All I need is everything....

-I've spent the last few minutes looking out my window thinking. Sometimes in those simple moments, things can become clear. Sometimes they stay the same. Today things are the same.

-I spent this morning finally watching Invisible Children and found myself actually in tears. That doesn't happen often, and I hate to share that with you for fear you might think I am looking for some kind of validation. I am not. All I want is to share with you how I was affected.

-Why can't Don and Lori's new CD be out yet? I am so ready for some new Chaffer music.

-Seminary has definitely challenged me this semester. My foundations shaken, my vision foggy, my hope grounded more deeply in Christ than ever before. Why? Where else can I put it?

-I've come to the conclusion that I would rather live in Narnia. That sounds dumb I'm sure. Things there just seem much more black and white, not gray like our real world. Sometimes I'd rather have a Lion invite me to drink with Him in the stream than deal with the pain that is often my struggle to reconcile myself to God. Sometimes I'd rather be told plainly to clean my sword than left to silence. But ease of life would not compare to the joy of humility before a God I can't possibly ever hope to fully understand.

-The weight of the consequence of my sin is getting more and more heavy, and if I could do it all over again I would change so much. I don't understand people who wouldn't change their past. Yes I am thankful to be where I am, but if I could go back and stop myself from carrying such a load now, than I would. I am forgiven, but that doesn't eliminate the earthly consequence of sin.

-Do I really care about all the things I say I do?

-I've said it before: I want a canoe.

-John 3:30 English Standard Version: "He must increase. I must decrease." How do I put that attitude into my life? How do I act on that?

-Cheryl said this week that she makes too many mud pies. I do also. Ask her to explain that one.

-I am loved. Thank God.

peace out,
hersch

again already?

Some things I thought y'all would enjoy...

-Some cool photos...
-A great book...
-Only 7 dollars a month...
-Hiya bunkmate...

peace out,
hersch

Because it's Friday...

Well, it's 12:10 a.m. so I guess it's Saturday.

The Cards won. I think I passed my kidney stone. God really opened up my eyes to some stuff yesterday(more on that later...). I think we'll take it easy tonight.

I leave for your consideration the top 10 songs I found on the Asbury iTunes network. They are up for debate. These just happen to be the ones I am in the process of enjoying.

10. Under Bridges by Brave Saint Saturn-The first of 2 songs by Reese Roper, one of my favorite song writers.

9. Best of You by Foo Fighters-Who doesn't like to fight foo, especially let it get the best of you? Not me, probably not you.

8. I'm Gonna Miss Her by Brad Paisley-This is a guilty pleasure of mine. I just love it.

7. Stare at the Sun(acoustic) by Thrice-I don't really know too much about this band, but I thought this song was great.

6. The Prayer by Charlotte Church and Josh Groban-This would have been higher on the list if Josh Groban would sing in English.

5. These Are Not My Pants Medley by Five Iron Frenzy-No words can explain this brilliance.

4. We're So Far Away by Mae-This CD has grown on me more than any CD in my memory.

3. Elijah by Rich Mullins-My appreciation for his songwriting grows with every listen.

2. Mystery of Iniquity by Lauryn Hill-Have you heard this song? Man you need to.

1. Oh My God by Jars of Clay-Though I disagree with those who say that Good Monsters is their best CD, this song is their second best song of their career. Can you guess their first? It's not flood by the way. Listen to this song.

Well, that's all I got for tonight. We'll have some deeper stuff later. Have a good weekend y'all!

peace out,
hersch

so...

December 15, a Friday night mind you, is not only my last day of finals, but also the night of a concert I was hoping my proximity to Cinncinatti would bring me the oppurtunity to attend-----Over the Rhine.

Over the Rhine will be here in Lexington on December 15. I would like to invite you guys to come down and chill that day, and then we can drive back up Saturday caravan style.

Also, big shout out goes to NFB for the banners to Save Darfur and Worldvision!

That's all for now. I'm going to go eat some Easy Cheese.

peace out,
hersch

HYPOCRITE!!!! BURN!!!!!

So I have a confession. A while back, I questioned the motives of a certain MEGACHURCH in the Lexington area. I even may have said something to the effect of:


"I'm pretty sure I am done with the whole MEGACHURCH thing...I mean...come on..."

" ....I'm sorry. This is too cynical, but perhaps a little true? Maybe. Jesus can and does work through these churches. I'm not saying He doesn't. I am saying that I don't think my place is there. That's just me."

Since then, I actually have been back to this church a few times. I question myself everytime I go. Am I going because it is like fastfood spirituality for the week or do I feel drawn by the Spirit to go there. Honestly, the first time was because I overslept and missed the church I wanted to go in the morning, but this week, I can say I truly felt called to go there.

Tonight the sermon was from Romans 12:1-2.

Romans 12 English Standard Version

A Living Sacrifice

1I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

So many times when I have read this scripture, I pass over "but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." But tonight, it stuck out to me.

Lately I have been wondering what the crap I am doing with my time here at Seminary. I am constantly feeling dumb because of all the intelligent people around me. I know I am capable of doing the work, but sometimes I feel inadequate in the presence of my peers. I also find myself completly frustrated by some people in my classes who seem to me, to be so arrogant that they feel they can call out a professor who has been teaching for his whole life, or an author who obviously has put hundreds of hours into work on a book. I am frustrated by a lack of humility on some my classmates parts when it comes to learning.

But I am more frustrated in myself. Am I allowing God to renew my mind here at school? I don't think I have been. So much of my Christian life has been lived at heart level and I think God is wanting to start working on my upstairs.

Just a thought.

peace out,
hersch

5 hours to get one stinkin' prescription...

So I just spent 5 hours being given the run around, trying to get a refill to my painkillers for my kidney stone. The first hour and a half was spent at Lexington Clinic where I was finally told they couldn't help me and they I should go to the ER at the hospital up the road.

So I went. And after waiting for almost an hour, finally saw a doctor, explained my situation, and was told he'd be right back. 3 hours later I finally have my prescription, a finished book, and lines on my face from falling asleep in the exam room. Rediculous.

It did get me thinking though how good/bad we have it here in America when it comes to healthcare. I recently just got health insurance through school, but for the last 5 years, had none. Thank God I never got sick in those 5 years.

Here in America we have all sorts of healthcare, some of the very best in the world, available to us and yet, so many of us cannot afford what we need because health insurance is so expensive. And health insurance is so expensive because the medical profession charges so much. And they charge so much because they can. And we pay it because our health insurance covers it. It's a viscious cycle.

And it makes me sick(pun?).

During my three hour layover in St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Room, I started thinking about the third world. My mind often wanders there. I remember being scared to death that I might have to go to the doctor in Guatemala because I wasn't sure how safe a doctor there would be. Yet that is all they have.

Have you every seen The Constant Gardener? It's about drug companies using third world citizens, namely in Africa, as test subjects for new medicines. You should check it out.

I just wonder sometimes if we as the church are really loving our neighbors as Jesus has called us to. To be more honest, I wonder if I am loving my neighbors as God has called me to.

I've been thinking about AIDS in Africa alot lately, and how me, a seminary student in podunk Kentucky can help. I can't call out the church anymore until I am following God's call myself. Right? Right.

peace out,
hersch

Studying? What is that? What is that?

To those inquiring minds, yes, I still subscribe to Rolling Stone magazine if you catch my drift.

You know what sucks about seminary so far? Well, I guess it isn't seminary per se, but life in seminary? I don't know how to study.

It all started when I was a young lad in elementary school. I got A's easy enough that I didn't think homework was necessary. So then I started failing because I wasn't doing my homework. My mom took exception to this philosophy and came up with a grand solution.

1. She taped a checklist of things I was supposed to do everyday, including writing down assignments and getting the teacher to initial said assignments, as well as checking my homework over, right onto my desk.
2. She bought me a day planner to write down all assignments in and have teachers initial.

Sounds like a good plan. After one week I had figured out how to forge my teachers initials and suddenly I went from having 3 or 4 assignments every night to having zero. Being in fourth grade, I doubted my mom's ability to catch on. I also doubted her ability to read her mail since every three assignments I didn't turn in, a demerit was issued and sent home to my parents. I got 7 demerits that year.

So I finally decided that doing my homework was probably the better route to take instead of failing school and repeating fourth grade. What I discovered was that in the 5 minutes before work was due, I could do it sufficiently enough to get a C. I was ok with this. My parents were not, but I tried to ignore their anger over my poor grades.

As my school career continued, I fell into a pattern of doing last minute work, not studying for tests, and being entirely satisfied just to pass. This continued through High School.

When I started college at Eastern, I quickly found more work was required than I was willing to do. I skipped most of my math classes and somehow managed a D. The only class I did well in was Composition. I transfered back to Frontier. What did I find? Classes were much easier than at EIU. The A's started rolling in. During one summer term, I took 19 hours and got all A's. Did I study? Nope.

Bethel came and went along the same lines. Classes weren't so much hard as they were just labor intensive. I learned that homework wasn't graded so much on content as it was on whether it was done or not. Seriously, the further I have gotten from my Bethel education, the more worthless it seems.

This brings me to my present situation. I am at Asbury Seminary, and the work required of me is more than anything I have ever experienced. I know how to read the assigned reading and do so and can retain the knowledge. I know how to write a paper and do well. What I don't know how to do it study for tests. Tests at Bethel were jokes compared to tests here. Throughout my entire academic career, I always loved tests because I could normally ace them without much effort. Here I am lucky to get an 80% with alot of studying. I don't know how to study. I don't know how to look at our material and point out what points I should focus on more for the tests than others. I don't know how to manage my time between reading and reviewing.

So there is a big lesson I need to learn while I am here. How to study. I personally think tests are stupid anyways because in real life, if am counseling someone or pastoring a church or whatever, I will have references available. But maybe I think so because I don't know how to study, and also, hate to study. I love to read, but I hate to study.

I also need to not be content with getting C, if it is not by best effort. I still struggle with the desire to quit studying and jump on the computer or dive into a personal book, rather than one for school, and simply be ok with getting a C. A C is fine if I do my best and that's the outcome, but I have to learnt o do my best. Laziness is definitly a struggle for me.

That's my rant for now.

peace out,
hersch

ouch....seriously....ouch...

So I am finally back at Asbury after what proved to be a very very LONG weekend.

Friday morning, I was rudely awaken by the most intense pain I've ever experienced. At 4:30 in the morning, we drove to the ER at Fairfield to discover I have a kidney stone. I still haven't passed it so keep me in your prayers.

Presbytery wasn't as bad as it could have been.

I am currently sitting in class, trying to stay awake. My painkillers definitly are wanting me to go to sleep, but I have a test Thursday and need to be here to help prepare.

It was good to go home. It was good to see people. But I am finding that Asbury feels more like home than I thought it should by now. I found mself longing to come back and actually work. Weird.

That's about all I have for right now. I'll try to write with more substance when I'm not doped up.

peace out,
hersch

update coming soon...

update coming soon...

peace out,
hersch

Question.

If God said "Dena, I want you to give up your job and sell you car and house and give the money to the people who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. I want you to pack up and move down there and live in a tent and do nothing but feed people, and love people." Would you do it?

If God said "Geoff, I want you to pack up your wife, leave your new house and new church and be on a plane tomorrow for China to plant a church." Would you do it?

If God said "Amy, say goodbye to your house and family, I'm sending you to the Lakota Sioux Indians." Would you do it?

If God asked us of these things, would we have the faith to do it. Do we really have faith if we don't act on it? Ouch. That is a hard question.

One I am trying to answer...to act on.

As the body of Christ, in the world, in America, in our own little group, are we acting on our faith where we should be?

For those I singled out, it was only for dramatic effect. I am not saying God is calling you to do such things. Maybe He is...that's between you and Him.;)

peace out,
hersch

I saw him today...

While driving around Lexington, looking for a stinkin' job, I happened to see Bull-Horn Guy. He was at the corner of Man O War and Richmond.

I wasn't sure it was really him though.

He had all the makings of Bull-Horn Guy:

1. Sign proclaiming Jesus is coming back....check.
2. Bull horn......check.
3. Flyers.....check.
4. Message of damnation being yelled over afore mentioned bull horn.......er, no check?

Where was the "JESUS IS COMING!! REPENT OR BURN FOREVER!!!"?

I turned down my radio and listened. I heard something far different.

"Repent. Jesus is coming and He wants to save you. He loves you. He's already forgiven you, just accept him." It went on and on like that. He even smiled and waved at the cars whow ould honk at him. From all appearances he seemed like a calm individual who just wanted to share the HOPE of Jesus with people. Maybe his methodology was a little off, but maybe not. Who's to judge what God calls people to do.

Well, I can feel my grades falling as I write this...back to work.

CURRENTS:
Books I am reading for class:

"Resident Aliens" by Hauerwas and Willimon
"Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus" by Jeremias
"Current Pyschotherapies" by Corsini and Wedding
"Shaped by The Word" by Mulholland
























Books I am reading for personal growth:

"Invitation to a Journey" by Mulholland
"Cost of Discipleship" by Bonhoeffer
"Knowing God" by Packer




















Movies I am recommending:
Little Miss Sunshine(rated R)
The Departed(rated R)


























Music I am listening to right now:
Illuminate by David Crowder Band
Good Monsters by Jars of Clay
John Davis by John Davis
Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Nickel Creek by Nickel Creek





















DVD's I am recommending:
The Office(US) Seasons 1 & 2
The Motorcycle Diaries(rated R)
























peace out,
hersch

I've meaning to put this on here for a long time...

To Write Love On Her Arms...

This is a group of people who are trying to help addicts, young people who are depressed, people who cut themselves, people who are suicidal, etc.

You can buy a t-shirt here and the money goes to help put people through rehab, couseling, etc.

I recommend reading the story first. It might not be everyone's cup of tea.

I know for a while I have been wondering what our response as Christians should be to those who suffer depression, and this seems to be a step in the right direction. I know there are other ways out there, but this one definitly has a target group of people to whom it ministers. I think they are doing a good thing.

peace out,
hersch

yikes...

So here's the weekend recap. I know you are all dying to hear it.

Thursday night, I led my volleybal team to a victory with 0 aces, 0 kills, 0 digs, and probably 5 hits out of bounds. It was great to be hoisted onto the shoulders of my team mates and carried around like a king.

Friday was spent in reading, watching DVD's, reading some more, watching Battlestar Galactica.

Saturday consisted of some minor errands running and atending the UK/USC Football game-for free. Courtesy of Ian Canada.

Today was sleeping in until almost 11(church at night this week), eating lunch at Sonic, watching "The Departed," and writing this blog.

Good times.

Something strange keeps happening to me. I've written about this a LONG time ago back when I first made my prospective student visit to Asbury. It seems everywhere I go, I see familiar faces.

Its like I have seen these people before in a dream, or...I don't know how to explain it.

I have a rediculous theory and I will run it by you for you to trash and pscyhoanalyze me. What if there are only like 100 faces? Maybe 1000 faces? The number isn't as important as the idea I am thinking about.

What if there were a set number of faces in the world, and everyone is just a slight variation of one of those faces? Could that be? This is the stuff I think about when I am alone with my brain.

I know this is a weird little post. I'm a little bored. I shouldn't be though. I've got plenty of work to do.

And church to go to.

peace out,
hersch

mmmmmm..... don't make fun of me Conan O'Brien...

How did it happen? I mean seriously.

I'm living in a dorm room with no T.V. and still I am addicted to 2, count 'em 2 T.V. shows.

What in the world...

T.V. show number 1 is "The Office." Simply my favorite show of all time. Not quite as good as "Seinfeld" yet. Yet. Steve Carell could tell me the world is about to blow up and make it funny. And let's not forget about Jim and Pam. I feel like such a loser rooting for a T.V. romance. Go ahead, make fun of me.

But probably my favorite character is still Dwight. Or Dwigt. Those who watch will get that. This leads me into my second television addiction. It just so happens to be Dwight's favorite show as well. Those who watch will know what that is.

"Battlestar Galactica." I can hear you laughing. I really can.

Before tonight, I would have laughed at myself. I still do. I simply cannot understand this one.

I was bored tonight. I walked by the common room and noticed that from 9-11, the T.V. was reserved for one of the guys to watch the season Premiere of BSG. I chuckled. When 9 rolled around however, I found myself strangly drawn to the common room, out of both boredom, and surprisingly, curiosity. What I found was a great television season premiere.

This was the 3rd season in, and I had never seen one episode. Yet I was immediately drawn into the story by some good acting, and a good story. The writing is cheesy. As are the effects. And I wish they would stop using the word "frack" in the place of the f-word. Just write a better script where you don't have to say such a rediculously obvious replacement word.

But I was drawn into the story of man versus robot(what's a robit?). I was. I won't make any excuses. It's a nerd's show and I guess I am more nerdy than I thought. Or bored. But in any case, I want to watch it next week. We'll see what a week's wait will do to this addiction. Will it feed it or kill it. I don't know which I want.

I can still hear you laughing at me. It's ok. I'm right there with ya.

I know that clip isn't really funny. It's more for reference than anything else.

Here's one more for comedic purposes.

peace out seacrest,
hersch

So...

I had a post I was writing and as I was wrapping it up and rereading it, I felt it crossed the line from slightly distasteful to unpublishable.

Here's my question:

Why?

What makes me ashamed to put something on here?

Is there really a line? I know I felt I crossed it.

Here's the thing. I don't want to get into a theological debate about cussing or decency or whatever. I simply want to know is should there ever be a point where we are embarrased by something we do or say in front of our friends? Because if they judge us, are they really our friends? If we judge them, are we really loving them?

There are maybe two people I feel I could say anything, and I mean anything around. What does that say about my relationships? Are we being honest with each other? Are my friends and I perhaps venturing into bad territory when we will say things around each other that might include words with four letters or ideas that might be shunned by our social groups?

Are we dishonest enough in our relationships where we can't say how we truly feel? Are there too many walls around our friendships? Can we really even call some of our friendships friendships?

Hmm.

peace out,
hersch

The best song for the road I've ever heard. OR A disaster in my mind. OR Is there anyone there named Victor?

So I am driving into Illinois for the first time in 5 weeks. I just ended speaking at a youth retreat in Owensboro Kentucky and I am smelling from not having showers for two days, tired from sleeping on an air mattress for two days, and I have to go to the bathroom really, really bad.

All sorts of things are coming in and out of my mind.

I am thinking about going to Africa. My dream really-and perhaps my calling. We'll see.

I am thinking about the sadness and joy I equally feel in knowing that Eric and Katie are moving to Fairfield. I am happy that they will be going to a supportive place, but sad that I can't take off any weekend I want anymore to head down and visit them and simply laugh and enjoy thier friendship. Soon they won't just be in Fairfield, but far far away in foreign lands.

I am thinking about when Jim will finally be reunited with the Dunder-Mifflin Scranton team again via branch absorption.

I am thinking about God's will in general for us Christians in America, and how screwed up our view of it may actually be.
Or at least my view of it.

I am thinking about how good it was to hang out with Victor and Samantha for the weekend at the retreat...an unexpected surprise.

And I am listening to "Illinois" by Sufjan Stevens in honor of my return to God's country. And I am realizing that "Chicago" is the best road song I've ever heard, and that the line "I've made alot of mistakes..." is the most honest line sung in my car.

And I am anxious to see family and friends, if only for a few hours.

peace out,
hersch