Israel, Palestine, a 90 Year Woman, and the Hunger Games

I can't remember the last time I blogged, or even thought about blogging for that matter (I might be a little rusty). However, a recent email conversation about a 60 Minutes piece on Christians in the Middle East prompted me to modify my email to my wife's grandma, and turn it into a blog. As a back story, my wife's 90 year old grandmother and I have been having a lively conversation, via email, about my upcoming trip to Israel and the West Bank. At the heart of our conversation we have been left with the question "what is the answer to a peaceful solution?" and "what do we do?" This was my most recent email response to her. (slightly modified)

Good Morning June! I am not sure there is an easy answer to your questions. I believe it has to start with knowledge/education. It is through knowledge that our ability to empathize increases. There is a direct correlation, and as one increases, so does the other. That being said, after watching the 60 Minute segment, I scrolled through the comment sections. I was shocked at people’s ignorance on the subject. The inability to accept a different world view, or process the information presented to them was mind boggling. It was disheartening to see people so entrenched in their paradigmatic ruts. As a result, they were unable to have compassion on the people suffering, let alone recognize and acknowledge the injustices going on. All that being said, I believe that issues like Israel and Palestine are symptoms to the underlying systemic problem taking place in America. The ability to think deeply, is largely absent. Movement within our culture happens so quickly that there is no time to process, synthesize, reflect, rationalize, or fully understand the underlying arguments/debates that are happening. Movement within society happens rapidly. We move to consume or be entertained constantly, and by anything that catches out fancy (I am not immune to this accusation, and am in fact guilty myself). Therefore, if we are going to be able to solve/avoid issues, like Israel and Palestine, then we not only need to change the way we think, but the way in which we go about thinking. In essence, we need to think about the way we think, and learn how to re-think the way we think/engage the world.

An example of our consumeristic and entertainment mentality, that gets in our way of thinking deeply, and has been poignant in my mind, is The Hunger Games. You are going to have to hang with me on this illustration since I know that The Hunger Games is not on your movie list, and teen fiction is not your genre of choice. However, after reading the books and recognizing its critique on America's culture I believe that it is very pertinent to our discussion. Mainly the way in which we (Americans) operate out of the consumerism and entertainment mindset, benefiting at the expense of others, and largely ignoring/being ignorant of the realities around us. I don't believe that the author, Suzanne Collins, would say that it is that far of a jump, to realize the Capitol citizens (partially the antagonist) could very easily be construed as America citizens. American citizens who are so wrapped up with their own individuality and elitism, that they miss things like sex trafficking, poverty, oppression, slavery, genocide, and other atrocities that are not only taking place around the world, but in their back yard. This of course doesn't reveal itself at first glance within the movie, but the book does a much better job at exposing the Capitol for what is really going on. In saying this, the majority of society (the people I have talked to) have not picked up on the deeper themes and critiques that can be found in the book. In fact, after watching the movie and walking out of the theater it was evident from conversations that I overheard, people viewed this movie as pure entertainment (nothing more). The conversations were about how good the movie was, how they could not wait until the next movie, or how good the previews looked for upcoming movies. There was no reflection upon or about what they just viewed.

The irony is in the movie itself. The movie portrays a society lavished in extreme wealth, overly indulging every desire and appetite, while being so consumed by entertainment, that they themselves do not reflect upon what is taking place around them. Is this the problem that I am alluding too in America? Are we so distracted with ourselves, consuming, and entertainment that we miss what is really going on around us? Are we moving to fast to acknowledge it? Do we fail to reflect upon what is happening around us? I believe so. As the movie ends, the two main characters are able to reveal the realities of what is taking place around them. They are able expose the oppression and exploitation of a marginalized people for the sole purpose of entertainment and power. They eventually become the poster children in the resistance against the system which feeds upon power, wealth, and entertainment.

Where does this leave us, and how does it relate my illustration to our Israel/Palestine conflict? Furthermore, how does this illustration speak to the larger systemic problems of our society?

I believe we must re-think our process of learning/educating if we are able to answer your question "what are we to do?" We must focus upon logic, rational, and the process of learning and thinking, and less upon facts and memorization. In essence, we must move away from the "correct" or "right answer," and towards "why it is the solution", and "how" we reached that conclusion. This is not easy or quick. I can only see it taking place through discipleship, which is simply another way of saying living and sharing life together while asking hard questions. This "re-thinking" must entail experience and exposure to things outside of our comfort zone.

This is where my trip to Israel comes in view. I am hoping to learn, first hand, from Israeli Jews, Israeli Defense Forces, Messianic Jews, Palestinian Christians, and Palestinian Muslims what is happening on the ground. I want to experience life (be discipled) as they experience it(through their worldview). Ultimately, I want to have my eyes opened to the reality of where my tax dollars are being spent, how they are being spent, and what comes from my direct contribution to the problem. If we are to find a solution, we must find the antagonist (is it me?). If I relate my situation to The Hunger Games, I want to expose myself, and the people around me, to the realities that surround us. I don't want to live under the guise "everything is okay." As I stated above, the answer to our problem is education. It is education through the paradigmatic assumption that we could be wrong, and that everything we know might be based on a falsehood. This education begins by moving outside my comfort zone, and is the beginning step to discover "what I can do."

In closing, and trying to tie everything together, I will reference The Hunger Games one more time. There is a very surreal moment in the movie when President Snow (chief antagonist) is talking to the Game Master (the orchestrator of the death games) about the two main characters. President Snow asks the Game Master if he has ever been outside of the Capitol to the outter sectors. The game master says, "No, I have not," which President Snow responds, "If you had, then you would not be rooting for them." By limiting the experience and exposure, or re-directing the focus of the viewers, the Capitol is able to control, manipulate, and distract their attention. I do not want to live within the safe confines of "the Capital." I want to learn, live in the reality of what is really going on, and thus begin to start the process of reconciliation. Will you join me?

Here are some good web sites to check out regarding the Israel Palestine Conflict http://www.justvision.org/ with videos like Budrus, Encounter Point, and My Neighborhood. Also http://ispeacepossible.com/ , http://www.defenceforchildren.org/ with stats like http://www.dci-palestine.org/sites/default/files/detention_bulletin_jan_2012_1.pdf , and http://www.determinetruth.com/ (If you want more I have more, but this is some good stuff to get your started.

Batman & the Batcave

I periodically get to write an encouraging email to my small group. I thought I would post that email here this morning.

Good Morning Everyone & Happy Tuesday!

I have been slacking on the Tuesday Today (what I call my Tuesday email when it goes out), and apologize. In the same breath of the apology, I will admit that I all too often am sure not what to say(Much like the blog that doesn't get posted too). However, I felt that God gave me a little insight over this weekend and I wanted to share it with you.

This last weekend Bella (my daughter) was gone from roughly mid day Friday until later afternoon on Saturday. I did not get home from work until about 4 on Friday, but as soon as I walked in the door I could tell there was something different. The door was locked for starters, but Brayden (my son) was alive and in control of the household. It was almost as if he had been planning this alone time with mom and dad for months, and it had finally arrived. For as soon as I walked in the door I was pounced upon by “Batman Boy” and “Batman Girl” (Brayden and Theresa{my wife}). I of course was Emperor Zurg (I know Zurg is the bad guy from Toy Story, but this was a 3 year olds fantasy, and we won’t let him watch Batman). The next 45 minutes to an hour involved us all rolling around on the floor wrestling, fighting, and chasing each other around the house.

At the end of play time, and the end of a hectic week, I plopped down on the bed. I was exhausted! However, Batman Boy was not done with me. He crawled up onto the bed, took my hand, and said, “You come play in my room?” If you have never been asked by a boy in complete Batman gear to return to his Batman lair, then you haven’t experienced life.

As I threw myself off the bed and followed him to his room I started to pray that this was going to be a quiet relaxing time in the Bat Cave (couldn’t muster much more energy and things can get crazy in the Cave). As I entered room of terror, I was escorted to the only clear area on the floor. I was told to sit, and Batman started explaining everything in his room. Batman told me about the Furious Five stickers on his window, his kung-fu training, his train tracks, the races he had been having between Bernoulli and McMissle, why Professor Zumzort was a bad guy, and so one. I was amazed!!! First off, I didn’t know Brayden had this kind of vocabulary, and secondly I was shocked that he was speaking in long drawn out sentences. It was almost as if my son had grown up over night and now we had a real relationship.

As Theresa and I reflected upon our day over dinner with Batman (still in full garb, mask and all, at the Zephyr Grill) I remarked that in Brayden’s brief 3 years, that this afternoon was the most Brayden and I had ever talked. (Don’t label me a bad parent…well not yet) Theresa retorted with “Sister always blocks him out and cuts him off.” I didn’t know if I really agreed with her, but assumed that it was the only explanation since I hadn’t had this kind of interaction with Brayden before. However, as the night ended I was left asking, “was Bella really the common denominator to revealing the true essence of Brayden?”

When Bella returned the following afternoon. I realized that she was defiantly a factor! Theresa also noticed the change. Brayden’s demeanor and atmosphere around the house instantly altered back into normal life. Brayden had gone from being the King who rules the house, to some subservient elf in the background. This of course is nor was not intentional, but Bella demands the spot light and attention.

As Theresa and I reflected upon what had to change around our household, I got to thinking about how this weekend was a great metaphor to our walk with Christ. Follow this line of questions…How much do we experience all that is Him? Are we settling for a mediocre relationship? Have we allowed something else to grab the spot light and attention? Has Christ been crowed out and moved into the background? Have we really allowed him to rule as King over our house (life)? Is the time and energy that we give Him quality time? Is it uninterrupted time that is focused solely on Him and what He has to say? How much listening is going on? (Opposed to a controlled schedule where we dictate what is going to happen, dumping our load on him, and then moving on…at least that’s the way my time can go) When was the last time that we entered into His Bat Cave and received the mystery, secretes, and revelation of the Bruce Wayne/Brayden behind the mask? Do we even slow down enough/have enough energy to pull ourselves off the bed to reply to His request to spend that time with Him?

Lots of questions! But I enjoy questions, and you should too! {the point of this blog} The questions end with my desire and prayer for us, that is we take the time to discover the God of creation. The one who has redeemed us, and the one who longs for us to be in relationship with Him.

Praying for all of you and hope that you have a great week. Look forward to continuing to share and live life together.

P.S. Be in prayer for the board tonight!

Matt

Desire & Reality

In a recent email discussion regarding a range of topics around the church today , the following questions were asked (I have expanded, critiqued, focused, and clarified the questions for this blog post)

“Could it be that the small church and the mega church will survive while the medium size (compare to middle class) ceases to exist? Much like the polarization of classes could it be that the medium church is in the largest amount of trouble? Torn in their identity, asking who they are, what are they to become? I.E. The small church is happy being small (intentionally almost), but the medium size wants everything the mega (large) church has (music, youth pastor, etc.), but can’t compete (doesn’t have the funds, people, resources to pull it off). Do medium churches fall victim to the secular worldview of becoming? (ambitious sights, views of success, unattainable goals) What does the landscape of the middle class and the medium size church (if comparable) look like?”

This email was a pile dry twigs laced with gasoline and my mouse was the match that lit that ignited the fire that is currently burning my morning up. To be fair, I am a person who loves questions and riddles. Although, I enjoy painstakingly working through problems which end in solution, I could say that I ever more enjoy chasing the rabbit down the dark rabbit hole. The rabbit hole of question upon question…seemingly with no answer, but more perplexing than the question preceding it. This is where this email left me; chasing a rabbit down a hole (the kerosene laced fire burning). However, something happened as my mind went to the racetrack. Everything disappeared…no rabbit…no fire. The intellectual academic realm of questions in the clouds met solid earth. REALITY!

Reality, that the line of questions that this email started me on, ended in the church I now attend. Without getting into the details or casting stones of judgment, I can say that we are a church that was a healthy sized medium church, which is now struggling. REALLY Struggling! Struggling with the same kind of finical mess that middle class America got itself into. Struggling with our identity. Who are we? Who are we called to be? Struggling with direction and what now? Reconciling those questions with another question; is who we are called to be, who we want to be?

At the heart of this struggling, I see a lack of contentment. We still have grandiose desires. We yearn to run with the horses, but can’t keep up with the donkeys. We want to play in the NFL, but we can’t handle EBAL (a tough high school football league). Can we come to terms with the fact that we are a small church, who has a pipe dream, of making it big? Can we realize that those are OUR desires, and not Gods? What would a healthy church desire look like?

As my post ends with questions upon questions, and I could come up with more, I am unsettled in the fact that I cannot continue to ask endless rabbit hole questions in the reality of life. The questions regarding the church will be answered. They will be answered with reality. Can we find peace and contentment in that reality? Only reality will tell.