Fire Water and Wind: God's Transformational Narrative: Learning from Narrative Psychology Neuroscience and Storytelling about Identity Formation

Fire Water and Wind explores the forming of a healthy sense of personal identity. The impetus for Fire Water and Wind was the observation that people are searching for meaning and identity are dissatisfied with their current situations and many are actively seeking escape from their current life experiences. This is evidenced by the number of people involved in high-risk activities be it drug or alcohol abuse gambling prostitution multiple sex partners smoking or violent crimes. But does it have to be this way? Following the finding in the fields of psychology and neuroscience that narrative plays a key role within the context of identity formation Fire Water and Wind offers an understanding of identity formation that is grounded in the biblical narrative that enables and equips one to face the varied challenges of life. Concluding that a narrative understanding of ones identity and ongoing formation as a follower of Jesus incorporates an integration of heart and mind body and soul that requires the nurturing of a biblical imagination and unconscious looking at the signs symbols and metaphors encouraging ones life wholly alive. Enabling one to answer the What should I live for? question. The struggle for identity and purpose is often one of the biggest challenges that we as humans face. As followers of Christ we realize (or work at realizing) that our true identity is found being made in the image of our Creator. Haukenfrers wonderfully illustrates the challenge of knowing who we are and embracing the freedom that comes with walking wholly in our identity. --Shawn C. Branch National Director Threshold Ministries; Senior Leader Threshold School of Ministry This book is a loving invitation from a practitioner. Haukenfrers writes to us from both geographical and spiritual wildernesses; surrounded by the harsh beauty of Saskatchewan and the even harsher despair of people without hope he lays out a way into deeper life with God. Are you struggling with despair meaninglessness the bland offerings of post-modernitys micro-narratives? Read this book and get a glimpse of a larger and better story and Gods welcoming invitation into it. --Dean H. Miller Rector Church of the Ascension Arlington VA Norbert Haukenfrers is an Anglican Priest with a doctorate in Semiotics and Future Studies. For the last ten years he has been a Parish Priest and Regional Dean in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. He grew up in a German speaking Baptist family and his teens were spent in Northern British Columbia worshiping in the Christian and Missionary Alliance tribe. He has professional experience as a Construction Superintendent Marine Engineer and in the Casino Industry. He is a columnist for the Saskatchewan Anglican and a contributor to Anglican for Renewal.