Heart Of The Matter Radio

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.

My mother used to say her children never got into things, and they never did this or that. The list was long. I had five kids, and once I told Mama mine did every one of her taboos. She didn't know what to say. I started off trying to be perfect but soon discovered I couldn't live up to that. Jill Savage was my guest this week, and she showed us ways to be great moms without worrying about perfect.

This morning I heard a senator comment on how crazy this year has been. The corona virus still has many people frightened, but we've also had hurricanes, riots, and political tension. People have wondered if our lives will ever return to normal.  My friend, Julie Gillies, wrote a book, which is perfect for 2020, Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart. She was my guest this week, talking about how she has found peace in hard times.

The lady in Proverbs 31 looked well to the ways of her household, and had several businesses. Her children rose up and blessed her, and her husband praised her. My guest lived out that passage by starting her own business and giving away food during the Covid crisis. Tara Royer Steele revealed how she accomplished so much and what she learned.

William Wilberforce, the man who ended slavery in England, met Queen Victoria when she was a child. He got down in the floor to play with her, which differed from the way Victorians treated their offspring. Author Laurie Sargent was my guest this week, and she dipped into letters from her grandmother to illustrate childrearing from the past. Plus, she divulged ways to make learning fun.

Several years ago, I had to clean out my childhood home so we could rent it to pay for my father's care. My parents had lived there over forty years, accumulating furniture, papers, memorabilia, letters, photographs, and books. The job was overwhelming. This unpleasant job made me want to sort through my own home and give away what I didn't need. This week, Cynthia Ruchti was my guest and we discussed letting go of emotions, and attitudes as well as unused possessions.

2020 had been a rough year for our nation. The pandemic, fires out west, riots, Hurricane Sally and unrest have plagued us. We need prayer more than ever.  Author Janet McHenry was my guest this week. She told the story of her prayerwalks and the lives changed as a result. What an encouraging example for us today. 

Moms teach and guide their kids all day long, and that means we talk all day. However, listening to them takes work, but they need that. Life Coach Linda Goldfarb shared her secret formula for listening. I wish I had known this when my kids were little.