Avoid the Will to Power

"Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself - to serve. Humans often do this - in touching the infirm and sick, in serving the ones whose minds have left to wander, in relating to the poor, in loving the very old and the very young, or even in caring for the other who has assumed a position of power over them." (p. 107)

Don't lock the door of your heart...

"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 brokeness and guard it with every ounce of strength they have. No wonder grace has such little attraction. In that sense you have tried to lock the door of your heart from the inside." (p. 189)

Check your perceptions

"Paradigms power perception and perceptions power emotions. Most emotions are responses to perception - what you think is true about a given situation. If your perception is false, then your emotional response to it will be false too. So check your perceptions, and beyond that check the truthfulness of your paradigms - what you believe." (p. 197)

...and didn't let go...

"Jesus?" Mack whispered as his voice choked. "I feel so lost."

A hand reached out and squeezed his, and didn't let go. "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."

"I hope you're right," Mack said, his tension lessened by the words of his newfound friend.
(p. 114)

Into my Beloved

"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 no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters, into my Beloved." (p. 182)

Lies...Not Good.

"Take the risks of honesty. 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. But that doesn't make them right and doesn't stop the damage they do or the hurt they cause others. " (p. 188)

Respond and Expectancy

"Then let's use your two words: responsibility and expectation. Before your words became nouns, they were first my words, nouns with movement and experience buried inside of them; the ability to respond and expectancy. My words are alive and dynamic - full of life and possibility; yours are dead, full of law and fear and judgment. That is why you won't find the word responsibility in the Scriptures." (p. 205)


Friends, I will be traveling and away from the computer until Monday morning. Please use this time to leave a comment below! Share with others how The Shack has positively affected you. (You don't have to give your name if you don't want to, just click on "Anonymous") See you back here on Monday!