Living Brightly with Elayne Cross

Hello Debt: Part 1 of Adam & Madison money

Adulting includes managing money. Without guidance or training debt can lead to panic and stress. Part one of Adam and Madison money. Newlyweds starting life together after college; dating, graduating, marring, managing money, aka debt. Hear how newlyweds Adam and Madison ran straight into nearly one hundred thousand dollars in debt and realized what they were doing was not working.
3:05 Honeymoon Challenges
6:19 Paying for college
9:46 New life in a new place
12:24 Big Girl Job
14:14 Can you afford this?
17:46 Debt discovery process
22:17 Debt for two and income for one
25:12 You & I versus we & us
28:22 Local church home

Separation Saturday

Passover, Pascha, Easter, Holy Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, so many terms to cover one holiday or Holy Day. Join Elayne as she unpacks and clarifies the significance of this very important day of remembrance
 
Four questions Jews ponder to remember and reflect on the Exodus
On all nights we eat wheat (bread) why on this night do we only eat crackers (unleavened bread)?
On all nights we eat vegetables why on this night do we eat bitter vegetables?
On all nights we do not dip in salt water even once why on this night do we dip twice?
On all nights we sit or recline why on this night must we all recline?
These questions lead to discussions making clear distinctions between an average night from this very special night highlighting tears of slavery, hurried exit, bitterness of slavery, and reclining in freedom.
 
Four questions Christians can use to remember and reflect on Easter
On all holidays the date remains the same why on this holiday does the date change?
On all Sundays we attend church why on this Sunday do more people attend church?
On all weeks we do not recognize the days why during this week do we have special name?
Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Silent Saturday, and Easter Sunday
On all Sundays we eat food why on this Sunday do we receive gifts and candy?
Hunt for eggs, wear special clothes, or any other special things you do to celebrate Easter to remember all Jesus has done
These questions lead to discussions making clear the distinction between an average Sunday and Holiday and the significance of this week, this Sunday, and this Holiday. Jesus and Christianity’s roots in Judaism and the foreshadowing of the Exodus story, the significant steps in Jesus Journey to the cross and resurrection and the celebration of life provided through His sacrifice.  

Working With Jesus

Taking Jesus to work can be a scary concept in corporate culture, but being intentional in bringing Him along can change the culture of your work space. Join Elayne today with guests who work in corporate America and have found some great tools for letting their light shine. Chad and Richelle Gibson share how they use the gifts of the Holy Spirit and other truths to represent Christ at work in an act of service to God and as a means to change the atmosphere and culture.

It might be your issue

Seeing someone do something does not always mean what you think. Similarly, if some people respond in a given manner doesn't mean all will. Learning to identify your own issues starts with confronting them in a novel way. It’s more about personal expectations than another’s character. Who has the problem? Instinctively the world revolves from your vantage point and through the lens of your experiences. As you begin to confront yourself and allow Christ to transform you into the person He created you to be, you inevitably hit juxtapositions of realities. Can you believe your eyes or accept not everything is as you have known it to be.

Working to develop lifelong relationships

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

Christian Seeking Mate

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.

Christian Juice

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.

Stewardship

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”.
 

Identity and Male Sexuality

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.

Freewill and Pleasing God - Dinner part 2

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 Freewill
8:06 Moses’ v Jacob’s Blessings
10:55 Revenge v Resolution
14:51 Levi v Simian
19:46 How are you happy knowing you fail God
22:15 Toxic Religion
25:12 Experiencing Grace
27:40 No-one deserves to be saved
31:00 Quality time with God
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