Halfway There

165: Steve Bremner and God Out of the Box

Steve Bremner is an author, sometime podcaster, and Supreme Galactic Emperor? We had a good laugh about that one! Today, Steve shares his journey from a conservative denomination to a charismatic one. You’ll hear his heart to see God and be inspired by his following the next right step even as it led him around the world. Steve currently has an online business while he serves in Peru – that’s modern tentmaking!
Listen to Steve’s story now!
Stories Steve shared:
Working as a tentmaker in Peru helping authors publish their books
Growing up in Ontario, Canada
Giving his life to Christ around 15 years old
Devouring tapes of teaching
Connecting to the Brownsville revival
Speaking in tongues for the first time
Praying for people in the line
Going to Holland as a missionary and feeling frustrated
Realizing that Peru was the next place he would live
Writing a blog and his books
Great quotes from Steve:
God doesn’t have a box that he works in and doesn’t do things according to our expectations.
That thing to focus on helped get through the dark night of the soul.
Resources we mentioned:
Steve’s website
Fire School of Ministry
Playing With Holy Fire: A Wake-Up Call to the Pentecostal-Charismatic Church by Michael L. Brown
From Holy Laughter to Holy Fire: America on the Edge of Revival by Michael L. Brown
Jonathan Edwards: On Revival by Jonathan Edwards
Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith by Richard Foster
Related episodes:
Michael Woodward and Living a Significant Story
Patrick Meyers and the Kind Initiator
Aaron Walker from the Valley to the Mountaintop
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164: Gill Bentham and Living in the Locks with the Lord

Gill Bentham is an author and journaler and a nurse for over 30 years. Today, Gill shares the story of how she found life in Christ as a young woman, how the Lord was faithful through a difficult divorce, and the redemptive role of writing in her life. Gill shares with us why she wrote her latest book As If: Steering Your Life Without Strife, Navigating from Fantasy into Faith and Rising from Delusion into Destiny. As she wrote and lived alongside the canals in her town, she realized what a brilliant metaphor they are for walking with the Lord. And she shares with us how getting stuck waiting in the lock can be a good time for us even if it’s hard to wait. Gill has such a wonderful heart for helping others see themselves from the Lord’s perspective that I know you will be changed just by listening to this conversation.
Stories Gill shared:
Growing up in a Methodist house in Northern England
How she got into palliative care as a nurse
Giving her life to Christ at an outreach
Studying Scripture through devotionals and Bible reading on her own
Experiencing community at university
Her hunger for the Lord during this time
The mentor who built her trust in the Lord
Pastoring and the struggles with the church
The restlessness she lives with
How God helped her through a difficult marriage and divorce
The role of writing in her life
Writing her book As If
Great quotes from Gill:
Learning to be at rest in the moment, in the day, and take joy in the small events and blessing is a very big lesson in the last 10 years of my life.
He loves the institution of marriage. He was really clear to me that he was saying “I love you more than the institution of marriage.”
God stands at the completion of our lives and he sees that whole golden strip across our lives even when we can’t.
Resources we mentioned:
As If: Steering Your Life Without Strife, Navigating from Fantasy into Faith and Rising from Delusion into Destiny
Disentangling Genius: Unravel the Seven Knots of Frustration so you can Align Desire with Creative Expression
Gill’s website
Gill’s Facebook and Instagram
Walking in His Ways: Every Day With Jesus One Year Devotional by Selwyn Hughes
Related episodes:
Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed
Kristen Kludt and the Art of Life with God
Mike Savage and God’s Great, Self-Sacrificial Love
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163: Karl Forehand and the Experience of Deconstruction

Karl Forehand is an author, former pastor, and podcaster. Today, Karl shares the story of his deconstruction, an idea that has been bantered around a bit lately. But what is it? Deconstruction is simply the process of letting go of false beliefs about God, the world, and yourself and discovering the reality of all three. As Karl shares in his story, it can be painful and you can lose friends when you ask questions. But the process is also liberating and Karl found new practices, places of inspiration, and even wrote a book called Apparent Faith. This part of the journey can feel lonely and if you’re there, listen to Karl’s story and know you are not alone.
Stories Karl shared:
His current season of deconstruction
Writing a book and his current work and situation
Growing up in Oklahoma in a relatively spiritual home
Struggling to fit in with his personality and feeling underestimated
Feeling called to ministry and planting a church
Realizing he could no longer fake his faith
Learning from his children through conversation
Finding contemplative practices to help him
Learning centering prayer
Learning about the shadow parts of himself
What this season of dark night has taken out of him
Why he wrote his book Apparent Faith
The tea shop encounter that convinced him to be on the journey
Great quotes from Karl:
I think people underestimate me.
It makes people uneasy when you start to grow.
When I deconstructed as far as I did, Jesus was still compelling to me, the way of Christ was compelling to me. That was the part I couldn’t give up.
Resources we mentioned:
Karl’s website
Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart by Karl Forehand
Heart Connexon
Richard Foster’s books Celebration of Discipline and Prayer
Related episodes:
Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation
Richard Jacobson and Unchurching
Cari Jenkins and Who You Really Are
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162: Julie Court and the Power of Forgiveness

Julie Court is an author, speaker and motivational coach. Today, Julie shares how she gave up on God after it seemed like he never came through, the friend who loved an angry girl, and how she learned to forgive. Julie has a very intimate relationship with Jesus and often talks with him and listens to where he wants her to go. She shares why she went to Kenya after an uprising to speak on forgiveness and how powerfully the Lord worked through her. And, we talk about her book, Incredible Life Makeover, as well. If you have a few things you need to lay down and forgive (isn’t that all of us?), this episode is for you!
Listen to Julie’s story now!
Stories Julie shared:
Growing up in a home with alcoholism and divorce
How the situation got worse when her mother remarried
Giving up on God after suffering repeated abuse
Meeting Miriam, the girl who loved her and answered her questions
Joining campus ministries in college
Getting married and choosing a life of family
Learning forgiveness from mentors
The stages of forgiveness
Choosing to homeschool her children
Going to Kenya after an uprising to speak about forgiveness
Losing her husband when he abandoned the faith
The five battle cries she writes
Deciding to write a book about the process of forgiveness
Great quotes from Julie:
Not everyone will love someone who is as angry and dysfunctional as I was.
When God asks us to do something extraordinary, he’s going to do something extraordinary.
Only you can destroy your life.
Resources we mentioned:
Julie’s website where you can get a free chapter of her book
Incredible Life Makeover: Step-by-Step Transformation to Wholeness by Julie Court
Related Episodes:
Evan Money Loves Getting Married and Other Joys
Vicki Proffit and the Encouragement of God
Tracy Winchell and the Power of Starting Over
Caroline Abbott and Coming Home to the Lord
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161: Os Guinness and Carpe Diem Redeemed

Os Guinness is an author, speaker, and prominent social critic whose work has profoundly affected many including me. Today, Os shares the story of his rich spiritual heritage. He came to faith as a young man while reading C.S. Lewis, learned from Francis Schaeffer, and has written many books. We also discuss what a Christian view of time looks like and his new book Carpe Diem Redeemed. This is a conversation sure to give you a deeper appreciation for the long lineage of historical faith in Christ and encourage you to trust the Lord with everything, even your time.
Listen to Os’ story now!
Stories Os shared:
How to respond to loss of Christian consensus
Descending from the Guinness family of stout fame
Being born in China to missionary parents
Fleeing a famine that killed his brothers
Going back to England to live without his parents
Finding Christ through reading C.S. Lewis and others
Why he wrote Carpe Diem Redeemed
The issue of doubt and how he thinks of it
How character is shaped
Great quotes from Os:
Every generation is just one more pulsebeat in the life of humanity.
There’s a saying here in Washington, “Jesus plus nothing,” which when you think about it is stupid. It’s Jesus plus everything but under the lordship of Jesus.
As we come to know God we become partners with him in fulfilling his purpose in his world and working as his partners to restore the world.
Doubt is a halfway house.
Resources we mentioned:
Carpe Diem Redeemed: Seizing the Day, Discerning the Times
The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God’s Purpose For Your Life
A Free People’s Suicide: Sustainable Freedom and the American Future
In two minds: The dilemma of doubt & how to resolve it
Os’s website
Related episodes:
Douglas Groothuis and Walking Through Twilight
Chris and Joi Copeland Say When God Calls You Go
Thomas Umstattd and Untwisting the Gospel
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160: Dr. Corinne Weaver and Learning to Breathe

Dr. Corinne Weaver is a chiropractor helping patients get healthy through holistic methods. Today, Corinne shares the story of the bicycle accident that damaged her health seemingly permanently, how the Lord directed her to chiropractic care, and why it’s important to take care of our bodies. She also teaches us her technique for how to breathe properly and why that is so important for good health. Her books, Learning How to Breathe, and No More Meds, will take you deeper into a natural healing journey. Whether you are healthy, could use a little refresher, or just need to recover from illness, Corinne’s story will inspire and educate you to begin the journey.
Listen to Corinne’s story now!
Stories Corinne shared:
The accident that dramatically damaged her health
How she discovered chiropractic care as a young child
Leaving church because of her health problems
Giving her life to Christ at camp and the vision that led to her career
Why she is convinced the mind/body connection is important
The breathing techniques she teaches, the 4-7-8 method
Why she wrote No More Meds
How diet affects our well-being
Great quotes from Corrinne:
If we don’t take care of our physical being, it’s going to affect us spiritually, too.
I make time everyday for quiet time whether it’s reading Scripture or just breathing.
I love helping parents that are motivated to make some lifestyle changes for their families.
Resources we mentioned:
Corinne’s website
No More Meds Movement
No More Meds by Dr. Corinne Weaver
Learning How to Breathe: Trace almost every single ailment we face today to improper breathing by Dr. Corinne Weaver
Related episodes:
Dr. Joe O’Tool is Creating a Culture of Care
Jill May and Wrestling Truth and Reality
J. Parker and How the Gospel Applies to Sex
Mary DeMuth and Her Avenue of Healing
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Bonus: Steve Simms and the Joy of Early Christianity

In this bonus episode, we catch up with Steve Simms, an author, pastor, and previous guest on Halfway There. Steve’s heart for relationship with Jesus will inspire you to walk a little more closely to him, too. Steve writes books and in this conversation, we talk about his last two books, one about a Christian response to racism, and the other about returning to early Christianity. I think you’ll be inspired by Steve’s heart and words.
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See you next month!
Stories Steve shared:
Leaving his Salvation Army church
Why he wrote his book The Joy of Early Christianity
How resisting negativity is spiritual warfare
What true abundant life is
How to engage different styles of prayer
How to interact with Jesus all the time
The ice cream analogy
Why we need to practice our faith not just learn about it
Why he wrote a book on race
Great quotes from Steve:
Church hurt, hurts.
When people are allowed to have a role in Sunday morning, they grow so much faster.
I want to live what they did in the book of Acts.
You can grow as fast as you seek him.
Resources we mentioned:
Beyond Church: The Lost Word Of The Bible- Ekklesia
The Joy Of Early Christianity
Off the RACE Track: From Color-Blind to Color-Kind
Steve sharing his story on Halfway There
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159: Joseph Agliata and Finding the Peace of God

Joseph Agliata is an IT guy and podcaster. Today, Joe shares his story of mental illness, being close to suicide, and potentially hurting others. But his story doesn’t end there. Joe was seeking the peace of Jesus and you can see the Lord’s faithfulness to bring it to him even in a mental ward where Joe clung to his Bible. If you struggle with mental illness, listen to Joe’s story and know that there is hope. If you don’t, you know someone who does (even if they don’t share that with you). Listen to Joe’s story, hear God’s faithfulness to lead him into health, and ask the Lord for the same.
Listen to Joe’s story now!
Stories Joseph shared:
Why he loves stories and their power
Growing up in an Irish Catholic family in Boston
Exploring religions as a teenager even though he was an atheist
Getting into fights and feeling like his mental health was slipping away
The moment he almost became a school shooter
Being placed into a mental institution for months
Reading the Scriptures during this time
Praying that God would prove his existence to him
Getting baptized and knowing God had answered his prayer
How Teen Challenge helped disciple him
Going through serious depression in the last year
How compassion in his character began to shine through
Serving in Israel and returning to his Messianic roots
Great quotes from Joseph:
I was a crazy person and now I’m not.
Nobody told me don’t do that, don’t do those laws. I just read it and I did it.
Maybe God knew that’s exactly what I needed.
I don’t want to hide things anymore. I want to show what God has done.
Resources we mentioned:
Connect with Joseph on Facebook
National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-8255
Related episodes:
Wesley Ross Harris and Growing Faith and Mental Illness
Shari Malott and Fighting for Hope
Marie White and How God Turns Tragedy into Trust
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