Heart Of The Matter Radio

While our nation pauses for this nasty virus, we'll still be celebrating Easter, which is the most important holiday of the year. Praise God, we serve a risen Savior, not one made of wood or stone.  Author Terri Gillespie offered wonderful images from Passover to share with your family.  He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

With Covid-19 racing across our nation, homeschool moms need a plan to teach if they get sick. My guest this week, Judy R Slegh, offered great ideas to keep your kids learning when you aren't 100%.

Whether you face Covid 19, poor health, money problems, homeschooling, or just raising your children, you can overcome fear. Author and speaker, Jennifer Slattery shared how God used tough times to teach her and her daughter. 

Our nation faces an unprecedented crisis. This microscopic corona virus has halted our entire nation, and other nations have closed their borders. Churches, gyms, schools and other social gatherings closed to protect us from contagion. And there's no toilet paper.  How can we cope? Historian Rebecca Price Janney shared stories from history to help us get a perspective on today's problems. 

Before I became a parent, I determined I wouldn't make the mistakes I'd seen others make. I had a long list of criteria that would dazzle any child. However, soon after I had my first child, I discovered parenting challenged me. I had several more, and that feeling grew. Kids aren't alike so what worked for one didn't work with the rest. I discovered prayer and good counsel helped. My guest this week was Counselor Gwyn McCaslin and she works at Hope Creek Counseling in Sugar Creek, Ohio. I've known her for years and watched as she finished her counseling degree. Her advice awes me every time.

Cynthia L Simmons and her guest Edna Ellison shared stories of how God shines his love through us in every day life and especially in hard times.  Listen and enjoy the encouragement.

Have you ever been embarrassed by a toddler? They throw tantrums in public places and present a challenge for new moms or homeschool moms. Here's help! Author and Life Coach Linda Goldfarb describes ways to bring calm and lead your child toward healthy choices.

Women don't like conflict. I'd rather hide than tackle a difficult topic, but I had to learn when I directed writing conferences. Otherwise, I wouldn't get anything accomplished. The Bible says to speak the truth in love, and my guest this week offers ways to do that. Lori Roeleveld wrote The Art of Hard Conversations. 

When I grew up, we passed out valentines to everyone in our classroom and ate candy with cute quotes. I always saved the prettiest valentines for my friends, but no one talked about love. However, moms can use the celebration to teach their children that love if more than a feeling, it's a choice to act.  Author Peggy Sue Wells offered ways to educate and have fun at the same time.

Sometimes I wonder when God will respond to our prayers for this crazy world. How can your faith remain strong? Rebecca Price Janney, was my guest this week. She told a wonderful story about riots in the 1960s and a revival that God gave during that time. Listen to her tips for keeping your faith strong when times are hard.

As mothers, we want our nest safe and secure, and we worry easily. I discovered I would fret without realizing it, and that's not good for you. Doctors tell us we release cortisol when we worry and in the long run it can damage our bodies. God gives a few directions on replacing worry with prayer from Philippians. "Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." My guest this week was Elaine Helms. She wrote Prayer 101.People call her the prayer lady. She will talk about how we can pray for ourselves and others and how prayer changes us. 

I have a sensitive stomach, so I'm very sympathetic to anyone with digestive issues. Nothing can ruin your day faster than an upset stomach. We've all heard about gluten, but the messages we hear can be confusing. Susan Neal was my guest this week. She has written Solving the Gluten Puzzle and offers a quiz on her website for those who suspect gluten issues.  

When I discovered I carried my fifth child, I decided I wouldn't appear dead. After all, men care what their wives look like. In a crowded of couple, they will rate all the men by how pretty their wives are.  However getting ready for the day can take up a lot of time when you have a young family or if you homeschool. My guest this week was Jill Swanson, an image consultant. She wrote Out the Door in Fifteen Minutes. 

Rest? I never did it. In fact, I prided myself on being able to juggle four or five things at a time. As a busy homeschool mom, I thought I was doing great. But I started getting sick. I had a hard time sleeping at night because my mind wouldn't stop running even when I went to bed. I began to wonder what it meant to rest. How did you do it? Ha! Rest means doing nothing.  My guest this week was. Brenda Janks. She has a ministry helping overworked moms slow down and rest. Listen to her tips on what healthy rhythms look like. 

Homeschool moms have at least two full-time jobs. Managing a home with multiple children, especially toddlers, presents a challenge. Add science, lesson preparation, essays, math, reading comprehension! Wow.  You can do it, and Melanie Wilson shared how she managed with her six children. Melanie is a psychologist  and has a homeschool blog, a podcast, and curriculum. 

In America, we can dream and take steps to make it happen. However, even more exciting than that, our choices to make something new reflect the nature of God.   My guest this week, Svetlana Papazov, shared how from her new book, Church for Monday, how much God loves us. She also said we can bring a redeemed future into reality every day of the year.     

Magic. That's the way I describe my childhood memories of Christmas. My family wasn't wealthy, but my mother purchased gifts thoughtfully. I knew she cherished me. That along with the lights leaves a wonderful feeling about Christmas, and I believe that's the message God wants us to get. The gift of his son shows us the depth of his love. We are special. My guest this week is Fay Lamb. She wrote Christmas Under Cover, and her story demonstrates overwhelming kindness. She shared how we could do that for others. 

Imagine Mary. An angel appeared to her and gave unbelievable news. How would you feel? What would you say to your parents? Can you envision your fiance's reaction? Author Debbie Wilson was my guest this week, and she shared lessons we can learn from the virgin Mary.

Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior at Christmas, but our culture leans toward partying to the point of exhaustion. Many of us long for a simpler time when we didn't face the pressures of the holiday. This week, I gathered a group of historical fiction authors to give us a look at Christmas in history. Susan G. Mathis shared about the Yule Log, and Linore Burkhard talked about Christmas in Regency and Victorian times.  Dave Fessenden covered traditions in the 1920s and Sarah Sundin finished with a look at the holiday season in World War II. 

Not everyone enjoys the holidays. Losing someone we love hurts, and the empty chair aches the first Thanksgiving and Christmas. We must remember children grieve too, but they can't process their emotions the same way we do.  Amy Ford was my guest this week, and she is a counselor specializing in children. She gave tips on helping your child grieve when you are hurting too.