The Boundless Show

Finding activities in colder months, plus Mark Bates outlines the essentials of Christianity, and is playing lots of video games a sin?        Featured musical artist: Zach Williams    Roundtable: Don’t Wish Winter Away   Now that the holidays are over and the hustle and bustle has died down, the temptation to hibernate is strong. The days are short and cold, activities are limited, and creativity and motivation easily give way to Netflix and napping. Can you make the most of the winter months, both inside and outdoors? Our guests offer their best ideas.                   Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: Marks of a True Christian   Lots of people call themselves Christians. But even the Bible says that not everyone who claims Christ belongs to Him. So how can you know if you’re truly saved? What are the essentials we must believe and do? Pastor Mark Bates breaks down the necessary things for true Christians to agree on.      True Community    The Focused Pastor   Inbox: How Much Time Playing Video Games Is Sinful?   If you enjoy playing video games, how do you gauge if the amount of time you play them is too much? Can it even become sinful? And are certain games just flat-out wrong to play? Counselor Jeff Brown weighs in.        Link to Counseling Services   Link to Plugged In Website

Bringing optimism into 2024, plus Kait and JJ Tomlin answer your questions, and what if your church lacks a ministry to singles?          Boundless Guides to Marrying Well   Featured musical artist:  Covenant Worship   Roundtable: A Healthy Perspective for the New Year People are forecasting growth and setting goals for 2024, but what does it look like to bring  genuine hope into your new year? Our guests discuss setting a healthy framework for the coming months, and how they (and we) can focus on blessings and opportunities rather than the discouraging headlines and circumstances around us. Whether you’re a natural optimist or more prone to cynicism and discouragement, this conversation will help.                Leave Us a Voicemail Culture: “Heart of Dating” Hosts Kait & JJ Tomlin (Part 2) You may know Kait Warman as the host of the popular “Heart of Dating” podcast. Now married to JJ Tomlin, Kait is back on our show (with JJ this time). Last week they shared their story of meeting, dating, and marrying, and this week they answer relationship questions from our listeners.   Boundless Guides to Marrying Well   Link to Heart of Dating Website  Inbox: No Church Ministry for Singles  You long for connection with other singles at your church, but what can you do if your congregation doesn’t have a dedicated space for that — especially for those who are post-college? Lisa Anderson weighs in. 

Reasons to go on a missions trip, plus Kait and JJ Tomlin from the “Heart of Dating” podcast, and how can you measure spiritual maturity?             Featured musical artist:   Hollyn  Roundtable: Why Go on a Missions Trip? Churches and organizations are already advertising opportunities to join them on missions trips next year. Should you give one a try? Our guests have seen firsthand the fruit of giving their time and talent in other cultural contexts, and give helpful insight into what to expect, how to find a good fit, and what missions trips are and aren’t.                Leave Us a Voicemail Culture: “Heart of Dating” Hosts Kait & JJ Tomlin (Part 1) You may know Kait Warman as the host of the popular “Heart of Dating” podcast. Now married to JJ Tomlin, Kait is back on our show (with JJ this time) so they can tell their story of meeting, overcoming assumptions and an age difference, preparing for marriage, and now doing ministry together. Heads-up: Next week they’ll answer your dating questions.  Resource Offer: Boundless Guides to Marrying Well    Link to Heart of Dating Website  Inbox: Is My Faith Growing?  Spiritual maturity is essential for Christians, but it’s a process. How do you know if there’s growth in your life, and how do you actively pursue it? Pastor Mark Bates offers advice.

A 2023 goals report card, plus firsthand help for addiction recovery (part two), and can you study the Bible without it getting repetitive?           Featured musical artist:  Phil Wickham   Roundtable: What Happened to Our 2023 Resolutions?   Do you remember what your goals were at the beginning of the year? Our team looked back at our aspirations for 2023 and how (if?) we actually saw them through. We share the highs and lows of this year, how we hoped to grow, what we wanted to accomplish, and what we might change heading into 2024,   Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: An Inside Look at Addiction (Part 2)   Addiction is no small thing, and one of the most painful experiences is falling prey to it, or seeing a friend or family member do so. Addicts either don’t think they have a problem, or assume it’s something to “fix” if they can muster up the willpower — but it goes so much deeper than that. Dr. Ken Harmon and Dr. Trent Langhofer, both former addicts, are now pastors and recovery experts whom God is using to help others. In part two of our conversation, they share the dos and don’ts of helping someone trapped in addiction.     Healing the Scars of Addiction: Reclaiming Your Life and Moving Into a Healthy Future     Link to Counseling Services   Inbox: Does Your Bible Reading Seem Repetitive?   Is there a way to read the Bible or devotional books without them feeling repetitive? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.    Boundless Advent Devotional   

Pastors’ tips for finding a great small group, plus firsthand help for addiction recovery, and should a guy give a girl a gift on the first date?   Featured musical artist:  Je’kob   Roundtable: How to Choose a Small Group   We talk a lot about how one of the best ways to connect to other believers and truly grow is by “making the big church small.” Getting involved in a small group can do just that. But how do you find a small group that’s a good fit? And what makes a small group successful? Two pastors with tons of experience in Christian community and discipleship share what makes a good small group, how groups can go deeper, different types of groups to try, and when to walk away and try something else.                   Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: An Inside Look at Addiction (Part 1)   Addiction is no small thing, and one of the most painful experiences is falling prey to it, or seeing a friend or family member do so. Addicts either don’t think they have a problem, or assume it’s something to “fix” if they can muster up the willpower — but it goes so much deeper than that. Dr. Ken Harmon and Dr. Trent Langhofer, both former addicts, are now pastors and recovery experts whom God is using to help others. In part one of our conversation, they share their stories and give common misconceptions about addiction and recovery.      Healing the Scars of Addiction: Reclaiming Your Life and Moving Into a Healthy Future     Link to Counseling Services   Inbox: Should Guys Give a Gift on a First Date?   Is bringing a gift on your first date appropriate? Lisa Anderson weighs in.   Boundless Advent Devotional

Killer Christmas party ideas, plus Mark Ballenger on prioritizing God while dating, and a question about same-sex attraction and celibacy.   Featured musical artist:  Darlene Zschech    Roundtable: Christmas Party Planning   It’s that time of year: decorations, holiday tunes, Christmas cookies, ugly sweaters, and yes, Christmas parties. Most people can host a ho-hum Christmas party, but if you want yours to be next-level, you need this conversation. Our party people share tips for including introverts, melding friend groups, serving food, curating music, making memories and more.                 Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: God’s Role in Your Dating Life   If you’ve ever watched the popular YouTube channel ApplyGodsWord.com, you’ve seen Mark Ballenger offer biblical dating and marriage advice. This week he shares his personal stories, plus how to overcome past hurts, blow past preconceived notions, and keep God at the center of all your dating decisions.      Christ-Centered Dating: Pursuing a Relationship That Glorifies God     Watch Mark’s YouTube Channel  Mark’s Website   Our listener struggles with same-sex attraction and is wondering if this means he’s destined to remain celibate forever. Gender and sexuality expert Jeff Johnston weighs in.        Link to Counseling Services Boundless Advent Devotional  Hear Jeff Johnston’s Testimony Find Articles by Jeff Johnston

How singles can connect with kids, plus more with Michael Johnson on dating must-dos, and how to deal with friends who’ve gotten married.   Featured musical artist: Jeremy Rosado   Roundtable: Is Being Good with Kids Required for Marriage?   Some singles consider themselves great with kids, while others find that children make them uncomfortable. But is being good with children a prerequisite for being a healthy spouse? We interviewed some people who love children on ways you can learn to be more comfortable around kids, and why doing so is beneficial for marriage.   Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: Dating to Find a Spouse (Part 2)   Dating should be fun, but when stakes are high (like actually looking for a mate), things can easily get complicated. How can you be sure you’re dating in a way that will lead to a godly marriage? Our friend Michael Johnson’s new book breaks it all down, helping Christian daters get clarity and intention in how to make dating count. In part two of our discussion, he’ll address ways to guard against sexual temptation, the need for good friends, and whether or not you’re ready to date.   Date Like You Know What You’re Doing: Your DatePrep Guide    Future Marriage University Inbox: When Your Friends Have Gotten Married How do you move forward when you feel abandoned by your friends who’ve gotten married, and you’re still single? Lisa Anderson weighs in.      Guest: Lisa Anderson Article: Friends Beyond Marriage, Part 1  Article: Friends Beyond Marriage, Part 2  Link to Counseling Services Boundless Advent Devotional

Favorite Thanksgiving traditions, plus Michael Johnson on dating must-dos, and what if you strongly disagree with your siblings’ choices?   Featured musical artist:  Daniel Bashta   Roundtable: Our Thanksgiving Traditions   Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many (well, Americans, at least). To help you celebrate, we took a lighthearted look at some of our most treasured Turkey Day traditions. We discuss holiday food (the debate: stuffing or dressing?), favorite activities, general vibes, and how we emphasize thankfulness with our families and friends.    Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: Dating to Find a Spouse (Part 1)   Dating should be fun, but when stakes are high (like actually looking for a mate), things can easily get complicated. How can you be sure you’re dating in a way that will lead to a godly marriage? Our friend Michael Johnson’s new book breaks it all down, helping Christian daters get clarity and intention in how to make dating count. In part one of our conversation, he’ll share fun (read: both amazing and awkward) stories from his own dating experience, plus how to spot a Mr. or Ms. Wrong, and why dating can actually be fun.   Date Like You Know What You’re Doing: Your DatePrep Guide     Future Marriage University   Inbox: When You Disagree with Your Siblings’ Choices   It’s tough when your sibling makes a life choice that goes against your core convictions. When that happens, how do you respond? Is it possible to stand for truth and still love your brother or sister? Counselor Angel Perez weighs in.        Link to Counseling Services   Boundless Advent Devotional  

When going deep with others is difficult, plus handling rough family dynamics during the holidays, and bitterness over being left out.   Featured musical artist: Kerrie Roberts   Roundtable: When a Relationship Feels Shallow   Some friendships bring instant connection. You both have something in common and you hit it off. Soon you’re able to be real, challenging and sharpening each other. But for others, no matter how hard you try, the connection or the will to go deep just isn’t there. This can happen with family, too — or even a boyfriend or girlfriend. What do you do when it feels like a relationship lacks a heart and mind connection? That’s the question we get to the bottom of this week.   Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: Family Doesn’t Guarantee Holiday Happiness   Holiday hype promises warmth, family and nostalgia, but family gatherings can be anything but fun if you have to face that relative. If your family is less than picture perfect, how do you survive? Can you celebrate without hurt, resentment, confrontation or even an all-out war? Counselor Tim Sanford offers practical ways to manage expectations, establish boundaries and keep the peace, even around the most challenging family members.   Forgive for Real: Six Steps to Forgiving   Just Annoying, or Truly Unsafe? How to Navigate Get-Togethers with Difficult Family  Inbox: No Room in the Apartment   She was planning to move out with friends, but then they got a place without her. She found out after the fact and wants to know how to move on from feeling betrayed. Counselor Linda Miller weighs in.        Link to Counseling Services

When your beliefs are challenged at work, plus Madi Prewett Troutt talks “The Bachelor,” love and singleness, and how to lean on God after a breakup.                            Featured musical artist:  David Dunn   Roundtable: When Your Workplace Challenges Your Convictions (Part 2)   Managing the daily grind at work is hard enough, but it’s particularly challenging when the environment is hostile to your faith and convictions. It’s not unheard of to see Christians ridiculed, canceled, pressured or even fired for standing up for what they believe. How should this kind of workplace culture be navigated? Our guests come from fields in education, medicine, mental health and the corporate world, and have experienced ideological challenges on the job. They continue a great discussion from last week on how to stay true to your convictions in an increasingly hostile world.   Leave Us a Voicemail   Culture: Beyond “The Bachelor” With Madi Prewett Troutt   In 2020, Madi Prewett Troutt became a both beloved and maligned contestant on TV’s “The Bachelor.” Her season in the public eye taught her much, especially what love is — and what it isn’t. She shares lessons learned from the show, dating in high school, marrying her husband, Grant, and most importantly — from God himself. Get Madi’s take on how to get the love you want instead of what will never last.   The Love Everybody Wants: What You’re Looking For Is Already Yours   Inbox: God Will Get You Through Your Breakup   Breakups aren’t easy, especially when you had high expectations for the relationship. People tell you to “lean on God” to deal with the pain, but what does that look like? Counselor Glenn Lutjens weighs in.