Tim Challies offers a thorough review from the perspective of a respected christian blogger and book reviewer.
As he says, this book is becoming "a phenomenon" so as people in this world but not of it, we should be aware and educated.
http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Shack
This weekend Jeremy was lucky enough to see our good friends, the Lickel's. During their time together, Andy mentioned the novel entitled The Shack. While we had not heard of it previously, we did some research and discovered that this book is quite controversial. It is becoming a top seller and is quickly infiltrating our culture. While trying to sleep last night, I randomly thought of some questions that I would love to discuss with you!
First, here is the summary the author provides of the book:
Mackenzie Allen Philips' 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 that shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives as the shack on a wintry afternoon and walk back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will 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 you heard of this book? If so, do you think it is a book beneficial to readers or not?
Is it important for us as Christians to research and read the book in order to engage in the culture?
Is it necessary to read the book in its entirety in order to discuss its inaccuracies or can we trust biblical leaders to do this for us?
Do you plan on reading this book? Why or why not?
First, here is the summary the author provides of the book:
Mackenzie Allen Philips' 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 that shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives as the shack on a wintry afternoon and walk back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will 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 you heard of this book? If so, do you think it is a book beneficial to readers or not?
Is it important for us as Christians to research and read the book in order to engage in the culture?
Is it necessary to read the book in its entirety in order to discuss its inaccuracies or can we trust biblical leaders to do this for us?
Do you plan on reading this book? Why or why not?
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Cornucopia
I entitled this entry cornucopia because I don't really have one big thing to write, but rather, several small, possibly uninteresting items to share of various parts of life. I have always liked that word... that and tumultuous were two of my favorite words to use during AP Literature my Senior year in High School. Am I officially a dork? Perhaps.
So, lets start light should we? Jeremy and I have been busy with friends and family the last month. We went to "Wenzel Weekend" in Milwaukee for a long weekend which was enjoyable. There was some "Apples to Apples" going on, as well as just relaxing and getting a tan. Football throwing, So You Think You Can Dance watching and as always, lots of eating went down as well. But, surprise, surprise... holding and caring for sweet little Emily was the highlight for me. :)
Happy Emily:
Tired Emily:
Jeremy and Kate at the Waterfront Restaurant- La Crosse, June 27th 2008.
Jodi, Kate and Tressa during the full day of fun! Right before taking me to the surprise party!
There are too many more pictures to post all of them from dinner- so I won't. But again, thank you to all that came! I think for right now, i am done with blogging but I hope to be back sooner rather than later. :)
Any topics you readers would like to discuss? Let me know!
So, lets start light should we? Jeremy and I have been busy with friends and family the last month. We went to "Wenzel Weekend" in Milwaukee for a long weekend which was enjoyable. There was some "Apples to Apples" going on, as well as just relaxing and getting a tan. Football throwing, So You Think You Can Dance watching and as always, lots of eating went down as well. But, surprise, surprise... holding and caring for sweet little Emily was the highlight for me. :)
Happy Emily:
Tired Emily:
Other than that, we also were busy the last week of June as I celebrated by 24th birthday. It was truly a beautiful week. Jeremy and I did several special things. For one, we went to the bluff and had a pic
nic of my fav foods. We also went to the Waterfront which is one of the best restaurants in the area hands down. I had a full day of girl time with Jodi and Tressa in which every activity was a surprise. To top it off, Jeremy threw a little surprise dinner for me! So, I was very blessed and it was just perfect to see friends so often before we leave La Crosse. I guess this might be the best place to say THANK YOU for the calls, messages, notes, and cards from everyone!
nic of my fav foods. We also went to the Waterfront which is one of the best restaurants in the area hands down. I had a full day of girl time with Jodi and Tressa in which every activity was a surprise. To top it off, Jeremy threw a little surprise dinner for me! So, I was very blessed and it was just perfect to see friends so often before we leave La Crosse. I guess this might be the best place to say THANK YOU for the calls, messages, notes, and cards from everyone! La Crosse Sunset on 06.24.08 and Jeremy & Kate in the car on the way to a birthday picnic on the bluff.
Jeremy and Kate at the Waterfront Restaurant- La Crosse, June 27th 2008. Jodi, Kate and Tressa during the full day of fun! Right before taking me to the surprise party!There are too many more pictures to post all of them from dinner- so I won't. But again, thank you to all that came! I think for right now, i am done with blogging but I hope to be back sooner rather than later. :)
Any topics you readers would like to discuss? Let me know!
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Recent Developments...
A lot of you may know all the exciting events that have occurred in the last month or so!
Number one: Jeremy was offered an excellent teaching and varsity coach position 25 minutes North of the Twin Cities!
Number two: Kate was offered a great part time position as Office manager and event planner!
Number three: After several trips and lots of stress, we were able to find a wonderful house and are preparing to close on July 25th!
Jeremy will be working in Princeton, Kate in Elk River and we will be living in Zimmerman. God has really blessed us beyond anything we could imagine for this year!
Number one: Jeremy was offered an excellent teaching and varsity coach position 25 minutes North of the Twin Cities!
Number two: Kate was offered a great part time position as Office manager and event planner!
Number three: After several trips and lots of stress, we were able to find a wonderful house and are preparing to close on July 25th!
Jeremy will be working in Princeton, Kate in Elk River and we will be living in Zimmerman. God has really blessed us beyond anything we could imagine for this year!
So needless to say, this last month has been very eventful! We are very happy and greatly anticipating this new life we are about to begin, but are sad to leave wonderful friends and a most amazing church family! We could sure use lots of prayers!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Update on Emily...our niece!
We haven't posted any pics lately of our beloved niece Emily... a few weeks ago we were able to visit Milwaukee for a surprise birthday party for Jeremy's wonderful mom. We had a great time with the Wenzel family and I was able to enjoy sweet Emily for 2 solid days... I was blessed enough to put her to sleep, play with her, go on a walk and feed her! It makes me excited to me a mom someday!
She is such a happy and sweet baby girl! :)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Two Harbors Trip!
Hello! I hope everyone is enjoying the weather lately! Jeremy and I returned from our trip to Lake Superior almost a week ago, but the craziness of life has prevented me from getting pictures up sooner. Our trip (or as we call it, 2nd Honeymoon), was even better than we had imagined! We wanted to simply relax and enjoy God's handiwork...and we did! We read, watched a movie to two, went hiking and sight-seeing, relaxed in the hot tub and just enjoyed time away from work and the stresses of life. It was just beautiful and a great blessing! Here are some pictures from our trip!
This is the view from our bedroom and our deck... I must have enjoyed this view for hours upon hours!
Here are a few pics of our suite- we were just stunned when we walked in!
This is the view from our bedroom and our deck... I must have enjoyed this view for hours upon hours!
On our deck! We spent lots of time reading, talking and grilling out there.
One of our favorite parts of the vacation was hiking throughout Gooseberry Falls. Kate felt well enough to do some serious hiking for an hour! The picture below is just a small part of the gorgeous falls!
Us enjoying Gooseberry Falls
Jeremy and I at the top of the lighthouse!
Split Rock Lighthouse
This was the incredible outdoor hot tub we were able to enjoy!
Saying goodbye to beautiful Lake Superior was not easy...but we hope to be back someday!
Monday, May 19, 2008
One Year!!!
Today marks our One year wedding anniversary! May 19th, 2007 will always be a special day for us- memories of family and friends, the Lord's gracious presence, the beautiful (and hot!) sunny day, riding in the carriage and the beginning of a life-long love. ( Jeremy thought of that last one, I am quite impressed now!) Today after work we celebrated by watching our wedding video, looking through our photos and eating our year old wedding cake.
People always say that the first year of marriage is a difficult one... and it was. However, it wasn't difficult for the reasons many couples would usually cite. We enjoyed adjusting to living together, learning to be more selfless, discovering the good, bad and ugly of our habits and personalities and sharing our lives together. It was hard because of health issues- but it was better because we were married- able to help carry one another through those tumultuous times. In some ways, it's as if we have only been married a few weeks- in other ways, it seems like we've been in each others lives forever.
We decided to each share some of our favorites from this last year ... and to continue to reflect beyond this blog. We've enjoyed creating the tradition of daily (sometimes only weekly) walks... sharing in the beauty of nature as we share ourselves. We've enjoyed reading in bed each night and praying together before drifting to sleep. We have enjoyed the companionship of living with your best friend, and sharing in the joys (and sorrows) together. We have loved the fact that our house is a home when we live together. And we have enjoyed struggling through life together; being tired and crabby, and yet still able to laugh at our stupid jokes we have together. One thing about a marriage is that even if you feel nobody else understands or cares about what you are going through, you always have at least one person who can relate and hold your hand and be there for you. And that is what has made our marriage good this first year; not because things have gone great, but because our God has faithfully brought two broken people together, in order to bring himself glory by persevering because of His goodness. And this is the true point. It is a humbling and confusing fact that our spouse is the second most important relationship we have in our lives, and that in heaven, our main relationship will be solely with God. And God has made himself known to us in our marriage, which is all we could really ask for.
Lastly, we thank all of you who have been a part of this past year- we so truly appreciate your support, prayers, wisdom and friendship. Tomorrow we are off to Northern Minnesota- specifically, Two Harbors, for a few days of relaxation and quality time to celebrate our One Year Anniversary! :) Pictures are sure to follow!
In Christ we stand,
Jeremy and Kate
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