A Weekend in the Shack
We had a fantastic weekend spending time with the author of The Shack. Paul Young is an amazing guy who has an incredible story of God’s redemption in his life. One of my favorite things that he said when I interviewed him was, “God doesn’t heal us so He can use us. He heals us because He loves us. Then He invites us to play.”
We had lunch with him sunday and it turned out to be more than Gavin could handle (we are still waiting for the picture book version of The Shack to come out so we can get him up to speed.) Here is a pic of how he fell asleep on my arm while we were at lunch.
And it wouldn’t be right to mention this book without a reference to the few who so loudly protest it. Here is my advice to you if you’re reading my blog: if someone tells you to stay away from this book, ask them if they’ve ever read it themselves. Their answer may shed some light on the “credibility” of their opinion. Then read the book. You’ll probably love it. If nothing else, it will get you to think about God in ways you’ve probably never thought about before.
To sum it up: hurt people found God this weekend and some religious people “were pissed” (to quote Paul). Reminds me of when Jesus preached.
This is the personal blog of Jeremy Jernigan. Husband, father, teaching pastor, and student of truth.
Can’t wait to watch it on the vodcast! Still haven’t read the book (most of my book reading these days is either the Bible or children’s books), but hope to at some point.
On a side note, that pic with Gavin is awesome. I love how little babies can sleep anywhere! Actually, it’s a great pic of you, too.
Paul was pretty much awesome. I love the way he addressed his detractors… and pointed out how none of them had read his book
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You know, I want to meet the one misguided, extremely trustworthy person who actually read the book and considered it “heretical” and saw fit to spread his opinion as fact to a bunch of overworked pastors (who honestly would probably love the book and it’s imagery, if it weren’t for the peer pressure). It is hard to stand for a book that all of your friends are calling “heretical” and “dangerous”. i have crazy respect for those who have.
And Jeremy… remind me not to write a story for my family unless I’m ready for international backlash
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I read the book prior to this weekend and thought it gave a dimension to the Trinity that was new and thought provoking. I loved hearing Paul Young talk about it and because of his additional comments about his personal life, and the “shack” that is within all of us, I am going to read the book again. Thanks you Central, for bringing him here. He was a delight.
Best line of the blog: “hurt people found God this weekend and some religious people ‘were pissed’.” Glad you had a rad weekend, I can’t wait to listen to the podcast.
Z
Paul was great this weekend. His testimony was amazing and just to here how God was able to use him and his book was amazing.
Paul was phenomenal and he’s further evidence that in God’s economy NOTHING (no life, no experience, no pain, no shame, etc.) is ever wasted!!! Papa uses everything and that should instill incredible hope in all of us!! “When there’s a seed, something can grow!” Amen!!
I also appreciated his comments: “In a community of faith, there are no pedestals” and “It’s relationships, not religion that heals.”
I was so grateful for Paul coming to Central and the impact of his words, his heart, his authenticity and humility, his testimony, and great sadness will be with me for a very long time. There was so much to absorb and I’m still digesting it all! And if you’ve read The Shack, I encourage you to read it again, but this time try reading it with your name in place of Mac’s and the story becomes all the more real, tangible, and poignant. It sure did for me!
Lastly, I know we only talked about the critics of the book who never read the book, but what about the critics who have read the book and still thinks it’s heretical?? Check out this website http://blog.harvestbiblefellowship.org/?p=679. It blows my mind how people have been dissecting it apart, overanalyzing it to death, and searching for a hidden agenda on Paul’s part!! So incredibly misguided. Here’s one comment to the book review…”Thank you so much for standing against this book. So many pastors/churches have fallen under its spell. May God bless you!” And so it goes….
Love the pics…Gavin is a hoot!! Why is it my kids never fell asleep like that?! They were always awake squirming, worming, and/or crying!
[...] were the case, I’d add my voice to the many who found The Shack truthful. (See for example this blog post and read this explanation of it’s popularity: That books at both ends of the spectrum are [...]