Aaron Reddin onLife, Liberty, and Pursuit of Jesusness

I would say this is to everyone on earth, but not everyone on earth can read English.  So…..since you can, it’s definitely written to you. 

Gulp…..here goes:

I’ve become a critical Christian @$$hole. 

I’m sorry.  I really, really am.  I never wanted to have the attitude issues that I’ve carried and spewed all over the place for the last several months.  I still don’t want them. 

I don’t want to be that guy.  Because that guy is poisonous.  He is anything but a breeder of hope. 

I’ve let two major situations in my life in the last year become excuses and motivators for harboring my unforgiveness and bitterness.  I’ve blamed.  I’ve shamed.  I’ve even embarrassed myself with my poor attitude and insensitive behavior. 

As he always does, Pete Wilson punched me straight in the heart yesterday via one of his latest podcasts. 

Pete said something to the effect of, “It is unacceptable to blame anyone but yourself for your current spiritual health”……..that may not be exact but it’s close.

You know what?  He was absolutely right. 

Talk about a shot directly to the problem I’ve been facing.  I’ve been trying to figure out why I couldn’t get over this “hump” in forgiving two men who I have been holding responsible for my poor spiritual health.  I couldn’t seem to get over my anger and bitterness.  I was continually blaming other people’s acts of “fraud” and malice for my anger with God as well. 

So….

Dear everyone – I’m sorry for being a critical jerk who continually pointed at the faults of others to make myself feel as though I wasn’t as far from God as I really was.  Though I tried to fool myself, I know I never fooled you.  Please forgive me. 

Dear Lane, my amazing and beautiful wife- I’ll never understand how you have stood by me so many times and through so many things.  Even when I recklessly put you in situations you never deserved to be in.  I’m sorry that I have neglected our marital spiritual life and well-being.  Few things could make me feel like a poorer husband.  Thank you for loving me with grace and truth.  Please forgive me for my lacking and sometimes non-existent spiritual leadership.  I love you. 

And God- Why does repentance have to be so hard?  I guess so that we learn our lesson and try to avoid the same situations in the future, huh?  I’ll never know how you continually pour grace on me.  Even when I get so mad at you that I just might cuss you out.  I know that you have brought me through “the valley”, and that you have better days ahead for me.  Please humble me, that you might one day use me again to share your love and grace with the darkest places of earth.  Please forgive me for continually screwing things up.  It’s a good thing you’re God, because nobody else could handle your crazy job!  ;)  Please eradicate my life of the anger and resentment that I’ve stored away, in Jesus good name. 

Ok, show’s over folks!!!  What are you just sitting there looking at me for??  Go back to doing whatever it is you do!!  :)

Since some people are going to straight freak out over this one without even listening to (or reading) the lyrics, let me just put on my Captain Obvious cape for a moment.

The song is not claiming that there is no Jesus Christ. The song is written to remind someone (everyone?) that they are not Jesus Christ.  It is also not that old of a song.  So to call it “throwback” may not be totally accurate.  Oh well. 

Want to see into the minds of my generation and understand why they are so jaded by church and Christianity? Here’s your chance. No, you will not fully understand from this song. But it’s definitely worth a listen.

Most people believe that the song was written to Shaun Morgan’s then ex-girlfriend, Amy Lee. The two had a lyrical fist-fight for some time after their breakup.

Who the heck would ever take a roadtrip by themselves?  Not me.  No way.  No how. 

Whether it’s business (mandatory) or personal (recreational), there are dozens of reasons that road-trips are just not meant to be a solo performance!

This is probably the only recovery principle that is universally accepted.  Don’t go it alone!!

Though Paul was nowhere near addressing “recovery” in Romans 1:11-12, he clearly shows the importance of face-to-face interaction with other believers and like-minded individuals. 

“For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.  When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

He longs for it.  As do we all. 

Many times people assume that because I write about aspects of “Christian recovery” that I believe need to be reevaluated, that I think that there is no need for any kind of recovery efforts.  This is simply not true. 

You need support.  You encouragement.  You need entertainment.  You need a shoulder sometimes.  You need some seriously real friends, because sometimes you are gonna need someone to get in your face and put you in check.  I know I do.  I have to have that daily!

Road trips are a group effort.  Only weirdos and serial killers drive around alone!  :)

The road to recovery is a lonely and desolate place sometimes.  Don’t think for a minute that you will survive out there on your own.  God made you, and He made it clear that you were not created for isolation.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…..

There was this thing that people did called Sunday School.  It was a magical land of puppets and felt boards where little kiddies would all gather to learn about “God”. 

Some body’s mom who was 43 times the age of the kiddies would come in to teach the kiddies how to be good little Christian boys and girls.  The lucky kiddies all met in the same room.  The not so lucky kiddies had to separate.  Boys in one room, girls in another!! 

Oh, screw this!  I’m not a fiction writer! 

If you ever had the privilege to go to Sunday School then you probably remember learning very early about the Roman Road to Salvation.  I know, I know.  Not all Sunday School was that bad.  And if you still do Sunday School, please do it well because you are like the Native Americans of Christianity. 

So the Roman Road to Salvation, just in case you are un-Sunday Schooled, was a breakdown of Bible verses that lead you down the path to salvation.  It’s Bible verses pulled and regrouped to form a path, mostly out of Romans.  Duh.  Hence the name. 

Unarguably outdated in today’s “modern” Church, the Roman Road has been all but forgotten by most. 

The sad part is that Romans is brilliant.  OK, the Bible is brilliant, but Romans speaks so clearly to addictions, strongholds, and even what real “Christian” recovery should look like. 

It speaks of power.  The power of God.  The power of sin.  The power we have been given.  The power that lives within us. 

It speaks of life.  How to live it.  How to control it.  Where to obtain it. 

It speaks of freedom.  Freedom from the law.  Freedom from bondage.  Freedom from sin.  Freedom found only in Jesus. 

Romans basically lays out a perfect “road” if you will to recovery.  I mean real recovery.  True recovery.  The kind of recovery that doesn’t take the remainder of your life.  The kind of recovery that you’re only going to get from Jesus, and the only kind that Jesus ever really offered. 

Over the next few days, weeks, years, crap I don’t know……

I want to blog some quick thoughts that come from Romans.  Simple.  Concise.  True. 

I hope you will subscribe, or come back to read and COMMENT to contribute to these discussions.

Thanks to these two, I would like to announce that I am quitting Christianity, American-ity, Southern…whatever, and I will no longer divulge my gun ownership status. 

Anne gave me the guts.  Basil gave me the desire.  Anne told me it was ok, when Basil made me cry. 

I’ve wanted to return to Nashville, TN someday.  However, if this dude goes any farther than a 3 inch rope, it just won’t happen……I don’t even know if I will call myself American ever again.

Jesus makes me laugh all through the scriptures.  He makes me laugh because He sets people up and breaks out a left-hook, not because He set out to be a comedian. 

One of His favorite set-ups is finding out what a person really believes about Him, and how much they actually believe Him.  Not just in Him.

You’ve likely read/heard it:  “Who do you say that I am?”

That’s a BIG question coming from the likes of Jesus.  It’s big because Jesus was very clear, all the time, about who He was claiming to be.  He clearly declared that He was in fact God. 

He wanted to know if His people were buying into it or not.  I think He wants to know if we buy into it or not. 

But do we?  Do we really? 

There are a lot of people out there who will say that they “believe in God”, or “believe in Jesus” or what have you.  The trouble comes when we start talking about believing what He has said.  How can we claim to believe in Him, if we negate what He has said?  There is no way to  justify claiming to believe that Jesus is God, but discredit His very words!  That makes no stinkin’ sense!

The more I write, speak, teach about the correlation between Jesus and addictions, the more people will outright argue with things that Jesus Himself clearly stated.  How can this be?  How can we be “Christians” or “Christ followers” if we are going to argue His very words?!?! 

If we don’t buy what He has clearly said regarding our freedom and the fact that HE HAS GIVEN US power over sin and strongholds, then just who do we really say that He is?? 

It wasn’t enough to just follow Jesus around then, it’s not enough now.  We either believe what He has clearly communicated to us, or we don’t.   

This is one of the many reasons that I can’t stand to hear the claim that undocumented immigrants are a “drain” on our society….

I don’t have all the answers. I know, you’re shocked, right?

But as Christians we are supposed to be following the only one who does have them all. Why, then, do we allow our minds, hearts, people, churches, and doctrine to be infiltrated with things that are absolutely contradictory to what He says?

You probably know where I’m going. It’s just…..where I go….

Sometimes I just have to clarify some of it though and that’s what I’m wanting to do here. You see, I fight a battle. I’ve pretty much come to realize that no matter the cost, my life is about this battle. It’s the battle for absolute freedom from addictions.

Why a battle? Well, because the Church is accepting secular ideals about addictions that contradict Jesus. Christians are selling the notion that addictions never fully go away. And other Christians are buying it. More critical is the fact that most new Christians who are battling addiction are buying it by the truckload.

I’ve posted many posts on here that show the conflict between secular recovery ideals and the very teachings of Jesus. The two simply do not mesh. This post isn’t so detailed in showing the conflict. It’s just a post that says, “Hey! We need to re-examine this thing called recovery that we’re doing in our churches”.  It scares me how much the Church and “trustworthy” well known pastors are taking this stuff in and dishing it out like candy corn at a church hayride on Halloween.

For one who is battling addictions, the point of beginning a recovery journey is probably the most critical of that journey and if people are not getting a solid foundation of Jesus and His teachings on these matters then we may as well just invite them over for some crack and vodka.  

Screw “cool”.  Screw PC.  Screw addictions.  If it takes being labeled a super hyper-charismatic radical freakshow to put people with addictions before the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, then that’s what it’s going to take.  I won’t give up. 

He set me free, and I’ll not shut up. 

One of the greatest Christian cliche’s that I’ve ever heard is this:

“Jesus got up and got out, so that you can get up and get out”.

It’s time we remember that.

This is probably the kind of blog post that has been written 11,672 times, in as many different ways. Oh well.

I’ve found myself, as I do about once a month, realizing that I am completely insufficient. I’m a lame dude, lame employee, lame friend, and I’m a lame husband. I totally suck at life.

Said it before, say it again…..the ONLY good thing in me is Jesus.

But half the time, I’m just stupid enough to think that I’m smart enough to take these things on without Him. Every time I’m stupid enough to think that I’m smart enough, I start the whole stupid cycle all over again!

Doesn’t seem to matter how “far” we get, or how good we think we’re doing. We all have to continually stop and acknowledge that He is the only thing good in us. He is the only thing good in me, I can assure you! You can quickly see it in my life when I start thinking I’m smarter than He is…..

What a foolish and arrogant man I am, to think that I can truly succeed at anything without Him.

That’s all.

Anyone else continually live in this cycle, no matter how many times you think you’ve learned your lesson? 

I’m working on a blog post that takes on immigration and Christianity.  I’m sure it will piss off plenty of my friends, but I think there are some things that need to be discussed. 

What better way to prepare for that, than to show you how NOT funny Ray Stevens is…(still)…

Many of you have been amazing in your response to my plea for help for my 17 year old cousin, Mikey.  Mikey had brain surgery two days ago.  For more info on his situation, click HERE. 

I wanted to update you on his condition.  He is doing well!  We got word yesterday that he had begun to get up and do a little walking.  This is so exciting because well, as you know brain surgery is not something you really take lightly.

He seems to be feeling ok though.  One of his other cousins texted him to ask how he felt, and his response?  “I feel like I just had brain surgery!”  Well, we know he’s ok because that sounds just like Mikey!! 

They are scheduled to be home from Los Angeles on the 10th.  I will post updates as I get them. 

There is a benefit dinner this Sunday in Plainview, AR for them.  They never expected this HUGE financial burden so if you would like to help them out please email me by clicking HERE.   Thanks everyone!!

You may have caught some of these blog posts about my 17 year old cousin, Mikey, who found out that he has a mass in the center of his brain. Being the goofball that Mikey is, he has named the mass “Wilson” after the volleyball from Tom Hanks’ Castaway.

Well, after many bouts with seizures and being misdiagnosed several times, Mikey is in Los Angeles awaiting brain surgery tomorrow morning. 

With a mass in the center of his brain, he has made his way to L.A. to see a Dr. Shahinian at the Skull Base Institute.  ( <—click that link!!)

You can imagine the cost of both parents having to take off work for a few weeks, flying to L.A., the hotel cost, having to eat every meal out in Los Angeles….etc…

The financial burden this has brought on my aunt and uncle is tremendous!  There will be a benefit dinner in Plainview, AR this Sunday to try and help them with this situation. 

The response that you all gave when I initially asked for prayer for him was completely overwhelming!  But now they are even more overwhelmed. 

Will you please join in prayer for them, and please do anything you can to help this family meet all their financial commitments while also incurring tremendous costs for this whole process? 

I’m asking all my friends, family, and internet homies to help.  You can help a couple different ways. 

1.  Paypal:  you may give through paypal to make it easy for yourself.  The funds will go into my paypal account, and I will be putting it into their “relief funds” this Sunday.  Please give here:

2.  You may mail a check to my PO box and the same thing will happen.  I will take the received help to their home this Sunday.  Please send your check to:

Shon & Carla Reddin

C/O Aaron Reddin

PO Box 250061

Little Rock, AR 72225

I can’t tell you how much your help, love, prayer, and generosity are going to impact this family. 

PLEASE help spread the word of this need by clicking the “share” button on Facebook, ReTweeting it on Twitter, and any other way that you have to share this need with others. 

You all are amazing, and I will keep you posted on Mikey’s condition here on the blog.   Thank you!!

Holy crap!!  Can I start a book review about Jesus by saying that?  I hope so, because holy crap! 

If ever someone has effectively addressed what many of us see as the most crucial issues that are growing and spawning in the Church, these two men have. 

Jesus made it clear exactly who He is.  But when we look around Christianity, do you see the many things that we have turned Him into?  We’ve coined Him as many, many things. 

The writing style is very casual and flows easily.  Though it comes with a smooth flow, the book packs heat.  There is no fluff or BS about what the authors want to convey to their readers.  That’s probably one of the things that I appreciate the most about their work.  It’s very genuine, sincere, and authentic. 

Written about truths of Christ that some may find to be very basic, and Sunday School-esqe, the writers explore these truths in the context of how we should approach our faith, the Church, our communities, etc. with their reality. 

If you have questions about who Jesus is, or if you’re looking in the face of church burn-out, order this book!  Do it, now!

(This review was written in exchange for a copy of the reviewed book, through Thomas Nelson’s Book Sneeze program)