July 20, 1999
A Case of Mistaken Identity
I recently received an email from a Crosswalk member (glad to know that SOMEONE is reading this stuff!) containing a very interesting and thought-provoking question. To preserve anonymity, I will only say that this particular person happens to be from my home state of Texas. Please reserve your comments about Texans until later. I completely respect your opinions and am extremely grateful for a country based on freedom that allows you to have those wrong opinions. Anyway, back to the question.
She wrote: “I enjoyed your column, but I am curious as to why you are now going by ‘Carden’ instead of ‘Harris’?” I had to laugh. I mean, this isn’t the first time this has happened, but it caught me at just the right time. The scariest thing to me, was that she was serious! I had written her a pretty flippant response, and later had to apologize when I realized that she really didn’t know that Josh Harris and I are not the same person. A couple of friends suggested that I continue perpetrating this myth by telling her that Carden was my married name, but I decided that honesty was the best policy in this case. So for all of you out there who have ever secretly wondered if Josh Carden and Josh Harris were one and the same, I submit the following Ways That Josh Harris and Josh Carden are Different:
Josh Harris is:
5’6” (not “short,” “vertically challenged”)
Josh Carden is:
6’1” (shoe-shopping-impaired)
Josh Harris has:
Kissed single life goodbye (married)
Josh Carden is:
Still kissing dating goodbye (single)
Josh Harris is:
Expecting his first child…well, his wife is, anyway.
Josh Carden is:
Expecting his first test… in law school, that is.
Josh Harris:
Writes books (and appears in Josh Carden’s humor columns)
Josh Carden:
Writes columns (and appears in credits of Josh Harris’ book)
Josh Harris is:
In training to be a pastor
Josh Carden is:
In training to be a lawyer (no jokes please)
Josh Harris:
Reporter has called him a “major babe”
Josh Carden:
Has seen the movie “Babe”
Josh Harris:
Has appeared on “Politically Incorrect” and “Dateline”
Josh Carden:
Has appeared on Carden family home movies
Josh Harris:
Published New Attitude Magazine
Josh Carden:
Wrote columns for New Attitude Magazine (Hey, I didn’t say they were ALL funny!)
Josh Harris:
Lives 3500+ mile away from his family
Josh Carden:
Lives 1500+ miles away from his family (MUCH closer)
Josh Harris:
Sings like Harry Connick, jr.
Josh Carden:
Sings tenor….tenor fifteen miles away. (read it aloud, you’ll get it.)
I am sure there are others, but these will do for now. By the way, We HAVE been photographed together (Unlike Barry Manilow and Joe Montana).
In all seriousness (a rarity for me, I know.), I treasure the relationship I have had with Josh Harris. Josh and I were pen pals beginning at age nine. We lost contact for a while, until I saw the first issue of New Attitude. I wrote him and congratulated him on a job well done. He wrote back, and asked me to consider writing humor columns. The rest, as they say, is history…
Please pray for Josh as he continues to serve God in the position he holds. God has placed him in a position to serve as a role model and example for today’s young people. He is seeking to learn how to effectively serve as a local pastor and teacher of God’s Word. New Attitude 1999, an New Year’s event held in Baltimore, Maryland, was attended by thousands of young people who came determined to take home a renewed passion for the Truth of God. For more information about Josh and upcoming New Attitude events, visit his website at www.newattitude.org. Be sure and compare the picture too. I promise - you’ll never get us mixed up again!