Keep the Heart

Latest Episodes:

Gracious Ways to Disagree Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

Disagreements with people are nothing new, but we are seeing an increase in the contentious nature of the disagreements. This is mainly because our culture is promoting a mentality that you must agree with only one line of thinking or you are automatically wrong and therefore intolerant. That’s a two-way street.

Expecting people to agree with us 100% of the time is unrealistic. How did we get here? The answer is as old as the Old Testament. Listen to this verse from Judges 21:25: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

This verse is our clue. We are facing a reenactment of Judges 21:25. This results in people making up things and then insisting that their way is right.

How can we disagree without the mudslinging and labeling? Let’s consider three suggestions for walking in wisdom when handling disagreements.

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

NEW! What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

NEW! Far Above Rubies: A 31-Day Devotional by Melissa Hedrick

NEW! Encouragement for Young Women: A 30-Day Devotional for Teens by Charity Berkey & Team

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 15 Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Proverbs Chapter 15 on Build Your Bible Habit.

This chapter, like the rest of Proverbs, is filled with relationship verses. When we apply the verses to our daily interactions, we have better outcomes, but when we disregard the Word, we have more messes.

Here's an example from Proverbs 15:1:

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

Application: We can tell when a conversation is becoming tense, so instead of increasing our volume or using a harsher tone to make our point, we turn down the volume and reduce the heat. Anyone can argue, but it takes godly character to master the art of the "soft answer."

Even the practical takes practice.

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

NEW! What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

NEW! Far Above Rubies: A 31-Day Devotional by Melissa Hedrick

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Replay Friday-Four Ways to Stop Double Mindedness Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Replay Friday, where we play the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode, “Four Ways to Stop Double Mindedness” was in demand back in season 3. No surprise, because this is a common problem, especially when we're faced with tough decisions.

Double mindedness overcomplicates our lives, making us unstable. This episode shares ways that we can avoid this unhelpful habit.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8)

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

NEW! What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

NEW! Far Above Rubies: A 31-Day Devotional by Melissa Hedrick

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 2 Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a daily chapter from the book of Proverbs. The second chapter of Proverbs reads like a "listen up" list of life instructions, written to help us to walk wisely even in unexpected situations.

It takes less than five minutes to listen to or read a chapter of Proverbs, but this habit provides a lifetime supply of wisdom. Wise people make better decisions.

"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)

NEW! What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

A Winning Loser-Interview with Janice Wolfe Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

We tend to think of losing as an automatically negative event, but in her new devotional, "What Do I Have to Lose," Janice Wolfe demonstrates how Christ reframes losing into the miraculous discovery of an abundant life in Him. Losing is culturally scorned, but it is biblically desirable.

To find our lives, we must first lose them in Christ. This is a painful yet strength-building journey designed by God, but not actively pursued by many. Let’s face it: by nature, we like life to be predictable, comfortable, and enjoyable. How could losing have anything to do with our life goals?

In God’s plan, losing our lives and setting aside our personal agendas allows us to experience the abundant life in Christ.

Janice Wolfe is an author, conference speaker, and radio host of the popular women's program, eleven2one on Faith Music Radio. After hearing this interview with Janice, be sure to click the link below to get a copy of her book in the shop at Keep the Heart.

NEW! What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 19 Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Proverbs chapter 19 on Build Your Bible Habit. The theme of upright living is woven throughout this chapter, giving us principles to put into practice right away. If you haven’t started doing so, I suggest that you pray before listening to these Proverbs. Ask the Lord to show you what to work on from the chapter, and then watch for pop quizzes throughout your day. Remember, sometimes people are the "tests" in life.

You will find yourself applying the Bible more to your everyday living as you continue to build your Bible habit. Verses will pop up on the screen of your mind, prompting you to pause and edit yourself, putting you in a position to have better outcomes in your relationships.

Proverbs 19:11 is a perfect example of this, as it reminds us of this key relationship principle: "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." The next time someone does or says something that provokes you and you’re tempted to have a short fuse, pause and P.O.A.T.: Pass over a transgression. We love it when people do that for us.

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

NEW! What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Replay Thursday-Three Great Relationship Habits Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Replay Thursday, where we play the most popular episodes from the previous season.

Imperfect people can’t have perfect relationships, but God left us with the wisdom of scripture to help us do a better job. This episode shares three verses that are great for our interactions with each other. When we have better relationship habits, we'll have better relationships.

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 4 Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, audio Proverbs combined with brief commentary from your host, Francie Taylor. The Proverbs are known as God's "instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity" (Prov. 1:3). The book of Proverbs teaches us how to live what we're learning from the Word.

Chapter four reminds us that wisdom is essential. Take the next five minutes to saturate your soul with the "principal thing." Keep up this habit with a daily Proverb, and watch God show you how to walk out your Christian life!

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

NEW! What Do I Have to Lose: Losing My Way and Finding God's by Janice Wolfe

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Replay Thursday-Four Ways to Stop Double Mindedness Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to REPLAY THURSDAY, where you'll hear the most popular episodes from the previous season. What does it mean to be “double minded? The Strong’s Concordance defines it as “two spirited,” “TWO” as in number. It goes on to define it as “wavering, doubting, and uncertain.” We’re going back and forth on an issue in our opinion, our purpose, or both. This phrase only appears twice in the New Testament, and both times are in the book of James.

Listen to the bottom line from James 1:8: "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." Granted, this verse was speaking about asking God for wisdom without wavering, but it applies to any area where we’re wavering.

Being double minded is uncomfortable on purpose. It's an helpful way to live. Let’s consider four ways to stop this confusing habit.

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 20 Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit. These audio Proverbs provide a great tool for getting into the Word of God daily. In less than five minutes, you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs, allowing the principles to sink into your soul. Before long, you'll go from listening and reading to living and applying!

Verse of the week: "Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" (Proverbs 20:24)

We may not understand every "why" that happens in our lives, but God does. Investing time in your relationship with God will reward your soul as you grow in grace and knowledge of Him.

Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor--Same book NEW LOOK

Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton

Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook