Explore every episode of the podcast The Parallel

Should we even get married if we don't have the final marriage in mind?

Chronological Bible Plan: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zibJ95fDWFj3PsYqbkWKm?si=7oIcFeqPT-ym64-Yxgqkng&preview=none

I think, yes! The Bible is very clear about the importance of seeking wise counsel and that does not stop short at dating. But who is wise counsel? Should we voice our opinions on our friends relationships? Let's talk about it.

Your single season is not just for finding your spouse, there is also something just as important to find and it will be a waste of a single season to miss it, your God given purpose. Often times he burdens us with our purpose in the wait as well.

Is it possible to know someones sexual compatibility while abstaining? Luke shares 5 cues that might give you a glimpse into your future sex life.

Luke's Socials : @Narrowwayman

Finding the balance between being content but also remaining hopeful is not easy work but is so central to the life of a Christian.

Yes, read that right. I wanted to give you guys some time to digest this and I explain more in this episode.

Sam speaks about his testimony and shares his hopes for other same sex attracted people and the churches role in creating safe spaces.

As Christian dating takes more intentionality that just judging good character. There isn't a lot of guidance on the kinds of questions to ask so I wanted to provide some!

Does the sex talk even make a difference? Why is it so uncommon for parents to have "the talk"? These questions and more will be answering in the is interview with the creator of Sex Ed reclaimed, Kristen Miele!

Socials: @sexedreclaimed

We want to please the Lord but we also wonder how painful obedience will be. The Lord leaves room for a submitted hard and also a weary soul, for grief in the growth.

Socials: @theparallelpod

Keon & Destiny talk about the positive effects waiting had on their marriage, how withholding can effect the relationship poorly, handling disagreements in marriage, and what it looks like to court a woman well!

Socials:  @journey2thehills  Youtube/Insta/Tiktok

Visual: https://youtu.be/OwvSlFMf-6w

If you marry to have sex you are setting yourself up for failure and lackluster love.

Socials: @theparallelpod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvphOgFC60T4kBS-lNNDXiA

Saving a first kiss until marriage GASP! CD&Melody talk about how they built intimacy, built a beatiful marriage, and learned how to navigate the storms in marriage!

Socials:

Insta: CD Fabien / Melody Fabien / Hanging With The Fabiens

Video: https://youtu.be/QElJbphj-bQ?si=-d7wBHTzT95Hb0Ig

Sometimes we can be so focused on the arrival of a promise that we forget the intentionality and relationship with the creator.

Here come the questions and here comes cuffing season. Lets' talk about how to enter this season with a helpful mindset!

How does a Godly man act? Who should I be to attract a Godly Man?

Both good questions that Tamika answers in this episode!

All socials: @ tamikathomas

Website: tuesdaywithtamika.com

Video: https://youtu.be/7mrd1b8jHxw?si=T3tmxIfDOVOdrI5A

Ghosting is not the move. In this episode Sonata talks about how and why to let people down gently.

Jay speaks about his book called Unwanted that is informed by his understanding of the gospel and his own clinical work addressing unwanted sexual behavior from a very loving and gracious approach.

Jay's Info: https://jay-stringer.com/

Social Media: @Jay_stringer_

The Parallel: @theparallelpod DM "God's Plan"

Godly Pleasure Event Pre-Event Call:

https://calendly.com/sonata-allison/preevent

When we allow our insecurities to choose our romantic partners it will always leave us disappointed and unsatisfied.

Link for Pre-Event Call: https://calendly.com/sonata-allison/preevent

Socials: @theparallelpod

Hope to chat soon!

Shelly shared her woe to woman having premarital sex as well as her testimony of how turning back to God can turn a hard situation into a story of God being ever-present and his provision.

Have you ever thought that you might be using masturbation as a coping skill? 🤯 When we understand the root of our sexual behavior it is easier to respond in healthy ways.

We've all heard to words "six figures" thrown around a lot. Might there be a better goal in mind to achieve what you are really asking for?

In this episode:

- We talk about what you might really be saying when you say "He has to make six figures".

- What might actually be more of your hearts desire

-Having money doesn't always equate to financially wise

Socials:

@laurenmatheus

You NEED to be here. There are many reasons the Lord put you on this earth and when you dont beleive this truth, you miss opportunities to love God, love others, and love yourself.

Destanee speaks about her abortion story and the role the Lord played in her life after she made that decision.

Destanee's Socials :

@powerintheprosepodcast

@zestofdes

Than what? Than everything....yes, even sex! When the Holy Spirit reminded me of this one thing, my life became so much more peaceful.

In this episode Sonata speaks with Ngina Otiende about what abuse is, red flags to look for, and Ngina shares a lot of helpful resources as well.

Resources below:

Helpful communities and resources for those in chronically problematic marriages

1. (free) Find out if you’re in an emotionally abusive Christian marriage by taking the free emotional abuse quiz. By Natalie Hoffman, Flying Free www.emotionalabusequiz.com

2. (free) Explore the different categories of mistreatment and danger that are all part of abuse and Domestic Violence. Free resource by Sarah McDugal https://www.wildernesstowild.com/is-it-abuse

3. (For pastors and leaders) Is your church as safe as you think it is? Safer Churches seminar https://www.wildernesstowild.com/safer-churches-seminar

4. (free) “Is this Abuse?” The 6 Step Guide to Uncovering Hidden/Covert Abuse by https://www.confusiontoclaritynow.com/guide

Safe websites/pages for learning about abuse and trauma (or just how a healthy marriage ought not to look like(

- Patrick Weaver Ministries https://www.facebook.com/patrickweaverministries

- Bare Marriage https://baremarriage.com/

- Marg Mowczko (theology website) https://margmowczko.com/

- Psalm 82 Initiative training churches to recognize abuse and care for the abused https://www.psalm82initiative.org/

Books I mentioned

The Great Sex Rescue (Amazon)

She Deserves Better (Amazon)

Systems of Abuse: A Guide to Recognizing Toxic Behavior Patterns www.wildernesstowild.com/systems-of-abuse-a-guide-to-recognizing-toxic-behavior-patterns/wmurs

Your confidence can be rooted in things that will never change and truths about yourself that you may struggle to believe but will never cease to be true.

Sonata spoke about different skills that go into loving others romantically and platonically.

Spoke with Sarah Sorenson about how she handled sharing her mental health while dating , how her now husband responded to it and how it's effected her marriage.

Has God promised you something and its taking so long that you have started to question God or if you even interpreted it correctly in the first place? You're not alone. There are so many people in the bible that have experienced something similar to that and can understand the struggle in the waiting.

Can Christians dance with each other...? Is Dancing a sin? For whatever reason some churches have different views on dancing. In this episode, we talk about dancing in scripture and how dancing can reflect communication and relationships.

Lauren's Socials: @laurenmatthues

Website: Laurenmathues.com

If you are a human you know how hard it is to wait. This episode is somewhat of a lament but hopefully an encouragement in the wait.

A chat about the evolution of woman reading their word, where to start if you haven't, and different resources to help.

Wiggy's Socials : @thewordwithwiggy

Youtube: WiggyTV

When we have a better understanding of what to expect from life and from the world it can make things more bearable and id even say easier. One of those things we have to understand is suffering.

Socials: @theparallelpod

In this episode Corey & Kiana speak about the transition to abstinence, how they prepared for marriage, and newlywed adjustments.

Socials: Instagram & Tiktok : @clhgreene & Keekz.co

Books to Prepare for Relationships: https://www.amazon.com/shop/clhgreene?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsfshop_aipsfclhgreene_VVFHXS11DQTX4DXYB5K7

The answer should be no...but why? Knowing the "why" behind things helps with follow through so thats what we'll be talking about today.

Socials: @theparallelpod

Michaela shares her story of how her sexualized childhood shaped her worldview and how the Lord redeemed it all.

Michaela's Social Media: @michaelanikolaenko

Parallel : @theparallelpod

Wisdom is always looking to be found and with wisdom comes wise decisions and less opportunity for unnecessary heartbreak.

Socials: @theparallelpod

Your beauty is not for your gain alone but an opportunity to attract people to Christ.

PARALLEL MERCH - https://theparallelpod.myshopify.com/collections/all

Follow - @theparallelpod

Christians should be having the best sex because it was literally made for us. In this episode, Angela speaks about how to cultivate a healthy sex life for all stages of marriage and even conversations before.

Angela's social : The Christian Sexpert

Tiktok: @thechristians_xpert

Merch info for the giveaway and PRE ORDERS

Indulging in the same sin struggles is not an activity to do with your Christian friends. It's a wasted opportunity to be the church to each other. To love well, to hold each other accountable.

In this episode myself and the HILARIOUS Shama Mrema speak about his success, discipleship in dating, kite flying and more

https://www.shamamrema.com

Shama Mrema's Socials : @shama4realz

Christian can be so scared of sinning that we miss out on appropriate ways of being intimate without having sex. In todays episode I speak about a few ways to cultivate non sexual intimacy.

@theparallelpod

Yes, the wait for anything is hard but could it be more bearable if we keep our eyes on the one who is shepherding us through it all?

The garden on Eden is where it all started and the bible uses metaphors that relate to our lives and how we should live to gardening. We speak about how Jerrold came to have this talent and how it's impacted his relationship with the Lord.

@beyondorganicgardening

There are questions that need answers and I speak about the most important questions to be asking early on in Christian dating.

Tik Tok Dating Questions - https://www.tiktok.com/@theparallelpod/video/7151479170688716075?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7124034749036168747

Link to @girldefined questions - https://www.instagram.com/p/CivlMyaPAi8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

"God told me we shouldn't date" The Christian dating space can help filter out some of the unfit bachelors...but it can also be as toxic as any other dating space.

Detox Christian Dating - https://www.amazon.com/Detox-Christian-Dating-Examination-Detoxification/dp/0578935988/ref=asc_df_0578935988/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564689542723&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5153585037336475686&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011759&hvtargid=pla-1463537013984&psc=1

Even in the striving to be more like Christ in every way, in a world that derives worth from work, we are still called to rest...

Song List: Communion - Maverick and Steffany Gretzinger , Finally Found It - Austin David, “A God Who Sees” by Jason Upton , Closer - sang by Amanda Cook, My Soul Sings - Dante Bowe, Safe Retreat by Kings Kaleidoscope

Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1WWkwF5UEdceb7MwNT3oXA?si=6c015b45932245ea

This episode addresses Meghans mindset behind having an abnormal number of kids in this day and age and different things that come with the territory...and we get a cute interruption at the end of the episode haha

Socials - @meghanjoytoday

Blog - Meghanjoyyancy.com

Visual episode https://youtu.be/tOoHL3MPqtA