DISQUS

Chad Cannon · 1 year ago

Love this post...love the transparency and how real you are. Keep up the amazing ministry bro!

ian · 1 year ago

you sound familiar

Tyler Braun · 1 year ago

Challenging...because this is true for all of us Los.

brandi · 1 year ago

seems like God is doing something in the ragamuffin community in forcing us to deal with crap & begin / continue the process of being "true faced"... everyone i talk to that ive met through here seems to be thinking the same type of thoughts.

thank you for being obedient & being a catalyst for the conversation to continue. this is my favorite ragamuffin post yet.

jaysten · 1 year ago

Preach

Steven · 1 year ago

Thanks for being so real man. Really...thanks.

Rob · 1 year ago

This is by far my favorite post I have read here. Thanks for being real! God Bless!

matt bortmess · 1 year ago

great post Los. Thanks for being real. It's something we all need to work on...especially as pastors.

Julie · 1 year ago

I'm glad you decided to post this... it was less than an hour ago when I was running down a list, in my mind, of everything I do that makes me undeserving to be used by God. Helps to know that other people also have their 'lists' and that God wants to use us despite all of that.

Steve · 1 year ago

I once heard a Teacher say "If God is made strong in our weakness, then why do we hide our weakness(es)?"

Another "older" guy once said "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

More Power to Ya Los!

-sray

@theT5guy · 1 year ago

HOly @#$%..dude...as i read that post i started crying...because i thought you were describing me. Every thing you said is me... how did i get here...how did i get this way? Man, we are so much the same guy it is not funny. I will pray for you Bro. God uses me every day in really cool ways, yet I am totally undeserving. I will continue to attempt to be obedient to God in spite of sinful self.

Thanks for the honesty, maybe now i can be honest with myself.

Susan · 1 year ago

Gotta love this -- gonna print it out and read it repeatedly (for me). Thanks.

Shaun King · 1 year ago

Thank you for being real Los and thank you for pushing through and publishing this man! I wish we could be so real that we did a Rated R version. I'd probably have to leave the country after mine.

Shaun

John · 1 year ago

the truth is like a knife dogg.

hale-yeah! · 1 year ago

nice post man. Written beautifully

Mandy · 1 year ago

THAT took balls.

Ive been reading your blog for awhile, and this is the first time I just had to say something.

Thanks for being so real. Its encouraging me to start a relationship with God that I have longed for but just always put on the back burner.. Please pray for me to get my butt to church on Sunday.

Thanks again

joelhwilliams · 1 year ago

that's real - that's all of us. thanks so much

metromom · 1 year ago

Isn't it amazing that we all could write this- or a version of it?
I mean I know I'm that girl...on many days and in many ways...but then to actually even begin to fathom that in all of this- we are still "complete" in Him, loved by Him, the apple of His eye...totally and unconditionally accepted. Blows my mind.

Even while we were sinners Christ died for us. I am humbled to the core thinking about the fact that He loves me. *That girl*

jess · 1 year ago

amen

Jonathan · 1 year ago

Preach Los.

Thanks for being transparent. I'm gonna have to bookmark this one just to keep myself in check some days.

ally · 1 year ago

How awesome is our God that he can use people as broken and messed up as we are for His glory and our good? I think I need to copycat this post to remind myself that God is big enough to use me despite all of the things that are on the need to fix/change/pray about list.

D.Lake · 1 year ago

You're that guy that leads by example.

You're that guy that says things we wish they would have.

You're that guy whose blog we read for inspiration.

You're that guy who we want to be our friend.

You're Carlos "Freakin" Whittaker - thanks for peeling like an onion man!

D.Lake · 1 year ago

Dude...BTW congrats on 1 million visits. WOW!

alex mclean · 1 year ago

keep rockin the tight shirts, no ones knows except us!

mike foster · 1 year ago

amazing post los. hits home here. m.

John Fones · 1 year ago

Wow, Thank you for that Los. It really hit home, in a big way.

SimplyAubs · 1 year ago

Right on, Los. Raw, real, honest. Thanks.

Ronni · 1 year ago

dude. wow. Yeah.

now thinking about my list... hurts.

wow.

Steve · 1 year ago

That was like looking in mirror, brother.

Maigh · 1 year ago

Word.

Ashley · 1 year ago

los, thanks for being so honest-so transparent. i don't think that its any accident that God is laying on the hearts of believers right now to get real...to stop the fake..we are going through a book on personal revival together as a church called Downpour by james macdonald. AWESOME! come check out what has been going on at sherwood in albany, ga and what will happen today...on dr phil...curious yet???

Zack · 1 year ago

Word...

Steve Conley · 1 year ago

I'm that guy in the amen pew.

Brian · 1 year ago

This is beautiful...

Bubba · 1 year ago

Thanks for the post, los. This is a great reminder that we are all that guy. Sometimes we need to be reminded because we are too low and don't think God can use us. Other times we need to be reminded because we are too high and think that all the good stuff is us and not from God.

Keep on keepin' it real.

Abe · 1 year ago

I am that guy too!

Chris Chowdhury · 1 year ago

Wow. I gotta go look in the mirror.

Robert Smith · 1 year ago

This left me breathless, it put a sick feeling inside of me. Thank you, as I have said to you before your blog is alot of fun, then all of the sudden you smack us in the face with reality!

beth · 1 year ago

I'm that girl. Except for the tight shirts.

Thanks, brother.

dorothy (vicar of vibe) · 1 year ago

What is so amazing about God is he still chose to call YOU!
You are the man who remembers that "every click is a heart beat"!
Thanks for being so transparent.

Mary Jac · 1 year ago

blown away...i need more friends like you.

Shayne · 1 year ago

Ok...that's it. I'm coming down to Buckhead to meet you. And I'm bringing the family so you'll know I'm not a weirdo stalker.

Now I just need some gas $$$. Anybody got $500 they wanna lend a sista for a tank of gas?

Great post.

Lewis · 1 year ago

Wow. Harsh and honest. God's pleased. And we're here to support you. That's what confession is all about. Even in a virtual reality community, we're for you.

AO · 1 year ago

One of the best, most transparent and authentic posts I have ever read. Los, thank you for the challenge to get over myself and get real!

Eli Ruggles · 1 year ago

Dude... Thank you, for the openness.

Me too.

Rachel · 1 year ago

Amazing. Thanks for being authentic.

Minnow · 1 year ago

Was just about to take you off my blogroll because I was getting the sense you were "that guy". Truly glad I didn't do it because just about the time our (read my) judgementalism gets the best of us God wops us up side the head and says, "Take a look in the mirror." Thank you for the lesson in humility.

greg varney · 1 year ago

hey man. my pastor/boss sent me to your blog the other day. not really sure who you are, but love the blog - layout, content, everything.

especially this post.

i needed to read this. this morning. right now.

thanks for having the courage to post it.

bub · 1 year ago

Tell your own damn story, not mine! Thanks for keepin' it real Los!

Jan · 1 year ago

If we think we aren't that guy we are fooling only ourselves. My righteousness is as filthy rags, yet I choose to put my rags on every day instead of dress myself in the robes that He has bought for me. His clothing is so much better than mine, but I just don't seem to get it. Thanks for the reminder.

Rob Edwards · 1 year ago

Los,
Thanks for reminding us that we're not alone in this.....

Rachel · 1 year ago

Wow.

Thanks, Los. For real.

tricia · 1 year ago

Thanks for keeping it real and being real.

Stephanie · 1 year ago

Now *that's* how you celebrate 1 million hits.

Awesome. Off to make my own list now.

Danae · 1 year ago

AWESOME post Carlos, thanks for being so real

Todd Dunn · 1 year ago

Los is also a thief. He stole my identity. Love ya bro!

Dana · 1 year ago

This is probably my favorite post that you've ever done...because it's real. It's raw.

P.s. I can't HELP pouting my lips and using a higher angle...takes my double chin RIGHT AWAY! (what a God send) hahaha

Oh, and I agree...if we wait until we are "right"..."without sin" before we start making ourselves available to God...IT WONT EVER HAPPEN!

emily · 1 year ago

Thanks for keeping it real.

jonathan · 1 year ago

I know that guy!

chris · 1 year ago

thanks for this. i think we sometimes need to be reminded that God CAN use us where we are at. i'm not perfect and it's ok.


http://serialyouthpastor.com/2008/09/24/sometim...

Kevin Bazal · 1 year ago

I'm so much more that guy that you are...but that makes Christ's grace all the more beautiful!

Lisa @ put-it-on-the-list · 1 year ago

Wow. So this is the REAL Los.

I think I like him. And I know God uses him.

Heidi Reed · 1 year ago

I'm that girl who is going to do exactly this on my own blog because it touched me, made me cry, and helped to feel you as another human being instead of just this cool pastor dude on a blog.

Thanks Los. Again.

Chip · 1 year ago

Man, that is bold. Best thing you've ever posted...your credibility just jumped tenfold with me. And I am challenged by your closing statement.

d · 1 year ago

Best. Post. Ever.

Thanks for brutal honesty and forcing me to look inward, Los.

skiescolliiide · 1 year ago

awesome in so many different ways.
thanks for your honesty and for taking us back to reality

tracy · 1 year ago

So REAL, so Transparent! I think you should challenge all ragamuffunsoul readers to do their own..."I'm that guy or I'm that girl" post! (wait, you just did) You sure have challenged me to think through some things/crap that easily get overlooked or swept under the rug....I need to remember, "I'M THAT GIRL" Thanks!

jason salamun · 1 year ago

i'm that guy who digs the man behind ragamuffin soul because he's got the unction to share authentic posts like this.

Archie Mck · 1 year ago

Great stuff, thanks for the candor and the honesty

alicia · 1 year ago

I am so glad you didn't delete this post.. it will definitely affect my day.. :) In a good way.

exchangedlife · 1 year ago

aaahhh what a breath of fresh air! Thanks for posting it.
You truly are that guy that says the things we all wish we would have.
Thanks for your continued confidence in your place in the Lord, and for sharing your life with us

www.exchangedlife.wordpress.com

Joe Louthan · 1 year ago

Best. post. ever.

Ken Davis · 1 year ago

You can't be that guy!!!!!!!!! I'm that guy!! Amazing insight.

Kent Kingery · 1 year ago

I showed this to my wife, and she said "Yeah, you're that guy, too". Man, I don't feel so out of place now...

Jamie · 1 year ago

I bet that you're that guy that is eating up all the kind words in these comments too. I know that I would be.

Thanks Los. Christ in you is shining through the internet brightly.

I truely believe that you would do anything short of sin to make the name of Jesus famous. Truely.

Tara · 1 year ago

this rocks.
you rock.
thx!

~T

michael · 1 year ago

Reading this blog actually hurts.. where to go from here..

matt borrett · 1 year ago

holy crap. thanks for putting me in my place! needed that one today.
matt

Andrew · 1 year ago

Thank you......

Thank you.

Ken · 1 year ago

That is a awesome post, thanks for being honest. I realized not long ago that God is in control of everything, and will use me even when I don't know it. I'm just following his lead, and hanging on for the ride.

Herstorygirl · 1 year ago

Carlos,
I LOVE this post!!
What a humbling, honest, baring of your soul.

I can so relate right now.
I'm going to admit something... I did not join your "Raggamuffin Top Challenge," because when you have struggled with a serious weight issue (50+ pounds) for the greater part of your life (as I have), you become slightly gun-shy of such things.
I kept thinking, "I don't want to put myself out there; I'll wait until my weight is lower."
God has been showing me what a mistake that truly is.

He doesn't want to wait til we deem ourselves "perfect" and "ready" for Him to use us for His glory.
He wants us now, warts and all.
My faith in the last few months has grown exponentially as I have witnessed His undeserved grace in my life.

Today, I stepped on the scale and I have lost 60 pounds since February.
Not by MY strength or power -- Only by His.
And God is using my struggle AND my success for His glory!

I agree.
"It's not about you" and "Get over yourself" have become my life's motto over the past year. I'm far from "finished," and I'll never be perfect, but that no longer matters. I just want to live this imperfect life for Him in any way He sees fit.
Thank you for this beautiful post!

whittakerwoman · 1 year ago

Oh, I am so in love with you! I love every ounce of "that guy" H

Rhi · 1 year ago

thank you for your open honesty. that is why we love you. THIS is why you have a faithful community of friends, colleagues, admirers and foes. you may be those things but you know what is worse? being THAT GUY and NOT admitting it! so, step one is done. hehe

i need to do a post like this....

Terry Foester · 1 year ago

thanks

Ron Swanson · 1 year ago

I'm That guy and more. Thanks!

Carolyn · 1 year ago

I LOVE this entry and your blog in general. We all have faults, no one is perfect...all we can do is all we can do...but if we accept that then we better be doing ALL we can do ALL the time. Otherwise it's just an excuse.
:)

Rich Kirkpatrick · 1 year ago

love you bro

Silvana · 1 year ago

You are that guy that decided you don't give a crap about what people think, because you care more about what God thinks and what He is doing and will do in your life.

You are the guy that is listening to the Holy Spirit leading him to be transparent.

Thanks for that post Los.

eryn · 1 year ago

your that guy that Jesus loves all the same! (:

Stephanie · 1 year ago

Dude. that was raw...
Way to put it out there

West Wheeler · 1 year ago

gah! so how 'bout them free drums? hahaha!

man, you hit that one out of the park, didn't you. I'm the guy that wishes he had the stats you have.......keep it up, los.

Amy (Dandelion Seeds) · 1 year ago

Amazing...

MikeV · 1 year ago

I resemble many of those remarks...

Thanks, I needed that!

Andy McMahon · 1 year ago

This is good stuff. Took Balls. Like Love.

kells · 1 year ago

Like a shot in the gut, who doesn't resemble this post. Thanks for the honesty!

Alastair Vance · 1 year ago

Great great post Los.

Daniel Scott · 1 year ago

i rarely post comments, and never have here...but THAT is inspiring!

thanks for being real!

Mike Jones · 1 year ago

I feel like that was the story of my life.

Julie McCoy · 1 year ago

I loved this post. Well put.

Dayna · 1 year ago

This lurker came out just to say thank you for this post. Being reminded that perfection is not a qualifier changes me every time I see it demonstrated. Many lives have been changed today.

T. Ro. · 1 year ago

I'm the girl who has been asking God questions and saw His answers in this blog post. Thank you.

Pearmama · 1 year ago

I needed to read that this morning. Sometimes when you feel like you are the only christian who struggles it totally sucks.

sue ann · 1 year ago

I like this post because at the end you admitted to not wanting to post it. I am glad you did, and even though I agree that we are all being used in this world by a higher being I do not think that it makes things justified. The fact that you have come to this realization is GODS work, so take what you have learned adn stop being a jackass to your wife and yourself! I like that a lot of the commentors have identified with you and feel similarily to being THAT person, but you sound like a jerk that needs to change some of your ways!

Jason · 1 year ago

Hey Los thanks for being that guy. I am that guy too.

I have been stuck on philippians 2:12-13 for about 2 months now. I am so blessed to be in ministry since it definitely isn't because of me and what I've done. Those verses continue to kick my butt in reminding me that I am not finished yet and it is up to God on how I am used not me. It is my choice to follow Him though.

I would be honest and say that if someone asked me about you I would not have thought you were the guy you posted, but by doing so it means that if someone asks me who you are I can say it in one word "Real!" You've encouraged me to be more real with myself and others as I continue to "work out my salvation in fear and trembling".

Thanks Los

Casey · 1 year ago

I am that girl that almost left her husband due to his stupid mistake 4 years ago. Thank God that forgiveness is sweet and worth all the pain (most days). And on the days that are still hard, God reminds me that He is at work in his life and I don't have to fix him.

chad · 1 year ago

I too am that guy.

I am the guy that doesn't have the balls to make a post like this because he is still in the process of getting over himself.

Thx Los for the honesty

gbrad@mag · 1 year ago

I'm that guy who can not understand the haters who point out what they see in you but for some reason still post knowing they've got AT LEAST one MAJOR issue to deal with.

I pray for all of us "guys" who know we live foul and desperately seek GOD's face for guidance and strength

Stay real, Los
Throw love on the haters
GOD's got your back

E · 1 year ago

I have always started to type comments on this blog and always deleted them, I always write a comment on how much I am moved or touched and then delete it feeling like I sounded dumb. But on this I will not delete, I am truly touched. I admire your honesty and wish i could analyze myself as you do just so I could start each day knowing full force who I am. I am that woman standing in the corner wishing I had the self esteem and confidence to fulfill God's will for myself.

Mama Belle · 1 year ago

Came here from your wife's blog. Thanks for your honesty. We're all just trying to walk this thing out. I just thank God for the grace He allows me to walk in every day because, believe me, I need it. I stink just as much as you do. (that sounded bad, but you get my point)

T · 1 year ago

Yeah, I'm that guy too. While I use to think we were two totally, radically different guys that would never possibly get along if we met in real life.....I'm totally wrong. We are exactly alike.

T

Simone · 1 year ago

Authentic. Transparent.

Carole Turner · 1 year ago

I am that girl that pisses people off but then cant handle rejection.

Angie · 1 year ago

WOW! Working on my list to post soon. Thanks for the honesty and being the example we all are learning from.

Jacinda · 1 year ago

I love you and love when you write like that! Almost cried tonight at the thought of hanging out with you and H next week. Seriously, can't wait!

Amy I · 1 year ago

I wrote a whole post like you and don't want to take up a huge chunk of your blog took a lot for me to write this so here it is out on the table.http://portraitsofmyself.blogspot.com/2008/09/real-me.html

Cassidy · 1 year ago

Wow! Your post hit me pretty hard as I step in front of that mirror. Thank you for stepping out there.. and leading the way.