Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast

When I was young, I liked to stay up at night, so Mother couldn't wake me up the next morning. I'd complain that my breakfast was cold, and she'd say it was because I stayed in bed too long. Mornings don't have to be tough. My guest this week was Life Coach Linda Goldfarb. She taught how to motivate your child based on his personality.

Prodigal: One lady told me she wished she had raised fish instead of being a parent. She worked so hard raising her children only to be disappointed when they became adults. A prodigal brings blinding heartache and a lot of problems. For moms who navigate this, I brought author Lori Wildenberg to give advice. She wrote: Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home. You can find Lori on Facebook where she sponsors a group and podcast called Moms Together.

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.

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.

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.

Hostess Cynthia L Simmons offers a prayer for thanksgiving: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him Oh fear the Lord, you His saints, For those who fear him have no lack The young lions want and suffer hunger, But those who seek the Lord lack for no good.

My father seldom called me the right name. First he called me his sister's name, then mother's before he landed on mine. Once my aunt died, I requested he drop out her name, but he didn't. I can't criticize him, though, because I messed up my kids names. Even worse, I've used the cat's name by mistake. LOL. Recently, a young father complained on facebook about confusing his kid's names. I welcomed him to the joys of parenting. My guest this week was Lori Wildenberg. She gave amazing advice about how to connect with your child, and how to empower them. Plus, have you thought about the difference between helping and enabling? She clears up that issue. Listen and enjoy!

Princess Beatrice has been flashing her new engagement ring, and the media has been showing photos of other royal rings for comparison. How fun to ooh and ah over the size and cost of each However, because platinum is rare, it's worth even more. Bethany Jett and Michelle Medlock Adams recently finished a book called Platinum Faith, which described all-in faith. They shared how valuable we are in God's eyes and how to have resilient faith.

I had five children, and each child had different strengths. In fact, the first two seemed so opposite, I wondered what the third child would be like while I was pregnant. Both girls struggled with math, and so I used Saxon math in my homeschool because that text keeps reviewing. Once the girls learned a concept, I didn't want them to forget. When my son came along, I used the same book, and he missed a lot of problems too. However, when he entered college, I learned my son excelled at math. That puzzled me, so I asked him why he found math hard. He told me math wasn't difficult. It was boring. He had a strength and I didn't know it. My guest this week was Analyn Miller. She and her husband wrote Play to Their Strengths, and they explain how to look for areas where your child is strong.

I've never enjoyed going through clothes. Years ago my mother-in-law gave me a bag of old clothes for the kids in varying sizes and colors. I stuck them in the attic and prayed they would all match when I brought them down in the spring. Thank goodness my closet door stays closed because my clothes are often a mess. However, I've learned all sorts of new things from Kathryn Graves. She's an author who loves to organize closets and drawers, and she also discusses fashion tips. She was my guest this week, so tune in and enjoy.

The homeschool movement started just after I married, and the idea fascinated me. I wanted to do it myself, but I gave birth to my third child about the time my oldest would have started kindergarten. Homeschooling with an infant seemed impossible, so I put my daughter in our church school. What a big mistake! My daughter was very sensitive and too young to put into a classroom situation. She disobeyed and became hard to handle, and we all missed the sweet girl she had been. Now I realize that's how she handled stress. We decided to homeschool and took her out of kindergarten. But I was terrified. The moment I started, I felt a huge weight descend on me. I had dreams of ruining my children. However, i adjusted to the new routine and school went well. I kept going when I realized my children thrived and had good manners. I ended up teaching all five through high school. My guest yesterday was Jennifer Henn. She also taught her three children through high school and wrote the book, Take the Mystery Out of Homeschool. Her ideas can help the newbie or the seasoned teacher.

The North and South operated different economies, and misunderstandings led to continual pressure during the mid-1800s. The two sides disagreed over slavery, states' rights, and tariffs. Finally after Lincoln won the 1860 election, Southern states left to form their own country. A bitter, bloody war fought between them lasted from 1861 to 1865. The battles caused the death of many soldiers and the deprivation of numerous civilians. George Santana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." Author Cathy Gohlke was my guest this week. She has researched extensively and written two novels on the war. Cathy shares insights on what we can learn from this terrible time.

I recall going through a period of transition a few years back. Even though I understood what I faced, I didn't feel comfortable. The world didn't seem right, and I didn't know what to do. I'm thankful for the older women in my life who helped me navigate those times. They knew how to speak to my heart when nothing else worked. The Bible talks about older women teaching the younger ones how to love their husband and children, so praying for a mentor can be a good thing. My guest this week was Susie Davis, and she has called herself a spiritual momma. She shared topics younger women often struggle with.

Habakkuk's complains ring true today: Oh Lord, How long shall I cry for help and you will not hear?... Why do you make me see iniquity and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed and justice never goes forth. Many people today suffer at the hands of others, creating pain and sorrow. I'm glad we have hope. Today my guest is Paula Mosher Wallace and she will share her story and ministry: Bloom in the Dark. God can "restore the years the locusts have eaten" and he has done that for her.

Recently a dear friend suffered a severe heart attack and died. Sadness overwhelmed us The suddenness caught us by surprise because our friend was so strong and healthy. He had a vital role to play in our church and in missions. In my grief, I remember accusing God of making a mistake. From my earthly perspective, God needed to plan better since this man who died did helped so many people. Emotions don't always reflect truth when you are hurting. My guest today is Sarah Forgrave suffered a long illness and shares how she managed tough emotions to find hope and healing.

Once I married, I realized the complexity of relationships. I thought I understood my husband's facial expressions, and I expected him to read my body language. He didn't. In fact, I learned his perspective often differed from mine. Babies are challenging too. They start off sweet and cuddly, but someday they'll grow up enough to say, "No!" How should you discipline them? Should you spank? That's a big controversy today. Have you ever been misunderstood or betrayed by a friend? What should you do about that? The book of Proverbs addresses all these issues. Kathy Collard Miller is my guest today, and she shares on these topics from her recent Bible study.

I once heard a joke on the James Dobson show. The guest said that when a child turns 12 you lock him/her in a barrel with a small opening, and when he/she turns 13, you stop up the hole. That expresses the frustration we parents feel while trying to navigate those sensitive years. I was a difficult teen at times too. When my mother got me a ride to school, I took issue with the family I didn't know and refused to talk. Mother told me they wondered if I hated them, and that wasn't far from the truth. It's embarrassing to think how rudely I acted. My guest is Letitia Suk and she has written 100 Need to Know Tips for Moms of Teens and Tweens. She's offering tips on managing our almost-grown-up kids.

When you hear the word cancer, you tremble. Recently, the doctor found I had enlarged lymph nodes. I understood he was trying to rule out cancer, but I felt creepy when my scan took place in the hospital cancer center. I'm a retired RN, so I know what can happen. Death. That's scary Have you ever noticed people whisper when they talk about death? I heard a pastor from England remind the congregation that death is serious. At the least, facing death makes you evaluate your life. Don't get me wrong, I'm confident in my faith, but I'm not anxious to be sick. The ups and downs of chemotherapy weigh on the family as well as the patient. I'm thankful my tests came back normal. Today my guest is Joanie Shawhan, and she shares how she lived through cancer and chemotherapy.

My bedroom sat at the opposite end of the house from my parents, which enhanced that feeling of loneliness you have after a nightmare. Once I had a terrible dream, and I rushed down that long hallway to my father only to hear him tell me to trust in God. At that moment, I wanted someone I could see and feel. We all sense the ache and tragedy in our world, so how can we sense the love of God. Deb and Roy Haggerty share from their recent book which draws from a lifetime of learning about God's mercy and love.

Years ago, while teaching my kids at home, we watched at the window while two birds landed on our bird feeder. One bird, (I assumed it was the mother bird) grabbed a beakful of seeds and stuffed them down the other bird. I was shocked. The 'baby' bird appeared full grown to me, especially since he flew to the feeder himself. After mom gave him several servings, both birds flew away. What a terrific image for moms. As your children near their teens, you start equipping them to leave the nest and survive on their own. Counselor Brenda L. Yoder shares ways we can help our kids (and ourselves) through that tough transition.

Years ago, while teaching my kids at home, we watched at the window while two birds landed on our bird feeder. One bird, (I assumed it was the mother bird) grabbed a beakful of seeds and stuffed them down the other bird. I was shocked. The 'baby' bird appeared full grown to me, especially since he flew to the feeder himself. After mom gave him several servings, both birds flew away. What a terrific image for moms. As your children near their teens, you start equipping them to leave the nest and survive on their own. Counselor Brenda L. Yoder shares ways we can help our kids (and ourselves) through that tough transition.

I love reading women's diaries from the past because we often write down what we really think but would never say aloud. Once I read a diary by a young lady who thought she saw her friend in a mirror, and she recorded how beautiful and posed her chum appeared. However, she suddenly realized she was seeing herself. That story reveals a lot about how a woman sees herself. Not many of us like what we see in the mirror. For instance, I used to long for straight hair instead of curly, but I've talked to women who wanted my curls rather than what they had. Often we come close to condemning ourselves too. Author Tina Yeager shares from her latest book on how we can become beautiful warriors and see ourselves as God does.

Life doesn't always turn out the way we expect. I recall showing off my ring after I was engaged, and one lady commented on how it might look after I mopped the kitchen floor. Looking back, I realize she thought I might be overly romantic rather than living in the real world, but I already knew life could be hard. And during tough times, we can wonder where God went. However, I have seen him at work during trials. My guest today, Patti Richter, wrote about a friend who experienced God's presence during a trial.

In the South, we expect heavy thunderstorms and often tornadoes in the spring and fall, but we listen to the weather forecast so we can be prepared. When our kids were young, we had a tree fall on our house during a storm that hit in the middle of the night. My husband and I woke the children, and all of us huddled together in the basement until the danger had past. Life brings storms that can be just as devastating as tornadoes. You can weather those storms stay anchored. Author Cynthia Cavanaugh shares how to do that from her newest book.

If you injured your arm, you'd see the doctor and follow his instructions to elevate and add ice until you recovered. However, if you had your nails done, you'd show all your friends and talk about the latest trends in nail design. In the same way, God intended believers to use their gifts in the church to build up and encourage one another. In a healthy church, if one member hurts, the others minister to that person, bringing them back to strength. Joy Trachsel is my guest today, and we trade stories on how we've seen the church do it's job.

When God created male and female, he planned for us to have children and raise them together. Notice what Genesis says: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it..." He gave that command to both the woman and the man because neither could have children alone. God designed us to need a father and mother. Notice this verse from Proverbs: "Hear my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Prov 1:8 We learn best from both parents, and the lack of either can hurt us, even if death causes the loss. TV personality Lisa Burkhardt Worley grew up without her father, and she tells how she found both healing and hope. Now her ministry offers help to others.

I remember discovering I was carrying my second child. While I wanted another baby, my first pregnancy was rough and I hated the thought of enduring labor again. My husband couldn't understand my ambivalence because he responded with excitement to the news. However, a few days later, I began to bleed, and that alarmed me. Suddenly, I wanted this baby. A lot! The inner nurse surfaced and I feared the worst. This time I was correct. My doctor did a sonogram, which proved the sack had dissolved. The baby was dead. Afterward, gloom impacted my judgement. I thought of my training and decided I would probably never have another child. Infertility would plague me forever. I knew from my studies the problem often started this way. To make matters worse, Another lady at church had a due date close to mine, and I watched in pain as her tummy grew. My heart ached with emptiness. I avoided her because she would have a new baby, and I would not. That experience gave me sympathy for those who struggle to have a child. My guest today is Crystal Bowman, and she has written about infertility to offer hope for women who suffer.

I had a very involved father who was also very flawed. To my mother's dismay, he saved every paper cup he ever got at Starkbucks so he could shoot at them. When I emptied his house, I discovered he kept every scrap he ever wrote on too. He always kept filling his gas tank until the dollars and cents ended on a even number. He tore up Momma's washcloths so he could get his finger in the hem to wash every spot on his body. But he loved me. Just before he died he told me how much he adored me and let me know he was ready to go to glory. I miss those expressions of love more than I expected. However, what about those who didn't have a father? Today I have Author Fay Lamb. Her latest novel centers on recovering from a father wound, just like she had to do. She shares how she recovered.

We ladies tend to dream about our wedding day all our lives. A beautiful white dress, flowers, an adoring groom, and happy guests make that picture complete. So we want everything to be perfect, but pulling all the details together presents a challenge. With all the people and working parts things can go wrong and family members can cause problems. Everybody prefers to have fun, stress-free wedding Peggy Sue Wells, author and mother of seven, shares a list of tips on helping the bride decide what she wants and knowing what the guests care about so families can create great memories.

Father's day has arrived again, and sometimes I wonder if merchants and card companies created these events so in order to promote sales. My family already celebrates each person's birthday, and Christmas, so another occasion seems excessive. However, the Bible does tell children to honor their parents. So early in our marriage, my husband and I decided the children would remember him on Father's Day and me on Mother's Day. That allowed them to learn creativity and thankfulness. The idea worked well. However, the Bible tells wives to "respect their husbands" and in Titus it commands older ladies to"...encourage the younger women to love their husbands..." If we respect our husband, we love him. We all know men think differently. When I get upset, I want my husband to help me process my emotions rather than fix the problem. So, what's the secret to love our husbands as God commands? I've asked my husband to answer that. Ray Simmons is a teaching elder at Grace Community Church.

Raising boys. Despite what you hear in the media, boys and girls act differently from birth. My oldest daughter had imaginary friends who lived in the vents, and she talked over her adventures with them. She also lined up her dolls and scolded them or taught them. Pretend cooking also fascinated her and she often offered me her concoctions. My two girls came first, then I had a son. The noises he made amazed me. He loved to tell me his imaginary adventures where he overcame lions or bears. Once he had a couple brothers, they scuffled in the living room, sometimes knocking things over. My guest today is Jonathan McKee, and he writes and speaks honestly to young people about the consequences of their choices. Jonathan offers invaluable clues to parenting boys.