My Book Reviews Part I

I haven't shared much lately about what the good Lord has been speaking to me about. That is because I have been letting things percolate a bit. About three weeks ago my husband purchased a book over the internet called The Shack, on a recommendation from my sister. Who had done a review of this book on her blog. When it came in the mail, there were two books. The second book was titled "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore?" Well can you guess which one I read first? :0) Some catchy title… I thought what in the world are these books about? My curiosity high, I began to read. It turns out both books were published by a small private publishing firm in Southern CA. They were not able to get major Christian publishers to print them. So they self published. Well The Shack is flying off the shelves all around the country it seems. It appears this book has struck some kind of nerve with the people. Both books are getting across a message that will hit home in some points with many of us. Now keep in mind they are fiction, and I think that is were folks can get into trouble either way. Taking these books too seriously or dismissing them all together, because they are not theologically perfect. I myself have enjoyed both books and as I said previously am letting some of what I have read percolate a bit. I am interested in what others are thinking? I think the message they are sharing could help some of us shake off some of the forms of religion we have unknowingly acquired, for relationship with a living, magnificent, all might, amazing God!

Simplified these books are speaking about a relationship with God and man verses religion, rules, and the boxes we all can find ourselves in at times. Now I think they go a bit hard on religion in places, but what they have to say about relationships trumping religion I think is a great message.

The Shack:

Following is an excerpt I found delightfully refreshing, a conversation between Mackenzie the main character and Papa (God)

"If you put God at the top, what does that really mean and how much is enough? How much time do you give me before you can go on about the rest of your day, the part that interests you so much more?

Papa again interrupted. "You see, Mackenzie, I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. ...I want all of you and all of every part of you and your day. "

Jesus now spoke again. "Mack, I don't want to be the first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life –your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities-is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth in an incredible dance of being."

I love this excerpt. It very much describes how I feel when I am centered on God in every part of my life, and listening to Him through out my day, it is like the dance of a mobile in the wind, movement, but connectedness.

Part II...coming... "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore."