Archive for the ‘Observations’ Category



Waiting for a School Bus with my Grandfather

By Harris III | 1 Comment

SchoolBus

This morning on my way to a breakfast meeting, I passed a father and child who were waiting at the end of their driveway for the school bus. It’s something I’ve seen what seems like a thousand times before.  But lately, I’ve been finding myself reflecting often on how I grew up, and the things I learned about life…specifically how it was that I came to learn them.

For some reason, as I passed by the waiting father and child, I instantly flashed back to my memories of waiting on my school bus.  My parents went to work before I was to be at school, so in the mornings, I would get up early with my parents and get dropped off at my grandparents house, who conveniently lived at the bottom of the hill we lived on.

Each morning, as it came time for my bus to come, I remember my grandfather waiting patiently with me in his driveway.  I don’t remember all of the specific conversations we had, but I do remember pieces.  I remember stories he told me, some of the funny jokes, and the way we would laugh together.  Right now at this moment, I can’t help but smile at the memory of the morning he taught me a little jingle to help memorize READ ALL

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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Don’t Be Deceived This Christmas!

By Harris III | No Comments

If you’ve been to one of our live events, you may remember me talking about how our minds take in about 3,000-4,000 messages and advertisements every single day here in America.  That’s a lot of messages pointing you in a lot of different directions vying for your attention.  The scary thing is, as high as that number is, it’s even HIGHER during the Christmas season!

What is this Christmas about for you?  If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably the kind of person that has already heard that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Like a thousand times.  Right?  Sounds cliche…but it’s true.  But you already know that, don’t you?  The problem isn’t that you don’t already know the truth, it’s that for most of us, our actions and lives don’t match up with what we know is true.  Alas…it is EASY to be deceived.  We get mis-directed every day…especially at Christmas time.

So what’s your mission this Christmas?

Will you focus on and celebrate the truth?

Or will you buy the lies?

Chances are, your family has already developed a focus for this season.  Want to know what that focus is?  Just ask yourself these two questions…   READ ALL

The Best Book I Read This Year

By Harris III | 2 Comments

For those of you who know me at all, or at least follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you probably know how much I value reading.  I’m a firm believer that you’ll be the same person you are today, 5 years from now, with the exception of two influences: the books you read, and the people you spend your time with.

Because it’s already December, (which I can’t believe btw…can you?), I’ve already begun to reflect over the past year.  I randomly asked myself, “Out of everything I’ve read this year, what was the book that challenged and impacted me the most?”   READ ALL

The 7 Biggest Mistakes Upward Awards Night Planners Make, & How to Avoid Them!

By Harris III | 2 Comments

Upward BasketballIf you read the title of this post, and you’re reading this, then you and I probably have something in common.  That is, we both believe in the ministry of Upward Unlimited.  Over the past 12 years, I’ve had the opportunity to see literally tens of thousands of people who are hearing the truth found in the gospel because of this incredible program.

After meeting so many Upward league directors, I know that it takes a lot of commitment to pull off a successful season.  I respect each of you for your willingness and desire to serve, using such an awesome tool.  It’s always an exciting moment to see the final event…the Awards Night Celebration.  Through my twelve years of experience with the Upward program, I’ve come to learn just how important this event is, in that your venue is filled with kids and their families, many who have no idea how much Jesus can radically change their lives.

With that in mind, I’ve written this post with the hopes that you too will be able to finish strong and well by making your Awards Celebration a huge success!  At the same time, I also understand that writing something like this requires a great deal of credibility.  That’s why it’s important for you to understand that in years of working with Upward Unlimited, I’ve had the opportunity to play a major role in almost 500 different awards nights with a combined attendance of over 250,000 people.  I’ve had the privilege of being part of some of the most creative and successful Awards Nights in the country.  Nonetheless, I’ve also been a part of some the least effective.  Through that, I’ve come to learn through time and experience exactly what it takes to make an Awards Night a success.  That’s why Upward Unlimited, including founder and president, Caz McCaslin, has continually endorsed our ministry and efforts through each of those past twelve years.

I encourage you to read through this post and learn from the experience I’ve gained.  Not only do I believe that your Awards Night will be much more professional and organized, but also more effective.  It’s a long post, but the results that will come from studying and learning from these mistakes is far greater than the moments it will take to read them.  I really do believe it is that important!   READ ALL

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

How Changing Your Perspective Can Dramatically Change Your Life

By Harris III | 3 Comments

I bet you’re missing out on so much of life, just by how you currently see things.  There’s so much to gain by just changing your perspective every now and then.  My recent trip to Nicaragua was a strong reminder of that.  Few things bring more perspective than international travel to a third-world country.

Do you need to change your perspective?

Mona LisaThe famous artist, Leonardo Da Vinci, (who painted the Mona Lisa), was known for changing his perspective before considering one of his masterpieces 100% complete.  Apparently, when Da Vinci was supposedly 99.9% finished, his final step was to look at his painting in a mirror.  Simply by changing his perspective and how he saw the painting, he would notice needed changes in the painting that were impossible for him to see before.  Turns out, perspective is a really powerful thing.

I’ve always struggled with this.  Judging others is something I used to do a lot of.  My pride, arrogance, and selfishness always allowed me to look at other people and situations and immediately jump to conclusions.  I’d think, “That guy has READ ALL

Jesus Got Struck by Lightning!

By Harris III | 10 Comments

What do you make of a huge statue of Jesus getting struck by lightening?  I mean, if God is in control of that flashing light from the sky, why would he allow it to happen to a statue of his only son?  Definitely stirs up conversation, huh?

That’s what happened recently in Ohio.  I’ve driven by this statue what seems like hundreds of times while traveling that stretch of interstate on tour.  Here’s what the news article had to say:

MONROE, Ohio – A six-story statue of Jesus Christ was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, leaving only a blackened steel skeleton and pieces of foam that were scooped up by curious onlookers Tuesday.

The “King of Kings” statue, one of southwest Ohio’s most familiar landmarks, had stood since 2004 at the evangelical Solid Rock Church along Interstate 75 in Monroe, just north of Cincinnati.

The lightning strike set the statue ablaze around 11:15 p.m. Monday, Monroe police dispatchers said.

The sculpture, about 62 feet tall and 40 feet wide at the base, showed Jesus from the torso up and was nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the way the arms were raised, similar to a referee signaling a touchdown. It was made of plastic foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, which is all that remained Tuesday.

You can read the whole article here, on Yahoo! News.

Apparently, the statue cost about $400,000 to construct.  Maybe it was allowed to be struck by lightening because God might not be cool with wasting a whopping $400k on concrete? For the record, I have no idea. Just wondering. I’m also not saying that God always causes natural disasters.  But I’m not sure how you could deny that certainly “allows” them.  Again, I’m just wondering…

They’re also already making plans to rebuild it, wasting that kind of money, plus more, all over again.  I mean, I’m not God, so I won’t pretend to know or always understand what he does, or why he allows certain things to happen, but I do know of a whole list of better uses for a few hundred thousand dollars.

And, I’m not the only one. A lot of them are a book called the Bible….maybe this church should read it.  If they do, they might learn a lot about Jesus, the guy they’re making statues of, and in the process, how he encouraged us to live.

What do you think?

I’m totally apathetic.

By Harris III | 6 Comments

I’m totally apathetic today. I was yesterday, too.  Does that ever happen to you?

Kinda like this?

Kinda like this?

It’s weird. I’m usually incredibly positive and have a great attitude.  And honestly, my last few days have been amazing.  I don’t even have a good, valid reason to be apathetic.  I allow myself to get distracted, lose focus, and focus on the garbage.  Garbage like getting screwed by people from my past.  Garbage like us still having a house for sale, because the buyers backed out last second for no valid reason.  Stuff like that.  Eventually, if you dwell on the negative stuff, it makes you frustrated.  And I think frustration can very easily breed carelessness. Which reminds me…   READ ALL

Convicting or Funny?

By Harris III | 4 Comments

I laughed all throughout this entire video. Then, the moment it finished, it hit a little too close to home, and I felt a tad bit convicted. If anything, if you’re in a leadership position at a church, this will make you think, and might even stir up a little conversation about what you’re doing in your services.

Thank goodness they made this about church services, and not conferences, camps, or even the shows put on by “christian entertainers.” If they decided to make those versions, well…I prefer not to think about what might happen.  For now, enjoy this one, regarding Sunday mornings: READ ALL