Smiling at the Future – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Returning guest Chris Hamilton brings helpful clarity to questions couples may have during engagement such as: What are the contents and benefits of premarital counseling? What are the different topics that should be discussed during an engagement stage as opposed to the dating phase? What advice would you give a couple considering elopement? How should a couple navigate “cold feet” if one or both experience this during engagement? What are appropriate reasons to break off an engagement? Can physical boundaries change during engagement? And how can a couple keep their priorities straight during the excitement and busyness of engagement? 

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠⁠

Biblical counselor Dr. Ernie Baker shares insights on how couples can grow in relational and communication skills by answering the following questions: What are God-honoring motives for pursuing growth in these two areas? What is the difference between character qualities and relational skills? What are the core areas of communication we need to put intentional effort into improving? What counsel would you give a couple who have different communication styles? What are the common ways that couples stumble regarding conflict resolution? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠⁠

Recommended Resources: 

“Marry Wisely Marry Well” by Dr. Ernie Baker

“Help! I’m in a Conflict” booklet by Ernie Baker 

“Peacemaking for Families” by Ken Sande 

“Marriage Maintenance and Minefield Management” article by Ernie Baker: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2021/04/26/marriage-maintenance-and-minefield-management/

ER Doctor Carlan Wendler joins the podcast to provide practical guidance on how to navigate a medical emergency by answering the following questions: What is a Christian's responsibility when confronted with a medical emergency in everyday life? How can you help a family member or friend navigate the healthcare system? How do I know if I should go to Urgent Care or the ER when I need to see a doctor urgently? What encouragement can you offer someone who is stuck in endless online research for an undiagnosed health issue? What are proper expectations for those who are disillusioned with the US healthcare system? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com 

Support The Podcast: https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Carlan's Nonprofit: https://www.theamefund.org/

Biblical counselor and author Stuart Scott helps set the tone for this year by encouraging us to put off pride and put on humility by answering the following questions: What are symptoms of pride? What are common ways you see pride manifesting in singles and in dating relationships? How can we identify and steer clear of "counterfeit" humility? What would humility look like in a future husband / spiritual leader?

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com 

Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Recommended Resources: 

"From Pride to Humility" by Stuart Scott

"Humility: The Journey Towards Holiness" by Andrew Murray 

"Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness" by Gavin Ortlund

"Humility: The Forgotten Virtue" by Wayne Mack

Author and pastor Tim Challies encourages us with the truths about Heaven, our eternal home, by answering the following questions: Why is the topic of Heaven particularly meaningful for you? Why is it that Christians think so little about Heaven? Can you share some of the common misconceptions about Heaven you see among believers? Can you help us understand the balance of longing for the gifts of Heaven, but ultimately the Giver of those gifts? How can we use the topic of "Heaven" in our evangelism? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com 

Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Tim Challies Website: https://www.challies.com/

Recommended Books on Heaven

"Heaven" by Randy Alcorn

"We Shall See God" Charles Spurgeon 

"The Glory of Heaven" by John MacArthur

"Biblical Teaching on the Doctrines of Heaven and Hell" by Edward Donnelly 

"Heaven on Earth" by Derek Thomas 

Our vocational work dominates our time perhaps more than any other activity in our lives. Reagan Rose joins this podcast discussion to give a biblical perspective on work by answering the following questions: How should Christians view their work, and is it just a necessary means to an end? How would someone evaluate if they have a proper "work/life" balance? Because stress in the workplace is at an all-time high, when should someone consider switching jobs or careers? What are your tips for how to have an exemplary work ethic? For women who desire marriage, a vocational job can feel like plan "b" in their lives...how would you encourage women who struggle with this attitude? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637  Reagan's Website: https://redeemingproductivity.com/ Reagan's Recommended Resources: App and Website Blocker: Freedom.to Internet Time Tracker: Rize.io

As a pastor and biblical counselor, Lance Quinn provides encouragement on how Christians can demonstrate the love of Christ through bearing one another’s burdens by answering the following questions: What does the Bible say about bearing one another’s burdens? What are types of burdens we should help bear, and for how long should we bear them? How should you ask for help when you feel burdened beyond your ability? If you become aware of a need for someone, how do you know if you should be the one to meet that need? With technology, we are aware of more burdens than ever before. How do we understand our responsibility in that realm? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Mother of five, Rachel Zwayne helps us understand the Titus 2 principle of "loving your children" by answering the following questions: How should Christian's view children, and what lies from the world do you see even Christians believing about children? How can the gospel play a central role in motherhood? What attitudes can single women "put on" that would make loving their children easier in the future? What attitudes can we "put off"? When is it appropriate to talk about children when you're dating, and which areas should you align on in child-rearing? And is it wise for single women to consider adoption or fostering? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Recommended Resources:

Rachel's website: https://rachelzwayne.wixsite.com/joyfulmothers

"Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp 
"Parenting" by Paul Tripp

"Age of Opportunity" by Paul Tripp 

"What the Bible Says About Parenting" by John MacArthur 

"Found God's Peace" by John MacArthur 

Heidi Kinzel joins the discussion today to give practical guidance on how to prepare in singleness to love your husband in the future by answering the following questions: Why is this the first priority in the Titus 2 principles? We have the Scripture and the Holy Spirit, but why did God design that we also needed to be taught this by older women? What are attitudes that women need to "put off" that would make it more difficult to love their husband in the future? What are attitudes to "put on" that would make it easier? How have you and your husband maintained such a strong marriage after so many years? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Lynne Brown helps us regain a Biblical perspective on the timing of events in our lives by answering the following questions: How does God relate to time in a way that's different from us? Why is it important to understand God's unchangeableness? What are some examples of God's perfect timing in the Bible? How can we train our minds and hearts to respond rightly when we're confused about the God's timing or are struggling with impatience?

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com

Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637