My favorite paragraphs from this weeks read in The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.
And God answers “That’s what you don’t know. You don’t know how much I love you. The moment you think you understand is the moment you do not understand. I am God not man. You tell others about Me — that I am a loving God. Your words are glib. My words are written in the blood of My only Son. The next time you preach about My love with such obnoxious familiarity, I may come and blow your whole prayer meeting apart. When you come at Me with studied professionalism, I will expose you as a rank amateur. When you try to convince others that you understand what you are talking about, I will tell you to shut up and fall flat on your face. You claim you know I love you.”
“Are you aware that I had to raise Jesus from the dead on Easter morning because My love is everlasting? Are you serenely confident that I will raise you too, My adopted child?”
“Faith means you want God and want to want nothing else.”
“When Scripture, prayer, worship, ministry become routine, they are dead. When I conclude that I can now cope with the awful love of God, I have headed for the shallows to avoid the deeps. I could more easily contain Niagara Falls in a tea cup than I can comprehend the wild, uncontainable love of God.”
*sigh*
WOAH.
*sigh* is right. Awesome.
Wow, loved the part about being “serenely confident”
Really beautiful!
“I could more easily contain Niagara Falls in a tea cup than I can comprehend the wild, uncontainable love of God…”
I’m a worship leader. I love making the music beautiful, powerful, honest, well-crafted artwork for Jesus – and for our people. But if I can have THAT kind of exuberance for the wild, uncontainable love of God… THAT will inspire deep worship.
“As deep cries out to deep…”
Thanks for the post Jen.
absolutely. i am always up for being overwhelmed by God… because it helps MAKE me a better lead worshiper.
You know those questions you get asked about “if you could have three people over for dinner…” Brennan Manning would be on that list. What I wouldn’t give to be able to sit down and soak in his wisdom even for a day.
i would fear my head exploding… seriously.
wowzers.
this reminds me how much I like Brennan Manning. it might be time to reread Ragamuffin.
4th time reading for me. it’s a new book each time. LOVE it.
God,
I am going to chase after you.
I am going to study you and your nature.
I am going to dare to speak boldly about you.
I am going to try my best to love others just as you loved me because since there are no losses in the gospel, then there are no risks.
I think I am understanding.
I think I am settled.
I think I have confidence.
Promise me.
Knock me down. Blow me up. Start me over.
Whatever it takes to conform me to the likeness of your son.
I love you, Lord, with all of my heart. I don’t want anybody else. Just you.
In your son’s beautiful name, Amen.
This is beautiful, Joseph. I’ll be praying this prayer too! Thank you!
Wow!
Just amazing! I think I am definately going to have to purchase and read this book! I have never heard about it before.
Misty… you WON’T be sorry! such a good book!