Sailing Between the Stars: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith [Paperback]

Steven James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

The foundation of Christian belief is paradox: death is the beginning of life, foolishness is the pathway to wisdom, the meek conquer the strong. Everywhere we look we see mysteries piled upon mysteries, and for all our efforts to fit God into a box that makes sense, Christianity is not founded on common sense. Author and storyteller Steven James navigates this magical journey through the "uncommon sense" of faith in Jesus. Through his captivating style and arresting stories, James helps readers become more comfortable with a faith full of truth and mystery. With breathtaking writing, he shows readers a God who is illogical, unreasonable, unrealistic, and incredibly and unmistakably true.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

James (Story: Recapture the Mystery), an experienced storyteller, offers a series of casual reflections on the paradoxes of the Christian faith. He addresses all the old standards—like how can a good God allow pain, how much of salvation is our work and how much is grace, and why God calls us to be perfect when we all know that's impossible. James sees everything through the lens of story. He talks around the ideas he's addressing, taking circuitous routes through a series of tangentially related tales, sometimes touching and sometimes trivial, largely from his own life. Each chapter also includes original poetry—heartfelt but not terribly well written. There are deep insights here, if few hard-and-fast conclusions, and while these are not altogether fresh, they are presented with energizing honesty. At times the number of metaphors is overwhelming and confusing, like when James writes of "the thrilling romance of dancing with a rugged bridegroom toward the edge of eternity amidst the weird dreams, bad aim, and indecipherable miracles of life." Some readers will likely find the book difficult to follow, but James's postmodern fans will welcome it. (Sept.)
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From the Back Cover

Faith doesn't always make sense. We live in a world of tension, and as much as we'd sometimes like it to, our faith was not meant to relieve that tension but to make some sense of it. Through stunning essays and evocative stories, Steven James explores the wonder, paradox, and presence of Jesus in life today. Without trying to decipher or diminish the mysteries of a life of faith, James leads you deeper into the rich texture of the breathtaking story God is telling our planet. Rather than limiting God to human understanding, you can discover the joy found in not being able to ever fully comprehend the Creator or the depth of his love. From funny to poignant to profound, but always pointing toward God, James's stories help you develop a worldview of wonder at the incredible world in which we live. There's never been a better time to get to know this God who is illogical, unreasonable, unrealistic, and incredibly and unmistakably true. Storyteller and poet Steven James has been a full-time speaker for almost ten years and continues to speak at conferences, churches, and special events across the country, sharing his eclectic blend of drama, comedy, and inspirational storytelling. Steven is also the author of nineteen books, including the critically acclaimed Story. When he's not traveling or writing, Steven likes going rock climbing, watching science fiction movies, and eating chicken fajitas. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Tennessee.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Revell; 1st edition (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800731646
• ISBN-13: 978-0800731649
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Critically acclaimed author Steven James has penned 30+ books spanning the genres of psychological thrillers, dramas,YA fantasy, and more. Steven has received wide critical acclaim for his work, including four Storytelling World Honor awards, two Publishers Weekly starred reviews, and 2009 & 2011 Christy Awards for best suspense. His thriller, The Bishop, was named both Suspense Magazine's and The Christian Manifesto's 2010 Book of the Year and won an RT Book Reviews and an INSPY award in the categories of suspense/mystery. Library Journal listed his latest action thriller The Queen as one of the best novels of 2011. His first thriller The Pawn was optioned by ABC Studios in 2010.

Steven earned a Master's Degree in Storytelling from ETSU in 1997 and is an active member of International Thriller Writers, The Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and International Association of Crime Writers.

Steven serves as a contributing editor to Writer's Digest. He appears regularly as a keynote speaker at events throughout North America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gift to the soul, October 10, 2006

By 

Sarah Leslie (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sailing Between the Stars: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith (Paperback)

"Sailing Between the Stars" has been a gift to my soul... and to my faith. Most of my Christian years have been spent trying to decipher the undecipherable, reason out the unreasonable and comprehend the incomprehensible. And I've found that it's in those times of perplexity that I draw closer to my Creator as I seek not just to know ABOUT him, but to truly KNOW him.

This book by Steven James reassured me that it's all right to not understand everything about faith and God. That those attempts to unravel the mystery of mysteries provide opportunity for deep fellowship with the God of the universe. And somehow, by embracing the mystery, I've come away with a greater understanding of God than I ever set out to gain.

I highly recommend "Sailing Between the Stars." Steven James' storytelling talent makes it a great read that lets you welcome the challenge of living in the unknown mystery that is faith. To quote James, "The dance of life is as mysterious as the wind twirling through the trees, and we're never going to be able to grasp all of its nuances."

Steven James, please keep musing, and please keep writing. I'll keep reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSPIRATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING, June 4, 2007

By 

Heather Ivester (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sailing Between the Stars: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith (Paperback)

In his best book to date, Steven James invites readers to muse with him on the mysteries of faith. Through evocative essays, humorous stories, and a light sprinkling of poetry, readers can explore what it means to go beyond human understanding of our Creator.

As a father of three daughters, James shares some of his most intimate family moments, sure to bring laughter from parents who are also in the midst of raising a family.

The title of the book comes from a midnight sailing excursion the author took with a guy named Hollywood. "As we eased forward into the night, it was almost as if we were sailing between the stars," James writes (p. 38). "I loosened my grip and began to enjoy my ride through the galaxy."

If you're not yet a fan of this inspirational storyteller, after reading this book, you will be.

--Reviewed for Christian Women Online Book Buzz

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Into Deep Waters, September 28, 2010

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sailing Between the Stars: Musings on the Mysteries of Faith (Paperback)

I discovered the writing of Steven James through his suspenseful, dark, yet hopeful thrillers ("The Pawn," "The Rook," "The Knight," and so on). Those are tight, fast-paced tales that shimmer with rays of wisdom and redemption. I had high hopes, then, for this non-fiction work of his. It looked like a mix of Donald Miller, stream of consciousness, and theological twists on familiar biblical passages.

James gives us personal anecdotes, prayers in poetic form, and serious looks at the power of God's grace and love. He also makes us laugh out loud, recognizing our own failings and idiosyncrasies in the joint human experience. The reading never drags, and the stories and quotes provide a lighthearted feel. That said, if you're a fan of "Blue Like Jazz," as I am, you may have wished for something a bit deeper in its theological delvings. If so, you'll find James does a wonderful job of wrestling with Scripture, while never undermining God's power or divinity. In between humorous and heart-tugging moments, this book gives us a broader appreciation for our place as human beings in the spectrum of God's design and plan.

Steven James doesn't just skim the waters of faith and doubt, of grace and love; he launches this ship into deep dark waters and sails between the stars. This is a masterpiece just waiting to be rediscovered.