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Sunday, November 06, 2005

3, 2, 1, ZERO

I find myself checking my counter anxiously everyday to see how many people have read my writing. When my counter goes way up, I get a little prideful; when my counter doesn't go up, I get a little down. Why? Because of pride; I want people to read what I write, as if I have something on my site that is worth reading. When I would ask myself about the purpose of my counter, I would lie to myself in many ways. The ultimate purpose, the real reason for the counter is to feed my ego. So, I have removed my counter to do away with a source of a problem.

posted by Rick Harper @ 9:16 PM  

21 Comments:

  • At 11:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    counter or no counter, you will still wonder if anyone is visiting your blog, reading your mind and stuff.

    as for me i will keep checking back to see if you will ever spell my name correctly. even now i see that lousy "K"...you would think that your friends would learn how to spell your name if your parents botched it up in the first place.

    did that help turn your pride into humility at all? :-)

     

  • At 7:42 AM, Blogger Rick Harper said…

    HAHAHAHA!

    You can dry your eyes Mr. Sensitivity, I fixed your flippin name.

    Hey texasinajar, it's the thought that counts. I just thought that I was extremely popular, maybe even worldwide like Mr. Sensitivity - oh well. (wipes tear).

     

  • At 8:58 AM, Blogger Mister Jason said…

    Darn it! All you guys got to the good jokes before I could make them. Shame on all of you!

     

  • At 2:51 PM, Blogger jomato said…

    I got yer sensitivity right here you 80's hitch hiking surfer girl.

    By the way, 4,802 hits and still counting....

     

  • At 5:05 PM, Blogger Rick Harper said…

    "4,802 hits and still counting..." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Hilarious!

    "surfer girl." Not so hilarious!

    haha!

    Oh yeah, Marq, speaking of your free will discussion with Jim, today in Intro to Theology BJ (aka Brandon) debated a little with our professor about total depravity. BJ did really well. We're supposed to pick it up next week. BJ gave me some dirty looks for not speaking up...haha. I'm just slow to speak and quick to listen, that's all! Besides, he didn't need my help. And I didn't want to mop the floor with the professor, because you know I could take him out! (Actually, I was just sceert. Just like a little girl. It's all because of your little surfer girl comment, Marq!!!) Anyway, one day, well trained in the force I will be. Then, speak I will. (Just watched the Star Wars movies.)

     

  • At 10:02 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Well, the way i see it we can't hardly get away from pride. see, now you have removed your counter because it is a source of pride. now you have to watch out that you aren't proud of yourself for removing it!
    sincerely "proud" of you,

    dad

     

  • At 4:53 PM, Blogger Rick Harper said…

    HAHA! That's right. That reminds of a story about Martin Luther. I haven't read it, only heard it, so I may not be accurate on the details. But it is something like this:
    As a monk, a visitor stopped by the monastery. Martin Luther gave up his bed to the visitor and slept on the floor. While lying there, he realized that he only gave up his bed so it would be seen by the others at the monastery. At around 2:00AM or so, he gets up and knocks on the priest's door and confesses. The priests tells him to do however many hail maries or whatever. He lays back down and thinks about how good it was that he went to confess. He thinks to himself how no one else probably would have given up their bed for the stranger. Next thing you know, Luther is up again knocking on the priest's door for confession of these thoughts as well. This may have happened a few times during the night. One after another, prideful thought after prideful thought. Hilarious! And so true!

     

  • At 11:50 AM, Blogger jomato said…

    ...5,100 hits...5,101 hits...zZZzz-zz-zz...5,102 hits...just kidding.

    the whole i am proud of myself for being so humble is very tricky. reminds me of a scene at the end of the movie "The Devil's Advocate".

     

  • At 10:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

     

  • At 11:11 AM, Blogger Rick Harper said…

    If this is not a generated comment, and let no offense be taken, but what on my blog made you think I would be remotely interested in any discussion about politics? Even if I had the desire, I could not allow remotely the time to engage in such a discussion. I'm sure your politcal comments would create more fruitful conversation elsewhere.

    grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ,
    Rick

     

  • At 11:31 AM, Blogger Rick Harper said…

    However, if you would like to discuss Christ or the surrounding to which He is central, I will gladly do so.

    Also, I realize your comment is not a generated one, because you commented on my chat box. So, I hope no offense was taken by my reply above. If I had the time or the knowledge I would join in your engagement, but my focus is furthest from that about which you wrote. The LORD is sovereign and He raises up those in power, and not only in America (Exo 9:16; Rom 9:17).

     

  • At 1:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Rick,
    I'm talking about the fiscal rape of our generation. I think you should be concerned about this. I believe in God too. I pray, go to church, and I try to read the Bible. One thing that I have read in the Bible is that Jesus loved the poor. The Bible writers spoke against the mistreatment of the poor. You should be concerned about supporting a President who leaves the poor on the wayside and gives massive tax cuts to the richest in our country. I think you should focus on this issue because it is important, especially as a "regenerated, resolved, reformed, restored, etc." person. Please think about what I wrote. I chose your blog because I see that you appear to be a conservative Christian who supports morality. True morality should not ignore the poor.

    Read the whole Cato article here:
    http://www.cato.org/pubs/tbb/tbb-0510-26.pdf

    Read the Will column here:
    http://www.suntimes.com/output/will/cst-edt-geo17.html

     

  • At 10:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Phil, you are correct in saying Jesus loved the poor. But I don't recall anywhere in the Bible where he commented on getting rid of the corrupt political rulers in order to help the poor. He expected his followers to love the poor also and provide what they could for the poor. They were to take care of the widow and orphan, etc. Now if you are truly concerned with getting rid of corrupt politicians(of every party) then let me tell you the only way that can happen without a monarchy or dictatorship. In other words, in a government where people vote for leaders, the only way you can have Godly leaders(and that is what I want), is to have the majority of voters being obedient followers of Christ. So, if we concern ourselves with giving people the gospel of Christ and then discipling those who believe, then we may in the future have Godly voters getting rid of those bad leaders you are concerned with. If God is merciful to us and the Kingdom of God spreads and grows in this paganistic and ungodly nation that claims falsely to be a Christian nation, then your problem will take care of itself. By the way, that is the only way our social, political, moral, economic or any other problem will be corrected. Look at any great society in past history. Without the one true God of the Bible, they all progress socially and economically, become more and more ungodly and then collapse.

     

  • At 9:11 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    That is what I am trying to say, anonymous. Thank you for saying what I have been saying all along. That is why I am trying to reach Rick. He claims to be a "Godly voter." As a "Godly voter," he should be concerned about getting rid of these "bad leaders," or better yet, "bad leader" George W. Bush. Thank you for believing in what I believe in, anonymous. I love the poor in this country, and I do what I can to help them, but I am trying to do even more than give my money. I am trying to spread this political message in order to educate those who are being fooled by George W. Bush's adhere to "morality."

    Read the whole Cato article here:
    http://www.cato.org/pubs/tbb/tbb-0510-26.pdf

    Read the Will column here:
    http://www.suntimes.com/output/will/cst-edt-geo17.html

     

  • At 3:07 PM, Blogger Rick Harper said…

    Phil, I think you should re-read anonymous' post. I believe he would whole-heartedly disagree with your approach. It seems you have misunderstood his comment. I completely agree with anonymous' post. Thanks for your comments anonymous.

    Phil, I love to see people zealously spread the message of Christ. I have no interest in directly getting rid of the "bad leader", George Bush. As anonymous said, I am more concerned with spreading the Gospel and letting God use me to make disciples. This is where the difference will be made. The more "Godly voters", the more votes toward a "Godly leader". And to echo anonymous again, if God is merciful to us and the Kingdom of God spreads and grows in this paganistic and ungodly nation, the problem will take care of itself. Thanks for your comments, Phil.

    grace and peace in Christ,
    Rick

     

  • At 3:46 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I don't think that I am misunderstanding the anonymous person. This person wrote "So, if we concern ourselves with giving people the gospel of Christ and then discipling those who believe, then we may in the future have Godly voters getting rid of those bad leaders you are concerned with." The two jobs of the Christian are giving people the gospel, and then discipling them so that they, as Godly voters, will get rid of the bad leaders. Like I told you, I am a Christian. My purpose is to disciple you to make "moral" Christian decisions as a voter. The conservative majority has tricked this nation. We need Christians who will disciple others to vote for leaders who will not fiscally rape our mothers and grandmothers. Today's mainstream Christian conservative groups are deceived by President Bush's lip service to what he refers to as the "higher power." Before the election, Karl Rove and President Bush pushed "moral" legislation through the Congress in order to make it appear as if they were defeating immorality in our nation. These two figures rallied the nation's conservatives with an agenda to defeat homosexuality and abortion in this country. After Bush won the election, the push for "moral" legislation stopped. Bush began spending and spending and spending. I urge you to exercise the politics of Jesus, not the politics of Satan. Please continue giving to the poor. But whatever you do, please voice your concern to the White House about this President who is in office molesting our generation and raping our grandparents.

    Read the whole Cato article here:
    http://www.cato.org/pubs/tbb/tbb-0510-26.pdf

    Read the Will column here:
    http://www.suntimes.com/output/will/cst-edt-geo17.html

     

  • At 10:30 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    PHIL, WE ARE NOT ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH HERE. MY DEFINITION(AND I SUSPECT RICK'S ALSO) OF "DISCIPLE" ISN'T THE SAME AS YOURS. WE NEED TO DISCIPLE OR TEACH OTHERS ABOUT OUR LORD AND KING. THEN IF THEY SURRENDER TO THE KING, THEY WILL OBEY HIS LAW WHICH INSTRUCTS US HOW TO LIVE. THAT WOULD NATURALLY TRICKLE DOWN TO HAVING GODLY MEN TO VOTE FOR. SEE, YOU WANT TO TEACH PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR OTHER UNGODLY MEN. WHAT IS THE POINT. BECONE ZEALOUS FOR SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST INSTEAD OF YOUR POLITICS AND YOU MAY SEE IMPROVEMENT IN OUR GOVERNMENT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS LIFE. BY THE WAY, WHY NOT GIVE US YOUR TESTIMONY OF HOW YOU CAME TO KNOW THE LORD? TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU BELIEVE. MANY PEOPLE CLAIM TO BE "CHRISTIANS". THAT IS JUST A WORD. TELL US ABOUT YOUR WALK WITH THE KING IF YOU EXPECT OTHERS TO LISTEN. IF YOU AREN'T INTERESTED IN TALKING ABOUT JESUS THEN PLEASE GO TO SOME OTHER SITE. SIGNED ANONYMOUS

     

  • At 1:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I am disappointed that both of you are sidestepping the issue of President Bush and his spending. That's okay. I understand that you both are more concerned with "talking about Jesus" instead of living like Jesus, helping to stop the pillage of our nation by the conservative majority. Regardless of both of your feelings, I am delighted that both of you are not blind conservatives. You both recognize that President Bush is in the group of, as anonymous has stated,"UNGODLY MEN." Rick has admitted that President Bush is a "bad leader." With these things in mind, I hope that you will consider voting like Jesus in the next election for the most Godly candidate. Not the candidate who uses Godliness as a way to explain away his drinking record and DWIs. As many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are prone to do, it looks as if anonymous has fallen to the temptation of judging others. Anonymous has questioned my deep love and regard for Christ by saying, "MANY PEOPLE CLAIM TO BE "CHRISTIANS". That's okay, like Christ, I forgive you. I try to walk the walk and talk the talk.

    Read the whole Cato article here:
    http://www.cato.org/pubs/tbb/tbb-0510-26.pdf

    Read the Will column here:
    http://www.suntimes.com/output/will/cst-edt-geo17.html

     

  • At 1:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I almost forgot. I wanted to share my testimony with both of you.

    Something was wrong with my life. I was seventeen. I had enjoyed a wonderful upbringing in a loving family, attended church, worked a part-time job, made decent grades in school, planned to attend college, played lead guitar in a successful rock band, and was very unhappy. Despite the shiny future ahead of me, I felt a deep sense of hopelessness within me. I wasn’t sure what meaning or purpose my life had. I couldn’t bear living with such sadness every day. What was I to do? I began to pray.

    A local Christian minister had made an impression on me once when I visited his church. There was something very different about this man that caught my attention. I could tell that he loved people. He went around the community helping the sick, poor, troubled or anyone with a need. He loved people with what seemed like a superhuman love. I wanted to get to the source of this love.

    He took the time to sit down with me and answer all my questions about God from the scriptures. He explained that Jesus Christ was a real person sent from God to take the punishment for my sins and that He was actually alive today. I received Him into my life and discovered that He would literally enter me and live in me, my body being a temple for his Spirit. I had just begun a relationship with the Creator of the universe.

    The fact that I had believed the words of Jesus and put them into practice made all the difference imaginable. My life took on purpose and depth as I experienced the Savior through faith. Many years of discovery followed. I witnessed powerful miracles as well as painful trials as a Christian. I remain convinced that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and is still alive today.

    I hope that this helps to establish my "Jesus" credentials with the both of you. Maybe now I will not have to go to "some other site."

    Read the whole Cato article here:
    http://www.cato.org/pubs/tbb/tbb-0510-26.pdf

    Read the Will column here:
    http://www.suntimes.com/output/will/cst-edt-geo17.html

     

  • At 5:17 PM, Blogger Rick Harper said…

    Phil, if you notice, bad leader was in quotes. I was quoting you. I haven't stated any opinion of my own concerning President Bush, nor do I intend to do so.

    Also, you seem to be somewhat of an elitist with much to say and little skills in listening. So far I see no evidence of you "walking the walk and talking the talk" in your comments as you claim. You seem awfully judgmental. Mat 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged." Shift your zeal, brother. Be passionate for Christ and the Gospel, not getting rid of Republicans. Your effort would be of more use in picking blogs to begin discussions about Jesus Christ instead of political rantings.

     

  • At 9:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I am honored that you would quote me, Rick. I like when Jesus asked the Pharisees, "Do the healthy need a doctor?" Jesus did not think so. Rick, what is the point sharing the gospel with you? You claim to be saved. I think your listening skills need sharpening. I don't think you understand the brunt of Christ's ministry. Christ helped the poor and the diseased. What did President Bush do to all of the diseased children in Africa? He refused to help their nations with the relief that they need. His export and import policies are sucking Africa dry of life. Rick, we live in a democracy. In a democracy the people rule. You can share Christ until your lips turn blue, but that still does not make it okay for you to be passive and unconcerned about the evil man who rules from Pennsylvania Ave. Paul shared Christ too. But Paul recognized the needs of the poor as well, and did what he could to help them. Let me ask you a question, Rick. What are you doing with all the money you saved on car insurance with Geico? Are you helping the poor? I sure hope so. I hope that you are not like the conservative majority who claim to love Jesus, but waste all of their money NEGLECTING the poor. If you are not willing to contact the White House and voice concerns over President Bush's fiscal policy, I hope that you are willing to stand up for the poor in your hometown for the same things that Christ would stand up for. The little man needs your help. Instead of eating, drinking, and being merry, we need to find the nearest soup kitchen and start walking the walk and being passionate about the work of Jesus Christ. I am sorry that you feel that I am being an elitist, but hey, Christ was an elitist as well. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I try to model my Savior's leadership. We should all be elitists as well as followers. Without an elitist, who are people going to follow through discipleship. Thank you for your concerns, Rick. I urge you to walk in love and truth as you go through life. Please think about your role in this democracy. The Congressional elections are just around the corner. I hope that you do not plan on going into the voting booth and punching every card that bears the name of a Republican candidate. If you do this, you should be ashamed of yourself. You should search for Godly men to lead this country. Think about the way Paul felt about the judges ruling the civil matters. He told the people, "Why would you appoint judges that aren't Christians?" Don't be fooled. Follow Paul's advice when you exercise your constitutional rights in this great nation that we live in. Don't be fatalistic about this nation by calling it "ungodly." Do something about it. Stand up for Christ!

     

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