Smiling at the Future

Darrell Harrison joins this episode to shed light on the following questions: Do you think someone who is frustrated with the downsides of social media should give up on it altogether? What steps do you think through before you post something on social media? How do you recommend that people limit their time on these platforms? Do you have guiding principles for how you choose what entertainment to view? What place should entertainment have in a Christian’s life? How would you encourage a Christian to show grace to another brother / sister in Christ with a different perspective on entertainment? What questions about entertainment should a lady ask the man she is dating? And do you think this is an area they need to have the same convictions on? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Darrell's website: justthinking.me Darrell's Recommended Resources: With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ – A. Craig Troxel The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin – Kris Lundgaard Disciplines of a Godly Man – R. Kent Hughes The Fulfilled Family – John MacArthur The Gospel & Pornography – Russell Moore and Andrew T. Walker Depression, Anxiety, and the Christian Life: Practical Wisdom from Richard Baxter – Michael S. Lundy, MD Communion with God – John Owen Keeping the Heart – John Flavel God’s Battle Plan for the Mind: The Puritan Practice of Biblical Meditation – David W. Saxton The Duty of Self-Denial – Thomas Watson

Pastor Chris Mueller helps us understand the important quality of sensibility by answering the following questions: What is sensibility as defined by Scripture? Why is the way you think important for your spiritual life? What does sensibility look like played out in a dating relationship? How does being sensible affect our emotions? What would sensibility look like practically lived out in the life of a godly man? And what are practical ways we can grow in sensibility?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637  Chris Mueller's Church: https://www.faith-bible.net/ Series of messages Chris gave from 1985:  Let The Women Be Women: https://media.faith-bible.net/audio/vintage/women-be-women/ Let The Men Be Men: https://media.faith-bible.net/audio/vintage/men-be-men/ Book Recommendations: "Let The Men Be Men" - https://a.co/d/7NPdpN5 "Let The Women Be Women" - https://a.co/d/3B7p9pY

Pastor Jerry Wragg brings a balance of comfort and conviction to the following discouragements that singles face: What truth can you offer women who are experiencing loneliness? How would you encourage the woman who sees a lack of marriage-minded men in her context? How would you direct the single woman who is unsure where and how to invest her life outside of the defined roles of wife and mom? What hope can you offer the woman who is losing heart in the waiting? How would you recommend women to be praying during this season of singleness? What exhortation would you give to the men listening?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Lara McVicker and Heather Wiebe jump into the discussion to share their wisdom on how to support a bride as a bridesmaid during the wedding planning process by answering the following questions: How should we think about the role of being a bridesmaid? How can we honor God when we face the disappointment of expecting to be asked to be a bridesmaid and are not? How can you interact with the bride if you have certain convictions on modesty? How should we think about spending and how can we have those conversations with the bride if finances are tight? How can we point our friend to Christ throughout the logistics of the wedding planning process? How can we encourage the bride even when geographically far away? How can we practice rejoicing with those who rejoice when we ourselves long for marriage? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Returning guest Chris Hamilton unpacks this topic by answering the following questions: How far into the dating process should you get others involved in vetting a man's character, and is this an ongoing process? If a lady doesn't have believing family members she can turn to for help in discerning a man's character, how should she go about seeking this out? Would "vetting" look different in a long-distance relationship? How can you extend grace, understanding that no one is perfect, while still being discerning? Are there questions the lady can ask that may give insight into the man's heart? Do you have any advice for how the woman can stay sensible / sound-minded in a relationship? How do we stay humble ourselves in the vetting process, not assuming in our hearts that we deserve the perfect man, and not viewing ourselves more highly than we ought? Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Lynne Brown and Teri White bring clarity to this topic on matchmaking and set-ups by answering the following questions: Do you think there is a need for this in the church, and should people really engage with setting people up? How much involvement should the "matchmaker" have in the set-up process? How can "matchmakers" help to make the set-up situation as low pressure as possible? Why should a woman be open to being set-up as a way to meet a spouse? What attitude and mindset should the lady have when walking into a set-up / blind date? And what encouragement would you give the lady who doesn't get a second date after being set-up?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com  Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Lisa has counseled hundreds of college students through the process of education, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in answering the following questions: What are wise and unwise motivations for pursing education? What factors need to be considered in this pursuit? What are the pros & cons of pursuing higher education for women who desire to be married someday? If pursing degrees would limit the ability to do ministry in the church, is it still worth it? How do you deal with the fears that your level of education would scare away the men in your life? For women who have chosen not to pursue education, how do you avoid comparing yourself with others?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com   Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 

Two feminine and courageous women, Lynne Brown and Ann Bradley, join the conversation to discuss the roles God has designed for women and to shed light on the fallacies of feminism by answering the following questions: Where did feminism have it's roots? Can you help us understand what it means to be a "helper," and how singe women can live out this role also? Can you shed light on the biblical role of "submission"? How can we realign with God's word on gender roles, and live this out with boldness in a society that is so against God's design?  And how can women encourage biblical masculinity in the men around them?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com  Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637

Passionate and intentional, Tom and Dawn model how to live out the gospel proclamation by answering the following questions: How do you build friendships with unbelievers in order to share the gospel with them? Should people share their faith in the workplace? What are the obstacles that keep people from sharing the gospel? How should we measure "success" in evangelism conversations? How do you use tracts in your evangelism?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Recommended Resources:  "Jesus Cares for Women" by Helene Ashker "One Verse Evangelism" The Navigators  "Ultimate Questions" by John Blanchard

Fellow podcaster and author of the book "Redeeming Productivity,"  Reagan Rose helps us understand that our productivity matters to God, and increases our motivation to live for God's glory by answering the following questions: What does it mean to glorify God, and how is our productivity tied to this? What suggestions do you have for helping us be more productive in our morning routines? What "unfair" advantages do Christian's have in being productive? Why should Christians be proactive in using their spiritual gifts, and do those gifts have an impact on other areas of life beyond the church? Do you have tips for how to set attainable goals? Why are heavenly rewards a reason given in scripture to be more productive in this life? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Reagan's website: redeemingproductivity.com Reagan's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redeeming-productivity/id1476403107 Recommended Books: "Redeeming Productivity" by Reagan Rose  "Do More Better" by Tim Challies  "Redeeming Your Time" by Jordan Raynor

In her 80 years of life Betty Price has learned how to cultivate a thankful heart. She shares these insights by answering the following questions: What is the connection between being thankful, and being sound minded? Why is thankfulness such an integral part of our worship? How do we pray "with thanksgiving"? How can we give thanks in everything? And what steps can we take to grow in thankfulness? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Recommended Resources "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss "The Gospel Primer" by Milton Vincent "Growing in Gratitude" by Mary Mohler

Biblical counselor Janet Aucoin shares practical wisdom on communication by answering the following questions: Why does our speech matter so much to God? How do we know the line between complaining, and sharing the real struggles about our lives with others? Do you have helpful ways you steer the conversation if it is verging towards gossip? What are areas of communication that are helpful to fine-tune in preparation for marriage? Do you have any tips for how to graciously accept a compliment? What are questions that you can ask a trusted mentor to help you understand where your communication is lacking and needs improvement? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Janet's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joyful-journey/id1544666986 Recommended Resources: "Words that Hurt Words that Heal" by Carole Mayhall "When Words Matter Most" by Caroline Newheiser and Cheryl Marshall "In the Arena of the Mind" by John Vandegriff "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer "Gospel Primer" by Milton Vincent 

Biblical counselor Jocelyn Wallace helps bring comfort and direction to how we understand and steward time during this busy time of year by answering the following questions: How does it glorify God when we understand our "finiteness" and God's infiniteness? What is the difference between being busy, and being diligent? Do you have tips for how to graciously say "no" to a request? What encouragement can you offer the woman who is weary and worn down with "busyness"? Do you have time-saving systems you use to keep life organized? How can we understand and enjoy resting without feeling guilty? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Vision of Hope Treatment Center: https://www.faithlafayette.org/voh Jocelyn's session on dealing with burnout: https://store.faithlafayette.org/browse-by-topic/christian-life-and-growth/contentment-satisfaction/helping-ladies-who-are-burned-out-with-all-their-responsibilities/

In this conversation, Sophie Southerden takes a deep dive into the theology behind food and body image by answering the following questions: What is the biblical perspective and purpose for why God designed us to live in physical bodies? How do we balance stewarding our bodies so that we don't end up in either the ditch of obsessing or neglecting them? If someone struggles in their relationship with food, how can they overcome those addictions? How do you help a friend who is struggling in this area?  Is obesity a sin? And how would you encourage a woman who thinks she will not be able to get married if she is overweight? Support $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=62433637 smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Biblical Counselors https://biblicalcounseling.com/ Vision of Hope Treatment Center: https://www.faithlafayette.org/voh "The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness" Timothy Keller "Love to Eat Hate to Eat" Elyse Fitzpatrick

My brother, Nate Rose, explains how to have a tactful and winsome approach in evangelism by answering the following questions: How do you grow your compassion for the lost- specifically strangers? How do you keep the right mindset in evangelism to keep the urgency, while also trusting God's sovereignty? Do you always have to share the whole gospel message in one conversation? How do you start evangelistic conversations with strangers? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Recommended Resources: "The Name Book": https://www.amazon.com/Name-Book-Meanings-Spiritual-Significance/dp/0764205668/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IWHX7L1QJNPA&keywords=the+name+book&qid=1668382503&sprefix=the+name+book+%2Caps%2C329&sr=8-1 "Tactics in Defending the Faith" DVD course and workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Tactics-Study-Guide-Updated-Expanded/dp/0310130573/ref=asc_df_0310130573/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509467422400&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1076170143209907039&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031151&hvtargid=pla-1324417857244&psc=1

Hiding God's word in her heart has been a faithful pursuit for Susan, and she shares her wisdom with us on the following questions: Why should we put the effort into memorizing Scripture when we can "google" a verse? Why do you advocate for memorizing an entire chapter or book over individual verses? Which Bible translation is best to memorize from? Do you have any tips for making Bible memory easier? How do you review what you have already memorized? If someone doesn't know where to start, what chapter or book would you direct them to? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support $5 per month: patreon.com/user?u=62433637 Susan Recommended the Following chapters and books to memorize: Psalm 42 - If you're struggling with Depression Psalm 51 - If you're struggling with life-dominating sins Psalm 145 - If you want to focus on God - 16 attributes of God Colossians 3 - "Put off, put on" chapter Philippians 4 - Keys to contentment, and ways to pray when we are anxious Books of the Bible to memorize: Colossians, James, Philippians, 1 John.

Insurance expert Daniel Clarke will hold your attention with his answers to the following questions: What is the balance for Christians between purchasing insurance, and trusting God's sovereignty? What types of insurance should ladies have beyond what their employer offers? Do single people need life insurance? Do stay-at-home-mom's need life insurance? If someone works part-time and doesn't qualify for health insurance, where would you direct them? Do people who rent need renter's insurance? How should someone set up a living trust? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Daniel's insurance company: https://greyhawkinsurance.com/ Daniel's Insurance Podcast: Risky Assets | Podcasts on Audible | Audible.com

In this episode Chris Hamilton unpacks the biblical mandate of honoring our parents as adult children, and also answers the following questions: How does our relationship with our parents change over the span of our lifetime from cradle to grave? Parents may have certain expectations for their children in regards to their education, career, who they should marry, and where they should live.  How can a daughter communicate differences in these areas to her parents in a way that is still respectful? For those with unbelieving parents, or those who have a challenging relationship with their parents, how would you encourage them and how can they still build up those relationships? If you don't agree with a decision your parents make, or they are doing something sinful, how should you exhort them? Looking to the future, what counsel would you give a woman for how she can cultivate her relationships with her in-laws? Smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com For parents: Chris Hamilton on "Parenting Adult Children": https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/12345

Rick and Kim Holland are a dynamic couple passionate about discipleship. They share their wisdom on the following questions: How do I weigh biblical qualifications vs. the Christian ideal in choosing who to date and marry? What areas do women have on their "husband checklist" that do not matter in the long run? What does it look like to let men initiate a relationship? Why do you think Christian singles are waiting longer to date and marry? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Rick Holland's Dating Series: https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/series/300

Returning guest Liz Tittel brings compassion and biblical clarity to this discussion on recovering from a breakup by answering the following questions: How would you encourage someone who is adjusting BACK to singleness after a breakup? How would you advise someone who has experienced a breakup, but still has regular contact with that person? How would you encourage someone who was never given a clear reason for the breakup, and is left living with that uncertainty? How would you direct someone to be using their time following a breakup instead of filling it with entertainment or distractions? What if the person is struggling with thoughts like, “I will never find someone again like____"? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Book Recommendation: Picking up the Pieces by Lou Priolo: https://www.amazon.com/Picking-Up-Pieces-Recovering-Relationships/dp/1596383801/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MT89BQY141DS&keywords=picking+up+the+pieces&qid=1662131371&sprefix=picking+up+the+piec%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1 Previous Episode on Breakups: https://anchor.fm/christi13/episodes/30--False-Starts-Navigating-Rejection-and-Breakups-with-Lynne-Brown-e11orq7 Previous Episode on Forgiveness: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rhy0UkTt1sb