Wildlight and Other Musings

Salutations.

A while back, I wrote about how I was going to be back to drawing. And, along those lines, how I would repost WIldlight comics. I’m happy to report that the project is about 20% done. You can now read 12 issues of Wildight on the web! And each week, another webisode is posted. So, feel free to subscribe to get reminders of when each of those hit the internet.

Many times, I write about New Year’s Resolutions about this time. Well, I’m very focused on getting Wildlight reposted. From there, I can start working on some new issues. At the same time, I run five Pathfinder campaigns. And while I feel I do a pretty good job there, I want to push myself a bit more to improve the experience for my players. Aside from that, I’m looking at trying to diet and exercise more, as most Americans are, I imagine 😀

And, most importantly, I want to take steps to improve my walk with God. I could go into detail here…but some of it is dirty laundry. So, I’ll save that for one on one conversations with Friends. Speaking of that, if you ever want to chat with me, feel free to hit me up on Discord at jcservant.

What about you? Are you working on anything new this year?

By His Grace,

Phil aka JCServant

Find Your Community

Salutations.

I wanted to name this article “Find your community, or create your own,” but I can only fit so many characters into the subject heading.

Jesus calls us to be a light to the world in the Bible. Many call this the great commission. We find these verses in Matthew 28.

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I believe that God calls us to reach out to others with the Gospel message. For some, that means going out and preaching on the street corner. For others, it might mean helping in the homeless shelter. And for others, it may mean playing a heavier role in supporting others in their church. However, I strongly believe that God calls many of us to be out in ‘the world,’ in a manner of speaking. And for different people, that means different things.

For a mother with children, it could mean the soccer group her child participates in. For an older man, it might mean his golfing group or a bunch of guys he goes out hunting with. Most of us have hobbies that fit into a group setting. Even those who have more solo-friendly hobbies can find groups to plug in with that help encourage them to grow in that hobby.

These communities can be local, or online. Local communities offer you better opportunities to connect directly with people, but can certainly be more time-consuming to set up and run. Online communities lack the face-to-face interaction found in local groups but offers flexibility in scheduling. And with tools such as Discord, building your own community is easier than ever.

Becoming a part of these communities allows one opportunity to witness for Christ in a variety of ways. Of course, how one conducts oneself is the first testimony. A Christian’s behavior reflects on Christ. Critics quickly point out any time a Christian does anything unethical, intentional or not. However, more importantly, becoming a part of a community gives a Christian opportunity to discuss the faith with others. Where most might avoid the street preacher on their way to shop, they may be quite willing to listen to a friend from a hobby group speak on the matter.

Of course, some do not want to hear about God, regardless of the context. You will have to be bold and trust in the Spirit to guide you through such waters. If you need some advice, I am always happy to help. Below, I also list a couple of resources I found helpful. I believe God is glorified whenever we testify about Him with others, regardless of the outcome, and that knowledge has helped me to boldly proclaim the truth, even if I worry that others may reject me in the process. And, as Jesus said in Mat 10.22, “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

So I want to encourage everyone to find their community. Enjoy your favorite hobbies with others, Christians or no. And may the light God has placed in your heart help to light these dark corners where hope is lost.

As always, you can get a hold of me via email (jcservant316 at gmail dot com), via Twitter, or by leaving a comment below. Thank you and God bless you!

Book: Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions

Book: Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World

Don’t Tap Out

Recently, Jason David Frank, the actor who played the Green Ranger, committed suicide. This impacted numerous people, myself included. I enjoyed watching the show back in the early ’90’s and was recently re-watching it via YouTube when I heard the news. I had even made it a point to follow some of the other works Jason David Frank did. He engaged with fans regularly and was seen in many Power Ranger projects well after the first show. Most important to me, however, he had a ministry called “Jesus Don’t Tap.”

All of this brought up a subject dear to my heart, suicide. Men commit suicide three to four times more often than women, a statistic that exceeds car deaths in many areas. There are likely countless reasons for this. And with the statistics rising again, I would point to our culture as one such area for concern, which has targeted men over the last 10-20 years. Regardless, many agree that one reason men kill themselves more often is that they don’t seek help.

Jason David Frank was going through a divorce. According to reports, his wife filed for legal separation three months before. According to the CDC, relationship issues like this can certainly be a contributing factor. Having witnessed a few divorces, I have seen firsthand the emotional devastation it has wrought. Many men also have a tendency to not seek help and support when needed. It is not hard to imagine that Jason David Frank might be that way, given the ministry and things he has said about being tough.

I want to encourage anyone, including men, to seek help as needed, including emotional support. The Bible points out over and over that we are to be a community of believers. Brothers support each other in times of need. In our increasingly individualistic culture, it is easy to become cut off from many traditional forms of Christian grouping. So, work to always have a circle of Christian friends you can talk to, and who can pray for you. Next, do not hesitate to seek professional help and support if you need it. It exists for a reason, and many Christians work in these fields specifically to help others. God has used these people to help me through some rough times, and I can attest to what a blessing they can be.

Again, if you need help, please get it. Try to get it from a Christian when possible, but do get help.

And if you need someone to just talk to, or you want to widen your circle of Christian prayer and friendship support, feel free to reach out to me. I’m JCServant#9884 on Discord or email jcservant316 at gmail dot com .

Until next time, God Bless you.

Cut The News

A number of years ago, I was driving down the road with my wife. She had the news turned on in the car. As the broadcaster gave one piece of bad news after another, she sighed. And then she sighed again. After the third time, I turned off the news. “Why did you do that?” she asked. “Because it is stressing you out. You started listening to the news months ago, and ever since, you have become more and more stressed. You cannot do anything about the things they talk about, which makes you feel hopeless. Why not leave it in God’s hands?”

Abortion & Gaming

Salutations.

Back in the old days, most companies, including game developers and publishers, steered clear of political talk. After all, while half the country or more will support the stance taken, you risk alienating the remainder. In most companies, every sale matters to the bottom line. Now, it would seem those days are far behind us. Disney made a public statement about Florida’s new Parent Protection Act. Prior to that, Major League Baseball not only had something to say about a new voting law in Georgia, but they moved a planned game. And recently, many video game companies have decided to publically denounce the decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade.

Sacrificing Children

I’ve read the Bible several times over my life. One reading in particular sticks out in my mind. I was about 22 years old when I dived into the Old Testament. There was a reoccurring theme that caught my attention. The Israelites, after seeing God’s power first-hand, would lose their way. They would slip into back habits, worshipping demonic gods. They would even go so far as to sacrifice their children on alters. And I thought to myself, who would do such a thing? Certainly, such barbaric behavior was limited only to those dark times! Years later, I would put two and two together and realize, so… we do the same thing today.

Biblical Ignorance

Salutations.

I recently read an article that stated many people outside of Christianity do not understand evangelicals or their faith. It further went on to explain that even within evangelical circles, many self-proclaimed Christians have little understanding of outside influences on their view of the world and ethics. I have spoken to many people over the years, and on a personal level, I agree with the premise of the argument. However, I come to a much different conclusion than the author who wrote the article. 

This Is Not A Culture War

Salutations.

Trust

Salutations.  I hope your week is going well.

Today, I muse on the idea of trust. They often say it is a fickle thing, and I believe them. In the United States, our trust changes like the wind, from our leaders all the way down to the common man. Here are just a few examples.

God Is Not An Accessory

Salutations.

I write today’s article with many of my own friends and loved ones in mind. If I am to be truly honest, I write this article for myself, as well. In America, our culture applauds those who stand up for one’s sexual identity, atheism, political affiliation, or even their favorite science fiction show. However, one’s faith should be kept quiet or it may cause problems. Depending on what neighborhood you live in, people will smile at you if you are wearing a MAGA hat, or planting a rainbow flag in your yard. However, unless you are at a church, or within a tight circle of friends, you should not discuss your faith in Christ.