Emotional Purity: An Affair of the Heart (Includes Study Questions)

I highly recommend this book to all single young women AND men. In today's society we tend to stress the importance of physical purity while completely missing the fact that it begins with a pure heart. My cousin loaned me a copy of this book while I was recovering from yet another "broken heart". I had never held the guys hand, let alone slept with him; however our hours of studying the Bible together and daydreaming about the future wrapped my emotions completely around him, and when I realized he was not the one for me I still could not let go. So girls and guys, PAY attention to the wisdom inside this book and watch the little thoughts and dreams that enter your head. Stop them before they grow into mountains in your heart!Praise God for the faithfulness of Heather in addressing this much needed issue!

Emotional Purity - wow, now there's a concept that many teenagers and adults today don't understand. This book thoughtfully examines misconception that Christian purity relates to romantic relationships and only to the physical realm. Heather Paulsen shows through examples and the principles of God's word that purity must be pursued in areas beyond the scope of this faulty idea. This book's overarching message is to "guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Guy-girl relationships (not even restricted to the explicitly romantic ones) can often lead to broken hearts because emotions go too far. Many books (see stuff by Josh Harris) focus on general purity in romantic relationships, but Heather shows that even good friends who aren't romantically involved must also be careful to remain pure. Without realizing it, friends can begin to spend more and more time with each other and become emotionally attached. Then, as Heather shows, the ensuing confusion about the goals of the relationship often leads to damaged hearts and severed friendships.This said, I think it is a shame that this book's message is hindered by generally poor writing. The manuscript is rather clunky and includes occasional grammatical errors. In any other book, this would be cause for a significant deduction in the stars it receives from me, but in this case, the beautiful message that shines through the sometimes obscuring language makes up for it. As I recall the power of this book's message to write this review, I find myself wanting to read it again. All teenagers and adults (even married ones) should allow this book to show them the importance of purity in all relationships. That means with co-workers, classmates, and friends, not just a significant other. Emotions often carry weak-minded and weak-willed humans (that's all of us) into impurity, regardless of marital status. Without careful protection of our hearts, our damaged emotions will be hindered from participating in the relationships for which God designed them - marriage and with Him.

This book is full of depth and honesty. With all the untrue information published about relationships, this book tells what happens when emotions run unchecked. This book should be read by every father, every pastor and every youth worker.... to help give boundaries and truth to the youth of today. Miss Paulsen gives lots of insight into just how and why the emotional boundaries should stay in-check until that young person has the permission to engage in the emotional-charged relationship called marriage. This book will help anyone understand why purity should be protected.

What a gifted author! Just by reading, one can sense her desire to serve the Lord, sweet spirit, and graceful nature. The issues addressed in her book are both relevant and biblically based. This book had an impact on me because I am very easily attatched to male friends, and this book made me realize the problem with it. God has given her great gifts and talents and she is using them for His Glory! Praise be to God!

Okay, now this is one of the most unique and challenging Christian living books that i have ever read. as a Christain i rate books in 3 ways. first is how scripturally based it is. second is how applicable it is. and third is how much it leads one to prayer. this revalation revealed by God to Heather Paulsen qualifies for all three. Guaranteed to change the way you think about current relationships, and how you act around others.as a friend of mine Claire Angus, who i let borrow this book says, "I would recommend very highly to EVERYONE." I second this saying. if you are a guy or a girl, and want to know about relationships with others, and how to keep the relationship the way God would want it, Read what God says through his instrument, Heather Paulsen.Seeking Him First,Campus Crusade for Christ student President at UMass Amherst