Halfway There

132: Joseph Warren and Faith as a Team Sport

Joseph Warren is the host of two podcasts, and a spiritual coach. Today, he shares how he started out a successful businessman but soon found his life spiraling until he hit rock bottom. Joseph climbed out of the pit – with the help of important people in his life – and reclaimed his faith. His honest and raw story will show you that no matter where you are in your life, God will still guide you home.
Listen to Joseph’s story now!
Stories Joseph shared:
How his parents’ divorce changed his life
The view he inherited from his parents of God
The three things he wanted out of life at 19
Running from everything he knew to pursue fortune
Burning out and retiring for five years to party
How his sister took him in and showed him love
Trying new things when he was bored with success and almost being murdered
Rebuilding his life slowly in Tampa
The constant inner nagging to spend time with the Lord
Deciding to sit with the Lord an hour a day for two weeks
How the Lord led him into listening prayer through circumstance
Great quotes from Joseph:
I made a decision never to love again.
I’m in control of nothing. The sooner I get that and release control over to God, the sooner things work out.
I said one of the best prayers of my life, “What? What do you want?”
Stop talking when you pray.
Faith is not a solo sport.
Resources we mentioned:
Surprise by the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jack Deere
Joseph’s Website
Daily Holy Hour
Eric’s appearance on Broken Catholic
Refresh your relationship with Jesus by changing your relationship with the Bible.
Try my brand new Bible experience, Jesus is Willing: An 8 Day Experience.
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131: Sharon Wing and how to Listen to Your Life

Sharon Swing is the co-author of Listen to My Life; Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in my Story. Today she shares how listening and life maps aided her in her own journey and how she adapted it to help others in their journeys as well. Through multiple experiences she found where she was meant to be and how she could help people push on from where they are right now. She gives some of her tricks to life mapping and encourages us all to reflect on our own journeys.
Listen to Sharon’s story today!
Stories Sharon shared:
Growing up in the NW suburbs of Chicago in a Christian family
How a baptism service captured her heart
The experience that brought her to tears after college
A charismatic experience that changed her life
Why experiences needs to be added to how we learn about God
Her first lesson in listening to the Holy Spirit
Entering ministry at Willow Creek Association and then having to leave
How she was inspired to create Listen to My Life
The story that made her cry and helped her realize why she has to keep going
Great quotes from Sharon:
My experience was God was a cosmic line judge waiting to tell me if I was in or out of bounds.
Our box for God is so small and so confided… and God kinda blows the sides off of it on a regular basis.
God always met me very invitationally, lovingly and humorously.
It’s a seismic shift in perspective from discontent to contentment.
Resources we mentioned:
OneLife Maps website
OneLife Maps on Facebook
The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich
A Listening Heart by David Steindl-Rast
One Life Maps Podcast
Refresh your relationship with Jesus by changing your relationship with the Bible.
Try my brand new Bible experience, Jesus is Willing: An 8 Day Experience.
The post Sharon Swing and How to Listen to Your Life appeared first on Eric Nevins.

130: Tom Nardone and Opportunity in the Ordinary

Tom Nardone is a mailman turned house flipper, author, speaker and coach. Today he shares how he found his true calling from what he saw everyday and how economic downturn led him closer to Christ. He grew his business from a side hustle to a career by taking advantage of what God had already put right in front of him. Tom demonstrates the importance of looking at what you have and not what you don’t have.
Listen to Tom’s story now!
Stories Tom shared:
Finding Christ at a youth meeting when he was 12
Seeing the world differently after giving his life to Christ
How God showed him that his wife was the right woman for him
Realizing that being a postman was not his highest calling
How the real estate crash of 2008 affected him
The books that helped him remember his relationship with God
What God said to him while praying at a stoplight
What being conformed to Christ’s image looks like in his life
Coaching people who flip houses
Great quotes from Tom:
There are a lot of promises God makes to us that He wants us to hold him to.
Whether it’s ups or downs, enjoy the journey.
Resources we mentioned:
Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind by Joyce Meyer
Destiny: Let God Use You Like He Made You by Tony Evans
Tom’s website: millionairemailman.com
Text: mailman to 31996 for a link to download his book
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129: Jim Gum and Healing through Enneagram

Jim Gum is the Executive Pastor at Jacob’s Well church in Kansas City and founder of Story Enneagram whose message is “You are NOT your Enneagram type.” Story Enneagram – where learning your type is just the beginning of a whole new story. Today, he shares his story of coming to Christ through Young Life, discovering he was at the point of breaking down and healing through the Enneagram. He found it easy to let himself get caught up in all the things he thought he had to do to make others like him and not focus on what mattered, his health and the people around him. His story will demonstrate that you don’t need to be perfect for those around you.
Listen to Jim’s story now!
Stories Jim shared:
Growing up in Kansas City outside of the church
Riffing off “Let it Be” by the Beatles when saying the sinner’s prayer
Spending a summer in a body cast which caused a disconnect with his friends and led to him giving his life to Christ for real
The silent retreat led by Brennan Manning that changed him
The question his wife asked him that made him realize he needed the silent retreat
The moment he realized God’s love for him
Why you need to disassociate from your Enneagram type
How he became acquainted with himself
His mystical experience with Jesus and a baby blanket
Why he started Story Enneagram
What the Enneagram can do for you if used properly
Great quotes from Jim:
I was free to just be loved by God
“It’s a horrible shock to become acquainted with oneself.” Carl Jung
Resources we mentioned:
Story Enneagram, Jim’s website
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out by Brennan Manning
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128: Jeremy Myers and the Experience of Faith

Jeremy Myers is a podcaster and author back for his second episode here with me on Halfway There Podcast. Today we go back over what we discussed in our previous episode together and caught up on what has happened in our lives since then.  From the ways non Christians sometimes show more kindness than fellow believers to starting our own podcasts, Jeremy and I discuss our journeys these past few months.
Listen to our conversation now!
What we talked about:
His neighbors caring for him more than his fellow Christians
His writing goals and habits
The enneagram and the benefits of knowing oneself
My journey to realizing I wanted to start this podcast
Jesus’ miracle at the wedding
New Media Summit and my experience there
Podcasting and entrepreneurship
Defining Faith
The definition of spiritual maturity
The core beliefs of Christianity
Forgiveness
Great quotes:
I don’t think we have an all or nothing Faith.
The christian life is characterized by love.
Resources mentioned (some links are Amazon affiliate links that send me a commission when you use them):
Jeremy’s book What is Faith? and more
Jeremy’s first appearance on Halfway There
Jeremy’s Website: RedeemingGod.com
My Bible study: Jesus is Willing: An 8 Day Experience in Mark 1:40-45, and
Celebrate with Jesus: An 8 Day Experience in John 2:1-11
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127: Esmie Lawrence and Running her Race

Esmie Lawrence is a former Olympian, podcaster, and life coach dedicated to help women live the life they’re meant to live. Today, she shares how she came to Christ, drifted away during her training, and ultimately grew closer to him than ever before. She struggled with depression but was able to overcome it to live the life she wanted and be the best she could once more. Her story will push you to find your passion for Christ and for life.
Listen to Esmie’s story now!
Stories Esmie shared:
Born in Jamaica and emigrating to Canada at 12 years old
How the caring community of her church led her to give her life to Christ
A story of her mother’s faith
Getting too busy for Christ as she trained for the Olympics
Running to school in Jamaica and the feelings sports gave her
Forgetting God as she trained for the Olympics
What she learned about herself by training for and appearing in the Olympics
Her depression after the Olympics
The feelings of abandonment by God she suffered
The moment she surrendered her life again
Taking responsibility for praying for her family after her mom died
How she became a coach
Great quotes from Esmie:
That’s what I want to look like when it’s my turn to die: I want that light of God in me.
In order to be an elite anything, you have to push yourself.
In order to achieve anything, you must have a goal.
Resources we mentioned:
I Am Still Here: Trials Turned into Transformation an anthology
Esmie’s Podcast: Sprinting to Success 
Esmie’s Website: EsmieLawance.com
The Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross
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126: Jerry Schemmel and Christ in the Wreckage

Jerry Schemmel is a broadcaster for the Colorado Rockies. As a baseball fan in Denver, if it’s summer, Jerry is on my radio. Today, he shares the story of how the crash of United 232 changed his life forever. Jerry shares his thoughts as the flight lost control, redirected to Sioux City, and ultimately hit the ground at 255 miles per hour. The fact that he survived is amazing but it was the aftermath of survivor’s guilt and depression that led him to Christ. Now, Jerry lives every day for Christ and shares the Gospel whenever he can. His story will convince you that the Lord can use anything to get your attention.
Please listen to and share Jerry’s story today!
Stories Jerry shared:
Growing up in small town South Dakota
What religion was like growing up Roman Catholic
The plane crash that changed his life
What those last few moments before touching the ground were like
Running back into the plane to rescue a little girl
Dealing with the aftermath of the crash
Giving his life to Christ after months of depression and pain
Learning to use the experience for God’s glory
Why the trap of works is a lie
Questioning God when he tried to get national jobs
How to be Jesus at the right time to the right people
Great quotes from Jerry:
Eventually, not that moment or the next day but eventually, I was going to win every battle.
I think God says to me, “It took 30 years and a plane crash but I finally got your attention.” I think that’s why I survived that crash.
He wants me to use my life to serve Him and point people toward His Son.
If you can’t tell people who Jesus is, show them.
Resources we mentioned (Amazon links are affiliate links that send me a small commission if you use them):
Jerry’s website where you can book him for speaking events
Connect with Jerry on Twitter
Chosen to Live: The Inspiring Story of Flight 232 Survivor Jerry Schemmel
Amazing Americans on 850 KOA, Jerry’s new show
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125: Michael Malcom and How Knowing God Challenges Your Beliefs

Michael Malcom is a pastor and executive director at Alabama Interfaith Power and Light. Today, Michael shares his calling and work in social justice issues. We have a frank conversation about race, how we are all conditioned to see things differently through our experiences, and how we can learn to listen. Michael’s stories will encourage you to reconsider your beliefs about police violence and environmental injustice in the United States, particularly the Southeast. I left this conversation feeling more strongly than ever that it’s time to take the politics out and embrace others with the love of Jesus.
Please give Michael’s story a listen now!
Stories Michael shared:
How he came to the Alabama Interfaith Power and Light and the work they do
His calling as a pastor and being the first formally trained pastor in his family
How going to school shaped his view of God
The difference between “deliberative” theology and “embedded” theology
Preaching his first sermon at 8 and eventually running from God
How God began to get hold in his life
Deciding to let seminary challenge his ideas on the first day
His grieving about police violence in the United States
The difference in perspectives about the police in his community
Racism and why some can’t see it
Environmental issues in Alabama and the Southeast
Great quotes from Michael:
Perhaps I needed to start looking at this individual relationship and me getting to know God myself verses what people have given me.
No one can tell me God is a gentleman. No, no, no. God is inconvenient.
If we’re dismissive of other people, we’ll miss God.
Resources Michael mentioned:
Alabama Interfaith Power and Light
People’s Justice Council
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