How to go
What: Concert and book signing for “How Do I Get Out of This Mess?” Cindy Garland, Jim Fink and Larry Adams
Where: Southwest Church, 150 Remick Blvd., Springboro
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8
Cost: $15 (includes book and CD)
More info: 937-885-0720, www.southwestchurch.org or www.livinglife4him.com
Who hasn’t messed up their lives at one time or another? The journey of “Messy Guy” is revealed through a new book by Christian author Cindy Garland in “How Do I Get Out of This Mess?,” published by Greyden Press in Dayton. The book includes illustrations by artist Jim Fink, and a CD by The Larry Adams Band.
The 90-page paperback is a bit unorthodox in its approach that includes scripture, many illustrations, testimonies and thoughts on the spiritually uplifting song lyrics. The book also leaves room for interactive journaling by the reader.
Garland, Fink and Adams will be on hand at Southwest Church in Springboro on Aug. 8 for a book signing and concert. The admission price, $15, includes a copy of the book and CD. Green and white “Got Mess? Get God!” T-shirts will also be available at the event for $10. Garland got the idea for this book when she was in the midst of a deadline for writing a book series, “Through Artist’s Eyes.”
“Even though I had a busy life, I wasn’t content,” said Garland. “When I finally discovered Jesus and what it meant to be in a relationship with him, I wanted to tell other people. I was motivated to share what it was like for me to get out of my mess.”
After her initial idea, it wasn’t until almost two years later that she had her first meeting about the book with Fink and Adams in May of 2010. In the midst of writing, Garland met with people in an Atlanta marketing firm for help with promotion. Fink got busy working on the 18 illustrations in the book, and Adams started recording the CD in September of 2011.
“People think a book comes quickly, but it doesn’t,” said Garland. “I worked on it slowly throughout all that time. It takes awhile to go through the writing, rewriting and revisions.”
Garland wasn’t the only one with revisions. Fink had a few of his own as well. He drew several possibilities of each illustration.
“When Cindy asked me to do a few drawings for a book she was writing, I was excited to help out. I thought it was going to be a local Christian Study pass out, and not this wonderful project,” said Fink. “I must have drawn 100 pictures, some goofy, and others simple and easy to depict what Messy Guy was doing according to Cindy’s text.”
Adams had a serious mess to deal with on Good Friday, April 4 of 2007. His wife Amy and two children were involved in a car accident. As a result, Amy had abdominal trauma and eight hip fractures that required emergency surgery.
“Since her miraculous recovery, we have been blessed with two more children,” Adams said. “We have also been blessed with an awesome church family in which we currently serve full-time.”
Adams has led the worship and praise band at SWC for the past five years. Songs the band performed for the CD include: “You Never Let Go” by David Crowder, “Sweetly Broken” by Jeremy Riddle and “By Your Side” by Matt Rowe.
“SWC senior minister Roger Hendricks will present a ‘How Do I Get Out of This Mess?’ four-part message series beginning July 27,” said Garland. “He encouraged [my husband] Joe and me in our faith walk, showed us the way out of our mess, baptized both of us at Caesar Creek Lake over 12 years ago, and then God stepped in and took over.”
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