Keep the Heart

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

BUILD YOUR BIBLE HABIT with daily Proverbs

The beginning of the year is a great time to build a habit of daily Bible reading. Listen while you read along, or take a walk and "ponder the path of your feet" as the Scripture feeds your soul.

"Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." (Proverbs 4:26)

Join Francie a chapter at a time in this Audio Proverbs Library:

Audio Proverbs with Francie Taylor

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 28 Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

Build Your Bible Habit is the popular audio Proverbs series, available in a complete library here: Build Your Bible Habit Audio Proverbs Library

By reading along or listening to a daily chapter of Proverbs, you will develop the habit of being in the Word daily. Soon, Proverbs won't be enough. You'll want more. The Bible is bottomless!

BOOKS IN THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Mirror Talk: A Journey from Hurt to Healing Through God's Redemptive Love by Marianne Barnett

In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions by Francie Taylor (Leader Guide or Solo Study)

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Christmas Replay-Minimizing Strife at Family Gatherings Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Christmas Replay

This episode, "Minimizing Strife at Family Gatherings" is one of the most-replayed episodes in our podcast library. There's something about "the most wonderful time of the year" that tends to bring out the some of the least wonderful qualities in people. How can we have gatherings with loved ones who have strongly held opinions that differ from ours without things turning into a war of words?

Or what about the guests with the list of special requests? And how can we host when we're worn out from so many special events? Is a peaceful gathering even possible? Yes, but we need to be prepared.

This season-ending episode shares three guidelines that I quietly employ when we're having large groups of family and friends.

These three suggestions are not a guarantee that you won’t have any issues at your next gathering. These are just starter ideas to help you prepare for hosting with a greater chance of having a pleasant and peaceful outcome.

BOOKS IN THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Mirror Talk: A Journey from Hurt to Healing Through God's Redemptive Love by Marianne Barnett

In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions by Francie Taylor (Leader Guide or Solo Study)

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Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 14 Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

BONUS BIBLE SERIES REPLAYS: Welcome to Proverbs chapter 14 on Build Your Bible Habit. This chapter covers the wise, the foolish, the scorner, the backslider, the angry person and more! Once again, God has given us instructions on the right and wrong ways to live. It’s like being served a meal where there are things that we really like mixed with things that we’d rather not eat, even though they’re very good for us. We need both for balance. This chapter is a life buffet.

To build a Bible habit, we need to make a commitment that’s firm. We can’t be on and off about it. God has provided us with an abundant life through His Word. How many With as many Bibles as the average person owns, we could at least commit to reading one of them consistently. Make your Bible study an unbreakable appointment. Try pairing it with something else, like Bible and breakfast. Just commit and stay committed. As it says in Proverbs 14:27, "The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." There is more value to building a Bible habit than we can imagine. It is so worth it!

When Plans Change Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

How many of you love it when things go according to plan? Most of us do, but real life inserts some strange changes when we least expect it. In fact, that’s part of our problem: we expect things to go normally all the time.

Things may go way off script: The wedding wasn’t supposed to be called off, but suddenly it was. The doctor appointment was supposed to be just a routine check-up, not a frightening diagnosis. The car was running fine before you packed it for a road trip. You were supposed to be holding a newborn, not recovering from a miscarriage. And how could it be that a loved one has passed away when you just saw them? You were just talking with them…

Add your unplanned situation, and whether it’s better or worse, the outcome was the same: your plans changed. One thing that directly affects our responses to unplanned changes is the condition of our relationship with God. If we are close to the Lord before a crisis, we will tend to accept changes without becoming foul in our spirits. How close are you to the Lord in your life? It really makes a difference in how we respond to the events that we face.

What can we do when the change of plans makes life harder? This episode covers three reminders.

BOOKS IN THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Mirror Talk: A Journey from Hurt to Healing Through God's Redemptive Love by Marianne Barnett

In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions by Francie Taylor (Leader Guide or Solo Study)

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Teachback Tuesday-The Empty Chair and Other Firsts of Grief Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we replay the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This episode, The Empty Chair and Other Firsts of Grief is approaching the 10,000 download mark, which tells us something we already knew: grief is an ongoing rotation in life. Some of us are in the roles of comforters, while others need comforting. When it's our turn to grieve, we experience how deeply life changes with the absence of a loved one.

If this is your experience, you have an empty chair and all the changes that come with the grieving process. Many people may try to be supportive and caring, but eventually they do have to leave us and return to their own lives. When no one else is around, God will not leave us alone. He is the Comforter Who abides with us forever.

Here's a verse that reminds us of this truth: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever..." (John 14:16)

BOOKS IN THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

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

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Mirror Talk: A Journey from Hurt to Healing Through God's Redemptive Love by Marianne Barnett

In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions by Francie Taylor (Leader Guide or Solo Study)

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Living in Rebellion Against God Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Are you in a disagreement with someone you love because you stand on opposite sides of an issue where God's Word is clear? This is becoming increasingly common. It is challenging to live biblically in an antagonistic society that questions God's existence, let alone His authority. Proverbs 29:27 reminds us that "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked."

We could probably handle the strain if the division was coming from a stranger. But when the pressure is from someone we know and love, the differences of opinion can become painfully personal and superheated.

This episode is for anyone interested in walking wisely with those who are living in rebellion against God. After this episode, pause to spend time in earnest prayer for your loved ones.

BOOKS IN THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

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

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Mirror Talk: A Journey from Hurt to Healing Through God's Redemptive Love by Marianne Barnett

In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions by Francie Taylor (Leader Guide or Solo Study)

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Four Signs That You May Be a People Pleaser Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Do you feel pressured to convey a certain image because of what others expect of you? Are you afraid to disappoint others, so you hide your honest opinions and thoughts so that you can be accepted? Are you angry because you feel pushed around by others, but you haven’t been honest with others or even with God about it? You’re not alone. You’re in a huge club called “The People Pleasers.”

What is a people pleaser? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it’s "a person who has an emotional need to please others often at the expense of his or her own needs or desires."

We can’t get over our issues with people pleasing when we don’t understand why we’re doing what we’re doing. This is not a light matter, and while I can only scratch the surface in this brief episode, I encourage you to ask God to search your heart to uncover deeper things that may be going on. We have reasons for doing whatever we do, and when it comes to people pleasing, guilt, shame, fear, and a lack of trust in God are on the list. At the end of this episode, take some time to pray and ask the Lord to show you what’s going on in your heart and let Him help you. God’s way is perfect. Ours is flawed.

Let’s consider four signs that you may be a people pleaser, followed by suggestions on what to do about it.

Ponder the Path-31 Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

Vitamins for the Soul: Maintaining Spiritual Health by Kathy Ashley

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

Olive Petal Snap-Flap KJV Bible-Imitation Leather

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Keep the Heart is Moving to Thursdays Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

We're moving the podcast from Tuesdays to Thursdays. The episodes will upload overnight on Wednesdays and will be ready for you immediately if you are a subscriber. (We are based in the central time zone in the USA, so if you're oversees, this podcast will land two days later than previously.) Thanks for listening, and remember:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Teachback Tuesday-Be the First to Apologize Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This episode, “Be the First to Apologize” addresses a common but sometimes complicated matter. Leaving situations in an awkward holding pattern where you can tell there’s “funny air” between you and someone else is not a strategy for reconciliation.

When we’ve hurt someone, even if it was unintentional and even if we feel they were also in the wrong, our part is to apologize sincerely, and then wait humbly for their response. And if we’ll remember that not everyone forgives right away, that will help us to wait patiently.

Ponder the Path-31 Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

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

Vitamins for the Soul: Maintaining Spiritual Health by Kathy Ashley

Olive Petal Snap-Flap KJV Bible-Imitation Leather

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Francie on Facebook