Gabe is SOOO Lucky

Yesterday, the girls and I went out to see the chickens. Gabe has finished the building part of the chicken coop, so they can run around now.

I told them that I was going to fill up the water, and while I was gone it was ok for them to get some food and feed the chickens.

As I came back around the house, I chuckled to myself when I realized that the door had shut on them; it naturally swings shut. They were banging on the walls and sticking their arms out through the openings-- it was pretty funny.

I opened the door, took the water in, set it up. Turned around.....

And realized that the door had shut on me too.

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Why is he lucky? Two possiblities.

1. He has us blondies to rescue from situations such as this.
2. I don't hold a grudge.

My BeeYoutiful Order

I am so excited! I place a huge order today at beeyoutiful, with a few new products, plus our Miracle Salve that we love and our Super Vitamins.

Ask me in a few weeks how these are working:

Hair Shine Leave in Conditioner

Tummy TuneUp

Vanilla Dream Lotion Bar

Liquid Chlorophyll

Yeah!

Guess What I Saw!!!!

Tonight, at approximately 10:50 pm (?) I was driving down #2 Canyon, bringing the girls home after work.

I came around a corner, and saw a shape running across the road.

First thought: Deer

Second thought: Cat

Third thought: OH MY G**! A COUGAR just ran across the road 30 feet in front of my car!

Fourth thought: a jumble mix of expletives and exclamations (hey, you come across a cougar and see what runs through your mind!)

The Shack: Final Word

I received this morning the review that Ken recommended in the comments section of my "part two" post, and I agreed for the most part with what Dr. Daniel R. Lockwood was saying, although it was not the most in-depth review I had read.

But the best part was this: His recommendation--

"I would recommend The Shack with a warning: read it to deepen your sense of the overwhelming love of God, but keep your eye on the cross!"

Well put.

The Shack: Part Three... I take it back.

You are never going to read one of my reviews again! I am sorry about how long this has gone on, but I hope this helps in some way.

I don't remember any other individual occurance where I have been so dogged by the Spirit! After speaking to trusted mentors people about how and what I was thinking and feeling, I knew, above all that I needed to renounce my recommendation completely. I wasn't sure about the details, but I knew absolutely what I was being instructed to do.

Throughout today, I have come to many conclusions-- I kept praying at work that I would receive some kind of explanation to give as to why I would say, "Never mind, don't read this," and I was blessed by many examples of why this book does not match up to scripture. Over and over, He is faithful!...

Then, while listening to my week 5 course of my current class (Spiritual Disciplines), which just happened to be on the Holiness of Scripture.... (see how He works? Seek Him! He will answer!) It hit me-- this book is extremely similar in how the "emergent church" (which I do not claim to understand completely, just the basics) waters down and paraphrases the Bible. In fact, the book does not refer positively to it at all, that I can recall. So then I am even more confident in where God is leading.

Then I come home and read Ken's comment on here, and think "Duh! I should of course look to sound reviews for help!" And guess what! I found exactly the same things that God had been delivering to me all day long-- What validation! PLUS-- I even found a reference to the fact that this is completely a work of fiction, there is no friend of the writer who had this firsthand experience, this is all part of the story. This was the most freeing part of today--- here I was thinking that someone had been seriously mislead, by whom? But now I understand I was just duped.

My emotions clouded my discernment, but I am so grateful that the Spirit has been hard at work turning my heart back to where it needs to focus!

All in all, you have been witness to quite the personal journey. And it is very humbling to have been so.... blinded? Distracted? Anyway, I do take it back. I do not recommend this book, but if you choose to read it, please be aware that the Biblical principles are not sound, this is a work of fiction, you will probably be uncomfortable with the personifications of God (that was my first red flag!), and please please do not be misled. Other than that, the story is tremendous-- very very emotional and deep. This is why I do not recommend! Deep issues should be sought out in prayer and study, not in someone's fictional interpretation....

I talk too much. Sorry. :-)

Hot Tubbing and Pinatas

These are some fun pics from last weekend at our friend Karston's 4th birthday party...

Melia showing her glee over the candy-filled pinata...
"What do you have in there?"
My stash!

The wind was miserable, so the kids really enjoyed the hot tub instead of the pool!
She is definitely her mother's daughter :-)

I Can't Help You

Mommy: "We're missing one of Kiera's shoes. Melia, can you keep your eyes open for the missing shoe that looks like this?"

Melia: "But Mommy, if I keep my eyes open it will hurt."

Can't argue with that, can I? :-)

The Shack Review, Part Two (Possible Spoiler Warning)

The more I get away from the "just finished" perspective of reading this book, the more uncomfortable I get. While I still believe it has many good points, I keep thinking of many Biblical principles that I do not see in this book-- and considering which one is inspired... well, I cannot give a full recommendation without mentioning that this book needs to be read through the lens of Scripture, not the other way around.

Some issues I fail to see? A full understanding of the gospel-- if a non-Christian was reading this book, he may be profoundly touched, but what then? I don't see the perfect Holy God-- I see more of a happy, love everybody God, and where this is perfectly true, it is also lacking.

Now, all of this is fallible, being as it is from my own mind. But consider it possible that this is what the Spirit is showing me about this book as well. I would still consider this a very good book-- with much regard to our relationships and how we relate to our Father, it has changed from a book I would recommend to everyone to a book I would recommend to Bible-believing Christians.

Thoughts?

The Shack, by William P. Young

If you are reading this, please read my further reviews:
Shack: Part Two
Shack: Part Three
Shack: Final Word

Hmmm. Bought at Costco, $8.49

Worth every penny.

My thoughts? This was an extremely difficult read. Not because of it's language or style or writing, but because of it's depth. We have so many preconcieved notions of the hows, whats, whys, etc. about God, that to read a book like this which explores far beyond our misconceptions is intimidating to say the least.

I found myself squirming-- many topics addressed and situations encountered were challenging to believe and understand. Examining my own perceptions, comparing them to this book, and then challenging either of them to line up against Scripture.... it is painful! I would have to say that while my perceptions are not wrong, they don't go far enough right. I struggle with almost all of the questions that Mack (main character) had-- different degrees, but same struggle, and to have my own doubts and shadows lightened... Amazing book. Simply amazing.

Is it true? I tend to believe more to the yes-side. I have heard stories from people I trust that only can be called miraculous-- in our small reality, they are impossible, yet they occurred. And who am I to limit God? We should be so blessed that He would reach in to our existence and grow us beyond ourselves! (Note: This is fiction. Not real. I was unaware of this-- so I believed it to be true.)

Note/Warning. I cried. A lot. More than a lot. I told Gabe he had to read this book, and he said he wasn't sure he wanted to because I cried. But crying is healing too-- I don't remember a single time when God spoke to me that I wasn't moved to tears. This is a life-changing, relationship-changing, heart-changing book.

My recommendation? READ IT. Everyone. You. Read it~

Wow...

I just started a new book that I bought at Costco today.

All I can say is Wow. I am about halfway through, and am pained that I can't sit down right now and finish it. I bought it thinking... Hm. Painful and emotional, just what I am not in the mood for... And yet bought it anyway, and I very, very rarely buy books brand new.

It's called The Shack, by William P. Young.

Any one read it yet? Impressions? I am not sure even what to say, but I will do a review when I am done.