The Minstrel Boy

The Minstrel Boy to the war has gone,
in the ranks of death you'll find him.

His father's sword he has girded on,
his wild harp slung behind him.

'Land of Song!' cried the warrior bard,
'though all the world betrays thee!'

'one sword, at least, they right shall guard,
one faithful harp shall praise thee!'

The minstrel fell but the foeman's chain
couldnt bring his proud soul under.

The harp he loved never spoke again
for he tore its strings asunder.

And said, ' no chains shall sulley thee,
thou soul of love and bravery!

'Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
they will never dwell in slavery!'

The name sake for the site. sort of. This gives me a chance to explain and post some sketches Ive been wanting to post for a while.

The song above is beautiful and the first time I heard it, it started the seeds for this story idea that Ive been playing with and have provided a few sketches of.

Here is a lovely version of the song sung by Paul Robeson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8jlCedM-cE

The song, if im not mistaken, is an irish folk song telling of a young soldier who tirelessly fights for freedom and makes a great sacrifice. The song is commonly sung at police and fireman funerals, again, if im not mistaken.

Though I dont think it has any overtly Christian connection, the minute I heard it, it reminded me of comparisons the Bible uses between a soldier and a Christian. The image of a gangley boy in in tattered armor began to appear. The song always makes me think of him.

original (i think) sketch of 'the Minstrel Boy'
with his 'harp'

trying to reach another platoon or his Commander, with no luck

The story (still developing) is about the boy as he maintains his post in a deserted area where he has seen no action for a expended period of time and how he deals with that. There are many oppurtunities in the story to talk about calling, fear, lonliness and, hopefully, what it means to be a Christian (soldier) ultimately led by a Commander who knows what He's doing even when we think He doesn't.

Had a few moments this weekend of dealing with the life before me from which this story will draw many influences. There is a lonliness associated with my life theses days. some of it has to do with decisions Ive made and some of it just comes as a part of living with an elderly invalid as part of a small expended family. it feels like I'm holding a forsaken post trying to reach out on a walkie talkie and not getting a response. I dont deal with it well alot. Thank God that He and His grace are there. But, to be honest, it's hard. Life is hard :).

God provides, His word gives me comfort, prayer reminds me that I am not alone and that I am in his presence and I am staying busy drawing and am looking forward to work oppurtunities in the next week, but life is hard. :)

Also, have been blessed with a couple of Bible teaching oppurtunities that came, to me, out of nowhere. again, blessed. I had kinda thought that God had given up on me with that one. Have to remember that there is an enemy that does not want that work to be done and to move on and "Be Stong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus." which ties it even more to the 'minstel boy' stories. :)

I heard the Saviour say,

"thy strength indeed is small"

"Child of weakness, watch and pray

find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow.

The days go on and I am doing decent at posting. Makes me happy. Gives me short term purpose. Its actually been a little helpful. making it a goal to post at least a sketch a day gives me more incentive to play with different ideas and produce them as they are. This way, Im able to get small little ideas across. Plus, the writing part might improve my writing huh? huh?

We are all dirty. Today I found myself looking at my life (things arent 'the way I would like them' . lets say that) and realizing that I am in a place where I have seen other people before and I have treated those people as if I would never be in a place like that. Now that Im there or at least feel like I am maybe walking in someone else' shoes, it is really really really really really humbling. I try to say that so that it captures how I feel but it really doesnt. the fact it is , I feel crummy about the way my attitude has been about judging and while alot of the problems i face are because of bad or rash judgements I have made with my life, there is also a sense in which God is using it to deal with me and shape my character. discipline. so thats kinda what this strip kinda shows , I hope.

We are all dirty little kids and Jesus Christ is the ONLY one with clean clothes. Thats the gospel. God please help me grow in this. Guide me. Help me change as a result of seeing where I fall. for real.

Also, just wanted to note that I am very very very very very very very blessed with people around me, particularly my family which is helping me and supporting me and being patient with me through a very difficult time. I thank God for you guys. I really dont know what else to say.

more to come hopefully - its kind of therepeutic to write out things here - dang, guess that means you're stuck with me- sorry :)

alter calls

Just listened to the end of a bible study by Dave Rolph where he beautifully broke down why he doesnt perform altar calls at his church the way many churches may do it.

Now, he didn't put down this way of doing altar calls. He said he believed there is NOTHING WRONG necessarily with this, and I agree. I liked what He said : "I am not against anything that gets people saved." so that means Harvest crusades, having people who want to follow Jesus raise their hands, and playing a worship song and inviting people to the altar to repent are great things.

Because people get saved there.

What he talked about that was great was the caution of getting people to make a decision based on emotions. worship songs and stirring messages create an emotion in people. Getting them to make a decision when there are all these factors affecting their emotion can be damaging because the decision to follow Christ, believe in Him for your righteousness and salvation and turn from sin is a serious deal.

The pastor was reading from The parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:5 . Particularly he was refencing the part about seed that produces plants that shoot up for a while and then die out.

I was just really blessed and excited to hear a pastor talk real and refreshing about presenting the gospel and about how it is less a technique and a ritual and more of a clear invitation from the Word of God. and it was encouraging to hear that perhaps many people start to follw Christ as I did: more like a process than a decision that happens one night at a church. :)

(pic later)

The need for community

This is kinda quick and dirty but it felt good to sketch out a recent idea and throw it down without having to labor over it for days.

it is cool how the idea devoloped too. Its great when God allows the characters to come alive in your head and you can just play with them. Its like old times

Been hit with the reality of needing a community to grow and follow the Lord and how hard it can be to fit into one. God help me to not be too stubborn and deceived to see your will. :)

I hope the drawing is clear - perhaps a clean up is needed.

Hi

I am being a lame non-poster. Its totally like me to start something and then not post for forever BUT things are going on , I guess. Life is happening. have been doing alot of this:

that would be fighting the flesh - dying to self. Dealing with the hinderance that is me. have also been doing more of this:

That would be drawing - specifically cartooning. I am being reminded and becoming more secure in being a guy who draws cartoons. Been reading again about some of my inspirations and been meditating on why I have this gift and how Im supposed to be spending my time on it, with much trial and error. I am learning honestly and slowly how to use this gift for the glory of God and for edification of people as opposed to other ways to pass time or raise myself up and look cool. It is a hard lesson.

But I am starting to have fun again as a cartoonist and am feeling more direction as to which ways to take it. Also, I am reminded that it is hard work, which is a good thing. I am still looking for work by the way, which at this point is really just alot of waiting. I have applied for some things and have just heard of a few possible open doors today. Speaking of inspirations, this one is inspired by one of mine, see if you can guess what:

If you dont know, you need to know. Look up Bill watterson, its one of the greats. :)





I have been having many fails too. that is, failures but I am learning slowly learning. God didnt mean for life to be THIS much of a burden. So Life crawls on, God is truly good, there is work to do and there will hopefully be more words to come. Cohesive words at least. I know writing this felt good. :)



a couple more pics. this is a piece that is hopefully a preview of more to come. hopefully the message kind of reads, it may read more once you know the characters,but here it is. It s called 'FRUIT':



and finally today was a "blustery" day. (dont act like you havent seen Winnie the pooh) heres a little doodle. Oh yeah, their names are CJ and Michelle.


:)

bunker row

No new pic again sorry..i dont there is currently anything to exprss tonight anyway, though there is some to come.

its been an interesting week..definitely some ups and definitely some downs.

Served at a vacation bible school for a neighboring church and got to dance, teach, sing, meet some really great people, work with some sweet kids and portray George Washington Carver. Was blessed to see God working in me outside of my comfort zone. i miss it there.

spent friday night and saturday morning locked in my church with about 40 jr high boys. besides being sore and a little hoarse, it was great. so many of the boys grew up the same way I did, raised in the church and most of them are pretty much tougher than me when it comes to sports. we all need Jesus though and I hope I can be used to bea part of these boys remembering Jesus in their lives. plainly said, I like them...

found out I got into a ministry school, more on that as i discern His will on that..

Learning about how to cope during the quiet days.....

At the end of the night, I rest my many worries, failures, insecurities and struggles on the 'the beautiful wounds the thorns and the nails have made.' i am still learning to rest myself and my merits on the perfect sinless sacrifice of Christ. There is no work i can do to get to Him, the mystery and sheer glory of the GOSPEL of GOD is that God has died for me. God paid the price that I am trying to pay and he did this because of a LOVE that I cant fathom. He will never give up on me.

"Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken Smitten by God and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4

"Behold I will do a new thing Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19