The Avengers and The Bible

I just read a VERY interesting devotion in a book by Ed Strauss called The Super Heroes Devotional. 

It's about the Avengers - the movie version - and how Avenging is not something WE are to do, as avenging is something that is more akin to REVENGE than DEFENDING.

Strauss goes on to say that just because we are to 'turn the other cheek' and not seek personal retribution, it does not mean that evil gets to run rampant. There are laws and police officers and judges that are supposed to help maintain order by bringing social punishment to those that break the law. This is not something I had actually put thought to, but it's true!

What about personal protection? In this day and age of 'guns are bad' it can be socially UN-acceptable to take responsibility for your personal or family's protection, but I maintain that this is NOT avenging in the sense of revenge, but is protecting from evil by stopping a threat.

A fellow church member said very tongue in cheek to me, "the Bible says to carry a gun!" When asked to elaborate he quoted this from Luke 22, verse 36 - "he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Yes, he meant that particular quote as tongue in cheek, but at the same time as Strauss points out, we are defenders as described in Psalm 82:3 NIV - "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed."

So in addition to being defenders of the faith, I believe we are correct in being prepared to defend the weak. Who is the weak? Anyone that faces a deadly threat! If they were stronger than the threat, it would not be a grave or deadly threat.

Old stuff...

Talk about ramblings! 

I found an old draft of a post here where I had made mention of things I wanted to 'talk about...' In no certain order...

We had gone North to see Kyle and family. I found some bronze age issues I was looking for. I don't know now what they were, but that's exciting finding stuff "in the wild." Here lately with other hobbies and especially house repairs that need to be made, I've not 'enjoyed' my comics like I used to. The Doomsday Clock 12 issue was a GREAT read, as well as Heroes in Crisis, but a lot of the other stuff just didn't stick with me... I even subbed to DC Ultimate for a few months to catch up on Flash and Green Lantern. I hate to say it, but it just didn't hold me...

The notes also mentioned watching Vanessa fly her drone in Kentucky. That must have been at Owensboro. It is REALLY a very pretty place! When we went to Kyle's over the summer we stopped there on the trip back and got a hotel room overlooking the water. We had supper from the in house restaurant (chicken fingers/strips) and ate on the patio. VERY very nice. Thanks, babe, for a wonderful time!

Looks like I mentioned the THIRD season of The Flash television show. LOL - I think they just finished season SEVEN, so yeah, that's some old notes... I noted that the first episode was called Flashpoint and the second was called Paradox. I thought it was cool how they got the name of the animated show in there. :-) If you haven't seen said show, check it out!

I had watched Steampunk'd on Netflix as well. Though I'm not one for 'reality' shows, I really enjoyed this! I had planned to do some Steampunk stuff for cosplay, but never got around to it. Last year for Halloween, though, I did make a Golden Age Flash (Jay Garrick, from the comics) outfit to wear to school. :-) Had planned to wear it to Superman Days, but it was delayed for Covid and the weekend they were having it didn't work out for us.

Looks like the game Unspeakable Words came in around these notes as well. It was a kickstarter that I did in hopes of having it for playing at Thanksgiving. Well, it was delayed a LOT, but I finally got it, and I don't think we've played a full game of it yet. :-(

But Saturday night is game night at Tammy's house, so maybe I can remember to take it and we can give it a try then!

Ramblings...

 Well, the church has a new web page, thanks to Vanessa doing the lions share of the work so I could jump in and tweak some stuff. :-)  

https://www.beechgrovebruceville.org

Though the site doesn't have a 'grand opening' yet, it is live, so check it out! The preacher has a blog called More Than Just Sunday and that reminded me that I haven't blogged in AGES, so thought I'd get back into the habit. :-)

We just had a long weekend at Kyle's and got to spend time with him, Devin and Emmett, who is now FOUR YEARS OLD - can you believe it? <sigh>

I've been playing guitar and Vanessa is playing bass at church. A few weeks ago we had Homecoming and the two of us, plus Marty, Hope, Mitzi and Dena did the 'sunday school hour' as one long music service. Was lots of fun and we were honored to be used of God for such a purpose! Looking forward to getting back to a regular rehearsal schedule and learn some new songs...

Speaking of which, heard one that REALLY really touched me on the trip up to Kyle's. Will have to learn it and share it...

Have a great Wednesday! Go to church somewhere tonight!

12 of 12 December 2017

I don't know how many pictures are coming up - I'm typing this before I upload them...

This first picture is all that remains of the first 'hospital' in Dyersburg. There was a large house that sat on the corner. These steps are visible in old pictures of the house and are all that remain.

Vanessa and I enjoyed War Room finally, and we are ready to begin our Bible Study based on the movie and the message behind it.

I shared a couple of memories on Facebook today - I snapped a shot of my computer screen.

This sits on my desk. Vanessa bought it for me a couple of years ago. :-)

Cookie time! 

Vanessa made a couple of Saw Dust Pies for work tomorrow. Here's a shot of them cooling.

To finish out the night, Vanessa worked on her jewelry while I painted on some X-Wing ships while listening to Shuttle Tyderium Podcast.

The Shadow Caster - I had painted on it before, but this time I added some blue accents.

The Hounds Tooth. Kyle picked this up for me at Gencon. The green really changes the whole look of it!

A Firespray I had painted before - I added some Green to it.

Another Firespray that had not had any paint added to it yet. Just some red panels and such.

See you next month! :-)

Wordless Wednesday 11/22/17

#WordlessWednesday

12 of 12 - November, 2017

Well, as usual, didn't get around to a full 12 pics today...

Started the day with Breakfast with my soulmate!

Yep - you guessed it! Love the steak biscuit!

Using noodles as 'padding' between furniture pieces. :-)

Told Vanessa I needed a 12 of 12 pic while getting groceries at Wal-Mart.

That's what I got. :-)

Driving home...

Vanessa's Gerber plant I got her a few months ago.

Getting ready to clean them.

Watching Big Bang.

Til next month...

Wordless Wednesday