THE SHACK

There is a book out called THE SHACK by William P Young.  It had been given to me by my Stepfather-In-Law but not having my reading glasses, I hadn't read it.  It had sat around for over a year until my daughter decided to read it for AR in school.  Never before has she wanted to read parts of a book to me so often as she did this book, more so than any of the Twilight series even.  I believe I know most of the book already just from her reading it to me but now I can't wait to read the entire book myself.

I've seen trailers for a movie based on the book on youtube.  I've also seen a couple pastors pretty upset about the book.  Going so far as to say it is heresy.  They claim the book was written to teach about the trinity and that it is very wrong.  I beg to differ with them.  I believe the book was written about the healing of a parent's broken heart who has lost a child and from what I've heard so far it's excellent.

Perhaps it threatens some pastor's jobs?  It does, I believe state, and I believe as well, that God hates religion.  "How could God hate religion?" I can hear some people now.  I have heard it many times. Well, think about it, has religion joined God's children together?  Or has religion divided God's children over doctrine?  If the answer were the first we wouldn't have so many battles over doctrine, we wouldn't have so many denominations and religions so it seems obvious that the answer is the latter.  Do you believe God would LIKE this?

They knit-pick over things like him initially presenting God as an older large black woman and Jesus and the Holy Spirit as equal.  And yes I say knit-pick.  Jesus taught in parables so that we might comprehend it better so why can they not see this as a parable of sorts?  In another great book HINDS FEET IN HIGH PLACES feelings are given human forms.  What would they say about that?  We all know that feelings don't have human form.  It's so that we can visualize and understand what is being told to us more clearly.  The last pastor I listened to likened the wife equally with the children, below the husband as the husband is below God.  Right here this pastor is wrong.  The wife is the husband's HELPMATE and COMPANION.    The husband is to be the leader yes, and his position holds great responsibility before God.  THAT is what the Church should be teaching!  Wives are to help their husbands (that's why we nag men!) we are to help them stay faithful to God, help them in their endeavors, encourage them to be their best, encourage them not to give up, to use the gifts God gave them, to nurture and to HELP THEM MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS.  My father always told me that women being the "weaker vessel" and husband's being told to "present their wives to God as pure.." meant that he was to put my mother on a high pedestal and treat her as a precious Ming Vase God entrusted to him to love, cherish and protect.  I personally think that a big part of our societies downfall is because not only have our families ventured away from teaching the proper roles God expects of us but our churches have too.  And when they do they teach "wives submit to your husbands" but they leave out "and husbands submit to your wives".  Like Christ is to God and the church is to Christ marriage is a representation of the two becoming one.  We are even taught that we are THE BODY of Christ and no one part is more important than another.  THAT my friends sums up  LOVE.  When you love someone they become as important if not more important than your own being.  Your happiness and well being depends on their happiness and well being.

Could it be that God presented Himself as "The Father" because He is the creator of all things...and as for humans,well we mothers are here on Earth. We give birth to those that God created so it makes sense He would present himself as "The Father" but does God really have any permanent form?  Are we not all created in His likeness?  Or could it be that like any good, loving parent God takes on the form that we need or will understand (If we would be so blessed that God would present Himself to us in human form...as in a vision not as in Jesus returning)?  I believe that Our Lord guides people to intervene in our lives when needed, sends angels in many different forms all the time, is always with us and on occasion even presents Himself to us.  It is for this reason we should not judge and we should always try to show kindness and compassion to others...you never know if that stranger who needed your help or who helped you today was sent by God or God Himself.  Did you show them kindness?  Or were you too busy and turn your back?

From what my daughter has read to me THE SHACK shows God's compassion and patience for grieving parents, even those who hold a great deal of anger for good reason.  Our heartbreak is so strong though, that sometimes it's hard to see the angels or even God when they're right here with us, seeing us through our nightmare.  If we hold on to our faith though God WILL see us through.  I'm not to that point yet but I will be.  One day, I will be.  Even if it's not until I am called home myself, I WILL be happy again one day.  For that I am eternally Thankful.

As I said, I've not read THE SHACK completely yet, but this is what I've taken from it so far.  I believe it is healing and a good book.  If by some chance, once I've read it through I feel differently I will let you know.  

MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU.  MAY YOUR BURDENS BE LIGHTENED AND YOUR WORRIES BE LIFTED AND EACH TEAR WIPED AWAY.  MAY YOUR ANGELS WATCH OVER YOU AND YOURS AND GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO FACE WHATEVER COMES YOUR WAY...IN JESUS HOLY NAME...AMEN.