Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I am a bundle of paradoxes

There’s a touch of vanity in even the holiest of men and women. They see no reason to deny it. And they know that reality bites back if it isn’t respected. When I get honest, I admit that I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and I get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and still play games. Aristotle said I am a rational animal; I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer. To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side, I learn who I am and what God’s grace means. As Thomas Merton put it, “A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.” The gospel of grace nullifies our adulation of televangelists, charismatic superstars, and local church heroes. It obliterates the two-class citizenship theory operative in many American churches. For grace proclaims the awesome truth that all is gift. All that is good is ours, not by right, but by the sheer bounty of a gracious God. - Brennan Manning

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bino,
Ah...this is excellent. I just recently read "Finding God," by Brennan Manning and plan on buying more of his books in the future. Great stuff.

I love the snippet you placed here. Such truth. I am a bundle of paradoxes too. Thank goodness, however, Papa is working in my heart and life to make my True Spirit-Filled New Heart stronger, while my Old Dark Heart is gradually dying.

I love this particular part of Manning's passage:
"As Thomas Merton put it, 'A saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.'"

Amen!

~Amy :)
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Bino,
Amy again here. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Blessings on your special day! How do you plan to celebrate??
~Amy :)

Bino M. said...

Thank You, Amy!
No plans of celebration other than the normal cake cutting :)
It is one thing that God blessed me tremendously the year passed, but it's another thing that I am one more year old! I am still in my 20's in my mind, the reality is hard to acknowledge :)

Craig Glenn said...

Gee...i l like this Brennan guy!!

Bino M. said...

Craig, me too.