March 22 Today’s Prayer
Lord, no matter how many enemies are arrayed against us, help us to not be afraid, knowing You can deliver us. Amen.
Me and Mack
Talking to author William Paul Young for our recent interview about “The Shack,” I couldn’t wait to ask the question that had been on my mind since I finished the book: How much of the main character, Mackenzie “Mack” Allen Philips, was crafted from William Paul Young’s own personality, life history and testimony?
I wasn’t surprised when Young said that the character is a lot like himself. What did intrique me was exactly what parts of Mack’s persona came from the author.
Young said his family has known death, but nothing like the tragedy that envelopes Mack and his family. However, Young said things like the camping trip to Wallowa Lake and the Multnomah Princess story, real legend, are aspects of his own life that he brought to Mack’s story. Young said the story reads so real that two forensics detectives once called him looking for the case files on the Ladykiller.
Obviously the question of how much of Mack’s story is Young’s story has another, more sensitive layer to it. It’s obvious to readers that Mack experienced some sort of trauma in his childhood that impacts the way he views “Papa” — God. It’s also obvious that Mack learns much about forgiveness and redemption during his visit to the shack. I believe that Young will likely share his testimony related to those issues in his presentations in Tulsa (April 2) and Enid (April 4-5).
Meanwhile, here are more excerpts from my recent interview with Young:
Q: What were your thoughts when you started getting the initial e-mails from people who wanted to meet Mack after reading “The Shack”?
A: “I was blown away. I like the book but I didn’t have any idea that it would resonate like this. You get close to something and you don’t see it like other people see it. It just literally surprised me in every sense of the word and it continues to do that. It’s very surreal.”
Q: Are you working on another book?
A: “Yes. Kim’s (Young’s wife) already told me what she wants. I have some fiction that I’m working on but the next major piece will be sort of a story form narrative, autobiographical piece: What’s the pain, what’s the story, where did this book (”The Shack”) come from. I have a very odd background and history. MacKenzie’s weekend in the shack represents 11 years of my life.”
Q: How has your life changed since “The Shack” was published?
A: “Nothing that matters has changed. Everything that mattered to me was in place before I wrote the story, so the story hasn’t added to my significance. I don’t care about fame and all that stuff. I care about relationship with Jesus. I care about my relationship with my wife and my kids and my friends and I care about living inside the grace of one day. It’s changed that I don’t work three jobs anymore. It’s changed that we are in an environment that is very different than it was a year and a half ago because we get exposed to people’s stories constantly; stories that are so full of redemption, transformation and pain. That continues to just soften you on the one side and tear your heart out on the other and gives cause for rejoicing.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
March 21 Today’s Prayer
Give us wisdom and revelation that we might know You better, that we might become Your true inheritance. Amen.
Debating Pope’s remarks on condoms
To say that Pope Benedict XVI’s recent comments about the distribution of condoms caused a stir is an understatment.
Anytime the pontiff mentions this sensitive subject is draws attention.
His latest remarks on the issue, made during this week’s papal trip to Africa, are no different.
The Associated Press reported that the pope told reporters on his flight to Cameroon that a responsible and moral attitude toward sex would help fight AIDS, not the distribution of condoms.
His remarks brought both support… :
“Anyone who thinks that condom distribution, eduction and/or research is going to solve a problem which is mostly a function of behavioral recklessness is positively clueless. Not only that, such persons unwittingly contribute to the problem by distracting attention and resources away from that which works,” Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League For Religious and Civil Rights, said in a prepared statement.
… and opposition:
“We call on the pope to revisit the teaching on condoms with a view to lifting the ban at the earliest possible moment. In his review, he should include experts who are unequivocal that condoms can help prevent the spread of HIV, like UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations around the world,” Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, said in a statement.
Meanwhile …
George Wirnkar, director of outreach for Human Life International’s Francophone Africa Region, said the media missed the “true” story behind Pope Benedict’s African trip. Wirnkar expressed surprise over the “furor” over the pope’s remarks:
“I would say that this problem of AIDS canot be overcome with advertising slogans. If the soul is lacking, if Africans do not help one another, the scourge cannot be resolved by distributing condoms; quite the contrary, we risk worsening the problem,” Wirnkar said in a statement.
“The solution can only come through a twofold commitment: firstly, the humanization of sexuality, in other words a spiritual and human renewal bringing a new way of behaving towards one another; and secondly true friendship, above all with those who are suffering, a readiness — even through personal sacrifice — to be present with those who suffer.
“Perhaps the historic first visit of the Holy Father to Africa and his providential first stop in Yaounde, Cameroon should herald an era where the authentic voice of Africans is heard rather than the imposed views of Western press who do not speak for the people of Africa — the continent of hope.”
———-
Reading the comments made by this diverse trio, it is obvious that the issue of condom distribution to combat AIDS continues to spark debate.
(AP PHOTO above: Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd upon his arrival at Luanda International Airport in Angola, today.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
March 20 Today’s Prayer
We believe Your works of truth and ask that You mark us as Yours and seal us with the gift of Your spirit. Amen.
“March Gladness”
March Madness has turned into March Gladness.
Everybody’s got their brackets done for the NCAA basketball tournament. Now it seems a faith group has found a way to help you give more during this basketball bonanza.
Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, an Episcopal group working to eradicate poverty, aims to do good with its project focusing on the tournament.
The group is running a bracket for the tournament to raise money for charity, the Associated Press reported.
Money raised through the “March Gladness” pot will be donated to nonprofits that work toward the group’s Millennium Development Goals. I know from having talked to the Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczny, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, that meeting these goals is a high priority for the bishops and Anglicans across the globe.
The eight goals, drafted in 2000, are to: feed the hungry, educate all children, empower women, save children’s lives, keep motherhood safe, heal the sick, care for the environment and work together to heal the world.
Check out the March Gladness effort and see how it all works by going online to www.e4gr.org/marchgladness.html.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Lessons from the fast
March 19 Today’s Prayer
We pray, Lord, You would bring all things together on Earth under Your authority, so we might know peace. Amen.
March 17 Today’s Prayer
In You we have redemption because You forgive our sins, in accordance with the riches of Your grace. Amen.March 16 Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for guiding us through these difficult times. With Your help, we will survive. Amen.
