Wild At Heart

[themadclipper]

This book has been the topic of some discussions I've read, but never really participated in, as I haven't read the book. However, I'm finally reading it, and it turns out that some of the guys in our church are turning it into a saturday morning study. Any thoughts or comments about the book would be appreciated. So far, as I've read, nothing has struck me as particularly controversial, and after three chapters (forty pages), I don't see what all of the hullaboo is about.

[fireproof]

It gets deeper the more you get into it. I think its great, really puts alot of things into perspective.

[themadclipper]

I've read into the 5th or 6th chapter, and for the life of me do not understand the controversy that was part of the previous discussion. The author backs his case up with Biblical groundwork, and then presents real world applications (case studies.) In the short time I've been reading the book, it has caused me to question some behasviors in our family. Nothing horrendous, but still worth questioning which I had not questioned before.

[fireproof]

i think its the whole masculinity thing that people misinterpret for 'macho' thats the controversy. todd is really the person to ask about it!

[themadclipper]

And where is the Todd? (shout out to Scrubs fans!)

[Labby]

His name is Anwald on here.

Anyway, I just started reading it today (I'm done with the first chapter). When he was talking about reclaiming the heart, I kept having that verse "the heart is deceitful" running through my mind. Although, I must admit that I have to agree with what he says about boys.

I mean, I have over twenty swords and daggers, for crying out loud.

[themadclipper]

At one point- although he doesn't use the word, he pretty much says that guys who wear their hats backwards (yo, yo, yo!) are (another word for) cats.

Well, at least needing to grow up. And (another word for) cats.

[themadclipper]

If I have one complaint about this book, it is that his chapters are a bit long for a before bed read.

[Psalms23]

Hey Guys! Has anyone read the book Wild At Heart?? I am getting ready to start reading it and I thought I would see what the peoples thoughts that have read it.

[fireproof]

i think its excellent. I need to read it again, just not had much time of late!

[Psalms23]

i think its excellent. I need to read it again, just not had much time of late!

Thats great to hear! I finished "When God writes your love story last night..and Tonight Im going to start reading Wild At Heart.

[fireproof]

I was so amused by the bit when john explains why men spirittually are rarely capable of asking for directions. Wacth out for it!

[Psalms23]

I was so amused by the bit when john explains why men spirittually are rarely capable of asking for directions. Wacth out for it!

Hmmm...lol Ask..or even READ directions...

[themadclipper]

I started to read it, but am currently working through "The Man in the Mirror," which is also quite excellent.

[Psalms23]

I started to read it, but am currently working through "The Man in the Mirror," which is also quite excellent.

I'll have to look into that one also.

[fireproof]

on a semi related tangent, i bought sat nav for me car yesterday and il now have darth vader telling me where to go. Genius!

[Labby]

I've been too busy reading my textbooks to read the copy of Wild at Heart a friend gave me.

[fireproof]

And where is the Todd? (shout out to Scrubs fans!)

over the course of the last week of july and the first week of august i was home ( i was at camp for 9days) i did all six seasons of scrubs. Genius!

I just spent the weekend in the middle of creation, and it was awesome!

[themadclipper]

Just a guess, but Scrubs and Wild At Heart are not mutually compatible,

[Psalms23]

Just to let you guess know. I merged the two Wild At Heart Threads together.

[fireproof]

Just a guess, but Scrubs and Wild At Heart are not mutually compatible,

lol i was referring to your scrubs mention from a while back in this thread.

[themadclipper]

Yeah, I got that.

[Warren]

I have read the book and I love it! After the first chapter I remember thinking to myself, WOW an actual book about the hearts of Men! For many long years there have been Christian books published about the hearts of Woman and there God given feminine nature. Just go into any Christian book store and there is an intire section devoted to Woman. Now someone writes a book about biblical masculinity and its controversial. In the Christian Men groups I have been involved with, this book has been powerful and moving! AH for God to grow in me a fierce warriors heart is what I desire!

[Labby]

As soon as I find my copy (it's in my car... I think), I'll start reading it again.

I was just thinking about it because of a recent YouTube video I watched (today, actually). You guys ever see Human Weapon? I just watched the Krav Maga videos. That's Israel's fighting style, which is insane. In Krav Maga, there's only one rule: survive.

[Psalms23]

As soon as I find my copy (it's in my car... I think), I'll start reading it again.

I was just thinking about it because of a recent YouTube video I watched (today, actually). You guys ever see Human Weapon? I just watched the Krav Maga videos. That's Israel's fighting style, which is insane. In Krav Maga, there's only one rule: survive.


Thanks for posting in there! I started reading mine and got to bout page 32 and for some reason hadnt picked it back up. Which i need to! Good reminder!


No, I have never seen Human Weapon

[Labby]

HW is a show on the History Channel. The hosts (one an MMA champ, the other a former football player and wrestler) go to various countries, study their fighting style for a week, then fight a champion.

So far I've seen Sambo, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Marine Corps CQC, and parts of Ninjitsu and a couple others. Brutal stuff.

[Labby]

So I'm in the third chapter of Wild at Heart.

I don't know what I think yet. I must confess that for years I've had what I call my "Superhero Complex" -- you can guess what that is. And something deep within me starts stirring whenever I watch films like Braveheart, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, the Lord of the Rings, etc... There's a reason I don't watch them around others (they'd probably freak out about me handling a sword or airsoft gun while watching, but I can't help it).

I'll have to keep reading, I guess.

[Toddrick33]

And where is the Todd? (shout out to Scrubs fans!)

It's the Todd Time! ;)

I regret often jumping to conclusions and being offended easily. It's an annoying part of my character that I've worked on a lot. And plus the "guy complex" of always being right. (Notice I didn't say always thinking you're right. We're always right. Deal with it. LOL)

Anwho... I am not what one would call "macho." I don't have a particularly deep voice, I don't really care for sports, I don't womanize, and I am pretty sensitive and am not too embarrassed about shedding a tear at a Christian concert when I'm reminded of what God has done in my life.

I think the lack of liking of "Wild at Heart" is because of misconceptions, both on my part and on the author's part.

The author of the book really writes about how macho men are, and how we need to tame ourselves. I think he fails in identifying that many men are not that way... and in failing to do that, implies that if you're not this way, there's something wrong.

And therein lies the misconception on my part. Because the author fails to address the male who is not "masculine" according to his picture, I assume this to mean that anyone who does not live up to that picture is not "masculine." I don't find church boring (usually), and I don't think that Christianity tailors to women. Therefore, I was offended by some of his presumptions.

But I realize that the book wasn't really written for me. It was written for the "macho men," because that's who the author is and who he identifies with. It doesn't make me any less "masculine" or less of a "man."

A couple of years ago, I guess I was just being overly insecure... not to mention argumentative. :) Now I just try not to give a hoot what people think, and think that it's perfectly acceptable to have differing opinions. In fact, the truth may lie somewhere in the middle.

So, I concede, I didn't get much out of the book, but I also no longer feel victimized by the book. It's not for all males by any stretch, but I venture that we won't find another book in the world that all males will find helpful!

Hope it helps! :D

[Toddrick33]

I was so amused by the bit when john explains why men spirittually are rarely capable of asking for directions. Wacth out for it!

That's what GPS is for!

[fireproof]

That's what GPS is for!

in got sat nav (what we call gps over here) about 6 months ago and seriously i dont know what i did before i had it. GEnius!

[Toddrick33]

in got sat nav (what we call gps over here) about 6 months ago and seriously i dont know what i did before i had it. GEnius!

I agree! Best invention ever!

[Labby]

Has anybody in here read "No More Christian Nice Guy"? It goes along with the aspect of guys needing to be guys, and how to overcome being a "Christian Nice Guy." I got quite a bit out of it, and am trying to apply it to my life (in fact, I actually said "no" when asked to help with something that would quite literally make me sick. You have no idea how invigorated I felt after having said "no" once).

It may not be for everyone, but it's worth looking at.

[themadclipper]

I've nearly finished "The Man In The Mirror." Todd, I think you'd like this book much more than "Wild At Heart," although the caveat to this book is that it seems to be geared toward the married set. Still, a very good read- I especially enjoyed and was challenged by the accountability part.