I am a voracious reader and yet I seldom buy books. I've certainly never bought a case of books. But these days, I've been thinking about it. You see, I want everyone to read this book.

It's called The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity, by William P. Young. It's the fictional story of a dad who experiences the kidnap and death of his youngest daughter. I know, so far it doesn't sound like a book you'd want to take to the beach. Furiously grieving her death for years, he's surprised to receive a letter from God, inviting him to The Shack, the very site of her murder. In essence, God is giving him a chance to duke it out, to wrestle with Him, to find answers.

It's a must read. I can't say more. You must run, not walk, to your bookstore and get it. I'd send you a copy if I could.

You see, I know what Scripture says about death. 1 Corinthians 15, for instance, verses 50-52:
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

Yes, changed, but how? Into what? These are some of the questions that The Shack wrestles with...and answers. I'll tell you the truth. By the end of the book, you just may feel differently about death, heaven and why God allows tragedy.

I've always been annoyed, frankly, at how 1 Corinthians 15 concludes, verses 54b and 55:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"

I have felt the sting of death. If you have also been stung by death, you've got to read this book. I'm begging you. Then let me know what you think.

And when you're finished with it, pass it on to a friend.