Imagine that Jesus is calling you today. He extends a second invitation to accept His Fathers love. And maybe you answer Oh I know that. Its old hat.And God answers No thats what you dont know. You dont know how much I love you. The moment you think you understand is the moment you do not understand. I am God not man. You tell others about Me - your words are glib. My words are written in the blood of My only Son. The next time you preach about My love with such obnoxious familiarity I may come and blow your whole prayer meeting apart.Did you know that every time you tell Me you love Me I say thank you

For Ragamuffins Gods name is Mercy. We see our darkness as a prized possession because it drives us into the heart of God. Without mercy our darkness would plunge us into despair - for some self-destruction. Time alone with God reveals the unfathomable depths of the poverty of the spirit. We are so poor that even our poverty is not our own It belongs to the mysterium tremendum of a loving God.

As we come to grips with our own selfishness and stupidity we make friends with the impostor and accept that we are impoverished and broken and realize that if we were not we would be God. The art of gentleness toward ourselves leads to being gentle with others -- and is a natural prerequisite for our presence to God in prayer.