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Maybe you’ve grown up as a Christian going to church or maybe you’re not interested in religion at all. But when you’re scrolling, hanging out with friends, trying to sleep, or overwhelmed with your day-to-day, do big existential questions ever pop in- you know- things like, “Why am I here? How did all this get here? What happens after I die?” “Is there a God and is there really meaning to all this?” ”What’s so special about Jesus Christ?” We’ve all experienced deep longing for something this world can’t seem to satisfy. Even someone as wildly successful as Taylor Swift knows that to be true. “I had won album of the year at the Grammys for a second time...” She said, “and I remember thinking afterwards, ’Oh my god, that was all you wanted!... That was all you focused on. You get to the mountaintop and look around and you’re like... what now?” If you’re tired and feeling overwhelmed with all the different voices yelling for your affections- telling you what to go after- whether it be success, beauty, the perfect partner, social media followers, money, or power… only to leave you let down and unsatisfied, searching for more… Maybe like my friends and me, you’re after finding something REAL. Every week, join me (Janell Wood), special co-hosts and guests as we ask questions, look for answers, and search for the source of something REAL: Restoration, Eternity, Authenticity, and Love. I believe those things can ultimately be found in relationship with Jesus Christ, but don’t take my word for it. Listen to our conversations for yourself and go on a journey with us: Is Jesus the REAL thing?
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Investigating this Dude Named Jesus with J. Warner Wallace
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Happy Wednesday! We hope you are doing well!
Today, we welcome back Detective J. Warner Wallace! Jim shares about coming to faith in Jesus Christ and explains how he began asking the question, “Is the Bible accurate in the way it portrays Jesus?” He shares about his search on the topic and the conclusion of his search. He discusses the difference between objective and subjective truths and the implications of what it means if Christianity is true.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
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About J. Warner Wallace
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an adjunct professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University), Gateway Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. J. Warner became a Christ-follower at the age of thirty-five after investigating the claims of the New Testament gospels using his skill set as a detective. He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!
Links:
FSR May 2023 with J. Warner Wallace
Cold Case Christianity (website)
Cold Case Christianity (book)
The Truth in True Crime (book)
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Jesus & Alternative Spiritual Practices with Douglas Groothuis
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Hello Everyone Today on the podcast we welcome back Douglas Groothuis!
Today’s discussion covers a few of Noelle’s questions was about spiritual practices and why some of them might be concerning for Christians. Doug shares about his own personal faith journey, why he's not an atheist or agnostic. He also talks about reasons followers of Jesus should avoid spiritual practices outside of Christianity. He responds to some of Noelle’s questions and objections.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
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About Douglas
Dr. Douglas Groothuis has fire in his bones for the Christian message and many irons in the fire to explain, defend, and apply it. He has been explaining the world to the church and explaining the church to the world for nearly fifty years through his teaching, preaching, writing, mentoring, and general witness. His passion is to take to the streets the truth and significance of the Christian worldview for all of life. To that end, he publishes both academic and popular works, preaches in churches, gives public lectures, engages in debates, and has appeared on hundreds of radio programs and podcasts since 1983. He is known as a knowledgeable, sharp, forceful, but gentle communicator of the Christian message.
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Links:
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Fine Tuning of the Universe Points to a Creator with Xandra Grieme
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Hello Everyone Today on the podcast we welcome back Xandra!
In this episode, Noelle, Janell, and Xandra Grieme discuss the fine-tuning argument for the existence of God. They also explore why some people resist believing in God and the personal obstacles to belief. The conversation touches on the impact of negative experiences with Christians and the Christian belief in sin and redemption. The conversation explores the concepts of sin, brokenness, and the need for forgiveness. It emphasizes the understanding that sin is not only external actions but also an inherent part of human nature. The importance of accepting imperfection and avoiding judgment is highlighted, along with the idea that Christians should not expect non-Christians to live by Christian standards. The decision to follow Jesus is discussed, emphasizing the personal transformation and the discovery of one's true identity. The conversation concludes with the idea that authenticity is found in Jesus and that experiencing restoration, eternity, authenticity, and love compels believers to share their faith.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
About Xandra
Xandra Grieme received a BS from Colorado State University and later studied at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Xandra continued her studies at Victoria University of Wellington where she completed a master’s degree in Conservation Biology. Her scientific research includes work in parasitology, flow cytometry, and ecological restoration. Xandra is passionate about educating youth on our role as stewards of the natural world.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Links:
FSR November 2022 with Xandra
FSR March 2024 with Xandra
Museum of Created Beauty
Who Moved the Stone?
A Good & True Story by Paul Gould
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Science, Beauty, & Faith with Xandra Grieme
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Hello Everyone Today on the podcast we welcome back Xandra!
Janell sits down with Noelle and Xandra. Xandra shares her personal faith journey and how she reconciles her love for science with her belief in God. They discuss the integration of science and faith, the beauty of nature as evidence of a creator, and the problem of suffering. They discuss the imperfections of the Church throughout history and the need to understand Jesus' message before rejecting Christianity.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
About Xandra
Xandra Grieme received a BS from Colorado State University and later studied at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Xandra continued her studies at Victoria University of Wellington where she completed a master’s degree in Conservation Biology. Her scientific research includes work in parasitology, flow cytometry, and ecological restoration. Xandra is passionate about educating youth on our role as stewards of the natural world.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Links:
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Sexuality, Christians, & Jesus with Drew Berryessa
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Hello Everyone Today on the podcast we welcome back Drew Berryessa!
In this episode, Noelle and Drew discuss the challenges of being a Christian and accepting the LGBTQ community. Noelle shares her concerns about Christians who claim to be about love but then hate the LGBTQ community. Drew shares his personal story of struggling with his sexuality and how he found transformation through following Jesus. They discuss the concept of change versus cure and the importance of surrendering to Jesus. Noelle questions the compelling nature of the gospel and why someone would choose to deny themselves for a belief in an invisible God.
In this conversation, Drew Berryessa shares his personal journey of surrendering his life to God and finding compelling reasons to follow Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of encountering Christians who demonstrate the love and character of God. Drew also highlights the power of love and acceptance in drawing people to God, and the need for Christians to prioritize relationship over winning arguments. He discusses the biblical perspective on sexuality, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's intention for sexuality and the consequences of sin. Finally, Drew reflects on the significance of restoration and authenticity in his faith journey.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
About Drew
In 1996, Drew surrendered his sexuality to the Lordship of Christ, leaving behind a homosexual relationship. Drew chose to trust Christ with his future, believing that the Word of God was trustworthy and that Christ would be faithful to give him a life worth living outside of a homosexual identity or relationship. This surrender began a process of transformation and healing confronting the issues of same-sex attraction and overall relational dysfunction in his life.
Drew began full-time ministry to the sexually and relationally broken in 2004, joining the staff of Portland Fellowship, a para-church discipleship ministry in Portland, OR. Drew spent ten years in ministry there, ending his time as the Assistant Director to found A Living Letter Ministries in 2015.
Drew’s life and testimony stand in stark contrast to the current cultural narrative about sexual identity, demonstrating instead what Christ can do for a sexually broken life submitted to His Lordship. With the current shifts in ideology regarding sexuality, identity, gender, and God’s transformative power, Drew's ministry, experience, and insight stand as a redemptive voice of truth to the body of Christ.
Drew is a graduate of Multnomah Bible College, holding a Bachelor's Degree in Ministry and Leadership. In addition to being the Founder and Director of A Living Letter Ministries, Drew serves as a Teaching and Counseling Pastor at Living Waters Church in Medford, OR. Drew released his first book, Are We There Yet? in 2018, adding author to his list of accomplishments.
Of all the roles and titles he carries, his most prized titles are that of husband and father. Drew and his wife Suzanne have been married since 2004 and together they have the joy of raising their three daughters.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Links:
FSR March 2021 with Drew
FSR June 2021 with Drew
FSR April 2022 with Drew & Cynthia
Proverbs 27:7
”One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.”
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Christianity: Been There, Done That?
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Hello Everyone Welcome to Season 7 of the Finding Something REAL Podcast!
In this episode, Janelle interviews her niece Noelle about her background, family dynamics, and her journey with faith. Noelle shares her experiences growing up in Snohomish, Washington, and the impact of her relationships with her biological father and stepfather.
She discusses her early involvement in church and her understanding of Christianity as a child. As she grew older, Noelle began to question her beliefs and develop her own worldview, emphasizing the importance of love, acceptance, and social justice. She also shares her current perspective on Jesus and her faith. Noelle expresses doubts about the existence of God and her ability to believe in Him. She discusses her interest in astrology and tarot cards and how it may conflict with Christianity. Noelle also shares her concerns about the Bible's accuracy and the disingenuousness she has experienced in the Christian church. She emphasizes the importance of love and kindness in her life and expresses a desire for security and hope.
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
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About Noelle
This is the first episode in a series for a young woman named Noelle. Noelle is a Biology major at Western Washington University. She loves art, being in the outdoors, and values love and kindness. Noelle identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community. She went to church as a kid, although that's not part of her life anymore. She has struggled with anxiety. Noelle had a lot to say about her feelings and objections towards Christianity at this point in her life. She is looking forward to sharing her opinions on the podcast, as well as learning from the perspective of Christian guests.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
REPLAY: If God is Love, does He really care who we love? With Zach Verrett
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Please enjoy our last replay episode from Season 6! We begin Season 7 next week!
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Welcome to Wednesday! This week, we welcome back Zach Verrett! Zach shares his personal story of dealing with homosexuality. They talk about whether or not God cares about who we love, whether acts of homosexuality are sins, and the relationship between sacrifice and homosexuality. They also talk about the value of celibacy and how the Gospel is an invitation before life change happens.
About Zach
Zach currently serves at The Austin Stone Community Church in their Connections Ministry and is involved with his church’s engagement on the topic of sexuality. Previously, he spent five years touring with Unaltered Ministries.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
FSR: Gaia’s Intro
FSR: Gaia & Dr. Erik Thoennes
FSR Gaia & Robby
FSR: Frank Turek
Austin Stone Church
Unaltered Ministries
FSR June 2021 with Zach
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
REPLAY: The Bible is Full of Crazy, Um, Real Stories? with special guest, Tim Barnett
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Hello everyone! In January and February we will be replaying a few of our favorite episodes from 2023 as we prepare to launch season 7 in March! We hope you enjoy!
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Hello! Happy Wednesday! Today, we are delighted to share an interview with apologist Tim Barnett. Time shares a bit about his faith journey and tells how a question about his faith pushed him to better understand the Christian faith and why he believes. He shares about the ministry he does in partnership with Stand to Reason and how Red Pen Logic with Mr. B got started.
Tim shares some advice for those who have doubts about Jesus or Christianity, why he thinks Christianity is the best explanation for reality, and how our feelings do not determine verity. He also talks about whether there is evidence for the stories in the Bible and why he continues the work he does despite the backlash. We hope you enjoy this episode!
About Tim Barnett
Tim Barnett has worked as a speaker for Stand to Reason since 2015. He is a dynamic speaker who provides a perfect blend of expertise and humor in each talk. Using easy-to-follow and visually engaging presentations, Tim trains Christians to think clearly about what they believe and why they believe it. Tim has worked as a professional teacher since 2008, employed in both the private and public sector. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from York University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Tim serves as an adjunct Bible and Science teacher at Innova Academy, a classical Christian school, and serves on the pastoral staff at Cedarview Community Church.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here!
To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!
FSR: Ljuca’s Intro
FSR: Ljuca and J. Warner Wallace
FSR: Ljuca and Dr. Keith Oglesby
FSR: Greg Koukl - Oct 2021
FSR: Jon Noyes - March 2023
FSR: Robbie Lashua - April 2023
Stand to Reason
Reality Apologetics Student Conference
Norm Geisler
Sean McDowell
Frank Turek
Francis Shaeffer
Miracles - Craig Keener
The Case for Miracles - Lee Strobel
There is a God? - Anthony Flew
A Fortunate Universe - Geraint F. Lewis
Is Atheism Dead? - Eric Metaxas
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