Introduction:

In this heartfelt and transparent episode of The Teachable Woman Podcast, Reverends Michele Owes and Diana P. Cherry return with Part 2 of the series, “What’s In Your Heart?”—diving deeper into the most important commandment of all: Loving the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Through personal stories, scriptural truth, and spiritual wisdom, the reverends explore what it truly means to prioritize God above all else—even in life’s storms.

Show Notes:

1. Life’s Storms Are Still Worth Showing Up For - Rev. Diana records during a literal thunderstorm—symbolizing how life’s trials shouldn’t stop us from staying faithful. Rev. Michele highlights how God wants us to press forward through challenges instead of focusing solely on them.
2. God Desires Your Heart, Not Just Your Hands -From Deuteronomy 11:13 to Matthew 22:37, the reverends remind listeners that God doesn’t want our routines or religion—He wants relationship. Loving Him requires our full devotion: heart, soul, mind, and strength.
3. Make God Your #1 Priority - Rev. Cherry reflects passionately on how God must be first in every area of our lives—above our relationships, careers, and desires. She urges listeners to reject worldly confusion and stand on the unchanging truth of God’s Word.
4. Gratitude as a Form of Worship - Rev. Cherry shares how she thanks God even for her car and gas, teaching that daily thankfulness—no matter how simple—is a form of honoring and loving God.
5. Brokenness Can Be a Gateway to Intimacy with God - Rev. Michele shares her journey of experiencing God’s unmatched love, even beyond the love of her late husband. Her vulnerability reveals how true surrender opens the door to deep intimacy with God.
6. Healing from a Hardened Heart - They discuss how painful life experiences can harden our hearts and how the Word of God is the only true salve for those wounds. God wants to use even our worst moments to position us for His divine purpose.
7. Let God Be Your Safe Place - With raw emotion, the reverends describe how God is the only one who fully understands us. Even when we can’t articulate our pain, He hears our groans and meets us in our silence with comfort, direction, and love.

Summary:

This episode is a tender yet powerful reminder that loving God isn’t just about religious routine—it’s about surrender, gratitude, and priority. Through stories of widowhood, worship, storms, and spiritual strength, Rev. Michele and Rev. Diana challenge us to reflect: What’s really in your heart? And is it fully surrendered to God? Whether you’re married, single, grieving, or thriving—this episode invites every listener to choose God as their first love again.