Reading Between The Wines discussion

The Shack- Discussion Questions:
Forward & Chapters 1-3

1. What is in Mack’s tin box and does he control the contents or do they control him? If you kept a tin box what would be kept in yours? (8).

2. How do you help others in spiritual pain like Kate if you still have your own unresolved spiritual pain issues like Mack? Do we have to resolve our own spiritual pain first to help others or can we be a “wounded healer“? (21)

3. How best do you explain a loving God and the act of redemption, that can also appear, at least to a child, to make God mean? (31-32)

4. Knowing that none of us gets out of this life alive, how might you see your relationship with God differently in the face of death than when you feel like you are on top of the world? (37)

1. Mack's tin box contains: one photograph of the family, a 1950 Luke Easter rookie baseball card, a perfume bottle of his mom's, a spool of thread and needles, a small US Air Force F-86 jet and $15.13. I believe the contents are some of his happiest memories that he tries to hold onto and not remember the bad things that happen in his life. If I had a tin box I would have a family photo, a good one of my favorite possessions (my kids), a seashell (reminder of our one week a year familytime vacation), M&M's (life's simple pleasures), some case (you never know when you are going to need it), my grandmother's wedding ring (I know she watches over me all the time).

2. Sometimes it is easier to help others who are in pain because you can put your spiritual issues in the background. Kind of like an excuse not to resolve yours at the time. You can focus on someone elses. But sometimes you are unable to concentrate on anything else but your issues until they resolved.

1. In Mack's tin box was a photo of his family, his mother's perfume, the die-cast fighter jet, a Luke Easter rookie card, money and thread & needles. I believe that each of these items control Mack as much as he controls them. He chose these items because they are reminders of what is important to him, his family, his dreams, to have pride, strength and independence. There is also a reminder what what he never wants to be, his father.
If I had a tin box, I would have as many pictures of as many of my closest family members and friends as I could fit in there, I would have my Nana's diamonds and her locket that I inherited, my rosary beads from Aunt Vickie and money.

2. I believe that helping others in spiritual pain can bring you perspective, therefore it will help you deal with your own spiritual pain.

3. I believe a lot of people have trouble with the idea of acts of redemption, why God would allow such a thing and how, for example, sacrificing the life of his son, Jesus, saves us of our sins. I can't really answer this one...

4. Unfortunately, I believe we are all guilty of calling on God in times of sadness and hardship... using him as a crutch when we feel we really need him. Then we fail to recognize God's role in the good things that happen in our lives. Not always, but it happens.