Fallen Angel Ragmuffin

Since this past New Year's Eve I have been struggling with an injured knee that became staph infected.  I was hastily sent to the hospital for surgery that would need to be followed up with an IV pump for six weeks and numerous physical therapy sessions.  Since I was so focused on my pain and recovery it seemed my other human frailties vanished.  But as my health improved, the old battles returned and I would have to say I have been somewhat disappointed with myself, much like a smoker who quit smoking due to a long hospital stay but later returns to his old habit.

At the bottom of page 31 of THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL, Brennan says:

     "Often I've been asked, 'Brennan, how is it possible that you became an alcoholic after you got saved?'  It is possible because I got battered and bruised by loneliness and failure, because I got discouraged, uncertain, guilt ridden, and took my eyes off of Jesus.  Because the Christ-encounter did not transfigure me into an angel. Because justification by grace through faith means I have been set in right relationship with God, not made the equivalent of a patient etherized on a table."

I guess that makes me a fallen angel ragamuffin.  No, just a plain old every day garden variety ragamuffin.