A Biblical Spirituality Of The Heart

The human heart, with all its potential for good and bad, is given a rich variety of meanings in Sacred Scripture. As a symbol of the depths of a person, the heart can become hardened and foolish. But God, too, has a heart -- one that is greater than ours. In his concern for our happiness and well-being, he has offered to change our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus. Gentle and humble of heart, from whose pierced side flowed living streams of blood and water for the salvation of the world, Jesus invites us to give him our hearts that he might heal them and make then whole. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is based on this remarkable truth of our faith.

'By Way of the Heart comes from the pen of an experienced master. Anyone who reads it will find a sure guide along a path that leads to wholeness, enlightenment and to God.' - William Johnston, S.J.

The biblical word “heart” has been to some degree a mystery in the body of Christ. Did you know that “Jesus” is in the Bible 983 times, “Father” (God) 979 times, and “heart” 830 times? This clearly signifies that the biblical word “heart” is important to God. Humankind has two types of hearts, a physical heart and a spiritual heart. In the Bible, “heart” refers to our spiritual hearts, not the physical heart. Though most people in the Body of Christ touch their chests when referring to the biblical word “heart”, the spiritual heart is not in the chest. The spiritual heart is the soul (mind, will, emotions). Physically, it is located inside of your head. The purpose of this book is to gain a better understanding of our spiritual hearts. Our ultimate goal is to demystify the biblical word “heart.” This book will provide comprehensive knowledge by God inspired spiritual visual aids and revelation of scripture. As we all know, there is plenty of information on the physical heart but very little information on the spiritual heart. For instance, we know that your physical heart is located inside your chest and pumps blood throughout your body. We also know that exercising and eating right will make your physical heart healthy. Where is your spiritual heart located? What is the purpose of your spiritual heart? What makes your spiritual heart healthy? This book will provide answers to these questions and many other inquiries you may have concerning your “Spiritual Heart”.

As Christians, we know that we are new creations in Jesus. So we try to act differently, hoping this will make us more like Him. But changing our outward behavior doesn’t change our hearts. Only by God’s grace can we be transformed internally. Renovation of the Heart lays a biblical foundation for understanding what best-selling author Dallas Willard calls the “transformation of the spirit”—a divine process that “brings every element in our being, working from inside out, into harmony with the will of God.” This fresh approach to spiritual growth explains the biblical reasons why Christians need to undergo change in six aspects of life: thought, feeling, will, body, social context, and soul. Willard also outlines a general pattern of transformation in each area, not as a sterile formula but as a practical process that you can follow without the guilt or perfectionism so many Christians wrestle with. Don’t settle for complacency. Accept the challenge Renovation of the Heart offers to become an intentional apprentice of Jesus Christ, changing daily as you walk with Him.

Faith for the Heart makes a special outreach to the "spiritual but not religious," to the "nones, and the "believers without belonging," with rich resources for their faith journey. "Catholic" signals that "all are welcome" to draw upon its treasury of the Church's spiritual resources, regardless of faith identity.ÿÿ

Using stories and images, the authors blend the best of spirituality and psychology to help the reader live in peace with self, others, and God. +

"The heart is the most influential and dynamic of all human images. This is due to its origins in our formational womb experience for over nine months. In the Bible, the word/image is found close to a thousand times. The purpose of this book is to explore the deep significance of biblical heart language/images. It will also point out important avenues of practical application in teaching, healing, and personal transformation. To make the book as effective as possible, we have placed practical exercises and suggestions for application throughout the book." -- Joseph Grassi "This is an excellent resource for counselors, retreat directors, teachers, and all who recognize the centrality of the imagination in human conversion." -- Kathleen Fisher, author of The Inner Rainbow "Psychologically sound, spiritually helpful, and biblically rich, this book can aid us to renew our 'heart covenant' with the Lord." -- Robert J. Wicks, Director of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Counseling, Neumann College

In all your boyhood dreams of growing up, did you dream of being a "nice guy"? Eldredge believes that every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. That is how he bears the image of God; that is what God made him to be.