WILDER AT HEART

John Eldredge explains that 'A deep sense of validation is core to our identity as men. We should listen for a deeper voice, and opinion that really matters- Our Heavenly Father.'
So 12 men from City Temple travelled down to the Winston Hotel on the Gower, and we've all returned a bit more wilder at heart, with a bunch of new friends, and much more of an understanding about how God made us in his image and gave us wild, untamed and masculine hearts. John Eldredge on the video teaching, called us to be 'A fierce warrior battling alongside God against evil.' The very first session, when we share about our favourite films and the characters in those films we'd like to be, is always a great way to find out more about each other and to have a good laugh in the process. For most of us, Saturday afternoon's outdoor activities taught us valuable spiritual life lessons. Here's pastor Chris Cartwright abseiling for the first time in his life: The moment when you first step over the edge must be just like it was for Peter the disciple when he stepped out of the boat. Two of our guys overcame real fear of heights in order to be able to climb and abseil. Exploring a cave was a challenging experience, especially for one or two with fear of confined spaces. Here's me just about to enter into the cave, I'm not sure why I've got a pillow stuffed up my coat!
The sessions during the weekend were a real voyage of self-discovery, healing, friendship and we left with a desire to keep pushing forward in the journey of being real men of God. We recognised that we should be able to trust each other, and rely on each other- just like when someone's holding your climbing safety rope for you, and hopefully Wild at Heart will continue to develop at City Temple. here's Martyn Evans- who loved every minute of the weekend, even the climbing! For me personally, the weekend was a reminder of the way God spoke to me at last year's Wild at Heart weekend, it focused me on the decisions ahead in the next few weeks, and made me more determined to follow my heart and accomplish the things that I know make me come alive and make me the person God created me to be. A final thought from John Eldredge: 'Living a life of comfort in a small story will mean you never see the adventure God has for you.'