Heart Of The Matter Radio

Years ago, I a friend and I taught a Bible study for ladies. When it was my turn to teach, I battled negative thoughts, which I saw as spiritual attacks. In Philippians 4, the Bible tells us to think about things that are good, pure, and excellent. How can we do that when life is crazy? Michelle Nietert was my guest this week. She's a licensed counselor and gave a roadmap to keeping our thoughts on track.

This pandemic has lasted almost a year now, and we see no end in sight. Medical folk are now saying we have to wear masks even if we receive the vaccination. The CDC keeps giving different guidelines that contradict each other. We sense a loss of freedom and wonder what's happening to our nation. It's easy to be fearful. My guest this week was Cheri Swalwell. Fear dominated her life for years, and she told how she overcame fear with faith.

I used to watch the Waltons on TV, and I enjoyed the warm relationships between the family. They went through hard times, yet everyone loved each other. How can we create that warmth in our families when our lives are so complex? My guest this week was Tina Yeager. She's a licensed counselor and life coach. Tina and I discussed ways to communicate love and connect with our children. 

Red roses and chocolates fill the stores as Valentine's Day approaches. What a great time to talk about keeping love in marriage. Our marriages portray the love of Christ for the church. God intended husbands and wives to enjoy each other, so let's consider ways to do that. Jasmine Smith was my guest this week, and her new shop carries intimate clothing for married women. We discussed roadblocks to staying close. 

Mavian Arocha-Rowe, editor of Chispa Magazine, and Cynthia L Simmons do weekly #momlife chats on topics women are thinking about. The topic this week was on how to teach Leviticus. Do all those laws relate to us? Should we oversimplify? Check Youtube, Rumble, and Bitchute for more #momlife chats.

I recall my first visit to England. The moment I stepped off the plane, I felt like I didn't belong. We spoke the same language, sort of.  I experienced culture shock. Mabel Ninan joined me this week to talk about immigrating from India. She felt displaced and uncomfortable, but she explained how that strengthened her faith.

I've always loved history. First, there's so much to learn. Second, you discover wonderful stories of people who lived by faith. Plus, you can see how God works all things for good for his children.  Jonita Miller was my guest this week,, and she told about Alice Johnston, the firsts lady elected to Congress. You'll find her choices inspiring.

Linda Kruschke was my guest this week, and she told an incredible story. She was raped several times when she was in her teens and kept her pain a secret, hoping it would go away. Her plan didn't work, and she sank into depression. However, she explained how she overcame the trauma.

I'm saddened by the recent attacks at the capitol, and I'm very weary of Covid-19. So far 2021 hasn't proven to be much better than 2020. You may wonder where can we find hope. I chatted with Grace Fox this week, and she told amazing stories from her life that showed how God used tough times. What a testimony about finding hope in crisis. 

Last fall, we had a nasty storm in my neighborhood that blew over a tree. Walking by, I noted this huge tree across the road which had a small root ball. Maybe that's the reason it fell. Life happens, and when it does, we need deep roots. My guest is Kathy Howard, and her last book was named Deep Rooted. From her in-depth study of Mark, she talked about how we can remain stable when high winds threaten. 

After a rough year, many people welcome the New Year, hoping for life to be easier in 2021. How can we end well? What's a good mind-set for the New Year?   My guest, Mavian Arocha-Rowe, and I discussed those questions to launch the New Year. She serves as my assistant. She's also a book editor, Chispa Magazine + Little PINK book editor, Via Magazine Publisher, and teacher. 

A prayer of thanks for the birth of Jesus and a cry for God's grace and blessing in 2021 by hostess Cynthia L Simmons.

I've always thought of Christmas as a time of joy, but I this year, I fight worry. 2020 turned our world upside down, and I see no end in sight. That's one reason I enjoy history. Stories from the past lift my spirits. Looking back, you can see how God worked. This week Author Rebecca Price Janney told an encouraging story from a Christmas during the Revolutionary War. 

I recall holding my first baby and feeling the awe and pride. I also felt a huge responsibility to teach my baby about the Lord and about eternity. Lee Ann Mancini was my guest this week. She has several seminary degrees and writes books for children. This week she gave suggestions on teaching your kids. 

We want our family to have a wonderful Christmas, (kids and relatives too) but everyone is different. How can you do things everyone loves? Life Coach Linda Goldfarb was my guest this week. From her wealth of knowledge, she offered four ideas to make sure everyone has a Merry Christmas.

Cynthia offered a prayer to celebrate Thanksgiving.

I've always considered Thanksgiving as a time for family: a time to come together, chat, thank God, and love each other. However, getting family members together who don't get along can be tricky.   My guest this week, Meredith Kendall, comes from a family that succeeded in making Thanksgiving what I think it ought to be. She explained what happens and how. Enjoy and see if you can create that too. 

Cancer. That word brings fear every time a doctor give that diagnosis. The individual and his family have a long, painful road to travel.  My guest this week was Ginny Brant, and she lived through a very aggressive form of breast cancer. She and her oncologist put together a book on preventing and getting over cancer. Ginny shared lots of her tips with us. 

My parents left a legacy for me, a great marriage. I'm so glad they loved each other for fifty-six years. How awesome for me to live up to. You can also leave a legacy by being creative and fostering that in your children. My guest, Mary Potter Kenyon, gave many ideas on sparking the creativity you thought you'd lost. 

The Senate just confirmed Amy Coney Barrett as justice of the Supreme Court. When the Senate interviewed her several years ago, one senator told her, "The dogma lives loudly within you." meaning you live your faith. Soon after, people started making T-shirts and mugs with those words because that's how we are supposed to live. My guest this week, Sharon Elliot, gave tips on allowing the 'dogma to live loudly' so God can bless our lives.