theSHACK

“WHAT the heck is the SHACK?” That was my first question after someone told me about a book with this title. SO what was that book about and why was my friend so fond of that book? I started to love good books 3 years ago in Oregon where my friend Alexis gave me THE ATONEMENT CHILD by Francine Rivers to read. You have to know something about me: After 7!!! Years of studying literature, I was pretty much done with reading. The only reading I would do was skimming through a book but then I would always ask you first: Is there a movie out on that book? Anyways, other than the bible books did not really get me at all. After my read of several Francine Rivers books, I discovered Karen Kingsbury as an equally skilled and blessed author. Now, I am coming to the very thing that made me start to write this note in the first place. THE SHACK. This is a simple title for a book that made my mind blow open with new ideas, with a fragrance of love and joy. While reading, I experienced much laughter, many tears of a touched heart of a little girl and much more. I won’t go into detail for I want YOU to read the book on your own. Check out some information on the website: http://www.theshackbook.com I am trying to recover my mind, my thoughts…it is hard. I just finished the book and my cheeks are still burning from healing tears. If I like one thing about a good book is when it brings me into the throne room, into the room where I meet my Jesus, my Father, my Holy Spirit and where I can HANG with them, where I am changed , healed, and renewed in their presence!! Three in one……seriously, read the book, it will blow your mind! I guess, I will write more on what reading this book has started in me. There are millions of thoughts, squillions (as little Anna would put it in the book: Anna and Mr. God) of emotions and so many joyful tears ……….. How does a good friend of mine say? – Life is a journey, a process – are you ready for the RIDE OF YOUR LIFE?

PottersHANDS

In the Potter’s hands I am glad I know the Potter. I am glad I know my God....but then I wake ap and my longing increases to get to know HIM even more. Then I realize I hardly know HIM. I am in the Potter’s hands. Think with me: as the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, they must have been amazed and in total AWE. Yet, shortly after that, they find themselves grumbling and being impatient for the promise of God had given them was not as close at hand as they tought. They found themselves at Marah, the place with the bitter waters NOT KNOWING that in God’s bigger picture they would reach ELIM, a place with fresh springs of water and Palm trees. They did not see it coming. I I can see this being displayed in my life right now. I try to trust God and believe my Potter for the desire of my heart that seems to grow stronger and stronger. Yet I am faced with my own grumbling, disbelief and my doubts andmy struggles. I hear myself complain to the Potter – listen to THIS: The clay is complaining t o the Potter Himself!!!! I realize that God sees the bigger picture and that He is actually leading me to the bountiful springs of Elim, to provision and at the end to the Promised Land. This is a time of character building o….yet again. I love my Potter, I love Him soooo much and as I come as Kerstin to Him, my wish is to be moldable clay, my wish is to bear good fruit, to be patient and wait for my ELim. I am in the Potter’s hands!!