Book excerpt: A new dynamic has been discovered concerning the relationship between God and the universe. You'll find it in the first verse essay of SOUNDINGS, beginning with a statement, followed by two questions: God, who is Ultimate Reality and Truth, would not bring into existence anything less than real or true, it would seem. With this in mind, could the newly created universe- the early space-time continuum- have been anything other than it was? Could the primordial light and elements, with their forces of electromagnetism and gravity, have been anything other than they were? Thus begins a spiritual quest, ranging from the dawn of time to the summit of contemporary civilization. Embark on a journey with Frank L. Jordan III as he unravels some of the oldest known mysteries pertaining to God and the universe-mysteries involving the problem of evil, and of God's role in connection with death, accidents, natural disasters, and disease. Equipped with a new philosophy called derivism*, Jordan methodically chips away at the barriers between us and God, while pointing to a true avenue of healing ... an exalted way. What People Are Saying About SOUNDINGS: "Frank Jordan's profound struggle to understand God and the world and the reality of evil have brought him to a path very like that of process theology. I congratulate him for finding it on his own ... What gives poignancy and power to Jordan's thinking is the way it has come out of his personal suffering and joy." Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr., process theologian and co-director of the Center for Process Studies "I read it all through in one night. What a strong and lovely and deep sharing " Dr. Pamela Anne Bro, pastor of Living Waters Sanctuary and author of SoulQuest: A Trail Guide to Life "Definitely worth reading." Lawrence William Kozoyed, USN Commander (Ret.) and founder/director of the Institute for Mentoring (+) Science * Art * Spirituality "A must read for any true spiritual seeker." Rev. Nicki Royall Peet, ecumenical minister and author of the upcoming book, The Medicine Man's Daughter "I have read SOUNDINGS and I feel Frank Jordan has been able to put into words some Universal Truths from his own experience." Dr. Eleanora Woloy, Jungian analyst and author of The Symbol of the Dog in the Human Psyche: A Study of the Human-Dog Bond *The philosophy of derivism introduced in SOUNDINGS is not the religious doctrine found at the website or in the book Derivism: A New Understanding in a New Age. Each author arrived at the term derivism independently.