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FreePlay Friday (FaceBook, The Shack)
Posted on July 11th, 2008 in Free Play Fridays, Old-General by Fred McKinnon
Hey Everyone,
Welcome to “FreePlay” Friday – where anything goes on FredMcKinnon.Com. Here’s the idea … I can’t help but think I need to be more consistent with keeping my blogging content on target for those people I’d like to influence … those involved in worship leadership and music. At the same time, I have a LIFE (quite a busy, active one) and I enjoy blogging about that, too. I have plenty of friends and family who read here, so this blog isn’t called “All About Worship Leadership and Music” … it’s called “FredMcKinnon.Com” … so you’ll get some “Fred McKinnon”.
But, maybe I can help things a bit my trying to let Fridays be the main “off-topic, free-stylin’ kind of post” day. “FreePlay Friday” is a name Joy uses during the school year. It means the kiddos can pick what they want for breakfast before school. Monday – Thursday, she has breakfast planned out … eggs and toast one day, cereal another day, cinnamon toast one day, oatmeal, etc. FreePlay Friday is when THEY get to pick (individually, I might add) what they want for breakfast.
So today is FreePlay Friday (edition 1) .. I’ll have my own “FreePlay” by blogging about random STUFF that isn’t necessarily related to worship, music, or leadership … and then YOU can get involved in the comments by replying to my “randomness” with comments about what I discuss, OR … start your OWN RANDOM MADNESS in the comments!
OK – so I spent most of my time on the setup … and don’t want this to be long, so …
FaceBook – WHAT HAPPENED?
What happened to FaceBook? My FaceBook account pretty much went dormant .. I mean, I never login. The, a few weeks ago, I got a “friend request” from an pastor friend in VA that was our College Pastor back at GSU. He began to confirm friends off my page, which triggered a massive chain reaction in “friend requests” from those college days in ministry. At the same time, some old college acquaintances from being in the GSU Marching Band started doing the same thing … it’s like FaceBook is coming alive again!
Whereas in technology, I tend to become an early-adopter, I can’t say the same thing about culture. I guess this book has been around for a while, but I first heard of it only a few weeks ago. My friends Jay and Brooke have been reading it on vacation, lots of people are Twittering about it, it was the subject of discussion Monday morning at our Pastor’s meeting … and I got an email from my Dad saying “you have to read this book, I’ve put a brand new copy in mail to you”. Well, my copy came in the mail yesterday. Thanks, Dad. I can’t put it down. I read until after 1:00 AM, and woke up immediately craving to start reading it again, which I did over a couple of bowls of Peanut Butter Crunch. I’m not much of a book reader, but this book has captured my attention in a big way. For those who have read it … I just finished the Chapter where Mack first meets “God”.
OK … let the madness begin!
Fred
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18 Responses to “FreePlay Friday (FaceBook, The Shack)”
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Thanks for the tip- I have ordered THe Shack on amazon- just FYI for “Freeplay Friday”-My Uncle Hollis Cate was an English Professor at GSU for many years, he retired to Fernandina Beach, but his health is not good.He has written several Books of Poems. He is a great person too. – RVC – P.S. – I forgot to tell you, you can go to The Bulldog site and type in Vassa Cate and his football records are in there.He is also a member of the Georgia Football(or Athletic) Hall of Fame.
Hey Fred! WOW! I just bought the book yesterday after Mark (Hanby) was recommending it to me. I have not had chance to start reading it yet but will very soon! Love ya man! Blessings! Tim
I too began reading this book late in the game. I AM a big reader but I usually shy away from the flavor of the month. However, I started reading it on vacation and am intrigued.
I am one of our new friends on facebook, yay.
your new friends, that is*
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I’m with ya bro. Dad sent it and I haven’t been able to put it down yet. Can’t say I didn’t “struggle” with the meeting “God”, but I am thankful for the “struggle” I’ve had with many of the things I’ve read.
It just makes you “think” about the way you “think”.
All I can say without messing with those who haven’t read it. But for that crowd, let me say one thing:
DON’T LET YOUR WAY OF THINKING STOP YOU FROM COMPLETING THE BOOK.
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don’t ever ditch facebook again! that is the moral of the story
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The Shack is on my list, but it may be a while before I get to it. I’m not at all worried about it conflicting with my “way of thinking”, but I am concerned if – as many have said – the portrait of God it paints is unscriptural, but it draws many to read it who aren’t discerning enough to recognize it. I’ve been suggested to read it as fiction – the whole thing, including the its’ “theology”, and enjoy it as a great ride, must like one should read the whole “Left Behind” series or Peretti’s “This Present Darkness”. One of the more broadly read bloggers on the net wrote an extensive review which he published here:
http://www.challies.com/media/The_Shack.pdf
I still plan on reading it (I mean, I love L’Engle & George MacDonald, and their theology was FAR from ‘orthodox’ – good stories, and they inspired me to love God in spite of my disagreements), I just wonder – given what Tim Challies says above – is it the sort of book we need to endorse with a warning? Having not read it, I don’t know – Tim may be over-reacting, but it is a question worth asking. I often suggest someone read a book and tag it with “but just be aware that…” and append something they need to think about while they read it. Might this book be one of those?
Though, Fred – I read your response on TheWorshipCommunity about Emergent/Emerging Churches… maybe you’re more “Emerging” than you think, as this book is one of their favorites.
make sure you go back to facebook soon, i just sent you a friend request…
Got an update about Louie and Tomlin!
http://human3rror.com/2008/07/11/passion-church-louie-speaks/
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Finally, the con artist (on eBay) gave me a refund after the police paid him a visit and I filed an Internet fraud report with the FBI.
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OK, bro. You can thank (or blame) me, whichever the case may be. I gave Dad “The Shack” as a b-day present! I’ve gotten through Mack’s 1st day with “God” and will definitely say that it’s an interesting read thus far. I will remind everyone that it is sold in the Christian fiction section, so it doesn’t present itself as being a theological work. If you read the author’s preface (yeah, I know most people blow right through that but on this book, I recommend you read it), he kinda says it’s fiction but leaves you with a “but what if it isn’t” kind of statement. Without saying more, the intent definitely seems to be to get people to see God in a different light. I look forward to finishing it up!
Fred, I can relate: first of all, I noticed a flurry of activity on facebook recently. I’m even getting phone calls from folks, like a student I taught over 12 years ago who decided to track me down. Seems like a bunch of people decided to hop on board. Secondly, I was profoundly moved by ‘The Shack’, but was careful to keep in mind that it was fiction. I thought it’s description of the human spirit as the author fleshed out Mac’s character and his REACTION to ‘God’ was profound, and I took most of the meaning from the book in that, rather than the depiction of the God character. It was a fascinating book…looking forward to hearing what you think when you finish.
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Hey everybody …
thanks for jumping in on “Freeplay Friday” … good to hear so many people have experienced (or are experiencing) “The Shack”.
Wisdom,
That’s great news … glad it was resolved!
i can’t get away from the shack. it’s haunting me!!! i’ve gotta go get this book
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I mistakenly picked up a book called “The Shaq”. Totally different plot. The other one is much better.
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The Shack….beautiful story of redemption and healing. However some of the ideas it presents about the trinity and nature of God are just plain bad theology. It is easily shown incorrect by just a casual search on what the bible has to say about it. It’s selling point is that this theology is wrapped in the framework of an emotional story. But what irks me the most is the response I’m seeing by the body of Christ. To those who say this book is “revolutionizing” their view of God….I have to ask….what the heck else have you been reading and studying? Lets love God with our heart, soul and MIND…and seek him for who He truly is. Not for who our emotions would like Him to be.
Hi Fred, Jumping over from theworshipcommunity – love the new website. thanks so much for the resource and linking us all up. I’m adding the link to my blogroll. Also, wanted to say I’m reading “The Shack” as well – wonder what we’ll think…? Keep us informed of your thoughts.
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