.
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:2

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Busy Days!

Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!



Just wanted to share what my day looks like today!
  • I'll be finishing up some Christmas shopping.
  • Shipping Christmas presents to my family members as we'll be spending this year with Mackenzie's side.
  • Doing laundry and mopping the floor
  • Off to the Christmas Choir dress rehearsal (I'm singing and Mackenzie is playing the drums this year. It should be fun!)
  • Making dinner.
  • Spending some time relaxing with my husband!
Can I get all this done in one day? Hope so!

I also wanted to share about a book I've been reading:


My brother-in-law gave it to my husband and he wasn't reading so, I decided to! I had heard a lot of good things about it and I really like it. It's one of those books that brings you in and you can't put it down. I've got about one more chapter to read.

One thing though, is that a few people have said it brings up some controversy. I'll let you read it yourself to find out. But I have to mention that it is a fiction book. Not a book that we turn to for how we should live a Christian life. It's a story. So we definitely shouldn't take it word for word.
However, I feel like this book has helped me to want to draw nearer to the Lord. I think that is an amazing thing. I know God can use anything to move in us or strengthen us in our walk and I believe He could even use a fiction book if that was His will.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinions if you've read the book! Hope I'm not just rambling.

For those who are interested, I'll share what the back cover of the book says.
"Mackenzie Allen Phillip's 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 their 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 wll 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."

Have a wonderful weekend!

Brittany

9 sweet comments:

Rose of Sharon said...

Hi there Brittany! Boy, you sure do have a lot on your plate today. I am taking Grayson & Rachelle and Hayden to the movies and then to get some groceries and more stocking stuffers. We're having Taco Salad for dinner tonight. I look forward to seeing you at church and then having the tour of homes with you & Kenz and then Cam's house and then back here for baking.

Love you sweetie!
Mom

Jennifer said...

Oh no. I have had a real problem with this book. Big Time. I believe there is lots of bad theology sprinkled with some good things but isn't how poison is used? Some good, with some really dangerous stuff? Since you asked, I will share some quotes from the book along with Bible verses or a comment. Please take this all as one Berean to another and not as judging your feelings about this book:


#1 The book promotes universalism (i.e. eventually everyone is going to heaven no matter what they believe) Example from book:
"Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims.... I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters.”
A Christian means "Christ follower" and was supposed to be a derrogatory term when it was first coined back in the book of Accts. The whole purpose the Bible says is to transform us into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that the Son might be the firstborn among many brothers. Why would the "god" of this book not agree with Romans 8:29, that we are to be conformed to Christ Jesus, not some god named Papa. If you are saying they are the same, then they would be required to give up Buddism or whatever false religion.

#2 The "God" in this story submits to people, as opposed to the fact that we are required to submit to God."Why would the God of the universe want to be submitted to me?" "Because we want you to join us in our circle of relationships," answers "Jesus." [1,p.145]--The Shack's "Jesus." [1,p.182]

#3 The book quote:"Mack stood dumbfounded.... Just as he was about to crumple to his knees, the Asian woman stepped closer and deflected his attention. 'And I am Sarayu [the Holy Spirit, Creativity].' she said...
"Thoughts tumbled over each other as Mack struggled to figure out what to do.... Since there were three of them, maybe this was a Trinity sort of thing.... 'Then,' Mack struggled to ask, 'which one of you is God?'”
“'I am,’ said all three in unison.'"[1,p.86-87]
I am wondering WHY the Holy Spirit is reffered to here as a woman?? When Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit he said "He". You know, I would be pretty upset if people started reffering to me as a "He". If not totally biblically inaccurate, it is really IRREVERANT.

#4 "God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things....” --The Shack's "Jesus." [1,p.112]
This is pantheism it means that God is in the table, trees, whatever, doesnt matter the object The truth is God is Holy and He is seperate from His creation as the beginning of Genesis points out.

Okay okay I could go into this alot further. But I have to get going and I don't want to lecture you. These are just some things that set off bells and whistles in my mind. I will give you some backround about myself. I have been deceived by the church by people who say they are Pastors. I have learned not to believe ANYTHING or anyone unless it agrees with what the Bible says. Again, I know that there are some good things in this book, but Jesus warned us to be very careful and told us lots of times NOT to be deceived. I take those words very seriously. I hope this sounds kind and gentle, its hard to portray that typing on the computer. Have a nice day, it sounds like it will be a full one for you! Jennifer

Jennifer said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I really try and be so careful at how I explain things when I talk about subjects like this. I truly want to speak lovingly and a few times I have had people get really mad at me when all I did I show them Bible verses. One of my sisters even told me that it was good that she wasn't physically there when we were talking, or she would have hit me. Nice huh? Jesus telling the truth when He said that He has come to bring division. That reminds me too of the verse that says something like "from now on in a house it will be two against three and three against two" or those who love their father and mother more than me are not worthy of me. Again, thanks for taking it in the spirit it was meant to be, lots of people won't do that if you speak against something they like. Well, we are off to a dinner party tonight. Have a good evening! Jen

Patti Lysengen said...

Hey Sunshine Girl:
I love your blog. I also read The Shack and liked it so much I bought some for my friends. Now Lynn P and I are going to read it and talk about the chapters each week (starting after the holidays in January). It contains some very thoughtful concepts and will no doubt promote some very interesting discussion. All this I believe if good as God wants us to test all things agains the light of His Word. I'll let you know what happens,

Love you....more
Mom

Dana said...

I found that book at costco and bought it for my son for Christmas, i will read it after he does. Hopefully he reads it:)))

Sharon said...

I am a Christian and I read this book and was so impressed that we are having a book discussion at our church.
I think the one thing that should be, and will be emphazised at our discussion is it is fiction, period.
But, in a book of fiction you can find some truths, which I found in this book.
As with The Pilgrims Progress also a book of fiction, there were truths to be found.
I am glad you enjoyed *The Shack*

Kristen said...

Sounds like a busy day! I hope that you got it all accomplished! The book sounds wonderful!!! We picked up our new puppy today!! Come by my blog for more pictures on his arrival! Have a great Sunday!!!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you posted about this
book. I have had it on my library
wish list and kept forgetting to
check it out. You are doing such
a good job with your new blog!
Pamela NE Ohio

Brittany said...

Thanks Pamela! Let me know what you think of the book when you read it! Thanks for the compliment on the blog as well!

Brittany

Related Posts with Thumbnails