Ever wondered if that uneasy feeling about someone you're dating is just fear, or something more divine? When your spirit feels unsettled despite promising appearances, it might be the Holy Spirit's gentle protection rather than your own pickiness.

We break down six critical red flags that may appear innocent but actually serve as divine whispers saying "this is not your person." From spiritual disconnection (the most significant warning sign) to inconsistent character, lack of accountability, emotional manipulation, unhealed wounds, and the heartbreaking experience of losing yourself, each red flag represents God's loving guidance toward something better.

"Sometimes the enemy will send distractions as desires," Renee explains, reminding us that as believers, we're dating for purpose, not just attention. The world teaches us to overlook warning signs for the sake of butterflies or to avoid loneliness, but God's protection often comes disguised as rejection. Those disappointing dating detours are actually divine redirections toward the person who will truly complement your identity in Christ.

Whether you're currently dating, healing from a relationship that displayed these warning signs, or preparing for future connections, this episode provides spiritual clarity and practical wisdom. Remember, you weren't created to be someone's emotional rehabilitation center, you were designed for partnership rooted in faith, consistency, and mutual growth. Share this episode with friends navigating their own dating journeys, and join us next week as we explore kingdom-minded dating that's not casual, but called.

Support the show

You’ve prayed. You’ve waited. And now someone shows up, but how do you really know if it’s an answered prayer or just another distraction?

In this perspective-shifting episode, we’re flipping the script, from fear-based dating to faithful discernment. For too long, we've approached relationships with a defensive mindset: scanning for red flags, bracing for the worst, and often missing the blessing God may be placing right in front of us.

Today, we're exploring five essential green flags that signal a Christ-centered connection, the kind of partnership built on purpose, peace, and spiritual maturity. From genuine spiritual intimacy to emotional safety, accountability, and alignment with your calling, these green flags help you recognize when someone is actually equally yoked with you, not just checking your boxes.

Whether you're dating, discerning, or simply preparing your heart for what’s ahead, this conversation will equip you with practical wisdom to recognize Godly love when it shows up. Because God isn’t just protecting your heart, He’s preparing it to receive the real thing.

Let’s stop dating in fear and start recognizing the fruit of faithful, healthy, God-honoring love.

Support the show

Ever caught yourself thinking "I'll be happy when I find the right person"? That mindset might be holding you back from the very relationship you're seeking. In this powerful season 6 opener, we're shifting focus from married couples to singles, dating couples, and newly engaged listeners with a truth that changes everything: before finding "the one," you must become "the one."

The search for lasting love isn't about scrolling harder on dating apps or lowering your standards—it's about becoming whole in Christ first. Looking at Adam's story in Genesis reveals God's blueprint: purpose before partnership, identity before intimacy. Your waiting season isn't a punishment or oversight—it's intentional preparation where God heals past wounds, shapes your character, and refines your unique purpose.

Many singles put their lives on pause, thinking marriage will suddenly provide joy, discipline, or direction. But relationships don't create these things—they magnify what's already present. Start building your life with God now. Take the trip. Develop good habits. Grow spiritually. Your waiting season isn't a holding pattern—it's a launch pad for everything God has planned. When feeling forgotten while scrolling through engagement announcements, remember Psalm 31:15: "My times are in your hands." You're not behind; you're being set apart for something extraordinary. Trust God's timing and storyline, His plot twists are always better than our shortcuts.

Whether you're single, dating, or recently engaged, join me each week for practical wisdom on navigating relationships God's way. Subscribe, share with friends and send your questions for future episodes. The journey to finding love starts by first becoming the person God created you to be.

Support the show

The most beautiful love stories aren't the ones without conflict, but those where couples choose to stay and grow through the hard seasons. In this powerful season finale of our marriage season, we're tackling what it truly means to play the long game in marriage. Marriage isn't just merging schedules and living spaces, it's merging wounds, dreams, habits, and faith journeys. Two imperfect people trying to love like Jesus did. When that journey gets rocky, it doesn't mean you've failed; it means you're in the process of becoming something beautiful together.

Renee shares intimate advice about recommitting to your spouse beyond just anniversary celebrations. Those small moments—a whispered prayer in the kitchen asking God for strength to choose love today, or holding your partner's hand and saying "I still choose you despite knowing more of your flaws now"—these are the threads that strengthen the fabric of lasting love. Remember, God specializes in resurrection. What feels numb can be made new; what feels stale can become sacred again.

Your marriage has purpose beyond your happiness. It's a kingdom partnership, a testimony to God's faithfulness, and a legacy that influences everyone around you. When you shift from a sprint mentality to a marathon mindset, you stop asking "how do I win this fight?" and start asking "how do we fight for each other and what we're building together?" That's when breakthrough happens.

Whether you're newly married, celebrating your tenth anniversary, or navigating a tough season right now, this episode offers faith-filled perspective to help you stay the course. Subscribe for our upcoming dating series, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement in their marriage journey. God isn't finished with your love story yet.

Support the show

Family dynamics can be some of the most challenging aspects of any relationship. Whether you're navigating an overbearing in-law, feeling stifled by longstanding family traditions, or simply trying to merge two completely different family cultures, these tensions can affect even the strongest relationships.

This episode dives deep into the delicate balance of honoring family while establishing healthy boundaries. Drawing from biblical wisdom, Renee shares how setting boundaries isn't just permissible, it's actually modeled by Jesus himself. We explore the powerful truth that acknowledging difficulties in family relationships isn't dishonoring; rather, it's often the first step toward healing and growth.

The heart of this conversation focuses on practical strategies for navigating these complex dynamics. You'll learn how to present a united front with your partner, use "we" language when communicating decisions, and invite divine guidance before difficult conversations. Most importantly, you'll discover that your peace doesn't depend on everyone understanding your choices, it comes from faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to you.

For couples building their lives together, this episode offers reassurance that you're not alone in these challenges. Whether you're dating, newly married, or years into your relationship, this message will equip you with biblical principles and practical tools to navigate family relationships with both grace and truth. Remember, God isn't intimidated by your family dynamics, and with His wisdom, you can create a home that honors others while protecting your peace.

Ready to transform how you approach family relationships? Listen now, and don't forget to share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Have questions or topics you'd like addressed? Write in to be part of our upcoming conversations!

Support the show

Money makes or breaks countless marriages, but what if your financial differences could actually strengthen your relationship? Renee, dives deep into how couples can transform financial stress into spiritual growth through a kingdom-centered approach to money.

At its core, money represents far more than dollars and cents – it embodies our sense of safety, control, identity, and dreams. When partners bring different financial backgrounds and habits to a marriage, conflict naturally follows. But unity doesn't require identical perspectives. Renee explains, "Unity doesn't mean sameness. It means oneness of heart, vision and purpose." This distinction transforms how couples navigate their finances together.

Drawing from scripture and personal experience, Renee offers practical wisdom for building financial peace: budgeting together regardless of who pays the bills, praying about significant purchases, establishing regular financial check-ins, and embracing the concept of "our money" rather than individual ownership. She beautifully reframes Biblical submission and servant leadership within financial contexts – not as power dynamics but as mutual respect and collaborative decision-making. Most powerfully, she addresses those inevitable seasons of financial hardship that test even the strongest marriages. "Remember this truth," she encourages, "God doesn't waste hard seasons. He uses them to draw us closer to him and to each other."

Whether you're currently navigating financial tension or proactively building financial unity, this episode offers both spiritual guidance and practical tools. Subscribe now and join us next week as we tackle another relationship challenge: "Navigating In-Laws, Traditions and Tensions with Grace and Love." Have questions? We'd love to address them in upcoming episodes – reach out today!

Support the show

Remember when you first fell in love? Those days filled with spontaneous adventures, inside jokes, and laughter over the smallest things? Somewhere along the way, between managing bills, coordinating schedules, and tackling life's responsibilities, many marriages transform into business partnerships rather than joyful companionship.

This episode uncovers why fun isn't just a nice addition to your marriage—it's absolutely essential. The simple truth is that couples who play together tend to stay together. We explore why joy isn't just emotionally beneficial but spiritually significant as well. As Galatians 5:22 reminds us, joy is a fruit of the Spirit, making playfulness in marriage not a distraction from spiritual growth but evidence of it.

When marriage feels heavy, laughter serves as medicine. It builds intimacy, breaks tension, and reinforces that foundational friendship that brought you together in the first place. I share practical, accessible ways to reintroduce fun into your relationship—from weekly date nights and inside jokes to adventure jars filled with activities you can pull from when connection feels distant. The goal isn't perfection; it's connection. Fun creates the bridge back to friendship, and friendship is the soil where love continues to grow and flourish.

Don't wait for fun to find you—make it happen! Schedule it, prioritize it, and protect it as if your marriage depends on it. Because in many ways, it does. Fun might not fix everything, but it fuels everything by reminding you both that marriage isn't just about surviving together; it's about enjoying the journey side by side. What small moment of joy will you create in your relationship this week?

Support the show

Ever felt like ships passing in the night with your spouse while raising little ones? You're not alone. This heartfelt episode dives into the sacred balancing act between nurturing your marriage and embracing the beautiful chaos of parenthood.

Renee shares personal insights as both a relationship expert and mother to an energetic six-year-old. She offers practical wisdom for couples drowning in school drop-offs, endless snacks, and bedtime routines who desperately want to maintain their connection. Drawing from Genesis 2:24, she reminds us that God designed marriage as a covenant that evolves—not disappears—when children arrive.

The beauty lies in the simplicity of her advice: connection happens in the margins. Those five minutes of undistracted conversation after the kids are asleep, the quick embrace in the kitchen, or the vulnerable check-in during household chores—these seemingly small moments create the foundation for lasting intimacy. "The goal isn't to be perfect," Renee emphasizes, "it's to be present." She explores how protecting time for your relationship isn't selfish; it's actually a profound gift to your entire family.

Whether you're in a season where connection comes easily or feeling completely disconnected, this episode offers grace-filled encouragement. Remember that your love story matters, and as Ecclesiastes reminds us, "a cord of three strands is not easily broken." Next week, discover why fun might be the secret ingredient your marriage needs most! Share this episode with a fellow parent and follow @1TrueMatch on Instagram or Facebook for more relationship wisdom grounded in faith.

Support the show