The Afghan Eyes

In the 1986, a photographer snapped a photo that has been immortalized. Twenty years later, the photog went in search of his subject. Life has been hard.

Click through to this interactive site that tells the story:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2002/04/afghan-girl/sight-and-sounds-interactive

Did He Hear the Questions: Some Wonder About McCain's Where Abouts

From CNN:
Seems that when John McCain was supposed to be in a soundproof vault Saturday night or as Saddleback church pastor Rick Warren put it, a cone of silence, he was actually in his motorcade.

The deal going in to the high-profile first meeting of the two candidates was that while Barack Obama was being questioned by the best-selling author, John McCain would be in a disclosed - but soundproof - location in the building unable to hear the exchange between the two.

Not so. Yesterday on CNN, Warren confirmed that McCain was not in the building when the forum began. So how do we know if McCain listened or watched any of the discussion beforehand?

Warren told CNN Sunday evening, 'we flat out asked him' if he heard any of the questions. The McCain campaign 'confirmed that McCain did not hear or see any of the broadcast' in the motorcade or after he arrived.

There had been speculation before the CNN interview that John McCain perhaps might have heard something. NBC Reporter Andrea Mitchel brought it up on Meet the Press.

The Obama people must feel that he did not do quite as well as they might have wanted to in that context, because that what they are putting out privately is that McCain may not have been in the cone of silence and may have had some ability to overhear what the questions were to Obama.'

Did You View the Civil Forum For President at Saddleback?

Did you watch the Civil Forum at Saddleback with Barack Obama and John McCain?

Three Questions that I want to know from you.

1. Did you watch it or Tivo with a plan to watch it?
(If you didn't please don't answer 2 and 3) I am asking specifically about the Civil Forum Presentation, not the election in general.


2. What did you think about Barack Obama's segment? Where did he nail it? Where did he miss it?


3. What did you think about John McCain's segment? Where did he nail it? Where did he miss it?


November 4, so much will be decided on the back of the president that we elect. It is said that thing that will allow evil to prosper in America is if good people, you and I, do nothing. That nothing is to not converse for a fear of disagreeing. That nothing is if we choose, "None of the above" and not vote at all.

If you are not registered, do so and vote. I do not care who you vote for. But more importantly, I care that you excercise your valued voice.







Comment back. What did you think ABOUT THE CIVIL FORUM?

Much hope

Jas

Nells Bells. Baum Diggity. Queen Cole & Captain Chaos

TRIAD PODCAST: A must listen.
This was emailed out to some of us. Enjoy!

Sync your ipod or other media mp3 player to hear weekly recordings of The Triad. In easily accessible, fast-moving format, join many others on five continents for quick spoken snapshots that encourage the heart and enrich the soul...most of the time. Its edgy, irreverent, and even faith-filled.

Triad Training: Triad is a three-phased approach to living life with meaning and impact. The Triad Podcast has explodes and has listeners on five continents. Each thirty minute episode dives into the lives of each cast member. Jason, the "Leader of Livewire," is in constant chaos.

Sean, his trusted side kick, offers dry sarcasm, tackling Jason's often out of control rants against the judgmental people within faith. Lainey, the daughter of Jason's boss who used to date Sean. She just got married. Now Sean's getting married. What is weird is who he decided to marry. He is marrying Laine's husband's ex-fiance; Chaotic to say the least.

In the midst of the madness, these twenty somethings are the new generation. They always turn a corner and land on a 'take-away' that makes life better for the listener.

The back drop is one of the largest evangelical churches on the West Coast. In the first 150 episodes, The Triad guest have included Delirious, XXX Church, Ed Young Jr., The Katinas, Misty Edwards, Donny Pauling, JR Mahon, Ron Jeremy, Former NFL Dallas Cowboy Scott Galbraith, and many others.

The Triad Cast Includes....

Jason Harper, Director of Outreach
He has met Mother Theresa, President Bush, but can be seen spending time with Porn King Ron Jeremy and Porn Pastor Craig Gross.
NICKNAME SHOULD BE: Captain of Chaos/Pastor of Disaster

Sean Baumstark, COO
At twenty-six years old he administrates operations and the team that drives the 20 Million budget and 300 full-time employees...and he used to be Jason's secretary.
NICK NAME COULD BE: BAUM-DIGGITY

Lainey Cole, Director of Marketing
Sean's former love who married his fiance's ex-boyfriend...don't try to follow it. She is quick, stubborn and can melt Jason with a smile or soft appeal. Her dad is the top dog who they all work for.
NICK NAME SHOULD BE: Queen Cole

Sarah Nelson
Quick witted with a blistering tongue was quasi-raised by Jason and his wife, her freedom of fear of him shows. They brawl, cat-fight, and verbally joust constantly.
NICK NAME COULD BE: Nells Bells


Fourth Seat Rotation:
Additional Cast:

Christa Smith
Michelle Purcell
Russell Breton
Sara Wilke
Sandy Everett

Search Itunes for "Jason Harper" to subscribe. The Triad Podcast...guaranteed to polarize, ostracize, and criticize judgmental people.

Or link through: THE TRIAD PODCAST at www.jasonharper.cc

I Know Who I Am

I KNOW WHO I AM

You know me. Maybe. For those that read regularly, you are aware that rarely I post an overtly religious post. Everything is spiritual. But I can't shake that which spins in my head. On Sunday, it was as if the cobwebs of distance memories cleared. As a kid, I feel like I always struggled with identity.


I've always belonged, but internally I was, and still at times, very insecure. To some, from a distance, they would question this because of my profession. But the reality is its true. Most of us are in some way insecure. Mine is a ever present abandonment issue. Sometimes I just feel like I don't know who I am.

On Sunday in the 11:15 presentation, DReid shredded on his acoustic guitar. As the band ripped, high above the stage, the words to a familiar song streamed on the screen. I had heard the song before, but I don't think I had listened before. Have you ever done that? You know, heard, but not listened? Me...often.

I read the words to Israel Houghton's I KNOW WHO I AM:

*****
I was running and You found me
I was blinded and You gave me sight
You put a song of praise in me
I was broken and You healed me
I was dying and You gave me life
You are my identity


I am forgiven
I am Your friend
I am accepted
I know who I am

I am secured
I'm confident
That I am loved
I know who I am

I am alive
I am set free
I belong to You
You belong to me

****

So in reality, something so simply, blistered my brain. How in the world can I have missed it at times and forgotten that the King cared. When a King ransomed His life for the child, it says something profound about the kid. But it says something more profound about the King.

Today, I remembered I KNOW WHO I AM.

Jas

Is Life Meaningless? Is Life Meaningful?

I was scanning through some quick videos. I came across this one from a couple years ago from Erwin McManus. He spoke at a gathering of ours this year and communicated some concepts that continue to enhance my belief about God, me, and others. Essentially, you and I choose a meaningful or meaningless existence.



Today, choose to live with an intentional and meaningful life.


Much love.
Much hope.

Jharp

I Can't Sleep.

I could hear the drip in the sink and tick of the clock on the wall. The combined sounds blasted through my sleepless soul. The glare from the alarm clock projected digital numbers that seemed to never change.

Some say to count sheep. Sheep doing what? Jumping? Running in a field? I thought of sheep and the sheep told me to go away because they were sleeping. Everyone seems to sleep. The fam...they sleep fine.

It seems like once or twice a month I get blasted with a dose of insomnia. My bout may be different than those that you have experienced. I go to sleep. But then about two hours into bliss. I awaken. My senses and my soul are fully engaged. Internally and mentally, I feel as if have awakened from a winter of slumber. But when it's barely past midnight, custom screams, "You have to go back to sleep."

That is the only thing that could drown out the drips and clicks of the faucet and the clock.

I get irrational. The more I try to sleep the harder it is to get to sleep.

I get diabolical. I press for answers. The less I find running the trails in my mind, the more I search. I get socio-pathic pressing in for even a few winks.

My only hope...or apparent hope is found in this formula, but this crap scares me.



So despite the commitment to run from the chemical compound, I choose to do just that. Run.

With my shoes tight and snug, I take off and run. There is something surreal about early morning...1 AM running. My feet still hurt.

I am not tired and sore.

Maybe tonight will be different.

Its 8:04 AM and I am ready for lunch.

jharp

My God Is Irish. At Least For Now...

I didn't set out to find the dirt that my heritage was planted in and reaped from. Instead, I just listened to the brogue in my pops voice when he would describe the stories of our family's arrival to the States.

Ireland was in total chaos. People were starving. The British had bummed rushed the small island, repeating history from previous invasions. Many Irish took up arms against their aggressors. Country men turned on each others.  Allegiances to religion, not God,  were formed.  Neighbors who once loved each other became suspicious of motive.  Infighting was pained.  Peace was silent.  Fighting was now inherited trait for most. Darkness was now seen as light. Light was now seen as darkness.  Down was up. Freedom would now come at the end of a brawl.

Some rose up and believing violence is all that would work. Two sides marched into battle, both under the cross. One side Catholic. One side Protestant.  Some were called terrorist.  Some were called freedom fighters.  Liberation or occupation?



Many Irish fled.

For those escaping, the Irish became the Irish-Americans. They flooded the East Coast.  Many settleded in the Five Points of New York City. Some said the hard working men and women allegiant to the Green & Orange offered the hands that built America.
                                          *****
Today my son asked if God was Irish. I said yes and smiled. He offered me a seven-year old's grin, and then launched into his best Irish impression.

"I am a Harper. I am Irish. My dad is Irish…" then he paused. Lifting both hands to heaven, similar to Moses on the mountain, he decried in continued brogue, "And My God is Irish."



Someday, I'll have to break it to him…but until then, let the little guy believe!  Until then Erin Go Braugh.

Hopeful despite myself,

Jas