Smiling at the Future

Lynne Brown returns to help our perspective in dating by answering the following questions: For the woman who is burned out by dating, when should she step back and take a break, and when should she continue to persevere? What are encouraging reminders for the woman who is discouraged by multiple failed relationships? What did God teach you in the ups and downs of dating? What would you tell the woman who is tired of being a disappointment to her family and friends in the area of dating? And what encouragement would you give the woman who has never been on a date or in a relationship? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠

Donna Barlow is a midwife and a mother of 5, and she helps bring clarity to the topic of fertility and children by answering the following questions: Should a single woman go to an OBGYN and have her fertility checked? Or should she wait until she is engaged to look into that area of her health? What are common myths about fertility? If someone has a condition that may impact fertility, how early should they disclose that in a dating relationship? What practical steps can a single woman do to help her fertility and hormones? What would you tell a woman who doesn’t have a strong desire to have children? Should couples seek to have children right away after marriage? For a woman who is thinking about freezing her eggs, what should she consider before a decision like that? And what comfort can you offer to women who are beyond child-bearing years? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠

Chris Hamilton addresses some common concerns surrounding money in a marriage relationship by answering the following questions: What do you see are common struggles married couples have with money, and what can single women do now to prevent those future conflicts? What attitude should a woman have when she submits to her husband’s leadership in this area? For a dating couple, who should pay for the date? And if the couple is in a long-distance relationship, is it appropriate or even expected for the man to help with the woman's travel expenses? In marriage is there a principle for who should handle the money? How do men and women think differently about money? And for a married couple who wants to keep their finances separate, what biblical wisdom can you offer on that decision?Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Marie Clark helps us see how subtly manipulation can show up in our communication by answering the following questions: How would people manipulate others without fully realizing it? What is the opposite of manipulation that we are called to put on? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Biblical counselor Marie Clark helps us understand manipulation and navigate manipulative people by answering the following questions: What does a godly response to manipulation look like? What character flaws make is easier for someone to manipulate you? How do we know if something is flattery or sincere praise? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Pastor's wife Pam Hardy encourages us in our prayer life by answering the following questions: There is a temptation to approach prayer with an attitude of guilt.  What mindset should the believer seek to cultivate instead? If God knows everything, why does He want to listen to us? Why did Jesus pray, and how can that help us understand prayer and our need to pray? What is the value of praying with others one-on-one or in a group setting? What are practical considerations for before and during our prayer time? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Pastor, biblical counselor, and author Deepak Reju walks us through his book on the topic of why women settle for men with major sin issues by answering the following questions: What inspired you to write a book about women “settling”? Women are sometimes accused of being too picky, but how do we know when the flaws outlined in your book are big enough to break off a relationship? What concerns would you have for a woman who is dating a “passive” man? What would a life look like being yoked to the “unteachable” man? How would you convince the woman to break off a relationship with the “commitment-phobic” man? And how would you encourage women who feel like all the good guys are taken and are disheartened by the current dating landscape? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024Deepak Reju's book: "She's Got the Wrong Guy: Why Smart Women Settle" https://a.co/d/1rwIhLK

Pastor Jonny Ardavanis provides helpful clarity to the gift of singleness by answering the following questions: What is the gift of singleness and what are common misconceptions about this gift? How can we maintain a balanced view of both the gift of singleness and the gift of marriage, and why is that important? Extended singleness has become more common even in the church.  How can we think biblically about this trend? There is a temptation for people to be critical of members of the opposite sex in how they steward their singleness or relationships.  How can we guard against that spirit of resentment, and have a Christ-like perspective instead? How would you encourage a single woman to cultivate a desire for marriage, while also not making it an idol? What are ways you've seen Christian women leverage their singleness? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024Jonny's Ministry and Podcast: https://dialinministries.org/

Drawing from biblical wisdom and real-life experience, Lynne Brown and Ann Bradley offer guidance to help women better understand and value the men in their lives by addressing these key questions: What are misconceptions that women have about men? What are common ways men misunderstand women, and how can knowing this help women respond better to them? Can you explain the importance of respect in dealing with men? How can you respond if there is a man in your life that you do not respect? And can you help us understand the strengths for the different “types” of men? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com Email: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-202430 Day Respect Challenge: https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/30-day-respect-challenge/?srsltid=AfmBOoo_65FCJ-3Pmww3ipzOKwt9OgIIwglM4eZEBchMz_mFCV78195d

Author and speaker Lydia Brownback answers the following questions from her book about singleness: Why is it important to get beyond the constant speculation of “why” we are still single? How can we be encouraged when our social stability changes as friends get married and move into different seasons of life? What would you tell the woman who is doing everything right to try and get married and despite her best efforts, she is still single? How can a better grasp of God’s sovereignty help the woman who is fearful she will miss an opportunity for meeting her future husband, or thinks she may have already passed him up? What would you tell the woman who is forcing herself to be attracted to someone, or simply grasping at an available man for fear that he may be her last chance at marriage? Sometimes single women can refrain from particular activities, purchases, or pursuits because they are afraid that going ahead with them will entrench them in a life of singleness, or they are waiting for the “bridal shower.” What are concrete steps a woman can take to break out of that mindset?Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.comEmail: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024Lydia's Books: "Fine China Is For Single Women Too" https://a.co/d/6UfonPa"Finding God In My Loneliness" https://a.co/d/fVmsGdA