We suffer from the disease of melancholy, the sickness of self-hatred, the darkness of doubt. Yet, author Brennan Manning sees the place of our worst despair as a tangible starting point for the remedy: a ruthless trust in God. In his sequel to The Ragamuffin Gospel, Manning pries us loose from our shame, our mistakes, and our doubts and encourages us to let go and trust God--ruthlessly.

It's been 40 years since author Brennan Manning was "ambushed by God" and on the far side of despair himself. As a gutter-alcoholic who was completely broken, he found an unshakable trust in the love of Christ for him as he was then, not as he could be or is now.

Authenticity with God is critical in developing this trust relationship. In his own inimitable voice, Manning tells us, "Raw honesty with Jesus about our doubts and anxieties, our lust and laziness, our shabby prayer life and stale religiosity, our mixed motives and divided hearts, is the risk we take in the certainty of being acceptable and accepted. It is the full and mature expression of invincible trust." Over the years, this trust ripens into confidence and bears certain fruit, such as gratitude to God. But it's not always easy, he admits. "Ruthless trust is hanging tough in the dark nights, when we are plunged into desolation but know that absence of God is only apparent."

For author Brennan Manning--and for us, if we choose--ruthless trust is not just a concept, it's a way of life. As Manning observes, "Ill winds may blow, more character defects may surface, sickness may visit, and friends will surely die, but a stubborn irrefutable certainty persists that God is with us and loves us in our struggle to be faithful." Now, that's ruthless trust. You won't fail to be moved. --Cindy Crosby

From Publishers Weekly
Manning, the Catholic-priest-turned-itinerant-evangelist who penned The Ragamuffin Gospel, perceptively addresses the intricacies of trusting God, arguing that to trust in God is to bring God joy. He distinguishes this from intellectual assent to Christian teachings and proposes that when Christians add hopeAthe belief that God will do them goodAto faith, then they trust. He acknowledges the problems of evil and pain that make trust difficult, but calls readers to trust God despite these circumstances. The God in whom Manning urges trust is both transcendent in glory and immanent in Christ. Manning suggests that gratitude is the prerequisite to trust, and grateful trust becomes the antidote to both self-flagellation and self-pity. Because the trust he proclaims is so complete, so perfect, Manning calls it "ruthless." The term ragamuffin, made famous in his earlier title, refers to the brokenness and spiritual poverty of people who need God. Although the titular word threatens a too-precious approach, Manning is in fact intellectually strenuous, and the book highly readable; he tells stories and draws upon religious writers from medieval saints down to such present-day authors as Philip Yancey, Dallas Willard, Frederick Buechner and Richard Foster. (Foster provides the foreword.) Fans of those authors should also appreciate Manning's work, finding his call to ruthless trust both commanding and challenging. (Oct.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
The ragamuffin in this author's mind is anyone whose low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness keep him or her from trusting the love of God and the power of a supportive community. The humble author, raised Catholic and given little affection or attention by his parents, has used his pain to create a Christian path for himself that resonates with many readers and students. In this lovely audio, he transcends an unpolished Brooklyn accent by gently putting an arm around his listener and offering the same path. While he doesn't ignore the problem of recognizing sin, his invitation is without bluster and righteousness. The program is an inspirational three hours that all Christian seekers will love hearing. T.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Book Description

In his sequel to The Ragamuffin Gospel bestselling Christian author Brennan Manning shows us how true and radical trust in God can transform our lives.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In his sequel to The Ragamuffin Gospel bestselling author Brennan Manning shows how true and radical trust in God can transform our lives

About the Author

Brennan Manning is the author of eleven books, including the bestselling The Ragamuffin Gospel. He leads spiritual retreats in the United States and Europe for people of all ages and backgrounds.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile