Keep the Heart

How to Handle Discouragement Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Have you mastered the plaster smile? You know, the one that we wear when our insides are not smiling but we don’t want to reveal our true emotions. It’s easy to hide discouragement, but it’s not a solution to pretend to be fine when we’re not. This episode from the top ten in 2021 shares three biblical suggestions for handling discouragement wisely. (2023 Summer Season Rerun)

Minerals for the Mind Bible Study by Kathy Ashley

Mirror Talk-A Journey from Hurt to Healing by Marianne Barnett

Rough Patches-Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Encouragement for Women Devotional by Charity Berkey and Team

When We Don’t Want to Forgive Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever dragged your feet on forgiving someone because you thought they deserved to suffer? Or were you so hurt by their words or actions that you felt they deserved punishment? Human nature is painful like that. We don’t like people to hurt us, but we’ll cancel that rule when we’re hurting someone in revenge. We’re not the first to struggle with the issue of not wanting to forgive. Consider this passage from Matthew 18:21-22:

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

This is not to make light of serious offenses, but trying to justify withholding forgiveness is asking for a battle with bitterness. This summer rerun shares four side effects of failing to grant forgiveness, and how we can avoid them. (2023 Summer Season Rerun)

Minerals for the Mind Bible Study by Kathy Ashley

The Mirror of God's Word Bible Study by Robin Parton

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

ICU Heart Conditions Bible Application Study--Leader Guide by Francie Taylor

Proverbs Audio Library read by Francie Taylor

Book mentioned in episode: Teachers of Good Things

Bonus Episode for Wives-Love Him Like You Don’t Have Tomorrow Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

BONUS MINI-EPISODE FOR WIVES: Let’s blame this bonus episode on the blueberries. They were in season and I was about to sit down with a bowl of these fresh beauties when I had a flashback to how much my husband loved blueberries. I didn’t even try to like them back then, but now I wish I had tried. We could have shared the joy of a fresh harvest together.

This is not an episode for couples with deep marital problems. It's a bonus mini-episode for those who may have accidentally drifted into taking a good marriage for granted.

Are there areas in your marriage where you’re treating your husband and his interests and desires as if they are second to yours? Do you adore your husband, or are you treating him like a college roommate? God has entrusted you with your husband, as he has entrusted your husband with you. What are you doing with that sacred trust?

If you do whatever you want with your marriage, then you’ll get whatever you get in your later years. What will that look like, and does it match your relationship goals? This brief episode is just a simple heart-to-heart from a sister who was married for 35 years and now widowed for barely five. Ask yourself this question: Is your husband's existence better because you're in his life? (2023 Summer Season Rerun)

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions

ICU Heart Conditions Bible Application Study--Leader Guide

ICU Heart Conditions Participant Guide

Calm in Christ: Benefits of Daily Bible Study ebook

Beautiful Seaside Treasures Mini Shell Bags

Soundbite-Are You Angry With Someone? Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Soundbites: Topics that are scripturally sound in bite-sized episodes. This week's topic: Anger. Are you angry with someone right now? The strong emotions and reactions that come with anger can get us into trouble. Being angry is not a sin by itself, but the way we express that anger can become sinful and harmful.

This brief study will give us biblical patterns to follow, helping us to improve in our responses. Anger makes a really poor parking spot for the soul. Don't stay there. Forgiveness is more than an option; it's living biblically. (2023 Summer Season Rerun)

The Mirror of God's Word -Bible Study by Robin Parton

Minerals for the Mind-Bible Study by Kathy Ashley

Proverbs Audio Library read by Francie Taylor

Teachback Tuesday-We Don’t Have to Be So Broken Down Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from the previous season. This week's episode, "We Don't Have to Be So Broken Down." is for anyone who feels like you're in a ditch and you don't know how you got there!

So much of what happens in our lives begins internally. The external things will happen daily, but our responses to the dailies are coming from our spirits. We all need God’s help recovering from brokenness to become spiritually healthy. God isn't interested in our self-help techniques or our work-harder drives. He has a better way.

How can we stop being so broken down? We'll consider four areas where we can cooperate with God as He trains us to increase and improve our strength.

The Mirror of God's Word -Bible Study by Robin Parton

Minerals for the Mind-Bible Study by Kathy Ashley

Proverbs Audio Library read by Francie Taylor

Teachback Tuesday-Is It Toxic or Is It Us? Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from the previous season. This week's episode, "Is It Toxic or Is It Us?" is a call to take a step back from slapping labels.

Is it possible that we've become infected with buzzwords and the misguided philosophies behind them? Yes, it is possible. This is not an attempt to be the word police. It's merely a call for biblical courtesy and discernment. Name-calling is not a way to influence the world for Christ. Time for a soul check.

The Mirror of God's Word -Bible Study by Robin Parton

Minerals for the Mind-Bible Study by Kathy Ashley

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Four Ways to Stop Double Mindedness Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

Have you been wavering in your mind with a decision, having a monologue with yourself that alternates between lecturing and venting? You know what you should do, and then you change your mind. Back and forth the internal speech goes, until finally you realize that you are riding the fence on your decision. This is another way of saying, you’re double minded and it’s uncomfortable.

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

Being double minded makes us unstable and fretful. Let’s consider four ways to stop this confusing habit. Share this episode with your friends, especially if they've been going back and forth in making decisions.

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"Be Like Jesus is Better Than You Do You" T-shirt in many sizes

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Great for Travel! Pink & Brown Compact KJV Bible

Build Your Bible Habit~Proverbs Chapter 12 Jun 11, 2023

Show notes

BONUS BIBLE SERIES: Welcome to Proverbs chapter 12 on Build Your Bible Habit. There is a difference between Bible reading and Bible study. Reading provides information. Study increases our understanding. If we’ll take the time to study our Bibles in addition to reading them, God can reveal where we may have slipped into unhealthy spiritual conditions. After you've listened to this chapter, you’ll want to go back and do a deeper dive later.

As you’re building your Bible habit with a Proverb-a-day, pay close attention to areas in your life that God points out for change. The Word of God has the power to transform us, but sometimes we're clinging to things that are holding us back. Change for the better is always hard work because it’s valuable. The habit of daily Bible study will compel you to examine yourself, looking for philosophies and practices that may be hindering your spiritual growth. Without God’s Word, we'll just do whatever is right in our own eyes. As it says in Proverbs 12: 15, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." God gives us wisdom to improve our lives.

Proverbs Audio Library

A Beautiful Gift! Rose Gold Personal Size KJV Bible

Study tool: Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional

Lead a Small Group: ICU New Testament Leader Guide

ICU New Testament Participant Guide (for group study)

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Teachback Tuesday-Are You Overdosing on Bad News? Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from the previous season. This week's episode, "Are You Overdosing on Bad News" was a timely question last year, and still qualifies today. Have you noticed how headlines are written sensationally to get you to click on an article? The agenda for these "clickbait" articles can often be summed up in three words:

Fear for sale.

Are you tired of the endless stream of bad reports? It makes a terrible mind diet, and can contribute to a downcast soul. We can’t control what the media is serving, but we can manage how many of their meals we’ll choose to eat. All that bad news makes the soul overweight with sorrow.

As we continue to be inundated with a continuous stream of negative news, we need to develop our own system to balance the load. Are you overdosing on bad news? Let’s look at three common symptoms, and then we’ll consider some suggestions for repairing the damage. Share this episode with loved ones who may be disturbing their own peace by overdosing on bad news!

ICU--In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Application Study by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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

Devotional Book: Call Upon Him by Kathy Ashley

Encouragement for Women: A 30-Day Devotional by Charity Berkey and Team

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