Well today is week number 6 on bed rest. I have learned quite a bit. One thing that I think has made the most impact while being on bed rest is on my marriage. I spoke in my prior note about the effects of being on bed rest as a mom. . . This one is on my marriage.
Chuck and I have always been a couple who shares and talks. Communication is the most important thing in a marriage. We talk to each other about everything, even things that are scary, hurtful and worrisome.
Being on bed rest, has made Chuck not only have to do his duties but mine as well. It has been extremely hard for me to watch him have to pick up all the pieces. Not only household but with Jackson as well. There has also been added stress with the sickness of his father, and also our nephew, and him having a new job, he has so much going on and the only thing I can do is help from a couch...
That being said Chuck and I have made it a point to still have our little dates, we just have them from the couch. We will order our favorite pizza after the young one is in bed, and watch a movie that he had picked up for us, and then he will go and get us our favorite Ice cream treats.
Also from being on bed rest I have not been able to sleep in our bed or bedroom since I was 3 1/2 to 4 months pregnant. YES! A VERY long time. The couches in the living room have become our beds, and our bedroom. We have a sectional couch that is broken up into 2 parts. Chuck sleeps on one side of the room I am on the other, we look at it as being a slumber party every night. It makes it easier to bear, I laugh because the couches have actually become more comfortable then our bed has.
One thing we do, is Chuck will come over to my place (my side of the room) and we will lay next to one another and do crossword puzzles together. Sounds lame, but just being close and working on something together does wonders for us. We also sit there in the dark and just talk and giggle. I cry sometimes because my body is tired, hurts, aching from being in bed all day and just plain tired of being pregnant in general. My sweet husband is super comforting a reassuring.
Being on bed rest and pregnant also makes your mind do such crazy things. One because you don't have anywhere near the same interaction with others that you used to and let me tell you it has an extreme affect on the mind. Insecurities also flare up when you are pregnant. Now I am not a person who has ever been really insecure in who I am, not about who I am or my looks or what I stand for. This pregnancy has been especially hard on me, I have gained so much more weight this pregnancy because of having preeclampsia that my water retention is almost 20-25 pounds of yuck! Plus not being able to be very active, and not really have a reason to do my hair or make up, your self image can really plummet.
Then out of nowhere,I am not a super emotional person, but when I am pregnant look out from he stinkin' flood. All of a sudden there is this high and low roller coaster of emotions that creeps up on you out of nowhere and you can't control it and you cant tell whether your husband thinks that you are fat and gross. I seriously got to the point that I thought my emotion that I feel fat, unattractive and completely not worthy for his eyes to even look at me was absolutely true.
Now after feeling that way, I let myself go to a seriously crazy place, with my insecurities bubbling to the top, my mind started wondering, and I thought for sure in my mind that someone else would catch his eye, and it would be all down hill from there, this played in my mind over and over for almost 2 weeks. Then this past Friday, I could not take it. After having not slept hardly a wink the night before because of my head buzzing and going crazy, I did the only thing I knew and that was pour my heart out to my husband and cry and let out what I was feeling. . . I was greeted with the best response ever. He looked me in face a told me that he loves me so much more today than the day we got married, and that I am the mother of his children and am the only person he is in love with,and that he still thinks I am one cute momma. Those words that he spoke to me I could see the love in his eyes, I could hear it in his voice, he made everything bad completely melt away, and I could NOT thank him enough for that..Now,yes, there was much more said but I think that description will suffice.
Other things that have helped to make my bed rest much more manageable has been to write in my journal, do scripture studies, read, become a coupon queen, think think think and of course movies and music! Most of all, the support of my husband. Who reassures me that I am doing the most important job of all, and that is doing what I am told to relax and to make sure that Grayson and I healthy as can be. the most successful part to bed rest is to have a supportive spouse and to also have wonderful family and friends who love you and check on you, and are willing to serve you. Receiving the service has been the toughest....
I am one who loves, loves to give and help out and to have to have that done for me is a humbling experience. I think that is something that I needed to learn. Its okay to have people help you out. I look at their service now, now as I am burdening them, but as blessings from all of the service that I have done for others, and am also allowing those giving the service to receive all the blessings that the Lord has to pour out on them.
Well I am sure I will be writing again later.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Bed Rest.....
OK, So I have been on bed rest now for the past 5 weeks, I can honestly say this has been my worst nightmare. There have been some great positives I think though. One I have gotten over my irrational fear of always having to have Jackson and that it is okay if he goes to be watched by someone else. Thankfully those people are my Aunt Val and a wonderful family friend Julie H. . . Thanks to them and their love for my son and our family, I have been able to get over my anxiety of not having my sweet precious boy with me all the time. I had no choice in this matter though because it was for the safety of myself and his brother who we are trying to get here safely.
The other things that I have learned is that, my husband really can function without me, I know it has taught him a great deal of patience and in some ways respect for what and all the things that I used to do. To be truthful I cannot wait to get back to those things.
We have some wonderful blessings come our way through all of this, TREMENDOUS blessings, The only thing I can equate it to is that we are constantly striving to what is right and trying to always make righteous decisions and to always put the Lord first in our lives.
I think that is also another reason I have been able to do bed rest here at home, is because every time I would pray before I left the hospital was to be comforted and to know the right things to do. With my prayers always came the peoples names to ask to watch Jackson, their names and hearing them brought me instant comfort, the other thing that would come to my mind was that "Lauren, this is all temporary"....
My dad,my uncle Bob and my Grandpa gave me a fantastic priesthood blessing. My uncle Bob gave it and in his blessing he talked about my journey and for 5 weeks he has been right on. He said that "The time that I have left will be strenuous, and it will be a difficult road to get Grayson here and healthy and would be stressful, that by enduring till the end we will have a glorious reward which is a healthy baby and healthy mother." I cant even begin to tell you how often those words go through my head. "The reward will be glorious".... I am soooo thankful for the Priesthood, and for all of the WONDERFUL men in my family who have its amazing power.
I look forward to seeing the huge circle of men surrounding Grayson for his name blessing. When Jackson had his done their were 14 men from my family standing around him. Truly a moving image. How thankful I am. I am also super thankful for a husband who has the priesthood,we decided and talked about recently doing our scripture study together, each of us picking a topic and finding the scriptures and doing "semi-short-lessons" as our study so we can learn and hear what the other has to say about each topic and learn. I am really excited to do that.
In my time of bed rest I have been able to do a great deal of scripture study and I must say it is amazing. I am writing something on what I have been studying and learning about....It will be posted sometime soon. It is a lot to type. Worth it though. . . It is in regard to the Trinity....and what the true nature of God really is. It is a super fascinating topic. I hope you will enjoy. Until later, I am off. . . Technically meaning tomorrow or later this evening as I don't have a whole lot going on. :0)
Later...
The other things that I have learned is that, my husband really can function without me, I know it has taught him a great deal of patience and in some ways respect for what and all the things that I used to do. To be truthful I cannot wait to get back to those things.
We have some wonderful blessings come our way through all of this, TREMENDOUS blessings, The only thing I can equate it to is that we are constantly striving to what is right and trying to always make righteous decisions and to always put the Lord first in our lives.
I think that is also another reason I have been able to do bed rest here at home, is because every time I would pray before I left the hospital was to be comforted and to know the right things to do. With my prayers always came the peoples names to ask to watch Jackson, their names and hearing them brought me instant comfort, the other thing that would come to my mind was that "Lauren, this is all temporary"....
My dad,my uncle Bob and my Grandpa gave me a fantastic priesthood blessing. My uncle Bob gave it and in his blessing he talked about my journey and for 5 weeks he has been right on. He said that "The time that I have left will be strenuous, and it will be a difficult road to get Grayson here and healthy and would be stressful, that by enduring till the end we will have a glorious reward which is a healthy baby and healthy mother." I cant even begin to tell you how often those words go through my head. "The reward will be glorious".... I am soooo thankful for the Priesthood, and for all of the WONDERFUL men in my family who have its amazing power.
I look forward to seeing the huge circle of men surrounding Grayson for his name blessing. When Jackson had his done their were 14 men from my family standing around him. Truly a moving image. How thankful I am. I am also super thankful for a husband who has the priesthood,we decided and talked about recently doing our scripture study together, each of us picking a topic and finding the scriptures and doing "semi-short-lessons" as our study so we can learn and hear what the other has to say about each topic and learn. I am really excited to do that.
In my time of bed rest I have been able to do a great deal of scripture study and I must say it is amazing. I am writing something on what I have been studying and learning about....It will be posted sometime soon. It is a lot to type. Worth it though. . . It is in regard to the Trinity....and what the true nature of God really is. It is a super fascinating topic. I hope you will enjoy. Until later, I am off. . . Technically meaning tomorrow or later this evening as I don't have a whole lot going on. :0)
Later...
Monday, April 19, 2010
Do Christians Believe In 3 Gods?
This has taken quite a few days to construct and put together, but I am finally done.....A few months back we were in visiting my brother and sister in law in Youngstown, and they asked us to go to Church with them. We said sure since they had been to our church before, so we did not want to see like we were not able to return that request. In their church the children are not in the main part with the parents, they are put into a daycare/nursery type environment, so the parents are all together listening to the Sermon. Well, In a church as big as theirs, we were not comfortable enough to leave Jackson in this care room, we are used to having our child with us.
Anywhoo, Jackson was being a little noisy and people were beginning to stare, so Chuck took him outside to go and walk around the building, cause they have speakers for you to listen even out in the hallways. As he was walking he stopped by a brochure table...This is what he found, and gave it to me after we left the church. It said "Do Christians believe in 3 God's?"..... He told me to read the first page. Once he said that I knew it had to be something interesting for HIM to bring it to me.
The First page reads this: "Muslims, Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons say yes. They insist that the orthodox Christian doctrine of the Trinity is non biblical and is a hangover from the polytheism of Greek and Roman mythologies. Is this true? Or is believing in a three-in-one God foundational to biblical faith?"
After reading the beginning, I was already buzzing in my head. I figured I would read the whole pamphlet, and try to get an understanding of what so many Christian people believe, seeing as I have asked numerous people of the "mainstream" Christian faith what the trinity means,and how they think it works, and what not and still I have never been given a satisfactory answer, especially with nothing to back it up. So I kept reading. Now I have read this little booklet, and I am going to address the issues.
The next couple of pages talk about missionaries coming to the door on a Saturday morning and are going to try and talk to you about a spiritual crisis in the world. They refer to those of us who do not believe in the Trinity as members of Anti-Trinity groups. These are some of the questions they ask. Is there evidence of the Trinity's origin in paganism? Is the doctrine of a three-in-one God biblical?
The Trinity to me is a blind belief. I think what bothers me the most about it is that, me as a Christian am told that I am not SIMPLY for the fact that I do not hold a 4th & 5th century view of who the nature of God is, and who Jesus Christ was/is. Yet, I am one who has studied and questioned and have had my own confirmation of what I have been taught, and have had my own personal revelation, that the truths that I have been taught and know are true. No one can do that for you but yourself.
So many wonderful people are being taught a falsehood. They are told that God is mysterious and to complex to be understood by their Pastors and Preachers. Also, if that were the case of him bein so mysterious and complex, that means that I would have to have more faith in the preacher or pastor teaching that, then I would be able to have in the being I should, which would be God and Christ. I have to disagree with that through and through. Our kind and loving Father in Heaven would not want his children to be confused, and I highly doubt he would put us here to just have us flounder and not be able to know what the deal is, and to also not know who he is.
The teaching of the Trinity was not taught by Abraham, Moses, the Apostles, and most importantly NOT by the Savior himself. I know because it is self-evident from the scriptures that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are separate persons, three divine beings. I am sure it would it surprise most of you to know that one of the most prominent "doctrines" in Christianity today has no basis in scripture? Really? And yet so many believe....
The "doctrine" of the "Holy Trinity" is considered by many to be essential to one's very salvation, and is not found in Christianity history until at least 300 years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Even more shocking is the fact that the concept of a triune godhead likely comes from the traditions of paganism!
In the year a.d. 325 the Roman emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea to address—among other things—the growing issue of God’s alleged “trinity in unity.” What emerged from the heated contentions of churchmen, philosophers, and ecclesiastical dignitaries came to be known (after another 125 years and three more major councils) as the Nicene Creed, with later reformulations such as the Athanasian Creed.
These various evolutions and iterations of creeds, along with others to come over the centuries, declared the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be abstract, absolute, transcendent, immanent, consubstantial, coeternal, and unknowable, without body, parts, or passions and dwelling outside space and time.
In these creeds all three members are separate persons, but they are a single being, the often noted as being “mystery of the trinity.” They are three distinct persons, yet not three Gods but one. All three persons are incomprehensible, yet it is one God who is incomprehensible.
I do agree with the critics on at least the point that a formula for divinity is truly incomprehensible. Ont he same note with such a confusing definition of God being imposed upon the church, it is of little wonder that there was a 4th century monk who cried out, “Woe is me! They have taken my God away from me, … and I know not whom to adore or to address."
I often wonder and would love to ask those who believe in the Trinity, and my purpose is absolutely not to demean any person’s belief nor the doctrine of any religion other than mine. I have and always will extend to anyone else the same respect for their faith and doctrine that I ask for mine, but my question would be to the people who say that we (others in my same faith) are not Christians again simply because we do not hold the 4th & 5th century view of the Godhead, then what about the first Christian Saints, so many of which were eyewitnesses of the living Christ, What about them who did not hold such a view either? Are they wrong?
Now some people may think that I am totally off my rocker for saying and believing the things that I believe, and I am sure that some people are tired of hearing me talk about it, but I think knowing and understanding the Nature of the Godhead and their divine roles are extremely important and should be discussed.
In 1 Timothy 2:5 it reads "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"...Something to me that is very interesting, and I would ask anyone to question what they believe of whether it is true or untrue, would be to search your scriptures, ponder and pray about it.
There also seems to be a lack of attention or a disconnect so to speak in peoples teachings about the Savior in the Pre=Existence. If we look at the story of the creation, we can go to Genesis and we know that the Creation is an integral part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. It gives each of us the opportunity to come to the earth, where we receive a physical body and exercise our agency. God himself, the Father of all of us every creature and being, established a Plan Of Salvation or also referred to as The Plan Of Happiness, so that all of his spirit children would be able to advance, progress and become like him.
It is the gospel of God, the plan of Elohim our Heavenly Father that the system he created saves and exalts, and it consists of three main things. These three things are the very pillars of eternal life itself. They are the most important events that ever have or will occur in all eternity. They pillars are the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement.Not one of these pillars stands alone, each one of them ties into the other two and without a knowledge of all of them, it is not possible to know the truth about any one of them.
In Genesis 1:26 is when Heavenly Father is speaking to Christ about creating man in their image and their likeness. The context of the verse alone, indicates and shows that there was more than Heavenly Father in this process of creation. We also know that all through were created THROUGH Christ under he direction of our Father in Heaven. The other thing that we can learn from this verse alone is that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bone. . . I would also like to talk Little bit about the Apostle John. In John 3:16, a very well known scripture, it says " For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." Now I a, going to get technical for a minute, If Christ was begotten some other being must have begat or beget him. In Webster's Dictionary the word "Beget" be·gat; be·got·ten or be·got; be·get·ting. means to spawn, sire, breed, or to father. this being the case, there was a higher power to have created Christ.
In the 8th Chapter of Proverbs, in verses 22-31. In verse 30, This is Christ speaking, you see it reads "Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him." Clearly we can see from this verse that Christ was WITH Heavenly Father, but was separate from Him.
For centuries there has been a terrible translation, very poor, of John 1:1, as well a misunderstanding from what I can gather of biblical usage of the word "God" which has caused millions to wrongly believe in the Trinity. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This is the scripture of anyone who believes in the Trinity. It is their cornerstone.
I am going to respond to this, and how it should be interpreted, and I know that I am not alone in this interpretation. I also know that If read with an open mind, this will appeal to ones simple common sense. How could the Word be with God and be God at the same time? The way the whole verse is set up is so clear. The subject of the who in the verse provides strong evidence of misinterpretation. this clearly shows an effort on the trinitarians part to be bias and to try and make their doctrine true.
A scripture that many Trinitarians throw out 1 john 5:7-8. When taken out of context, you could see the point of view on the trinitarian belief, how ever when read in its entity like it should be, continue reading 9-11, it clearly stats two separate beings, not only that but there is also a strong testimony from God our Heavenly Father in regard to his son, Jesus Christ.
Another scripture used is John 10:30...Supporters quote he words often "I and the Father are one." Now the "one" is explained clearly before and after in the verses. It is in purpose, intent, purpose and deed.
In verse 18, Christ says "This commandment I have received from my Father." There is another story that comes to mind as well which is the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17:21-22) he says "Father if it be THY will, please remove this cup from me".. ."Father not my will but thy will be done" .....and then also on the cross Christ says " Father forgive them for they know not what they do"...
JESUS NEVER ONCE CLAIMED TO BE GOD....If Jesus Christ was God, his own father, why didn't he come out and say so? That is an easy answer....because it was not true.Also IF it were true why did he come up with such a confusing doctrine known as the trinity? I will ask and say again....how can you know or trust in something so confusing. Heavenly Father wants us all to be able to return to live with him again. People may wonder why I say again, is because we lived with Heavenly Father and Christ before we got here, it is known as the Pre-Existence.....I will write about that later. Something to ponder....I love when Ihear people say that we didn't live in heaven before we came, yet when loved ones die, they say that they have gone back HOME to a better place. I laugh because, I think to myself now...I have never been to Hawaii, so how can I say I am going back there, if I have never been to begin with? Make sense? Same Idea. . . but back to the subject at hand.
In all cases Jesus Christ speaks of his Father being his superior. Here are just a few scriptures, "As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father." (John 6:57)
"My doctrine is not mine but his who sent me." (John 7:16)
"For the Father judges no one, but committed all judgment to the SON." (John 5:22)
"And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me." (Luke 22:29)
"All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18)
"All things have been delivered to me by my Father" (John 11:27)
"In this love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sins." (1st John 4:10)
The Godhead consists of Heavenly Father, His son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a comforter. Although the members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct roles, they are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father's divine plan. These tremendously significant and amazing declarations are in complete and total harmony with the words of the Lord in His great intercessory prayer which says:
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).....
My view of the Godhead and my belief in the principle of continuing revelation on scriptural cannon is through study,much prayer, and not to say in a way to demean but just simple common sense... I love how simple the Gospel is...In addressing my view of the trinity, One thing I will not do is be an apologist for my faith, but I also do not want to be misunderstood. So with my sincere desire to increase understanding and also show that even though there are those of us who do not believe in the "Holy Trinity" that does not make us UN-christian, nor does my or any of our salvation depend on that belief. I have written these things because I want to declare my Christianity and also to give those who do believe a chance to truly examine what they believe and to then ask with a pure heart, to know if what they have read would be true, I would encourage them to find the right answers.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and also express my views and opinions.
Have a great day!
Anywhoo, Jackson was being a little noisy and people were beginning to stare, so Chuck took him outside to go and walk around the building, cause they have speakers for you to listen even out in the hallways. As he was walking he stopped by a brochure table...This is what he found, and gave it to me after we left the church. It said "Do Christians believe in 3 God's?"..... He told me to read the first page. Once he said that I knew it had to be something interesting for HIM to bring it to me.
The First page reads this: "Muslims, Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons say yes. They insist that the orthodox Christian doctrine of the Trinity is non biblical and is a hangover from the polytheism of Greek and Roman mythologies. Is this true? Or is believing in a three-in-one God foundational to biblical faith?"
After reading the beginning, I was already buzzing in my head. I figured I would read the whole pamphlet, and try to get an understanding of what so many Christian people believe, seeing as I have asked numerous people of the "mainstream" Christian faith what the trinity means,and how they think it works, and what not and still I have never been given a satisfactory answer, especially with nothing to back it up. So I kept reading. Now I have read this little booklet, and I am going to address the issues.
The next couple of pages talk about missionaries coming to the door on a Saturday morning and are going to try and talk to you about a spiritual crisis in the world. They refer to those of us who do not believe in the Trinity as members of Anti-Trinity groups. These are some of the questions they ask. Is there evidence of the Trinity's origin in paganism? Is the doctrine of a three-in-one God biblical?
The Trinity to me is a blind belief. I think what bothers me the most about it is that, me as a Christian am told that I am not SIMPLY for the fact that I do not hold a 4th & 5th century view of who the nature of God is, and who Jesus Christ was/is. Yet, I am one who has studied and questioned and have had my own confirmation of what I have been taught, and have had my own personal revelation, that the truths that I have been taught and know are true. No one can do that for you but yourself.
So many wonderful people are being taught a falsehood. They are told that God is mysterious and to complex to be understood by their Pastors and Preachers. Also, if that were the case of him bein so mysterious and complex, that means that I would have to have more faith in the preacher or pastor teaching that, then I would be able to have in the being I should, which would be God and Christ. I have to disagree with that through and through. Our kind and loving Father in Heaven would not want his children to be confused, and I highly doubt he would put us here to just have us flounder and not be able to know what the deal is, and to also not know who he is.
The teaching of the Trinity was not taught by Abraham, Moses, the Apostles, and most importantly NOT by the Savior himself. I know because it is self-evident from the scriptures that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are separate persons, three divine beings. I am sure it would it surprise most of you to know that one of the most prominent "doctrines" in Christianity today has no basis in scripture? Really? And yet so many believe....
The "doctrine" of the "Holy Trinity" is considered by many to be essential to one's very salvation, and is not found in Christianity history until at least 300 years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Even more shocking is the fact that the concept of a triune godhead likely comes from the traditions of paganism!
In the year a.d. 325 the Roman emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea to address—among other things—the growing issue of God’s alleged “trinity in unity.” What emerged from the heated contentions of churchmen, philosophers, and ecclesiastical dignitaries came to be known (after another 125 years and three more major councils) as the Nicene Creed, with later reformulations such as the Athanasian Creed.
These various evolutions and iterations of creeds, along with others to come over the centuries, declared the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be abstract, absolute, transcendent, immanent, consubstantial, coeternal, and unknowable, without body, parts, or passions and dwelling outside space and time.
In these creeds all three members are separate persons, but they are a single being, the often noted as being “mystery of the trinity.” They are three distinct persons, yet not three Gods but one. All three persons are incomprehensible, yet it is one God who is incomprehensible.
I do agree with the critics on at least the point that a formula for divinity is truly incomprehensible. Ont he same note with such a confusing definition of God being imposed upon the church, it is of little wonder that there was a 4th century monk who cried out, “Woe is me! They have taken my God away from me, … and I know not whom to adore or to address."
I often wonder and would love to ask those who believe in the Trinity, and my purpose is absolutely not to demean any person’s belief nor the doctrine of any religion other than mine. I have and always will extend to anyone else the same respect for their faith and doctrine that I ask for mine, but my question would be to the people who say that we (others in my same faith) are not Christians again simply because we do not hold the 4th & 5th century view of the Godhead, then what about the first Christian Saints, so many of which were eyewitnesses of the living Christ, What about them who did not hold such a view either? Are they wrong?
Now some people may think that I am totally off my rocker for saying and believing the things that I believe, and I am sure that some people are tired of hearing me talk about it, but I think knowing and understanding the Nature of the Godhead and their divine roles are extremely important and should be discussed.
In 1 Timothy 2:5 it reads "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"...Something to me that is very interesting, and I would ask anyone to question what they believe of whether it is true or untrue, would be to search your scriptures, ponder and pray about it.
There also seems to be a lack of attention or a disconnect so to speak in peoples teachings about the Savior in the Pre=Existence. If we look at the story of the creation, we can go to Genesis and we know that the Creation is an integral part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. It gives each of us the opportunity to come to the earth, where we receive a physical body and exercise our agency. God himself, the Father of all of us every creature and being, established a Plan Of Salvation or also referred to as The Plan Of Happiness, so that all of his spirit children would be able to advance, progress and become like him.
It is the gospel of God, the plan of Elohim our Heavenly Father that the system he created saves and exalts, and it consists of three main things. These three things are the very pillars of eternal life itself. They are the most important events that ever have or will occur in all eternity. They pillars are the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement.Not one of these pillars stands alone, each one of them ties into the other two and without a knowledge of all of them, it is not possible to know the truth about any one of them.
In Genesis 1:26 is when Heavenly Father is speaking to Christ about creating man in their image and their likeness. The context of the verse alone, indicates and shows that there was more than Heavenly Father in this process of creation. We also know that all through were created THROUGH Christ under he direction of our Father in Heaven. The other thing that we can learn from this verse alone is that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bone. . . I would also like to talk Little bit about the Apostle John. In John 3:16, a very well known scripture, it says " For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." Now I a, going to get technical for a minute, If Christ was begotten some other being must have begat or beget him. In Webster's Dictionary the word "Beget" be·gat; be·got·ten or be·got; be·get·ting. means to spawn, sire, breed, or to father. this being the case, there was a higher power to have created Christ.
In the 8th Chapter of Proverbs, in verses 22-31. In verse 30, This is Christ speaking, you see it reads "Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him." Clearly we can see from this verse that Christ was WITH Heavenly Father, but was separate from Him.
For centuries there has been a terrible translation, very poor, of John 1:1, as well a misunderstanding from what I can gather of biblical usage of the word "God" which has caused millions to wrongly believe in the Trinity. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This is the scripture of anyone who believes in the Trinity. It is their cornerstone.
I am going to respond to this, and how it should be interpreted, and I know that I am not alone in this interpretation. I also know that If read with an open mind, this will appeal to ones simple common sense. How could the Word be with God and be God at the same time? The way the whole verse is set up is so clear. The subject of the who in the verse provides strong evidence of misinterpretation. this clearly shows an effort on the trinitarians part to be bias and to try and make their doctrine true.
A scripture that many Trinitarians throw out 1 john 5:7-8. When taken out of context, you could see the point of view on the trinitarian belief, how ever when read in its entity like it should be, continue reading 9-11, it clearly stats two separate beings, not only that but there is also a strong testimony from God our Heavenly Father in regard to his son, Jesus Christ.
Another scripture used is John 10:30...Supporters quote he words often "I and the Father are one." Now the "one" is explained clearly before and after in the verses. It is in purpose, intent, purpose and deed.
In verse 18, Christ says "This commandment I have received from my Father." There is another story that comes to mind as well which is the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17:21-22) he says "Father if it be THY will, please remove this cup from me".. ."Father not my will but thy will be done" .....and then also on the cross Christ says " Father forgive them for they know not what they do"...
JESUS NEVER ONCE CLAIMED TO BE GOD....If Jesus Christ was God, his own father, why didn't he come out and say so? That is an easy answer....because it was not true.Also IF it were true why did he come up with such a confusing doctrine known as the trinity? I will ask and say again....how can you know or trust in something so confusing. Heavenly Father wants us all to be able to return to live with him again. People may wonder why I say again, is because we lived with Heavenly Father and Christ before we got here, it is known as the Pre-Existence.....I will write about that later. Something to ponder....I love when Ihear people say that we didn't live in heaven before we came, yet when loved ones die, they say that they have gone back HOME to a better place. I laugh because, I think to myself now...I have never been to Hawaii, so how can I say I am going back there, if I have never been to begin with? Make sense? Same Idea. . . but back to the subject at hand.
In all cases Jesus Christ speaks of his Father being his superior. Here are just a few scriptures, "As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father." (John 6:57)
"My doctrine is not mine but his who sent me." (John 7:16)
"For the Father judges no one, but committed all judgment to the SON." (John 5:22)
"And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me." (Luke 22:29)
"All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18)
"All things have been delivered to me by my Father" (John 11:27)
"In this love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sins." (1st John 4:10)
The Godhead consists of Heavenly Father, His son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a comforter. Although the members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct roles, they are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father's divine plan. These tremendously significant and amazing declarations are in complete and total harmony with the words of the Lord in His great intercessory prayer which says:
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).....
My view of the Godhead and my belief in the principle of continuing revelation on scriptural cannon is through study,much prayer, and not to say in a way to demean but just simple common sense... I love how simple the Gospel is...In addressing my view of the trinity, One thing I will not do is be an apologist for my faith, but I also do not want to be misunderstood. So with my sincere desire to increase understanding and also show that even though there are those of us who do not believe in the "Holy Trinity" that does not make us UN-christian, nor does my or any of our salvation depend on that belief. I have written these things because I want to declare my Christianity and also to give those who do believe a chance to truly examine what they believe and to then ask with a pure heart, to know if what they have read would be true, I would encourage them to find the right answers.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and also express my views and opinions.
Have a great day!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Shack- Book Club Discussion Questions.... My Answers
Were you drawn in by the plot of The Shack?
A: Yes, so may quests were coming through my line at target ranting about this book,So I read the back of it and it totally pulled me in.
How did reading this book affect your faith?
A: Personally it made my faith even stronger in what I believe in to be right, but there were certain aspects of the book that made me sad for others who took the book as scriptural, cause it is far from. But as a FICTIONAL book it was a good read.
Does it change, challenge, strengthen your image of God?
A; Absolutely not.It does not change or challenge my view of God. It does however reassure that my view of Heavenly Father is on the right track..... I am not a believer in the Trinity at all, it is a false teaching. I can see how those who do believe in the Trinity are so confused, because the concept is outrageous. God is not complicated. The image and nature of God and who he is, is so simple children can understand it.
Why is God portrayed as a woman, what reasons does God give Mack?
A;Mack had a bad relationship with his father and the way Heavenly Father presented himself was in the form of a woman because he knew that would be a softer approach to get Mack to listen. He would have been very standoff-ish had he shown himself as a man.
What part of the book spoke to you the most, and why?(If you can find it please read it) .....
A: I cant find it specifically in the book, but I like when Mack is behind the waterfall and he gets to see his daughter in the other side. . . To see that she is not in pain, not suffering, but enjoying a beautiful and beyond comprehension a land we cant even imagine, and is the presence of the Savior, and talking with him and Playing with him. I think that is right on target. The passing of someone or a loss stinks so bad, but there is great joy for them, and I think that is a wonderful thing to remember.
Are there any brief quotes in the book that you like?
A;Yes ---- "Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak."
"...if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will be the same again."
""Sometimes honesty can be incredibly messy""
Last one....."Each relationship between two persons is absolutely unique. That is why you cannot love two people the same. It simply is not possible. You love each person differently because of who they are and the uniqueness that they draw out of you."
Why do you think Mack's encounter with God took place at the shack?
A: The shack would be the place that would cause you to be vulnerable, and would humble you and bring out any and all emotions which is what is needed in order to heal. It is required that you be completely broken.
If God were to invite you somewhere, where would it be? (In other words, where is the center of your doubt and pain)?
A: It would be anywhere, where I am constantly broken down and rejected for who I am and what I believe and trying to share that with those that I love. It hurts me so bad. It hurts because I want them to know of the happiness that I have in my life and the HUGE blessings that come from believing what I believe. I know that what I believe is true, I see its effects everyday, especially on my husband. He is living proof! My ultimate sadness is that I am constantly rejected or made to feel inadequate about being able to share my beliefs and the thing is is my faith is who I am. Its not just a Sunday thing, its a way of life and and my (our) way of being.......That would be one spot.
Do you think suffering makes people closer to God or causes them to distance themselves from Him?
A:I think it all depends on your beliefs. What your perceptive is. I know from my life and what I have learned and been taught and found for myself is that. Suffering and trials are given to us to help us grown and become something knew. The story of the refiner;s fire. When we suffer it is the purpose to understand that we CANNOT do things alone, we must rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to EASE our burdens, not take them away. If they took them away....What would we learn? Nothing. When we do not learn we do not grow.
What has been the pattern in your life? See above answer....
Were you satisfied with God's answers to Mack about suffering? A: Yes
Do you struggle with believing God is good in light of all the tragedy in the world?
A: Yes, absolutely, the best gift we were given when coming to earth was the ability to have free agenct..the right to choose. When different things happen it is because of others actions, and sometimes good people are in the wrong place, and at he wrong time. . . As far as natural disasters....That is part of the world that was created, our job is to be prepared for whatever may some as we have been taught since day one to do.
Did The Shack change any of your opinions about God or Christianity?
A: No, it confirmed to me that most of the Christian world is mislead by the false teachings of the Trinity.
What were some of the things The Shack teaches about God, faith and life that you disagreed with?
A; The trinity- obviously as I have stated..but also that you do not have to forgive and forget. That is also false. We are told to forgive and forget, Only the Lord ( Jesus Christ) has the option to do one or the other.
Does God answer convincingly the reason for the trinity?
A; No. and it is confusing. Confusing because it was created by man. The Gospel and The Nature Of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and The Holy Ghost are so so so simple. I think because they are so simple it is hard for people to wrap their mind around it, and that's because of the confusing they have been taught. The trinity was never biblically spoken about, the word Trinity is not even in the Bible. Strange why so many by into it. Three will never be One.
Does the idea of God a character in the book, or God's first-person voice, bother you...or does it work within the context of The Shack's story?
A: I think that the way the introduced is perfect to who they are...individuals. One in purpose but seperate beings. As you read in the book, they all have their own duties and conversations with Mack, all witht he same purpose to show him about love ad forgivness and to understand that others choices in no way make Heavenly Father the bad person. The Trinitarian aspect really bothered me.
Why did God let Missy die?
A; Again, others choices, can effect us good or bad. That is a gift from H.F. to us. but again in trials we grown and draw closer to him.
Do you think The Shack answers convincingly the central question of theodicy, the existence of evil—or why, if there is a God, bad things happen to good people?
A;Yes
What does The Shack say about forgiveness—toward the self or toward those who have wronged you.
Young has been criticized for advocating lawlessness (p. 122) ...or universalism (p. 225)? Do you think that is a fair or unfair criticism?
A: Ithink it is a fictional story, It was meant to entertain.
Many readers find the first 4 chapters of The Shack almost too painful to read. Could they have been written in a way that would be less painful—without changing the book's message?
A: No, harshness is real. Sadness and Pain are real. In order to fully understand you had to be brought into Macks sadness, and it felt very very real. Made it that much better to read.
Does the book's ultimate message satisfy you?
A: Yes, I like that the message is about ot being angry with God. but to understand that trials are there for a reason.
Is it possible to let go of control and certainty in life?
A: No. I think that is part of Human nature. What we can do is rely on The Lord to help us in the right direction, to pray and study, that how we can be in control, but not. Make sense?
Is it possible to live only in the present?
A: I find it hard. I am a worrier. I am also a perosn who likes to be 2 steps ahead if anything were to go wrong or change I want to always have a Plan B.
If you think about your soul as a garden, what do you imagine it being like? Is it neat and all in order? Is it a mess? Do you want it in order? Do you want it to be a mess or in order? Does it need weeding?
A; I think of my life as A beautiful yet thorny Garden. Some things are like roses, beautiful outcome in the end, but thorny and tough all the way up to get that reward of the flower. I think everyone;s garden needs weeding. Weeding to me is using the Atonement of the Savior.
Did you have a hard time with the way the author presented God's gender? Why or why not?
A: I did. i do not think God is a woman in anyway shape or form, Scripturally we know that. I do however believe that we have a Heavenly Mother. Who is not spoken of so she can be preserved, and kept for us when we return to live with our Heavenly Father and our Older brother and Savior JEsus Christ again.
Did you find the presentation of the Trinity helpful or totally off balance?
A:Totally off balance. As I said before it is a false teaching.
When you pray to or think about God, what is the mental picture that comes to mind of what God looks like?
A; I picture someone who looks very closely to the savior, just older and with white hair. Sweet and tender with such a warm smile and loving approachable arms, and I picture him to be relativly large in stature.
Mack naturally relates to Jesus the best out of any member of the Trinity? Which do you tend to relate to when you pray?
A: Well when I pray I pray to Heavenly Father, in the name of his Son. So I look at Heavenly Father as a father figure, much like my earthly father. The same kind of comfort and ablity to speak to him freely as if talking to my dad. I think there is not one that I lean towards more that another. I love them both very very much but differently.
Do you think God is too nice in The Shack?
A: No, i think that Heavenly father is even nicer. I think that he is so great and wonderful and compassionate, especailly
What do you think about how Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu relate to one another?
A; They are one in purpose bt Three seperate beings with their own individual jobs.
The Great Sadness goes from being something that is the grief of Mack, to the thing that defines him. How did this happen?
A: Sometimes I think that people let their trials, and grief and sorrows, define them. And they depend on that sadness their whole life. If they could only step back and see the wonderful workings of The Savior in their life......They would have no choice but to let go of everything they thought defined them and they would find that in those hard times and the :" Why this, and why that?" That they had become new creatures, they had been refined.
I think Mack realized that when he was able to see that, Papa had never left his side, he was always there, but it was up to mack to make that change,and make the outreach to him, and to ask him for help, once that happened, Mack became someone knew.
How does this happen in people that you know?
In what ways does the Great Sadness in Mack hurt him in his relationships with other people?
A; It is easy to be consumed with with the burden and hurt and pain. The thing is the Gospel, and our relationship with Heavenly Father and with Jesus Christ and with the Holy Ghost, is this, they will lead us, guide us, and help us. It is our job to listen and heed their council.
Throughout the story we see that Mack, although he can hardly speak it, blames God for taking his daughter away. When do we blame God? Why?
A; I will say again, I think that it is all i how you have been taught, and what you have learned form studying the Scriptures, and understanding our purpose for being here. It makes everything much more clear.
How do we reconcile with God after this?
A: By using his sons Atonement. Asking for forgiveness, and hopefully praying for the answers that you feel you are lacking, and then praying for the direction to be shown to you.
How does Mack's forgiveness of himself, God, and others get him to the point where he can be a better husband, father, and friend?
A: He let go of anger, anger takes a lot more strength. and ALOT of Effort. Once that is put to the side, it is unreal how much time is freed up.
Do you think this is true of all of us?
A: YESSSSSS
A: Yes, so may quests were coming through my line at target ranting about this book,So I read the back of it and it totally pulled me in.
How did reading this book affect your faith?
A: Personally it made my faith even stronger in what I believe in to be right, but there were certain aspects of the book that made me sad for others who took the book as scriptural, cause it is far from. But as a FICTIONAL book it was a good read.
Does it change, challenge, strengthen your image of God?
A; Absolutely not.It does not change or challenge my view of God. It does however reassure that my view of Heavenly Father is on the right track..... I am not a believer in the Trinity at all, it is a false teaching. I can see how those who do believe in the Trinity are so confused, because the concept is outrageous. God is not complicated. The image and nature of God and who he is, is so simple children can understand it.
Why is God portrayed as a woman, what reasons does God give Mack?
A;Mack had a bad relationship with his father and the way Heavenly Father presented himself was in the form of a woman because he knew that would be a softer approach to get Mack to listen. He would have been very standoff-ish had he shown himself as a man.
What part of the book spoke to you the most, and why?(If you can find it please read it) .....
A: I cant find it specifically in the book, but I like when Mack is behind the waterfall and he gets to see his daughter in the other side. . . To see that she is not in pain, not suffering, but enjoying a beautiful and beyond comprehension a land we cant even imagine, and is the presence of the Savior, and talking with him and Playing with him. I think that is right on target. The passing of someone or a loss stinks so bad, but there is great joy for them, and I think that is a wonderful thing to remember.
Are there any brief quotes in the book that you like?
A;Yes ---- "Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak."
"...if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will be the same again."
""Sometimes honesty can be incredibly messy""
Last one....."Each relationship between two persons is absolutely unique. That is why you cannot love two people the same. It simply is not possible. You love each person differently because of who they are and the uniqueness that they draw out of you."
Why do you think Mack's encounter with God took place at the shack?
A: The shack would be the place that would cause you to be vulnerable, and would humble you and bring out any and all emotions which is what is needed in order to heal. It is required that you be completely broken.
If God were to invite you somewhere, where would it be? (In other words, where is the center of your doubt and pain)?
A: It would be anywhere, where I am constantly broken down and rejected for who I am and what I believe and trying to share that with those that I love. It hurts me so bad. It hurts because I want them to know of the happiness that I have in my life and the HUGE blessings that come from believing what I believe. I know that what I believe is true, I see its effects everyday, especially on my husband. He is living proof! My ultimate sadness is that I am constantly rejected or made to feel inadequate about being able to share my beliefs and the thing is is my faith is who I am. Its not just a Sunday thing, its a way of life and and my (our) way of being.......That would be one spot.
Do you think suffering makes people closer to God or causes them to distance themselves from Him?
A:I think it all depends on your beliefs. What your perceptive is. I know from my life and what I have learned and been taught and found for myself is that. Suffering and trials are given to us to help us grown and become something knew. The story of the refiner;s fire. When we suffer it is the purpose to understand that we CANNOT do things alone, we must rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to EASE our burdens, not take them away. If they took them away....What would we learn? Nothing. When we do not learn we do not grow.
What has been the pattern in your life? See above answer....
Were you satisfied with God's answers to Mack about suffering? A: Yes
Do you struggle with believing God is good in light of all the tragedy in the world?
A: Yes, absolutely, the best gift we were given when coming to earth was the ability to have free agenct..the right to choose. When different things happen it is because of others actions, and sometimes good people are in the wrong place, and at he wrong time. . . As far as natural disasters....That is part of the world that was created, our job is to be prepared for whatever may some as we have been taught since day one to do.
Did The Shack change any of your opinions about God or Christianity?
A: No, it confirmed to me that most of the Christian world is mislead by the false teachings of the Trinity.
What were some of the things The Shack teaches about God, faith and life that you disagreed with?
A; The trinity- obviously as I have stated..but also that you do not have to forgive and forget. That is also false. We are told to forgive and forget, Only the Lord ( Jesus Christ) has the option to do one or the other.
Does God answer convincingly the reason for the trinity?
A; No. and it is confusing. Confusing because it was created by man. The Gospel and The Nature Of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and The Holy Ghost are so so so simple. I think because they are so simple it is hard for people to wrap their mind around it, and that's because of the confusing they have been taught. The trinity was never biblically spoken about, the word Trinity is not even in the Bible. Strange why so many by into it. Three will never be One.
Does the idea of God a character in the book, or God's first-person voice, bother you...or does it work within the context of The Shack's story?
A: I think that the way the introduced is perfect to who they are...individuals. One in purpose but seperate beings. As you read in the book, they all have their own duties and conversations with Mack, all witht he same purpose to show him about love ad forgivness and to understand that others choices in no way make Heavenly Father the bad person. The Trinitarian aspect really bothered me.
Why did God let Missy die?
A; Again, others choices, can effect us good or bad. That is a gift from H.F. to us. but again in trials we grown and draw closer to him.
Do you think The Shack answers convincingly the central question of theodicy, the existence of evil—or why, if there is a God, bad things happen to good people?
A;Yes
What does The Shack say about forgiveness—toward the self or toward those who have wronged you.
Young has been criticized for advocating lawlessness (p. 122) ...or universalism (p. 225)? Do you think that is a fair or unfair criticism?
A: Ithink it is a fictional story, It was meant to entertain.
Many readers find the first 4 chapters of The Shack almost too painful to read. Could they have been written in a way that would be less painful—without changing the book's message?
A: No, harshness is real. Sadness and Pain are real. In order to fully understand you had to be brought into Macks sadness, and it felt very very real. Made it that much better to read.
Does the book's ultimate message satisfy you?
A: Yes, I like that the message is about ot being angry with God. but to understand that trials are there for a reason.
Is it possible to let go of control and certainty in life?
A: No. I think that is part of Human nature. What we can do is rely on The Lord to help us in the right direction, to pray and study, that how we can be in control, but not. Make sense?
Is it possible to live only in the present?
A: I find it hard. I am a worrier. I am also a perosn who likes to be 2 steps ahead if anything were to go wrong or change I want to always have a Plan B.
If you think about your soul as a garden, what do you imagine it being like? Is it neat and all in order? Is it a mess? Do you want it in order? Do you want it to be a mess or in order? Does it need weeding?
A; I think of my life as A beautiful yet thorny Garden. Some things are like roses, beautiful outcome in the end, but thorny and tough all the way up to get that reward of the flower. I think everyone;s garden needs weeding. Weeding to me is using the Atonement of the Savior.
Did you have a hard time with the way the author presented God's gender? Why or why not?
A: I did. i do not think God is a woman in anyway shape or form, Scripturally we know that. I do however believe that we have a Heavenly Mother. Who is not spoken of so she can be preserved, and kept for us when we return to live with our Heavenly Father and our Older brother and Savior JEsus Christ again.
Did you find the presentation of the Trinity helpful or totally off balance?
A:Totally off balance. As I said before it is a false teaching.
When you pray to or think about God, what is the mental picture that comes to mind of what God looks like?
A; I picture someone who looks very closely to the savior, just older and with white hair. Sweet and tender with such a warm smile and loving approachable arms, and I picture him to be relativly large in stature.
Mack naturally relates to Jesus the best out of any member of the Trinity? Which do you tend to relate to when you pray?
A: Well when I pray I pray to Heavenly Father, in the name of his Son. So I look at Heavenly Father as a father figure, much like my earthly father. The same kind of comfort and ablity to speak to him freely as if talking to my dad. I think there is not one that I lean towards more that another. I love them both very very much but differently.
Do you think God is too nice in The Shack?
A: No, i think that Heavenly father is even nicer. I think that he is so great and wonderful and compassionate, especailly
What do you think about how Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu relate to one another?
A; They are one in purpose bt Three seperate beings with their own individual jobs.
The Great Sadness goes from being something that is the grief of Mack, to the thing that defines him. How did this happen?
A: Sometimes I think that people let their trials, and grief and sorrows, define them. And they depend on that sadness their whole life. If they could only step back and see the wonderful workings of The Savior in their life......They would have no choice but to let go of everything they thought defined them and they would find that in those hard times and the :" Why this, and why that?" That they had become new creatures, they had been refined.
I think Mack realized that when he was able to see that, Papa had never left his side, he was always there, but it was up to mack to make that change,and make the outreach to him, and to ask him for help, once that happened, Mack became someone knew.
How does this happen in people that you know?
In what ways does the Great Sadness in Mack hurt him in his relationships with other people?
A; It is easy to be consumed with with the burden and hurt and pain. The thing is the Gospel, and our relationship with Heavenly Father and with Jesus Christ and with the Holy Ghost, is this, they will lead us, guide us, and help us. It is our job to listen and heed their council.
Throughout the story we see that Mack, although he can hardly speak it, blames God for taking his daughter away. When do we blame God? Why?
A; I will say again, I think that it is all i how you have been taught, and what you have learned form studying the Scriptures, and understanding our purpose for being here. It makes everything much more clear.
How do we reconcile with God after this?
A: By using his sons Atonement. Asking for forgiveness, and hopefully praying for the answers that you feel you are lacking, and then praying for the direction to be shown to you.
How does Mack's forgiveness of himself, God, and others get him to the point where he can be a better husband, father, and friend?
A: He let go of anger, anger takes a lot more strength. and ALOT of Effort. Once that is put to the side, it is unreal how much time is freed up.
Do you think this is true of all of us?
A: YESSSSSS
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Shack- Book Club Discussion Questions....
These are my questions for our Book Club, I thought I would put them up on for everyone to answer and share their thoughts and feelings on it, as well as those in the book club to write them down and think of what they are going to answer in reguards to the questions, and to what to look for and try to answer as they are reading. I chose this book because, it has a great meaning of not being angry with God. Also seeing loved ones again..The book is a great fictional story.
Here are the questions:
Were you drawn in by the plot of The Shack?
How did reading this book affect your faith?
Does it change, challenge, strengthen your image of God?
Why is God portrayed as a woman, what reasons does God give Mack?
What part of the book spoke to you the most, and why?(If you can find it please read it)
Are there any brief quotes in the book that you like?
Why do you think Mack's encounter with God took place at the shack? If God were to invite you somewhere, where would it be? (In other words, where is the center of your doubt and pain)?
Do you think suffering makes people closer to God or causes them to distance themselves from Him? What has been the pattern in your life?
Were you satisfied with God's answers to Mack about suffering? Do you struggle with believing God is good in light of all the tragedy in the world?
How is Young's description of God different from your concept of God? What parts of his description did you like and what parts didn't you like?
Did The Shack change any of your opinions about God or Christianity?
What were some of the things The Shack teaches about God, faith and life that you disagreed with?
Does God answer convincingly the reason for the trinity?
Does the idea of God a character in the book, or God's first-person voice, bother you...or does it work within the context of The Shack's story?
Why did God let Missy die? Do you think The Shack answers convincingly the central question of theodicy, the existence of evil—or why, if there is a God, bad things happen to good people?
What does The Shack say about forgiveness—toward the self or toward those who have wronged you.
Young has been criticized for advocating lawlessness (p. 122) ...or universalism (p. 225)? Do you think that is a fair or unfair criticism?
Many readers find the first 4 chapters of The Shack almost too painful to read. Could they have been written in a way that would be less painful—without changing the book's message?
Does the book's ultimate message satisfy you? Is it possible to let go of control and certainty in life? Is it possible to live only in the present?
Do you think suffering draws people closer to God or distances them from Him? Which has it done in your life?
If you think about your soul as a garden, what do you imagine it being like? Is it neat and all in order? Is it a mess? Do you want it in order? Do you want it to be a mess or in order? Does it need weeding?
Why do you think Missy was buried in the garden?
How did the author's description of God differ from your understanding of God? What parts of the descriptions of God did you resonate with? What parts did you have a hard time with? Why?
Did you have a hard time with the way the author presented God's gender? Why or why not?
Did you find the presentation of the Trinity helpful or totally off balance? Why or why not?
When you pray to or think about God, what is the mental picture that comes to mind of what God looks like?
Mack naturally relates to Jesus the best out of any member of the Trinity? Which do you tend to relate to when you pray? When you think about what is God is like?
Do you think God is too nice in The Shack?
What do you think about how Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu relate to one another?
The Great Sadness goes from being something that is the grief of Mack, to the thing that defines him. How did this happen? How does this happen in people that you know?
In what ways does the Great Sadness in Mack hurt him in his relationships with other people?
In what ways does Mack blame himself for what happened to Missy? How does this define him?
Throughout the story we see that Mack, although he can hardly speak it, blames God for taking his daughter away. When do we blame God? Why? How do we reconcile with God after this?
What were your thoughts about Mack's reconciliation with his father? In what ways do our relationships with our parents define us? Color our relationship with God? With others?
Why is Mack's forgiveness of the killer important? To Papa? To Mack? For the killer?
How does Mack's forgiveness of himself, God, and others get him to the point where he can be a better husband, father, and friend? Do you think this is true of all of us?
Here are the questions:
Were you drawn in by the plot of The Shack?
How did reading this book affect your faith?
Does it change, challenge, strengthen your image of God?
Why is God portrayed as a woman, what reasons does God give Mack?
What part of the book spoke to you the most, and why?(If you can find it please read it)
Are there any brief quotes in the book that you like?
Why do you think Mack's encounter with God took place at the shack? If God were to invite you somewhere, where would it be? (In other words, where is the center of your doubt and pain)?
Do you think suffering makes people closer to God or causes them to distance themselves from Him? What has been the pattern in your life?
Were you satisfied with God's answers to Mack about suffering? Do you struggle with believing God is good in light of all the tragedy in the world?
How is Young's description of God different from your concept of God? What parts of his description did you like and what parts didn't you like?
Did The Shack change any of your opinions about God or Christianity?
What were some of the things The Shack teaches about God, faith and life that you disagreed with?
Does God answer convincingly the reason for the trinity?
Does the idea of God a character in the book, or God's first-person voice, bother you...or does it work within the context of The Shack's story?
Why did God let Missy die? Do you think The Shack answers convincingly the central question of theodicy, the existence of evil—or why, if there is a God, bad things happen to good people?
What does The Shack say about forgiveness—toward the self or toward those who have wronged you.
Young has been criticized for advocating lawlessness (p. 122) ...or universalism (p. 225)? Do you think that is a fair or unfair criticism?
Many readers find the first 4 chapters of The Shack almost too painful to read. Could they have been written in a way that would be less painful—without changing the book's message?
Does the book's ultimate message satisfy you? Is it possible to let go of control and certainty in life? Is it possible to live only in the present?
Do you think suffering draws people closer to God or distances them from Him? Which has it done in your life?
If you think about your soul as a garden, what do you imagine it being like? Is it neat and all in order? Is it a mess? Do you want it in order? Do you want it to be a mess or in order? Does it need weeding?
Why do you think Missy was buried in the garden?
How did the author's description of God differ from your understanding of God? What parts of the descriptions of God did you resonate with? What parts did you have a hard time with? Why?
Did you have a hard time with the way the author presented God's gender? Why or why not?
Did you find the presentation of the Trinity helpful or totally off balance? Why or why not?
When you pray to or think about God, what is the mental picture that comes to mind of what God looks like?
Mack naturally relates to Jesus the best out of any member of the Trinity? Which do you tend to relate to when you pray? When you think about what is God is like?
Do you think God is too nice in The Shack?
What do you think about how Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu relate to one another?
The Great Sadness goes from being something that is the grief of Mack, to the thing that defines him. How did this happen? How does this happen in people that you know?
In what ways does the Great Sadness in Mack hurt him in his relationships with other people?
In what ways does Mack blame himself for what happened to Missy? How does this define him?
Throughout the story we see that Mack, although he can hardly speak it, blames God for taking his daughter away. When do we blame God? Why? How do we reconcile with God after this?
What were your thoughts about Mack's reconciliation with his father? In what ways do our relationships with our parents define us? Color our relationship with God? With others?
Why is Mack's forgiveness of the killer important? To Papa? To Mack? For the killer?
How does Mack's forgiveness of himself, God, and others get him to the point where he can be a better husband, father, and friend? Do you think this is true of all of us?
House of Testosterone!!!!
Oh the joys of being in a home of all boys and one more on the way. i am even out numbered by the dog!! I will say that being the only girl in the house, I do get to have certain things my way which makes the rest of the house alot more smoothe....Happy wife and mommy equals happy life for all others involved.... I will talk more later, At least I have updated the blog...Semi.. later....
Saturday, April 10, 2010
I will be writing soon....
Sorry ihave not written in a while. You would think I would have written more being on bedrest I assure you I will be writing much more.
Thank so much
Until Later.....
Thank so much
Until Later.....
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