Out of Darkness Into the Light: New Book Follows Priest’s Journey of Mental Illness
Naples, FL, April 23, 2009 --(PR.com)-- From the time he was 7, Fr. Albert L. Pike, Jr. knew he wanted to enter the ministry. But it would take decades spent in another career, a severe bout of depression and a near-death experience before he could summon the courage to act upon his call to serve. Now he’s sharing his inspiring story of overcoming adversity in Searching for Salvation: From Brokenness to Wholeness, the new book from Outskirts Press.
This tour-de-force, written in both prose and poetry, chronicles Father Al’s descent into psychological darkness, his eventual treatment and dedication of his life to the service of all God’s children. And he presents it all with the kind of emotional honesty that makes the work so easy to relate to for those on similar journeys. In the poem “Canto I: For Barbara,” Father Al expresses how he cloaked his inner turmoil to stave off the pain caused by his mental illness. The section “Climbing Out of the Abyss” describes how his diagnosis of bipolar disorder clarified the fragmentary personality that blocked him from dealing with reality. And the poem “Canto II: To Vincent” expresses the incredible sense of purpose that developed after a near-death experience during a regular spinal surgery.
Through it all, Father Al reveals the importance of Christ’s message and draws upon its strength as he undertakes the greatest accomplishment of his life: entering the service of the Lord.
Through the expression of deeply repressed emotions in poetic form, Father Al makes a major contribution to the existing body of traditional lyric poetry. In addition, Searching for Salvation sheds light on the understanding of mental illness and how one’s genetic predisposition and environmental factors play important roles in many types of chemical imbalances. It is a must-read for anyone seeking greater understanding of this all-too-common condition, and how God’s love endures no matter what.
Searching for Salvation: From Brokenness to Wholeness is now available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and the online bookstore of Outskirts Press, at outskirtspress.com/store.php.
Book Statistics
ISBN: 978-1-4327-3398-8
Suggested Retail Price:
US$15.95, CAN$19.95
Size and Format: 6.14 x 9.21 Paperback
Page Count: 64
Genre: Poetry
About the Author: Albert Pike is a retired public school teacher and administrator. Since retirement, he has concentrated on his calling to ministry, something he has felt since a child. Pike believes the Spirit of God was preparing him for a special ministry that only time and experience could provide. Pike lives in Naples, Florida.
Author Contact: Visit him on the Web at www.outskirtspress.com/searchingforsalvation
About Outskirts Press, Inc.: Outskirts Press, Inc. offers full-service, custom self-publishing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining all their rights and full creative control. Available for authors globally at www.outskirtspress.com and located on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, Outskirts Press represents the future of book publishing, today.
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Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com — 1-888-OP-BOOKS
This tour-de-force, written in both prose and poetry, chronicles Father Al’s descent into psychological darkness, his eventual treatment and dedication of his life to the service of all God’s children. And he presents it all with the kind of emotional honesty that makes the work so easy to relate to for those on similar journeys. In the poem “Canto I: For Barbara,” Father Al expresses how he cloaked his inner turmoil to stave off the pain caused by his mental illness. The section “Climbing Out of the Abyss” describes how his diagnosis of bipolar disorder clarified the fragmentary personality that blocked him from dealing with reality. And the poem “Canto II: To Vincent” expresses the incredible sense of purpose that developed after a near-death experience during a regular spinal surgery.
Through it all, Father Al reveals the importance of Christ’s message and draws upon its strength as he undertakes the greatest accomplishment of his life: entering the service of the Lord.
Through the expression of deeply repressed emotions in poetic form, Father Al makes a major contribution to the existing body of traditional lyric poetry. In addition, Searching for Salvation sheds light on the understanding of mental illness and how one’s genetic predisposition and environmental factors play important roles in many types of chemical imbalances. It is a must-read for anyone seeking greater understanding of this all-too-common condition, and how God’s love endures no matter what.
Searching for Salvation: From Brokenness to Wholeness is now available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and the online bookstore of Outskirts Press, at outskirtspress.com/store.php.
Book Statistics
ISBN: 978-1-4327-3398-8
Suggested Retail Price:
US$15.95, CAN$19.95
Size and Format: 6.14 x 9.21 Paperback
Page Count: 64
Genre: Poetry
About the Author: Albert Pike is a retired public school teacher and administrator. Since retirement, he has concentrated on his calling to ministry, something he has felt since a child. Pike believes the Spirit of God was preparing him for a special ministry that only time and experience could provide. Pike lives in Naples, Florida.
Author Contact: Visit him on the Web at www.outskirtspress.com/searchingforsalvation
About Outskirts Press, Inc.: Outskirts Press, Inc. offers full-service, custom self-publishing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining all their rights and full creative control. Available for authors globally at www.outskirtspress.com and located on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, Outskirts Press represents the future of book publishing, today.
###
Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com — 1-888-OP-BOOKS
Contact
Outskirts Press
Kelly Schuknecht
888.672.6657
www.outskirtspress.com
Kelly Schuknecht
888.672.6657
www.outskirtspress.com
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