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15 years: The Anniversary of Rich Mullins' Death: Yahrzeit 2012

9/20/2012

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On the anniversary of a loved one's death, the Jews practice Yahrzeit,  a beautiful tradition of honoring the dead by giving a donation in the name of the one who has passed on, placing a stone on their grave for a memorial, and lighting a candle in honor of the life lived.

This year, the A Candle to the Sun, LLC's donation in memory of Rich Mullins goes to Revelation Ranch of Letcher County, Ky, currently in need of building supplies for their new barn.  The first ten individuals or groups to donate more than $50.00 to the building supply fund will recieve a  paperback copy of Singing from Silence as a thank-you gift.  Please fill out a contact form at this link so we can send you your copy.   Donations to the Revelation Ranch building fund are still being taken by Julie at Boggs Builders' Supply.  She can be reached at 606-633-8446.

Five books will also be gifted through a Goodreads giveaway at this link. 

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Singing from Silence Now Available at Cincinnati Public Library

9/1/2012

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Yes, it is!  If you feel you'd like to read Singing from Silence at a minimal cost, there are a lot of people in Hamilton County who feel like you do!

We love our library.  It feeds our minds and expands our wallets.

Come on down and ask for Singing from Silence!  It's on the shelf.  And if you don't live in our area, I plan to donate a copy to one library a month until further notice.   It's pamela.richards@candletothesun.com --write and I'll put your library on the list to receive one! 

Or if you don't choose to wait for me to donate to your library, just speak to your librarian about stocking a copy, ISBN 1457510286.  

I think creative genius Benjamin Franklin had a lot of good ideas, but this one has got to be the best!  Oh, and electricity. . . second best.  You can always read by candlelight, but not without a book.

--Pam Richards

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Here in America: Barnraising At Revelation Ranch

8/23/2012

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Can't wait to see you here in Appalachia October 19, 20, and 21!  
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Review of Singing from Silence by Michelle L. Centers

5/4/2012

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Last week, Michelle Centers, a Rich Mullins fan who lives in West Virginia, expressed her interest in reviewing Singing from Silence.  Here are her thoughtful and poetic remarks on the book:    
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"As I began to read Pamela Richards' new book Singing From Silence I felt as if she was writing the lyrics to music composed by Richard Mullins' life.  The song that comes together through the long friendship of these lonely young kids through adulthood up until his death is inspiring, uplifting, emotional--will make you laugh, and cry.  It reveals how God does have a place for each and every one of us in life. God used one to create music, the other to tell the story. When Pamela finally listened and gave in to the prompting to write, God smiled--and the song that is now finished took flight and is no longer silent."

--Michelle L Centers

Singing from Silence is now available.  To purchase, click on this link.

To see a reiew by Beverly Hall Walker, click here.
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A Review of Singing from Silence by Debbie Blackwell Buckley

4/4/2012

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Debbie--Blackwell, back then--lived next door to me in Alumni Hall our Freshman year of Bible College.  She is quite a gifted writer.  I hope she keeps sharing her precious memories with us all!   She's provoked me to start a bonus page on the website as a "thank you" to those who own the book.  I've saved out some of Debbie's remarks to begin that page--and I hope to hear from others who have stories, photos, or documents about Richard's Bible College days to share with all of us.         --Pam Richards
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Review of Singing from Silence by Debbie Blackwell Buckley

"In August of 1974 I moved my earthly possessions into Alumni Hall, 3rd floor.  Next door to me moved in a young girl from Pennsylvania who appeared to be quite artsy--perhaps a hippie.  In my sheltered life, she was "different."  

She was shy; an introvert.  Word got out that she was related to the who's who of our college, but she seemed to hide from that connection.  I didn't know what to make of her.  We really didn't have much in common.  We were probably in typical freshman classes together because the school was so small that most freshmen were in class together.  Richard Mullins was our friend and probably our only common bond." 

"Pam's words in Singing From Silence took me back to 1974."

"I remember watching the two of them walking side by side dressed in their unusual style, laughing and discussing things  --as only Bible College students discussed!  The two were quite a pair.  It was obvious that they had a unique friendship.  Richard had unique friendships with many:  Pam saved her friendship mostly for Richard." 

"Those years were turbulent for all of us.  Post-hippie era years were not easy on the students, nor were they easy on the church as a whole.  The Bible College  had to make some difficult decisions about what it was and where it was going.  The students were in a bigger hurry for it to change.  Richard Mullins filled that need with his incredible musical style.  We wanted something all our own--and Richard gave it to us." 

"It was an era of coffee houses, the coming of age when people began loosening the strongholds of the "plastic" personas worn too long by church-goers.  Suddenly it was okay to wear bluejeans to worship--when Richard was playing.  For the first time in our lifetime, sign language became a form of communication as well as a form of worship.  The beauty of it was only beginning to be used from the stage alongside the speakers and musicians." 

"None of us had a clue about contemporary Christian music--it hadn't been invented yet.  There were groups like the Gaithers and the Imperials.  But solo artists who sang to the multitudes for young people?  Richard Wayne Mullins would be the first for us." 

"I am grateful to Pam for sparking those memories, for reminding me of the days when we were so poor we were all making our own clothing, hitching rides when we needed to go someplace, and hoping someone would share a meal with us.  And for reminding me of how rich we were for having shared a life with one of the most influential Christian musicians in the world." 

"Pam is a wonderful writer, a weaver of sorts.  Her artistic abilities show in the way she has written the story of her relationship with Richard.  God bless you, Pam, for honoring our friend in such a loving way."

--Debbie Blackwell Buckley

For a review by Robert Schneider, click here

Singing from Silence is now available.  Click on the link to purchase.
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A Review of Singing from Silence by Donna Yoder

3/19/2012

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Donna Yoder contributes regularly and substantially to creative projects in her everyday life.   She shares her perspective on the book, Singing from Silence:
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"When I first heard that Pam Richards was writing a book about Rich Mullins, my curiosity was aroused. Since being introduced to Rich Mullins and his music at the age of 16, I had read every scrap of writing and listened to any music I could find that intersected with his work and life.  As it turns out, next to Rich's own articles, written for Release magazine at the height of his career, Pam's book is among my favorite material about Mr. Richard Mullins. Truthfully, it is among my top 10 favorite books, period.

"Singing From Silence is a winning memoir that is one of the warmest stories of friendship and creativity that I have ever read. I believe I treasure it so highly because of how effectively it connects with my real life. It is at points tangled, and does not claim to have all the answers about Rich, or about my human relationships either, but it tells it "real-ly", like it is, knots and all. In the end, Pam's book is a bright tale of the wonder of deep mercy and grace. It is a work of art that celebrates the truth that forgiveness is real for every one of us and that our friendships are made up by a Creator who made us in His image to love and to be loved. "

"Thank you Pam, for taking the time to let this story breathe and flow artistically through you. In the opening pages of your book you said, 'Forgive me, and thank you.' Now it is our turn to thank you."

--Donna Yoder

To see a review by Debbie Blackwell Buckley, click here

Singing from Silence is now available.  Click on the link to purchase.
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Keeping it Current

12/30/2011

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Rich Mullins used to say he loved to write--it was re-writing that annoyed him.   I can only imagine what he'd have to say about having to re-write a website, after having re-written a manuscript.

Regardless, in an effort to update my website to reflect the current content of the book Singing from Silence, I've updated the Early Years page with a more current version.  The previous version of the Early Years section of the website is still available on this page.  I am also  building a few web pages for those who have read the book--in a section that will begin working after the book is published.  --Pamela Richards
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Review of Singing from Silence by Timothy Leonard

11/20/2011

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A review of Singing from Silence by Timothy Leonard follows.  Timothy is a  friend who is a Friend--Quaker, that is.  I knew I could rely on him to give me his honest remarks.  --Pam Richards

"This is a very moving story.  Its very improbabilities make it real."  

"I like very much the ending of the book.  The author speaks of love and connects it to Richard’s way of loving, and her way of living that love in her life today. It is inspiring."
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"The author's storytelling also has the merit of not taking her reticence with Rich Mullins off the hook.  She does not hide from her accountability in the relationship, nor does she end up claiming 'everything is beautiful now. . .'  In fact, this story comes close to the fundamental truth of the gospel: that tragedy is integral to life, and that it calls us to a deeper compassion for each other."  --Timothy Leonard

For a review by Michelle L. Centers, click here
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Final Title: Singing from Silence

11/15/2011

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While waiting for responses that will shape the words of my memoir about Rich Mullins into their final form, I have spent a few moments thinking about the title.   The title Songs from Silence (the working title of the book) emphasizes the product of the artist's labor.  But it seems to me that though Rich Mullins loved songs, even more he loved songmaking and singing.  He loved his singing, he loved other people's singing--he loved the singing of old men in church who couldn't hold a tune.  And  I want the title of the book to reflect that Richard is still  obeying the command that he pointed out is most frequently repeated in the Bible:  he's still singing. 

When I think of  the title Singing from Silence,  it makes me think of the light streaming  into a dark place--the light that shines in our lives so all of us can grow, flourish and mature.  Keep singing me into the light, friend.


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Photograph @ Larry Henry.  Used by permission
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Reflections: Last First

10/20/2011

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I'm going to post an excerpt from the freshly-completed Epilogue from Singing from Silence on the eve of Richard's  birthday.  I'd much prefer to have the whole book published today, but there are  still some pieces that need to come together yet.  So, the last first: 
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Epilogue:  Excerpt from Singing from Silence

     
There are people who think this is just a sad story, and when that's the only thing they say about it, I'm pretty sure they missed something.  Where there is life, there is hope:  Rich Mullins is most definitely alive.  I know it, not only because I've been taught that way all my life, but also because I've encountered him.  Where there isawareness of eternal life, there is faith. Where two are more are gathered in his name, there is love: a living, shimmering wall of love higher than I can reach, wider than my imagination can span, deeper than any measure.  That's what Richard showed me.

In order to tell the truth, I am limited to writing from my point of view.  Necessarily, Singing from Silence reveals a good number of my own life experiences.  I was describing the book to a friend who offered to review it for me and when he heard it was a memoir, he said, "And so you're always right?"  "No," I had to admit.  "It's a true story, so I'm pretty much consistently wrong."  I'm a human being: sometimes I act idiotic or foolish, and some of my experiences defy reason.    
 
That’s why I learned so much from Rich Mullins; and why his friendship and loyalty to me were so impressive. 

I've never been fond of admitting I was wrong.  You have to live your life differently when you realize your error. Stubborn people like me don't want to change.  But learning that you’ve been seriously mistaken isn't so bad once you realize it just shows how much you've been loved.  
 
Someone once said that Richard loved broken people. Richard loved the way God does.  God does not hold himself back from our brokenness; he enters it with us. Jesus Christ has to be the most broken person ever to live, and I know how much Richard loved him.      
 
Richard used to point out that God is an artist.  When he is breaking us, he is making us into art.  Our humanity makes us attractive to him; our brokenness allows us him to transform us. If we could only see as God does, we too would see beauty in the brokenness.  It seems to me Richard looked through God’s eyes.

Living a righteous life--and really, that's just an illusion, because the moment we even think we’re more righteous than the next person, we are no longer seeing through God's eyes, but with our own faulty vision--does not in any way guarantee that we will understand what God wants for us.  When Job lived a righteous life, God broke him on the very pillars of his own virtue. Job cried out: "Why?" And God did not answer his question. Instead, he showed Job his mighty works, and asked him, "Where were you at the foundation of the universe?" If we think we can accomplish a spiritual act through restraint, God can show a thousand million acts accomplished through sheer creative force. When he breaks us, God is initiating a creative act. But his work is not yet complete; our upstart questions are premature.

Richard always respected his intuition; he was glad to be led by it.  I, on the other hand, spent years attempting to reconcile my intuitive flashes with rationalism, and my attempts led to disaster.  Richard was known to say that empiricism is dead.  It has already shown us all it has to offer.  There are experiences that exist beyond our five senses, yet still they can instruct us if we will let them.      

I've learned that while giving seems to be my gift, once in a while I have to take turns and receive so someone else can have the blessing of giving for a change.  After all, that's what Jesus is begging for; a chance to give, if only we will receive.   
 
I've come to believe that Richard is right: God calls us to a love that is warm and productive, not one that is sterile and withdrawing.  Perhaps that is one reason God's love is described as passionate in King Solomon's Song of Songs or Hosea.

When we know we are loved, our creative expression is set free.  I was always a more creative person
when Richard was around.  Perhaps it was because Richard thought everything I did or said was wonderful.  I did plenty of stupid things; I don't even remember all of them, I'm sure, but I'll bet I could have worn eggshells for a hat and he’d have been thrilled, not because of the silly hat, but because it was me there underneath it--the hat was just the way I’d chosen to express myself.  I told that to a friend and she said, "That's just like God's love!" 

Exactly.

Since confronting my memories of Richard again in 2009, I've written two books, built several websites, and begun studying the Old Masters by copying their works using materials they might have used. In the past four months, I've
completed three paintings and embarked on two more.  These are not things I was doing during the years I was trying not to remember him.  In my mid-fifties, I have more passion, drive, stamina and commitment as an artist than ever before. 

I have actually worked up the nerve to publish this book, which has been a challenge for me.  The fears I've had to face in order to publish have been deep and many.  I was tempted to be more self-protective, but I learned to rely on Richard's teaching:  if our expression does not come from life, if it is not true to our experience, our labor is for nothing and our attempt at art is stillborn. This one is definitely kicking.  

It is my belief that as long as I’m telling truth from my heart, from my own experience, Richard would approve.  If the book is seen as controversial, well, nothing would have pleased Richard more.  He loved to stir people's points of view; his love of controversy was one of the dynamics that drove his art.

* * * * * * * * * *

Pamela Richards 2011

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