Smiling at the Future

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

A lifetime of faithful service to the Lord as a single woman, 79 year old Betty Price answers the following questions: Looking back on your single life, what are the greatest blessings you have experienced? How did you stay committed to ministering to people instead of becoming the stereotypical "cat" lady?  How would you encourage a single woman who finds herself struggling with the aging process? Did you ever reach a point where you realized that God did not have marriage for you, and what did coming to terms with that look like? During the course of your single years, in what ways have you been able to serve the church? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

Returning guests Hohn and Heather Cho tackle this nuanced topic by answering the following questions: What are the potential issues and dynamics in a relationship when there is a significant age gap? How do couples maneuver the issue of having children when there is an age gap? How do you handle others' biases / concerns when there is an age difference? What if parents or family members do not support the relationship because of race? And what tips do you have for raising kids in a culturally blended family? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

Jocelyn encourages us that it is possible to take our thoughts captive, and answers the following questions: When thoughts feel uncontrollable, is it possible to build habits to direct the thoughts we think? How should we deal with the guilt that comes from a fearful or sinful thought? If thoughts keep us up at night, how can we calm our minds before we sleep? Smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Jocelyn's podcast, "Joyful Journey": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joyful-journey/id1544666986 Recommended Resources: "Controlling Your Thoughts" CD Lesson: https://store.faithlafayette.org/browse-by-topic/christian-life-and-growth/general/controlling-your-thoughts-audio-cd/ "In the Arena of the Mind" book by John Vandergriff: https://store.faithlafayette.org/browse-by-topic/bible-study/in-the-arena-of-the-mind/ "Think Biblically" book by John MacArthur: https://www.gty.org/store/books/451208S/think-biblically- "Mindscape" book by Timothy Witmer https://www.amazon.com/Mindscape-Think-About-Instead-Worrying/dp/1939946719/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JOV4KWTXKYRL&keywords=mindscape+book&qid=1658713014&sprefix=mindscape+book%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1

Christi's brother's, Nate and David, join the discussion on sibling friendships and answer questions such as: How can siblings transition well from childhood into adulthood in how the interact and treat each other? How should you evangelize unsaved siblings? How can a sister exhort her brother when she sees sin in his life? How can you be an encouragement to siblings with children? And how can siblings share the care load for aging family members? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

Lisa Hughes, author of the book "Unmet Expectations," shares how we can biblically handle the disappointments and thwarted plans in our lives. She answers questions such as: is it wrong to have expectations? If we have expectations of other people, should we voice those? How do we handle the disappointment that comes when we don't live up to our own expectations? And how should single women handle the feelings of compounded unmet expectations of not being married or having a family?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Lisa's Book "Unmet Expectations" https://www.amazon.com/Unmet-Expectations-Lisa-Hughes/dp/1633422437/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18RWLB9N508IN&keywords=unmet+expectations+lisa+hughes&qid=1656281973&sprefix=unmet+ex%2Caps%2C576&sr=8-1

Informative for women (as well as and helpful guidance for men!), Chris candidly shares what he advises men to be looking for in a woman as they seek marriage. He answers questions such as: What do you tell men about the process of "looking for a wife"? What should every man be looking for? What are areas where every man may NOT be looking for the same thing? And are looks, intelligence, education, career or shared interests important? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Lynne Brown discusses how loneliness can strike in any season of life, but especially during singleness. She brings gospel truth to bear when answering the following questions: How can I handle the loneliness I feel when attending weddings and showers? What truths of Scripture should I meditate on when feeling alone? How should I respond to the loneliness that grows from others not being in the same life season? How should I cope with the loneliness I experience after a break-up?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com "Smiling At The Future" Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VDsn8RqjdBA8zN3CdBGpN?si=twbdrEW0Rpa0GFPEfxDF2w Book Recommendation: "The Path of Loneliness" by Elizabeth Elliot

Here to launch us into season two, Pastor Kurt and his wife Julie address how Christian dating is different from dating in the world, how important mentorship is in the dating process, and how to lessen the pressure found in some Christian dating cultures. Along the way they offer practical encouragement for how the gospel and our hope in Christ are the foundation for finding peace in the challenges of singleness, or any period of life.  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Dating Talk by Kurt Gebhards: "8 Tactics for Spousal Acquisition"https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/2136?fbclid=IwAR090dOguGgjbMGTuSfdQtHE6pb40-qDun4SpQmgY4CcfX1kAYCjwjXJpT4 Dating Series by Kurt Gebhards: https://www.gracechurch.org/sermons/series/305

Just a quick announcement about the podcast!  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com