Finding Something Real

Summer Flashbacks: Why Are You Still a Christian? with Justin Brierley

During the month of July, we will be featuring some of our previous episodes. This Episode with Justin Brierley and Guest Co-Host, Caleb, originally aired on September 30, 2020. In this conversation, Janell and her son Caleb sat with Justin Brierley. Janell, Caleb, and Justin discuss Justin's work and faith journey, and why, after 15 years of interviewing some of the world’s most brilliant skeptics, he still clings to Jesus Christ. Since this episode, Justin has returned several times as a special guest on this program.

 

ABOUT JUSTIN:

Justin is a freelance writer, speaker, and broadcaster who has become known for creating dialogues between Christians and non-Christians. He is passionate about creating conversations around faith, science, theology, and culture. Through creative use of podcast, radio, print, video, and social media, he aims to showcase an intellectually compelling case for Christianity, while taking seriously the questions and objections of sceptics.
Justin has worked in radio, podcast, and video for over two decades. Until April 2023 he was Theology & Apologetics Editor for Premier Christian Radio, and hosted the Unbelievable? Radio show and podcast as well as the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast. Justin was also editor of Premier Christianity magazine from 2014-2018, for which he continues to contribute articles. Justin's first book 'Unbelievable? Why, after ten years of talking with atheists, I'm still a Christian' (SPCK) was published in 2017. His latest book, 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God' (Tyndale) was published in Sep 2023. Justin currently co-hosts the Re-Enchanting podcast for Seen & Unseen and is a guest presenter for the Maybe God podcast. He has also recently launched The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief in God podcast documentary series. Justin is married to Lucy, a church minister in Surrey, and they have 4 amazing children.

 

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LINKS:

Original Episode Page: https://www.janellmwood.com/the-podcast-upload/2020/9/29/why-are-you-still-a-christian-with-justin-brierley?rq=justin%20brierley

 

To hear more FSR conversations with Justin Brierley, please visit: https://www.janellmwood.com/search?q=justin%20brierley

 

To find out more about Justin's current projects including his latest book and podcast, please visit: justinbrierley.com

 

 

For the Bible Tells Me So... with Robby Lashua

This is the sixth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. Today's special guest, Robby Lashua, is a speaker with Stand to Reason. Robby is here to discuss Lizzy's questions about the Bible and how to approach it. Lizzy was unable to make it to this recording. She's a college student from Chelan, Washington. Lizzy grew up in a loving Christian home but has a lot of questions about God, identity, and purpose. She is a very curious person and is someone who often takes things literally. She admits she struggles with anxiety and wonders why God pursues her when it's hard for her to trust Him. She says she's sensed Him trying to get her attention but is not sure about having experienced His love. Lizzy and Janell have known each other for seven years. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

 

About Robby Lashua:

Robby Lashua is the newest Apologist at Stand to Reason. Formerly, Robby was the Pastor of Apologetics at Desert Springs Community Church in Goodyear, AZ, an Associate Professor at Mission Bible Institute, and host of Christ, Culture & Coffee, a weekly apologetics podcast. Having earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona Christian University, a Master’s of Divinity from Phoenix Seminary, and a Master’s Degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, Robby has a passion for equipping the church with good reasons to believe in classical Christianity. Most importantly, Robby has been married to his wonderful wife, Kelly, for over 13 years. Together they are raising four amazing kids to love and serve Jesus.

 

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Links:

Stand For Reason

Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks

Abortion: Big Questions and This Cultural Moment with Robby Lashua

Who Can Separate Us From God's Love? with Robby Lashua

REPLAY: Who Can Separate Us From God's Love? with Robby Lashua

FSR YouTube Page

FSR Patron

 

Trusting What You Know is True even When... with Jennifer DeFrates

This is the fifth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. Lizzy is a college student from Chelan, Washington. Today we're talking with Jennifer DeFrates. Jennifer shares about her own faith journey, about the topic of suffering and God's will, Jennifer DeFrates is a former high school teacher turned homeschool mom and Christian blogger at Heavennotharvard.com and theMamapologist.com. Jennifer is a CIA graduate (the Cross-Examined Instructors Academy) and volunteers with Mama Bear Apologetics. She has a passion for discipleship through apologetics. Her action figure would come with coffee and a stack of books. She also describes herself as the reluctant ringleader of a small menagerie in rural Alabama. 

 

About Jennifer DeFrates:

Jennifer DeFrates is a former high school teacher turned homeschool mom and Christian blogger at Heavennotharvard.com and theMamapologist.com. Jennifer is a CIA graduate (the Cross-Examined Instructors Academy) and volunteers with Mama Bear Apologetics. She has a passion for discipleship through apologetics. Her action figure would come with coffee and a stack of books. She is also the reluctant ringleader of a small menagerie in rural Alabama.

 

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Links:

Jennifer's Website

Mama Bear Apologetics

Stand to Reason

Cross Examined Instructors' Academy 

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diler-Rose

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Compared to Who? by Heather Creek Moore 

Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace

Person of Interest by J. Warner Wallace

Tactics by Greg Koukl

Street Smarts by Greg Koukl

Honest Prayers for Mama Bears

FSR YouTube Page

FSR Patron

 

Show Me the Evidence with Tim A. Stratton

Happy Wednesday!

 

This is the fourth in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. Today we're talking with special guest, Tim Stratton, founder of Free Thinking Ministries. Tim is here to discuss Lizzy's questions about free will, and God choosing people. He shares about why these types of conversations are important to him personally. He also shares about his passion for Molinism.  Lizzy is a college student from Chelan, Washington. Lizzy grew up in a loving Christian home but has a lot of questions about God, identity, and purpose. She is a very curious person and is someone who often takes things literally. She admits she struggles with anxiety and wonders why God pursues her when it's hard for her to trust Him. She says she's sensed Him trying to get her attention but is unsure about having experienced His love. Lizzy and Janell have known each other for seven years. 

 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

 

 

About Tim:

Timothy A. Stratton was in youth ministry for fifteen years. He started as an intern in Santa Cruz, California, then went on to work for Youth For Christ, Navigators, and eventually worked as a youth pastor for nearly ten years in the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney, Nebraska. He saw first-hand how the lies of “new atheists” were impacting the young impressionable minds of his students. This led Tim to devote his life to answering “tough” questions about God and Christianity. As a result, Tim founded FreeThinking Ministries in 2015.

Tim pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska-Kearney (B.A. 1997) and after working in full-time ministry for several years went on to attain his graduate degree from Biola University (M.A. 2014). More recently, Tim earned his Doctorate in Systematic Theology from North-West University (Ph.D. 2020).  His doctoral work primarily focuses on demonstrating God’s middle knowledge and mankind’s libertarian freedom (“Mere Molinism”), and how this view has apologetic significance.

Along with FTM, Tim is a professor of Theology at Trinity Theological Seminary and College of the Bible. He has spoken to numerous audiences around the country and loves to engage in one-on-one conversations with anyone doubting or wrestling with the truth of Christianity. He spends much of his time recording podcasts and writing articles on his website. He also enjoys interacting with our culture via several social media outlets. Tim is passionate about answering questions regarding God, the Bible, and Christianity. 

 

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Links:

https://freethinkingministries.com/tim-stratton/

Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, & Mere Molinism

Faith Examined on Amazon

FSR YouTube Page

FSR Patron

 

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know with Bob Luhn

Happy Wednesday! Today Bob Luhn is joining us on the podcast. This is the third in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. In this episode, special guest, Pastor Bob Luhn, shares about God's love and answers some of Lizzy's questions about trust and why He believes God even when life is difficult. He opens up about suffering and the devastating loss of his beloved grandson last year. 

 

Lizzy is a college student from Chelan, Washington. Lizzy grew up in a loving Christian home but has a lot of questions about God, identity, and purpose. She is a very curious person and is someone who often takes things literally. She admits she struggles with anxiety and wonders why God pursues her when it's hard for her to trust Him. She says she's sensed Him trying to get her attention but is unsure about having experienced His love. Lizzy and Janell have known each other for seven years. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

 

 

About Bob Luhn

Robert Luhn is an ordained minister and pastored for many years at the Church of the Nazarene in Othello, Washington.

 

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Links:

Is God's Love for Real? And if so, Why does He Love Me?

Doubt, Desires, Imperfect People and Love? with A.J. Swoboda

FSR YouTube Page

FSR Patron

 

 

 

 

 

Doubt, Desires, Imperfect People and Love? with A.J. Swoboda

This is the second in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. In this episode, special guest, A.J. Swoboda, shares his newest book, and we cover topics including questions about identity, love, desire, doubt, and criticism from within the Church. Lizzy is a college student from Chelan, Washington. Lizzy grew up in a loving Christian home but has a lot of questions about God, identity, and purpose. She is a very curious person and is someone who often takes things literally. She admits she struggles with anxiety and wonders why God pursues her when it's hard for her to trust Him. She says she's sensed Him trying to get her attention but is unsure about having experienced His love. 

We hope you enjoy today's episode!

 

About A.J. Swoboda:

A.J. Swoboda (Ph.D., Birmingham) is an associate professor of Bible and Theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Program on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns (Zondervan), After Doubt (Brazos), and the award-winning Subversive Sabbath (Brazos). He hosts the “Slow Theology” podcast (w/ Dr. Nijay Gupta) and writes the widely read “Low-Level Theologian” Substack. A.J. lives and works on an urban farm with his wife and son in Eugene, Oregon.

 

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Links:

FSR YouTube Page

"How to Question Faith Without Losing It" with A.J Swoboda

The Gift of Thorns

Richard Dawkins Video

FSR Patron

 

 

 

Is God's Love for Real? And if so, Why does He Love...Me?

This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to a young woman named Lizzy. This first episode was recorded last winter. Lizzy is currently a college student from Chelan, Washington. Lizzy grew up in a loving Christian home but has a lot of questions about God, identity, and purpose. She is a very curious person and is someone who often takes things literally. She admits she struggles with anxiety and wonders why God pursues her when it's hard for her to trust Him. She says she's sensed Him trying to get her attention but is not sure about having experienced His love. Lizzy and Janell have known each other for seven years. 

 

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/@findingsomethingreal

https://www.patreon.com/findingsomethingreal

 

 

Why keep sharing Jesus if people know about Him already?

Happy Wednesday!

This is the twelfth and final episode in a series dedicated to special co-host and Janell's niece, Noelle. Instead of the usual interview format, Janell shares some of the highlights from recording 10 episodes with Noelle, talks about the Patreon episode Noelle and Janell recorded at the end of April together, and shares an open letter to Noelle, talking about regrets, love, Jesus, and sharing Him with others. Stay tuned for next week's episode when the next co-host for FSR will be officially introduced. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

 

About Janell Wood:

Janell has been a Christian for most of her life but has a deep passion for those struggling with faith. She's been through her wondering, wandering, hurting, and doubting seasons. With a Masters-level education in Counseling Psychology, a passion for apologetics, a background in advocacy for women in crisis, and communication skills gained from 20 years of "'til death do us part," Janell has found just one who has the answers. His name is Jesus. True Restoration, Eternity, Authenticity, and Love belong to Him. And she loves to share and talk about what’s REAL with others, whether it's one-on-one with young women on her podcast, or when speaking for a Christian audience or those outside the Church. 

 

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If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!

Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!

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Links:

Noelle's First episode
Noelle & Drew
Noelle & Xandra
Noelle & Doug
Noelle & J, Warner Wallace

Noelle & Jeannine Hanger

Noelle & Abdu Murray

Noelle & Lindsey Medenwaldt

Finding Something Real Speaking Page