The Shack Review

The Shack by William P Young

Reading every page was warming and life making. It was inspiring, challenging and encouraging.

Judging a book by its cover is very easy with The Shack. The grabbing picture tells it all, yet leaves a bit of mystery for the reader. This transforming “fiction” book plants messages that cause the reader to stop and think, ask questions, challenge thoughts and ideas, laugh and sometimes cry. From start to finish this book never stops one moment, so be prepared to go on a journey, literally, with a Man who begins to see his life, his world in a new way.

"I can see now," confessed Mack, "that I spend most of my time and energy trying to acquire what I have determined to be good, whether it’s financial security or health or retirement or whatever. And I spend a huge amount of energy and worry fearing what I’ve determined to be evil" Mack sighed deeply.

"Such truth in that," said Sarayu gently. "Remember this. It allows you to play God in your independence. That’s why a part of you prefers not to see me. And you don’t need me at all to create your list of good and evil. But you do need me if you have any desire to stop such an insane lust for independence." (pg. 135-136)

William P. Young’s attempt at making a representation of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit through this book is a thrilling engagement between these individuals as they tackle issues that we confront everyday. The imagery factualizes the truths that we so earnestly seek after but are so afraid to recognize in our practical daily existence.

The Shack is the home to many searching individuals like myself who seek for the truth but at the same time are afraid of what we might find. The book invites us to be open, honest and truthful to ourselves and to God. There isn’t anything that He doesn’t know about, yet. Yet still He limits Himself in such a way that we can come to Him in total submission and tell Him we need Him as much as He wants us to recognize that He wants to become a part of us. The book goes beyond telling a story and takes us into a world where reality seems hidden all because our lives are a mess and God wants us to come to Him to clean it up. “Not of ourselves it is the gift of God – lest any man should boast”.

What standards define your judgment? What directs what is right and what is wrong? Willie throws in the thought that “forgiveness does not establish relationship”. While God extends forgiveness to us, it is our choice to come into a relationship with Him.

When you forgive someone you certainly release him or her from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established. This was a stop point in the journey that forced me to further take a conscious look at my reality.

“If anything matters, everything matters.”

The Shack offers insight to a world filled with events that we often judge as unfair or wrong when we seek to look at it through our own eyes. However, while the story might not be “true”, when we look beyond what we see and allow the spirit of God to come in there is a new reality for us to see. That reality depicted by “the Shack” draws us to a realization that in love lies forgiveness and reconciliation.

Faith, forgiveness, love, God’s presence, judgment, and reconciliation imprints the pages of The Shack and seeks to challenge us to rethink the standards and principles we have been brought up to believe and hold onto.

Find a shack and read The Shack.

O. Stephen Peart is the author of Released Expressions – the journey begins, an inspirational journal of quotes and poetry creatively designed to draw from the personal inner thoughts. His contribution extends to writing reviews and prose.

Released Expressions – the journey begins, is an inspirational journal of quotes, imagery and poetry creatively designed to depict the author’s artistic mind. This book is more than a poetry book but rather and expression of the writer’s inner thoughts and an opening for the reader’s individual expression which is enabled towards the back where there is an open space for those who wish to release their own expressions. www.releasedexpressions.com

The Liberty of our Freedom

“To know how to free oneself is nothing; the arduous thing is to know what to do with one’s freedom”
– Andre Gide

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

The liberty we share is one to ensure the freedom of others from oppression and not freedom to do whatever we deem in our mind to do. With freedom comes responsibility to guard and guide the present and the future. It is that liberty of our freedom that drives us to seek to discover our own abilities and to use them to uplift others.

Let me be free about what I share for it is my responsibility to reasonably care about the thoughts I share to you as I seek to live and encourage too. Without meaning there is no life and without life the world would not be. For in this space limited by our finite minds we can only but live to give, learn to share, speak to uplift, pattern from examples and prepare for eternity. This encompasses the freedom we have been blessed with and should not be taken for granted.

In the freedom we have, there are choices we make, whether to give or to receive, to learn or share. To be or not to be, to speak or to listen – the freedom we have is enhanced with our choice to cherish the liberty and guard our responsibility. Our freedom is in what we do.

We have a responsibility to guard the principles passed on to us by our founding fathers that shaped the constitution of our nation. This they did not out of share interest of themselves but considering the future of the nation. We have a responsibility to guide the restoration and guard the strength of our homes, community, schools and churches to a level that rises above our expectations and delve beyond prejudice and fear.

Freedom is our opportunity to show the world that though we are free to choose and do whatever we please; we can rise and seek to do the extra ordinary like loving our neighbour, whoever they are like we do ourselves. Freedom is an opportunity to step outside of ourselves and reach out to others. Jesus exemplified the greatest example of freedom. He was free to do whatever he wished, however out of love He restrained Himself to serve others and ultimately suffered at the hands of those He sort to serve. Yet, in spite of that He still loved and utilized the opportunity of His freedom to set the stage for us that we too can do like He did even though it seemed impossible. Freedom is seeing the impossible and knowing that it is possible.

While we exercise our democratic rights in carrying out responsibilities, we should be mindful that our freedom to live rule and reign is our God given one which is not to be taken lightly. As such, our liberty built on our right to serve others and ensure that the liberty of our children remains.

For whom we are and what we do is ordered each day and the freedom given to us for the time we abide on this earth should be one of significance. Live your life in freedom, guide the path before and guard the freedom we have been privileged to have.

The liberty we live each day
Stirs our hearts to obey,
The path before us
Inspire the will and our way.
For the freedom to overcome
Is the willingness to be free.

“Act as free men and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God.”
–1 Peter 2:16

O. Stephen Peart is a writer and the founder of Released Expressions, focused on consistently producing inspiring content through a unique compilation of poetry, imagery, articles and music, to create an environment of inspired, self motivated individuals. To purchase his book Released Expressions – The Journey Begins, visit ReleasedExpressions.com.

Focused on Unity

Take the people and instruct them on this. Seven days they will go walking around the great walls. For the six days, they should walk once around the walls. On the seventh day, seven times. Now there shouldn’t be any talking for the six days but on the seventh day, when instructed the people need to shout and the walls of the great city will tumble down.

This sounds like strange instruction for a multitude to carry out, however as one unit they executed the instructions and where successful in every detail and aspect of that instruction. Upon the shout, the walls of Jericho began tumbling down.

It is when we can recognize our purpose, understand the goal, obey the instructions, then the process of execution becomes easy and the delivery rewarding.

Redirect your focus

The energy of your focus decides the direction of your mind. When those are in tune then action will turn the course of time and reveal the rewards of the energy directed to the task.

“In every institution the ultimate success is centred on a single unified vision.” – O. Stephen Peart

O Father, Our father

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. — Psalm 103:13

O Father, our father
The light and hope of the future
The builder and sustainers’ of life
The example for generations.
O Father, our father,
Teach us each day
The things to do on our way
And give us the protection to know
That you are, forever by our side
O Father, our father.

The father walks into the hospital room but he is not the father, while the mother stares intently on him but she’s not the mother. They both embrace each other in the silence of the room screaming with the echoes of an absence child. It was a day never imagined and yet there was some hope left and that hope gave some assurance that a new day was on its way.

Fatherhood is a higher calling to be an example of truth and grace to those we have been honoured to serve. It is because of this reality that this structure is so greatly attacked and the statistics reflect so many walking away. However, today I will not focus on what is happening in our society but rather to create a ray of hope that there is time for healing to come into the lives of fathers who have fallen victim to the lies that surround them.

It is time to recognize who you are and your place in the home, society and in the lives of your offspring. Amidst the clutter and confusion of the forces in our society that daily degrade the structure of the father, as men we need to step away from those forces and redirect our consciousness to our Father.

The channel of fatherhood is a direct connection to the creator of the earth and it is through God that our directive comes. If that channel is broken, it can only lead to a continued decline in the function of the family and society. For every thing within the order of creation was, is and continues to be channelled through the father. It is a huge responsibility for any one man to carry. However, we as men must begin to reach out to each other and create pillars of support extended to each other both offering and been receptive to the wisdom and guidance of other men.

There is a grave need for our community to rebuild the true identity of the father and his role and enhancing the value he brings into the life of humanity. It is through the father that the order of blessings and the passing of generations are established.

We have an awesome call. Not to live for ourselves but to love, protect and ensure the sustenance of life and the future well being of our families. This call is not to be taken for granted but is to be guarded with much care and diligence. The order requires sacrifice, commitment, discipline and a daily renewal of our existence. It is through this order the Proverbs expressed in Proverbs 17:6, Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.

The call requires of us as stated in Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. We have a task before us and a hope instilled in the core of our own being to be the leaders in our own families. It is something not learnt over night but is passed on down each generation. If we should neglect this then for sure we would have neglected our calling.

Let’s therefore stand forth as fathers in the order of the call as designed by God to reach beyond our current stand and boldly engage in a change that can only true begin with us. The lives of our generation and the generations to come, weigh heavily upon our shoulders. However, because this call was designed by God, it does not mean that our burden is ours to carry rather we only need to be obedient and make the required step while He lifts the burden and guide us through.

And so the father and the mother looked up and shining before them was a great light which radiated through their beings with the truth that a new day was on its way.

To my father and your father, may the ray of hope bring you back home and fill your heart with a renewed passion to embrace the call on your life, O Father, our father.v

O. Stephen Peart is a writer and the founder of Released Expressions, focused on consistently producing inspiring content through a unique compilation of poetry, imagery, articles and music, to create an environment of inspired, self motivated individuals. To purchase his book Released Expressions – The Journey Begins, visit ReleasedExpressions.com.

Exposed – The Struggle by Ke lisaSpeaks

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“EXPOSED – THE STRUGGLE”
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There is no way to experience life in isolation.  We all need each other to grow, to become.  I cannot become who God has created me to be on my own.  I need you!  Therefore with every opportunity that I have to share with you my inner thoughts, dreams and desires, is an opportunity for me to grow.  Somehow the path that I am on dictates that the only way I will get to that place is by being bear before strangers, friends and family.

Even this very moment as I write there is such a discomfort because I feel as though you can see right into my soul.  Being transparent can evoke emotions that if not understood and appreciated can cause negative repercussions.

Sad to say but persons can use your openness to create opportunities for their own personal benefit.  For that reason people are hesitant about being transparent. 
Throughout the years the Holy Spirit has taught me that if you say it, and believe in it, no harm can come from it because it is true and authentic.  Yes some may try to use it but because of your own liberation their plan will fail.

So in my present struggle, my fear of being ‘known’, I will persevere because I must be who I am to be.

Ke lisaSpeaks
10-06-08

KelisaSpeaks.com

Experiencing ` Sharing ` Growing ` Transforming

“Only What You Do For Christ Will Last“

Be Someone

Mother, Mother

By O. Stephen Peart

Mother, mother I love you dear
Mother, mother ever near,
Guiding and nurturing the path I go
Teaching much of what I know.

However the journey, I may take
The principles she taught I’ll not forsake
But living my life to honour her days
And yet further on fulfilled in my ways.

Mother, mother I honour you
And daily seek the things to do,
To be the best, I can endeavour
And those things to my family deliver.

Every morning I rise to see a new day that was created for me to experience something new. Each day is an opportunity to live, learn and lead my own life towards my own destiny. Like a new born, there is something special about a new day. One special thing about it is that life was sustained for me to once again receive the blessing of a new day and in return give forth that which was birth within me so others too can have a new day.

The freshness of the air, the welcoming sounds of life awaking, yes a New Day is filled with many welcoming sounds that seem to awaken to the excitement of new opportunities, new experiences and a new day. My new day started at the breast of my mother who nursed me and filled me with life and hope to face another day. It was her enduring commitment and in born passion to see her child develop into being a life of honour and praise. To be someone.

Motherhood is more than birthing a child. Motherhood is the ability to nature and in still a pattern of living that directly impacts the growth and development of a young life. Mothers have the God given gift of creating, shaping and nurturing the dreams and desires of her offspring. Mother has the power to shape our new days, every day. This is a tall order even as I reflect on the gift of motherhood, for mothers are called to be and mother help in the development of someone.

The depth of this awesome position far outstretches the vastness of the oceans as mothers are built with a natural inclination to protect their children with a passion that even surpasses that of a father. It is a quality that we off-times forget and neglectfully overlook as a key role in our own development as being a recipient of that call. In recognizing that, I would call on you to remember your mother and all the mothers that played a key role in your own life, helping you to be someone. Let’s give them the assurance that they are worthwhile and worthy of their call.

In our modern culture, we loss sight of some of the simple truths that shape the quality of life we use to experience, due to economic, political and social pressures. We overlook that contribution and value that mothers bring to our world. Yes, mothers do help us to be someone.

The influence of a mother undoubtedly will direct the course of a child’s life and should never be taken for granted. It is therefore vitally important that as a community we seek ways to encourage and help to rebuilding that influence and restore mother to a level where she’s respected and honoured for her impact. Let’s not forget her or leave her behind for it is mother that encourages us to be somebody. Let’s recognize her as somebody too.

Mother in the land
Mother holding my hand
Safe in her arms
And gently held by her love
Mother in the land
All part of a perfect plan,
Mother, we celebrate you.

O. Stephen Peart is a writer and the founder of Released Expressions, focused on consistently producing inspiring content through a unique compilation of poetry, imagery, articles and music, to create an environment of inspired, self motivated individuals. To purchase his book Released Expressions – The Journey Begins, visit ReleasedExpressions.com.

 

10 North

The following is a poetic review of a unique restaurant in Orangeville called 10 North Restaurant.

10 North, the casual and fine dining experience in the Orangeville area, owned and operated by Jeff Jones, Executive Chef and his partner, Sue von Achten, pastry and dessert chef along with General Manager, John Fulton, has become the celebrated dining and jazz gem in Dufferin County.  Located on Highway 10, the restaurant has charmed diners and critics with its mix of casual sophistication, excellent service, incredible food and amazing live jazz music.

10 North Restaurant
Telephone: 519-941-7005
Email: vonachten@hotmail.com
Location: 634041 Hwy. 10, R.R. # 4,, Orangeville, L9W 2Z1

 

Inside it’s unassuming,
While the atmosphere is buzzing.
With the rhythms of instruments playing,
10 North behind the scene is flaming.

Then comes the patron,
Welcoming and patient.
Tending to each anxious need
10 North is the place to feed.

The order is placed,
While I stare in each savoury face;
To see the lips moving
And sense the flavours chewing.

Not long before I pause,
There to my table falls.
A delightful, inspired work of art
10 North, with tender care each part.

Before long I too will feel,
The taste of the flavours revealed.
For in the plates discovered,
Is a taste not recovered?
Anywhere else I have been.
10 North with its flavours is a win.

Copyright © 2007 O. Stephen Peart. All rights reserved. Reproductions in whole or in part in any form or medium without the expressed written permission of O. Stephen Peart are prohibited.

Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the sky. –Carl Sandburg

Don’t Give Up…

“When it seems like the journey will never end, end the thoughts that will prevent you from reaching the end and make one more step.”

The day was windy and cool, the path a bit wet from the rains, but that didn’t stop us from taking the stool through the 5+ kilometre walk in the Erindale Park in  Mississauga. Step by step we enjoyed the serene environment of the excited stream flowing alongside the path and the singing birds welcoming the growing signs of spring. A walk bringing individuals from various households to one common ground.

On arrival we went through the registration process and waited for the starting announcement for the walk to begin and then on our way. Forgetting to take the stroller, I was surprised to see my three (3) year old daughter making her way through the park, stride in stride and holding my hand.  She endured the journey to the end of the turning point and we picked up a couple chocolates for the journey back.

Can you imagine going on a walk in support of Kids around Canada with a three year old having a conversation with you the entire way? This was one of the most thrilling days of my life. “Dad, what is that sound?” She would say as we kept our pace even and straight. Not knowing how far we had to go but we kept going. It didn’t matter if others where passing us along, this day my daughter reminded me that we may not know where we are going but we need to endure to the END.

The Question of Change

Change is an effort that takes effect when individuals duly motivated and inspired to look within themselves and seek to realize the opportunity of being agents for a difference.  Change is not built firmly on promises or faint imagination of words formulated to please the listening ear.

The question of change is one of are we willing, are we able, and are we prepared.  The question of change starts there.  It is a commitment to move to the next level of how we will now achieve this path and start directing the course of what we recognize to be inevitable. 

What is your question of Change?

O. Stephen Peart is a writer and the founder of Released Expressions, focused on consistently producing inspiring content through a unique compilation of poetry, imagery, articles and music, to create an environment of inspired, self motivated individuals. To purchase his book Released Expressions – The Journey Begins, visit ReleasedExpressions.com.

 

 

Joy After The Pain

“..weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.“

— Psalm 30:5b

I’ll Never Know
by O. Stephen Peart

Pains untold, pains I’ll never know,
As nature take its course
To bring forth such a beautiful force.
I’ll never know or understand its claim,
Even the Joy after the pain,
Pains untold, pains I’ll never know,
And then the name.

Intense the crescendo pain,
While helpless I stand and lame,
For little do we remember;
Of the burden from an unbearable tender.
Pains untold, pains I’ll never know
Are finally gone and now the joy.

Amazing it is to experience the transition of life from the core of the womb to the open space of the earth. Greater yet to see the form of a life that was decided, designed and developed, passing through the passage of life and to welcoming arms. This might not be true of all life, but one thing is sure that all life from before that moment yearns for that welcome invitation into the world.

Procreation has been a part of our civilization from the foundation of the earth. The forming of a family towards the sustained existence of mankind is imprinted in our being. It is the multiplication of families shaping a nation and giving life to a people. Our existence is dependent upon this union that seeks to keep us together as a race no matter how diverse we are.

King David in one of his writings stated, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well” (Psalm 139:14). From the moment life has started with the union of the egg and the sperm, the fathomless creation process where all the details of the human form begins is simply amazing. The detailing in the forming of the eyes, ears, lips, nose, head, hands, feet and the total body is divinely designed. Even down to the imprint of the fingers where it is said no two individuals share the same prints. Then there is the central nervous system, the intricate communication network of the brain, the unique channels that transport cells, blood and oxygen throughout the body and how information is received and sent.

The time of the development of this being is so orchestrated that everything is in sync and in order. We never know when it really will happen, but when it does the final work is fearfully and wonderfully made. However, the process never ends, as even into this vast space, the development of life as we know it continues.

Reaching forth and holding her hands I could but feel the pain in the limits of my mind, for this is the path we experience in the birth of a new born child. It is heartbreaking and for some almost helpless. However, one thing that amazes me is in spite of the seemly torture of labour, many women are not afraid to bear the pain simply because of the connection with that little child within their womb. They will go to the ends to bring forth that child into the world. I will never know what that feels like but I can share in the joy after the pain.

We may never know or understand the pain it took to bear that child. However, the process of development does not end at birth but the next level begins. It is incumbent on us to ensure that the families we form in the shaping of a nation receives the basic desire of love and welcoming arms. As a father that’s my call and responsibility to do my part. However, there is yet a greater call to fathers and men to be the protectors of this precious gift to decide that we give our all to there intricate and amazing design and help in the development of their lives. The joy is in giving that child a chance to live, love and learn to be all they can be. Let’s also recognize that there are also many children that did not receive a welcoming arm into this world and reach out to them. For them there pain has been transfer but we can bring some of our joy to them. Therein lies true joy after the pain.

“Make a difference in one life and that life will be one more different.”

O. Stephen Peart is a writer and the founder of Released Expressions, focused on consistently producing inspiring content through a unique compilation of poetry, imagery, articles and music, to create an environment of inspired, self motivated individuals. To purchase his book Released Expressions – The Journey Begins, visit ReleasedExpressions.com.