Heart Of The Matter Radio

Whew! Your kids are grown. You made it. However, one of them announced a secret. You panic. What can you do. This is NOT how you raised them. Discover answers: Author Sharon Elliott wrote a book on this topic. Listen, laugh,  and relax!

I homeschooled. I remember March, and I was tired. From December to May is the longest stretch of the year. The finish line approaches, but you aren't there yet. You need a break, badly. How can you hang in there and finish well?  My guest this week was Jennifer Henn, a veteran homeschool mom. You might inform your children that when they reach a certain spot in the textbook they are finished with that subject. What a great incentive. Moms can also block off a day to work on a home project with another mother. Jennifer had great suggestions. 

This is our final segment on love for the month of Februray, and probably the hardest. How can you love people you don't agree with? Today we have such bitter divisions between people. Not being of the same political persuastion means name calling. Ugh.  My guest this week was Author Peggy Sue Wells. She said we often learn why people hold their opinions when we hear their stories, and she shared ideas for reaching out. Thought provoking!

How do you love a toddler when he defies you? What's the loving thing todo when he throws a temper tantrum? How do you love a school age child when they don't want to go to bed? When a teenager rolls his eyes, what should you do?  Author Sharon Elliott answers all these questions. She wrote Didn't See that Coming: When How They're Living's Now How You Raised Them.  Sharon also explained how she supported and celebrated each child. 

Valentine's Day is all about romance and romance belongs in marriage.  We want to have a great marriage for our kids, but it's also Biblical. Scripture teaches marriage depicts Christ's love for his church. Last week we had a wife who suffered through a tough marriage for many years. This week we have a lady who had a great marriage for almost 49 years. Terri Gillespie love all things Jewish, and she offered her best marriage tips. She also gave us a history lesson on  marriage ceremonies in the time of Christ. Very interesting and useful. 

The month of February brings Valentine's Day, and we'll be covering topics about love this entire month.  Romantic love should be in marriage, but often spouses clash, and loving feelings fade. There's hope! Author Kathy Collard Miller almost crashed her marriage because she had all the wrong ideas and started hating her husband. However, the Lord taught her some valuable lessons. She shared wisdom with us this week. 

I recently took my granddaughter to the park. I enjoyed watching as she threw herself into making friends and enjoying the equipment. She was peaceful. Unfortunately, that freedom and peace she felt disappears as we get older. All kinds of thoughts crowd our mind. We worry about what people think of us and wonder how we appear.  My guest this week was Tracy Taris. She recently wrote a book about sorting out the voices we hear. Rather than just accept what society screams at us, we need to evaluate. She gave guidance on finding peace of mind.

Last week we discussed how to handle tough conversations with your children. This week, we are going to expand. Think about what your kids will say about you after you are gone. What are your actions communicating?  My guest was Gwyen McCaslin, licensed counselor and dear friend. She overflows with grace and wisdom.

We've all put away our Christmas decorations (or most of us), and the New Year has begun. Now we must dust off those problems that came up during the year, or perhaps tough items we must discuss. Having that hard conversation with your children is nasty. I'd rather talk to my friend, my husband or even the cat rather than deal with the horrible issues our culture tosses us.  Author Lori Wildenberg was my guest this week. She has written nurmerous books like The Messy Life of Parenting. Lori gave great information on getting started. Find common ground and launch that conversation.

When my daughter was abot three years old, we took down our real Christmas tree during her nap. When she woke, she saw it outside and she said, "Christmas tree, come back." That made me sad. I hate taking down the Christmas decorations. The house seems so bare and cold. My guest this week is Dr. Michelle Bengstrom. She holds a doctorate in psychology, and she addressed how to overcome the after Christmas blues. For instance, If you go outside and expose your body to sunshine, the light lifts your mood even if you wear sunscreen. She offered this and several other suggestions to engergize you for 2023.

As the year comes to an end, we look back negatively and plan on reaching all our goals for the next year. However, let's put a positive spin on the New Year. Author Peggy Sue Wells shared great ideas: Reflect - measure the gain. Reframe - marking you progress. Refocus - plan one to three goals for the New Year. 

Cynthia offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of God's only begotten son, Jesus. 

Most Americans associate Santa with Christmas. Now that Thanksgiving is over, you'll see 'Santa' everywhere. However, the real Santa didn't sport a big belly or wear a red suit. He believed in Jesus, and he helped people in need. My guest this week spent hours reserching the man behind the myth. Rhonda Robinson wrote The Legend of Christmas, the Untold Story of the Real St Nicholas. under the pen name Theresa White.

If you live very long, you will face trials. Gut wrenching stuff. The Lord even promised we would have trouble in this life. So why on earth does the Word say to 'be thankful in all things?' (I Thessalonians 5:18). That really seems crazy because none of us like the hard parts of life. I would rather sip tea and read a mystery novel about some other person's problems.  My guest this week was Author Carol Leatham. After living through a long-term trial, she wrote Finding Joy in My Messy Life. Her answers are raw but real. 

My guest this week was Author Debbie Wilson. She teaches a Bible study in her home and has written a Bible study series about how God is big and we are not. The next book in the series, Little Strength Big God, comes out soon. Debbie shared one of her earthquake moments and told how God gave her strength through that time. How wonderful to have a God we can depend on when life falls apart. 

With the holidays approaching, we'll all be entertaining in our home. By showing hospitality, we can have a huge impact on the lives of others.  Author and speaker Victoria Duerstock was my guest this week. We talked about how hospitality touches people,  overcoming barriers, and great ways to share your life with others.

This is our third podcast on church trauma. This week my guest was author and speaker, Nancy Kay Grace. Her husband has served as a pastor for 47 years. From her wealth of experience, she offered her perspective on healing and forgiving. Download a list of tips for recovery from church trauma here.

Author Rebecca White was my guest this week. She shared her experience with a church split. You will hear her talking about kindness and working to fill in for missing people. You can see how the Holy Spirit works. When people in the church fail, the Lord graciously picks up the pieces and brings us through using imperfect people. Beautiful!

You don't expect to get hurt at church. However, sin causes chaos and people feel betrayed . Post Traumatic Church Syndrome. After suffering, we long to walk away and never go back, but that's not what God wants. Jesus established the church and we need to attend. My guest this week was Dawn Stephens who has authored several children's books. Dawn explains the complexity of her tough church situation, but she also shared how she healed.

Mothering is a big job. People used to say "the one who rocks the cradle rules the world." That quote reflects the importance of the job, yet it's hard work. How can moms maintain their joy and stamina? My guest this week was author Karen Whiting. She wrote a book, Growing a Mother's Heart, and a devotional by the same name. Karen's advice and experience can encourage and equip younger moms.