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where light meets darkness : a pilgrim's sacred muse
‘where light meets darkness’ is a prophet’s call, a sage’s whisper, a bard’s song…asking us to listen, to pause, and to understand the wonder of present Grace; a Grace that traces our hearts and tells the story of our souls. this is a book of intersections, exploring the possibility of who we could be, meeting the wonder of who we already are. filled with stories, reflections, poetry and pointed thoughts, these words will ask you to long consider the truth of your life.
- GenresPoetry
146 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 21, 2019
This is honestly the most unique book I have read. Dancing somewhere between poignant poetry and lilting prose, the text stirs both my heart with passion and my mind with possibilities. Heppner’s book is a profoundly moving reflection on what it means to live a God-saturated, Jesus-directed, Spirit-empowered pilgrimage through life. Heppner manages to direct without dictating, invite without insisting, and encourage without enforcing. His reflections stem from an honest scrutiny of a life lived under God's purview, and his writing entreats the reader to join him in a similar scrutiny.
If you’re looking for a scholarly treatise on the Christian life as a pilgrimage, this isn’t your cup of tea. But if you want to sip from a spicy, heady nectar of exhortation to live as a pilgrim, you’ve come to the right book.
If you’re looking for a scholarly treatise on the Christian life as a pilgrimage, this isn’t your cup of tea. But if you want to sip from a spicy, heady nectar of exhortation to live as a pilgrim, you’ve come to the right book.
May 21, 2019
Jonathan’s words both push and pull, and are held together by the tensions of resounding yeses, brave whys and encouraging gos tied together by rhythm and harmony.
An honest and vulnerable bearing of the soul,
an earnest invitation to taste and see what is,
and a graceful challenge to imagine what could be.
An honest and vulnerable bearing of the soul,
an earnest invitation to taste and see what is,
and a graceful challenge to imagine what could be.
July 16, 2019
This book is very introspective, a look into the heart of the author, his cries and desires for himself, for every Christian and the church. It is full of challenges which goes deep into our hearts - of who we are and who we are not, of our relationships with one another and with Christ, of our weaknesses and strength and our calling. I love the way he defines a leader which makes us look within ourselves if we truly call ourselves leaders and inspire others to do the same. It speaks to me to be brave and to take on leadership, as Christ had called me, to set aside my fears, heed the call, act upon it with the thought that Jesus is waiting for me at the finish line. It breathes out courage, of peace and hope, that even in the midst of the troubles of this world, we can fully trust in our God who is present, who is the Great I AM.
His dreams of the church is a longing for the church to stand up and be significant, to be like Jesus when he was walking on earth. He invites us to dream as he dreams, to be the church outside the four walls of the building where we congregate. His voice shaken us to get out of our comfort zone and be the people of God who he called out of darkness into his marvelous light to show forth His praises in this troubled world. I encourage you to read this and be inspired!
His dreams of the church is a longing for the church to stand up and be significant, to be like Jesus when he was walking on earth. He invites us to dream as he dreams, to be the church outside the four walls of the building where we congregate. His voice shaken us to get out of our comfort zone and be the people of God who he called out of darkness into his marvelous light to show forth His praises in this troubled world. I encourage you to read this and be inspired!
June 4, 2019
When I first read 'Where Light Meets Darkness', I was deep in my late-winter 'blahs'...yet Jonathan's writing style drew me in and challenged me to sit with beautiful truths and consider insightful questions that I would have otherwise leave for others.
Heppner's style of prose is melodic without being musical and poetic without becoming poetry...and insisted that I steep in the text like tea in hot water. His deep love of the Holy Community of Father, Son, and Spirit shines through, and I was drawn to them with fresh desire.
At the outset I was questioning the need of the music (as I don't have Apple Music, and didn't have a Spotify account) until I was reading WITH the music. It is a great add, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Each selection was spot on, and I quickly found myself enjoying the pairing and having the music set the stage for Heppner's four chapters (which is no small thing for someone who likes it quiet when I read non-fiction!).
Heppner's style of prose is melodic without being musical and poetic without becoming poetry...and insisted that I steep in the text like tea in hot water. His deep love of the Holy Community of Father, Son, and Spirit shines through, and I was drawn to them with fresh desire.
At the outset I was questioning the need of the music (as I don't have Apple Music, and didn't have a Spotify account) until I was reading WITH the music. It is a great add, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Each selection was spot on, and I quickly found myself enjoying the pairing and having the music set the stage for Heppner's four chapters (which is no small thing for someone who likes it quiet when I read non-fiction!).
May 10, 2019
Jonathan Heppner writes that “all our voices need to be heard in order to fully understand the wonder of the human soul” and we can be grateful that he embraced this belief as he has delivered a muse that needs to be heard. This is a muse about pursing the questions and running from answers.
It is about mystery.
It is a tale of tears and laughter.
It a story of Love.
It is a poem, a letter and a dream.
It will take you to a place that is not outside of yourself, but instead it will take you into the dark quiet of your soul and his words will be yours and you will return to them again and again. This is a book that you will take in as a meditation and that you will then read aloud and quote and share, as you will find it impossible to keep this muse to yourself.
It is about mystery.
It is a tale of tears and laughter.
It a story of Love.
It is a poem, a letter and a dream.
It will take you to a place that is not outside of yourself, but instead it will take you into the dark quiet of your soul and his words will be yours and you will return to them again and again. This is a book that you will take in as a meditation and that you will then read aloud and quote and share, as you will find it impossible to keep this muse to yourself.
July 23, 2019
This book is an invitation to a series of conversations that will take you on a journey of self-examination and encounters with the Divine. Jonathan has a unique and special way with words that connect deeply with your soul. Nuggets of truth gleaned through his meditations have a way of staying with you, turning up during unexpected but opportune moments, coaxing you to let go of your fear-based perceptions and beckoning you to respond from a place of love and courage. Get ready to live life fully awake and fully present.
July 20, 2019
Where light meets darkness is an easy-to-read-hard-hitting book. Jonathan’s musings hit so close to home. It’s like facing head on the things we fear, the questions we are so afraid to ask ourselves and it sort of reminds us gently to always be kind to ourselves so we can be kind to others.
Some pages I had to stop and savor the poetry and sometimes cry and then move along. So much truth, so much comfort in knowing that we are not alone. Thank you Jonathan for writing this book and sharing your thoughts to the world. So good!!
Some pages I had to stop and savor the poetry and sometimes cry and then move along. So much truth, so much comfort in knowing that we are not alone. Thank you Jonathan for writing this book and sharing your thoughts to the world. So good!!
November 23, 2019
Meditation in love, wonder and gratitude
If you are left unsatisfied from feeding your spiritual/soul hunger with the shallow interpretations, forced allegories, popcorn catch phrases and candy sound bytes that self acclaimed ministers sell, feast and nourish your soul and mind on these musings. Jonathan echoes and expresses beautifully what many groan in their hearts and soul but can’t quite put into words. He has so eloquently illustrated and put such a vibrant color into some of the musings I’ve had. He is where I would like to be someday.
If you are left unsatisfied from feeding your spiritual/soul hunger with the shallow interpretations, forced allegories, popcorn catch phrases and candy sound bytes that self acclaimed ministers sell, feast and nourish your soul and mind on these musings. Jonathan echoes and expresses beautifully what many groan in their hearts and soul but can’t quite put into words. He has so eloquently illustrated and put such a vibrant color into some of the musings I’ve had. He is where I would like to be someday.
July 17, 2019
This book has a unique style. That is a good thing. It is personal, poetic, and challenges me to measure my conformity to the norm versus living fully. Also that the expression of ourselves and what we hold dear is beautifully impactful to others.
July 19, 2019
This moving outlook on life, love, and faith, drew me in from the opening pages. Jonathan beautifully shares his journey with a passion and tenderness that calls the reader in to participate- to question, to laugh, to cry, and to imagine. Reflecting on the author's musings had me reflecting on my own life and brought me indeed into a sacred space. A book I plan to read again and again.
August 13, 2019
Jonathan's writing will take you on a journey. The authenticity, vulnerability, and willingness to share with the reader a part of himself and his journey of self-discovery as he relates to God or rather how God relates to him and therefore us will move you to a place of worship. The writing is profound, moving, and thought provoking. It will pull on the strings of your heart as well as your intellect. It will make you comfortable and uncomfortable all at the same time. It will comfort you and it will challenge. This is a book you will read again and again, slower and slower with each read as you rest in the depth of Jonathan's words.
May 21, 2019
This is a beautiful book, a story really- full of questions, wonder, tears, and joy. But mostly wonder. Jonathan writes with his heart, leaving a piece of it on every page. He's a Question-Asker, not an answer-giver, but he points to the One who has the answers and holds the questions respectfully and with endless love.
June 10, 2019
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August 30, 2020
Like a fine wine, the music and words invite you to slow down and savour the sensations. Arousing in one’s spirit a longing… a yearning… a desire…giving permission for the heart to yearn for what it hasn’t yet known.
His bravery encourages me to be brave...I look forward to who I will become after reading these words!
His bravery encourages me to be brave...I look forward to who I will become after reading these words!
June 8, 2019
It’s words like this...
“i dream of a church who recognizes we are all hypocrites straining to transition into Truth."
And like this... “we are not who we want to be, but we are not who we used to be..."
It’s words like this that draw you in, invite you to reflect, and push you toward what could be. He’s an old soul indeed, and his writings endear you to him and to the One who has captured his heart.
“i dream of a church who recognizes we are all hypocrites straining to transition into Truth."
And like this... “we are not who we want to be, but we are not who we used to be..."
It’s words like this that draw you in, invite you to reflect, and push you toward what could be. He’s an old soul indeed, and his writings endear you to him and to the One who has captured his heart.
July 17, 2019
Where Light Meets Darkness was like that breath of fresh air you take when you first step out of the backseat of your family sedan after a long road trip. Stretching your legs, taking in the new surroundings, everything alive with possibility. Poetic and prophetic, Jonathan’s words call out the deepest things in and around us. They are both a reminder of and a response to the longing deep within each one of us that bear the image of a Creator who is constantly calling us home. A wellspring of beautiful words and deep feeling that I will continue to go back to again and again. I would encourage you to do the same.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews