August 30, 2007
More Stories
Venturing out to the edge … of the precipice
Staring into the Grand Canyon of Papa’s love,
Letting the wind blow in your face the freshness of a breeze whose scents you’ve only barely tasted before
You take the risk …it’s time…
You take the step …it’s time…
You plunge…and suddenly…
You are flying…
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Willie…First, let me apologize for the long email below. I wanted to tell you my story and share with you how Papa has worked in my life since reading The Shack.
Sixteen months ago, my life was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The doctors informed me that I would require aggressive dosages of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and suppress the growth of the cancer. I also underwent surgery to remove the primary tumor. After 7 months of going every two weeks for my treatment, my body had nearly giving up. I reacted very poorly to the chemo and suffered many miserable days and nights from the effects. After taking a break from treatment for 5 months to undergo two surgeries, I was once again facing four more rounds of chemo. After my second round I could hardly go on — all of the side effects I had suffered over the previous year came rushing back in just two treatments. I felt as though my body was going to shut down.
About this time my dear friends asked if they could come over to the house and read me a book they thought I would enjoy. That Saturday, the Sundas arrived around 9 AM with a small paperback book titled The Shack. I must admit that I was feeling better that day and really didn’t want to sit on the couch and have my husband and friends take turns reading this book aloud to me. As one began reading the first chapter, I still was wondering why she thought she needed me to hear this book. Another read the next chapter and another the next. Dozens of books about dealing with and living through cancer had been given to me by well thinking friends — The Shack I thought is just another book that I can throw on the bookshelf in the upstairs guest room. I was angry that I was going through this and I didn’t want to sit and listen to chapters being read aloud.
When Mack opened his mailbox and found the letter, everything changed. I began to listen intently. They read on to the point where Mack approaches the shack and meets Papa. My friends then closed the book, handed it to me, prayed for me and quickly left as they were late for a lunch appointment.
The rest of the afternoon, my husband and I spent reading The Shack, pausing often to laugh or cry or discuss a revelation that Papa brought to our hearts.
Nearly forty three years ago, I was born in
My husband did not know what he was getting himself into. I never talked about the physical and sexual abuse I had suffered as a child by family members and by people in the church. My siblings had suffered like abuse. My parents before us were both abused as children. My family lived one life for others to see and another that no one ever saw. I always hated people telling me that they wished they could be part of our family — if they only knew. My husband had grown up as a missionary kid in
You can imagine how I felt when I was diagnosed with advanced stage cancer. Thoughts from my childhood filled my mind — what had I done to deserve this? I remembered thinking as a child about how God and Satan were not much different. At least with Satan, I knew where I stood. I believed that God was watching at all times to strike me down when I messed up. For years I thought that God told my mother when I was sinning. It wasn’t until I was married that my one sister told me that my mother would ask me questions in my sleep and I would answer her. Now that I had cancer and didn’t know how much time I had left to live, I began to revert back to these early thoughts. I knew that I had disappointed God by not being obedient over the years. I didn’t pray enough, I didn’t spend enough time reading the Bible, I didn’t use my voice to sing on the worship team at church. These were just some of the thoughts that raced through my mind. I wasn’t afraid of dying, I was afraid of the disgusted look on God’s face when I would meet him face to face. (emphasis by ‘Willie’)
As I read about Papa, Jesus and Sarayu, a sense of relief flooded my heart. I understood that Papa really loved me, mess and all. When he looked at me it was not with disgust, but delight. I was not being punished; He was taking this terrible situation and bringing hope to me. God wasn’t out to punish me; he redeemed me and wanted to have a relationship with me. When Papa tells Mack that he did not disappoint them because they don’t have any expectation of him, a light came on. I realized that I was not a disappointment to Papa, he didn’t have a list of rules that prevented me from pleasing him. The fresh love of Papa flooded over me as I sat on my patio reading.
I could go on endlessly about specific parts of the story and what they meant to me, but let me simply say that since reading The Shack (twice now — I broke out the highlighter on the second read), my relationship with Papa, Jesus and Sarayu has become real. I feel a sense of ease in their presence. Thank you for sharing Mack’s story. Besides the Bible, this book has impacted my life more than any other book. I thank Papa for the clarity The Shack has given me and I pray that people everywhere will be impacted by it.
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I write a daily devotional that goes out all around the world to folks on our email list and I have told them all GET THE BOOK! I hope many do.
The following is a poem I wrote and sent out after finishing The Shack!
My life, my joy, my all,
You are my heart’s salvation,
You always hear me when I call,
I need You everyday,
I cannot live without You,
I love You more than words can say,
In fields of flowers we run,
Delighting in each other,
Celebrating the work of Your Son,
My tears are known to You,
You save them in Your bottle,
And promise to make all things new,
Creation exists by Your will,
For us nothing is impossible,
Therefore my heart is calm and still,
Forever is but a moment to You,
I stand in awe and wonder,
Of One so gracious and true,
Into Your arms I run,
Bound to You by cords of love,
Through the Spirit and Your precious Son!
This is a description I heard from someone that had been inspired by reading The Shack. They said that they had always lived with the concept and belief that there was possibly a God that loved them even though it felt very conditional because of their experiences with religion . But they always lived with this feeling that something was missing and was terribly wrong.
They are beginning to understand what that was and why. It was just a belief about something and it had never penetrated any deeper than that and it was a distorted picture because of experience. The story told in the book began to take down a wall that had kept this understanding as just a mere belief about something. The wall was fear….fear of God that then spread out into a fear of everything. To have that wall begin to come down and to begin to consider the possibility of feeling safe enough to crawl up onto the lap of a Papa who expressed a fondness for them began to change everything. This dear person who had spent 30 some years actually running from the distortion is taking a closer look today and finding something so different. All from having read this little book of fiction.
Pretty cool, eh?
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Dear Willie…
I spent most of the day on Sunday finishing the book because I was so eager to see if it would be my "Note From PAPA". It certainly was. I am still in a cloud of thoughts and emotions that pass like feathers drifting in the wind. Sometimes they almost stop as they float by and I can sit in the amazement of the experience.
I know that this story has been an awesome touch from my PRECIOUS LOVING GOD! I find myself actually saying Papa in my prayers and feeling a bit more comfortable than I ever expected. As though a porthole has opened in my heart. Anxiously awaiting a new beginning of my journey with Him. I’m so excited.
Thank you for your portrayal of Jesus and Sarayu being with Missy. I just lost my Dad on July 31, 2007. He was found dead in his apartment - ALONE. He was a complicated man with many wounds that I’m not sure ever got healed while he was here. He loved God… that I know. Still, the shock of it all and the wondering of the event that caused his death were haunting me. Reading how Jesus and Sarayu comforted Missy brought me to sobs thinking that MY DAD WASN’T ALONE - It healed my heart and filled me with peace. Thank you.
There is so much more that this precious story has brought out in my heart… I just can’t put it all in words.
You know the funny thing…I miss it. After sobbing through the last half of the book I felt as though I had been at a worship conference… exhausted yet energized. The next day I gave the book to my husband to read and ever since then there’s this little sadness that yearns to read more. I can’t wait to read it again… or maybe another great interpretation of love.
Thank you from the best places in my heart.
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When we saw them a couple of weeks ago, they gave us a copy of The Shack, and I was able to read it on a flight to Whitehorse (where I began my ordained ministry in 1973) - we were going to assist our sons’ godfather with end-of-life issues. I found your insights about the nature of the Trinity and of God’s inner experience of deep compassion and care for us deeply moving. You are clear in many places that God is not vindictive or punishing and that God’s compassion exceeds all we can understand, and has implications for God that are startling. I count myself fortunate to have grown up in a family in which such insights were the norm, and your book re-kindled for me memories and feelings from my own childhood - I found myself repeatedly saying, "That’s what my father would have said!" Your daring use of imagery reminds me of C.S. Lewis (whom I love dearly), but I much prefer Elousia to Aslan!
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Dear William,
I am a Christian Minister, been a Christian about 34 years my story is told in Hells Angels now out of print, but was published by Lion publishing over here in the UK. I have now been working with prisoners for 28 years, I became a Christian while in
I don’t usually get too blessed by Christian paper backs as they don’t seem to impact on me, though Run Baby Run was the book that helped me to know Jesus.
I have to say that I find your book incredible, I haven’t finished it yet, but it is so powerful and trust, and of course I will be recommending it to many others now.
Do you have an outlet over here in the
God bless you and keep you close to Him, thank you, I am recovering for a motor bike accident I had in 1993, my forth operation, no big deal, but sitting around in my time with Him, thank you for blessing me real good.
Yours in Him,
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…and suddenly
…you are flying….
49 Comments on More Stories »
September 1, 2007
Oge @ 7:39 am:
Hello Willie,
My friend gave me the book to read and i think it is spectacular. I think outta all the books i ve read, this is wonderful. It has helped me appreciate my spirituality with God, i mean Papa and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
This book is not in my country (Nigeria), i wish we can get it here for others to read.
Thanks anyway.
September 22, 2007
Terry McCray @ 6:42 pm:
Thank you for a very deep read that has impacted my life. My husband and I have been looking for a tool to start relationships with neighbors/friends that is not based on church-going and religion. I ordered a whole case right after I read your book as I had already given away my only copy. I gave 15 away to co-workers this past week and many are reading it this weekend!! I can’t wait to hear their comments and see how God is going to use His book that you wrote to impact change in my corner of the world. Many of my religious preconceived ideas about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit are being shed. I LOVE THIS BOOK and I’m learning to love a newfound relationship with The Holy Three even more!
May Papa bless you mightly!
September 29, 2007
Pamela @ 4:09 pm:
On page 204 there is a mistake in the 6th paragraph.The words, “law” and “grace” need to be reversed. Also, I don’t read “Forwards” (because they are usually about the author or how the book evolved, which is usually not of interest to me initially), so naturally I began with Chapter 1 and therefore missed the preface of the book.I suggest changing that and making the “Foreword” what it should be:Chapter 1,in reprints,or others may miss out on some important data like I did.I had a hard time with the representation of the Trinity in the forms in which you presented them.I liked the tremendous doctrinal/theological insights however, and think they will free many from the clutches of bondage caused by religion rather than relationship and legalism rather than grace and Spirit.
September 30, 2007
Darleen Hampson @ 6:56 pm:
Dear Willie, What a wonderful way to knock Christians off their feet and make non-christians wonder!!!!! You started a labor of love for your family and God has used it already in more lives than you and I will EVER know. I found myself stopping every couple of pages and reflecting, re-reading and laughing, then crying….so afraid to reach the end of the book and the chance to enjoy this “place” you brought to me.
Now that I have finished it - I find that it has stayed with me and I have gone back to it to refresh an idea, a caution, a response. May all that God has for you be enjoyed by you and your family. I am doing all I can to spread the word among believers and non-believers I know, trusting that (Sarayu) has fertilized the soil and they are prepared to receive the much-needed seed of freedom in Christ!
judith @ 7:58 pm:
Willie- it seems trivial to say thank you for the work of grace you penned in The Shack. Like other readers, I read it through the night and will go back now with a highlighter and my journal to try and meditate on the stirrings “Sarayu” is creating. And I, too, today after reading it last night find myself with a sense of longing. Longing to have the relationship with others that the trinity have -with no performance, no control, no hierarchy or competition, only complete love and acceptance. Reading the book, my soul would cry out, “God, I want this with you - I want to completely trust and embrace all your nature is.” Then I would find myself needing to make a list of “how to receive this grace and unconditional love” and as quickly as the list could be thought of, God gracefully redirected that it is nothing I can “do”, but simply have to receive and grow into. (funny how I wanted to control even my losing control
Ah- what a deep breath of fresh air and an explosion of paradigms and a genuine hope that stirs and desparately wants to believe that this Elousia is big enough to bring me into such a wide space!
I am sorry for the pain that you endured in order to have it redeemed into such a blessing- it is true that nothing significant comes without cost, and I know it cost you deeply to be able to offer this to the rest of hurting humanity. So- thank you for allowing this to be birthed through you. My biggest hope is that on the other side of my suffering, there will be beauty and grace largely manifest and evident to others and that it will not be me they see, but Him! Thanks again, Judith Brock
October 16, 2007
Anna @ 9:40 pm:
There are no words to fully express the gratitude I have for this book. My Dad had read it and could not stop talking about it… he gave it to me and said he was sure I would love it. I have to say it’s hands-down the BEST book I have ever read! Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.
I’m a PK (pastor’s kid) and I never really realized how much of my life was centered around religion and the rules it brings. This book awakened my soul into realizing that Papa doesn’t expect me to be perfect, He doesn’t want me to be anything different than I am; wounded, sins, and my messy heart and soul. Most all my life I have lived in fear that God would punish me for things I have done and messes I’ve made. I always felt like a complete and total failure and lived in guilt most of the time. I can’t recall any time in my life where I’ve really had peace in my heart with my relationship with God, until I read this book.
As I was reading some of the last chapters, one thing was said that struck a chord deep in my soul, and brought along with it unbidden tears. It’s on page 168. I felt like this was me having a conversation with Papa himself.
“Has she forgiven me?” he asked.
“Forgiven you for what?”
“I failed her,” he whispered.
“It would be her nature to forgive, if there were anything to forgive, which there is not.”
WOW. What a concept. Papa told me that there was nothing to forgive. I was already forgiven. It was gone. How wonderful that felt to hear!!! :] I was finally able to realize that Papa had already forgiven me. And in turn, I was able to forgive myself and bring healing to my heart. YAY!!! :]
Papa used you in such an awesome way when He gave you the words for this wonderful treasure. He knew that I needed to hear very specific things, and used your book to get the message across.
Thank you so much for being a blessing to so many, but especially to me. :] May Papa bless you mightily!!!
November 18, 2007
Sue @ 5:06 pm:
I have never read a book that has spoken to my heart like this one has. I quit ”going to church” about a year ago because I was looking for a deeper relationship with Abba, than what was being taught in church. My mom and sister have been trying to get me to go back to church, but I know in my heart that I’m where Abba wants me, and that is more important to me. When I have tried sharing the story of The Shack to my sister, she just looks at me then changes the conversation. I feel so blessed by this book, and I’m starting to understand Abba’s love for me. Prayerfully some day my family will understand my journey and will come to know Abba in a different way.
Thank you so much for this book.
Sue
November 26, 2007
Louie Chastain @ 7:43 pm:
Dear Willie, I was and am enamoured by the transparency of the book and it is changing the way I see God. The only question I have is how you discussed or how you had Jesus discuss Chritians, i.e., in what context are you using the term christian? I have apparently have misunderstood christianity for some time, please enlighten me on your thoughts.
December 9, 2007
Kay @ 8:19 pm:
How amazingly wonderful that simple words can touch and speak to the hearts of so many confused people in this world. It was an easy read, yet at the same time difficult to digest because I think it is the kind of desire that all of us long to have in our relationships. This books connects because we’ve all had some sort of tragedy and/or broken relationship, some “thing” we’ve not been able to get over that hold us back from reveling in the kind of trust we could have if we let go of our “humaneness” in order to better connectwith “P”ersonally “A”wesome “P”resence “A”lways…no matter how much you believe or not!
God bless you and you family for speaking so simply and elegantly what many Christians just can’t seem to do…
December 22, 2007
Josie Kampen @ 11:46 pm:
Dear Willie,
I sent you an email a while ago but after reading these comments I wanted to add a few lines. My pastor lent me “the Shack” and wanted it passed on to others.It is not for sale yet in New Zealand, but as soon as it is , I will have my own copy which will have a place very close to my Bible and my heart. I am looking forward to reading it again and again. I called my father papa, and so to me it is a special, endearing name.Thank you for bringing the difficult explanation of the relationship of the Trinity
in such a simple, yet clear form.
May God’s plans for you and your family come to their full
fruition and His Grace abound in all your lives.
Josie
December 27, 2007
Pat D @ 8:09 pm:
Dear Willie,
Never before have I read a book that has made me cry so much, laugh so much, feel alive so much. Your rendition of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is so powerful, real, and comforting. I am scared that I have wasted so much time with nothing worries. Papa is just who you say he is. Loving, forgiving and wanting us to come home. I am so grateful that you shared your gift with us. Thank you for bringing me closer to God. I finished the book yesterday and gave it to a close friend to read last night. God bless you. Pat
December 29, 2007
Jennie @ 8:40 pm:
Wow!!!
What an incredibly explicit book!!! My Papa never never ceases to amaze me!
I can’t wait for the audio….my husband is a truck driver and I would love for him to have it!!!
Blessings to you!
Because of Him,
Jennie
Missouri
December 31, 2007
Ron Cunningham @ 4:38 pm:
Willie, what a gift you have shared with us! My sister gave me The Shack for Christmas and I devoured it’s loving description of my savior, friend and Papa in record time. I am not a fiction reader, and was surprised to find out on your website that Mack was not “real”. Although I love him as a brother. If I had known, I would have probably put it down or read much slower! Nonetheless, this just seals for me the real blessing you have shared from your heart and I am grateful for your courage and insight in sharing this wonderful vision of the Trinity. I find myself truly pining for His Kingdom on earth when I imagine all of us just living to love and to be in relationship with Papa and one another.
I have just ordered four copies and will be spreading this blessing around my community.
January 12, 2008
karen bonar @ 6:22 pm:
I could not put “The Shack” down. It was such a page turner and I kept talking to everyone I ran into about the book while I was reading it. Someone I work with told me about this book and told me I should read it. She had gotten it through her book club. Since I work in a Christian bookstore I picked it up as soon as it came in the back door and starting reading it at work on my lunch. When I went home all I could think about was getting back to work and read some more. Well, when I went to work the next day I bought the book and brought it home and finished it that night. I laughed, I cried, I worshiped and fell in love with God all over again. The book is a beautiful picture of God’s love. It is so thought provoking! It opened up a whole new way of thinking for me about God, Jesus, and the Holy spirit. I feel as if I have experienced “Papa” in a brand new way. What a gift! Everyone should read “The Shack”. It will change their life. It did mine! I am so excited to be able not only to read the book but to be able to recommend and sell the book to others where I work. Can hardly wait for the movie!!!
January 28, 2008
Sarita Carter @ 3:56 pm:
I have not read a book in such a long time that has affected my walk with “Papa” is such a substantial way! Like many others, I laughed, cried and just knew that this book was a special gift to me from Papa. It is always amazing that He knows just what I need to hear at just the right time. I thank you for your willingness to share your story with the world. I pray that enough books will be sold so a movie can be made that will touch even more lives. Until then, I am doing my part and spreading the word on what The Shack has done for me so others will be intrigued and eager to read about Papa in a whole new way.
January 30, 2008
janet wilkinson @ 4:16 pm:
I am almost finished with The Shack. The best part is the Loving way you portray our Father. I grew up with a demanding, authoratative Father. And I love the open, warm, forgiving view of “Papa”. And i have turned back many a page to reread the refreshing, honest, clearer view of how to live as a Christian, how to live “in Him” and not by the law. And I love your views of freedom. Something God wants to freely give us. Thank you for being vulnerable and baring your soul for all of us. God will bless you for it.
February 1, 2008
Jack @ 7:01 am (Trackback)
Jack…
There are varying schools of thought on your subject. I happen to agree with you - most of the time. Keep it up….
February 4, 2008
Jack @ 10:17 am (Trackback)
Jack…
Ok, I’m not in complete agreement with this, but I see your point. Thanks for sharing….
February 7, 2008
Megan Henkle @ 9:09 pm:
I just wanted to say that “The Shack” is one of the best illustrations of God that I have ever heard and the version of His love for us that seems the most true and believable. I have spent the majority of my life in a very legalistic environment, and never knew God to be as loving and gracious and forgiving as the book describes. I LOVE the image of the three (God, Sarayu, and Jesus) all seperatly yet together working to show Mack how deep and never-ending His love is. There were so many questions Mack asked that I felt like shouting “Yeah! What about that?” and the answer would make perfect sense– as if I knew it all along. People destroy God’s true intentions for humanity with their sinfulness– our understanding of God is so limited and finite. I felt liberated and loved by a God I can relate to now in a way I wasn’t able to before. Dealing with pain and loss myself, I felt comforted and relieved by the vision of a God that is a companion, father, mentor and friend who always seeks the best for you. Thank you for this work of art– it is a life-changing book and i am spreading the word to all who will listen!
February 14, 2008
Bev Mattox @ 8:55 am:
The energy and colors of forgiveness described in the scene between Mack and his natural father are with me still and I pray will remain within me always. This vivid illumination of the depth of God’s grace and mercy is unforgettable. Thank you for your willingness to pen it.
margaret @ 9:24 pm:
I loved this book. I read it cover to cover twice, and now I just flip it open to any page and read 2-10 pages each night before I go to sleep, or for that matter, any time I feel a surge of sadness or restlessness in my soul, any time I feel a longing I can’t define….each time, the words of Papa pour like a balm on my heart and soul, cooling the pain of unmet longings and disappointment, erasing the fear of a father’s rejection acquired over a lifetime, and giving me hope in the acceptance of my Papa’s love. Thank you.
February 25, 2008
Steven Roemer @ 8:24 am:
Terrific book, just blasted through it. Will be reading it again more carefully for sure.
I had a few “a-ha” moments as the author did a terrific job of boiling down sometimes complicated theology into digestible bits.
The only concern I have with it (again I feel it necessary to say I read it fast) is that i struck me at times as being . . . new-agey?
February 28, 2008
Lisa @ 8:57 pm:
I want to live at the cabin for eternity! I was so sad to finish the book. I just wanted the story of our papa to go on forever! Yep, this is where I want to be…at the cabin and skipping stones with Jesus!!! What a wonderful story…is there really a lady bug killer?
February 29, 2008
Ron Bailey @ 1:14 pm:
I finished the book last night. Of course I cried, and you will too if you read this book. This book helped me understand the redemptive heart of God better than any description I had ever previously heard. I love how the book challenged us to be in real relationship with the real God who created us, while indicting us for our misjudgment of God Himself, who loves us so much that His plan of redemption cost His Only Begotten, and then lets us off the hook through that ongoing redemptive effort at a personal level. And forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door…
Thanks to Papa, and to Willie, for this gift.
March 3, 2008
Erin Casch @ 1:10 am:
I am a 27 year-old hairdresser that has really seemed to lack finding motivation to attend church or spiritually grow in the past couple years. Last week, one of my guests came to get her hair colored, and mentioned “The Shack”. The next day I conveniently ended up in Barnes and Noble and remembered to ask about that book. This morning, I finished the book. Over the past week of reading it, I felt like it opened up my eyes to the true Trinity, in ways that I never realized… therefore bringing me out of my slump. The whole reading, I knew that God wasn’t talking to the fictional “Mack”, but actually to ME THE READER! Each day this past week, I grew more and more excited, and told many of my guests at work. One lady even called me back at work, asking me what the name of the book was again, because she was down at Barnes and Noble. God has used this book to give me the “shove” I needed, and hopefully now he’s using me to spread the word to others daily that I see at work!
Thank you!
March 5, 2008
bonnie @ 8:05 am:
keep the e’mails coming….when i “give” away a copy, i use some of these comments along with a “prayer” that the receiver will be as much blessed as the giver (you, the author, me the sharer, and PAPA the ultimate source of all giving….God Bless!
Ron Ross @ 1:24 pm:
Wow! Yea God! I could not put this book down. Not only has it re-awakened the longing for pure fellowship with Papa, Sarayu, and Jesus, but I can’t wait to share this with all in my sphere of influence. My personal journey reflects the glory of this revelatory presentation of our God-three in one! Thank you for ‘being a good steward of the manifold Grace of God’.
I have truly fallen in love all over again with Papa, Sarayu and Jesus…something like returning to your first love. Thank you, thank you, thank you
March 8, 2008
Rhonda Hefley @ 3:22 pm:
I will never be the same after reading “The Shack”. I felt Papa’s love so strong in the reading of this book. I pray that I will never change the way I feel right now after finishing this book. I understand for the first time how Gods love is so great. I have cried for the first time ever while reading a book. And it has truely did a miracle in my life.I was raised in a very God FEARING home. We never were taught of this GREAT love you talked about, or a least in a form I understood. Thank you so much for spending the time to write this book. I will be sharing this information with everyone I come in contact with.
March 9, 2008
Laura Hamby @ 4:19 pm:
Dear Willie,
I am an avid reader. I read anywhere from 1-5 books a week. I have read many that I enjoyed and a few that truly touched me but very few that have impacted me to the level that The Shack did. My son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was three. I have spent many years fighting the “Great Sadness” I have just finished your book and I feel like I am almost flying compared to the weight lifted from my soul. This book touched me in many areas of my life. I will spread the word. I just e-mailed Karen Kingsbury and also sent reviews to Barns & Noble and Amazon. I have already suggested the book to my immediate family and hope to get a copy to my minister soon. Thanks for everything!
Laura
March 13, 2008
Parmilee @ 1:54 am:
What can I say, it is 3:45am Central time and I just finished reading “The Shack”! My daughter loaned me the book and after the first night of reading I was so touched in my deepest being all I could do was cry and set in His presence. I am 73 years old and have loved the Lord most of my life, but I sensed a fresh ‘wind blowing’ as I read, I didn’t judge the book - I simply let it speak to my heart. I went to bed crying and worshiping, I woke up crying and worshiping. I finally had to tell Pappa, I have to get dressed and go to work, my tears really do have to stop. And He wiped them away! My granddaughter is going through some very deep water at the present time and I was able to share my experience at ‘The Shack’ with her. Just the little I shared touched her deeply. I am so convienced that there is so my more that God longs to share with us through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, so much more freedom He longs to give us but we are so cought up in the trappings of religion that it is hard to penetrate our hearts and minds. My husband is an ordained minister working with people in the MarketPlace. This is the story they need to hear!! I just purchased 6 books and will be giving them away. May God bless you, and a film would be wonderful!
Parmilee
March 23, 2008
Mary Kay @ 6:30 pm:
Praise God! Halelujah! Amen! I devoured every word and am on my second read with a pen…gave my first copy away and had to buy one for myself. I had a revelation of my life in Christ about ten years ago, and it has been very difficult to find like minded churches, pastors, fellow believers. I have walked away from church services feeling so frustrated that the point is being missed! Saying deep in my soul…’Where is the love? Where is the life? We can’t do it, only Jesus can!’ When I read The Shack I was exhilerated beyond desciption! Yes! Yes! Yes! That’s who God is! My sister, and best friend, got sick this past summer. I was so overwhelmed I had no place else to go but to God’s heart. I lived there and breathed there. When she passed away this fall I knew she was with Jesus and I was comforted, but I had questions gnawing in the back of my mind…Why didn’t You heal her? Did I do everything I could? I would eventually come around to knowing those thoughts were useless and I would return to Papa’s lap thanking Him that she was with Him. This cycle would repeat itself over and over, but I was allowing myself to grieve. Then I read The Shack and my grief has been transformed! The vision I have of her with Jesus is heart warming and the guilt I toyed with is miraculously gone! Thank you for this exquisitely written story that has truth, deep truth, woven in every page. One of my favorite past sayings is, ‘My life is a mess!’ Thus, the chapter in the garden of Mack’s life was especially revealing to me. And now I say that with a smile on my face for I know it is a beautiful mess, tenderly cared for by Papa! I know God is bursting His truth into this time in history, and I am so grateful The Shack will touch many lives that church cannot reach. Oh, for our churches to understand Papa and convey His truth to hungry, starving people…especially those in their own congregations!
Words cannot thank you enough. Bless you!
March 24, 2008
Sue @ 9:21 am:
I have to go and buy another copy for myself-I gave mine away. I love the fact that when someone writes in about the book, I get an email so I can read their comments. It really encourages me that there are others out there just like me that want to share Papa’s love with everyone. It seems like just when I’m starting to feel sorry for myself-not being connected to a ”church” I’ll get an email about the book and it picks me up, there are lots of us out there that feel the same way about Papa and His love for us. The ”church” is missing out on so much.
Thank you….thank you….thank you for The Shack and thanks to all who have read it and are sending their comments.
God is so Good!!!!
April 10, 2008
Eric @ 5:40 am (Trackback)
Eric…
Ok, I’m not in complete agreement with this, but I see your point. Thanks for sharing….
April 14, 2008
Ty Lopin @ 4:42 pm:
Mr. Young,
Thank you for penning this exceptional read. A friend and co-worker here at my church shared it with not only myself, but everyone in our resources department. We’re getting a case of fresh copies to pass around; it’s a beautiful interpretation of what our GOD is (Love is a verb). I know you will be blessed because of your obedience and anointing. Our times they are a changing, and your book is an anchor in this tsnaumi.
Blessings,
Ty
April 15, 2008
Bill @ 8:24 am:
I’m not sure exactly what I want to say other than since reading “The Shack” I have been overwhelmed by the great sadness more than ever. I view my 34 year christian experience as a boxing match. I am now in about round 10 of a scheduled 12 round fight and want to throw in the towel. My initial response to the book was one of hope and expectancy. I then realized that the story is just that; a story. One man’s view or interpretation of his personal experience…whatever. My initial hope was that someone (you) had had an experience with God that could translate to others like me who have had a difficult time in the church and in experiencing God for real; i.e. a life changing relationship that others seem to find so much easier than is my experience.
Anyway, not all is well out here in readerland. Thanks for listening.
April 16, 2008
Darleen @ 12:34 pm:
Addressing Bill April 15…I understand your disappointment that this is fiction - I wanted it to be a “real” personal encounter that Willie had and had the nerve to share with all of us…but then, where would our faith come in? Would anyone really believe it anyway? Wouldn’t we end up debating whether or not to believe it - rather than contemplating the fresh perspective he has given us?
If we had the “proof” that we are looking for, then there would be no need to “ask, seek and knock.” This relationship with a Heavenly Papa and all that is implied is literally a relationship that grows and wanes, deepens and changes as we seek time with Him. I am sorry for your sadness. I, too, often have great sadness that I cannot explain or override. Since I have read the book - I take great comfort in the fact that my Papa knows about my sadness - and I am not alone. You are not alone, either.
April 18, 2008
Sue @ 8:11 pm:
Bill, Darleen is right, you are not alone. You shouldn’t compare your relationship with God to someone else. Even though it might look like their relationship is easy, no one truly knows what they have been through in their life, nor how long they have had that relationship. God created each one of us differently, we have different life experiences and personalities, so our relationship with God is going to be completely different than anyone elses. The church is a great place to get a foundation, but not that great about showing or teaching us how to have a personal relationship with God. The church is great about telling us how we should behave and what we should think, but nothing about just getting alone with God, talking to Him, listening to Him. Some churches don’t even tell their people that God actually talks to His children. I’m celebrating my 60th birthday today and I’ve only just now begun to realize just how much God truly loves me. About 2 yrs ago, I started asking God to teach me what He wanted me to know….not what the ”church” wanted to teach me. God brought me out of the ”church” so I could spend time with Him, depend on Him for my teaching. He has set my heart on fire. My 1st grandbaby was killed from shaken infant syndrome when he was 7 mos. old. Reading The Shack gave me peace but also a little sadness when I read it. Even though it was just a story, it spoke to my heart, I know Cody is with Papa and that some day I will be with him again…forever, but I still miss him so much.
Don’t give up on that relationship with God, but also don’t look for formulas to get closer to God. Let God out of the box that religion puts Him in, let go of your idea of how your relationship with God should be, just spend time with him, pour your heart out to Him, just find a quiet place that you can go to, where you can talk outloud and won’t worry about anyone hearing you. Take your Bible and pencil and paper with you, maybe some music, then just get alone with God and listen. Then when you feel something on your heart, write it down or if you feel a scripture on your heart look it up. Just sit and thank God for the beauty all around you, the trees, the flowers, the birds, the sky, even the rain. Thank him for your friends, like all of us on this site that care about you, and that are praying for you. And don’t hurry, go slow, let what God does in you and talks to you about soak in, don’t worry about not being where you think you should be in your walk with Him…just allow God to work in you, He knows what you need and when you need it. You came to this site because you are hurting, I hope you’ll allow God to heal your heart. Please let us know how you are doing….we care.
Sue
April 19, 2008
Jan @ 7:15 am:
To Bill regarding all is not well. One thing I have learned, and especially after reading this book twice, is that it is a process. Sometimes things have to get stirred up inside and be unsettling so that we will seek the answers thru Him. I hope that as Sue says you will get quiet and feel Papa’s arms around you and just be. It is the best place. And slowly but surely the healing begins, but it is a process a life long one, and sometimes it happens a little bit at a time because that is all you can take or understand and the moment. Will keep you in my prayers.
April 27, 2008
Ken @ 8:37 pm:
I just finished reading “The Shack”. I couldn’t stop crying and laughing at the same time. Our God is really that amazing. When I was 7, my younger brother Patrick was hit by a car and killed right in front of our house. He was trying to follow me and my twin brother accross the street. I can’t even describe the guilt and shame that has been apart of my life for over 30 years. This wonderful book and helped me come to grips with what happened so long ago and to forgive myself. I can’t wait to see my brother some day. I know it was an accident and that God was there with us. I’m going to buy my mom this book. She still has many fears and sadness over the accident. I feel closer to Abba then ever. I still have questions but I know that He has ordained all things for His great purpose and that I don’t have to know everything just trust in the one who does. Thanks, again for this incredible story of God’s love for me. Ken
May 9, 2008
Pamela toubeaux @ 6:23 am:
Willie, This book is a shaker ! So relevent for this hour. Don’t you think? It flows beautifully with the Song of all Songs. It’s about love after all . Not so much about doing for Abba as it is about about being with Him . We are dark but lovely to Him and His desire is for us!!! OH, to just enjoy God and His precious Son Jesus Christ and let Him enjoy us . What a way to Live!!!! Blessings in the name of Who is to come.
May 11, 2008
Tom @ 2:18 pm:
Bill, I think maybe I know where you are coming from. I read the book and was pulled right in to the story. What Mac heard and experienced was truly wonderful and life transforming.
“Papa why can’t I have my own weekend with you three?”
” Tom, Willie’s book is a story, an allegory, it did not really happen to Mac, in fact Mac is an imaginary character, it has never happened to anyone like that.
You live by faith, not by sight, just as all my cherished children have and do and will; take The Shack as a window into divine wisdom for you and your generation, written by a gifted and faithful man; test it against my written word, understand where it is right on, where it is imperfect, where it is silent. Use it to understand us better and trust us better”
“Hm, Ok Papa, I can go with that, sorry I had trouble getting out of Willie’s story. Thanks for all it reminded me of, that somehow seems to wear out of me so easily, particularly the shear depth and extravagance of your grace and love. Thank you for the faith I find in my heart to accept them as your gifts to me.”
“You’re welcome son”.
With apologies to Willie for mimicking (badly) and, I guess, to Bill because I really did not have the above conversation. It is more a question of, if God were to answer my question, what would he say?
I found The Shack very biblical once I had got around the above problem. The insights into the Trinity (as we like to label the mystery), the focused individually directed love and grace God has for each of us, the sacrifice of Jesus to buy us back, the uselessness of seeking approval, the balance between free will and omnipotence and a whole lot more are excellently thought provoking
C H Spurgeon a great English Baptist preacher of the 19th century said of John Bunyan the author of Pilgrims Progress: “Prick him anywhere and his blood is bibline”.
Keep it up Willie and they may be saying the same about you in two centuries time!
Don’t lose heart Bill. If you are as close to gaining the prize as you say, this is no time to throw in the towel. Check out the Bible again and see if the story that Willie spins is right. I am just reading John’s Gospel (excellent in The Message). If you did the same I’d be suprised if you did not recognise some of The Shack as you read.
Tom
May 12, 2008
Anne @ 8:30 am:
I have just finished The Shack & am preparing to dive into it again. What can I say - WOW. I have lived with a Great Sadness for several years now.
Fourteen years ago we adopted 4 severely abused pre-schoolers, a stairstep sibling group. Suddenly at puberty the older 3 rebelled, complete with every abuse they could sow onto themselves and onto us. We have known repetitive heartache for years as the strain of courts, group homes, therapy, prison, drugs, sex, violent anger, break-ins, larceny, false accusations, failure, investigations, lies and more lies virtually trapped us in despair. The Great Sadness set in, and I had become convinced it would never be dislodged. I had given up on God helping me, for surely this outcome had Him severely disappointed in me, right? Then He sent The Shack. When I was first saved almost 30 years ago, I lived intimately with God, calling him Daddy - that’s how He had revealed Himself to me, and I did grow up with a wonderful earthly father! But through the years of pain, I had let the awareness of that relationship slip away & was just continuing to plod through what I was supposed to do.
This book has awakened my soul & spirit to the call to “learn to live loved” again. Scales of some sort have fallen from my eyes, and suddenly it’s just Daddy & me again. I am crying, laughing, amazed! Sure, I’ll have to walk this out in faith, feelings can be flighty, battles continue. But Daddy’s here, and Jesus and Holy Spirit, and GOD WANTS ME. Period.
Ah, the freedom of knowing I am loved. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
May 23, 2008
Bart Breen @ 9:38 am:
WOUNDS
I feel the pain of wounds inside, that others cannot see.
They do not bleed or show on scans with any certainty.
And yet they’re there, and real enough to cause me pain and grief,
At times I wonder if inside, I’ll ever find relief.
My prayer has been that they would go and leave my heart set free,
So I could feel the pleasure of this life in store for me.
The healing comes, but it’s so slow, like gold being refined,
It’s like moving Mount Everest, a pebble at a time.
I’m learning now, the pain is part of who and what I am.
The grief is real and has its place in making me a man.
I need to heal, I know I do, my need is to endure.
Just now instead of lack of pain, through pain I’ll find the cure.
© Bart Breen
May 27, 2008
Rhonda @ 6:47 pm:
Willie, Thank you for a grand visual voyage of a read! I had many “ah-ha” moments! I believe there are no coincindences in life. Reading, The Shack, given to me by my son who attends Multnomah Bible College while I was visiting him in Portland last week, was a timed - divine inspired blessing for me. It helped to re-awaken me to seek a deeper “relationship” with God the Father. I gained a more intimate view and understanding of the Holy Trinity as the story was written in such a beautiful, comfortable, and understandable way. I am now more eager to share my faith through relationships with others. As I just finished this book, I am ever so filled with this knowledge, this peace, and love living inside of me that I stand more grounded and able to let go and let God. I want to gather myself into the Bible that sits rather neglected on my shelf. I have such a yearning to experience more of what God shares with me/us first hand through His written word. I believe that God can speak to me (all of us), in many ways. Through a song, a kind word from a friend, a sermon, a prodding thought, the creation around us, and YES even a book… even if it may have not been a true story. Who are we to limit how and when He communicates with us? God certainly spoke to ME as I read Mack’s story. Mystery or not - this is true for me, and I can see by reading through so many other’s positive comments; (thanks by the way for allowing us to share our thoughts together!), that it is also true for them. And that my friends is a very good thing! Let’s journey on and pass, The Shack, onto others and see how God uses this story to speak to them.
June 6, 2008
Bob Quick @ 4:28 pm:
Paul…I haven’t read a novel in many years
but when I came across The Shack I felt that
the Lord wanted me to read it. I did and it opened something in me that I can’t put into words.
The Father wants us to know He really, really
loves us. Bless you…Bob
July 10, 2008
sharon shiflet @ 7:00 am:
There are thousands of books in Christian bookstores that talk about God. “The Shack” reveals God. Thank you for the book. I will be buying copies of the book to give to people. You have made the Father famous and real. I hope it gets made into a movie. Dont let them make it into one of those cheesy movies that Christians sometimes make. Hold out for something deserving of this book.
sharon
July 17, 2008
Michael @ 6:57 am:
Thank you so much for putting in writing so many concepts that are not said in the church. I have been truly blessed. I have come to some of these revelations already, but some are new and impact my life in a beautiful way. Most striking is that god has no expectation of me. I try so hard to live good for god, but when I screw up I get so upset and its hard to keep trudging ahead. One step forward thee steps backward. Now I know that if I sin god is still ok with me. Sure i need to repent, but no matter what i do my actions are not going to cause God to love me more or less. God always loves me no matter how rotten I am and i don’t need to clean myself up for God. That is his job. All i need to do is love him. He will do the rest. I was also impacted by Mack forgiving the little lady killer. I don’t have any thing as bad as that but while I was deployed to Iraq my dog was stolen. I love that dog. When i got back I found out who took the dog and that he gave it to his dad who is a pastor. I went over there to talk to him and he told me,”well its my dog now.” I showed up next with the police and the vet(I have a tracking chip in the dog) The man told the police they are not coming in and the dog is not coming out and the police told me there is nothing that they can do about it. I have been very angry at this man and God. I have forgiven this pastor and forgiven God. Again I thank you.
July 21, 2008
Debbie @ 7:57 am:
I was dealing with some issues and my friend suggested i read this book. Upon reading this book i saw a God and Jesus and the holy spirit like i have never seen them before, this book has truly changed my life. I was raped as a child and for a long time was upset why God did not stop it, Now i see why. I have tried to live up to what i thought god expected and this book has shown me he expects Nothing of me but my love for him, I believe with all of my heart what we read is true, and those words you put on paper where gods words to his people who are hurting, when i pray i now say Papa now as i really see him that way. I have told everyone about this book and tell them when they get to the part where he get to the Shack call me. God Bless you and i thank papa for using you to get his words out that we all so badly needed to hear. I cant wait for the movie. thank you Again.
Terry @ 2:36 pm:
Dear Willie,
My sister gave me this book to read. I agreed, although after reading the first part I was struggling to go on. I could not imagine why she wanted me to read the book, let alone loving it herself, upon completing the chapter where Missy was murdered.
Unfortunately, no imagination was needed to realize what Missy went through before she died. I have counseled many young girls who lived through tragedies, hearing the gory details they had to tell.
An insomniac night got me through that bit and led me to The Trinity. My words can not describe how amazing it was. Your words were simplistic, but hit the nail on the head. How did you ever come up with them?
My whole life I have struggled with faith issues, mostly pertaining to Catholicism, but also with all forms of organized religion. Other issues I have with forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and especially the Trinity were so beautifully and simply detailed.
I pray that the Holy Spirit wrote this book with you as a conduit. For my sake and the sake of all those who are pairing it with their Bible.
Thank You for this GIFT!
Love, Terry