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Hi everyone. "Real life" has been keeping me away from online participation for awhile, but I wanted to pass this along for a friend.

As some of you may already have heard: Don Ensign, the founder of the Christian Comic Arts Society, is in the hospital due to complications from prostate cancer.

Our mutual friend, Ralph Miley, is planning to possibly travel to visit Don later in February, and had an idea for a gift that might encourage him. We're trying to create a sketchbook collection of Don's original character, "The Golden Protector". A scan from Don's original art for the character is included here as reference if any CCAS artists feel inspired to help out with the project. Please email any Golden Protector sketches to Ralph at ralphellismiley@verizon.net, and he'll print them out to bring to Don as a "get well" gift when we see him.

Whether or not you feel led to participate in this little art project, thank you for reading, and please keep Don in your prayers. Thanks, and God bless!

"The Golden Protector", as created and drawn by Don Ensign

“...And you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Even in such a digital world, many of us still send, and many of us still receive Christmas greetings via the good old-fashioned mailbox. If that applies to you, then you probably know that at least some of these cards contain a letter. I think we could call this kind of note an “update letter”; a way of letting you and me know what we missed over the course of the past year in regard to the 'happenings' of the letter sender or senders.

As I sat reading through several of these letters the other day, a question came to me: “If I sent out a letter like this, what would I write about my own life over the course of the past year?” Then another question followed quickly on the heels of the first: “And what if I wrote this letter with the focus on my being, rather than my doing; not in light of what has happened to me, or around me, but within me?”

There is absolutely nothing wrong with hearing about a friend's career highlights, how a co-worker spent her summer vacation, or about a nephew's Little League victory. These are wonderful parts of our lives “under the sun”. But we all know that a full accounting of the past year would also include so many things we would never want to highlight. But what if I did? Would anyone really be interested in hearing about my weaknesses, doubts, cynicism, pride, and impatience? About my gnawing fears, destructive desires, and ugly indifference? And in terms of the spillover, would it really be appropriate for me to send out a summary of my year that spoke of all the times I blew up at my children, or got defensive with my wife, or was callous in regard to those in need, or was tepid in my spiritual disciplines and desires?

I have no doubt that some would find such a letter strange and out of step with the 'holiday spirit', with our modern emphasis on family, fun, and scrapbook-suited memories. But from the perspective of Scripture, wouldn't such an accounting be perfectly in step with the miracle of Christmas? You see, the real miracle of Christmas is not that a virgin had a baby. If God made a man from dirt, He had no problem filling Mary's womb with life. No, the real miracle of Christmas is that God came to save me from, not sentence me for my sins; that there was Incarnation and not incarceration. The real miracle of Christmas was that Eternity was born in time, so that the time of my eternal death would be cancelled.

Speaking of 'full accountings', remember the whole story. The lowly wood of Jesus' manger must point us to the lowly wood of His cross. The light of His birth star must always be bound with the darkness of His dying breath. But unlike my being and doing, His were unstained. Thus, only He can “save his people from their sins”. And wonderfully there's more! Even Christmas and Easter are intertwined. On both days Jesus was brought forth in new life; once from the womb, then from the tomb. Have you embraced these things, as God's gift to the neediest person you know: you?

Maybe, just maybe, such a letter would reassure someone that he or she is not alone in their struggles, failures, and jumbled desires. Maybe at least one reader would be able to relate to such an update. And maybe these would come to understand the joy of Christmas in a whole new light, as truly the “dawn of redeeming grace”.

Because of Jesus, I can and should rehearse a year of failure and disobedience. Why? Because it reminds me (and hopefully others) of why I (we) so desperately need the saving grace Jesus died to give me. Even more so, because it reminds me that now, my victories and obedience are born of the One born at Christmas. I know what is of me, and I know what is of Him.

Friend, rejoice! Christ has come. The world may not be new, but you can be. Merry Christmas.

It's been a while. I've written this alternative Christmas Carol to celebrate the holiday. Take a look at www.doggdayafternoon.com

http://joechiappetta.blogspot.com/2013/11/mighty-messianic-prophecy-book.html

As you may be aware, the CCAS is exploring the possibility of hosting a Christian Theme/faith based pop culture convention.  However, a name for the con has not been selected, so the CCAS is holding a contest to choose the convention name.  The winner will receive free convention registration and a grab bag of comic book and graphic novel titles.  Post your entry on the convention discussion group on the CCAS site.

For those into end times tales, grab up a copy of Dead Sea Souls, the graphic novel adaptation of Christian author Doug K. Pearson's gripping novel. Adapted to GN format by yours truly, with gut wrenching graphics by artist extraordinaire Fernando Peniche.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  John 15:15  

Isn't that an amazing thought?  It spurs one on to create beautiful things in His name.  In a world where beauty is fleeting we can create something that will impact eternally. 

You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."

If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.  John 15:18-27

Since we are not of this world but of the Kingdom of God, its necessary to make every effort to set ourselves apart.  Setting a higher standard for our portrayals of the human form and the human soul.  As men and women of the Lord our body is his, our soul, is his, our spirit is his.  This should be enough to help us remember to treat the human figure as having been made by God.  Though marred by sin and sin's effects on the planet, we are not the less given the Holy Spirit to guide us in all that we do and all that we are. The Word of God is very clear about respecting that which bears the image of God stamped upon it.  We are able to reach hearts and minds for Christ if we adhere to the simple principle in Micah 6:8.   Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.  HCSB

Hi..I have had a busy year and have not been at the computer but now I would like to refine my work and produce a comic…I need all the help I can getPage_1.jpg

No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8.   

It seems really simple but its a lot harder to implement.  As a writer, who will probably never be great on any level, I want my legacy not to be just a paper trail but a trail of life lessons that my kids can follow with joy.  That means that ego can't get in the way no matter how many people are impressed with my "talent" after all its not my talent, its a gift. 

"For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ."  2 Corinthians 4:6

Light its important every artist, even the visually impaired artists like Anne Leaf (Bind Artists Society), uses light to convey so much to the world.  The critics look for what color and light says about the artist.  Writers use light as a metaphor or a device.  Naturally those who do the inking on a comic are very cognizant of where light and shadow fall. However, I believe that the greatest artwork of all is the transforming work Jesus Christ does in the heart of man.  Paul says that God made the same light created in the beginning of this earth to shine in our HEARTS so that WE could know the Glory of God as seen in the face of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Imagine... chaos.. nothingness... emptiness... vast dark void.  There was water over a formless shape, the The Spirit of God was moving over the waters then God said, "let there be light" Genesis 1:2-3 and as God spoke suddenly LIGHT out of no where, out of nothing, beautiful, shining light.  Genesis 1:4  "And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness."   That light, that very same light is the light is the light God made to shine in our hearts.  WOW how amazing is that?   Bear light!

Read about it on his father's blog.

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. Matthew 5:45.  NOW WAIT before you just assume I'm going to be talking about art from the perspective of Christian v. Non-Christian art, I have a whole different idea in mind.  As Solomon says, there's nothing new under the sun. Certainly not in my chosen business of fiber art.  As writer I doubt I've written about any new topic... this could be said for all art forms.  HOWEVER, as Christians and brothers and sisters in the Lord we must abide by and respect the art of others.  The laws by which that art is protected in various countries differs but the principle is the same.  While fan art is certainly a WONDERFUL expression of appreciation, asking people to copy the work of another without giving proper credit is stealing.  A violation of the Word of God.  As a writer I'm fiercely protective of other artists work because I know a little piece of themselves went into that work and they were willing to open up that part of themselves for us to see.  Its with Gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that I have a gift I can share but with discretion. Always. 

Calling all junior superheroes, 0-12 years of age! Download our latest coloring page, add your magic touch of color (crayon, marker, watercolor (no digital coloring)), scan it, and send it to Captain Sun at itscaptainsun@gmail.com before December 12th, and you could win a Captain Sun prize package, just in time for Christmas. So download the coloring page (http://goo.gl/4cB57n), let your friends know, and get coloring. Can't wait to see your submissions!

To our friends at CCAS,

We are very excited to announce the launching of the brand new website for Lamp Post!!

Lamp Post is a Christian Publishing company devoted to producing quality books that will edify our readers, young and old, parents and children.

With a growing list of nearly 100 titles in both print and electronic formats, there is something for everyone!

Lamp Post has an extensive list of Christian Graphic Novels... And there are some exciting new titles coming VERY SOON!

We also carry Fiction, Books on Discipleship, Parenting and Apologetics, as well as a number of Christian Classics.

As a special gift, we invite you to come and download our Free ebook of the Month, Absolute Surrender, by Andrew Murray (for your iPad, Kindle or Nook).  A Classic work – and one of our most popular titles – Absolute Surrender is more relevant to Christians today than ever!

You can receive your download simply by signing up with Lamp Post to receive a monthly newsletter on the latest book arrivals, free eBooks, articles and interviews.

Thank you so much for your support!

Brett Burner, Publisher

As a writer, poet, mom, and all around curious person, I find myself looking at what is going on around me for its possible story value.  (poems do tell a story) I guess that's part of how I was wired by God.  I'm so glad that Christ pulled me "out of the miry clay, and put me on the rock to stay" so that I could tell HIS story.  Sure I was very young when I was plucked out of that pit of destruction.  I believe that gives me a greater responsibility to tell each story truthfully.  Whether its helping to write a story or writing my own articles, poems, stories, I have a duty to the truth. That truth is based on the fact that "In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth".   A biblical world and life view gives us the freedom to be creative within a framework of beauty

My son has been an artist since he was old enough to hold an implement with which to draw.  Now that I have joined CCAS i have been paying particular attention to the greater implications of christian comics.  I ask myself questions, like what does this mean to us, what does the art and the dialog say about us, where do we "draw the line" so to speak in our efforts to make a direct correlation between the real world and what we write/draw/ink,or letter.  What does it say about our faith and more importantly are the comics an extension of our true selves.  To those who attempt to see a larger picture in writing, what bits and pieces do we put into our craft that say more about us than we intended?  Always something personal about a writer/artist seeps through unintentionally.  That is how God made us.  We say things without overt words.  Are the comics we produce more an extension of ourselves or are they a wish for what we would like to be... or both?  Are they true?  People look for heroes... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  When I grapple with a poem... I hope the words cause the reader to ask questions about themselves and are open to an answer from above.