We don’t get to stay in hiding until we are whole; Jesus invites us to live as an inviting woman now, and find our healing along the way.
This is why the “apply some principles” approach to marriage improvement doesn’t work. So long as we choose to turn a blind eye to how we are fallen as men or women, and to the unique style of relating that we have forged out of our sin and brokenness, we will continue to do damage to our marriages.
If one of you is walking through a dark valley personally of course it affects the marriage. But it is not about the marriage.
Adventure requires something of us, puts us to the test. Though we may fear the test, at the same time we yearn to be tested, to discover that we have what it takes.
It takes courage to seek God, and courage to wait for His reply.
The masculine heart needs a place where nothing is prefabricated, modular, nonfat, zip lock, franchised, on-line, microwavable. Where there are no deadlines, cell phones, or committee meetings. Where there is room for the soul.
The passage is not about trying to save your skin by ducking martyrdom or something like that. The word Christ uses for “life” is the word psyche – the word for our soul, our inner self, our heart. He says that the things we do to save our psyche, our self, those plans to save and protect our inner life – those are the things that will actually destroy us.
Corporate policies and procedures are designed with one aim: to harness a man to the plow and make him produce.
Every story has a villain. Every story also has a hero. The Great Love Story the Scriptures are telling us about also reveals a Lover who longs for you. The story of your life is also the story of the long and passionate pursuit of your heart by the One who knows you best and loves you most.
The spirit of our day is a soft acceptance of everything – except deep conviction in anything.
A woman who is striving invites others to strive. The message – sometimes implicit in her actions, sometimes explicit through her words – is, “Get your act together. Life is uncertain. There is no time for your heart here. Shape up. Get busy. That’s what is important.” She does not say, “All is well. All shall be well.” Her fear doesn’t allow it. She is withholding the very things her world needs.
Why are so many people struggling with depression and discouragement? They’ve lost heart. Why can’t we seem able to break free of our addictions? Because somewhere along the way, in a moment of carelessness or desperation, we gave our heart away, and now we can’t get it back.
God’s version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket.
All of the happiness we have ever known and all of the happiness we hope to find is unreachable without a heart.
Most Christians have lost the life of their heart and with it, their romance with God.
A man whose identity flows out of deep validation doesn’t wilt under criticism. He enjoys applause when it comes but frankly isn’t desperate for it. He can walk away from work at five o’clock; he doesn’t measure his success by how much money he makes. We grow into this man, to be sure; I’m not setting a new standard of perfection. But what I am describing.
I am looking for my heart.
We know if we could truly love, and be loved, and never lose love, we would finally be happy.
Our hearts are telling us the truth – there really is something missing! The.
You can find that life – if you are willing to embark on a great adventure.