Smiling at the Future

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 sib...

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...

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...

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 othe...

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 challeng...

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

We make decisions every day, but sometimes this can be a difficult process. Chris Hamilton joins the podcast again to bring clarity to this topic by answering the following questions: How do we discern the will of God when making a decision? How can you tell if asking for help in making a decision is actually a crutch for not thinking an issue through yourself? How do you pray when seeking the Lor...

No matter the season of life we find yourselves in, contentment is a quality that we often need to rekindle.  In this episode, Lynne shares powerful, biblical truths on how to cultivate contentment in your heart.   smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com  Lynne Brown's podcast: https://anchor.fm/s/44148a40/podcast/rss Book Recommended: "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment" by Jeremi...

Marci Ferrell from "The Thankful Homemaker" podcast, answers helpful questions such as: what is the biblical support for women to be homemakers, even single women? What homemaking skills do you wished you had mastered before marriage and family? How do you keep the right attitude in homemaking so that you don't neglect or idolize it? What if you don't enjoy cooking and cleaning? What are your favo...

Foundational and mysterious; returning guests John and Jane answer the following questions about marriage: What are wise or unwise reasons to get married or remain single? Should a person who desires to be married, expect to be married? What is the difference between a contract and a covenant? What involvement does the government or church have in regulating marriage? What is the difference betwee...

Happy New Year, and why this podcast was named "Smiling at the Future."  Join us January 11th for another full-length episode :)  Smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com 

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...

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...

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...

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.   smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Recommended Resources:  Credit Karma: https://www.creditkarma.com/auth/logon Last Pass: https...

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...

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...

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? smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmai...

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?  smilingat...

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...

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?  smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com 

In this episode I share with my friend Arlenys Buckelew on her podcast "Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives" how I came to know Jesus Christ and my journey in growing in assurance of salvation.  We also chat about what my family life was like growing up, my parent's godly example, and how my podcast became a reality. smilingatthefuturepodcast@gmail.com Resources Recommended: "Knowing and...

Hohn and Heather have ministered to Christian singles for many years, and bring biblical wisdom on questions in dating such as: How should I think through preferences like age, ethnicity, height, denomination, and political party? What should my parents role be in my relationship? And what should we think about the "Purity Culture" movement? Another powerful message Hohn gave at Grace Community Ch...

Maize takes a deep-dive into the biblical motivations for why a Christian woman should prioritize the stewardship of her body. She tackles questions such as: Should Christians practice self-care, and is it Biblical? Why do some Christians neglect caring for their bodies? What does your coffee consumption say about you? What should Christians be aware of regarding the trend with"mindfulness" apps?...

Heather walked through 4 years of Lyme Disease, and brings so much hope and encouragement to this discussion on chronic illness.  She answers questions such as: How did friends encourage you during your illness? What encouragement can you offer someone who is battling undiagnosed health issues? What is the balance of praying for God to deliver you, but also the human effort needed to find a s...