Smiling at the Future

Returning guest Chris Hamilton brings helpful clarity to questions couples may have during engagement such as: What are the contents and benefits of premarital counseling? What are the different topics that should be discussed during an engagement stage as opposed to the dating phase? What advice would you give a couple considering elopement? How should a couple navigate “cold feet” if one or both experience this during engagement? What are appropriate reasons to break off an engagement? Can physical boundaries change during engagement? And how can a couple keep their priorities straight during the excitement and busyness of engagement? 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠⁠

Biblical counselor Dr. Ernie Baker shares insights on how couples can grow in relational and communication skills by answering the following questions: What are God-honoring motives for pursuing growth in these two areas? What is the difference between character qualities and relational skills? What are the core areas of communication we need to put intentional effort into improving? What counsel would you give a couple who have different communication styles? What are the common ways that couples stumble regarding conflict resolution? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠⁠

Recommended Resources: 

“Marry Wisely Marry Well” by Dr. Ernie Baker

“Help! I’m in a Conflict” booklet by Ernie Baker 

“Peacemaking for Families” by Ken Sande 

“Marriage Maintenance and Minefield Management” article by Ernie Baker: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2021/04/26/marriage-maintenance-and-minefield-management/

Sarah Dougherty helps us understand the rich meaning and application of the virtue of “kindness” by answering the following questions: what is the biblical definition of kindness, and how is it different from the world’s version? How do we cultivate this fruit of the spirit? Why do we need to be trained how to be kind? And why is it so important that kindness flows from a heart of love? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠⁠

Biblical counselor Greg Gifford brings clarity to understanding the motives of our heart by answering the following questions: Why do our motives matter so much to God? What are questions someone can ask themselves to identify their motives? How should we interact with the tension of mixed motives? What is the process for purifying our motives? And how can we grow in the habit of believing the best of other people’s motives? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠⁠

Recommended Resources: 

Greg Gifford’s website and podcast: Transformed.org 

“Heart and Habits” book by Greg Gifford 

“Motives: Why do I do the things I do” booklet by Ed Welch 

“Suspicion” booklet by Lou Priolo

Google: David Powlison X-Ray Questions 

Dawn Harcus explains the spiritual mothering model laid out in Titus 2 by answering the following questions: We have the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, but why does God incorporate the human element of training into our sanctification? Is spiritual mothering best done in groups or one-on-one? Who is responsible for initiating this relationship? Should a woman have more than one discipler? What character qualities does this Titus 2 passage highlight that should exemplify a spiritual mother? What hindrances do you most commonly see that prevent women from obeying this command? And why is it best to have a real person mentoring you over an online influencer? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠

Recommended Resource: 

“Spiritual Mothering” by Susan Hunt

“Let The Women Be Women” By Chris Mueller 

Lynne Brown walks us through how to recover from failure by answering the following questions: How do we recover in those moments when we fail to live up to our expectations or the expectations of others? When a Christian fails and sins, what is the process of restoration? In what ways does the painful experience of failure serve as a gracious gift from God? And how should we respond when someone we are close with sins against us? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024⁠

Recommended Resources

Lynne Brown’s website: https://lynnemariebrown.com/

Lynne's Email: [email protected]

Recommended Book: “The Gospel Primer” by Milton Vincent 

Pastor Philip De Courcy brings the comfort of God's Word to help us identify and overcome sinful fear by answering the following questions: How do we discern the differences between natural, sinful, and holy fear? How are we as Christians to understand the supposed disconnect between our theology of God’s protection and our experience? What is the antidote to sinful fear? Do you think single women could fit into the category for God's special care and protection for widows? Is there wisdom for a single woman to remain in her father's home if she has the opportunity to? For those women who are prone to being fearful, what passages of Scripture would you direct them to meditate on?

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Recommended Resources:  

"Take Cover: Finding Peace in God's Protection" by Philip DeCourcy 

"Help! I'm Anxious" by Philip DeCourcy 

"Courage: Fighting Fear with Fear" by Wayne and Josh Mack 

"When People Are Big and God is Small" by Edward Welch 

"Anxious For Nothing" by John MacArthur

"Anxiety: Knowing God's Peace" by Paul Tautges 

"Fear: Breaking It's Grip" by Lou Priollo 

"What Are You Afraid Of" by David Jeremiah 

Biblical counselor Hannah Fuller offers encouragement to persevere well through trials by answering the following questions: How does perseverance look different for a Christian, and what fruit is produced when we persevere well? When we are in an extended challenge how do we guard our minds and hearts from despair? How do we persevere through the mundane seasons of life? And how can we grow in our ability to encourage each other? 

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: ⁠https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Chris Hamilton shares the wisdom in seeking counsel by answering the following questions: what are the areas of life where counsel is useful? How many counselors should someone have in their life? What are the characteristics of a discerning counselor? What are the types of questions you should ask when seeking counsel? What weight should counsel have on your decisions? How do you process through conflicting counsel? Is it ever wise to go against counsel? How should a single woman go about seeking a male perspective on a life decision? And what is your advice of being able to be a good counselor to others?

Website: smilingatthefuturepodcast.com 

Email: [email protected] 

Support The Podcast: https://donorbox.org/smiling-at-2024

Episode #48 on how to make decisions with Chris Hamilton:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christi13/episodes/48--How-to-Make-Decisions-with-Chris-Hamilton-e1en522/a-a7f1tpq