Novel Review: The Shack
October 24, 2008
Title: The Shack
Author: William P. Young
Summary: From Amazon.com
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!
Positive Elements: This is a wonderfully descriptive and vivid story of the relationship between one man and his heavenly father. Mack endures through one of the most horrific tragedies imaginable to a parent: the loss of a child. During his grieving he has given up on God, church and all things associated with religion. In the story God reveals himself to Mack in many ways on many different levels. Simply, He shares in Mack’s pain and then brings him comfort. This story is a reminder that God does not like it when bad things happen to us but that he can purpose good out of it for those who love him. (Romans 8:28). With God’s restoration, Mack was even able to do something unimaginable to many of us; forgiving his daughter’s perpetrator. The burden of bitterness was lifted and Mack was able to have a life fulfilled. I am reminded of the verse in Isaiah 40:31 which says, But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary; they will walk and not faint. Even in the midst of our suffering we can make a choice. We can flee and let bitterness, anger and doubt seep in, as it did in Mack prior to his meeting at the shack. Or we can embrace it and put our hope in the Lord that he will work it out for His will and purpose.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: The premise of the story revolves around the kidnapping and subsequent murder of a young girl. While not graphic in detail, the topic itself can be uncomfortable for many.
Profanity: None
Drug Content: None
Conclusion: I believe that this story provided an amazing insight into the restoration God provides us in our suffering. His hand is always at work in our lives. One of the verses that comes to mind is James 1:2-4 which says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trial of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Mack certainly did not find joy in his suffering but God was faithful to him and joy came to him as he persevered through his trial. I do have some issues with some of the theology presented in the book. Particularly with respect to the trinity. At one point Mack notices nail prints in God’s hand. I don’t believe there is biblical evidence for this to be possible. In one scene, Jesus tells Mack with regards to his followers that he had no desire to make them Christians. Christian by definition means follower of Christ and his teachings. I would urge every reader of The Shack to keep your Bible handy while reading as to reference any theological discrepancies.
A Prayer for Our Children
September 17, 2008
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the blessing of our children. The time of year has come for our children to go back to school. Some of them are going to school for the first time. Give them confidence as they start this new year. Help us, as parents, to be joyful for them as they begin this new year. Protect our kids as they go without us. Give us peace and comfort that they are safe. Watch over them as only You can. Give wisdom and guidance to their teachers. Give wisdom and guidance to the administration. We trust that our children will grow in both wisdom and in their relationship with you as this school year goes on. Thank you for being our most caring and loving father. Thank you for being there for us always.
Love,
The moms and dads of the most wonderful children
A Sling and a Stone
July 3, 2008
Faith in God. Do you have it? To say you have faith in God when things are going well is easy to do. To have faith in God in the little things we ask is simple. To have faith in God when the world is not as it should be, is tough. To have faith in God when you’ve asked (or prayed to him about) the big questions is difficult. I feel that recently God has been bringing the idea of faith to the forefront in my mind. Do I really have the kind of faith that it takes to believe in Him to take care of ALL things? In the last few months, He has placed in my life several people who have had to show extreme faith in God in the big things in life (finances, jobs, family situations, housing). These belivers have shown the faith in God that it takes. Not faith that God will exactly do what they wanted, but faith that His will would be done. After each event has occured, I feel like God is saying to me “See, I told you I can do it. Just have faith in me” . I praise God for these people and the lessons they have taught me. God says to walk by faith and not by sight. Do you have the faith that it takes to stand against a giant with a sling and a stone?
Summer Fun
July 2, 2008
The season of summer is upon us. Our kids are looking for fun things to do. I have come up with a list of fun things that you can do with your children at home. My background is in early childhood, so the activities tend to lean towards younger children. Happy Summer! 
1. Go on a nature walk. This is a great time to talk about God’s creation. Collect things along you walk. When you get home, sort the items you collected. After you sort them, ask your child if they know another way they could sort them.
2. Write or type Bible verses on a sheet of paper. Cut the Bible verse apart. See if your child can put the Bible verse back together again.
3. Tell the story of Noah and the ark. Make a list of animals. Go outside and lay in the grass. Look up at the clouds and see if you can see any of the animals on your list.
4. FiIll a large tub or pool with water. Bring out household items such as pots, cups, bowls, etc. Have your child fill up the items and discover which item holds more water. This also works great with sand.
5. Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Make a list of things to look for in your neighborhood ( the neighborhood entrance sign, Mr. X’s mailbox). Check off each item as you find it.
6. Make a simple lunch and go out and have a picnic. If it is raining, spread a blanket on the kitchen floor and have an indoor picnic. My daughter loves it when we have indoor picnics!
7. Get a list of people at your church that are in need of encouragement. Sit down with your child and have them draw a picture or write a letter to that person. Mail them. Children’s art work and writings are special!
8. Tell your child your favorite Bible story. Have them make clay characters and retell the story. The following is a clay recipe from Highlights High Five magazine for children:
Pour 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of corn starch and 1 1/4 cups of water into a pot. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring until it looks like mashed potatoes. Let the clay cool. Divide into 4 pieces. Add food coloring and knead until smooth. Have your child create their characters. Place them to dry in the sun.
9. Print out Bible coloring pages from the internet. Allow your child to choose what pictures they like. Use 2 pieces of construction paper to create a front and back cover. Gather the pages together and punch with a 3 ring hold punch. Tie together with yarn. Your child will have great fun coloring a book that they created.
Hope you enjoy these activities!
God is Awesome!
June 30, 2008
Our church held our annual Vacation Bible School this week. The theme reinforced throughout the week was “God is Awesome.” What powerful words are contained in that three word sentence. Is it even possible for us to understand and fathom the awesomeness of our Creator? I had a glimpse of the awesome work of God this week.
My family faced a battle this week. Without going in to a lot of details, part of our fight occurred in the public forum. It was truly and Joshua vs Jericho battle. We, along with many friends and family prayed that God would be glorified and His good and perfect will be done in this situation. God intervened for us and gave us success in our battle. The fight continues though, and even if the end does not result in a positive outcome for us, I will continue praise and thank God for the amazing way He has shown himself to me this week. God is Awesome!!
If God is for us, who can be against us? Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death or life, neither angels or demons, neither heights or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31b, 35, 37-39
