The Shack

OMG!

What an amazing book. William Young deals with one of (what I believe to be) the largest issues facing most folks today- theodicy. OK, that's a big word that I really ought to "explain." Basically theodicy is asking the question of "If God is good, then how come there is so much evil in the world." Or, alternately, "Why do bad things happen to good people."

I think it's something that almost everyone I know deals with at some level. It's why some people are de-churched, having been hurt by established religion. It's why others have no desire to get to know God, especially when the God they've heard about is one that damns people to hell for breaking rules.

Before I fully jump on my soap-box, please read this book. Whatever your religious background or lack thereof, what-ever your take on God, whether you even believe that there is something bigger than all of us, you should take the few hours it's going to take to read this book. It might just change the way you look at the world. I know it's changing the way I do.

I'd be glad to let local friends borrow a copy, when I get them bought. I'll be buying a few to have on-hand and a few to give away. It's that important of a book. Really.

Resolution time!

Ahh, it's that time of year again. Some folks think it's important to have your resolutions decided upon by the time the new year starts. Thank goodness I'm not one of them. This year I have several different types of resolutions. I'll do my best to categorize them as I go.

Physical Health:
Run 750 miles
Bike 1000 miles
Swim 75,000 meters
Be able to do 100 push-ups in a row
Eat more healthy foods
Decrease percentage of body fat
Compete in at least 1 triathlon and as many running and cycling events as time allows.

Mental Health:
Take at least 1 day a week as Sabbath
Set priorities and stick to them
Delegate!
Spend time with each member of my family

Work:
Complete Constitution and By-Laws revision
Revise/Review all policies
Visit every member of the congregation outside of church at least 2 times.
Be regular and intentional about nursing home and home-bound visitation
Explore new methods of preaching
Build intentional foundations for all church activities and ministries (Theology of practice.)

Enjoy each day!

Well, that's what I'm hoping to accomplish in 2009. Some goals are going to be pretty easy to reach, others are going to take a lot more work. But, there's nothing on this list that I would label as "impossible." Audacious maybe. Impossible, no.

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