And Burnt Out by Brennan Manning (2015-10-06) - Good News for the Bedraggled

Brennan Manning is one of my favorites. Though you cant go see him.. You must hear his words. He will touch your heart. Really thought inspiring. Made me think .. you never know where someone has been, what theyve been through. His love is truly the Love of Jesus

We read this with a group of other couples. Would have been good to have discussion questions as part of the book. He raises some very insightful points, but was a bit repetitive in presenting them. Several people in our group were really moved by his book, but the style of writing/voice did not appeal to everyone. Some of his anecdotes and points seem to stem from a reaction against his catholic background, which could be very helpful to other believers with a similar experience. I sometimes felt a bit disconnected from what he had to say, though (i.e., maybe it was dependent upon a particular experience or background of his that I didn't share). His fundamental message, however, that we all need to embrace and understand grace more authentically, for ourselves and towards others, is one that all Christians need to revisit regularly. Overall, I'm glad I read the book - just won't be one I return to very often.

Very occasionally a book comes along that doesn't just provide you with all the right steps to improving your life, but enables you to grasp something you previously didn't. Ragamuffin Gospel is such a book for me. For years I've known what grace was, could define it, even taught about it; but prior to reading Ragamuffin' it was really only "head knowledge". I just recently read this book for the third time and couldn't put it down. It has been one of the most powerful and liberating books I will ever read, no doubt. Thanks to B. Manning, my life has been changed. I have been freed from a life of legalistic, tortuous service that was only motivated out of duty and a subconscious desire to earn favor with God. If you are plagued with self-doubt, live in the shadow of your own sin, feel like a total failure, or think you will never please God or measure up to what you perceive to be his standard for you, then this book is for you.

As someone who struggles with negative thoughts (Christian bipolar), this book was just what I needed during a depressive episode and has helped me to focus on God and His amazing love in new and wonderful ways. I recommend it to anyone who needs Grace, assurance and comfort to get them to a new place of peace and confidence

Brennan Manning would have believers in Jesus Christ stop striving to be good enough and accept His love for them. That's as timeless, and as necessary, a message today as when this book was written. Highly recommended.

This is for those who have been rejected by religion, hurt by the pious, and disappointed in themselves and in God. Brennan shares the unvarnished experiences of his life and how God revealed Himself to him as a loving, forgiving Father. If you think you will never measure up to God's standards, if you feel He has given up on you, if you have given up on yourself, please read this book.

A deep understanding of a loving God, and all His attempts to convince us that we are loved, regardless..no not in spite of, but even because of our manifold failures. Read this if you are burned out, beset, bedraggled, ready to give up, beaten down or in pain and suffering. It won't stop the suffering, but you will see that God.s love is so much greater than the suffering.

A very powerful and insightful read on God's grace and how we should live in it. Manning is a great writer and this is one of his best books on the subject of who we are in light of God's amazing grace in our lives.

my words cannot do justice to M. Manning's book. Let me just tell you I read it three times last year, have been telling friends to read it, and will reread it again soon.

as well, let me say that Brennan does very well to bring out two very important ideas... Jesus came to save 'sinners'... God loves... 'you'... and we should not fear to draw close to His Love because we feel undeserving of it...

i will go one step further... if you bought it, and dislike it, I will buy it from you so that I can give it to a friend...

read this book...

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This book was recommended to me many months ago and I wish it had been years ago. The author served God through ministry for forty-five years before his death in 2013. He is a former Franciscan priest, author of twenty books, and an alcoholic. He has been denounced publicly and privately as a heretic, schismatic, universalist, and cockeyed optimist. He has been labeled “unbalanced”, “spiritually immature”, and “intellectually unhinged”. A newspaper article in California challenged his doctrinal purity and moral rectitude.

I suppose this book scandalized many. I found his “cockeyed optimism” refreshing. I found his message encouraging, frank, and backed by a solid interpretation of Scripture. I probably marked more passages and put more sticky notes in this book than any I have read in many years, possibly ever. I can see where purists can find fault with some of his conclusions, but I found his interpretations and beliefs life-changing for myself and thoroughly well-founded.

Manning addresses fundamental questions most of us ask such as, “Is life absurd or does it have a purpose? Does God intervene in human affairs to make it abundantly clear what that purpose is?”

He quotes many religious scholars and authors as diverse as Flannery O’Connor, Erma Bombeck, and Sue Monk Kidd. I did not necessarily agree with all his conclusions, but I found the narrative easy to read and convincing. One of many quotes that I liked: Philosopher Jacques Maritain—“The culmination of knowledge is not conceptual but experiential—I feel God.”

Manning punctuates his quotes with stories, even jokes. Everyone should read this book to at least learn if they are ragamuffins.

I loved the ease of the reading and the simplicity of the message. I recommend this book to anyone who has grown up in the church or has been a Christian for some time and is hurting or hungry to know God more.

Awesome!!! It kind of gives you a different perspective on how churches and their members can get caught up in their religion and forget what the bible really says about how God truly loves us without conditions. I found it very refreshing...

Everyone who can read should read this book. It's like water to a thirsty heart and mind. Manning shares what we already know deep down in our hearts, that we are all broken and busted up, but we're reluctant to acknowledge that. When we do, we see more clearly the immense wonder of the Almighty One sacrificially becoming our Rescuer. Self-righteousness can't fit into that picture. Judgment of others can't fit either. Beautiful. It's what we all need.

Brennan Manning captures the essence of God in describing the magnitude of the Father's love manifested in His son, Jesus Christ. He gives clear examples how weak, sinful people can be accepted and forgiven and made right through a personal relationship with Christ. Everyone should read this and they will be transformed.

Spectacular! Deeply moving. This book has drawn me closer to God, than any other book I've ever read, except for the Bible. Its encouraging, uplifting, and shows a view of grace that will leave you speechless. A MUST READ! A must own book!

This book really explains grace, what it is, what it means to us and how to embrace God's grace and love. I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with feeling unworthy of God's love or just want to experience more of it.

His thoughts are wonderful, and this is a person who has seen the good the bad and the ugly in his own life. I truly had the sense that he was speaking from his heart! I even recommended this to my book club!

When Brennan Manning wrote, (paraphrased) "They won't let me in here too" (church), the hook was set. It's by Grace that we are saved, not by anything that we can do. What a gift Brennan is in unraveling a simple thruth!

Simply, sincerely, and accurately stated. We are beggars at the gate of God's mercy. God LOVES us and continues to LOVE us as long as we have a real relationship with him. Human being is synonymous with continual failure. We have no individual power or abillity to complete things on our own strength. God working through us is the only way we can keep our intentions true and as close to unconditional as they will ever be. If we have to argue the "theology" of what Manning states, we have already been caught in the immense bear trap of legality and not grace. This is the most accurate barometer of whether we are saved or have just gone through the ritualistic steps of baptism and "asking Jesus into our hearts." NEITHER of those assure any salvation whatsoever and the only One who knows whether we are indeed His child or only fooling ourselves is our Lord. I wouldn't want to be part of the group protesting after my death "but, but Jesus - all I did was in your name!" I would not want to hear "sorry friend, I don't know you and never have." And I most CERTAINLY wouldn't want to pay the eternal price. But, if semantics and legalism is your earthly defense, please say hi to the enormous group of Pharisees who will be waiting to greet you after your passing. Please don't even say hi for me.

Out of all the so called Christian books out there,this one is my all time favorite.I have read lots and lots of others,no one tops this in my opinion.I have given out many as gifts,encouragement.I love the way Brennan Manning writes.He is so down to earth andreal,and this is about being accepted by God "as is"I consider myself a Ragamauffin.Thanks Brennan!YOu inspire me.

This exceptional book gave me new hope and insight into living as a Christian, what it entails and what is important. It also delves into how religiosity many times gets in the way of living a Christian life. It focuses on God's grace as the starting point for a relationship with Christ. An outstanding read for Christians at any level in their faith walk.- Norman, Kansas City, MO

After listening to the audio book and reading the book, I can sincerely recommend The Ragamuffin Gospel as a realistic journey to refresh your view of the Father's love, the Son's sacrifice and the Spirit's strength. It makes good kindling to ignite or re-ignite a deeper relationship with the first being to love us.

For all those people who went to church hoping to find the love, acceptance and forgiveness of Christ and found the traditions of men instead. I took one star off for the reading level required. I would put it at college grad level.

My pastor recommended this book to me several times and I finally caved in and bought it. I'm glad I did. It is refreshing to read about the unconditional love and grace of God that takes us off the performance treadmill and let's us breath again.

I would recommend this book to everyone who feels that God is an old man just waiting to hit you with a lightning strike for being a sinner. Brennan Manning reveals the true meaning of grace and how the church has perverted it. A must read for all people who call themselves Christians.

Brennan Manning is a heretic! At least most leagalists would say so because Manning, an ex Franciscan priest, ex drunk, dissolute ragamuffin himself,teaches that God is crazy in love with us. Jesus' tender, forgiving heart loves us no matter who we are, what we have done, have gobs of faith or none at all. We are loved.
Go to a book store, open the book at the beginning and read the few lines in the part titled " A Few Words Before". He tells you who the book is NOT written for and who it IS written for. If he speaks to your heart there, you will love the rest of the book. If not, you are probably not ready for this wonderful book that can change lives. It changed mine.

Brennan Manning knows pain, he knows failure and he also knows God loves him regardless. Nothing can touch my heart the way his books do. I need to be reminded that God loves me unconditionally, I forget it so often.

Love this book very much as most of Brennan Manning's books.