Imagine a stormy day at sea, your ship yielding to a relentless wind, pummeled by crashing waves, subject to the awesome force of nature. A force that is both fierce and majestic. A power that is nothing short of furious. Such is God's intense, consuming love for His children. It's a love that knows no limits and no boundaries. A love that will go to any lengths, and take any risks, to pursue us.
Renowned author and ragamuffin Brennan Manning presents a love story for the brokenhearted. For those who are burdened by heavy religion. For those who feel they can never measure up. It is a provocative and poignant look at the radical, no-holds-barred love of our Heavenly Father.
I've lost track of how many of Manning's books I've read, but I agree with Mark Batterson's opening sentence of the Foreword: "If Brennan Manning writes it, I'm going to read it." I also agree with something else Batterson wrote: "To say that Brennan Manning has blazed new trails in this book would not be true. He has not. But to say that Brennan Manning is attempting once more to plow up the hardened ground of our hearts, now that would be a true statement."
I highlighted a smattering of quotes throughout the book (not the least of which is "God loves me as much as He loves Jesus. Wow!") but the penultimate chapter ("Giving") is worth the price of the whole thing. Read the November 18 edition of Truth Is... if you want a sample.
First line: I'm Brennan. I'm an alcoholic.
Page 56, Line 5: And let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful.
Last line: Or, with radical amazement, I can stay on deck and boldly stand in surrendered faith to the truth of my belovedness, caught up in the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God. And learn to pray.
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