The Shack

At the behest of list member Susan B., I have been reading - and just finished yesterday - "The Shack" by William Paul Young.

I won't give away any of the plot points here, and aside from a couple minor theological quibbles that may have briefly smeared my enjoyment of the writing - emphasis on briefly - I will say that I often had to put the book down to breathe deeply and wipe away a tear or two.

Yeah, it's that good. At least it was for me. I thought that today I'd share with you just a few lines from the story that captured my mind and heart.

I think it would be safe to say that this short little book could revolutionize the way you view the Holy Trinity, as well as challenge (or confirm) some of your assumptions about God's nature. And if you're just not that into God, read it anyway. You may come to realize that God is especially fond of you.

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FROM "THE SHACK"
by William Paul Young

"Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship."

"You don't play a game or color a picture with a child to show your superiority. Rather, you choose to limit yourself so as to facilitate and honor that relationship." [On why God became human.]

"Faith does not grow in the house of certainty."

"If anything matters, then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."

[In closing, Young quotes from an Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem, "Aurora Leigh", Book VII]

"Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes; the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."

[selected from "The Shack," written by William Paul Young]

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WISDOM for YOUR WEEK: "But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." (Psalm 86:15)

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