DISCOVERING THE SECRET of A MAN’S SOUL
I read Wild at Heart three years ago because when I read the first chapter … I knew this man had something to say, from a God’s Man’s heart. Having the blessing for my wife and I being able to attend a Southern California gathering of one of his ministries a couple weeks ago, I came home and picked up this book for the second time and devoured it in three sittings.
Not being a conformist in The Traditional Church myself and always having questions about what and why things were taught and done the way they were, I found my self searching for The God of the Scripture. For three decades my search for and finding His Face and learning and knowing His Ways more each day, I was always coming across men who were disillusioned and disappointed in the god presented to them in church.
Over the years I found my God & Savior to meet me at my need and was always there when ministering to other men (And women at different times.) who had problems relating to the hoops we were told to jump through from the pulpit. Some of us were not the preverbal ‘Nice Guys’ The Church expected us to be. To find out that He had made us a certain way and to fellowship with Him in that Uniqueness was so refreshing and revealing. It would have been an easier Trek had I had my learning enhanced and confirmed by the practical and alarmingly revealing perspective of Wild at Heart years ago!
John emphasizes that each one of us were created in His Image of being Wild at Heart. I can remember twenty-five years ago telling men that my Jesus was not a ‘Frail Fromp’ in a white dress, for women and children alone! My Lord was a Man’s Man. He was compassionate and understanding when the time was at hand, yet always ready to confront disingenuous acts and turn over tables in the temple courts.
Am I really a man? Is the haunting question in a male’s life. John give examples of men at the coffee shop sharing a few verses having resolved that “there is no battle to fight!” except “traffic and meetings and hassles and bills.” How many times during my secular and mundane employment was my heart set on fire when given a challenge that looked impossible, but somehow I knew I would accomplish it! The Battle was on!
The Wound that is there that needs to be faced up to and resolved. How awesome that that insight reveals and then a way for it to be reconciled. How many of us can relate to the different examples used, some from out of John’s own life.
The Battle for a man’s heart that so many times is lost to the enemy by it not being affirmed by a father who has not been affirmed himself. Needing to hear the Father’s (Or Male Authority Figure’s.) voice of approval. Then Hearing The Confirmation From The Father Himself!
Showing the wound healed, the enemy engaged, the beauty rescued and living the adventure that is placed before every man who can acknowledge and grasp hold of it.
Now the Nay Sayers will report that John takes Scripture out of context, though I yet have to see them give an example. All I can say is that the appropriate passages were used at the proper time to minister the truth at that moment. The Holy Spirit ministers beyond the nominal critique.
Have some questions or issues with the god of The Church, men this is a must read!
1 aka Dr. D. P. Gatten dpgatten dot com ©2008
