Hey gang, just got wind of the YouTube posting of an interview I did for the website TheSpectralRealm.com at the 2010 Dallas Comic Con.
*Also, editor Eric Shirey just posted his review of the entire Eye Witness series.
The interview did by Eric ran in two parts (since I had to stop the interview in the middle to answer questions at my table). Enjoy!
Part One:
Part Two:
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Economy of the Word
Studying the word this morning, specifically the letters to Timothy from the Apostle Paul, I had an Epiphany!
It occurred to me that the current economic crisis we are experiencing might just be one of God's wake up calls to a world that has gotten itself way out of whack in how we prioritize our lives, view prosperity and the purpose of worldly wealth. The Bible is full of examples of situations that occurred on local, regional or even a global scale, which God used to redirect his people. I for one am a believer that God does still work in our world this way, though because of our enlightened condition many of us are blind to those occurrences, or dismiss them after wise secular analysis.
The apostle Paul had direct contact with Jesus after the time he was reported to have descended to heaven and shared much of the same wisdom Jesus imparted during his earthly ministry to his disciples (which are evidenced in his letters). In the first letter to his disciple Timothy (who was leading the church at Ephesus at the time and who Paul considered like a son), Paul shares some of that wisdom when he wrote about wealth and how Tim should deal with the wealthy in his church*:
"Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow (as many of us have experienced first hand over the past year or two). Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage...to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining a life that is truly life!
But if it's only money that people are after, they'll self destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble, nothing but trouble! Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
A Devote life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God."
*1 Timothy 6: 6, 10, 17-19 (The Message Bible)
As a nation and culture, do we put too much emphasis on acquisition of wealth and being wealthy? (That's a rhetorical question, in case you were wondering). As the current financial meltdown has shown, our whole economic prosperity was based upon greed and the illusion of wealth on paper, and like Paul wrote, in a cosmic blink of the eye, it was gone and in it's wake left a country...and by association the whole world...in turmoil, despair and regret!
Paul never disparages our right to support ourselves, profit from our hard work or even thrive, but rather this is a cautionary tale about what we do when prosperity comes our way. Do we congratulate ourselves and hoard our wealth, or do we count it as a wonderful blessing which should be shared with those not so fortunate?...and are far to few people doing this?
Of all the wonderful things that Jesus and his apostles shared, money and how we handle our money I believe tops the list of mentions in the Gospels. Both Jesus and Paul were very clear that worldly wealth is transient and for those who believe in the promise of Eternal Life, it only serves our needs a tiny portion of time. In other words, truly important wealth is gained by: Doing good, being rich in how much we help others in need and being generous to a fault. The kind of wealth these actions accumulate is sustaining throughout our Eternal Life...while earthly wealth is only good here and now...which in God's cosmic timetable is only a blip.
It's hard getting your hands around this kind of concept, especially when it runs so contrary to how our world seems to operate. But if you've ever met someone that has made the commitment to this kind of lifestyle, you many times will find a person who has a peace and joy in this life which (excuse the pun) "money just can't buy."
So take stock in your life and examine your faith. Do you truly believe that following Jesus is the way to Eternal Life? If so, Jesus and his apostle Paul have given us a blueprint to how best to enter and prosper in that next destination. Are you prepared to follow their direction?
R. J. Luedke
www.headpress.info
It occurred to me that the current economic crisis we are experiencing might just be one of God's wake up calls to a world that has gotten itself way out of whack in how we prioritize our lives, view prosperity and the purpose of worldly wealth. The Bible is full of examples of situations that occurred on local, regional or even a global scale, which God used to redirect his people. I for one am a believer that God does still work in our world this way, though because of our enlightened condition many of us are blind to those occurrences, or dismiss them after wise secular analysis.
The apostle Paul had direct contact with Jesus after the time he was reported to have descended to heaven and shared much of the same wisdom Jesus imparted during his earthly ministry to his disciples (which are evidenced in his letters). In the first letter to his disciple Timothy (who was leading the church at Ephesus at the time and who Paul considered like a son), Paul shares some of that wisdom when he wrote about wealth and how Tim should deal with the wealthy in his church*:
"Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow (as many of us have experienced first hand over the past year or two). Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage...to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining a life that is truly life!
But if it's only money that people are after, they'll self destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble, nothing but trouble! Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
A Devote life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God."
*1 Timothy 6: 6, 10, 17-19 (The Message Bible)
As a nation and culture, do we put too much emphasis on acquisition of wealth and being wealthy? (That's a rhetorical question, in case you were wondering). As the current financial meltdown has shown, our whole economic prosperity was based upon greed and the illusion of wealth on paper, and like Paul wrote, in a cosmic blink of the eye, it was gone and in it's wake left a country...and by association the whole world...in turmoil, despair and regret!
Paul never disparages our right to support ourselves, profit from our hard work or even thrive, but rather this is a cautionary tale about what we do when prosperity comes our way. Do we congratulate ourselves and hoard our wealth, or do we count it as a wonderful blessing which should be shared with those not so fortunate?...and are far to few people doing this?
Of all the wonderful things that Jesus and his apostles shared, money and how we handle our money I believe tops the list of mentions in the Gospels. Both Jesus and Paul were very clear that worldly wealth is transient and for those who believe in the promise of Eternal Life, it only serves our needs a tiny portion of time. In other words, truly important wealth is gained by: Doing good, being rich in how much we help others in need and being generous to a fault. The kind of wealth these actions accumulate is sustaining throughout our Eternal Life...while earthly wealth is only good here and now...which in God's cosmic timetable is only a blip.
It's hard getting your hands around this kind of concept, especially when it runs so contrary to how our world seems to operate. But if you've ever met someone that has made the commitment to this kind of lifestyle, you many times will find a person who has a peace and joy in this life which (excuse the pun) "money just can't buy."
So take stock in your life and examine your faith. Do you truly believe that following Jesus is the way to Eternal Life? If so, Jesus and his apostle Paul have given us a blueprint to how best to enter and prosper in that next destination. Are you prepared to follow their direction?
R. J. Luedke
www.headpress.info
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Digital Remastered Version of Eye Witness Now Available
Beginning on Sunday May 10th, we are going live with our first "digital only" offering...a fully remastered and revised edition of the first book in the award-winning Eye Witness series, A Fictional Tale of Absolute Truth.This is our first attempt at creating something specifically for digital distribution and since the original edition of the book was very experimental, production wise, I was dying to go back and remaster the colors, revise some of the narrative while cleaning up the editorial missteps.
Initially, the revised edition of Eye Witness Book One will be exclusively available through the Head Press Publishing website, at: http://www.headpress.info/order.html
...but also, we are currently having discussions to make it available through other select comic and Christian venues sometime in the near future (Stay tuned).
This is a huge step for us toward making Eye Witness available to more people, both inside and outside of North America. We've heard from numerous potential fans, who've read a very complementary review on the Internet, only to find the books weren't available to them locally in stores or through web retailers. Now, virtually anyone with a computer and PDF viewer can purchase and read the first book in the Eye Witness series at a very reasonable price.
The fourth and final book in the Eye Witness tetralogy, Eye Witness: Unknown God, is currently in
production and tentatively scheduled for a summer 2010 release.
This is a huge step for us toward making Eye Witness available to more people, both inside and outside of North America. We've heard from numerous potential fans, who've read a very complementary review on the Internet, only to find the books weren't available to them locally in stores or through web retailers. Now, virtually anyone with a computer and PDF viewer can purchase and read the first book in the Eye Witness series at a very reasonable price.
The fourth and final book in the Eye Witness tetralogy, Eye Witness: Unknown God, is currently in
production and tentatively scheduled for a summer 2010 release. R.J. Luedke
Friday, April 24, 2009
Free Graphic Novels on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
Saturday May 2nd, is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY nationally...where comic shops, publishers and creators come together to give away comics at stores around the country. This is all done in an effort to help more young readers discover the joys of reading in general and reading comics in particular.Since I'm already scheduled to make an appearance the ComicPalooza Comic Festival in Houston on May 2nd and 3rd, I'm going to contribute to the spirit of the day, by giving out FREE signed copies of Eye Witness (Book 1): A Fictional Tale of Absolute Truth.
This is only going to be offered on Saturday and only while my supplies last (since I am limited by what I can haul to this event). So if you plan on attending, come find me first!
In additional I'll also have some FREE 2 x 3' Eye Witness promotional posters to give out to anyone who stops by my table the entire weekend.
RJ Luedke
http://www.headpress.info/
Friday, April 10, 2009
Happy Resurrection Day to Y'all!
SACRIFICE: (1) An offering, as of a life or an object, to a diety. (2) A giving up of one thing, for the sake of another.To me, this seems like the holiday we should be celebrating above all others, (as opposed to Christmas), since as Christians it is at the core of what we are all about. Sure Jesus birth into the world is significant, but his death, (Good Friday) and rebirth, (Easter), are what we are all about. Without them, Jesus would have been just another prophet...not the Son of the Living God, whom walked the earth and helped us to know God, because he was God.
It's Jesus ability to overcome death, (which was witnessed by the way, in over 500 separately reported incidents all around Palestine, over a 40 day time period), that separates him from every other Holy Man or figure, in every other religion. So this event should take on massive importance, (like in the same type of level Islam celebrates their holy week in Mecca, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets in every city in the world where the Church exists).
But when it's all said and done...the public display of worship is just that! Jesus talked about it in fact, that men who worshipped primarily on the street corners were the ones to be weary of, since they were doing it for man, rather than for God.
So, as a spiritual person....yes, attending corporate Easter worship at your local church is important, especially in Fellowship with your brothers in Christ...but more important is your personal worship this weekend. I worship God and especially his son Jesus with a personal fervor during this time, that rivals Islam in their shows of public display...in prayer, in compassion shown to everyone I come across, and in trying especially hard to honor Jesus this weekend with a sacrificial act for someone in need.
As Christians we all should hold these qualities within our hearts year-round, but especially during thise three day period... the most important of days in the history of mankind.
RJ Luedke
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Can You Imagine This Today?
Just imagine the feeling....
You have just experienced the biggest letdown of your life, because the man you have known, loved and followed as a mentor for the past three years, has just been arrested, beaten, publicly tortured and finally executed in the most humilating fashion possible in the city streets.
You've spent the past two days in hiding for fear that the government might come after you next, because everybody knows you were one of "his followers." You only have the cold isolation of your hiding place to keep you company in your sorrow. All you have been able to do is pray and feel your life ripped apart in silent anguish, for fear of alerting anyone of your secret refuge.
Then the Word comes....his body has been discovered missing from his place of initial burial. One of your friends, and fellow followers of this man, has even reported that he is alive and walking again among the living! You struggle with mixed feeling of joy and disbelief about this, 'cause after all dead is dead...is it not? I've never seen a dead man walking...except of course for that fellow you met months back. What was his name? Lazarus...yes Lazarus... and he was apparently raised from death by your mentor, though some of us had our doubts!
Then it happens...after you and your friends have mustered enough courage to come out of hiding to meet, (even though it is in a secret location...so as not to attract attention), he's there! Seeing him in the flesh, you suddenly think of every person who you've lost to death and the dreams you've had about just being able to see and speak with them, one last time. You recall how joyful and peaceful this makes you feel, upon waking up. But now this feeling of Joy and Peace is multiplied 100 times, because this isn't a dream...he's really here in front of you. You have touched him, talked with him, seen the scars from the whipping and stabbing he suffered. You've even see him consuming food in front of you....so this can't just be some kind of spirit that you've heard about 100's of times in tales around the camp-fire.
He starts to tell all of you, about where we will go after death and what it's like...because he's been there, he's seen its glory for himself! Then after a few weeks of his presence he tells you he is leaving you to join his father in that next place, but he will save a spot for you there and you feel momentarily sad because he will be departing again. But somehow still his presence is with you and within you and you vow to always remember how you felt on this day...the day you discovered that you had met, known and could talk to the living God. And this provides you with peace, joy, strength and security for the rest of your life, in both good times and bad.
Just imagine the feeling!
RJ Luedke
(originally crafted/posted in April of 2006...but worth repeating)
You have just experienced the biggest letdown of your life, because the man you have known, loved and followed as a mentor for the past three years, has just been arrested, beaten, publicly tortured and finally executed in the most humilating fashion possible in the city streets.
You've spent the past two days in hiding for fear that the government might come after you next, because everybody knows you were one of "his followers." You only have the cold isolation of your hiding place to keep you company in your sorrow. All you have been able to do is pray and feel your life ripped apart in silent anguish, for fear of alerting anyone of your secret refuge.
Then the Word comes....his body has been discovered missing from his place of initial burial. One of your friends, and fellow followers of this man, has even reported that he is alive and walking again among the living! You struggle with mixed feeling of joy and disbelief about this, 'cause after all dead is dead...is it not? I've never seen a dead man walking...except of course for that fellow you met months back. What was his name? Lazarus...yes Lazarus... and he was apparently raised from death by your mentor, though some of us had our doubts!
Then it happens...after you and your friends have mustered enough courage to come out of hiding to meet, (even though it is in a secret location...so as not to attract attention), he's there! Seeing him in the flesh, you suddenly think of every person who you've lost to death and the dreams you've had about just being able to see and speak with them, one last time. You recall how joyful and peaceful this makes you feel, upon waking up. But now this feeling of Joy and Peace is multiplied 100 times, because this isn't a dream...he's really here in front of you. You have touched him, talked with him, seen the scars from the whipping and stabbing he suffered. You've even see him consuming food in front of you....so this can't just be some kind of spirit that you've heard about 100's of times in tales around the camp-fire.
He starts to tell all of you, about where we will go after death and what it's like...because he's been there, he's seen its glory for himself! Then after a few weeks of his presence he tells you he is leaving you to join his father in that next place, but he will save a spot for you there and you feel momentarily sad because he will be departing again. But somehow still his presence is with you and within you and you vow to always remember how you felt on this day...the day you discovered that you had met, known and could talk to the living God. And this provides you with peace, joy, strength and security for the rest of your life, in both good times and bad.
Just imagine the feeling!
RJ Luedke
(originally crafted/posted in April of 2006...but worth repeating)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Rise of The Apostle Finalist for Nat'l Book Award
ForeWord Magazine, just announced that the third book in Robert James Luedke's, Eye Witness series...Rise of the Apostle....is a finalist in the catgory of Graphic Novels in the 2008 Book of the Year Awards.This is the second industry honor to come to Luedke's Rise of the Apostle...which has already won The 2008 National Best Book Award (for Graphic Novels), sponsored by USABookNews.com.
More than 1,400 books were entered in 61 categories for FOREWORD MAGAZINE'S annual book awards. These were narrowed to 668 finalists from 376 publishers. These books represent some of the best work coming from today's independent press community!
The winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers, selected from FOREWORD'S readership. Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, as well as Editor's Choice Prizes for Fiction and Nonfiction will be announced at a special program at BookExpo America at the Javits Center in New York City on May 29, 2009. The winners of the two Editor's Choice Prizes will be awarded $1,500 each. The ceremony is open to all BEA attendees.
ForeWord's Book of the Year Awards program was designed to discover distinctive books across a number of genres. The list of finalists is searchable by category, publisher, title, and author.
About FOREWORD MAGAZINE:
ForeWord affects the choices of booksellers and librarians across the country who weekly advise millions what to read. Their typical publication reaches an audience of 20,000. Foreword also put the magazine in the hands of agents and editors at larger houses who are looking for leads to bring into their fold from the independent press sector. All told, readership is about 85% librarians, 12% bookstores, 3% publishing professionals…and of course, parents.
Other Finalists for the Graphic Novel catagory:
Cleburne by Justin Murphy (Rampart Press)
Good and Evil by Michael Pearl (No Greater Joy Ministries)
Gunnerkrigg by Tom Siddell (Archaia Studios)
No Girls Allowed by Susan Hughes (Kids Can Press)
1000 Years of Manga by Brigitte Koyana-Richard (Flammarion)
The Clockwork Girl by Sean O'Reilly & Kevin Hanna (Arcana Studios)
The Grand Inquisitor by John Zmirak (The Crossroad Publishing Co.)
The Spirit: A Pop-Up Graphic Novel by Will Eisner (Insight Editions)
Congratulations to all these wonderful creators for their nominations, as any these books are worthy of winning an award. We advise any fans of graphic novels, comics and manga to check out as many of these as you can!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!
That wonderful battle-cry was made semi-famous by Tim Allen in the movie Galaxy Quest, (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0177789/) but is very relevent to the story I'm going to share with you, which was forwarded to me by the author, Pam Kumpe, through Shoutlife.com (http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=21767332)
--------------------------------------------------
She writes....
Terry Fator of Mesquite, Texas is the winner of the TV show, "America's Got Talent" (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/)
BUT DID YOU KNOW- This time last year, he was getting ready for a show and had booked a 1,000 seat auditorium. As he took the stage, only one person sat in the audience! Yes, one lone 12-year old boy came to his show.
Terry sings, does ventriloquism, and his dummies impersonate celebrities. He's the best I've ever watched, absolutely pure entertainment.But when no one came to his show last year, he almost gave up his dream after 32 years of practicing and performing. All those years, he worked hard. He practiced. He developed skills. He kept trying. He knocked on doors. He sang. He made up new skits. He created. He performed. He dreamed.
Did I say -- he never gave up?
What an inspiration for all of us. Dreams do come true. Terry went from "one" fan, to number one on this show. He is a winner. The Lord says, he knows the plans he has for us, plans to prosper us, not to harm us, and he will give us hope and a future. I personally am not praying for a million dollars, although you can write me a check if you want to. But I am praying with a hopeful heart about my writing pursuits. How about you?
Are you working hard to see your dreams come true?I don't want to look back, and wish I had tried.
Blessings from East Texas
Pam Kumpe
---------------------------------------------------
Pam really hit the nail on the head! How many of us have the persistence to follow our dreams for 32 years until it becomes a reality? We live in the fast-food-overnight-sensational-world, which has conditioned us, that if "IT" (being our dreams) don't happen now...or in the time table we set for them...than they are not going to.
Remember, Noah labored over 70 years, before he completed the arc!
NEVER GIVE UP...DOING RIGHT. NEVER SURRENDER...THE DREAMS GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR HEART (ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHERS TELL YOU, YOU'RE CRAZY....THAT'S THE BEST SIGNAL YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH)!
Robert Luedke
www.headpress.info
--------------------------------------------------
She writes....
Terry Fator of Mesquite, Texas is the winner of the TV show, "America's Got Talent" (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/)
BUT DID YOU KNOW- This time last year, he was getting ready for a show and had booked a 1,000 seat auditorium. As he took the stage, only one person sat in the audience! Yes, one lone 12-year old boy came to his show.
Terry sings, does ventriloquism, and his dummies impersonate celebrities. He's the best I've ever watched, absolutely pure entertainment.But when no one came to his show last year, he almost gave up his dream after 32 years of practicing and performing. All those years, he worked hard. He practiced. He developed skills. He kept trying. He knocked on doors. He sang. He made up new skits. He created. He performed. He dreamed.
Did I say -- he never gave up?
What an inspiration for all of us. Dreams do come true. Terry went from "one" fan, to number one on this show. He is a winner. The Lord says, he knows the plans he has for us, plans to prosper us, not to harm us, and he will give us hope and a future. I personally am not praying for a million dollars, although you can write me a check if you want to. But I am praying with a hopeful heart about my writing pursuits. How about you?
Are you working hard to see your dreams come true?I don't want to look back, and wish I had tried.
Blessings from East Texas
Pam Kumpe
---------------------------------------------------
Pam really hit the nail on the head! How many of us have the persistence to follow our dreams for 32 years until it becomes a reality? We live in the fast-food-overnight-sensational-world, which has conditioned us, that if "IT" (being our dreams) don't happen now...or in the time table we set for them...than they are not going to.
Remember, Noah labored over 70 years, before he completed the arc!
NEVER GIVE UP...DOING RIGHT. NEVER SURRENDER...THE DREAMS GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR HEART (ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHERS TELL YOU, YOU'RE CRAZY....THAT'S THE BEST SIGNAL YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH)!
Robert Luedke
www.headpress.info
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Prayer for an Atheist
I opened my Dallas Morning News today, to read about a man who lives right here in DFW, (Carrollton to be specific), by the name of David Kroft. Mr. Kroft is about to take on the state of Texas in federal district court, over our student's "moment of silence" each morning.
Mr. Kroft has a long history of complaints and actions taken against the school system and his children's school in particular over anything having to do with even mildly suggesting God in what he feels should be a 100% secular setting, (re: No Cub Scout meetings at school because they don't allow atheists; no Silent Night at the Christmas Pagent; doesn't allow his children to say or to stand during the pledge of alligence, because of the words "under God and many more other examples *)...you get the picture!
*I don't know if you can pull the article up online @ www.dallasnews.com, (it's entitled, "Moment of Silence begins court battle", from 8.7/07), but it would be worth it to understand the depths to which Mr. Kroft has been willing to go in this crusade).
As a person who took almost 40 years to embrace the "supernatural" (as Mr. Kroft calls it), in my own life, I don't know whether to be angry with Mr. Croft or have pity on him. Having lived most of my life as a skeptic who believed that Christianity and the concept of God was closer to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings than a healthy way of life, I can understand people who either reject or keep belief in God at arms length...'cause I was one of them. But to see someone who approaches his atheism with an almost evangelical fervor, like Mr. Kroft does, begs the question....why?
When you sit down and listen to, or research the background of many high profile atheists there seems to be a common thread you can find of either pain, devastation or resentment of authority somewhere in their background which many people may not understand. Some might have had a devastating incident somewhere in their past, (death of a family member or loved one, lost of job or career, illness), some may have felt rejected or ostracized by a church or someone representing the church and some may generally just reject the concept of having respect, fear or worshipping "any authority" within their lives, (that was me).
I truly find it kind of hard to believe though, that Mr. Kroft's mission began (as he states in his blog), purely by reading George Orwell's 1984 in high school. We've all heard of this book making people afraid of intrusive government (I.E: the Patriot Act, speeding camera's, police sobriety checkpoints etc...), but that's the first time I've heard people site this book as a reason to reject the concept of God. But I can't help but feel there is something more there...some incident in his past that is eating Mr. Kroft up inside. Maybe only he and his wife know what that is. Maybe he's never shared it with anyone...or even been honest with himself about it!
He will not appreciate it's "supernatural" implications, but after thinking at length about this article, I ask that we all include Mr. Kroft, his wife and especially his children, (who are truly the victims here because of what they must have to endure at school ever time their father goes on the warpath against God, down here in the Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt), in our prayers that God will reach out to him in some way or fashion to help soften his hardened heart and release his emotional burden, so that he might truly be able to heal and find some inner peace.
It is a gesture he would not understand, but as we all know, God always finds a way to reach people...and many times in a way they'd never look to or a time when they least expect it.
Let's make this a chain-prayer...and pass this on to your brothers and sisters on the web!
Whether he wants it or not, we'll all be prayin' for ya David!
R.J. Luedke
http://www.headpress.info/
Mr. Kroft has a long history of complaints and actions taken against the school system and his children's school in particular over anything having to do with even mildly suggesting God in what he feels should be a 100% secular setting, (re: No Cub Scout meetings at school because they don't allow atheists; no Silent Night at the Christmas Pagent; doesn't allow his children to say or to stand during the pledge of alligence, because of the words "under God and many more other examples *)...you get the picture!
*I don't know if you can pull the article up online @ www.dallasnews.com, (it's entitled, "Moment of Silence begins court battle", from 8.7/07), but it would be worth it to understand the depths to which Mr. Kroft has been willing to go in this crusade).
As a person who took almost 40 years to embrace the "supernatural" (as Mr. Kroft calls it), in my own life, I don't know whether to be angry with Mr. Croft or have pity on him. Having lived most of my life as a skeptic who believed that Christianity and the concept of God was closer to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings than a healthy way of life, I can understand people who either reject or keep belief in God at arms length...'cause I was one of them. But to see someone who approaches his atheism with an almost evangelical fervor, like Mr. Kroft does, begs the question....why?
When you sit down and listen to, or research the background of many high profile atheists there seems to be a common thread you can find of either pain, devastation or resentment of authority somewhere in their background which many people may not understand. Some might have had a devastating incident somewhere in their past, (death of a family member or loved one, lost of job or career, illness), some may have felt rejected or ostracized by a church or someone representing the church and some may generally just reject the concept of having respect, fear or worshipping "any authority" within their lives, (that was me).
I truly find it kind of hard to believe though, that Mr. Kroft's mission began (as he states in his blog), purely by reading George Orwell's 1984 in high school. We've all heard of this book making people afraid of intrusive government (I.E: the Patriot Act, speeding camera's, police sobriety checkpoints etc...), but that's the first time I've heard people site this book as a reason to reject the concept of God. But I can't help but feel there is something more there...some incident in his past that is eating Mr. Kroft up inside. Maybe only he and his wife know what that is. Maybe he's never shared it with anyone...or even been honest with himself about it!
He will not appreciate it's "supernatural" implications, but after thinking at length about this article, I ask that we all include Mr. Kroft, his wife and especially his children, (who are truly the victims here because of what they must have to endure at school ever time their father goes on the warpath against God, down here in the Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt), in our prayers that God will reach out to him in some way or fashion to help soften his hardened heart and release his emotional burden, so that he might truly be able to heal and find some inner peace.
It is a gesture he would not understand, but as we all know, God always finds a way to reach people...and many times in a way they'd never look to or a time when they least expect it.
Let's make this a chain-prayer...and pass this on to your brothers and sisters on the web!
Whether he wants it or not, we'll all be prayin' for ya David!
R.J. Luedke
http://www.headpress.info/
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Head Press Publishing Making Waves at CCI '07
Beside selling copies of the graphic novel series, Eye Witness (books 1 & 2: http://www.headpress.info/ ), Head Press Publishing will be offering a convention exclusive at this year's Comic-Con International 2007, in San Diego from July 25th-29th, (to purchase advance tickets go to: http://www.comic-con.org/ ).
But this years booth promises to be even more special than in year's past, because HPP will also be the home for a handful of carefully selected RED-HOT Christian themed entertainment items, that will available nowhere else at the convention!
But this years booth promises to be even more special than in year's past, because HPP will also be the home for a handful of carefully selected RED-HOT Christian themed entertainment items, that will available nowhere else at the convention!
Here's a quick list of what you'll find this year at our table in the Small Press Pavillion (Table P8 Aisle 1900):
-The EXCLUSIVE COMIC-CON ashcan edition of, EYE WITNESS: DESTINY ROAD. This is an advance sneek peek at the third and final book in, Robert James Luedke's, Award-Winning Eye Witness Christian graphic novel series. There will be a limited edition of 100 signed and numbered copies available on a first come first serve basis....so visit us as early in the con as you can before they are gone. The finished 160+ page graphic novel will be ready in time (hopefully) for CCI '08.
-NEVER CEASE, a novel by Sue Dent (http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=2236 ). A vampire and a werewolf....can the two who were wronged make it right by their faith? Find out in this highly praised horror novel with a Christian foundation. Never Cease, was on the peliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker awards, (http://www.horror.org/stokers.htm ), in the catagory of Superior Achievement in a First Novel & was named Book Club Choice of the Month (in April '07) by the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW: http://www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com/).
-T-Shirt creations by Life Co Brands (http://lifecobrand.com/shirts.php) ...featuring their NO EVIL & I KILLED JESUS designs.
-The wonderfully irreverant and cutting edge anthology magazine, MEGAZEEN (http://www.megazeenonline.com/ ), which features some of the most talented creators working in the genre of Christian comics today.
-and....For the gamers out there we will feature the PRINCIPALITY collectable card game by EPOS, (see: http://www.epos-ent.com/Principality/). We will have both master decks, (which has everything you need for a 2 player game) and also the A CHOIR OF ANGELS EXPANSION PACKS.
So don't miss out on stopping by and taking a look at all these wonderful products.
Like last year Head Press Publishing be located right next to the Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS: http://www.christiancomicarts.com/ ), so our little corner of the Small Press Pavillion will be guarenteed to be the center of the Comic-Con universe for Christian oriented products and creators! And speaking of the CCAS, they will be sponsoring a SPIRITUAL THEMES IN COMICS PANEL, (on Sat. 7/28, from 10:30-11:30am and the CCAS PANEL & CHAPEL SERVICE (Sun, 7/29, 10:30-11:30a).
And Finally:
Author and Artist of the Eye Witness series, Robert James Luedke, (http://www.headpress.info/about_luedke.html ), will be on hand for the entire convention, signing autographs, working on pages from Destiny Road, drawing sketches and in general talking to fans about: creating comics, writing, inking, composition and using graphic arts in ministry....so make sure to stop by and say hi.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Inspiration in Frustration...
It's quite easy to wake up each day and believe what's the use?
I'm no different than my neighbor, I'm no better than my brother.
I toil each day just to pay my bills and find I'm always still wanting.
My joys become stretched farther apart and there seems like no point in being me.
Will I ever make a difference?
Will I ever be of note?
Or, am I destined to just being another wheel in a cosmic wrist-watch, that only draws attention when it is broken?
But a light shone upon me and I considered for a moment, that we are all a special creation.
Concieved in a time before time, in a space unlike space,
to be master of a task designed for us and no other.
There can be no point in denying the fingerprint that I am, though sometimes I like to try,
but the challenge will alway be to identify the assignment,
not it's completion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Robert James Luedke
Copyright 2007
Robert Jamed Luedke, is the Author/Illustrator of the Eye Witness, graphic novel series
www.headpress.info
I'm no different than my neighbor, I'm no better than my brother.
I toil each day just to pay my bills and find I'm always still wanting.
My joys become stretched farther apart and there seems like no point in being me.
Will I ever make a difference?
Will I ever be of note?
Or, am I destined to just being another wheel in a cosmic wrist-watch, that only draws attention when it is broken?
But a light shone upon me and I considered for a moment, that we are all a special creation.
Concieved in a time before time, in a space unlike space,
to be master of a task designed for us and no other.
There can be no point in denying the fingerprint that I am, though sometimes I like to try,
but the challenge will alway be to identify the assignment,
not it's completion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Robert James Luedke
Copyright 2007
Robert Jamed Luedke, is the Author/Illustrator of the Eye Witness, graphic novel series
www.headpress.info
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