Smiling at the Future

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

Pastor Philip De Courcy charts us through the murky waters of indecision by answering the following questions: God has given us the stewardship of making decisions in life, but can you expand on the blessing and challenge this presents? What are common reasons behind indecision? Should someone seek to have "peace" before moving forward with a decision? When is it appropriate to take a step of faith? What posture should we have before the Lord when making decisions? If I make a decision that doesn't turn out so well, am I now living God's “second best?” Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.comEmail: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024“Off Color” Series by Philip De Courcy: https://ktt.org/sermons/series/off-colorRecommended Books: “How to Know God’s Will” by Wayne Grudem “Decisions Made Simple” by Tim Chester“Found God’s Will” by John MacArthur Related Episodes: 85. Navigating Decisions with Chris Hamilton 48. How to Make Decisions with Chris Hamilton 

Author Pam Hardy helps us hold onto reality and hope at the same time by answering the following questions: What are reasons people tend to lose hope? How is hope cultivated in a believer's life? Should believer's hope for things in this life, or is our hope only on eternal matters? If someone loses their balance in the area of hope, what are the symptoms they may see? If someone doesn't have a firm grasp on reality, how might this negatively affect their life and decisions? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.comEmail: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024Pam Hardy’s Book: “Keeping Your Balance: Navigating Wisely Through the Challenges of Life” 

Returning guest Lynne Brown addresses the common struggles of feeling left behind in life by answering the following questions: How can we avoid comparison to our peers when they seem to be moving effortlessly through life and we feel stuck? How do you answer the “What’s new?” question when nothing is new? How can those getting married later in life navigate the imbalance of having children later in life, or being in the newlywed class with couples much younger than them? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.comEmail: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024Lynne Brown’s Newsletter “Faith: A Refusal to Panic”: https://lynnemariebrown.substack.com/

Pastor Smedly Yates sharpens our perspective on those seasons of waiting by answering the following questions: Why does God have us wait, and what is He accomplishing in us through waiting? How should Christians wait? What are wrong ways people respond to waiting? How can we grow in embracing delayed gratification? And how can we enjoy and trust God’s plan when we are longing for something else? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.comEmail: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024Smedly’s book: Wait: Waiting on God in a World that Won’t Wait 

In this second episode on keeping Christ central in the home, biblical counselor Marie Clark highlights the relationships and roles within the family by answering the following questions: Why is it important for Christians to understand their God-given roles and how to live them out for the harmony of the family?  How do you go about developing a family culture? How do you keep practices like praying before a meal from becoming simply ritualistic? How would you encourage the woman who has a more passive husband in leading the family spiritually? Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.comEmail: smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024