie Hornor and Rain as a Blessing
The post Michelle Rayburn and Growing in Christ appeared first on Eric Nevins.

219: Tim Winders and Redefining Success

Tim Winders is a performance coach to Executive Teams and Entrepreneurial Leaders. He is an author and the host of the SeekGoCreate podcast. He and his wife, Glori, have been married for over 30 years. They now consider themselves nomads as they currently travel, live, and work in their 39-foot RV named Theo. Today, Tim shares his longing for success, how he slowly lost his business during the Great Recession, and the new ministry the Lord gave him as a result. Tim’s story reminds us that the Lord wants the throne to our life.
Listen to Tim’s story now!
Stories Tim shared:
Growing up in Atlanta
How he made decisions based on his goals
The moment his father’s heart was hardened toward the church
Meeting his wife at Georgia Tech
Going to church for political purposes
Giving his life to Christ at an Amway conference
Going into more of a prosperity Gospel
How the prosperity Gospel shaped him
Building businesses to high level of success
Losing his business slowly in the Great Recession
Isolating himself as he lost his idol of success
Beginning to handle provision and a new assignment
Starting his podcast SeekGoCreate
Great quotes from Tim:
Whining and begging is better than running and hiding.
I had an idol that was acceptable in society. My idol was pursuing success.
Always be working on your relationship with the Father.
Resources we mentioned:
Tim’s website
Tim’s novel A Time to Act
Tim’s podcast SeekGoCreate
Related episodes:
Erik Fisher and the Productive Life
Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw and the God Who Likes You
Jason Elam and the Devastating Love of God
The post Tim Winders and Redefining Success appeared first on Eric Nevins.

218: Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Longings

Rachel Welcher is an editor at Fathom Magazine, a poet, and an author whose book Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality is about to be released. Today, Rachel shares how she followed all the purity culture rules before marriage, how she felt when her marriage ended in divorce, and developing a more holistic sexual ethic. Rachel’s story reminds us that God wants our hearts no matter what our circumstances are.
Listen to Rachel’s story now!
Stories Rachel shared:
Growing up in Northern California as a pastor’s kid
Realizing at age 11 that she could have her own a relationship with God
Having a “blessed life” without suffering through her mid 20s
Following all the rules as she dated her first husband
Her husband’s crisis of faith that created her own
Why “it could have been worse” doesn’t bring comfort
The friend who allowed her to lament
Dealing with shame and depression after her divorce
What the Lord taught her through wrestling with him
Learning that following Jesus doesn’t require all of her previous theological commitments
Going to graduate school at St. Andrews
Beginning to be published as a writer
Discovering that spiritual disciplines are not a replacement for necessary medication
Why she loves writing poetry
Deciding to reread purity culture books for how they impact a victim of sexual abuse
Great quotes from Rachel:
Doing the right things does not guarantee a good inner life.
God can allow great suffering for his children and still love us.
The calling to honor God with our sexuality doesn’t end at the alter.
What if we talk to teenagers about the spiritual growth through periods of unmet longing?
Resources we mentioned:
Rachel’s website
Rachel’s Twitter
Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Joy Welcher
Two Funerals, Then Easter by Rachel Joy Welcher
Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out
Related episodes:
Thomas Umstattd and Untwisting the Gospel
Rebecca Lemke Talks Purity, Legalism, and Finding Grace
J. Parker and How the Gospel Applies to Sex
The post Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Longings appeared first on Eric Nevins.

217: Os Guinness and Understanding Our Moment

Os Guinness is an English author and social critic and a previous guest on Halfway There. His work is largely responsible for this podcast and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to speak with him. Today, Os shares what it was like being at L’Abri with the Schaeffers, why we need to understand the cultural shifts of the 1960s, and the scandal of discipleship in the American church today. Os is a gifted writer and thinker who helped me understand our historical context. This conversation is sure to encourage you to engage differently.
Listen to Os now!
Stories Os shared:
Visiting and working at L’Abri with Francis and Edith Schaeffer
The kind of people who came by L’Abri
How he became a writer
How understanding the 1960s helps us understand today
The difference between the American and French revolutions and their impacts today
Why the Biblical view of freedom is unique
How to engage on social media
How to following your calling to make a change
The collapse of transmission in the American church
How to think about revival
Why now is the time to reclaim our understanding of freedom
Great quotes from Os:
You can’t understand today’s crisis without understanding the 60s.
The challenge today is not just to say “injustice” but to say “Whose view of justice are you using to redress the problem?”
We who are called to be salt and light are clearly neither salty nor light-bearing if we’re the majority and uninfluential.
Resources we mentioned:
Os Guinness’s website
The Dust of Death: The Sixties Counterculture and How It Changed America Forever (IVP Signature Collection) by Os Guinness
Repressive Tolerance
The Second Evangelical Awakening by J. Edwin Orr
Related episodes:
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
Laura Flanders and the Mentored Life
Kyle Strobel and Integrating Spirituality and Theology
The post Os Guinness and Understanding Our Moment appeared first on Eric Nevins.

216: Kaitlyn Schiess and Why Everything is Spiritual (Even Politics)

Kaitlyn Schiess is an author and minister. Her new book is The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor. Today, Kaitlyn shares what she learned growing up in a Christian family, choosing to go into ministry instead of law, and how churches can engage the spiritual formation of politics. Kaitlyn shares some key ways churches can engage their neighbors and why they must talk about politics. Kaitlyn’s story reminds us everything is spiritual and forming even if we neglect it.
Listen to Kaitlyn’s story today!
Stories Kaitlyn shared:
Growing up as a military kid moving around
Her faithful parents who were highly involved in church
Changing her perspective on giving her life to Christ
Feeling God’s peace, comfort, and presence at a camp meeting
Reading the Bible in a year as a way of developing her faith
The camaraderie that came from the debate team
Recognizing what an idol performance was for her
Serving at camp with middle schoolers and how one week changed her life
The pastor who began to open doors for her
Choosing to go to seminary instead of law school
Why she wrote the Liturgy of Politics
How churches can engage their neighbors
Why churches must be talking about politics
Great quotes from Kaitlyn:
You think people in your churches know things but they don’t and it blows their minds.
The political participation that people are involved in is forming them spiritually.
If you’re not talking about politics, you’re not being apolitical. You’re actually just reinforcing whatever bad theology people have.
Start with taking care of your soul.
Resources we mentioned:
Kaitlyn’s website
The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess
Desiring the Kingdom (Cultural Liturgies) by James K.A. Smith
The Ordinance
Related episodes:
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention
Chris Staron Calls a Truce on the Culture War
The post Kaitlyn Schiess and Why Everything is Spiritual (Even Politics) appeared first on Eric Nevins.

215: Skye Jethani and Living Life With God

Skye Jethani is an author, speaker, consultant, and ordained minister. He also serves as the co-host of the popular Holy Post Podcast, a weekly show that blends astute cultural and theological insights with comical conversation. Today, Skye shares how growing up in a religiously mixed home shaped him, deciding to follow Christ against his father’s wishes, and why it’s surprising he has written so many books. Skye also discusses his works including his book With, and his latest What if Jesus was Serious? Skye’s story proves that no matter what our plans are, the Lord will lead us where he will for our good.
Listen to Skye’s story today!
Stories Skye shared:
Living in the shadow of Wheaton College
Growing up in a religiously mixed family
Losing a younger brother when he was in second grade and how that affected his family
Navigating different cultures
Traveling a lot as a kid and how that influenced him
The man who gave him a word from the Lord near Nashville
Deciding to follow Christ regardless of his dad’s approval
The moment that set the course for his college experience
His undergrad mentor who was a bit of a mystic
Arguing with his father over going to seminary
Exploring many traditions of Christianity
The difference between historic Evangelicalism and fundamentalism
Experiencing a dark night in 2005 when he learned perseverance
The discipline of worship
How he started writing and where that led him
Writing his book With
How culture is changing and what the Church can do to engage
Why he started doodling and how that turned into What if Jesus was Seri0us?
Great quotes from Skye:
I did not like the subculture I thought I had to buy into in order to follow Jesus.
I benefited from a broad exposure to Christian traditions.
Anybody who has benefited from anything I’ve done in ministry or book I’ve written or anything else you can thank an atheist.
Resources we mentioned:
Skye’s website where you can sign up for With God Daily
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani
What If Jesus Was Serious?: A Visual Guide to the Teachings of Jesus We Love to Ignore by Skye Jethani
The Case Against Sermon-Centric Sundays in Premier Christianity
The episode of the Holy Post about the differences between evangelicalism and fundamentalism
Related episodes:
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
Suzanne Stabile and How the Enneagram Helps Relationships
Aaron Niequist and Swimming in the Eternal Current
The post Skye Jethani and Living Life with God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

214: Erin Davis and the Twin Anchors of Life in God

Erin Davis is a speaker, author, and blogger. Her latest book is 7 Feasts: Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament. Today, Erin shares how Scripture began to make sense after her conversion, how her husband encouraged her to teach, and the season of grief that refined her. We also talk about why the Old Testament is valuable to reveal God to us. Erin’s story reminds us that God reveals himself in Scripture and we can find him wherever we read.
Listen to Erin’s story now!
Stories Erin shared:
Growing up in a mixed religious house in Missouri
Visiting a new church and being invited to a retreat
Giving her life to Christ at that conference
Discovering her gifts as she interacted in youth group
Noticing how Scripture made more sense after giving her life to Christ
Bouncing around in college a bit
Noticing the girls in her church’s youth group needed depth
How her husband encouraged her to use her gifts
Learning to be present with the Lord more often
Walking through a season of grief
The crucible of suffering and what she learned
The professor who discouraged her from writing
Deciding to pursue a career as a writer and teacher
How she decided to study the 7 feasts
What she hopes her book will accomplish
Great quotes from Erin:
Anywhere I could teach the Bible, I’d go.
There are two anchors in my life: God is sovereign and God is good.
If you don’t have the sovereignty of God when you’re suffering, you don’t have anything.
Resources we mentioned:
Erin’s website
7 Feasts: Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament by Erin Davis
Related episodes:
Aimee Byrd and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Bryan Wolfmueller and the Joy of Theology
Stephanie Rousselle and Tasting All the Spices
The post Erin Davis and the Twin Anchors of Life in God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

213: Stephanie Rousselle and Tasting All the Spices

Stephanie Rousselle is a wife, mom, podcaster, public speaker, writer, and former women's ministry director. Today, Stephanie shares what it was like growing up in France as an atheist, what happened when she let God in for a week, and learning to love Scripture. Stephanie has traveled and lived around the world which gives her an insight into how culture affects our reading of Scripture that few can claim. She also has a podcast and shares why her show is called Gospel Spice. Her story reminds us that God is always seeking us out even when we are not seeking him.
Listen to Stephanie’s story on your favorite podcast app!
Stories Stephanie shared:
Growing up in France as an atheist
Coming to the United States as a foreign exchange student at 16
Thinking that everyone in the U.S. was a Christian
How her host family created room for her with vulnerability
How the resurrection finally convinced her to follow Christ
Opening her life to the Lord for one week
The rest she experienced that changed her life
Returning to France convinced she was the first French Christian
Moving around the world multiple times
Learning about how we approach Scripture culturally
Seeing the cost of being a Christian in Africa
Why it was hard for her to accept God’s acceptance
Starting her podcast, Gospel Spice
Great quotes from Stephanie:
On occasion, God shows such grace as to reveal himself to those not seeking him.
If you do not see Jesus as the most beautiful lover of your soul, just ask the Holy Spirit to do that work to make you fall in love with him again.
I had tasted the chocolate and there was no going back.
Seasons of relative darkness highlight the light.
If something else besides Christ could have saved us, God would have given it.
Resources we mentioned:
Stephanie’s website
Stephanie’s podcast, Gospel Spice
More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell
The C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (8-Volume Box Set): An Anthology of 8 C. S. Lewis Titles: Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, Miracles, The … The Abolition of Man, and The Four Loves
Related episodes:
Carol Wilson and Following the Lord’s Leading
Rob Karch and Embracing God in the Unexpected
Tony Weeder and the Cost of the Gospel
The post Stephanie Rousselle and Tasting All the Spices appeared first on Eric Nevins.