Wild at Heart

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I was wondering how many single men were going to go looking for this book after this thread. lol

I'm not ready for dating again yet, but I sure would like to know more about this concept...

And making oneself as attractive as possible doesn't hurt...

Waking the Dead on Amazon.com

Editorial Reviews


From Publishers Weekly
Eldredge, who helped to redefine the Christian men's movement with Wild at Heart, broadens his scope to offer this more general spirituality title on being "fully alive." Such a state of total animation is achieved only when Christians can integrate all four "streams" of their lives: discipleship, counseling, healing and warfare. (This last part may surprise some readers, but Eldredge insists that awareness of spiritual warfare actually "may be the most critical" aspect of being fully alive.) Throughout, he argues that there is glory hidden in each Christian's heart, an echo of how Christ has "ransomed and restored" every person. The goal, then, is to capture and maintain a sense of liberation from that restoration. Eldredge fans will find that he has not departed much from the formula that made Wild at Heart so successful; he culls examples from popular culture (The Perfect Storm, The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings, The Wizard of Oz) and tells vivid stories from his own experience. Despite the careful formula, the book rarely feels formulaic; it has an unguarded heart and an opinionated lucidity that may surprise readers. Eldredge is honest about the fact that life can be arduous, confusing and filled with despair, but he also affirms a deep Christian hope. Established Eldredge fans will be pleased with this new offering, and it will gather some new readers, especially women.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile
A Christian teacher with the Focus on the Family Institute and the author of WILD AT HEART, Eldredge uses his broad knowledge of the Bible, mythology, and modern Christian writing to make his point: Conflicts and challenges in this world will put us to sleep if we don't pay close attention to them. Engaging with the world releases the vitality and energy of the heart that is our birthright. This is a long stream-of-consciousness presentation, breathy and full of the author's intensity. In this audio offering, his ideas will either start a revolution--with "all the power of a new Reformation"--or be an object lesson on how to turn a decent lesson into a polarizing expression of professional hubris. T.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Ronzo

I'm not ready for dating again yet, but I sure would like to know more about this concept...

And making oneself as attractive as possible doesn't hurt...

I hear you on every point here. lol

It's been 3 years and I'm only just giving any thought to dating. Still haven't actually done any though.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Wild at Heart

Product Description
Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, Wild at Heart, a guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men, offers a refreshing break from the chorus of voices urging men to be more responsible, reliable, dutiful ... and dead. God designed men to be dangerous, says Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in every boy's heart: to be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires---aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a "nice guy." It's no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be---dangerous, passionate, alive, and free.

Has anyone read this book or listened to the CD's? I've heard it's a great book. I'd like to get it for my son and SIL to be. Any opinions?

Does this handle some of the issues we've discussed about men being too "soft" these days?

I read the book about two years ago and then immediately read it again. I then bought copies for my two sons and son-in-law. It is a tremendous book!
Anyone would benefit from reading it but especially husbands and coming of age young men. You will have to be familiar with certain movies and stories to fully appreciate its underlying message. Yes, a very good book and one of my favorites.
Raven

[rgcraig]

Thanks MOW, Ronzo and Raven!

I'll get this for my son and SIL to be for Christmas!

[rgcraig]

For the Women:


Captivating
John Eldredge

Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman's Soul

Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the Beauty of the story. Those desires are far more than child's play. They are the secret to the feminine heart.

And yet--how many women do you know who ever find that life? As the years pass by, the heart of a woman gets pushed aside, wounded, buried. She finds no romance except in novels, no adventure except on television, and she doubts very much that she will ever be the Beauty in any tale.

Most women think they have to settle for a life of efficiency and duty, chores and errands, striving to be the women they "ought" to be, but often feeling they have failed. Sadly, too many messages for Christian women add to the pressure. "Do these ten things, and you will be a godly woman." The effect has not been good on the feminine soul.

But her heart is still there. Sometimes when she watches a movie, sometimes in the wee hours of the night, her heart begins to speak again. A thirst rises within her to find the life she was meant to live--the life she dreamed of as a little girl.

The message of Captivating is this: Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel as a woman--they are telling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman.

A woman who is truly captivating!

[rgcraig]

Wild At Heart
Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

A Battle to fight. An Adventure to live. A Beauty to rescue. This is what a man longs for. This is what makes him come alive. Look at the films men love. For that matter, look at the dreams of little boys, the games they play. There is something fierce, passionate, and wild in the heart of every man. That is how he bears the image of God. And the reason that most men "live lives of quiet desperation" (Thoreau) is because men have been told that the reason God put them on earth is to be a good boy. To be nice.

God designed men to be dangerous. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires--aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a nice guy. It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death.

Now, in all your boyhood dreams growing up, did you ever dream of becoming a nice guy? Ladies, was the Prince of your dreams dashing... or merely nice? "We've taken away the dreams of a man's heart and told him to play the man." As C.S. Lewis said, 'We castrate the gelding and bid him be fruitful."

This is a message about the recovery and release of a man's heart--his passions, which he has been given by God. To take that adventure, visit our store for the book and the Wild at Heart Field Manual--a personal guide to the masculine journey. For those adventuring with a band of brothers, we have a Wild at Heart: A Band of Brothers Video Series.

[rgcraig]

The Sacred Romance
John Eldredge
Drawing Closer to the Heart of God

In the heart of every person lies an inconsolable longing. Men often know it as the hunger for adventure. Women tend to feel it as a thirst for intimacy. This longing is the secret of our lives. It tells us who we are, what our life was meant to be.

If you have ever felt those deep yearnings, we have some really good news: This is what the Gospel truly offers. Life is more than chores, and Christianity is more than duty. It is a Sacred Romance--a great love story set in the midst of a life and death battle.

The Sacred Romance strikes a chord in us because more than in any other age, we have lost touch with our hearts. We have left that essential part of ourselves behind in the pursuit of efficiency, success, even Christian service.

If you long for something more, even if you don't know what that something is, then read this profound book. Before long you will find yourself eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. The Sacred Romance is the story of our lives; it is God's story. It is His invitation to experience the beauty, intimacy, and adventure we secretly desire.

[rgcraig]

The Way of the Wild Heart
John Eldredge
A Map for the Masculine Journey

This is a book about how a boy--and a man--becomes a man.

It's a guide to the process of masculine initiation--that ancient path every boy and man must take if they would become the man they long to be. The path whereby they come to know they are a man and are able to live and love from a deep, centered strength.

We live in a time where most men (and boys) are essentially fatherless. Whatever their circumstance, they have no man actually taking them through the many adventures, trials, battles, and experiences they need to shape a masculine heart within them. They find themselves on their own to figure life out, and that is a lonely place to be. Their fears, anger, boredom, and their many addictions all come out of this fatherless place within them--a fundamental uncertainty in the core of their being.

But there is a way.

"We aren't meant to figure life out on our own," says Eldredge. "God wants to father us."

In The Way of the Wild Heart, John Eldredge reveals how God comes to a man and takes him on the masculine journey--how nearly all the events of a man's life can come together to provide the initiation he never received. And how parents can offer that initiation to their sons. ...

Whatever your age may be, your Father is ready to take up your journey. For you are his son.

[Rachel]

Captivating is an amazing read!