Two individuals with unique life experiences and dating tragedies working through expectations and failure to build something to last takes dedication, communication, and willpower. Today we hear one side of the process needed to confront past experiences, expectations, and errors to build something better and lasting with your life mate - aka spouse

Where men see respect women seek security. Elayne continues the second series of Dinner at the Crosses discussions with her husband, Nate, and Ross as they unravel the male female perspectives during dating and what it looks like for Christians to seek a mate. This is clean though some statements may not be suited for all ages.

Living brightly even in dark moments, or times when you choose poorly does not eliminate the possibility that God may use you if you are willing to boldly speak about Him even when your life is a literal mess. Bold testimony's can spring from bold statements in the most unlikely of situations. Join Elayne in another series of Dinner at the Cross' discussions, starting today with Christian Juice.

Three facets of stewardship are individual, communal, and by commission. Who are you stewarding? What does stewardship look like? How does the Holy Spirit assist in stewardship? One of Merriam-Webster’s definitions of stewardship is “The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”. Dictionary.com defines a steward as “a person who acts as the surrogate of another, or others, especially by managing property, financial affairs, and estate, etc. Wikipedia defines stewardship as “the acceptance or assignment of responsibility to shepherd and safeguard the valuables of others”.

Figuring out who God created you to be is vital to establishing a firm foundation to stand on as the world comes to discourage or berate you. The hard realities of living a life that is a positive reflection of Christ has unique challenges for unmarried men in the current societal norms for relationships. Lust, illicit sex, and natural make drives clash with honor for all women and protecting your mind and future wife from a poisonous imagination. How to live brightly as a unmarried Christian man poses unique struggles women just do not understand. Finding a wife and a church that support you in the place you are in your walk are discussed along with more. This is part three of Dinner at the Cross's, look for episodes 26 and 27 if you want to listen through from the beginning or go to elaynecross.com for additional notes related to these discussions.

We continue our after dinner discussion and discuss the challenges of freewill verses serving God knowing you fail daily. Living out obedience in the flesh verses surrendering to God. Is it all about you or have you shifted your focus to serving God? Enjoy this interesting and intriguing discussion at the dinner table of faith, revenge, failing God and toxic religion. 1:43 Faith Comes by Hearing  7:02 Freewill8:06 Moses’ v Jacob’s Blessings10:55 Revenge v Resolution14:51 Levi v Simian19:46 How are you happy knowing you fail God22:15 Toxic Religion25:12 Experiencing Grace27:40 No-one deserves to be saved31:00 Quality time with God www.ElayneCross.com/Jesus www.ElayneCross.com

How do you define success? Is it about you and your needs or are you striving for something bigger than yourself? The first of three segments where we talk about success, church, and translations of Bible. These may be questions you’ve considered or points of contention between those around you. We have an open and sometimes passionate discussion about this and more. 1:31        Defining Success3:56        Ultimate Goal is serving God6:44        Family Time v Work Time9:41        Filling your skill toolbox11;39     What is the Church?15:07     What Divides20:17     Who Preserves the Word25:28     English Translations29:16     History of Church and Bible Translations32:51     Is one translation better than the rest?

4 take aways from the story of Noah and the flood for 2022. This short story if packed with evergreen concepts to help you be the light of the world and stand apart from the darkness and chaos.

This first portion of scripture starts well but quickly goes very bad, so why did God preserve it in His Word and what does it have for Christians in 2022?  What is with this beautiful garden that quickly leaves Adam and Eve seeking more. So much to see and so little time to share so we will focus on the cherubim and the Tree of Life. Are cherubim mentioned anywhere else in the Books of Moses (Torah)? Can we access the Tree of Life after we die? What about now? And how does this all relate to having a relationship with Jesus?  Come and find out.

Learning about God, studying His Word, and developing your relationship with Him is never ending. Today we jump into that cycle with the last and the first Torah portion, or Parshah, that covers Deuteronomy 33, 34 and Genesis 1 through 2:3 encompassing Moses last day with Israel before they cross the Jordan and finally enter the Promised Land and the first account of Creation in Genesis 1:1-2:3. And what does this have for us today? A little of this and that but a common thread of justice for all and Torah for the faithful. Prepare for next time by reading Genesis 1:1 through 6:8 asking God the following while you read; What do You have to show me about You?What do You have for me today and in my current situation?How can this make me live brightly in this dark world that others may seek You?

Looking into the final Feast that God commanded the children of Israel to remember every year and how it can help you know God more. The children are commanded to remember what God has done for them and promised through 7 feasts-holy days, 4 in the spring and 3 in the fall. This last feast requires 7 days living in a booth or tent. Learn how it connects to Jesus and draws all of us closer to God.

We do not choose our parents and the experiences life throws at us, but we must choose to grow in adulthood. Despite your upbringing and despite your experiences if you want to know peace you must experience unrest and learn to walk through that to become the person God created you to be. Join Elayne as she discusses 3 lessons she learned on her journey to shed adolescence and reach adulthood.

I sat down with Jack from the Critical Truth Project. Jack is from England and has lived in the US for several years. This is a fun and informative look at the differences and similarities between the United Sates and the United Kingdom. We talk a little politics, a little religion and even mention a jumper.

We are born from the recombination of information from our parents’ genes, the Christian Church is born from Jesus – fully God and Fully man. His church has many members but are all part of one body and we must learn to celebrate and honor those parts in love. Full Show notes at https://elaynecross.com

If we forget our history we are bound to repeat it. Join Elayne as she reviews the work of Nehemiah, Ezra, and Haggai in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem through the struggles and success and the political environment we find ourselves in today. The lessons learned by the Israelite in rebuilding the Temple, Trump was forced to face as well. It should be no surprise these are common to all of us. What are they and how can you be prepared to confront them when they seek to hold you back? Links will be in the show notes on https://elaynecross.com

the meaning of words are being changed and new terms like Populist and Nationalist are used as derogatory name calling begging the question, Who is the real bad guy? Are these negative or just a way to sound superior to manipulate the masses? Our enemy can only gain ground if we give it to him so why are we? What do Christians need to do to push back against the chaos being pushed into the English language?

In The Pilgrims Progress John Bunyan mentions 4 reasons people backslide or fall away from their faith. Join Elayne as she examines these 4 examples in light of scripture and letting your light shine. The Pilgrim's Progress is over 300 years old and continues to inspire believers on their journey. Pick up a copy, there are many to choose from. https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=john+bunyan&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCQ&nav_search=1&cms=1&ps_exit=KEYWORD%7Clegacy&ps_domain=www   07:58     1. Fear of Hell 20:14     2. Fear of Missing Out 25:23                James 4 28:00                Dealing With Mistakes 34:5        3. Shame with Religion 41:03                The Abundant Life 44:25     4. Guilt is Grievous 47:22      Relationship NOT Religion

Elayne uses a river and its banks to describe to two extremes of environmental stewardship. On one side is the admirer and on the other is the active doer. But is that all it takes? Should we be in the water? What does it require to take your responsibility to tend this garden, the earth, seriously? Can the environment be your idol?  For some it can be allowed to get out of balance with what God has planned. Have you made the environment an idol in your life? Are you ignoring your duty to be a good steward?

7 Tools for Raising Great Children Future Leaders 1 Be the Best You, You Can Be 2 Be Fully Connected & Committed to Your Spouse 3 Build an Effective Environment        (Keep Your Love On by Danny Silk) 4 Hold Family Meetings 5 You Are Raising Adults NOT Children        (Loving Your Kids on Purpose by Danny Silk) 6 Remain a United Front 7 Keep Your Word - Praise Often

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