Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday: Learning to Lead Your Heart Rather Than Just To Follow It

IF YOU CHOOSE TO UNDERTAKE THE 40 DAY LOVE DARE:

"....BE SURE OF THIS: it will take courage. If you accept this dare, you must take the view that instead of following your heart, you are choosing to lead it. The world says to follow your heart, but if you are not leading it, then someone or something else is. The Bible says that "the heart is more deceitful than all else" (Jeremiah 17:9), and it will always pursue that which feels right at the moment.

"We dare you to think differently---choosing instead to lead your heart toward that which is best in the long run. This is a key to lasting, fulfilling relationships.

"....this is a journey of exploring and demonstrating genuine love, even when your desire is dry and your motives are low. The truth is, love is a decision and not just a feeling. It is selfless, sacrificial, and transformational. And when love is truly demonstrated as it was intended, your relationship is more likely to change for the better.

"Remember you have the responsibility to protect and guide your heart. Don't give up and don't get discouraged (
over the next 40 days) Resolve to lead your heart and to make it through to the end."

----Excerpts from introduction to The Love Dare (as seen in the new movie Fireproof)

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I'm convinced that a 40-day Bible-based program---be it prayer, repentance or behavioral, like the one above---has the potential to begin to transform anyone who sincerely undertakes it. After watching the movie Fireproof this week, I came away with the sure impression that this movie--- and the book recently released concurrently by the filmmakers--- can and will save marriages. And not just save them, it can vastly, vastly improve, strengthen and chart a new, better course for them. It can grown them up.

The best news: it only takes one to do this love dare thing. The power of ONE. No dragging your spouse into therapy. ONE does it by following the book and hanging in there no matter what.

I'm divorced and saw myself and my then-crumbling marriage in a great deal of this movie (Aren't all divorces really basically the same selfish trainwreck?). For whatever reasons only God knows, we were not able to save it at the time, a long time ago, and God has used this failure to teach me much and for His Purposes and eventual Glory. So, whether you're married, single, divorced, want to get a divorce or just contemplating a life-long commitment, I can't recommend this book highly enough. But first, see the movie!

While it was written for marrieds, its principles can be used in all our relationships, especially our most difficult ones. There's great wisdom in the movie and The Love Dare book. Principles to live by, not just for 40 days, but a lifetime. What a blessing.

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