Heidi Neumark’s life changed when a few computer keystrokes exposed generations of family secrets, raising questions she could not answer: How did she never know of her grandfather’s murder? Or that her grandmother was a death-camp survivor? Why had the family history and faith been hidden? What did this mean for her work as a pastor, community organizer, and advocate with marginalized and oppressed communities? Seeking answers to these questions, Heidi traveled across the ocean and into the depths of her soul to encounter a family and spiritual heritage she never knew she had. For any who have had secrets, closeted identities, and silence shape their lives, Heidi’s journey is more than a spellbinding memoir. It’s also a courageous call to discover what can happen when all that has been hidden is finally brought to life.

After Jesus of Nazareth fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes (Lk. 9:10-17), his apostles collected twelve wicker baskets of leftover fragments. The perfection of these numbers - seven and twelve - indicates the Divine Abundance of everything that comes from the hands of God. Mystics of the ancient Orient also knew of Divine Abundance. They called this mystery Saccidannda, a Hindu term that connotes the divine Bliss (Ananda) that arises within us when our Awareness (Chit) rests in Being (Sat), not in thinking. The experience of Saccidannda is what Jesus meant when he said, 'The kingdom of God is within you' (Lk. 17:28). One way of entering the kingdom of God, or experiencing Saccidannda, is to contemplate the Mystery of Presence. Presence, like the Mystery of God, is impossible to describe, yet, is as undeniable as it is indefinable. Presence is the experience of being completely empty of thought and devoid of agenda. Presence is the experience of transcendental Awareness that intuits the infinity of Being, and imparts such Divine Bliss that we sense it can only be coming from God. This book is a collection of fragments gleaned from the experience of Presence. They are given here to help the reader be present, and grow in contemplative prayer.

Just as there were 12 baskets of fragments left over from the feeding of the 5,000, so the notes and letters that Amy Carmicheal left behind provide “basketfuls” of spiritual nourishment. Come feast on these delightful morsels from the life of one who was truly abandoned to God.

Dare to take the healing journey with the author to gather up the precious fragments of the heart and piece by piece, let God begin to show you how valuable you are to Him. Before long you'll be glad you are alive and privileged to be a part of His marvelous plan-begin to understand your role in fulfilling his will for you in the lives of others who walk this green earth! Gather up the Fragments intertwines the biblical truths of a familiar gospel miracle and the life experiences of the author in discovering how faith in Jesus Christ provides a way to victoriously face and overcome the deep pains and anguish of the Past. Rev. Cynthia Hill is the pastor of Joy River Baptist Church in Elgin, Illinois. She also ministers as a soloist and conference speaker who passionately encourages all to entrust their hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ. Her bold and caring ministry crosses ethnic barriers and delivers an anointed healing message of Christ's love and forgiveness for all. She is the mother of three daughters and a son. She has six grandchildren and another soon to be born.