A Journey of Sea and Stone: How Holy Places Guide and Renew Us

by Tracy Balzer, Scott Erickson (Foreword)

Over the last twenty years spiritual director, teacher, and pilgrim Tracy Balzer has made more than a dozen transatlantic visits to Scotland's Isle of Iona, welcoming the hallowed spaces of the island to sculpt, bend, and sustain her spiritually. "It might be said that Iona has been my spiritual director," says Balzer, for with each visit she is freshly confronted by key questions of Where is God? Who am I? What can I offer the world? Set against the backdrop of Iona's deep Christian history and exquisite natural beauty, A Journey of Sea and Stone explores these questions, prompting each of us to reach for meaning in our daily lives and to consider the myriad ways God might be inviting us into something new. Tapping our innate desire to seek and find, to encounter God in creation and in the history of faithful people, Balzer guides us in our own journeys to cultivate and find sustenance and connection in sacred spaces. Deep passages of reflection are complemented by rich illustrations reflecting the island's stunning terrain and Celtic heritage, providing spiritual seekers and armchair travelers a fresh entrée into the world of the sacred, wherever they may be.

Genres: Spirituality

244 pages, Paperback

Published June 8, 2021

Reviews

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful, slow contemplative book. Not mind-blowing, but at a pace appropriate for the journey and reflection.

Definitely makes me excited to visit Iona soon!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know me, you know that I tend to run from the discipline of slow. I’m a speed texter, speed talker, speed decider (most of the time), and a speed reader.

And in my hurriedness, I often miss some of the most important things.

Even as I was reading this book, I tried to read at my normal pace. Instead, however, I was challenged to breathe more slowly, to read with intention, and to absorb rather than to consume.

I’ve had the privilege and honor to sit under Tracy’s teaching for going on 7 years. She has modeled so well what a life lived with intentional pace looks like.

This book transported me to the coast of Iona, and helped remind me the value of swapping hurried chaotic productivity for intentional rhythms of sabbath and rest.

I’ve still got a ways to go, but A Journey of Sea and Stone will be a guide and treasured friend I pick up often to remind me to live situated in rhythms of grace.

This is a book our world so desperately needs💚💙🤍

[Bethany Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this long season where we have been unable to travel and retreat to our beloved spaces of respite in this world, Balzer has provided a most nurturing remedy. Through her pages she not only takes her reader on a calming, reviving, soul-nurturing pilgrimage to Iona, she also provides helpful and insightful questions for us to ponder as we grow spiritually and seek to carve out sacred spaces in our own corners of the world to bless others and ourselves. I'll be sipping on many cups of Yorkshire Gold tea as I continue to ponder her concepts and questions, and I look forward to the day I am able to hop on a ferry to Iona myself.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loves the thin space of Iona or anyone who hopes to travel to the tiny island some day, this book is for you.

"Why would anyone want to spend their vacation time going somewhere that has…nothing? It is true that on Iona there is less of everything, which means there is more space for what we truly need if we hope to attend to our sense of ‘home,’ our deep longing for the things of God." —p24-25

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and thoughtful piece of writing, about a place I adore. I've visited Iona once and have another visit planned. What makes this book so unique is that it's a spiritual guidebook, not a typical "here's what you need to see when you visit" guide. The author captures perfectly the quietness and beauty of Iona while providing excellent suggestions for spiritual direction exercises and disciplines. I can't wait to go back and use some of Tracy's questions for reflection while I hike around the island.

[Shelly Casale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Journey of Sea and Stone is first and foremost about the Scottish island of Iona and the Christian Irish monk, Columba, who left Ireland with a few friends over 1500 years ago to build Christian community and share Jesus Christ in a new place. And what a place! Balzer gives enough historic background to set the scene for life on Iona today, sharing what this destination means to so many pilgrims who both live there and come from afar (we get to meet some fascinating folks among the pages!). As we get to know the richness of place and purpose of tiny (three square miles!) Iona, we learn through the author’s experiences on island about thinking, listening, receiving, responding, and loving—out of spending time with God in a holy place. And holy places are everywhere, not just on Iona. This book will help you meander through the island and pause to be with God, taking Him in with all your senses, no matter where you are.

While the book is delightful and will surely make you want to get on the ferry to Iona to see the Abbey and the puffins and the green sea, I felt the weight of the history of the monk Columba, and all the missionaries who studied at the Abbey and went out to share Christ with their neighbors, and took them into my heart. That seems to be the purpose and commandment of Iona (and my takeaway)—rest, be broken, receive God’s love, share Him with others—even when it’s hard…keep doing all that. And beauty will surround you.

I hope you’ll have some tea or coffee and a biscuit (cookie!), and give it a read!

[Marilyn McEntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I know the author. She's as lovely as this book is--her very personal reflection on how pilgrimage and spiritual direction intersect. Fully aware of what a privilege she enjoys in being able to lead others on pilgrimage to the island of Iona, she shares with generosity, imagination, and vulnerability what can happen in sacred moments in sacred places. They don't have to be Iona. But the rich, humbling history of that place offers its particular teaching--and some delightful surprises, like puffins--to those able and willing to make the trip across a rough channel into its quietness. It makes me want to go there. It makes me want to dive more deeply into Celtic spirituality. It makes me glad for the ways the sacred can emerge wherever it's sought.

[Haley Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book by Tracy Balzer. I enjoyed her book on Thin Places and this is the perfect companion to it. Her writing takes you on a journey of her lessons from Iona and shows us ways to bring those lessons into our routines. “The rhythm that sacred places offer us, whether in a remote island or our front porch, can serve us well as we seek a healthier order to our lives.” This past year was difficult and this book was a great way to re-center before heading back in to every day life.

[Coplea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Balzer invites her readers in to snag a seat, sit a spell, and savor the stillness. Sacred spaces need not be particularly beautiful or incredibly awe-inspiring (while those characteristics certainly don’t hurt). What makes a sacred space sacred is an attitude of attention. May that always be true of my heart.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could add more stars to this book, I would. I had the privilege of hearing Tracy Balzer speak at a conference last year, and the journey she provided in this narrative was everything I hoped it would be. She transported me to Iona and through her descriptive writing, insight, and vulnerability drew me closer to God. As I write this, I am unable to find a place for a hard copy so ended up setting this review to ebook. I, however, have a hard copy.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book club read if they are interested in a spiritual approach to how we experience holy places from a Christian perspective. I think it would work for anyone interested in thinking about any type of religious faith. Each chapter has some thought-provoking questions to consider personally or as a group. I chose it due to the location of Iona. Probably best read slowly over several weeks to allow the questions and your answers to settle before the next chapter.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful call to contemplation and joy. Tracy’s reflections on the beauty of Iona can make the most ardent homebody want to travel. Thoughtful and beautifully written, this book is great for anyone to grow in their personal life.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy Balzer uses the history of Iona, her own present-day experiences, and scripture to reinforce important lessons of growing closer to God. In A Journey of Sea and Stone, Ms. Balzer begins each chapter with Iona Scotland. She might share her experience of living in a bothy for a week, taking a boat ride to Staffa to see the Puffins, or share a history lesson of Irish Monks who lived, worked, and worshipped on Iona. The author will then use examples in her American hometown, quotes from various books, and scripture verse to develop the lesson for each chapter. Professor Balzer shows her educational background by finishing each chapter (lesson) with thought provoking questions to ponder and reflect upon for the readers (students) spiritual life. Overall, A Journey of Sea and Stone teaches or reminds us of where to seek God, how one can feel closer to God, and most importantly reminds us to use our God given talents to give back to the world around us.

[Kitkat]

No stars, I read this for the class that is the only reason why I read it I'm not a spiritual person this was not for me.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the pleasure of being friends with Tracy and now, more than ever, I hope to make a pilgrimage to Iona with her as my guide!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book on so many levels. Tracy is a master at painting pictures with words. I visited Iona for 5 days back in 2002 and after reading this book, I am ready to return to visit more of the places described in this book. I visited Staffe which she entitled this chapter wonder. It was an unexpected wonder for me. I did not see the Puffins but rather pigeons, each one on separate rock pillars and shivering. I pondered this and felt that in some distinct way God was issuing a call to do ministry with those who are in community and yet isolated. The chapter ends with the phrase, “wonder is contagious.”
Pick up this book and awaken your sense of wonder.

[Yuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege in 2018 of making the pilgrimage to the sacred remote island of Iona in Scotland, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity with the author, Tracy. The book is like a love song to this beautiful, historical, isolated, tiny, exceptional place, yet Tracy also takes every reader to sacred spaces in our everyday lives where if we are willing, God makes himself known.

This book teaches us how our ordinary life can be holy - by being still, paying attention and listening for where God is present, for who I am in him and how I can be of use.

Some favorite quotes from the book:

“To lean into beauty is to submit to transformation, fueled by the power of a creative God. “

“...we are invited to engage in the active spiritual practice of paying attention, of taking notice of what God has to say in God’s way. This posture of humility makes us more open to the transforming presence of God, wherever we might find ourselves. It is wisdom to stand, watch, wait, and listen...”

“A thing of beauty placed in front of me. An expression of God’s love. “

“To acknowledge one another is one of the most powerful ways of giving love. “

“...when we add to the beauty, we are reinvited to participate in God’s creative, restorative, nurturing work. “

“Iona has made me alive to the need to create sacred spaces in our world - not in ways that possess but in ways that bless. “

[Patti Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that you will want to keep forever. You should savor this book, read it slowly; you will want to read it at least once a year or more. Tracy takes us on a journey to the island of Iona, a small island off the coast of Scotland. She paints such a beautiful word picture of each place she visits, you will wish you were with her. It is a journey about finding the quiet places in your life where you can spend time with God. It is about learning to breathe in "His presence", taking time for reflection, renewal and relationship with our Heavenly Father.

You will learn beautiful terms like "Coorie In"~ or "how might I better be a place of comfort and welcome to others?" Are you fully present when you are with others, or living tomorrow before it arrives? Tracy inspires you with thoughtful questions and spiritual lessons.

One of my favorite quotes: "The bright moments of life remind me how deeply I am known by God and how deeply I am loved by God, even treasured."
An another:
"your life is not your own and when you're willing to let go of your life, you will find it."

This beautifully written prose will change the way you look at time, people, life and the way you communicate with God.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read.

I have read dozens of books on spiritual direction and spiritual practices. There's something about this one that sets it above many of those. I think it is because it doesn't come straight at you with the practices, but takes you on a journey to an island, and the practices show up along the way. Somehow, this gentility of approach has set those roots a bit deeper than many other very good books.

Strongly recommended.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads like a Psalm of Ascent. I’ve never been anywhere near the part of the world Balzer is describing, but that didn’t hurt the impact of this book at all. I found myself daydreaming about holy places...finding them AND making them. I don’t come from a particularly contemplative faith tradition, which speaks to the power of this book.

And if you can, get the print edition. The feel-in-hand is perfection.