Keep the Heart

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

Three Ways to Stop Disturbing Your Own Peace Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

You have a new roommate named “Anxiety” and you never invited her to live with you. If one more thing goes wrong, you don’t think you can take it. The circumstances in your life seem to be ganging up on you.

But wait a minute. Is it the circumstances or is it something or someone else? Circumstances get way too much credit for the lack of peace. The real problem is often closer to home. It’s the person in the mirror.

And we all have a person in the mirror, so this episode isn’t pointing fingers or playing the blame game. I am included in the list of suspects! We all tend to do things that rob our lives of peace, and it is often unintended. Busy people have the tendency to make mistakes faster! We’re flying through life, trying to cram as much into each day as possible before going to bed. And then we wake up, lather, rinse, and repeat.

Disturbing our own peace is a habit worth losing. This is a practical episode looking into three common areas where we tend to cause personal disturbances. You already know these things, but reminders often spark changes that were waiting to happen. Let’s consider three things we can check and change to restore and protect the peace that God wants us to have.

Book Mentioned in this episode: Apply: Living What We Learn-A 31-Day Devotional

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 10 Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit. Listening to a daily Proverb is a practice that will increase your Bible reading and your wisdom. God uses Proverbs to teach us practical skills for daily living.

Here's a verse from Proverbs 10, reminding us that love is willing to overlook offenses: "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins." (Proverbs 10:12)

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Teachback Tuesday: A Treasure Worth Keeping by Guest Host Janice Wolfe Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode from Season Two was recorded by my favorite stand-in, radio host Janice Wolfe from eleven2one. You will want your Bible for this episode, and hopefully you will treasure your Bible to a greater degree after listening to this inspiring time with Janice. Special music by the gifted Jennifer Skaw at the end, and links below.

"I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." (Psalm 119:16)

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

eleven2one with Janice Wolfe & Faith Music Radio "As the Deer/His Name is Wonderful--Jennifer Skaw on iTunes

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 27 Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit. This is a habit that you'll never want to break. The practical wisdom from daily Proverbs equips us to walk in wisdom, making us better in handling the multiple decisions and interactions that come our way. God left us a GOLD MINE in His Word, and all we need to do is read it and apply it to our lives. The peace of God is not related to our circumstances. It is a result of walking with Him.

Friendship is one of many areas touched on in Proverbs 27, and verse 17 gives us a chance to consider friendship from two angles: the kind of friends we choose and the kind of friend that we are to others. God meant for us to keep each other spiritually sharp. Here's a great reminder verse for the week:

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

When You Can't Find the Bed of Roses Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to an unusual episode on Keep the Heart. This episode, "When You Can't Find the Bed of Roses," was inspired by an email from a disillusioned letter writer.

This young woman who wrote the email made this statement: “I feel like I was told before marriage, growing up, in my teens, and as a young adult, that living the Christian life is wonderful, and a bed of roses.”

The key phrase in her statement is this: “I feel like…”

Feelings are not the same as facts, and there are times when what we hear and how we perceive it are not the same. I am grateful that this writer did not say, “Someone told me that the Christian life would be a bed of roses.” Still, somehow this young woman got a faulty impression.

This episode is dedicated to the young woman who sent the email, and anyone else who has discovered that the Christian life is not what you thought it would be. You may want to grab your journal to jot some notes. The email is being used as the basis for this episode with permission, and the letter writer remains anonymous. You may hear some things that you've been wondering about as well.

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 13 Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs in under five minutes! The practical book of Proverbs is an excellent way to draw closer to God while learning how to walk in wisdom. God uses the wisdom of His Word to guide and instruct us. This is especially helpful when we face situations that are puzzling or unexpected.

Here's a verse from today's chapter reminding us of the importance of having spiritually wise friends: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

2026 Trailer-What's Coming This Year Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the podcast at Keep the Heart! We're so glad that you're a listener, and we're prayerfully preparing new episodes for 2026. This Trailer gives the details.

Watch for new episodes monthly, rotating with Teachback Tuesdays and Build Your Bible Habit. Here's a great theme verse for the year:

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

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

Build Your Bible Habit-Proverbs Chapter 30 Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs in under five minutes! We've been hearing from listeners who have kept up this habit, and are seeing God transform their lives. It's by design. God's Word is transformative when we read and apply the principles.

Keep this habit up, and you will experience the blessings and benefits of handling life's matters wisely. Daily Proverbs is a habit that increases your wisdom and understanding, making life calm even in the midst of storms.

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." (Proverbs 30:5)

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

Books, Bible Studies, and more in the Shop at Keep the Heart

Luke Chapter 2-The Birth of Christ Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the Christmas week edition of Keep the Heart. This reading of Luke chapter two is a long-held tradition in many homes, and it is a wonderful way to place the focus on the Christ of Christmas.

The birth of Jesus marked the birth of our Saviour. He came into this world as the Sinless One on a mission, and because He died, we have the gift of eternal life. Do your children know that the tradition of gift-giving is related to the greatest gift ever given? Christmas is not celebrating us. It’s honoring Christ. We could say that Jesus is the most ignored Birthday Guest of Honor ever to walk this earth! Let’s overrule the commercial focus on getting and turn the focus on being sacrificial givers, just like Jesus.

After Christmas when so many things go on sale, this would be a great time to purchase items to donate to local food banks, clothing closets, homeless shelters, and other charitable organizations. Include gospel tracts with the donations. You never know who may read that tract and receive the ultimate gift of salvation.

Here’s a great closing verse reminding us why Jesus came to this earth. It’s in Luke 19:10, which says this: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Christmas blessings to you and your loved ones.

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Ponder the Path 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Sister Friends by Francie Taylor

NEW: Hope Endures: A Biography of Faith by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington

NEW: Seaside Treasures Framed Shell Art