The Boundless Show show

The Boundless Show

Summary: Life is challenging for Christian singles. How do you balance work and personal life? How do you own your faith? How can you date with a purpose? And prepare for marriage? All while honoring God through it all? Hit up The Boundless Show, a Christian podcast for young adults, for some good, honest conversation. The young adult years are full of possibility and choices that shape who you become. Join host Lisa Anderson to discuss the highs and lows, lean on each other, and trust God in this important season of adulthood.

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  • Artist: Focus on the Family
  • Copyright: © 2022 Focus on the Family

Podcasts:

 Who Is the Devil?: Episode 666 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 2764

Remaining hopeful amid the losses of 2020, plus Lisa’s pastor answers questions about Satan, and a listener and his girlfriend disagree on baptism.  Featured musical artist: Stu Garrard Roundtable: Losses of 2020 As 2020 draws to a close, its effects are still being felt. Many have experienced loss and have had to make drastic changes to events like wedding ceremonies, graduations and funerals. Some have lost jobs, others have lost loved ones. We’ve all lost daily life the way we once knew it. How can we stay positive with all that’s happened? Our guests talk about personal losses and life-altering adjustments they’ve faced this year, but also how their faith in Jesus has sustained them through the most difficult moments.    Culture: Understanding Satan We’ve seen him in cartoons and as a Halloween costume, blamed him for our own bad behavior, and heard fire and brimstone sermons about him and a place called hell. But who exactly is the devil, and what is he up to on any given day? Pastor Mark Bates will answer these tricky questions and give wisdom for recognizing and resisting Satan’s schemes. He’ll also shed light on the Antichrist and the number 666 (this week’s episode number!). Best of all, he’ll remind us of what the devil has coming to him at the end of the age.   Inbox: Disagreement on Infant Baptism He knows she’s a wonderful Christian who loves God and lives out her faith, but they disagree on how and when to get baptized. She’s for infant baptism; he’s for believer’s baptism. How can they move forward in spite of this disagreement? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.

 It’s Time to Vote!: Episode 665 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3661

Pastors tell us how to do church during the pandemic, plus last-minute tips for Tuesday’s national election, and she’s uncomfortable with him saying “I love you.” Featured musical artist: All Sons & Daughters Roundtable: Pastors Tackle the Pandemic When COVID-19 shut down countries and economies around the world, churches were uniquely affected. Many churches shut their doors and went online immediately, and some have yet to resume meeting in person. The distance and disconnectedness have taken their toll. Many church-goers feel angry and isolated; some have drifted away entirely. This week’s panel of pastors shares the frustrations and challenges they’ve encountered in leading a church during this unprecedented time, as well as opportunities for ministry and growth that have surfaced. They also give helpful ideas for staying connected at church and supporting your pastor and ministry team in this season.    Culture: Cast Your Ballot and Pray For months, we’ve been bombarded with TV commercials and bulk mail ads telling us who and what to vote for (and against) in this national election. And now the time has come. With the election less than a week away, it’s time to cast your ballot. John Stonestreet, president of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview, explains why it’s important for Christians to vote in this election — and how to make an informed decision. He also gives tips for discerning the truth from a lie in the midst of information overload. Most importantly, he calls us to pray for God’s will and glory to be revealed, whatever the outcome.  Inbox: Uncomfortable With “I Love You” She’s dating a guy and really likes him. But after a couple of dates, he’s already saying “I love you.” She’s tried to awkwardly ignore it, but it’s making her increasingly uncomfortable when he says it. Is it time to speak up? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.

 Behind the Scenes at The Babylon Bee: Episode 664 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3395

Women tell how their boyfriends proposed, plus a peek inside The Babylon Bee, and his church-going date doesn’t put Christ first. Featured musical artist: Various Artists Roundtable: Engagement Stories (The Girls’ Side) In part two of this discussion on proposal dos and don’ts (part one with the guys last week!), the ladies remember the details of that moment their boyfriends got down on one knee. Along with their stories, they talk about what made the experience meaningful, important conversations to have beforehand, their advice to men planning a proposal, and how to know if you’re ready to make the leap from dating to getting engaged.  Culture: The Babylon Bee Has Just the Right Sting The news is so serious these days. While it’s important to stay informed about important issues and events, it’s also necessary to have a good laugh — especially when the humor points out your little (or not so little) hypocrisies and keeps you humble. Kyle Mann, editor in chief of The Babylon Bee, tells about his journey of becoming a satire writer, what it’s like to have the world read your stuff (and sometimes believe it!), and how he’s learned to take his faith seriously amid all the hype.    Inbox: Christ’s Not the Center of Her Life? He’s taken her on a few dates and really enjoys spending time with her. But when he asked about her faith, she mentioned not being in the same place as him spiritually. She’s very involved at her church, so her response seemed rather odd. Is this a red flag, or should he keep dating her to find out more? Counselor Tim Sanford weighs in.

 Sam Allberry Says Good Stuff About Singles: Episode 663 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3354

Men tell how they proposed to their girlfriends, plus myths about singleness, and is it time to stop texting a male friend? Featured musical artist: Abandon Roundtable: Engagement Stories (The Guys’ Side) With the holidays fast approaching, many young men are engagement-ring shopping in anticipation of popping the question to their girlfriends. The process can be nerve-wracking, but also a lot of fun. In part one of this conversation (part two with the ladies next week!), men share their proposal stories including the dos and don’ts, the plans and the surprises, and helpful ideas for making an engagement day meaningful.  Culture: Sam Allberry on Singleness Myths People say and assume a lot of weird things about singleness — and single adults. Pastor and author Sam Allberry has heard most of them. In this interview he addresses seven of the sneakiest, lamest and most damaging myths the world and even the church perpetuate about being single, and offers practical ways to respond to them. He also shares helpful encouragement for those of us wanting to reject the myths and thrive as Christian singles.    Inbox: Daily Texts, but Nothing Serious?  She’s been texting a guy daily for a year, but claims she doesn’t want anything serious because he doesn’t seem serious about his faith. Is it possible to stay in contact and remain friends? How should she move forward? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

 Serve With Your Strengths: Episode 662 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3132

Helping others by doing what you’re good at, plus practical safety tips for a dangerous world, and feeling awkwardly judged at church. Featured musical artist: Aaron Strumpel Roundtable: Love the Way You Serve You are good at something — probably several things. Even if you feel like nobody notices your efforts, especially when you’re helping others, God does. But how do you use what you’ve been given? Is your talent for a purpose greater than yourself? Our guests talk about how they’ve learned to serve others with their God-given abilities and passions, and remind us that in God’s hands, no talent is ever wasted.  Guests: Dan Robbins, Diane Ingolia, Rod Govea Culture: A Cop’s Best Tips for Staying Safe Are you prepared for when something unexpected threatens your safety? Police officer Chris Ausec says most people are unaware of or overconfident about the potential dangers they may face. From public places to your home to navigating things like Craigslist and other online traps, he’ll give practical ideas for protecting yourself when danger comes knocking. Inbox: Feeling Judged at Church She and her roommate are best friends and attend church together. But as they awkwardly hang around the welcome counter in the narthex, it feels like people are judging them or making assumptions about them. Is it all in her head? What should she do? Lisa Anderson offers some helpful advice.

 Best Quarantine Reads: Episode 661 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3405

Books to try in an era of social distancing, plus cohabitation and the single Christian, and is it OK to call out your Mom? Featured musical artist: Covenant Worship Roundtable: Quarantine Book Favorites COVID-19 lockdowns have allowed (or forced, depending how you look at it) more time at home. What better opportunity to catch up on your reading list? With all the noise going on in the world, reading can be the perfect escape. It can also be informative, challenging and so much more. Our guests talk about their favorite books they’ve read over the past few months, and discuss some of their most influential authors.  Guests: Glenn Stanton, Sara Bess Kemeny, Jeff Johnston Culture: Are Christian Singles Living Together? Many young couples, even Christians, are living together before tying the knot. What’s the real motivation for this, and what’s the outcome? Does it prepare you for marriage or derail you? Dr. David Gudgel counsels many engaged couples and addresses cohabitation through a biblical and practical lens. He gives us some good things to think about in this interview. Featured Book: "Before You Live Together: Will Living Together Bring You Closer or Drive You Apart?" Inbox: Should I Confront Mom? She’s 26 and is living in her parents’ home. Her mom shows visible disrespect to her dad, but when our listener brought it up with Mom in the past, it didn’t go over well. Is it time for another confrontation? Counselor Elaine Humphries weighs in.

 Here’s Something Encouraging: Episode 660 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3386

Giving effective encouragement, plus managing your mental health in the election season, and dating when a successful business is in play.  Featured resource: Lighthouse Network   Featured musical artist: David Baloche Roundtable: Be Encouraged! What is encouragement? Is it being optimistic? Sharing a compliment? Biblical encouragement is much bigger, and there are great ways to both give and receive encouragement in all areas of life. We need true, soul-sustaining encouragement now more than ever. Our guests tell stories of how effective encouragement has made a big difference in their faith, their attitudes, and even in the small details of their days.  Culture: Your Mental Health and the 2020 Election Every day, a new headline threatens to derail us with anxiety, anger or depression. The polls change and our moods follow suit. Uncertainty about what life will look like in November has us on edge. How can we maintain any type of sanity? Psychiatrist Dr. Karl Benzio gives practical ideas for managing your mental health while still staying informed during this crazy election season.   Inbox: Business, Money and Marriage He’s the owner of a small but very profitable business. Now he’s ready to date again, but last time his relationship ran into problems because of his career. Can he find a balance between the demands of work and maintaining a healthy relationship? Counselor Geremy Keeton weighs in.

 Find Your Bible Study Style: Episode 659 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 2717

Finding quiet time strategies that work for you, plus a Q&A session on how to share your faith, and when your crush is out of reach.  Featured musical artist: Stu Garrard Roundtable: Study the Bible in a Way That Works for You Have you tried being more disciplined to read your Bible and pray, but still struggle to do it every day? You see people who seem so spiritual and into it, and you feel intimidated. In a world that keeps us busy and distracted, how can we effectively and joyfully make time for God? Our guests share their struggles of developing the habit, plus unique methods and personalized tips that ultimately brought success, not shame. Culture: Evangelism Q&A Sharing your faith in today’s world is tricky. Every situation and person is different, so how do you winsomely tell others about God? Our summer interns asked Dr. Mike Bechtle the practical questions around witnessing to others — and loving them in the process.   Inbox: Phantom Crush She only met him once, and fell hard. She got her hopes up, he went away, and now she heard he’s in a relationship. It’s the crush that never had a chance. Heartbroken, how can she move on? Lisa Anderson weighs in.

 Roommate or No Roommate?: Episode 658 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3297

The pros and cons of having a roommate or living by yourself, plus using your personality to share your faith, and feeling invisible at church. Featured musical artist: Hollyn Roundtable: Having Roommates Vs. Living Alone It’s an important question: Should I find someone to help pay the rent, or embrace having my own space? Anyone who’s had a bad roommate experience will tell you that who you live with can make or break your housing situation. Living alone can be great, but there are huge benefits to doing life with others, too. Our guests tell their stories of having a roommate versus going solo, and how you can determine the living arrangement that’s best for you right now.   Culture: Evangelism and Your Personality  As an introvert, Dr. Mike Bechtle felt stuck in how to share his faith. Methods like walking up to complete strangers to introduce the gospel felt awkward and forced. But over time, Mike realized God gave him his unique personality on purpose, and being introverted still affords great opportunities to represent Christ. He learned evangelism is more about getting to know and love people, then having honest conversations. When we know how God wired us, sharing about Jesus comes more naturally.  Inbox: Feeling Forgotten at Church She’s been at her church for three years, and has even served on ministry teams. Yet she hasn’t made any close friends and wonders if people there know she exists. Even after a car accident, nobody from the congregation came to visit her. Is it time to find a new church, or should she continue trying to fit in? Lisa Anderson gives ideas for moving forward.

 Christians and the 2020 Election (Part 2): Episode 657 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3997

More on how Christians should approach the 2020 election, plus getting rid of toxic thoughts, and feeling trapped into marrying someone. Featured musical artist: Je’kob Roundtable: 2020 Voting Angst (Part 2) Election Day 2020 is approaching, and many American voters are uneasy, if not downright upset. In the midst of so much unrest and uncertainty, it’s easy for Christians to ask: “How should I vote? Should I even vote at all?” Our guests continue last week’s conversation regarding the tension they feel in anticipation of November, how they’re evaluating the candidates and issues, and how we can keep our eyes on Christ and our sanity intact despite the craziness. Culture: Mind Control Author Jennie Allen knows firsthand what it’s like to endure the darkness of toxic thoughts and overwhelming fear. After an incident at a speaking engagement a few years ago, she battled 18 months of intense anxiety. But in walking through that season, she learned that we’re not doomed to be a victim of our own minds. Instead, with God’s help, we can replace toxic thoughts with the truths of God’s Word, and with grace, move into spiritual and emotional wholeness. Inbox: Trapped in an Engagement He’s engaged, but there’s one problem — he’s feeling forced to marry the woman. He admittedly doesn’t find her attractive, but feels pressured by his parents to go through with it since she has many great qualities. Should he back out before it’s too late? One of our counselors will bring some perspective to this sticky situation.

 Christians and the 2020 Election (Part 1): Episode 656 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3854

How Christians should approach the 2020 election, plus rejecting the lies of self-love, and is disagreement on pandemic mandates a relationship dealbreaker? Featured musical artist: Darlene Zschech Roundtable: 2020 Voting Angst (Part 1) Election Day 2020 is approaching, and many American voters are uneasy, if not downright upset. In the midst of so much unrest and uncertainty, it’s easy for Christians to ask: “How should I vote? Should I even vote at all?” Our guests openly discuss the tension they feel in anticipation of November, how they’re evaluating the candidates and issues, and how we can keep our eyes on Christ and our sanity intact despite the craziness. Culture: OK, So You’re Not OK Our culture tells us that we are strong enough to solve our own problems. That we’re fine just the way we are. That we’re enough. But this culture of self-love hasn’t delivered on its promises. Author and podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey believed the empowerment lies until she went through a difficult breakup that left her feeling worthless. Through that season and beyond, she learned that only God is big enough to solve our problems, offer fulfillment, and provide true purpose and acceptance. Inbox: Pandemic Mandates and Dating Friction Mask or no mask? Churches open or closed? Government protection or overreach? She and her boyfriend disagree on some of the pandemic mandates and how they should be applied and enforced. Could this be a relationship dealbreaker? One of our counselors will bring balance to this tricky topic.

 When Life Scares You: Episode 655 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3201

Facing fear in uncertain times, plus hospitality for average people, and feeling the weight of past failures. Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado Roundtable: Overcoming Fear in Uncertain Times Many are afraid these days. With the amount of unrest in our world, it’s easy to let the headlines run your life. How do you find peace? Our guests share their stories of wrestling with fear and how they’ve learned to trust God in seasons of uncertainty. Whether your fears are around world events, job stuff, relationships — even the fear of not knowing what’s next — you’ll be encouraged to put your hope in God’s promises no matter how dark the world gets. Culture: Practicing Hospitality Wherever You Are When author Ashley Hales moved to Southern California, she was way outside her comfort zone. Making the move from an urban to suburban setting had her questioning whether she’d ever make true friends and be able to live out the gospel authentically. She quickly discovered the suburbs have their own unique challenges, but there’s a way to break through and show hospitality even in the intensely private environment of a picket-fence, garage-door world. Wherever you live, the joys of practicing hospitality are in studying the people around you, then opening your front door. Inbox: I Don’t Deserve Marriage A listener has been a Christian for years, but he’s feeling the gravity of past sin. Because of failures in past relationships, he struggles with shame and is wondering if he’s disqualified from marriage. One of our counselors will provide some hope and encouragement for our listener’s struggle.

 What If My Calling Doesn't Call Me?: Episode 654 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3111

Big questions about calling, plus taking small opportunities to make a difference, and what to do when a roommate won’t move out. Featured musical artist: Daniel Bashta Roundtable: Finding Your Calling in Life All of us seem obsessed with “finding our calling,” but what does that phrase even mean? Is it my job? My ministry? My relationships? All of the above? Our guests tackle the questions around discovering and living out a calling. Most importantly, they remind us that we can take a deep breath and chill; calling is found in many pursuits, many seasons, and many different ways. Culture: It All Started With a Truck Convoy of Hope CEO Hal Donaldson joins us this week to talk about how childhood tragedy and an encounter with Mother Teresa shaped his life mission. He was a journalist until 1994 when he loaded up a truck with supplies to deliver to a few needy people nearby. Convoy of Hope was born, and in the past 25 years the ministry has delivered over $1 billion worth of food and other necessities to people around the world. But it all started with a small truck. Hal reminds us that God wants us to start serving in small ways, beginning with the person in front of us. Inbox: Evicting a Roommate A listener is getting married soon and has asked his roommate to move out. But the guy just won’t go, and a struggle with depression is leaving him unmotivated to search for a new place or even talk about the situation with our listener. One of our counselors offers solutions for how to handle this situation.

 The Search for a Small Group: Episode 653 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3351

What to look for in a small group, plus being a man of integrity, and sharing the gospel with your family. Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts Roundtable: Finding a Great Small Group With so many options, how do you go about choosing the right small group for you? And does finding the right fit really matter that much? Our guests discuss different types of small groups, as well as their experiences in finding and sticking with one (or more). They offer advice on things to look for and things to avoid, and talk about what small groups have meant to them personally. Culture: Get Real, Guys For many men, it’s tough to open up and be honest about their feelings, hopes and struggles. Pastor Johnny Hunt has counseled men for decades, and knows the importance of men having a safe space for accountability and growth. In this week’s conversation, he talks through the process of finding these relationships, and outlines qualities to look for in friends and mentors that will lead to integrity and maturity for everyone involved. Inbox: Sharing Your Faith With Your Family A listener is the only Christian in her family, including her extended family. She is looking for advice on how to effectively share her faith with those closest to her and make the most of the time she spends with them. Lisa Anderson weighs in.

 Cancel Culture: Episode 652 | File Type: audio/mp3 | Duration: 3167

Being a Christian in a “cancel” culture, plus overcoming challenges you don’t see coming, and hiding depression in online dating. Featured musical artist: David Dunn Roundtable: You’ve Been Canceled Cancel culture is a thing these days, especially on social media. You voice an unpopular opinion and it may get you shut out of everything from news feeds to networking opportunities to friend circles. What are the effects of cancel culture, and how should Christians approach it? Is it ever OK to cancel someone...or be canceled? Our guests share their experiences and discuss the importance of standing firm in truth while exhibiting accountability and grace. Culture: Facing Common Life Challenges Pastor and leadership guru Carey Nieuwhof sits down to talk about his career path and the challenges that threatened to ruin his success. He outlines some of these challenges, including cynicism, compromise and burnout, in his book “Didn’t See It Coming,” and offers advice to young adults who are beginning to run into some of these obstacles. Inbox: Smiling Through Depression While Dating A listener is struggling with depression but feels like she can’t be honest about it in her online dating interactions. In order to seem likeable and dateable, she feels pressured to present an energetic version of herself. Counselor Wendy Brown offers words of wisdom.

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