All is Grace - Brennan Manning | Image via David C Cook

A new trailer has been released for an upcoming memoir by Brennan Manning:

From the publisher:

It has been over twenty years since the publication of The Ragamuffin Gospel, a book many claim as the shattering of God’s grace into their lives. Since that time, Brennan Manning has been dazzingly faithful in preaching and writing variations on that singular theme – “Yes, Abba is very fond of you!”

But today the crowds are gone and the lights are dim, the patches on his knees have faded. If he ever was a ragamuffin, truly it is now. In this his final book, Brennan roves back his past, honoring the lives of the people closest to him, family and friends who’ve known the saint and the sinner, the boy and the man. Far from some chronological timeline, these memories are witness to the truth of life by one who has lived it – All Is Grace.

I’ve often been blown away by the words of Brennan Manning so I’m really looking forward to this look at his life — in his own words.

As mentioned above, Brennan wrote (several years before before Love Wins):

The love of God for man is, “A union that not only transcends every political, social, cultural and religious consideration and not only infuses them with ultimate meaning, but defines the very purpose of life itself.”

“For His love is never, never, never based on our performance, never conditioned by our moods — of elation or depression. The furious love of God knows no shadow of alteration or change. It is reliable. And always tender.”

It’s a message the world needs to hear.

It’s a message I need to hear.

And it’s a message we’ve been invited to share with the world.

But until we really grab hold of it ourselves, we’ll continually struggle in sharing it with anyone else.

The book is set to release in October 2011. But you can pre-order it today on Amazon.

Until then – how have you seen this deep, deep love of God in your own life?

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Porcelain Dolls

Just in time for Valentines day…

Our friends Kari McHam and Jana Vanderburg have just put together a short video detailing some of the work their doing — caring for and loving on the women in Waco’s adult entertainment industry.

As Kari shared on our show last year, through Porcelain Dolls, they’ve built a number of real relationships with the “un-loved” in their community and have witnessed some serious life changes in some of the women as well.

Over the weekend the girls took part in a Valentine’s Day outreach and also recently gave away 3 computers to several girls who are trying to further their education.

Watch the video and consider how you might get involved to help…

Find out more on Facebook, Myspace or donate online.

You can also listen to Kari’s story and Jana’s story on the podcast.

Who in your community needs this kind of love and caring?

Kari McHam and Jana Vanderburg keep at it is a post from: something beautiful

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“I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals.
I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making.
I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want? I want justice-oceans of it. I want fairness-rivers of it.
That’s what I want. That’s all I want.” Amos 5:21-24

Click here to view the embedded video.

(HT ChurchCreate)

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In September, I publicly thanked Ken Silva, on my blog, for his two plugs for our podcast. I just realized I never took the chance to actually thank him here on the podcast site as well.

I know we won’t always see eye-to-eye with Ken, or many others. Even the three of us who host this podcast will not always see eye-to-eye on everything, but I hope that above all else, our love is evident to all.

I hope we spend our time, effort an energy building others up, rather than tearing them down. I hope that each time we sit down with a guest, or chat about a show, we put on love first and foremost.

And so to Ken Silva, I want to say, thanks again for continuing to raise awareness of Kingdom issues. Thanks again for your passion. May we all have a passion for Solo Dei Gloria like you do and may we always be reforming — realizing that no matter where we are on our journey — God is always reforming and bringing beauty from ashes.

“This is how God loves you. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts. And he showed it this way – by giving us his only Son. Believe that He loves you, period. That He loves you no matter what. And you will find life, now and forever.”

“And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.
It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

- jdblundell

(HT to Jonathan Brinks for the graphic and reminder)

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With the National Day of Prayer coming up (May 7), a lot of folks around the country are organizing prayer services in church sanctuaries and town halls. We’re all for getting together to say prayers — but we’re also challenged by the ways scripture stirs us to become the answer to our prayers. So we decided to start a little campaign. Here are 50 ways – some little, some bigger — that we can start to be the church we pray for. If you can join us in committing to do at least one of these things between now and May 7, consider yourself a member of the movement and share the list with your friends. Maybe we’re a little late for a national organizing committee — but, then again, maybe we don’t need one. May the Spirit spread its truth like kudzu, and may God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

1. Fast for the 2 billion people who live on less than a dollar a day.
2. Contact your local crisis pregnancy center and invite a pregnant woman to live with your family.
3. Ask your pastor if someone on your church’s sick list would like a visit.
4. Join an open AA meeting and befriend someone there.
5. Adopt a child.
6. Mow your neighbor’s grass.
7. Volunteer to tutor a kid at your local elementary school. (Try to get to know the kid’s family.)
8. Grow your own tomatoes — and share them.
9. Ask a small group in your community to meet regularly for intercessory prayer.
10. Build a wheel chair ramp for someone who is homebound.

Read the rest of the list.

UPDATED LINK :: Read the rest of the list.

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this week we share the second part of Thomas’ conversation with Adele Sakler (aka existential punk).

be sure and listen to part one if you haven’t already.

in this second part, Adele talks more about her homosexuality and her desire to be a voice of God’s love to each community she’s a part of. we also chat about labels and how we often try to define one another with them.

we realize that like many of our guests, you may not agree 100% with Adele’s theology — she realizes that as well — but we invite you to take the time to listen to Adele’s story and hear her story for yourself. take the time to hear her story and view it and her as an entire package, not just shunning her for what you may not agree with. then we welcome your thoughts and comments. drop us an e-mail or phone call and let us know what you think.

related ::
adele’s blog
adele on twitter
queermergent
the twitter convo with jonathan
tony jones at Baylor (video not yet live)

music ::
quiet village – circus of horror
dj earworm – no one takes your freedom
dave andrews – wanna
shane claiborne – dumpster divers

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I’d love to share this story at some point as part of our actual podcast but I figure — why wait? It’s already out there for everyone to listen to, download, listen, share it and talk about it. It’s worth it.

Pastor Ryan shares ::

Our God is a God of Justice and I believe once we understand that, we will no longer be okay with the things that aren’t okay…

…Another thing that’s been pressing on me lately is just how relentless God is. He wants us and He will stop at nothing to reach us. So often our arms are jammed so tightly into our sides that we won’t let Him embrace us, but He doesn’t quit. He doesn’t give up on us. Ever.

That was evident with Heather’s story as she shared it with our body last weekend.

Download the Mp3 file

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