You know something is popular, and worthy of mockery, when it gets on Stuff Christians Like. Which may be the funniest and truest blog in all of fair blogdom.

My opinion of The Shack?

I liked it.

I really did.

Here’s what I didn’t love: the kidnapping. It was a deep fear in my heart that my youngest sister would get stolen [thank you, GhostBusters 2], so I tend to stay away from this story line. But there was so much Christian pressure….. I folded.

Here’s what I did love:

1) The portrayal of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. I just did. These are things that our minds are not able to fully comprehend. But I really like when people show me what they think, even if I didn’t already think it. And even if NO ONE has the exact right answer. Because, by the way, they don’t.

THIS ISN’T THE BIBLE. Yes, a lot of people are reading it. But let’s all just be discerning for ourselves and cool to each other.

2) I LOVE LOVE LOVE the garden scene. By far my favorite part. I read it twice. It made me think of The Secret Garden and I think I have a crush on that book. Or at least the garden.

3) The overall story of God’s heart for His kids and the redemption and the amount of effort God will go to in order to see us healed is beautiful. I like the way it was written, I enjoyed reading it, and I will probably read it again.

Am I ruined by it, never to be the same? No. I’m not. But you might be. And that would be fine.

Was it the most influential spiritual book I have ever read? No. Not for me. But it could be for you. And that would be fine.

Did I totally cry the whole way through? No, but some friends did. And you are welcome to should you feel so inclined. [I'm not a mom- this one really tugs on that mama heart string.]

Did I hate it? No, but some friends did. And you can too. It won’t hurt my feelings.

Do I love God more for reading it? Yeah. I think I do.

So I say read it. See what you think. Be smart. BE OPEN. Be different when you finish it.

And though it is good, please remember that the only One who can fully show us Jesus… is Jesus.

What did you think? Have you read it? Share your thoughts…..

You know I love me some Phil Wickham.

But you have got to hear his brother Evan Wickham.

Um. Yeah. That is one seriously talented gene pool. I think their DNA sings harmony.

My gene pool? Well, mix a little Colonial Williamsburg with a stand up routine, and you’ve got it.

No, I won’t be making a record anytime soon.

An afternoon at the beach +
pale skin that hasn’t seen the sun in an embarrassing amount of months (years, people, years) +
redness already appearing +
that lightheaded feeling from too much sunshine on the face +
sand in every crack and crevice that I will be removing until next Spring Break
=
The reason white girl is moving inland to Tennessee.

I was not born to be a beach baby. I have come to terms with it.

And may I add this- whatever power it is that the beach wind has that causes my hair to tie itself in knots and refuse to let go? I need to bottle that stuff and sell it as adhesive. Or a torture device of some sort. If you can bottle wind.

Can you bottle wind?

Ponder on that one until Monday.

P.S- Are you reading The Shack yet? I’m almost done and we’ll discuss it sometime next week. So get to readin’!!

Let me get some business out of the way:

1) Waterhorse may be my new favorite movie. I have a soft spot for all things Scottish.

2) Dave Barnes is climbing the charts like a monkey up a vine. He outsold Britney Spears this week. Do you have the new CD yet? You can GET IT HERE on iTunes or click on my Amazon list. Because if it beat Brit-Brit, you probably need it.

On to the real blog….. (sorry, Tyler, its a wee bit lengthy)

My amiga Candace says that bloggers never say anything bad about themselves. So let me break that stereotype. You blogmies can thank me later.

I decided to move to Nashville, put my house on the market, sold it, packed it and spiritually, I have been on Easy Lane. The Lord was making Himself known all over the place- I wasn’t searching at all- He was just showing up. He knew I needed that. And I say thanks.

Then everything sorta slowed down. My house sold and there is really nothing left to do now except roll in the dollar bills…. wait. That’s not what I meant.

I meant that there is nothing left to do but sit. I’m not moving for 5 months, which is good because I do love my Marietta life. But you know what happens when you quit stirring soup? All the impurities float to the top.

And now that I am stopped, all my impurities are floating at the top, which is right in front of my eyes. And if you think piles of slick yellow fat on top of soup looks gross, you ain’t seen NOTHIN’ yet. Cause I’m grossing myself out.

I find my mind asking questions that I know the answers to, desiring things that I do not need, longing for things that I don’t really even understand, getting angry in weird times, getting frustrated with old Annie and she doesn’t even live here anymore. My sinful nature is my nearest companion and worst enemy.

So that’s all really a good time.

Once the house stuff settled, I felt the Lord impressing on me that it was time to prepare. All the “physical” work was done, and it was time for the “spiritual” work. And I do not enjoy it even a little bit. Sue me.

I know, so many people really thrive on spiritual growth and endurance and keep it to themselves when they think it sucks.

I don’t do any of those things.

Today, while the rest of the party went to the beach, I took a nap. [Thank you, headache. Grr...] But it was good for my heart. I needed to have a real talk with God. Floating in that place between sleep and prayer is always so soft, it seems. When all the things in my mind lately have had rough edges and sharp corners, soft is a welcome change. So I prayed about all of my impurities and insecurities. And reminded God that if I’ve learned anything from this whole Nashville thing it is that God is the doer. Not me. And there is a lot I need Him to do in me.

Until then, I sit in this very real reminder that at no point in my life are my impurities, or insecurities, gone. I am far from perfect. But nearer to God. And I need Him more today than I have ever needed Him before.

So there you go, Candace. Bloggers aren’t perfect. Especially this soupy one here.

Can we all just rest in the joy that is a new episode of The Office?

I’m safely sitting here in the coolest house south of the gnat line- The Fritchies! (They are both bloggers- duh. My favorite kind of people. Check ‘em out- Mark and Amy.)

I seriously just got so fed up with the yellow sheet that covers all of metro Atlanta that I took some extreme measures. I loaded up and pointed the ole Camry to St. Simons Island.

And lucky for me, I know someone who lives here.

And they actually like me (and Katie B and Ashley) enough to let us stay with them.

So I will attempt to blog, but let’s be honest. The Fritchies are quite a handful of fun. Then again, I do really love to blog….. decisions decisions.

Dear Egret,
I’m not sure, but I think there are easier places on the lake to catch a fish. For example, maybe somewhere that isn’t covered in pollen? I’m just making a suggestion here.

(that is some intense pollen)

Dear Dad,
I’m not sure, but I think there are easier ways to feed a cat. For example, get a plastic bowl and refill it? I’m just making a suggestion here.

Dear American Idol,
I’m not sure, but I think you all just sang “Shout to the Lord”. What if AI did a different worship song each week? For example, a little Phil Wickham or David Crowder? I’m just making a suggestion here.

Dear Bloggite,
I’m not sure, but I think my new favorite book is The Shack. A lot of people have A LOT of opinions about it. For example, some love it, some hate it. Why don’t you get a copy (you can get one from Amazon right here on your right) and we’ll blogtalk about it next week? I’m just making a suggestion here.

But I think it could be a really cool conversation.

I don’t know. Maybe you are from here. Maybe you, like me, woke up this morning with a swollen throat, leaving you the slightest bit concerned that the day has finally come when you are, in fact, allergic to Cadbury eggs.

You don’t worry about that? Oh. Moving on…..

Well, if you live in Georgia, you probably DID wake up with a swollen throat, or some other form or physical response to the intensity that reigns (and RAINS) outside.

I went to 722 tonight and the pastor said, “Introduce yourself to one another and answer this question: If you could have dust made of any particle fill your nose and lungs, and cover your body and all your belongings, what would it be?”

I said Frosted Flakes dust. Because that would be sweet and delicious.

But instead, you get this.No, our lake is not made of Ramen Noodle powder, though that’s what it looks like.

Pollen, people. It’s taking over the state of Georgia. Our peaches look like lemons. It’s like sand. There is probably some in my bed, in my shoes, in my ears. Everywhere.

And our vehicles?
Don’t even worry about the fact that I still have my KSU sticker even though I’m a grad school dropout. It’s all a show to look more dedicated and educated. Don’t judge me.

But look at that coverage of pollen. It is disgusting. It layers everything, including persons. My friend Nathan was playing golf today and was commenting on how he had to dust HIMSELF off after standing still too long.

That is the gospel truth of how things are right here right now. And I know it happens every year, but does anyone else feel like it is a bit intense this year? I mean seriously, it’s like a golden Harmattan.

My grandmother’s car is the perfect example. Natural color? Maroon. No lie.

Great googley moogley.

So. is this just a Georgia thing or what? Is it a Southern thing? Are we being punished for the crimes of the Confederates? Or is it nationwide? Was pollen a plague? If not, a good opportunity was missed to really drive those Egyptians crazy. I’m not even Pharaoh and I want to let the people go.

To end strong, I googled “yellow joke” in hope of coming up with something hilarious for you. Sadly, most “yellow jokes” are far beyond inappropriate and uncool.

So I’ll just give you some tips I found online for surviving the pollen:
1) Don’t vacuum [apparently it stirs up pollen]
2) Don’t rub your eyes
3) Stay indoors
4) Change your clothes at bedtime [what say you go ahead and make that a habit anyways- pollen or not]

You’re welcome.