I read a book years ago that so stirred my heart. It was entitled, The Ragamuffin Gospel written by Brennan Manning. Brennan Manning was a Catholic Priest who left the priesthood but made a deep and lasting impression in the Christian community with his writing and speaking. He was a powerful teacher concerning the grace and mercy of God. If you've never read any of his books, you need to order one today. Y0u will be blessed, I promise.
I didn't know this about Brennan Manning until recently. Brennan Manning was born Richard Manning. At the age of 18, Richard enlisted in the army and was trained as a paratrooper. He and his company parachuted behind enemy lines during the Korean war and began to establish forward positions to drive back the advancing North Korean army.
One day, after establishing a new forward position, Richard Manning was resting with a friend Ray Brennan. They were lying with their heads down, sharing a chocolate candy bar. Suddenly, a North Korean hand grenade flew into their fox hole. Ray Brennan casually threw down the candy wrapper and fell on the hand grenade which immediately detonated. Ray Brennan's stomach completely smothered the explosion and Richard Manning was unharmed. Ray looked up at Richard, winked and then laid his head down and died.
When Richard Manning was discharged from the military, he went straight to the courthouse and had his named changed. He took the last name of his friend Ray and made it his first name. He was no longer Richard Manning. Brennan Manning did this in order to never forget the sacrifice his friend made and that his life was bought with a price. Brennan Manning purposed to live a life worthy of that sacrifice.
And this is what we do as believers in Jesus. We take on a name the moment we believe. CHRISTians. We do this in order to never forget the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. And we purpose to live a life that reflects the love that was demonstrated the day that Jesus was born into the world to atone for our sin.
Greater love has no man, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
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I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed reading Manning. I've read The Ragamuffin Gospel and Ruthless Trust--both are excellent. I'm going to go back and read them again.
ReplyDeleteI have thought a lot about this over the last year or so- whether my life speaks of the One whose name I bear? After 20 years of following Him, am I different- have I allowed His love to change me? In the ways that matter? Do I love as God loves me? How can I be more extravagant in my love of others? I cannot wait to hear you share more about this in 2010, Dan!
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