tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17502166.post7312937391164507930..comments2023-11-20T16:12:28.118-05:00Comments on the unlikely orange: the shackgreg milinovichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04494018362755379449noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17502166.post-61496457963470882952009-01-16T20:25:00.000-05:002009-01-16T20:25:00.000-05:00having read the book during a very sad and difficu...having read the book during a very sad and difficult time in my life, it was just what i needed to hear. it touched me and God spoke to me through it. the "story" captivated me and i did sense the relationship aspect of the book more than anything else. i recommend it to anyone experiencing loss or grief.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17502166.post-11642076082195306512009-01-16T18:51:00.000-05:002009-01-16T18:51:00.000-05:00Hi Greg - I agree with everyone else - I was flip...Hi Greg - I agree with everyone else - I was flipping through those pages like I have never flipped and then all of a sudden I had to put the book down for a bit to try and absorb it all. I have finished it and will pick it up again soon and maybe it will go a little more smoothly for me. ~Gail~NJ Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435712588579810161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17502166.post-46193181019561575512009-01-16T14:23:00.000-05:002009-01-16T14:23:00.000-05:00greg,i had the exact same experience reading this ...greg,<BR/>i had the exact same experience reading this book. i read it the first time and got bogged down in the middle, where i literally put it away for a couple weeks, which is very unusual for me. Especially after reading the first 6 or so chapters as quickly as possible. Then, we decided to do a Bible study around it and dig a little deeper into the theology. Keep in mind this is a very small group of 4 women, 2 of which are unchurched. One of them works in a funeral home and one of her biggest hang ups with God is why does he allow senseless tragedy...something she deals with on a daily basis. While this book does not completely answer that question, it did give us a lot of great discussion on the subject and come away with some peace and a few unanswered questions. We had come back to the fact that this was NOT the Bible from time to time, and there were a couple areas where our theology and that put forth in the book does not agree. And that's when we'd remind ourselves this was a novel. <BR/>Long story short, i'm not familiar with all the controversy, but my take on it was that it was a very interesting read that provoked good thoughts and made me think about my relationship with God; who God is, how He relates to us. I'd recommend it. <BR/>Note: it is a bit tough of a read when you have small children, particularly girls...Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12568348510063107104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17502166.post-85083201340652136142009-01-16T10:40:00.000-05:002009-01-16T10:40:00.000-05:00greg,i am so glad to read your "review" on this bo...greg,<BR/><BR/>i am so glad to read your "review" on this book. it has been on my to read list for quite awhile now, but seems to be getting pushed to the end of the list for a few reasons, two of which are a.) the controversy surrounding it and b.) the delicate subject matter of losing a child...i have to be in a certain frame of mind to read that. <BR/><BR/>i think i'll move it back to the top of the list! thanks for clarifying a few things for me!<BR/><BR/>oh, and GO STEELERS! in all caps because it is that important.Happyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14421519399776447481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17502166.post-17817957594315997482009-01-16T09:56:00.000-05:002009-01-16T09:56:00.000-05:00Yea, the middle is definitely the controversial an...Yea, the middle is definitely the controversial and sticky part of the book; however, I have read the book three times, and each time I find it easier to read and discover some interesting aspect of what Mr. Young is saying. Of course this is not the Bible; it is a fictional piece containing one author's ideas about the trinity and how this three-fold God interacts with creation and with Himself/herself. I find it fascinating that so many people see an evil motivation here; all I see is a loving God who wants relationship with all of humanity and is particulary seeking to draw those who are in great pain to this relationship. Theology, Theodicy, Biblical accuracy, etc. just don't mean that much to the average person/reader; most of us are just trying to find purpose and fill that void in our hearts. This book can and has helped people with that. Our church is using this novel as a discussion starter for a Sunday morning class. It has been eye-opening as the participants discuss, laugh, struggle, and share their viewpoints about this short fictional piece of literature. Metaphors abound and lessons are prolific, and I would highly recommend it for any of the "Macks" out there who have had any "Great Sadness" in their lives or who just seek for that intimiate relationship with the One who made us all. Love it!!!!!cathyqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07054484799586817162noreply@blogger.com