The Ragamuffin Gospel...

i recently started going through a book with a student...it's a book i read quite a while ago. The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning. it is a fantastic book. honestly, i had forgotten just how good it was. it has been great just to read through the first three chapters again.

here's an amazing paragraph i read this morning:

"If we maintain the open-mindedness of children, we challenge fixed ideas and established structures, including our own. We listen to people in other denominations and religions. We don't find demons in those with who we disagree. We don't cozy up to people who mouth our jargon. If we are open, we rarely resort to either-or: either creation or evolution, liberty or law, sacred or secular, Beethoven or Madonna. We focus on both-and, fully aware that God's truth cannot be imprisoned in a small definition. Of course, the open mind does not accept everything indiscriminately - Marxism and capitalism, Christianity and atheism, love and lust, Moet Chandon and vinegar. It does not absorb all propositions equally like a sponge; nor is it as soft. But the open mind realizes that reality, truth, and Jesus Christ are incredibly open-ended."

there is so much in this paragraph that inspires me and gets me pondering.

i love the idea of having the open-mindedness and teachable spirit of a child. i want to see the world and people that way, every single day!

i also love the way he talks about the "both-and" mentality. it is so true. i have a great friend and mentor that talks often about the christian life being like a paradox. a paradox is two things that are true at the same time that don't seem like they can both be true. like a coin standing up on it's side. it is a beautiful, perfect, and challenging illustration of what we are called to as Christ followers!

if i can daily strive to have an open-mind, a teachable spirit, and a both-and mentality, i think i will be pleased with both where i am and where i am going.

what thoughts does that paragraph prompt in you?