The Shack by WM Paul Young, Book Review

Funny to be reading The Shack at this point in my life when I'm experiencing my own struggle of faith, but I guess that's how the mystery of things work.

It was an incredibly smooth read, but did tend to drag on a bit in places. The book was about a man named Mack who experienced a great tragedy in his life through the loss of his innocent daughter. His loss was overwhelming and brought upon him "The Great Sadness". His life was forever altered causing him to blame and judge God for the evil of the world.

One day he received an invitation from God to meet him back at the shack, the very place of his daughter's brutal murder. Here, the holy trinity (who was represented by a colorful and refreshing interpretation) was on a mission to transform Mack's heart back into union and relationship with God.

The Shack didn't grab my attention until about 200 pages into the 250 page book. However, the message in the last 50 pages was worth every bit of history I had to read through to get to the point. The Shack is a reconfirmation of faith and love. It re-introduced the positive relationship God intended for us all to share.

"Humans, ...,have a knack for taking a verb that is alive and full of grace and turning it into a dead noun or principle that reeks of rules - then something growing and alive dies."

This is a book I can reference over and over again to help me gain a fresh perspective while struggling with my own experiences of "The Great Sadness", as life doesn't exclude many from times like these. The Shack is a great reminder that we never have to face them alone.

Blessings through Service

Nick was 16.  He struggled with medical issues his whole life.  I do not know a lot about his condition other than this past year had been especially tough on him, being hospitalized with infection after infection, which his doctors had a hard time controlling.  Last Thursday he fought his last struggle and was taken home to heaven.  Today was his funeral.

I am on one of the funeral luncheon teams we have established at my church.  It was our turn to serve the meal today for Nick's family and friends.  It was one of the largest luncheon's ever served with over 250 people there to give their love and support.

It is amazing to see the people of the church in action.  That morning, people dropped off dish after dish of salads, jellos, pastas, and desserts.  The meal was beautiful.  Throughout the day additional people came to help set up, serve, and clean up when it was over.

My biggest blessing was being able to witness the genuine appreciation and relief of Nicks parents and family.  With everything on their minds and hearts, serving lunch to the 250 + people who came to provide their condolences was something they didn't need to stress over.  It was truly miraculous to experience such a powerful moment of grace during such a difficult time.

Praise God!        

The Spirit Lives in Me and I am New

The little red chick with a curvy figure and seductive tail on my left shoulder speaks very loudly.  So loud, in fact, that she can drowned out almost anyone or anything.  Her ideas are usually a great time and rarely do they actually hurt anyone.  They can even feel very comforting... for the moment.  However, I've noticed that the long term effects of hanging out with and listening to this character can be quite harmful.

When I walk with God and my heart is filled with His love and light I am able to begin anew.  There is no longer a reason to feel vulnerable or to hide behind unwanted habits.  I am empowered through God's mercy and grace to live a life of clarity, I am free.

Micah 6:8, "And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  

My Perfect Mess

I have never been accused of  being a perfectionist.  However, I do fall under the trap of perfectionism every day.  With busy schedules stretched so thin it is difficult to complete anything thoroughly, many times I end up feeling like it isn't good enough, I'm not good enough.

Perfection is not the cleanest house or the biggest paycheck, it's doing our best at every moment and realizing our best will vary day to day depending on the circumstances we face around us.  Whether we are experiencing a period of growth with many struggles or a time of rest where we reap rewards, each of us is on a unique and perfect journey.  We are all perfect the way that we are, in this and every moment.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.