ocotillo

another day, another book review

My husband and I went through a period of watching a lot of movies. We've since shifted to books. I hardly know what's on tv anymore. Believe it or not, there is no bookstore in our area. I think there was a Barnes & Noble and it went out of business (weird). So, we've been keeping the amazon empire, and the beloved UPS man in business.

I actually stumbled across this book in relation to the Jake Colsen book. But I wound up reading Jake Colsen online because it was there and free. Though I so much prefer cuddling up with a real paper book on the couch or out in the sunshine with 30 mph winds.

So, this book is called the shack. Which I write that way to keep away the googlers. There is enough ickiness in life, I prefer to keep my blog a safe haven for all involved as much as possible. And this is a book people feel VERY strongly about. It can easily polarize people.

It's history is interesting because it was written by an accidental author. He doesn't consider himself an author and wrote the book for his family and kids. Others encouraged him to seek a publisher. He went to both christian and everyday publishers. The christians told him they really liked it, but it was too "edgy" and didn't fit their niche market. The everyday publishers said they too really liked it, but it was too "jesus-y" and didn't fit their niche market. Ha! I had to laugh at that. So it was published by some friends independently (the Jake Colsen people) and has circulated, more or less, word of mouth (or word of blog) without marketing.

Interestingly enough, the author lives in (drum roll please) Portland, Oregon. And I've been meaning to write this down, but I don't think I have yet. A little prophecy. Something I feel God has told me: God is going to use the creativity that is centered in that area for his purposes. I've been feeling that for some time now.

Anyhow, back to the book. It isn't the sort of book that is written so well that you can't put it down. The writing is "good enough". But the insights here are absorbing. You might have to put the book down to wipe away the tears or just to take a breather from the immensity.

Though it is clearly classified as fiction, this is the sort of book that some people will tear apart theologically. It really brings out the piranha in some folks. Personally I have no idea what 100% theologically correct would look like (except maybe 2000 years ago listening to Jesus). So much is filtered through our traditions, translations, interpretations and culture. For the books I read, I would notice if they were way off or out to lunch. Which I don't feel this one is. I look for the goodness, truth and love and hopefully leave the rest. Even if there are theological problems, there are heaps of love & truth here. Whole meals of goodness.

I know one thing I struggle with is finding the God of Love. My mind tends to default to the mean God. You know the one? Let's see, since I'm not a great writer, here are some words associated with him off the top of my head: perfectionism, guilt, fear, paranoia, legalism to name a few. Perhaps you've met him? I've shown him the door many times, but he keeps coming back because I start thinking "maybe I was wrong...".

Anyways, enough of my rambling. The website does a better job of presenting the book and a summary than me, so here you go.

about that last post....

I got a call about 2 p.m. from my husband. He was at the grocery store and wanted to know what we needed. Strange. I did ask why he wasn't at work at that time. He said he'd tell me when he got home. But I kinda already knew.

As of April 17, he will be laid off from his corporate job. Strangely (or not you might say), nearly (and that was only 2 years ago) everyone who the company transferred out from San Diego has since been laid off. Despite this being the case, people are rarely devastated. In fact, there has been a bit of envy when some people have left due to the nature of the very generous severence package. I think we might have even prayed that he would get laid off. There is 6 months of severence pay, so my fantasy of riding off into the sunset is all of a sudden not completely out of the realm of reality.

But it is enough today to absorb the shock of the news. But I don't think our future lies in suburbatopia. We'll take things one step and prayer at a time.

Our Life in Texile

"Texile" is the state of being exiled in Texas. This word is related to other word, "Texodus", a noun of unknown origin, meaning leaving Texas (and all it may symbolize).

Ok, this is hardly exile. Just my goofy sense of humor.

Richard and Karina returned late Friday night from their 5 days in the Northwest. Richard was positive. The daughter was on the negative side. Mostly she is set against it because she is 14 and has some good friends here. Also, Portland is about as different from the suburbs north of Dallas as one could find in the US. I know this is no small thing for her. But if there is a time to go, we feel it is now, and not 4 years from now (when she would graduate from high school).

Richard will be looking for another job one way or another. He finds his current corporate position to be an exercise in bureaucratic futility. Though they have been very good to him over the years. He has been applying online for jobs in the greater Portland area for a couple of weeks now.

Personally, I'd often like to just get a camper van and drive off into the sunset, leaving all our "stuff" behind. Hmmm.

I feel kinda silly saying I am one of these people who is "called" to this area or that. Though we do hear the Northwest calling.

listening

Just thought I would share a link to this online book I have been reading called Jake Colsen. I've found it to be probably the most spiritually freeing and liberating thing I've ever read. God knows the paralyzing effect religion (by this I do not mean Jesus) has had on my life. I want to marinate in it and soak it into my being. To really experience God's love and have it for others would be amazing. There's a podcast series too called The God Journey. I wish I was more awake feeling to say more. Yaaawwwwnnnn. My head is not so clear yet. But I really did just want to share these resources with you, my friends.

P.S. While checking my links, I realized that the book is actually called "So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore". I like the title they used for the German version better which translates as "The Cry of the Wild Geese: Setting Out for a Free Life in Christ Beyond Religion and Tradition". :)Wild geese!

today's gift

SNOW! And a 2 hour delay in school hours. Giving everyone time to play in it before school.