Some Thoughts about “The Shack”
By dougs | August 20, 2008
I first heard of William Young’s The Shack last fall, when a college friend called and asked if I was familiar with it. His voice was seeped with concern as he shared a story about a mutual acquaintance, who had read the book and said it was “life changing.”
I was busy with Advent and soon forgot my friend’s apprehension. Two months later, Lori and I were eating supper with friends when our host handed me a copy of The Shack. “Will you read it?” he asked. I agreed and placed it on my shelf thinking, “I don’t have time now. I’ll get to it later.”
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America: A Proud Lady turned Loon
By dougs | July 23, 2008
When some people watch the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, they cry because of the sacrifices our soldiers made to stop Hitler and his holocaust. The last time I watched Spielberg’s classic, I had a different reaction. Yes, tears streaked my face, but for a different reason. I regret what America has become in the few short years since Omaha Beach.
There was a time when America gave her sons and daughters compelling reasons to suffer, sacrifice and die. Yesteryear, America imbued her progeny with an enduring sense of nobility and honor. They stood straight and proud, as their mother catechized them and persuaded them that their cultural heritage was worth preserving.
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union. . .
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God. . .
But something changed. Today, America is a needy, angst-ridden loon.
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How I Became Politically Incorrect
By dougs | July 10, 2008
By the time I was in fifth grade, I realized my fourth grade teacher had lied. She said if I tried hard enough I could become the president, an astronaut, or anything I wanted.
In spite of her well intentioned lies, I had a feelin’ I’d never be president of the United States and nothing short of a bribe would get me into the NASA space program.
Because I am a product of my culture, I was stunned by my averageness. I sat on my bed and thought, “If I never become the president, how can I ever feel good about myself? If I never become an astronaut, how will I ever distinguish myself from the millions of average kids in the world?”
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