Confession: It’s Good For The Soul

It’s never a bad time to admit openly and publicly that I, The Original Mud Puppy, am the KING of sinners.

(Video courtesy of Shane Bertou)

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Filed under: Confessions, Forgiveness, Mud Puppy, Sin, YouTube

I Am

The world is small my friends. This week I ran into a blogger (Shane Bertou) that did back to back posts identical to mine. Turns out we also share a few other things—we’re both 31, both been married 7 years, both have a 3 year old son, both have worked in marketing, both have degrees in management, and have both been involved in church planting.

So tonight I’m checking out his blog a little more, and see he has some vlog’s (video blogs). The one he did on confession was so sweet, and timely, that I had to post it here.

Filed under: 8 Mile, Confessions, Eminem, Forgiveness, YouTube

Confessions Week: Gossip

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. —Ephesians 4:29

It was a week ago today that I posted about a favorite song of mine that included the lyrics, “I bet there’ll even be rumors floatin’ around on Judgment Day.” It’s sad, but so true. And I’m sure I’ll be a part of it. It’s just too easy to jump in and start throwing speculations around. Feeding on the newest juicy tidbit. Shrouding it in concern, when we all know it’s just gossip.

I wonder how many people have been hurt by my gossip? Like Curt Schilling mentioned in his post today about the bloody sock controversy (see link below), I could be using my abilities to build up and inspire, rather than tearing down.

Filed under: Confessions, Gossip

Confessions Week: Lust

You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. —Matthew 5:27-28

Lust may be too strong a word. Maybe I should say wandering eye disease. Whatever you call it, I know I’m not alone in this as a man, but we seem to shy away from talking about it. We pretend it doesnt’ exist and that it’s not a problem, but it is. It’s so easy to fall into the trap. There is virtually no place you can go where sexual temptation is not available.

I honestly don’t believe sticking your head in the sand and avoiding all those things (you know like the internet, television, magazines…life) is going to help. It’s a deeper issue and it is only rectified with prayer. I know the times I find myself slipping, it’s almost always because my prayer life is lacking.

Filed under: Confessions, Lust

Confessions Week: Materialism

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:19-21

Tough to admit, but I love my stuff. I put everything in shiny little cases for the world to see. I keep inventory like I’m running a Best Buy at my house. I see new and better shiny things and I just need to have them. And it’s not just enough to borrow something I need from someone that has it. I have to own it for myself. It’s a disease.

When I should be giving more things away, I’m coveting more and more. I have a closet full of clothes, enough to wear a different shirt for four straight months, yet all I can think of is going on a shopping spree and building a new wardrobe.

Why am I so in love with what this world has to offer?

Filed under: Confessions, Materialism

Confessions Week: Faith

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:12-13

Just this past weekend as I was playing with Tanner I thought back to the faith of Abraham and his willingness to follow God wherever he asked. I can tell you right here today that I still do not have the faith to do what Abraham did. (Does that mean I love Tanner more than God?)

We love our safe little lives don’t we? I know I do, and that’s why my faith is so weak. I mentioned this briefly on Aarons blog yesterday, but I’ve been afraid of the “Bring The Rain” prayer forever, simply because I really don’t want to get wet. By “Bring The Rain”, I mean asking God to do whatever it takes to bring me closer to him—knowing full well he has the power to get me through whatever comes my way.

And here I stand, unwilling to ask for fear that he might actually bring some rain and that will mess up my safe little life.

Filed under: Confessions, Faith

Confessions Week: Pride

Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. —Matthew 6:1

I found myself this weekend in the all-to-familiar mindset of being proud of myself. Most of the time I do a pretty decent job of flying under the radar in the things I do to help others out. The problem I have is patting myself on the back when I’m done. I always seem to be mentally kicking back with a Macanudo, smiling and thinking, “What would the world do without me?” I’m pretty sure that’s just as bad as announcing my feats for all to hear.

I know this is just a natural feeling, as well as prodding from Satan, but I can’t stand it when it happens. I try to catch myself early in the process of thinking those things, and remind myself of what’s going on. Luckily, I get great reminders, such as the missionaries that spoke yesterday and talked about working in the streets of Mexicali with kids addicted to crack and glue. Forgetting self, and putting their lives on the line daily.

Yeah, that pretty much slaps me back to reality pretty quick.

Filed under: Confessions, Pride