I Tell You a Mystery: Life, Death, and Eternity

Rating:
Summary: Poignant Vignettes About How Ordinary People Face Death
Review: Arnold's book begins: "Are you afraid of dying? Have you ever worried about growing old, about becoming a burden to your children? Do you wonder how you would survive the loss of your spouse, a parent, a child? Is someone you love facing illness or death? Whether consciously or subconciously, every person inevitably faces these questions at one point or another. It is in search of answers to them that I have written this book."

Arnold searches for these answers in the stories of ordinary people he's known who have faced death. He tells each story well in that he doesn't over dramatize the circumstances or struggle to justify God's ways. Instead, he lets each life speak for itself and allows that death is a great mystery indeed.

After losing my father, I read several books about pain, loss, grieving, and death. I enjoyed this work because it featured many perspectives, allowing that death is very much an individual experience, shaped by upbringing and personality. It was instructive and comforting to read about how other Christians have faced tragedy and illness. I also like the way he included photographs of the people because it made me feel closer to them.

This is a quiet little book that you can read in a few sittings or savor bit by bit. It will leave you pondering life, death, and God's plan for creation. I appreciate Arnold's perspective because his sadness is tempered by his knowledge that the universe is ruled by a loving and merciful God who has not left death as the final word.

Rating:
Summary: Short, memorable, and interesting.
Review: Easily a book you could read in a day or less, "I TELL YOU A MYSTERY" offers real human stories and insights into life and death. It sounds like a downer of a book, but it actually filled me with much more hope than I thought it would. I will remember a few of these stories forever, no doubt, and I'm sure they will help me in my own journey, when I begin to lose those closest to me.

Rating:
Summary: When words are hard to find
Review: Sometimes it is hard to know what words to say when a friend is suddenly facing terminal illness or the loss of a loved one. A gift of this book is one way of saying 'I care'. We will all face tough things in life and eventually the end of our life, the stories in this book are about ordinary people who faced these moments with faith and courage.