Ragamuffin Gospel: Visual Edition

One of my favorite Christian books is Brennan Manning's The Ragamuffin Gospel. I have read and re-read this book many times. For anyone who needs a refreshing and challenging view of God's grace, God's love, and our smallness and great value to God this book is a must read. Recently a "visual edition" of Brennan's book was produced. I picked up a copy yesterday while trying to find some gifts for some friends.



It is said that pictures speak a 1000 words... this edition takes some of the best selections from the book and combines them with visual imagery that drives home the already powerful words. The combination is like, at times, an atomic bomb going off in your soul -- but bringing joyous life and freedom into existence, kind of like the Big Bang.



It is great for simple reflection -- like a glass of wine. Best to be tasted and sipped and enjoyed in small doses.



Also check out http://www.ragamuffinvisual.com/ for more information or to download these images.

If you like these kind of books, check out the visual edition of Philip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace? another soul-stirring book that will enable encounters with God's grace and the wonder of His all-consuming, faithful, unfailing, and barrier-bashing love. I purchased this book years ago and return to it often for reflection.

Alive

December 2005

This is a song in progress, but I am so excited about it that I decided to put up what I have come up with so far. The inspiration was a small thought which soon dominated all of my thought early this morning: Jesus is our life. I thought of the times when I feel truly alive, loved, valued, and functional as a human being, and they are most when I am conscious of Jesus living in me and through me. When I am doing that which pleases Him. And when I am enter into His grace, mercy, and love without bringing any "I need to do this to be accepted" points to my mind and heart... I just enter and accept them by faith.

The lyrics are at once simple and fleshly. That is the point... for where does Christ truly live if not in our bodies, our minds, our souls?


Jesus dwelling in my blood
Running throuh my veins
Spirit living in my flesh

Jesus in body and soul
Making new and whole
Bringing beauty from this mess

Each day a new revelation
Each day a song of praise
Rising from this union
He is the Truth, Life, and Way

In Jesus I'm alive
There's a fullness to enjoy
In Jesus I'm alive
My life is truly alive

There's no other fountain
No other source that flows so pure
There's no other fountain
No other source that overflows
Like Him, Like Him
All my springs come forth from Him

The Everlasting

Written December 2005

This song actually began completely differently than it ended. I was having a vision of just coming into the Lord's presence through a doorway. As I approached the doorway, I could just see warm inviting light flowing out, welcoming, beckoning for me to open the door. Doing so I saw just glorious expressions of love and grace and thought from God coming towards me in the light, engulging me in His favor. It was overwhelming and I tried to put some of this into song.

Instead of writing about the vision, the lyrics and music that came were about the expressions of God's thought and love that I felt. I feebly tried to put into words what I was feeling and expriencing and knowing. The words don't do justice to the greatness of God's love, grace, and favor. Really no words can.


The Everlasting thinks on me
His thoughts as the sand in the sea
With favor, Holy jealousy
He keeps watch unfailingly
The Everlasting

The Everlasting loves me
Completly, passionately
His grace, far-reaching
Strongly pursuing me
The Everlasting

There's no love like His
Constant through strength and weakness
Seeing me as I am, yet not loving less
So great is His love
Broad as the east from the west

The Everlasting King Forever
The Everlasting Father
The Everlasting Never-Changing
The Everlasting Love Unending
The Everlasting

The Broken-hearted (Healing Will Flow)

Inspired by Revelation 22:1-9

Last night I was working on another song, "God With Us," adding some finishing musical touches. My thoughts drifted towards my brokenness and some of the reasons why I am sad right now, most of which has to do with the changes in my family. And I thought further about the continuum of my life thus far, how it has been full of both joy and sorrow, and a continual need for healing (or more healing) has persisted. Rather than being filled with despair over this, however, I saw hope. In our confusion, weakness, and hard-pressed circumstances we have the resources of God in Christ available. He is close to those who are broken and admit their weaknesses. Only then can they know his nearness and provision. From this came a song.

Something I have long realized and am embracing more and more is the fact that this side of heaven, I will never be "complete," righteous, without sin, above the curse from the Fall, or beyond refining or needing additional healing of heart, mind, soul, or body. Only in heaven will all those things be really true. Now I know each of these things as a reality -- in Christ by faith. The reality I see as a shadow or faintly at best, like being in a dimly lit room and looking into a mirror. My body and soul aches for completeness, healing, and complete righteousness. I am frustrated with my inadequacies, unruly desires, and bad habits that I continue to struggle with. As a young Christian I think I expected to be "done" with many things, but that has not happened. The struggle continues. Yet I can say that I see progress. The Lord is faithful and true to His word to complete the good work He has begun in me. I wonder how far I am to completion?

The verses of the song speak simply of God's presence and closeness with the broken-hearted and mournful. Revelation 22 gives a snapshot of what life will be like for us in heaven before the throne of God, and from this came the chorus. As I reflected on my brokenness and God's promises to comfort on the way, my thoughts culminated in thinking about that final day when we will be at God's throne and where everything hoped for will be fulfilled.

God is close to the broken hearted
Sorrow lasts only through the night
Joy it comes in the morning
With the dawn bringing peace and light

Blessed are mournful followers
Comfort will come by their side
Tears will be wiped tomorrow
In God's fullness they will know delight

And He will bring us to the river of life
Clear as crystal, flowing from the Throne
No longer will there be any curse
Healing will come from the trees of life
For the nations

Hope in God (I Will Yet Praise Him)

Inspired by Psalms 42 and 43. Written Summer 2001

This was one of the few songs to come out of my period of service in Mexico. That was a very dry time for me spiritually, one of the most extended "desert" times I have gone through as a Christian -- nearly 2 years. Everything in my life, what I believed about God, what I trusted in, what I valued about myself, and my relationships with others was challenged in one way or another during that period. The biggest thing that happened was that I began to really trust and hope in God beyond what I could see and feel. That was necessary in order for me to continue working in Mexico after having an initial period in which I was subject to injustices and misunderstandings that put me in a disfavorable position with the Director of the orphanage I worked for. I was in danger of being fired for nearly a year. I simply had to trust in God. He did eventually turn the situation around for my good and I was honored and highly valued by the Director by the time I left Mexico.

Why are you in despair, O my soul?
Why so discouraged within me?
O God, my soul hungers for your presence
So I will recall the times of our meeting

Hope in God
For the help of His presence
Hope in God
For I shall yet praise Him

Deep calls to deep
At the sound of your voice
You declare Your love over me day and night
And Your song will be with me always

What Kind of Love

Written February 2005

This song began as a simple chorus "What kind of love -- endured such pain at my expense." I intended to write a simple reflection of the love of God expressed through the act of the cross. It was meant to be (and is) an Easter song. As I began to work on the verses and fleshed out the song, the Holy Spirit gave it a life and fullness that went far beyond the simple beginning. Instead of a simple Easter song, I received and composed an anthem about God's love in the act of Jesus' death, with a view from the suffering and the cross, and a concluding view from the resurrection.

Mocked, beaten, cast down low
Scourged on your back and flogged
Pierced with nails in hands and feet
Punctured by a thorny crown

Heavy-laden, stricken with grief
Such weakened flesh could not last
Curses, accusations, trials, temptations
Without tasting death

What kind of love!
Bore this, received it, welcomed this suffering
What kind of love!
Endured such pain at my expense
This is how Jesus loved

Empty the tomb where Jesus lay
His body not to be found
To their surpise, He was alive
He rose to higher ground

What kind of love
Overcoming, all-surpassing
What kind of love
Patient, believing, hoping, enduring
This is how God loves

This is how, this is how, this is how God loves
This is how, this is how, this is how God loves

What kind of love
Overcoming, all-surpassing
What kind of love
Patient, believing, hoping, enduring
What kind of love
Bearing, covering, forgetting wrong doing
What kind of love
Never failing, always rejoicing
This is how God loves

Dance Floor (At Your Altar)

Written August 2005

This song was inspired by a vision I had of dancing with Jesus before God's throne. For those who struggle with intimate and relational expressions of God's love towards us, the lyrics may come as a shock. Rather than being "homo-erotic" the depictions of intimacy described by the lyrics are of a Father and Divine Lover draping me with His love and Himself. I envisioned Jesus holding me close to his chest. Everything -- his embrace, expressions, concern, and availability spoke of divine Love and appreciation.

Here we are on this dance floor
The Holy place at your altar
Everlasting arms hold me
In faithful, unfailing love

Caresses touch me with gentleness
With grace that I've never felt
You rest your head on my chest
Listening to my beating heart

My heart beats with your praise
I can see the smile on your face
As You listen, you're amazed -- you say:

How lovely, so lovely, how lovely to me!
How lovely, so lovely, how lovely to me!

God With Us

Written December 2005

This simple song came to me this past weekend during a worship service at Blazing Fire Church. It's a celebration of God's willingness to be present with us -- and how good that really is. This truth is a special one to me, but at times I have dreaded the fact of God's intimate presence because of the way I have sometimes [incorrectly] related to Him out of fear. The Bible says that God's perfect love casts away all fear because fear has to do with punishment. And the one who still fears is imperfect in love (paraphrased from 1John). I am still being convinced in the depths of my heart about God's perfect love and goodness. God has been saying to me, "Enough. Believe in me." God gave me the song as a way to declare and remember the simple truth that His presence with us is a good, great, awesome reality.

God is with us
God is for us
God is with us
God is for us

Immanuel, God with us
Sign of favor, God with us
Wonderful Counselor with us
From start to end, God with us

Your perfect love casts away my fear
Your perfect love draws me near
Your perfect love casts away my fear
Your perfect love draws me near

You're good, so good - I believe it, I believe it
You're good, so good - I believe

Lord Your God (Restorer)

Inspired by Joel 2:25-27 and Hebrews 12. Written July 2005

This song is a very personal one, words spoken by the Lord as a promise of restoration. Because of a great struggle with shame and some poor choices I made, I removed myself altogether from my great love: playing guitar and leading worship. No one requested or asked me to do so. Embracing God's grace is something I have struggled with. I am glad God is relentless in His love and in pouring out His grace on us. The last section is my response. After I finished this song, I felt a new (good) brokenness that allowed God both to restore and correct me in the ways He thought best (rather than insitute what I thought was best for myself).

I will give back what was lost
I will restore all that you were
Once again you'll praise my name
Carry the banner of my glory
Never again will you be in shame
Never again will you be disgraced

I have called you "Beloved Son"
Now you'll know my Father's love
You will know I am with you
Always near, always among you
I'll be by your side every day
Always close, just a breath away

The Lord Your God, like no other
The Lord Your God, I'm like no other
The Lord Your God, clothed in glory
The Lord Your God, a passionate fury

Consuming Fire, I've come to Mount Zion
City of the Living God
To the assembly of God's children
To countless angels in joyous song
To God, my Judge and to Jesus
To sprinkled blood, forgiveness
How can I refuse to listen?
How can I refuse this grace?
I will be attentive
To the words You say

Open Up (King of Glory)

Inspired by Psalm 27:7-10. Written September 2005

As I thought about these Scriptures, I saw a broader theme (also confirmed throughout Scripture) that God wants not just the temple or church building doors open to welcome Him, He desires hearts and bodies to dwell in. He wants to be with us in our homes and daily lives.

Open up, Open up, Open up ancient gates
Open up, Open up, Open up ancient doors
Let the King of Glory enter this place

Who is this King, this King of Glory?
The Lord Strong and Mighty
Victorios Warrior
Lord of Heaven's armies
He is the King of Glory

Open up, Open up, Open up hearts and souls
Open up, Open up, Open up towns and homes
Let the King of Glory take His rightful place

Let Us Come

Inspired by Hebrews 4:14-16, 10:19-22. Written August 29, 2005

Themes from these Scriptures of Hebrews pop up frequently in my thought and songs. I am enamored by the fact that God has made Himself so accessible to us and has taken the initiative for us to come to him, eliminating every obstacle in our way. The only thing that holds us back, really, is us. A call to worship, this is a "call" for Christians to use the privilidge we have been given to approach God.


Let us come, let us come boldly
Let us come to the throne of grace
Through the veil with confidence
To approach the Holy place

The way is open by the blood
By the death of God's own Son
A new and living way is come
To the presence of God
Let us come

Our Great High Priest waits for us
He knows our weaknesses
He went before making the way
For us to come unafraid

So now we come trusting
We come sprinkled by blood
We come washed in pure water
We come with sincere hearts

Expression of God

Inspired by Hebrews 1:1-4, John 1:1-5, 14. Written August 30, 2005

Long ago God spoke in many ways
Now He has spoken in these final days
Through His Son, the expression of God

Full of grace and truth and glory
He has made accessible the holy
Word become flesh, Light in the darkness

Image of the invisible God
You've opened my heart to truths from above
Your Spirit reveals and counsels me
Like the priests of old, I know your glory

Strong Hope

Inspired by Hebrews 6:17-20. Written September 2005

I love the book of Hebrews. It is so rich in themes of God's faithfulness and the initiative He has taken for us to approach Him. Both of these themes -- and the hope we have as a result -- jumped out at me as I read this section of Hebrews.

God has given both His oath and His promise
We can be sure that He'll never change His mind
God unchanging, it's impossible for Him to lie
We have confidence in the hope of new life
The power of indestructible life
has opened the way

A strong hope
Trustworthy anchor for our souls
Leading onward
Close to the Lord of Hosts
Jesus has already gone there for us
Becoming our Priest Eternal before our God

So now we come
Unafraid
Without shame
Bearing His Name, bearing His Name

Protector From on High

Inspired by Psalm 27:1-3, 5. Written September 2005

The Lord is my light, my salvation
Why should I be afraid?
My fortress protecting me from danger
Even if I'm surrounded by many foes
No weapon formed against me shall prosper

The Lord will shelter me when trouble comes
Hiding me in His sactuary
I offer sacrifices with shouts of joy
To God, my protector from on high

King Forever

Inspired by Hebrews 7:2-3, 14-17, 25. Written September 27, 2005

The theme here is the endless reign and great power of Jesus as our King and Priest, shown by his indestructible life that is without beginning or end because He is God.

Without Father, without mother
No beginning, nor end of life
Righteous King of Peace
Priest forever to whom we bring

Our gifts, our offering
To honor His reign
Descended from the line of Kings

Lion of Judah, Son of God
Righteous King forever
Resurrected Son of Man
Whose reign has no end
King Forever

Our Priest forever
Indestructible life has proclaimed
Interceding Savior
He can fully save all who call on Him

A New Creation

Written October 2005

In Christ I have life
Righteousness clothes my frame
Faith springs from the Source
The Spirit in my being

Living sacrifice I am
My body born again
Carrying Christ deep within
Reaching out to draw souls in

Righteousness springs from faith
The works of death have passed
The old man has suffered death
A new creation proclaims praise

This Mystery (A Christmas Song)

Written December 7th, 2005

This song was inspired by the mystery surrounding the birth of Christ. More than anything else, "the mysterious" aspects of God (inspiring faith and wonder) fascinate me. The lyrics focus on the mystery of Christ's birth by looking at the prophetic past pointing to his birth, the incarnation, a vulnerable and very human God, and an anticipation of what lies ahead in light of all that God has thought of and done already.


This mystery, this mystery

Long declared in ages old
Prophets longings foretold
Savior to come, baby King
His shoulders bearing everything

Heaven He left behind a throne
To call children back home
The Father was His, yet needed a mom
Frail He came, dependent Son

God became man, eternal flesh
Birthed in a womb of innocence
Full of grace and truth so grand
Behold thy God! Behold the man!

Eye has not seen, ear has not heard
The great things You have prepared
I cannot imagine nor think of them
Nor fathom, nor comprehend

Lift My Eyes (Beautiful)

Written December 1st, 2005

I came home from a worship time and was just happy about God and being able to worship with other believers. The smallest vision, glimpse, feeling, and knowing of God is so inspirational!! This is an expression of the wonder that comes from seeing a glimpse of who God really is, and what happens when we gain a glimpse -- we lose track of everything else because He is so beautiful!!


I lift my eyes to the heavens to the glory of my King
I lift my eyes to the heavens where angels are worshipping
I lift my eyes to the heavens to the glory that I see
I lift my eyes to the heavens and I am caused to sing

'Cause You are beautiful, beautiful, none can compare
You are beautiful, beautiful, worthy of this love affair

I lift my eyes to the throne of the Lamb who was slain
I lift my eyes to the throne where grace meets every need
I lift my eyes to the throne of the Lamb who ever reigns
I lift my eyes to the throne and all else fades away

So lovely, so worthy, so wonderful to me

In Christ

Inspired by Ephesians 1-2. Written November 2005

This is an unfinished song taken almost verbatim from the Scriptures in Ephesians. The lyrics affirm our privilidged position in Christ as believers. These are Scriptures rich in meaning for me and an I often turn to them and read them when I need encouragement to remember who I really am.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Christ
Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens
He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world
That we would be holy and blameless in His sight

He predestined our adoption as children
Through Christ to Himself according to His kind intentions
That our lives would shout to the praise of the glory of His grace
Which He freely bestowed on us in His Beloved, our Bridegroom

In Him we have redemption through His blood
Forgiveness of our sins according to His grace's riches
Which He lavished on us in abundance with all His wisdom
Unveiling the mystery according to His pleasure and purpose

My Stronghold

Inspired by Psalm 18. Written on November 8th, 2005

I love You, O Lord my strength
My Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer
My God, my Rock in whom I take refuge
My Shield, the horn of my salvation

I will call upon the Lord who is worthy
To be praised evermore and evermore
For He saves from every enemy
My Stronghold

He sent me from on high and took me
He brought me to a broad and spacious place
He rescues because He delights in me

Glorious Splendor

Written October 25th, 2005

A cloud by day, Your presence surrounds
A pillar of fire guides through the night
Visions of glory indescribable
Lift up my soul to keep You before me

I see the Lord in glorious splendor
Nations bow down, praises ring out
In everything, the universe and heavens
Wonders, majesty, beauty, glory abound!

Majestic One

Inspired by Psalm 104. Written September, 2005

God, You are my God, how great You are
Beautiful, gloriously robed, Majestic One

You are clothed in sunshine
All heaven stretches to welcome You
Your palace is built on
The ocean depths extending to sky

The wind You command as messengers
Fire and flame to serve You
Angels and demons bow down
For none compares to You

Robed in crimson blood, stars in Your hands
Mountains break beneath your fiery breath