Friday, September 5, 2008

Friday's Favorite #4

Welcome back to Friday's Favorite. If you are new here to this blog you can read about Friday's favorite here . Last week I took a break since I was in NYC doing lots of stuff, but mostly watching tennis.

This week I have picked a book for Friday's Favorite. It's one I started reading on the plane last week. It's called "The Shack" and it is written by William P. Young. I first heard about this book over at the Burnside Writers Blog. The review caught my attention, but I wasn't planning on reading it, for whatever reason I had at the time. Then, I read another story on The Big Mama Blog referencing to the book. Her story got my attention also, but I was holding strong in my conviction not to read the book. Then I left for NYC. I got to my hometown airport and it took all of ten minutes to get checked in and go through security. I had some (lots) of time to pass before my flight left and I thought I'd go buy a book. In my mind "The Shack" came up and I said something to God along the lines of "If this really is a book I'm supposed to read then I will buy it if I see it in the giftshop." Completely thinking there's no way our tiny airport giftshop is going to have it.

I don't have to tell you what the first book was that I laid eyes on.

That's right, "The Shack". Right there in plain sight.

Do not try to tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor or that He does not use different people or means to get His message across to us. For me, it was this book. I knew that the minute I started deciding how God does or does not get His message across to people that at some point I would read this book and that it had something important just for me.

"The Shack" is the story of a father, Mack, who has an unspeakable tragedy happen to one of his kids. He's angry, blames God and has what he calls "The Great Sadness" come over him. One day he receives a letter in the mail from God asking him to meet God at the shack. Mack goes and the rest of the book focuses on this encounter between Mack and God. (By the way the book is fiction)

What I walked away with after reading this book is that I don't really know the heart of God as much as I thought I did. There's a section in the book where Mack comes face to face with what is in his heart. God says to him, "The real underlying flaw in your life, Mackenzie, is that you don't think that I am good. If you knew I was good and that everything- the means, the ends, and all the processes of individual lives-is all covered by my goodness, then while you might not always understand what I am doing, you would trust me. But you don't." (pg. 126)

Pretty convicting.

This book covers a lot of questions I'm sure we've all asked at some time. Things like God's love and bad things in the world. Sin and pain and suffering. Basically this book caused me to re think my relationship with God in a very moving and powerful way.

If you get a chance, check it out and let me know what you think. Also, any favorite book you've read lately? Let me know.

8 comments:

Suzie said...

Im sorry but I really like reading romance novels

Kristin said...

i have heard a lot about that book and plan on borrowing my mom's when she is done. i love jodi picoult and james patterson and francine rivers! all great authors : )

D... said...

I have not read that book but one of my dear friends read it recently. You are the 2nd person to mention it. I'll have to give it a looksie.

I read all the time. I'm a mystery series buff. Love recurring characters! One of my absolute favorites is by an author who lives in my area. Leann Sweeney is her name. I also love the Ya Ya Prayer Group books and the Sisterchick books for a light read.

Missy said...

Congrats Julie! You won the bibs!!

Email me to give me your deets!

Nyla said...

I am reading this book too. I have mixed feelings about it. We are going to be discussing it at book club at the end of the month...i will try and remember to let you know what the group thinks. I only have one chapter left!

Missy said...

I have not read this book, so I can't comment on it. I do know that a lot of theologians & pastors I respect have a lot of problems with it. Here is one:

http://www.leadingtheway.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=3481.0&printer_friendly=1&JServSessionIdr012=5na285f7f1.app8b

One book that I am reading that is fantastic, and I reccommend to everyone, is What's So Amazing About Grace by Phillip Yancey. How I wish I had read it years ago!!

Tales From the Eurovan said...

I met a mom the other day at the pool so our kids could swim together. She invited me to join her book club and guess what the next book is that they are readin? "The Shack".

Missy,
I was cleaning out my bookshelf this afternoon and found the Philip Yancey book you mentioned! I pulled it out to add to my pile of books to read!

Nyla,
I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on the book and what the book club says.

Take care,
Julie

SKY4KAT said...

The Shack is an awesome book. i actually listened to it as an audio book as I was walking over the period of several weeks. I loved it so much I
bought 3 copies to give away. It spoke into my heart.
I have read a lot of criticism concerning this book. It saddens me that some people are so outspoken and judgmental as to how God speaks to people as if they have all the answers. The book was developed around the authors own musing and intimate discussions with God.
I loved the fact that God loved Mac so well he showed up as a black woman pursuing him reaching out to him. Great book.
I am currently doing an on-line study Battlefielf of the mind by Joyce Meyer with Lynn, http://jnl4god.blogspot.com/ check it out.
Blessings
Katrina