Monday, April 21, 2008

The Shack

Tom and I are reading a book called, “The Shack” by William P. Young. As a matter of fact, Tom suggested we read it to each other. The past few days, we have enjoyed doing just that. For those of you who have not heard of it, this is the synopsis on the back:

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.

This book was suggested by friends of ours (check out Madison’s book review HERE). Apparently there is some controversy, but I’m half way through it and find it totally intriguing and thought provoking. It is a work of fiction, but it contains so many truths.

You might have to expand your box of how you see God (portrayed here as a large black woman) but as I said it’s a work of fiction and I liked how the author explained why she appeared to the main character that way.

Without giving away much of the story, there is a part of the book that we just finished reading that just nailed me. It was about judgments. How the main character has sat in judgment of God and people in his life. It just moved me to repentance.

How often have I sat in judgment of others or worse yet God. I forget that God is good and just. I forget that He gives me what I need always and not necessarily the things I want. Just like with my own children, I know what they wanted may not always be what was best for them. Yet, I think I know better than God. I believe that if I want something, then God who loves me must want the same thing. Not always the case. I forget about God’s due time. I forget about what God may be trying to teach me. I forget a lot of things, when I’m in the want mode.

Do yourself a favor, read this book. I liked it so much that I’m going to be giving away a copy. Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. If you already have a copy you can still leave a comment and let me know if you liked it. I will draw a name on Saturday, April 26th and post the winner.

© Nadine Z. 2008

21 comments:

Emancipation of the Freed said...

Hey, let go read a couple of more chapters, maybe we can finish it tonight?

Love you...
Tom

Dawn said...

Reading a book together sounds like fun. Never thought of it! For sure, put me down for the drawing - I'm always up for a new good book!

Scarlet said...

Now I'M intrigued, and I'd like a chance at winning the book, so count me in!

It's funny because I'm always thinking about what I want v. what God wants. I'm so good at justifying things the same way you do and sometimes I believe it's God leading me in a certain direction. I figure if things keeps going in a certain direction, even against all odds, and it's clearly not wrong or unethical, maybe, just maybe it's a God thing. (Does that make any sense??) :)

Susan said...

Well you've sure got my interest up!!! I love what you've said about how we sometimes view God. I know, in my own life, perfect peace has come since I have learned that EVERYTHING comes from His hand, or is allow by Him, for my good. Even this sore knee that I am dealing with and don't like !! :o) He has a purpose in it and I've already realized part of that is my wanting to be so totally self sufficient!!!! The fire is not fun, but the refining is necessary......always!!!!

Please put my name in for your drawing.
Susan

j said...

Oh by all means, enter me!

Bryan and I did the same thing except I did all of the reading. We read Blink by Ted Dekker. He has asked me a couple of times when we are going to do that again but we just haven't managed to yet.

It is very intimate to read to each other, I think. A bonding moment.

Jennifer

Lynda Meyers said...

Thanks for the link, Nadine!

I am posting a second time about this book because some of the concepts are so rich and deep.

I'm glad you and Tom have been enjoying it.

elizabeth embracing life said...

Pick me, pick me...yells the little flower from Oregon. LOL. Sounds like a good book. I love reading to my husband and he loves me reading to him, but I am terrible at him reading to me. I fall asleep...always.

Anonymous said...

The book sounds wonderful. Ohh....I wanna read it, too!

Thanks for the suggestion.

Dawn said...

Please pick me! I mean, a free book?! It couldn't get any better unless you threw in some chocolate and a cup of good coffee with it!

BTW, love your writing and can't wait to read your entire book!

Blessings!
Dawn W

Art said...

Oohh pick me! :) Actually it does sound like something I would read. Thanks Nadine.

Alene said...

I keep hearing rave reviews on this one, but I haven't read it yet. Thanks for the awesome post. Maybe I'll win it! ha. Blessings!

Kelly said...

I don't need a copy. I just bought it, but I haven't read it yet. I'm glad you like it. It makes me more excited to read it.

Brenda said...

Hi Nadine,
Sounds like my kind of book to read!

It's amazing how quickly my lack of patience can rear its ugly head.
I want it and I want it NOW! Thank God HE'S patience with me.

Have a great week.
Brenda :)

Anonymous said...

sounds very good!! I'd love to win a copy Nadine!!!
and I love a good fiction book! Thanks for giving me more info on the book!

CC said...

You don't need to enter me in the drawing. We already own it. I'm just so turned off by the back that I don't know when I'll get around to reading it. But I have heard many great things.

Anonymous said...

Hey. I am a bit blinded when it comes to books outside of a certain genre, so I haven't heard of this book, but hearing you talk about it makes me want to sit down and read just to decipher the meaning. I might just win the book and get to do that. But, even if I don't win, I plan to buy the book and step outside of my genre box and read.

I always love visiting - such an inspiration :)

Knit-Wit said...

Sounds interesting. Enter me in your contest and if I don't win I might have to see if the library has a copy.

Demara said...

I've read this book. And now Jeff's in the middle of reading it. I thought it had some good parts and yet it also had I feel very boring parts. When I got to the LONG boring part it took me a couple months to get through it I must admit, but once I got through that part it was clear sailing from then on. I think it would have been better if that part would have been shorter. But I'm not going to give it away and let you know what I mean. You'll probably figure it out later. If not, just ask.

a woman who is said...

"I forget that He gives me what I need always and not necessarily the things I want. Just like with my own children, I know what they wanted may not always be what was best for them."

That is a great reminder how to put in perspective the ways we sometimes respond to God are so childish.

I have read this book and have been meaning to do a book review myself. You and Madison have beat me to it. I still think I need to chime in on this though.

Very interesting and thought provoking read!

blessings said...

Sounds like a wonderful read! And love a wonderful read. Thanks for telling us about it. Blessings... Polly

Damselfly said...

Interesting.... I never thought about judging God.