Our 20th Anniversary (the first 5 years)

It's hard to believe that Kim and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage on May 10th of this year (2017). In some ways, it seems like our wedding day was a very, very long time ago. Yet, in other ways, it seems like only yesterday.

To say that our life has been a roller coaster - a series of incredible highs and devastating lows - would not be an exaggeration. But, that is the sort of story that we love to read and watch. We love stories that take us for a ride - that leave us smiling at times and weeping at others. 

(I would encourage YOU to journal so that you can look back over the story of your life. Doing so often helps us to see a little more clearly what God is doing and helps us to make sense of the individual events that, in the moment, we questioned.)

So, on the occasion of our upcoming anniversary, I want to document some of the highlights of our married life. In this first post, I will begin on the occasion when I first saw Kim until, 5 years after our wedding, I moved my family to Princeton, Kentucky where I took my first pastorate.

Finally, I will share brief things about each family member but will focus my spotlight primarily on Kim. It is through her that I have learned much more about my wonderful God. She has experienced a multitude of tragedies. While they have taken their toll, her relationship with her Lord has grown much deeper through them. I am a much better man for having a front row seat to the life of such a child of God!

1993

Kim and her two younger brothers (circa 1993)

This is the first year that I noticed Kim. I vividly remember when she walked into a Sunday School gathering with a red dress on. I was captivated! (She was a member at the church I had joined in 1989.) But, I distinctly remember thinking that my chances of ever going on a date with her were slim to none. (Besides, she was a couple of years older than me.) So, I graduated from college in Lexington (May 1994) and moved to Memphis to work on my Master's degree.

1996

My sister's wedding was quickly approaching when she told me that she wanted me to meet her soon to be sister-in-law. It was Kim! Our first date was in April 1996 and we immediately fell in love. Honestly, if we had married a couple of weeks after we met, I think that would have been perfectly fine with both of us.

At Natural Bridge State Park in Slade, Kentucky

We dated long-distance for the entirety of our one year dating relationship. She lived and worked in Lexington, Kentucky while I lived, worked, and went to seminary in Memphis, Tennessee. We spent a LOT of time talking on the phone. But, quite often, I'd travel to Lexington and stay with my brother or she'd travel to Memphis and stay with the fiance of one of my friends. Anything would serve as an excuse so that we could spend more time together.

A friend surprised me with Dr. Adrian Rogers' new book and a personal note
inside of it. Kim and I loved the ministry of Dr. Rogers and were so glad that
our engagement took place under his shadow.
(The book title is so appropriate! I still can't believe God worked a miracle and
gave Kim to me!)

On December 14, 1996, Kim came to Memphis with a group of other singles to watch Bellevue Baptist Church's Singing Christmas Tree. I was on staff at Bellevue at the time and had grown to develop a huge respect for Dr. Adrian Rogers. So, I thought that attending the Christmas program on the night I asked her to marry me would be very appropriate. I had an idea of where and how I would ask her to marry me after the program ended ... but I got cold feet. So, we went to drive through a park that had a paid entry to view the spectacular Christmas light show. When that ended, I was getting panicky. I was absolutely going to ask Kim to marry me - but WHERE? Then, it hit me. With my love and respect for Pastor Rogers and his ministry, I took Kim back to Bellevue. The front lawn was beautifully lit for the occasion. We stepped out into the extremely cold air and I dropped to one knee and asked my Sweetheart to marry me. She began to shed tears and so I asked her again. I could have jumped over the moon when she said, "Yes."

1997

I have to admit that I thought it was a really silly idea to get "engagement pictures" taken. But, I'm so glad that Kim insisted. Here's one of our "engagement pictures" taken in January(?) 1997.

Standing on the spot where I proposed to Kim. We will be married in less
than a month!

In April, Kim came back to Memphis. She had an incredible job in Lexington but was anticipating our marriage and wanted to get a job in Memphis so I could finish my Master's Degree at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. She had some great interviews and one company flew her to their corporation ... but nothing panned out. Then, I called my former boss in Lexington and he rehired me. So, the plans were set to move back to Lexington. 
When we considered the events of the first two years of our marriage, it became obvious why God graciously kept Kim from getting a job in Memphis.

I LOVE this picture. Kim and her mom are enjoying a laugh at a wedding shower.
Unfortunately, neither of them knew that in exactly one year, Jo Ann would be
diagnosed with cancer that would take her life 9 months later.

May 10 approached! It was our wedding day! Except for my lapse of memory that required that I race back to my place to get Kim's wedding ring, everything went off without a hitch. Kim and I stood at the front of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Hershael York presided over the ceremony. (We were the last wedding he performed at AABC. He soon resigned as pastor and started his teaching career at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.) I'm being completely honest when I say that I still can't believe that she said, "I do."

Kim was teaching a 3rd grade girls Sunday School class
at the time so she asked each of their parents if they could
be her flower girls.

"She's mine!!!"

Enjoying the view inside and outside of the cable car in Gatlinburg.

We honeymooned in Gatlinburg for a week and loved every minute of it! But - and I don't know if other married couples experience this - it felt a little weird at times. We had dated long-distance for a year but realized that we still didn't know each other as well as we thought. We also asked each other more than once on our honeymoon, "Are we really married? Did that really happen?"

Had fun at Bluegrass Aspendale Housing Projects!

We used the summer to settle into marriage and get into the mindset of handling a schedule that included two people, not simply one. To say that marriage takes adjustments is an understatement. But, if you truly love someone and are committed to loving them in the good times AND in the bad, you've got a great story ahead of you! One of the fun things we did together that summer was lead a Backyard Bible Study in north Lexington. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time!

Kim, her mom, and Grandma "Nannie" Little

Our first significant valley came four months after our marriage. Kim's grandmother, who Kim called her "rock," passed away on September 12. Kim's home life had been tough. With a very abusive father and all of the complications that came from it, Kim would often retreat to Campton, Kentucky to visit with Grandma Little. And now she was gone. 

In October, I went to the "Standing in the Gap" Promise Keepers Rally in Washington, D.C. Since 1995, when I saw God move powerfully in revival (read about it here), I have craved to see Him do it again. While "revival" didn't happen at the rally, it was so encouraging to see hundreds of thousands of men praying, listening to God's Word and committing to live according to it.

1998

This picture was taken a year earlier at our wedding rehearsal dinner.

Seven months after her grandma passed away, and less than a year after our wedding, I sat with Kim and her mom in a room in Lexington Clinic. Her mom had been having some painful symptoms and tests had been run. On this day, with test results in hand, the doctor stepped into the room, looked Jo Ann in the eyes and said that it looked as if she had Multiple Myeloma. (In simplistic terms, cells in the bone marrow become acidic and eat away at the bone. It is a horribly painful way to die.) Kim, being a fighter, insisted that we were going to beat this. 

Her mom came to live with us but, within a few days, sustained a broken shoulder and hip after a fall. The cancer had already done much damage in dissolving her bones. My heart broke as I watched Kim work a full-time job and then spend hours taking care of her mom each evening for the next nine months. She grew exhausted ... and scared.

When it became obvious that her mom was probably not going to beat this battle with cancer, Kim wanted to get pregnant so that her mom could hold our child in her arms before she passed. Kim was soon carrying Zach in her womb.

Kim and a group from our College and Career Class. (October 1998)

One of the joys that Kim and I had during this time was a College and Career Sunday School class that I taught at Ashland Avenue Baptist Church. I loved teaching but we also took trips together ... Kim has always loved to travel and explore. (College and Career classes are sometimes filled with people who are lonely. They are single [maybe dating] and typically crave relationships. We wanted to provide that for them. They don't realize how much they blessed us during that time!)

1999

On January 11, Jo Ann passed away in Lexington's St. Joseph Hospital. All of her family was in the Hospice Wing room when she went to be with her Lord. Kim collapsed into a chair and wept uncontrollably. Her mom was now gone, too. And she would never be able to hold our child in her arms this side of Heaven. Kim was 5 months pregnant.

Kim and I in Gatlinburg (February 28, 1999)

Kim was overwhelmed with grief. Less than a year and a half into our marriage and she had experienced the death of the two women who had meant the most to her. And she had a precious life growing inside of her. She was so afraid that if she she allowed herself to collapse under the grief, that Zach may sustain some lifelong problems as he grew in her body. So, in February, we decided to head back to Gatlinburg for a few days. We wanted some time to just "get away."

Kim and our 2 1/2 week old son.

Three months later, we celebrated our second anniversary on May 10th and then welcomed Zach's arrive on May 13. Zach was finally here - but with complications. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice and he was strangling. When he was removed via emergency C-section, he was dark, dark blue. Kim cried on the operating table because she thought that her son had died. She couldn't bear a third death in only 2 years. And I knew what she was thinking - she felt that it was her fault because her body was grieving over her mother's recent death. It seemed like an eternity in that operating room (it was probably only seconds) before Zach let out a glorious cry. He cried, and cried, and we loved it! Kim and I shed tears of joy as the doctor put Kim back together.

Zach was 3 weeks old when we took him to visit his grandmother's grave.

As life settled back down, again, I resumed work on my master's degree at Southern Seminary in Louisville. I had never anticipated taking 2 years off when I got married and moved to Lexington but God had different plans.

Also in this year, our beloved church went through an ugly split. I blame it primarily on incompetent leadership. A vote was forced by the pastor and the large congregation was soon meeting in two locations. We attended both congregations for a few weeks but then decided to move to Georgetown. It was at that point that we joined the family of Gano Avenue Baptist Church. We made friendships in a couple of years in that church that we still enjoy!

2000

We spent this year settling into life with our precious son. We had purchased a house in Georgetown, Kentucky and were enjoying our first experience with home ownership. Our new church home embraced us and we became involved in the young married couples class.

2001

This pictures was taken a day after Sean was born.

In June, Sean arrived! Kim's OBGYN, who had delivered so many of Sean's cousins, was on vacation. So, we were diverted to a different hospital (UK Medical Center) and Sean would be delivered by a doctor we didn't know. However, in God's watchful care, He had orchestrated the events so that the doctor had a special last name. His name was Dr. Zachman. "Zachman" was the nickname we had previously given Zach at that time in his life. We knew that God was watching over us. 

However, God's watchful care doesn't make us immune to difficulty. It simply comforts us while we are going through the difficulty. During the C-section to deliver Sean, the intern allowed the epidural to run out. As they removed Sean, Kim was beginning to cry and complain of pain. The intern said that it was just pressure. When they began to sew her back up, she began screaming and they finally listened. They tossed me out of the operating room and from across the hall, I heard her crying in pain. I felt helpless, anxious, furious and a varied number of other emotions. However, after the trauma of the whole thing settled down, Kim and I agreed that it was an accident, that there was no ill-intent, and we forgave them (the intern never visited our room after the surgery, though).

For me, this was an exhausting year. A year earlier, it was ripping Kim's heart out that she wasn't able to stay home with Zach in his young, formative years. So, I told her that she could quit her job and I would do whatever I had to do to make ends meet. At one point, I was working a full-time job as a machinist, delivering pizzas in the evenings, and filling in as the part-time worship leader at Gano Avenue Baptist Church. But, my family is worth it!

2002

Bro. Wallace York with Zach. At Bro. York's invitation, I came to explore
 Donaldson Baptist Church in Princeton, Kentucky.

We continued to enjoy life as a family. But, I was growing restless. I knew that I was called to preach but I was only serving as a worship minister and only part-time at that. About that time, a dear pastor friend of mine, Bro. Wallace York, called from Princeton, Kentucky and told me about a church in the area that was looking for a pastor. I went down for a preliminary visit in March but came away uncertain ... even a little scared. I was taking care of my wife and 2 sons but if I were to move, we'd have to sell our house (we hardly had any equity) and how in the world could I financially swing it? Bro. Wallace assured me that if God called me there, He'd provide for me. (I'm not sure when I went for the trial sermon. Unfortunately, I didn't document that. I just remember Bro. Wallace rattling his keys on the front row when my "trial sermon" was going long. HA)

The cast from the "Amazing Love" Easter drama.

In March, I led in a large Easter drama at Gano. I cannot adequately express how amazing it was that people rallied around it to make it happen. God did some incredible things! And by the time we performed our last showing, well over 700 people had come to see it. For our small, family church, that number was astronomical. The wonderful thing is that God was the One who got the glory for it. And everyone knew it. I can't imagine a better way to leave a church family you love than on a high-note that leaves everyone with such fond memories.

We had heard on this day that Kim had what looked to be cancer. She was
facing surgery on Monday. What in the world do you tell your toddler sons?

But, God wasn't finished with us yet. We were about to go into another very dark valley before I became Donaldson Baptist Church's pastor. Kim had been having some suspicious symptoms so she had some tests run. On May 2, 2002, Kim and I were sitting in a patient's room in Lexington Clinic awaiting the doctor with the results. (It did not go unnoticed that this was the same clinic in which we had sat with Kim's mom when she got the bad news.) Dr. Monnig came in and said that the test results made it look like Kim had cancer. There was a tumor in one of her kidneys the size of a golf ball and he recommended, because of it's location, that the whole kidney be extracted. A surgery date was set up for the following Monday. Our church family at Gano prayed over us that Sunday morning and another young lady who was also set to have brain surgery in the same hospital (St. Joseph Hospital) on the same day.

The surgery on Monday, May 6th, went as planned. There were only a few complications. But, it was confirmed that the mass was cancer. It was Renal cell carcenoma. After a few days in the hospital, we were headed home to Georgetown.

But, now, another problem arises! We had a three year old and a one year old. How in the world could Kim stay home to heal up from a major surgery (with no family nearby) with two toddlers and a husband who desperately needs to get back to work to make some money? Our church family at Gano Ave. did the unthinkable! Ladies volunteered to sit with Kim and watch the boys all day while I was away. Some of the ladies even took vacation days to spend with my wife! They made us meals and went above and beyond anything that we could have expected. 

Kim, in Myrtle Beach, talking with me on the phone. I stayed behind for
a few days to work on our house with a church friend. I also had a potential
buyer coming by. The Brock's and Wilson's flew me into Myrtle Beach
a couple of days after this picture was taken.

As Kim continued to heal and before heading to my first church, we went with some church friends to Myrtle Beach. It was a great time to relax and get refreshed before I took on the pressures of pastoring. We would soon be moving to Princeton, Kentucky!

(Click here to continue: "The Donaldson Baptist Church Years")

What are you worth? It's better than you could imagine!

So what are you worth and upon what do you base that worth?

These are important questions because so much of what goes on inside of our minds and hearts is touched by our answers.

• A desire to feel valuable is why it stings so badly when others ignore or mistreat us.
• A desire to feel valuable is why we feel ecstatic when others applaud us.
• A desire to feel valuable is often why we strive to excel in at least one area of life and celebrate our own personal achievements.

(By the way, isn't it comical that a society filled with people who want to feel valuable is insistent on teaching a theory of science that says we evolved from monkeys, are here by accident, and that nothing we do is of any lasting / eternal worth?)

So, as Christians, what is the basis for our worth?

• Is it who our parents are?
• Is it how much money we have?
• Is it our previous accomplishments?
• Is it how attractive we may be?
• Is it the size of our house or the location of our neighborhood?
• Is it the color of our skin?
• Is it how valuable others perceive us to be?

All of these and more are often used as the basis for our worth. But, they are superficial. 

Further, they can be outdone by others. (Have you ever heard a conversation between two individuals who were trying to impress each other with their personal achievements or where they vacationed or ... whatever? They were both talking and neither one was listening. They both craved to be impress and be affirmed by each other but were too busy focusing on themselves.)

So, what is your value based upon? Simply read the following text:

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

Simply put, this is what your value is based upon. You, my friend, are God's masterpiece. Further, you don't bear the image of monkeys - you bear the image of the God who created the universe! Go outside tonight and look up at the massive night's sky and meditate on the fact that the God who spoke those stars into existence also made you, my friend!

Now some folks deny that we are still created in the image of God. With their fingers pointed on Genesis 5:3, they say that we are now created in Adam's sinful, fallen image - not God's.

Genesis 5:3 "When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth."

Yet, when we read a few more chapters and arrive at Genesis 9, we get to listen in on a conversation that God had with Noah. Listen to the basis upon which God required that a murderer receive the death penalty...

Genesis 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."

So, we are still created in the image of God. Every single person has value. 

• Those who are Jesus-followers and those who are not have value. 
• Those who are "red, yellow, black, and white are all precious in His sight." 
• Those who are intellectual giants and those who are mentally challenged have value. 
• Those who are elderly and those who are moments after conception have value.
• Those who live on both sides of the tracks have value.
• Etc., etc., etc.

Every single human being has value! And this means you, friend!

And if you are a Jesus-follower, then you aren't simply generally valuable - you are specifically valuable. You are a child of God and Jesus is your elder brother. You have royal blood flowing through your veins and you will one day walk streets of gold!

So, don't hang your head today. You are filled with unimaginable intrinsic worth that cannot be taken from you. Your value is not found in yourself but in the God who created you. What He says is all that matters and He is telling you that you are His masterpiece made in His likeness.

... and by the way, when we find out value in ourselves, it not only is based upon something fleeting - it also makes us arrogant. But, when we find our value in the God who made us, then that is something that can never be taken away and it gives us a very healthy, humble attitude.

So, live the moments of this day reflecting on the fact that the God of all creation has declared you valuable and realize that God has declared the same thing of every person you bump into.

January 1 - Through the Bible in a Year

Today's Bible Reading:
Genesis 1:1-2:25
Matthew 1:1-2:12
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 1:1-6

Bible verse(s) for the Day:

Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Some of my reflections on today's reading:
Let's be honest. No, let's be brutally honest! We will start with the sobering news and end with great news.

Far too many folks who profess to be Jesus followers are simply playing games with God and their eternity. They claim that they have "said a prayer" and are on their way to Heaven. Yet, while they may have a striking resemblance to their "Christian" friends, they look nothing like Jesus.

Yes, we live by grace. In fact, if we are completely honest with ourselves and others, we desperately need regular doses of grace. Every day, we find ourselves falling at the foot of the cross asking once again for forgiveness for a sinful action, oversight, word, thought, attitude, or motive.

Yet, too often, it seems as if people who claim to be Jesus-followers are presuming upon God's grace. They assume that God is going to forgive them of any sin and fault. So, they live for themselves. They don't read God's Word and pursue holiness. They settle for simply trying to be good. And they measure their goodness based not upon the Bible but upon how their peers are living. They tolerate sin in their life because, after all, "no one is perfect." So, they continue tolerating sin and periodically offer up trite prayers in their attempt to clear the decks.

This sort of attitude angered the Apostle Paul:

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2).

Did you notice Paul's statement, "By no means!"? The word he used in Greek was about as harsh a word as you can use without cursing.

So, what are we to do? 

Pursue holiness! 

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14).

How do we become holy, more like Jesus? The answer to that question is the same as this question: "How can I be happy/blessed?" Apply Psalm 6:1-2!

Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Absolutely refuse to engage in sin in any form! Even if the sin seems trivial, don't do it! When you sin, and we will(!), immediately drop to your knees, ask for forgiveness and cleansing and receive it.

Notice in verse 1 that there is a progression (or really a regression): first, the man is walking with sinners, then he slows down to stand with them, then he slows down even more to sit with them. Further, notice that he begins with personally engaging in sin and eventually develops a calloused heart with which he scoffs at those striving to pursue holiness. 

Everything about sin moves us, slowly but surely, away from Jesus and our journey toward holiness.

I've counseled enough people and know from my own sinful heart that sin, whatever it is (big or small), is a poison. It appeals to our sin nature and the first dose often feels great. But, eventually it doesn't satisfy like it once did and we may soon realize that it is seeking to destroy us. In reality, it is insane that we keep going after sin to satisfy the longing inside of us that can only be satisfied with Jesus.

Instead of engaging in harmful sin, what must we do? We develop an appetite for God's Word, we read it, and we find joy in reflecting on it and complying with it (Psalm 6:2).

Friend, God's Word is not intended to steal your fun. It is intended to warn us of what will steal our joy and our fellowship with God. God wants us to be blessed! He wants us to be happy in Him, regardless of what is going on in our life. 

But, in order to get that joy, we've got to despise sin and love God's Word. We've got to reject sin and pursue holiness (progressively becoming more like Jesus). 

Will you make that your aim today as you depend upon the Lord for the strength to do so?

Book review: "The Shack" by William P. Young

A Christian movie is coming out in March 2017 that, I predict, will have a domestic total gross income of well over $100 million. Thousands upon thousands of Christians will flock to the theaters to see it. After all, the movie is based upon a book (originally published - May 2007) that began as a self-published work but eventually sold 18 million copies. So, yes, the movie is bound to be a block-buster.

The book caused a great divide among Christians, even conservative evangelicals. Some loved it and some despised it. Why was it scorned by many? The accusation was that it was saturated with false, even bizarre theology.

A confession: As popular as it was, I had not read this book until I purchased it one week ago. I realized that it was going to hit the big screen so I wanted to inform myself firsthand. I downloaded a copy of the book to my kindle app and devoured it.

After reading the book, I could easily write another book with all of my thoughts. Yet, for the purposes of this post, I will greatly limit all that I could say about this book, positive and negative.

Here are my thoughts:

It is well written
The vivid (yet not overdone) language and writing style pulls you into the story. The storyline is compelling and believable. And (no spoiler here) it will take you to a very dark place from which the true purpose of the book arises. Most readers will have trouble putting the book down.

It is very relevant
The author tackles some of the toughest of human questions.

Why does God allow pain?
How can I forgive someone who has horribly wronged me?
What is God like?
What does God think of me?

These questions and more like them are addressed in this book. For this reason, too, the reader will have difficulty putting the book down.

It is filled with tidbits of great wisdom
In my journey through The Shack, I underlined many sentences. The author, while misguided in a multitude of areas (I'll get to that momentarily), provided many principles that brought clarity to biblical truth. At other times, he gave helpful advice to those who struggle with many of the same problems as the lead character.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

OK, there are a few other positive things that I could say about the book but I will spend the remainder of my time addressing my serious concerns. It is my belief that the negatives essentially trump the positives rendering this a book that Christians should read (if they so choose) with great caution and much skepticism.

But, in bringing some of the negatives to light, I realize that some Jesus-followers will get very upset. Why? Because they have found much comfort in this book (there is much to be enjoyed). However, some of the "comforting truths" in this book are unbiblical. Some are clearly heretical. And when something that has provided us insight and comfort is shown (or alleged) to be false, we naturally take offense.

Yet, if Jesus-followers are to enjoy our God more fully and follow Him more knowledgeably, we must be sure that our beliefs are in line with Scripture. After all, Jesus said that God's Word is truth (John 17:17). It is not simply true. It is the essence and standard of truth whereby we determine what else in life is true.

So, here are some areas of concern where I believe the author has horribly erred in regard to Scripture. I will sprinkle some Bible references along the way.

It questions the relevancy of Scripture
In chapter 4, the main character (Mack) has experienced a horrible loss. He receives an unstamped letter in his mailbox inviting him to the shack for a meeting. It's signed "Papa." (This is the name that Mack's wife uses for God.)

On page 62, the author invites the reader into Mack's thought process. Mack wonders if the letter really is from God and whether or not God will visibly show up to speak with him.

But, to set up the narrative between Papa and Mack in the remainder of the book, the writer must reveal that it is possible for God to show up physically and speak audibly. So, how does he do this? He discredits Scripture, the written Word. The sarcastic tone is fairly obvious as we momentarily enter Mack's mind...

From page 62-63: "In seminary we had been taught that God had completely stopped any overt communication with moderns, preferring to have them only listen to and follow sacred Scripture, properly interpreted, of course. God’s voice had been reduced to paper, and even that paper had to be moderated and deciphered by the proper authorities and intellects. It seemed that direct communication with God was something exclusively for the ancients and uncivilized, while educated Westerners’ access to God was mediated and controlled by the intelligentsia. Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?" 

Clearly, the author is mocking the notion that God primarily speaks through the Bible. He discredits it in his main character's mind. And, as he wipes his hands clean of any restrictions the Bible may have placed on him, he now feels free to send Mack to the shack where he will engage in a face-to-face narrative with the Trinity (in bodily form).

As if this were not enough, the author makes it clear just how irrelevant the written Word of God really is. How so? I was not able to find a single biblical verse quoted in the whole book! If you read through the Gospels, you will see that Jesus quoted the Old Testament Scriptures generously. Yet, the three persons who represented God (Papa), Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Sarayu) never quote a single verse from the Bible.

Which is another problem I have with this book - the author puts words (not found in the Bible) in God's mouth. The characters of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit speaks thousands of words. They make truth claims (many of which are clearly false). Yet, the author feels no obligation to make sure that what they say aligns with Scripture. The author simply puts words into each member of the Trinity's mouth and desires that the reader embrace those words as truth (again, even though not a single Bible verse was cited in the entire book). This is unspeakably wrong in my estimation.

This is a theology book
By this, I mean that the primary purpose of this book is not to tell a story. It is to inform and influence the biblical beliefs of the reader.

If you doubt my previous statements, simply ask someone who has read the book what they liked most about it. Almost certainly, they will not refer to the story line. They will say things like:

"It helped me to understand how much God loves me."
"It helped me to understand the Trinity."
"It helped me to understand mankind's freedom and God's control over His Creation."

All of these statements point to the fact that Christians are going to this book and coming away with a change in their belief system. They are treating it like a theology book.

And this is horribly frightening given the previous point - that not a single Scripture is referenced in the whole book.

God is presented as a Public Relations Officer would present Him
By this, I mean that the God found on the pages of Scripture is very different than the "God" presented in this book.

The God of the Bible is love but also gets angry.
The God of the Bible is merciful but also judges.
The God of the Bible is forgiving but also condemns.

But, the God (Papa) in this book got cleaned up. He's much more presentable to a culture that wants none of His justice, none of His discipline, none of the talk about sin. They only want Him for His therapeutic value. They want to hear of nothing but His love and grace. In fact, they want to deny that He ever gets upset at sin, disciplines the wayward, and condemns the unrepentant sinner.

Let me provide a word count from The Shack to show what I mean. Notice how the "positive" words of God's character and work are generously used while the "negative words of God's character and work are rarely used at all.

Love - 100
Grace/mercy - 22
Forgive - 46
Relationship - 89

Sin - 7
Repent - 6
Hell - 6
Salvation - 0

There are a multitude of unbiblical statements and principles
The author is seeking to influence the reader's mind. He wants to change the way they see God. He wants to change the way they understand who God is and what God does. And in doing so, he makes many truth claims that are clearly wrong. 

Let me give you three examples:

- 1. The author claims that there is no authority structure in the Trinity
Listen to this conversation that takes place between Mack and the members of the Trinity on pages 126-127:

“Well, I know that you are one and all, and that there are three of you. But you respond with such graciousness to each other. Isn’t one of you more the boss than the other two?” The three looked at one another as if they had never thought of such a question. “I mean,” Mack hurried on, “I have always thought of God the Father as sort of being the boss and Jesus as the one following orders, you know, being obedient. I’m not sure how the Holy Spirit fits in exactly. He… I mean, she… uh…” Mack tried not to look at Sarayu as he stumbled for words. “Whatever— the Spirit always seemed kind of a… uh…” “A free spirit?” offered Papa. “Exactly— a free spirit, but still under the direction of the Father. Does that make sense?” Jesus looked over at Papa, obviously trying with some difficulty to maintain the perception of a very serious exterior. “Does that make sense to you, Abba? Frankly, I haven’t a clue what this man is talking about.” Papa scrunched up her face as if exerting great concentration. “Nope, I have been trying to make head or tail out of it, but sorry, he’s got me lost.” “You know what I am talking about.” Mack was a little frustrated. “I am talking about who’s in charge. Don’t you have a chain of command?” “Chain of command? That sounds ghastly!” Jesus said.

Is this what the Bible teaches? Nope. Not even close. Simply investigate the following verses to see that Jesus has willingly submitted Himself to the authority of the Father: 1 Corinthians 15:28; Luke 2:49; Matthew 26:39; John 6:38; etc.

- 2. The author claims that God is essentially anti-authority
In the following conversation between Mack and the Trinity, Mack is beginning to think that God is not fond of an organized church (religion) or government. Listen as they interact on pages 193-194:

“I really do want to understand. I mean, I find you so different from all the well-intentioned religious stuff I’m familiar with.” “As well-intentioned as it might be, you know that religious machinery can chew up people!” Jesus said with a bite of his own. “An awful lot of what is done in my name has nothing to do with me and is often, even if unintentional, very contrary to my purposes.” “You’re not too fond of religion and institutions?” Mack said, not sure if he was asking a question or making an observation. “I don’t create institutions— never have, never will.” “What about the institution of marriage?” “Marriage is not an institution. It’s a relationship.” Jesus paused, his voice steady and patient. “Like I said, I don’t create institutions; that’s an occupation for those who want to play God. So no, I’m not too big on religion, and not very fond of politics or economics either.” Jesus’ visage darkened noticeably. “And why should I be? They are the man-created trinity of terrors that ravages the earth and deceives those I care about. What mental turmoil and anxiety does any human face that is not related to one of those three?” 

Did you get that? The author put words in God's mouth and made Him state that He has nothing to do with institutions. In fact, he calls religion, politics, and economics "the man-created trinity of terrors."

Is this true? Is it biblical? Of course not.

Jesus started the church and promises to continue building it (Matthew 16:18). Yes, it is about relationship with the Father and relationship with each other. But, there are also plenty of ground rules in the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament to make it clear that the church is an organized "institution" given the assignment of glorifying God, equipping the saints for ministry, and spreading the fame of His name.

As far as government, God clearly instituted it. Just read Romans 13:1-7. God set up government and oversees it and demands that Christians submit to it. The language on this topic in The Shack is foreign to Scripture.

But, get this point - the author continues, over and over, to have God (Papa) say things that are clearly in violation of Scripture. He is making the "God" character in this book make claims that are directly opposed to what God has clearly said in His Word. 

And the result - Christians are reading it and are saying that it is giving them so much comfort and insight - that apparently they weren't getting from their encounters with God's actual Book.

- 3. The author is a universalist (he believes that no one will go to Hell)
Listen to these two references:

This first one is a conversation between Mack and God (Papa). It begins with a claim from God on page 210.

“Maybe for you, but not for me. There has never been a question that what I wanted from the beginning, I will get.” Papa sat forward and crossed her arms on the table. “Honey, you asked me what Jesus accomplished on the cross, so now listen to me carefully: through his death and resurrection, I am now fully reconciled to the world.” “The whole world? You mean those who believe in you, right?” “The whole world, Mack. All I am telling you is that reconciliation is a two-way street, and I have done my part, totally, completely, finally. It is not the nature of love to force a relationship, but it is the nature of love to open the way.” 

Did you get that? God (Papa) says that he has reconciled the whole world to himself. The immediate question would be, "What does he mean by that?" Well, if we look to the Bible to see how the word "reconciled" is used in the New Testament, it always speaks of bringing two opposing parties into a state of peace. In regard to God, who is at odds with the sinner (John 3:36), this means that He has provided terms of peace.

The previous section from the book is inconclusive in regard to whether or not the author is stating that every person will end up in Heaven (even if they aren't followers of Jesus, or have never heard of Jesus). We need some more information.

Well, we get that information on page 247. A conversation between God (Papa) and Mack has been taking place. One line that is attributed to God is the following:

"In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some choose relationship."

Here the author, through Papa, claims that not only have the terms for reconciliation been prepared by God, He has also "forgiven all humans for their sins," a statement clearly in violation to the principles of the New Testament. (If everyone's sins were paid for by Jesus on the cross, then God is guilty of double-jeopardy by holding those sins against the sinner on the Day of Judgment [see Revelation 20:11-15]. Jesus would also be misinformed when He said that compared to the narrow road that leads to life, most people will travel the broad road and end up in Hell [see Matthew 7:13-14]).

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

I have many more notes and reflections that would enable me to continue adding to the length of the post. Yet, I've brought enough concerns about The Shack to give even the most nominal of Christians reason to read each line of the book (should they choose to read it) with a critical eye and another eye on Scripture.

If I could be so bold, I will end with a few lines from a discussion that Jesus had with Mack on page 196. It seems to fit how I feel about the book in which these lines appear:

Mack: “I have been told so many lies,” he admitted. Jesus looked at him and then with one arm pulled Mack in and hugged him. “I know, Mack, so have I. I just didn’t believe them.”

An unexpected road to freedom

Are you struggling with guilt or shame? Have you done something (or are doing something) that you know is wrong and yet cannot break free of it?

The very LAST thing we feel like doing is exposing our sin and weakness to someone else. Our mind and heart absolutely resists being vulnerable with someone else. 

Why? 

Because it sets us up for further pain. What if they look down on us? What if they condemn us? What if they cut us off? What if they share our sin with others?

These concerns are legitimate. But, to experience spiritual release and freedom, we have to embark into the ocean of uncertainty.

Listen to what God's Word says about this:

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed..." (James 5:16).

Let me tell you how this works (and I have seen it work over and over in my life and in the lives of others). 

When we humble ourselves before a trusted Jesus-follower and share our sin struggles, we are able to hear Jesus speak through them. 

Too often, we ask Jesus for forgiveness of our sin(s) but we struggle to receive that forgiveness because it isn't audible. We can't look in His compassion-filled eyes, see the seriousness of our sin, and hear Him say, "That's a sin I died for. You have repented of it. Of course you are forgiven. Go and sin no more." Since we can't see it and hear it (experience it), we may struggle to receive the forgiveness and healing that Jesus is offering to us.

Yet, when a Jesus-follower, who is serious about both holiness and grace, tells us that our sin is serious but so is Jesus' grace ("...where sin increased, grace abounded all the more," Romans 5:20), then we may experience that "moment" we need to break free of our sin with its shame and guilt. When they look us in the eye after we have told them of our sin (and our repentance to the Lord) and say, "That sin is serious but of course Jesus has forgiven you," that can be a profound moment that helps us break free from the chains of sin, guilt and shame.

So, are you struggling with feeling forgiven by God? Are you struggling with shame and guilt? Why not obey James 5:16, find a trusted Jesus-follower, swallow your self-defeating pride, and take the steps to move into a freedom and forgiveness you may have not felt in a very long time.