Show notes
Paul Young is the bestselling author of The Shack, a self-published book that has sold over 20 million copies. He has written several other books including Cross Roads, and his newest release Eve. Paul lives in Oregon City, Oregon with His wife, and has 6 children and 9 grandchildren. What you’ll hear in this episode: Paul’s early life: missionary kid/preacher’s kid, from Canada to New Guinea From tribal life to boarding school at age 6 From Bible school and seminary to meeting his future wife, Kim The Shack: written in 2005 as a gift for his children, at the request of his wife Financial crises, losing everything, and healing Deconstruction and reconstruction The heart-wrenching reality and humanity of The Shack The healing process Each person: intricately made and uniquely broken The Shack: centered on the goodness of God in the midst of human tragedy Looking back with extreme clarity Living in the grace of a day Cross Roads: written around the issue of belonging Get help or get caught—too exhausted to keep running Hitting the bottom, seeking therapy and help God’s love: redeeming our messes Worthlessness vs. wholeness Why no one prays for patience Addiction, control, and self-discipline Why isolation feeds addiction Jesus in ME—John 14:20 Why Paul gets called a “universalist” Why we are always in God’s presence Religion’s LIE Paul’s biggest strength? “My relationships. I’m surrounded by people who love me but aren’t impressed. I’ve learned to stay inside the grace of today, and not be a future-tripper.” Paul’s biggest weakness within his strength? “I’m very much a mental processor and not a verbal one. That makes it hard sometimes to stay present and engaged with someone.” What is God currently stirring in your life? “I’m excited about the young generations coming up without the religious allegiances and affiliations that we were in bondage to. I think we’re on the cusp of some pretty fantastic movements and times.” Paul’s advice to his younger self? “I would go to myself at 6 years old, put an arm around him and say, ‘You’re never alone and you will never be alone. Learn to tell all your secrets’.”