David Olshine - The Mystery of Silence: Making Sense of Life When God Seems Absent

The Mystery of Silence: Making Sense of Life When God Seems Absent by Dr. David Olshine

Copyright 2022 by David Olshine

Published by The Core Media Group, Inc., www.thecoremediagroup.com.

The authors are represented by WordServe Literary Group, Ltd., www.wordserveliterary.com.

Cover & Interior Design: Nadia Guy

Cover photo provided by Free-Photos/Pixabay.com

ISBN 978-1-950465-58-3

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Scriptures marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked GNT are from the Good News Translation (Todays English Version, Second Edition). Copyright 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked MSG are taken from The Message . Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scriptures marked NASB are taken from the (NASB) New American Standard Bible, Copyright 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Scriptures marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. New Living, NLT, and the New Living Translation logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Italics in Scriptures have been added by the author for emphasis.

Printed in the United States of America.

Endorsements

Using his life as a springboard for exploration, David Olshines The Mystery of Silence unfolds the divine silence. In a loud world, this is no easy feat. Olshines memories, stories, and research weave together as a tool for those who hunger to be still and know that I am God.

Laura Baber, author of Rhythms of Restoration

The Mystery of Silence is a much-needed and restorative elixir for someone like me who actually prefers to be surrounded by noise and feels somewhat uncomfortable when things go silent. Heck, after the first chapter, I even took my earbuds out so I could read it meditatively.

Rick Bundschuh, author, pastor of Kauai Christian Fellowship, and troublemaker, Kauai, Hawaii

The Mystery of Silence is a breath of fresh air, as David Olshine writes with depth, authenticity, and wonderful relatable stories. You will grow in your faith and find hope on every page. Olshine is a masterful communicator who makes this book totally enjoyable to read.

Jim Burns, president, Homeword, and best-selling author of Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out , Dana Point, California

The Mystery of Silence is a must-read. David Olshine steps confidently, but with humility and transparency, into the discomfort of silence in the presence of God. For anyone looking for solace and guidance in the face of the unclear quiet, this book is for you.

Dr. Anne Lord Bailey, endurance competitor, Team UNBROKEN on Amazon Primes TV show Worlds Toughest Race: Eco Challenge Fiji, Asheville, North Carolina

Most of our life with God is quiet. Too quiet sometimes. In The Mystery of Silence , David Olshine shares his soulhis experiences with pain, suffering, and doubt. He invites us to trust the silence we often perceive from God isnt something to dread, fear, or cause us to roll our eyes. Its something to lean into because even Gods silence has plenty to say to us.

Nick Cunningham, Lead Pastor, Emmaus Church, Irmo, South Carolina

David Olshine's writing is raw, honest, and vulnerable. The Mystery of Silence escorts the reader beyond the buzz created by busyness and distraction, into a sanctuary in which, amidst the silence, we can actively hear Gods voice.

Samantha Evans; author of The Rocky Path of Mourning: Navigating the Loss of a Loved One and Love Letters to Miscarriage Moms

David Olshine helped me understand my need to be more silent in order to grow in my relationship with God when facing a difficult journey. I appreciated his vulnerability to share his personal family struggles and his own doubts.

Dr. Paul Marzhan, Lead Pastor of Crossroads Church, church planter, entrepreneur, and builder of sacred spaces, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sabbath, silence, and solitude. Three gifts God gives us that we all too frequently overlook or avoid! Dr. David Olshine invites us to reconsider these gifts as choices that can open up our world and faith to more fully experience a God who is for us, who loves us, and who comes alongside us, Emmanuel.

Dr. Steve Moore, Executive Director, Murdock Foundation, Vancouver, Washington

Greek philosopher Xenophanes once observed, If horses had gods, they would look like horses. Interesting, isnt it, how so many who claim to be people of faith seem so determined to reduce mystery to something measurable? Thats why my friend David Olshines new book The Mystery of Silence is so important. We walk into the mystery of God; we do not define that mystery. So allow David Olshine to take you on a walk.

Stuart Hall, Youth Communicator, author, director of ORANGE Student leadership and INFLUNSR. BigStuf Camps, Atlanta, Georgia

Im not sure a more practical and engaging book has ever been written on the subject of rest! We dont rest well. Dr. Olshines topic, which seems antiquated by todays standards, teaches us about Sabbath and why we should implement and practice solitude and silence.

Sugar Kyzer Jeffcoat, Family Director, Kittiwake Baptist Church, West Columbia, South Carolina

As a family who is raising a young daughter with cystic fibrosis, I often wrestle with the mystery of silence that David Olshine explores in these pages. I often think of his example of faith and trust in God. No matter your circumstances, seasons of silence are unavoidable, and this book will be a tangible comfort and help for all who want to learn the practice of hearing Gods voice.

Wade Joye, Served 14 years as Worship Pastor at Elevation Church, Charlotte, North Carolina; Worship Consultant

If your faith sometimes teeters on the precipice of doubt or youre straining to hear even a faint whisper from God in the midst of your struggle, this book is for you. David Olshine helps you listen beyond the silence to discover a profound and life-changing wonder you might never have otherwise heard.

Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, #1 New York Times best-selling authors of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts , Seattle, Washington

My friend and fellow teaching pastor David Olshines newest book felt like it was written just for me. As a hyper-extrovert, I needed to be reminded of the importance of silence. This book is relational, practical, and biblical. The Olshine family journey offers a powerful illustration of faith as they faced adversity. The combination of mystery and silence offers a surprising path to the grace of God. Thank you for offering us directions.