Meet Jackass Brad

Post Category: Authenticity 

Allow me to introduce you to an acquaintance of mine. You probably don’t hear me talk about him often because most of the time it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist.

His name is Jackass Brad.

This the is the part of me that comes out when I’m stressed or things don’t go my way. He’s not a pleasant person to be around as he tends to think mostly about himself. He’s short with his kids and cranky with his wife. If you’ve known me long enough I’m sure you’ve met him.

Lately, I’ve seen a lot more of Jackass Brad than I care to admit. He blames his visits on stress - as if that’s an acceptable excuse to barge in and complain. Just last night he showed up in the car with Lisa and the kids and proceeded all evening to do what he does best - be a jackass.

The good news is that I’m working more on recognizing him when he shows up. With prayer and conscious choice I can give him the boot before he even gets his foot in the door.

So there you go. I’ve introduced you to someone I don’t like to talk about. If you happen to see him, can you give him a message from me?

Take a hike Jackass!

“I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.” (Romans 7:18-25)

Comments

27 Responses to “Meet Jackass Brad”

  1. Jason Ruggles on May 9th, 2008 6:23 am

    Hmm, I think I’ve met him… :)
    As for recognizing when he comes - is it Lisa who alerts you to his presence? ;)

    Can’t believe you’d post your SSN, though.

  2. Nate on May 9th, 2008 7:13 am

    he must be friends with “nincompoop nate.” if i see them hanging around, i will (not so) politely ask them to leave

    Nates last blog post..Bike-less

  3. Brad Ruggles on May 9th, 2008 7:42 am

    Jason - yes, more often than not it’s Lisa that let’s me know when he’s around. And yes, I KNOW you’ve met him. :-)

    Nate - probably related.

    - Brad

  4. Chad Wright on May 9th, 2008 7:46 am

    That rhymes with Jackass Chad. Lately he’s been around more than Regular Chad with Kung-Fu Grip Action.

    Chad Wrights last blog post..Evernote

  5. The Secret Life of Kat on May 9th, 2008 8:02 am

    Ha!

    My alter ego is named “Mean Mommy.”

    Caffeine and Chocolate usually keep her at bay.

    (You have the best designed blog…I love it.)

    The Secret Life of Kats last blog post..To Be a Dork or Not Be a Dork and Cindy Morgan’s Blog Tour and FREE Music From Cindy Morgan

  6. Brad Ruggles on May 9th, 2008 8:09 am

    Kat - I think I’ve met some mean mommies before. :-)

    And thanks for the blog compliments. It’s a work in progress but it’s fun to play with.

    - Brad

  7. Harold on May 9th, 2008 9:00 am

    Jackass Brad is a first cousin to Horrible Harold. I think they have met, but maybe not. Funny with Horrible Harold he is sometimes there and gone before I realize it. I can only tell he was there by the looks on everyones faces. Nobody seems to like him.

    Glad I’m not him?

  8. Brandee on May 9th, 2008 9:30 am

    Hmmm… Jackass Brad has probably shook hands with Butthead Brandee a few times.

    B.B. tends to come out and show her face in times of stress and worry - when it seems like the entire world is out to get her. She’s really a silly girl who wastes her time with worry and angst when she should be praising God for all the Blessings in her life.

  9. Mark LeHew on May 9th, 2008 10:27 am

    I think I’m offended at the use of the word jackass! :)
    Mark LeHews last blog post..Interesting Debate

  10. Kayro on May 9th, 2008 10:32 am

    My visitor is called Betty Badmood. Pretty much the same character!!

  11. Brad Ruggles on May 9th, 2008 10:35 am

    Wow, I didn’t realize so many of you had a dark side with such creative names!

    Let’s see. So we have…

    nincompoop nate
    Chad with Kung-Fu Grip Action.
    Mean Mommy
    Horrible Harold
    Betty Badmood

    Remind me not to call you guys the next time one of my kids wants to name a new doll! :-)

    - Brad

  12. Brad Ruggles on May 9th, 2008 10:36 am

    Mark, I hope you’re joking…because I guarantee you’ll be offended if you subscribe to this blog!

    - Brad

  13. CJ Mills on May 9th, 2008 11:51 am

    This is a great post. I too struggle with my own version of Jackass Brad. Thanks for being honest with us all!

    CJ Millss last blog post..Hilton Head Trip - 2008

  14. tam on May 9th, 2008 3:03 pm

    maybe you’ve heard of me…Tedious Tam

    yah - i’m the one who gets all worked up over the little things.

    very pleasant.

    :?
    tams last blog post..Fill-In-Friday

  15. Horrible Harold on May 9th, 2008 3:08 pm

    The heck with all of you…..

  16. Harold on May 9th, 2008 3:08 pm

    Who was that?

  17. Brad Ruggles on May 9th, 2008 3:15 pm

    Tedious Tam - I’ll add that name to the list of un-super heroes. :-)

    Horrible Harold - ha ha…careful, or we might have to ban you!

    - Brad

  18. Mark LeHew on May 9th, 2008 3:44 pm

    I’m absolutely joking you jackass!

    Mark LeHews last blog post..Church Web Site of the Week

  19. Mark LeHew on May 9th, 2008 5:45 pm

    By the way…nice picture in the new Catalyst brochure. I didn’t make it in:(

    Mark LeHews last blog post..Church Web Site of the Week

  20. GregQualls on May 9th, 2008 6:07 pm

    My alter ego showed up today after I didn’t get much sleep last night and smashed my finger while trying to rewire our sound system in the living room.

    I think the next time he comes around I’m going to give him a swift kick to the balls. Then he might not show up again.

    P.S. I think his name is Larry or something like that.

    GregQuallss last blog post..Beer Tip of the Week - Episode 3 - Taste, Taste, Taste

  21. Abbey on May 9th, 2008 9:33 pm

    Hmmm…that sounds exactly like Crabby Abbey!!! Could it be…?

  22. patrowland on May 10th, 2008 8:22 am

    Brad, great post… did you come up with that name or did lisa? Mandy has a few names for me when i’m acting that way as well.

    patrowlands last blog post..Good Saturday Morning…

  23. blake on May 10th, 2008 12:27 pm

    uh… this is off the topic. but i saw brad on thew catalyst mailout.

    and when i turn into my jackass mode… my name completely changes to George.

    blakes last blog post..Wednesday Night Recap

  24. Brad Ruggles on May 12th, 2008 12:32 am

    Pat - I came up with it…but Lisa has referred to that alter-ego by name from time to time. :-)

    Blake - yup, that was me!

    - Brad

  25. Kelli Brownlee on May 18th, 2008 4:44 pm

    Can i just take the time to thank you for being so transparent?

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