tuesdays with brennan…
Who is your intended audience? Who is that person(s) you had in mind when you wrote these words? Those are questions for writers and the books they write, fair questions.
During my Tuesdays with Brennan Manning it was quite clear who was on his mind – his Father, Abba. But because of the wideness of God’s mercy that meant that Brennan was also on Brennan’s mind…and me…and maybe you too. Here are a few groans from the October release of All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir, groans that huddle together to form a whisper…
All is Grace was written in a certain frame of mind – that of a ragamuffin. Therefore, this book is by the one who thought he’d be farther along by now, but he’s not. It is by the inmate who promised the parole board he’d be good, but he wasn’t. It is by the dim-eyed who showed the path to others, but kept losing his way. It is by the wet-brained who believed if a little wine is good for the stomach, then a lot is great. It is by the liar, tramp, and thief; otherwise known as the priest, speaker, and author. It is by the disciple whose cheese slid off his cracker so many times he said ‘to hell with cheese-n-crackers.’ It is by the young at heart but old of bone who is led these days in a way he’d rather not go. But, this book is also for the gentle ones who’ve lived among wolves. It is for those who’ve broken free of collar to romp in fields of love and marriage and divorce. It is for those who mourn, who’ve been mourning most of their lives, yet they hang on to shall be comforted. It is for those who’ve dreamed of entertaining angels, but found instead a few friends of great price. It is for the younger and elder prodigals who’ve come to their senses again, and again, and again, and again. It is for those whose strain at pious piffle because they’ve been swallowed by Mercy itself. This book is for myself and those who have been around the block enough times that we dare to whisper the ragamuffin’s rumor – all is grace.
[…] is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir”. It is co-authored by one of my favorite writers and bloggers, John Blase. John posted this on his blog today and it struck me as an honest assessment of those who have […]
Wow. Just. Wow. I am so thankful for Brennan. (and for you!) I await the release of the book with barely held impatience. How I see myself in his description… So much. The one who thought she’d be so much farther along…
Thanks, Joy…yes, that ‘farther along’ line unsettles me as well…I’m grateful you took the time to comment!
Nothing against your amazing wife, but you & Brennan are such a marriage of souls. Can’t wait for the book, PB.
Thanks, Gretchen…yeah, but Meredith’s prettier than Brennan, so we’re good.
So I followed a link to a blog one day. A few weeks later that blog suggests more blogs and I end up here. And there is Brennan, the soul that I had a love affair with when I read “Ragamuffin Gospel” all those years ago. It is not a coincidence that the name of my blog is “Just Another Ragamuffin”. And Brennan likes you, so I guess you are likeable. What an interesting world this is. I surely thought I would be farther along by now. I’ve been mourning most of my life. God has started to wrap me in Mercy recently. Or maybe it is that I have finally let Him. I don’t know the answer. My cheese has been off my cracker for quite some time. The cracker is just crumbs. I’m hoping this might be a safe place to hang out sometimes.
Carolyn, I’m glad you followed that link one day not long ago…yes, what an interesting world this is. I’m headed right now to your blog, I’ll say ‘hello.’
I do hope you come back to visit from time to time…and I hope each time you find some grace, even if its just a speck.
John, thanks for coming by and letting me know you were there. God did indeed use you to show me some grace that day.
Thank you for posting this. I have only been aquainted with Brennan and by that aquaintance, Gods Love and Grace, for about a year and a half. Though I have been a Christian for nearly 50 years, I am only now begining to trust in and believe in Gods “Ruthless Love”, Thanks to Brennan and to you for the incredible changes in my life that reading you has brought. God’s blessings on both of you.
Bob
Thanks, Bob…its beautiful to hear of the way Brennan’s words have stirred up grace in your life…simply beautiful.
My friend, David C Cook sent me advanced copy for review. I am thrilled and honored at this chance. Brennan is a hero of mine and has strongly impacted my heart and life. With Brennan’s willingness, Jesus wrecked my life. I will always consider myself a soulmate with Brennan.
I am excited to read and I hope for your book that:
all your expectations be frustrated
all your plans be thwarted
all your desires be withered into nothingness
that you may experience the powerlessness
and poverty of a child
and sing and dance
in the love of God
who Is
the Father
Son
and Spirit
[…] the block enough times that we dare to whisper the ragamuffin’s rumor – all is grace. (I copied this straight from John’s website. He’s a poet with a way with words that always makes me think. Sometimes he makes me cringe. […]
Hello John. I am late to this party……but that’s just how I roll. Wanted to take just a second and thank you for your part of All Is Grace. I just finished it, as I waited to read it during Holy Week. I am indeed refreshed and renewed. I am a seasoned Ragamuffin and was even “rebuked” by some at my church for teaching Ragamuffin Gospel as a Sunday School text. Worth every single angry word that crossed my lips. What an honor to be able to share Brennan’s (Richards) wonderful experiences. Thanks again for being a servant in this endeavor. I am sure you enjoyed it, but I am just as sure of the doubts that arose at times.
Richard, thanks for writing. RG as a Sunday School text? I love it, and I can almost hear the rubukers.
Yes, it was an experience of a lifetime but the doubts did arise, some still linger. Again, thanks for taking the time to write, and no worries about being late to the party…all is grace.