Well, for most of us, the summer is gone. It’s back to the “real” world. What does that mean for you? Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed July with my family and friends. However, one of the highest points in my experience this July was reading “The Shack” by William P. Young.
I picked it up and could not put it down. There was a time in Montana when I thought Diane was going to shoot me! I was paying way too much attention to my reading!
Have you read it? It’s the number one best seller today. Guess what, it is about God, the Trinity and life’s most disturbing questions. After one reads the book, conversations and deep discussions are sure to follow. It’s a great book for small groups.
Heck, it’s a great book for a whole church to read. As a matter of fact, I am encourating you to read it because my next sermon series, “The Shack Revisited,” will address some of the questions the book raises. We begin this Sunday (August 10) with “The Great Sadness,” and we will address grief, pain and healing.
On another note, it’s great to be back! I have surely missed you. From all I’ve heard, after Diane’s and Jody’s preaching . . . I’m lucky to still have a job!
Let’s get this fall started in a fine fashion with every member present in worship, Sunday School and small groups!
God Bless You!
Randy
Every so often someone writes a book that pushes our thinking and focuses the lenses through which we see the world. The book called “The Shack” has definitely altered the prescription for me. It seemed like every time I saw someone at the ball field, in a restaurant or sat by someone on a plane they were reading it. People who knew me kept asking what I thought about the book. For about a month I considered it a passing fad.
Then one day I bought the book and read it in two days. Once I pushed through the “Great Sadness” and the unusual portrayal of God it began to enliven my thinking and encourage my walk. In these past weeks I have again wrestled with what it means for God to be judge instead of me, for Jesus to be fully human and fully divine, and for God to graciously and painfully give us free will that results in suffering. The book shares some controversial perspectives on the Trinity and on how people view the church.
I invite you to join me at “The Shack”, Encounter, for some of the painful and powerful ways we might learn from this book in relation to The Book (The Bible). Whether it’s a gentle hug or a swift kick every one of us has the potential to find that these next two weeks may be just the visit with “Papa” we need. If you haven’t picked up a copy of the book yet feel free to get one at the church’s bookstore.
Vaughn
This Wednesday, June 15, Rev. Jody Ray will be leading a discussion on the book “The Shack.” The book has stirred up some theologial debate - I thought it was very inspirational and opened another avenue for me to view God’s love us and his desire to have a relationship with us. Bring your lunch and book to the small dining room at 11:45am.
Childcare is available. Contact Heather Wood for more information.
Hope to see you then!
Johnna
What are you doing right now? GET UP, drive to Mt. Bethel bookstore, Borders or Sweet Spirit and get a copy of THE SHACK. You will not be sorry!
In this story you will come face to face with heartache, reeling anger and pain and how one father, Mack, embraces a myriad of questions loss causes us all to face. The transforming power of this book should not be missed.
My hope is that the author, William P. Young, will sweep you along in his fictitious story and absolutely cause you to call out for the presence of GOD as He did for me.
Gaylyn
Well, for most of us, the summer is gone. It’s back to the “real” world. What does that mean for you? Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed July with my family and friends. However, one of the highest points in my experience this July was reading “The Shack” by William P. Young.
