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The World as I Remember It: Through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin
Rich Mullins was more than a musician. He was a poet and thinker who left behind a timeless legacy. As a columnist for Release magazine for nearly six years, Rich shared his musings on faith and life, conveying the wonder and awesomeness of his God with the same depth and simplicity that characterized his music. The World As I Remember It is a collection of these personal writings, complemented by striking photography and some of Rich's most memorable quotations. This one-of-a-kind collection will be cherished not only by his fans, but by anyone who appreciates fresh, deep spiritual nourishment.
Rich Mullins was more than a musician. He was a poet and thinker who left a legacy of deep gratitude, humility, and delight before the dace of an awesome God. Here you'll find a treasury of Rich's engaging, intimate reflections on faith and life. Revealing the spiritual meaning behind the simplest events, Rich muses about subjects ranging from fear to contentment, childlikeness to emptiness, from war to music. This is a feast for anyone who appreciates fresh, deep spiritual nourishment. As you savor the arresting ideas of one of modern Christianity's most ardent pilgrims, you'll find your adoration focused on your Creator, Redeemer, and Inpirer.
Story Behind the Book
For nearly six years, Rich shared his thoughts about faith and life through his columns in Release magazine. When his first column was published in the spring of 1991, the editors introduced him this "Rich not only has a lot to say…he also has a unique way of saying it. And although Mr. Mullins could easily fit into that intellectual bohemian-type category (we’re sure he could hold his own in a discussion with any theologian or philosopher of old), most often, his message is a straightforward call back to the principles of faith. He’s a poet, a scholar, a gentleman, and yes, just a little bit off-center. But that’s why we like him, and are pleased to welcome Rich to Release with this regular column.
We trust you’ll love him and what he has to say as much as we do…" Rich had a way with words, and a collection of his writings seems an appropriate tribute to a man who has been referred to as "the greatest songwriter of our time."
Rich Mullins was more than a musician. He was a poet and thinker who left a legacy of deep gratitude, humility, and delight before the dace of an awesome God. Here you'll find a treasury of Rich's engaging, intimate reflections on faith and life. Revealing the spiritual meaning behind the simplest events, Rich muses about subjects ranging from fear to contentment, childlikeness to emptiness, from war to music. This is a feast for anyone who appreciates fresh, deep spiritual nourishment. As you savor the arresting ideas of one of modern Christianity's most ardent pilgrims, you'll find your adoration focused on your Creator, Redeemer, and Inpirer.
Story Behind the Book
For nearly six years, Rich shared his thoughts about faith and life through his columns in Release magazine. When his first column was published in the spring of 1991, the editors introduced him this "Rich not only has a lot to say…he also has a unique way of saying it. And although Mr. Mullins could easily fit into that intellectual bohemian-type category (we’re sure he could hold his own in a discussion with any theologian or philosopher of old), most often, his message is a straightforward call back to the principles of faith. He’s a poet, a scholar, a gentleman, and yes, just a little bit off-center. But that’s why we like him, and are pleased to welcome Rich to Release with this regular column.
We trust you’ll love him and what he has to say as much as we do…" Rich had a way with words, and a collection of his writings seems an appropriate tribute to a man who has been referred to as "the greatest songwriter of our time."
160 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2004
48 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
Rich Mullins
16 books73 followersRich Mullins was a musician whose well-known songs include "Awesome God" and "Step by Step." As a teenager, he wrote songs while driving a tractor on his father's farm in Indiana. In 1995, after receiving his degree in music education, Rich moved to a reservation near Window Rock, Arizona, to teach music to Navajo children. Rich Mullins died in a car accident September 19, 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
August 23, 2022
2022:
I've spent a large part of this summer revisiting my favorites by Rich Mullins. Just to catch everyone up, Rich was a Christian singer/songwriter/musician in the 80s and 90s and died in a car accident 25 years ago. This book is a collection of 25 brief articles that he wrote for a magazine in the early 90s.
You know when you have fond memories of a book (or movie or place or whatever) and wonder how much your impression would change if you went back, reread, revisited? This book sat on my bookshelf for nearly 10 years in between reads, and I often wondered, "is it as good as I remember?"
I've found I prefer my heroes dead. A dead hero isn't going to make a new political statement or tweet something iffy or be caught in a scandal. Not that the dead are perfect. Or that we can't learn the hard past about someone once they're gone. I was 12 when Rich died. I loved his music when he was alive, but once he died it felt like a treasure hunt. What did Rich leave behind for me to find? What lyric do I not yet know?
I remember many lonely days, his lyrics cycling on repeat in my mind. A reminder that all my feelings weren't just mine. That it was more than ok for Christians to ask hard questions. That faith is hard and weakness is normal. That discontentment is good, that home is waiting.
These articles are the words I wish I could write. They give me hope that one day something I say might have as profound an impact on someone as Rich's words have had on my life. They are wrestling, they are abiding, they are not pretentious, they are not comfortable.
"And so, God, being good still, is doing what He does, doing what I can't do and undoing what I have done."
Was it as good as I remembered? No. There were moments that made me more uncomfortable and moments that encouraged me more. Ten years ago I made very few marks in my books; now I underline and circle and annotate with abandon.
Rich Mullins saw the fingerprints of God in all things because he already knew what they looked like.
Rich pointed to Jesus in all things because that is where his gazed was fixed.
May my gaze be so fixed, my eyesight so keen, my heart so soft, my words so deep.
2013:
Excellent. Rich wrote a column for Release magazine for many years; this book is largely a compilation of those articles. He was brief and poignant, understood people and scripture very well. I thought learning more about him might make me like him less, but it only grew my admiration.
P. 49: So, let us press on with no faith in our own understanding and nothing but faith in the truth that is too great to be diminished by our feeble minds and too great not to transform us. Salvation comes from God not from our cleverness. The Bible is a very great book. Let us submit to it so God made to the great work making us into the great people.
P. 57: We walk by faith and not by sight--not because we are blind, but because faith gives us the courage to face our fears and puts those fears in a context that makes them less frightful. We walk by faith and not by sight because there are places to go that cannot be seen and the scope of our vision is too small for our strides. Status not a denial of facts--it is a broadening focus. It does not deny the hardness of guitar strings, it plucks them into the sweetness of sound.
I've spent a large part of this summer revisiting my favorites by Rich Mullins. Just to catch everyone up, Rich was a Christian singer/songwriter/musician in the 80s and 90s and died in a car accident 25 years ago. This book is a collection of 25 brief articles that he wrote for a magazine in the early 90s.
You know when you have fond memories of a book (or movie or place or whatever) and wonder how much your impression would change if you went back, reread, revisited? This book sat on my bookshelf for nearly 10 years in between reads, and I often wondered, "is it as good as I remember?"
I've found I prefer my heroes dead. A dead hero isn't going to make a new political statement or tweet something iffy or be caught in a scandal. Not that the dead are perfect. Or that we can't learn the hard past about someone once they're gone. I was 12 when Rich died. I loved his music when he was alive, but once he died it felt like a treasure hunt. What did Rich leave behind for me to find? What lyric do I not yet know?
I remember many lonely days, his lyrics cycling on repeat in my mind. A reminder that all my feelings weren't just mine. That it was more than ok for Christians to ask hard questions. That faith is hard and weakness is normal. That discontentment is good, that home is waiting.
These articles are the words I wish I could write. They give me hope that one day something I say might have as profound an impact on someone as Rich's words have had on my life. They are wrestling, they are abiding, they are not pretentious, they are not comfortable.
"And so, God, being good still, is doing what He does, doing what I can't do and undoing what I have done."
Was it as good as I remembered? No. There were moments that made me more uncomfortable and moments that encouraged me more. Ten years ago I made very few marks in my books; now I underline and circle and annotate with abandon.
Rich Mullins saw the fingerprints of God in all things because he already knew what they looked like.
Rich pointed to Jesus in all things because that is where his gazed was fixed.
May my gaze be so fixed, my eyesight so keen, my heart so soft, my words so deep.
2013:
Excellent. Rich wrote a column for Release magazine for many years; this book is largely a compilation of those articles. He was brief and poignant, understood people and scripture very well. I thought learning more about him might make me like him less, but it only grew my admiration.
P. 49: So, let us press on with no faith in our own understanding and nothing but faith in the truth that is too great to be diminished by our feeble minds and too great not to transform us. Salvation comes from God not from our cleverness. The Bible is a very great book. Let us submit to it so God made to the great work making us into the great people.
P. 57: We walk by faith and not by sight--not because we are blind, but because faith gives us the courage to face our fears and puts those fears in a context that makes them less frightful. We walk by faith and not by sight because there are places to go that cannot be seen and the scope of our vision is too small for our strides. Status not a denial of facts--it is a broadening focus. It does not deny the hardness of guitar strings, it plucks them into the sweetness of sound.
November 10, 2021
Yes, it took me way too long to finish this little book. My boyfriend lent it to me and I finished just before we celebrated two months of marriage. Calk it up to me being very busy and the fact I always have a harder time reading collections of articles than anything else.
Rich Mullins was an extremely gifted songwriter but also wrote these articles with the same skill. In a few words, he masterfully conveyed big concepts in both poetic and simple language.
I'm looking forward to diving deeper into my husband's collection of Mullis' music as well as reading more about this man.
Rich Mullins was an extremely gifted songwriter but also wrote these articles with the same skill. In a few words, he masterfully conveyed big concepts in both poetic and simple language.
I'm looking forward to diving deeper into my husband's collection of Mullis' music as well as reading more about this man.
May 14, 2010
"The World as I Remember It" is basically a collection of essays, written by songwriter Rich Mullins, reflecting on life and faith. Anyone who has found Mullins' songwriting style captivating or moving will likely enjoy the essays in this collection. As his songs indicate, Rich Mullins is able to take a theological concept (however complex), relate it to real life, and share that process in an engaging manner. The essays are written in a very approachable manner -- reading them is like sitting down with Mullins, a cup of coffee, and just listening to a story.
March 17, 2008
A treasury of Rich's engaging, intimate reflections on faith and life. You'll find yourself continually focused on the Creator, Redeemer and Inspirer of Life... we serve an Awesome God!
April 5, 2008
A collection of writings from Rich Mullins, an extraordinary poet and story teller. He was my favorite song writer before he passed away. This book is a real treasure.
July 11, 2009
Beautiful words. Heartfelt. Truth.
very touching. I found myself wanting to read a chapter to every one I met.
very touching. I found myself wanting to read a chapter to every one I met.
September 13, 2010
‘A book to remember the writer/poet, Rich Mullins, with exceptional photography”
A collection of articles for RELEASE Magazine written by Rich Mullins and including some beautiful photos by Ben Pearson make The World as I Remember It: Through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin a book to keep in your personal library on the shelf reserved for those ‘special’ books.
Though the articles are all online at kidbrothers.net, having them in one book collection is good for those times you want to read the about the writer/poet Rich Mullins, not just the singer/songwriter.
What’s inside? Here is a list of quotes:
From The Way We Were -
“And if the cross is more than a symbol (and it is), and if grace is more than a sentiment (and, thank God, it is), if Jesus Christ is really God’s revelation of Himself and not the product of human imagination (and He is), then we will become the children we once were and must become again.”
From Making/Being Made
“Of course, what we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will – if we let it – make of us.”
From His Master’s Voice
“If I loved my Master like my dog loves his, I would be more saintly than John the Divine … more radical than John the Baptizer … more deeply devoted than St. John of the Cross.”
I can’t begin to tell you how much I admire Rich Mullins work and compiling a list of praises almost seems distasteful to his memory. It would’ve almost insulted him to hear such praises. But I can praise the work God did through the man. You will find a sampling of his mindset as you read these articles.
For those who want the view of Christianity from an ordinary but astounding perspective, I recommend this book for the word and the photos. For the admirers of Rich Mullins work, I am sure you already have a copy.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: The Vessel Project
A collection of articles for RELEASE Magazine written by Rich Mullins and including some beautiful photos by Ben Pearson make The World as I Remember It: Through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin a book to keep in your personal library on the shelf reserved for those ‘special’ books.
Though the articles are all online at kidbrothers.net, having them in one book collection is good for those times you want to read the about the writer/poet Rich Mullins, not just the singer/songwriter.
What’s inside? Here is a list of quotes:
From The Way We Were -
“And if the cross is more than a symbol (and it is), and if grace is more than a sentiment (and, thank God, it is), if Jesus Christ is really God’s revelation of Himself and not the product of human imagination (and He is), then we will become the children we once were and must become again.”
From Making/Being Made
“Of course, what we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will – if we let it – make of us.”
From His Master’s Voice
“If I loved my Master like my dog loves his, I would be more saintly than John the Divine … more radical than John the Baptizer … more deeply devoted than St. John of the Cross.”
I can’t begin to tell you how much I admire Rich Mullins work and compiling a list of praises almost seems distasteful to his memory. It would’ve almost insulted him to hear such praises. But I can praise the work God did through the man. You will find a sampling of his mindset as you read these articles.
For those who want the view of Christianity from an ordinary but astounding perspective, I recommend this book for the word and the photos. For the admirers of Rich Mullins work, I am sure you already have a copy.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: The Vessel Project
January 21, 2008
This book shows a little about Rich and what he did with life along with a collection of his articles/thoughts/reflections. Rich died a sudden and tragic death in an auto accident, he thought his work as a Christian music (most “famous” for the song, Our God Is An Awesome God) was not yet finished, but instead the Lord called him home. I enjoyed the deep thoughts on theology, although not really on theology, but really just on the relationship of man and God. Simple, yet profound.
March 27, 2016
Before reading this, I knew very little about Rich Mullins other than that he wrote "Awesome God" and that he died in a car accident in 1997. This book is proof that he will live on, not only via his songs, but via his other writings as well, some of which are compiled here.
February 16, 2021
Been going through the bookshelves to get rid of a bunch of clutter. Saw this book and remembered reading it years ago. Decided to read it again before donating to the neighborhood book box. Absolutely enjoy Rich Mullin's music and his book matched the message of his songs...Jesus! One chapter speculated he may have been a modern-day prophet. Not in the sense of what we would think, especially about Old Testament prophets preaching doom and gloom if we don't repent. Rich Mullins simply spoke the truth through his music; truth that is unpopular and seeminly unwanted because it isn't what we want to hear. He and those like him don't necessarily fit in the day and age in which they are born. I took great comfort in this because I feel like living out the Truth (Jesus) makes me a target of ridicule. At any rate, please read this book. You will be exposed to thinking that isn't packaged the way the world would have it.
September 22, 2019
I didn't intend to time this reading to coincide with the anniversary of Rich's death, but I'm glad it worked out that way, because this collection of his columns for Release Magazine really showcases some of his unique and encouraging perspectives on spirituality. In his words I see a faithfulness that coexists with an inability to stay in one place spiritually -- calling readers and listeners back to our roots while questioning some of our common assumptions about God and faith.
The book also includes a bio of Rich and his musical career, as well as some quotes and factoids at the end.
The book also includes a bio of Rich and his musical career, as well as some quotes and factoids at the end.
June 13, 2021
I have eagerly eaten up any of Rich’s words since fully falling for his music as a young teen. My appreciation for his legacy has only increased as I’ve aged and his music like a fine wine has aged to perfectly. This book is a collection of articles he wrote for Release magazine all the way up to 1996, the years before his untimely death in 1997. His thoughts on life, love, and the divine leave an ache in my heart and a lump in my throat. He is missed, but his words live on to inspire and encourage. This is a short, though profound read for fans of Mullins and deeply devotional thoughts. Great book!
January 23, 2022
Five-star content hindered by an interior design that sets dark-gray text on lighter-gray pages with erroneous margins (a few chopped words are the worst of it). This is a lovely collection of Rich Mullins's magazine column, a "tour scrapbook," black-and-white reproduced photos, and insightful words from those who knew him.
April 30, 2025
great cell group read
November 8, 2017
Many, many nuggets of truth in this little book. "Faith is not a denial of facts -- it is a broadening of focus. It does not deny the hardness of guitar strings, it plucks them into a sweetness of sound." Thankful for this written word of stories behind the songs of the artist.
August 22, 2017
I miss Rich Mullins.
February 10, 2018
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, but I knew Rich Mullins wrote it, so I wanted to read it.
It turns out that this book is a collection of articles that Rich wrote for Release Magazine, between 1991 and 1996. Because of that, there is little continuity, as Rich seemed to be writing whatever was on his mind.
It begins with a welcome by Rich's manager, Jim Dunning. This is followed by "A brief glimpse into the life and music of Rich Mullins." I'm not sure who wrote that bit. One thing that struck me in this section was Rich's belief in the connections during communion. "He said if we believe in the communion of the saints, then it is not only communion with the saints that are still in the Body, but also with the saints of old." it's one of the reasons that Rich loved singing the old hymns that people have sung for generations.
The book proceeds from there to the articles, which are grouped chronologically. Rich writes about faith and life, in various scenarios. There are many topics, but all fit into the scope of how faith and life work together. I'll provide some quotes that I highlighted while reading.
"I am a Christian, not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity to me, but because there were people who were willing to be nuts and bolts, who through their explanation of it, held it together so that I could experience it and be compelled by it to obey."
"And Jesus Christ is, for me, the evidence of God's unreasonable and unsolicited attentiveness, His unearned favor, His incomprehensible love."
Concerning the faith we had when we were children: "When we were little, we gave ourselves over to faith. Now we are big, and too heavy to rise above our own understanding.
"When we were kids we sang for the joy of singing, we colored and cut and pasted for the fun of doing it. We ran for the love of running and laughed and got scared and saw the world as a real place full of real dangers and real beauty and real rights and wrongs."
I love this one: "Faith is not a denial of facts--it is a broadening of focus. It does not deny the hardness of guitar strings, it plucks them into a sweetness of sound."
"I hope you see the faithfulness of God in everything He has made. I hope you learn to trust that all of this is His care sworn to you. But mostly, I hope you know Jesus through whom God has wildly and ferociously loved us. I hope you know and that you become sacramental to your neighbor who God also loves passionately. I hope you leave them little doubt about His love and the victory Jesus won over hate and death."
"Don't stop reading. Don't stop listening. There are many things that are too amazing for all of us, many more that empower us beyond what we can understand." (I will never stop reading, and if I go blind, I will listen to audiobooks.)
"But, if we still ourselves, if we let Him calm us, focus us, equip us for the day, He will remind us of our Father's prodigal generosity and about the pitiful weakness of greedy men. He will remind us (as He reminded the devil) that 'Man does not live by bread alone,' though He may call us (as He called His first disciples) to give bread to the hungry (presumably because man cannot live long without bread). He will remind us about the cares that burden common people, the illusions that blind those the world calls 'lucky,' and the crippling effects of worry. He will give us hope--hope that stretches us (where worry bent us) and faith--faith that sustains us (where greed smothered us) and love--love that is at the bottom of our deepest desires, the loss of which is at the root of all our fears."
"How is it that we can accept that Moses saw a bush that burned and was not consumed, yet we doubt that God can love in a rage and never cool?"
And finally, Rich quoting his uncle's response to his determination to live a life of poverty (and I'm sure that Dallas Willard would agree): "If you're really concerned about the poor, becoming poor isn't going to help them, it's just going to ease your own conscience. If you're really concerned about the poor, go out and make a fortune and spend it on them."
Rich Mullins was, still is, one of my life heroes. I'm thankful that I got to see him twice in a concert setting. Both times, as many others have experienced, he came out on stage in a white t-shirt, blue jean shorts, and barefoot. Both times, he quietly left the stage at the end of the "show" while the audience worshiped, singing "Step by Step."
There will never be another Rich Mullins. Nor does there need to be. We already have one. God decided that he needed Rich in heaven more than we needed him here. It's not my business to understand that. But, in a sense, we still have him here, because we still have him. We have his liturgy, his legacy, and his ragamuffin band.
It turns out that this book is a collection of articles that Rich wrote for Release Magazine, between 1991 and 1996. Because of that, there is little continuity, as Rich seemed to be writing whatever was on his mind.
It begins with a welcome by Rich's manager, Jim Dunning. This is followed by "A brief glimpse into the life and music of Rich Mullins." I'm not sure who wrote that bit. One thing that struck me in this section was Rich's belief in the connections during communion. "He said if we believe in the communion of the saints, then it is not only communion with the saints that are still in the Body, but also with the saints of old." it's one of the reasons that Rich loved singing the old hymns that people have sung for generations.
The book proceeds from there to the articles, which are grouped chronologically. Rich writes about faith and life, in various scenarios. There are many topics, but all fit into the scope of how faith and life work together. I'll provide some quotes that I highlighted while reading.
"I am a Christian, not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity to me, but because there were people who were willing to be nuts and bolts, who through their explanation of it, held it together so that I could experience it and be compelled by it to obey."
"And Jesus Christ is, for me, the evidence of God's unreasonable and unsolicited attentiveness, His unearned favor, His incomprehensible love."
Concerning the faith we had when we were children: "When we were little, we gave ourselves over to faith. Now we are big, and too heavy to rise above our own understanding.
"When we were kids we sang for the joy of singing, we colored and cut and pasted for the fun of doing it. We ran for the love of running and laughed and got scared and saw the world as a real place full of real dangers and real beauty and real rights and wrongs."
I love this one: "Faith is not a denial of facts--it is a broadening of focus. It does not deny the hardness of guitar strings, it plucks them into a sweetness of sound."
"I hope you see the faithfulness of God in everything He has made. I hope you learn to trust that all of this is His care sworn to you. But mostly, I hope you know Jesus through whom God has wildly and ferociously loved us. I hope you know and that you become sacramental to your neighbor who God also loves passionately. I hope you leave them little doubt about His love and the victory Jesus won over hate and death."
"Don't stop reading. Don't stop listening. There are many things that are too amazing for all of us, many more that empower us beyond what we can understand." (I will never stop reading, and if I go blind, I will listen to audiobooks.)
"But, if we still ourselves, if we let Him calm us, focus us, equip us for the day, He will remind us of our Father's prodigal generosity and about the pitiful weakness of greedy men. He will remind us (as He reminded the devil) that 'Man does not live by bread alone,' though He may call us (as He called His first disciples) to give bread to the hungry (presumably because man cannot live long without bread). He will remind us about the cares that burden common people, the illusions that blind those the world calls 'lucky,' and the crippling effects of worry. He will give us hope--hope that stretches us (where worry bent us) and faith--faith that sustains us (where greed smothered us) and love--love that is at the bottom of our deepest desires, the loss of which is at the root of all our fears."
"How is it that we can accept that Moses saw a bush that burned and was not consumed, yet we doubt that God can love in a rage and never cool?"
And finally, Rich quoting his uncle's response to his determination to live a life of poverty (and I'm sure that Dallas Willard would agree): "If you're really concerned about the poor, becoming poor isn't going to help them, it's just going to ease your own conscience. If you're really concerned about the poor, go out and make a fortune and spend it on them."
Rich Mullins was, still is, one of my life heroes. I'm thankful that I got to see him twice in a concert setting. Both times, as many others have experienced, he came out on stage in a white t-shirt, blue jean shorts, and barefoot. Both times, he quietly left the stage at the end of the "show" while the audience worshiped, singing "Step by Step."
There will never be another Rich Mullins. Nor does there need to be. We already have one. God decided that he needed Rich in heaven more than we needed him here. It's not my business to understand that. But, in a sense, we still have him here, because we still have him. We have his liturgy, his legacy, and his ragamuffin band.
January 2, 2024
I bought this book online after one of my frequent dives back into the music and amazing lyrics of Rich Mullins.
I was a little disappointed to find that it was mostly a compilation of articles Rich had written for a magazine- articles that I had already read a couple of times online. I was also mildly irritated that the last 16 pages were blank - supposedly for the reader to make notes, but probably just to thicken the short volume a bit.
But it was a worthwhile read. I highlighted many passages and even wrote “Wonderful Chapter!!” in big blue letters at the beginning of page 51.
Rich’s long-time producer wrote the last chapter (re-printed from the liner notes of a greatest hits compilation). He said this about Rich:
“You turned your wounds into art and I’m grateful.”
I like that. This short book has earned a spot on my “keepers” bookshelf.
I was a little disappointed to find that it was mostly a compilation of articles Rich had written for a magazine- articles that I had already read a couple of times online. I was also mildly irritated that the last 16 pages were blank - supposedly for the reader to make notes, but probably just to thicken the short volume a bit.
But it was a worthwhile read. I highlighted many passages and even wrote “Wonderful Chapter!!” in big blue letters at the beginning of page 51.
Rich’s long-time producer wrote the last chapter (re-printed from the liner notes of a greatest hits compilation). He said this about Rich:
“You turned your wounds into art and I’m grateful.”
I like that. This short book has earned a spot on my “keepers” bookshelf.
June 6, 2022
Every few years I take this short collection of essays from my shelf and give it another go. And every few years as I read the musings of Rich Mullins, I can smell the cool dew on grass, the scent of fresh herbs on the wind, and maybe even a bit of hope I long ago and foolishly abandoned.
Some of these essays hit hard and with the precision of a skilled carpenter—on point, framing an impressive argument that even the most crafty apologist may find difficult to disassemble. Other works seem a bit more abstract and meandering, like a sketch that has yet to find its artist's intended form as a masterpiece. Yet each of these writings speak of a mind that over time learned to give up its desire for authority in exchange for a yearning to be nearer to Jesus.
I like sketches.
Some of these essays hit hard and with the precision of a skilled carpenter—on point, framing an impressive argument that even the most crafty apologist may find difficult to disassemble. Other works seem a bit more abstract and meandering, like a sketch that has yet to find its artist's intended form as a masterpiece. Yet each of these writings speak of a mind that over time learned to give up its desire for authority in exchange for a yearning to be nearer to Jesus.
I like sketches.
January 9, 2020
As with his music, Rich manages to encapsulate what it is to be a man of faith walking in a broken world among broken people.... unashamedly identifying as one of them.
I thoroughly appreciate that he writes in a way that permits both a seasoned believer and newcomer in the Lord to engage with and mull over the same ideas. Beyond this, his incorporation of genuinely heartfelt moments..... memories.... lessons learned.
A book I know I will return to.
(Certainly identified a number of quotes to record down in my quote book)
I thoroughly appreciate that he writes in a way that permits both a seasoned believer and newcomer in the Lord to engage with and mull over the same ideas. Beyond this, his incorporation of genuinely heartfelt moments..... memories.... lessons learned.
A book I know I will return to.
(Certainly identified a number of quotes to record down in my quote book)
June 29, 2020
Rich Mullins was more than a talented musician and a steadfast believer-- he was a deep thinker, a brooder, even, and a bit of a sage. He had quite the gift for articulating complexities and ponderings succinctly for posing question that were both probing and challenging, for requiring of us that we join in contending with and for truth. This is a sampling of such thought trails.
June 7, 2018
I have never read any of Rich Mullins writings until this book. I so wish he was still around to write more. This guy was a deep thinker and we have been blessed to have him leave us the songs and writings he did. So good!
November 14, 2018
This is one of those books I go back and read the various articles again and again. Mullins was a musical genius, and an authentic Christian but it's little known that he was also a wordsmith who wrote splendid articles.
February 15, 2022
This book is such a great window into who Mullins was and where his heart was at. I can’t believe that we were never on this earth together, and yet I feel like I know who he was thanks to his honesty and surrender to God’s voice.
June 17, 2022
Awe. Tear. Joy.
Those the words that keep coming to mind (and my heart) as I read. Mr. Mullins was before my expose to Jesus but I am blessed to have now read his thoughts, his confession, and his loving artistic response to the Love of God.
Those the words that keep coming to mind (and my heart) as I read. Mr. Mullins was before my expose to Jesus but I am blessed to have now read his thoughts, his confession, and his loving artistic response to the Love of God.
December 16, 2025
Love Rich's wonder, honesty, and playful nature. Reading this helped me feel closer to him and closer to my Maker. The best entries were about creation or growing older. Bravo, Rich. Let's have an encore someday soon.
August 21, 2018
Beautiful thoughts about God. A wonderful read...almost like a devotional.
October 2, 2018
this is a compilations of Rich's writings for his CCM column. it is very lovely and good.
July 10, 2019
One of my favorite books ever. Reminds me of C.S. Lewis in its readability, but with such a fresh, grace-based voice. Rich Mullins is just the best.
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