The Shack: Bible Study 16

Chapter 18: Outbound Ripples

P242 The images and memories began to flood back so powerfully that he felt like they might pick him up and sweep him off his bed and out of this world. And as he remembered he began to cry, until tears were rolling down his cheeks.

Q: What kind of memories makes us cry? Do they have to be powerful?

Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Mack paused, grasping for words. “He said, ‘Tell Willie that I’m especially fond of him.’”

Q: How would Mack’s words have affected Willie? What does it mean to us to be told that we are fondly loved by God?

Ephesians 3:17b-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

P243 As she talked, Mack thought it indeed strange that he would get in an accident right after spending a weekend with God. The seeming random chaos of life, wasn’t that how Papa put it?

Q: If life is seemingly random and chaotic, what makes it predestined and orderly?

Ephesians 1:11-12 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

When Nan finished recounting her side of the events, Mack began telling her all that had happened to him. But first, he asked her forgiveness, confessing how and why he had lied to her. This surprised Nan, and she credited his new transparency to the trauma and morphine.

But the vividness and depth of his memories touched her and slowly undermined her resolve to stay objective. There was life in what he was telling her and she quickly understood that whatever had happened had greatly impacted and changed her husband.

Q: How does Mack’s story change Nan? Is she upset at being excluded? Why did Mack need her forgiveness?

Colossians 3:13-14 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

P244 Mack “None of us meant for this to happen, Kate. It just happened, and we’ll learn to live through it. But we’ll learn together. Okay?”

Q: Why is this so important to completing the story? How does this kind of restoration work in our own relationship to God?

P245 When Nan noticed that his eyes had opened, she quietly approached so as not to wake their daughter and kissed him. “I believe you,” she whispered, and he nodded and smiled, surprised by how important that was to hear. It was probably the drugs that were making him so emotional, he thought.

Q: Why did Mack need to hear that Nan believed him? How did that restore their relationship?

1 Timothy 4:9-10 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe .

P246 They probably would never have found the exact spot if it hadn’t been for Papa. Sitting at the top of a pile of stones in front of the cave was the rock with the red marking turned outward. To realize what Papa had done made Mack almost laugh out loud.

Q: What had Papa done that made Mack laugh? Is this divine intervention? Can this happen in “real life?” How?

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Even though Mack’s alibi was flawless, there would still be serious questions.

Q: Why would these questions be necessary?

After Words

P 247 Do I think all of it is true? I want all of it to be true. Perhaps if some of it is not actually true in one sense, it is still true nonetheless – if you know what I mean. I guess you and Sarayu will have to figure that one out.

Q: Where do we find real truths in this tale? Is this because we have experienced similar situations or through the revelatory powers of the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 3:4-5 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

Somehow he (Mack) has become a child again. Or maybe more accurately, he’s become the child he never was allowed to be; abiding in simple trust and wonder.

Q: Is this what Christ means by becoming a child again in order to enter into God’s Kingdom? How do our childhood experiences affect our faith in God?

Mark 10:15-16 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

P248 As I write this, Mack is testifying at the Ladykiller trial. He had hoped to visit with the accused, but has not yet been granted permission. But he’s determined to see him, even if it happens long after the verdict is rendered.

Q: Does this kind of faith and forgiveness happen in the world today? Where and when have you seen it happen?

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins

…you will son learn that he’s (Mack) hoping for a new revolution, one of love and kindness – a revolution that revolves around Jesus and what he did for us all and what he continues to do in anyone who has hunger for reconciliation and a place to call home.

Q: Is this revolution what we call real Christianity? How can we make this happen in our homes, churches, and communities?

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Instead it (the revolution) will be the quiet daily powers of dying and serving and loving and laughing, of simple tenderness and unseen kindness, because if anything matters, then everything matters. And one day, when all is revealed, every one of us will bow our knee and confess in the power of Sarayu that Jesus is the Lord of all Creation, to the glory of Papa.

Q: How do we know that Christ is the Lord of all Creation? Where do we expect to be and what shall we hope to be doing when this moment occurs? How can we help others to experience the same?

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I hope you have enjoyed this study. I’d love to hear how you have been using it or how you plan to use it. Please drop me an email at pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

God bless you all.

The Shack: Bible Study 15

Chapter 17: Choices of the Heart

P231: Jesus gently relieved him of his burden and together they went to the shop where he had been working.

As Mack walked around the box he immediately recognized the etchings in the wood. On closer examination he discovered that details of Missy’s life were carved into the wood.

Q: What do you think of the imagery here? Where does the author draw it from? In what ways have we experienced Jesus as being our burden-carrier?

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

P232: Mack turned and hugged Jesus, and as they embraced, Jesus whispered into his ear, “Missy helped; she picked out what she wanted on it.”

Sarayu stepped forward. “I,” she said with a flourish and bow, “am honored to sing Missy’s song, which she wrote just for this occasion.”

Q: What do you think of the notions that Missy prepared her own funeral? How would that have helped Mack? Can we help our loved ones by doing the same? What arrangements would you like to see organized at your own funeral?

Psalm 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song ; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

P233 Come kiss me wind and take my breath

Till you and I are one

And we will dance among the tombs

Until all death is gone.

When the task was complete, Sarayu reached within her clothing and withdrew her small, fragile bottle. From it she poured out a few drops of the precious collection into her hand and began to carefully scatter Mack’s tears onto the rich black soil under which Missy’s body slept.

Q: What were your impressions of Missy’s song? Why do you think Sarayu sang it? How do you feel about the Holy Spirit scattering Mack’s tears over Missy’s grave? What is the purpose of tears?

Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

John 11:35 Jesus wept .

P234 Sarayu then, in her whispery breeze-blown way, turned and smiled at Mack, who had been watching transfixed. “It is a tree of life, Mack, growing in the garden of your heart.”

Papa – “You can remain with us and continue to grow and learn, or you can return to your other home, to Nan and to your children and friends. Either way, we promise to be always be with you; although this way is a little more overt and obvious.”

Q: What do you think about the choice that Papa gave to Mack? How would you have responded? Do we also feel that God is always with us?

Matt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

P235 Papa to Mack about Missy Although she would love to be with you today, she lives where there is no impatience. She does not mind waiting.

Mack Let me ask you something. Is what I do back home important? Does it matter?

Sarayu Mack, 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 ever be the same again.

Mack And I really believe that you will never leave me or abandon me, so I am not afraid to go back. Well, maybe a little.

Q: Does everything matter? How could an act of forgiveness change the universe? How do our acts of grace, generosity, and love influence the world?

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

P236 Kate believes that she is to blame for Missy’s death.

Mack to Jesus Can you keep it for me? All my best treasures are now hidden in you anyway. I want you to be my life.

“I am,” came the clear and true voice of assurance.

Q: How does Mack respond to Christ’s statement about Katie? Why does Mack give his treasures to Jesus? How can we also be assured that Christ is our life?

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

P237 Mack God the servant…it is more truly God, my servant.

Ha hadn’t had a chance to say good-bye, but as he thought about it, saying good-bye to God seemed a little silly. It made him smile.

He was back in the real world. Then he smiled to himself. It was more likely he was back in the un-real world.

Q: What do you think of God being our servant? Does this diminish God’s authority? What is the real world – this one or the next? Why?

John 13:12-17 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

P238 Lost in thought, Mack simply pulled through the intersection when the light turned green. He never even saw the other driver run the opposing red light. There was only a brilliant flash of light and then nothing, except silence and inky blackness.

Q: How did you respond to this incident? Was it totally unanticipated?

The Shack: Bible Study 12

Chapter 14: Verbs and Other Freedoms

P194 Mack even sang a few songs, a couple of old hymns and a couple of old folk songs. Singing was also something he had not done in a long time.

Q: What is the purpose of singing? Why has God given us the gift of music?

Psalm 98:1-6

1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn--shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

P195 Sarayu – “For you to know or not, “she explained, “has nothing at all to do with whether I am actually here or not. I am always with you; sometimes I want you to be more aware in a special way – more intentional.

…you can always talk to me and I will always be with you, whether you sense my presence or not.

Q: How does the Holy Spirit make itself intentionally more known to us in our lives? How does the Spirit’s presence reassure and comfort us?

John 3:5-8 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit . 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit ."

P 196 Sarayu laughed – of course you will make mistakes; everybody makes mistakes, but you will begin to better recognize my voice as we continue to grow our relationship.

I don’t want to make mistakes – Mack grunted

Sarayu – mistakes are a part of life, and Papa works his purpose in them, too.

Sarayu – Emotions are the colors of the soul; they are spectacular and incredible. When you don’t feel, the world becomes dull and colorless. Just think how The Great Sadness reduced the range of color in your life down to monotones and flat grays and blacks.

Q: Why are mistakes an important part of life? How does God use them to work out His purposes?

Ephesians 1:11-12 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

P197 Sarayu – So check your perceptions and beyond that check the truthfulness of your paradigms – what you believe. Just because you believe something firmly doesn’t make it true. Be willing to reexamine what you believe. The more you live in truth, the more your emotions will help you see clearly. But even then, you don’t want to trust them more than me.

Q: Why should we reexamine our beliefs? Why should we not trust them more than the Holy Spirit? Is this the author’s belief or is this rooted in scripture?

John 3:16-18

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

P197/198 Sarayu – The Bible doesn’t teach you to follow rules. It is a picture of Jesus. Whole words may tell you what God is like and even what he may want from you, you cannot do any of it on your own. Life and living is in him and in no other. My goodness, you didn’t think you could live the righteousness of God on your own, did you?

P198 Sarayu – it is true that relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you.

Q: Does or doesn’t the Bible teach us to follow rules? Is it only a picture of Jesus? What happens to our relationships when we break the rules?

Galatians 3:10-14

10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law ." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law , because, "The righteous will live by faith." 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Mack asks Sarayu if he will ever see her again

Of course. You might see me in a piece of art, or music, or silence, or through people, or in Creation, or in your joy and sorrow. My ability to communicate is limitless, living, and transforming, and it will always be tuned to Papa’s goodness and love.

Mack asks the Trinity why they love him, when he has nothing to offer in return

Jesus – it should be very freeing to know that you can offer us nothing, at least not anything that can add or take away from who we are…That should alleviate any pressure to perform.

Q: How do we recognize the Holy Spirit’s creativity in our lives? Why does the Holy Spirit communicate to us through different mediums?
Why do we try to repay God with our good works?

John 14:25-27

25 "All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit , whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

P201 Papa – Keep in mind Mackenzie, that I am not a human being, not in my very nature, despite how we have chosen to be with you this weekend. I am truly human in Jesus, but I am a totally separate other in my nature.

Q: How is God made fully human in Jesus? Why would God do this?

John 17:20-23

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

P202 Sarayu talking about the purpose of the Ten Commandments We wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your own. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently.

But how can you clean your face with the same mirror that shows you how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That’s why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you – so that it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands – Thou Shall Not – actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you.

Q: Why do the Ten Commandments make impossible demands? How did Jesus fulfill them? What does that fulfillment mean for us?

Ephesians 2:14-16

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

P203 Sarayu – But bear in mind that if you live your life alone and independently, the promise is empty. Jesus laid the demand of the law to rest; it no longer has any power to accuse or command. Jesus is both the promise and its fulfillment.

…those who are afraid of freedom are those who cannot trust us to live in them. Trying to keep the law is actually a declaration of independence, a way of keeping control.

It grants you the power to judge others and feel superior to them. You believe you are living to a higher standard than those you judge. Rules cannot bring freedom; they only have the power to accuse.

Q: Why does living our life independently of God make Christ’s promises empty for us? How do we use rules to keep us independent of God? If rules cannot bring freedom, why do we use laws to maintain our liberty?

Galatians 3:19-22

19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

P204 Sarayu – Nouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless ‘I am,’ there are no verbs, and verbs are what make the universe alive.

Q: What do you think about the above statement?

John 1:1-5
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

P205 Sarayu – My words are live and dynamic – full of life and possibility; yours are dead, full of law and fear of judgment. That is why you won’t find the word responsibility in the Scriptures.

Sarayu – Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive.

Q: Why are God’s words so dynamic and full of life? Why do we use rules to stifle this?

Romans 7:7-10

7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law . For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

P206 Sarayu – Responsibilities and expectations are the basis of guilt and shame and judgment, and they provide the essential framework that promotes performance as the basis for identity and value. You know well what it is like not to live up to someone’s expectations.

P207 Papa – You see Mackenzie, I don’t just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you and all of every part of you and your day.

Jesus - I don’t want to be first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile where everything in your life – your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities – is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being.

Q: What do you think about God wanting all of our life, and not just a part of it? How can we put this demand into practice? How does the mobile illustration help you to understand Christ’s desire for a real, living relationship with us?

P208 Sarayu – Actually, you see very little even though for a human you see fairly well. But just for tonight, I would love you to see a bit of what we see.

Q: How do you think God sees the world – individually or collectively? How can we strive to see the world through God’s eyes?

1 Corinthians 2:6-10

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-

10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Shack: Bible Study 11

Chapter 13: A Meeting of Hearts

Page 183: Mack – What’s this? God has time to catch a few rays? Don’t you have anything better to do this afternoon?

Papa – Mack, you have no idea what I’m doing right now.

Q: What is God doing right now in the world? How would we know?

Isaiah 40:21-24 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

Page 184: Mack apologizes for unfairly judging God. Papa answers - …that is in the past now, where it belongs. I didn’t even want your sorrow for it, Mack. I just want us to grow on together without it.

Q: Why does Papa not want any of Mack’s regret? Does God want any of ours?

Isaiah 35:10 …and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Page 185: Papa – Stories about a person willing to exchange their life for another are a golden thread in your world, revealing both your need and my heart.

Q: Why does sacrifice affect us? What makes people lay down their lives for others? How do we honor those sacrifices?

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Papa – Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes.

Q: How does God use evil, tragedy, and suffering to fulfill His promises? Are their experiences in our lives where we have seen this occur?

Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 3:7-8 Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say-as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.

Papa – Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.

Q: What is grace? How have we personally experienced it?

Page 186: Mack – The world just looks a thousand times brighter and I feel a thousand times lighter.

Papa – You are Mack! it isn’t easy being the judge of the entire world.

Q: What makes us so judgmental about other people? Why are Christians so bad at recognizing this?

Matthew 7:1-2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Papa – Jesus came to show people who I am and most folks only believe it about him. They still play us off like good cop/bad cop most of the time. When they want to do what they think is right, they need a stern God. When they need forgiveness, they run to Jesus.

Q: How are our beliefs about Jesus different from those we have about God? Aren’t they the same?

John 17:20-23 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Page 187: Papa – Guilt will never help you find freedom in me. The best it can do is make you try harder to conform to some ethic on the outside. I’m about the inside.

Q: How does the Church use guilt to impinge upon our freedom? Why? Can we give examples?

Luke 11:46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.

Papa – lies are a little fortress; in side them you can feel safe and powerful. Through your little fortress of lies you try to run your life and manipulate others. But the fortresses need walls, so you build some. These are the justifications for your lies.

Page 188: Papa – the truth is, Mack, the real reason you did not tell Nan was not because you were trying to save her from pain. The real reason is that you were afraid of having to deal with the emotions you might encounter, both from her and in yourself. Emotions scare you, Mack. You lied to protect yourself, not her!

Q: Why do we resort to lies to protect ourselves? What are we trying to hide? How do these lies affect our relationship with God and other people?

John 8:44-46 Jesus said: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

Papa – When you mess up again, ask for forgiveness again. It’s a process, honey, and life is real enough without having to be obscured by lies. And remember, I am bigger than your lies. I can work beyond them.

Q: How is God bigger than our lies? How can He work beyond them?

Page 189: Papa – faith does not grow in the house of certainty.

Q: What has faith got to do with doubt? Why can’t faith grow in a house of certainty? If true, what does this say about our churches?

Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

People are tenacious when it comes to the treasure of their imaginary independence. They hoard and hold their sickness with a firm grip. They find their identity and worth in their brokenness and guard it with every ounce of strength they have.

…my love is bigger than your stupidity. I used your choices to work perfectly into my purposes.

Q: How do our stupid choices affect our lives? What does God do with them? How do we know that God’s love is greater than our foolishness?

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."

Page 190: Papa – I understand how difficult it is for you, so lost in your own perceptions of reality and yet so sure of your own judgments, to even begin to perceive, let alone imagine, who real love and goodness are. True love never forces.

Q: Why can love never be enforced? What does this tell us about God’s love for us?

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!


Nobody knows what horrors I have saved the world from ‘cuz people can’t see what never happened. All evil flows from independence, and independence is your choice.

You and this Creation are incredible, whether you understand that or not. You are wonderful beyond imagination. Just because you make horrendous and destructive choices does not mean you deserve less respect for what you inherently are – the pinnacle of my Creation and the center of my affection.

Q: How do we feel about being the pinnacle of creation and the center of God’s affection? How should those honors affect how we deal with, think about, and judge other people?

Psalm 8:3-5 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Page 191: Papa – So whose choices should we countermand, Mackenzie? Perhaps I should never have created?....You demand your independence, but then complain that I actually love you enough to give it to you.

Mackenzie, my purposes are not for my comfort, or yours. My purposes are always and only an expression of love. I purpose to work life out of death, to bring freedom out of brokenness and turn darkness into light. What you see as chaos, I see as a fractal.

Q: When do we complain to God about not being involved in the world? Are we willing to give up our freedom in order to let God protect the world from evil?

Luke 13:1-5 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Mack – What exactly did Jesus accomplish by dying?

Q: What exactly did Jesus accomplish by dying? What did He personally accomplish for you?

1 Peter 2:23-25 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Papa – Nothing much – just the substance of everything that love purposed before the foundations of creations.

Page 192: Papa – everything is about him. Creation and history are all about Jesus. He is the very center of our purpose and in him we are now fully human, so our purpose and your destiny are forever linked. You might say that we have put all our eggs in the one human basket. There is no plan B.

Q: If Creation and history are all about Jesus, why do we prohibit Him from being the center of our lives?

Revelation 3:19-22 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Papa – You asked me what Jesus accomplished on the cross; so now listen to me carefully: through his death and resurrection, I am now fully reconciled to the world.

Mack – The whole world? You mean those who believe in you, right?

Papa – The whole world, Mack. All I am telling you is that reconciliation is a two way street, and I have done my part, totally, completely, finally.

Q: How is the whole world reconciled to God through Jesus? Why is this a two-way street? How can we play our part in this divine process?

Romans 5:9-11 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The Shack: Bible Study 10

Chapter 12: In the Belly of the Beasts

P171: Jesus – Sophia is a personification of Papa’s wisdom.

She’s part of the mystery surrounding Sarayu.

Q: How would you define wisdom? Have there been instances in your life when the Holy Spirit shared some of God’s wisdom with you?

Proverbs 8:7-11
7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

P172: Jesus (speaking of Sophia) – with her, everything is normal and elegantly simple. Because you are so lost and independent you bring to her many complications, and as a result you find even her simplicity profound.

Jesus – Time, as you know it, presents no boundaries to the One who created it.

Jesus – Would all this be any less ‘real’ if it were inside a dream?
Mack – I think I’d be disappointed.
Jesus – Why? Mack, there is far more going on here than you have the ability to perceive.

Q: How can we be sure reality is real? Can we ever know all that is going on? Why/why not?

1 Corinthians 13:9-12
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

P173: Jesus (talking about Missy’s last horrifying experiences) – Mack, she was never alone. I never left her; we never left her for one instant. I could no more abandon her, or you, than I could abandon myself.

Q: When and where have we experienced the holy presence of Jesus? Do we truly understand that he is always with us? Is that a comforting or uncomfortable thought?

Matthew 18:19-20
19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Jesus – She had no idea what was going to happen. She was actually more worried about you and the other kids, knowing that you couldn’t find her. She prayed for you, for your peace.

P174: Jesus – The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets. The truth is they are more shadow than reality, so they seem bigger in the dark.

Q: What makes us fearful as children? How do those fearful things affect us as adults?

Matthew 6:22-23
22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

P175: Mack – why do we keep all that crap inside?
Jesus – because we believe it’s safer there…then you grow up on the outside, but on the inside you’re still that kid in the dark cave surrounded by monster, and out of habit you keep adding to your collection.

Jesus – We’re meant to experience this life, your life, together, in a dialogue, sharing the journey. You get to share in our wisdom and learn to love with our love, and we get…to hear you grumble and gripe and complain….

Q: How can we share our lives with Jesus? How much of our lives do we actually share with Him?

Matthew 6:31-34
31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

P176: Jesus - If the universe contained only one human being, timing would be rather simple. But add just one more, and, well, you know the story. Each choice ripples out through time and relationships, bouncing off of other choices. And out of what seems to be a huge mess, Papa weaves a magnificent tapestry.

Q: How do our choices affect others? How does God deal with 6.5 billion choices each day? What is the affect of those choices on our planet?

P177: Jesus - Only Papa can do it and she does it with grace.

Jesus – Pearls, Mack. The only precious stone made by pain, suffering and – finally – death.

Matthew 13:45-46
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.


P178: Jesus – (about the church) What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs.

My church is all about people and life is all about relationships. You can’t build it. It’s my job and I’m actually pretty good at it.

Q: Why do we perceive the church as a building where we do religious things? How can Jesus help us to get out of our overactive need for programs?

1 Timothy 3:15
15 If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Mack, you don’t need to have it all figured out. Just be with me.

P179: Jesus - As well-intentioned as it might be, you know that religious machinery can chew up people! An awful lot of what is done in my name has nothing to do with me and is often, even if unintentional, very contrary to my purposes.

Q: When and where have we seen religious institutions do things in Christ’s Name that is very contrary to His purposes? What are His purposes anyway?

Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

Jesus – I don’t create institutions; that’s an occupation for those who want to play God. So no, I’m not too big on religion, and not very fond of politics or economics either.

Jesus – Put simply, these terrors are the tools that many use to prop up their illusions of security and control. People are afraid of uncertainty, afraid of the future. These institutions, these structures and ideologies, are all a vain effort to create some sense of certainty and security where there isn’t any. It’s all false. Systems cannot provide you security. Only I can.

Q: Is this what Jesus really thinks or are the above thoughts those of the author? How do religion, politics, and economics prop up our insecurities? Are they delusions?

Matthew 6:24-27
24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money .

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

P180: Jesus - If you try to live this without me, without the ongoing dialogue of us sharing this journey together, it will be like trying to walk on the water by yourself. You can’t!

P181: Jesus – All I want from you is to trust me with what little you can, and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you. It’s not your job to change them, or to convince them. You are free to love without an agenda.

Q: Why do we try and change people for God? Whose job are we trying to do?

John 14:1-2
14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Mack was thinking of his friends, church people who had expressed love to him and his family. He knew they loved Jesus, but were also sold out to religious activity and patriotism.

Q: Do we know people like this? Are we in danger of becoming like them? How?

P182: Jesus – Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformations into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters, into my Beloved.

Q: Is the author guilty of putting into Christ’s mouth words that he would hope He would speak? Does Jesus have no desire to make us Christians? If that is the case, then why did He establish the Church?

Colossians 1:21-23
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Mack – does that mean that all roads will lead to you?

Jesus – Not at all. Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean that I will travel any road to find you.

Q: What do you think of the above statement? Does it conflict or support universalism? Are we not supposed to seek Christ?

Romans 10:20 And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."

Heb 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

The Shack: Bible Study 07

Chapter 9: A Long Time Ago, In a Garden Far, Far Away

P128 Mack about Sarayu (Holy Spirit) – No wonder so many people are a little unnerved at relating to her…She obviously is not a being who is predictable.

Q: Does having the Holy Spirit in our lives make us feel uncomfortable? Why/ why not?

Romans 9:1-4
I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel.

P 129 Sarayu – A fractal…something considered simple and orderly that is actually composed of repeated patterns no matter how magnified. A fractal is almost infinitely complex. I love fractals, so I put them everywhere.

P 131 Sarayu: Oh, Mackenzie, if only you knew. It’s not the work, but the purpose that makes it special. And…it’s the only kind I do.

Q: Why are we so obsessed with getting things accomplished rather than asking ourselves what is the purpose behind our actions?

Galatians 3:5
Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

Sarayu: I created everything that actually exists, including what you consider the bad stuff. But when I created it, it was only Good, because that is just the way that I am.

P132 Mack: Then why has so much of the ‘Good’ gone ‘bad’?

Q: Why has so much of the ‘Good’ gone bad?

Sarayu: You (humans) are truly blind to your own place in the Creation. Having chosen the ravaged path of independence, you don’t even comprehend that you are dragging the entire creation along with you.

Q: Where do we see the effects of our disobedience in the world? What motivates us to spoil God’s good works?

Romans 1:18-20
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Sarayu: That is the wonder and adventure of exploration, a piece of what you call science – to discern and discover what we have hidden for you to find.

Sarayu: For any created being, autonomy is lunacy. Freedom involves trust and obedience inside a relationship of love.

Q: Why do we associate freedom with independence? How can freedom involve trust and obedience?

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

P133: Sarayu: Humans have a great capacity for declaring something good or evil, without truly knowing.

P134 Mack: That’s going to bother some people. There are lots of people who think it (Garden of Eden) was only a myth.

Sarayu: Well, their mistake isn’t fatal. Rumors of glory are often hidden inside of what many consider myths and tales.

Q: What do you consider to be the truths about the Garden of Eden? Why do many people attribute it to being a myth?

Genesis 2:8-9
Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Sarayu: When something happens to you, how do you determine whether it is good or evil?

And how confident are you in your ability to discern what indeed is good for you, or what is evil?

Q: How do we determine what is good and evil? How do we know this to be true?

Hebrews 5:12-14
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil .

P135 Sarayu…that which you determine to be good will change over time and circumstance. And then beyond that and even worse, there are billions of you each determining what is good and what is evil. So when your good and evil clash with your neighbor’s, fights and arguments ensue and even wars break out.

And then if there is no reality of good that is absolute, then you have lost any basis for judging. It is just language, and one might as well exchange the word good for the word evil.

Q: Why are we so resistant to absolutes in our society? If there is no absolute right or wrong, why do we both reward and punish people?

The choice to eat of that tree (in Eden) tore the universe apart divorcing the spiritual from the physical.

Mack: I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determined to be good…and I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil.

Q: How could Adam & Eve’s disobedience wreck the harmony between the physical and spiritual? How true is Mack’s statement above to your own life?

P136 Sarayu: You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms. That is a hard pill to swallow; choosing to only live in me. To do that you must know me enough to trust me and learn to rest in my inherent goodness.

Q: Why are we afraid to give up our right to determine what is right and wrong? How can we live by and with the Spirit?

Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to both Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Love and there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist.

John 12:35-36
Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

P137 Sarayu: No Mack. A child is protected because she is loved, not because she has the right to be protected.

Mackenzie, Jesus didn’t hold on to any rights; he willingly became a servant and lives out of his relationship to papa. He gave up everything, so that by his dependent life he opened a door that would allow you to live free enough to give up your rights.

Q: What did Jesus give up to become one of us? How has His sacrifice helped our salvation?

Hebrews 2:8-9
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

P138: Sarayu: And well you should, Mackenzie, because this garden is your soul. This mess is you! Together, you and I, have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in process. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive – a living fractal.

Q: What kind of messes are our own souls experiencing? How can we get the Holy Spirit to work with us to make our souls wild, beautiful, and perfect in process? What does that mean to you anyway?

The Shack: Bible Study 06

Chapter 7: God on the Dock

P105 …but Jesus went straight to Papa and, kneeling at her feet, began to wipe off the front of her clothes. He worked down to her feet and gently lifted one foot at a time, which he directed into the basin where he cleaned and massaged it.

John 13:3-5 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Mack: Obviously, what was truly important here was the love they had for one another and the fullness it brought them. He shook his head. How different this was from the way he treated the ones he loved!

Q: How does love bring fullness to our lives? Why is it so elusive at times?

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

P106: Sarayu: You can’t share with one and not share with us all.

We have limited ourselves out of respect for you…as we are listening to you, it is as if this is the first time we have known about them (Mack’s children), and we take great delight in seeing them through your eyes.

P107 Mack had to snicker at the thought of God having devotions.

Mack sat transfixed as he watched Jesus kiss his father’s hands and then look deep into his father’s eyes and finally say, “Papa, I loved watching you today, as you made yourself fully available to take Mack’s pain into yourself, and then give him space to choose his own timing.

What was he witnessing? Something simple, warm, intimate, genuine; this was holy.

Q: How do we offer our devotion to God. When do we make time for devotions? What holy moments have we experienced.

Psalm 29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness .

P108 Sarayu began humming…To him (Mack) it sounded Gaelic, and he could almost hear breath-pipes in accompaniment…if he could just keep listening to her, he would be thrilled to do dishes the rest of his life.

P109: (Jesus looking at the stars). “I created it as the Word, before the Word became flesh. So even thought I created this, I see it now as a human. And I must say, it is impressive!”

Q: Does this passage make Christ more human to us? Is it more important to make a human connection with Christ, rather than a divine one?

Genesis 1:16-18 God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

P110: (Mack to Jesus) It’s like I’ve always known you. But Papa isn’t at all what I expected from God, and Sarayu, she’s way out there.

Jesus : She is Creativity; she is Action; she is the breathing of Life; she is much more. She is my Spirit.

Sarayu means Wind – a common wind…

John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Q: What do you think about this description of the Holy Spirit? Is it helpful to your understanding?

P111: Elousia: El is my name as creator, but ousia is ‘being’ or ‘that which is truly real,’ so the name means Creator God who is truly real and the ground of all being.

Q: How real is God in our lives?

Mack asking about the place for humanity – Jesus answers: Right where you were always intended to be. In the very center of our love and our purpose.

Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Q: How do we know that we are at the center of God’s love and purpose? What hinders us from accepting this?

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God ! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Jesus laughed. “I am Jewish, you know. My grandfather on my mother’s side had a big nose; in fact, most of the men on my mom’s side had big noses.”

P112: Jesus: God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things – ultimately emerging as the real – and any appearances that mask that reality will fade away.

P113 Jesus (again looking at the stars) I’ll never get tired of looking at this. The wonder of it all – the wastefulness of creation, as one of our brothers has called it.

Q: Is creation wasted? On whom?

P114 Mack says he feels lost. Jesus responds: I know Mack. But it’s not true. I am with you and I’m not lost. I’m sorry it feels that way, but hear me clearly. You are not lost.

Q: Why is it important to know Christ is with us when we fell lost? What events have we experienced to know that this is true? Have there been moments when we have not felt this way?

John 18:8-9 "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."

Chapter 8: A Breakfast of Champions

P115 He hadn’t had a flying dream in years, not since The Great Sadness had descended, but tonight Mack flew high into the starlit night, the air clear and cool but not uncomfortable.

P116 As odd as it sounds, Mack had learned inside his dreams to fly like this; to lift off the ground supported by nothing – no wings, no aircraft of any sort, just himself.

Q: Have you had any flying dreams? What did it feel like to you?

The dream had provoked The Great Sadness and before he could even get out of bed, he was once again fighting his way through the despair that had devoured too many of his days.

Q: Have you ever felt this kind of despair? How did you cope with and overcome it?

Psalm 42:5a Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

P118: Papa – Dreams are sometimes important, you know. They can be a way of openin’ up the window and lettin’ the bad air out.

Mackenzie, I have no favorites; I am just especially fond of him.

Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

Q: Does God have favorites? Why/ why not?

P119: Papa talking about humanity – I don’t like a lot of choices they make, but that anger – especially for me – is an expression of love all the same. I love the ones I am angry with just as much as those I’m not.

Papa I’m not asking you to believe anything, but I will tell you that you’re going to find this day a lot easier if you simply accept what is, instead of trying to fit it into your preconceived notions.

P120 Papa: I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It’s not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.

Q: What do you think about the above statement? Is it true to scripture or just the author’s wishful thinking? Should sin be punished by God? Should we be excused for our sins?

Ezekiel 5:8 "Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will inflict punishment on you in the sight of the nations.
Hosea 9:7 The days of punishment are coming, the days of reckoning are at hand.
Let Israel know this. Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great…

Matthew 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Hebrews 2:2-3 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

P121 Mack talking about the Trinity I know that you are one and all, and that there are three of you. But you respond with such graciousness to each other. Isn’t one of you more the boss than the other tow?

Jesus Does that make sense to you, Abba? Frankly, I haven’t a clue what this man is talking about.

P122 Sarayu Mackenzie, we have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command or ‘great chain of being’ as your ancestors termed it…Hierarchy…is your problem, not ours.

P123 Hierarchy imposes laws and rules and you end up missing the wonder of relationship that we intended for you.

When you chose independence over relationship, you became a danger to each other….Authority…is merely the excuse the strong use to make others conform to what they want.

Q: What do you think about this section on hierarchy and authority? If this is true of the Trinity, what does this say about Christ’s Church? Would the Church work without hierarchy?

Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Papa: We carefully respect your choices, so we work within your systems even while we seek to free you from them. Creation has been taken down a very different path than we desired.

P124 Jesus If you had truly learned to regard each other’s concerns as significant as your own, there would be no need for hierarchy.

Q: Why are we not significantly interested in other people’s concerns? What causes us to ignore or pass by other people in trouble?

Galatians 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

P125 Mack …what is the value in a little girl being murdered by some twisted deviant? There is was gain, the question that lay burning a hole in his soul. “You may not cause those things, but you certainly don’t stop them.

Psalm 94:3 How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
Psalm 44:24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?

Q: Why is Mack so angry with God at this point? Why doesn’t God stop bad things happening to innocent people? Is it all just down to good and bad choices?

Papa …your choices are also not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for the ultimate good and the most loving outcome.

In their disappointment, they either become softened toward me or they become bolder in their independence.

Q: Have you found the above statement to be true in your own life? If so, when and where?

Mack was staggered. “Look at the cost – all the pain, all the suffering, everything that is so terrible and evil…And look what it has cost you. Is it worth it?

“Yes!” came the unanimous, joyful response of all three.

P126 Papa - You see pain and death as ultimate evils and God as the ultimate betrayer, or perhaps, at best, as fundamentally untrustworthy. You dictate the terms and judge my actions and find me guilty.

Q: Why do we blame God for everything tragic that happens in the world? When do we feel betrayed by God? How does our faith overcome those times?

Sarayu: Mackenzie, you cannot produce trust just like you cannot ‘do’ humility. It either is or is not.

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

Q: Do we trust God naturally, or is it learned by experience?

I just want you to be with me and discover that our relationship is not about performance or you having to please me.

Q: What makes us want to please God through what we do?

Mack I just can’t imagine any final outcome that would justify all this.
Papa We’re not justifying it. We’re redeeming it.

Q: What do you feel about these words between Mack and God? What does it mean for God to redeem situations and not justify them?

Luke 1:68 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.