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Without a Trace / Blue Bottle
The God who saves is also a God who woos His own to a relationship primarily of the heart. As we draw closer to Him, we must choose to let go of other "less-wild lovers," such as perfectionistic driveness and self-indulgence. Eldredge and Curtis identify the lies offered by "false loves" and instruct us on the journey back to the Lover of our souls.In carefully crafted words and images, the authors entice the reader to his or her own journey of the heart, promising, "It is possible to recover the lost life of our heart and with it the intimacy, beauty, and adventure of life with God."
754 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2009
35 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Penelope J. Stokes
44 books181 followersIt’s often been debated whether a person’s destiny lies in genetics or environment, but either way, I suppose I was destined to be a fiction writer. A Baby Boomer with an English teacher and a social worker for parents, I grew up being challenged to develop my imagination, and to seek out for myself the meaning and significance of life. I learned early both the magic and mystery of stories and the importance of people–their dreams, their hopes, their longings, their struggles.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 20, 2019
Blue Bottle Club
This is the third time I’ve read this book over the years. Reading it at 62 has so inspired me - makes me realize how many things I’ve accomplished that were in my heart as a young woman, along with a couple I still need to accomplish! I highly recommend this to women of all ages - to younger women to encourage them to dream, middle-aged women to help them stay on track ( or get back on track) and older women to encourage them that it’s never too late!
This is the third time I’ve read this book over the years. Reading it at 62 has so inspired me - makes me realize how many things I’ve accomplished that were in my heart as a young woman, along with a couple I still need to accomplish! I highly recommend this to women of all ages - to younger women to encourage them to dream, middle-aged women to help them stay on track ( or get back on track) and older women to encourage them that it’s never too late!
August 31, 2019
An interesting and insightful book.
The ending of this book is well worth the read. However, reading the last chapter and epilogue alone will not give the the true essence of the gift of the dreams inspired by God.
The ending of this book is well worth the read. However, reading the last chapter and epilogue alone will not give the the true essence of the gift of the dreams inspired by God.
November 7, 2017
A feel good read
Picked this book by the cover. Was not disappointing. Enjoyed the big picture and the attention to detail. Can't wait to read others from this author.
Picked this book by the cover. Was not disappointing. Enjoyed the big picture and the attention to detail. Can't wait to read others from this author.
May 23, 2018
Good, easy read but the amount of typos were ridiculous!
August 21, 2023
Enchanting!
A wonderful read. Highly recommend this book. God opens doors when we do not realize it. All we have to do is walk through in faith.
A wonderful read. Highly recommend this book. God opens doors when we do not realize it. All we have to do is walk through in faith.
August 7, 2025
What a great read! I actually wrote 3 devotionals from excerpts from The Blue Bottle Club. I read this in ebook format, but will purchase it to re-read and prepare lessons to share with the young adults.
July 8, 2014
Two different books. Two different authors. I enjoyed them both. Completely different books, not sequels. Both were books I could read, put down, and come back to. Easy to get back into the story.
November 29, 2014
One of my favorite feel-good books!I have read it several times.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews