Living the Questions: Making Sense of the Mess and Mystery of Life

Striking a chord that resonates with anyone who has asked the "whys" and "what ifs" of faith, Carolyn Arends shares portions of her life and walk that offer insights into why God weaves His way into the mundane moments of our lives. Carolyn shares the raw truth about a desperate summer when she didn't feel God's presence, a terrifying moment of teenage enlightenment, and the sense of God's majesty she felt at her first glimpse of the red canyons of Utah.Evocative writing and vulnerable honesty will delight readers who want to discover how God works in their lives and make sense of the puzzle called life. They will find a kindred spirit in Carolyn and a soul-gratifying read.

Anyone who has tired of hearing famous Christians discuss their faith with trite platitudes will appreciate Arends's refreshing book, in which the musician embraces the fact that her world and her God do not always make sense. The book came about when her publicist asked her to write an open letter explaining her latest album. She spoke of the sudden death of her friend, songwriter Rich Mullins, being juxtaposed with the birth of her son, and explored the contradictions of God's presence in it all. After receiving a heartfelt response from her fans, she decided to elaborate into a book. Arends notes that her "life so far has consisted of a series of seemingly routine moments, completely unremarkable except for the fact that the God of the universe chooses to encode himself in even the most mundane aspects of our lives." She speaks of the terrifying summer she could no longer feel God's presence, and of the moment, while driving through Utah's canyons, when that presence exploded in front of her. In musing about Alzheimer's disease, reflecting on how God answered her prayers during terrifying childhood moments or pondering her family's misfortunes, Arends addresses the eternal nature of the soul and affirms the powerful grace of God. While this book is not a deep theological treatise, its simple sweetness stands on its own. (July)

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