Keep the Heart Francie Taylor

There are regular conflicts, and then there are MESSY conflicts. Regular conflicts are easily resolved, but messy ones take more time. Messy conflicts are a part of the cost of having relationships. There will be awkward, uncomfortable, embarrassing, infuriating, and even shocking events that happen in daily life. Maybe you’re facing a messy conflict right now. It’s like trying to walk over a bed of hot coals without burning your feet. Anywhere you step, there’s heat.
Trouble is human. We see this stated in Job 5:7: "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." Imperfect people will not have perfect relationships. The more relationships you have, the more opportunities you have for conflict. And not everyone has mastered the biblical practice of appropriate conflict resolution, so that means you may have to face a few toddlers stuck in adult bodies.
We know that run-ins and strong disagreements happen, but we may make conflicts worse if we are not handling matters with wisdom. Wisdom comes from God, and He has left us a lifetime supply of wisdom in His Word. What can we do when we’re facing messy conflicts? Let’s consider four suggestions together.
INSPIRING NEW DEVOTIONAL BOOK! Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor
Olive Petal KJV Snap Flap Bible
Rose Gold Beautifully Embossed KJV Bible
Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley
The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton
Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias
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Welcome back to Proverbs chapter 19 on Build Your Bible Habit. The theme of upright living is woven throughout this chapter, giving us principles to put into practice right away. If you haven’t started doing so, I suggest that you pray before listening to these Proverbs. Ask the Lord to show you what to work on from the chapter, and then watch for pop quizzes throughout your day. Remember, sometimes people are the "tests" in life.
You will find yourself applying the Bible more to your everyday living as you continue to build your Bible habit. Verses will pop up on the screen of your mind, prompting you to pause and edit yourself, putting you in a position to have better outcomes in your relationships.
Proverbs 19:11 is a perfect example of this, as it reminds us of this key relationship principle: "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." The next time someone does or says something that provokes you and you’re tempted to have a short fuse, pause and P.O.A.T.: Pass over a transgression. We love it when people do that for us.
INSPIRING NEW DEVOTIONAL BOOK! Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor
Olive Petal KJV Snap Flap Bible
Rose Gold Beautifully Embossed KJV Bible
Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley
The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton
Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias
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Here’s a question I’ve been asked a lot since my Norman passed away: "Francie, are you ever going to remarry?" There’s nothing wrong with the question itself, but may I tell you how it sounds to my ears? (I am only speaking for Francie here, not for all of widowkind!) It sounds like this:
Francie, when are you going to become whole again?
Francie, when are you going to stop being single?
Francie, what’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? (as if widowhood is a bad neighborhood)
Not everyone sees the simple question about remarriage in the same way, but it's worth noting that the question raises questions.
Some widows and widowers remarry. Some do not. This personal episode will look at the complicated things that we consider when we’re trying to figure out whether we will commit to another marriage. If you are not a widow or widower, this will be informative. If you are, you probably already know these things so this may be more of a refresher. If you’re a new widow or widower, save this for future reference. Let’s examine some verses from 1 Corinthians chapter 7 to dive into this topic about widows, widowers, and remarriage.
INSPIRING NEW DEVOTIONAL BOOK! Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor
Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley
The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton
Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias
Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram
Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

REPLAY THURSDAY: Guile is the art of being deceitful, dishonest, and double-dealing in our interactions with others. Guile is easy to practice because it's carnal, and carnal behaviors come naturally.
It's also problematic, because a person with guile cannot be trusted. Genuine Christianity is hard to find, but if we'll let God "create clean hearts" within us, we can become people who are without guile. Without the false front.
Real. And a real blessing.
"Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." (Psalm 32:2)
INSPIRING NEW DEVOTIONAL BOOK! Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor
Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley
The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton
Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias
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Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Does it seem to you like people are more stressed out lately? The further we move along the timeline of what the Bible calls “last days,” the more we are seeing people who are operating in a constant level of distress. But is this our lot in life? Do we have to live as if life is ganging up on us and we have no way to stop it?
It’s unreasonable to expect life to be free of trouble. Job recognized this when he spoke these words in Job 5:7: “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” We’re going to have things happen that weren’t in our planners, but if your life is one continuous stream of chaos, that’s like a check-engine light on the dash in your car. Something needs to be examined. Chaos happens, but it doesn't have to become our operating system.
Let's consider four questions to ask ourselves when life is more chaotic than calm.
EXCITING NEW DEVOTIONAL BOOK! Apply: Living What We Learn by Francie Taylor
Minerals for the Mind: A Study of Romans 12 by Kathy Ashley
The Mirror of God's Word: A Biblical View of Physical Beauty by Robin Parton
Fret Not: Peace of Mind in Perilous Times by Tim Zacharias
Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram
Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

REPLAY THURSDAY: A friend of mine once said to me, "If you don't like my cooking, lie to me." She was just kidding, but it reminded me how easy it is for us to pick and choose when we're going to lie or tell the truth. Lying is habit forming, but it is also a breakable habit.
When we know better, we can do better. God can help us to remove this habit from our lives, but we will need to ask for His help and yield to His Word.
"Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously." (Psalm 119:29)
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Apply: Living What We Learn--A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor