One of the more common criticisms that you tend to hear about the spiritually formative kinds of things that ECSW's curriculum, Life with God presents is that it's too "touchy-feely", too emotional, and too personal. We heard just such a voice recently from a curriculum test group, and as a former card-carrying member of the "emotions get in the way" club, part of me still resonates with these people. For one thing, emotions aren't something we have much control over, so they can (and do) get us into trouble. For that matter, wearing your heart on your sleeve can be a good way to get that heart injured. Best to keep it inside the rib cage where it's got some protection and take care of the things that need to get done to fulfill God's work.
 
Alas, God pays attention to the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7) It matters to Him. The Hebrew "heart" meant the whole inner person: intellect, will, emotions, desires, dreams, and so on, and this is what He's keeping tabs on. Paul characterizes Jesus' ministry as one of reconciliation (Rom. 5:11, 2 Cor. 5:18-19, etc.). If reconciliation is the restoration of relationship, then the qualities that make up relationship...

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