Save Points: A Gamer's Walk Through the Christian Faith

By J. Kyle Stephens

What does it look like to be a Christian in the modern age? There are a lot of different interpretations to this answer, but in reality, following Christ isn't meant to be simple. It's the narrow path that's hard to follow and only a few will actually find. It's a life of dedication, of allowing God to look into our hearts, to see the treasures that are stored there, and to discover what we will do with them for the kingdom of heaven.
Pastors in today's churches frequently use the world around them to share the gospel. They use sports metaphors, film clips, song lyrics and other cultural references to bring others to a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. God sees what we value and He knows what we respond to. When He looked into my heart, He saw a gamer, and found a use for that as well.
I never considered the idea that my love of gaming could take me deeper in my walk through the Christian faith. Save Points is the story of this journey. It's a testament of God's creative and powerful love for his people. It demonstrates how He endlessly pursues us, even with so many today choose to reject Him. In this book, God reveals these things by shattering the stereotypes of gaming culture, sharing the gospel through references most would never consider.
In many ways, Save Points is my life story. It's my attempt to understand what it means to follow Christ in the modern world. It is the story of how God taught me to understand the deeper meanings of scripture through illustrations of technology and gaming culture. Save Points is the product of how Christ taught me to follow the narrow path. My hope is that it may help some of you as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Kyle Stephens
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781074829995

Book preview

Chapter 1: Press Start

In the Beginning

Introduction

I don't remember the first video game I played. It shouldn't be too hard for me to, but then again, I've been playing them for a very long time. I discovered video games in the earliest years of my life, just before Nintendo revitalized the industry with the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). My dad had a friend who worked with electronics, and something compelled him to pick up a ColecoVision. It's fine if you don't know what that is. Many people don't.

Needless to say, there was a time when video games were a lot different than they are now. Most didn't have big budgets or fancy game engines. The Atari was popular, but there were other systems on the market as well. The one my dad purchased was one of them. Even so, it had a port on it that allowed you to add a separate drive and play Atari games. The controllers on the ColecoVision were bigger than a 3DS. It had grip bumpers on the side, a massive joystick on top, and a numeric keypad underneath. It wasn't fancy, but I thought it was pretty cool.

It wasn't until a few years ago that I finally read about history of the video game industry. Those who created them were pioneers; trying to do things never seen or done before. The idea of making digital images we could interact with was unheard of. They also thought that doing it could make a lot of money. Before they really understood what they had, however, they were putting it in stores and into people's homes. Supply and demand in this time were very different than they are now. Video games were only considered a fad. Despite spending months on titles, the sales for them wasn't that strong. The industry didn't fully take root in the hearts of consumers. It was just something else you could do. As with many fads, people eventually grew tired of them. Video games had grown too much and too quickly. The market was over saturated with titles, most of which weren't very good. People got burned out and eventually, it all came down. It probably would have stayed that way had Nintendo not came in and picked up the pieces.

Reviving the industry started slow. Nintendo rolled out the NES, but didn't overwhelm the market with it. They released the system with new and improved eight bit graphics, a sleek controller and a few games to get people started. Supply and demand were limited. They only made what was needed, which kept the market from becoming oversaturated again. They had classic games like Donkey Kong for the system to get people on board, then got them hooked with Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda. Over time, other consoles emerged. Some succeeded and some still failed.

Today the video game industry is huge. Triple A titles can have bigger production budgets than Hollywood blockbusters, and the industry is still growing. As a child, I was mesmerized by the little yellow circle named Pac-Man who ate pellets and evaded ghosts. Games today are much different. They are now designed to look and feel so real that you sometimes wonder if you can reach out your hands and touch the worlds on your screen.

I share this because often wonder about the church with a similar mentality. Much like the games of old, churches for those who pioneered the Christian faith were very different than those we attend today. Most had to meet in secret, considering those in power sought to kill them for their faith. There were no billboards, live bands, or large buildings to meet in. There was no advertising like today either. People gathered in homes and in other private places. They didn't open Bibles and read scripture. They simply shared about the gospel and what they had learned.

Many during biblical times were religious, but most weren't very faithful. I imagine many were more tired than hopeful. The Jews would go to the temple and make sacrifices, but didn't give God the best of their herds. They weren't very obedient either. Some would give to God, but also gave to pagan ones trying to hedge their bets. Those who did this thought it was better to be safe than sorry.

Many of those in authority had become corrupt as well. We see this throughout the gospel and within the book of Malachi. Had Jesus not come, I can't help but wonder where we'd be today. There's a good chance that most of us would be lost and the faithful would be few and far between. Jesus came to give the world a new direction, one that he validated not only through his death and resurrection, but also through his life, the truth he shared and the miracles he performed.

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples and those who were with him,

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Acts 1:8 (WEB)

In other words, go! Share what he had taught them, plant churches and make more disciples. Considering that the Jews and those in authority rejected the faith, doing this was hard at first. Christians were being hunted down, tortured and killed for proclaiming the truth of the gospel. Even so, there was much to do, so much that it could have easily gone wrong. Paul speaks of many such issues in his letters of the New Testament. Even so, the Word began to take root and the world slowly changed. New churches were created and those in power began to accept them. The Lord was with those who pursued this new life in Christ. Eventually, the Christian faith gained momentum and started growing.

Today's Christianity is far different from those who started it. In some areas of our country, it is everywhere, and in some, it is scarce. I've been told that the city I live in has more churches than the entire state of Rhode Island. I have no idea if that is true, but even saying it feels pretty cool to me. It shows that God is hard at work in my area, and many are coming to worship and follow Him.

Even so, in some places, particularly among the younger generations, the evil one is trying to counter what God is doing. He is using people to push the Christian faith out of modern culture, and in some ways, it is working. Even in my city, this is a problem, and even those of us who are faithful sometimes hurt the message. We do this by the way we approach others and the gospel, by how we are perceived, and how we are living.

Many are taught that it is lame to be a believer. One of my nieces once told my wife she would rather look cool than be a Christian. Hers was not a statement of ignorance. She is old enough and knowledgeable enough to understand what she said. I can't help but wonder if our faith has become much like the game industry so many years ago. Maybe it has become over saturated, so much so that people easily reject what the good news is showing them.

What then, is the solution? We can't let what Christ has done be removed from the world. Instead, we need to find new approaches to sharing the gospel. We need to find ways to show Christ to others; ways that are true to the faith but presented in ways that people will accept. I think that, more than anything, is why this book exists.

Save Points is an interesting if unorthodox journey. This is, in many ways, my story. It is a telling of my lifelong walk as a gamer and how Jesus has shaped it into something different. Many out there will question my methods and motives for writing this book. Many will say my words are untrue because I play video games, or that I am not a believer. I believe, however, that this book, more than any other I may write, is the truest testament of what Jesus does for us. Jesus didn't come meet the expectations of the faithful. Instead, he shattered them, which is why the Pharisees hated him.

For better or worse, this story is mine, and it is my attempt to do as Jesus did. It is my method of bringing the gospel to a modern generation. Looking back, there are some things I would have done differently, but nevertheless, I am glad to be here, learning and following as I do, growing in the Spirit and living a life of Christ.

I offer one piece of advice for any who read my words. These are words I share in other writings as well. I feel it is something all believers should do before reading any book on the Christian faith other than the Bible. I ask you to pray about it. Ask God to reveal my heart and motives to you. Ask Him for affirmation that my words are true, accurate, and written in complete surrender to Him. My hope is that the journey through these pages guides you to a stronger understanding of who God is and ultimately a deeper relationship with Him.

Title Screens

All of us have ways in which we want to be identified. Personally, I like knowing that I'm a Christian. I also like being a gamer. It's just part of who I am. A lot of churches demonstrate this with their signs. Though they are a little old fashioned, I still like those who utilize the removable letters. Some of those in my town have serious messages, but a lot of churches try to be funny. There are websites full of examples of churches that do this. I kind of think that would be a cool job to have. These serve a few different purposes. They help people know a bit about the church and get people's attention at the same time.

Given my long history as a gamer, I've seen a lot of game boxes and titles screens. Some are pretty good in that they are catchy or because they demonstrate what you're getting into. Some, on the other hand, fail at this miserably. As a child, growing up in the 1980's, one screen I was particularly fond of Contra for the NES. It was two hardcore soldiers standing back to back, much like the actions stars on an 1980's film. As a teenager, a game called Chrono Trigger had a pendulum from a clock moving back and forth, making ticking sounds as the title faded onto the screen. When the Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess HD came out for the Wii U, it featured a scene of Link riding his horse over a bridge just around dusk. The animation was elegant and simple and the music was subtle and inviting.

Many churches today use similar methods to draw people to them. My church, for example, has a name that is a little unorthodox. The founding pastor and his team named it because we are always on the verge of something, whether it be a life in Christ or a moment when we experience God's glory. Verge Church was named because we want to always try to be what God wants us to be, always pursuing, but never fully there. At first, I thought it was an attempt to appeal to younger crowds. Instead, my pastor revealed that they chose a name no one was using that actually meant something. It's funny when you stop and think about it. After all, how many First Baptist churches do you think exist? I'd wager there is one in just about every town or city in the country. In any case, I'd bet there are plenty of them.

How we identify ourselves tells the world about who we are. It tells them, to a point, what we value and stand for. People who play Call of Duty, for example, aren't looking for a game to match candies on a grid. They want to play soldiers and shoot things. The same is true of our churches. Many add labels to themselves, even if people don't realize it. A Methodist church, for example, has different values than a Baptist or Catholic one. This is true of all denominations.

Labels, however, come with problems. When you put a label on something, it forces you to defend why you have it. My dad, for example, was a football fan. The first logical question from this is what teams did he like? The answer to this would then lead to further discussion and opinion. The same is true for gamers in what games we play and in churches for what we believe. Some will say that because I don't play a lot of first person shooters, I'm not a gamer. Some will also say that if you are part of any denomination other than theirs, you aren't a believer. This is just being narrow minded.

As a gamer, I prefer the story of role playing games, but I also like strategy, platformers, adventure and competitive games. Even so, I respect those who only play sports titles or puzzle games like Candy Crush. It's not for me to determine one's status as a gamer. In the same way, it's not for me to determine one's validity as a believer. That is demonstrated by how a person lives more than what they say.

When I go into a game store to buy something, usually those who are in line are buying something different than I am. That's because we want different things. This is also true in our churches. My wife, Brandy, for example, grew up in a family with strong Pentecostal roots, while my family are more comfortable with Baptist churches. That doesn't mean I'm less of a believer than she is, but it does mean we are pursuing Christ a little differently. There is so much raw spiritual power in how the Lord moves in her. With me, it's a little more practical. God understands who we are and the best way to work in us. He understands our identities and uses them to lead others to Him.

As a believer, I prefer to avoid the label of a denomination. My church has strong Baptist roots, but I don't consider myself a Baptist. I don't want the label, partially because I don't feel I need one. I am a child of God, restored and made new through the salvation of Jesus Christ. I am a Christian, and for me, that is enough.

Though people are a little harder to interpret than a title screen or box art, it's still not as difficult as you might think. If a man is wearing a crude t-shirt and cussing like a sailor, it's safe to assume that he isn't very far in his walk with Christ or that he isn't a believer at all. This is important to note because we need to stop and reflect upon how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. If we are followers of Christ, our lives should demonstrate it, which means people should see him in us.

Granted, many people change over time. If the Lord one day told me to stop playing games altogether, I would have to choose to either accept and obey or reject Him and do it anyway. Personally, I'd prefer to be obedient in this. Brandy, for example, played games a lot when we first got together and early into our marriage. Eventually, however, doing so started giving her headaches. The doctor diagnosed her with epilepsy, which meant she couldn't really play them anymore; at least, not like she used to.

Some might argue that God was punishing her in this. Personally, I disagree. Soon after she was diagnosed and stopped playing games, she started going back to church and has grown into a devout, spiritual woman. Had this not happened, she might have never become who she is today. If that were the case, chances are that I'd have never become a believer myself, nor would either of us be trying to do the Lord's work.

Even in this, however, we are serving differently. While she has been mostly pulled away from gaming to focus on what He wants, with me, God can use them for something fruitful. This reminds me of something Paul wrote on in 2nd Timothy.

But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3: 14-17 (WEB)

Many believers, at least in the United States, probably knew a little about Jesus before they finally accepted him. Christ is part of our culture, even though it is changing. Some of you know about Christ, but still haven't accepted him. Some of you believe but are uncertain on what to do or what it all means. Maybe this journey can help you with that. I've learned a lot in my personal walk but even I still have miles to go. For me, what I'm sharing is like a small ripple in a body of water. With enough people, however, it could one day become a tidal wave of change, bringing the gospel to those I can never reach. All of us have to begin somewhere. Maybe part of yours can be found here.

Building the Brand

When the Lord first tasked me to start writing, I didn't know where to start. I didn't think I had anything to offer that could be useful. All I really knew about was Star Wars, comic books and video games. How could any of that help anyone? Even so, I felt the Spirit nudging me to go with it, so I did. In hindsight, most of my early writings are terrible. I had yet to discover my writing voice and I wasn't quite as focused. I kept trying to control the message, which led me to spending more time explaining things and why they mattered. I didn't know how to surrender enough to let God's truth pour from it.

The further I went with this, the more deluded I became about my purpose. I started thinking of branding and finding a name that was both catchy and marketable. I was trying to ride God's coattails, so to speak, for a better life. Honestly, the whole approach was terrible. I had delusions of blogging grandeur, and I feel it became more apparently obvious the further I went. I'm truly thankful that I stepped away from it and tore that blog site down. I tried to restart it with some new themes and on a new blog domain, but eventually, I just let it go.

About a year later, I decided to relaunch the concept and rebrand. I built a Wordpress site, bought the domain and even had a nice logo designed for it. The concept was better, but still, it lacked direction. I realized I had grown, but I was still spiritually immature. I continued writing somewhat on comics and games, but also shifted my focus into science and technology. Some would make for good preaching topics if the moment ever arrived, but I was still missing that key point. I wasn't surrendering to God's will. I was trying to shape mine to be aligned with His. I stopped blogging for the Lord within the first year of the site's creation. Honestly, where I have gone since then has been far better.

In video games, branding is an evolution, of sorts. Mario began as a plumber in a mushroom kingdom trying to save a princess from a giant turtle. Actually, it's been 30 years, and he's still doing that. Coming to that realization after breaking it down gave me a nice chuckle moment.

Regardless of the motives, however, the brand has evolved quite a bit over the years. Many new characters have been added, along with power ups and worlds. One game takes place entirely within the paintings of Peach's castle and another in a far off destination resort. Though the content may be similar, the games are different, and each one finds a way to add something new and exciting.

In some ways, my walk with Christ has been like this as well. My writings have helped me understand a lot of cool things about the Bible and how amazing God is. Even so, it took a lot of work for me to realize that I am not the Mario in this game I'm playing. On good days, I'm like Toad, helping where I can, but mostly, I'm like the Princess, always needing to be rescued. In this, I mean my story isn't meant to be about me. This is a story of God's greatness, and I'm just a supporting character. The same can be said for all of us. Our stories and experiences are meant to show the world how awesome God is, but often times we brand it and shift the focus to ourselves.

When I think about it, Save Points is the culmination of what my early Christian years were meant to share, but presented in the right way. Considering where I am now, and what I've experienced in the last few years, I think this book might be the swan dive for my writings of the geek and gaming culture. It might be my Skyward Sword, the last great moment of my old life as a spiritual youth. Then again, it could be my Warcraft, a small entry for a much bigger world. Only time can say for sure, but I will go wherever the Spirit leads me.

Backwards Compatibility

It amazes me on how God can use someone like me. Think about it. I'm no one special. I'm a gamer from the Bible belt who grew up loving digital worlds more than the real one. In some ways, I still do. Nevertheless, God has a plan for me, just as He does with you. Even the decades I spent lost to Him are still useful.

When the Playstation 2 was released, one of it's coolest features was a concept called backwards compatibility. In other words, all your PS1 games would still work on it. I had one of the original models in the PS1 line. There was a rumor going around that they had a defect which caused them to die after about a thousand hours of gameplay. The idea of putting a thousand hours into anything seems a little excessive to me now. When I do the math, however, it only accumulates to a little over forty-one days. When mine finally bit the dust, I was faced with the dilemma of either picking up another PS1 or upgrading to the PS2. When I realized that I could play all my PS1 games on it, however, I went ahead and made the upgrade.

Not everything we were before Christ was bad. Before I became a believer, I still loved my parents and my wife. True, there were a lot of bad things in me, and when I became a Christian, God went to work on them. He had to throw away the things that were harmful, but some of who I was before could still be used.

Much of what makes us who we are, whether it be what we enjoy eating, our hobbies, our values, etc, can be used for the glory of God. Sometimes things have to be reshaped to serve Him better, but they can still be used all the same. God has been at work to spread the gospel for a long time, and much like Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom, that message hasn't changed even if the presentation has. At it's core, it's the same as it was when the disciples and apostles first began, but the means by which we share it has evolved. God is still leading a rebellious and sinful people to a better life with Him. He pursues and blesses us even though we don't deserve it.

In essence, who we are as Christians has not changed, but the ways in which we interact with the world and spread the gospel has. We've upgraded to social media, live streams, blogs and books. Many churches have swapped out butt numbing pews for cushioned chairs. Live bands have replaced many church choirs. Many pastors no longer wear suits, nor do those in the congregation. Even the Bible has been translated and modernized so it can be more easily understood.

All of this, in theory, should still be compatible with what Jesus did with his disciples. For all the ways we are changing, what Christ did and how he shapes us in his name should be aligned with all those who came before, and all those who will come after.

In that regard, Save Points is just another link in this chain. Some will reject it because it is different. Let them. It's like those who complain about the creation of eSports, even though I find them more fun to watch than real sports. This book is not for everyone. Some can't relate to it, and some won't understand the references I make. It's not meant to be everyone's cup of tea. Still, it's the one I'm offering you, and like so many other Christian authors out there, the truth of God's word can be found here.

Performance Issues

One of the first things we need to learn is that the same thing doesn't work everywhere. Though the Bible has a lot for us to read and understand, it's not always as simple as plug and play. Some parts of the Bible made no sense to me at all until I looked at a different translation or had open discussion with someone about it. In some regards, you also have to consider the context of the people of the time.

Let me give you an example of this. In the beginning of the Old Testament, Israel was given the Law of Moses. In addition to the ten commandments, there were a list of rules and regulations they had to live by. Someone who touched a corpse, for example, had to spend a few days away from town cleansing himself. A woman on her period was also impure and had to do something similar. Men were circumcised as proof of God's covenant, and there were also rules on how to dress and what to eat.

Today, we don't follow these rules, but why? As a child, I was taught that it was meant to teach them to obey, but after Jesus came, much of that changed. Acts 10: 9-16 shares a vision given to Peter in which the Lord lowers a sheet full of animals from heaven and tells him to eat. Peter was taken aback because many of them were considered unclean, but God told they were acceptable.

What changed here? Does this mean that God was wrong? Certainly not. There was a reason for the rules they lived by in the Old Testament and also one for why God freed them. Think about it. Medical science wasn't what it is today. Dead bodies attract insects which can spread disease, so men who handle them need to be cleansed and separated to prevent infection. Similar reasons could be given for women during their cycles. The Jews didn't have the methods or conditions to maintain and preserve certain types of foods, so they were restricted. As the gospel spread, however, people from new regions accepted Christ, but theirs only let them eat certain things, too. All of this was to maintain the survival rate of the human race.

With this mindset, Peter's vision wasn't one of change, but of preparation. Christianity was going to be spread all over the world, which meant reaching places where certain foods weren't available. Understanding God's word means learning to look at it in different ways, to see the people who lived through them and not just the stories told around them. Many of the old laws were to help them stay safe and healthy as well as to look different from other nations. Even with these discoveries in mind, however, we still have to find ways to keep them relevant.

As I have grown older, I've learned that there are some things I can't do anymore. There is a Chinese place not far from my house that has amazing Mongolian chicken; but because my stomach is more temperamental than it used to be, I can't eat it anymore. I want to, but doing so means spending a day sick in bed because it's too spicy. I've also grown to look at things differently. When Microsoft rolled out a newer model of the Xbox 360, many who upgraded from older models bought new hard drives because the ports weren't compatible. When my 360 bit the dust and I upgraded, I simply jury rigged my old hard drive to work with the newer model.

All of us are hardwired differently and we all prefer different things. Some only play mobile games, while others have consoles or a PC. This was all true when we were lost, and it hasn't changed as believers. God made us all different so we can reach others who are like us. I could have spent all my time trying to share the gospel with my dad using comic book references, but my brother could have done it much easier with a sports one. We have to know who our audiences are and what they respond to.

This book, as I've stated, probably isn't for everyone. Mostly, it is written for gamers, and those who aren't may not get as much out of it. They won't see the connections or understand their meanings. For those who are, however, it's like peanut butter and jelly. It just goes together nicely.

I'll try to avoid getting too technical, as some references won't make sense unless you are familiar with it. Let's be honest, even among gamers, there's a lot of differences between us. If you aren't a gamer, this journey may be too difficult for you. You may find another author out there who can deliver a more suitable message that is easier to understand, but keep going if you are still interested. For the battle hardened gamers like me, however, brace yourselves. This will be a fun ride.

Questionable Authority

Some may wonder by whose authority that I write this at all. Truthfully, it's a valid question. In terms of skill, I have a degree in English literature stashed somewhere, but honestly it's not worth much, even though it is part of the reason I discovered a love of writing. For that, at least, I'm thankful to have it.

Spiritually, however, some will question my credentials. That's okay. Let them. I learned a long time ago that some people will accept only what they want to accept. Even if I had a long list of titles and degrees backing what I do, some would reject me anyway. For some, being a gamer might be bad enough. Some may accuse me of being sacrilegious or spreading falsehoods. While I will argue that I'm not, ultimately I hope you will consult the scriptures to validate what I'm saying.

In some ways, I'm reminded a bit here of Timothy. Despite his youth, he was strong in his faith and was led to instruct others. Even so, some questioned him because they were older. Let's take a moment and look at some of what Paul wrote to him.

Command and teach these things. Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life.

Until I come, continue to read the Scriptures to the people, strengthen them, and teach them. Use the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you. Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. Be careful in your life and in your teaching. If you continue to live and teach rightly, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

1 Timothy 4: 11-16 (NCV)

I think I understand a little of what Timothy must have felt. As a young man, he had to find the confidence needed to speak to others who were older and more experienced. This probably required a lot of patience; for him to grow in teaching them, and for the others to learn to listen and obey.

I realize the road I'm taking you down is a delicate one. I've been traveling it for some time now, and even I stumble on occasion. Nevertheless, it's the one I'm on, in this season of my life at least. When I asked you to pray over these words and what I tell you, I did so for a couple of reasons. First, I ask this so you will receive affirmation that my words are written in accordance with the Lord's will, and second, so any reading them will have their hearts and minds opened enough to accept them.

Don't get me wrong, I still make mistakes, and it has taken me a long time to understand some of the deeper meanings to what I am sharing with you. Just like with Timothy and his youth, some may find the concept here appalling or even laughable. Even so, the Lord has led us here, so we should at least consider His purpose for doing so.

When I look back to my older writings and blog posts, I realize there were many ideas I didn't illustrate well. Some truths I was still too immature to fully comprehend. Often times my connections were shallow at best. In a way, when I first began writing this book, I had a similar approach. I felt I could start light and gradually take things deeper. God, however, had other plans. At this point, I'm going to simply surrender and go where He leads me.

If you want to know if I have the authority to write as the Lord dictates, then you need to understand exactly what you are asking me. Have I ever attended seminary? No, I haven't, but the Lord may call me to change that someday. I'm not a pastor nor have I ever really preached a sermon of any kind. I've not been ordained or elected by any kind of church leadership. I am simply a believer and follower of Christ who enjoys playing games in my free time.

It's understandable if you question me on this. Please do, if you feel so inclined. None of us are beyond reproach, nor are any of us perfect. Admitting otherwise is both foolish and arrogant. While you consider that, however, allow me to offer a small piece of insight.

One of the greatest and most influential writers in the New Testament is Paul. Granted, he was a really smart guy. He was well educated, understood a lot of different cultures and spoke different languages. His speaking might not have been to the scope of a TV evangelist, but his words are powerful; so much so that they are part of our scriptures.

He called himself an apostle, but what exactly does that mean? Did he attend a certain school and receive a certificate calling him thus? Did a group of believers come together and bestow the title upon him? No, neither of these things happened. He had all the training and authority to give instruction on the law of Moses, but there was nothing to validate his teachings about Jesus. In fact, when he first began doing so, no one believed him. Even more importantly, God sent him to the Gentiles instead.

I suspect some will have similar opinions of me as well. Many didn't accept what Paul was teaching when he first began because he was notorious for hunting down Christians. People saw it as some kind of trick to lure out believers. Thankfully that isn't much of an issue anymore, at least, not in this country. In a similar way, I was very different before I knew Christ, too. When I first began writing, many who knew me were suspicious, and for good reason. After all, I rejected Christianity for so many years. Like Paul, however, once I became a believer, I was made new and started sharing the gospel with others, even if they weren't ready to accept me as the one who was doing it.

Jesus came to Paul and brought him salvation. He did the same for me during an Easter church service a few years ago. It was the greatest day of my life. The Lord called Paul to go and plant churches, teach others and to write letters. He called me to write as well, although my content is a little different. You can argue that anyone can make these claims. You're right, they could, but at what point do you realize if it's valid? The more Paul traveled and preached, the more people accepted his change. I suspect, if you give me a chance, you'll find my words are true as well.

One of my favorite RPG's (role playing games) for the PS2 was Final Fantasy X. In the beginning, the main character, Tidus, is asking those who are with him to listen to his story, even though it was unorthodox and unbelievable. In a similar way, this book shares a lot of mine. It isn't always pretty, but God has done some amazing things with it, and He still is.

I admit here in the beginning that some of what you will read will be hard to accept. Some may even be difficult to believe. I admit that when I first started out, I wanted to keep things simple. What has emerged, however, is something else entirely. Some chapters contain moments where the Lord has pulled me deeper into His Word than I have ever gone, and what I discovered was pretty amazing. I hope, by sharing these experiences with you, that you can experience it, too. Just as Tidus requested of his party, I ask you to listen to my story. You may be surprised by what lies within.

Chapter 2: Character Creation

Identities in Christ

Introduction

It's not easy to make a person. There's a lot that goes into it. Medical science can explain many of the methods by which we were created and born into this world, but that is only the beginning of the equation. While science can explain many of the parts of the body and how they are created, what God put into us goes well beyond tangible reasoning. God didn't just snap his fingers (so to speak) and make us, as He did all the other creatures of the world. He also gave us a part of Himself. He breathed life into us, giving us a spirit so we can have a relationship with Him.

In the beginning of the book of Jeremiah, the Lord told him,

Before I even formed you in your mother's womb, I knew about you. Before you drew your first breath, I had already chosen you to be My prophet to speak My word to the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5 (VOICE)

From this one small piece of scripture, we can see the depths of God's power. It's hard to imagine that when Jesus walked the Earth, God knew you would one day exist. Can you even fathom the idea that while Noah was loading animals onto the ark, God saw the struggles you would face? It's hard to grasp, even for me. To even think of how God was planning and seeing us so long before we existed is uncanny. Nevertheless, that is what He has done and what He continues to do.

For me, the closest I've come to understanding God's methods in this way is to consider how I build characters in a tabletop game called Pathfinder. Granted, I realize it has strong roots to Dungeons & Dragons and that it can be a controversial illustration. In my long history of playing the game, however, I can say with great certainty that it is only as controversial as the people you play with. My group, for example, is made up of strong believers, so even playing Pathfinder can be spiritually fruitful. In any case, I've played the game long enough to know how to build effective characters. These, however, are only the physical parts. Stats, skills and feats in Pathfinder are much like the science of a child developing in a womb. These, along with gender, race and other physical characteristics are only what lies on the surface. It's what lies beneath that determines the characters you create.

Character building is something I really enjoy doing. I have many ideas for those I'd like to