Religion or Relationship?

Wow, what a day. I was blessed by a friend today who took my kids all day so I could just sit with my foot up, a task that is ............well.............boring. Being that I had all this time, I decided to use it to read a book my father had given me a couple weeks ago: The Shack, by William P Young. When dad gave it to me to read he warned me: give youself 8 straight hours, because you won't want to put it down!! He was right and I am so glad I did! Yes, I know this book is surrounded by scores of controversy right now, and that was one of the biggest reasons I thought I should probably read it!

The book is really excellent, and I would really recommend everyone read it! the main Character, Mack, in the book is going thru what he calls The Great Sadness. I've been in one myself, and the authors discription is one of the best I have found to discribe that feeling. I don't want to give the story away, But I will tell you this, the book will challenge you to look at what in your life is mearly religion, and what is relationship with HIM. The book is fiction, (like Narnia books are) and I have read alot from those who are opposed to this book. Most of the quotes they use to defend thier arguments are taken out of context with the rest of the story. And they dissect it as if it were a theology book, not a work of fiction. Truth is if they used their same arguements against the Chronicles of Narnia, those would be books of heresy and blasphemy also. I found the story to be beutifully written, inspiring and challenging.............and all it's critics to be dead wrong about this book.

It was timely I read The Shack. I've recently seen some pretty aweful things done to a friend of mine in the name of God. It's unbeliveable to me that we belivers are so good at shooting our wounded. This book challenged me to forgive in areas I didn't realize I wasn't forgiving! It challenged me to look at my heart, REALLY look at it, and see it how GOD saw it.

So, my best advice to you............ignore the hype, read the book, and evaluate for yourself. Do not let critics opinions keep you from this one! And as you read it I challenge you with this question: do you have religion, or a Relationship?