Discovery

Blog on Discovery (chapter two)

Comments

[Drew]

To the Higher Ground singles group at Bethany Bible Church:

It was great to get together as a small group to discuss the previous chapter. It is clear to see that there will be some friendly debate and discussions from both sides of the fence. This second chapter seems to be moving right into all of our questions.

As one speaking from the point of view that Matthew (and others: Jonathon Edwards, John Piper, and more) is on to something with this "FEEL" thing, let me try and identify something I think I see in the those that might be resistant to this kind of thinking. If I am wrong I welcome your correction.

It seems that part of the resistance to want to explore the benefit and beauty of emotions is two-fold. First, there is resistance that comes from a fear, or at least the belief, that emotions are unstable and cannot be trusted. I think Matthew gives plenty of example of this from noted authors in this chapter.

Second, resistance exists because of the thinking that if you put emotions into some of the commands of God then we would not be able to fulfill them. This kind of thinking says that I can manipulate (I am using this word in a positive tone, not negative) or motivate my actions but not my emotions.

I think 1 Peter 1:22 speaks to this. If our souls are purified than we can love sincerely. In fact, according to this verse our souls are purified in order for us to love. So, what is a "sincere love"? The aruement has been that if "agape" love is unconditional then it is an action and is not connected to my emotions. Is this really the love that you crave? Do we receive from God an uncondition love that seeks out our best interest even though God emotionally does not love us? No! This is not the kind of love we enjoy from our Heavenly Father nor is this the kind of love we desire in our relationship.

Imagine how Shelly would feel if she knew that my actions were loving towards her and were unconditional but were merely my obedience to God to perform these actions whether I emotionally wanted to or not. This is not what Shelly wants from me, and it is not what I desire from her.

So now the arument would be that I do not always "feel" loving towards my wife. This is true (sorry Honey). But this does not mean that I cannot obey God in loving my wife with my emotions. If I am experience a lack of love for my wife the problem is not my wife. It is with me. And the solution or fix to this problem lies in the healing, purifying power of God. "You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart." 1 Peter 1:22-23. In order for me to love earnestly I must have a pure heart. That is why God is so good at this stuff! If I am out of love with my wife I must seek Christ for my purification. It identifies a spiritual problem.

I look forward to hearing how your discussion goes on Chapter two. Sandy, I know you will do a great job leading the discussions while I am gone. I want you all to know that I love you very much.

And just for the record: I am very in love with Shelly! And probably not because I am so spiritual...but because she is so dog gone incredible!

[Matthew]

Drew, great preview for the rest of the book. I look forward to being with all of you.

[will]

I have been reading Feel it on the subway on my way to work. From
what I have read so far, it seems like an exciting way to live. I have definitely been conditioned as a male engineer that emotions lead
to nothing but trouble. It has been a revolutionary thought for me
that God gave me these emotions to help understand real truth and
beauty in His world.

[will]

I have been reading Feel it on the subway on my way to work. From what I have read so far, it seems like an exciting way to live. I
have definitely been conditioned as a male engineer that emotions lead to nothing but trouble. It has been a revolutionary thought for me that God gave me these emotions to help understand real truth and beauty in His world.

[Becky]

There's a question in this chapter that was very thought provoking. How would I react if I went to church one Sunday and discovered something bad had happened to a friend and I needed to be at their house crying with them? Especially when I hardly ever cry. It made me recall an incident that happened earlier this summer and what my reaction to that incident was. My reaction definitely was not helpful to the people involved. I was doing my duty instead of being with them. Ministering to people requires an emotional connection of some sort. The other thing I'm pondering upon reading this chapter is the definition of spirituality. Is there a difference between spirituality and Christianity? For so long I have been associating spirituality with non-Christian faith traditions. The section about spirituality being all about what we are feeling was definitely eye-opening in this regard. I am looking forward to discovering the world of feeling through the pages of this book.

[Raphael]

I am really excited to continue on in this book. I am starting to feel that God is going to take me where I want to be in him. Its no coincidence I picked this book up. Its God giving! I remember I used (I probably still do) to get these crazy feelings like "why are we here?" I really cant explain that feeling, but thats the question it seem like that feeling was asking me. And I would began to think about why we are here, but there was no aswer. Then I would get depressed out of nowhere for like a minute or 2 then I would go back to feeling the way I felt before that feeling. This book is so great so far. I really feel like God is going to answer all my questions through this book!

[Patti Gault]

Where do I begin?

First of all, thank you Matthew! You care enough and are faithful enough to devote yourself to unlocking any myths about our emotions. You've went to great lengths to discover what God's word has to say for yourself. We should all search the scriptures in such a way! I praise God for His guidance in your life.

Next, you have taken all you learned in your studies and are communicating information in terms that common people can understand and find interesting!

And, I love the concept of engaging the readers through this blog. Kudos!

Finally, I am ready for the journey and excited about where it will lead. I hope to discover and release any bondage in my own life. Chapter 3 ... here I come!

[Eric Johnson]

Just finished chapter 2. I am completely enthralled by this book. It is so refreshing. I saw myself in many of the entries from people at the end of the chapter. I relate to wanting to look right, fulfill my duty. Even now I see how I have connected shame to my lack of sharing and fully experiencing feelings. I'm also an expert at stuffing what I feel, and choosing reason and logic over feelings. Now I'm convinced that I want to dive fully (happily, joyfully!) into this book because I do not want to miss the relationships or the party!