If Vomit Were The Alphabet
So, obviously there is NO WAY I could fill you in on the incredible journey I have been through this past month in one post.
So I’m going to remove that pressure from my shoulders right now and let you know that I’ll be unraveling my thoughts for months to come. Lord knows I have only begun to process everything I have learned.
But within the confines of the tiny brain that lives inside this humongous head I have seen a vision of what is to come.
I feel stronger than I ever have that God is going to use me to create culture which in turn shapes His community in this world.
How to get there? Ha. I have no idea.
I would like to give you some nuggets I came to realize over this month away.
In no particular order…
1. We take ourselves too seriously.
I have snuck online and seen some banter about online community vs. offline community and the definition of community and the means by which we should gather community and are we losing community by communitying in this community. blahblahblahblah.
Here’s my 10 cents in the discussion.
Quit trying to figure out everyone else’s avenue of life and worry about the pothole you are driving up to in yours. Seriously.
2. Just because your life sucks and is boring does not mean mine should.
So quit hoping mine will. No explanation needed.
3. Reading words on a computer screen pales in comparison to reading them off paper.
The smell of mildew and glue and binding in a freshly bought book brings me more joy than these pixels do anyday.
4. I wonder if modern day Christian leaders are more concerned about becoming famous than becoming Jesus?
5. Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Let me paraphrase this in terms we can grasp.
Isaiah 40:8 – Your stats will shrink and your mom will be the only one reading your blog, but who cares if you are living out His Word.
6. I honestly believe God can place a calling and anointing on someone’s life to minister specifically through this online medium. I feel the naysayers are spittin’ the same stuff Billy Graham heard when he decided to start doing television revivals.
7. When I unplugged, within seconds, I was going deaf in response to the volume to which I heard God speaking to me.
This continues to this second.
I don’t have journals with pages or pens with ink enough to capture everything He is telling me.
I realized that He didn’t start yelling the second I unplugged, but He had been screaming for a long time. I just had to unplug to hear from Him through Him. Not rely on hearing Him through great podcasts and great blogs.
OK. That is enough vomit for one post.
I haven’t even gotten into what I learned in Seven Storey Mountain.
You guys are in trouble.
Good words-Cant wait to hear more of them.
"more of them"
he's stock-piled.
OK, so #7 was enough for me. Whoa. Amen. When will we learn. God, teach me.
Thank you for sharing with me(us) and for being faithful to what you hear God telling you!
you're welcome man. You are welcome.
#4 is the MVP of this group. keep talking.
That is a book alone. I wonder if Mother Teresa worried about her celebrity?
Seems like you came to some seriously hard-hitting truths during your time unplugged. Thanks for sharing them with us. And welcome back.
thanks
Dude, I love this. I love to hear these things that are altogether true and challenging in the same breath. Gut checks and stillness are needed often to keep us grounded. We all have these times, through different circumstances. I'm having a big one right now. We either choose to be hopeful of the change and life that we have in Christ, or hopeless because of our circumstances or pride. I'm trying to be filled with hope. I'm excited to hear more about this part of your journey, and I'm praying I hear God as clear as you are. Keep listening, bud.
you are cooler than ever
but not as cool as your mrs
never. as. cool. as. her.
Now that is a good comment.
H
I'm thinking I might need one of these -atticles soon. I can't imagine how much he's yelling.
But I'm glad you're back Los, I've been missing one of the few authentic voices I ever hear.
Dude. Do it.
welcome back los
Merton — great choice for your "sabbatical." Can't wait to hear your thoughts.
Who is hoping your life would suck?
I am diggin #4 bro. You aren't sayin anything extraordinary but you say it so well
hugs and kisses
xxoo!
Awesome stuff! Glad to know I'm not the only one who enjoys the smell of new books.
Keep bringing it!
i have a bunch of old ones that have a peculiar smell
you mean there's gonna be more than this…yikes
yea. he killed me.
you dont want to know.
fine then, don't tell me.
Tomorrow please eat some varsity for me ok. Keep the muffin top rollin.
#5 is brilliant.
Welcome back! All great thoughts but the gem for me was on twitter today. "Remember,the only measuring tool to measure "worship" on Sunday mornings is the level of surrender in your heart. Not experience & feeling." Wise words brother. Thank you. I got to share them with someone close to me and really change their perspective I hope.
even your alphabet vomit is dominated by yellow and orange!
yummmm corn and carrot….
Thanks Los…BTW to affirm, If any one ever was anointed to minister through this medium – that would be you man! Hope to meet you at Catalyst West Coast … baby! It's gonna kill…
Thanks man. I'll see you there!!!
#4…WOW…so good and such a good reminder. i know I have fallen into this so many times…trying to be famous and leaving Jesus behind. DAMN that behavior. i hate that my sin nature is so strong. Thanks for the words!!
OK… #6… my hubby is an Internet Campus pastor. We hear stuff all the time against having church online, but we see the real and genuine life change that happens for people who go to church online everyday. It's time to use the internet for God's glory.
Carlos, it's great to hear how God met you when you stepped out of the flow of digital life. I think there's a lot to consider in what you state in #7. The more "plugged in" we are the more we probably need to unplug as part of our spiritual rhythm. Anyway, thanks for leading out like this and for sharing it. I look forward to hearing more.
And God Speed to you in Denver. And yes. I'm jealous.
I don't know why but #4 just kicked me and a bunch of church leaders in the balls! Thanks bro… keep it coming.
Reminds me of the times I'll ask my kids to turn their music or movie or video game OFF, not just down, so I can talk with them – because I know they can't really hear me over the other noise.
I am totally with you on #3. So when is the book coming out?
seconded…
WHat the crap would I have to say?
Some folks might think I don't take anything seriously. That's just not the case. I take the Gospel of Christ very seriously — His story, His words, His sacrifice and the Word of God. As you pour over scripture, it becomes obvious that the ones that really pissed Jesus off were the ones that took themselves too seriously and therefore could not see the planks in their own eyes. They had no need for a savior because to them, they were righteous enough to save themselves.
Oh, I'm rambling…I bet your wife and kids made you wash those before you put them back on the refrigerator!
i particularly concur with #2 and #5 and well, #7 just rocks. glad you're back here and ready to mess us up with what He's taught you rather than what you want to teach through an agenda. may we all get out of the equation long enough for God to rewrite it.
That'll preach my pink haired sista.
Ugh…dude! These fine 7 truths alone are worth the time without your relentless updates
Thank you so much! What makes #5 sting all the more is knowing that even your Mom doesn't read your blog! Hahaha!
Keep up upchucking!
Good to have you back kicking me in the teeth again
smile.
#4 – this one drives me nuts when they do this
#7 – totally need this unplug….have already started to see it happen through the birth of my daughter this week…no tv at all…and there has been some feeding issues…I have found myself just waking in the middle of the nite in prayer for her or singing a worship song…
Great reads for the 1:45 am & 4:45 am feedings when I wake to change my daughters diaper and stay up to make sure my wife is doing ok as well..!!!
Congrats man. Those middle of the night feedings will put some hair on your chest.
AHHHHH, #6….Yes, Mom will always read! I'll never know if she's the only one, but I'm sure she'll be reading! Thanks Mom!
#3, YES says the library student.
On the balance: He is Lord, listen carefully. And I admire your discipline.
Thanks for the reminder on Merton, too.
I'm excited man!! Good to have you back! BTW #4 kicked me in the teeth!!
#3 = my reason for not getting a Kindle. That and I can’t pass on my books to other people from a Kindle!
So true. So true.
WWhat!? Why did IntenseDebate all of a sudden appear once I had already submitted my comment above? It was old school wordpress comments and then I click submit and bang, IntenseDebate is there!
You hubby is an amazing man. Tell him to keep it up. No matter the opposition.
Nice.
Please visit my site to pray for a family who needs prayer for the loss of all 6 of their babies.
Thank you.
Love this — glad you're back!
hey man, i am tracking with you…i spent a week in a monastery last year just to unplug, read Scripture and other spiritual writings(mostly merton's stuff)…i just read, journaled, ran, ate, and slept…that was about it…i was amazed at how loudly God spoke during that time…i am wrestling today with how we can experience that type of interaction with God given the speed and intensity of our current culture…one thing i do know – i have to create that culture around me and my family first…good to hear from you again…
What monastary?
abbey of gethsemani – http://www.monks.org/index.html
Bringin the heat. Love it. Wonder if #3 is a foreshadow to a book by Los? Hummm?? Either way, we're all just tools (for God). Looking forward to seeing how he uses you to mobilize and impact his people in ever greater ways.
#4, MAN that is some TRUTH…I know I've fallen victim to it from time to time
like running into a LONG LOST FRIEND!
My mom doesn't even comment on my blog. :/
And I knew you'd have blog fodder for days after this blogatical.
As an addict in recovery, I still tend to isolate. And I have been unemployed for 4 months. Although, I too, believe the printed word is important, I believe now, that so is the online word. In the day & a half you've been "back", I see a difference in yours words. They are not as harsh to me. I'm an older "chick". I couldn't get on the same page as you sometimes; can't explain it, but I had a hard time. Maybe I wasn't hip enough anymore!
Read a blog this morning from a mom of 2 who homeschools her 2 kids & uses online networking alot. With other women of Christ, moms on budgets, etc. But, she is now questioning whether the online community is just too "cozy". Nothing beats face to face, but I have found some amazing people since I started blogging & connecting 4 months ago. I'm not interested in numbers-like followers or commenters. I'm interested in what they have to offer. I believe some of what I have found has enriched my walk and help fill my emptiness when I isolate. Keep it coming. Loving the stuff that really calls me on my character defects!
Is it just me or does this feel like more of a conversation than "old" raga-posts? Not sure what others think, Los, but I love your increased responses within the comments.
It is a goal. For sure.
He rocked me.
Loved hearing what you're learning from your time away… I tweeted this morning what you said about christian leaders in number 4, good stuff. I love the sign off… bring it dont sing it. Love that!!! I must steal it
thanks for sharing!
Great words. I couldn't agree more, God is always speaking, I need to listen more.
My brother, this is a GREAT LIST. I have been waiting for a leader to give the online community permission to be the community that it already is. Thanks man. Keep it up!
Love your picture that starts the post. Verbal vomit.
I am so glad your "sabbatical" served you well! It is so true that we take ourselves way too seriously!! It cracks me up!
I know you have encouraged me to unplug and go "topless" more and it has definitely been to my benefit. Thanks, Carlos!
–Jennifer
I am so glad you are back. All the insights are amazing. Especially like #5 & 6…hard to pick because they are all so great! Incredibly excited to see what God is going to do through you. You have as large a "church community" as most giant churches. Chew on that!
My favorite Mother Teresa quote is…
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love”
So I doubt she had a problem with vanity and celebrity…