Halfway There

197: Julie Hamilton and Trusting Over Pleasing

Julie Hamilton is a faith based podcaster, speaker, radio and TV co-host and encourager. She has been married for 21 years, is a mom of two girls & loves living in Napa Valley. Today, she shares how in the last 8 months, she went from homeschooling mom of 14 years to Media Director for a Mayoral campaign & building a social media branding company. We talk about her struggle with anxiety and how it taught her to trust the Lord which ultimately led to her finding her voice of encouragement. Julie’s story reminds us that trust is what the Lord wants from us.
Listen to Julie’s story now!
Stories Julie shared:
How her family is weathering the quarantine
How God used podcasting to prepare her for a role in politics
Growing up with parents who were first generation Christians
Moving to California as a girl
How the new crowd inspired her to love the Lord
The mentor who helped her
A season of anxiety that kept her homebound
Learning that God is her portion through Psalm 73:26
Getting through PTSD after a scary experience
Choosing to go to Africa and how that represented healing for her anxiety
Discovering her own voice when she turned 40
How she helps people today
Great quotes from Julie:
We don’t know when our last day is, but in all of that, we learn God is good.
What’s normal to us is magic to other people.
You never know what God has in store for you and that’s why you have to trust Him.
Resources we mentioned:
Julie’s website and podcast
5 Tools to Interrupt Anxiety by Julie Hamilton
Julie’s Easy Podcasting Master Class
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives) by Paul David Tripp
Related episodes:
Troy Greenwood and his Mid-Life Awakening
Marie White and How God Turns Tragedy into Trust
Billy Berglund and Trusting God in Uncertain Times
The post Julie Hamilton and Trusting Over Pleasing appeared first on Eric Nevins.

196: Kyle Strobel and Integrating Spirituality and Theology

Kyle Strobel is the associate professor of spiritual theology at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Today, Kyle shares the story of how he discovered spiritual formation, feeling abandoned by God and surrendering to him, and studying the works of Jonathan Edwards. Kyle brings a unique historical perspective to the spiritual formation conversation. We also talk about his newest book, Embracing Contemplation: Reclaiming a Christian Spiritual Practice. Kyle’s story reminds us that our tradition is rich if we only take the time to mine it.
Listen to Kyle’s story today!
Stories Kyle shared:
Growing up at Willow Creek
Doing his PHD on Jonathan Edwards
Leaving Willow with a lot of relational brokenness
Going to college and having a profound realization about prayer
Feeling abandoned by God and surrendering to it
Learning about prayer and how
Understanding spiritual practices through Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley
How love works itself out in his life
The conversation he hopes Embracing Contemplation starts
Great quotes from Kyle:
If prayer is performative then the psalter makes no sense.
It took me wrestling profoundly with myself to open up others people’s lives.
The journey to God is a journey to love.
Prayer isn’t something you generate, something you start; it’s something you enter.
Resources we mentioned:
Embracing Contemplation: Reclaiming a Christian Spiritual Practice edited by John H. Coe and Kyle C. Strobel
Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross
Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ by Dallas Willard
Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards by Kyle Strobel
Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality by Belden C. Lane
Related episodes:
Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
Amy Jackson and Trusting God with the Questions
The post Kyle Strobel and Integrating Spirituality and Theology appeared first on Eric Nevins.

195: Katie Hornor and Rain as a Blessing

Katie Hornor is a best-selling author, business coach and international speaker. After leaving all for a ministry opportunity overseas only to have it pulled out from under them, Tap & Katie built a business and a movement in their second language among in the fastest growing market demographic in the world, changing the future of education for Hispanic families. Today, Katie shares the story of wanting to go overseas as a child, wrestling with postpartum depression, and learning to see rain as a blessing from God. Katie turned a series of  closed doors into an international business and her story reminds us that God always has something better for us.
Listen to Katie’s story now!
Stories Katie shared:
Growing up in North Carolina
Choosing life with Jesus as a young girl
Surrendering to the Lord’s will for her life in high school
Attending college at Bob Jones
Deciding to get a master’s degree in curriculum development
Wrestling with postpartum depression
Hosting a girl who need mentoring and how that helped her out of depression
Seeking the Lord for where to go next and moving across Mexico
Being asked to leave from two ministries within one year
Starting a company to homeschool Spanish speaking kids
Learning to see rain as a blessing
Observing flamingos in ocean
Great quotes from Katie:
If I really believe God is in control and everything he does is good, then I’ve got to look for the good.
Why are we working so hard for a harvest and all we’re getting is rained on?
He taught me to see the rain as a blessing.
Your title is about who you serve not who you are.
Resources we mentioned:
Katie’s website
Faith Like Flamingos: The Christian Business Guide to Walking Out Your Faith in Bold Color! by Katie Hornor
Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Related episodes:
Chris & Joi Copeland Say When God Calls You Go 
Ellen Rosenberger and What Being a Missionary Is Really Like
David Jacob and Seeking After God
The post Katie Hornor and Rain as a Blessing appeared first on Eric Nevins.

194: Jeff Munroe and Stewarding Your Pain

Jeff Munroe is Executive Vice President of Western Theological Seminary and author of the book Reading Buechner. Today, Jeff shares the story of the bad advice he received about emotions, how Frederick Buechner helped him fix it, and looks back at the providence of God in leading him to Western Theological Seminary. Along the way, we talk about Buechner’s work and how it applies to today. Jeff’s story reminds us that the Lord is always at work and he never wastes anything.
Listen to Jeff’s story now!
Stories Jeff shared:
Serving as an administrator at Western Theological Seminary
Growing up in a Christian family and being discipled in a Young Life style
His wife’s stroke one month before their wedding
Losing touch with his emotion based on bad advice
Discovering Frederick Buechner in a bookstore
What he things of the person who gave him bad advice
Finding peace with God through community
Leaving Young Life during a difficult season
Receiving a call to Western Theological Seminary
How speaking at a workshop about Buechner and being asked to write this book
Great quotes from Jeff:
We go to books and we want lots of different things. But we want books that change our lives. That’s what Buechner did for me.
Pain is a universal human experience.
I spend the whole week figuring out the ways I don’t believe in God and then the community calls be back every week.
Resources we mentioned:
Reading Buechner: Exploring the Work of a Master Memoirist, Novelist, Theologian, and Preacher by Jeff Monroe
Western Theological Seminary
The Clown in the Belfry: Writings on Faith and Fiction by Frederick Buechner
Related episodes:
Douglas Groothuis and Walking Through Twilight
Sarah Geringer and Transforming Your Thought Life
Jay Holland and the Goodness of God
The post Jeff Munroe and Stewarding Your Pain appeared first on Eric Nevins.

193: D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention

D. L. Mayfield is a writer and podcaster who is just trying to be a good neighbor. Her podcast is the Prophetic Imagination Station Podcast and her new book is The Myth of the American Dream. Today, D.L. shares her journey wanting to be a missionary as a child, experiencing the Holy Spirit in college, and working with refugee communities in Portland. D.L. says paying attention to her neighbors changed the way she sees the world and it can change us, too.
Listen to D.L.’s story now!
Stories D. L. shared:
Growing up as a pastor’s kid all over the place
Wanting to be a missionary since the age of 6
Wrestling with the idea of the Kingdom of God in college
Thinking about Good Friday as a child
Some of the problems with missionary movements
Experiencing the Holy Spirit in college
Choosing to send her child to one of the worst public schools in her state
How the pandemic is challenging her sense of community
How she started writing as a way to reflect
Why she choose her title for The Myth of the American Dream
How paying attention to marginalized people changes your perspective
Bringing shalom for everyone
Great quotes from D. L.:
I didn’t fundamentally understand the main thing Jesus talked about and that terrified me.
Now that I’m free to be honest with God, I don’t feel God’s absence necessarily.
The only true prayers are honest prayers.
Resources we mentioned:
D.L.’s website
The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power by D. L. Mayfield
Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith by D. L. Mayfield
Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah
Related episodes:
Jordan Vargo and Justice on a Mission
Craig Greenfield and Good News for the Poor
Karen Gonzalez and the God Who Sees
The post D. L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention appeared first on Eric Nevins.

192: Betty Lou Long and Raising Family in Faith

Betty Lou Long is affectionately known as “Grandma Great” in our house. I have so many fond memories of family gatherings and food at her house. Today, she shares about growing up in small town Iowa, how she met her husband in a hardware store, and the profound sense of gratitude she felt witnessing a New England autumn. Grandma also shares why family is so important to her and how she tried to instill faith in hers. This is a special episode that I hope you enjoy!
Listen to Grandma’s story now!
Stories Grandma Great shared:
Growing up in small town Iowa
Going to college in Des Moines, Iowa
Learning to drive after asking her dad if she could
Dealing with life during WWII
Meeting a boy who would become his her husband
How having children changed her faith
How playing the hymns comforts her
The Christmas routine they had
How the New England autumn impressed her
Why family is so important to her
Great quotes from Grandma Great:
I realized they needed to be well grounded and we needed to set an example for them as my parents had done for me.
I found sitting down and playing the hymns was very comforting to me.
Family is so important. When I see my family together, I’m so thankful for them.
Related episodes:
Harriett Miller and a Fierce Faith
Edith Leland and Intimate Friendship with God
Dell McDonald Says God Can Use You
The post Betty Lou Long and Raising Family in Faith appeared first on Eric Nevins.

191: Harriett Miller and a Fierce Faith

Harriett Miller is a strong woman who just so happens to be my grandmother. She was a little hesitant to come on the show and share her story but I’m so glad she did! Today, Grandma shares about growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, becoming a widow with five small boys, how that event led her to faith in Christ. The Lord has often spoken to her through Scripture and gave her a discernment gift that she had to learn to use well. These are stories I’ve heard bits of my entire life but today, we get to hear all the details. Grandma’s story reminds us that God uses even the hardest moments of our lives to draw us to himself.
Give Grandma’s story a listen!
Stories Grandma shared:
Growing up in Des Moines, IA in a poor family
Going to a Salvation Army church
Graduating high school to spite her Jr. High teacher
Meeting and marrying her husband Don and starting a family
The medical issue she suffered while starting a family
Losing her husband to cancer with 5 boys
What the Lord spoke to her in the middle of the night
The Scripture passage 1 John 2:20-27 (KJV) that taught her she has the gift of discernment
How discernment works for her
The moment when God spoke to her about breaking an engagement
Meeting Bill Miller and marrying him
How the Lord continues to use Scripture
Wrestling with God through anger
Great quotes from Grandma:
I don’t think I would have ever come to know the Lord as my savior if he hadn’t gotten taken out of the way.
I was his from the beginning.
If the Lord’s in it, any program can work. But if he’s not, no program will work.
Related episodes:
Betty Lou Long
Jay Holland and the Goodness of God
Tricia Lott Williford and How God Works in the Waiting
The post Harriett Miller and a Fierce Faith appeared first on Eric Nevins.

190: Jason Elam and the Devastating Love of God

Jason Elam is the host of the Messy Spirituality podcast. Today, Jason shares the moments he was completely overwhelmed by the love of God. Jason shares his experience of God when he died on the operating table, how professional ministry damaged him, and how the love of God became his mission. Jason’s journey takes us through the rocky ground of legalism and try harder but ultimately lands in the the meadow of God’s love. Whatever your journey has brought you, Jason’s story reminds us that it’s ultimately about sharing the love of God.
Listen to Jason’s story now!
Stories Jason shared:
Growing up in the Nazarene church
Hearing about hell and being afraid of going there
Being raised in a culture of fear and how that influenced his faith
Dying on the operating table while getting his tonsils taken out at 12 years old
Serving as a missionary in Romania
Embracing a child who was throwing rocks at him because he was an American
Attending a meeting of the Brownsville revival in Birmingham, Alabama
Preaching a message of trying harder
Self-destructing when an elder opposed him
Divorcing his wife after a 10 year abusive relationship
Starting a church for people who love Jesus but not church
Experiencing the love of God at the gym again
Starting the Hope Center that served families in need
Starting his podcast, the Messy Spirituality podcast
Great quotes from Jason:
I saw the love of God as my mission.
God was in the friends who would still take my call.
The love of God is all there is.
Resource we mentioned:
Jason’s website and my appearance on his show
God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People by Mike Yaconelli
The Shack by William Paul Young
Messy Spirituality: God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People by Mike Yaconelli
Related episodes:
Michael Woodward and Living a Significant Story
Michelle Shaeffer and One Answered Prayer 
Keith Giles and Separating Church From State
The post Jason Elam and the Devastating Love of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.