Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast

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.

As a girl, I can remember wanting to connect with other children, but I didn't know how. Once I sat down by a girl my age and told her my name. She told me hers, and we began to play. I thought that was easy, just exchange names and then you're friends. However, as you get older the process gets more complex. When I make a friend, I want to stay in touch forever, but time and circumstances change. A friend in high school stopped writing me, and I tried so hard to faithfully send her letters anyhow. At one point, I mailed her a pretty card with an empty mail box to let her know I was sad not to hear from her, but she never responded. That broke my heart. Kathy Collard Miller has just completed a Bible study on friendship and she offers guidance on making and keeping friends.

As a preteen, I prayed for Mom to get the wall-to-wall carpet she longed for. Later, my parents won a contest and received carpet for their living room and dining room. Mom was thrilled, and both parents considered me an incredible prayer warrior. I look back now and wonder if that was God's encouragement. As an adult, I've had times prayer frustrated me. I prayed so hard and cared so deeply. Why didn't God answer. My husband, Ray Simmons, a teaching elder at our church offers answers. The photo is an Olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemene

After spending a life time teaching them and guarding them from harm, moms must step aside and allow grown children to make choices. Terri Gillespie, mother, author, and speaker, shares how she built a friendship with her formal prodigal.

Peggy Sue Wells, mother of seven, offers tips to mothers from her upcoming book.

Caregiver. Women tend toward nurturing, so we usually end up with the job, but caring for a family member can be tough. Watching a loved one decline hurts, and we all have hot spots and emotional baggage after years of being in the same family. Veteran caregiver, Deborah Keys shares tips for those considering the job and guidance for those already doing the work. Plus, learn how you can support and encourage someone in the trenches.

During the Great Awakening, many Americans took issue with the revivalists for violating the norms of the typical church service. Rebecca Price Janney shares the history of the awakening and talks about how we can avoid deception today.

Easter outranks all holidays on our calendar because we celebrate a living Savior, but bunnies and eggs offer nothing eternal. On the other hand, the Passover Seder shares many valuable insights into Christ and his sacrifice for us.

We all have to live with less-than-perfect even though we sometimes regret our actions. And often we dislike the actions of others. Linda Rondeau talks about dealing with regret.

Michelle Lazurek shares how hospitality changed her life, and she offers tips on how you can help others.

Lindsey Brackett shares from her latest novel, Still Waters. She gives hints on how we can accept our own limitations and forgive ourselves as well as others.

Suicide destroys a life and hurts everyone else. Christina Rose shares from her family's experience and gives tips for hope and prevention.

Carol McLeod shares how we can protect our hearts by watching what we think.

Sharron Cosby's son struggled with addiction for years. She guides mothers how to look after themselves, overcoming guilt and depression.

Carol McLeod shares how she found joy despite blinding heartache, and she shares how you can experience real joy, no matter what life brings. Carolmcleodministries.com

Losing both parents is traumatic even if it happens once you are grown. However, the psalmist wrote, "When my parents forsake me, the Lord will take me up." Kim de Blecourt shares they journey she walked while adopting a child from overseas, and her book shows the parallels of God adopting us into his family.

Did you know mentoring took place in the Bible? You can find several examples. Paul called Timothy his true child in the faith and helped him learn how to lead a church. Jayme Hull shares how mentoring can change your life and others.

You might get the impression Christ solves all your problems once you you believe in Jesus. However, beginning a journey doesn't mean the story ends. Kim Laliberte shares how God offers more when you live close to him.

We can become bored and restless with life's routine and want something more. Heidi McLaughlin shares how to have an abundant life in the Lord. Find her at www.heartconnection.ca

Physician Assistant, Karynthia Phillips offers tips for getting back in shape after the holidays. Find her at www.karynthiaphillips.com

Jane Rubietta shares lessons from her first novel. Even if your background was painful, you can heal and grow. Find Jane at janerubietta.com

Carol McLeod shares from her latest devotional, Let There Be Joy. She offers thoughts for meditation on the birth of the Savior.

Depression during the holidays can be crippling. If you are someone you love struggles with depression, Dr. Michelle Bengstron can help. And if you aren't depressed, reach out to someone who is.

Peggy Sue Wells shares from her latest book, Homeless for the Holidays. The family faced their worst fear because of of joblessness, but they learn to have a great time without all the fuss. She talks about ways to have more by doing less.

Teens and their moms face a huge transition as the teen moves into adulthood. Tessa Emily Hall has a ministry to teen girls and she gives tips on handling those tough years.

Karen Whiting discusses thanksgiving in the Bible and shares how moms today can make Thanksgiving fun. www.karenwhiting.com

Busy moms wonder struggle to be thankful, much less teach it. Becky Harling shares how to have a spirit of thankfulness in your home. (without losing your mind)

Deborah Malone shares her story and explains how she bloomed even after she was broken. Fine Deborah at www.wherehopeblooms.

Cynthia Cavanaugh and Andrea Tomassi have opened their hearts with their devotional on living boldly. They cover all aspects of life including being open, prayer, communing with God, and forgiving.

Understanding Personalities can help you make friends and keep them. Linda Gilden gives tips on finding friends as she discusses her new book, Linked. You can find Linda at www.lindagilden.com

Have you ever met someone who talked nonstop? You couldn't get a word in? Everyone dislikes that. The Bible says to be quick to hear and slow to speak, but listening is hard. Becky Harling shares tips from her newest book on how to listen well.

MJ Nixon shares how she broke free from homosexuality. You can find her group at https://uprootedheart.com/. Watch her documentary at https://heresmyheartdocumentary.com/

Edwina Cowgill shares the story of her friend, Alexandria Bagnull. Alexandria's husband abandoned her with two young children, but with God's help she survived.

Rebecca Price Janney shares how she researched her family tree and learned fascinating things about her family.

Donna Jones describes her journey to find God, and she encourages us that he is not far away.

Law Professor F. LaGard Smith shares a huge mistake Darwin overlooked. Given the gradual development Darwin proposed, Smith points out how unlikely it is that two individuals would be at the right developmental stage at the same time.

Do you ever get frustrated with prayer and wonder if God is listening? Janet McHenry wrote Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus. She gives tips on how to pray and reach the heart of God.

Katy Kauffman of Lighthouse Bible Studies shares about needs and how to get our needs met through knowing God.

Joy Schneider has spent years studying spiritual warfare. She guides us toward understanding and responding to our enemy.

Have you ever felt like giving up or pulling out your hair. There's help. Teresa Knight, mother of nine, gives tips on raising that strong-willed child.

Michelle Medlock Adams just released Fabulous and Focused, and book for working Moms. She gives tips on juggling all the responsibility.

Peggy Sue Wells shares tips on having great relationships with family and friends.

Susan G Mathis shares the theme of her latest novel. Listen and learn how to leave a legacy for your children.

Yvonne Ortega shares from her own experiences what it's like to lose someone you love, and she explains how to grieve well. With her guidance, you can come out stronger and more beautiful. www.yvonneortega.com

Shannon Dietz shares her story and she explains how she overcame. Listen and learn how you can heal too.