Highly recommended book

[David & Denise Love]

I just finished reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. Although it is classified as a work of fiction it is based on real life events. The subtitle says, "where tragedy confronts eternity." The reviews on this book are incredible and hopefully it will be made into a movie some day. Of all the books I have read that teach and explain who God really is and what He is like this book hits the bullseye. I was blown away and actually couldn't put it down. I read many of the chapters to my husband Dave and at times the tears just followed. Since we personally understand tradegy in the lose of a loved one it became very real to us. Don't let the painful first part of the book discourage you keep pressing through the story and you will have a rare treasure. blessings on your journey, Denise Love

[crazylena]

You have me very intrigued. I'm a part of a book club and I'll have to suggest it to them too. We too have lost loved ones in our family and this sounds like something I'd like to take a look at. Thank you.
God Bless, Kim

[David & Denise Love]

HI Kim,

Just finished the finally chapter of "The Shack" I think it has the potential of shaking up many of us in the church and especially the box we have put God inside. Because of the murder of my husband's brother the first part of the book I really dreaded reading but I felt encouraged to push through the pain and it was worth it. God bless you and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Denise

[Monica]

Thanks for sharing. I will definitely add this to my reading list.

[ForChristsGlory]

I just finished reading The Shack tonite.

It's difficult to wrap my mind around a descriptive way to express my feelings. As I've read the book, I've definitely felt a stirring in my spirit and a longing for an even deeper intimacy with God and Jesus and to learn to better recognize the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

It's definitely a good read and I think book clubs would enjoy discussion many points that you'll discover.

I look forward to hearing what others have to share after they read it!

[Sheri]

Okay, all of you have sparked my interest in this book. I've been thinking about it since Alva recommended it to me. I am excited to go pick up a copy of it. Hmmm.... The bookstore is open until 11:00 tonight and I would go get it.... but it is FREEZING here! Sounds way too cold to even go outside and start my truck. I'm thinking tomorrow sounds like a better idea:) Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[ForChristsGlory]

Check the bookstore first. A friend gave me a copy of The Shack, so I'm not sure if you have to order it online, or if it's available in the bookstores. Also, check out: www.theshackbook.com

It's easy to get absorbed in this book and you'll be finished before you realize it. Kind of like "A Tale of Three Kings" ...both books had a similar effect on me. A real stirring of my spirit!

[crazylena]

Ok, not to take a little air out of the balloon here but I've become aware there is quite a controversy stirring in Christian circles about this book. I am currently a little over half way and will proberly finish it by tomorrow or Saturday and I have to admit I do have some concerns with the book. There are things I like alot but there are a few areas that I feel could really come across as innocent but in reality be a little deceptive. Because I'm not done with the book yet it's hard for me to put my finger on what is bothering me but my spirit does not quite feel right.

One area that does bother me is the fact that God is portrayed through a woman. Now don't get me wrong I do understand that the author is trying to get us not put God in a box but it also makes it just a little too politically correct. Maybe it's because I've heard too many reverences to God as "mother/father God" and that is not scriptural.
I feel it also borders on the "universal oneness" that we'll automatically all go to heaven no matter where our faith is at. That too is not scriptural.
But in all fairness I will reserve my final opinion until I finish the book. Maybe the concerns I have now will be answered at the end and I'll feel better.
The book club I belong to is reading the book and we'll be discussing it on July 27th so I'm really excited to hear what they all think about it.

Regardless of my concerns I do think it is well written. But I would also caution that the bible warns that in the end times even the believers will be decieved and satan does disguise himself in sheeps clothing. I don't want to ruin anyones experience with the book but I hope we can all view it with a decerning eye.

[David & Denise Love]

Hi Kim,

Loved reading your impressions and what you are working through in reading "The Shack". The book seems to hit everyone differently and the funny thing is that for me the parts I didn't like the most revealed where I had a issue inside me to exam more closely. I didn't like that part about the book as my flesh would rather work though a book intellectually instead of from my heart. So the only word of encouragement I would give is to continue to check your reactions through the grid of the Word and then the Holy Spirit to see what He reveals.

Also, eat the fish and spit-out the bones. We will never agree with everyone completely especially over a written novel that's aim is to dig out our misconceptions of God and living in relationship with Him and others. We all look at things differently and see something that others miss that is the joy of living in community with each other. Anxious to hear your final opinion. God bless you, Denise

[ForChristsGlory]

Kim, you bring up really good points based on how the world often distorts God and His word. For me personally, nothing stirred my spirit negatively when I read The Shack. In fact, it had the opposite effect, creating a longing in me for more deeper intimate times with God.

The Bible teaches that God made man and woman in His image, so I didn't have problems with how God "appeared" in bodily form to the main character in the book. I do believe that many Christians hold inaccurate, or limited views of God and are surprised when He moves in a way that seems contrary to how they've defined Him. At least I know I have been surprised in the past to find that I had limited God in such a way. God is known by many descriptions in the Bible, among them:

King, Lord, Lord of Lords, The Good Shepherd, I Am, Master, Father, The Word, Consuming Fire, Great High Priest, Judge, Savior, Light of the World, Messiah, Alpha, Omega, Potter, Counselor, Rock, Teacher, Vine, Ancient of Days, Author of Life, Bread of Life ...

... and God spoke through a donkey (Numbers 22:28), He spoke through a burning bush (Exodus 3), and Christ appeared to John as a slain Lamb. His word shows His supernatural and limitless sides. And I believe He uses His children today to be "His hands and feet" "Christ with skin" -- so it didn't really bother me that God appeared as He did in the book. Another thought comes to mind... when we look at the many ways God is described in Scripture, how could an author possibly "simplify" God so that we look at the message presented vs. standing mesmerized in awe by a Holy and Supreme God?

Maybe I need to reread the book, I didn't see it as "universal oneness" either as it seemed the main character was a believer in God from the beginning of the book, albeit somewhat weaker than his wife, but the tragedy made him come face to face with God and decide who He believes God to be. To me, that is very much the Job experience that many of us encounter at least once in this life, where something so tragic happens, it makes us define the reality of our faith and what and Whom we believe in. Have we developed a truly personal and intimate relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, or do we have a "head knowledge" based purely on what we pick up from Sunday morning sermons? For me personally, my faith has grown as my intimacy with God has developed and matured.

To me, the book also had a bit of a "prodigal son" aspect to it -- I picked this up from the note in the mailbox for left for Mack where Papa says "it's been a while and I've missed you." To me, the story was about a man possibly weak in his faith when tragedy struck, and like the rest of us, he had a choice (free will) to choose to draw near to God and embrace His sovereign will, or pull back in anger/dismay over God not being a 'lucky charm' that makes everything alright according to our understanding, goals, and dreams -- it seemed for a while, Mack had given into the pain and his lack of understanding God had caused him to distance himself from God. It's a familiar story lived out everyday in the U.S.

The book club sounds really nice! I looked around for others to discuss the book with when I first read it. I bet you'll have some interesting conversation and feelings shared among the group. Thanks for bringing up these points -- hopefully others will share their experiences too and I definitely am interesting in learning of concerns others have about the message. It's a great book to discuss!

[Laura Davis]

I have to agree with your observations about this book. I read an excellent indepth review of The Shack that I think might open everyone's eyes to the subtle deceptiveness of this book. I urge everyone to go to http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/a-review-of-the-shack... and download the pdf, before you recommend it to anyone else.

[David & Denise Love]

Hi Laura,

Got the review printed up and will read it! Thanks for the heads-up on the review. I know that many people are talking about the Shack and maybe that is a good thing... it is getting people talking about God and the real hard issues of life. God bless you on your journey, Denise

[Monica]

Denise – Thanks so much for recommending The Shack! I had it on my reading list and received it for my birthday and just finished reading it! Wow! I loved it and it exceeded my expectations. I was a bit leery based on some of the comments and things I had heard about the book but I am so glad they did not hinder me from reading it.

I felt the book was an illustration of how God sees us and His love for us. It really encouraged me particularly in the times we live. One of the things I loved the most about the book is how unconcerned God is with religiousness/churchliness and things people have deemed important really aren’t what God sees as important or faithful. They key is the relationship and not so much what we do. Also it points out people have a view of God and Heaven that really is conjecture and not really what is God or Heaven will be like. I can’t wait to find out!

The one comment that concerned me about the book is someone saying something about it being about universal oneness or something – maybe kind of new age thinking but I did not really see that at all and I was looking. I really saw a lot of biblical truth in the book that was transforming. Mac asks if all roads lead to heaven and Papa replies "not all all but I will travel any road to find you". That is the God I know.

Definitely worth a second read and a keeper! Not to mention amazing well written!

Blessings,
Monica