Brennan Manning is the author of the Ragamuffin Gospel and he was also influential in the life of Rich Mullins, the writer of the song, “Our God is an Awesome God.” There are a few parts of a recording by Brennan Manning that cause me to contemplate deeply my relationship with the Lord Jesus and how genuine it really is. Today, I want to share them with you. “I am now utterly convinced that on judgment day the Lord Jesus is going to ask each of us one question and only one question: Did you believe that I loved you? That I desired you? That I waited for you day after day? That I longed to hear the sound of your voice?” “The real believers there will answer, ‘Yes, Jesus. I believed in your love and I tried to shape my life as a response to it.’ But many of us who are so faithful in our ministry, in our practice, in our church going are going to have to reply, ‘Well frankly, no sir. I mean, I never really believed it. I mean, I heard a lot of wonderful sermons and teachings about it. In fact I gave quite a few myself. But I always knew that that was just a way of speaking; a kindly lie, some Christian’s pious pat on the back to cheer me on.’ And there’s the difference between the real believers and the nominal Christians that are found in our churches across the land. No one can measure like a believer the depth and the intensity of God’s love. But at the same time, no one can measure like a believer the effectiveness of our gloom, pessimism, low self-esteem, self-hatred and despair that block God’s way to us. Do you see why it is so important to lay hold of this basic truth of our faith? Because you’re only going to be as big as your own concept of God.” Written from the Lord’s perspective hypothetically. “I have a word for you. I know your life story. I know every skeleton in your closest, I know every moment of sin and shame, dishonesty and degraded love that darkens your past. Right now, I know your shallow faith, your feeble prayer life, your inconsistent discipleship. And my word for you is this. I dare you to trust that I love you, just as you are! Not as you should be. Because none of us are as we should be.” In listening to the recordings of those words over and over I am struck to the core of my faith of where I truly am in my relationship with Him. My prayer, my goal, my desire is to Trust in, Rely on, and Cling to Jesus with all that I am and have a continual awareness of God’s presence by the power of the Holy Spirit every moment of my life for the rest of my days. Today though, I am having a difficult time comprehending the fullness of God’s love, grace, and mercy for me at any moment. I pray for all who read these words that are doing better than I am this day to be thankful for the blessing, And I am praying more so for those who are doing worse, that you realize that you are loved beyond measure. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.