
January is a good time to read, to help power down after the activities of the holiday season it's good to cozy up with a quilt and a good book when it is cold. It is even cold here in Florida, we get cold fronts that move down from the north, then move on after a few days (hopefully!)
This is the book I started reading a few days ago while on vacation. I’m reading it very slowly. A friend of mine recommended this book, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it, but my curiosity was up because she was so touched while reading it. She would get tears in her eyes as she told our Faith Sharing Group about reading it. She felt God was speaking to her through the characters of this book. She won’t lend her book because it means so much to her, and because she has it highlighted and bookmarked so much.
The paragraph below is from the back cover of the book:
(Mack) Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!
The following paragraphs are from a review on Amazon.com by “Homeschool Mom.” I'm not sure that is the correct name as I went back to see and couldn't find it. I borrowed what she wrote so I wouldn't have to type it (remember I have a bum thumb!)
The Shack is not about theology or religion, but about the sweetness of an intimate relationship with God through Christ
Mack is reminded of basic truths found in God's word that he allowed forgot during his great sadness. The truths are given in an unconditional casual conversation format that may make some people uncomfortable. Mack learns that he doesn't really trust God and "Trust is the fruit of a relationship where you know you are loved" (p 126).
Mack discovers that God's desires an intimate love relationship with each of us. He learns God wants him to spend time with Him and intimately communicate with Him, to enjoy fellowship with Him, to trust and follow Him, and to give his life meaning and purpose.
He learns that God can use all things, even sin and evil to develop this relationship for good (Romans 8:28). Mack discovers the depth of God's grace (Ephesians 2:4-5) . He learns that he can not be self-sufficient and realizes he has been made acceptable through Jesus Christ and Him alone.
He learns he will not find God through guilt or condemnation. He understands God is lovingly and patiently waiting on Him to submit (1 Peter 5:7).
Mack is reminded of the two most important commands--to love God and love others (John 13:35). Mack already knows he must forgive others as Christ forgave Him but in the shack he is helped through the process.
Mack learns God works through everything including our brokenness and sadness (Philippians 3:8). When we are separated from our prideful flesh (the carnal, corrupted life) through grace and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us He will gradually bring us to the restful place of humble dependence, wherein we can consistently receive the grace that leads to intimacy. Beautiful, loving intimacy!
Mack learns God wants us to be made complete in Christ (John 6:44-45). God wants us to be of one mind with Him. God wants us to make His ways our ways, His thoughts our thoughts. I came away from the book feeling loved and secure with a strong desire to cultivate my relationship with God through His Word. How can that be a bad thing? Written by “Homeschool Mom.” (Thank you!)
Have you read this book? What is your opinion of it? I’m only about half way through the book. I want to start highlighting it, then re-read it.
May you have a very Happy New Year with many blessings!!
Katherine