The Seeking Heart: A Journey with Henri Nouwen Book

Explore the way of the seeking heart with Henri Nouwen as your guide. In this lively new book, Charles Ringma recognizes the human quest for transcendence, beauty, peace and inner well being, as well as the search for relational wholeness.

Focusing on the most basic human needs—using the human heart as a recurring metaphor— The Seeking Heart explores:

• Heart Cries—The beauty and pain of the human condition
• Heart Transformations—The joy and challenge of conversion and renewal
• Heart and Head—The journey and empowerment of faith seeking understanding
• Heart to Heart—The wonderment and responsibility of friendship and community
• Heart Darkness—Faith and mystery in the journeys of doubt and the dark night of the soul
• Heart and Hand—Self-giving and receiving in the midst of loving and serving
• The Heart's True Home—Anticipating and seeking God's final future

Publishers Weekly

Written for spiritual sojourners, this "reflective reader" combines the wisdom of retired Regent College mission studies professor Ringma with themes, quotes and stories from the life of the late Henri Nouwen, a prolific writer and teacher of Christian spirituality. Proclaiming that "heart matters," Ringma follows a typical journey of the heart through travails that lead to transformation, understanding, service and finally to its "true home," described as "God's final future." In each brief chapter, Ringma begins with his own reflection and then ties it to a related musing from one of Nouwen's vast library of publications. Although the book contains a good deal about Nouwen, it never places him on a pedestal as a divine authority. It's more like a conversation begun by Ringma, drawing us in and helping us listen to Nouwen's thoughts on the theme. Ringma understands-as Nouwen did-how the many voices of culture today bombard us. He invites us to an inner renewal that results in "the gift and ability to hear another voice," one that is contrary to culture. The conversation between Ringma and Nouwen echoes this "voice of love," making this written journey an inspiring one indeed. (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.