Blasphemychallenge.com
It's hard to look at. Even to the secularist. Those that are unchurched cringe. It is a viral effect that has swept the US in the last few weeks. BlasphemyChallenge.com is a website that asks people to denie the existence and power of God and the Holy Spirit. If a person does this, them they are given a free DVD called "The God That Was Not There."
What's awkward is how people squirm watching it. My unchurched friends who have never set foot in a church squirm. I shift is a nervous response. I almost felt like I was watching a car crash.
In some ways I was.
I wont get into the effects, validity or lack of substance and stupidity of their statements. Except to say, in most cases, true atheist do not work so hard to disprove God. If He really did not exist, then why do some spend so much time arguing it.
Look at it this way. If I showed you a picture of my child, I would not argue to you that she was beautiful. I would simply show you the pic and then express my love. From there, a person would decide. I would look foolish trying to argue, "but, really, come on, truly, she IS pretty." Foolishness. Let truth be seen. It echoes beyond what is heard.
The one thing we can't do is to get into a global debate. My response can't be to make a video that logically points out flawed logic. It's impossible and worthless to argue unconditional love. It is illogical. Love is illogical.
For me, the blashemychallenge.com is just that a challenge. It is challenging to see that their views are being propelled by creativity, urgency, finance, and unity. They have mobilized a national response in a week.
I heard it said once this way, "There are some who have done more for a lie, than I have done for the truth."
Today, don't argue love.
Today, don't speak, listen.
Today, don't follow, lead.
And as a post script, for the sake of the folks making videos, for their sake, I hope they are right.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
But Senor?
Don't settle for success: make a difference – strive for SIGNIFICANCE.
A US businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican fishing village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the boat were several large yellow—fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, 'Only a little while, senor' The American asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said that he had enough to supply his family's immediate needs.
The American then asked, 'But what do you do with the rest of your time?'
The fisherman said, 'I play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Alaria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.'
The American smiled, 'I am a Harvard MBA —that's a degree in business studies — I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat, with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet. Then instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution.'
'You would, of course, need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise.' The Mexican fisherman asked, 'But, senor, how long will all this take?' The American replied, 'Fifteen to twenty years.'
'But what then, senor?'
The American laughed, 'That's the best part. When the time is right you sell your stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.'
'Millions, senor? But then what?'
'Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village, where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, Maria, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.'
With just the hint of a twinkle in his eye, the fisherman said, 'Senor — are these business degrees hard to get?'
What if?
Season Five: Episode 86.
Do the Opposite.
Jharp
A US businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican fishing village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the boat were several large yellow—fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, 'Only a little while, senor' The American asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said that he had enough to supply his family's immediate needs.
The American then asked, 'But what do you do with the rest of your time?'
The fisherman said, 'I play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Alaria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.'
The American smiled, 'I am a Harvard MBA —that's a degree in business studies — I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat, with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet. Then instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution.'
'You would, of course, need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise.' The Mexican fisherman asked, 'But, senor, how long will all this take?' The American replied, 'Fifteen to twenty years.'
'But what then, senor?'
The American laughed, 'That's the best part. When the time is right you sell your stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.'
'Millions, senor? But then what?'
'Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village, where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, Maria, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.'
With just the hint of a twinkle in his eye, the fisherman said, 'Senor — are these business degrees hard to get?'
What if?
Season Five: Episode 86.
Do the Opposite.
Jharp
Starbucks: It's More Than Coffee
She was right. We had just finished a butt kicking 5:30 AM workout with a group of 15, that are training for the next adventure. I was energized and ready to start my day. But in typical fashion, I said "Lets go Starbucks and get a quick coffee." Many agreed, including Christa. Before she loaded into my car, she asked a good question.
"Why would we go get a coffee, when we have coffee right here in the office?"
Thanks Christa.
I started to ponder it? Why do we go 'get coffee?' Why would we wait in line? Why pay nearly $2 for a straight cup of black coffee? My friends on the inside of this corporate giant said that the cost of a Starbuck's Venti house blend is between 2 and 3 cents…
And even better than that…or worse….they are everywhere. China, India, everywhere.
I guess it's more than coffee. It's and experience. It's being together. It's laughing. It is good coffee, but it is even better friends.
I love people. I love asking questions. I love connecting and finding what makes every person better. I like knowing what completes them; what drives them.
I learn most of this at Starbucks.
"Why would we go get a coffee, when we have coffee right here in the office?"
Thanks Christa.
I started to ponder it? Why do we go 'get coffee?' Why would we wait in line? Why pay nearly $2 for a straight cup of black coffee? My friends on the inside of this corporate giant said that the cost of a Starbuck's Venti house blend is between 2 and 3 cents…
And even better than that…or worse….they are everywhere. China, India, everywhere.
I guess it's more than coffee. It's and experience. It's being together. It's laughing. It is good coffee, but it is even better friends.
I love people. I love asking questions. I love connecting and finding what makes every person better. I like knowing what completes them; what drives them.
I learn most of this at Starbucks.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Adoption: It's Priceless
Adoption
Adoption: Wanting Stories and Insights For Future Podcast
I think adoption is one of the most admirable things that can be done within humanity. One reason, specifically, is because there are thousands of children that are born into the worst of conditions and then abandoned. They live in a foster system that rotates them on nearly a regular basis. For a loving couple or person to adopt a child, literally rescues that child from a destiny that is very difficult to escape. Studies, statistics, and personal stories show it is infinitely more difficult to get out.
YET: I know many who have made it out. Some with help. Some on their own.
We have considered it. Our delay is with the system that is flawed; Meaning that loop holes can allow a once bio(logical) parent who gave up their child to have a changed mind and later demand rights, years later.
In some cases, even asking for a completed adoption to be undone.
Adopting parents are my heroes. It's a great sacrifice, with priceless rewards.
Much Hope.
J
Adoption: Wanting Stories and Insights For Future Podcast
I think adoption is one of the most admirable things that can be done within humanity. One reason, specifically, is because there are thousands of children that are born into the worst of conditions and then abandoned. They live in a foster system that rotates them on nearly a regular basis. For a loving couple or person to adopt a child, literally rescues that child from a destiny that is very difficult to escape. Studies, statistics, and personal stories show it is infinitely more difficult to get out.
YET: I know many who have made it out. Some with help. Some on their own.
We have considered it. Our delay is with the system that is flawed; Meaning that loop holes can allow a once bio(logical) parent who gave up their child to have a changed mind and later demand rights, years later.
In some cases, even asking for a completed adoption to be undone.
Adopting parents are my heroes. It's a great sacrifice, with priceless rewards.
Much Hope.
J
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Dont You Wish Your Girl Friend Was Hot Like Me
Comedy. What happens at a psychological level to cause people to WANT to train wreck in front of 30 million people.
A compilation of confused chaos.
A compilation of confused chaos.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Sherpa To The Summit
I can't quite shake this latest thought. Over the new year I got sucked into watching, reading, and researching everything I could on Mt Everest. I feel obsessed with it. My wife is worried. She thinks I may seek an opportunity.
As I watched and read, the common thread that wove every successful expedition together was two fold: Equipment and Sherpas.
The first is equipment. Obvious; The best oxygen, the best climbing gear, the warmest clothes, makes for success. Ok, I get it.
But Sherpas? Sherpas are high mountain dwellers who have acclimated to the extraordinary heights. They dwell, live, and exist at altitudes that other seek to summit. The Sherpa's purpose and passion is to get others to the mountain top.
They carry equipment, oxygen, food, water, sometimes up to the equivalent of their own body weight on their back. All so that others can experience new heights.
Essentially, they are selfless givers of life to other's potential.
They give themselves to a cause that is greater that them; other people's success.
I want to be a sherpa.
As I watched and read, the common thread that wove every successful expedition together was two fold: Equipment and Sherpas.
The first is equipment. Obvious; The best oxygen, the best climbing gear, the warmest clothes, makes for success. Ok, I get it.
But Sherpas? Sherpas are high mountain dwellers who have acclimated to the extraordinary heights. They dwell, live, and exist at altitudes that other seek to summit. The Sherpa's purpose and passion is to get others to the mountain top.
They carry equipment, oxygen, food, water, sometimes up to the equivalent of their own body weight on their back. All so that others can experience new heights.
Essentially, they are selfless givers of life to other's potential.
They give themselves to a cause that is greater that them; other people's success.
I want to be a sherpa.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Favs of 2006: What Are Yours?
2006 Is Over: My Favs of the Year
Fav Song: The Saints Are Coming: U2 and Green Day Compilation
For me the video is what sold me. It gives a definite belief of what would of, could of, and should of happened. If you haven’t seen it, find it on youtube.com
www.youthube.com
Favorite Group: Come on? U2
Many say overrated, yet let me make my case. What other group can make an album in 1987, Joshua Tree, and have it sound current 20 years later. Pop in Joshua Tree and you are listening to a group with tremendous staying power.
www.u2.com
Treasured Possession: My running shoes and IPod.
www.nike.com
Fav Athlete: Probably an obscure College athlete that was third string and came into the game for a defining moment. If I said his name, no one would know him.
Favorite Book: All I Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
www.amazon.com
Fav Quote: It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.
Leo Buscaglia
Fav Restaurant: BJs
www.bjsbrewhouse.com
Favorite TV Show: 24
www.fox.com/24
Fav Movie: Man On Fire
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/man_on_fire/final_trailer/medium.html
Fav Moment
www.runcim.org
Fav Hobbie: Writing, Running, Podcasting
www.jasonharper.cc/podcast
Notice life. Take it in 2007 and remember what moved you.
Jharp
Fav Song: The Saints Are Coming: U2 and Green Day Compilation
For me the video is what sold me. It gives a definite belief of what would of, could of, and should of happened. If you haven’t seen it, find it on youtube.com
www.youthube.com
Favorite Group: Come on? U2
Many say overrated, yet let me make my case. What other group can make an album in 1987, Joshua Tree, and have it sound current 20 years later. Pop in Joshua Tree and you are listening to a group with tremendous staying power.
www.u2.com
Treasured Possession: My running shoes and IPod.
www.nike.com
Fav Athlete: Probably an obscure College athlete that was third string and came into the game for a defining moment. If I said his name, no one would know him.
Favorite Book: All I Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
www.amazon.com
Fav Quote: It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.
Leo Buscaglia
Fav Restaurant: BJs
www.bjsbrewhouse.com
Favorite TV Show: 24
www.fox.com/24
Fav Movie: Man On Fire
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/man_on_fire/final_trailer/medium.html
Fav Moment
www.runcim.org
Fav Hobbie: Writing, Running, Podcasting
www.jasonharper.cc/podcast
Notice life. Take it in 2007 and remember what moved you.
Jharp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
