Halfway There

June 2019 Bonus Conversation with Keith Giles

Keith Giles is an author and previous guest on Halfway There. Today, Keith stops by to discuss his latest book, Jesus Unbound. We talk about some of the problems with an overemphasis on the Bible and how it may be keeping you from the kind of relationship with God he desires for you. Keith will challenge your ideas, make you think, and lead you closer to God’s heart as a result.
If you want to hear the entire conversation, become a Patreon supporter at just $5 per month.
Our conversation covers:
Why he wrote Jesus Unbound: Liberating the Word of God from the Bible
Why we doubt our experiences and what God’s intention is for us
The heart of the New Covenant and how it applies to us today
Why we’re not disparaging the Bible
The problems with how we have been trained to approach Scripture
How to interpret “All Scripture is God-breathed…” in 2 Timothy 3:16
How translation into English is interpretation
The difference between Jesus and the Bible
The relationship from which we read Scripture
Great quotes from Keith:
We are so stuck on what God was doing 2000 years or more ago that we are incapable of taking a step back and seeing what he might be saying and doing in our lives today.
One of the things we’re putting between us and God for this little safety net is the Bible.
As much as I love the Bible, I love Jesus a million times more.
Your picture of God needs to be Christ-shaped.
I don’t want a more biblical world; I want a more Christlike world.
Resources we mentioned:
Jesus Unbound: Liberating the Word of God from the Bible
Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
Jesus Unveiled: Forsaking Church as We Know It for Ekklesia as God Intended
Keith’s website
Bible Gateway
If you enjoyed the beginning of this conversation, you can hear the entire hour long conversation by becoming a supporter on Patreon. It simple, secure, and inexpensive. You can hear the whole conversation for as little as $5 per month and cancel at anytime.
The post June 2019 Bonus Conversation with Keith Giles appeared first on Eric Nevins.

146: Misty Phillip and the Counterintuitive Ways of God

Misty Phillip is a speaker, blogger, author, and podcaster. Today, Misty shares her story of falling in love with Jesus over and over again throughout her life. Sounds charming, right? Would be except the way God often leads us to himself is through suffering and Misty is no different. She describes the seasons of her life when one thing after another seemed to go wrong and how she learned to trust God during it all. Misty tells us how she learned joy through sorrow which catalyzed her into a career of writing, speaking, and ministering to others.
Listen to Misty’s story today!
Stories Misty shared:
Realizing she had opportunities after her children started leaving home
Growing up in the rural Midwest
Giving her life to Christ as a young child
How her brother’s death affected her family
Why she considered suicide after a break up
Learning she was pregnant a month after meeting her husband
How their not being married led them to pursuing other churches
Having a son with medical issues
How her community helped her trust God through multiple crises
Learning she was pregnant just before her 40th birthday
Carrying that baby until he was stillborn
The effect her joy through sorrow had on her mother and others
How she started speaking about her experience
Attending the She Speaks Conference
Starting her blog, speaking, and podcast with her husband
Great quotes from Misty:
The Christian walk is not an easy walk but is those difficult, painful things that we experience in life that show us our desperate need for God and he’s there to comfort us and to guide us.
The Word of God was the only thing that I could count on; it was the salve to my soul.
I was truly able to count it all joy even though it was one of the worst experiences of my life.
Resources we mentioned:
Connect with Misty on her website
The Struggle is Real: But So is God
Misty’s podcast By His Grace and my appearance on her show
Dear Wife book with contributions from Misty
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
Christian Podcasters Association
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. It will refresh your relationship with the Lord. 8 Day Experience
The post Misty Phillip and the Counterintuitive Ways of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

145: Caesar Kalinowski and Discipleship as Mission

Caesar Kalinowski is an author, speaker and coach. Today, Caesar shares how he discovered the gospel that really is good news for the weary. He shares the story of how he got into full time ministry, how he served an elderly neighbor, and overcoming doubt in his daily life. Caesar’s story reminds us how important it is to live in community and to experience the grace of God from one another.
Listen to Caesar’s story today!
Stories Caesar shared:
Helping people with their walk with God through writing, speaking, and coaching
Growing up in the church getting saved a million times
Experiencing the difference between church services and being the church
Discovering the house church movement
Going to school to learn ministry
How the truth will set you free and discipleship are related
What the Good News really is
Meeting old man Hal while cutting his grass
Living with doubt in various ways
Caesar’s writing about his experience in communities
Great quotes from Caesar:
Discipleship is, in fact, the mission.
Discipleship is the process of moving from unbelief to belief in every area of life.
Treat people like family instead of guests and they’ll act like family.
Resources we mentioned:
Caesar’s podcast, The Life School Podcast
Caesar’s website
Email Now@123lifeschool.com with the word “Gospel” in subject line for a free audio series.
8 Day Experience
The post Caesar Kalinowski and Discipleship as Mission appeared first on Eric Nevins.

144: Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation

Phileena Heuertz is a founding partner of Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism and the author of Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation. Today, Phileena shares her journey from Bible belt roots to learning from some of the last century’s greatest contemplatives. The journey made her confront great suffering, the masks she was wearing, and her own feelings that drove her work. Phileena works as a spiritual director and you will hear her care for those who need a light in the darkness to find themselves in Him.
Listen to Phileena’s story today!
Stories Phileena shared:
Growing up as a pastor’s kid in the Midwest
The assumptions she made about God, herself, and the world living in the Bible belt
How witnessing suffering caused her to question God’s goodness
Realizing that she experienced a lack of love
Wrestling with finding herself in Christ
The difference between participation with God and trying to be Jesus in the world
Realizing some of the masks she was wearing
The work she does with the Gravity Center
Why she wrote Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation
Meeting Thomas Keating
Great quotes from Phileena:
I had a lot to learn as I made my way out of the Bible belt in the middle of America into a world with great suffering.
Jesus is not limited to words on a page. Those words are a gateway to the very living presence that is from the beginning and will be forever and ever. It’s that presence that we want to connect with.
We have to move from the head to the heart to the body.
Resources we mentioned:
Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation
The Gravity Center for Contemplative Activism
Videos for Mindful Silence
Step by Step on the Camino episode of Halfway There
Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life
Are you a Christian podcaster trying to grow your show? I've got great news for you!
The first ever, Christian Podcast Summit is happening on June 15, 2019!
It's a virtual summit so no need to pay for flights, hotel, rental cars, etc. Just log in and watch from the comfort of your own home, office, or coffee shop.
What will we be talking about? Glad you asked!
Michael Woodward of JumbleThink on Getting Great Guests
Andrew Rappaport on Truth in Podcasting
Tracy Winchell on Growing Your Email List
Anna Scheller on Using Twitter Party
Christel Kurr Taylor on Creating Your Podcast's Media Kit
Bryan Entzminger on Steps for Great Audio
Eric Nevins (me!) on Streamlining Your Guest Process
How do you get access to this summit?
Click here for more information.
Just click All Access Passes to register.
Can't wait to see you there!
The post Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation appeared first on Eric Nevins.

143: Alex Lombard and Sticking to the Truth

Alex Lombard is an entrepreneur and Instagram expert. Today, Alex shares the story of the people who invested in him, how he was almost pulled away from Christ, and why he dove head first into entrepreneurship. Alex shares how personal development can be dangerous and almost took him in a direction he did not want to go. We also talk about the importance of apologetics for building a solid understanding of what Christian faith is based on. Alex is both young and successful with a heart for the honoring the Lord with both.
Listen to Alex’s story today!
Stories Alex shared:
Born in St. Louis and growing up in Michigan
Growing up in the Lutheran church
Discovering other denominations and finding a “cool factor” in church
Connecting with Pastor Bob
Being pulled away from faith through personal development
How he realized he was on the right path
Getting into apologetics and how that grounded his faith
The morality and DNA arguments for God
Diving into entrepreneurship especially Instagram
What he would like the next three years to look like
Great quotes from Alex:
The Bible is the greatest personal development book in the world.
99% of what you’re learning is true but you always have to remember who your Daddy is.
Live life by design.
Resources we mentioned:
Impact Church in Scottsdale, AZ
Alex’s website
Alex’s Instagram
The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel
Are you a Christian podcaster trying to grow your show? I've got great news for you!
The first ever, Christian Podcast Summit is happening on June 15, 2019!
It's a virtual summit so no need to pay for flights, hotel, rental cars, etc. Just log in and watch from the comfort of your own home, office, or coffee shop.
What will we be talking about? Glad you asked!
Michael Woodward of JumbleThink on Getting Great Guests
Andrew Rappaport on Truth in Podcasting
Tracy Winchell on Growing Your Email List
Anna Scheller on Using Twitter Party
Christel Kurr Taylor on Creating Your Podcast's Media Kit
Bryan Entzminger on Steps for Great Audio
Eric Nevins (me!) on Streamlining Your Guest Process
How do you get access to this summit?
Click here for more information. Early bird pricing is at $49 and available until May 19, 2019. After that the price goes up.
Just click All Access Passes to register.
Can't wait to see you there!
The post Alex Lombard and Sticking to the Truth appeared first on Eric Nevins.

142: Cari Jenkins and Who You Really Are

Cari Jenkins is an author, spiritual director, and Executive Director of Urban Skye. Today, Cari shares how hard it was to find a mentor who listened to Jesus, her five years of undoing, and learning to sing the song of identity in Jesus. She found Jesus to be completely faithful, even accounting for her unwillingness to listen. Cari’s tender love and experience of him will encourage you to seek his love and your identity in him, too.
Listen to Cari’s story today!
Stories Cari shared:
Becoming the Executive Director of Urban Skye and their work
Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska in a strong, Christian family
Deciding she wanted to love Jesus back at four years old
Asking someone in her church how to hear God’s voice
Meeting a woman who would hear from the Lord and making her a mentor
How John 10:10 helps us listen to God’s voice
Examples of how she has heard God’s voice and taken action
Paying attention to the what Scripture says about Jesus
Praying God would take away anything she placed identity in besides Jesus
How she learned her identity is in Jesus
Great quotes from Cari:
I want to invest in people who want to invest in people.
I am untethered much of the time from the things that at one time I put my identity.
Identity is the song I’m meant to sing.
When we begin to know the voice of the shepherd, we can actually begin to know what does he say about who we are; it will always lead to goodness, truth, and beauty. Always.
Resources we mentioned:
Listen and Live: Through the Gospel of John by Cari Jenkins
Urban Skye
Cari’s website where you can connect with her
Are you a Christian podcaster trying to grow your show? I've got great news for you!
The first ever, Christian Podcast Summit is happening on June 15, 2019!
It's a virtual summit so no need to pay for flights, hotel, rental cars, etc. Just log in and watch from the comfort of your own home, office, or coffee shop.
What will we be talking about? Glad you asked!
Michael Woodward of JumbleThink on Getting Great Guests
Andrew Rappaport on Truth in Podcasting
Tracy Winchell on Growing Your Email List
Anna Scheller on Using Twitter Party
Christel Kurr Taylor on Creating Your Podcast's Media Kit
Bryan Entzminger on Steps for Great Audio
Eric Nevins (me!) on Streamlining Your Guest Process
How do you get access to this summit?
Click here for more information. Early bird pricing is at $49 and available until May 19, 2019. After that the price goes up.
Just click All Access Passes to register.
Can't wait to see you there!
The post Cari Jenkins and Who You Really Are appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Bonus Conversation with Marc Schelske

In this bonus conversation, Marc Schelske talks with Eric about his journey of discovering what is really in his heart and why emotions matter. We also talk about the body and how learning to listen to our bodies is an essential skill for flourishing but somewhat neglected among Evangelicals.
If you enjoyed this brief clip of our conversation, you can get access to the entire conversation by supporting the show on Patreon, a platform that allows listeners like you to support their favorite content creators. Any amount of support helps and helps keep us running. Bonus conversations will be available each month for all tiers and Halfway There t-shirts are available for supporters of $25 or more per month.  Hear the rest of the conversation.
Or get Marc’s book, The Wisdom of the Heart here.
The post Bonus Conversation with Marc Schelske appeared first on Eric Nevins.

141: Marc Schelske and the Wisdom of Your Heart

Marc Alan Schelske is a husband, dad of two, writer, speaker, hobbyist theologian, recovering fundamentalist who drinks tea & rides a motorcycle. He grew up in Ohio, but he's lived in the Northwest long enough to feel like a native.
After almost 15 years in ministry, Marc's life took an unexpected turn as he came face to face with depression and near burn-out, nearly losing his family and ministry. With the help of some trusted friends he began the arduous process of emotional and spiritual recovery. This unfolding process has shifted Marc's priorities, resulting in an intense interest in the connection between emotional growth and spiritual growth, and how God works in and through our internal brokenness and trauma.
Marc serves as the teaching elder at Bridge City Community Church in Milwaukie, Oregon where he has served for 18 years. Marc writes about intentional spiritual living at www.MarcAlanSchelske.com. He's also the author of The Wisdom of Your Heart: Discovering the God-given Purpose and Power of Your Emotions.
Stories Marc shared:
Growing up as a Seventh Day Adventist pastor’s kid which required a lot of moving
The spiritual climate and the identity it created in him
How his dad’s death changed everything in his life
The emotional space he held after his dad’s death
Realizing that working as an architect wasn’t fulfilling him
Helping people find freedom in the Gospel
Taking a lead pastor role too early in his spiritual development
How being so driven impacted his church
Entering depression for six months
The retreat for pastors with burn out that was a watershed moment
Telling his board know his role needed to change
How changing his church’s structure changed the church
How being honest about his brokenness gave his church permission to also me authentic
Great quotes from Marc:
I’m in a place where my belonging is settled.
I was living on credit in relation to my family.
The reality that I was living based on performance pulled the rug out from under me.
Asking for help is the opposite of performing.
Resources we mentioned (all links to Amazon are affiliate links that send a portion of the sale back to me):
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Wisdom of Your Heart: Discovering the God-Given Purpose and Power of Your Emotions by Mark Alan Schelske
Discovering Your Authentic Core Values: A step-by-step guide by Marc Alan Schelske
Marc’s website
Are you a Christian podcaster trying to grow your show? I've got great news for you!
The first ever, Christian Podcast Summit is happening on June 15, 2019!
It's a virtual summit so no need to pay for flights, hotel, rental cars, etc. Just log in and watch from the comfort of your own home, office, or coffee shop.
What will we be talking about? Glad you asked!
Michael Woodward of JumbleThink on Getting Great Guests
Andrew Rappaport on Truth in Podcasting
Tracy Winchell on Growing Your Email List
Anna Scheller on Using Twitter Party
Christel Kurr Taylor on Creating Your Podcast's Media Kit
Bryan Entzminger on Steps for Great Audio
Eric Nevins (me!) on Streamlining Your Guest Process
How do you get access to this summit?
Click here for more information. Early bird pricing is at $49 and available until May 19, 2019. After that the price goes up.
Just click All Access Passes to register.
Can't wait to see you there!
The post Marc Schelske and the Wisdom of Your Heart appeared first on Eric Nevins.