Monday, July 24, 2017

Dunkirk: A Tale of Survival and Providence in Harrowing War


In times of crisis and catastrophe, man has always faced a critical decision. Will we retain our humanity in the darkest of hours, or or will we become the monsters of our nightmares? What truly is the measure of humanity, and to what extends do our morals and values reach? Christopher Nolan tackles these questions and more in Dunkirk, a suspenseful retelling of the infamous rescue that changed the outcome of World War 2. 

Dunkirk is a film that not only uses the visual to capture the audience, but sound that immerses and enraptures. From the intense, pulse-pounding score, to the stunning visual effects, this film is a triumph of film making. I have seen many war films over the years, and many of them focus on World War 2. Understandably one of the most dynamic and dangerous times in our history, I can understand why it captures the attention of audiences and filmmakers alike. 

For how could it not? Instead of being presented as just another war story, this story is hinged on the suspense and fear of survival. With a war-torn countryside and miles of sun-baked beach as its backdrop, Dunkirk offers us a glimpse into the lives and mentality of those awaiting certain death, and unable to do anything to save themselves. One need not even try to place themselves in the soldier's positions, the movie is quite comfortable with throwing the viewer directly into the huddled masses. 

Told from three perspectives: land, water, and air, it focuses on people from all walks of life. Ironically, you never really know much about them. We aren't told much other then their names, and I believe that there was wisdom in this decision. From the boy-soldier who struggles to find any methods of escape on the heavily bombed beach, to the pilot soaring in enemy-infested skies, and finally to the father, his son, and the son's friend aboard their civilian vessel commissioned to rescue the soldiers; every person is presented as just that, a human being with significant value. Sadly, there are a tremendous amount of deaths, as war is not respecter of men; but the deaths are not glorified. The horror and tragedy of the unforeseeable events are handled with the greatest respect, and also, a sense of awareness. 

If there is no ultimate purpose or goal, how can the loss of human life ever be accepted? What measures the cost of the soul? How can the horror of war ever be seen as just in a world where blood is spilled as freely as water? While many argue and debate for that answer; Nolan simply shows us. If one cannot look at the bigger picture and realize that the destruction of a world that refuses to fight to protect its own would be far greater bloodshed then the lives lost in war, they just don't want to accept it. Even the Bible shows that there have been times that wars have had to be fought. God blessed Israel in battle many times, because it was in His will. 

Now, don't misunderstand me. It isn't in His will that any should perish, nor is God filled with blood-lust toward the innocent. But make no mistake, God won't allow the wicked to go unpunished. Nor will He abandon us in our time of need. Dunkirk is a powerful example of God's grace in a time of unprecedented hopelessness. It shows both sides of humanity, at our best, and our worst. It makes no boast of unrealistic heroics, nor does it mince words showing the darkness that can cloud our minds when pure fear takes hold. The characters make choices both good and bad, and in the end, the audience must come to terms with their actions just as much as those who enacted them. 

Truly a phenomenal film and a piece of art in its own way, Dunkirk is a tale that I highly recommend. Despite the setting and odds, it is surprisingly clean. There are very few scenes of blood and gore, and the language is kept to a clean minimum. It was refreshing to watch a movie that didn't care about the trappings of modern Hollywood, and instead focused on what really mattered; a dramatic tale of rescue amidst incredible odds, that was only made possible by God's providential hand.  

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Self-Constructed Prison: A Poem

We all deal with struggles of many kinds, some personal, and some beyond our control. More often then not, I've found that I throw myself into problems I'd be without if I didn't dwell on things I shouldn't. I've a feeling that many of us do that, in one way or another, and even though that doesn't justify my own actions, it's nice to know that I'm not alone. Once we realize that we're trapped in prisons of our own making, perhaps we can emerge into the freedom Jesus died for us to have. We all have idols of sorts that we must choose to let go of, in order to give God His rightful place in our lives. After all, without his saving grace, what awaits humanity other then the fires of hell?

Every cut to your heart,
The festering wounds grow.
Watch every stitch rip apart,
Everything I used to know. 

Haven't you bled enough?
Or is crimson the new banner.
Can't you see you're a diamond in the rough?
Or is your mind just a haunted manor.

Of all the faults you see as icons,
The mirrors sometimes lie.
In a world of blinded pawns,
Where pain is kept alive.

In a heart where only hope should be,
But how can we fight through the web
That tangles us into a killing spree?
How our faulty emotions drift and ebb.

So far away from the hope we truly need,
Yet closer to our faults then we'd like. 
How is it that we watch the sin breed,
Against our wavering will, ready to strike?

How can we be so ignorant,
Oh who we were born to be?
Why can't we just be different,
Instead of a clone of humanity?

Yet we choose to be the sinner,
When we were born to be the saint.
Our blood keeps running thinner,
When will we ever find the taint?

Instead we choose comfortability,
In our little selfish worlds of pain.
Nothing but a false illusion of mimicry,
What on earth are we trying to obtain?

Our pitted hearts cannot be filled,
By the trappings of our fractured world.
Our actions cannot pay off the bill,
When the debtor comes undeterred.

Only the Savior wrapped in crimson,
Can dare to pay the weighty price.
To free our souls from this prison,
That we ourselves have idolized.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

To Illustrate a Fantasy World: The Advantage of Designing One's Own Charaters













As the illustrations above suggest, I spend an awful lot of time designing and depicting the plethora of characters that inhabit the massive world of my novels. While this is no small undertaking, it is the triumph and testimony of an artist who always wanted to create digital art. Without God's wisdom and guidance, I honestly don't know how I'd be able to do what I do, considering that I'm largely self-taught.

Several years ago, I never would have thought I'd ever create digital paintings on programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Actually, I would have told you that you were crazy. You see, even though I had potential, I never thought I'd have the ability to create art that stunning. It was only until I decided to try, despite my fears, that I discovered I have a natural knack for it. Funny how life works.

And then, my childhood dream of becoming a published author suddenly was becoming a reality. I was so excited, but then I realized something critical; I need a cover for the book! So began my journey to where I am now, and even though I've come a long way from that first digital painting, I look back fondly in thankfulness.

Even though I still have much to learn, and I look forward to my future art classes at Liberty University, I am so thankful that God gave me the ability to not only write stories, but bring them  to further life through art. It simply is fun to do, and there's nothing better then being able to design characters exactly how you imagine them looking.

Regardless of whether I could draw my characters or not, it is wonderful to pen a tale filled with characters with real life problems, struggles, and fears. They also have hopes and dreams, and honestly, that's why I love to write. I love showing characters not as unrealistic one-sided fakes, but as real people. If a reader cannot relate with an author's characters, then the story is pointless. Without strong character development, your story will only go so far. And for me, that partially comes through hours of character design. Whether that may be pages of sketches, paintings, and notes, or a quick scene, I've found countless ways to bring my characters to vivid life.

Have you ever felt like you have a story to tell? Perhaps you have the talent to create awesome art? No matter your interests, don't let anyone tell you that you can't use those gifts in the future. God gave them to you for a reason, and never forget that! Do what you do best, because no matter the critics or the naysayers, God created you to rise to the occasion He knew you'd be born to fulfill.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Heart Cry: A Poem

I'm back from the dead! (Er, more like lots and lots of work...) In my time at work and busily working with my editor to wrap up the edits of Wings of Honor, I came up with another poem! This was a self-reflective piece, focusing on the struggle of trusting God when things don't make sense, and learning to give our worries and frustrations to God, even when life is confusing.


I'd like to believe that I am strong,
For how else have I survived?
God as my anchor, can I be wrong?

Yet doubts and fears, they plague me,
As I try to infuse hope in the lost.
Am I right? Am I helping them live free?

Or am I not counting the cost?
Am I anything but empty words and deeds,
With no lasting impact to my name?

Or perhaps I've been wrong all along,
Maybe they were never mine to save.
I can't bring salvation, only God can redeem.

But, I want to do my best to help them see,
That life isn't a menial chore, they aren't alone.
I wish I could help them realize who God made them to be.

Now I'm trying to focus,
But my world's a blur.
My enemies are like locusts,

Trying to strip me of my identity.
I'll never give up, no matter the cost,
For even if no-one ever sees, 

I'll be the weathered bastion of truth,
And even 'till the bitter end,
I'll keep fighting, one day I'll see the fruit.

Of the sacrifice my life truly means.
For the blood was already shed of another,
One far more powerful then I.

For what can be more mighty,
Then One, for all, who willingly dies?
On my knees, I plea to the Almighty.

Please save this broken heart of mine!
Help me be strong, even if no-one sees,
Help me be impactful, I want to be free!

Of the pain that seizes my heart,
Of the thoughts that numb my mind.
Help me see that I'm worth saving from the start.

For I am but the lines,
In a world of color.
Am I strangling it in vines,

Or am I the structure?
Of a world in need of hope,
Of restraint so it won't rupture.

We all are meant to live our lives,
As God made us to be.
No matter the cost,

He died so we could be free. 

The Warriors of Aragnar isn't Gone and Neither am I!

  This. Has. Been. A. Year. I have wanted to write so much on this blog over the past months. So, so, many things have taken place. In many ...