My "Don't Want" List.

So many of us have a "Want List". I want ___ for my birthday. I want ___ for Christmas. I want to be ___ when grow up. I want one of those (cars, houses, shirts, etc and etc)." Now don't get me wrong, I'm not condemning a want list; in fact, I have one of my own (though many material items are not as important to me as they used to be). The list I want to share is a list of don't wants, a list of things and ideas that will benefit me as a person and benefit others as well, a list not just focused on me and things I think will make me happy.

Here's the list, if you have some of your own please tell me and add them as comments. If you have questions, please ask. I encourage each of you to think about this and then create a list of your own don't wants and strive to live that way. Post your list as a comment or email it to me when you finish - joshua.hershberger@gmail.com.

• I don’t want to become so consumed with growing a church that I forget to minister to those God puts in my life.
• I don’t want my personal spiritual walk to be so stagnant that I don’t experience daily spiritual attacks.
• I don’t want to be "so in tune with God" that I can’t hear Him speaking through others.
• I don’t want "achievements" in life (i.e. my college degree) to limit my opportunities and goals in life.
• I don’t want to spend so much time ministering and planning that I don’t take time to pray.
• I don’t want to read so much “essential Christian literature” that I don’t have time to read the Bible.
• I don't want to just live life one day at a time, I want to learn life one day at a time.
• I don’t want (and can't) win the world for Jesus until I am first won over for Jesus.

I'll add to this as I think to, or as you create lists and I notice goals I want to incorporate into my life.

Vote Change and Country First 2008

This video does not promote a candidate specifically, but the choice is
obvious.

This election is crucial. This time we don't just have candidates that are different in thoughts and beliefs, but have candidates that are fundamentally different in thought and belief systems. We see more than just democratic and liberal views from Senator Barrack Hussein Obama, we see extremist views accompanied by eloquent words. While I am not a person to give a litmus test to a candidate, I feel this video focuses on some very important issues. I disagree with Sen. Obama on issues from how to restore this economy to his tax policies that will deceptively oppress ALL Americans, I disagree with his foreign policy and stance on family issues; and if I was a soldier, I would have no doubt that Senator John Sidney McCain III would make the best military leader because of his experience and vested interest in America's future. I make no qualm about it, I may have the right to a secret ballet, but I am proud to vote Country First - McCain/Palin 2008.

(Update 11/13/08 - this video was removed from the web so it can no longer appear on my blog. I voted McCain/Palin as I promised, but will support and respect our new leader, Barrack Obama.)

The perfect question to provoke thought just got better.

I like shock value and treasure honesty. I like things that make you stop and go, "Oh, life has a point and purpose and am I trying so hard to live I forget about it?" Since I like this, I enjoy being able to provoke thought within others and cause them to think beyond themselves. Recently, I have out of the blue been asking people, "What is the most important thing in your life?" This was my 'one phrase way' of getting people to really think and share about things deeper and significant in life.

When answered honestly, myself included, the answer generally comes with some self-questioning like, "Should this really be what is most important?" Within my Christian circle especially, the answer is always along the lines of "God", or "My relationship with God" or "Sharing my faith with others" etc. etc. I have even heard, "You mean, after God" implying that God is the obvious answer and in an unintentional way, discrediting the question.

God being number one is great and many people really believe that this is the most important thing in their lives, but I would like everyone to start asking themselves another question. "If my life was studied, what would appear to be the most important thing in my life?" A personal example is I really believe and can say with full integrity that my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life; but I need to ask myself what about my life really demonstrates and illustrates my answer - what proof and evidence do I have. If you review my daily routine and look over my life, I fear that maybe the conclusion isn't the same as what comes out my mouth. Once I have reached this level of honesty I need to ask, "What changes do I need to make to put what I need to be number one, actually number one?"

I challenge you to ask yourself the above questions and strive daily to live a life of integrity. This includes being honest to yourself because it's easiest to believe lies we create or want to be true.


"If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" - many people

A "Top 10" you will never see on Letterman... guaranteed.

I received this email today and after verifying the facts, I felt this was something we need to know and think about. After reading the facts, please refer to the related article for I which I have provided a link.

Top people you won't see endorsing the publicity of this information.

WHAT THE TOP TEN CITIES WITH THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATE HAVE IN COMMON...

Detroit , MI (1st on the poverty rate list) Democratic Mayor since 1961;

Buffalo, NY (2nd) Democratic Mayor since 1954;

Cincinnati , OH (3rd)...Democratic Mayor since 1984;

Cleveland , OH (4th)...Democratic Mayor since 1989;

Miami , FL (5th) has never had a Republican mayor;

St. Louis , MO (6th)....Democratic Mayor since 1949;

El Paso , TX (7th) has never had a Republican mayor;

Milwaukee , WI (8th)...Democratic Mayor since 1908;

Philadelphia , PA (9th)...Democratic Mayor since 1952;

Newark , NJ (10th)...Democratic Mayor since 1907.


It seems it is the disadvantaged who habitually elect Democrats --- yet are still disadvantaged.

Einstein once said, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'

For a great article related to this post, click here.

When a life dedicated to escaping greed is a failure.

It has been a good while since I blogged. This is partly because I was gone and living in the hills of Honduras on mission. A mission about connecting with the people we lived with and sharing the news of Jesus Christ. Another reason I have been on this hiatus is because I haven't had any revelations or thoughts worth blogging about; not even a pointless story to share. And to be honest, the last few weeks have been a time of rest and relaxation that was needed after being on the go for a year now; however, now my time of rest has concluded because it started to turn into laziness and idleness which is not the rest I seek. And now to the topic of my blog.

I watched a movie a few nights ago. This wasn't just any movie to watch in a mindless sense of having nothing else to do, the movie was based on a true story over the post-college life of a man named, Christopher McCandless. Christopher, who we come to know as "Alexander Supertramp", was a revolutionary thinker, a man who sought truth and wholeness in life, a man that we all can and should learn from. This wasn't and will not turn into a film review, but will simply consist of a few thoughts that I have been inspired with since watching Christopher's journey.

While many people choose not to live this way, it seems so popular and edgy these days to "become your own person", "do it your way", be "independent". A popular thing to do is "discover yourself" and people view it as noble to say "Screw you!" to society as we know it, drop what we have, abandon material wealth, and discover truth. Christopher tried to do this, he could have gone to Harvard Law and graduate debt free, but he left all he knew, his family, his money, anything he couldn't fit in a backpack. Most shocking of all, he left his identity and birthed a new person set to do thing his way and to discover truth in a journey dubbed, "Into the Wild".

My thoughts:

With all Christopher did and as noble as it was to leave behind wealth and a bright future by worldly standards, I believe Christopher became the person in society he was trying to avoid. At the root of materialism and greed is "self", and as Christopher abandoned his family and tried to become one with nature and make the road his home, he embraced the culture of "self". While noble and exciting, Christopher understood just before he died, "Happiness is only real when shared".

As a Christian, I also need to base the success and failure of a life on whether or not a person served Christ, and not on whether or not they became fiercely independent. While a post modern thinker could watch this movie and be in awe of this person who discovered great truth and became their own person, living and embodying adventure and passionately seeking truth; the fact remains that unless I missed something major or a person has a skewed opinion of what is to be a Christian, Christopher never engaged in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is to say, his soul now exists with that of any other greedy member of society that sought only to live in the largest house, drive the best of flagship cars, and have the most "stuff" - devoid of Christ and His marvelous grace. It's not nice to say and we dance around saying a soul is in Hell because it seems all too harsh; however, it's true - and isn't that what we seek. I hate to say it, but while we may learn a lot from Christopher and while he may have lived the adventure of adventures, I believe his life was a failure.

So what life lesson can these insights teach us and what positives can we take from Christopher's view on life? I believe we must live a life that is different from what society says, we need to embrace the blessings the Lord has given, but at the same time understand how unfulfilling and futile chasing materialism really is. Whether a person is living for materialism can really only be determined by that individual, but it is everywhere and is part of culture, every culture, just in different ways. We must live our lives to first honor Christ and second help others reach the same point. We must also believe and obey the greatest commandments as stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39. First to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." And second to "Love your neighbor as yourself."

If we do this, we cannot fail to fulfill our purpose on earth and bear fruit for the Kingdom at the same time we discover that true happiness must be shared with others.

"... nothing is easier than saying words and nothing more difficult than living them day after day."

The title of this blog is not my own, rather that of the author I mention below.

I always enjoy reading Ken Abell's perspectives that can be found in his writings, but this article was especially an enjoyable and meaningful read to me. I don't know anything about being married and do not claim to hold a vast knowledge base on love; however, I have a feeling Ken knows a thing or two and hit it right on the head in this article titled, "Love is a neverending story".

If this possum was playing dead, it's now trying to eat it's way out of a trash bag.

As I began to ascend the bank behind the push mower, thankfully self-propelled, I heard a loud "POP". "What happened?", I asked myself; though I knew I was asking myself this question just to postpone the horrific news I knew I was about to discover. I turned around to see a garbage truck fleeing the scene and ten feet behind, the entrails of a large possum strewn about the road. The large possum was still present as well, but the furry body was no longer the swarming point of the Musca domestica (common housefly), they had moved to the exposed intestines.

Upon arrival that morning to cut the lawn at my father's office, I had noticed a presumably dead possum on the road. I had no desire to touch it then even though it showed only minor signs of outward trauma. After this incident (I can't guarantee accident know what I would have done as the truck driver) I thought, "I feel bad for whoever has to clean that up." Well, guess what I was asked to do next? Yep - you probably guessed it unless you're a moron. I'd like to give a special thanks to garbage bags, flat shovels, and Kidron Auction for the livestock dump area in which this possum joined several small goats. Also, I'd like to thank a bluegrass band called, "The Possum Boys" for selling me a shirt back in November 2007 - this gave me appropriate attire to wear this evening and I truly feel part of the group.

Anybody can die for something, but doing it everyday takes courage.

If someone walked into your house right now and put a gun to your head and asked if you were a Christian, what would you say? Before you answer that, let me tell you that if you should say, "Yes, I am a Christian", this person will shoot you in the head. No, this isn't just some aggressive evangelism gone overboard. I don't know about you, but for me I would proclaim my faith without batting an eyelash. I could die for Christ without difficulty and I don't think that makes me even remotely special; because it's dying for Him day after day that is the true test of faith.

As life presents challenges and opportunities, I am asked daily, "Are you truly a Christ follower?", and daily I need to make the choice to kill my sinful desires and live for Christ. Sometimes... many times, I fail. However sometimes... many times, I succeed. I will continue to die for Christ and in dying I will continue to live for Christ. And while people argue about whether it is more honorable to live or to die for something; we as Christians have the opportunity, obligation, and honor of doing both.

Update from Madrid, Spain.

Thanks to all that are praying for me while I am working here in Madrid. The work is going as well as I could expect for still only being in the first half of my work time here (I say "work time" because I need to account for lost days due to time change adjustments). I am glad to report that today, Tuesday, was very encouraging and I accomplished a lot. I am also being encouraged daily working with the missionary family (the Bundy´s) here on the west side of the city as well as working with two other friends that are currently working with the family and the two churches.

For those that are wondering, my daily schedule is (attach an "ish" to all the times I list):
8:30a - Wake up to the kids going to school or the youngest coming and crawling into bed with me or creeping about my room curiously - he's eight years old, a lot of fun, and warmed up to me real quickly.
9:00a - Breakfast of freshly baked and purchased french bread, jam, and coffee with lots of milk.
9:30a - I start work and work at a casual yet productive pace while talking with Bruce Bundy (the dad of the family) as he works at his computer.
2:oop - Lunchtime, this is the big meal of the day. I am always ready for it being that I was used to eating lunch 3 or 4 hours after or with breakfast. Culturally, this is a time to eat, rest, talk, drink coffee, and sleep a little.
4:00p - Back to work for a few hours. For me, this tends to be a very productive time of the day because I just rested and, due to the time delay and fact that people are getting to work and starting their days in the USA, I begin to received answers to question I had in the morning.
8:00p - 8:30p - Work slows and I relax with the family, play X-Box with Joshua (the 14 year old that lives here), or like tonight, I visited with a small church group and participated in there questions over the Sunday sermon by Bruce.
9:00p - 10:00p - Sometime in this hour and even up until 11:00p, I will eat dinner. This is a small meal of the day so I just make a sandwich or heat up some lunch. Since lunch is so great warm ups are a great option for dinner and really do hit the spot.
12:00p - I go to bed in the living room on the most comfortable couch bed I have ever lain on. I'll sleep well until morning. It's amazing how quickly the days pass.

Basically, my schedule fits right in line with the culture, what you would find at a doctor office or school. I've really grown to enjoy the afternoon rest because I can go back to work feeling refreshed and restored. It's perfect for a two week job, I don't know if I would like it or not as a permanent thing, buts that's really of not real concern to me.

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. Please keep praying that I can accomplish my goals here and also be an encouragement to the mission here in ways I can't see.

A view from "Casa de Campo". We spent an "after lunch rest" here and drank coffee on a beautiful day.


Us having lunch with some church friends on Sunday. Don't worry, the kids aren't drinking, that's just grape juice.

Life may be more than a sport, but why shouldn't we play it like one?

As my sister left to warm up for her softball game, I caught myself advising her, "Don't just play. Keep your focus and intensity high, renew it every pitch. Be it offensively or defensively, each pitch is a separate attempt to win the game. Do what you need to do each pitch to accomplish that final goal." In baseball it is easy to fall into a rut where each pitch just kinda "happens". Be it a strike, ball, or just a routine pop fly, the game just goes on and the plays seem to "happen". This may work sometimes and you may be safe and win occasionally or even more than that, but to be the best you can be, you can't just "play and let things happen". You need to be intentional and constantly reminding yourself to be ready and alert.

I find myself far to often just going through life and doing the routine. We need to remember that each morning when we wake up, we should make a separate attempt to honor and serve the Lord. This could be your routine, but do each thing in the routine as a separate attempt to honor God and give Him your best. By separate, I mean, it doesn't depend on the past or future, live each moment like the glory of the Lords depends on it - like the game depends on each play. Each day from the Lord is a gift and it is up to us not take that for granted, but to use each and every opportunity we have (be it time spent with your family, time at work, or indulging the many areas of passion God has given us - like for me sports) to honor and bring glory to God. I think if we remember that, our lives will continue to be God focused and we will continue to experience the joy and peace of the Lord no matter what trials, difficulties, or wonderful opportunities come our way. Hey, Satan's not giving in, every one of his attacks are a separate and deliberate attempt on your soul and life, so you can't play the game any differently.

So to sum that up, my coaching word would be, "Don't just live, keep your intensity high and be intentional. Wake up each day and make it a separate attempt to bring honor to the Kingdom of Christ, being purposeful in your actions and deeds. Don't let the 'it's just another day' life play you, play it with intensity and passion."

I'm an animal baby!

Do you ever think God accidentally made you human. If it wasn't for my belief that God is sovereign and perfect, I would think that I was supposed to be a monkey or a dog, or maybe a ferocious falcon. Either way, I noticed as I was driving today that a dog had it's head out the window. I decided that looked fun and obeyed my animal man instinct to follow suite. WHAT FREEDOM!! WHAT LIBERATION!! I don't really know from what, but it was amazing.

People tend to look at me weird (I have done this with my sunroof in the past) and while I don't know if it's illegal, I wouldn't do it with a cop around. My question is, "Is it weird because I am a person or because I am driving?" Perhaps both. Either way, I encourage you to try it sometime and experience the liberation that traveling dogs experience everyday.

A day of the truth and revelations.

Today was tough for me. There really is no way around it. Around 2:00am this morning (I like to stay up sometimes) I received an email that changed the course of this day and my vision of part of my future. I won't go into details, but I am so thankful for the people I worked and talked with and with whom I began to reconcile the situation immediately. When situations are sensitive and issues arduous, it is truly a blessing to work with people you trust, love, respect deeply, and with whom you hold an abiding confidence. While I learned to value these people more, it is even better to know that God is in control of everything and to be able to rest and have peace in knowing that He knows all and has a perfect will and pure desires for each of us.

Sometimes, I am confused as to why He brings things along or puts feelings in my heart that don't pan out, at least in my timing or method anyways. But as I reflect on this, I realize that God's will for my life is truly what I want and what it best for me. When I seek Him, everything that comes along in His name is for a purpose. Then, in the times of storm and waves in my heart and mind, I find that ineffable and wonderfully overwhelming peace that all is well, God is still the same He was yesterday and He will remain the same tomorrow, He loves me, and He knows the plans He has for me - and they are perfect, not always wonderful in my book, yet perfect.

Clinton/Obama

If you watched any of the NBA playoffs this year you'll understand this better, but it's funny either way.

Wounded and gashed - but I will live another day.

I had started to write a great blog with an easy to follow thought pattern and clever use of emotion provoking words and phrases. But I realized that I just couldn't talk about that because I need to come up with reason as to why I loved and loathed sports - and right now, while I know the reasons that I love sports, I just can't express it because I don't feel it.

Why do I care so much? Why do I hurt so much? In this case, I can't express anything other than I feel as if I had a javelin thrust through my heart and twisted to force pain. I am glad for a great season and I will never forget the thrill that "Game 5" (you should know what I mean) brought. In moments like this, I have to hold onto the sheer thrill of the steal and dunk to bring the game within one point, I have to cling to the emotions that 4th quarter forced into me, oh yes, the roller coaster of emotions that were within me throughout.

Right now, life sucks, and the roller coaster continues because while I know my values and joy in life don't come from my team being the best of thirty or so other teams, I do know that this sucks.

Well, now I'm going to Youtube great sports moments and live in the agony this devastating loss but in the joy I find reliving the past moments of greatness - that only ultimately ended in bitter failure.



When Cleveland finally wins a championship, be it baseball, basketball, or football (save the WNBA), oh, will it be a sweet, sweet day. And yes, I will shed tears as I did tonight.