Friday, February 8, 2008

Abi's Book Recommendation: The Shack

I have been hearing about The Shack since last September (here and here), but the wait for ordering was six weeks and I decided to hold off. Well, my dear friend Annette loaned me her copy...and I read most of it yesterday, finishing it this morning.

Friends, The Abbess resonated with this book so deeply. I laughed and cried more deeply than I can remember--and those of you who know me IRL (in real life) know that I do a lot of laughing and crying!

My mind has been swimming--wondering what to say, what not to say....

This is THE novel of the Purple Martyrdom. Period. Each and every human being who has been wounded, broken, depressed, rejected, grieved ... have I missed anyone? ... who has felt guilty, needed forgiveness, been angry, harbored grudges, longed for justice to be meted out ...got everyone yet?... how about those who are lonely, who feel unloved or unworthy, who cannot forgive someone, who feel lost, who are defined by their pain and suffering. Well, I think you get the idea that everyone could benefit from reading this book. But it will cost you.

Lent is a time when we contemplate the enormity of what Jesus was willing to do to bring us home -- home to the Eternal Community he wants us to share with him and the Father and the Holy Spirit. This little book brings a much-needed focus to that amazingly perichoretic (I will get around to posting about this -- and this book is a much needed push) relationship -- I urge you to read this book in these days before we celebrate Easter. I think it will change your perspective profoundly.

Take a look at The Shack and decide for yourself. But don't try to circumvent experiencing it by reading what others have to say about it. Restrain your curiosity and wait until you can read it for yourself. You can order it from the official website or from Amazon. This is one book I'm going to have to have more than one copy of in my library -- one for me to keep and makes notes in and some to loan or give to others.

...but I will certainly be pondering this very special twist to my 40 Days Living The Jesus Creed journey.

Go with God.

8 comments:

Annette said...

i think i want to re-read already!

AbiSomeone said...

Do you want me to bring it to you before next Thursday? :^)

Anonymous said...

I loved the book and highly recommend it. As I wrote in my own review, "To be honest, most Christian fiction is pretty poor and I avoid it. So I didn't start reading this novel with much of a positive expectation, but what a pleasant surprise. When I'd have to put it down to do other things, I couldn't wait to get back to it. I dog eared and marked lots of page. I simply loved Young's portrayal of the triune God and his understanding that God loves the process and we are in process because He loves us."

Annette said...

no rush... i just am trying to remember the laughing part. (the tears, i remember) : )

AbiSomeone said...

Rick, yes -- I am still basking in the glow of the vision Young has shared. Thanks for stopping by and lending your support. ;^)

Annette, I'll have to find it again for you. Most of the laughing parts are in the comfortable banter back and forth. I am a banterer.... :^)

AbiSomeone said...

Rick, I remember reading your review during the swirl of reviews ... I just couldn't remember where they all were when I was composing this post. :^( Thanks for not feeling slighted, brother, and forgiving me before I even asked. Papa, well, he is especially fond of you, ya know?

Anonymous said...

I could never feel slighted by the Abbess :-) .

AbiSomeone said...

Thanks, Rick. Hey, it was good to see Dan Steigerwald and Rob Robinson tonight at the kick-off of our 12 week missional group. We'll see where we end up, eh?