Eyes Wide Open: Avoiding the Heartbreak of Emotional Promiscuity [Paperback]

Brienne Murk (Author), Dr. Gary Chapman (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2008

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 that appear innocent—such as e-mail and instant messages—can entangle our emotions and lead the heart to places it should not go. Most people give their hearts away long before they give their bodies away, so it is imperative that young people learn the importance of emotional purity, how to avoid the steps that too often lead to a physical downfall and how to live pure lives. Like talking to a big sister who’s gone before them, reading Eyes Wide Open will give young people the necessary keys for making decisions about purity, love and romance. She also shows them how to acquire a thirst for purity as they realize it is not just another rule, but a path that leads to a dimension of deep and fresh living where they can truly thrive.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“Even if we aren’t having sex, the cycles of dating and breaking up with someone can be promiscuous. We are casually giving our hearts away—one piece at a time.” You’ve heard the abstinence message. You aren’t sleeping together. You didn’t even kiss. So why do you feel so guilty? God cares how you treat your feelings just as much as how you treat your body—and He has a plan to keep you on the right track. In Eyes Wide Open, author Brienne Murk describes the necessity of guarding your most precious treasure—your heart. As a single young woman, she has dealt with the same relational issues that face every young person, and she candidly shares her experiences and her mistakes. With Eyes Wide Open, you’ll learn how easy it is to let your emotions get the best of you, but more importantly, how to protect yourself from heartbreak. Whether you are in a relationship, just got out of one, are hoping for one to start, or just have friends of the opposite sex, this book will equip you to have healthy relationships in all aspects of your life.

About the Author

BRIENNE MURK is a college student in her early 20s. She has been involved full-time in the Christian music industry since she was a small child. With her family’s group, Myrrh, she travels around the world performing and speaking at churches, camps, conferences, conventions and crusades. Together with her sister Heather, she has developed a seminar for youth that focuses on living one’s faith in everyday life, as well as an Eyes Wide Open seminar based on this book. Her writing and speaking credits include numerous appearances on national and international TV and radio programs, and she has also conceptualized, scripted and produced a nationally syndicated radio special and a four-part teaching CD series.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Regal (July 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830744924
• ISBN-13: 978-0830744923
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Protection and Wisdom for Today's Teens, August 18, 2007

By 

Dr. David Frisbie (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyes Wide Open: Avoiding the Heartbreak of Emotional Promiscuity (Paperback)

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

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eyes Wide Open-AWESOME, July 20, 2007

By 

J. Theriault "Judi from the Midwest" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eyes Wide Open: Avoiding the Heartbreak of Emotional Promiscuity (Paperback)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous book!, July 19, 2007

By 

Jameson Williams "music man" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyes Wide Open: Avoiding the Heartbreak of Emotional Promiscuity (Paperback)

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!