My Thoughts: The Shack

Recently I have heard several friends discussing the The Shack. I ordered it several days ago, an the book was waiting for me when I arrived at home Friday evening. I started reading that night and finished the last words earlier this afternoon. I must say that this has to be one of the best books I've ever read. I simply could not put the book down, and at times I had to wipe away a torrent of tears streaming down my face. While not wanting to give away the story line...I do want to post several excerpts.

"I suppose that since most of our hurts come through relationships, so will our healing, and I know that grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside.

"Love and relationship. All love and relationship is possible for you only because it already exists within me, within God myself. Love is not the limitation; love is the flying. I am love.

"Obviously what was truly important here was the love they had for one another and the fullness it brought them. He shook his head. How different this was from the way he sometimes treated the ones he loved.

"Sarayu squeezed his hand and seemed to sit back. 'I do too! Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to hold power over another is to choose to limit oneself==to serve. Humans often do this--in touching the infirm and sick, in serving the ones whose minds have left to wander, in relating to the poor, in loving the very old and the very young, or even in caring from the other who has assumed a position of power over them.

"It is quite simple really. Being always transcends appearance--that which only seems to be. Once you begin to know the being behind the very pretty or very ugly face, as determined by your bias, the surface appearances fade way until they simply no longer matter. That is why Elouisa is such a wonderful name. God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things--ultimately emerging as the real--and any appearances that mask that reality will fall away.

"Well, their mistake isn't fatal. Rumors of glory are often hidden inside what many consider myths and tales.

"You can't, not alone. But together we will watch the change take place. For now I just want you to be with me and discover that our relationship is not about performance or your having to please me. I'm not a bully, not some self-centered demanding little deity insisting on my own way. I am good, and I desire only what is best for you. You cannot find that through guilt or condemnation or coercion, only through a relationship of love. And I do love you.

'"The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets,' Jesus explained. 'The truth is they are more shadow then reality, so they seem bigger in the dark. When the light shines into the places where they live inside you, you start to see them for what they are.'

"Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I needed it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.

'"Mack, pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly.' She waited a moment, allowing her words to settle. 'And if it's left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place.'

Sarayu interrupted him. 'Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."


This book brings the reader through some very tragic, deep situations which, in the end, very effectively demonstrates what I believe to be the true heart of God. This is a must read...definitely a book that I will be sharing with friends!

http:www.theshackbook.com