Barely Bears

Monitoring Your Heart, Its Beat, and Your Fitness Goals

Just like any other muscle, the heart strengthens and becomes more efficient the more you “exercise” it, especially if you keep training your heart towards its maximum limit. If you want to know how well and how effectively you are training your heart during your exercise, you need to monitor your heart rate.

The heart is your body’s blood pump. Despite its small size (just about the size of your clenched fist) relative to other organs of the human body, it is a very powerful organ composed of strong muscles called cardiac muscles.

The heart muscles work involuntarily—that is, you cannot control them at will. All day long, they expand and contract in regular rhythm as the heart pushes nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.

Your heart, therefore, plays a crucial part in the proper and normal functioning of your body. If oxygen and nutrients do not reach their destinations in the right amount and at the right time, your body will start to suffer.

You need to keep your heart strong, healthy, and fit through regular exercise. By exercising regularly and at the right intensity, you can either maintain your heart’s strength or improve it so that it can endure greater stress (e.g., as in the case of active people and those engaged in sports).

In this article, learn about two important types of heart rates that you need to be aware of as you strive for your fitness goals—maximum heart rate and target heart rate.

Maximum Heart Rate

When you are not doing anything physically stressful or strenuous, your heart beats at its normal, usual pace. This rate is called your Resting Heart Rate (HRrest or RHR). When you exercise or engage in strenuous activity, your heart beats faster to compensate for the oxygen and nutrient needs of the various parts of your body.

However, your heart has its limit. This upper limit is known as your maximum heart rate, often referred to as HRmax or Maximum HR (MHR). Expressed in bpm or beats per minute, it is the rate at which your heart beats and pumps blood fastest and hardest without showing erratic behavior (i.e., atrial fibrillation or ventricular fibrillation). Your maximal heart rate varies according to your age and gender.

Your maximum heart rate is also often associated with your maximal oxygen consumption. As your heart rate approaches its maximum, your oxygen consumption also approaches its peak. This maximal oxygen uptake rate is called your VO2max and signals your aerobic capacity and physical fitness.

Determining Your Maximum Heart Rate

If you want an accurate reading of your HRmax, go through a physician-supervised cardiac stress test. You will need specialized equipment for that and the cost is often expensive.

A simpler method, although never matching the precision of a laboratory-based cardiac stress test, is to compute your HRmax using your pulse. All it usually takes is counting your pulse rate and using a formula. There are several formulas for this and they vary in confidence levels and degrees of accuracy.

Fortunately, you can find some middle ground between the expensive cardiac diagnostic test and the do-it-yourself-with-a-formula method. This middle ground involves the use of heart rate monitors. Many people, both athletes and non-athletes, use heart rate monitors for keeping track of their heart rate and for determining their target heart rate.

Target Heart Rate and Its Benefits

In addition to HRmax, another type of heart rate you want to keep track of is the so-called target heart rate, which some call the training heart rate. This value is expressed as a percentage of your HRmax and refers to the heart rate you need to achieve when exercising in order to benefit from the exercise. An accurate calculation of your target heart rate takes account of your HRmax, your current physical condition, your current fitness level, and previous training or activity level.

The range of your target heart rate depends on your fitness goal. For instance, if you work out so that you can burn those love handles, you should target a heart rate that is 60 to 70 percent of your HRmax. At that range, your body enters the fat-burning zone.

Again, there are various methods and formulas for calculating your target heart rate. For general purposes, the simplest way is to multiply the intensity range with your HRmax. Thus, if you are targeting those love handles, find 60% and 70% of your HRmax and keep your heart rate within that range when you exercise.

A more specific calculation accounts for your resting heart rate (RHR or HRrest). This latter method uses the Karvonen formula. Another method uses the Zoladz formula, which involves subtracting “adjuster” values (based on the expected intensity zone or level) from the HRmax.

If you find manual computation of your heart rate cumbersome, you can always use electronic calculators online or invest in a reliable and accurate heart rate monitor watch so that you can keep track of your heart rate training and exercise progress.

About the Author

Bring back the fun and joy into your search for the perfect gift for your loved ones.  Visit Elmer M.’s site for inspiring articles about gift giving, great gift ideas, and special gift resources.  Also check out his extensive review of the Polar FT60 Men’s Heart Rate Monitor Watch online.

Taio Cruz – Break Your Heart ft. Ludacris

Brain Jello Mold – hw $5.25 What’s the best way to freak people out? Serve them a gelatin brain. Whether you make them by yourself, or have fun with your kids, this gelatin brain mold is sure to scare. Realistic looking, this mold measures 9.75″ x 8.5″ x 4″. For even more icky fun, use with our heart and hand gelatin molds….

Withings – Wifi Bodyscale …

Wilton 2105-4923 24-Cavity Silicone Brownie-Squares Baking Mold $6.52 Bake fun shaped brownies, decorate, and add a stick for a unique brownie pop treat! Wilton Silicone Molds are flexible so removing your treats is easy, and are safe for freezer, oven (up to 500F/260C), microwave, and dishwasher. Stain and odor resistant. This package contains one silicone mold (13″ x 8-1/2″ x 1″) with (24) 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ cavities and one design. Brownie mix and sticks sold separa…

Shiva Rea: Radiant Heart Yoga $5.99 …

Shiva Rea: Radiant Heart Yoga $2.99 …

Listen to Your Heart [VHS] $29.98 …

Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer $20.99 Omron HJ-112 Pocket Pedometer HJ112 Personal Health Monitors…

Prilosec OTC Acid Reducer, Delayed-Release Tablets …

Timex Personal Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Improve your health, track your intensity and help meet your weight loss goals by being in the know with a Timex HRM. The Timex Personal Trainer and Easy Trainer heart rate monitors deliver essential fitness management data in simple-to-operate watches.HEART RATE FEATURES:- Target Zone- Preset your desired heart rate exercise zone; Alarm notification when you are not in zone- Time in Zones- Spent …

PS3 Ear Force PX21 Gaming Headset $64.99 Voyetra Turtle Beach Ear Force P21 Gaming Headset TBS-2130 86…

Oma Gisi’s Cookie Heart Collection (Box of 30) $36.99 These freshly baked, deliciously handmade cookies feature heart shapes and come in five different types. This package comes with 30 cookies from Oma Gisi’s German Bakery.

Cool Goodie Bag $14.39 Turn your kid’s party into a memorable event with adorable goodie bags. Designed with both fun and beauty in mind, this bag from Cool Goodie Bags is perfect as a party keepsake or Halloween treat bag.

14k Yellow Gold Diamond Heart Ring $166.99 Click here for Ring Sizing Chart14-karat yellow gold bandDiamond-studded heart design

10k .06ct Diamond Heart and Butterfly Pendant $183.99 Charming open heart pendant features a darling butterflyJewelry is adorned with sparkling diamondsWhimsical necklace is perfect for casual wear

Diastar Color OLED Fingertip Pulse Oximeter $37.91 This Diastar pulse Oximeter features a plethysmograph to assist in obtaining a strong reading. A superb quality color OLED viewing screen clearly portrays your numbers while using this simple, fast all-in-one oximeter.

Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Heart Necklace $34.49 This attractive heart pendant is made with white diamonds and sterling silver. With the round cable chain and the diamond studded at the center of the heart, this necklace glimmers with a highly polished look.

ProForm Trainer Strapless Heart Rate Monitor $33.19 Train longer with this ProForm Trainer strapless heart-rate monitor. This workout accessory features an extra large display for easy viewing and provides an accurate ECG heart rate without having to wear a chest belt.

10k White Gold 1/10ct TDW Black and White Diamond Heart Ring (J, I2) $111.99 Black and white diamond twin heart ring10-karat white gold jewelry

Polar Women’s FT7 Red Heart Rate Monitor $111.99 Keep track of all your vitals with this women’s heart rate monitor from Polar. This functional monitor features heart rate based target zones with visual and audible alarm, a weekly history and a comfortable textile transmitter.

Stainless Steel ‘Linked Hearts’ Bracelet $21.49 Stylish bracelet features hearts connected with round links Jewelry piece can be paired with a variety of outfitsBracelet is crafted of high polished surgical stainless steel 316L

Sterling Silver Filigree and Heart Ring Set $18.49 Polished sterling silver ringsOne band features a filigree cut-out patternOther band displays a puffed heart against a scrollwork background

14k White Gold Diamond Heart Necklace $150.49 Description not available.

Simon Frank 14k White Gold Overlay CZ Spanish Lace Heart Ring $9.49 Cubic zirconia lace heart ring14k white gold overlay jewelryClick here for ring sizing guide

Stainless Steel Heart Toggle Clasp Bracelet $23.49 Stylish bracelet features a heart dangle from polished stainless steel oval links Jewelry is crafted with high polish 316L surgical stainless steelBracelet can be paired with a variety of outfits

Stainless Steel Engraved ‘Mom’ Heart Charm Bracelet $20.59 Stylish bracelet features a heart with the word ‘mom’ dangling from oval links Jewelry is crafted with highly polished 316L surgical stainless steel Bracelet features engraving on other side

Sterling Silver 1/4ct TDW Diamond Open Heart Necklace (J-K, I3) $43.99 This fine pendant features an open heart design set with sparkling white diamonds. The necklace is crafted of sterling silver with rhodium plating and includes a matching 18-inch cable chain.

ProForm Heart Rate Monitor Watch with Bonus Step Pro Pedometer $34.99 The ProForm heart rate monitor watch features quick touch technology for fast, easy ECG accurate heart rate and includes a separate bonus pedometer. Now, staying in shape and keeping healthy has never been easier during exercise and training.

14k White Gold 1/10ct TDW Double Diamond Hearts Necklace $120.99 Surprise her with a romantic double diamond-hearts pendant necklaceShiny jewelry showcases two open hearts entwined and set in gleaming 14-karat white goldEnchanting necklace sparkles with twinkling diamonds

Bowflex Fit Trainer Plus Heart Rate Monitor $41.89 The Bowflex Fit Trainer Plus offers strapless heart rate technology with pedometer functions of steps, distance, speed and calories. This is a very unique heart rate monitor that offers heart rate, steps and distance at a touch of a button.

10k Yellow Gold Morganite and 1/10ct TDW Diamond Ring (I-J, I1-I2) $247.99 Morganite and diamond ring10-karat yellow gold jewelry

Sterling Silver Heart and X Diamond Accent Bracelet $37.49 The popular heart and X-link design in this sterling silver bracelet features a round diamond accent on three of the hearts.

Sterling Silver Heart Locket Necklace $57.99 This pretty locket features a heart shape with a textured swirl design on the front. Crafted of sterling silver with a highly polished finish, the necklace comes with an 18-inch rolo chain with a spring ring clasp.

10k White Gold 1/5ct TDW Diamond Heart Ring (I-J,I2-I3) $143.99 Click here for Ring Sizing Chart10-karat white gold1/5* carat TDW

Sterling Silver Children’s Heart Necklace $15.29 This sterling silver children’s jewelry features a mini heart pendant. This necklace also includes a 14-inch rhodium-plated cable chain.

ADC 2100 Digital Fingertip OLED Pulse Oximeter $65.99 Monitor your heart with a digital fingertip pulse oximeterHeart monitor reads SPO2 and pulse rate Diagnostic tool features six changeable display modes

Sterling Silver 1/5ct TDW Diamond Double Heart Ring (H-I, I2-I3) $66.29 Diamond double heart ringSterling silver jewelry Click here for ring sizing guide

Sterling Silver Created Opal Double Heart Necklace $30.99 Luminous lab created opal adorns this stylish jewelryPendant and princess-length chain are crafted of fine sterling silverSuperior quality lab created opal necklace features a heart-shaped rich purple cubic zirconia

10k White Gold Diamond Heart Necklace (H-I, I2-I3) $130.99 This pendant features a graceful open heart design lined with diamonds. This necklace is crafted of 10-karat white gold.

Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Couples Hearts Promise Ring $42.49 Diamond accent purity cross ringThis ring is available in size 9 only Click here for ring sizing guide

10k White Gold 1/4ct TDW Diamond Heart Necklace (I-J, I2-I3) $207.99 Alluring pendant features two open hearts beautifully entwined together for a star-inspired designWith one heart lined with diamonds, necklace features a romantic lookJewelry is crafted of gleaming 10-karat white gold

Hear Your Heart $8.48 Let’s-read-and-find-out about Your Heart Night and day, whether you’re asleep or awake, your heart is always beating. Read and find out how your heart works and how to keep it healthy.

Into Your Heart $12.78 The Irish band’s first American release since 1993′s excellent Songs from the Rain is a big improvement over 1998′s disappointing Born, an album that nearly derailed the band. But the core trio of Fiachna O’Braondin, Liam Ó Maonlaí, and Peter O’Toole return to their pop-soul roots on Into Your Heart, with impressive results. As its title implies, these songs are typically moody, and the ballad-heavy collection could use more upbeat moments to spark the ambience, but this is still a stirring effort. Jumping off with a few pieces in the epic mode of their past successes, “Your Love Goes On” adds horns and the Dublin Gospel Choir to its inspirational lyrics, creating a thunderous, churchy singalong worthy of the band’s best work. Ó Maonlaí is in excellent voice throughout. Confident, brash, yet sensitive, he anchors the music and even slips into a ghostly falsetto on “Better Man” when the emotional juices get flowing. There is a rather sappy ’70s West Coast vibe to some of the tunes, which waters down “Alright” and makes it sound like something from an old America or Crosby, Stills & Nash album, a distraction even the prominent bouzouki can’t overcome. Lead singer Ó Maonlaí doesn’t do himself any favors when he tries to be Jackson Browne on the “These Days”-styled “Magic Bracelets,” a tribute to deceased reggae master Joe Higgs, a friend of the bandmembers who recorded with them. Still, the singer’s obvious passion pulls the outfit through the disc’s weaker moments, which include adding unnecessary — but generally not distracting — drum loops to some tracks. A live acoustic traditional tune, “Sí Do Mhamó Í,” is sung in Irish and comes complete with pennywhistle, closing the album in jig-worthy fashion and bringing the band’s roots to the fore. Not as impressive as the trio of discs from the late ’80s and early ’90s that put Hothouse Flowers on the map, this is still a striking return to form that will satisfy old fans, even if it is unlikely to create many new ones. ~ Hal Horowitz, Rovi Performers: Dave Clarke – 8-String Bass, Rhythm, Bass, Guitar (Electric), Percussion, Drums; Peter O’Toole – 8-String Bass, Synthesizer Pads, Wurlitzer, Drum Loop, Bouzouki, Loops, Vocals (Background), Bass (Vocal), Bass, Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Electric), Piano, Guitar (Acoustic); Liam Ó Maonlaí – Wurlitzer, Bouzouki, Organ (Hammond), Harp, Fender Rhodes, Harmonica, Vocals (Background), Keyboards, Vocals, Piano, Guitar (Acoustic); Caroline Dale – Cello; Dave Pearlman – Pedal Steel;

Heart $3.98 Dr. Cherry reviews recent treatment breakthroughs and focuses on how to improve your heart health.

Your Heart $16.78 Description not provided.

In the Heart $8.98 What’s at the heart of the house? A kitchen with warm muffins and talk like clouds of stream. What’s at the heart of the afternoon? A friend with an ear to hold a secret. What’s at the heart of this book? Poetry that captures what a child loves best. With art as three-dimensional and rich as the extraordinary words, this joyful book looks at the bits and pieces and beautiful fabrics that make a childs world special. What’s at the heart of your world?

Tied to Your Heart $59 Porcelain couple dressed in western attire with wooden heart 8 Height

Listen to Your Heart $4.48 Listen to Your Heart presents a practical perspective on the important subject of being led by the Holy Spirit.

Your Heart is My Heart $46.4 Three glass hearts with crystal hearts 7 12 Height

To Love with All Your Heart $10.98 To Love with All Your Heart presents the subject of salvation in a way that will give you a deep and lasting appreciation for the process of repentance and sanctification. – 12 lessons

To Love With All Your Heart $11.23 To Love with All Your Heart presents the subject of salvation in a way that will give you a deep and lasting appreciation for the process of repentance and sanctification. b

A Sister Knows Your Heart $8.48 A sister knows the heart of a sister like no other-and, sometimes, only the heart, mind, and hand of a sister will do. Painter of Light Thomas Kinkade celebrates the bond between sisters in this Little Book.

Mind Your Heart $16.21 Outlines a holistic program for heart wellness that combines relaxation response techniques, nutritional information, and exercise, in a guide that identifies the links between heart disease and cognitive perceptions while advising readers on how to address multiple risk factors.

By Your Side and in Your Heart $2.25 By Ruth Elaine Schram. Choir Secular. 3-Part Mixed Choir (SAB). Choral Octavo. Gospel; Graduation. Choral Octavo. 12 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing

Your Heart Your Planet $3.5 This book is in Good Used condition

Your heart, your planet $2.75 This book is in Good Used condition

In Your Face-In Your Heart $11.21 This book is in New – Excellent condition

Your Captivating Heart $3.99 Every woman in her heart of hearts longs for three things: to be romanced; to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure; to unveil beauty. God placed these desires in your heart to draw you into discovering the woman He created you to be and to reveal these glorious passions in His own essence. Let this book guide you through the adventure of rediscovering the romance and beauty inside Your Captivating Heart.

Only Your Heart $27 Glass heart with silk ribbon and flowers Choose from several different colors for the ribbon 5 12 Height

Love, Sex, and Your Heart $23.98 Heart Disease is the number one killer in America. This groundbreaking new study from the author of the bestselling Love and Orgasm, The Language of the Body, Betrayal of the Body, and Narcissism reveals that heart diseases can actually be linked to disturbances in sex and love. Dr. Alexander Lowen explains: how emotions are expressed physically, even in the way our bodies grow, how pain can freeze psychological development, preventing us from giving and receiving love, how blocked emotions can literally constrict the heart and heighten our risk of coronary disease, how special therapeutic techniques can unlock repressions and reduce strain on the heart, why true sexual fulfillment is the key to emotional wholeness. This revolutionary book does for unfulfilled love what the Friedman/Rosenman classic Type A Behavior and Your Heart did for agression-charts its physical effects and shows how to relieve or prevent them. Through actual case histories and revealing diagrams Love, Sex, and Your Heart demonstrates how it is possible to protect your heart and, at the same time, to achieve a more loving, peaceful, and rewarding life.

Your Heart Belongs to Me $3.98 " For one man, they are the five most terrifying words of all . . ." One year after the heart transplant that saved his life, thirty-five-year-old Ryan Perry has never felt better. He’s getting back everything he nearly lost forever–his business, his his life, and, with luck, his beloved girlfriend. Miracles do happen. Then the unmarked gifts begin to arrive–a box of candy hearts, a heart pendant. Most disturbing of all is a graphic heart-surgery video and its chilling message: "Your heart belongs to me." Ryan is being stalked by someone who feels entitled to everything he has. She’s the spitting image of the twenty-six-year-old donor of the heart beating steadily in Ryan’s own chest. And she’s come to take it back.

Hear with Your Heart $3.98 Hear With Your Heart is for everyone who wants to be a better negotiator not just for businesspeople. Why? Because all personal interactions are negotiations. Discussions with friends and family are important, too perhaps more important Why take them for granted? When we hear with our heart, we enhance every aspect of every interaction. Using a unique holistic approach, Hear With Your Heart urges us to embrace kindness by deflating our egotude and to live all aspects of our life on a higher plane. Hear With Your Heart equates negotiations to relationships, not just to successful sales and business deals. It shows us techniques to enhance our skills of negotiation to help us toward an ever more graceful life. The elegance of Hear With Your Heart is its readability. Its a real page-turner We learn that its the little things that count through analogies to baseball and crossword puzzles and in engaging vignettes including a first graders recollections, a teenager seeking a later curfew, a conversation for a salary promotion and an encounter between seatmates on an airplane. Hear With Your Heart explains how small, day-to-day episodes are the real stuff of life that truly defines who we are.

Get Your Heart On $8.78 2010 release, the all girl band’s sophomore album. This whiskey-inspired quartet brings us Get Your Heart On. Fresh, an engaging and altogether delightful bubble gum pop that will make you smile big.

Follow Your Heart $12.48 A grandmother writes a series of letters to her granddaughter describing her ways of overcoming generations of pain. Follow Your Heart, a tremendous best-seller in Italy, won that country's Premio Donna Citta di Roma.

D.H.T. – Listen To Your Heart $18.78 Track Listing: Listen To Your Heart – (Furious F. EZ radio edit) Why Depressed Listen To Your Heart – (Edmee`s unplugged vocal edit) I Go Crazy At Seventeen I Miss You Someone Driver`s Seat I Can`t Be Your Friend My Dream Sun

Open Your Heart $16.98 "Open Your Heart is the sophisticated yet whimsical debut of husband and wife team Layne and Grant Pecoff. The illustrations are exquisitely painted by well known artist Grant Pecoff and the poetry, beautifully written by Layne, joins perfectly with his colors to create a great read for children and adults alike." I am thrilled to announce the debut of my first book, Open Your Heart. Open Your Heart takes you on a playful journey through faraway lands and across timeless imagination on a magical tour of all the wonderful and unique places people call home. Open Your Heart is beautifully illustrated with 16 of Grants paintings. I am so inspired by Grant’s art – sometimes I lose myself in his paintings and just glide into another world. I am in love with all the places we have traveled and all the different possibilities I see – all the amazing places people call home. I sculpted the poetry to mirror the whimsical light in Grant’s art. Together they create a colorful and exciting ride across the continents and into your imagination. I had such a great time writing Open Your Heart.and now everyone is invited to join us on a magical journey across our globe. So, take my hand. Turn the page. And OPEN YOUR HEART. -Layne A.L. Pecoff To see more pages from Open Your Heart, to view Grants artwork or just to find out more about the Pecoffs, please visit www.pecoff.com Open Your Heart is now available in the glossy hardcover edition with brilliant inked pages. Please select "HB" for the $22.99 hardcover edition. The $16.99 softcover edition is less sturdy with a very soft cover. We strongly recommend the hardcover edition, especially if your readers have strong and sticky fingers.

For Your Heart Only $12.48 Top Secret Catch the romance in the I&A, DEA, NSA, FBI and Treasury Five romantic stories delving into the world of the U.S. Intelligence community. There’s action and adventure, espionage and escapades in GOOD VIBRATIONS, MINDWARP, LOVE ACTS, DECODING LOVE, and A FATED HEART. Uncover the secret, and therein lies the path to freedom and . . . love. Anne Elizabeth, Leslie Wainger, DC DeVane, Chryssa Carson, and Tara Nina It’s For Your Heart Only

Heal Your Heart $15.44 Heal Your Heart combines the best of ancient spiritual wisdom and the best of modern nutrition to provide a holistic program for real living. — Morton T. Kelsey, Professor Emeritus, University of Notre Dame Author of The Other Side of Silence and God,Dreams, and RevelationKitty Rosati offers the range of information and wisdom needed for long-term lifestyle changes. It's so nice to see a dietary book extend beyond nutrition and inspire the reader. — Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D. Author of Love Is Letting Go of Fear We recommend Heal Your Heart as an excellent guide for anyone seeking health and wholeness. Kitty Rosati advocates a renewed emotional and spiritual journey along with her nutrition plan and extensive collection of delicious recipes. — Redford Williams, M.D., and Virginia Williams, Ph.D. Authors of Anger KillsThe world-renowned Duke University Rice Diet Program has helped thousands of people regain their health and vastly improve the quality of their lives. Here's the life-saving information you need to make the new Rice Diet Program a force for your own longevity and wellness.A thorough analysis of your major risk factors for heart disease, including excess weight, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressureA detailed, heart-healthy nutrition plan tailored to your health needsOver 150 delicious, easy-to-prepare recipesA heart-healthy exercise plan to help heal and strengthen your heartGuidance on using the powerful, often untapped resources of your mind and spirit to achieve–and maintain–your goalsHelpful resource information on support groups, newsletters, and where to get the best health foods

Seasons of Your Heart $12.31 In this masterpiece of simplicity, Macrina Wiederkehr offers a series of meditations to bring us closer to a God for all seasons, revised and expanded into this new edition. Designed for daily use as well as for retreats, Seasons of Your Heart is an eloquent and lyrical invitation to journey through the spiritual seasons of wonder, hope, love, mystery, and faith.

Recover Your Good Heart $15.98 Many Christians feel guilty that they’re not enough — not enough for others, not enough for the Church, not enough for God. They’ve been told they’re not committed enough, loving enough, spiritual enough. Shame and guilt are the painful results. What does God really think about your heart? What if you believed your heart was already good, already holy? This book offers a way out of the shame and guilt of never good-enough. Includes stories of Christians whose church experiences left them feeling ashamed, and not good-enough.———— See additional reviews at author’s website: www.ROBBINSWRITINGS.com]

Commune with Your Heart $16.48 The gospel that Jesus preached would save us, if we understood, believed and embodied what he said. If we did any one of several things that Jesus said, we would be saved. Jesus said, "Be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect." We are perfect, and we are saved, when we do what Jesus told false teachers and hypocrites to do first: "Cleanse first that which is in the cup and the platter." We are saved when we love as Jesus commanded us to love: with all our heart, soul and mind. However, we cannot love freely until we know the truth that sets us free. We cannot love freely with a mind embedded with insidious fears and false beliefs, which is the obscure cause of all mental turmoil and suffering. We know from Jesus that "it is done unto us as we believe." Jesus said that good comes from a good heart, and evil comes from an evil heart. James (brother of Jesus) said: "Purify your hearts, ye double minded," the same thing as "cleaning the inside of the cup and the platter." When our heart is pure, we are saved –sinless and perfect — the way Jesus was and the way he wanted us to be. And we have peace and joy, which is the sole purpose for the teachings of Jesus and the saints of the Old Testament. Jesus said: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," and he said, "The kingdom of God is within you." Jesus also said, "Seek and ye shall find." We seek and we find the kingdom of God (Heaven), which is peace and joy, by doing what Jesus said to do: "Enter into your closet, shut thy door, and pray to your Father which is in secret, and your Father which seeth in secret shall reward you openly." Our reward is peace and joy; "openly," not after we die. What Jesus said to do is the samething that David the Psalmist said to do about 3,000 years ago: "Be still and commune with your own heart." Communing with our heart is how we purify our heart; it is how we discover the truth that sets us free; it is how we find peace, joy and happiness–what everyone desires.