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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 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
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
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
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
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
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 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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Happy Wednesday!
Note: This episode speaks about mental health struggles and suicide
Happy Wednesday All! Today, we welcome back Jon Noyes. He speaks about the current lack of talk about mental health and suicide in churches, why he thinks churches shy away from the topic, and why they desperately need to speak about mental health.
Jon also shares some statistics about suicide and the prevalence of hopelessness in our culture. Later, Jon reminds us that there is hope in Christ. He shares the Gospel, Biblical accounts where people in the Bible continued through trials, the meaning of life, and what can be helpful to those who are considering suicide.
We hope you are edified by this episode.
About Jonathan
Jonathan has worked as a speaker with Stand to Reason since 2019. A former atheist, Jonathan used to think belief in God was unwarranted and irresponsible. Then, after examining the evidence for Christianity he was faced with the fact that Jesus is who He says He is and the Christian worldview tells the true story of reality. Since then Jon has been passionate about engaging the culture with honest, well thought-out reasons why people should trust the Christian worldview. Jon has developed a series of passionate talks to do just that.
In 2013 Jonathan earned a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, graduating with honors. Jon brings a unique perspective to his audiences and the Stand to Reason team, having more than ten years' experience in the legal field and serving more than five as a pastor in his local church. Jon also serves on the board of directors for Life Without Limbs and at Beacon Hill Classical Academy, where he teaches discipleship.
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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!
Suicide prevention hotline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741
FSR November 2023 - Nora’s Intro
FSR November 2023 with Jon
FSR June 2023 with Abdu
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STR.org
Jon Noyes + STR
To The Point LIVE with Jon Noyes: Suicide
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Foxe’ Book of Martyrs - John Foxe
Reality Student Conference
Summit Ministries
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Augustine
John Stonestreet
Bonhoeffer
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Exodus 20:3
“You shall not murder.”
Psalm 103:12
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 130
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
Romans 3:23
”for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 8:38-39
”For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
2 Corinthians 4:17
”For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 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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Happy Wednesday!
This week, we are releasing an episode with Rachel and today’s guest— Alexis Zanias. Lexi shares about her faith journey, her love for educating students, and her love of questions and research. She talks about embracing the unknown, the importance of truth, and understanding definitions. Lexi shares five things that defined Christians in ancient Rome, and Rachel and her chat about the Bible and its authority. They also discuss deciphering what may be the voice of God and what may just be our own voice.
We hope you enjoy!
About Alexis
Alexis Zanias grew up near Allentown PA. She attended Grove City College, where she received a degree in Biology/Secondary Education. Lexi has her Masters in Environmental Science Education from Montreat College in NC. For the past 14 years, she has been a secondary high school science and Bible/apologetics teacher in Asheville NC. Before that she taught in Fort Lauderdale, FL and worked at Black Forest Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids in Germany.
When she has a break from teaching during the school year, Lexi loves to fill up her summers. She worked with Summit Ministries for 9 summers at Student Conferences in TN, CA, PA and GA. Lexi currently works in the summers for MAVEN as a field guide on their Immersive Experiences. She loves spending time with Jesus, good discussions, Ultimate Frisbee, Lady Grey Tea, deep laughter and digging into good books.
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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 October 2023 - Rachel’s Intro
FSR October 2023 - with Paul Copan
FSR October 2023- with Douglas Groothuis
Maventruth.org
Rosaria Butterfield
Jesus Revolution Movie
Midnight Mass - Netflix miniseries
Romans 5:8
”…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 10:9
”…If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:10
”For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 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 Everyone!
Today on the podcast, we welcome returning guest Justin Brierley! Justin shares a bit of an update on Unbelievable? and how he is diving into culture apologetics after leaving the show.
They chat a bit about his new book, how the new atheism movement is impacting culture, and the limitations of science as a worldview. They chat about Jordan Peterson, the “Fathiest Atheist,” and the growth of religion around the world. Justin discusses why who chooses Christianity over something else and how Christianity has influenced the world. They also discuss Christian celebrities, cancel culture, and fighting idol worship.
We hope you enjoy the episode!
About Justin
Justin is a freelance writer, speaker and broadcaster who has become known for creating dialogues between Christians and non-Christians. Justin 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.
Justin currently co-hosts the Re-Enchanting podcast for Seen & Unseen, and is a guest presenter for the Maybe God podcast. His next book 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God' (Tyndale) will be published in Sep 2023.
Justin is married to Lucy, a church minister in Surrey, and they have 4 amazing children - Noah, Grace, Jeremy and Toby. When he isn't working in a professional capacity, you'll find Justin involved in youth work and worship leading at 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! 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 September 2023 - Alice’s Intro
FSR June 2022 with Justin
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JustinBrierley.com
Unbelievable? Show
The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God - Justin Brierley
Justin Brierley's "Unbelievable" book
Unbelievable? Jordan Peterson vs. Susan Blackmore
Unbelievable? Tim Keller Q&A on cancer, prayer, and forgiveness
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Jordan Peterson
Phillip Yancey
The Faithiest Atheist
MAVEN
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Sean McDowell's Interview with Justin Brierley
Tim Keller's podcast