have you ever read a book that changed everything about how you viewed life, God and the people around you? i just finished reading THE SHACK and frankly, i don’t care if the story is fact or fiction – it lines up with all the great teaching, human hunches, spiritual longings and scriptural truths i’ve ever encountered. and anything that helps humans actually FEEL the love of God is a good thing.most people i know really want to know God in a personal way. they would love to FEEL loved by God – however for any number of reasons – painful childhood experiences, unexplained crisis, a broken trust or the sad song of failure – God’s love seems out of reach. God so loved the world - we acknowledge - but not necessarily me. if you have ever felt like this, snag your own copy of THE SHACK, hole up in your most comfortable sabbath location and settle in on the best read of your life.
if you’ve read THE SHACK already, post a comment on your own thoughts and experience.
What is so interesting about the book and possibly one reason it is receiving so much attention is it dares to cross conventional thinking in the way we have understood God in the past. Our stereotypical concepts for how we see God has stopped us from seeing Him in some instances as a loving, caring person who wants to connect with His kids.
ReplyDeleteGrant it you will be challenged and enlightened as you read through the storyline. One interesting and somewhat controversial comment Paul Young makes in his book is sure to make a lot of people think differently about a cliche we have been throwing around in the church for years. It is found on page 149, Paul writes in Jesus' words "My Life Was Not Met To Be An Example That You Can Copy". For years, we the Christian community have held onto the idea that Jesus' life or "behavior" was to be followed. We have all heard and even used the cliche "What would Jesus do?" or WWJD for short.
We have seen it on bracelets and tee shirts for years. Problem is that when you look at it from a new covenant aspect it you would never hear Jesus tell us to mimic his behavior. Instead Jesus would tell us that we are to mimic or copy the relationship he experienced with the Father through the Holy Spirit. It is out of this relationship that behavioral issues, difficulties and temptation finds answers, not through some pull yourself up by the bootstraps mentality. Bottom line is that this book will challenge old belief systems that probably need to be challenged. Only then can you truly experience Christ as life, which beats religion any day!
Scott Johnson
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so true, scott, and i was reintroduced to the value and meaning of relationship. i loved reading about how the three persons of the trinity related to one another - actually enjoying one another. i loved how they enjoyed eating and laughing together. i really want my relationships to exist in this kind of environment...and i want to create environments where this kind of relationship can exist. i'm going to have to let go of some things and re-cling to others...re-cling to God.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely my favorite book ever! I love the depth of the conversations. I was so in the book. In the story. There speaking with the Holy Trinity. I read it twice in a row and think I will read it every year for a refresher of God's view toward me.
ReplyDeleteBrandon just told me to look at your blog & the updates. Wow! They look great! Then I saw where you read the book that I have been talking about to some of my friends...I absolutely loved the book!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Scott. That thought of not copying Jesus' behavior has challenged my thinking in a great way and has moved me into a new level of thinking....
I would have to say my favorite part was the garden he prepared and planted with Sarayu....how beautiful is that picture? Then when they buried his daughter there - my heart wept in joy and a veil was lifted in my understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts.
The book is truly amazing and I wish more people knew about it - especially Christians! It shook my thinking up quite a bit and I have been a Bible Scholar & Teacher for over 17 years. But truth resonates in the heart when it is heard....
Trish