Archive for the ‘Challenges’ Category



Dec15

Don’t be a Goat!

By Harris III | No Comments

Don't Be a Goat

Have you ever had a verse from the Bible seem familiar because it seems like you’ve heard it a million times?

Yeah, me too.

Have you then ever read the full passage that contains that verse, and been totally convicted after realizing that the meaning is far deeper than you previously realized when you only heard the smaller portion?

Yeah, me too.

That happened to me recently. And I walked away with one single thought, “Man, I do NOT want to be a goat!!” And trust me, you don’t want to be a goat either! I wrote this post because I’m afraid there’s way too many people out there who might end up as one if they aren’t careful. A goat? Yes, hold that thought…

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Aug18

I’m finally rich!

By Harris III | 5 Comments

Book of Eli

In my last post, I told you how much I loved Inception, and how I believe that real “inception” actually happens every day.

Last night, my wife and I enjoyed another incredible film, Book of Eli.  I didn’t get to enjoy it on a massive digitally projected screen or with state of the art surround sound, but I still liked it.  Not only did I like it, I found it convicting.

There’s a scene in the movie where Denzel Washington’s character gets asked about the “old world”, which in case you haven’t seen the film, would be in reference to the current world that you and I live in today.  His response was simple, yet profound:   READ ALL

Jul21

What are you scared of?

By Harris III | 3 Comments

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”   - Helen Keller

I love that everyone thinks it’s awesome that my wife, Kate, and I are “willing to go travel the world” and do missions work.  But so many times, the “I think that’s awesome” comments are followed by, “I could never do that.” And if you try to determine why they think that, it almost always boils down to comfort and security…

“It’s just too unsafe.” Baloney. (And that’s to put it nicely.)

The chances are good that READ ALL

Jun2

But did you love?

By Harris III | 1 Comment

Yeah, so you’re a really good christian.  You go to church, sometimes more than once a week.  You can name off all the books of the Bible, and are pretty knowledgeable about the verses in them.  You witnessed to a lot of your friends, and you even wear t-shirts with Bible verses on them so that all of your friends know just how sold out you really are.  Well, maybe those weird t-shirts aren’t your thing, but you totally put your hands in the air while the worship band plays at church.  And that’s not all…

You have gifts of the spirit, and pray for your friends on a regular basis.  Everyone who knows you knows you’re a Christian, because your morality is incredible.  You don’t mess up anywhere near as much as everyone else in the “world.”  You’ll readily admit that you aren’t perfect, of course…it’s just that your faith and pursuit of holiness helps you strive to honor God with your thoughts and activities.

Maybe you’re all of those things, plus, you’re generous.  Maybe you’re none of these things, but at least you’re generous!  Maybe you gave away some of your possessions to a family in need, or donated to a charity, or bought some food for a homeless guy.  Maybe you even sponsor a kid or orphan living in poverty in another country.

Awesome.

But did you love? Like, really love?  If not, all that other stuff was, and is, worthless.  Without love, you’ve done absolutely nothing. And honestly, you’re actually more like an annoying, clanging cymbal.

Just so you know, I’m not trying to be a jerk.  I didn’t decide all of this.  I guess sometimes we have to use tough love.  Check this out:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have no love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames as a martyr, but have no love, I gain nothing.  1st Corinthians 13:1-3

What have you done to selflessly and unconditionally love someone in a way that made them feel valued?

Go do that.

Yeah, I should, too.

P.S.  If you’re wondering what real love actually is, read this.