Keep the Heart

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit! If you are new to these episodes, set a goal to listen for the next three months without missing a chapter. By the end of three months, you will have a habit that helps you to handle the daily issues of life wisely.

A chapter of Proverbs takes about 4-5 minutes to read, but gives us so much more in life instructions and guidance. Chapter nine includes this classic verse: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) There is a direct connection between the fear of the Lord and wisdom. 

Do you have a healthy fear of God? The way you live answers that question. 

HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS AT KEEP THE HEART

BOOK CLUB FAVORITE: 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

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Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode, "Developing a Daily Bible Study Habit" is for anyone who has been struggling to simply read your Bible daily. 

Trying to live the Christian life without the Bible is a bad habit worth changing. Listen to this episode, and then accept the challenge to read your Bible daily for the next three months. At the end of three months, your relationship with God will be deeper than ever, and your wisdom and understanding will increase by the day. You can do this, and it will take you less than 10 minutes per day. Isn't God worth more than that?

Bible reading is the introduction to Bible study. Once you begin reading, you can move into studying and applying what you learn.

"Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 23:12)

HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS AT KEEP THE HEART

BOOK CLUB FAVORITE: 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

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can gain valuable wisdom for daily living. Each chapter has life applications that are like having the answers to a pop quiz!

Here's an example: Two people are in a quarrel that has nothing to do with you, but you make the mistake of deciding you will be the referee. The Bible has simple advice for this: DON'T.

"He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." (Proverbs 26:17)

Here's what Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote about Proverbs 26:17: "He that has got a dog by the ears, if he lets him go he flies at him, if he keeps his hold, he has his hands full, and can do nothing else." (So it's better not to take the dog by the ears!)

Take five. Build your Bible habit.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

BOOK CLUB FAVORITE: Apply: Living What We Learn--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

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

I can vividly remember the day of my Norman’s surgery. They were removing the kidney that had a large, cancerous tumor on it. The surgeon asked my husband this question: “Are you ready to meet your maker?”

The question, “Are you ready to meet your maker”? caused my husband to ask the surgeon a question: “Do you know my Maker?” They both smiled, and the surgeon said, “I sure do.” The grateful look on the surgeon’s face was matched by the recognition of a brother in Christ on my Norman’s face. They chatted a bit more and then Norman was taken to surgery.

That question brought me to tears as I realized that this was yet another indicator of how seriously ill my husband was.

As I sat in the waiting room crying quietly, a nurse walked in. She asked me what was wrong, and I told her about my Norman’s cancer prognosis and how this was all so sudden and hard. That’s when she made a statement that I have never forgotten:

“Oh honey, she said, “We are ALL terminally ill.”

She hit me with the truth. We know our birthdays, but only God knows the day of our death.

My Norman had renal cell carcinoma and multiple myeloma, both stage 4. He was diagnosed in April 2017, and passed on Sept 15, 2017.

When a loved one is terminally ill, there are many things to face. In this brief episode, I’ll provide suggestions for walking through this challenging time. These are not in-depth solutions. In fact, if this is not the first time you’ve had a loved one who was terminally ill, you could add to this short list easily. These are just some things I wish someone had shared with me when I was walking this road.

Workplace Protections for Individuals Impacted by Cancer (mentioned in the episode)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

BOOK CLUB FAVORITE: Apply: Living What We Learn--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

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, your audio Proverbs library! The wisdom and understanding that can be gained from Proverbs is priceless. This book of the Bible provides practical direction, instruction, and correction. It's not just a book of hearing; it's a book of doing.

Here's your Proverb for the week:

"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." (Proverbs 12:25)

Do you know someone who has been going through a really tough time? They could use a "good word," which is something pleasant, encouraging, and agreeable. We all take turns facing hard times, and we also take turns being the encouragers.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

START YOUR BOOK CLUB! Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

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

START YOUR BIBLE STUDY GROUP! 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

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear some of the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode, "When An Adult Child is Struggling" was recorded during a thunderstorm. As the storm was raging outside in the background, I could imagine the storms raging in the hearts and minds of parents who are painfully navigating difficult events with their adult children.

This episode is brief, and was not designed to cover every issue that could come up in the lives of adult children. It's a four-point list of things to consider if you are walking through a hard season with your adult child. Take some time after listening to this episode to pray for direction for your situation. Psalm 143:8 makes an excellent prayer pattern:

"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee." (Psalm 143:8)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

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

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs in about five minutes. The life applications in Proverbs are so deeply valuable, our lives are enriched when we live what we learn from these gold mine chapters of scripture.

Here's a pointed reminder for the day from Proverbs 29:9:

"If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest."

Do you have a dispute with a foolish person? Save your breath. It won't end reasonably, but usually ends without any gain. "There is no rest" when a wise person tries to reason with a foolish person. Sadly, the fool doesn't think there is a God, and so they have no motivation to follow biblical principles. Hold the argument.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

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

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Digital peer pressure is a real thing, and it's creating a chaotic way of life for many. From seeking validation to comparing ourselves, the online world has become the modern day Wild West. Point. Shoot a video. Post it for the world. Repeat.

Joining me in this episode is a fellow Bible-loving sister friend, Quortney Jernigan from Running Redeemed, a ministry that Quortney started to help women learn to study their Bibles. We're examining the effects of digital peer pressure on women, children, relationships, and then we're wrapping it up with a brief discussion on risks vs. benefits.

This episode would make a great study topic in a small group discussion. Save it and share it!

Follow Quortney from Running Redeemed on Instagram

The Blog and Website for Running Redeemed

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

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

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome back to chapter 16 on Build Your Bible Habit. Every chapter of Proverbs includes life instructions that help us to handle matters wisely (Prov. 16:20). The Word of God is sufficient to guide us in every aspect of our lives, but we need to know what it says in order to follow the guidance.

Do you trust God so much with your life that you pray for direction and then only want His will? "Thy will be done" is an essential part of the prayer pattern that Christ left us in Matthew 6:9-13. Proverbs 16:3 is another way of saying, "Thy will be done." When we commit our works to the Lord, He makes us stable, secure, and steadfast. 

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

Building your Bible habit with a daily Proverb will increase your wisdom and understanding as you yield your plans to God and apply His Word to your life. 

Book Club Selections in the Shop

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

What Do I Have to Lose?-Book 2 Devotional by Janice Wolfe

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

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear some of the most popular episodes from previous seasons.

I blame the beauty queen in the waiting room. She prompted this podcast. We were talking about things in general when she suddenly inserted that she was a former beauty queen. It was such an odd insert that it confused me at first, but as I continued to listen, I heard the voice of insecurity in the background.

I don't remember inviting insecurity into our conversation.

Insecurity is a creepy beast that preys on our vulnerabilities. Whether we're frequently putting ourselves down or elevating ourselves on pedestals, insecurity is the driving force behind the self-absorption.

There are ways we can overcome this unhelpful habit. Let's consider five suggestions in this episode.

Book Club Selections in the Shop

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

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

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?-Book 2 Devotional by Janice Wolfe

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook