JohnnyBGamer

The Internal Struggle

Sitting down to write often begins with an internal debate. Do I write about thing-x or talk about thing-y? Most of the time, I know the answer even before I begin debating. The answer is no. My goal with JBG is not to use it as a bully pulpit.

“Why not talk about the latest deacon-thing that is going on at church. I could just dress it up as a non-deacon thing. Be more general. That would make it okay, right?”

The issues do not even have to be church related. On a parenting front:

“My son is doing this, this, and this? Help!”

I think in the beginning, the idea of writing a blog post about issues facing my church (in a non-gossipy way) or even a kid related post wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. But I have since become a deacon; my son has grown up. Issues that could have once been presented in the open or even a parenting piece have become things that I must be silent about.

I am still trying to figure out when to write about my son. You see influencers online who use their kids in their videos, blog posts, etc. I’m just like, nope.

Church conversation is relegated to the halls of my church. Nothing more. At some point (much before I became a deacon), I grew wiser to the things we should discuss online.

My youth pastor says all the time to our students, “My kid will be in the youth group next year. Who/what am I going to use as illustrations?”

As someone with an older kid, I am still trying to figure that out. Trying to figure out:

When I should just listen.
When I should say something.
And when I should just remain silent.

Most of the time, silence is golden.

A Song for the Road

Relient K’s Air for Free is a favorite album of mine. Songs such as “Cat”, “Elephant Parade”, and even “Bummin'” have been on rotation as the Hall’s have driven this way and that. One of my favorite songs though is “Mrs. Hippopotamuses'”. Enjoy!

Tintin Reporter – Cigars of the Pharaoh | Reveal Trailer

I am all about a good adventure game. Tintin Reporter – Cigars of the Pharaoh (was the Pharaoh really into cigars?) looks like it is shaping up nicely. Can’t wait to play!

What I Heard While Napping

Sunday afternoon, I was laying on the couch taking a nap. Wyatt was outside playing basketball. The ball kept hitting the ground with a repetitive thunk, thunk, thunk. In the midst of sound of the basketball bouncing, I heard a voice singing. Wyatt was singing the song “Happy” by NF.

This song is great just to listen to all by itself. With visuals, this song becomes something else. Give it a listen.

Gamestop, Jedi, and a Simple Conversation

Wyatt and I went to Gamestop, on Sunday, to trade in some games. Wyatt was after Star Wars: Jedi Survivor for the PS5.

The store was empty of other customers when we walked in. It was just us and a Gamestop employee. I said hi. When I saw her name badge, I knew that we would have very little in common. According to twitter, pronouns should have stopped the conversation stone cold. Regardless of her being human, of having a soul, or even our common love of video games. Her, Wyatt, and I had a great discussion on Hogwarts Legacy (she’s a Hufflepuff).

Afterwards, while driving home, Wyatt said, “She was probably one of the nicest employees we’ve encountered in awhile.”

Twitter aside. Chosen pronouns aside. Here was a person who loved video games just like us. Was this an opportunity to witness? No. But a relationship was started.

Video games won’t get you to Heaven. I know that. But I often think we let things like social media keep us from even having conversations with those who think differently. How can we have those Gospel-driven conversations if we aren’t willing to engage at all? Treating people as created in God’s image is one of the first keys. Second key, by sharing the common love of something (in this case, video games) perhaps that could lead to sharing Jesus down the road. Baby steps.

It all starts with a simple conversation.