I’ve had the privilege of sitting under my pastor’s teaching, and this book reflects the same faithfulness and seriousness he brings to his ministry. Rather than relying on storytelling, it is deeply rooted in Scripture and thoughtfully examines how and why hearts can harden toward God.
What stood out to me most is the reverence and intentionality with which this topic is approached. The author thoughtfully engages Scripture alongside philosophical insight and generational perspectives, offering clarity without softening the truth.
This book isn’t meant to be easy, but it is meant to be necessary. I’m grateful for the care, prayer, and truth poured into every page.
– Ashleigh
This book demonstrates a deep faithfulness and seriousness in its approach to Scripture. Rather than relying on storytelling, it is thoughtfully written and carefully examines how and why hearts can harden toward God.
What stood out to me most is the reverence and intentionality with which this topic is approached. The author thoughtfully engages Scripture alongside philosophical insight and generational perspectives, offering clarity without softening the truth.
This book isn’t meant to be easy, but it is meant to be necessary. I’m grateful for the care, prayer, and truth poured into every page.
– Ashleigh
“Dr. DeLeo’s book serves as a cross-generational guide, revealing how our brokenness can carry across time. By connecting the idea of a physically broken heart with a spiritually broken one, it offers a path toward reviving our faith and strengthening our witness to others.”
Mayor Curtis Bergthold
Though the modern world continues to offer abundance and immediacy at an exponential rate, much of it, if not all, still feels artificial. Why? Because endless answers, advancing technology, and constant stimulation do little to satisfy the deepest longings of the heart.
CPR for the Heart by Dr. Frank J. DeLeo is a timely reminder that spiritual life cannot be artificially manufactured. Using the compelling comparison between physical heart disease and spiritual decline, Dr. DeLeo helps his readers see how the heart can harden over time. More often than not, spiritual sickness develops quietly beneath the surface, just like many physical heart conditions. This worsens as we undergo suffering, disappointment, cultural pressures, and misplaced trust in our own abilities. This book helps identify those warning signs and offers hope for restoration through Christ.
Now many of us may have heard sermons about this before or even read other books on the topic, but here is where this book is uniquely instructive. Undoubtedly, we live in an age where technology—and now AI—promises more knowledge, more efficiency, and more control. Churches and their attendees can be tempted to approach evangelism, worship, and spiritual growth through formulas or methods that feel inorganic—and often truly are. But faith isn’t manufactured or mechanical, and the heart can only be revived through real connection with God, as we experience Him personally through His Word and His work in our daily lives.
Dr. DeLeo calls us back to fundamental spiritual practices: listening well, cultivating curiosity, and recovering mystery, wonder, and imagination before God. These are often the first and fundamental things the modern world misses, especially when we become overly self-determined or reliant on intellect alone. True renewal requires humility and a willingness to relinquish control, allowing the Holy Spirit to do what only God can do—bring life back to a hardened heart.
I believe this book will be especially meaningful for anyone who feels spiritually dry, distant, or discouraged. It is also a valuable resource for pastors, ministers, and believers who want to move beyond formulas and meet people where they truly are—at the heart level. For those trying to stay rooted in Christ while navigating the artificial currents of modern life, CPR for the Heart offers both challenge and hope. Revival is possible. No one is too far gone. The heart can be restored.
In His Grace,
-Ethan Maners
I truly didn’t expect this book to challenge me the way it did. CPR for the Heart gently but honestly forced me to examine areas of my own heart that had grown complacent or distracted. The comparison between physical heart failure and spiritual hardening is powerful and thought-provoking, and it made the message feel urgent yet hopeful with the reminder that restoration is always possible. This isn’t a surface-level “feel good” book—it’s a call to real reflection and renewed faith. I walked away encouraged, challenged, and more aware of how intentionally I need to guard and nurture my heart.
Amazon review:
CPR for the Heart really made me stop and reflect on my own spiritual life. The comparison between physical heart failure and a hardened spiritual heart is powerful and eye-opening. It challenged me in a meaningful way while also reminding me that restoration is always possible. This book is for everyone—not just those who feel they’ve been hardened by worldly things, but anyone who wants to guard and strengthen their heart.
-Heather Romine
How can a Christian, who once had a strong belief in God, turn his back and just simply walk away from his faith? In his book, “CPR of the Heart,” Dr. DeLeo not only explains how and why this happens, but he also has given a roadmap for the hard-hearted Christian to find his way back to a living and vibrant faith. Christians walking away from their faith, due to hardened hearts, is an alarming phenomenon that has massively increased over the years and needs to be examined and addressed. Dr. DeLeo does that thoroughly and meticulously. Can a Christian whose heart has turned to stone ever be renewed and resuscitated? Is there hope for loved ones who have lost their way? After reading CPR of the Heart, I can declare an emphatic YES! When the lost sheep is found or when the prodigal returns home, there is great rejoicing. When you get to the end of this book, you will be rejoicing, too.
-Marty Younkin
CEO / Executive Director
LoveNotes – DFW Clergy Services
CPR for the Heart
BOOK REVIEW – By Randy Finfrock
2/02/2026
It is no secret that our society has been steadily moving away from traditional beliefs due to rapid changes in mores and values. Relationships that once bound family, community and our nation together under the umbrella of patriotism and Christian values are being discarded. There is a diminishing of responsibility for our own actions and little respect being shown to others.
A lack of communication between all parties has become rampant. A once open atmosphere to discuss differences of opinion is no longer tolerated. As people become more separated, they become more resistant to differences of opinion, beliefs or even a willingness to consider alternative positions.
Each generation searches for meaning and there is an obvious hunger today for “something more”. Few find it however because of self-centered hearts pulling away from God.
In the midst of all these disruptions, a goal of this book is to encourage everyone. Dr. DeLeo calls on the church to stand up and speak the Truth boldly. He quotes from Romans 12:1-2, “God will transform us by the renewing of our minds.” He shares what has caused this hardening of hearts, and how to rebuild our relationship with God the Father.
Dr. DeLeo writes that we have over time elevated the mind over the heart. They were intended to be inseparable. If the heart and mind are not aligned, we easily mislead ourselves.
From his own experience being on the brink of a hardened heart, Dr. DeLeo explores what causes the heart to stop believing, searching, caring and pursuing God, stating that the heart is either softened (open) or hardened (closed off) to God. “Out of the heart comes good and evil.” The good news is that the damaged or hardened heart can find the path back to a healthy and successful life by responding to the Gospel.
If we do not have a basic knowledge and understanding of God and his teachings and a sense of his mercy and grace, then love for ourselves, for others and even for God himself will be absent. The hope is that as we become more self-aware and desire clarity for a better life, we reach out. Only then, when we rediscover and apply those foundational biblical Truths, could we ask ourselves “How is God’s Word guiding my life today?
The Bible says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139.14), meaning that each person is unique, and divinely created. It does not say we are fearful people. Trusting in God for all things may appear to be waning; have we become afraid of searching for the Truth and afraid of commitment?
It is interesting to note what some researchers have found; that it is “what the church represents” in the minds of today’s youth that becomes a stumbling block. If we (and the church) are not seeking God, then some may attempt to find happiness in other things including identity. Fellow human beings can and do offer support and friendship, but they cannot provide the deeper meanings that our souls long for. We must come to trust Him for sustaining our lives. The knowledge and love of God drives out fear.
Dr. DeLeo defines a healthy spiritual life as one that is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I was prompted to ask myself, why would anyone NOT desire these gifts that are freely given to those who believe? Dr. DeLeo continues: those choices that we have made that lead to a hardened heart can be reversed and renewed by searching for the Truths found in God’s word.
As individuals and as a society, we have shut down and become isolated and disconnected. This is in direct opposition to God’s plan. Everyone needs community, and a Christ-centered community drives us to hold fast to our faith in challenging times, and to introduce others to Christ. A “spiritual family” is needed to help keep us focused and accountable, not self-centered, but others centered.
Jesus calls us to follow and worship Him and desires a relationship with us, his children. When we do this and prioritize Him, we feel our hearts come alive again. When we allow God to be in control of our lives, we experience freedom. All that which separates us from God and consumes our daily lives will no longer have power over us. The newfound freedom we sense is the burdens that are being lifted and taken on by God. This is why He sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. This is why He forgives us and offers undeserved Grace. It all frees us to worship Him.
For social and spiritual connection, it is with others that we are beckoned to seek God, to help us to grow in faith and live in unity with Him and one another. Faith and community are interconnected. When we find a connection to others that is not threatening, we are made to feel useful and find encouragement. Those who may have experienced isolation then recognize they are not alone, and by helping their fellow man, they are living out God’s love for themselves and others.
God did not create us to be alone. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut 31.6), and “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20). He made us to be dependent upon one another.
Faith must be lived out in community. Participants who embody the values of Christ is essential. If we desire to create an atmosphere of faith, we must live our lives as the Apostle Paul suggests by offering ourselves not just in word but in deeds of “Faith, Hope, and Love”. We demonstrate this by our actions, prayer, Bible study, community connection, and service.
We have a choice before us each day and hour, Light or Darkness. If we truly desire the abundant life that is promised, we are to live in the Light of Christ and dwell on the Truth. Are we asking, seeking and knocking to obtain the knowledge and wisdom of God so that we may believe and trust and strengthen our faith? Imagine what God can still do in us and in others.
God wants us to open the door of our hearts and simply allow Him in. When we profess our Faith to Jesus as Lord, the Spirit of the Living God resides within us and pours out His Spirit onto those who believe. We are compelled to feed our body, our soul, and our mind with His Word. We all need to pray sincerely for the restoration of hearts and minds and for miracles of spiritual rebirth.
CPR for the heart is full of wonderful information that can be used for any type of convert or non-convert. If you are a convert, it can be used to evaluate, access, and improve upon your relationship with Christ. (2 Corinthians 13:5 ” Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith…”) If you have not been converted then this book is a great opportunity to hear The Word preached (Romans 10:17 “faith comes from hearing… the word of Christ”) as Frank incorporates plenty of scriptures which allows The Holy Spirit the opportunity and space to work. Either way, CPR for the Heart is a must read for anyone who truly has a desire to know more about why and how they were created through objective Truth and understanding as to why struggles exist within the hearts of many throughout the world today, whether you are a Christian or not.
-Robert Riever
First, you must know that Dr. DeLeo is a close friend. Both Christians, but of very different sects. I agreed to read through his book as a gesture of friendship; not that I felt the need to resuscitate my heart for renewed faith in Jesus Christ.
I am so glad that I was given this opportunity to see through Dr. DeLeo’s eyes the reasons for failing health of Christianity in the world today. Frank has shared an easy to follow, metaphoric path to my personal insight of my own faith and relationship with God. I have gained a new understanding of my heart-felt love of God and His unconditional love for us. No matter what your current relationship with our Lord – you will come away enriched.
-Stephen Petras
02/03/2026