Understanding the Mystery of Prayer and God's Promises
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Release Date: 05/24/2019
30 Year Steep: Mother's Day Reflection
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Have you ever felt you were in a season of "steeping" while you waited? In this special Mother's Day episode, Cynthia L Simmons invites you to grab a cup of hot tea and step back 1700 years into history to discover the life of one of the most resilient mothers who ever lived: St Monica. The world remembers her son, Augustine of Hippo, yet few people realize the thirty years of tears she shed before she saw the harvest of her prayers. Maybe you are navigating a storm of your own or have a prodigal you long to see return. Just like a good cup of tea, the most profound impact takes time to...
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The Cat Who Outlasted Battleships: Unsinkable Sam
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. I'm your hostess, Cynthia L Simmons, and I have been reflecting on navigating the storms of life. Sometimes the best lessons in resilience and trust come from the most unexpected places. Today, that comes from the deck of a World War II battleship. I delight in finding fun stories, and I love this one. Can you imagine a cat caught in a shipwreck? Cats hate water, yet this sturdy cat survived three. If you love history (like I do) or maybe you need a reminder about holding on during a storm, you will find this story fascinating. Let's look at...
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The Remarkable Southern Belle Who Refused to Break
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Imagine living in the Confederacy during the Civil War. Your friends and acquaintances don't share your value for human life. Even worse, these people expect you to accept the social norms and refuse to see the injustice of slavery. What would you do? Listen to a snippet of Elizabeth Van Lew's story. After the war General Grant thanked her personally. A riveting story!
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The Truth About Why Graves Were Guarded
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
While researching the Revolutionary War era, I came across a theme of grave robbers, called 'resurrectionists.' People accused Dr. Edward Shippen of stealing bodies to dissect for the medical school in PA. However, as I kept reading, I found the problem started in ancient history and continued into the Victorian era. Join me as we draw parallels between that crime and the beauty of the Easter story.
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Two Women, Two Centuries, One Mission: Mercy Warren and Pam Farrel
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podast. Join me and l as we dive into the life of Mercy Otis Warren, the woman who used her pen to spark the American Revolution. My dear friend, Pam, is also a best-selling author. We discussed how both women had the moral courage to speak truth to power, then and now. Don't miss this 'bridge' conversation as we head into a powerful season of Revolutionary history this April.
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The Secret Behind Mary Lincoln's Remarkable Instability
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Does inner steel have a breaking point? For today, I stepped back in time to cover one of the most misunderstood women in history: Mary Lincoln. Brilliant and fiercely devoted, Mary was 'high-strung' and the pressures she faced dropped her into overwhelming grief. Today we look at her with eyes of compassion and a prayerful heart. Sometimes the strongest among us carry the deepest scars on their heart.
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The Amazing Story of George Washington's Incredible Mother
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Last week we covered Paula Bonhoeffer, and this week we talk about another Lioness. What makes a man strong enough to resist a crown? Was George Washington's mother a difficult woman, genius, or something in between. Dive with us into Mary Ball Washington's life to discover how she raised her son to be a leader.
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Beyond the Books: Teaching the Moral Grit of the Bonhoeffer Family
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week we remember a Lioness, Paula Bonhoeffer. She loved her children well and educated them at home rather than entrust them to the Prussian government schools. She gave Dietrich the grit to stand up to a dictator. This week, I sat down with a modern-day Paula, Mavian Arocha-Rowe, who also homeschools. We are bridging the gap between Paula's 1917 kitchen and our living rooms today. How do we raise kids who aren't afraid to stand alone? Listen in for a conversation on faith, homeshool, and grit.
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The Astonishing Granny Who Overcame the Nazis
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast where we rethink history to reclaim hope for today. We have all heard of heros who lead armies and take over countries. What about a hero who wouldn't stop walking? Today we travel back to Berlin to 1933 where Nazi guards hover at ever door, roughing up people. New laws took effect that redefine who you can show kindness. In the midst of the shouts and uniforms, a grandmother carried her shopping bag down the street looking for her neighbor's store. We explore the determination that gave her grandson courage to defy a tyrant. We call it love passed...
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The Incredible Woman Who Stained Her Skin with Coffee
Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast
What does it mean to be truly free? As we mark out 250th anniversary as a nation, writer and historian, Cynthia L Simmons dives into the "sensational" true stories of men and women who redefined libery through moral courage. From the secrets of Amy Carmichael in the temples of India to the defiant love of the Bonhoeffer women in Nazi Germany, we will explore the pivotal moments when faith met fire. We don't just look at history, we use it as a compass for the challenges of 2026. If you'd like a free guide to radical forgiveness, contact Cynthia@clsimmons.com For instance, we covered...
info_outlineAs a preteen, I prayed for Mom to get the wall-to-wall carpet she longed for. Later, my parents won a contest and received carpet for their living room and dining room. Mom was thrilled, and both parents considered me an incredible prayer warrior.
I look back now and wonder if that was God's encouragement. As an adult, I've had times prayer frustrated me. I prayed so hard and cared so deeply. Why didn't God answer.
My husband, Ray Simmons, a teaching elder at our church offers answers.
The photo is an Olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemene