Brennan Manning

Barrenness and Desolation

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“What is my barrenness? It is the platform for His fruit-creating power. What is my desolation? It is the black setting for the sapphire of His everlasting love.

“I will go in poverty, I will go in helplessness, I will go in all my shame and backsliding, I will tell Him that I am still His child, and in confidence in His faithful heart, even I, the barren one, will sing and cry aloud” (Charles Spurgeon).

This goes out to anyone who has ever felt like a screen door on a submarine (with much thanks to Rich Mullins for that rich metaphor). You know . . . useless. Pointless. As in why do I even exist?

The moment of your confession of barrenness and desolation is the very moment where God shows up. The moment you confess your inadequacy is when you find that God is more than able. The moment you cry aloud and boast in your very weakness is when God shows that His strength is perfect.

The bad news is that we’re all profoundly messed up because of our sin condition. The good news is that God in Christ has already done something about that. The good news is that for those who have trusted Jesus for salvation, God in Christ has made you new and doesn’t see failure but sees the perfection of Christ’s righteousness in you.

In that great mercy, go to God with all your shame and backsliding. Sing and cry aloud. Tell God and remind yourself that you are still His child. Remember that you are never alone, never forsaken, never hopeless. God is with you.

A Different Mindset

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“The prayer of a Christian brother who was in prison for years in Romania during the difficult years of the cold war. He prayed:

‘Lord, I look forward to the great day I see you and your family in heaven. I look forward to seeing the great evangelists standing before you. I look forward to the day I see all the missionaries coming home rejoicing with their sheaves. I look forward to hearing all the great singers of the world praising you. I look forward to seeing the great preachers of the ages standing before you.

“But Lord, I have one special request. When that day comes, allow me to be there in the clothing of a prisoner. I want to praise you throughout eternity in my prisoner’s clothes to always remind me that I was a prisoner for you.'”

Sometimes, it feels like the faith of persecuted people is different than our comfortable brand of Christianity. We tend to deconstruct or quit when our lives get difficult, but these people endured prison and sometimes even death and would not waver. They were committed to the cause, no matter what.

I don’t want to paint with too broad a brush, but I think our comfort may be our biggest culprit. We’ve associated our faith too long with material prosperity and favor. We’ve forgotten what Jesus meant when He said that following Him meant taking up your cross daily.

The people in Jesus’ day knew exactly what that meant. Taking up your cross meant that you were heading toward your death. Crosses weren’t gold-plated symbols of fashion. They were instruments of torture. Jesus was essentially saying what Dietrich Bonhoeffer would later say, “When Christ calls a man [or woman], He bids him [or her] come and die.”

I don’t want to be morbid. I don’t want to come across as looking forward to pain and suffering. I know Jesus said that in this life, we all will have tribulation and trials and trouble. But the good news is that He has overcome, and to the ones who endure, He will grant a crown of victory.

Lord, help us to be followers who will seek obedience over convenience and faithfulness over comfort. Help us to live out your words and be ready to take up our own crosses and follow You, no matter what the cost. Because You died for us, we will live for You. Amen.

The Race That Knows Joseph

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Lately, I’ve been listening to Anne’s House of Dreams, the fourth book in the Avonlea series by L. M. Montgomery. Those of you who grew up reading and watching Anne of Green Gables are probably very familiar with these books.

In this book, the author uses a phrase repeatedly — someone is of the race that knows Joseph. That basically means that person is a kindred spirit or a lifelong friend as opposed to a seasonal acquaintance.

It comes from the passage in Exodus where it states that a new pharaoh arose who didn’t know Joseph and subsequently had the Israelite people made into slaves.

I’ve learned that real and true friends are rare. People who are willing to invest in you and make time for you are precious in the sense of something that is expensive because it is rare and hard to find.

If you are of the race that knows Joseph, it means you are dependable and can be trusted. If you have those kind of people in your life, you are blessed indeed.

The Word

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“Christians are persons who no longer seek their salvation, their deliverance, their justification in themselves, but in Jesus Christ alone. They know that God’s Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them guilty, even when they feel nothing of their own guilt, and that God’s Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them free and righteous even when they feel nothing of their own righteousness…

Because they daily hunger and thirst for righteousness, they long for the redeeming Word again and again. It can only come from the outside. In themselves they are destitute and dead. Help must come from the outside; and it has come and comes daily and anew in the Word of Jesus Christ, bringing us redemption, righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. But God put this Word into the mouth of human beings so that it may be passed on to others. When people are deeply affected by the Word, they tell it to other people. God has willed that we should seek and find God’s living Word in the testimony of other Christians, in the mouths of human beings. Therefore, Christians need other Christians who speak God’s Word to them. They need them again and again when they become uncertain and disheartened” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).

The quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi says to preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary to use words.

I think if we want to communicate the gospel clearly, it’s always necessary to use words. Otherwise, we are teaching and preaching a gospel of good works and good actions. What we do flows from who we are, and if we are truly born again and made alive, then our actions will match.

Also, the Bible states that part of the salvation experience is to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. That part isn’t what saves you. It’s grace through faith that saves you. But the confession shows that you are truly a child of God and are trusting in Christ alone.

That said, we need to preach the gospel to ourselves and to others over and over again. I’ve heard it said that we never outgrow our need for the gospel. We may learn deeper meanings and uncover more truths and applications to our lives, but we always circle back to John 3:16 in the end.

Having a Bible is great. Carrying one around is even better. But what makes a difference in your life is when you spend time reading it, studying it, meditating on it, memorizing it. That’s when the gospel really takes root and real change happens. That’s where you learn to discern truth from half-truths and falsehoods. You recognize when someone is teaching error or heresy.

Lord, help us never to get past your gospel. Help us to preach it to ourselves and each other regularly. Help us to love and treasure Your Word above anything else, so we can grow in maturity and become more like You every day. Amen.

RIP, Dolly

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It still doesn’t seem real. I drove by her Brentwood property on my way to work and saw all the flowers and the sign that read “We will always love you.”

I was only 5 years old when Elvis Presley passed away, but this has that kind of feeling to it. It’s not just another celebrity passing or even the death of an icon. This is a once in a generation kind of loss.

I’ve read a lot about Dolly’s faith lately. Ultimately, the only ones who can know for sure where she stood with God are God and Dolly Parton. In these days, anytime anyone dies who is even remotely famous, no matter what kind of life they led, they are automatically assigned to heaven in most people’s eyes.

But I believe that Dolly won’t get into heaven because of her generosity. All those millions she donated and all the programs she funded aren’t a ticket to paradise. It won’t be because she was caring or had a good heart.

And it’s also not about having the correct views about issues and doctrines. Obviously, there are some essentials that you have to believe, but it’s not about having a 100% correct theology or worldview.

If Dolly is in heaven right now, it will be because she said yes to Jesus. The Bible says that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved. That and that alone are what get you into heaven.

I’m hopefully optimistic that Dolly is in heaven. I believe that she trusted in Jesus for her salvation. Was her faith perfect? Even she would admit that she’s a sinner like any of us. But was her faith real? I think so.

I hope most of all that at her funeral someone will be bold enough to proclaim the gospel of God so loving the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life. That’s how you get into heaven.

Have You Room in Heaven for One More?

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“HAVE YOU A DOG IN HEAVEN? Have you a dog in Heaven, Lord?
And do you pat its head?
Does he sit up and beg each night
before he goes to bed?

Does he look up with shining eyes
when he sees Your smilling face?
Does he wag his stubby little tail
when he wants to run a race?

Have You a dog in Heaven, Lord?
Is there room for just one more?
Cause my little dog died today;
he’ll be waiting at Your door.

Please take him into Heaven, Lord.
And keep him there for me,
just feed him, pet him, love him, Lord,
thats all he’ll ask of Thee” (Anonymous).

I haven’t lost any dogs lately, but I ran across this little poem and I know several reading this have had to say goodbye to their furry babies lately. It’s never easy, even when the animal is older and in poor health. It’s like losing a part of yourself.

I hope these words will be a comfort to anyone grieving a pet. May God bless you and grant you comfort in your time of need.

God’s Never-Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love

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“I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: ‘Please, God!’ I cried out. ‘Save my life!’ God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.” (Psalm 116:1-2, The Message)

Recently, I’ve been reading through the Jesus Srorybook Bible. I know I’m a bit outside of the targeted demographic for this children’s book, but I love how every story in this Bible finds its way back to Jesus. Every book in the Bible points in someway to the coming Messiah or to the Incarnate Words now revealed.

My favorite phrase in the Jesus Storybook bible is the one about “God’s Never-Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love,” I love that, especially when author Sally Lloyd-Jones reads it in her impeccable English accent. I think that’s the best way I’ve ever heard to describe what unconditional agape love looks like. That’s what God’s love for me looks like, especially when I deserve it least but need it most.

At the end of another Monday, I’m thankful for the love of God that never stops, never gives up, never breaks down, and lasts forever. Thank You, God for Your Never-Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. Amen.

Missing Kairos

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Sometimes, I’ll drop by Brentwood Baptist Church on a Tuesday. I’ll slip into Hudson Hall and look around for a moment or two. Usually, the lights are out, so I’ll turn on my phone’s flashlight and wave it back and forth in front of me. Typically, there will be chairs set up similar to when Kairos was still a thing.

I miss Kairos. For those who weren’t a part of the magic, Kairos was a young(ish) adult event that happened every Tuesday from 2004 to 2024. Since then, it has transitioned into something called Rally, which is more of a college ministry centered around small groups and monthly gatherings.

I’m thankful for Rally, but I do miss Kairos. I realize that as Ecclesiastes says, there is a season for everything. Perhaps, Kairos had a season and now it’s over. Maybe it served its purpose for what God intended to do through that particular ministry. I know it was very influential in my own life, as well as the lives of many, many others.

I was blessed to be a part of it for over 18 years, most of which I served as a greeter and prayer counselor. I saw some very talented people come and go through the years. We had some incredible speakers, singers, musicians, and tech people. We had people who were gifted in areas of hospitality and serving. But most of all, God showed up.

Was it a perfect ministry? No. Did we get a few things wrong over the years? Probably. But we tried to be obedient to the calling God has placed on us for such a time as this. The years to come will tell how successful we were. But then again, God never called us to be successful but simply faithful and obedient.

I may be the only one who’ll say this, but I miss Kairos. But there’s not a day that goes by where I’m not thankful that God allowed me to be a small part of it for all those years. I’m blessed.

A Good Reminder

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If you need a little encouragement, just go to Romans 8, particularly verses 31-39. They’re some of my favorite promises from God in all the Bible. Nothing can or ever will separate me from the love of God in Christ. Nothing can remove me from being His child or from being eternally saved and eternally secure.

The worst that the world can do to me is to hasten my homeward trip to heaven. They can’t destroy me. They can’t defeat me because my God is undefeated and undefeatable (which probably isn’t a word but should be in my opinion).

Let these words soak into your very marrow and read them over and over again to yourself. Say them out loud if that helps. Remember that God’s love is forever for those who are in Christ Jesus:

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.

We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us” (Romans 8:31-39).

Wave and Tide

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“On the far reef the breakers recoil in shattered foam,
Yet still the sea behind them urges its forces home;
Its chant of triumph surges through all the thunderous din—
The wave may break in failure, but the tide is sure to win! . . .

The reef is strong and cruel upon its jagged wall.
One wave, a score, a hundred, broken and beaten, fall.
Yet in defeat they conquer, the sea comes flooding in,
Wave upon wave is routed, But, the tide is sure to win!

O mighty sea, thy message in changing spray is cast;
Within God’s plan of progress it matters not at last,
How wide the shores the evil, how strong the reefs of sin—
The wave may be defeated but the tide is sure to win.” (Priscilla Leonard, The Religious Herald 94, no. 3, January 20, 1921).

No matter how hopeless the situation seems right now, the tide is sure to win. God will not be defeated. Those who serve Him will not go down in ultimate defeat but will share in God’s victory at the end. I’m thankful that as in the case of Joseph from Genesis, God is able to turn what was meant for evil and turn it into something good.

If God is able to orchestrate the evil intentions of 11 brothers against one man into the saving of an entire nation, imagine what He can do through the trials of your own life? Can you see in your mind’s eye the look of awe and wonder on your face as you see how God took all those circumstances that seemed dire and made something beautiful out of them?

Trust God even amidst the surging waves and know that eventually and inevitably, the tide is sure to win!