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

There are times when you finish reading a book not because you want to, but more out of a feeling that you "have to." Then there are those books that you don't want to end. Each page keeps getting better and better, leaving you wanting more. "Living the Questions: Making Sense of the Mess and Mystery of Life," is such a book. Carolyn Arends' writing is poignant, tender and funny. She is an incredible story teller and has a way of making her story, her journey, seem very much like your own. Each story will leave you saying, "Wow," or "Incredible," under your breath. I don't think "gifted writer" is a fitting description of Carolyn's talents. Somehow even those words don't live up to the depth and breadth of Carolyn's abilities.I finished this book in two days and promptly got copies for several friends and relatives. This is a book that you immediately want to buy for someone else. Once you read it, you'll understand what I mean. And when you finish it you'll be telling others..."It's an awesome read!"

Carolyn's music has always asked the questions and done so eloquently. Oh me, of little faith...I still figured she must've had a collaborator on this project. A few days ago, my wife and I saw Carolyn perform some of her music and read portions from this new book. She was poignant and humble, funny and quick-witted, and she answered questions from the audience with the same honesty and vocabulary of the book.This book's for real. And that's the point...Carolyn lets her questions and struggles rise to the surface, lets us see her fears and failures and the way she's dealt with God in regards to such things. Through humorous and heart-touching chapters, she peels back the facade so many feel pressured to live behind, and shows us that God can handle our doubts. No, the answers may not always come easily, but the lines of communication are not disconnected by our struggles.I've read Anne Lamott--who, due to her harsher upbringing, may be more than a little shockingly honest for most Christians--and have enjoyed Phillip Yancey's writing, too. Carolyn Arends finds a happy medium by delivering road-tested wisdom in an always reverent manner."Living the Questions" is a rare gem in a world of syrupy feel-goods and fakey Pharisee smiles. Here, the real Answer shines through.

Carolyn definitely has a gift. She is able to share her life with us and its relation to God. It doesn't provide all the answers, but great insite from someone who has lived her life. Life is a mystery. Just asking the questions, leave us with a feeling that there are answers and faith in God can reveal them. I recommend it to anyone to help them understand their life and relationship with God.

I love this book. I laughed out loud many times, and also shed a few tears. It is challenging and comforting. I have bought several extra copies, I want all my friends to read it!!

Carolyn is a writer, a terrific writer. God has gifted this woman with a remarkable ability to illustrate ideas that very few writers can illustrate. I do not listen to a great deal of Christian music and so I am not familiar with her albums, but this book left me thinking that this woman is ruggedly tender and understanding. If you are looking for a self-help book, look elsewhere, if you are looking for a friend to take a journey with, this book makes pleasant company.