Thoughts on Gaming #4 – Adventure

Why do we do it?  On my previous posts we have discussed our need to win at something, to ‘level up’ somewhere and control the dynamics of what’s going on.

I’ve also been thinking about our need for adventure. ‘Wild At Heart’ a book by John Eldridge talks about this in detail.  A quote from his website:

There is something fierce, passionate, and wild in the heart of every man. That is how he bears the image of God. And the reason most men "live lives of quiet desperation" (Thoreau) is because men have been told that the reason God put them on earth is to be a good boy. To be nice. But every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.

So many of the big games are tailored to meet this deep need in every male. Think COD series, Battlefield series (anything warlike for that matter), FarCry and CounterStrike, not to mention Warcraft series (esp WOW), Star Wars stuff, Lego stuff… the list is practically endless!

I have to admit, this comes into why I play games.  I look forward to my next bout of CS or BF2 as it meets a part of this part of me.

But what aren’t we doing in real life because we’re being satisfied by this virtual adventure?  To what degree is virtual adventure ok and what degree is it substitutional to the real thing?!?

Thoughts on Gaming #3 – The Next Level

One aspect of gaming that keeps me coming back is the next level. ‘Levelling up’ is a huge deal in gaming, drawing the gamer back time after time and keeping him/her at the game for longer.  The thought of being better, increasing our characters traits, getting better weapons or being able to beat the other guy just that little bit more feels so good.  It doesn’t matter if you’re playing a First-Person Shooter (FPS) like Unreal Tournament, a Real Time Strategy (RTS) like Railroad Tycoon, or a game like GTA, The Sims, Spore, Supreme Commander or Tetris… the levelling up is what keeps us from going to bed.  As Civilisation players say, ‘Just… one… more… turn…’

Of course I’m concerned about this being the only levelling up we ever do in life.  Other forms of levelling up include going deeper in relationship with others, finding new releases of freedom in your life, hearing God’s voice better, getting a revelation which brings you into transformation, loving your wife and kids better and receiving new depth with them.  There are so many more you might be able to think of.

My question is how do we remove ourselves from the draw of the game and focus on levelling up (or flourishing/prospering) in life a little more?  How can we help gamers that we know do the same?

Thoughts on Gaming #2 – Choices

Life is about choices. We choose what we do with our time, money, food intake, etc.  Gaming is a choice we make because it feeds a part of us and makes us feel good.

Sometimes our choices prevent other things from happening.  Choosing to game instead of spending time with your wife and/or kids for example can have calamitous effects.  When Beck and I first got married, I’d game several hours a day if I could.  On Saturdays I’d get up early to game.  My spiritual life wasn’t moving but I was getting really REALLY good at Civilisation, Counter Strike and Warcraft etc.  My choices weren’t advancing me… they were sending me backwards… with God… my wife… my dreams and passions.  My life was being wasted by my habit.  I was getting lots of little, insignificant ‘wins’ but I wasn’t winning in life.

I regret those times but not the lessons I’ve learned about what is truly valuable.  These days I still want to game and sit at my laptop but not as much… and my life is better balanced with spiritual input and my family.

What attracts you to computer/console games? What draws you to your computer?

Thoughts About Gaming #1 – Need to Win

What does gaming accomplish for you? For me, it forms part of my down time, my time of brain-numbing activity which helps me to relax and chill out.

But apart from it’s potential relaxing qualities what does it actually accomplish?  In my opinion?  Nothing.  It can draw huge amounts of time when we get ‘lost’ in the game, it adds nothing to us spiritually, emotionally, relationally, physically (probably a negative in this one!) or mentally.

Why do we do it? I think it’s because we have a deep desire to win at something and this is an easy option.  Is life too hard for us?  Sometimes yeah… so sitting in front of our computer or console ripping up bad guys or beating the AI at strategy feels good.  We like to win, we like to feel good and I think gaming gives us an easy way to do it.

What sucks is when gaming (or any computer activity) draws important time from relationships and spiritual input.  I still game but it’s in balance with my life (or continues to move towards greater balance!).  I put time into my marriage, family, friends, ministry, other hobbies too.

What do you think?  What does gaming accomplish for you?  Do you spend too much time doing it?  How can you get on top of it… for good?

Church Copycats

Church Marketing Sucks is a ministry which seeks to frustrate, educate and motivate the church to do marketing better and further God’s cause with clarity and purpose.  I love following their blog and learning from it.

Their post Church Copycats (notice I’ve copied the title for emphasis!) explains a few current Christian mistakes that continue to mimic the world’s successes.  For example GodTube and now Godwitter.  I’m not even going to link you to them because the concept is so ridiculous!!!

Why do we feel it necessary to create Christian versions of secular successes?  Even when I was a teenager I thought it was cool to wear a ripoff Guns ‘N’ Roses T-shirt that said, ‘God N Moses, Appetite for Devotion’. Sad I know… but what is the point?!

Some questions to ask:  Does this further the cause of Christ?  Is it relevant to the world?  Will people move closer to a real relationship with God and eternal salvation because of it?

The other thing is stealing.  Stealing is bad.  We need our own ideas, websites crafted around our values, culture and vision, marketing that is unique and clever.

And we (the Church, each local church, every ministry, parachurch ministry etc) MUST respect copyright.  No stealing pictures, websites, logos, code, advertising etc unless you have the express permission of the owner.  I’ve used stuff from deviantart before but gotten permission to use it.  If you can’t afford it, raise money for it or start budgetting for it.  No stealing!

Let’s contribute to the world with real creativity, bright, colourful, ultra-relevant advertising, websites, ideas and marketing.  Lets infuse it with a love so powerful people will be attracted to whatever we’re doing.  Let’s honour the civil law (Rom 13) and copyright too.  Let’s be creative!  God’s first words created.  We’re in His image, lets create too.

Church – The Optional Essential

Psalm 52:8 – But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the House of God.

Church seems to be the optional essential.  Many people feel it’s optional, they go when it suits, when they haven’t got something else on, when there’s no better offer.  Because we are in a grace based church culture there’s no ‘law’ on going to church.  It’s optional depending on if you had a party the night before or a late night, or couldn’t sleep.  It depends on if you had a big week, got to see your family much over the previous week or got enough time with your partner.

God doesn’t see His House that way.  To Him it’s the Essential.  One can’t flourish unless one is planted in His House.  One can’t connect with others doing the same life unless they are connected to their church.   We can’t live a life of life, truth, power, God’s presence, revelation unless we’re plugged in.

So church has become the Optional Essential.  Optional for some, essential for others.  Those who flourish are those planted (Psalm 92) it’s as simple as that.  If you want your life to flourish, you MUST be planted in the House of God.

Make the choice.  Be in the House.
Every week.  Make it essential.
Not optional.

Defiance Movie – Can’t Wait

Here’s a movie I can’t wait to see.  Defiance starring Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell.  See here for more details.

14 Hours of Family Hilarity

Since 8pm last night we’ve had a few interesting events happen in our family which I’m sure you’ll enjoy hearing about!

Last night at around 8pm Ethan came out covered… no, caked in flour.  His eyes were pretty much the only thing not touched by the fine white layer over his body.  I was about to take photos then he started crying… something about there being white stuff everywhere.

He had a quick shower then I started vacuuming his bed… also caked in flour with several large deposits.  Then I found the toy… a small movable, shapable balloon with eyes and hair which had previously been filled with flour!  I bought one each for the boys in Jakarta when I was there last year.  Clearly they don’t last very long!

Then at 2am Beck got up as she could hear running water.  I soon heard, ‘Darren? Can you come here?’  I got up quickly then found the source of the problem.  A hose underneath our vanity in the bathroom had split rather badly and heated water was gushing everywhere!  Fortunately the bathroom tilts slightly so the river ran straight into the shower!!  I turned the water off at the mains and called a plumber asap this morning!  $50 and we’re on our way.

Oh, plus there was a rat incident this morning too… Zeus has decided that the bin out the back is a useful source of entertainment and has tossed the garbage all over the back area.  FUN!

What funny things have happened to you recently?!

2009 – Good or Bad?

I LOVE the start of a new year. It feels so refreshing… so much like a new beginning. In all realness though we get a new beginning every day which is exceedingly cool… something we should probably think about a bit more.

Is 2009 going to be your best year or not?  That’s the question.  And really it’s not a questions of positivism or wishful thinking but a question of faith.  Do you believe that God is inherently good or that he’s got a mean streak and you always seem to cop it somehow?  How you view God will directly impact how much faith you can have about a thing… anything really.

Faith is like a mirror which allows you to see the possibilities of the Kingdom of God at work in your life.  If you’re sick, faith looks and sees the power of the Kingdom of God bringing healing to your body.  Prayer and constant faith bring that possibility into your present reality.

But if you have misconceptions about who God is, if you think he’s a happiness sucker or a dissappointment giver then that’s going to skew your faith mirror and you’re only going to see a blurred picture of what God wants for you.  Faith exists in the revealed will of God.  So get your view of God right and you’ll see more of what God wants for you.

And then 2009 is going to be your best year yet!

My Top 10 Movies for 2008

On this site you can see the Australian Box Office takings for 2008. Here’s my top 10 from this list.

1. Quantum of Solace – everything I’d hoped and more!
2. Kung Fu Panda – funny, heart warming, action packed and fun!
3. Australia – amazing, thought provoking, epic
4. Dark Knight – phenomenal acting and plot
5. Iron Man – stacks of fun!
6. Juno – incredible acting… and Allison Janney!
7. The Bucket List – pulled my heart strings and made me laugh!
8. Body of Lies – incredible plot, drew me in, captivating
9. WALL.E – for storyline and CGI depth and creativity
10. Wanted – action, bullets and fun

Others I also enjoyed were Get Smart, Sex & The City, American Gangster, Step Up 2 The Streets, Charlie Wilson’s War and Eagle Eye.

Worst movies I saw in 2008 were Fools Gold, What Happens in Vegas and Four Holidays (it was ok!).

I still want to see Street Kings, The Bank Job, Madagascar 2 and In Bruges!

What are the best movies you saw in 08?  What didn’t you like?