Rating: 
Summary: How then do we live???
Review:
Most people who are aquainted with Brennan Manning have read The Ragamuffin Gospel. The Ragamuffin Gospel showers us with the love of God, in ways that most of us have never experienced before. In the Ragamuffin Gospel, we begin to accept ourselves, but more importantly, to accept that God truly does love and accept us as we are.
But then what? I know that I am loved by God, and I am beginning to love myself a little because of that fact. But what do I do when darkness overtakes my life, when unjust things happen, or when I become apathetic about the Christian life? This book sends us deeper into the world of a loving God, deeper into the involvement of that God in our lives. One of the main lessons I have taken from it is that if I am to trust God when things get difficult, I need to focus on His attributes daily when things are going well. The Word tells us in so many ways that God loves, protects, and sustains us, that He is attentive and aware of our needs and hardships. This book will get you thinking more about the attributes of your God.
Manning writes that we cannot will ourselves to trust God. Trusting God comes from years of learning of Him, of seeing Him act, and of reading His Word. This kind of trust is ruthless, because we begin to trust God even when the storms overtake us. It's ruthless because it appears to be crazy, and we may even feel crazy when we trust God radically.
It took me a while to get into this book. Some points seem overemphasized and go on for pages, but they are effective in the end. The concepts in this book will ring true in your spirit. You probably know them, but have never put them into words. Most of us have never been challenged to develop this kind of trust, but we have been slowly developing it as a result of our relationship with God. This book shows us what it looks like to have a living, active trust in loving Abba. It challenges us to grow faster and deeper towards abandon to that "reckless raging fury" of which Rich Mullins sings.
Rating: 
Summary: I still buy yellow bananas!
Review: Anyone out there battling fear, doubt, confusion, worry?
Are we doomed to a tiny shack in heaven far away from our disappointed Savior? Hardly, as Brennan states: "There can be no faith without doubt, no hope without anxiety, and no trust without worry." Brennan doesnt come up with any dazzling new insights but concrete nod your head reminders. Jesus doesn't give us a crystal ball to tell the future. The poor Israelites in the desert had to gather manna for each day not for the week. Day to day trust that manna would appear again. This book is very easy reading and full of stories of people Brennan has met. Written by a fellow sinner, you'll be able to relate to a lot of the battles Brennan fights each day.
" Whether we are novices beginning the journey or veterans so close to the end that we never buy green bananas, whether we be spiritual giants or midgets, the response Jesus seeks is always the same: trust"
Rating:
Summary: The "next steps" of accepting God's love
Review: Brennan Manning has written an excellent new book to complement his theme of "embracing the unconditional love of God". Ruthless Trust is eloquent and soul-gripping. Much of the material is not terribly different from his other books (particularly Ragamuffin Gospel), but it is written to address the more specific call of LIVING in uncompromising trust in God. After spending a few minutes with this book , I found my idea of God refreshed and expanded. Brennan has a contagious belief in a God who is beyond our wildest imaginations. One of the most significant ideas in this book is that "trust is our gift back to God. In fact He finds it so enchanting that He died for love of it." God as the Ageless Romancer comes alive in Brennan's writing. I've been using this book in my interactions with several people that I meet with one on one, and it has been profoundly impacting.
Rating:
Summary: Ruthless truth, rooted in Ruthless Truth
Review: Brennan Manning has written another wonderful book that challenges the Christian community to re-think its ideals, and more importantly, actions. Manning urges individuals who read this book to exist in the moment, trusting God for the grace we need for forgiveness from the sins of the past, as well as the provision we need for the demands of the future. This having been said, however, he spends much of the book talking about how it is not that simple, and is admirably unafraid to approach the dark areas and periods of his own life and the lives of those he uses as illustrations, as well as the concepts which many of his contemporaries have avoided. (How do we trust when we lose a family member, or when some other human tragedy occurs?) Manning's anecdotes about people of faith, and everyday "ragamuffins" are both inspiring and well-chosen in support of his points. This book is, necessarily, a bit more philosophical and abstract than was "The Ragamuffin Gospel", but his style is remarkably similar, and his passion unmistakably clear. Manning's words are rooted in the words of Christ; throughout the book he refers to the teachings of Jesus as the most important aspects of contemplation, maintaining that they, and His example, are the only standard worthy of emulation. This is a book well worth reading, and, like its predecessor, it is bound to cause theological controversy because of its straightforward ideas about the fundamental character of God, as well as its implications for the lives of individuals who read and seek to apply its truths.
Rating:
Summary: Ruthless truth, rooted in Ruthless Truth
Review: Brennan Manning has written another wonderful book that challenges the Christian community to re-think its ideals, and more importantly, actions. Manning urges individuals who read this book to exist in the moment, trusting God for the grace we need for forgiveness from the sins of the past, as well as the provision we need for the demands of the future. This having been said, however, he spends much of the book talking about how it is not that simple, and is admirably unafraid to approach the dark areas and periods of his own life and the lives of those he uses as illustrations, as well as the concepts which many of his contemporaries have avoided. (How do we trust when we lose a family member, or when some other human tragedy occurs?) Manning's anecdotes about people of faith, and everyday "ragamuffins" are both inspiring and well-chosen in support of his points. This book is, necessarily, a bit more philosophical and abstract than was "The Ragamuffin Gospel", but his style is remarkably similar, and his passion unmistakably clear. Manning's words are rooted in the words of Christ; throughout the book he refers to the teachings of Jesus as the most important aspects of contemplation, maintaining that they, and His example, are the only standard worthy of emulation. This is a book well worth reading, and, like its predecessor, it is bound to cause theological controversy because of its straightforward ideas about the fundamental character of God, as well as its implications for the lives of individuals who read and seek to apply its truths.
Rating:
Summary: One of Manning's Best
Review: Brennan Manning writes in Ruthless Trust that "trust is our gift back to God." Throughout the book, he identifies reasons why we may have problems trusting God and many more reasons why God is completely trustworthy. Through autobiographical accounts, stories, quotes, and by drawing from his extensive learning and his tried and tested relationship with God, Manning targets the reader's relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Manning drives the point home that we are loved unconditionally and enormously by God. He emphasizes that we are loved as we are today with all of our weaknesses, imperfections and mistakes. He writes that what gives God pleasure more than anything in creation is a believer trusting that he or she is loved. Manning's thrust encourages the reader to experience the presence of the Lord in the present. He affirms to us that we do not need to worry about the past or fret the future because our Soul's Sufficiency is with us in the now. One of the obstacles to trusting God that people face, says Manning, is that we have a distorted perception of God. In this book, he presents a true image of the welcoming, gentle God who died on the cross to be with us. Manning attacks some of the false images of God that have been presented by the religious over the years. At one point in the book, he summarizes his belief regarding this distortion of God's image: Thirty-seven years of pastoral experience with Catholics, mainline Protestants, evangelicals, fundamentalists, Seventh Day Adventists, blacks, whites, Asians, and Hispanics tell me unmistakably that many a believer's perception of God is radically wrong. (72) Manning effectively leads the reader to comprehension of a true image of our God. The God Manning writes about draws us into his presence daily with love and kindness. Another problem that Manning addresses is the plague of low self-esteem among Christians. He argues that low self-esteem keeps Christians wallowing in guilt and shame and prevents the full acceptance of Christ's redemption. Manning also decries the tone of low self-esteem and insecurity that often underlies religious messages. He shares how such messages condemn listeners and push them from intimacy with the Lord: From personal experience I can testify that the language of low self-esteem is harsh and demanding; it abuses, accuses, rejects, finds fault, blames, condemns, reproaches, and scolds in a monologue of impatience and chastisement. (16) Unfortunately, many Christians, like Manning, have been the object of such assaults that lead to self-analysis and doubt in our righteousness in Christ. Manning writes that such messages are in sharp contrast to the words of life continually coming from God. Manning doesn't imply that Christians should ignore sins; rather, he strives to help us acknowledge our flaws and brokenness, so that we can confess our sins and accept ourselves as Christ does-without condemnation or accusation but with gladness of heart. He points out that in too many cases in the North American church our obsession with self has led to self-hatred. His words in this book lead us from self-consciousness to God-consciousness. As we turn to God and gain an accurate image of him, we learn that we can trust him through joy and through trials. I think for all earnest readers, the end result of reading Ruthless Trust will be a stronger willingness and desire to trust God. Through the process of reading the book, readers will find themselves being drawn into the intimacy of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that is an outcome to be celebrated.
Rating:
Summary: One of Manning's Best
Review: Brennan Manning writes in Ruthless Trust that "trust is our gift back to God." Throughout the book, he identifies reasons why we may have problems trusting God and many more reasons why God is completely trustworthy. Through autobiographical accounts, stories, quotes, and by drawing from his extensive learning and his tried and tested relationship with God, Manning targets the reader's relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Manning drives the point home that we are loved unconditionally and enormously by God. He emphasizes that we are loved as we are today with all of our weaknesses, imperfections and mistakes. He writes that what gives God pleasure more than anything in creation is a believer trusting that he or she is loved. Manning's thrust encourages the reader to experience the presence of the Lord in the present. He affirms to us that we do not need to worry about the past or fret the future because our Soul's Sufficiency is with us in the now. One of the obstacles to trusting God that people face, says Manning, is that we have a distorted perception of God. In this book, he presents a true image of the welcoming, gentle God who died on the cross to be with us. Manning attacks some of the false images of God that have been presented by the religious over the years. At one point in the book, he summarizes his belief regarding this distortion of God's image: Thirty-seven years of pastoral experience with Catholics, mainline Protestants, evangelicals, fundamentalists, Seventh Day Adventists, blacks, whites, Asians, and Hispanics tell me unmistakably that many a believer's perception of God is radically wrong. (72) Manning effectively leads the reader to comprehension of a true image of our God. The God Manning writes about draws us into his presence daily with love and kindness. Another problem that Manning addresses is the plague of low self-esteem among Christians. He argues that low self-esteem keeps Christians wallowing in guilt and shame and prevents the full acceptance of Christ's redemption. Manning also decries the tone of low self-esteem and insecurity that often underlies religious messages. He shares how such messages condemn listeners and push them from intimacy with the Lord: From personal experience I can testify that the language of low self-esteem is harsh and demanding; it abuses, accuses, rejects, finds fault, blames, condemns, reproaches, and scolds in a monologue of impatience and chastisement. (16) Unfortunately, many Christians, like Manning, have been the object of such assaults that lead to self-analysis and doubt in our righteousness in Christ. Manning writes that such messages are in sharp contrast to the words of life continually coming from God. Manning doesn't imply that Christians should ignore sins; rather, he strives to help us acknowledge our flaws and brokenness, so that we can confess our sins and accept ourselves as Christ does-without condemnation or accusation but with gladness of heart. He points out that in too many cases in the North American church our obsession with self has led to self-hatred. His words in this book lead us from self-consciousness to God-consciousness. As we turn to God and gain an accurate image of him, we learn that we can trust him through joy and through trials. I think for all earnest readers, the end result of reading Ruthless Trust will be a stronger willingness and desire to trust God. Through the process of reading the book, readers will find themselves being drawn into the intimacy of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that is an outcome to be celebrated.
Rating:
Summary: IMPACT
Review: Brennan Manning, a simple message, and a good book. God loves us, no matter what we do, or do not do. Brennan hammers this theme home in many of his books, and this book is no exception. This book made the trip with me to LA from Minneapolis and was a quick read that required a lot of contemplation after the reading was done. Do I have a ruthless trust in God? Will I let God into my life fully? These are questions Brennan demands that we ask. This book is a great part of any spiritual journey. Manning is an honest man, and his heart shines through this work. I have never had the privelege of hearing him speak in person, but I know if he speaks anything like he writes, it would be great.
Rating:
Summary: Clear
Review: Brennan Manning, a simple message, and a good book. God loves us, no matter what we do, or do not do. Brennan hammers this theme home in many of his books, and this book is no exception. This book made the trip with me to LA from Minneapolis and was a quick read that required a lot of contemplation after the reading was done. Do I have a ruthless trust in God? Will I let God into my life fully? These are questions Brennan demands that we ask. This book is a great part of any spiritual journey. Manning is an honest man, and his heart shines through this work. I have never had the privelege of hearing him speak in person, but I know if he speaks anything like he writes, it would be great.
Rating:
Summary: Mallowcups for the Muffin Man
Review: I always get more things than what I expect from Brennan Manning's books, surprising things, good things. "Ruthless Trust" came to me at so exactly the right time it makes me laugh. Richard Foster says this book is timely, and so it is. It was so for me. I enjoy the way Brennan refuses to use the didactic approach for his teachings. He makes the reader comfy, non-threatened, at home. While I had to put on my sunglasses round about chapter four (he nearly lost me on a big bright ocean of transcendence), he pulled me back again with things like, "Nevertheless, we are made for that which is too big for us. We are made for God, and nothing else will ever satisfy us." Ain't that the truth. No one can make us more mad or happy than God. Brennan uses phrases like "maelstrom of mercy" and "ruthless trust", juxtaposed words that delight me. His take on trust reminds me of something Elie Wiesel said, in quoting someone else, that to know God is to take yourself to the top of a smoking volcano and throw yourself in. What I got from Brennan's latest is that trust is very like that: you have to look at bubbling lava and holler Geronimo. Doesn't it say somewhere that God is a consuming fire? Yes, and fear burns at the leap. Hope, the springboard; faith, the Geronimo; trust, the waiting comfort. Thanks, Brennan. I'd share a Mallowcup with you.
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