Ragamuffin

ATTENTION: SPOILER ALERT!!This movie is a raw, bare-knuckled, account of a saint struggling with life and his own "demons" (for lack of a better analogy) in fighting to keep his faith within a genuine "brokenness" of soul and spirit. He lived honestly and protested the "polished" life of many who hide their struggles while judging others within a typical hypocrisy found everywhere in Scripture. If you want a bright and shiny, life is free of struggles, and victorious righteousness in overcoming the world then you will certainly disappointed. This was a about a man who truly loved God in the midst of his struggles and made a conscious choice NOT to hide his struggles because he knew he would never overcome these struggles if his brothers and sisters did not know the issues within his life. How can the body of Christ pray for one another if we hide our struggles? He had a "transparent courage" with people and with God and never excused his struggles and sin as something "he just needed to live with". You could tell he wanted victory but he wasn't about to stop praising and loving God because that victory eluded him at certain moments in his life. It's easy to criticize someone who doesn't hide behind a "moral obligation" in order to disguise the very things they want to overcome. He didn't butt heads with others because he was a "jerk" but because he couldn't reconcile his own desire for righteousness while dealing with an unrighteous music industry that he thought was double minded and disingenuous. Even when he went too far as with the record producer, he mowed the producers lawn the next day. When the producer's wife said "who is that" the producer responded "it's Rich Mullens mowing our lawn. When asked: "what is he doing that" he responded "to say he's sorry". The producers understood Rich in his struggle and Rich truly loved them evidenced by his hurt response when he found out that they left the company. He wanted a semblance of order in a life that was constantly "on the go" and got upset when those who offered stability in his life (even if the relationships were strained at times) moved on.Rich's foundation as a child was built on a rigid father who could never understand or accept that God had a different plan for his son other than being a mechanic and a farmer. Farmers historically need and expect their sons to be "helping hands" when they are old enough. And when a piano takes the place of a tractor it can cause considerable distress for a father expecting help from the day his son is born. His mother's comments about how much his father loved him didn't square with how he was treated which is obviously confusing for a child...and eventually grew weary of his mother's apologist and placating attitude when speaking of his father's "love" for him. That wound needed to be healed, and until it was Rich was going to struggle. Having God fill that void is easier said than done and it seemed Rich sought answers in the flesh instead of accepting it and allowing God to be a healing balm. But when you have a father who instills in you a sense of weakness or worthlessness like Rich did, it's not about the father's insensitive and selfish rigidity, it's about Rich feeling that he was the problem and that it was his fault that he didn't measure up to his father's expectations. And as long as his father resented his son's choice of profession, that wound would not be healed in the natural. There's nothing quite complex and distressing than being the son of a presumptuous father who had predesigned plans for his son and God calling this son to be something totally opposite of the father's expectations.There was nothing in Rich's character that suggested to me that his carnal ways in dealing with his deep issues and brokenness were deliberate and willful acts against God. In fact he was pursuing God in his struggles which is why I believe God sent Pastor Brennan into his life. The mercy of God doesn't solve our problems, it only allows for us to be imperfect as we seek Him, and His love and righteousness, in our lives AS HE CHANGES US. Rich did not do well with the worldliness of fame and those who represented God and the lures of money. He identified with the lowly and downtrodden because he felt more like one of them in the midst of fame and wealth which was exemplified in his visiting the Indian Reservations. It seemed to me that he wanted to be there and was conflicted with his life as a musician because he wanted the simple life with the lowly yet loved the stage of praise and worship that produced a message he wanted to deliver yet without the baggage of fame and wealth.I never knew Rich and all of my observations are mere speculation based solely on the movie. Maybe Rich relied more on music than Scripture for his healing. Or maybe he struggled like many of us to have the faith that takes God at His Word to provide the healing and intimacy that Rich needed. Regardless, it was obvious that Rich loved God genuinely and wanted to please Him like he wanted to please his earthly father but just couldn't let go of his need to completely understand the "why's?" and "how comes?" to satisfy his other need to be accepted for who he was rather than constantly questioning why he was never "good enough" or "worthy" of his earthly father's love and acceptance. Eventually with Pastor Brennan's help, Rich was able to see a semblance of his father's love for him under his rigid and stoic demeanor. Scripture says that God will not despise and contrite and broken heart. When it came to God Rich seemed every bit contrite and broken before God and he was never ashamed of the God he so loved and praised throughout his life.

Tells the story of Rich Mullins in all his weaknesses, struggles with childhood abuse, and growing to spiritual maturity. Also, his love of music and passion for God. This is not your typical Christian movies, which always seem so contrived to me. This is is one with which I can identify.

Like so many, my life was deeply impacted this modern day prophet, Rich Mullins. When I was starting my career as a software engineer in Dallas Texas I went to hear Rich at a relatively small university chapel. At the time I thought I had a pretty good grip on life but thought his music was cool and the barefoot thing was interesting. At the concert I learned about Compassion International and we sponsored our first child with them, Fatima, a little girl from the Philippines. In a few years we moved to Indiana where my career soared to unimagined heights.Then, I felt God strongly calling me to abandon all that and 'seek first the kingdom of God'. Because of Rich, I had become a big fan of child sponsorship and so in my searching for career direction ended up learning that they had a position open. So, we moved to Colorado Springs and I went to work for Compassion International. I thought God would be real happy with me and life would just be wonderful. Instead everything went extremely crazy, my marriage, my children, my career... Now, the songs God gave us through Rich became my life line. I remember so many days when all I could hold on to was the words 'Hold me Jesus! because I'm shaking like a leaf, you have been my king of glory, won't you be my prince of peace...'While I was there I learned about the Compassion USA program and visited some inner-city sites. Then came the tragic news of Rich's death... I still remember the chapel service in honor of Gods' work through him. After many difficult years where I learned to hold desperately to the 'reckless fury that they call the love of God'... I ended up living in the Philippines and visited the little girl who was now a mom. I really connected with her pastor and found a bit of home with his family.In my brokenness I have myself been Rich's dad in many ways and need to take every moment to 'redeem the time...'I am SO grateful for this movie...I hope you will be also...

loved the man loved the movie bit guuted it wasnt uk version so had to get it changed to uk regon but was please other than that

Brilliant DVD! What a man what a story.

excellent!

We loved the honesty of the movie,it really showed us the true character.Brought out good truths of the Love and mercy of God in our lives.We all need something and this movie helped us,as we are all sinners,and searching for a purpose,in this life.He lived free.

So excited to watch this Movie. Thank you