This sums up the past few days...

My "Shack" response...

Finished "The Shack" this morning at Starbucks...here are my thoughts:

Here's a quick "cliff note" of the overall story...Mack's youngest daughter, Missy, is brutally murdered in a shack while on a camping trip. Years pass and Mack is struggling with what he calls "The Great Sadness." Mack receives an invitation to go back to the shack...he goes and for a weekend he spends time with the Pappa, Jesus and Sarayu (the trinity).

1. The book is FICTIONAL...it was written as FICTION...

2. This book stirred some emotion in me several times because of moments in the story that brought back memories of my brother who died in 1978 and when my dad died in 2000. I'm talking being stirred up inside and moved to some tears...

3. I loved the imagery of William Young's writing...

4. Parts of the book parallel scripture and I loved it because it made some things make more sense.

5. Some of the book is not theologically sound...and it could cause some serious confusion for a Christian depending on where they are in their faith. To the believer and the unbeliever it could come across as universalism.

6. There are some parts that made me think, hmmmmmmmm...not quite sure about that. Here's one particular one...
-Jesus says in the book, "I am the best way any human can relate to pappa or Sarayu." Scripture says in John 14:6 "I am the way..."

Some will say it's all in how you read and interpret it...and I understand and hear that, but again to the new Christian or unbeliever who is searching for truth, some of the theology in "The Shack" could be taken as just that, truth. Remember, it's a fictional book.

7. The book is controversial amongst the "church world", but I think it has opened the doors for some great discussion. And when entering into that arena of discussion get your bible out and make that the source of truth. But I think believers need to be studied up on what scripture says about God, Son and Holy Spirit.

8. And lastly...I enjoyed the book...again, it stirred me up a bit and caused me to go to the Bible...but that's a good thing.

For those who have criticized the book...have you read it? If you have read it and totally don't agree...use it as a 'tool' of discussion with others.

I wonder when Lifeway is going to develop a bible-study around this...don't hold your breath...

The Shack

Lot's of folks have read it...I've got two chapters left...I know the controversy that has come from it...even heard William Young last week at Catalyst...I've got my own opinions and conclusions and will share them when I finish...

IF you have read the entire book, what are your thoughts?

Huh??

I got an email over the weekend from someone in our church that really frustrated me to the core...I'm trying to figure out how to respond or maybe not even respond at all. It was an email about the election and a link to a video about Barrack Obama being the antichrist and we need to let the world know.

Stuff like this is so shallow and drives me crazy...not just the video part, but the idea that this person actually bought into this. I believe in what scripture says about the "end times"...every bit of it! But when folks start making "end time" remarks like these...I think it gives Christianity a big ole black eye.

Anybody remember when people were calling Ronald Reagan the antichrist because his full name "Ronald Wilson Reagan" had six letters in each part of his name? Argh! Stupidy!

So...I'm taking suggestions on how to respond...any wisdom?

Whoa Nelly!

Whew what a busy week it's been...very stoked about a "free" Saturday (a free Saturday means no schedule to keep, no big responsibilities, etc.)

As I mentioned a few posts ago, our pastor is on sabbatical...week two is almost to a close! That has increased my responsibility at church a few more things on my plate, but overall it's been good. I will say this, I've always held a high respect for senior pastors...after two weeks in his role, that respect goes up about a 1000%!

So back to today! Saturday and no schedule...here's been the lay out:
-Slept in til 8:30am...very nice!
-Holly and I had a breakfast date at Cracker Barrel.
-Went by church to drop some things off for tomorrow morning.
-Got a haircut...was getting a little shaggy for me.
-Got the truck washed...
-Came home and cleaned the inside of the truck and listened to Bryan bang on the drums...dang, he can play!
-Watching Louisville play Mid Tenn...it's halftime and the Cards are down 3.

Tonight...hmmmm...some video games with Bryan, look over "the sermon" for tomorrow, maybe a little reading.

My kind of a weekend!

Catalyst Update

Hey the hotel has a computer!

OVERLOAD...WARNING, WARNING...INFORMATION OVERLOAD...WARNING...

That's one way to describe the past two days of Catalyst 2008. But wow, what a conference! Yesterday was lab day...I went to four different lab sessions, different speakers, different topics. Good stuff!

Today was filled with all kinds of stuff...12,000 people from everywhere were in attendance. Here are a few thoughts and descriptions after day one:

powerful teaching, lots of laughing, passionate worship and worship leaders, tears, more laughter, diversity, listening, LOUD and soft music, fun, thought provoking, soul searching, wonder what the heck is wrong with church thinking, I want to see change in our church or leave, challenged by some great leaders and communicators.

There you go in a nutshell! We're headed back home tomorrow when things conclude...I miss my boy! But I am looking forward to hearing Dave Ramsey tomorrow...especially after all that's happening in the world of finance and economics! Until then!

Catalyst 2008

This afternoon Holly and I are headed to Atlanta, GA for the Catalyst convention. I went last year and was really impressed...loved every bit of it! The worship, the speakers, lots of fun stuff, meeting new folk, learning how to lead more effectively.

I'm' trying to do that...lead more effectively. Lately that topic has dominated by book reading list. I've been reading a book entitled, "Leading from the Second Chair." Excellent book for someone in my position of leadership!

So the rest of this week I'll try and have a sponge like attitude...I'll try to soak it all up...and enjoy time with Holly. I'm so glad she's going with me this year...it's more fun with her!

Here's the Catalyst web site if you want to check it out.

A Fall Saturday

Dang...it's already October! Where did June go??
Thought I'd pass along a play-by-play of the first weekend in October in the Prosser household:

Friday Night
-Went over to Travis and Christy Lynch's...they live out in the woods! Had a great time along with the McMahan's...had a bon fire and everything.
-Stayed up way too late, but not necessarily by choice. Spent all day yesterday and last night being beat down with the allergies. So I was up until 3am last night...then woke up at 7am this morning!

Saturday
-Morning hours....sipped on some freshly grounded coffee, watched some DIY Network and College Game Day
-Piddling around on the computer a little...trying to get my wireless up and running.
-Bryan and I are headed up to Woodlawn park so he can do some skateboarding. I'll bring a book along and enjoy the fresh air!
-Afterwards I think we'll do some browsing at Best Buy, Game Stop and of course Barnes and Noble. We'll grab some dinner somewhere...maybe take in a dollar movie.
-Holly is going out with an ole college girlfriend...
-Hope to get in to bed by 11:30pm...must get sleep! More than four hours...please!

Sunday
-Worship in the AM (8 & 11)...it's our pastor's last Sunday for a few months
-Meetings after lunch until 4pm. I might be able to watch a few snaps of all game.
-Worship in the PM...
-Sunday night football...Go Steelers!

This is creative...

Check out this story that was in the Lexington Herald Leader this past week. Maybe we should have went this route instead of painting for our basement! Only $10!

Go here.

My pastor is leaving...

On a much needed, well deserved sabbatical. His last Sunday preaching will be this coming Sunday (Oct. 5th)...his first Sunday back will be November 30th. I haven't blogged a great deal about our church or about our staff...maybe that could be a week long blog series, "Meet the staff at FBC!"

I have worked under five pastors at four different churches over the course of my years in ministry...none of them hold a candle to Bill Fort. A few words to describe my pastor:
-A Godly man
-A family man
-Loves people!
-Has a gift (I would call it spiritual) to remember peoples names and countless statistics of just about any sporting team.
-A Patient man...you have to be when your wife is named "Patience"
-Is a true "Barnabas" in how he encourages people

Bill is not only my pastor, but he's my friend...and sometimes in the "church world" those two don't always go hand-in-hand.

While he is away I'll be assuming his role...I'll be preaching most of the morning services as well as some of his other pastoral duties. I'm looking forward to this season of ministry...people have been asking me if I'm ready? Ummmm...yes. BUT...I'll be the first to welcome him back! Of course I'll take full advantage of the senior pastor bathroom privileges!

Love ya Bill...I pray that this time of sabbatical will be a time of renewal, reflection, rest, dreaming, visiting, more rest, more renewal, making great memories with your family, did I mention to rest??