My mom is an avid reader, skilled at discovering the incredible treasures of wisdom that are waiting the to be found in the world of literature. The majority the books on my favorites lists have come from her. A couple weeks ago, when she told me about a new book that she was reading, I was intrigued. But when she told me that it was life-changing for her, I knew it was a must-read. My mom is so mature in the Lord, that I am surprised when she tells me about an area in which she's growing. I mean...I just don't think it's possible for her to grow any more! So if this book made her grow, it *must* be good.
So I ordered The Shack by William P. Young. I started reading it yesterday, and finished it today. And can I just say that it was life-changing? My prayer lately, has been that God would make Himself real to me, and reveal His love. This book did just that. It was God's answer to my prayer.
The Shack is the story of a man, who lost his daughter to a violent crime. But in the midst of his Great Sadness, God comes and speaks His love and life into this broken man, & makes him whole again. I don't know how to tell you any more about it w/out giving anything away. (let me just say that I hate any book or movie that makes me cry, & avoid them like the plague. This book was a bit of a tear-jerker, but i would [and plan to] read it again and again.) But I highly recommend this book to anyone!
Actually, here's the little "about-the-book" from 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.
In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!
That's true! :)
4 comments:
wow - can I borrow that book? we've been talking about that subject almost exactly on our wednesday night meetings.... where is God in your worst memories. by the way, I'd like to know how you find time to read all these books with your four children!!! Do share.
yes! I gave it to Julie to give to you. :)
as far as reading lots of books w/lots of kids... i just neglect my housework, & read while the kids are playing. I was able to read The Shack so quickly because they went to the neighbor's for several hours each day. i really think that was a gift from God, so that I could read the book. But that was a sprint. As far as reading on a regular basis, I go in cycles. I'll read during naptimes, or just steal a few minutes here & there while the kids play. It was great when evy was nursing, cuz i just kept my books next to the chair. When I sat down to nurse, I'd read a page or two. Gotta run! :)
OH wow...I'm gonna have to get that book! We have been in some Great Sadness times ourselves and are in the middle of a mini-sadness and KNOW that God is real and loving and faithful and powerful, but it's wonderful to be encouraged in the midst of our battles!
Hey, I read the Shack and loved it... I also have four kids (the big exception is that I'm male) and when I clicked on your wish list I saw "Rules for Radicals". Pretty weird cause I just finished that book too. There is a more updated version of that same book called "Roots for Radicals" that I am plowing through... although it is not as good. Check out my blog cause, based on your reading choices, you might like the other book mentioned there.
All God's radical best. Mike
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