Brennan Manning was an American author and speaker known for his writings on spirituality and grace, including his book "The Ragamuffin Gospel."
Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
Sin and forgiveness and falling and getting back up and losing the pearl of great price in the couch cushions but then finding it again, and again, and again? Those are the stumbling steps to becoming Real, the only script that's really worth following in this world or the one that's coming.
By and large, the gospel of grace is neither proclaimed, understood, nor lived.
The quote reflects on the observation that, in general, the message of grace is not widely proclaimed, comprehended, or lived out by individuals.
Childlike surrender and trust, I believe, is the defining spirit of authentic discipleship.
Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.
God loves you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because nobody is as they should be.
Put bluntly, the American church today accepts grace in theory but denies it in practice. We say we believe that the fundamental structure of reality is grace, not works - but our lives refute our faith.
Too many Christians are living in a house of fear and not in the house of love.
The dominant characteristic of an authentic spiritual life is the gratitude that flows from trust - not only for all the gifts that I receive from God, but gratitude for all the suffering. Because in that purifying experience, suffering has often been the shortest path to intimacy with God.
Ruthless trust ultimately comes down to this: faith in the person of Jesus and hope in his promise.
My trust in God flows out of the experience of his loving me, day in and day out, whether the day is stormy or fair, whether I'm sick or in good health, whether I'm in a state of grace or disgrace. He comes to me where I live and loves me as I am.