The Boundless Show

Casual versus intentional dating, plus Joshua Rogers finds God in his marriage, and being the only single friend in your circle.

Featured musical artist: Mosaic MSC

Roundtable: Casual Dating Vs. Searching for a Spouse

How soon is too soon to wonder if they’re “the one”? Should dating be easy, breezy and low commitment — or should it be a serious and measured pursuit? Our guests weigh in on their own experiences with casual and more intentional relationships, and discuss how to find balance between the two.

Culture: Messy and Miraculous Marriage (Part 1)

Boundless’ Joshua Rogers and his wife, Raquel, are here to tell their marriage story, messiness and all. This week they talk about how they met and what those days before marriage looked like as they built trust and worked through conflict. Joshua unpacks his parents’ relationship struggles and explains how they influenced his thoughts on marriage.

Inbox: Singled Out

Despite having a wonderful job, church and small group, she feels like a failure because of her singleness. All of her friends are dating, engaged or married. She has a hard time relating to them, and feels like the odd girl out. Lisa Anderson offers some encouragement.

Appreciating denominational differences, plus the role of touch in human interaction, and what to do when parents get in the way of a relationship.

Featured musical artist: Danen Kane

Roundtable: Denominational Differences

The church is about Christ and His relationship with His people, but sometimes it feels like it’s more about worship music and preaching styles. Division and bickering seem to define interdenominational interactions. Our guests, who come from a variety of denominations, talk about how to navigate conversations with those who have different church experiences than your own.

Culture: Physical Touch in the Church

Lore Ferguson Wilbert had traumatic childhood experiences with touch that influenced her feelings on the subject. Her impressions have also been shaped through her relationships both in singleness and now marriage. She explores the value of human touch and how it should be used in healthy and positive ways in the church, especially for single adults who are often deprived of it.

Inbox:

His girlfriend’s parents are opposed to his relationship with their daughter, but he feels their reasons are unfounded. Out of respect he has tried speaking with them, but it only seems to aggravate the situation. Tim Sanford weighs in on how to deal with harsh parental opposition.

Managing money in stressful times, plus loving those in the transgender community, and finding your place in your family’s church.

Featured musical artist: Ginny Owens

Roundtable: When Money’s Tight

In a season of layoffs and furloughs due to COVID-19, finances have for many become burdensome and stressful. We usually can’t predict hard times, but can we prepare for them? And what should we do to take the edge off of financial hardship and weather the storm when it hits? Our guests weigh in on how to manage money in tough financial seasons.

Culture: Relationships With Transgender Individuals

Knowing how to interact and communicate with peers in the transgender community can be difficult for Christians. Walt Heyer and KathyGrace Duncan, both of whom once identified as transgender, are back for a second week to discuss how Christians can respond in love to those who identify as trans.

Guests: Walt Heyer and KathyGrace Duncan

Inbox: Cutting the Apron Strings at Church

He attends the same church as his family, and usually sits with them. But he’s started to feel uncomfortable with forming new relationships, especially with women, with his family hovering over his shoulder. How can he create boundaries and prioritize new friendships in this environment and in light of his family’s expectations? Joshua Rogers responds with some advice.

How to love our non-Christian friends, plus the journey out of gender confusion, and is it time to let a love interest go?

Featured musical artist: James Peden

Roundtable: Loving Non-Christian Friends

Is it possible to have a genuine friendship with a person we disagree with spiritually? Jesus himself was called a “friend of sinners,” yet He preached a bold message of repentance that was exclusive in its claims. Our guests tell stories of having honest conversations (and some arguments) with non-Christian friends, and what it truly means to love someone, even when you disagree.

Culture: Leaving the Transgender Life

For Walt Heyer and KathyGrace Duncan, the topic of transgenderism is deeply personal. For eight years, Walt lived as a woman, and for 11 years, KathyGrace identified as a man. God transformed their hearts through his Word and the love of several Christian friends. The journey out wasn’t easy, but Walt and KathyGrace recount their stories for us with confidence and clarity. Guests: Walt Heyer and KathyGrace Duncan

Inbox: Is It Time to Let Go?

He’s interested in dating her, but he’s been away and they haven’t seen each other in months. He tried reaching out via social media, but the conversation has gone nowhere. Should he try to pick things up when he returns, or is it time to move on? Lisa Anderson responds with some practical advice.

How to fight right while dating, plus Becket Cook’s advice for loving our gay friends and family members, and is baptism a dating dealbreaker?

Featured musical artist: Ellie Holcomb

Roundtable: Conflict in Dating

Every relationship will eventually have conflict. A disagreement, a misunderstanding — and before you know it, a friendly conversation has turned into an ugly spat. But what if conflict can actually be a good thing for you and your significant other? What if your relationship gets stronger after working through an argument? Our guests tell how they’ve pressed through conflict in dating relationships, what they learned from it, and how to recognize the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict when it happens.

Culture: Becket Cook’s Damascus Road (Part 2)

Becket Cook was a gay man living among and working with Hollywood’s elite. He rarely thought about God until a cheerful young Christian at a Los Angeles coffee shop invited him to church — and against his better judgment, he went. One sermon from Romans, and Becket was radically saved and forever changed. In part 2 of our conversation, he shares the best ways to love, serve and have healthy dialogue with our LGBT friends and family members. As someone who used to identify as gay, his insight is both compassionate and clear.

Inbox: Is Baptism Essential for Salvation?

She loves her boyfriend, and they’re both serious about their faith. However, they disagree on whether baptism is necessary for salvation. Could this end their relationship? Counselor Geremy Keeton knows from experience how tricky this topic can be, and he’ll provide some wisdom on what to do.

Navigating career changes, plus Becket Cook’s radical conversion to Christianity, and do some Boundless articles on dating contradict each other?

Featured musical artist: Liz Vice

Roundtable: Making Career Changes Work for You

Most of us will at some point choose (or have the choice made for us) to change our career. Adjusting to a new trajectory, work environment and co-workers can be exciting, but it’s not easy. How do we navigate the choppy waters of furloughs, layoffs and career about-faces in an ever-changing job market and economy? Our guests tell their stories of having career dreams come and go, surviving unemployment, transitioning between jobs, and learning to trust God with each step.

Culture: Becket Cook’s Damascus Road (Part 1)

Becket Cook was a gay man living among and working with Hollywood’s elite. He rarely thought about God until a cheerful young Christian at a Los Angeles coffee shop invited him to church — and against his better judgment, he went. One sermon from Romans, and Becket was radically saved and forever changed. His conversion story is emotional, dramatic, and something that as an atheist, he never would have asked for. Get ready to be convinced that God is still in the business of changing hearts, minds and lives whenever He chooses. Becket’s story of giving up everything for Christ, including his gay identity, will make you cheer.

Inbox: Is Boundless Giving Conflicting Advice?

She’s read some articles on the Boundless website about dating, and their advice on what’s appropriate vs. what’s not appropriate in a relationship seems to be contradictory. Should this be a concern? Lisa Anderson will provide some clarity on these articles’ advice.

Practicing discernment in relationships, plus why the elderly matter to us and God, and is a no-kids preference a dating dealbreaker?

Featured musical artist: About a Mile

Roundtable: Are You Discerning or Judgmental?

Reading other people is a key to building healthy relationships. Without proper discernment, it’s impossible to find and keep trustworthy friends. But what’s the difference between being wisely discerning and unfairly judgmental? What are the right qualities to hold out for? Our guests share examples of being both the victim and perp in unfair character assessments, and how to best examine your own heart around others.

Culture: Esteeming the Elderly

One of the best ways to honor our relatives and friends — and in doing so, honor God — is to care for them as they age. Whether it’s a simple act like running an errand, or spending time listening to and learning from them, or perhaps full-time caregiving when it comes to that, helping an aging loved one is a difficult yet rewarding journey. Isabel Tom has worked with senior citizens for many years, including her own grandparents who lived with her. Her stories are inspiring reminders of how we can find our greatest joy through loving and serving the elders around us.

Inbox: Will They Part Ways Over the Kid Issue?

She doesn’t want children, but her boyfriend really wants to raise a family. Is this a deal-breaker in their relationship? Counselor Wendy Brown provides some helpful insights.

Bringing kindness to a divisive culture, plus more answers to common Christian clichés, and does looking at her mean he likes her?

Featured musical artist: Jonathan Cain

Roundtable: Unity in a Divisive Culture

Whether it’s politics, race or religion, our culture is feeding the language of division. It’s in the news, social media and even casual conversations — so how should Christians respond? Should we pretend like division doesn’t exist? Draw lines in the sand? Fight fire with fire? Or can we actually have meaningful and respectful conversations with those who don’t share our views? Our guests tell how they’ve learned to communicate with others despite having strong and even controversial opinions on many subjects.

Culture: Don’t Settle for Pat Answers (Part 2)

Stamping a cliché on a complicated issue is dangerous for our thinking and our faith. While many people mean well when using Christian clichés like “just have faith” or “it’s just me and Jesus,” such pat answers are rarely helpful in everyday life. The truth is, it’s OK to ask questions about God, the Bible and the Christian life. Christian worldview expert Dr. Jeff Myers joins us again to guide us through questions and answers for some of life’s stickiest issues.

Inbox: Does Eye Contact Equal Interest?

She really likes a guy at her church, and there’s been a lot of eye-contact between them. Is he interested, or is she reading into things? What should she do? Lisa Anderson will give some helpful tips.

The mysteries of love at first sight, plus answers to common Christian clichés, and should you ever give up on finding a spouse?

Roundtable: Love at First Sight

Love at first sight — it’s in our movies, music and books. But is it real? Can you know someone is “the one” the moment you meet them? Our guests had varying experiences with initial attraction, gut feelings and spiritual promptings. They tell their stories of how they met their spouses, and give tips on things to look for when searching for a mate.

Culture: Don’t Settle for Pat Answers (Part 1)

Stamping a cliché on a complicated issue is dangerous for our thinking and our faith. While many people mean well when using Christian clichés like “just have faith” or “it’s just me and Jesus,” such pat answers are rarely helpful in everyday life. The truth is, it’s OK to ask questions about God, the Bible and the Christian life. Christian worldview expert Dr. Jeff Myers guides us through questions and answers for some of life’s stickiest issues.

Inbox: Too Late for a Mate?

He wants a God-honoring marriage, but his search for a spouse has come up short time and time again. People have set him up, he’s tried dating websites and he’s been on several dates. Is it time to give up on finding a godly woman? Counselor Glenn Lutjens gives some helpful advice.

Adapting to changes in your church’s leadership, plus God’s will made simple(r), and dating someone who’s had suicidal thoughts.

Roundtable: Church Leadership Transitions

Anyone who’s been part of a church for any amount of time has seen leaders come and go. While some transitions go smoothly, others can be heartbreaking. From simple staffing changes to church splits and scandals, leadership transitions take patience, grace and faith. This discussion will help you keep your faith strong during changes at church — including when to dig in and adapt, and when to let go and move on.

Culture: The Four Wills of God

“Is grad school in my future?” “Should I marry her?” “Is this the right job?” As Christians, we wrestle with questions like these when trying to find God’s will for our lives. When Dr. Emerson Eggerichs studied Scripture on this issue, he discovered there are some clear guidelines for how God calls us to live — but also a lot of flexibility. He specifically gives us four things that God absolutely wants us to do. After that, there’s freedom. Taken to heart, we find that God’s will isn’t so complicated after all.

Inbox: Dating and Suicidal Thoughts

She met him online and he seems like a good guy. However, he’s already confessed to previous struggles with mental illness, including depression and suicidal thoughts. He claims to be in a good place now, but should she trust his claims? Counselor Rob Jackson gives some helpful thoughts.