Michelle Hollomon - God Unwrapped: God Is Love...but Not the Kind You Are Used to

God is Love...
but not the kind youre used to

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible: New International Version NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken from The Message: New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson, published by NavPress, P.O. Box 35001, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80935. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NAS) are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from The New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from The Everyday Bible: New Century Version. Copyright 2002 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

ISBN: 978-1-60683-352-0

Copyright 2011 by Michelle Hollomon
8201 164th Ave NE, Suite 200
Redmond, WA 98052

Published by Harrison House, LLC
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the Publisher.

Michelle is the real deal! This book is full of grace, but refuses to lean on clichs to address deep heartfelt needs. Michelle is a therapist who combines an excellent understanding of Scripture and of people to develop an insightful book.

God Unwrapped is a great book for those who have been burned by religion, those who have never given Christianity a serious look or those who are looking to take their next right step in their faith but are not sure how.

Ben Sigman, Pastor
Timberlake Christian Church
Redmond, Washington

This book is dedicated to my amazing children Addison and Evelyn, who show me the face of God every day. Thank you to my family, who has supported me, tolerated me, challenged me, fertilized me and loved me. Thank you Brian for not falling asleep through all the hours I talked about the book, for the relentless support, and for being the man of my dreams. Thank you to Carolyn who first immersed me in the fountain of Gods grace that Ive been playing in ever since. Thank you to Joanna, my friend, my sister, my mildred, and Claudine, my co-conspirator. Thank you to my handler and promoter, Jen E. Thank you to Mick for first throwing the dog a bone, to Ed, who added to my repertoire of spiritual father figures and who shaped the outline, and for Amy who gave me hope that it may be worth a read. Thank you to Troy who is always willing to help a sister out. Thank you to the Harrison House team: Chris, Julie, Christina and Lisa, whose professionalism and teamwork I admire. Thank you to Andrew Boyer, videographer extraordinaire. Thank you to the Lydias who reminded me I was going to be ok. Thank you to the Northwest Christian Writers Association who mourn with the mourners and celebrate with the victors. There would be no book, or happiness in my life, for that matter, without the above people. Thank you to Jesus who has anchored me in such an abundant life, and allows me the freedom to explore it.

Throughout this book, I have used stories and examples designed to help the reader better understand the processes of healing and Christian transformation. The stories are composites and the names, genders, professions, and distinguishing details have all been changed to protect the identities of my previous, current, and imaginary clients.

Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?

Exodus 15:11-13 NIV

It had been 6 years and two children since Id gone SCUBA diving, and I knew from the raised eyebrow of the dive master that I should have taken a refresher course before signing up for the coral reef. Sensing my inexperience, she spent the boat ride to our dive destination shouting crash-course instructions over the noise of the engine. I kept thinking to myself, its just like riding a bikeit will come back to me. After sinking 25 feet below the surface, I discovered that it wasnt just like riding a bike. I couldnt remember what button deflated my jacket, and what button inflated my jacket. No big deal really. All I had to do was calmly pump one button and see if I floated up or down. But calmly wasnt something I could master at the moment.

Panic took over instantly and my only thought was, If I push the wrong button, I will sink, drown and die! That wasnt really true, but seemed rational enough at the time. I flailed my arms to the dive master, with wild eyes, and signaled to go up. She signaled confusion. Since I didnt know SCUBA sign for Im freaking out, I signaled with my thumb the strong desire to go back up. She took hold of my jacket and pumped it a few times until my buoyancy was stabilized, and slowly signaled with her hands for me to calm myself down. She waited about a minute and then with an extraordinary gesture of kindness, she held out her hand so we could dive together.

I completely expected that after reacting the way I did, she would escort me back to the surface, chastise my foolishness, and terminate my dive with a Hmph! Instead, she held my hand and gave me the security I needed until I could do it on my own. With only the sounds of bubbles and breath, we swam together as she pointed out the things she wanted me to see. Like the activity backstage of a play, I was amazed by the colors and creatures and coral alive with anemone, hidden by the curtain of water. After we surfaced, she told me that she just couldnt let me leave the reef without experiencing it first. She didnt know me, or owe me anything. But she stepped into my past to reclaim a lost picture of Goda God who wanted me to know and enjoy Him without the fear of falling shorta God who didnt cut me off for my mistakes but helped me overcome them in grace. God used that experience, among many others to replace the distorted ideas of who I thought He was.

Why did I think my dive master would be disappointed in me? Why did I care? Furthermore, why did I panic to the point of not thinking clearly? Why was I surprised by her outstretched hand? Why do people question Gods infinite love and care? Why do people doubt Him when Hes done nothing to earn their distrust?

Various misconceptions about God are closely linked to the god-figures in our lives: our parents, coaches, older siblings, bosses, teachers and pastors. We understand God based on what we already know. We formulate who the Heavenly Father is and who we are, because of our childhood experiences. Our authority figures while growing up leave the most influential mark of who we understand God to be. We were parented and groomed by imperfect people, and have automatic assumptions of an imperfect God.

We need a bold new approach to know Him.