A Brothers Death

J. Michael Straczynski put out a tweet that changed my life for the next 2 months. Namely the place you can watch, probably, one of the best sci fi shows ever; Babylon 5! There are many parrallels that are easily made in this show to the long history of the world wars, but the parrallel that stuck out in my mind the most is in the episode, "Comes The Inquisitor". In this episode Delenn is tested, but not only Delenn. Her fellowship of shadow fighters must prove they have the willingness to go into the great night unknown. To die for what is right and never attain glory or rememberance for it.

The inquisitor makes this statement as he is leaving:
"No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame--for one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see. I have been in service to the Vorlons for centuries, waiting for you: Diogenes and his lamp looking for an honest man willing to die for all the wrong reasons."

The Bible says something very similar in John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I've never really given this idea much deep thought. It seemed self explanitory. But I think the inquisitor lays it out for us better in this episode toward the end of the first part, "for one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see." Would we die for someone knowing the selfless act would never been seen by anyone but God? Can we, those who cannot get rid of our stuff to help others, sacrifice our lives for someone we do not know? Would we die for all the wrong reasons?

I don't know. I do know that this sacrifice is part of what makes Christianity so special, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 1 John 3:16. God gave his life for us on the cross, he was willing to do so for just one person, not for millions, not for fame, not for glory; but to bring us closer to him. He was willing to die for all the wrong reasons, for all the reasons that don't make sense to us. Are we willing to do the same? Something to ponder.

Flash of Faith

I was catching up on The Flash, namely the episode Invincible. In a scene Barry is consoling Caitlin after her escape from Zoom. He says the line, "if the universe is with us, how could we possibly lose?" It sparked a memory for me of Romans 8:31, "What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"

What happened in the rest of the episode also brought home something very true to the Christian life as well. Once we have this faith that gives us unwaverying confidence, people will immediately try to shut it down. Throughout the episode the team doubted his faith and came to be worried that he was over reaching. That not giving into fear, meant he had none. As he explained; it's confidence. He understood the task at hand was seemingly insurmountable, he forged ahead in faith instead. What Cisco describes as "walking on sunshine", is the simple faith that Barry has in the higher power of the universe/speed force.

As christians we have this same faith in Jesus Christ. When evil taunts you with being good (as Zoom did with Flash towards the end of the episode), when people doubt the abilities of God, when it seems that things in life are insurmountable; stop and remember that God is for us, who can be against us? Then move forward in faith.

It's Everywhere

I currently attended a local comic book convention called X-Con. It was great and I can't wait to go back again. What I really loved about this year was they had Sam Jones, the 1980's Flash Gordon!

I didn't get my picture with him, but I was able to attend his panel. The thing that surprised me the most was his consistent reference to prayer and letting God be part of your decision making process. He told us several stories where he and his wife prayed over a job and their prayers were answered. He talked about being humble and it being important to have Gods' hand on things when you make decisions.

All of this talk about God being involved with decisions reminded me of Matthew 6:33, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Sam Jones ended up with a career in security that allows him to travel to conventions and do his acting gigs while maintaining full time status. That's not an easy thing to come by and is a reminder to me that God watches over those people who follow his commandments.

The Temptation of the Hobbit

I was able to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It is an amazing and beautiful movie. It's always nice to see your childhood on the big screen done relatively well. While I was watching the movie, I was struck by one scene in particular. The scene where Bilbo viciously stabs the white spider that comes from up from it's hide away and is heading to pick up the ring. The part that struck me most is towards the end of the scene where he yells, "mine!". It's a very intense scene. But it made me think of how sin holds us the same way.

In the movie, Bilbo turns to the ring for reassurance and refers to it as his courage when talking to Gandalf. We do very similar things when it comes to the sins in our lives. We take our security from money and end up loving it, we call drunkenness "liquid courage" and people often times turn to inappropriate sex to feel loved and happy. When we are challenged on this, we say "Mine!" and defend ourselves in many different ways. In the end though, whoever tries to take our sin and help us to do better we are ready to stab. I know, because I've been there myself.

God provides a way out of every temptation that is here. 1 Corinthians 10:13, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." With Jesus, we can drop our rings of power and walk away. We can let the webs of time take everything we thought we needed; because in the end all we need is Christ.

Once Upon A Faith Pt. 1

I've been watching Once Upon a Time on Netflix. Giving it, its fair shake; basically watching as much of the show as Netflix has. This shows' main message is the power of true love and faith. Which cannot help but bring me to The Bible and Christ.

There was a time in all of our lives when our faith did not exist. That other Christians running around believing in this book of stories, sounded just as crazy as Henry talking to Emma about the book. You may have felt sorry for them, or wanted to shake what you thought was sense into them; you may have even just tried to humor them. But then something happened, you found faith.

For Emma she had no faith until.. tragedy. Henry dies. But, it is his action backed faith that opens Emma's eyes. Just like The Bible says about our faith in James 2:17-18. Our faith is supported by the works that we do in obedience to Christ and what He says is right. When we obey and trust; our eyes are opened more and more. People believed Jesus when they saw His works, we now are encouraged and grow through works. Just as Henry kept his faith through trials and disbelief so must we. In the end we may lead an Emma to trust and obey and find the family they have been searching for all along.

Fringe: Who are your choices for?

I've been catching up on Fringe. I missed so much the first time and I'm really enjoying catching up on it all. The broad message of the show is choices we make for Love.

Walters' choice for Love was to open up the fabric of space time. He based his decisions on the emotions he felt for his son and how it was to lose him. What he intended for good {save Peter from the disease that was killing him} ultimately cause destruction and pain to not only Peter but those effected by ripples Walter set in motion when he opened that tiny crack.

What Walter couldn't see was any other plan, but the one he had hatched. God always has a better plan for us. God says, "For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." {Jeremiah 29:11} Sometimes we need to be reminded that God's Love is the only plan that comes out the best. Even when we think we have the answer sitting right in front of us, staying the course of God's plan for you leads to what you lost and more than what you've always dreamed.

As we can see in Fringe even our choices made out of something as noble as love can have disastrous consequences. This is why we must always "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" {Matthew 6:33} so that the ripple effect in our lives becomes one touching all others with the hope and Love of Christ.

Brightest Day and Blackest Night Con Nooga 2012 Sermon

Just a quick 'ello! To all my new followers, so happy to see you reading this. Please feel free to interact in whatever way you are lead!

For everyone's viewing pleasure: Brightest Day and Blackest Night Con Nooga 2012 Sermon

A new blog coming soon! Until then, enjoy!

Lessons From The Good Book

Dragon*Con 2009 Sermon, "Lessons From The Good Book"

I really enjoyed this sermon. It hits home and I never saw this in the character Book.

Remember the Star Gate?

So, I'm finishing up my Stargate-a-thon and came across a very interesting phenomenon. I don't remember. I don't remember a lot of these episodes and I don't remember certain sections of certain episodes. Now that I've seen them though, it gives me a whole new appreciation for the shows and for Stargate.

Reading The Bible is kinda like that. If we don't refresh and remind ourselves what is in The Bible, we won't be able to remember it all. We could have heard the story thousands of times and still not remember everything that is important.

There are lots of verses that deal with remembering who God is and what He has done. Deuteronomy 8:18, Psalms 63:6, Psalm 77:11-15, Psalm 103:17-18, Psalms 105:5, Psalm 119:52 and many, many more.

When you go back and read what God has to say in The Bible you find new ideas that you haven't considered before. Just like watching your favorite t.v. shows over again, you remember the parts that you connected to first and every time since. You also gain a whole new perspective on what you thought you knew.

Remember to read your Bible and know what God has said and the mighty works He has done!

Forgiveness in a Jurassic Park

Last night a group of friends and I sat down and watched Jurassic Park. My husband has never seen it and we all decided that it was time. I haven't seen this movie in about 10 years, so I forgot some of the elements that were in the movie itself. One such element was the pairing of the use of Gods' name in vain and a curse word. For me, this is an unaccpetable thing. However, I completely forgot it and told my husband he would Love this movie, that it was great! That he would love it!

This is kind of what forgiveness looks like.

This movie would have never made the cut for viewing if I had remembered those words were in there. But since I didn't, I did nothing but praise it and encourage others to participate in it. God wants us to forgive each other the same way {Colossians 3:13}. He says that when He forgives, those sins are as far away as the east is from the west {Psalms 103:12}. He forgets they were ever there and praises us, participates in our lives and sends others to do the same.

Genesis 32 - We, are, worms! We’re, not, worthy!

In which Jacob fights an angel, Jacob gets renamed, we discuss Gods personal assurance and how we don’t always rely on it.

Genesis 27 - Favoritism, Death and Hippies

In which we discuss proper parenting/family dynamics, curses, blessings and brothels.

3XODU5 guest post: Fasting and Spice and everything's coming up Beans

Genesis 25: In which we see that Abraham loved his first son, his twins are born The Con Man and The Red Son, names make Purple Kitty rage and fasting is where it's at!

The Highlander Extrapolation

In Ephesians we see Paul setting up for us the peace, love and togetherness that Jesus Christ wishes for us all to have.

Paul, when describing the way we become one with Christ and all He offers, uses the word quickening.

Every good movie geek knows, "there can be only one"! And there is only one God who gives Himself; not only in a physical manner, but who comes to join with us in our everyday life. Who gives us the gift of Himself, His memory, His Power and His Love. Just as some immortals offered themselves to Duncan McCloud giving him the gift of themselves; so Jesus did for each and everyone of us. There is only one and his name is Jesus!

Sticking Together

I've recently been sick. As a result, I have been firing up the good old Netflix and watching Star Trek: The Next Generation while fighting sleep and and my fever. I was watching The Naked Now {Season 1 Episode 4} when something Jean Luc Picard said struck me as something you find all throughout the New Testament. Here is what he said:

"I put it to you all; I think we shall end up with a fine crew. If, we avoid temptation."

You can see many of the concepts in The Bible presented in his show. The one that is present in this episode follows along with the ideas found in Mark 14:38 and Luke 22:40; "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Reading 1 Corinthians 12:20-25 you can see as Christians we are the crew of the Enterprise. We are all on a mission to boldly go where no one has gone before, to seek out a new life with Christ. Every Christian around you is your ship mate on the same mission; using our jobs in either command, engineering, counseling, security, or sciences to support each other. In this episode the crew of the Enterprise got out of their drunken haze with focus and the knowledge that what they were doing would save everyone from falling from the same fate as some. In the end they had to stick together and find the way out of their temptations. Just like 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. " Christ is here to support us through out temptation, to make sure we don't give in, to be sure we see the way out and run to it.

Dune - The Sleeper Must Awaken

In Dune Leto Atreides is talking to his son Paul about what it means to be a ruler. He told Paul the there comes a time in every mans life in which the "sleeper must awaken". It's a point where a person says, "I will cast off playing like a child and stand for what is right". A point in which you take up responsibility for your actions and move to the call that God has placed in your heart. Leto was preparing Paul for his time of rule; knowing that he would probably not be present long.

In a way, this is exactly what Christ did for us. He knew His time here was coming to a close and with His life and death; provided everything we needed. Even after His ascension He provided us with a teacher, a guide and healer; The Holy Spirit. Some of us as Christians are sleepers. We live our everyday lives much as everyone else. We do not take up the call to go and tell people the good news of Christ. We do not reach out to those unlike us in style or mind set. We do not live, we sleep like the dead comfortable in our boxes surrounded by the dirt we know.

Christ calls us to more than just our comfortable day in and day out lives. Ephesians 5:14-16 says, "... This is why it is said: "Wake up, o sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Awaken sleepers, your Father in heaven awaits your cry to Him to go for him!

Pride of the Apple Jack

Recently I've fallen victim to the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic virus that is sweeping the internet. As I watch this show I realize the reason why it entrances me to the extent it does is because they are first and foremost morality stories. In Episode 4: Apple Buck Season; you can see the lesson of humility that is also taught in The Bible. Apple Jack tries to harvest the whole farm after her brother gets hurt and can't help her. In her pride she refuses the help that is offered to her twice and refuses to listen when other ponies tell her that she should get help. At the end of the episode she basically ends up falling down and asking for help when Twilight Sparkle insists upon giving it to her.

In The Bible Proverbs 16:18 states "pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." In this case both happen to Apple Jack. When helping Rainbow Dash with her flying she can't concentrate enough to land on the X to launch Rainbow into the air and perform her incredible feats of dare devil flying. When she goes to help Pinkie Pie create wonderful muffins, she is so tired she can't understand what Pinkie is saying and only gets half of the ingredients. What we end up with is earth worm, soda and potato chip muffins instead. When she tries to help Fluttershy with rounding up the baby bunnies, she ends up scaring them all into a stampede that devastates Ponyvilles flowers and crops.

Apple Jack tries to do it all herself and fails miserably. Proverbs 13:10, "Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom." During the whole episode Twilight Sparkle is trying to tell Apple Jack that she needs to let them help her and it becomes an argument between the two of them. Apple Jack standing on her pride and Twilight Sparkle trying to get her to accept what is right, and take the help.

When you rely solely on yourself you cause trouble, disaster and unrest. As Christians we should be careful we do not become like Apple Jack toward each other. 1 John 2:16 says this, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Be careful Christian that you don't have your Apple Jack moments. When you need help, ask for it. When help is offered, take it. Just like in the end of this episode where all the ponies became closer through their work, you become closer to your Christian brothers and sisters through help and dedication to the Love found in Christ for each other.

Why church is great; even when your DATA

In Star Trek: The Next Generation the character DATA can do just about anything. He figures out all the things the humans scratch their heads at. He's super fast, super smart, super strong and super efficient. He only lacks one thing: emotional capacity. DATA, although given an emotion chip, chooses to live without it. He chooses to make his best friend Jordy LaForge, instead of the ships computer. He chooses to learn from the flawed humans he works with and does not understand. In essence he chooses to fellowship with others who aren't like him and who never will be. How does this bring us to the church? The word church comes from the word ekklesia, which basically means a gathering of people called out to a purpose. As Christians we are called out to love God, love others and love your fellow Christians. 1 Corinthians 12:21-27 says it the best: we all have different jobs and are all different, but we all belong with and to each other. Even if you can do it all yourself, you benefit from being together. Just like DATA who chose to stay himself an:d gain friendship through dedication and essentially, love. We are the same as DATA, even when we think we can do it all, the people Christ puts in our life enriches and grows us. So, church is good, even if your DATA.

A Little Christ in a Faerie Tale

While watching an episode of Jim Hensons' Storyteller called The Three Ravens, I heard a line that describes the Christian walk perfectly. The line was this:

"...and the girl who kept faith and had but one face for everyone was rewarded with sons and brothers and sweetheart and a crown."

The princess in story of The Three Ravens kept her faith and was rewarded with all her heart desired. She was rich in family and rich in monetary means. Her hearts desires had been met and her needs surpassed; all by keeping her faith. As Christians we have a similar promise given to us in Matthew 6:31-33 and Luke 12:31-32. They basically say, seek the kingdom of God first and all your needs will be taken care of and that it is Gods' "good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32).

Keep the faith as steadfast as the silent girl trying to free her brothers. The Great I Am sees your dedication and rewards you "with sons and brothers and sweetheart and a crown."

Dune "Fear"

Let us paint the picture of fear.  Biologically it's something built into us to give us an understanding of our past pains.  Fears is often caused by a memory of pain, either our own or someone elses'.  Watching Frank Herberts' Dune brought all the old ideas of pain that I used to have back.  Much like the ideas in the movie about pain and fear, I also believed that it was something I could control.  That I could repeat something however many times and the fear would just vanish. My beliefs, however, never rang true.  The more I tried to control my fear the more it grew inside me.  At the time  I even tried the Bene Gesserite mantra for fear:
                                                I will not fear
                                               Fear is the mind killer
                                               I will face my fear 
                                               I will let it pass through me
                                               Where the fear has gone there shall be nothing
                                               Only I will remain.
As silly as that sounds when you live your life without Christ and His nurturing care you will try anything to keep your emotions in check.  After becoming a Christian I learned that fear will not longer have a hold on me.  1 Peter 3:14 says, "But if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are you and be not afraid of their terrors, neither be troubled."  Such an odd statement can only be followed if I understand that, "The Lord is in the midst of you, He is mighty, He will save..." (Zephaniah 3:15-17) and that He "will help me and I will not fall to my enemies." (Jeremiah 39:17-18 paraphrased).  Once I understand this concept I stand on the solid ground of Christ.  Like Muad'dib I stand boldly and declare the things that are true.  With Christ I say:
                                                 I will not fear
                                                 Fear is conquered through Christ
                                                I will give my fear to the Lord
                                                I will let Christ flow through me
                                               Where the fear has gone there shall be love
                                                Only Christ will remain.