Simplify Complexity: Christian Relationship Advice & Help

Sometimes you just need a quick encouragement to carry you through your day, or in this case your weekend. Our Weekend Snippets take key talking points from past episodes to highlight relationship principles you can carry into your weekend.

This week we want to highlight one of our most searched relationship episodes. Is the Wife Obligated to Cook for Her Husband? The discussion will start at the 7:00 minute mark, and will focus on communicating relationship assumptions to avoid relationship misunderstandings. Feel free to listen to the whole episode or just enjoy the snippet.

Do you have a favorite moment from one of our past shows? We want to hear from you. Contact us with an episode that has blessed you for a future Weekend Snippet.

Hosted By Pastor Brian Wallace and Keonte McDonald.

The post Weekend Snippet #01: Communicating Relationship Assumptions appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

Marriage requires a lot. For a relationship to be successful one must be willing to give to the relationship what it needs. Sometimes this means compromise, sacrifice, and/or putting a side personal goals. Yet, overtime as a person continues to give in this way, they can also begin to lose touch with other important desires or dreams they once had. These feelings can become overwhelming if ignored, feelings as though you’re losing yourself in your marriage?

In this podcast episode we want to discuss the feelings of losing yourself in a marriage. No matter what you are going through know that you are more than a husband or wife. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of being reminded of who you are in Christ. You are more than a husband or wife, a mother or father. You are more than your career or economic status.

Hosted By Pastor Brian Wallace and Keonte McDonald

Photo Copyright by Kevin Carden 123rf Photos

The post The Challenge of Losing Yourself in a Marriage appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

There is little doubt that money is important. So, is it bad to only date those who have money? There are those who are passionate about this subject, and give compelling arguments to why one should only date those who are financially well off. There are also those who would say “only” dating someone of a certain economic status is shallow. Does it matter? Should money be a factor when choosing whom to date or marry?

This question was posed by a listener to who reached out to us on social media. He stated…

I’m a listener to your podcast. Can you guys talk about money and relationships on any upcoming shows? I make 6 figures and aggressively pushing for 7 figures. But when it comes to dating, should a guy aim for a woman who makes equivalent to what he makes or more? Or should money not be a factor when looking for a mate? I know some woman look for a guy who’s “ballin”. So is it bad for a a guy to do the same? I’m not sure what the Bible says about this… lol

In this podcast episode, we take a hard look at what role should money play when choosing whom to date or marry. God does have something to say about this subject. On one hand you don’t want to dismiss someone’s character and positional to be an amazing spouse sole on their economic status. Yet, that doesn’t mean you completely dismiss how much a person makes or their ability to make sound financial choices.

If you have a question please writes us, because we want to hear from you. You can do so by going to the website or reaching us on social media. Finally, If you are interested in having the 2020 Chasing Happily Ever After relationship Conference at your church please contact us with your churches information.

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace and Keonte McDonald

Image Copyright by Roman Samborskyi / 123RF Photos

The post What Role should Money Play when Choosing whom to Date or Marry? appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

There are often two types of approaches when people are searching for a mate; those who have a clear idea of what they want in a future spouse, and those who play it by ear, more open to different possibilities. Is a list of wants realistic? I believe both approaches have their positives and negatives.

On one hand having an idea of what you are looking for can keep you from falling for any type of person. The truth is when dating there are many bad candidates. Having a clear idea of wants, can help you spot the bad apples and avoid them. Yet on the other hand sometimes people’s lists can cause them to approach relationships superficially. As a result a good candidate could cross their path, but they never give them a chance, because of shallow desires.

In this podcast we want to look at the criteria people set when searching and ask is a list of wants truly realistic when dating. We’ll go in-depth about the positives and negatives. We will also share steps you can take to find balance between the two extremes. Joining us on this episode is special guest D. Jare Campbell the author of The 24 Hour Rule.

We want to hear from you! What has your experience been with lists? Have you found them to help or complicate your pursuit for a spouse?

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace & Guest

Photo Copyright by Juliatim / 123RF Photo

The post Is a List of Wants Realistic when dating? appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

Building platonic friendships is important. In my book, Chasing Happily Ever After, I outline several benefits of platonic friendships and how they help build healthy relationships. Yet, how do you navigate those important friendships when you step out of singleness and into an romantic commitment?

Many relationships and marriages struggle with approaching friendships of the opposite sex. Often this can bring a weird challenging vibe between a couple, as both may have valid points to support their position. This question came from a listener who was dealing with a similar situation…

Hi! I am 20 years old and I have been in a relationship for two years now. This is my first relationship, and I am finding it hard to navigate what is right and what can be potentially dangerous when courting. One thing that I’ve been struggling to understand or accept is my boyfriend hanging out with other women. It isn’t often but I am uncomfortable when the topic arises. I usually am able to accept it in the end, but this time around he wants to catch up with his ex-girlfriend. My question is, is it wrong to be friends with your ex while your in a relationship? What are the dangers of being friends with your ex? What are some boundaries that can be applied to friendships with women? … Am I overthinking this (lol), and what does the bible say about it?

This podcast episode is a second part of a two part series. In the first part we looked at exes, and if a person should remain friends with their ex when in a committed relationship. In this episode we will focus on platonic friendships where there wasn’t a prior romanic connection. How do you navigate friendships of the opposite sex when in a relationship?

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace & Keonte McDonald

Photo Copyright by William Perugini / 123RF Photo

The post Navigating Friendships of the Opposite Sex when in a Relationship appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

There’s a lot to be said about EXES! Sometimes their can be drama centered around an ex, and other times there’s not. Often a question people have surrounding exes is whether they should maintain contact with them when they step into a different relationship. On one hand, a person may feel as a result of their past relationship, a deep friendship was formed. Although they are no longer together, there is a desire to stay in touch. On the other hand, a person may feel because their relationship with their ex was intimate, it’s unhealthy to maintain a connection with them, because they are currently intimate with someone else.

Hi! I am 20 years old and I have been in a relationship for two years now. This is my first relationship, and I am finding it hard to navigate what is right and what can be potentially dangerous when courting. One thing that I’ve been struggling to understand or accept is my boyfriend hanging out with other women. It isn’t often but I am uncomfortable when the topic arises. I usually am able to accept it in the end, but this time around he wants to catch up with his ex-girlfriend. My question is, is it wrong to be friends with your ex while your in a relationship? What are the dangers of being friends with your ex? What are some boundaries that can be applied to friendships with women? … Am I overthinking this (lol), and what does the bible say about it?

In this podcast episode we’ll answer the question, is it okay to stay friends with your EX if in a relationship? Because this is a complex topic we will split it in two. In part two we will look at remaining friends with someone of the opposite sex as a whole while in a relationship. This was a fun topic to discuss, but very important. Good relationships and marriages have been destroyed, because people didn’t approach this subject seriously. If you know someone who could benefit from this subject please share this with them. Did you know we are now on iheartradio? Check it out, and tell your friends.

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace & Keonte McDonald

The post Is it okay to stay friends with your EX if in a relationship? appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

Discussing sex from a biblical perspective can often feel taboo. Yet, not talking about a subject doesn’t help people gain understanding. Are their negative impacts of premarital sex from a Christian perspective? When approaching the subject of sex from a Christian point of view, it’s important to understand God isn’t a prude. God is the creator of SEX. God created sex for a purpose and created it to be pleasurable.

Though God designed sex to be an enjoyable experience, His desire is that it be enjoyed in the constructs of marriage. Most people are aware of this, but not many understand why. What’s so negative about having sex outside of marriage?

I’m excited to welcome special guest, Jay Immanuel, founder of Right to R.E.A.L Love radio podcast, on the show to help us explore the impacts of premarital sex from a Christian male perspective. Our desire is not to beat you upside the head and make people feel guilty if you’re having premarital sex. Rather we just want you to be informed so you can make informed choices.

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace & Jay Immanuel

Photo Copyright by 123rf, Roman Samborskyi

The post Impacts of Premarital Sex from a Christian Male Perspective – Part 2 appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

Discussing sex from a biblical perspective can often feel taboo. Yet, not talking about a subject doesn’t help you gain understanding. When approaching the subject of sex from a Christian point of view, it’s important to understand God isn’t a prude. God is the creator of SEX. God created sex for a purpose and created it to be pleasurable.

Though God designed sex to be an enjoyable experience, His desire is that it be enjoyed in the constructs of marriage. Most people are aware of this, but not many understand why. What’s so negative about having sex outside of marriage?

I’m excited to welcome special guest, Jay Immanuel, founder of Right to R.E.A.L Love radio podcast, on the show to help us explore the impacts of premarital sex from a Christian male perspective. Our desire is not to beat you upside the head and make people feel guilty if you’re having premarital sex. Rather we just want you to be informed so you can make informed choices.

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace & Jay Immanuel

Photo Copyright by 123rf, Roman Samborskyi

The post Impacts of Premarital Sex from a Christian Male Perspective – Part 1 appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

There are people hold a traditional view that men should be the pursuer at the beginning of a relationship. Therefore it is often perceived that a man should pay for the dates since they are trying to win the woman. Yet, cultural traditions are changing. Today some woman are the pursuers in relationships. Therefore, should women pay for dates as they pursue a man? What does it say about a woman if she never offers to pay?

Though we live in a time where dating roles are evolving, many men enjoy being chivalrous. They do so as a way of showing how they value women. In this podcast we take a fun look at the dating tradition of men paying. We ask the question should woman pay for dates. We also talk about the idea of going dutch on dates and what that means.

People feel differently about this topic and we want to hear from you. Please, share you thoughts on this subject in our comment section on the website.

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace & Keonte McDonald

The post Should Women Pay for Dates? appeared first on Simplify Complexity.

Disagreements or arguments are bound to happen within relationships. Though there are varying degrees of disputes. Disagreements are bound to happen, because people are different and have differing points of view that eventually collide. Having an argument is one thing, but how to handle relationship arguments in public is another.

In this podcast we want to share tips to help you avoid relationship arguments in public. What do you do when you find yourself getting upset? What can you do when someone else is starting to get upset? These tips translate regardless if you are in public or not. Remember good communication is a learned behavior. If you know someone who could benefit from this podcast; please share. If you have comments or questions please don’t hesitate to post in our comment section on our main website simplifycomplexity.org.

Hosted by Pastor Brian Wallace & Keonte McDonald

The post How to Handle Relationship Arguments in Public? appeared first on Simplify Complexity.