Brennan Manning (1934 – 2013) was an ordained Franciscan priest and author.  He said this:

“I want neither a terrorist spirituality that keeps me in a perpetual state of fright about being in a right relationship with my Heavenly Father, nor a sappy spirituality that portrays God as such a benign teddy bear that there is no aberrant behaviour or desire of mine that He will not condone”.

“I want a relationship with the Abba of Jesus who is infinitely compassionate with my brokenness and at the same time an awesome, incomprehensible, and unwieldy mystery” 

Daring to trust that Jesus loves us as we are, NOT as we should be means accepting what He says and living life responding to His love for us.

The video below is a challenge to us about the love Jesus has for each of us:

For more on Brennan Manning

Living as sons and daughters

A reminder that we have Winette Hubregtse with us for a day conference at Birdgnorth Baptist Church.   As part of Fatherheart Ministries, Winette is involved in teaching on Fatherheart schools and conferences in Europe and East Africa.  She is well worth hearing and we encourage you to come along to hear her speak.

We are excited to welcome Winette, who lives in the Nertherlands.  For more information about the conference click here

Coffee and Welcome 10:00am.

Henri Nouwen  from his book  “Bread for the journey”

“ When our broken love is the only love we can have, we are easily thrown into despair, but when we can live our broken love as a partial reflection of God’s perfect, unconditional love, we can forgive one another our limitations and enjoy the love we have to offer “.  

“God’s love for us is everlasting. That means that God’s love existed before we were born and will exist after we have died. It is an eternal love in which we are embraced. Living a spiritual life calls us to claim that eternal love for ourselves so that we can live our temporal loves – for parents, brothers, sisters, teachers, friends, spouses, and all people who become part of our lives – as reflections or refractions of God’s eternal love. No fathers or mothers can love their children perfectly. No husbands or wives can love each other with unlimited love. There is no human love that is not broken somewhere”.

Henri Nouwen was an internationally renowned priest and author, respected professor and beloved pastor who wrote 39 books on the spiritual life. He corresponded regularly in English, Dutch, German, French and Spanish with hundreds of friends and reached out to thousands through his Eucharistic celebrations, lectures and retreats. Since his death in 1996, ever-increasing numbers of readers, writers, teachers and seekers have been guided by his literary legacy. Nouwen’s books have sold over 8 million copies and been published in over 28 languages.

For more visit the Henri Nouwen Society website