Conversations With Cinthia

Despite varying social situations, legal rights, and norms, women have always had a tremendous amount of influence in the world.  Some have used it positively, while others have not.  Who are the women that influenced you?  What is the influence you wield today?  Join Cinthia in continuing to look at women of influence in the Bible, and join us tomorrow for a look at what it means to be an influential man.

How do people feel after they interact with you?  While God intended to be our only God, He did intend us to influence one another, and He cares a lot about the ways we affect one another.  Today, Cinthia begins looking at women in the Bible who had significant influence.  Gentlemen, this is not intended to leave you out of the topic; later in the week, Cinthia will address specifically what it means to be a man of influence.  Plus, today's look at the ways these women influenced others involves lots of traits that apply to men, too.

When you leave the presence of another person, when you hang up the phone or close the computer, what lingers with that person?  What do you offer that becomes part of someone else?  You may not think of yourself as influential, but we touch one another's lives whether we mean to do so or not.  Join Cinthia for a look at how our character impacts the fingerprints we leave on the world.  

The Red Sea was a miracle waiting to happen... at least for those of us reading about it all these years later.  To the Israelites, however, it was the obstacle that seemed about to give them back to the army that had held them in slavery for more than 400 years.  Do you ever feel caught between an army and an ocean?  Do the wounds of your past ever seem about to swallow you once more?  Cinthia discusses the process of learning to trust the faithfulness of God.

Sometimes we believe and doubt at the same time, in varying proportions.  Sometimes our prayers seem to be unanswered.  Sometimes we are confused and angry.  At those times, it can be easy to try harder or grow bitter on our own.  Cinthia offers practical advice, from talking frankly with God about our doubts and feelings to specific written exercises that can help us to stand when we feel weak.

How do we increase our faith?  How do we become like little children with God?  Trying harder to believe can be futile since it keeps our eyes on the faithless one in the equation.  Instead, says Cinthia, we have to focus on our relationship with the One Who remains faithful to us.  As adults, we have to let go of the quest to accomplish peace solely through understanding.  Join Cinthia as she explores the journey of becoming a seven-year-old with God.

Do you find yourself holding God to a conditional relationship?  We may not say it so clearly as "If he gives me what I long to have, I will trust Him.  Otherwise, I won't."  Still, we may let ourselves forget His history of faithfulness whenever a new mountain looms in front of us.  The enemy of our souls wants to condemn us when our faith is weak, and he would have us believe God does the same.  But God is not the enemy.  Join Cinthia for a look at the faithfulness of God and what this means for those of us who struggle to trust Him.

Faith operates in the mess, and trust shows itself best when we don't understand.  Today, Cinthia begins a series inspired by a difficult time in her own life, one that explores what faith means in the real world.  Do you get discouraged with prayer?  Confused by the way your life and the lives of those around you are going?  Have you seen God work a million times but continue to question Him every time you get to the next mountain?  You're not alone.  Join Cinthia for an honest exploration of what it means to trust.  

Do you ever worry that being "too nice" to people may be interpreted as condoning things people do that are wrong?  Cinthia discusses what it means that the kindness of God leads us to repentance and how our own generosity, kindness, tolerance, and patience toward others can express that kindness.  Join Cinthia for a look at how Jesus's generosity inspired repentance.

We know that generosity helps those around us.  On Monday's show, we discussed how generosity interacts with our relationship with God, and yesterday we discussed ways it helps our relationships with others.  Today, Cinthia explores how being generous can benefit our relationships with ourselves, as well as four steps to practicing generosity.   Did you know it can also be generous to accept generosity from others?  Or that it requires some willingness to be vulnerable?  Join Cinthia to explore what it means to live a lifestyle of generosity.

Generosity is more than the act of giving, and why we give matters.  Generosity that flows from love is a heart stance, a mindset, an approach to life that impacts the world.  Generosity that aims to bring pleasure to the heart of God impacts our personal relationships and changes society.  Why do you give what you do?  Join Cinthia to continue talking about the characteristics of true generosity and the differences this generosity can make.

Regardless of your financial status, you have something to give; maybe for you it's time, approval, a smile, forgiveness, prayers, mercy, money, possessions, or other things.  Cinthia calls generosity a quality "straight from the heart of God," and explains that the more we trust His generosity to us, the freer we are to give to others. Learning to be generous increases our own mental health and enjoyment of the good. What makes giving a good thing?  Cinthia explores the kind of giving that honors God.

Today, Cinthia is joined by her friend Lisa Pewe, an equine specialist who is the Executive Director and program designer of Envision Therapeutic Horsemanship.  They discuss how working with horses can help those impacted by trauma, attachment problems, and other difficulties.  Cinthia shares her own experiences engaging in equine therapeutic horsemanship with Lisa, and the two discuss work that is happening and services that are becoming available now, as well as some that lack only the funding to become reality.  

If you've been following this series for the last two weeks, you've probably gotten so much great information that it's been like drinking from the proverbial fire hydrant!  Today, Cinthia offers some summaries that can give you some overall perspective and places to start.  We want to be the best versions of ourselves and to have the best versions of our relationships; join Cinthia to find out how!

How can you help the woman you love to be less stressed?  What can you do when she is insecure about her appearance?  What is the deal with giving jewelry?  Cinthia continues her exploration of what makes a woman feel truly loved.  Make sure you listen to yesterday's episode, then join us for this one!

For men, trying to figure out women can seem like the riddle of the ages.  Men are often frustrated with the sense that, no matter how hard they work, the woman they love continues to question their love and communicate insecurity.  Gentlemen, if you've ever wished someone would explain to you what women want and need, you're going to love this episode (and tomorrow's, too).  You don't have to be wealthy or be a poet laureate.  There really are things you can do to make all your effort translate to her as the love you know is behind it.  Join Cinthia for the first day of clarity, and come back tomorrow for more!

Do you know how to communicate love to a man in a way that he understands?  Women may take for granted that their expressions of love will be understood and are confused and hurt when those communications don't seem to land.  Yesterday, Cinthia explored the first 11 ways to make a man feel loved; today she adds fourteen more!  

Have you ever been shocked to realize that someone you loved didn't really know how much you loved him or her?  Sometimes we're sure our love is obvious, but the other person isn't experiencing the things that mean "love" to him or her.  If you liked last week's podcasts on gender patterns and differences, you're going to love this week's series on how to communicate love to each gender.  Today Cinthia begins a surprising exploration of what makes men feel loved.  It may not be what you would think!

So many conversations between men and women go downhill for reasons that have nothing to do with the content they are discussing.  (Ever been there?)  Men and women use and perceive a lot of things differently, including body language, words and phrases, facial expression, even the conversation itself.  This episode is crucial for anyone who communicates with members of the opposite sex, whether in business, marriage, family relationships, organizations, friendships, or community interaction.  Grab a pen to take notes, or plan to listen a few times -- it's that good and that important.

Guys, does the woman in your life seem to bring up the past when you thought it was resolved?  Ladies, do you find yourself being perceived as weak in business situations even though you are entirely competent in your role?  Understanding basic gender differences can revolutionize our communication and give us tools for understanding and communicating more effectively.  Today, Cinthia continues looking at the needs of women.  Gentlemen, if you ever find it confusing or frustrating to try to communicate with the females in your life, today and yesterday are must-listen podcasts.  Ladies, if you're trying to communicate with men but worry that you're not being taken seriously, this episode has great tips and explanations to help.  And, everyone, if you love today's episode, come back tomorrow for lots of specific communication tips.