Ragamuffin Soul - Latest Comments in Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Chris — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:19:58 -0000

I have moved many times, and the Lord has blessed me in each move. Some have taken longer than others, but that was because of me not HIM. I pray that God will continue to keep you in His hand, as I know He is. May God bless your obedience and sacrifice. Move forward one step at a time, God is faithful x

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Rhi — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:17:53 -0000

oh yeah, Carlos. You forgot I used to sit in the very front row, just to stage-left and I'd be the ONLY one with my hands raised. We were at the VCC with the green carpet. Truth is I don't remember if you were leading at the time or if Moi and Lori-lynn still were. Either way, I got my praise and worship in. That was back when we did "BETTER IS ONE DAY IN YOUR COURTS. BETTER IS ONE DAY IN YOUR HOUSE. BETTER IS ONE DAY IN YOUR COURTS THAN THOUSANDS ELSEWHERE" with a crazy congo beat. Remember? Man I miss you sometimes...

You know what it was. I didn't care. I wasn't raised in church. I didn't know the shame or fear that others feel during worship. I don't embarrass easily. I didn't understand why everyone wasn't all into it like I was. It was some great music. I'd just come to the Lord and was stoked to worship Him. I LOVE worship.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Robin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:28:56 -0000

I signed that board. My name is somewhere on it...wishing you'd all come back.
I know you're following His leading...but I'm not gonna lie, there are MANY Sundays that I stand in worship, wishing you were leading us to the throne.
It's not the same.
You were the first staff member to make me feel like Sandals truly was my home, that I was cared about by the staff there.

I still miss you and your fam (esp. that lil korean).

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Nathan — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:49:27 -0000

Ok dude, this post needs to be reposted. I needed this like you don't know. I moved to orlando 2 years ago after being in the ATL for the last 10, and I am so homesick. My heart hearts. I know I am following God's call here...but I feel I have no true north sometimes. I allowed myself to touch some of those emotions a few months ago, and had the shoulder shaking, headache inducing, take a great nap aftewards cries. I think the subject of the PAIN of leaving what and who you are, to go for who your will be is worthy of a repost. Because once we leave...that chapter is closed. To try to be THAT person is futile. In the words of Bagger Vance... "The Juno he was, is not who he'll ever be..." I'm gropping for my future, with eyes blinded by tears for the past.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Phil — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:14:38 -0000

Hey Carlos,
I really hear what you're saying. As many other people echoed my thoughts already. We left our previous church after 7 years. Not perfect years, but good years. God definitely opened some amazing doors for us to be where we're at now...but we're still wrestling through the homesick feeling. I know it's part of the process...but we're just journeying on for now.

Blessings man.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Sue — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:20:12 -0000

Los, thanks for remembering how I came to Sandals, true, true....always wanted to raise my hands and cry in worship at my other church, but, just didn't seem appropiate there....good church, attended by thousands, but it was not an encouraged thing on Sundays, and mind you it is a BIG church, so there is an unsaid decorum that goes along with that.... Now, when God calls me to be in "obedient worship:, I am. He wants me to submit, even if I feel uncomfortable...I can do that at Sandals, and now, probably anywhere else. It won't matter where I go, (no, no rolling on the floor, etc) but if God wants me to kneel before Him, or lift my hands, I know it is for Him, not me or anyone else. Thank you Carlos, for your passion for the worship of our God, and sharing that with others, cause isn't that what we are called to do?

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

jonathan — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:50:16 -0000

Your last night at Sandals was my 3rd or 4th. I was so bummed that you left. I was really blessed by my short time worshipping with you. But I remain blessed by your transparency and God is doing things in you I'm sure that were not possible here. God bless you and your family!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

One Busy Mom — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:23:39 -0000

Been there. It's hard. Leaving "times" and relationships behind to begin again is like quicksand for a while, then it gets to where you can breathe again and you like what is around you.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

bobby — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:43:18 -0000

I hear ya bro. I don't know how to describe some of the ways I miss Revolution in Long Beach and our family there at times. You do a great job expressing it for you, and it kinda frees me up a little to feel the way I do. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

gbrad@mag — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:36:51 -0000

Yo Los,
I had one those cries @ sandals between services ohh . . . about a year ago. Matt had preached something about being real and you ended the service with Inside Out . . . it was one o' those paralyzin' body shakin' cries where I just covered my face and I just couldn't move. A guy named Mike sat next to me and prayed . . . Though I'm an active deacon @ Mag, I've never been the same and I've rubbed some people raw with realness ... not meanness 'cuz sometimes I'm wrecked and I ain't got a problem sayin' it out to the christians but sometimes they just don't wanna hear it, knowwhutahmsayin'? Gotta love the christians, though they do come through when they Let GOD do the thing.

I thank GOD for your obedience & for sandals

grace and peace

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

azuspeak — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:08:58 -0000

It seems like there's a lot of this going around. I woke up this morning missing my old stomping ground as well. But I'll say the same thing that a woman at my old church told me right before I left NJ. She told me to not get discouraged because "the world needs what you have." Carlos, the world needs that fire that you and Heather have from Sandals, Atlanta needs it, Buckhead needs it. It may not look the same as it did before, but bring the fire--to the unbelievers and the career Christians too!

Thanks for your honesty!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Loran — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:52:47 -0000

Los
I totally feel this. At times it's tough but better to be in the middle of His will than any place else. Press on Bro.
LL

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Crystal Renaud — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:10:05 -0000

thank you for this post. the honesty is important to obedience.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Rhi — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:50:39 -0000

we love and miss you too!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Ronni — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:07:53 -0000

Los, just following you and the very limited convos we have had, have made me pull God out of the box I put Him in...

I remember talking to you about multisite, only to watch my old digs open campus #2 only weeks later... knowing that God IS working there... despite my preconceived notions...

career Christian... yeah... ouch.

Keep pushing brother.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

lynse leanne — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:34:28 -0000

ah....following the call of God. some days it really sucks.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

ah — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:51:16 -0000

OK, I'm "Sue of Sandals" here. I know what it's about (the lifting of hands deal), but I've never 'been' there emotionally. It makes me sad, because I feel like I'm cold or something is wrong with me. But I do know one thing, since I discovered your blog, I've been so inspired to pursue that feeling along with my new desire to blog. You are reaching us! Smiles to you!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

bigdaddyjer — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:48:51 -0000

still missed - still loved

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Lu — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:10:38 -0000

Three and a half years in Nashville. Convinced beyond any doubt this is exactly where I belong, where God called me and has (literally) planted me. And I still sob sometimes over what I left behind in LA and at Mosaic. I feel you, bro.

What you left sounds like it was nothing less than a place cradled in the palm of God's hand. It speaks volumes about you and Heather that you were willing to leave it all because God said to. God will honor your sacrifice and surrender. He will make sure it wasn't in vain.

Hang in there, God is working. You will see it; you will experience it, just like you did at Sandals. No, it won't look or feel, or even be, the same. But it will also be in the palm of God's hand, and it will fill you to overflowing just as Sandals does. The God we serve is faithful. He will not waste your sacrifice, or your pain.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Rich Kirkpatrick — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:37:38 -0000

And although I do not aim to duplicate what God was doing there, here, I do aim to disturb career Christians into seeing His face fresh again.

That statement is the statement of the leader you are and why I like you so much, bro!

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Mocha — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:13:31 -0000

Hey Los, I appreciate your honesty and candor. Calling is something I feel penetrating my life as we speak. I absolutely love where I am, but know that God has so much more for me, away from 'home.' I can't help but think that your journey can serve as a blueprint for so many of us other people looking to find the will of God in our lives. Thanks for keeping it real and sharing your life. -Mocha

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Chad Jarnagin — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:51:48 -0000

I feel you.

Well said holmes.
C

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Kym — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:33:19 -0000

Missing being lead deep into worship. Missing you guys even more. So much love and thanks...

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

julie belle — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:33:10 -0000

this weekend i met and hung out with a lot of people from buckhead...and they were some really beautiful and awesome folks...made me want to come see what's going on in atlanta.

oh...and they said you lead worship not too long ago at buckhead and that you totally rocked it out.

just sayin.

Re: Ragamuffin Soul » I Cried A Good Cry

Rachel — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:11:48 -0000

Oh my gosh, Los. I've been in such a similar place this week, just in a different context. Sometimes it's just enough to know that we go where God sends us, and that above all, He is with us.

This entry really resounds with me...and reminds me that He is so faithful, even when we're pushing through the kinds of holes in hearts left by the absence of a community we really, truly love. Thank you for sharing.