A Pen and a Path is a hands-on, practical resource for people who want to explore their relationship with God through writing. Unlike other books that focus on writing itself, Sarah Stockton focuses on the discoveries made--about one's self and about God--through meditation and creative journaling.
This book is for anyone who wants to explore where God has been present in the various experiences of their life, past and present. Stockton, a spiritual director and writing teacher, walks readers through thirty-five separate topics, which can be read and worked on in order or in any sequence of interest to the reader. Topics explored include religious understandings such as how God is envisioned, how religious training formed (or didn't form) the reader, and how we envision ourselves as spiritual beings. Other chapters explore life stages: childhood, teenage years, elder years, as well as marriage, parenting, and sexuality.
Focusing on emotions such as grief, shame, anger, and loneliness, as well as feelings about work provide readers with the opportunity to explore nearly any aspect of their life of faith.
"A Pen and a Path is more than a guided workbook for spiritual writing. It's an experience of spiritual direction. Sarah Stockton's gift as a director is in asking those gentle, open-ended questions that take us to our spiritual depths. Pull out your journal, electronic file, or a simple pad of paper, take a deep breath and give yourself permission to explore the spiritual practice of writing by working slowly and appreciatively through this book." -Teresa Blythe, spiritual director, conference and retreat facilitator, and co-author of Meeting God in Virtual Reality: Using Spiritual Practices with Media
"Sarah Stockton's A Pen and a Path: Writing as a Spiritual Practice provides a wealth of material for individual journal writers and for groups. Her five-step exercises invite readers to explore their personal spirituality at deeper levels than other personal writing books. This significant book will become a well-loved journal writing classic." -Kay Marie Porterfield, author, poet, teacher, creativity coach, and workshop leader
"Sarah Stockton has been teaching people to use writing as a tool for spiritual growth for years. A Pen and a Path is a sound guide to exploring one's attitudes about self, God, relationships, and other significant aspects of life." -Philip St. Romain, D. Min., author of Caring for the Self, Caring for the Soul
"Sarah Stockton's A Pen and a Path: Writing as a Spiritual Practice takes the reader on an inspiring journey indeed. With meaningful anecdotes, wise suggestions, and a broad spectrum of reflective exercises, Stockton guides readers through the exploration of every
landscape of human life. With this book as a touchstone, one cannot help but discover-to use the author's words-gifts of deeper insight, the words we need, and the courage we need to stay the course and seek the truth.'" -Maggie Oman Shannon, spiritual director and author of Prayers for Healing, The Way We Pray, and One God, Shared Hope
"Wondering about how to do journaling? How to add writing to your spiritual practice? This book is a good beginning place. This book would add to ideas for deepening one's spiritual life.- Living Church, October 9, 2005
