Halfway There

158: Laura Padgett and Ambassadors of Joy

Laura Padgett is an author, dancer, and public speaker, and sometimes an elf. Today, Laura shares how she found the Lord after resisting him for years, the woman who invested deeply in her, and why she started to write stories. Laura is a passionate believer who reminds us of the power of solid mentor relationships and the joy that’s possible if you just trust the Lord. By the end of this episode, you’ll want to dance with the Lord and I wholeheartedly recommend you accept the invitation.
Listen to Laura’s story now!
Stories Laura shared:
How she became an elf and the joy it
Growing up in a nonreligious home knowing there must be a higher purpose
Feeling like there was something wrong with her
Running away from Denver to escape her parents
The shouting match and dream that led her to the Lord
Learning to forgive her parents and accept the Lord as Father
Going to church kicking and screaming
Meeting Dolores, who would mentor her in the faith
Learning to dance for the Lord
Why we should learn to dance and be connected to our bodies
How she got her masters degree
Why Laura started writing
Great quotes from Laura:
I went a good deal fo my life wondering what’s wrong with me, even after I met Jesus.
I’m that child that learned no early and uses it frequently.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could not be so self-conscious all the time?
God does not give unusable gifts.
We have a subscription – lifetime – to humanity.
Resources we mentioned:
Laura’s website
Laura’s blog posts Little Drummer Girl, Some Gave All,
Dolores, Like the River
Jesus in Shorts: Twenty-five Short Stories of Life-Changing Jesus Moments
Related episodes:
Tim Voss is on a Playful and Fantastic Adventure
Jan Costas and Step by Step on the Camino
Jill May and Wrestling Truth and Reality
Steve Simms and the Joy of Letting Jesus Lead
The post Laura Padgett and Ambassadors of Joy appeared first on Eric Nevins.

157: Ryan Lui and Embracing Your Uniqueness

Ryan is a Pastor at Tenth Church in Vancouver BC. He is the author of Being is Greater than Doing, and an Enneagram Coach. Today, Ryan shares how the Enneagram helped him discover and accept himself including the unique ways he contributes to the Kingdom of God. We also talk about how the spiritual practices we are drawn to may differ based on our personality and why we need to embrace ourselves that way. Ryan is a gifted writer and speaker and I know you’ll connect with his story.
Listen to Ryan’s story today!
Stories Ryan shared:
Growing up in Vancouver, BC
Leaving church after his parent’s divorce but still with an idea of God
The books that inspired Ryan to take his discipleship more seriously
How he began to understand God’s larger mission
Discovering imaginative prayer and how it gives him life
Learning that play is delightful to God
Discovering that he can be on mission in unique ways
How finding the Enneagram helped him discover himself
How he wrestles with God over a desire
Writing on his blog and ebooks
Great quotes from Ryan:
When we play, when we try new things, our parent God as our Heavenly Father, delights in that.
Community is important to balance these ideas.
The Enneagram can really help toward church unity at a time when we need it.
Whoever God has made you to be, own it and know that God is pleased with you.
Resources we mentioned:
Ryan’s website and his free ebook on the Enneagram, 9 Kinds
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Treasure Principle Bible Study: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn
The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity by Soong-Chan Rah
The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World by Peter Scazzero
Related episodes:
Suzanne Stabile and How the Enneagram Helps Relationships
Jim Gum and Healing through Enneagram
Cliff Ravenscraft and Finding Yourself in Christ
Marc Schelske and the Wisdom of Your Heart
Practice the spiritual discipline of lectio divina:
Jesus is Willing: An 8 Day Experience
Jesus is Willing: An 8 Day Experience is short so you can fit it into your schedule. Read the days consecutively or even once a week and still get enormous value. It's full of questions that I guarantee will make you think.
$7.97
Buy Now
The post Ryan Lui and Embracing Your Uniqueness appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Bonus with Mary DeMuth

If the MeToo movement has shown us anything, it’s that the problem of sexual abuse is not just something for others to handle. It’s easy to pretend that the problem belongs to Hollywood or the Roman Catholic Church. But now, Evangelicals also admit to covering up and shuffling around predators in the name of forgiveness. What are the guidelines for redemptive handling of sexual abuse allegations and situations?
Mary DeMuth is an author and sexual abuse survivors advocate. Today, Mary shares her latest book, We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis. We talk about the how far reaching the problem really is, why every Christian should consider themselves a mandatory reporter, and redemptive strategies for handling abuse for churches. Mary’s heart for justice comes from her own story of surviving abuse and working toward healing. She will not settle for cliched grace and forgiveness. Rather, with clarity and wisdom, calls us to discernment and to err on the side of justice and righteousness.
Listen to our conversation today!
Stories Mary shared:
The problem of sexual abuse in the church
The astounding amount of sexual abuse in the Bible
Why abuse is more widespread in Protestant churches than others
The trail of victims if we don’t take responsibility to report
How churches should deal with sexual abuse situations
What sexual abuse victims need
The long-term love of  her husband for her
Why our definition of spiritual maturity shapes our responses
The difference between legal guilt and spiritual discernment
 God’s heart for both grace and mercy throughout the Bible
How to appropriately apply the Gospel to abusers
What you can do for sexual abuse victims
What warning signs you can be looking for
A better plan than the Billy Graham Rule
Why forgiveness isn’t always completely restored relationship
Do certain theologies enable abusers?
Great quotes from Mary:
The Church is supposed to be a place for the wounded and the broken and we don’t heal in isolation.
Any Christ-follower is obligated to be a mandatory reporter.
We need to err on the side of the weak.
We have to remember that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is a healed heart.
Resources we mentioned:
Mary’s website full of resources for sexual abuse victims and those caring for them
We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis
21 Days to Healing for Sexual Abuse Survivors
The post Mary DeMuth and The Safest Place for Sexual Abuse Survivors appeared first on Eric Nevins.

156: Caroline Abbott and Coming Home to the Lord

Caroline Abbott is an author, domestic violence advocate, and counselor. Today, she shares the story of how she found the Lord, walked away, and found him again. Along the way, Caroline found herself in an abusive marriage but found little help from the people who she turned to including her church. She recounts some of the misguided things her pastors did and said and gives us tips and resources for bringing the Kingdom of God to abusive relationships. Caroline’s mission now is to help others get out and find themselves again.
Listen to Caroline’s story now!
Stories Caroline shared:
Why she became a domestic violence advocate
Missing church as a child and wishing she was there
The longing to know Jesus she has felt her whole life
How her parents punished her for being baptized
Sowing wild oats and getting married
The Bible study that turned on the lights for her
Why she submitted to an abusive husband
How she drew strength from the Lord during this time
The mentors who cared for her
How counseling made the situation worse
Researching abuse and where it led her
Getting out of the abusive marriage
What to look for in situations of domestic violence
Why she decided to write a book
Great quotes from Caroline:
Something in me wanted to know the Lord.
The people around me may have abandoned me but the Lord hasn’t.
It’s a beautiful thing to be able to turn something that’s really dark into something that’s really lovely.
Resources we mentioned:
Caroline’s website 
Connect with Caroline on Facebook
The Verbally Abusive Relationship, Expanded Third Edition: How to recognize it and how to respond by Patricia Evans
Domestic Violence Guide for Churches
A Journey through Emotional Abuse: From Bondage to Freedom by Caroline Abbott
A Journey to Healing After Emotional Abuse by Caroline Abbott
Denver Seminary
8 Day Experience is the process of spiritual reading that I have been using for ten years and the church has used for centuries longer. In this beautiful 30 page digital download, I guide you through reading and reflecting on Mark 1:40-45 bringing your own questions to the surface so you can bring them to the Lord. Your experience will be unique based on your life and relationship with the Lord.
Buy it today!
The post Caroline Abbott and Coming Home to the Lord appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Cliff Ravenscraft and the Trash Heap of Bad Beliefs

It’s time, my friends, to let go of some bad beliefs.
This episode is a special bonus edition with Cliff Ravenscraft that will challenge you to reconsider the idea of beliefs. Cliff often says “All beliefs have consequences” but what is a belief exactly? And how do bad beliefs affect us? And, what if some of the Christian doctrines we consider important are actually holding us back from enjoying life with God?
Well, that’s what this conversation with Cliff is all about. I hope you enjoy it and adjust some beliefs because of this conversation.
Cliff’s conference, Free the Dream, takes place in Franklin, TN on September 13-15, 2019. I went last year and it proved to be a pivotal moment in my life. I couldn’t recommend it more!
The post Cliff Ravenscraft and the Trash Heap of Bad Beliefs appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Bonus Episode with Chris Copeland

Hey friends!
This month’s bonus episode is with Chris Copeland. Chris and his wife Joi appeared on Halfway There episode #98 back in July 2018. They had been raising support to go to Ireland as missionaries for four years at the time.
Yesterday, they shared a special update that they finally reached 100 % of the funding they needed to begin the process of moving to Ireland. If you’re wondering why reaching 100% is only the beginning, well, I was too. Listen to the conversation to find out what the process is like from here.
Once I heard they finally reached the goal, I just had to have Chris on to talk about the perseverance it takes, how that shaped their family, and what they see the Lord doing now.
You can hear the entire conversation by supporting Halfway There on Pateron at any level starting at just $5 per month.
Have you ever had to wait way longer than expected for something?
The post Bonus Episode with Chris Copeland appeared first on Eric Nevins.

155: Jim Bowman and the Heart of the Father

Jim Bowman is a missionary to people who learn orally which makes sharing the Gospel a different process than most of us in the West are used to using. Today, Jim shares the story of learning to trust God as his father because his own father was less than trustworthy (hint: he stole a diamond later worn by Elizabeth Taylor). He also shares how he and his wife discovered that written words are not always the best way to communicate the Gospel and the methods they developed to share it instead. Turns out, the Gospel is still a great story from the greatest Storyteller ever.
Listen to Jim’s story today!
Stories Jim shared:
Growing up in San Diego in a troubled background
Learning his father was a famous diamond thief
Going to a Billy Graham meeting and deciding to follow Jesus
Missions trips that began to foster a love for missions
His calling to missions in Mexico where he discovered the oral nature of learning
Learning how to minister to Mexican tribes
Discovering that many oral cultures have great memories
The method he developed to help oral cultures learn the Bible
How is wife died quickly from breast cancer
Dealing with God as his father
Great quotes from Jim:
I was tired of the excuses my father was giving me and I wanted to obey that voice from within.
We need to find a way to share the Gospel without using technology.
We teach people that Jesus first was a storyteller.
Resources we mentioned:
Building Bridges to Oral Cultures: Journeys Among the Least-Reached by K. Carla Bowman with Jim Bowman
Scriptures in Use
Old, boring, and long Bible studies getting you down?
Try my brand new 8 Day Experience series designed to get you thinking about the Lord beyond quiet time.
8 Day Experience will refresh your relationship with the Lord.
The post Jim Bowman and the Heart of the Father appeared first on Eric Nevins.

154: Amy Jackson and Trusting God with the Questions

Amy Jackson is founder and director of The Perch, which provides space and skills for soul care. She is a former publisher at Christianity Today and has served in pastoral ministry. Today, Amy shares how she went from kid who didn’t think God was worth it to all in on him. Her story teaches us how faithful the Lord is to lead even when we question whether or not he knows what he’s doing. If you have more questions than answers, this episode is for you.
Listen to Amy’s story here or in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Amy shared:
Growing up in Aurora, Illinois in a family that didn’t go to church
Asking too many questions in her confirmation class
Going to testimony night at her friend’s youth group
Giving her life to Christ in that youth group and quickly becoming a leader
Quickly outgrowing formulaic expressions of her faith
The Christian Campus House where her discipleship deepened
Discovering her pastoral skills through ministry
Running a small group ministry at her church
Losing her job and looking for new ones
Getting an internship at Christianity Today
The gratitude she had to God for her heart
The shift that changed her trajectory
Venturing out to produce her first two events
Launching the Perch full time as her job
Great quotes from Amy:
Small groups have always been part of my faith walk.
He is more loving and more graceful than we could ever comprehend.
Resources we mentioned:
The Perch
Old, boring, and long Bible studies getting you down?
Try my brand new 8 Day Experience series designed to get you thinking about the Lord beyond quiet time.
8 Day Experience will refresh your relationship with the Lord.
The post Amy Jackson and Trusting God with the Questions appeared first on Eric Nevins.