The Shack

After hearing some of the buzz surrounding this book, and running into a display of them at Barnes & Noble last weekend, I picked up a copy and read it for myself.

It's really interesting how the Church at large is responding to this book. On one hand, you've got Eugene Peterson (The Message) & others giving it rave reviews. On the other, there are prominent Christian leaders decrying it as deception and heresy (one even calling it goddess worship - I'm sorry, but did you even read the book? Oops, I won't spoil it by elaborating on that one.)

Firstly, I liked the book. Read it through in a couple sittings and plan on reading it again, kinda like watching a movie a second time & catching what you missed.

Folks, remember that this is a work of fiction. Read it as such. It's not meant to be a resource from which you should base your theology. The Shack tackles the subject of the Trinity, something that has been tying knots in theologins' heads for centuries! In creative literary form, the author illustrates the relationship & interplay between the members of the Godhead (one God, three distinct individuals, but they're all One, but three...there we go again!) and the personal, loving relationship God desires to have with us. Again, remember that this is a fictional novel, but it beautifully paints a picture of how a loving, relational God desires to walk with us, day by day, moment by moment, just like He walked with Adam in Eden before the fall.

I think it'll challenge you in different ways, and with it entering a 4th printing & talks with major studios about a motion picture version, the sheer circulation of this story may give you opportunities to share with others the nonfiction relationship you have with God.

Christmas 2008

Never saw this one coming...

Who would've thought, just a few weeks ago, that we'd be spending this Christmas without mom. Jen & I were all prepared for the usual holiday travels...Christmas Eve at my folks' house, followed by Christmas day at her mom's house. We were even going to cook the ham mom gave us for Christmas Eve. Mom would've been proud - the ham was amazing!

Due to tight finances in recent years, my family would "pledge" (yeah, right!) not to buy gifts for one another. We'd always seem to find a little something for each other. A regular tradition was for my brother Dan or dad to go to the nearby Walgreen's store & buy inexpensive Christmas gifts (if you've ever been in a Walgreen's at Christmas, you know the type of gifts I'm talking about...over sized candy cane pencils, motorized plush animals that play "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer", etc.) We'd share a Christmas Eve dinner together. A "Funny Face Contest" was almost sure to ensue at some point during the meal. It was raw, it was fun, it was real. A family who loved each other & loved the chance to gather together to celebrate Christ's birth. God has seen our family through so much!

Never saw this one coming...

I've struggled with what to write for this post. Do I stick to "safe" terms? A "typical" Christian with a chance to be an example to others in dealing with the loss of a loved one? Don't get me wrong. I firmly believe that God truly works out "all things for the good of those who serve Him." I've seen it firsthand, and there's not a bit of doubt that God can use this.

Doesn't make it hurt any less.

The loss of my mom has left a gaping hole in my heart. There are times that I remember something she said, see a picture of her on the refrigerator, watch my infant daughter do something new & instinctively want to tell her...I never knew I could weep as deeply as I have in the past few weeks. There are times I wonder if the wound will ever heal.

But healing does come from our Intercessor.

Jesus experienced the depth of loss I'm going through. He sees my tears & is forever faithful. In the midst of the tears, I have found myself increasingly grateful for the gift God gave me in my mom. Truly blessed. My mom was not only a parent, but a friend, a mentor, someone who'd give me a swift "kick" when I needed it. All I can say is "thank you," with a sense of gratitude impossible for words to describe.

As much as I would've liked for her to stick around on this earth for another 15-20 years, God had other plans. In the midst of this season of loss, I'm reminded of something so powerful, it pierces through the sadness.

Mom's with Jesus - how wonderful is that?

Here comes the snow

This year is looking to repeat last year's snowfalls, at least this early in the season. We could see more than a foot of snow by tomorrow, plus another 4-8 inches may be on deck for Sunday night...then ANOTHER round of snow next Tuesday.

Today, even with the impending winter storm just hours away, was a beautiful, sunny day. This afternoon we laid mom to rest. We said our goodbyes, then had a simple ceremony at the grave site.

Many thanks to everyone who sent their condolences.

The post I thought I'd never write

I still can't believe I'm about to write this. My mom's supposed to read this, keeping up on the latest Olivia news, and email me back from her work address. She always liked showing coworkers the latest photo or video of her little Ollie.

Mom passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on Tuesday, December 9th.

I had the extra blessing recently of 4 months with mom as a house guest. God was working things out in my parent's marriage & our guest room here at camp was her sanctuary. She told me, just before Thanksgiving as I helped her load her belongings in her car for the trip home, that words couldn't describe her gratefulness for us opening our home during this time.

I'll especially remember her morning ritual...when I'd get Olivia up & put her on the floor, the pitter patter of her feet was mom's cue to come upstairs for breakfast. Mom & Olivia would share the berries from their cereal. They loved each other so much. Olivia would just squeal & run into my mom's arms...mom always said that was the best part. God's healing touch in the arms of a toddler.

I would give anything to hear her footsteps coming up the stairs once more.

I love you, mom!

Black Friday

I know this is a departure from the tone of my usual posts - new cars, Olivia's latest exploits, etc. However, the recent reports from this year's "Black Friday," the busiest retail sales day of the year, have struck a nerve & I feel like I need to vent.

Make no mistake about it, the Walmart incident in New York was no accident. Throughout the night, over 2000 people gathered outside the store, jockeying for position in anticipation of "getting the deals." Unwilling to restrain their materialistic lust, people started pounding their fists and pressing against the glass at 4:55am. Seeing the doors bowing inward against the force of the crowd, Jdimytai Damour, 34, and 5-9 other Walmart employees attempted to keep the doors from breaking inward. The doors shattered & the crowd rushed in, knocking Mr. Damour & the others to the floor. Staff & emergency responders attempting to provide aid were jostled & shoved by the mob, even as rescuers were trying to administer CPR. Mr. Damour was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital about an hour later.

It gets better. As police & security were attempting to clear the store following the death, some shoppers were indignant, yelling back that they'd been in line since the previous day...

...and they kept shopping! Witnesses described the behavior of some as "savage."

Are you sick yet?

I used to avoid shopping the day after Thanksgiving solely because of the crowds. I'll never shop again on "Black Friday." I don't want to be associated with an event that brings out such disgusting behavior, where the value of a human being isn't worth missing out on 50% off a video game console, or a cheap DVD player.

God help us!