Connecting with Ryan

About a year ago, a friend told me about "Knights of the Dinner Table," a comic book about old-school table-top RPGer's. (That's "role playing game", for those who don't know.) The most (in)famous today would be World of Warcraft. Back in the day, it would have been Dungeons & Dragons.

In one of the earliest issues of the comic, the gamers are told they enter a peaceful meadow, with butterflies and flowers. So, they gear up for the inevitable sneak-attack-ambush from death dealing bad guys. But the GM (the game master) tries to tell them there is nothing there. "It's peaceful."

"Off in the distance, you see a gazebo."

"I shoot it with my crossbow."

"uhhhhh ...."

"And I throw a fireball at it. What is it doing?"

"Doing?" responds the GM. "Nothing. Its a gazebo. Its just standing there."

So, they throw everything they have at it, and burn it to the ground. Because gazebos must be big and fierce and have lots of treasure. Riiiiiight.

Its hilarious, if you're a gamer. After reading through the dozen that I have, my son decided he wanted to learn how "to game."

Well, okay. I played a little bit back in college, for a few months. Then I ran a game called DragonRaid for our church youth group. After college, but before I got married. It was a Christian role playing game designed specifically for discipleship. There was an Overlord of Many Names (God) who sent his son (Jesus) to lead the Once Born (the unsaved) into the promised land, and become Twice Born (Christians). It was all very blatant and straight forward. You fought against bad guys whose primary attacks weren't physical, but temptations. You needed to memorize scriptures for various effects. Your armor is the Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Righteousness, etc. You get the point.

Anyway, it was designed for a GM, and several players. Not a one-on-one session. So, I started digging around the internet, and fount a HUGE selection of games out there. Free ones. Fantasy. Science Fiction. Western. Cyperpunk. Future. Past. And even a few Christian ones.

Several of the smaller ones were generic. They gave the basic barebones of the game mechanics, and let the GM design the world. Soooo, I decided to run with a simple one, and design a generic fantasy world to drop my son into. He can run around, bashing things, and I'll have some one-on-one time with him before he hits those turbulent teen years.

Deuteronomy 6.7-9 commands that I talk to my children about God and his laws while we walk and talk and sit and eat and everything. Well, with a car, we don't walk too much. And sharing as few meals as we do these days, we don't sit and eat much either. BUT, this is my chance. I can walk from one end of Narnia to the other with my son this way, picnic on the moon, eat dessert in an old saloon, and go swimming across the oceans of Middle Earth.

I'm looking forward to this. I think it will be fun. I'll let you know.

A Passion for Truth

"On the big issues it was not enough to be right--passion was vital. Now that sense of intellectual urgency has dissipated. Tolerance, relativism, the postmodern refusal to commit, the cultural triumph of uncertainty--all these rule out a repeat of the pyrotechnics in H3."

This is a quote from the end of the book Wittgenstein's Poker by David Edmonds & John Eidinow. It is "The story of a Ten-Minute Argument between two Great Philosophers." Although I won't recap the whole book here, suffice it to say I loved it.

But this quote at the end really grabbed my attention. "It wasn't enough to be right--passion was vital." Have we in Christendom lost that? Our passion? I guess your answer will depend on which church you go to. Or which clique you hang out with. But in America, I just don't see it. We want to be right. We know we are right. But where has the passion gone?

The two philosophers were Popper and Wittgenstein. Both were born around the turn of the last century. Both lived in Vienna, saw the rise of anti-Semitism, Hitler, and were Jewish. Wittgenstein believe that philosophy dealt with puzzles stemming from language. (I may be misunderstanding his overall philosophy, but this is what I got from the book.) There are no real problems left, just difficulties left over from our inability to fully articulate what we know.

Popper disagreed, stating that there are real, actual problems. His book The Open Society is credited with being instrumental in the downfall of the Soviet Bloc. His work dealt with the world as it was, and he caused real-world change through his teachings and his writings.

Both men were equally passionate about their beliefs: puzzles versus problems. (This is a gross simplification, though.) But, despite Popper's influence, it is Wittgenstein that seems to have had a greater impact on society at large. Whereas Popper countered specific problems, Wittgenstein dealt more with life in general.

From what I understood from the book, whether he intended it or not, Wittgenstein brought about this "culture of uncertainty." Who can know the mind of another? When I say yellow, and you think of yellow, are we really seeing the same color? Who is to say this is right for all people all the time? I just don't know if this is right or not. Each person should make up their own minds about certain issues. We don't have the right to enforce our morality on another person. To each his own. Its all relative. We need to tolerate one another's differences, and even celebrate them.

Yes, this sounds like the society I live in today. Tolerance. Relativism. Uncertainty. Refusal to commit.

So, back to the first sentence. 'Its not enough to be right--passion is vital.' Now, its reversed. Passion is everything, but the need to be right is gone, since we, as a society, no longer believe in larger Truths. Moral Absolutes have disappeared. With them, a solid foundation for relationships has gone by the wayside. Not just friendships have been affected, but marriages, the affluent vs the needy, cities fighting over water, customers suing major corporations hoping to score some easy cash, nations going to war with other nations, or fighting to control their own people. Much of this has happened because people no longer believe in an absolute right and wrong.

Galileo once proved that the earth is no longer the center of the universe. Scientists, and philosophers, have proven to us that we are an insignificant mistake in an uncaring universe, "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." I love the imagery in The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats.

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

We have lost our center, and we can no longer hear our Falconer. So, we have made ourselves, each individual, the center of our own little pocket universe. The Bible asks if the mother can forget her own child. The answer, surprisingly, is yes. Read the daily headlines. You'll see it.

Looking at things on a cosmic scale, when galaxies collide, there is massive destruction, as stars swallow each other, planets are ripped apart, and black holes are formed. I know it is petty, but I long for the day when our individual realities collide with God's Reality. No more uncertainty. No more puzzles. No more problems.

Despising mothers

Too many holidays, too few holy days.

I went to church on Mothers Day. Not surprising there. I expected my wife to receive a flower, or a bookmark. Something cute, but inexpensive. She got a baggie of candy, with a smarmy poem explaining why she got a mint, a Starburst, and whatever else was in there. (The mint is for your commit'mint'.)

And, of course, we can't leave anyone out, so the baggies of candy were for all the adult women in the congregation that day. I think thats what really got my goat. So, I thought to myself, Mothers Day isn't for mothers anymore? Apparently not. We can't leave out anyone. Why not? Do we despise our mothers that much?

Why not? I ask again. We don't want to hurt feelings, maybe. Or appear to be exclusive. Or maybe the church just bought too many bags of candy and needed to get rid of the excess. (Although I doubt that was the issue, since I'm almost sure the fathers were treated to the same baggies with slightly altered poems.)

So, neither fathers nor mothers are special enough to receive their own 'holiday' anymore. Its all inclusive, because ... I don't know why. I felt insulted. Not for myself, because I knew it was coming for me on Fathers Day. I was insulted by the way my wife was treated. It was as though she were told that, although this day is for mothers, she's not really any more special than any other woman in the congregation that day.

Woopee. Lets dress in green, white & red and celebrate the Iranian election on July 4th. After all, they're a democracy, too. Lets set off a few fireworks to celebrate their freedom.

And don't get me started about the commercialization of Christmas. ("Happy Holidays", anyone?)

If modern Christians can't maintain that special something that sets these days apart from all the others, then what would make the world think that there is anything different about our religion? I don't want to celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving, even though I enjoy eating. Nor do I decorate the house for Cinco de Mayo. I'm not a Mexican. Neither of those countries hold any attraction for me. And neither does Christianity hold any attraction for the many people. And why should it?

We've watered down the message and tried to incorporate it into mainstream culture. It won't work. Christianity is about the Absolute Truth, not about popularity. As long as churches, and Christians, are trying to be popular and inclusive and non-offensive, the Gospel cannot be truly shared. After all, Jesus was crucified because it was offensive. Telling people they are going to hell is offensive. "You aren't going to heaven because you don't meet up with God's standards," is exclusive.

Deitrich Bonhoeffer wrote about the Cost of Discipleship versus cheap grace. Discipleship is hard work. Being a follower is easy. You hang around with the right crowd, but it doesn't get you invited up to the Mount of Transfiguration, or into the garden to pray the night before the crucifiction.

You can get a bag of candy on Mothers Day, or Fathers Day, just because of your gender. But that doesn't make you a parent anymore than going to church makes you a Christian.

National Prayer

Obama tones down National Day of Prayer observance - CNN.com

"I think the president understands, in his own life and in his family's life, the role that prayer plays."

 

Sweet.  I'm so glad he understands the role of prayer.  Um, I wonder what that role is?  Does it draw him closer to God?  Does he seek guidance for our country from the Creator of the Universe?  Or is prayer just a way of linking himself to the powerful Christian voting block?  (I wonder if/when we'll ever elect an openly Islamic president?  Or New Ager?  Or an atheist?)

Wait a second.  I seem to remember a few things from the Old Testament.  What is the role of prayer in the national life?  Do you remember Moses calling the people together for national prayer?  The prophets?  One of the greatest national revivals they had was when King Josiah called them to Jerusalem for repentance and consecration. 

Being a "free" country means that our government cannot force us to engage in a particular religious practice.  That was why so many fled from Europe in the first place:  religious freedom.  And now, we have religious anarchy (which I don't think was the Founding Fathers original intent).  We have the freedom to exercise religion in almost any fashion we see fit.

Almost.  There are still stories of people who practice voodoo, or some-such, and they get in trouble for killing animals.  Cruel and inhumane behaviour towards those who aren't human.  Oh, and drug use.  There is still some wrangling going on over drug use during some ceremonies.  But, these are things that most people frown on, so our government condemns them.

Our government steps in and tells people what not to do in certain cases.  Isn't that what God is accused of doing?  A great big list of don'ts?  What about all the do's in the Bible?  Do pray.  Do spend time with other believers.  Do be kind to the less fortunate.  Do take care of widows and orphans.  Do feed the hungry.  The list could go on.

Does our goverment have a right to tell us what to do?  In certain cases, yes.  Do pay your taxes.  Do wear a seat belt.  And religious practices?

Maybe thats one of the problems with our country.  Our leadership has not lead us into His presence.  National Day of Weeping and Repentance.  National Day of Rending Our Clothes and Confessing National Sins.  The way our government is set up, these things can not happen.  And I think our country is worse off for it.

What would happen if he led our country into a time of national prayer, like Israel of old?

F.U.D.

“Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt”

Origin

This was a marketing term used to describe one competitor sowing distrust about a  competitor, so customers would stay with them instead of trying something new.  “They’re product is full of bugs.”  “They’re a start-up company.  They have no staying power, or tech support.”  “They’ll go out of business, and you’ll be left holding the bag.”

These are all drawn from computer sales, where, I think, F.U.D. got its start.  One company advertising against another highlighting their defects and shortcomings, whether imagined or real.  It didn’t matter.  Sales mattered.  The truth didn’t matter.  Only the bottom line.  You went with one company and avoided another.

Mutation

Its mutated away from commercialism though, and entered the political arena.  During this  last election, Obama’s slogan was “Change!”  “We need change, because what we’re doing isn’t working.”  Or, if its working it isn’t good.  “It isn’t ethical.”  “It isn’t right.”  “Look at the devastation of the war.”  “Look at the cost in lives, and money.”  “The environment.  We’re killing the whole world.”  “We’re exploiting the Third World.” 

I guess in politics, its called mud-slinging and fear-mongering, but its the same thing.  “My opponent doesn’t have the experience needed for this job.”  “More of the same isn’t the answer.”  Republicans, Democrats, and those independent few all use the same tactics.  “You need to fear our opponent (fear), because he can’t handle it (uncertainty).”  “He is not capable (doubt).”

More of the Same

We’re seeing more of it today, with the “swine flu,” or H1N1, scare.  In the midst of all this frenzy, I heard people saying that it isn’t really that bad (which I agree with.)  But, they went on to say it was pushed and publicized so we would overlook Obama’s first one hundred days.  What did he do?  Spend money?  or solve problems?  It was used as a distraction so we, the people, wouldn’t look too closely.  Hmmm, maybe.  Or more F.U.D.  “Obama wants us to be scared of something other than himself.”  “He wants us to look to him for our safety.”

F.U.D. is being used as an accusation:  “The other person is using underhanded tricks to get what he wants.”  Now, the accuser is guilty. Of fear-mongering.  One side accuses the other of mud slinging, while their own hands are stained and dirty.

 

We, the Accused …

The Church has been accused of this also.  “Fire and brimstone!”  “Turn or burn!”  “God will smite you!”  “AIDS is God’s curse on mankind for _________.”  You can fill in the blank with your sin of choice:  homosexuality, drug use, abortion.  The mortgage crash is because we worshipped money.  Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment for … what?  Mardi Gras?  9/11 was God’s call to repentance, a sign of the End Times.

Some few Christian’s say these things.  Many more may think them.  This isn’t right.  It isn’t useful or productive for the kingdom of God.

The Gospel is good news.  When John’s disciples came to Jesus, what was his response?  Tell them the blind see, the lame walk, and the poor hear the good news.  Eternal Damnation isn’t good news.  Its bad news.  We can use scare tactics to get people into heaven, but I don’t think that was God’s plan of the ages.  I think He wants us to tell people “good news.”  Jesus loves you.  God wants to hug you, not smite you.  Heaven will be exciting, not boring.

 

What do you think is the “best” part of the “good” news?

Someday Syndrome

I've been reading a blog called "Someday Syndrome" that deals with procrastination. Sure enough, someday I will ... what? Write my novel? Finish my fish pond? Grow up? Ummm, no, that may be pushing it a bit.

Alex Fayle asks a series of questions to get you started. Here are his questions.

1. What is my "Someday"?
2. When do I want to complete it?
3. What are the big steps to get there?
4. What am I doing right now to move things forward?
5. How much progress have I made since starting?
6. Anything missing?

I thought these were very good questions, and might actually be able to help me get started.

What is my "Someday"?

I've started writing three short stories, and each one grew out of control, only to be abandoned as I started another one. NaNoWriMo is coming again in November, and I'd like to be prepared for it. Meaning, having these other stories out of the way. I've want to finish Raider, Green Land, and Shadowsmith by October 31st.

When do I want to complete it?

Well, I want to finish them by October 31st, but ... I've got lots of excuses why I can't, or won't. Perhaps I need to set time limits on each of them. I have six and a half months to go. That gives me two months each, plus 2 weeks leeway. So, finish Raider by June 15th, Shadowsmith by August 15th, and Green Land by October 15th. Give or take a few days. Raider and Shadowsmith are nearly finished anyway. At least, in my head. Green Land keeps getting longer, so I put it last. If I don't finish it, it won't keep me from having done the other two.

What are the big steps to get there?

First, I need to find the notebooks I have the stories written in. I do most of my work long hand, then type it up. That is where I usually have problems. If I have it written down, the story is finished enough for me to enjoy, so why go through the effort of typing it? It's like doubling my work. I also have to work out the details of the endings. I've got the general idea in mind, just not the details. So, find the notebooks, type what I have, and work out the ending.

What am I doing right now to get there?

I've found almost all my written material for Raider already. Unfortunately, a few pages are missing from one of my notepads, so I had to go back and reconstruct the missing material. Its been nearly 3 years since I wrote those pages, and I'm a bit fuzzy on what was there to begin with, but I think I did okay stitching my seams together. I haven't looked for the rest of Green Land or Shadowsmith yet. If I find them now, I'd just lose them again anyway.

How much progress have I made since starting?

I found all my printed material from Raider, and re-read it, so I knew where I'd been, and my characters names. Then I forged on through my hand-written material, filled in that one gap, and wrote a few more pages.

Anything missing?

Yeah, I haven't typed anything up yet. I need to start typing what I have while I have a chance. Faith's laptop broke a while back, so she needs the desktop on occasion. I can write while she's on here, but I need to type while I have it available to me.

This is my "someday." What's yours, and what are you doing about it?

"Stop selling what you have ...

"Stop selling what you have, and start selling what they need. -- IBM"

I found this quote on Twitter, posted by Adrian Warnock.  Okay, honestly, I assume he's quoting something IBM said at one point, although I couldn't find it.  I googled it a bit, and found someone else quoting it a while back, saying its from an ad he saw by IBM.  Even knowing that, I couldn't track it down.  Nevertheless, it got me thinking, (which is something I do when people aren't talking to me).

The church needs to hear this, too.  We have been selling what we have, instead of what the world needs.  And what is it we have?  I guess it depends on where you live.  In America, we have an awful lot.  (Stress on the awful part.)  When I was in college, one of the "big things" circulating was the "Faith Movement," or Hyperfaith, or the name-it-and-claim-it people.  Basically, they said, God loves us and doesn't want to deny us anything.  So, if we pray with faith, God has to answer us, because of His nature and his promises.  "They say I need a shopping mall" mocked Steve Taylor.  I need a bigger house, or a Porsche.

But the world has these things.  It has all these things and more.  More than I can state here.  More than I can even imagine.  Things out of science fiction are popping up today.  The world has "gained the world", but it doesn't need them.

The world also doesn't need another testimony of what "God has done in my life."  Rock stars and movie actors saved from selfish and destructive lifestyles are powerful testimonies.  Then there are stories of kids raised in the midst of gang warfare and drugs, and come through it like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.  God was able to preserve them from falling into that lifestyle, and they don't even smell like smoke.

These are stories from the Church, about the Church.  They are interesting and amusing, sometimes relevant and heart-rending.  But they aren't powerful.  We need to be witnesses to the life of Christ.  His life is the One that can change us.  These others are "effects" to His "cause."  He is the source of power and change.  

Jesus Christ is the exact image of God (Hebrews 1).  If we have seen Jesus, we have seen God (John 1).  His love, His power, His message, His words.  Jesus Christ is, in every aspect of His life, God.  The story of His life demands people make a choice:  believe and be saved, or reject Him and remain in their damnation.

My life makes no such demands.  These are stories about me.  I hope you laugh with me, and have fun with me.  But you don't need me.  The world doesn't need me.  I can offer myself as a friend, or a co-worker, or an anonymous voice online.  But my life has no inherent power in it.

Christ's life is the Gospel.  It is "good news" for all people.  It is powerful.

We have stories, and they need power.

It is the Gospel of Christ Jesus that changes lives, not our anecdotes.