In Search of My Heart

This podcast sermon from Church for the ONE in Lakeland FL - Pastor Kevin Jack - is so loaded with wisdom and inspiration I had to bring it to you all. For “A Man in Search of My Heart” .. I was captivated, captured and moved by the content, wisdom and especially Kevins heart which came out (you can hear it in his voice) Ezekiel 36:26 is one of my “life verses” for my crucible for transformation of my heart began in 2005 with spiritual open heart surgery - by Yeshua et.al. (not medical doctors BTW) Here are some highlights of this message: "You cannot fully comprehend the majesty of God until you understand the depravity of man." — Pastor Kevin Jack "Wisdom demands time." — Pastor Kevin Jack "If you never deal with your heart, nothing is ever going to change." — Pastor Kevin Jack “My great concern is that in times of difficulty, of pressure, of crucibles, it becomes the easiest thing to listen to voices that validate what we already believe in how we want to live instead of the voices that lead us into life and lead us into truth. There is a Good Shepherd and just because someone provides clarity and direction does not mean that they desire what is best for you in this moment” — Pastor Kevin Jack “There are many bad shepherds out there” — Pastor Kevin Jack In this message, Pastor Kevin Jack explores the concept of a new heart, as promised in Ezekiel 36, and contrasts it with the process of a physical heart transplant. Drawing on the stories of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel in exile, he argues that the path to a new heart begins with a diagnosis of our own spiritual depravity. He challenges listeners to see their moments of suffering and displacement not as "coffins," but as "crucibles"—containers designed by God to refine and purify us. This message encourages listeners to examine their own hearts and to stop being shepherded by media and social algorithms, and instead, allow God to transform their stony hearts into tender, responsive ones. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

I dedicate this song to Charlie Kirk. I was awakened to this song several days before Charlie was taken from us. I pondered the significance of the lyrics, took some notes… and then… now the timing is clear. The lyrics speak to a race we need to stay in, to a battle we are desperately needed to fight in, to a calling for us to live and love and fight for truth and justice and compassion. “Have we forgotten who’s trip were on?” I am inspired by the life and mission of Charlie Kirk and I hope this inspires you (as it did me) to stay in the fight, to speak the truth in love, and live lives as a guiding light to others. Charlie would agree with John Eldredge: You awake to find yourself in the midst of a great and terrible war. It is, in fact, our most desperate hour. Your King and dearest Friend calls you forth. Awake, come fully alive, your good heart set free and blazing for him, and for those yet to be rescued. You have a glory that is desperately needed right now. John Eldredge, Waking the Dead, p186 +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

These days it seems I am an explorer in an exciting diverse landscape: The Kingdom of God. New features of power and mystery and healing are yet to be fully discovered, even as I encounter them anew as if I never knew them before: They are The Blood of Jesus, the Breath of God, Fire and Glory and… this my immersive experience in the River of Life. This experience prostrate on the floor praying with Sydney is one I will never forget… I have recorded it in my gratitude list so that I can return to it with clarity. A lift, a joy bomb, a window into love and beauty and all is right in the world, or certainly will be soon enough.. thats what I recieved. Without a doubt a supernatural encounter that I am learning to trust and not dismiss. And in this broken toxic world, do we not need more of that? and skill in finding it? Try out this worship video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nbHQLszars4?si=1_bserAAbqABD2rW +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

There is so much power in story, especially The Larger Story: the story God is telling. In that realm, the Father Son relationship is central. And here comes Luke telling in this song about raising his son. The parent album is entitled “Fathers and Sons” and although Jesus is not centrally mentioned, nor would these country ballads be considered “worship songs” the tender stories of a boy becoming a man and then raising a son… they are too rich to pass by. I heard a father aspiring to become a man of character to raise his son in the same way. The album is so full of heart.. and for a Man In Search of his Heart (thats me) they made me misty… because God is in these stories. The Larger Story and the Father Son relationship is central to the Wild at Heart Mens retreat coming up this 3-6 April in Old Town Florida. Find more information and register at RTGMinistries.org +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

I have found lately when God is Speaking to me, He sends the same message constantly from several directions… so my pea brain will get it. This is one example. I have been learning, training, seeking to nourish my heart with healthy spiritual things, and so much of the media, discord and noise in the world today gets in the way of hearing Jesus speak. Multiple sources, like not only this song, but the latest book by John Eldredge Experiencing Jesus. Really. The concurrent message of silencing the noise and our fatal attraction to over stimulation with media, and how to step back in quiet time, and quieting the heart, is so essential. Have we not all become “Disciples of the Internet” ?? in that we turn to our phones et.al. for answers instead of listening and waiting…. on God. And in that shift, we have come to the place where we cannot hear him. Check out that book, and all the podcasts on Wildatheart.org that open all that content. And dont pass up the opportunity to hear from God at the Wild at Heart mens retreat, 3-6 April in Old Town FL. Information and Registration at RTGMinistries.org. God shows up reliably and powerfully; you can count on that. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

This song moved me deeply because it describes my journey toward eliminating the false self. Self protection and self promotion to be exact. I still suffer from self reliance, and I am working on trusting God more to handle the issues I am fearful about. But all of my journey to becoming whole and holy with Jesus as my guide - knowing I am not alone for He is with me - it is so difficult, almost impossible to do it alone. We need good people around us. When I find a good moving song like this, I play it over and over until it sinks in. This one is excellent bath water. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

Bill Harper shares details of this year's retreat and why men (and their wives) will be so glad they came. Find retreat details and register here: returntoglory.regfox.com/return-to-gl…y-april-2025 +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

Heres another in the “Country Christian” category, and in some cases we might not see the heavenly message in classic country songs: this is one example. For me, anyway. I heard a man singing of how he had been made “a brand new man” by love. Was it the love of a woman he was speaking about, or possibly the higher, richer, truer love of Jesus? Radical conversion would look like seeing the light, turning one’s life around, being born to love again and becoming a brand new man. Is it possible that these human to human love songs really foreshadow a higher love? Check it out. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

This Psangh speaks of our longing for the return of Jesus. How we must wait and trust that in Gods’ timing one day all will be restored. I can’t get through the day, much less a week without reminding myself that one day the kingdom will be restored, every tear will be washed away and pain of life in our broken world will cease. Hope and assurance. And since my head is a dangerous place if I am in there alone… that assurance is one way of getting Jesus in my head (and in my heart soul and spirit as well) I have heard, and I agree: The banquet in heaven is right around the corner! +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

Forever Country: Artists of Then, Now and Forever: This “country christian” song is a beautiful combination of three great country hits: Country Roads, Take Me Home by John Denver, On the Road Again by Willie Nelson and the foundational song I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton. I see pointers to heaven, a map of the path to get there, and the source of it all wrapped up and beautifully arranged. Jesus has always loved us, even before we were conceived, and so those lyrics are beautifully present throughout this arrangement. I have been noticing The Gospel everywhere, so why not in a country song? Maybe you can see what I saw. Remember to check out the YouTube video link where you will see these 30 classic country artists artistically and beautifully arranged in sound and sight, with Dolly as the closer. https://youtu.be/PzR7r0oADFs Forever Country youtu.be +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

This “Country Christian” song has inspired and awakened me to valuable principles to better love others in this world. To shine the light that God has put within me to bless others. It’s loaded with really good advice, arranged in a beautiful melody, and it’s a bit of a joy bomb to my heart mind soul and spirit. I hope you find it moving to your heart as well. I highly recommend the YouTube of Thomas performing this at the Country Music Awards in 2020 with Reba, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban. https://youtu.be/bQ-m57LI1zA +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

The book of Third Kings does not exist in the scriptures, but perhaps we are living it out in the USA, even the world today. The rise and fall of Israel is perhaps a template for this nation; even the world. "Where are you man?" God seems to be asking... and hopefully would get us to ask the next question "Where are you God?" and lead us to do something about it. If you like what you hear here, consider attending the Wild at Heart Men's Retreat, this coming 4-7 April 2024 in Old Town FL. I am one of the speakers. Come find your heart! Information and Registration on the web at RTGMinistries.org +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

The Wild at Heart BASIC mens retreat (hosted by Return to Glory) is a 4 day 3 night journey to recover the masculine soul. I explain some of the “behind the scenes” details about why it’s so effective. Actually this description speaks more to an intellectual rational reasoning… and less to capturing and moving the heart. So ponder this evidence to consider taking this journey, and then listen to your heart, or God, or both as you decide whether to take this risk. Yes, we talk about that too… Risk. Join us this April 4th thru 7th in Old Town Florida. Registration, information, lots to explore on the website RTGMInistries.org.

In these lyrics, Matt first describes the pace of life in this world. “God Slow Me Down” as in a practice that is helping me in this fast paced world: Pause, listen, breathe in God, breathe out the world. “Jesus I give everyone and everything to you.” Come chase this heart of stone… searching my heart to contain more of Him. He is the owner of the mystery.. especially where my life is going… to cast my worries and fears and “figuring it all out” on Him. I need to know the future is not mine so much as yours… I need a future not my own. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

This song by Cory Asbury tells a story common to many; a father who drank too much and loved too little. We all have our stories. I love songs that tell a story. I have found that sharing our stories with others in a safe confidential environment leads to healing; and when we, in safe, loving community, invite Jesus in to that story telling… thats fertile soil to heal and grow and find restoration. This is a story of Cory’s restoration when God became his loving redemptive father. How beautiful. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

My puppies are hearing the gun shots of the duck hunters and it's making them afraid. That makes me wonder this: what are WE listening to? +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

Some say the mind equals reason and the heart equals emotion. I say that is nonsense, and today I explain why. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

A devotional thought inspired by the song Don't Forget the Star by Sidewalk Prophets. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

Love is so important. We need more of it! +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/

I believe we are born into a world at war, and the prize has always been the human heart. I am not just in search of my heart but in reality I am called to protect it, nourish it, strengthen it and share it with my hands and feet for others. To fight for the hearts of others as well as my own. The Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6 is something I literally put on…to me it is as real as the shoes on my feet. I have attempted to compare what Paul saw in Roman Soldier to the Navy Seals of today. And then describe what it looks like in application to my life. Interestingly the Roman Soldier was more of an enemy than a friend to Paul. But the Special Operations Warriors of today are our friends who are skilled and ready to fight for us. Even to give their lives to ensure our freedom. Jesus did that as well. Stand, stand and continue to stand to fight for freedom in this world at war. +++++++ Return to Glory Ministries hosts Wild at Heart men's retreats, and you can find more information at our website: http://rtgministries.org/