Finally! The Elms contest is over this week, so make sure you don't
miss a winning e-mail. In other news, we have TONS of new releases,
and a lot of really good ones. But, first, Carolyn Arends delivers
lots of her thoughts in this very original book.

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LIVING THE QUESTIONS - CAROLYN ARENDS (2000)
by Josh M. Shepherd

Surely there's another book like it, but even I, an ardent reader,
can't name any work so free, precise, and real as Living the
Questions. The outlook of Carolyn Arends is contagious: don't quench
doubts or fears or routine, for therein lies mystery (meaning God
revealing Himself). All this sounds lofty, though, compared to the
way Arends herself puts it... chapter one takes place in a
kindergarten coat-hanging closet, chapter four in bed with Carolyn
nearly suffocated by two coal-black cats, chapter nine in a nursing
care home where a mother-in-law suffers from Alzheimer's disease.
Everyday stuff, yet profound as hashed out by this disarming Canadian.

A most revealing autobiography, Arends has no problem relating things
like the date where a boyfriend makes her laugh, causing a sudden
surge of Coca-Cola through her nose; or her mother's speech on
cleaning up a pond, cut short by her face-first fall into it. Such
embarrassing asides not only establish an immediate connection with
readers, but illustrate Arends' points in the more serious passages.
Parallels between setting up altars (an Old Testament practice) and
remembering specific events are drawn: "...you have to remember the
things that happen--especially those moments when it becomes clear
that God has remembered you--so you don't forget everything that
matters."

So storytelling abounds, always turning up God's fingerprints within
the catastrophe and tragedy. Like an engaging film, more lessons are
imparted through emotions and scenes than stuffy lectures. Flimsy
admissions ("The more I get to know God, the more He scares me") make
up Arends' prose, and that honesty alone has the power to change.
Fullness is running inside during a storm, reveling in music like
Rich Mullins', and bumping smack into telephone poles. "Angels can
fly because they take themselves lightly," reads one G.K. Chesterson
quote.

Witty, well-grounded quotations are another high point of Living the
Questions, from sources as diverse as C.S. Lewis, Paul Simon, and the
Word of God. Arends never feels it neccesary to offer up philosophy
on life's mess and mystery when another has already said it so well.
Literary disinterest occurs only when Carolyn gets too lost in her
own trances, giving situations a female, touchy-feely bent. Often
that perspective gives the most color and humor to Arends' tales, but
it occasionally falls short. Small criticisms aside, the adventure
called life gets a fun, belief-drenched spin from Carolyn Arends, a
gifted writer who truly is Living the Questions.

Find out more about Carolyn Arends on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/carolynarends

Find out more about Living the Questions on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/books/carolynarends


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 (at cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

6.1 - OUT OF THE GREY
With the help of mega-producer Monroe Jones and a new record label,
the Dentes deliver what they believe to be the authentic Out of the
Grey, without trying to be something they're not.

ALIEN YOUTH - SKILLET
Using such revolutionary phrases as "Alien Youth" and "Eating Me
Away" as song titles, John Cooper and company radically show life in
Christ, with an improved, harder rock sound.

ANATOMY OF THE TONGUE IN CHEEK - RELIENT K
The princes of pop punk are back. After a very successful debut CD,
the sophmore album delivers more harmonies and uses pop culture
analogies to demonstrate our life in Christ.

CRASH RICKSHAW (self-titled)
The can rock. But, it's not quality rock, it's just noise.

ELEMENTARY - CINDY MORGAN
Cindy Morgan. A long-standing pop princess. Not Stacie Orrico pop,
but Amy Grant pop.

FALLING DOWN - STEVE
Steve is powerful Brit-rock for the new millenium. Lead singer Neil
Wilson and his band craft worshipful lyrics into powerful rock tunes
for the masses. They've been bringing their sound into clubs and
other unchurched places across the UK for years, and now they are
invading the US.

FESTIVAL CON DIOS - VARIOUS
As the second round of Festival Con Dios comes across the country
this fall, it's time for the compilation of all the bands there on
tour. Although there's no new tracks, it's a good collection of the
best rock around.

INFECTIOUS - GO FISH
Pop. A capella pop. These guys have been pushed through the
Minneapolis media for years, and have at long last gone national.
Unfortunately, they lack the maturity and originality of past
Minneapolis bands such as PFR and Clear.

OPEN UP THE SKY - LINDELL COOLEY
With the help of songwriter Lenny LeBlanc, the Brownsville Worship
team puts together a quality selection of worship tunes, although not
as southern and high-energy as past Brownsville releases.

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ - VARIOUS
ForeFront puts together an EP of songs inspired by the top-selling
book. It features artist such as Geoff Moore, Phil Keaggy, Jill
Phillips, Adrienne Liesching from the Benjamin Gate, Michael Tait,
and more.

STEREOTYPE BE - KEVIN MAX
This is an epic album, one definitely not to be missed. Sporting a
theme of individuality, this CD is like no other, as it seamlessly
melds styles such as rock, dance, folk, and even a bit of rap, plus
some powerful poetry, spoken and sung. Although it was in close
competition with Skillet and Steve, this finally wins as PICK OF THE
WEEK.

TALK ABOUT IT - NICOLE C. MULLEN
After winning a dove award for "Redeemer" this year, Nicole C. Mullen
is back with a new CD, bringing more soulful power-pop to Adult
Conteporary and Hit Radio stations.

THE WHITE SONGBOOK - JOY ELECTRIC
After almost a decade of releasing keyboard-driven melodies, Ronnie
Martin delivers his most artistic work to date.

WITHOUT YOU - PHAT CHANCE
Debuting on the growing FlickerRecords, this boy band is a bit more
rockin' than most, but still delivers the same watered down lyrics
and looks that make girls scream.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
• McKeehan Record Release Pushed Back to November
• A (Bleached) White Christmas
• And much more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
Satellite - P.O.D. [9/11]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Real Men Cry - Lost Dogs [9/25]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
Greatest Hits - Twila Paris [9/11]
Past the Wishing - Sara Groves [9/18]
Declaration - Steven Curtis Chapman [9/25]
Dream - Michelle Tumes [9/25]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


OK, after a long delay, we're ready to give away FIVE COPIES of THE
BIG SURPRISE by THE ELMS. Winners will be e-mailed this Thursday, so
check your mail and make sure to reply if contacted. Thanks for
reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with even
more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please
reply to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@... We'd
love to hear from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb