I find voting increasingly difficult as the years go by. We are given two choices, and neither looks good. I feel like Leslie Neilson in Airplane! who when given the choice of fish or chicken, orders the lasagna. I envy him.
This year I'd like to propose some write-ins. If enough people agree, ah, never mind. I just made a list for kicks.
And the nominees are:
1. Atticus Finch. Yes, he's a fictional character, so I'm sure the press will be all over that one. But he exudes strength and integrity while refusing to show it off. If nothing else, he'd make debates more honest and less entertaining. I would vote for the guy who could blow your head off but refuses to do so.
2. Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs. Let's vote for someone who understands the value of good, hard work. How can you not elect someone who is willing to play in poop?
3. Your mom. Just write in your mother, whoever you are. She works hard, and you know she deserves it.
4. My mom. Or vote for my mom. She'd do a great job. Take my word for it. If you just can't, see number 3.
5. Hurley from Lost. Again with the fictional characters, I know. But only a fictional character would refuse to keep a fortune for himself. He's got my vote.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
More Newsy-Type Stuff
Getting up early on a Saturday isn't always bad. We met some students from school around 9:30 and drove to an orphanage around 10-ish. We were armed with games and ready to kill some time.
On the van ride there I showed the students the card games I brought and tried to explain the rules. One was a Go Fish kind of game with pictures. It involved dialog, like Go Fish. We spent a few minutes trying to figure out what all the pictures were so we could say the names correctly.
When we got there the students took two of the games, simplified them to memory matching games, and played with the younger kids.
Another group of younger kids found the Jenga blocks someone brought and fought over them a bit. We tried to teach them the concept of sharing, then gave up and divided the blocks into half. That worked.
I joined a third group, playing a category and color matching game called Crazy Eights. One older boy effectively changed it to a game not much unlike Uno, then proceeded to kick our butts at it. He seemed happy.
The oldest boy supervised the others and occasionally helped the younger ones diplomatically when they were arguing.
He still refused to play games, but I at least got him to agree to a couple of rounds of "Rock, Paper, Scissors." I actually won a round this time. I cheered. He smiled.
After a few rounds of card games, and long after the younger ones turned Jenga into a set of building blocks, the kids were ready to go play outside. We smiled, said our goodbyes, and parted ways.
There is something sacred in making people smile. Hopefully we can do this again.
On the van ride there I showed the students the card games I brought and tried to explain the rules. One was a Go Fish kind of game with pictures. It involved dialog, like Go Fish. We spent a few minutes trying to figure out what all the pictures were so we could say the names correctly.
When we got there the students took two of the games, simplified them to memory matching games, and played with the younger kids.
Another group of younger kids found the Jenga blocks someone brought and fought over them a bit. We tried to teach them the concept of sharing, then gave up and divided the blocks into half. That worked.
I joined a third group, playing a category and color matching game called Crazy Eights. One older boy effectively changed it to a game not much unlike Uno, then proceeded to kick our butts at it. He seemed happy.
The oldest boy supervised the others and occasionally helped the younger ones diplomatically when they were arguing.
He still refused to play games, but I at least got him to agree to a couple of rounds of "Rock, Paper, Scissors." I actually won a round this time. I cheered. He smiled.
After a few rounds of card games, and long after the younger ones turned Jenga into a set of building blocks, the kids were ready to go play outside. We smiled, said our goodbyes, and parted ways.
There is something sacred in making people smile. Hopefully we can do this again.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Yet more fun to be had with politics
For Lost fans who need to catch up on real news (like me, I'm afraid). It's long, so be warned, then enjoy.
God's gender
God is Spirit, right? They who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. I think I read that on a church sign somewhere. Or maybe I heard it in a TV show. Nowadays it's hard to tell.
I was stopped on my way home from the vet by two ladies from the Church of God. If you've lived in Korea recently, you may know what I'm talking about. Their number one argument is that God has two genders, like a father and mother. This is their key argument.
I pleaded with them as I gestured with the pet carrier in my hand.I don't have time for this. My poor little puppy is sick.
My dog whimpered for emphasis.
They didn't buy it. They proceeded to make their argument.
I made mine. This isn't the important part. It shouldn't be. Then I smiled, nodded and said good day.
I have opinions. Loads of them. But I don't survey people or argue to death over those (they will remain unsaid).
Has the phrase "Pick your battles" lost all meaning?
I know, so has "Don't make eye contact". I've got to work on that one.
I was stopped on my way home from the vet by two ladies from the Church of God. If you've lived in Korea recently, you may know what I'm talking about. Their number one argument is that God has two genders, like a father and mother. This is their key argument.
I pleaded with them as I gestured with the pet carrier in my hand.I don't have time for this. My poor little puppy is sick.
My dog whimpered for emphasis.
They didn't buy it. They proceeded to make their argument.
I made mine. This isn't the important part. It shouldn't be. Then I smiled, nodded and said good day.
I have opinions. Loads of them. But I don't survey people or argue to death over those (they will remain unsaid).
Has the phrase "Pick your battles" lost all meaning?
I know, so has "Don't make eye contact". I've got to work on that one.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thoughts on Facing Death
What do Star Trek, Albert Camus' The Plague, and unemployment have in common? Not a whole lot, but I'll try to make them fit anyway.
The Plague describes a town cut off from the rest of humanity after the titled situation spreads. Several main characters and the entire town have different responses. The truth is, they are all facing death, whether it occurs or not. The way they face it tells a lot about their character.
One poor dude was just visiting. He wants to escape the quarantined town to reunite with his true love. He later has to decide whether to stay and help the people fight this plague or get smuggled out. He has to choose whether or not to face death.
In Star Trek 2, The Wrath of Khan, we find that Captain Kirk refused to face death. There was a simulation in cadet school that would always result in "death" no matter what choice the cadet made. Captain Kirk rewired the simulation. He cheated. This decision caught up with him later on in life.
On to the metaphorical. I joke about Starbucks and sushi restaurants and all that, but the truth is I'm not afraid of unemployment. I had some rough years after college, where I wanted to work but couldn't find anything, not even those nasty jobs nobody likes.
I cleaned the house, gathered firewood, and watched more VH1 and reruns of Growing Pains than I care to admit. (I love the 80s, by the way.) It was mind-numbing, humbling, and in a way a lot like facing death.
Individuals, especially in Western society define themselves by their jobs. So to define yourself as a janitor or burger-flipper is embarassing. To define yourself as nothing is tragic. If it's not seen as death, it's probably worse.
I wouldn't wish unemployment on anyone, but I've met my share of Captain Kirks. The thought of living without a job is terrifying. Like the visitor from the Plague,we'd do anything to escape it.
How much more could God do through us if we tossed the fear aside and just followed Him?
The Plague describes a town cut off from the rest of humanity after the titled situation spreads. Several main characters and the entire town have different responses. The truth is, they are all facing death, whether it occurs or not. The way they face it tells a lot about their character.
One poor dude was just visiting. He wants to escape the quarantined town to reunite with his true love. He later has to decide whether to stay and help the people fight this plague or get smuggled out. He has to choose whether or not to face death.
In Star Trek 2, The Wrath of Khan, we find that Captain Kirk refused to face death. There was a simulation in cadet school that would always result in "death" no matter what choice the cadet made. Captain Kirk rewired the simulation. He cheated. This decision caught up with him later on in life.
On to the metaphorical. I joke about Starbucks and sushi restaurants and all that, but the truth is I'm not afraid of unemployment. I had some rough years after college, where I wanted to work but couldn't find anything, not even those nasty jobs nobody likes.
I cleaned the house, gathered firewood, and watched more VH1 and reruns of Growing Pains than I care to admit. (I love the 80s, by the way.) It was mind-numbing, humbling, and in a way a lot like facing death.
Individuals, especially in Western society define themselves by their jobs. So to define yourself as a janitor or burger-flipper is embarassing. To define yourself as nothing is tragic. If it's not seen as death, it's probably worse.
I wouldn't wish unemployment on anyone, but I've met my share of Captain Kirks. The thought of living without a job is terrifying. Like the visitor from the Plague,we'd do anything to escape it.
How much more could God do through us if we tossed the fear aside and just followed Him?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Fun with Politics
I usually steer safely away from politics, but this was worth a laugh or two. Plus, class elections were today so politics were on the brain. Just for laughs, here it is.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thoughts on Fasting Part 2
Fasting as refraining from food didn't work so well for me. I lacked judgment on the particulars, such as when and how. Both times pizza was involved, but that's just coincidence.
Shortly after my second fasting experience I went home for the summer to work at a credit card company and hang out with the family. My dad was on an anti-rock music kick and challenged me to go a couple of weeks without my music. Since I strictly listened to Christian rock at the time, I figured it was better for me than movies and TV, which were all secular. (Needless to say, I was going through a self-righteous phase.) So I cut it all out.
For two weeks I went straight from work to my room in the basement and read books. Everyone else was watching TV, and I was trying to avoid that. So I became a monk.
Looking back, I can say fasting from entertainment, regardless of the reasons at the time, was a good idea. Reading made for a good substitute. I think it would be more advisable if friends or family members were in on it. The isolation part was not so cool.
After that, I prayed for advisement on whether something was fast-worthy. Years passed, and I found nothing.
Recently I read about a church that fasted from music for a while. They didn't call it that, but that's what they did. They wanted the emphasis of worship to be about more than just music. So they cut it out for a while.
Ironically, a song came from that experience. Nevertheless, it seems a good idea.
I'll keep you posted if I decide to do it.
Shortly after my second fasting experience I went home for the summer to work at a credit card company and hang out with the family. My dad was on an anti-rock music kick and challenged me to go a couple of weeks without my music. Since I strictly listened to Christian rock at the time, I figured it was better for me than movies and TV, which were all secular. (Needless to say, I was going through a self-righteous phase.) So I cut it all out.
For two weeks I went straight from work to my room in the basement and read books. Everyone else was watching TV, and I was trying to avoid that. So I became a monk.
Looking back, I can say fasting from entertainment, regardless of the reasons at the time, was a good idea. Reading made for a good substitute. I think it would be more advisable if friends or family members were in on it. The isolation part was not so cool.
After that, I prayed for advisement on whether something was fast-worthy. Years passed, and I found nothing.
Recently I read about a church that fasted from music for a while. They didn't call it that, but that's what they did. They wanted the emphasis of worship to be about more than just music. So they cut it out for a while.
Ironically, a song came from that experience. Nevertheless, it seems a good idea.
I'll keep you posted if I decide to do it.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thoughts on Fasting Part 1
Disclaimer: If I write on an issue of a spiritual nature I'm going purely on experience. Better bloggers can discuss the Biblical basis. (Bases? Basees? What's the plural on that? Help?) I'm about humiliating stories. That's my calling.
The first time I was exposed to fasting in a "you're going to do this" sense was in Bible college. There was some big prayer need, and we were called upon to fast. However, we were already called upon to work in the dish pit, kitchen, or on maintenance staff throughout the year when we didn't have classes. Granted, dish pit and kitchen were off the hook. Still, we weren't too keen about running on fumes.
In the end, the forced fast wasn't so forced as dorms ordered pizzas. I wish I remember why they wanted us to fast.
The second fasting experience was my choice. I was a senior in college and I wanted to know God's will for my life. It was major, so I felt it was fast-worthy. It was a noble effort, but I made a couple of mistakes.
First, I thought I'd know automatically if I fasted. God would know I was taking things seriously and He'd smile and say "Be a missionary to Hawaii" or something of that nature. It didn't work so well.
Second, I went to a friend's house when I was fasting. Everyone passed pizza around and I refused a good dozen or so times. They asked me why, and I said I wasn't hungry.
I took certain passages of Scripture to mean one shouldn't tell anyone when one is fasting. If that's the case, one shouldn't go to a friend's house to watch Chris Farley movies. But one had to figure that out for oneself.
More later.
The first time I was exposed to fasting in a "you're going to do this" sense was in Bible college. There was some big prayer need, and we were called upon to fast. However, we were already called upon to work in the dish pit, kitchen, or on maintenance staff throughout the year when we didn't have classes. Granted, dish pit and kitchen were off the hook. Still, we weren't too keen about running on fumes.
In the end, the forced fast wasn't so forced as dorms ordered pizzas. I wish I remember why they wanted us to fast.
The second fasting experience was my choice. I was a senior in college and I wanted to know God's will for my life. It was major, so I felt it was fast-worthy. It was a noble effort, but I made a couple of mistakes.
First, I thought I'd know automatically if I fasted. God would know I was taking things seriously and He'd smile and say "Be a missionary to Hawaii" or something of that nature. It didn't work so well.
Second, I went to a friend's house when I was fasting. Everyone passed pizza around and I refused a good dozen or so times. They asked me why, and I said I wasn't hungry.
I took certain passages of Scripture to mean one shouldn't tell anyone when one is fasting. If that's the case, one shouldn't go to a friend's house to watch Chris Farley movies. But one had to figure that out for oneself.
More later.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Book Review: This Beautiful Mess
This Beautiful Mess, by Rick McKinley, is almost a more concise and practical version of Irresistible Revolution. It's definitely better written, so if you want the "emergent church" perspective and only want to read one book, pick this one.
The biggest differences are that Mr. McKinley didn't focus on political aspects like pacifism, so this book would most likely be less off putting than Revolution.
My favorite part of this book was when he talked about children and how little credit they are given. He said that we shove them into a separate room during church so we won't be distracted from anything important.
As an elementary teacher, this strikes a chord with me. If I hear some one say "I don't know how to make you understand" to our students one more time, I might throw a tantrum of my own. We treat kids like idiots, yet on many levels, they probably understand things better than we do. Unless you humble yourself and become as a child...
Overall, it's a great study on several of the times Jesus mentions the kingdom of God. And it's actually enjoyable to read, but I'd expect that from Donald Miller's pastor.
The biggest differences are that Mr. McKinley didn't focus on political aspects like pacifism, so this book would most likely be less off putting than Revolution.
My favorite part of this book was when he talked about children and how little credit they are given. He said that we shove them into a separate room during church so we won't be distracted from anything important.
As an elementary teacher, this strikes a chord with me. If I hear some one say "I don't know how to make you understand" to our students one more time, I might throw a tantrum of my own. We treat kids like idiots, yet on many levels, they probably understand things better than we do. Unless you humble yourself and become as a child...
Overall, it's a great study on several of the times Jesus mentions the kingdom of God. And it's actually enjoyable to read, but I'd expect that from Donald Miller's pastor.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Mild at Heart
I bumped into the author of Wild at Heart the other day. He asked me if I read his book.
I told him I started to, but I couldn't finish it since his points didn't make a lot of sense. Comparing Jesus to Braveheart, for example. It didn't fit with the whole "live by the sword die by the sword" thing. Braveheart did both, but Jesus didn't.
He quoted a lot of violent movies and shot at me.
I took his gun away, and he accused me of emasculating him.
To his credit, he didn't cry.
I told him I started to, but I couldn't finish it since his points didn't make a lot of sense. Comparing Jesus to Braveheart, for example. It didn't fit with the whole "live by the sword die by the sword" thing. Braveheart did both, but Jesus didn't.
He quoted a lot of violent movies and shot at me.
I took his gun away, and he accused me of emasculating him.
To his credit, he didn't cry.
Global Warming, Spiritual Maturity, and Aesop
I saw a commercial on the Discovery Channel before I took the dog for a walk. It was saying something about garbage, and how people are using its previously unknown potential for energy. The commercial, I mean. Not the dog. I haven't taught her that trick yet.
Anyway, on the commercial a guy was saying something to the effect of "people don't realize what they have." It reminded me of pollution and global warming, and how we don't see problems until they're big enough to swallow us in one bite. Like the spare room in my apartment.
Beka and I bought a new bookcase from some neighbors. We moved things around, and she had to go to the spare room to get some things. This proved quite a task since the room was full of boxes. The job changed to reorganizing the room and effectively took another hour from our precious week night downtime. It got a little big for my tastes.
Little messes build up until they're too big. It reminds me of global warming, the world, and spirituality.
I recently mused about how the old grasshopper and the ant story could be spiritually useful. When times are good, we never prepare ourselves for the attacks that come quite punctually and inevitably. We'd rather strut down the sidewalk to "Staying Alive" until severe temptation, emotional distress, or a car hits. Then we pray.
I remember someone telling me about integrity, and how it's about the little things.
I don't remember who it was, but I want to thank him. I'm pretty sure it was a him.
The quirk is, no one seems to care about little things. We almost seem to want everything to build up so we can be brave and heroic when it flattens us.
Deal with problems when they're small. It seems so simple yet impossible to do.
Anyway, on the commercial a guy was saying something to the effect of "people don't realize what they have." It reminded me of pollution and global warming, and how we don't see problems until they're big enough to swallow us in one bite. Like the spare room in my apartment.
Beka and I bought a new bookcase from some neighbors. We moved things around, and she had to go to the spare room to get some things. This proved quite a task since the room was full of boxes. The job changed to reorganizing the room and effectively took another hour from our precious week night downtime. It got a little big for my tastes.
Little messes build up until they're too big. It reminds me of global warming, the world, and spirituality.
I recently mused about how the old grasshopper and the ant story could be spiritually useful. When times are good, we never prepare ourselves for the attacks that come quite punctually and inevitably. We'd rather strut down the sidewalk to "Staying Alive" until severe temptation, emotional distress, or a car hits. Then we pray.
I remember someone telling me about integrity, and how it's about the little things.
I don't remember who it was, but I want to thank him. I'm pretty sure it was a him.
The quirk is, no one seems to care about little things. We almost seem to want everything to build up so we can be brave and heroic when it flattens us.
Deal with problems when they're small. It seems so simple yet impossible to do.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Douglas Adams quotes
I've been waay contemplative lately (can you tell?), so I decided to lighten things up with some random Douglas Adams quotes. Enjoy.
He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which.
He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife.
Humans are not proud of their ancestors, and rarely invite them round to dinner.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.
It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.
It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear.
There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
You live and learn. At any rate, you live.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
The last time anybody made a list of the top hundred character attributes of New Yorkers, common sense snuck in at number 79.
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws.
Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.
He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which.
He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife.
Humans are not proud of their ancestors, and rarely invite them round to dinner.
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.
It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.
It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear.
There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
You live and learn. At any rate, you live.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
The last time anybody made a list of the top hundred character attributes of New Yorkers, common sense snuck in at number 79.
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws.
Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Book Review: Loser
I don't usually review kid lit, but this one is an exception. Loser, by Jerry Spinelli is about kids, but the running theme works for all ages. People value others based solely on skill.
I was reminded of this as we read a news report about who wouldn't be worth saving in case of a pandemic. It's the same question, how do you put value on a life?
The character the title refers to starts out as a "young pup", running happily, racing cars without the concept of losing to them. He begins school and enthusiastically nods as the teacher calculates how many days of school they have before graduating high school. He's happy because the number is so big, he thinks school will never end.
In later grades other students notice he's different. He doesn't get good grades, he sucks at sports, and he even trips when he walks. Before long he is branded a
loser.
Does it matter that he's optimistic and likable? That he's determined to overcome challenges he deemed worthwhile? Can the poor guy do anything right? It will take us 200 pages (give or take a few) to find out.
Whether it's beginning for us or we've faced it for years, the struggle is the same. Survival of the Fittest is alive and well, even in Christian circles. After all, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone, right?
Popularity contests continue until death, but thankfully in the Kingdom there's a place for the losers.
I was reminded of this as we read a news report about who wouldn't be worth saving in case of a pandemic. It's the same question, how do you put value on a life?
The character the title refers to starts out as a "young pup", running happily, racing cars without the concept of losing to them. He begins school and enthusiastically nods as the teacher calculates how many days of school they have before graduating high school. He's happy because the number is so big, he thinks school will never end.
In later grades other students notice he's different. He doesn't get good grades, he sucks at sports, and he even trips when he walks. Before long he is branded a
loser.
Does it matter that he's optimistic and likable? That he's determined to overcome challenges he deemed worthwhile? Can the poor guy do anything right? It will take us 200 pages (give or take a few) to find out.
Whether it's beginning for us or we've faced it for years, the struggle is the same. Survival of the Fittest is alive and well, even in Christian circles. After all, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone, right?
Popularity contests continue until death, but thankfully in the Kingdom there's a place for the losers.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Community and Experience Part 2
I grew up in church and spent a good part of my life in youth group, but I didn't start to "get" the whole community thing until I started living in Korea. Still, I had a ways to go on the sharing food thing. I liked my food.
My early years in Korea weren't very, well, communal. I had my own place, and when I wasn't teaching or eating the occasional meal with Korean friends I kept myself entertained the best I could. I watched D.V.D. s on my laptop, journaled a lot, and read the best literature the Korean bookstores had to offer. I was a lower-budget version of Will, the main character from About a Boy, without the lying or the stuff after that. But it was kind of similar.
When I watched the movie a line seemed too familiar. Life is like TV, "and I was a star of the Will Show. Guest stars will come and go, but in the end it's only me." That was me. The difference was, I wasn't happy about it. I was bored.
I asked some friends in church one evening what they did for fun on the weekends. The answer led me to the Hospitality House, a ministry for the military. I went one Saturday night and found a group of military, teachers, and Korean friends. We ate, sang, and shared testimonies all evening. Then the Bible study began.
It's encouraging to stay up most of the night listening to people. If there's one thing I learned, it wouldn't be from anything I said. For a couple of years, it was exactly what I needed.
I don't think it's coincidence that my wife and I met there. Once the focus was on friendships rather than courtship rituals, everything worked out.
Eventually we chose sleeping at night over Saturdays at the House as we went to church early Sunday morning. But I owe any sense of relationships to the time we spent in the Hospitality House.
The group in our church is smaller but more diverse vocationally, ethnically, and culturally. We gather in the basement of an office building in Gang Nam, a business district of Seoul. We give to missions and the poor, and use our unique positions and talents to help others and each other. We eat lunch together whenever possible. We're a family. I'll just say it-I love my church.
It finally feels like I'm part of a community, but I can't fault any local church for that. I could have had that anywhere; I just had to cancel the Matt Show first.
My early years in Korea weren't very, well, communal. I had my own place, and when I wasn't teaching or eating the occasional meal with Korean friends I kept myself entertained the best I could. I watched D.V.D. s on my laptop, journaled a lot, and read the best literature the Korean bookstores had to offer. I was a lower-budget version of Will, the main character from About a Boy, without the lying or the stuff after that. But it was kind of similar.
When I watched the movie a line seemed too familiar. Life is like TV, "and I was a star of the Will Show. Guest stars will come and go, but in the end it's only me." That was me. The difference was, I wasn't happy about it. I was bored.
I asked some friends in church one evening what they did for fun on the weekends. The answer led me to the Hospitality House, a ministry for the military. I went one Saturday night and found a group of military, teachers, and Korean friends. We ate, sang, and shared testimonies all evening. Then the Bible study began.
It's encouraging to stay up most of the night listening to people. If there's one thing I learned, it wouldn't be from anything I said. For a couple of years, it was exactly what I needed.
I don't think it's coincidence that my wife and I met there. Once the focus was on friendships rather than courtship rituals, everything worked out.
Eventually we chose sleeping at night over Saturdays at the House as we went to church early Sunday morning. But I owe any sense of relationships to the time we spent in the Hospitality House.
The group in our church is smaller but more diverse vocationally, ethnically, and culturally. We gather in the basement of an office building in Gang Nam, a business district of Seoul. We give to missions and the poor, and use our unique positions and talents to help others and each other. We eat lunch together whenever possible. We're a family. I'll just say it-I love my church.
It finally feels like I'm part of a community, but I can't fault any local church for that. I could have had that anywhere; I just had to cancel the Matt Show first.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Community and Experience Part 1
I'll end the series with the least entertaining parts. It's not fun, but it fits.
Book and film reminded me of my own experiences with community. About a Boy and the Beach especially hit too close in some areas. I shared some of that in the last part. Here's the rest, give or take a bit.
When I was young, I didn't see church as a community. I saw people in suits who were all concerned whether I behaved myself. My dad was a Christian school principal, and I was reminded how bad behavior would reflect on his leadership.
As for me, I wanted to sit with my friends and get away with as much talking and joking around as we could. That usually didn't work out so well.
I later outgrew that phase, and wanted to attend another church. The deeply spiritual reason was the girl I liked attended this other church. My parents were not so spiritually minded.
I attended youth group at our church, and met more girls I liked. (Different girls at different times. Give me some credit.) I was distracted from my spiritual meditations long enough to learn skits and songs we would perform as a group in churches, at nursing homes and at homeless shelters. I spent much of that time arguing about why all the guys in our group had to wear the exact same kind of shirts. In my deep maturity, I thought it looked gay.
We always gave a gospel presentation at the end of our performances. It was nice, but I don't remember a single conversation we had with any of the people.
Actually, I do remember a single conversation. We were at a nursing home and I had to leave early for some reason. One of the residents grabbed me by the arm and told me where I could sit. She was helpful, but misinformed. I was confused at first, but I eventually shrugged and exited.
I'm sure God used these visits, skits and songs, or more importantly the message behind them. The problem is, even as a Christian I didn't get it.
In college I church-hopped. It's a little hard to grasp community when you do that. However, I wove my way between college cliques and built some friendships.
I'd done that since I was a preteen on a school trip to a park. The other students from our Christian school were being weird and rude to a group of skaters. I hung out with them. Later, I received a lecture about how they were losers. Since they were nicer than my friends at school, I didn't understand.
In college I confirmed the truth-skaters are the kindest souls on the planet. It's been scientifically proven. I'd hang out with them, the TV and movie group (mostly), the Asians and South Americans. Come to think of it, I met many people with Asian backgrounds at different times long before I had considered living in Asia a possibility. Total coincidence, I'm sure.
My favorite memories of Liberty University involve the unique friendships. But I graduated without so much as a girlfriend, so I viewed the experience as a failure.
I came to Korea years later and learned a lot about community. I lived in a dorm room with Koreans who shared to an extent I hadn't yet seen. They'd take whatever was in the fridge, but they'd give in the same way. I complain about theft, but this wasn't it. It was a replacement of the word "mine" with "ours". I sort of regret getting my own little refrigerator for my room. I guess I was hungry.
Book and film reminded me of my own experiences with community. About a Boy and the Beach especially hit too close in some areas. I shared some of that in the last part. Here's the rest, give or take a bit.
When I was young, I didn't see church as a community. I saw people in suits who were all concerned whether I behaved myself. My dad was a Christian school principal, and I was reminded how bad behavior would reflect on his leadership.
As for me, I wanted to sit with my friends and get away with as much talking and joking around as we could. That usually didn't work out so well.
I later outgrew that phase, and wanted to attend another church. The deeply spiritual reason was the girl I liked attended this other church. My parents were not so spiritually minded.
I attended youth group at our church, and met more girls I liked. (Different girls at different times. Give me some credit.) I was distracted from my spiritual meditations long enough to learn skits and songs we would perform as a group in churches, at nursing homes and at homeless shelters. I spent much of that time arguing about why all the guys in our group had to wear the exact same kind of shirts. In my deep maturity, I thought it looked gay.
We always gave a gospel presentation at the end of our performances. It was nice, but I don't remember a single conversation we had with any of the people.
Actually, I do remember a single conversation. We were at a nursing home and I had to leave early for some reason. One of the residents grabbed me by the arm and told me where I could sit. She was helpful, but misinformed. I was confused at first, but I eventually shrugged and exited.
I'm sure God used these visits, skits and songs, or more importantly the message behind them. The problem is, even as a Christian I didn't get it.
In college I church-hopped. It's a little hard to grasp community when you do that. However, I wove my way between college cliques and built some friendships.
I'd done that since I was a preteen on a school trip to a park. The other students from our Christian school were being weird and rude to a group of skaters. I hung out with them. Later, I received a lecture about how they were losers. Since they were nicer than my friends at school, I didn't understand.
In college I confirmed the truth-skaters are the kindest souls on the planet. It's been scientifically proven. I'd hang out with them, the TV and movie group (mostly), the Asians and South Americans. Come to think of it, I met many people with Asian backgrounds at different times long before I had considered living in Asia a possibility. Total coincidence, I'm sure.
My favorite memories of Liberty University involve the unique friendships. But I graduated without so much as a girlfriend, so I viewed the experience as a failure.
I came to Korea years later and learned a lot about community. I lived in a dorm room with Koreans who shared to an extent I hadn't yet seen. They'd take whatever was in the fridge, but they'd give in the same way. I complain about theft, but this wasn't it. It was a replacement of the word "mine" with "ours". I sort of regret getting my own little refrigerator for my room. I guess I was hungry.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Books on Community Part 2
As I read The Irresistible Revolution I thought of the biblical truth that works without love, even if determined to change the world, are useless. As I read a violent and disturbing novel, I saw what a community without love could look like. The Beach made not only for an odd pairing with Claiborne's book, but also some interesting contrast.
Richard is British, and he finds himself in Thailand on vacation. But he's not a tourist. He makes it very clear that he's a traveler, and he refuses to waste time with people who are not. He finds other travelers and a mysterious map to an even more mysterious island. It's not much of a spoiler to say they find it. They also find a gathering of some additional travelers in an attempt at a Utopian, anti-tourist existence. Richard finds a friend with a game boy (this was written in the 90s) and fits right in.
At first I thought the community would be a cult. In a way, it was. However, it's selfishness that drives these people. They work and help each other because it's mostly convenient for them. Then they smoke pot and drink coconut booze (the professor would be appalled). It's all about entertainment in their utopia.
There's a lot of comparisons to the Vietnam war, mostly because Richard is obsessed with movies about it.
He enjoys the fact that they live near a pot field, not because he's a pothead, but because he's near danger. He likes it too much. Either because of this, or because the novel's by Alex Garland (writer of 28 Days Later), things don't stay pretty.
Maybe things don't stay pretty because there's no real basis of friendship. The people share a common bond, but is that deep enough? It doesn't seem deeper than their desires to please themselves.
What scares me about an over-the-top-violent book like this is the overall believability of it. I see their squabbles and I see ours as most humans. (Minus the pot in my case. Coffee's strong enough for me, thanks.) I see small groups within groups sectioned off, effectively avoiding diversity like the plague. All pretenses aside, it's all about survival of the fittest.
Here's a hint of the lack of diversity in friendships in the story. At the beginning we have some entertaining run-ins with interesting Thai characters. That doesn't last long, and I don't believe Mr. Garland wrote it that way by accident. Richard can't escape the natives fast enough.
What comforts me is the over-the-topness of the end. Real life wouldn't end that ridiculously violent. It still wouldn't be pretty, but perspective doesn't hurt.
This vulgar work of fiction scolded my own desires for friends who were more like me. It's all about video games, war games, adventure, and only having friends who can help feed those desires. I pray to love the unlovable when I can't even love the neighbors right under my nose. (Yes, even the one who demands protection money, but that's another story.)
The dirty book scolds me. Shame on it.
Richard is British, and he finds himself in Thailand on vacation. But he's not a tourist. He makes it very clear that he's a traveler, and he refuses to waste time with people who are not. He finds other travelers and a mysterious map to an even more mysterious island. It's not much of a spoiler to say they find it. They also find a gathering of some additional travelers in an attempt at a Utopian, anti-tourist existence. Richard finds a friend with a game boy (this was written in the 90s) and fits right in.
At first I thought the community would be a cult. In a way, it was. However, it's selfishness that drives these people. They work and help each other because it's mostly convenient for them. Then they smoke pot and drink coconut booze (the professor would be appalled). It's all about entertainment in their utopia.
There's a lot of comparisons to the Vietnam war, mostly because Richard is obsessed with movies about it.
He enjoys the fact that they live near a pot field, not because he's a pothead, but because he's near danger. He likes it too much. Either because of this, or because the novel's by Alex Garland (writer of 28 Days Later), things don't stay pretty.
Maybe things don't stay pretty because there's no real basis of friendship. The people share a common bond, but is that deep enough? It doesn't seem deeper than their desires to please themselves.
What scares me about an over-the-top-violent book like this is the overall believability of it. I see their squabbles and I see ours as most humans. (Minus the pot in my case. Coffee's strong enough for me, thanks.) I see small groups within groups sectioned off, effectively avoiding diversity like the plague. All pretenses aside, it's all about survival of the fittest.
Here's a hint of the lack of diversity in friendships in the story. At the beginning we have some entertaining run-ins with interesting Thai characters. That doesn't last long, and I don't believe Mr. Garland wrote it that way by accident. Richard can't escape the natives fast enough.
What comforts me is the over-the-topness of the end. Real life wouldn't end that ridiculously violent. It still wouldn't be pretty, but perspective doesn't hurt.
This vulgar work of fiction scolded my own desires for friends who were more like me. It's all about video games, war games, adventure, and only having friends who can help feed those desires. I pray to love the unlovable when I can't even love the neighbors right under my nose. (Yes, even the one who demands protection money, but that's another story.)
The dirty book scolds me. Shame on it.
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