In the midst of a "great sadness" we often lose sight of those in our lives who love us...it's like the darkness of the sadness blocks out all the light from the love of our friends, family, and even God. We build up walls that protect us on one hand, but keeps us separated on the other.
Why do we go through so much pain alone, needlessly it would seem, when those who love us desire nothing more than to love us, especially God...Why do we do this?
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November Book
The book for November is "The Shack" by William P. Young. The book written in theological fiction format relates the story of Mack, a man who is living in deep sadness after the kidnapping and murder of his youngest daughter. Mack receives an invitation, seemingly from God, to revisit the site of his greatest pain. Once he arrives at the shack he must face his greatest despair and what he finds changes his life and world forever.
7 comments:
Oh, my, this book is wonderful! I thought the first few pages were slow but since passed those, I have been captivated.
I really, really like the description of the Godhead - it makes the Father, Son, and Spirit in much easier to relate to for my human mind.
The description of the art that Papa has collected and Mack's thoughts on how she treasures it made me see God in a much different light, such as He treasures the gifts that I bring to Him, no matter how fragile or human they are.
The biggest thing to me so far is this quote from page 100: "Humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions that I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in My image.
I am excited to read more. Thanks for the recommendation on this one, Paul!!!!
I am not one at all to sit and read, but this book has captured my attention in so many ways. It is almost as if I am right there with Mack talking to Jesus, Papa and Sarayu. It feels real. It is a hard read in some ways, but it is almost as if God is wanting me to slow down and take my time reading every single word that is written.
I am reading this book far too quickly for my liking. I have to make myself slow down and take time to digest what I am reading. This will definitely be on my list of "read again" books!
Today's most striking line: "But it's not true. I am with you and I am not lost. I'm sorry it feels that way, but hear me clearly. You are not lost." How many times have I felt that way in my life - oh so lost, only to realize too late that Jesus was with me, that He is always with me, and that He is not lost. That really humbled me - I don't have to have the answers. The Son of the Most High God loves me and is with me. Wow!
Happy Reading. I'm returning to Mack & Co now!
I think it is great that the place were Mack finds God is the scene of the crime so to speak, God was there at the sight of all the pain, anger, and loss...God is always with us especially in our great sadness.
I have just finished the book. I am left with "wow". There is so much to think about after reading this. Good versus Evil and who really decides....forgiveness and so many other things. It was a hard read, but I made sure to read one chapter each night, except tonight and at the end I could not put it down. "If anything matters than everything matters", to God, I presume, because for me I have to think about how that statement makes me feel. I have myself recently forgiven two people who have hurt my family and I greatly this past year and it was not easy. However, I can tell you that it lifted me up. I am no longer in bondage myself from the torture of the pain of asking myself why? I love the part where Mack tried to walk on water by himself and without Papa. Funny how I have tried to do that my entire life. It's impossible isn't it. He nows that, but he allows us to see it for ourselves. I also love how they talk about how we complain to get our freedom of choice (free will)and then complain because "they" do not intervene when we screw it up. Isn't that like us humans? It's funny how they know us so well and still love us? It is also funny how I am now talking to God as there are three of them? Isn't that right? The Trinity? Wow, so much to think about.....Great book. Thanks to Paul and Rhonda for sharing it.
As I was reading I began to wonder how would I react if I recieved a note from God and the I realized that I get notes from God daily through reading his word The Bible...
Also I began to think how Mack's faith toward God was doing something irrational...how many times have I questioned God's leading because it did not match up with my (rational) view of how my life should be. Jesus said follow me, but we so often go our own way and want God to follow us.
A-men and a-men to your comments, Paul (dated November 18). Well said!!!!
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