Ragamuffin - Rich Mullins Movie

Quasiblogo · Jul 26, 2013

Anyone looking forward to this movie? I certainly am. Latest forecast is that the release date will be announced August 2013.

Here's the first trailer:

'Ragamuffin' Official Trailer - YouTube

Quasiblogo · Jul 27, 2013

I could kick myself for never having seen him live. Over the years, I'd tuned out contemporary Christian music for its non-specific lyrics and industrial feel.

Here's a great example of why I'm enjoying Mullins' music:

Beaker wouldn't snore (Hold me Jesus) - YouTube

Here's why a a Mullins "performance" really wasn't one:

Rich Mullins - Live in Holland, 1994 (Full Concert) - YouTube

I really like how non-materialistic the run-up to this movie is. I went into
a local store of a Christian bookstore chain today to look for some Mullins CDs. No posters about any movie. Most of the staff never heard of him; those that had did not know about the movie. I really think this movie is going to have a deep impact and people will wonder where this "curveball" came from. It's bound to have a "Chariots of Fire" kind of effect.

There were 2 CD's of his; 1 from the Ragamuffin legacy band.

If I were a stakeholder in those kind of stores or Amazon, I'd start stocking up on Mullins CD's now. There will be a run on them . . . for the blessing of hearing it all again, after the movie hits the streets.

saffron park · Jul 30, 2013

Oh my goodness. Why have I not heard of this before?

Yessssssssss.

Quasiblogo · Aug 19, 2013

Listen to this Radio Tribute to Rich!

Rich Mullins Tribute Special

Quasiblogo · Aug 20, 2013

What I admired about Rich was that he was
not impressed with himself. He focused on
enabling others, teaching music to Navajo children
and encouraging the music-ministering abilities
of other Christian musicians/instrumentalists.

The "Jesus Record" published after his death is
a curious example. It has one CD that is a
demo of songs that Rich sang and recorded on
a casette tape recorder. The other CD includes
the same songs, sung by the Ragamuffin Band,
which Rich helped form. The Band got Amy Grant,
Phil Keaggy, etc. to also share in the spiritual
wealth on the same CD.

For an explanation:

Rich Mullins & A Ragamuffin Band - The Jesus Record, Radio Special - YouTube

Other examples: Rich wrote "Agnus Dei" for Michael W. Smith
to sing:

Agnus Dei by Michael W. Smith with lyrics - YouTube

One might ask, "How down to earth was Rich?" Well, imagine going from the "Agnus Dei" song to the following popular game that Rich invented and for which he made up a song! All I can do is scratch my head and nod my head to, "Unless you become like a little child . . . "

Rich Mullins Screen Door - YouTube

Quasiblogo · Aug 30, 2013

No official release date has been announced for the movie, but if I'm correctly piecing things together, a Twitter link on the Ragamuffin movie cites the "World Premiere" as January 9 at 7 p.m. at the Wichita, KS Orpheum Theatre!

Quasiblogo · Aug 31, 2013

One of the wonderful things about Richs testimony was his fondness for the Bride of Christ, the Church. He was a Christians Christian, with much for several denominations to relate to. For his admiration for the profession at baptism: Disciples of Christ and Church of Christ; for weekly communion, Presbyterians; for the effective walk in Christ, evangelicals; for confessional groups, his late-blooming zeal for liturgy. It appears he was fast-headed for the initiation rite as a Catholic. Although there has been almost universal support for him from all these groups, there has been some hyper-dogmatic against . . . and even for him. Concerning the latter, there are some immature catholic bloggers who seem to be counting coup over Richs last year desires and some crass protestant posters who cant seem to get out of their anti-Catholicism. But some folks will never get Rich. Had he entered the RCC, his penchant for poking the finger of his scrutiny into the eye of hypocritical practices (and every denomination has--surprise!--people who act this way) would have made not a few in that confession squirm. Not out of meanness or brash behavior but by sincere forthrightness. No nice adherent, but a joyful sinner more interested in being true to Jesus than propping the walls of a denomination. Creed with a conscience. I posted a similar observation on one catholics blog site and got a prompt notice that it had been rejected. Such is the practice of rejoicing without really engaging what made Rich fully tick. I also replied to a protestants website comment about Rich being a hereticsaying that I hold Richs legacy in the highest regard and that if he isnt welcome into Heaven for his testimony to Christ, none of us stand a bats chance. I believe that Rich would never have stood for communing with believers in a spirit of gotcha, were the ones and youre not. I just listened to Rich sing Creed from this link. This says enough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LR2hFP1yb4

Quasiblogo · Sep 2, 2013

The honesty and blunt truthfulness of Rich's show
at a fairly young age:

Rich Mullins: Elijah (1982) - YouTube

"Devil back to Hell" - no two ways about where young Rich
stood with things. Seated, 2nd from the right:

RICH MULLINS AND ZION Resist the Devil 1980.avi - YouTube

Quasiblogo · Sep 7, 2013

being edited.

Quasiblogo · Sep 21, 2013

Rich Mining

The truth is, a lot of folks didnt notice
Rich Mullins music until after his death.
I was one. I suppose it was because
I had written off contemporary Christian
music for a long time. And it didnt help
that when I randomly came across some
of his songs during the hiatus, these
would be the more pop sounding of
themor Awesome God would play.
Although a great song, it would be sung over
and over again mantra style in church services.
I had no patience for that practice.

How did I start paying attention to Richs
music? Mainly by watching his sessions
on Youtube, ones with solos and ones
in which he sang with either his friends
Beaker, Mitch, or the Ragamuffin Band, etc.
The variety of the music styles and the
penetrating lyrics intrigued me. But the
thing that hooked me was the way he
integrated his passion for Christ, the Church
and his earthly concerns with the audience.
In a way, too, you could tell he was tilling
the soil of his faith at the same time. The
dynamism of all this jolted me awake to the
fact that Christian music ministry need not be
sucked into the industry aspect of things.
More importantly, I was more inspired to
walk the walk of faith within my own vocation.

So there I went, diving into the music as
fast and as often as I could. And I still dont
tire of it, though I listen to it less. I can just
sense from his teachings that he pushed us
to look to Jesus and not idolize him or anyone
else.

In case anyone has wondered, Im not associated
with any promotional aspects of Richs music nor
with the the movie that is coming out next
January. Just your average Joe on the street.

Rich was an open bookand so his music. It just seems that in him,
David tossed his lyre aside and took up the piano, guitar and dulcimer.

He sang about the external, internal, communal, social,
relational and emotional aspects of our Faith in the context of life.
The contrasts could be eye-popping, no more so than in
the Jesus Record, a memorial compilation of songs,
the majority of which he wrote. The last two songs on the
Ragamuffin Band side of the two-CD album are a case in point.
These are Hard to Get and lastly, That Where I Am. These
show the normal tensions in Richs and every Christians life,
although much of church culture seems to gloss over the theme of
Hard to Get, because were taught that such David-like
self-examination is selfish and introspective. To which I say
nonsense.

Here are those two songs, but taken from the rough cut
(only Rich singing) CD demo in the album. The Ragamuffin
Band (with guests) CD is a revamp of the demo songs: wonderful adjustments
that are well worth listening to and contemplating as well.

"Hard to Get":

Rich Mullins - Hard to Get - YouTube

"That Where I Am":

That Where I Am, There You May Also Be ~ Rich Mullins - YouTube

talitha · Sep 21, 2013

Thanks for this. Rich Mullins was killed very shortly before he was scheduled to minister at my (then) church in Waco. All of us in my singles group back then loved his music and his spirit.

Quasiblogo · Sep 22, 2013

Saludos Talitha!

(me gusta el nombre tan biblico).

I can only imagine. I attended Highland Baptist in Waco while
studying at Baylor U. That church effectively used the Word and
fellowship to feed my soul--and how it nutured a desire in me
to experience the knowledge and presence of our Lord in the
everyday!

I hope the movie is quickly translated into Spanish for our
paises vecinos

En Cristo,

Quaz

Quasiblogo · Sep 25, 2013

Even when one is into the story of Jesusand all the immense
things this commitment implies, there will always be a spiritual
battle until we are ushered into His presence and peace.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12 - NIV)

Richs final lyrics in the song below are very direct about this: Feels like the devils rolled a stone onto my heart. Can you roll that stone . . . away?

Rich Mullins - Jesus - YouTube

Having great Light on this earth does not blind us from the darkness around us. At times there seems to be dimness, not because that Light has lessened, but because our discernment can flicker. Therefore the need to be renewed in our minds by the Holy Spirit daily. And let us remember, this renewal is within a walk; it is not the mere espousing of ideas:

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-23 NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

talitha · Sep 26, 2013

Quasiblogo - Highland was my church too.

Quasiblogo · Sep 26, 2013

Wow, Talitha! That is great! So many fond memories. Was Don Crossland still the pastor? It was a great place to learn "How not to backslide when taking Religion 101". Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Say, I just e-mailed Anderson University (SC)--I live nearby, to ask if they would be willing to host the movie. I'm hoping Baylor U. will do the same for its community.

Quasiblogo · Sep 28, 2013

Im not sure where I read or heard Rich Mullins say it,
but he mentioned something to the effect that he did
not write gospel style music. Well, that seems to be true
as far as his overall style. Mind you, Im no musician, I cannot
read music, nor do I play an instrument, but dont these songs
have at least a hint of gospel?

One thing for sure, God is glorified through them!

I can't wait to see/hear how Rich's songs are distributed in
the Ragamuffin movie.

Alrightokuhhuhamen . . .

Rich Mullins - Alrightokuhhuhamen - YouTube

Where You Are:

Where You Are - Rich Mullins - YouTube

The just shall live . . .

Rich Mullins: The just shall live - YouTube

Quasiblogo · Oct 13, 2013

I anticipate that "Ragamuffin" will capture
Rich's pithy ways of expression. Here's a fine
example, as shared by Carolyn Arends.

You Probably Won't Be Sent to Egyptâ€¦ | Christianity Today

There are many timely posts out on Facebook
about how, far from idolising Rich, we instead see
a person who is a role model for abandonment to Christ.
The flipside of total "entrega" (as they say in Spanish)
is contentment in Christ in all things. I think that's one
aspect about Rich's life that fascinates and resonates
with people. We know these themes to be paradoxical
yet true . . . and absolutely necessary for faithfulness
to Christ, his Church and for obeying the two greatest
commandments.

talitha · Oct 13, 2013

Quasiblogo said:
Wow, Talitha! That is great! So many fond memories. Was Don Crossland still the pastor?

I was there when Barry Camp was the pastor. I did missions training under Jimmy Seibert and Jeff Bianchi. Know any of them?

Quasiblogo · Oct 13, 2013

I don't. Guess that goes to show I'm an aging Bear.

Quasiblogo · Oct 14, 2013

Across the web runs the question, who replaces Rich Mullins? Two ways to approach this, I think. One is “Who, in his total person seems most like Rich?”

The other, and I think the best way, is "Who are the people who best exhibit certains parts of Rich’s ministry?" In a way, I don't like the latter question, in that Rich simply lived life in a unique body, mind and set of emotions that God gave him—and with that, he sought out Christ in the light, gray and dark side of things. Yet, I’ll still run with that criteria.

Music-wise, best song that captures Rich's vision: "Man of No Reputation", by Rick Elias. You can find this on Youtube.

Music-wise, overall? I suppose it would be Andrew Peterson. No first place here. Just that he comes most to-mind. Mitch McVicker and Tom Conlon should be considered, too. Below are three songs, one from each.

Gifted explainer? Carolyn Arends (see my post #17)

Christian with a social conscience? Franklin Graham

Mystic? John Michael Talbot

Of course, all of this could easily be reshuffled or replaced. I just think it is exciting how the Body gets blessed by individuals who inspire a walk with Christ via the unique talents each of us has been given!

I anticipate that the "Ragamuffin" movie will leave each of us asking, "What gifts has God given me to exploit for the benefit of the Kingdom . . . for the benefit of others?"

ANDREW PETERSON: Andrew Peterson sings "Hosanna" - YouTube

TOM CONLON: Tom Conlon "Sacred Things" - YouTube

MITCH MCVICKER: Mitch McVicker sings "My Deliverer" - YouTube

Ragamuffin - Rich Mullins Movie

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