DRINKING ALCOHOL TAUGHT ME HOW TO FLY
THEN IT TOOK AWAY THE SKY

Monday, November 23, 2009

THEY CALL ME "RED" BECAUSE ONCE I READ A BOOK




BOOK-A-YEAR CLUB

This is MY choice for myself and one other Blogger who read an average of one book a year--THE SHACK by William P Young, published by WINDBLOWN MEDIA, Los Angeles, CA

Left picture is a book cover. On the back cover a publicist wrote, "You'll want everyone you know to read this book."


On the right is a photo of our home in Naples, Florida. I've been outside working on it--some repair, ya know? Although it's really OK as is. It reminds me of the first half of my life, before I came to my first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. You might notice the two replaced "lanai" roof supports, there are a few other things on my list--watch TV, Blog, Sleep, Eat, Crap, the regular stuff.


This post concerns a passage on page 175 in THE SHACK. A minimum of background (my version)...God the Father is a woman. She is in the shack with our hero Mack. Mack's daughter died a horrible death. OK, that is the minimum.....


Mack:  "Is that why she died, so you could change me?"


God: "Whoa there, Mack...that's not how I do things."


(Skip a few lines)


Mack: "But if she had't died I wouldn't be here now..."


God: "Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrated the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I needed it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exists, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors."

Peeps, to me there is profoundness in God's explanation to Mack--one which, in the midst of pain and suffering at another's hands, I too often overlook.


SOBRIETY.
LOVE.
PEACE.

Those are my wishes for you, and for me--today!





15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Peace to you, and pass it on, Steve. The world needs more of it, this we know.

Secretia

peet said...

That shack looks cozy.

I don't judge its interior,
just as I try not to judge
what I cannot know, which
is the mind and purposes
of our Lord.

He brought me out of darkness
to work with other suffering
beings, specifically alcoholics
who suffer from "grave emotional
and mental disorders".

But I don't stop there, because
His will is what it is.

Is our Lord large enough?

Pete.

Anonymous said...

I will get this to read,I some wonder if God is hearing me

Jess Mistress of Mischief said...

I really liked that book, I couldn't read it without questions or concerns, but I LIKED it.

I read lots of books that center around the Grace of God, it helps to gain lots of perspective on where I fit, what role I'm to play.

I know there is a God out there willing to sacrifice self for me, it's what I count on daily!

Shannon said...

I LOVE IT!!!
I couldnt explain it better myself!

Wait. What? said...

I picked this book up last weekend at the store, to read it, and wound up buying a different book...

Great message for me today steve.

Dulçe ♥ said...

I don't know what to say. Yes, it's a good explanation but... why the suffering
BTW
I love your house... Have you got spare rooms to share in there? LOL
Love U Sweet Peep

Dr Doc dlcs said...

it is a blessing. We laugh and we joke and have fun, but on my serious side, I worship and trust in God in Heaven. Soon the Lord Jesus will give us a home in heaven. Trust always in Christ Jesus.
Dr Doc dlcs
http://incjol.blogspot.com/

Nessa said...

That is one of the better explanations I have read.

Thanksgiving MeMe

Enchanted Oak said...

Grace is what God's all about. Thanks for the quick review. Where there is suffering you will find many facets and colors of grace. Amen

wolfie185 said...

Thanks for sharing this, it spiked my interest in the book some more, I have heard about it but wasn't too interested until just now. This reminds be of the great book, "When Bad by Things Happen to Good People" in which the author says basically it is from bad things happening in our lifes that the strength of God is revealed to us for us to use, it says a lot more than this and is a good read but I won't go there.

Thanks again.
Peace and Love to you too Steve

Syd said...

Nice house. Actually I would like one like it for the island that I sail to. I like that grace doesn't depend on suffering. I think that we all suffer in many ways. And I suppose from such I have learned much.

emilyism.com said...

I love that book. It is kind of the way I thought it worked simply written. Loved it! But "A New Pair of Glasses" is the one that changed my life. I love your blog!

garden-variety drunk said...

great quote and sentiment. i, too, have needed such reassurance at times. my little mind gets to wondering...

Shadow said...

i've heard so much about this book, and this exert is very interesting... i'll probably bow down and buy it next time...