C.J. Sears's Blog, page 20

In the Zone of Creation

I’ve said something similar in the past, but I think the love of creation is what really fuels me as a person and a writer. I enjoy spinning ideas from my mind into written works, drawings, and even LEGO builds. There’s something innately satisfying about building something from nothing using the materials at your disposal. It’s energizing in a way that’s not easy to compare to other emotions I’ve experienced.

When I’m creating a character, coming up with a plot, designing a map of a fictional place, or constructing something brick by brick, I simultaneously get this rush and comfort of feeling like I’m in a zone of nirvana. No, I don’t mean a drug-induced hallucinatory experience. I’m not talking about the band either. It’s difficult to describe within the limits of language, but I’ll try.

The act of creation is sublime. No, wait, that’s a word I absolutely hate. Sounds ridiculously pretentious and always comes out of the mouth of a blowhard with a bighead. Let me try a different word: transcendent. In a word, I feel almost transported to a different place and time, a place of absolute peace and purpose, when I practice my talents.

It’s not always a good day for a creator. There are a lot of inhibitions, stumbling through the dark, and generally ill will that get in the way of a good story/art piece/LEGO build. It’s often the case that the work is time-consuming, unprofitable, and prone to fits of incoherence. But I take the bad with the good, realizing that these fits and starts ultimately lead to the final product.

Some say that only an artist can really appreciate his own work. Others argue that a man with a creative plan is his own worst critic. Perhaps both statements are true to an extent. For me, every great work of art, the kind that feels transcendent, appeals to most everyone on some level. Whether the audience appreciates its merit on a simplistic basis or on a deeper, more intellectual (probably pseudointellectual) level, I think that the very best of the best art is rooted in some basic desire to create and to see how others approach their craft.

I’ve mentioned in the past that I think our acts of creativity demonstrate how we’re made in the image of God. Not that we can possibly even compare (and certainly not favorably) to the true Creator. We’re decidedly inferior; we can ascertain that by looking at how beautiful the world is even in a fallen state. But that small mirror, that minor reflection, I think, points to the truth that is our design. We may be shadows, but every one of us is capable of paying homage to Him who made us.

To say that creating makes me feel closer to God, like I understand Him on some other level, is more than a little egotistical. I won’t go that far. But I do think it reaffirms my faith in no small way. The fact that I can even think of imitating Him both excites and humbles me as a person.

“The Lord’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them. All that He does is splendid and majestic; His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered.” (Psalm 111:2-3)

The Internet Contrarian

Ah, the internet. It’s a global community of various interests and beliefs that intersect in odd ways. Every nationality, ethnicity, and opinion is on display. Sometimes a decent, thought-provoking discussion takes place. One might even learn new information that informs or changes their worldview (and not always for the better). It’s a tidal wave of words streaming across the screen.

If we’re being honest, most days browsing and networking are a crapshoot. Debates are heated to the point of nonsensical fighting between strangers. Social media platforms become soapboxes for every abhorrent and immoral idea there ever was or will be. Schoolyard bullying and name-calling becomes the norm for any forum.

Narrowing it down, I think we can trace most conflict on the internet (and life in general) to one particularly unruly person—the contrarian. Oh, you know the type. You probably even have someone like that in your group of friends. He or she is the type of person who absolutely must disagree with the consensus view. More than that, they are absolutely adamant that there must be something wrong with your point of view, not theirs.

Let me give you a few examples of the “internet contrarian” as I see them:

Most people would say that Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is a hallmark of the superhero genre. Ledger’s performance in particular elevates the movie. It made more money than you or I will likely ever see in our lifetime.

But what does the notorious IC say? “TDK is trash. Bale’s bat-voice is terrible. It’s not even a superhero film, just some stupid crime drama.”

How about the mostly unanimous praise for Resident Evil 4? Critics and gamers generally agree that it’s a masterpiece, easily top five of all time, and a triumph of the horror and action genres. Most modern third-person shooters model themselves after it to some extent. It’s a classic.

“Aha,” says the IC, “but it’s supremely dated. You can’t even strafe. The graphics are terrible. It’s not scary at all. Other games are so much more fluid. Also, escort missions suck and so do you.”

Wait, there’s more! Ever heard of this book series called Harry Potter? It’s supposed to be really good. They made like eight movies and a spinoff or something. Classic young adult mystery novels, they say. There’s no doubt the books drove kids out of their minds with excitement.

“Yeah, it started out great, but then it got kind of stupid. I mean, what happened with the writing style in those last two books? What’s with the awful pairings? Why doesn’t any of this wand lore make sense? It reads like glorified fanfiction.”

Hang on a second…that last one is me! I guess that makes me the illustrious and magnanimous IC. I’m so proud that I could shed tears of salt. Really, there should be an award for this sort of thing.

Now, you’re probably thinking to yourself, what was the point of this post? Good question. Perhaps the sudden course correction is a little tactless, but I find that if you can’t laugh at the things that make you angry (at least after the fact), then you’ll only ever be miserable. When you realize that not every bit of criticism is as simply contrarian as it seems, you’ll be less of a butt when it comes to have that frank discussion.

There absolutely are ICs out there. They’re the sort of people who shove their noses in the air and think they don’t stink. They live for the thrill of snobbery and elitism by distancing themselves from the views of the general populace. At best, it’s a cry for attention. You can either ignore them or try to dissect their points, but the end result is the same self-serving persona they put on to stand out from the crowd.

So, instead of being riled up the ICs of the wide world, take a moment to laugh at yourself for your own off-key views and moments. If you can find the humor inherent in the absurdity of getting angry at someone for sharing their opinion, then you can make it through any internet minefield just fine.

This is the OG, underappreciated, never duplicated, incredible IC signing off.

[Mic Drop]

The Hour Encroaches (A Poem)

What’s this? A second post during the week? What is this madness? Well, my questioning little friend, I’ve decided to try an experiment. In order to maintain my creativity and keep me working, I’ve decided to start writing and posting once a day. These posts can take any form: a blog passage, a rant, a news discussion, or, in this case, a poem.

Now, let me preface by saying that I don’t consider myself a poet. I’ve had a few teachers tell me a couple of them were excellent. Others have pointed out my less than stellar usage of [insert format here]. So, uh, don’t expect Robert Frost from this poem. Just sayin’. Enjoy.

THE HOUR ENCROACHES

On the wings of prophecy,

He did descend

To retrieve His many sheep.

Among them He counted loss,

Sorrow, and sin

Growing like the untamed moss.

For them He wept bloody tears

Shared in their pain

And dispelled their corrupt years.

On the Cross, He hung His head.

“It is finished,”

That is what He, at last, said.

Now you and me, we are free

From the bondage

That enslaved us most cruelly.

He holds us tight in His arms.

Rejoice we can

In the crux of Holy charm.

Reborn to live and to serve:

Spreading the Good

News through our God’s written Word.

The last day fast approaches,

His will be done.

Amen, the hour encroaches.

Battle Against Sin: A Message from Romans

No one is perfect. It’s such an inane and trite statement, but it’s so utterly true that is has to be repeated almost as a personal mantra. We as people forget that our problems can’t be conquered in a day (or possibly ever on our own power) and as such become so fixated on this issue or other that we ignore our broken reality. We become slaves to perceptions of ourselves.

When I came to Christ, I experienced a pretty dramatic transformation. Lust, which once tied me down, no longer had any real power over me. That’s not to say I conquered the desires of fleshly pleasure. I dare say there is a lingering and errant thought from time to time. But through Him, that which once possessed me and stained my soul is nothing more than a reminder of the power of our wonderful Savior. He loved me and brought me to Him. I cannot express the depths of my gratitude for His work.

I may be free from the bondage of that sin (indeed, the price for all my sins has already been paid for two thousand years), but I still struggle with others. God’s forgiveness is great in that while I fight against the flesh He has already given unto me His love. There is nothing more beautiful or profound than what He is and what He has already done for us, his lowly and sinful creations.

The realization that lust is not to be my only earthly struggle is neither new nor surprising, but it remains a troublesome idea. I am (as are basically all humans to some degree or other) slothful, arrogant, jealous, greedy, idolatrous, and wrathful. I am quick to anger, slow to work, often materialistic, frequently envious, and misplace my mindshare on an almost daily basis.

This almost endless battle is tiring, but I refuse to give in. I will stumble. I may even fail. But I will not retreat from my problems or my sins. Each of us has been given this life for one purpose: to know, love, and serve Him who made us. How we do that, the journey we take, may be different, but the end goal is the same. He is my Creator and yours. He is my Savior and yours. He is my God and yours.

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)

Suffering (whether from your sin or another’s) builds character. It deconstructs humanity and reworks it into something more pleasing to our Lord. Rejoice in your battles against sin because success only brings you closer to God and the pleasures of the Spirit. Christ died so that you may be saved. We must die in the flesh so that we are reborn in the Spirit.

“For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:6-8)

Paul’s letter in Romans is, I think, the most direct statement of what Christ’s sacrifice means for us as Christians. By the actions of one man (Adam), we were cursed to live with our sin which is death. But by the Lord’s actions on the cross, we are saved.

“Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.” (Romans 5:17-18)

Some of you may be thinking that I’m being a little repetitive with these statements and the frequent, detailed passages from Romans. I, on the other hand, can think of no better way to get across this message than by repeating it earnestly. I harp on and reiterate the nature of sin, our need for a savior, and the struggle with ourselves because that is, in essence, what our lives boil down to by the close. Whether you’re a doctor or a carpenter, a billionaire philanthropist or a homeless man, all require the same Grace.

The Risen Lord is the only solution to the problems of death and sin. Praise and glory be to Him and our new life in His hands.

Thanks for reading, have a wonderful holiday, and peace be to you.

Expectation: A Look Inside Family Vacations

After a two week interlude that was my summer vacation, I’m back. First, let me apologize for not giving notice that I wouldn’t be writing during my vacation. I had every intention to buckle down and make my weekly posts, but my procrastination got the better of me. Not keeping to a schedule was one of many times my expectations fell through my grasp. I’m sorry to have disappointed both my readers and myself.

But, you know, that’s kind of an interesting topic in itself. What is it about having our desires fail to be fulfilled that leaves us so empty and crushed? And why does it seem like even at our best, we can never truly get to do what we want?

For me, this vacation would be accurately called a series of unfortunate events with brief intervals of positivity. We couldn’t even start on time, leaving only a few hours before sundown. Our supposed plan of stopping at interesting sites and sights on the way to our destination never really manifested. Instead, we endured endless highways, family tensions, and one disappointing beach after another.

On the fifth day, when we arrived in Key West, I was still in the midst of my initial excitement. The vacation didn’t smell like roses, but that didn’t matter because we were finally there. Time to kick back, have fun, and get to know the island. Right?

“I’m sorry,” said the vacation, “a system error has occurred. We are replacing your fantastical notion of relaxation with more of the same plus some added debauchery. Enjoy.”

Key West both was and wasn’t what we anticipated. Oh, it was definitely a tropical island with all the smatterings of a resort. But it was also, much like the first beach we visited, teeming with muck and grime and too many unfiltered souls. The anger in my mother’s voice was, I think, a reflection of the seething contempt the culture and façade of the island seems to hold for its more reserved patrons.

Tucked away near an old fort, you can find the pretty beach. In clear waves of turquoise and cerulean, ear-to-ear smiles and bouncing children abound. But much like the imported sand, the enthusiasm on display seems more at home at a different time and place. Why? Because this isn’t the real Key West, the one that takes hold of your heart and ensnares you in its upside down world.

Key West is Duval Street: it runs a narrow path that goes straight to the bottom. Key West is Duval Street: it invites you to come as you are, no matter your affliction, hang-up, or preference. Key West is Duval Street: it parades the depravity of man as something to be celebrated, pushing the conceited and lecherous inner self to the forefront ahead of the contented veneer of happy families and Oceanside fun.

Key West is Duval Street, but it’s also a window into the two-sided nature of family vacations. There’s this coat of laughter, pleasure, and good times, but beneath that is the darkness, the arguments, the failure to listen to reason, and an underlining of disappointment. Going from the innocence of the beach to the perversion on Duval Street is emblematic of the awakening felt when we embark on a quest (or vacation) that simply doesn’t go to plan.

We want to have this sugar-coated, rose-colored, good-natured yarn to brag about to the people we know. But that’s not the truth of what we’re getting, is it? No, what we actually get is a sinister intrusion that is the shattering of our gleeful expectations. We want the blooming flower, but it’s already wilted and dying and we’re pretending it’s not because that would be admitting the hard truth that nothing ever lives up to our standard.

That’s why I’m viewing this vacation, sour as it may have been, as a positive experience. I didn’t get a killer suntan, but I did get a wicked second-degree burn. My reward was not found in clear waters and fun times, but in the lesson learned.

Always temper your expectations. Things can and will go wrong on your vacation and in life. You WILL get hurt. But be thankful for the time that you have, for the life you’ve been given, for the people you know, and for the wonderful, knowing, and loving Creator that is our Lord.

I didn’t get what I wanted. You might not have gotten what you wished for either. I failed to live up to my expectations as much as the vacation did not live up to mine. But for all time I am glad to know the Joy in that one, unchangeable, undiluted expectation that cannot be destroyed:

God is Good. Christ is Lord.

“When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him lord over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet, all the sheep and oxen, as well as the animals in the wild, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea that pass through the currents of the seas. Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth!” (Psalm 8:3-9)

The Poison & the Antidote

One way to think about sin is that it functions like a poison. What do I mean? Recall how sin came into this world: Eve was deceived by the serpent. Rather fitting, then, to compare sin to the venom injected by a snake bite. It courses through a person’s system, corrupting their very being.

Sin is not always an act, per se, but rather a state. As the Word says, we are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. We often think of murder, rape, idolatry, etc. as being sin, but that doesn’t quite encapsulate the full spectrum of what is called sin. Sin is so infectious that it affects our very thoughts.

Don’t believe me? Ask yourself this: how often do you wish death, even jokingly, on a person who has done you ill? That is sin. In the Lord’s eyes, you are guilty of hate and furthermore murder. If you look upon a man or woman with lustful intent, that is adultery. Do you put Super Bowl Sunday ahead of Church? Congratulations, you’ve committed idolatry. Each and every one of us transgresses against the Law (the Commandments) in some way, whether we perceive it to be large or small.

Flat out, it is impossible for us (mere man) to truly keep to the Law. Our sinful nature, our poisonous state, bypasses even our best intentions and injects them with a lethal dose of acid-like corrosion. Ever donated to charity? You want to help the less fortunate, right? But isn’t also true that some small part of you wanted to be recognized for your effort? That’s pride and that’s sin. I’m not saying this is always true, but it is an example of how truly beyond hope we are on our own.

The point is this: when we are judged according to the Law, we will always fail and be found guilty. But when we seek His Grace, our sins our forgiven. Why? Because His Love is greater than our rebellious nature, greater than our sin.

“I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

Before Christ’s sacrifice, His people were made to offer animal sacrifices to atone for their sins. But these were insufficient, incapable of bearing the burden of our corrupted nature. So God sent His only Son to take on sin once and for all time, for all people. That is how our Lord came to save us. With Him, we are no longer in death and darkness, but have love and light in life eternal.

The most important decision that can be made in your life is to come to Him and accept His Grace. Everything else is secondary. So instead of wallowing in a miasma of corruption by sin, let the Lord revitalize you with His Spirit and His Love, the ultimate and everlasting antidote.

Glory be to the Lord, our Savior and Giver of Life, forever and ever. Amen.

Remember All & an Update

On this day, we honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives to ensure the liberty and security of the United States of America. People from all walks of life marched off to war in order to protect the freedoms we cherish. We celebrate the ones who, although they very much deserved their own assurance of welfare, gave of themselves for others. They paid the ultimate price in every conceivable respect.

And yet many of us do not understand the sheer gravity of their offering. Every day, people in this country flaunt their wealth, their position, or their self-righteousness as if it is their right. In the same way, others demean or accost others and proclaim that their morals are more “evolved” than those they disagree with. Not one person in any of these groups (or others of a similar persuasion I have not mentioned) seems to comprehend that the very things they find deplorable and their own opportunity to speak against them is, in fact, a privilege and not a right.

The ground you and I walk on has been paid for by the blood of men (and women) far braver than we could ever hope to be. Countless souls laid down their lives for their friends. This is the ultimate expression of love that a man could hope to accomplish. As the Lord says:

“This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for friends.” (John 15:12-13)

This is, in fact, the very price that is paid for by the soldiers who’ve given their lives for our country. But I think it prudent to ask, on this day, that we should also remember Him who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and the salvation of our souls. His love is boundless and without compromise. Truly, if we were capable, we should honor him each and every second that we draw breath. Nothing happens that can be done without Him or His permission.

“From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” (Acts 17:26-28)

If He so desired, He could strike me down at this very moment and it would be His prerogative as my Creator and Designer. Frankly, all of us deserve the worst treatment for our sins. But that’s not what He wants. It is His desire and His pleasure that we should delight and believe on Him and His sacrifice at the cross. He loves us so that although we merit death, He gives us eternal life. No man could have borne the literal weight of the world on his shoulders, but He, our Lord, did.

He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega. He is Love and Good. He is your father and mine. But do not fear what this means. Embrace it! As he tells us in the Book of Revelation:

“Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18)

Like the soldiers who paid for your freedoms, Jesus laid down His life for you. Unlike the payment of those courageous men and women, His action is permanent and everlasting. It need not be repeated, nor is it swayed by new powers emerging in the world. It is not reserved for a few or a selection, but for all. You need only come to Him, believe in Him, and, understanding your need for Him and His sacrifice, embrace Him.

Please, on this Memorial Day, remember all who gave their lives for you.

Now, this is an inconvenient and jarring sidestep, but I have further (though not nearly as important) news to share with you. I have, after much deliberation and second-guessing myself, settled on the title for my sequel novel. Are you ready? There are potential spoilers ahead!

Drumroll please…

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The title is: THE SMILING MAN CONSPIRACY

…which happens to be the working title. Just like The Shadow Over Lone Oak was for my first novel. Go figure that I keep getting it right the first time yet refuse to admit it to myself.

For those of you have read the first novel, I’m sure your mind is forming a picture of the plot and what it may entail. Maybe you can glean some clues from both the title and the five sneak previews I’ve delivered here, here, here, here, and here.

I’m still working on finishing the first draft (these final chapters continue to be slow-going) but I thought it best to give you a taste of something new.

As always, have a wonderful week, God bless, and peace be to you.

Creative Expression & the Truth

After 27 years, Twin Peaks has officially returned to television. Much buzz and hype has been generated by the show’s remarkable revival. Questions have been raised as to what form it will take and how successful it will be in bringing an old story to a new audience. So, with two episodes in the bag (four if you count the ones available via Showtime Anywhere), what’s the verdict from a fan of the cult classic like myself?

It’s a mixed bag. Much of my expectations proved to be accurate. Some of what I saw I liked. Other aspects weren’t so appealing. I have not watched Episodes 3 and 4 (and won’t until Sunday, probably) so I will refrain from talking about them. This post will contain a few minor spoilers for the premiere, so cut out now if that concerns you.

What is Wonderful:

Classic characters like Andy, Lucy, Deputy Hawk, the Log Lady, and Benjamin Horne retain much of their charm.
Despite the digital (rather than film) production, most of the cinematography works extremely well.
The opening picking up with Laura Palmer’s “25 Years Later” speech in the Red Room is picture perfect. There was no better way to start the show again.
Many of the new mysteries are intriguing and even a little scary.
Where the music does flare up, it’s soothing to hear the old themes.

What is Strange (and/or Entertaining):

Evil Cooper is both fun and uncomfortable to watch. If someone said he’d stepped out of No Country for Old Men, I’d believe them. Kyle MacLachlan should definitely be up for awards if this performance is anything to go by.
It feels disjointed. Lynch has said this is more like an 18-hour movie and it definitely feels like it was edited in such a manner.
I like the Buckhorn, South Dakota storyline and the thing/demon in the box in New York plotlines even if they don’t quite gel yet.

What is Neither Wonderful or (Entertainingly) Strange:

The “Arm” appearing as a badly made CGI brain stem. No, Lynch, this doesn’t work. Just no.
As expected, lack of censorship leads to unnecessary nudity and sexually-charged foul language. This offends me as both a Christian and a writer. You’re telling me that the couple needed to have intercourse at the start before they were killed? A line that Evil Cooper utters (which I won’t repeat) near the end of Episode 2 was absolutely necessary?
The absence of the soap opera/goofier elements (so far) renders the show as both darker and a little dull. But maybe that will change (I hear good things about Episode 4).
The sheer silence consuming even scenes set in Twin Peaks with familiar characters is just plain wrong. Where’s the finger-snapping jazz?

All told, I’m not unhappy with what’s been presented. I think it could be more tightly edited and less vulgar (compared to other Showtime/HBO shows it’s not that bad, though), but I’m intrigued as to how the story will unfold. What role will the classic characters play? Can Cooper actually escape the Black Lodge/Red Room before the season ends? How much will be left unsaid? How’s Annie?!

But I think I’ve reached the end of what I can say about last night’s program without spoiling too much, so I’ll move onto the secondary purpose of this post.

What’s the real reason behind the “censorship” rationale used to justify what I would call gratuitous exploitation? Artists and makers will likely cite creative expression as their reasoning, but I’d argue it goes deeper than that. It’s the sinful nature at work.

Oh, there absolutely are stories that can’t truly be told without at least some of the grotesque. But more often, the artistic excuse is a means to justify the use of titillation in their works. Think about every R-rated sex scene you’ve seen in a film or television. Wouldn’t it actually be better if that remained as something off-screen and alluded to? What benefit is it to see bare behind in the telling of a story? Do you need to see genitals up close to get the picture of relationships between characters?

I’d argue that there’s never ever been a (good, non-pornographic) film, television show, or video game in which it has been necessary to see the nude form engaged in sexual activity. But people in charge of such properties have the tendency to go for either shock value or simple lustful expression. Why? It’s because they want to satisfy their need to do that which is sinful. And then, by vicarious experience, the audience fulfills its evil need as well.

One could even say that HBO and Showtime and other networks which emphasize their lack of censorship exist only as a gateway to indulgence in sin. Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy shows like Game of Thrones, which often contains excessive nudity and sex and a fair amount of gore. But I’ve never been one to subscribe to the idea that moderate levels of censorship stifle creativity.

If anything, limits force a writer/director/developer to be more creative with their art. Compare a joke told in an early 90’s comedy to a modern one. Which is funnier: the one that uses innuendo and dances around the subject or the one that is blatant and uses the coarsest language possible? Every time I hear a modern film or television show go right to the most direct, most offensive answer in their writing, I cringe. Because I know it can always be done cleaner and better.

We live in a world where, increasingly, the race to the finish line seems to be in making as much of an uproar as possible. You can see it not only in creative works but also in politics and other real-life interactions. Conversations that would’ve been hushed in the past become big, boisterous, and obnoxious.

At the same time, this toxicity is juxtaposed by a strange one-sided political correctness. Now, one can discuss whatever crass subject comes to mind, but God help you if you dare make a suggestion about the morality of it. That “triggers” people and sends them to their “safe spaces” and other such nonsense. Rational discourse dies in the face of the need to satisfy desires of the flesh and ailments of the mind.

But you know what’s beautiful (or, you might say, wonderful and strange) in spite of all this? The Truth never changes. People will attempt to mold it into whatever they please and yet it is apparent to me, to us, to the Christian, that as much as the world decays and reveals itself, the Light is always there.

“All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt.” (Psalm 14:3)

“But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s entry and I think I’ll leave you with this Twin Peaks inspired question (and answer):

“Is [sin] future or is [sin] past?”

It is both. It persists. But it has been defeated by Jesus Christ. He is Risen. He is Lord. He is your Creator and Savior. All glory be to Him.

How to Fill the Void

This upcoming Sunday (May 21st), millions will be tuning into the new season of Twin Peaks. After cancellation and a twenty-five year hiatus, The Return (as its being dubbed) marks the reinvigoration of a cult classic. For lovers of that series, feelings of excitement and anxiety intertwine. We’re gleeful, ready to step back into a place most wonderful and strange, but some of us are also skeptical that this new season can recapture the magic of the original. Personally, the fact that it’s on Showtime leaves me wary that it may go too far into the dark and gritty and sexual rather than tapping into the small-town nostalgia and daytime soap opera parody that made the original run so successful.

That’s when I remind myself that it’s just a TV show. It isn’t life. It isn’t altogether important. If it’s good (or great), then that’s fantastic, but it’s not the end-all, be-all of existence. As humans, we’re all too often quick to place our hopes and values in the quality of our entertainment. When we’re disappointed, we fall into a depression or at least some kind of bitterness. Suddenly, everything in life seems crappy and the days drag as we await the next product to fill the void.

Why are we like this? The answer is simple: human beings are born with the innate feeling that some major component is missing from their lives. So they seek to compensate by acquiring goods, devouring so-called “enriching” entertainment, pining after the bodies of others, etc. But most don’t realize they’re missing the most crucial component of all: God and their need for a savior.

You see, as it has been from the beginning, we are created in the image of God. But we, ourselves, are not Him. Yet in our pride, our ambition, we seek to be Him and find the Truth within ourselves and in our things. But that is foolhardy and impossible, for the only Truth is in Him who made us.

We are petty, vindictive, greedy, lustful creatures who basically never know what’s best for us. Even those of us who are born again, who are Christian, can still suffer from the same disease that is the Curse from our collective Fall from Grace.

“If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

“But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)

“Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness.” (Romans 6:16)

Terrible, isn’t it? It sucks that there isn’t such a concept as salvation. Wait…there is? In fact, you might call it Good News aka the Gospel. Christ paid the ultimate and final price for our transgressions. In Him, we are redeemed. In Him, we find fulfillment, our relationship with God, who is our Savior and Heavenly Father and the Spirit that dwells within us in our new lives as Christians.

“But thank God that although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred to, and having been liberated from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Always remember that in Him is the only hope. Hold fast to that eternal promise. Do not be bound to the world in its fallen state. Seek Him in all things. And if you haven’t yet realized your true nature, may God bring you closer to Him so that you might be renewed. There is still time, still hope, while the Day of the Lord is yet coming.

He is your Creator, your Father, and your Redeemer. There is no greater pursuit than the one that ends in a personal relationship and belief in the Lord your God.

Have a wonderful, fulfilling week and blessings be upon all of you.

Five Things I Hate About Modern Games

Every gamer has lists. They know what their top ten games are. They know which games they hate most. They’ll have handpicked their favorite characters and genres and levels across the pantheon of video game history. Gamers always have strong opinions, often controversial, and many of us are eager to be the contrarian in stupid circular discussions.

In light of that extremely strange opening paragraph, today’s blog post will be (gasp) a list. What kind of list? I’m going to walk you through my five most hated things about modern games. I know this isn’t a meaningful discussion about one’s relationship with God or an article on writing tips, but I thought it’d be interesting nonetheless.

In no particular order, here are my most hated video game tropes/traits/defects:

“For realism” is what I call it when a developer creates an interesting or tried and true game mechanic and then erroneously chooses to corrupt it by emphasizing something that would be realistic. For example, having the player’s breathing heavily affect the sway of a sniper rifle. Sure, it’s more real that way, but it’s also not fun. When I choose the role of a sniper, I generally want to be able to hit my target.
“For challenge” is what happens when a developer implements specific defects not necessarily for realism but for the sake of making it harder to succeed. To use a game I recently played: the terrible flight mechanic in Yooka-Laylee. The regular glide works fine, but the special, player-controlled flight is uncooperative, drains stamina, and is generally a nuisance in its necessity in the final boss fight.
“For longevity” is what could also be called the Ubisoft Formula. This is where a developer needlessly fills an oversized with tons of difficult-to-find and pointless collectibles like feathers, flags, etc. This is a prominent detriment to enjoyment in certain types of open-world games like Assassin’s Creed or Arkham City/Knight/Origins. Collectathons can be fun, but only in smaller, well-realized doses.
“For lackluster foresight” is what I would term situations wherein a developer overlooked some aspect in the creation of the game. This includes poor checkpoint placement, bad signposting (telling the player where to go), too-dark gamma settings in environments, etc. This is a frequent problem in modern horror games (not called Resident Evil) such as Outlast 2 as well as in massive RPGs like Fallout or Elder Scrolls.
“For the love of money” is something that should be obvious to any gamer: it refers to the heavy monetization and micro-transaction arrangements in many of today’s big sellers. The inundation of DLC, both important and cosmetic, has led many games to feel incomplete—until you pay extra. What previously would’ve been an in-game unlockable is now sold as a pre-order bonus or an add-on pack. Sadly, gamers seem to have accepted this state of the industry as a necessary evil. Even I’m guilty of paying for content that should’ve been included in the initial disc release.

Of course, the problems in actual, certifiably bad games are innumerable, but this short list best represent what I think are the five worst traits/tropes in modern gaming. Some may disagree (especially with a few of my examples) but I think I’ve made a succinct case.

The funny thing is that most of these are either easily correctable or tolerable under specific circumstances. I don’t mind realism as long as it’s within the realm of enhancing the entertainment value. Challenge is good when it doesn’t feel artificial. Longevity isn’t a problem when the collectibles are worthwhile and the maps are fun to explore.

Even a lack of foresight and monetization can be tweaked or fixed by simply executing better time management and judgment during a project’s development. Would you, the developer, be tremendously upset by how far back a mistimed checkpoint sent you? Make it better. Would you, the developer, feel shortchanged by the absence of story content that enhances the experience (such as the From Ashes Mass Effect 3 DLC)? If so, push to have it at release on disc. Obviously, that may not always be the case, but if you think it can be done, please do it for the sake of a better, more thorough game.

Look, I’m not a developer. I don’t claim to know what goes on behind the scenes. But I’d be hard-pressed to believe that some of these issues can’t be corrected prior to going gold. I get that certain stinkers may linger in the air no matter what you or your team does, but if there’s a chance to correct something, please do it for those of us who would mightily appreciate the service.

If nothing else, it will help you avoid the (unreasonable, in my view) backlash that games like Mass Effect: Andromeda received because of a perceived lack of polish.

But that’s enough rambling about video games today. I’ve got to get back to working on TSOL’s sequel (currently working on final chapters and narrowing down the title) and, of course, getting back to reading the Word which I really don’t do often enough.

Have a great week. For those graduating from high school or college: good luck. For those presently in the workforce: have a great week. Thanks for reading, peace be to you, and God bless.