Heart Of The Matter Radio

Our choices impact us and others. Remember, Eve at the forbidden fruit, which changed the world forever. This week, Peggy Sue Wells joined me. She has just co-authored the novel, The Patent. The central issue revolves around decision making which turned out poorly. In light of the story, Peggy Sue shared tips on making good decisions.

Many women deal with anxiety and worry. We ladies like our lives to be safe and comfy, but life disturbs our peace. My guest this week was Michelle Lazurek. The Lord taught her huge lessons on managining anxiety and she wrote a book sharing what she learned.

According to the NCADV, domestic violence hotlines receive about 19,000 calls each day.  One in four women experience either sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an imtimate partner during their lifetime. My guest this week was Victoria Cuore, who survived an abusive husband. She offers help and a listening ear to women in crisis. 

Would you like to believe a lie? I wouldn't. That's why I'm always checking to ensure my I dropped my anchor in the right place, and God is my anchor.  When Darwin Publishsed  Oriigin of the Species, he proposed life evolved gradually over time, eliminating the need for a Creator.  However, today new discoveries show evidence of design. My guest this week was Casey Luskin, who works for Discovery Institute in Seattle.  He updated us on the latest research.

Our culture has adopted unique ideas in the last few years, and many don't make sense. As believers, we hold a Biblical worldview, and that makes us go against the culture. My guest, Lisa Betz, loves the Roman era and has written two mysteries from that time period. She gave her historical prespective on living counter-culturally. 

Change! Last winter when it was cold, our power went out. We moved our cats to my son's to keep warm. However, the youngest cat was very unhappy, and he stayed under the couch refusing to eat. Whenever our kids face change, they experience stress too. Author Heidi Vertrees wrote a book called "Victor Survives Being a Kid. She offered tons of tips that manage the transistion. 

Sometimes I ask my husband to hug me when I'm feeling tense. Nothing comforts quite as well as that physical contact. My guest this week was Donna Frisinger, and she loves to hug. She shared her research on touch to remind us to love on our children and husbands.

The most romatic folk in the world should be married couples. However, it's easy to let the romance go flat Author Pam Farrell offered fun and exiting way to WOW your husband this Valentines Day and everyday.

Red roses, puffy hearts, and candy fill the stores for Valentine's Day. However, these don't represent Biblical love. Author Lee Ann Mancini was my guest this week. She discussed the differencess in Biblical love vs worldly love. 

We tend to think about getting healthy in the New Year, but this week we are going to address healthy living for your children. Author Susan Neal is a registered nurse and she has written on eating to stay healthy. Should you eat granola bars? What about fats? Nuts? She gave an excellent overview on lifestyle and food.

I recently heard a pastor say we live in extra-ordinary times, and I agree. Our nation has been through a lot, and we hear bad news every time we turn on the news. Can we find hope for 2022? My guest was Lori Wildenberg who just finished a book on messy hope for depressed or anxious children. She gave a realistic look at overcoming and helping our families do the same.

We want to have a family, a degree, homeschool, and have a business or ministry. Maybe you want to write a book. Doing all that takes organization. My guest this week was Sharon Norris Elliott . Her guidelines will help you get a great start. She raised kids, taught school, and earned an advanced degree. Great information!

Author Peggy Sue Wells was my guest this week, and she shared tons of information. As a single mom of seven grown children, she made up her mind about what she will NO longer do. You'll learn and chuckle!

Dear Father, we come into your presence at the end of a difficult year and throw ourselves on your mercy and grace. We are dependent on you. Life is more than food and the body more than clothing. We cannot live on bread alone...

C. S. Lewis encouraged people to read from different time periods. He said that practice helped people understand the thought in your own time.  This week, author Rebecca Price Janney looked back at Christmas after the American Revolution. She pointed out lessons for our troubled Christmastime.

I met a little boy recently who didn't realize Christmas was the birth of Jesus. How sad. However, we can get so busy and leave him out. This week my guest was author Pam Farrell. She gave lots of fun ideas on keeping Jesus in mind while we celebrate. Go here to find her "baker's dozen" tips.

The pandemic kept us away from friends and family members last year, which makes us long for a joy-filled Christmas this year. Author Christine Trimpe shared how to be a joy-finder in the book of Luke. 

Christmastime has arrived. After the pandemic last year, we hoped for less stress. However, we have terrible inflation and problems with shipping. My guest this week was Joan C Benson. Her book related a true story: her mother lived through the crash of the stock market as the depression started. She learned many lessons we need today.

In 2009, a comedian assisted by atheist Richard Dawkins posted signs on British Buses that said; "There probably is no God, so enjoy your life." Obviously, the message didn't encourage morality. Many parents today in the U.S. hesitate to send their children to college because of the atheism and naturalism taught there.  However, my guest, Stephen Meyer, asserts science gives evidence of a creator, and he listed those in his newest book, Return of the God Hypothesis.

As moms, we focus on the day to day details. For example: Did Megan leave a mess in her bedroom again? Is Anna's rash clearing up. That job is vital, however, we also need to think long-term. What gifts does my child have? Has he or she established their core values? My guests this week are Greg and Beth Langston. They have a ministry helping kids prepare for college. Kids need to be self aware and know their strengths and weaknesses to attract a good college.