for my friend Brennan Manning
VALEDICTION
You were grace when grace wasn’t cool. But it is now.
We’ve a genius for accommodating our dissidents by
adopting their rebellion as fashion, thus diffusing any
movement that would effectively oppose the status quo.
We claimed you brought the lightning and the thunder –
tout est grâce – and boy was it a show! Maybe now that
you’re gone, as we’re chilled by our grief, we’ll realize
what you were trying to woo us to all along: the rain.
What a beautiful poem!
“You were grace when grace wasn’t cool. But it is now.
We’ve a genius for accommodating our dissidents by
adopting their rebellion as fashion, thus diffusing any
movement that would effectively oppose the status quo.”
Wow, exactly.
But making grace cool, like Martin Luther did? That’s enough achievement for a lifetime, in my book!
I’ve been weeping like i knew the man. ‘Furious longing’ swept me back into God when i was drifting in heartache…all the cliche and Sunday school anwers not standing up. Love this tribute
in life, in death, in tribute, and in response…you wrap the world in the beatutiful. Brennan is truly honored by your words, tribute and friendship.
JDB- we grieve your loss and the loss to all who crossed paths with Brennan ~ personally or through his story and life. I envision Brennan experiencing ‘Amazing Grace’ in only God ways and wonders….we toast a man and life well lived!
I only knew Brennan through his writings and videos on YouTube, that said,He impacted my life more than any other human being. I lived a life without Grace for 55 of my 58 years. No longer, gone but never forgotten, I pray Brennan’s influence grows and leaves a legacy he never dreamed of. Thanks for helping bring us his last words John.
[…] old soul had to say about scandalous grace, you might read the rest of John’s article here or read the poem John wrote about Brennan upon his passing. Or maybe take some time to watch Brennan’s sermon below entitled, God Loves You As You Are, […]
Thank you for this beautiful tribute to Mr. Manning. I too have been saddened as if I knew him. I only recently came to “know” him through a forward he wrote for one of his mentees’ books. I’ve since watched him on video sharing the fundamental truths this world needs to hear. Can we but try to pick up where he left off? That would be legacy.
Wow. I only knew his words and how they penetrated my heart…. my being. I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend, John. I am thankful for his gift in your life.
Thank you, John, for the offering of your heart alongside Brennan in the writing of his book. Thank you, too, for being a man who, although quite taken by a sky of lightning and thunder, knows and follows his deeper thirst. You bring us all to the well
Hi John.
Recognized your face in a picture as I poured over Brennan’s writing this morning. How did no one introduce me to Brennan’s writing until now? Mirror I’ve been searching for. All my life. Stories that ring true of my life, through and through. So sorry for your heartache.
Read your Easter post and reminded me of our short chat in Dallas. I’m the tree-house girl. We got the permit! Now we just have to rebuild. But I didn’t stop by to talk about my wooden castle.
Grace. Woke up with these words rolling off my heart:
“Accept it.
It’s what you were made for.
Then share it.
You were granted it—to give it away.
Grace.”
Rainy days is all I know.
-raj
[…] For my friend, Brennan Manning by John Blase […]