Journey of Light: Stories of Dawn After Darkness [Hardcover]

Peter Shockey (Author), Stowe D. Shockey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2007

Drawn from real life and brimming with wisdom, this collection of original stories combines the inspiration of Chicken Soup for the Soul, the charm of Life’s Little Instruction Book, and the immediacy of Tuesdays with Morrie.
What is the most precious gift we can leave to the next generation? For Peter Shockey and Stowe D. Shockey, financial security, happy memories of loving times, and an understanding of what constitutes a well-lived life provided a starting point for thinking about their own legacy. But they also wanted to be sure that the wisdom they gained in their lifetime would be shared with their friends, family, and future generations. In Journey of Light they offer the ultimate lessons of their own lives and gems of wisdom gathered from people whose lives influenced them along the way. The stories in Journey of Light encompass the full spectrum of human experience. Built on the struggles of Stowe's own Dickens-style childhood, they recount moments of light and dark, joy and frustration, pain and recovery. What unites them is the realization that the journey through life is lit by the Light of God. Interviews with people who have returned from near-death experiences reveal a common phenomenon that many of them refer to as the ripple effect. Upon seeing their lives “flash before their eyes,” they understood that their actions, like ripples from a pebble cast into a pond, radiated out to touch the lives of those closest to them. Their stories and those of others in Journey of Light illustrate the interconnections between individual lives and show that one person’s decision to share God’s Light can help and heal countless others.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Shockeys have often asked themselves, "If I died tomorrow, what legacy would I leave?" In response, the married writers offer this memoir-cum-spiritual exploration as a gift to their young daughters. Operating on many levels, this collection of anecdotes and experiences is as much a catharsis for Stowe Shockey, now a successful musician and songwriter, as it is a platform for the minister hiding inside Peter Shockey, an accomplished filmmaker and screenwriter. Through a combination of journal entries, commentary and at times almost random musings, they reveal their successful navigation of the wildly different routes and tests to their faiths—abandonment, abuse, alcohol, cancer, cults and drugs. They successfully maintain an inclusive everyman voice, furthered by a wide selection of quotes—mostly scripture, but employing no less than eight different versions of the Bible. What started out as a legacy quest ends as a self-help medium, replete with candid discussions of depression, guilt, shame and the counseling that brought the Shockeys to this point in their lives. Their pain is well balanced with healing, their despair with hope. Readers who have suffered any or all of the Shockeys' trials may find some comfort within these pages. (Feb. 20)
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Review

Praise for Reflections of Heaven

"A fascinating journey."—Joan Wester Anderson, author of Where Angels Walk
"'There are more things in heaven and earth,' said Shakespeare's Hamlet, 'than there are dreamt of in your philosophy.' Peter Shockey presents here fascinating evidence for the reality of the miraculous. His inspiring book is full of provocative thoughts and great stories."—Timothy Jones, author of Awake My Soul and The Art of Prayer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion; 1 edition (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385501269
• ISBN-13: 978-0385501262
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,010,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Blessed Assurance, January 22, 2008

By 

Susan Flippin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journey of Light: Stories of Dawn After Darkness (Hardcover)

One can almost hear the familiar refrains "This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long" echoing throughout this book. Kudos to Peter and Stowe for having the courage to share what must have been a reliving of a painful past so that others might see Christ. What a compelling story of a dark past transformed into a beautiful swan of testimony!

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing journey with the Holy Spirit's guidance, March 17, 2007

By 

Jean Hunter "Jeanie Hunter" (Nashville, Tennesee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journey of Light: Stories of Dawn After Darkness (Hardcover)

The Journey of Light allows us to see how the Holy Spirit touched the lives of Peter and Stowe Shockey. I found myself reading a chapter - stopping and praying for both of them and then continuing on to the next chapte.

We can believe through their sharing that God will touch us in the same way. Through difficult times and good times HE is always there guiding, protecting and changing. Their experiences remind us God is with us.

Stowe encourages us not to save God up for only the difficult times. She shows us through her experiences that we never let our soul disintegrate because of a tragedy. From the heart of a young mother you hear the cry of her heart say "The fact that I have consciously experienced His Living Spirit --- is enough proof for me to become a follower of Jesus for my entire life time."

Thank you Stowe and Peter for reminding us that "God is light and in HIM there is no darkness at all." Their words encourage me that he touched and changed their lives forever through the Holy Spirit and through Faith I can believe that for me. This is an inspiring word from God - using two vessels to reach us. God bless the Shockey family more and more each day.