Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Tell Me What You Think..... And What You Know

The Shack
By William P. Young
There had been a lot going on in blogdom about this little book.
I have heard good and bad.....and figured it was time to check it out to see
what the Spirit would say to me about it contents.
I am about half way through and would like to reserve comments until I have finished the book.
I will tell you that the beginning was so intense that I almost put it down. Simply because I do not like to fill my mind with those types of scenarios...I am a very visual person.
Reading even fictional stuff can uproot my emotions.

So.... I write this to see how many of you have read this book.
We will leave here tomorrow to go "home" to sign the final papers
for the sale of our FINAL piece of property.
Some of you might know that my son's 19th birthday is on the 16th of this month. It was to be the first time that I would not be there to celebrate it with him....that kind of hurt.
But, I'm a big girl...no pun intended...so I was handling it. :)
Even so, I thanked my God when the people who are purchasing our property said they wanted to sign the final papers on the 15th. Is our God tender and amazing or what???? \o/!
So we will go home and celebrate the God we serve who so quickly brought about the sale of His property and we will celebrate my boys birthday.
I LOVE my GOD!

Now back to the book.
Along with studying to take a test to get my drivers license in N.C----that is right, after over 20 years of having it, I will now have to take a test to prove I know what I am doing behind the wheel----I will finish The Shack on the way home.
O.K, take a breath...what a run on. :)
Sorry Mom. ;)
And then....... I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Good and bad.
I have some thoughts already... but I would like to hold those back in case they change.

I would like to say this......are your images of God from the Bible....or were they formed totally by what man has told you about Him?

And, have you found that your image of Him widened and deepened as your relationship with His Son grew?

And last......The more you get to know Him do you even feel like you know Him at all?

Please feel free to be yourself in your responses.......cuz you know I will! ;)

Love ya!


12 comments:

Denise said...

I have not read this yet, have heard much about it.

luvmy4sons said...

I haven't read the book. Sorry. Not sure I want to now. I will wait for your thoughts on it. I too have a son that will celebrate his 19th birthday for the first time alone next month. Hugs to you sweet sister.


I would say my thoughts about God have changed over the years. And I had to get rid of some unbiblical thoughts after having a great Pastor and teacher who always reminded us to see God as He Himself as written in His Word not as man has taught. A lot of it had to do with sovereignty. My image has widened and deepened; and yes, I feel as if the more I get to know Him there is so much more to know and I realize that much I must accept and not understand...especially in the area of sovereignty verses our responsibility for our choices. The areas that seem to contradict...how His love and His justice and His power all blend into this perfect being...

So glad about the final sale! Whew! What a journey you have had! But God was so faithful!

Anonymous said...

I'm somewhat skeptical during the read. I'm hoping it's not another Purpose Driven Life thing. It is fiction and when there's no real scripture, I don't give it too much emphasis. The best way to get to know God is through His Word and I'm sticking to it. What I like about the book is the style of writing and how it captures the attention. I refuse to be mesmerized by the writing so as to put my guard down. We must guard our hearts with ALL diligence and includes what we read. IMHO that is!

Halfmoon Girl said...

This book is generating a lot of talk. I haven't read it yet, but plan to. I know some are displeased with the portrayal of the Trinity, but I will reserve judgement.

How cool that God is taking you back for your son's bd- He loves you so much!

Nise' said...

I have not read this book and haven't decided if I am going to or not. Be looking forward to your thoughts on it though.

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Your package came!! Thank you! you are fast girl!!

I have not read this book but will love to read your thoughts on it! i've heard about it.

Tiffany said...

This is one of the times, I will have to admit being out of the loop. I don't know anything about this book. Probably due to the fact that I don't read much fiction. I would have to say that my knowledge of who God is is based soundly on the word and what I know to be true in my life and relationship with Him. I do think that my knowledge and understanding has deepened through the years and through different seasons of life, as I've grown to know Him better. (As I imagine it would be with any relationship you put the time and effort into getting to know someone.) There are things about the sovereneity of our Heavenly Father that I admittedly do not understand, but I accept that. Because first of all I know He sees the whole picture, while I only see a certain part from my perspective. And secondly, I accept that fact because I trust Him and know He is in control, and I don't need to know everything or try to control everything, because then what would I need God for. But, I've been fortunate to always believe with a "child like faith." I've never, ever doubted His existence, or His love for me. And I don't allow myself to get hung up on the things that I don't understand, or that don't seem fair in life. I just trust.
I like this discussion. I would really like to know how others see and have experienced God themselves. I'll have to check back in. ~Blessings!

SunnySusan said...

I don't read much fiction...not enuf time too...I have heard good and bad on this book....want to hear your thoughts on it..

This is our last full day of vacation...boo....but it will be good to get home.

Love your new surroundings...you know how I love the mountains....want to retire ....like right now...not in God's plan for us right now....but will be....we are looking at northern Calif.....Paul can still work.....everyone uses phones...LOl

Love ya girl....

mandy said...

i haven't read this [yet] either... but i'm hearing so much about this book right now that i feel like it's haunting me!!!

i've heard good and bad reports about it. but everybody seems to have a strong opinion, no matter which side of the argument they take.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read this book, so I have no idea- but I do look forward to hearing your thoughts.

That's wonderful news about your final piece of property selling. And how great that you'll get to be back for your sons birthday!

A Captured Reflection said...

Well here's something, I am reading this book myself right now too! We are doing something at the same time, even though I'm tomorrow girl. I heard heaps about it and my MIL lent me her copy - like you I found the visual ideas of the lost girl disturbing at the beginning..now I am on to the part where he 'meets' God, Jesus and H/Spirit - very different images to what I've felt and I'm not sure I like what he shares here...I know it's HIS perspective. I have to say that after all the hype of this book I am somewhat disappointed...well love to you ..more soon. Oh this is Karen by the way :-)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'm currently reading the book. The jury's still out over here, although the author has done a powerful interview on James and Betty Robinson's show, Life Today. You can watch the webcast on their site. Just search for his name.

He seems real and genuine in his faith. I kind of liked him.

But I'm having a little trouble with his imagery in regards to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ultimately, we must match up our thoughts with Scripture.

It's fiction. I'm keeping that in mind, but there is the Truth of our Father's identity being portrayed. A mixed bag, but I don't think an altogether bad bag. I'll let you know.

peace~elaine