Halfway There

Have you ever wondered if God really can turn your pain into purpose? Our guest today shares the peace he felt when he found Jesus after a lifetime of violence and how he uses it now to help others get free. Hector "Lefty" Perez is a mental health and sobriety advocate. He works installing HVAC systems and helps as many people as he can know the love of Christ. Today, Lefty shares what it was like growing up in East Los Angeles among violence, gangs, and drugs. He tells how he got sucked into the life, the moment he decided to get out, and turning his life over to Christ once and for all. Left also shares the difficult times he's experienced including relapse at times and how it led him to a life where he encourages others to give up drugs and live for Christ. Lefty's story reminds us that God loves us no matter what we have done. Listen to Lefty's story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Lefty shared: Moving states to Colorado Being diagnosed with ADHD at seven and how it’s helped him with a career in trades Growing up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles in an immigrant family His family’s Roman Catholic background Feeling angry as a child at God and his parents The violence he experienced in the neighborhood The neighbor who groomed him to become a criminal Beginning to get involved in crime Working as a bodyguard and making more money than he’d seen before Achieving everything he wanted and feeling anxious about it Attempting suicide and surviving Being given a choice about his future Getting married and struggling with drug addiction Meeting a pastor who shared the Gospel with him Reading John and feeling God’s presence Leading his father to Christ His mother’s disappointing reaction to his new faith Struggling with drug addiction Breakthrough with vulnerability Great quotes from Lefty: Every word I read was like painkiller for my soul and I wanted more. I was searching for peace and I only found it when I allowed Christ in my heart. I prayed, "I've done worse things for a nobody, let me do something good for you, a somebody." Resources we mentioned: Lefty's Instagram (DM him) Related episodes: Christina Dent and Compassion for Others Randy Mortensen and Removing the Stigma of Addiction Mike Bolton and the Power of Yes

You grew up in church but suddenly, you can't tell if God cares about you. What do you do? Our guest today shares the moment when she didn't recognize herself, didn't feel God's presence, and what she did next. Ciara Laine Myers is an award-winning business owner, blogger, and author of Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision Is Gone. Today, Ciara shares with us her reaction to trauma, the moment her secrets became known, and the practices that brought her back to health. Plus, we talk about calling and why it may not mean what you think. Ciara's story reminds us that no matter how far we feel from God, it's only one step back. Listen to Ciara's story wherever you get your podcasts now!   Stories Ciara shared: Struggling with calling and asking God for fresh insight Growing up on a little ranch in Texas in a Christian family Getting saved when she was five Being abused sexually by a friend at seven Processing her experience in college Deciding to be “bad Ciara” and where that led her Realizing that she didn’t feel God anymore and how that felt Going to the hospital with severe pain being forced to confess her drug use to her grandma Getting back with a previous boyfriend and getting pregnant Deciding to have a date with God for 60 days Getting “serious” about finding her calling Why humility is so important in an influencer culture The vision of her purpose from the Lord The urgency test and the action you need to take Great quotes from Ciara: If good Ciara is being abused, I’m going to be bad Ciara. There was one moment that I looked in the mirror and thought "I don't really feel God anymore, and it was cold." Calling is not a career. It’s a space on Earth to live out your purpose. Resources we mentioned: Ciara’s website Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision Is Gone by Ciara Laine Myers Related episodes: Mary DeMuth and Her Avenue for Healing Chuck DeGroat and The Invitation to Obscurity Dan Rudman and Ripples of the Gospel

What was the experience for you that changed your faith dramatically? Our guest today shares the moment that moved his faith from his head to his heart and how it changed how he sees everything. Jeff Haanen is a writer and entrepreneur. He’s the founder of Denver Institute for Faith & Work, an educational organization that creates content and experiences around topics related to faith, work, the economy, and modern culture. Today, Jeff shares how he found faith while recovering from an injury, his funny response to praying aloud for the first time, and how he started thinking about faith and work. Plus, Jeff shares his process as he learned humility. Jeff's story reminds us the Gospel is best infused into every aspect of our lives. Listen to Jeff's story anywhere you get your podcasts!  Stories Jeff shared: Growing up in a Minnesota without a strong faith experience Getting hurt before his senior year and reading the Bible and other books Praying in a group for the first time Joining a missions organization and going to Ecuador Learning how to pay attention to people Deciding to go to seminary with an insatiable curiosity Starting the Denver Institute for Faith and Work Noticing “cracks” in his armor Realizing that he was looking for his identity in his work Going on a self-awareness journey Deconstruction how he lived his Christian life Leaving Denver Institute for Faith & Work How serving is crucial for work Great quotes from Jeff: My brain was way ahead of my heart and that's been a lot of my own faith journey.  We need to go on a journey of seeking deep spiritual health. A critical element of that self awareness journey is simply opening ourselves to what is and noticing what's there and not trying to fix it.  Resources we mentioned (Affiliate links): Jeff's website Working from the Inside Out by Jeff Haanen Francis Schaeffer's work The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society by Leslie Newbigin Bernard of Clairvaux  Wellspring Church, Englewood With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani Related episodes: Skye Jethani and Eternity Breaks In Laura Flanders and The Mentored Life Matt Fagioli and Beyond Check Box Faith

Sometimes life just doesn't go the way you planned. Give me an amen if that resonates! When the unexpected happens, it's tempting to believe that you did something wrong or that God is punishing you.  Our guest today says that community, communion with God, and even medication helped her overcome life's unexpected speed bumps. Sarah E. Frazer is author of several books including her latest I Didn’t Sign Up for This. Today, Sarah shares about her friend from another denomination helped her grow, finding God while struggling through postpartum depression, and the moment she learned God isn't angry with her.  Sarah's story reminds us that while we are sometimes surprised by life, God isn't and he's always there with us. Listen to Sarah's story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Sarah shared: Moving overseas in January 2020 and how that inspired her new book How the journey of suffering shapes us Growing up in Charleston, WV in a Christian family Giving her life to Christ at AWANA on a Wednesday night Deciding on following Jesus during college Meeting her husband at church and getting married Finding a friend from another denomination The pastor couple who helped them through early marriage Struggling with postpartum depression Wondering if God was even real How her doctor helped her with medication How Scripture helps her to reframe and Learning that God isn’t angry at her Why we need the whole character of God Great quotes from Sarah: God isn’t angry at me. God is a lot bigger than our black and white. When we face interruptions, we are tempted to question God’s sovereignty and his goodness. We need both as we move forward into a life we didn’t plan. Resources we mentioned: Sarah’s website  I Didn’t Sign Up for This: How to Rest in God’s Goodness When Your Story Shifts by Sarah E. Frazer Lessons in the Desert by Sarah E. Frazer The Glorious Ordinary by Sarah E. Frazer A Small Book for the Anxious Heart by Ed Welch Related episodes: Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spiritual Formation of Unmet Longings Jeff Brown and the Exponential Value of Reading Becky Castle Miller and Trusting Your Emotions

How often do you think about the end times? Ever come home to an empty house and wonder if you'd been left behind? If so, you're going to love this episode because our guest explains where that theological belief—and others you probably hold—came from. Dr. Dan Hummel is the director of The Lumen Center in Madison, WI and a research fellow in the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He authored The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle of the End Times Shaped a Nation.  Dr. Hummel shared his own experiences including how he developed a global perspective as a missionary kid, growing up in a cessationist tradition, and the humility he developed by studying different traditions in Israel. We also talk about dispensationalism, a theological framework that you're probably more affected by than you realize. He details where it came from, how it still influences us today, including how you read your Bible. Dr. Hummel's work and story reminds us that understanding our theological tradition is essential for our spiritual growth. LIsten anywhere you get your podcasts! Stories Dan shared: Growing up as a missionary kid and developing a global perspective How his family of origin shaped his perspective Praying the “sinner’s prayer” as a seven year old How his college experiences in a small church shaped his faith Deciding to study Middle East history The humility he had as he read different traditions Growing up in a cessationist tradition Spending a year in Israel and the experience of being in the minority How studying Christian Zionism led to studying dispensationalism The effect of dispensationalism’s “hermeneutical innovation” Examples of the effects of dispensationalism in America today Great quotes from Dan: Christianity is an inherently eschatological religion. Resources we mentioned: Dan’s website  The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle over the End Times Shaped a Nation by Dr. Dan Hummel How Should We Then Live?: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture by Francis Schaeffer The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate by John Walton With by Skye Jethani Related episodes: Skye Jethani and Eternity Breaks In Peter Englert and Discipleship Ministry and Mentorship Chuck Malott is a Hippy Turned Saint

Have you ever tried to ask hard questions about your faith only to run into a roadblock somewhere? Sometimes it's simple answers. Sometimes it's others who don't want to acknowledge the questions. Sometimes it's your own heart begging to keep life simple. Our guest today says it's worth asking the questions and offers a path through the uncertainty. Angela J. Herrington is a faith deconstruction coach and host of The Deconstructing Faith Summit who helps people break free from toxic religious culture & empowers them to recover from church hurt. Today, Angela shares the situation that caused her to wonder if everyone could be included in her community and the questions that arose from it. She explains how an accepting community can help, and why you can't outrun yourself. Avoiding the questions doesn't work so Angela shares how she helps others release the stigma and follow where the questions lead. Angela's story reminds us that following Jesus isn't always easy but it is always worth it. Listen to Angela's story now in your favorite podcast app! Stories Angela shared: Growing up in Indiana around the church Being a VBS kid, steeped in Christian culture and giving her life to Christ as a young girl Getting involved in youth group in high school and college Deciding to raise her children in church for their good Finding a groundedness in her faith as she got more connected The decisions that started to crack her understanding of faith worked out Why viewing others as “projects” is harmful The Bible study that became a safe place to ask questions Deciding to go to a more liberal church and finding the same problems Feeling weary about finding safe places to discuss and the church that created that space The ten years of deconstruction she experienced Growing wiser about her involvement Why fundamentalism isn’t good on either side of the spectrum Learning how much her pursuit of connection was driven by trauma Why you can’t outrun yourself What she does as a deconstruction coach Great quotes from Angela: Would I have been welcomed? Or would I have been a project? What’s missing is a really humble understanding of how much in the church is influenced by power. The more you try to outrun yourself, the more damage you’re doing to yourself. The longer you've been in an environment that says you're bad, the longer it will take to discover your own goodness. Resources we mentioned: Angela’s website Deconstructing Your Faith without Losing Yourself by Angela J. Herrington Angela’s free Facebook group for people experiencing deconstruction Related episodes: Brian Zahnd and The Beauty of Christ Jacci Turner and Tumbled People Paul Ybarra and Discovering Kingdom Character

Is heaven a far away place that you'll go to someday or an imminent reality? Depending on what you were taught, you might have strong feelings about this. You may even wonder why the question is being asked at all. Our guest today explains how Jesus viewed the idea of heaven and why it's a crucial idea to understand biblically. Skye Jethani is the co-host of one of the most popular podcasts in the Christian space, The Holy Post, and author of some of the best books with the Kingdom of God in mind. His book With is a must read. And now he’s published his fourth in the What if Jesus was Serious? Series with What If Jesus Was Serious About Heaven.  Today, Skye discusses common misunderstandings about heaven, how those ideas can malform us, and what the biblical view actually is. He also shares how a biblical worldview of eternity changes our public discourse and decisions.  If you're interested in heaven, this episode is for you. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Skye shared: How to join Skye's mailing list The surprising reaction he found when he talked about heaven Where misunderstandings about heaven come from How our theological context shapes our spiritual formation Why training can help us understand much What Jesus meant by heaven How a first century view of citizenship helps us understand heaven How to be a conduit of heaven on earth The antidote to cessationism and spectacularism  Why the values of nations are different from those of the Kingdom of God What to call this way of thinking  The importance of the Resurrection Great quotes from Skye: When we make that vision of heaven the goal of our faith, it displaces what ought to be the real goal of our faith which is Jesus himself. It's the vocation of every Christian to be a priest, to be that conduit between God's presence in heaven and the reality of the earth. The Kingdom is breaking in all the time and often it's really subtle. The values of any nation state is going to be opposed to the values of the Kingdom of God. Resources we mentioned: Skye’s website  What If Jesus Was Serious about Heaven?: A Visual Guide to Experiencing God’s Kingdom among Us by Skye Jethani With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard N.T. Wright's works The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight Related episodes: Skye Jethani and Living Life With God Kaitlyn Schiess and Why Everything is Spiritual James Bryan Smith and Loved Beyond Imagination

It's the new year! Were you one of those who made a commitment to read your Bible more frequently and regularly this year? If so, you're not alone. Our guest today offers a resource to help you reach your goal easier this year. Michelle Nezat is passionate about inspiring you to read, study, and understand the Bible. She is the host of the More Than a Song podcast where she helps you use the songs you listen to on the radio to meditate on God's Word. Today, Michelle shares her story including how she felt called to missions, the difficult conversation that shifted her direction, and the church situation that hurt her. Along the way, Michelle shares how it all led to embracing her calling in a way she never anticipated.  Michelle's story reminds us that a biblical worldview starts in what we consume and that God is always shaping us if we're paying attention. Listen to Michelle's story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Michelle shared: Growing up in Idaho going to church Her mom’s spiritual journey Believing that the Heavenly Father is enough How her grandfather mentored her The conversation with her professor that shifted her course How she ended up in Louisiana How church trauma confused her Learning not to want the platform anymore Beginning to think more deeply about theology Starting her podcast and how the Lord led her through it What she’s learned about herself through podcasting Great quotes from Michelle: Sometimes it takes the uncomfortable to get us off a course. This was really hard so whatever you want to teach me, don’t let me miss it. You’re not going to have a Biblical worldview unless you actually read the Bible. Resources we mentioned: Michelle’s website Related episodes: Andrew Klavan and The Truth and Beauty Karen Swallow Prior and The Spiritual Practice of Reading Fiction Traci Rhoades and the Case of Holy Envy

Are you afraid to address that one thing in your life, even though you know your life would be better if you did? Our guest today says it's time to open the door to change, no matter what mess waits for us on the other side. Jason VanRuler is the author of Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection. Jason is known for his ability to relate and connect with his clients and offer hope to those who have felt hopeless. Today, Jason shares how he ignored God for many years, the quiet way the Lord spoke to him, and how meeting his wife gave him the willingness to open up. Jason challenges us to find community and within it, the true love of Jesus for the broken hearted. Jason's story reminds us that no matter how far we go from God, it's only one step back. Listen to Jason's story wherever you get your podcasts, right now! Stories Jason shared: Working as a therapist and becoming an author Having a lot of volatility in his childhood Ignoring God for a long time Welding trailers for a living and having it out with God The quiet way the Lord spoke to him The slow opening of his heart and how that led him back to church Getting baptized in the Missouri river Finding his journal with his goals for his life Meeting his wife and how that relationship changed How willingness affects our lives Deciding to go to seminary and become a therapist The community that encouraged him Great quotes from Jason: Life distracts us from the truth. When we become willing, things can change. Community is really the secret sauce to growth and change. Fear is a teacher. Resources we mentioned: Jason’s website Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection by Jason VanRuler Jason’s Instagram Related episodes: Sarah Geringer and Transforming Your Thought Life Todd Johnson Says Just Say Yes Sarah Symmons and Setting the Captives Free

Does how we think about humanity—ourselves included—really matter?  A bad understanding of the human person has led to everything from indifference to unspeakable atrocities. Worse still, some theological camps look at human beings so negatively that it shows in their interactions with others.  Fortunately, the Bible gives us a way of viewing humanity through God's lens. Our guest today reminds us how to see humanity as the image of God that the Bible reveals us to be and what it means for us. Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She is the author of Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters and Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters. Today, Dr. Imes shares with us the deep sense of calling she had as a girl, where it took her around the world, and how she entered biblical studies. She shares what the Bible says about the image of God and why it may not be what you've been told. Dr. Imes' reminds us to treat everyone with the respect the image of God in them deserves. Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Carmen shared: Growing up in Colorado in a Christian family Having a deep desire to learn new languages as a child Her parent’s sense of stewardship for her heart Feeling called to missions as a girl Preaching the message on a mission trip and getting sick How we lost the idea of the image of God in society Going to the Philippines as missionaries to Muslim communities Returning and going to seminary only to realize she needed a PhD What imago dei really means and why that matters Why we need to recognize ourselves a fully human Great quotes from Carmen: My worth does not come from what I do or what I produce. We are fully embodied, three-dimensional people with loves and desires, and we need to actually attend to our loves and desires; those say much more about us than the doctrinal statements we affirm. There is something that is truer and goes further back [than sin] and that is the imago dei. Resources we mentioned: Carmen’s website  Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters by Dr. Carmen Joy Imes Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters by Dr. Carmen Joy Imes You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith Lectio 365 Related episodes: Beth Allison Barr and Christian Curiosity James Bryan Smith and Loved Beyond Imagination Kristin Kobes Du Mez and Knowing Christian History

What does your soul long for? Have you ever been hit with a wave of longing, at a loss for words for what to call it? What if I told you that those moments are deeply formational and there's even special word for it? Our guest today says that those longings of the soul need special attention and calls us to listen up. Jeff Crosby is the president and CEO of ECPA, the trade association of Christian publishing, and the author of “The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts,” published by Broadleaf Books. Today, Jeff shares how he found mentorship in his father-in-law, the season of life when his faith moved to more spiritual formation focused, and where he discovered the words to describe that soul level longing for Jesus to make all things right. Jeff's story reminds us that our faith is already and not yet but that Jesus can be trusted to meet us in the longing. Listen to Jeff's story in your favorite podcast app today! Stories Jeff shared: Growing up in Indiana and other places Going to Ball State University and meeting his wife Remembering going to church occasionally but not regularly Responding to the Gospel at church camp Hopping on the church bus to keep going to church on his own Being mentored by his father-in-law How the recommended books he received shaped him The moment he looked into the mirror and noticed something changed Discovering spiritual practices and how they helped him What he learned from the psalms Recovering part of his identity as a creator of words The longings we all feel The Portuguese word saudade, and the idea of longing How to identify your longings and invite the Lord into them Great quotes from Jeff: When we are operating out of a strong sense of who God has made us to be, it isn’t hard, it’s joy. "If those are my longings, how has God met me in them, which is different than saying, 'How has God met them?'" Be in touch with the longings of your heart and the ways God is leading you in the midst of them. Resources we mentioned: Jeff’s website The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts by Jeff Crosby The Cross of Christ by John Stott Basic Christianity by John Stott The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue by James Sire Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster Related episodes: Suzanne Stabile Shares How the Enneagram Helps Relationships James Bryan Smith and Loved Beyond Imagination Douglas Groothuis and The Twilight of the Soul

Have you ever felt pressured to choose a cause over the Lord? Whether it's today's charged political culture or even certain theological camps, fitting in can be more attractive than staying faithful Christ alone. Our guest on Halfway There today reminds us that we're called to live for Christ and his cause, alone. Shadia Hrichi is a Bible teacher, award-winning author, and speaker who is passionate for seeing lives transformed through the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies as well as a master’s in criminal justice. Today, Shadia shares what it was like growing up in a mixed culture home, how she found Jesus later in life, and the calling she received to go to seminary to become a teacher. She also shares her own moment of feeling separated from God and how that led her to a life-changing insight. Shadia's story reminds us that following the Lord has it's ups and downs but he he never leaves us alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. Listen to Shadia's story wherever you get your podcasts, right now!   Stories Shadia shared: Growing up in New York as the daughter of immigrants Having no religious experience as a child Moving from New York to California Going to a Bible study with her husband The question the pastor asked her and working through her faith intellectually Experiencing wonder of God’s creation Getting divorced a few months after becoming a Christian The support she received from her church Deciding to go to seminary after a conversation with her pastor Her dark night of the soul and the song that helped her What breaks the Lord’s heart and her conversation with him What she learned while studying Rahab Great quotes from Shadia: There is no regular life. It’s all with God. We’re not called to live for a cause. We’re called to live for Christ. Having Bible knowledge does not prepare you to teach. Resources we mentioned: Shadia’s website  Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me by Shadia Hrichi Shadia’s Amazon author page Related episodes: Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures Christy Boulware and Love That Casts Out Fear Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People

Have you ever wondered why the Bible says that Christians are aliens and strangers in this world? How can the Gospel spread through people without power in their land? Our guest today reminds us that the Kingdom of God often operates silently and without notice but is never inactive. Britt Mooney is an author, podcaster, and pastor who thrives on telling great stories. Today, he share how he rebelled against cultural Christianity, discovered what it was like to really be an alien, and the theological truth about God that changed how he operated. Britt works to help believers like you understand just how counter-cultural the faith Jesus calls us to is and how beautiful a story it tells. Listen to Britt's story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Britt shared: Growing up in Alabama and Georgia Being dragged to church as a child Playing the church game and finding a personal relationship at a Christian concert Rebelling against cultural Christianity Becoming a public school teacher Receiving a call to Asia to serve How living in Korea shaped his understanding of living as an alien Calling people to the Kingdom of God Praying against racism, especially in the church Being ready to give up on the church and the group that helped him through  Writing We Were Reborn for This Great quotes from Britt: When God accepts you, you don’t need to be part of anyone else’s club. We, of all people, should know that law does not change hearts. Giving up on the Church is the first step to giving up on your faith. Resources we mentioned: Britt’s website We Were Reborn For This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth by Britt Mooney Related episodes: Bill Brown and Waiting on the Lord Gari Meacham and Hitting Life's Curveballs Neil Matthews and Accepting God's Acceptance

Ever wished you had a mentor to guide you through life and faith? Feeling isolated and trying to figure everything out on your own is not what Jesus intended for His church. Our guest today reveals how mentorship can transform lives, including your own. Nancy Lindgren is the Founder and CEO of MORE Mentoring, and author of Mentoring Made Real: The Power of Authentic Connection. In this episode, Nancy shares her journey from a young woman with a calling to the leader of a mentoring ministry. She opens up about learning to listen to the Lord in prayer and the pivotal moment that turned mentoring into her mission. Listen as Nancy shares the trials and triumphs of waiting on God’s timing, and how her story exemplifies the need for intentional relationships in the Church. These connections, spanning different ages and experiences, help us grow in our faith in profound ways. Download now to hear Nancy’s inspiring story on your favorite podcast platform!   Stories Nancy shared: Growing up in Nebraska Hearing Christian teaching and music as a child Giving her life to Christ as a young girl The car accident that gave her a sense of calling at 15 Starting a family immediately after college The season when she learned to wait on God Waiting for direction on where to go for two years Learning to listen to the Lord in prayer Learning to wait and be patient The moment when the Lord gave her a mission in 2014 Overcoming challenges in mentoring Writing a mentoring guide in 2016 Making disciples now around the world How to go about engaging the process of mentorship in either direction Great quotes from Nancy: Be a mentor for a season and friends for life. I knew he was a God who speaks. You're absolutely qualified because Jesus qualifies you. Resources we mentioned: Nancy’s website  Mentoring Made Real: The Power of Authentic Connection by Nancy Lindgren Related episodes: Laura Flanders and The Mentored Life Harriett Miller and A Fierce Faith Peter Englert and Digital Discipleship and Mentoring

Have you ever wondered about your purpose on this planet? Do you feel destined for more, yearning to accomplish something meaningful, even if you can't quite pinpoint what it is? In today's episode, our guest is Paul Ybarra, a coach dedicated to helping people uncover their gifts and live up to their full potential. Paul's path to becoming a coach wasn't straightforward; it was a winding, sometimes bumpy road shaped by his faith in Jesus. Paul Ybarra's story is one of redemption and empowerment. Growing up in the Jehovah's Witnesses, Paul later turned to a life of drug dealing before a pivotal encounter led him to Christ. This profound change allowed Paul to embrace his true self in Christ, bringing a newfound sense of freedom. Today, Paul is passionate about seeing others win and, more importantly, empowering the younger generation. Paul's story teaches us that no matter where we come from, finding ourselves in Christ opens us to so much more. Listen to Paul's story wherever you get your podcasts right now.  Stories Paul shared: The importance of mindset in the Christian journey Growing up in San Jose in a Jehovah’s Witness family Experiencing religion not relationship with Jesus The embarrassment he felt at school Seeing God’s hand looking back Being shunned from the congregation and moving away Selling drugs and living a street lifestyle Praying on Halloween night in 2001 Moving to Ohio and getting clean The coworker who brought him to Christ Learning to sense the Holy Spirit in the moment Backsliding in Texas Sensing an ultimatum from the Lord to choose Realizing that he can be himself Discovering his ministry and discipling others What happened when people started calling him coach Helping people find their assignment within purpose Great quotes from Paul: If I can’t experience the God of the Bible, I may as well go back to San Jose and live the live I want to live. As I submit to Christ, there's a calling on my life and I don't have to hide it anymore. I can still be Paul...except my character is different. Resources we mentioned: Paul’s website Related Episode: Christina Dent and the Spark of Curiosity John Swanger Shares Light in Dark Places Kelly Albright Was Saved in Sin City

Christina Dent is the founder & president of End It For Good and author of Curious: A Foster Mom’s Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs & Addiction. She was previously with us on episode #235 which can be found below. Today, Christina shares with us about why she chose to write a book to support her endeavors, the integral link between connection and drug use, and why fear needs to stop being our motivator when addressing addiction issues. Christina paints a vision of creating a health-centric approach to helping people overcome addiction. Hers is a movement rooted in the way Jesus sees them not behavior modification that we can all learn from. Listen to this important conversation with Christian Dent where you get your podcasts right now. Stories Christina shared: The work of End It For Good The effects of three strike laws and why we need to understand it The farmer who has How Jesus treated people and how it’s different than our approach The stigma that people are silently suffering with The Rat Park experiment Why addiction is a symptom of loneliness and other experiences How to influence community by being curious The CRAFT Method of interacting with addicted family members A nuanced, moderate approach to drugs Why fear is the worst motivator Why she chose to call the book Curious What you can do to get involved A health centric approach to helping people overcome addiction Great quotes from Christina: If we want to help people move away from addiction…we have to shift away from Fear is the only thing that’s been used to think about drugs. It doesn’t matter where you fall on the political spectrum. A health centered approach to drugs gets you more of what you want. None of us change the way we think without going through a process of asking how it changes everything else. We are in the image of God and not made to (55) Resources we mentioned: End It For Good’s website Curious: A Foster Mom’s Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs & Addiction by Christina Dent Related episodes: Christina Dent and Compassion for Other John Schlitt is a Rock Star Redeemed Rose Ann Forte and Letting Go of Shame

Have you ever found yourself bored with life? Maybe you're going through the motions but just not feeling it anymore? Our guest today was slumbering through his life until a radical encounter with revival changed everything...and him. Scott Brown is an author, historian, documentarian, and entrepreneur. Scott serves as the Director of Development for Globe International, an independent missions sending agency. In this episode, Scott shares how his early years on the farm shaped him, the health issues that became a dark time, and the revival that set his life ablaze for Jesus. Whether you are feeling bright and alive in Christ or need a fresh wind of faith, Scott's story will remind you that the Lord does amazing things if we're open to them. Listen to Scott's story FREE in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Scott shared: The work he does with Globe International Growing up on a farm near Dayton, Ohio Moving to Pensacola, FL as a young man Being baptized in the Church of the Brethren His church and connection to the charismatic movement The dramatic healing his father witnessed and how that influenced his faith Studying history in college Getting married and how changed his trajectory Feeling bored in church The evangelist who brought fresh fire to him Going through health issues in 2013 and the depression that came after Experiencing healing through therapy Becoming the president of the Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation Great quotes from Scott: If you don’t have the function and function of God’s Spirit…it doesn’t matter how powerful the words are on a page, it doesn’t matter how many miracles you’ve seen. If you’re not active in it yourself, it means nothing. That agrarian community I was part of shaped everything about who I would become. I was a computer and rebooted. Not everything was arranged the same on the screen as it was before. You don't know what other people are going through so we walk with grace and mercy. Resources we mentioned: Globe International Mordecai Brown Legacy Foundation  Baseball in Pensacola: America’s Pastime & the City of Five Flags by Scott Brown Three Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story by Scott Brown Psychology Instinct: What About Human Behavior Disorders by Scott Brown Related episodes: Billie Jauss and Home is Where We Are Jason Elam and the Devastating Love of God Michael Woodward and Living a Significant Story

Caris Snider is a speaker, author, coach, and podcaster. Her latest book is There’s an Elephant on My Chest, a picture book for children she wrote to help kids understand what anxiety feels like. Today, Caris shares her story of growing up in a Christian home in the Bible belt feeling like she had to be perfect. Trying to live up to her beliefs led to anxiety and depression until she was willing to accept help. Caris shares with us how she found hope over anxiety and the Lord’s closeness during the process. Caris’ story reminds us that we need community and don’t have to be perfect to be loved. Listen to Caris’ story in your favorite podcast player today! Children's Picture Book- There's an Elephant on My Chest Stories Caris shared: Overcoming anxiety and helping others Growing up in Alabama in a Christian family as a twin Her mom’s example as a prayer warrior Having to overcome cerebral palsy on the left side of her body Trying out for cheerleader and not making it Studying early childhood development Meeting her husband who was in a Christian boy band Buying her own childcare center and realizing that it wasn’t for her The season of uncertainty after giving up the childcare center Trying to pull herself up by her bootstraps and finding it impossible Having anxiety attacks with increasing frequency Trying to numb her pain by not eating Having a miscarriage and how that affected her Realizing she had to accept help to get out of her depression Giving up the idea of perfection for herself Learning the identities that the Lord has for her Writing books about anxiety and helping others Great quotes from Caris: When I looked up the things I was believing were proven to be lies. I had to recognize that help was not bad. I had to stop believing that I had to be perfect to be loved by Him. Those struggles are real but there is real hope. Resources we mentioned: Caris’ website There’s An Elephant On My Chest by Caris Snider Car Line Mom Devotional: 100 Days of Encouragement for the Mama Who Gets Everybody Everywhere by Caris Snider Related episodes: Edith Leland and Intimate Friendship with God Jon Fugler and Ditching Performance Christianity Christy Boulware and Love That Casts Out Fear The post Caris Snider and Hope Over Anxiety appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Jacci Turner is an author, spiritual director, trainer of spiritual directors, and a retried trauma therapist. Today, Jacci shares her story of discovering the Lord at camp, serving as a trainer for campus ministers for decades, and how her growing understanding of God’s love changed everything. She lost her position and became an outcast from a community she loved. Jacci shares how she got through that difficult season and how spiritual direction helped her see the way through the spiritual desert. Jacci’s story reminds us that we all get a little tumbled by life but that the Lord makes something beautiful out of us all in the end. Listen to Jacci’s story in your favorite podcast player now! Stories Jacci shared: Growing up as a daughter of a produce Finding Jesus “for the first time” as a child Praying for Jesus to take away her nightmares Forgetting her relationship with God as a teenager Giving her life to Christ as a teenager at camp Going to college and learning Scripture Growing in love for the LGBTQ+ community Leaving her organization by invitation The pain of becoming an outcast because of her position The dreams she had during this painful season Starting a group called Shalom for church wholeness Experiencing Jesus even through the difficult times The identities she had to let go in order to get through the spiritual desert How a spiritual director helped her through her issues with the church What spiritual direction is and why it is valuable at every stage of the journey Spiritual cairns in the desert Great quotes from Jacci: If I never get to Hollywood, I still want to follow you. As we got to know them, they didn’t become our gay friends. They became just our friends. Look to hope. Find hope in people, in God, in the books, in Scripture, in the forest, wherever you can find it. Resources we mentioned (affiliate links): Jacci’s website Tumbled People: Deconstructing and Reconstructing Your Faith by Jacci Turner The Gravity Center The Divine Hours (Volume Two): Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime: A Manual for Prayer by Phyllis Tickle Yes And…Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World by John Philip Newell Related episodes: Cliff Haddox and The Story that Grows With You Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation Suzanne Stabile and How Enneagram Heals Relationships The post Jacci Turner and Tumbled People appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Sam Black, author of The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography, and Director of Life Change Education at Covenant Eyes. Today, Sam shares how his life changed when he was first exposed to pornography, how it became a crutch for him, and why it’s so destructive. He explains the inner turmoil he felt which often kept him from church but then, he discovered a community that allowed him to be honest about his addiction. Plus, Sam tells us how to get started making your church a place that’s safe, too. Sam’s story reminds us that God’s grace is enough for everyone regardless of what sin they struggle with. Listen to Sam’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Sam shared: Why he wrote The Healing Church Growing up in Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida in a “hypocritically violent” home Being exposed to pornography at 10 years old How pornography became an escape for him The messages that he received from his church How his wife came to Christ The relationship between how much pornography and service Believing that he could not live up to a Christian life Going to an event at his wife’s church The marriage class that became a safe space How his life changed as he was able to be vulnerable The spectrum of how the Church handles problems How to be the safe person for your community Great quotes from Sam: No one comes to the Father except through the Spirit. And the Spirit was doing a number on me. What part of James 5:16 do we not believe? What we need is a safe place with a safe process where it’s okay to come as you are. Resources we mentioned: Sam’s website The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong about Pornography and How to Fix It by Sam Black Covenant Eyes – Code for one month free: safeguard Strive Program Related episodes: Rob Lohman and Breaking Addiction Rose Ann Forte and Letting Go of Shame Christy Boulware and Love That Casts Out Fear The post Sam Black and The Journey of Freedom appeared first on Eric Nevins.