Crystal Writes A Blog

The Heart of The Matter

As we end “love” month, I’ve got to ask: Do you love maple syrup? I’ve eliminated most sugar from my diet, so I don’t get to enjoy my favorite maple nut goodies (candy) or French toast with lots of syrup, but I can still add maple flavor to a few things like oatmeal and sugar free pecan pralines. Sometimes, even banana (flourless) pancakes. But if you do like fresh maple tapped from trees, and if you are near or can get to Salem, Indiana on March 1st, 7th or 8th, go out to LM Sugarbush LLC and enjoy the free festival loaded with vendor booths, front porch music, old west shootouts by The Cowboy Posse, and, of course, maple syrup. Being winter, there are other syrup festivals around, so if you find one to attend, tell me about it in the comments.

So,this is it; the final day of February. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coming up with 28+ different ways to present heart shapes along with a few heart inspired titles. And now, as we end the month, what do you think was the heart of the matter? I’m sure you’ve figured out that LOVE is the main theme behind every post, be it God’s love for us, our love for Him, or love in other forms.

Now, I want to end with this wonderful video by “The Bible Project” guys who break down the biblical word for love as used in ”the shema” from Deuteronomy 6:4. I recommend the entire 6 videos from that series, so here’s the one about love (as in to love The Lord)…

I love where these guys show how “heart” really meant EVERYTHING in Bible days and cultures. They mention how you know with your heart, understand with your heart, and have wisdom and discernment in your heart. Even the concept of a broken heart comes from ancient Hebrew understanding.

And tomorrow, we begin a month of 31 days, so I’m using that to take us through the 31 chapters of The Proverbs. Come back to see what treasure and wisdom I find there, and be sure to share your own in the comments.

Now, the shema as stated by YahShua (Jesus)…

Matthew 22:36-38 WEBUS
[36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[38] This is the first and great commandment. 

https://bible.com/bible/206/mat.22.36-38.WEBUS

And His next words expound on it a little more...

Matthew 22:39-40 WEBUS
[39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

https://bible.com/bible/206/mat.22.39-40.WEBUS

February 28, 2026 - Posted by Crystal A Murray (aka CrystalWriter) | Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Old Testament, The Bible Project, Walking With The Lord | Bible, February, festival, Heart, heart of the matter, love, maple syrup, Shema, sugarbush