Mr. Young Visits The Fort January 14, 2010

I’ve finally obtained some copies of the speech that William P. Young gave when he was here in Fort Wayne.  As the host pastor said, the speech was “Powerful.”  I’m amazed at the insights this man has into the heart of God.

He, of course, discusses his book, “The Shack,” and all the God-things that fell into place causing it to be the phenomenon it is.  He talks about some of the many testimonies of how this book has touched people, brought them closer to Father, and led people to Christ.  None of this is done in a “bragging” fashion, but truly shows how God has brought it all together.
He then takes audience questions (mine is about the 3^rd one), and also addresses some of the criticisms about his novel.

Finally, he journeys into some very personal territory with the testimony about his failed and restored marriage, which has some strong similarities to the story of my wife and myself.
All in all, a funny, touching, uplifting, and insightful experience, leading to a deeper understanding of God’s love and amazing grace.

As I said, I have extra copies of this recording.  If you’re interested is listening to them, let me know.

— dave

Buy “The Shack” HERE.

Some Quotes From The Shack November 26, 2009

— Here are just a few quotes from “The Shack.”  If you haven’t read this book, don’t listen to the nay-sayers.
This book is, with no question in my mind, a God-thing. —
Buy it HERE. –
—————–

“Does that mean,” asked Mack, “that all roads will lead to you?” “Not at all,” smiled Jesus…”Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.””

“All I want from you is to trust me with what little you can, and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you. It’s not your job to change them, or to convince them. You are free to love without an agenda.”

“So no, I’m not too big on religion…and not very fond of politics or economics either…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?”

“Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved.”

“Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.”

In seminary [Mack] 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.

“”Sometimes honesty can be incredibly messy””

“I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It’s not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.”

“We are not in a chain of command.  We are a circle of relationship.”

“Authority, as you usually think of it, is merely the excuse the strong use to make others conform to what they want.”

“Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself- to serve.”

Buy “The Shack” HERE.


Also read: Brief reviews of “The Shack.”