Living in the Last Hour

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The Legacy of Rich Mullins

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Irm

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I want to share a few thoughts on this man and his music. It was twenty-three years ago today that Rich Mullins was called home. As a new believer, back in 1982, I used to listen to his music, but after marriage, and childbearing years not much time was left for God. After years of trying to be right with God… ten years ago I was led back to the music of Rich Mullins. I couldn’t understand the attraction, but it was powerful. I listened and listened to his powerful words. The Lord wanted me to listen. There was a message in his music.

I never attended any Rich Mullins concerts. As a young Christian I’d listen to his music, but in all honesty it was after a bad marriage, a bad divorce, single parenting, a teen pregnancy, grand-parenting, unemployment, years of trying to understand why God has allowed so much heartache in my life… etc… that I was led back to his music. His music led me to the cross and to my Savior. I can’t say the church was any support because it wasn’t. It was the ministry of one man that delivered me back to my God. It’s a long story, but today I see the world as it is… a temporary home. I am only passing through.

The Lord has a purpose for every life here… and we may not always recognize that purpose… but eventually the light comes on. God has been merciful and gracious to me and mine, in obedience and disobedience. And He never left me where He found me. Today, I am amazed at what God has done in my life. In my 60 years, 38 of those in and out of church, a more inspiring life I have not encountered than that of the late great Rich Mullins. To be more like Jesus, that’s my one desire, my one thing… nothing more.

His music and ministry was not to make Rich Mullins a superstar, or a cult figure and certainly not to create a cult following. Neither of which Rich ever desired. The message was simple and it took a few years to get that message to sink in, but it did. The message… be God’s. Y’all recognize it?

I think if anyone knew how difficult it was to accept the love of God – it had to be Rich Mullins. Today, when Christians share their struggles their sufferings I suggest they add the music of Rich Mullins to their daily time with God, nobody else’s. I never met him. Those that did would probably say I’m way off. But this is what I’ve gathered from his interviews and music.

Rich Mullins 1955-1997

Man of God – Rich Mullins

As he walked into the building His presence filled the room. In his tattered jeans, and white v-neck tee shirt he took the stage to impress no one, only to sing praises to his God. And the Lord listened and filled the room with His love.

His appearance was not what anyone would expect of someone so famous. A broken life, a broken heart, his life was less than perfect, but he lived it.

Pursued by the living God, he experienced God’s love like few ever will. He was a stranger in this land as all children of God should be, and step by step, he followed his Heavenly Father. It was not always a pleasant experience, but he knew his Father was with him and leading him everywhere he went.

He came in the spirit and power of Elijah to bring a nation to their knees, to deliver the message of God’s love to a nation drowning in self-righteousness and condemnation. As typical, few listened.

His time on Earth would be only for a moment. He knew this place was not his home, but he made the best of it, and like his predecessors the message that he would deliver would live on.

A prophet finds no favor in his home. They deliver their message and then they go to be with their Father.

Glory to God.

Thanks for reading.

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Hello,

I’m Irma

Welcome to my little corner of the blog world. Here, I share my thoughts on Christianity, the things of God, and the ways He has shaped and guided my path through life. My journey with the Lord has been long and transformative, marked by moments of peace and joy and periods of uncertainty. I write, first and foremost, for myself—to process what the Lord so graciously reveals to me in Scripture. Sharing some of these truths has become a mission of sorts, via blogging. His word urges us to bear witness and encourage one another.

As I reflect on my own transformation, I can say that the church itself has transformed over the years and not necessarily for the good. I speak about my own experiences with the church. One lesson the Lord impressed upon me this year is that “truth is not always truth.” What do I mean by that? There have been times when I’ve shared a biblical insight, only to realize that other faithful believers interpret the same passage differently. In that instance, I find that the Lord reveals according to our understanding. When I share the need for a Damascus experience understandings diverged sharply. Believers that have been raised in the church do not feel that such an extreme experience is necessary for spiritual maturity. Our faith is truly shaped by our backgrounds. Spiritual journeys are not for everyone. This taught me that early socialization deeply colors our grasp of faith; what’s true for me may not resonate in the same way for someone else.

Similarly, lately I considered how “ignorance of Scripture was its own blessing,” I remembered my early walk with Christ. I had a blind faith. I knew little of doctrine or debate. I trusted the pastor. In those days, my faith and trust in the church and church leaders was simple—I accepted what was taught from the pulpit without questioning. I did not have the knowledge needed to question any teaching. There was a peace in not knowing all the controversies or complexities. As I grew and studied the scriptures, and did some additional research, as the Lord gave understanding, I found myself questioning everything I had been taught. I did not question my faith, or the existence of God. That ignorance, while limiting, protected me from confusion and doubt, allowing me to rest in childlike faith.

The church itself has seen many changes over the decades. Self-proclaimed prophets have introduced new doctrines, some bordering on heresy, while believers wrestle with their flesh and what it means to follow Christ in a society with so many freedoms. I remember a time, more than thirty years ago, when I trusted every word spoken in church. Now, I understand how easy it is to accept teachings that stray from biblical truth. The Scriptures warned us this would happen in the last days.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NKJV) “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Current events—like the 2024 Election—have exposed deep flaws in American Christianity. Yet, through it all, Scripture assures me that God is sovereign. No wall built by human hands can withstand His judgment; no scheme crafted in darkness escapes His light. These lessons have become more real to me as I look back over my journals, filled with stories of God’s faithfulness during trials, tribulations and abundant grace. By sharing I hope those the Lord leads here will desire to seek God wholeheartedly, to find comfort knowing that He is always at work in our lives—often in ways we never considered.

Check out my books on Amazon for the Kindle App or in print.

Check out my latest title: Where are my Sheep? Available in Print & Kindle

The Diary of A Christian Woman

A Father Takes All: Four Generations of Growing up in Single Mother Homes – Grace Abounds

I Will Not Be Afraid: Living in the last Hour – Reflections of a Christian Woman

The Journey Endured: The Path to Meet God

Praise the God of the heavens!