Ragman - reissue: And Other Cries of Faith

RAGMAN AND OTHER CRIES OF FAITH is a deeply moving collection of works concerning the Christian faith, written by Walt Wangerin, Jr. about some of his experiences as a pastor in the inner city. The title work, "Ragman" is a story that is often used as a skit/readers theatre throughout the country and is basically an updated tale about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The book includes poems, plays, sermons, and many great stories because as Wangerin writes, stories are what make a pastor. The tales are all personal and most are moving. They examine a deep and living faith that sees the work of God everywhere: from a naked, homebound parishoner who smells like urine to the painful death of a young woman to a crazy woman shooting a gun at no one in the middle of the street. This is a great book for any pastor, for anyone who has done urban missions, or for anyone looking for a book that illustrates the very real ways God is working in our world today. Highly recommended.

The book quality was as advertised. Shipping was faster than advertised--a great help when trying to meet a gift-giving deadline.

Loved the short stories which captured my imagination. Easy to read but hard to get out of my mind. recommend it.

Fifteen years ago I had read the first chapter of this book, then lost it. I hoped someone would find it and be as inspired as I had been. Now I have found it again and been blessed to read the whole book. Though none matches the first chapter, they all have the authors brilliant touch and profound spiritual insight. Please read it. You will be blessed.

Very spiritual inspiring short stories. I love it, because I can read a whole story before I go to bed. With my schedule it may be a week before I get back to a book.

The color scheme Wangerin displays in the vividly moving and pulling book, not only draws lines to your own life but also paints the difficult and more than likely self-abasing canvas of his own wanderings and in no way applauds himself for the slight victory before the fall back into confusion that God so faithfully pulls us all out of eventually. Follow Walter through his young married life and the struggles of parenthood, into a better understanding of our Father who continually pushes us through adversity into perfection. An organic and honest read to say the least, 10/10.

it was as stated it would be

I enjoyed the symbolism in the stories and the stories. Some of them read like stories you might find sent around on mass email lists. The stories challenge you by thinking through tough issues and encourages you to live out what you believe. The poems and stories encourage you to serve. I first heard about this through a sermon on Truth for Life and it's well worth your time to dig into this book.

just what I wanted!

The stories are very varied, some being more meaningful to me than others. The first, 'Ragman', is amazing and I will be reading it at church on Easter Sunday. I'm really glad I bought the book.

A wide variety of stories. Some really great others a bit less so. Generally good and definitely worth a read.

This book is moving and profound and an excellent buy. It arrived very quickly and well presented - a very satisfactory purchase all round.