Eyes Wide Open: Avoiding the Heartbreak of Emotional Promiscuity

by Brienne Murk

In our postmodern world, we are so driven by our emotions that in "living for the moment" we've forgotten to guard our most precious treasure--our hearts. Young people may not realize it, but acts... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830744924
• ISBN13: 9780830744923
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Regal Books
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.6" x 7.3"
• Age Range: 12 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 5

Customer Reviews

A 5-Star read for teens, young adults and their parents

"Even if we aren't having sex, endless cycles of dating and breaking up are...promiscuous. We are casually and indiscriminately giving away our hearts, one piece at a time." Author Brienne Murk of the popular music group "Myrrh" has developed a youth seminar based on living one's faith in the real world. She and her sister, Heather, are frequent speakers at camps, conventions, churches, and youth events. Now in her 20s, Brienne relates to the challenges facing today's teens, offering them hope and help. In Eyes Wide Open, Murk encourages teens to decide in favor of "emotional purity" by setting boundaries and carefully guarding their hearts. An entire chapter is devoted to the dangers of internet chat rooms, IM'ing, e-mail and other ways that a `virtual relationship' can develop. Such settings encourage anonymity, artificial identities and danger. The book is crammed with real-life examples of emotional entanglements, heartache, and broken relationships that flow from a shallow, unguarded approach to life. Author Murk encourages the reader to set boundaries, put goals in writing, and find mentors who will keep her or him accountable and within the limits. Filled with scripture references, the book reveals God's good design for human sexuality, and reminds us of Biblical examples of both success and failure, from whom we can learn. Using the tools and concepts expressed in this book, a teen or college student can face the world of dating and relationships with confidence and "eyes wide open." "True purity is more than sexual abstinence - it's a commitment, a promise, and a choice to guard your heart." Armchair Interviews says: Well-written, timely, and encouraging.

Protection and Wisdom for Today's Teens

The dangers of MySpace and similar web locations are well known. Such sites are places where people can "pretend" to be someone else - you don't know who you're really talking to. A predator? A criminal? Author Brienne Murk tells us there's another danger, too. Chatting on-line, sending instant messages, meeting over the internet -- teens and others can get unwisely involved at an emotional level, even if they maintain a distance and live out a decision of sexual purity. Purity is more than sexual abstinence, Murk argues. Using Scripture and many examples from real life, Brienne Murk (recording artist and member of "Myrrh") shows that purity is not just physical: it is mental, emotional and spiritual too. Teens and college students should be "saving themselves" in ways that are more than just physical. Well-written, timely, filled with protection and wisdom for today's teens. A great book to read together as a youth group, interacting about the key concepts and ideas here. Dr. David Frisbie The Center for Marriage & Family Studies Author of Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent

Eyes Wide Open-AWESOME

I read this book and was so struck at the author's transparency and abiblity to take an honest look at our culture's "dating scene". To hear an actual young woman hear the heartbeat of God and be brave enough to go against the flow of what the world says about relationships and how we should handle ourselves and protect our hearts is so timely. I would say this book is definitely not just for singles...it is MOST definitely for ALL of us---married people need to protect their heart from emotional promiscuity in this day and age of the internet. May God encourage Brienne and keep her heart close to His as she seeks His face for truth.

A Revolutionary Commitment!

I am blown away by how good Eyes Wide Open is! Brienne Murk fills a need among today's books on dating, preparing for marriage, etc. by covering the emotional aspects in a straightforward way.I believe that if today's teens and tomorrow's teens embraced this commitment to connecting with the mate God has chosen for them, it would literally revolutionize society!

Absolutely fabulous book!

This book is long overdue. So much has been written and talked about concerning abstinence before marriage, but few have addressed the subtleties that lead to unintended premarital sex. Brienne has hit the nail on the head by giving those that are interested in guarding their hearts, some practical suggestions and warnings. Everyone I have spoken to regarding this book is equally excited. The ideas put forth in it, if followed by young people, could totally revolutionize this and future generations as they search for ways to live their own lives to the fullest, and to build others up at the same time!