Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast

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.

How can busy parents reach out to their own parents on Valentine's Day? What if they demand more than you have time to give? Cynthia and her assistant, Mavian Arocha-Rowe, chat about this important topic.

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.

We live in a time of upheaval and women are uneasy. In this video, Cynthia told a story from history to give courage and a long-term perspective. Cynthia L Simmons films "Cynthia Chats" and #momlife" chats which can be viewed on Rumble, Youtube, or Bitchute.

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.

Let's use the holidays to talk about Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins. Joleen Steel loves to teach children about God, and she has devised several great crafts you can use during the holidays to teach your children truth about the Lord.

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.

This pandemic taught me I need people. I tend to be shy, so at first the quarantine didn't bother me much. However, as time went on, I missed my friends. Unfortunately, we can be so afraid of what others think that we never let people see who we really are. How sad to miss true friendships Author Gail Porter offered help. She released her newest book explaining how she she overcame perfectionism and her fear of rejection. Freedom feels wonderful.

Everyday when I get up, I have my to-do list ready to go, and I start marking off completed jobs. How easy to put off prayer and meditation until I'm so tired I can't stand up. Not good! My guest this week was Julie Gorman. She completed the book Gentle Whispers., which explains here amazing walk with God. Her story blessed me, and I hope it blesses you also.

Years ago, Princess Diana said she hoped someone taught her boys to pray. That made me sad because I wondered if she didn't know how either. I can't imagine living without prayer. This week, author Karen Whiting was my guest. She offered creative ways to introduce your kids to prayer.

Remember the story of the storm on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus slept in the boat? He was peaceful. The disciples, veteran sailors, were terrified for their lives even though they had seen Jesus heal others. This time they were in danger, and they forgot his power. That's easy for all of us to do. This week my guest, Becky Harling, told about her problem with worry and how she overcame.

Abby Johnson worked for Planned Parenthood and believed she was helping women until she watched an abortion. In our interview, Abby explained how she changed her mind and revealed the secrets they don't want you to know.

Do you ever feel lost on the parenting journey? We've got help! Life Coach Linda Goldfarb explained how to parent your child based on his/her personality so you can have happy kids and a pleasant home.

Life can make us uneasy, but today we also have the added stress of Covid 19, social unrest, and calls to defund the police. But there's hope! Author Ginger Harrington told her story about unrelenting anxiety when she suffered from Grave's disease. At times she was so fearful she couldn't drive her kids to school. However, with medication and counseling, she learned to control her emotions. This week, she shared valuable tips with us.

As moms, we realize our children won't stay with us forever. We teach and guide them so they can have a healthy adult life. However, even when they are young, you can search for that special activity that may evolve into a career. Jenni Stahlmann operates a special ministry teaching moms how to find a child's passion and launch them successfully. Her approach fascinated me and you'll love it too. #fromcradletocalling

Our country celebrated Independence Day, but we live in a time of upheaval when many believe our country is unjust and evil. Cynthia and her guest, Lisa Worthy Smith, discussed our system of government verses socialism and remembered the heroes in our past.

Our country celebrated Independence Day, but we live in a time of upheaval when many believe our country is unjust and evil. Cynthia and her guest, Lisa Worthy Smith, discussed our system of government verses socialism and remembered the heroes in our past.

Terri Gillespie, speaker for Savvy Homeschool conference shared how she struggled with that huge decision. She's a speaker for Savvy Homeschool Conference The conference goes from July 30 - August 1, 2020. Early Bird registration ends SOON

As we celebrate Independence Day, let's remember our freedom came with a huge price. Men shed their blood for us. My guest this week was Kris Rystrom Emmert who told about losing her husband and her recovery. Her story provides encouragement and hope.

God chose marriage to mirror the relationship between Christ and his church, so he places a high priority on it. In the Old Testament, He said he hated divorce. However, once you get past that wonderful newly-wed feeling, you may find problems arise you never expected. Author Linda Rooks overcame serious problems in her marriage. This week she shared what she learned to help you make the relationship with your spouse better.

Psalm 8 says God made man "...a little lower than angels and crowned him with glory and honor..." At times people don't act like that, but people are valuable because God invested them with His image. So how should we deal with tough people? Author Judy R Slegh had son who got on drugs, and she gave us tips from what she learned.

While chatting with friends, one lady asked if we would be married in heaven. A couple of the people in the room said they hoped not, and I noted both of them had difficult marriages. I believe we expect happiness in marriage. Splitting up violates God's design and causes more pain. Rather than get a divorce, we can work toward understanding our spouse and making things better. My guest this week was Linda Rondeau. Her latest novel, Second Helpings, covered a rocky marriage that improved. Linda will share her thoughts on making marriage better.

I remember reading, Tapestry, by Edith Schaeffer, which covered details of her husband's final illness. She commented we would all have heartache and we should prepare for it. I'm thankful for her words because when life knocked me down, I wasn't surprised. However, how should we live and how should we die? My friend, Heather Corhan, chatted with me this week. Unless the Lord heals her, she's dying, but she discussed how to live those final days. Her hope invigorated me, and you'll be blessed.

Nothing feels better than a new outfit that brings compliments from friends. However, this pandemic has cut into our income, so many of us must cut back on our clothing budget. Image consultant Jill Swanson chatted with me this week. A tenacious Christian, Jill overcame birth defects and became a stunning lady inside and out. You'll love her terrific ideas on inexpensive make up and clothing.

Do you ever look for your phone and discover you are holding it in your hand? Anytime that happens, I scold myself as if I've done something terrible. That means I'm human, and I believe God has more compassion for us than we do for ourselves. Counselor Debbie Wilson chatted with me this week on how God sees his children, and she gave a lovely picture of God caring for us as we grow. She has a terrific blog and even answers questions readers ask, so visit her website.

Our world has changed so dramatically in the last few weeks with the Covid 19 virus. Unfortunately, life brings these unexpected events to us, and some drop us into painful circumstances. But we have hope. I hosted author Cheri Swalwell this week, and she shared how God walked her through a terrible loss. Her story can guide us as we face the unpleasantness of life.

I remember when my fifth child started to babble, and friends said he'd soon be calling me, "Mommy." The other four called me already, so I wasn't anxious for him to talk too. Later, I learned he was autistic spectrum. After that, I felt terrible about wanting him to be quiet. Being a mom is tough and brings lots of conflicting feelings. Sometimes we feel exhausted. Michelle Medlock Adams , who is a mom and author, offered help and encouragement this week.