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One Year Later:  Singing from Silence

5/20/2013

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A year after publishing Singing from Silence, I have added two new questions to the FAQ page:

Q:  Where can I find all the rumours that have been repeated about Rich Mullins?

A:  Not here.  I knew Rich Mullins as a friend and a songwriter, an artist whose working materials consisted of his own life experiences and the love of God.  The tools of his trade were honesty, brokenness, beauty, light and dark.      
    
Like all performers and through no fault of his own, Richard had a public side and a private side.  I understand that human nature makes the rest of us curious about the quirks and flaws  of our celebrities and heroes, but I do not intend seek the lowest common denominator by filling pages with questionable content.  Richard is the one who taught me about sharing the truth of our lives through art.  In gratitude for our friendship, Singing from Silence is in no part based on careless speculation or third-hand intrusions on the life stories of others.

The content of Singing from Silence is pared down to my own memories: the only ones I'm capable of writing with truth.  It tells the story of two human beings striving to show one another the love of God in a fallen world.  Forgiveness and grace are repeatedly required and repeatedly given.

Q:  Does the book do justice to Rich Mullins' memory?

A:  That question is very subjective.  If you want a book which stresses his successful musical career and his large base of fans, you might prefer to read An Arrow Pointing to Heaven by James Bryan Smith or perhaps the novel The Wind in the Wheat by Reed Arvin, which is said to be based in part on Richard's life.  

From my point of view, the whole idea of Singing from Silence is to be fair to Richard's memory.  Like many creative geniuises, Richard admitted to a dual nature.  To my way of thinking, when we overlook his life in favor of his art, his sorrow in favor of his laughter, his introspection in favor of his prophetic stance, we have lost half of what made him a human being.  My best memories are of Richard as a man who struggled as we all do to allow himself to be transformed in the hands of the Great Artist. 

I believe Richard wanted to be remembered as someone we can all relate to, because  his art touches us the most when we remember him that way.  This was my intention in publishing Singing from Silence. 

Q: Why is the book called Singing from Silence?
A: I can think of two--more, maybe five reasons I chose that title. . . (more)





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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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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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Singing from Silence is Now Available

5/2/2012

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

It's been a long and eventful journey to bring this book to you.  I hope you have a chance to read it, and if you do, my best hope is that you get a glimpse of the Richard Mullins I knew--and the everlasting loving God he showed us all. 
--Pam Richards
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Rich Mullins was one of the most gifted musical visionaries of the twentieth century.  He was thought by some to be a modern-day prophet.  Others thought he was a saint.  He was a radical believer, an original spirit devoted to a mighty God.

This book is the story of a friendship between Rich Mullins and the author, his close friend and confidante Pam Richards.  She presents Richard's more human side in an intense but sometimes broken relationship that called on him to demonstrate the love of God.  Through laughter and tears, despite differences and obstacles, their friendship brought
them both closer to God.
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Review of Singing from Silence by Rick Troyer

3/9/2012

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Rick Troyer knew both Richard Mullins and the author, Pam Richards, back at the Cincinnati Bible College.  Here's his review of  the book, Singing from Silence:
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"It is rare that I react to a book like I did to this one."

"From the moment I began, I simply got wrapped up in the book.  I usually can easily fall asleep by 9 pm, even sitting in front of my computer.  Sometimes I wake up, knowing I've been dozing for over 30 minutes. Sitting upright!  Well, the night I read it, I finished the book just past midnight. I had no trouble staying awake. I was too caught up in the book."

"The book itself...the way the story is told...is a blessing.  There is so much substance to it.  Something lacking in so many Evangelical books I read.  (Not that many, to be honest, since I rarely read anything out there that I think is worthwhile.)  That is one of the reasons for which I think it is so good." 

"Pam wrote about events which I knew about firsthand, since she and I attended the same college in Cincinnati, and knew many of the same people. The story is her memoir of what happened from 1974 through about 2009, in which she details her friendship with Rich Mullins, known to millions worldwide for his music, and from my perspective, more importantly, his incredible lyrics. I knew both her and Rich, although I would have defined them more as acquaintances of mine. So her recollections fill in some of the blanks from my CBS years, 1972-78."

"So I'll recommend it highly. For several reasons. It's a truly engaging story. Everybody will be able to identify with the people involved. The author is a terrific story-teller. I felt blessed...literally...simply having read it, which is truly rare! And I think most readers will too.

"A few of you may already know just how good a writer Pam is.  But just in case you don’t, she really did a great job.  The more I think about it, I believe this book deserves a read from all folk, regardless of whether they attended CBS, or knew about Rich, or are Evangelicals, or are pagans. It's simply a very well-written story, having all the ingredients of a best seller."

"I think it's a story that should be told.  And read. And learned from. "

"Anybody who has ever attended or visited CBC (now known as Cincinnati Christian University) will have an even greater appreciation of her stories, since they will be able to visualize the sights on campus to which she refers throughout the book."

"By the way, I am in no way being compensated for this. I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book. I said yes, not knowing what to expect. And it turns out, I was very pleasantly surprised."

"So, just trust me: read the book!"

"To Pam and Rich: thanks for the memories!"

--Rick Troyer



To see a review by Ted Yoder, click here

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

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Review of Singing from Silence by Ted Yoder

3/6/2012

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Ted Yoder is a National Hammered Dulcimer Champion who has been an admirer of Rich Mullins for years.  He lives out  many of Richard's values:  the boldness to share his live music, the dedication to developing his craft,  and the generosity to share his gift freely.  Here's his take on the book:
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"I've had the privilege of getting to know Pam Richards over the last couple months and I've always been a huge fan/admirer of Rich Mullins. Now that I've read Pam's book about her and Rich, I know to call him Richard because that's what you do when you have a term of endearment for someone. "

"I now have more affection and admiration for Richard and what he did here on earth and I'm certain he touched eternity as well--even though he would not be so proud as to say so. I am now a richer person because of this book and I'm even more 'provoked'  by Richard's life and music."

"I hope you take time read this wonderfully written book about two amazing people who wrestled with life, love, God and forgiveness and wrote it down for us to say, 'Hey, I'm not the only one.' Thank you Pam, for your courage and thank you, Richard. I hope to touch the sphere of music and harmony that you did."

To see a review by Donna Yoder, click here

Singing from Silence is now available.  Click on the link to purchase.
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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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    Pam Richards

    God help me, I'm an artist.

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