Are We Dust in the Wind?

March 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Waterloo, ON  – The Bible consists of 66 books that have inspired, encouraged and transformed the lives of millions of readers. Yet in the midst of this tour de force of spiritual enlightenment, there is one book with a very different flavour and tone. The book of Ecclesiastes—popularly attributed to King Solomon—has been called “deeply pessimistic” and would not be on very many Top Ten lists in any popularity poll.

When journalist and radio show host Robert White began to study Ecclesiastes’ themes of life’s meaninglessness, frustration and futility, doubt and despair, he was certain that the book would speak to him. Frustrated with his job, the ministry, the church and his own future, Robert hoped to find some answers to the questions of his own seemingly meaningless life. What he did find surprised him, and prompted him to write Chasing the Wind, (March 2011, Word Alive Press, $11.99), chosen as the Word Alive Press Free Publishing Contest Non-Fiction Winner for 2010.

Relevant Wisdom
Despite the conventional wisdom, “I found Ecclesiastes an eminently practical book,” says Robert White, and the results of his biblical studies started working their way into his columns, articles and sermons.

The more Robert reflected and prayed about Ecclesiastes, the more he realized how relevant its wisdom was for today. By dividing the book’s broad themes into three key phrases—“meaningless, meaningless,” “under the sun” and “chasing the wind”—Robert tackles universal issues such as wisdom, wishes and work, desires and deeds; and the curses and joys of toil, treasures and termination.

Ecclesiastes examines many of the same questions that people today are asking:
•   Is there meaning to this life?
•   What do I hope to gain from chasing after fame and success?
•   What happens if I climb the ladder of success only to find it’s leaning against the wrong wall?

Using examples as disparate as The Byrds, Star Trek and Benjamin Franklin, Robert unpacks each theme to probe their relevance to our contemporary life. The three main chapters are followed by insightful discussion questions that will further enhance the reader’s enjoyment of the book.

“Chasing the Wind,” says Robert, “looks at my own search for meaning in these areas of life and the answer that Ecclesiastes finally offers.” And as pessimistic as Ecclesiastes seems, Robert was left with the one thing he least expected: hope.

Concludes Robert, “My own hope is that as people read Chasing the Wind, they’ll find that, in the end, the only thing that brings meaning to life is a relationship with God—a deep, long-lasting, intimate relationship in which the choices we make are choices that will bring God glory—and not ourselves.” Only then can life be more than simply chasing the wind.

Surprising Win
Robert White first heard about the Word Alive Press contest through members of The Word Guild and the Word Alive Press booth at Write! Canada 2010 and was encouraged by the WAP staff to submit his book.

“I was shocked by the win,” Robert confesses. He had been keeping an eye on the nominees on the Word Alive Press website but had not noticed Chasing the Wind in the running. “Once the reality sunk in, I was both relieved and excited to see my work finally make it to print. I’d been working on the book for so long, I’d almost given up hope that it would be published.”

Featuring beautiful cover artwork and a small, easy-to-digest, giftable format, Chasing the Wind will be made widely available across Canada, wherever readers love to buy books.


About the Author
Journalist Robert White began his newspaper career in Alberta 25 years ago as a reporter for the Lamont Elk Island Triangle and has gone on to hold a number of reporting and editing positions in mainstream weekly newspapers

The editor of ChristianWeek Ontario since its inception in 2002, Robert’s column, “A Matter of Faith,” has appeared in the Guelph Mercury since 1996.
Robert’s also hosted the Faith Journal newsmagazine on Kitchener’s Faith FM since 2004.

Robert lives in Guelph, Ont., with his wife, Pam, and their teenaged children, Tim and Kathleen. A long-time lay church leader, Robert and his family attend Lakeside Church where he has been on the men’s leadership team. An active Scouts Canada leader and trainer, Robert serves as chaplain for the Wellington Area.


For more information contact Ellen Graf-Martin ellen@grafmartin.com or 519.342.3703 ext. 1