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Finding Something Real

By: Janell Wood
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  • Summary

  • 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?
    ©2023 All Rights Reserved
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Episodes
  • How to we Build Bridges even when we Disagree? with Lindsey Medenwaldt

    How to we Build Bridges even when we Disagree? with Lindsey Medenwaldt
    May 15 2024
    Happy Wednesday! Today Lindsey Medenwaldt is joining the podcast! This is the eleventh episode in a series dedicated to special co-host, Noelle. In this episode, host Janell Wood and guest Lindsey Medenwaldt discuss how to bridge the divide between Christians and non-Christians and have meaningful conversations. They explore the importance of building relationships, being good listeners, and sharing the gospel with love and respect. Lindsey shares insights from her book, 'Bridge Building Apologetics,' and emphasizes the need for Christians to be prepared to give a defense for their faith. They also address the question of why Christians make it their job to tell others about Jesus and the importance of knowing God through Scripture and prayer. Lindsey explains why prayer is a foundational aspect of bridge building apologetics. Prayer helps calm the mind, recall information, and seek guidance in conversations. She emphasizes the importance of active prayer life and being in constant conversation with God. Towards the end of the episode, Janell introduces the next co-host (hi Lizzy!) who will be joining the podcast for conversations soon. We hope you enjoy this week's episode! About Lindsey Medenwaldt Lindsey Medenwaldt is the Director of Ministry Operations at Mama Bear Apologetics, and she’s our resident worldview and world religion specialist. She has a master’s degree in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary, as well as a master’s in public administration and a law degree. She wrote Bridge-Building Apologetics, which will be released in May 2024 (Harvest House). She’s an editor and author for the Christian Research Journal, an editor for Women in Apologetics, and a member of the Pelican Project. She has also contributed to various writing projects, including a chapter about the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Popular Handbook of World Religions (Harvest House 2021). Lindsey and her husband, Jay (who is also an apologist), have been married for 16 years. They live with their daughters in Iowa. In her spare time, Lindsey loves watching British reality television, especially The Great British Baking Show, and she’s an avid reader (Jay and Lindsey have an at-home library of more than 2,500 books!). -- -- -- -- -- 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: Noelle's First episode Noelle & Drew Noelle & Xandra Noelle & Doug Noelle & J, Warner Wallace Noelle & Jeannine Hanger Noelle & Abdu Murray Why Christianity? with Lindsey Medenwaldt REPLAY: Why Christianity? with Lindsey Medenwaldt Do Christians and LDS Believe The Same Thing? REPLAY: Do Christians and LDS Believe The Same Thing? Is the Enneagram Scientific Progress or Regress? Jay Medenwaldt Mama Bear Apologetics
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Why Become a Christian When Your Current Worldview Seems Fine? with Abdu Murray

    Why Become a Christian When Your Current Worldview Seems Fine? with Abdu Murray
    May 15 2024
    Happy Wednesday! Today Abdu joins Noelle and Janell! This is the tenth episode in a series dedicated to special co-host, Noelle. Abdu Murray joins Noelle, Janell, and special guest, Signe, for a conversation about his journey from being a proud Muslim to becoming a Christian. Abdu talks about the importance of love and treating people with dignity and kindness. He shares the challenges he's faced within his family and community due to his decision to embrace Christianity. Abdu emphasizes the need to separate a person from their ideas and see each person as intrinsically valuable even when disagreements occur. He shares about the fulfillment he found in Jesus and how becoming a Christian was not something he initially desired but a decision he made out of intellectual honesty. He talks about the purpose of the Christian faith not being about achieving happiness, but instead finding fulfillment, joy, and knowledge of God. We hope you enjoy today's episode! About Abdu Murray Abdu Murray offers the credibility of the gospel message as a speaker and writer with Embrace the Truth. He has authored several books including Saving Truth, Grand Central Question, Apocalypse Later, and the forthcoming More than a White Man’s Religion. For most of his life, Abdu was a proud Muslim until a nine-year historical, philosophical, theological, and scientific investigation pointed him to the Christian faith. Abdu has spoken to diverse international audiences and has participated in debates and dialogues across the globe. Abdu holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Abdu lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with his wife and their three children. -- -- -- -- -- 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: Noelle's First episode Noelle & Drew Noelle & Xandra Noelle & Doug Noelle & J, Warner Wallace Noelle & Jeannine Hanger Embrace The Truth Abdu Murray - YouTube ”Was Jesus Raised from the Dead?” Grand Central Question - Abdu Murray Saving Truth - Abdu Murray More Than a White Man’s Religion - Abdu Mu Questions Christianity Answers with Abdu Murray REPLAY: Questions Christianity Answers with Abdu Murray What Happens When You Embrace the Truth about Jesus Christ? with Abdu Murray Christianity: Is it helpful? Is it good? with Abdu Murray
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • What sets the Bible apart? with Jeannine Hanger

    What sets the Bible apart? with Jeannine Hanger
    May 1 2024

    Today, Jeannine joins Noelle and Janell!

    It's a conversation with Dr. Jeannine Hanger, Noelle, and Janell, discussing the trustworthiness and relevance of the Bible. Noelle shares her questions about the Bible and its translation throughout history. Jeannine shares her personal faith journey and her passion for the New Testament. Jeannine discusses students' doubt and skepticism over the Bible and the things she sometimes shares with them. She explains why she lives by the Bible's authority and how it can be relevant to people today. Towards the end of the conversation, there is a discussion about authenticity in the Bible- in passages of scripture that weren't part of the oldest manuscripts, and in the historical facts of Jesus' life and death. Jeannine shares about the compelling story of Mary of Bethany and why the tangible things mentioned in scripture are so meaningful to her.

    We hope you enjoy today's episode!

    About Jeannine

    Jeannine Hanger has been involved with Biola University since 2000. She earned a Master of Arts (2004) and Master of Theology (2009) at Talbot in New Testament Studies and has taught undergraduates in an adjunct role since 2009. She recently completed her doctoral studies (2021) at the University of Aberdeen, also in the New Testament. Her research interests revolve around the Gospels. More specifically she has enjoyed exploring literary approaches to texts seen alongside their ancient world contexts. She has a heart for students to know God through the Word with every aspect of their beings: heart, soul, mind, and strength. As the wife of a pastor, Jeannine has also been deeply invested in the local church. Most recently, she and her husband have enjoyed launching Coastline Covenant Church alongside dear friends in ministry. They live with their three teenage children in the South Bay.

    -- -- -- -- --

    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:

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

    biola.edu
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    1 hr and 4 mins
Personal Success Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
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