This is a special announcement for the podcast. Just a quick update on what has been happening and making sure everything is working properly in my system.
hear
I have had numerous problems of late with the site … from malware shutdowns … to podcasts not showing up … to Bluehost crashing … I think everything is finally fixed. Here is an update on things.
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Mack’s walk with Jesus quickly becomes a test to see if Mack trusts Jesus.Heading off down the dock, Jesus walks past all the boats, not stopping until he reaches the end.
Walk on Water
Mack is thinking that it’s awfully cold for a swim and a long way to the other side of the lake, but he’s game if Jesus is. Then he realizes that Jesus isn’t planning on swimming. He really wants to walk with Mack – across the lake.
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Mack’s next encounter is with Sarayu whom he has decided is the Holy Spirit … in the garden of his soul. She is gentle, somewhat ethereal, but also down-to-earth in her gardener clothes.
Garden of the Soul
She is delighted at Mack’s assessment of her garden as “chaotic,” although she assures him that her garden isn’t just a mess of colorful flowers with no pattern but a conglomeration of fractals with its own sense of order.
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Over breakfast, Mack discusses with Jesus, Sarayu and Papa the hierarchy of the Trinity, only to learn there isn’t one. They are in a circle of relationship and choose to serve each other above themselves.
Breakfast of Champions
In perfect unity there is no need for authority. This transitions to a discussion about how God works in the world in general – with the ultimate question in Mack’s mind being how God could allow his daughter to die while He yet talks of love.
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Mack’s introduction to the three holy beings continues and he is delighted to watch the relationship among them. Each one seems to have a particular message and so their conversations with each other take on a different tone.
God on the Dock
As they begin to share what they have to teach him Mack is overjoyed at the holy relationship between them and that they are more than willing to share that with him.
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Meeting the three beings in the shack evokes a number of emotions in Mack. First is relief that the note was not sent by the murderer so he will not need his gun. Next is wonder at the strange creatures who are obviously holy; in fact, Mack is quickly convinced that he is in the presence of God, Jesus, and an Asian female who is possibly the Holy Spirit.
Piece of Pi
Even as he realizes who it is he is addressing, Mack is still angry that God did not take care of Missy and is surprised at the response he receives to his bitter question, “If you couldn’t take care of Missy, how can I trust you to take care of me?” With deep compassion, they each share his tears and soon they are all contributing to a personal lesson in theology – from the beginnings of creation through the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of the world.
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We pick up our study of the Shack this week. In previous weeks, we discussed our purpose in studying the book, as well as how the story is a metaphor for what happened in the author’s life.
Shack Study
This week, we discuss the backdrop of the story … the introduction of Mack, as well as how Missy went missing. The questions that build in Mack are discussed.
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I’m back! After a VERY long absence, I decided to return to podcasting.
return
Where have I been? What have I been up to? What is the future of the show?
Hear all about it!
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We’ve talked in general about The Shack and why we are studying the fictional book. In this episode, I want to get the author’s perspective of his side of the story.
Real Story
Knowing why an author wrote the book is a huge benefit to understanding the book. Once we understand this, we have a better grasp to understand the various parts of the books.
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I’ve wanted to talk about The Shack for quite some time. The first time I read this book, it healed me of so many wounds in my life. We start up a study of the book, followed by Baxter Kruger’s book on the theology of The Shack
Shack
But before we begin, I want to talk about WHY? Why study a fictional book? And what is the book about? What is the story and who are the characters?
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