Goodbye Ragamuffin Soul // My Blogatical
I made that video so I wouldn’t have to type.
I hate typing.
I love talking.
I’m screwed huh?
After watching it I made little if no sense and am OK with that.
Here is the shtick…
This whole Internet thingy we have here is new.
We don’t know the damage these narcissisticly beautiful tendencies will have on us.
I feel the Lord has called me to create culture, which in turn, will help change the world.
If you think that is self righteous glorification, your right. But so am I. And so is He. Sorry. It’s His calling on my life.
He has called me for His names sake and I think he is going to use RagamuffinSoul.com in ways FAR GREATER than this.
I think this is only the beginning.
But I think before we know what is next…
I need to pause and rest in Him.
I want to do this for the right reasons.
And right now this blog, twitter, and all my other online tendencies are a bit skewed.
Not in what I post per se.
But in what I get out of the posts and tweets and followers and such.
So I’m giving it up to you.
Video your stories of your life journey and send the links to stories@ragamuffinsoul.com
While on this Blogatical you are going to be the writers of this blog.
You will share and learn from each other.
I may get one video. I may get 100. Just pray about sharing and we will give you a post.
So I’m feeling a month. Could be 2, 6, 12. Who knows.
I have not gone more than 2 days since 2005 without posting on here.
I’m actually pumped to see what God has for you and I on the other side.
And I have a feeling He can’t wait to get started.
Peace out, A-Town Down…
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
so…this could be awesome…
wow.
blown away & humbled..
epic
Wow! I wondered if something of this magnitude might be coming given some of your recent posts Carlos. I'm looking fwd to seeing what the prayers of God's people lead them to contribute to Raggamuffin Soul. Never know, I might be one of them. Be mightily blessed during your blogatical – it's been a long time and you deserve it
Proud of you los.
Los,
whoa! very cool. i have feeling the same way a lot. but it's hard to give it up, and I can't imagine for you how much harder it is with the pressure of one of the most popular blogs. looking forward to see what God will be doing…
rhett
wow. behind you 100%…and excited to see and hear from the rest of the community. will you be participating in the convo (comments)?
You do what God calls you to, Los. I can't wait to see the end result of this Blogatical.
I have not decided yet. We'll see. I'll ask your man for his advice as well
rocking man. we should "chat". love you. miss you.
Los,
I think it cool that you are mindful of God and what He has called you to do or I guess I should say not to do. I will be praying for you during this time of Blogatical. Praying that God does a great work in your life. God Bless!
this is sweet.
will miss you, fo sho. but im proud of you for taking this step.
My wife and I talked about you and Heather the entire way to the dinner last night. It was like she worked with your wife and I worked with you. Trading stories that we'd read off your blogs. Laughing, going "Oh, I heard that" and stuff. Then it was one of those: "Ahhh those silly Whitakers. What will they do next?"
I'm stoked! I've begun to expect the unexpected here and this is totally unexpected! Draw close to Him man. Whatever stroking your ego has been getting, I believe it's because you've delighted yourself in the Lord. Continue to seek intimacy with Him. I can't wait to see what this turns into!!!
Awesome. Totally echoes something I heard at homegroup this morning about how being in the presence of God and making that the center of your life is essential so you can be the presence of God to a world that so desperately needs it. I pray your time off is fruitful.
Blessings!
I feeling this is not a great, but GOD idea for you Los. =) Take as much time as you need and BE BLESSED by this time off with the LORD. We will be patiently waiting for both of ya.
Wow…this dope, weird, yet very cool! I hope all works out for you! Does this include your 365? I hope not cause I enjoy seeing your pictures, but I understand if you step away from that too.
God bless my brother
Nah. The camera will be clicking… everyday.
I think it’s really great that you realize that this is something you need to do…that you strive so much to be as close as you possibly can to Christ.
The way you’re so passionate about it is so very encouraging…like there’s still hope for us out there who are stuck in ‘church ruts.’ it makes us want to want a thriving, sincere relationship with Him too.
Hope to see you back on here eventually
Brother thank you for this. I love that getting close to Christ means that much to you. It's an inspiration to me. Look for a video from me soon.
Right on. I was just challenged by my mentor tonight in a similar way. For me, it hurts now, but I know it'll be awesome on the other side. Totally behind you! Wreak for Jesus. Love it!
ill give some thought and prayer to doing a video.
you'll be missed los, but i'm glad for you.
Wow. Uhmmm…i know you don't know me…but I'll miss reading your blogs. is heather not blogging too? I hope not. I love how you both write…so real….so inspirational.
But even more inspirational than the blogs you write is the decision you made to choose to obey God's voice. Enjoy your "blogatical"….There's nothing like finding yourself in His secret place and being renewed in His presence. Take all the time you need…because in the end…being changed into His image is what really counts.
I don't know you but I hope to one day meet you. I discovered ragamuffin soul about a year ago from SCL and i'm not gonna lie. When I first saw your blog, your appearance, and the overall way you wrote, I thought to myself, "oh great. This is another one of those pretty boy rocker worship pastors with the tattoos, ed hardy shirts and snake skin boots." I thought, "this guy must be so into himself and must love how popular he is." I come from what you can call a "mega-church" background like buckhead and northpoint and have seen so many pastors and worship pastors act like the church cheerleaders that only let you in their click if you look awesome on stage, have a strange addiction with starbucks and only wear true religion jeans. That's why I immediately shut you out. Yet I kept on reading the blog.
Well, from what i've learned from you over the past year, you are most of those things i mentioned above yet I have such a profound respect for you. You are the only person I have seen who is really not afraid to show it all. The good, the bad and the ugly. You show us your dirty rags and struggles and rather than cover them up by showing us how nice ministry life is, you expose yourself and show us how messed up we all are.
Your transparency and authenticity amaze me and this post just shows me just what a man of integrity you are. I'm sorry if this post feeds your giant ego but I just thought you should know that ragamuffin soul has impacted my life in a big way.
- Another jacked up Christ Follower
P.S.
This is the post that made me look up to you
http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2008/09/los-underco…
While I am new to your blog(month or so), I hear you.
eats up my time
annoys my Wife
could start hurting my back
maybe I should rather be spending time with God and reading His Word
hmmmm
But it is a door to the big wide online world where there are so many that need to be influenced by God thru us
Love the blog, will miss the daily post(s), but it's not that big a deal.
You know I love you so you'll take it in the spirit that's intended when I say this is all a little too internets serious business for me.
My prayers are yours, take care.
very admirable. i love you and will be praying for you and what God is gonna show you during this time. if you need anything, help moderating comments, anything, etc. just let me know.
Nice! Thanks for the transparency! Great idea! May God bless this time away!
Carlos, Your blog will be missed because it never ceases to inspire and provoke new thinking. I have full confidence that the change will mean that you will be inspiring ppl in a new way. Submitting to the Lord’s will and the direction that He is taking is so awesome to see- and there is also something to be said for the level of transparency here and on twitter that you have shared.
I respect that . . . . A LOT
God bless.
I totally respect your decision and completely understand your reasons. This is something I struggle with daily and I know my obsession with being online, updating my status, making new friends (yet sharing my story and hopefully helping other people) is a not a total healthy thing. It is so much fun while I am doing it, but it has taken away from my family time and has pulled my focus away from my growing relationship with God. This is probably more prevalent than we know with many people. You are not alone.
There have been times when my daughter wants to snuggle or she wants me to watch a dance she created. I honestly don't even realize she has been working on a dance because I am so consummed with the computer. I have had trouble drawing my attention away from my laptop to see how many people have commented on my post or who liked my picture. In a small way, this too is feeding my ego.
But I must say that you have inspired me in my journey back to faith. I am not a worship leader, but I attend Northpoint and have been changed by this beautiful church. I know in my heart, God has something in store for me with and this church (or maybe another one), I just don't know when it will happen. Hopefully it will be with music because I filled most with the spirit when I am singing or listening to music.
But I digress…..this is not about me….(my Ego came back to visit)
Your stories have come at just the right time in my life and I was particularly affected by your story about your daughter and her skin condition. It was raw and honest and completely took my breath away. That is what sold me and I have been a faithful reader ever since.
It has been fun to talk with my husband and tell him "Well today…Carlos said…." and I don't even know you personally.
I understand your reasons for doing this…..just regroup and come back with an even more marvelous plan for your Ragamuffin ministry. Your heart is so good and God will lead you on the right path!
Happy travels!
Ashley
Praying for you as you "LAY down Your Issac" I know God will provide you with all you need and you will know Him in a more intimate way! Keep walking in obedience……
;0
Oh… this is gonna be good. Praying God turns ya upside down and inside out.
Wow! I'm so proud of you and CANNOT wait to see where this goes. God is up to something.
That's good stuff! I pray your blogatical knocks your soul out of the water!
I love to see people responding to the call/voice/will of God. Love to see God moving in your life. Peace and blessings in where ever this goes.
Gonna love seeing and hearing the stories.
- Bubba
Thank you for taking this Blogatical. It is certainly from God's heart (His work in you) to have made this true servant-leader decision. A small thing or a big thing, it all counts in the eyes of the Lord for it is a God thing.
Dude, it's been obvious that God has been doing some pretty heavy stuff in your life lately. I respect you as a blogger and church leader so I admire this very difficult step you're taking. But more importantly, I'm excited about what God is going to do in you and your readers because of this. Thanks for being willing to bite the bullet and listen to God on this one.
Praying for you buddy…
Los,
You know, the voice of God is clear over the waves down here on St. Simons Island … c'mon on down and get some R&R and direction, we'll try not to disturb. (seriously, I bet we could hook u up with a sweet place somewhere, or at least try, if you want to get away some)
i must confess my friend, that wet my eyes a little. i can see and hear your heart. i miss you guys so much and hate that i have to reserve my friendship/relationship with you and heather via your blogs… it's a blessing and a curse for me. however, you have a great heart and always good intentions. as usual, thank you for your honesty, openness and authenticity. i think this will be VERY good and healthy for you as you DO care too much what others think of you. it's a much needed break. we love you and are praying for you.
p.s.
can we submit text emails to the stories place? i don't have access to making videos, nor do i know how to do it… =0(
You continue to inspire. We all need to listen to God more carefully and a lot of times all of the 'noise' of the world gets in the way.
Dude, this is rad. Thanks for listening to the Lord. AmandaSims and I will noodle on a submission; hopefully a cool one!
We'll be praying for you. I think it's very admirable that you would go through your life, seeking to destroy any idols that would battle for your supreme affections. Those must belong only to God! And that is a challenge we should all take.
By the way, just to chime in with a piece of advice… Earlier in the comments, you said that you hadn't decided whether or not to participate in the comments. Well, while we all would love to still interact with you in that way, it seems to me that dealing with comments may be more of the problem than creating posts in the first place. If you're really struggling with the pride of "followers" and stats, then keeping an eye on comments is not exactly the right thing to do during a blogatical. Just my $.02.
I think that this is a great example of your humble spirit. For God to give someone a platform that they in turn use to give others a voice is truly a great thing. I'm sure we'll all learn a lot from those who share their stories.
So does this include Twitter too? Are you taking a break there as well?
Los, this just goes to show how people need a pastor. A shepherd. And I think you've become that for a lot of people. Your openness and honesty have inspired people to rethink the way they approach life – on and off line.
There's some wisdom in your decision. But like a pastor taking a break, I'd encourage you to let God get you straightened out and come back and continue to pastor with openness and honesty.
I'll be praying for Gods work in your offline life.
I know you probably thought about this a long time but I hope you do bring your soul back into the site at some point, refreshed and regenerated. I can't wait to see how this works out, but more importantly how it will impact God's kingdom. I have mixed feelings about something God has obviously blessed you with and you giving it up, but that is only if you don't come back, God's speed as they say.
I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm new to the whole blog/twitter thing… but you wouldn't know it if you look at how many twitter updates I've done within the last 2 months… (over 1,000) haha… I'll be following your blog closely as I'm curious to see other's stories! When I heard you open that up to people… I thought I might like to be one of them. Who knows… I might do it. I'll have to pray on it… it'll take me awhile.
Can't wait to see you on the other side! Take your time… we'll be here. God bless!
Wow, congrats on your Blogatical, I know this will be hard for you. At least I still get to talk to you or see you once a week. It's such a blessing for you to be one of my accountability partners.
Healthy, cool and Christ led, how can it be better.
You continue to be in my prayers!
Los,
You will certainly be changed – and I will be praying for you. God has great things in store and greater things have yet to come!
Here's a thought I heard from a pastor yesterday…he said, "Most of us who follow Christ, have yet to truly do so." I was totally challenged by that and I think that this challenge is where you are at and I'm excited to see what transformed Los looks like!
Big CBU-alum shoutout to you, Los.. enjoy that blogattical, and thanks for keepin' it real.
I like the new look and feel of your blog. The contents not so bad either!!!
Sometimes we need a break from things…
Praying for ya Los. More excited to hear you being humble than to see how many readers you have, that's for sure! Looking forward already to you returning to the online world, but wishing you the most success in your daily walk with Him.
I love how God works….
I had deleted you from my reader about 6 weeks ago, after over a year of following. It wasn't personal….just felt all the blogs in my life were out of balance with what is most important. It's easy to make something else our god. But today…..i had an inkling to come back….and I applaud what you're doing. You are right on track with focusing on what is most important. Prayers for you and all the ragamuffins.
Amen.
Mad respect Los. God bless and thank you for making me reflect on my own relationship with him.
Enjoy renewed intimacy. ch:
Wow, talk about authenticity. I admire and respect you brother, God certainly has enormous plans for this blog.
I love it when men are convicted and lead. We need more of that. Go be real with your real life community.
humility. i dig it. blessings to you whenever you read this.
thanks for demonstrating transparency and for showing your community what it means to "count all things as loss compared to KNOWING HIM" – I am challenged in all the right ways by this and I just want you to know you have my full support and more importantly you have HIS full support. Prepare to be amazed by His Grace.
much Love from the Sunshine State…
Chris Johnson
The blog filter is strong, I find it replacing the God filter and that is very whacked. I have had several breaks from my blog, self imposed, Hurricane Gustav, and recently our trip to Ethiopia. God used them all to show me how my need to tell everyone every detail of my life can become a God just as much as food, drink or anything else that brings me pleasure. He brings us back with gentle reminders that it's not about us, it's about HIM and our flesh will never be ok with that.
God's rest to you. Glory to God.
Expect a video from me. You may not realize how impactfull a time this is right now, and for me to read this at the time that I am… amazing. You'll see, wait til you get my vid.
Bless God. Serve Someone.
-Jonathan J.
It's really great to see a group of people gathered here who CAN'T WAIT to see what God does with the blogatical. Come back soon. Er … don't come back soon. Uh … come back when you're supposed to come back.
I just started reading this blog yesterday. How suck is that?
What you're doing is incredibly honest and puts Christ where he deserves to be, but still. I missed out! Bummer.
Well loswhit only has about 5 years worth of archives on this site, good time to read up, think I will do just that
I think it is a great idea in fact I have felt lately that I need to spend more time getting more into my relationship with Him. I am glad to hear you have the same feeling. Maybe something great will come from this.
As you shouldn't find this out for awhile since you are on the blogatical, I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you. Later.
Tyson
Whether I like this change is not important…what is important is that you are following God's plan for your life. Thank you for the ministry you have created here. I will be praying that God will do a might work in you while you are away. Thank you for following God's will for you life.
We do not know each other, but you are my friend in Christ. I am going to miss your blog, but excited to see what God is going to do. I hope that someday you are free to share with the blogging world the process you are about to go through. I have enjoyed reading this (Ragamuffinsoul) and have learned a lot.
Will be praying Phillipians 1:9-11 over you during this process.
I haven't sent in a video, but my friend Beth has promised to post a video of her dancing to "I Will Survive" and "Can't Touch This" whilst enthroned in her new Snuggie. I can pretty much guarantee I'll submit that one…
has anyone sent in videos yet?
I really respect your reasoning and your insight. We all need to take a deep breath and take a good long look at who we are in respect to the Father. I pray that your blogatical will be fruitful for you and beneficial to the Kingdom!
Proud of you and praying for you! This is HUGE!!!
watched this on Heather's blog first… wow. very cool. enjoy your time. thank you for starting ragamuffin soul as a place for all of us to come together. hope to see you around again!
Praise God.
I just found your site and love it. Your Blogatical is inspiring and prompts me to want grow with God.
Hi !!!!
I am Piter Kokoniz. oOnly want to tell, that I like your blog very much!
And want to ask you: is this blog your hobby?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Thank you!
Your Piter
Your post has inspired me.
I need a break from this stuff too.
I don’t write nearly as often as you do.
But the narcissism is the same.
And Facebook and Twitter don’t help either.
So this morning God spoke to me.
He wants me to get rid of the distractions.
He wants me to live for Him.
So I’m setting a goal of two weeks.
14 days of no social media.
Please pray He gives me the strength.
Please pray my heart and mind and ears will be opened.
Thanks, Los!
Isaiah