I'm not a big reader...ask anyone who knows me. However, I think this new little life phase of mine has got me into it a little. Maybe it's the fact that I made myself haul a bunch of borrowed books to this country and now feel obligated to read them. In any case, this new one I've gotten a hold of has really got my attention -- it's called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.
Frankly, a book about the gospel of grace seems trite. It's lost it's significance. But that's exactly what this book is about -- redeeming and establishing grace. Putting it in it's rightful, pivotal moment, life-changing place. I am amazed at the accurate description of my our desperate attempt to find freedom by a "do-it-yourself spirituality."
It's a fantastic reminder of the gospel that should unleash in us a personal response.
The gospel that tells of a deeply loving God.
who knows us because he created us.
who wants us to stop the self-denial and recognize our failure.
who wants us to come to
Him like that.
who will
embed in us a spirit -- the same one that raised Christ from the dead.
who knows the best way possible to
live. and invites us into that.
who does not count tally
marks on the good and bad behavior list.
who rejoices over our entering into his calling.
who still loves us when we don't.
"We are all,
equally, privileged but unentitled beggars at the door of God's
mercy."
So
there's my book review.
Or
at least of the first chapter -- which I have now read three times and written
all over.
