Smiling at the Future

Father to three grown daughters, and chairman of the elder board at Grace Community Church, Chris Hamilton answers the following questions in a clear and biblical way: What should I look for as marks of maturity in his spiritual walk? How do I know if he is ready to be a provider? Does the kind of job he has matter? How will I know if he is a wise steward of his finances? What should I look for in how he interacts and treats others? What sins do I need to mortify before I can get married? 

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Janie Street brings her wealth of biblical counseling experience and study of the Bible to this discussion as she answers questions such as: What are misconceptions that Christians believe about forgiveness? What language should you use when asking for forgiveness? What role do our emotions play in the forgiveness process? Should you offer your trust after a repeated offense? Where do you see that couples struggle most in the forgiveness process? And how do you handle the guilt that comes from remembering a past offense? 

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Single motherhood is a journey that both Sarah and Erika have walked. In this episode, they share wisdom for both single mothers and for those who can come alongside and help; listen to them answer these questions: What do you wish others knew about what it is like to be a single mother? Where should a single mother get plugged in at church? How does one become two parents? And how should a single mother address the fear of "why would a man want to take me on with kids?" 

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Recommended Resources: 

The Elizabeth Elliot Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-elisabeth-elliot-podcast/id1537596556

"Women Counseling Women" by Elyse Fitzpatrick 

"What Does the Bible Say About Parenting?" By John MacArthur 

"Everyday Talk: Talking Freely and Naturally about God with your Children" by John Younts 

"Christian Living in the Home" By Jay Adams

"The Path of Loneliness" by Elizabeth Elliot 

ACBC Counseling: https://biblicalcounseling.com/

"Help! I'm a Single Mom" Carol Trahan

Christi's brother, Nate, joins the podcast today to share simple strategies for online safety that you might not be aware of: choosing secure passwords, limiting information that apps collect, and knowing what information you should not post on social media.  

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Recommended Resources: 

Credit Karma: https://www.creditkarma.com/auth/logon

Last Pass: https://www.lastpass.com/

Josh and Liz share their story of how God brought them together, and answer questions such as: What are the differing views on divorce and re-marriage among Christians? What questions should you ask someone to discern if their divorce was biblical? What questions should you ask their church leadership to vet their character? What kinds of reactions can you anticipate from other believers when they find out you are dating someone who has been divorced, and how can you be gracious in your responses? And what were the unexpected blessings that you experienced?

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Recommended Resources

"The Divorce Dilemma" by John MacArthur

"Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage" by Jim Newheiser

George has a unique perspective on finances from his years as a counselor, and offers wisdom on the following questions: What are common struggles married couples have with money, and what can single women do now to prevent those future conflicts? How can someone get their spending habits under control? How can we become "cheerful givers"? And what are hazards that women should watch out for when getting involved in social-networking jobs?

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In this requested episode, Janet Aucoin answers many relevant questions surrounding anxiety such as: Is it wrong for Christians to take medication for anxiety? How do we navigate hormonal ups and downs as it relates to anxiety? Is it better to counsel or listen when someone is struggling with anxiety? When should someone reach out for help, and who should they go to?

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Book Recommended: "Anxious for Nothing" by John MacArthur 

Joyful Journey Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joyful-journey/id1544666986

Janie brings her wealth of biblical counseling experience and study of the Bible to this discussion as she answers questions such as: How does the principle that "love covers a multitude of sins" apply to conflict resolution? Does the existence of conflict always mean there is sin involved? When should you walk away from a conflict? And when should you seek mediation in a conflict? 

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Books Recommended: 

"Resolving Conflict" By Lou Priolo 

Married 28 years, parents to 11 children, and Chad and Jenise still have the spark! They bring excitement and wisdom to this discussion on relationships through questions such as: Why is it important to "win" the family and friends of the one you love? How can you keep your relationship vibrant? How can women encourage godly masculinity in the men around them? When should you ask about purity and pornography?And why is it important to take a risk in pursing a relationship? 

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https://howtowinaheart.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCztQCPP0fVADcB1j4LRXDkA

https://theachademy.com/

https://farmhousecandleshop.com/

Starting with the Biblical grounds for self-defense, John and Charissa move through questions such as: what precautions should I take if I hike or jog alone? What should I look for in a self-defense class? What self-defense tools should I use? And what can I do to make my home more protected? 

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