The suggestion was made to me the other day that I might want to change my email address to something more professional-looking. First initial, last name, special server perhaps. It definitely would be sharper, cleaner, less obnoxious to have to spell out for shop clerks, especially. I’m pondering that thought, trying to determine if it’s worth giving up a tremendous conversation starter.
My email address, other than the official church one, is ragamuffinjulie@gmail.com. “Ragamuffin” always raised a grin or an eyebrow. It makes a connection first-off with those familiar with Brennan Manning’s classic Christian book, “The Ragamuffin Gospel.” In it, Brennan talks about the human plight, being honest with ourselves and reminding us that as rough and tumble as we all are (and we ALL are), there is One who loves us most. And that One is everything Who matters.
The most fun, of course, is addressing the raised eyebrows, because I can talk all about the love God has for all God’s Beloveds especially when we aren’t feeling so beloved. It’s an accessible, non-threatening (read non-Bible-thumping) way to expose someone to the Gospel of love from someone who’s been there and lives there, warts and all.
I don’t suspect I’ll be giving up my borrowed title any time soon. But if you’re curious, you might want to read the intro to Brennan’s book, and even pick up a copy for yourself. I’d let you borrow mine, but it apparently has grown legs and walked out of my office. Time to order a new one, I reckon… But here’s the introduction, if you’re interested:
“The Ragamuffin Gospel was written with a specific reading audience in mind: This book is not for the super-spiritual. It is not for muscular Christians who have made John Wayne and not Jesus their hero. It is not for academicians who would imprison Jesus in the ivory tower of exegesis. It is not for noisy, feel-good folks who manipulate Christianity into a naked appeal to emotion. It is not for hooded mystics who want magic in their religion. It is not for Alleluia Christians who live only on the mountaintop and have never visited the valley of desolation. It is not for the fearless and the tearless. It is not for red-hot zealots who boast with the rich young ruler of the gospels: ‘All these commandments I have kept from my youth.’ It is not for the complacent, hoisting over their shoulder a tote-bag of honors, diplomas, and good works actually believing they have it made. It is not for legalists who would rather surrender control of their souls to rules than run the risk of living in union with Jesus.
“If anyone is still reading along, The Ragamuffin Gospel was written for the bedraggled, beat-up, and burnt-out. It is for the sorely burdened who are still shifting the heavy suitcase from one hand to the other. It is for the wobbly and weak-kneed who know they don’t have it altogether and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace. It is for inconsistent, unsteady disciples whose cheese is falling off their cracker. It is for poor, weak, sinful men and women with hereditary faults and limited talents. It is for earthen vessels who shuffle along on feet of clay. It is for the bent and the bruised who feel that their lives are a grave disappointment to God. It is for smart people who know they are stupid and honest disciples who admit they are scalawags. The Ragamuffin Gospel is a book I wrote for myself and anyone who has grown weary along the Way.”
That’s my view today, and I’m sticking to it for life.
Grace and joy,
Julie
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