The Amalgamation

I’ve been reading a book about comic book illustration (1), and was amazed at how a hero can be represented by the shape and style of his / her appearance. Qualities including nose shape, muscle build, the shape of the neck, even the back, they all contribute to identifying the hero by appearance alone.

Being one of those individuals who tends to think too much about most things, I started to wonder what a Bible-based conception of a real hero would be. Far be it from me to reduce my Lord to a mere mythical action figure, so please don’t think that’s what I’m doing. However, His life displayed heroic qualities that go far deeper and are more profound than sculpted abs, muscular thighs and a big chin!

I think Isaiah 61 is a beautiful portrait of the amazing work of the Saviour. I hope it is an encouragement to you.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (The Message)

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace - a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies - and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory.

He’s out there, healing the brokenhearted who turn to Him. He’s bringing a message of life and joy.

Now, read of the Lord’s amazing character:

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (New Living Translation)

“The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.

The Lord is not a xenophobe! Justice for those who cannot achieve it for themselves, the poor, the needy, the widow, the lonely, the orphan. And God is not swayed as humans are. He cannot be bribed into action.

And finally, on these thoughts, the Lord is merciful. He freely forgives, even those who have turned on Him.

Nehemiah 9:17 (New Living Translation)

But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of unfailing love and mercy.

Wow!

(1) Hart, C (2007), Simplified anatomy for the comic book artist: how to draw the new streamlined look of action-adventure comics, Watson-Guptill Publications: New York, USA. ISBN-13 9780823047734.

PS - I am enjoying this comic anatomy book. Look it up if you’re into drawing! Even though I don’t personally draw in this style, it is always a useful exercise to expand one’s horizons. And it’s really helped me learn about anatomy, as it applies to drawing, without going into excessive detail.

(2) Scriptures accessed 7 July 2008 at http://bible.crosswalk.com/.

10.49 pm - Wed 16 January 2008

Summer holiday observations:

• despite my valiant resolutions I still continue to stay up too late at night
• I receive a bunch of books for Christmas and figure I’ll read them throughout the year. Instead, I read all 20 books in about 2 weeks.
• I promise I’ll finish that manuscript… then waste time watching tv show repeats
• I intend to play with the kids more… but spend too much time on housework

While I’ve been recovering from my operation, I’ve been lying in bed reading a lot of books. It has been commented, by people that know me personally, that I read a lot, and that I read very fast. Some have even suggested that I ought to slow my reading pace because it is uncomfortable for them to watch me race through book after book. Indeed, there are times where I take a week or two or three off reading books, and read only my regular Bible readings, so that my brain doesn’t explode from the reading.

I bought two fantasy-genre novels before my operation and, almost a week later, have finished both of them. I couldn’t put them down, and was struck by their originality and depth of meaning - so I thought I’d mention them here.

Graham, L. B. (2004), The Binding of the Blade Book 1: Beyond the Summerland, Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing.

Koorong, Official Website.

This book kept me compulsively reading it. It’s fairly lengthy compared to the normal size of the novels I read, but that said, I managed to finish it within a week. So that really says something. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I found myself really caught up in the characters.

The story is mostly told around the journey of the hero Joraiem. Destined to be one of the leaders of their country, he journeys to the ancient city where his country’s leaders have been trained for generations. When the training takes an unexpected turn, they journey over sea and land to fight an ancient foe. There are great characters - a wise prophet, a beautiful princess, galloping horses, a warrior tiger, talking bears, magnificent dragons, and evil enemies. It’s one of the better books I’ve read in the fantasy genre. There’s a lot of unexpected twists and turns.

Admittedly I wish the ending was a little different - though it felt appropriate to the grand and epic tale, it left me feeling rather sad. Hopeful, but sad. Nevertheless, it was a brilliant story and I feel all the more enriched because of it. Now I have to save up some money to buy the rest of the series now and find out what happens next!

Overstreet, J. (2007), Auralia’s Colors, Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press.

Koorong, Word, WaterBrook Press.

This is the story of a baby girl found in the wilderness. As she grows, she is found to have a mysterious gift that could disrupt the laws of the nearby town. It’s a mysterious tale, I found it fascinating, if not a little dark. It was definitely entertaining and full of drama. It made me ask a lot of questions - who are the truly evil? Why have laws for merely law’s sake? What lengths would people go to to enforce social divisions? Why would a society silence the spiritual from open discussion? I have no idea if that’s what the author intended though, and I’m not postmodern enough to suggest that the author’s purpose and motive ought to be discounted! It was definitely a fascinating read.