Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Missing gift
I am sad to say that the missing gift is still in hiding. I did however go out tonight to purchase the same item over again. If the original is found it can be returned. At least I am not going nuts about it anymore.
Book review
** I wish that Blogger would allow me to underline book titles, please know that I tried**
I know I run the risk of not many people seeing this post because I have been so random with this blog, but I am writing about something today that I am very passionate about. I am writing my book review of the book, The Shack, by William P. Young (or Paul Young as he goes by in his non-writing life)
First I should say that fiction is not my genre of choice. I am normally a “baby” theological type reader with an occasional Karen Kingsbury thrown in as an escape. However, when I do read my usual fare I will even fluctuate on my preferred authors. If I am wanting something a bit light, but with a good lesson or two and some pretty witty sayings I will pick up something by Max Lucado. Then, if I choose to go just a bit deeper I will turn to John Ortberg, I always enjoy the analogies that he weaves into his lessons. And when I think I can handle the even deeper stuff I bravely pick up something by Philip Yancy, although sometimes I find my self re-reading a passage or two and thinking, “What was that again?”
I sometimes find though that all of these authors share a common theme: Do this or that and you will be a better Christian. Memorize these cute alliterative sayings or take these steps and you will finally have a deeper relationship with God. Well, I guess I am not much for all the steps involved (patience is not one of my virtues) because I just want to jump to the end result and have a deeper relationship with God.
This book, The Shack, has simply blown me away. This book seems to have been written by Max Lucado, John Ortberg, Philip Yancy, and GOD all at once. Not to sound sacrilegious there, but there is something about this book that makes me wonder how any human on this earth could have such knowledge and depth of insight. I think Paul’s prayer for the Philippians (Philippians 1:9) was answered in William P. Young, because he has a great handle on what love and relationship are supposed to look like. I will say that I know this book, or any book for that matter can never replace or be a substitute for The Bible, but I also know that this book has done more for my understanding of who God is and has increased my desire to know Him more that any book other than the Bible ever has.
I will not get into anything here that would spoil the plot, but I will say that this book is so much more than the fiction story that underlines its main purpose. This is not “fluff fiction”. This is a very purposeful work of fiction written in order to reveal great truths. William P. Young is an incredibly gifted author and has challenged my thinking and understanding beyond what I could imagine. He has caused me to think about things I thought I knew and has me seeking to know even more.
At times you may feel this book is a difficult read, and I agree that the plot is a tough one to deal with. Further reading causes you to realize that such a plot is necessary to fully understand the main theme of the book. I am currently on my second reading and feel I will immediately read it again when I am finished. The worst part about this book, is I want to share it with everyone, yet I am selfishly reading it again and do not want to part with it. I very smartly took the advice of others from the get go and ordered two copies. This has allowed me to keep one and share one. I have since ordered three more copies and I know I will soon order more. I urge any of you to just go to Amazon.com or theshackbook.com and read the reviews, then go ahead and order 10 or 12 copies. It is that good.
I know I run the risk of not many people seeing this post because I have been so random with this blog, but I am writing about something today that I am very passionate about. I am writing my book review of the book, The Shack, by William P. Young (or Paul Young as he goes by in his non-writing life)
First I should say that fiction is not my genre of choice. I am normally a “baby” theological type reader with an occasional Karen Kingsbury thrown in as an escape. However, when I do read my usual fare I will even fluctuate on my preferred authors. If I am wanting something a bit light, but with a good lesson or two and some pretty witty sayings I will pick up something by Max Lucado. Then, if I choose to go just a bit deeper I will turn to John Ortberg, I always enjoy the analogies that he weaves into his lessons. And when I think I can handle the even deeper stuff I bravely pick up something by Philip Yancy, although sometimes I find my self re-reading a passage or two and thinking, “What was that again?”
I sometimes find though that all of these authors share a common theme: Do this or that and you will be a better Christian. Memorize these cute alliterative sayings or take these steps and you will finally have a deeper relationship with God. Well, I guess I am not much for all the steps involved (patience is not one of my virtues) because I just want to jump to the end result and have a deeper relationship with God.
This book, The Shack, has simply blown me away. This book seems to have been written by Max Lucado, John Ortberg, Philip Yancy, and GOD all at once. Not to sound sacrilegious there, but there is something about this book that makes me wonder how any human on this earth could have such knowledge and depth of insight. I think Paul’s prayer for the Philippians (Philippians 1:9) was answered in William P. Young, because he has a great handle on what love and relationship are supposed to look like. I will say that I know this book, or any book for that matter can never replace or be a substitute for The Bible, but I also know that this book has done more for my understanding of who God is and has increased my desire to know Him more that any book other than the Bible ever has.
I will not get into anything here that would spoil the plot, but I will say that this book is so much more than the fiction story that underlines its main purpose. This is not “fluff fiction”. This is a very purposeful work of fiction written in order to reveal great truths. William P. Young is an incredibly gifted author and has challenged my thinking and understanding beyond what I could imagine. He has caused me to think about things I thought I knew and has me seeking to know even more.
At times you may feel this book is a difficult read, and I agree that the plot is a tough one to deal with. Further reading causes you to realize that such a plot is necessary to fully understand the main theme of the book. I am currently on my second reading and feel I will immediately read it again when I am finished. The worst part about this book, is I want to share it with everyone, yet I am selfishly reading it again and do not want to part with it. I very smartly took the advice of others from the get go and ordered two copies. This has allowed me to keep one and share one. I have since ordered three more copies and I know I will soon order more. I urge any of you to just go to Amazon.com or theshackbook.com and read the reviews, then go ahead and order 10 or 12 copies. It is that good.
It's about time
I have decided that it is time for my quarterly post. I really wish I would do this more often. Perhaps something will put me in a permanent mood. It has been brought to my attention that people really do check every now and then to see if I have updated, so if you are one of the few who care, here goes.
So much has happened since I last wrote.
When you last heard from me oldest son was half way through his 6-month adventure in Amsterdam. He is now home. Very recently I might add. He flew home on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I know, that is a terrible day to fly, but he wanted to surprise Grandma and Grandpa. Surprise them he did! It was a pretty exciting day. We had even kept his secret from younger brother and that was a fun revelation. Oldest truly lived an adventure and has realized that Amsterdam is a city of both beauty and ugliness. There is much in that city that we as Christians just do not understand, and I am very proud of our son for his willingness to put himself in a position of ministry for these last 6-months. Now he is to starting the process of finding a real job. Pray for him as he works on his resume and begins his search.
Youngest son is doing well in his apartment in his college town. He lives with two other guys and I am very pleased with the way he keeps his place neat and tidy. He has done great in his classes this semester and is trying to figure out his schedule for the next one.
Another update is that I am a great-aunt again. My sister’s daughter gave birth to her baby girl on the evening before Thanksgiving. This makes number 65 for me as far as a total of all nieces, nephews and greats (plus one great-great) on my side and my husband’s combined.
Now, for my current events: Tonight I have spent my evening much like a raving lunatic because I have misplaced something of value. One of the Christmas gifts that I had purchased early has gone AWOL. I have searched thoroughly tonight and cannot find it. Replacing it would not necessarily break the bank, but it makes me very frustrated to think that I have lost a gift. I fear that I actually threw it away with a bunch of shopping bags that I decided I did not need. I hate it when I get in this situation because I start thinking it is the end of the world if I do not find it. I need to just let it go, and move on. It can be replaced. Husband tells me to forget about it and then start looking fresh tomorrow night. I am sure I will look again tomorrow night, but husband does not know what he is asking when he suggests that I forget about it tonight. I do know that God has many other things to deal with this evening, but I still feel that he loves me enough to care about my stress when something is lost. I need to turn this over to him and be done with it.
Okay, that is it for tonight. I am already planning my next post, and perhaps you will not have to wait three months to read it. Hopefully, I will report on the missing Christmas gift.
So much has happened since I last wrote.
When you last heard from me oldest son was half way through his 6-month adventure in Amsterdam. He is now home. Very recently I might add. He flew home on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I know, that is a terrible day to fly, but he wanted to surprise Grandma and Grandpa. Surprise them he did! It was a pretty exciting day. We had even kept his secret from younger brother and that was a fun revelation. Oldest truly lived an adventure and has realized that Amsterdam is a city of both beauty and ugliness. There is much in that city that we as Christians just do not understand, and I am very proud of our son for his willingness to put himself in a position of ministry for these last 6-months. Now he is to starting the process of finding a real job. Pray for him as he works on his resume and begins his search.
Youngest son is doing well in his apartment in his college town. He lives with two other guys and I am very pleased with the way he keeps his place neat and tidy. He has done great in his classes this semester and is trying to figure out his schedule for the next one.
Another update is that I am a great-aunt again. My sister’s daughter gave birth to her baby girl on the evening before Thanksgiving. This makes number 65 for me as far as a total of all nieces, nephews and greats (plus one great-great) on my side and my husband’s combined.
Now, for my current events: Tonight I have spent my evening much like a raving lunatic because I have misplaced something of value. One of the Christmas gifts that I had purchased early has gone AWOL. I have searched thoroughly tonight and cannot find it. Replacing it would not necessarily break the bank, but it makes me very frustrated to think that I have lost a gift. I fear that I actually threw it away with a bunch of shopping bags that I decided I did not need. I hate it when I get in this situation because I start thinking it is the end of the world if I do not find it. I need to just let it go, and move on. It can be replaced. Husband tells me to forget about it and then start looking fresh tomorrow night. I am sure I will look again tomorrow night, but husband does not know what he is asking when he suggests that I forget about it tonight. I do know that God has many other things to deal with this evening, but I still feel that he loves me enough to care about my stress when something is lost. I need to turn this over to him and be done with it.
Okay, that is it for tonight. I am already planning my next post, and perhaps you will not have to wait three months to read it. Hopefully, I will report on the missing Christmas gift.
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