(Interview) Aaron Armstrong

In his new book, I’m A Christian…Now What?, Aaron Armstrong delivered a blend of the usual and unique guide for the new believers. Having finished it, I can say I haven’t read something like this.

I reached out to him to talk about his family, John Piper, creativity and of course his book.

To add a twist, I dug some interesting IG photos from Aaron’s account and asked him to try and fill some stories into those photos.

Have your kids read one of your books?

My kids have read at least parts of one of my books, “Epic: the Story that Changed the World“. They acted as my test readers on that one, which was really kind.

Comicbook Review: “Displaced #1” (Brannon Hollingsworth and Duh Dude)

Summary: In Displaced #1, a coach potato got into a some sort of space war and he discovers he is fated to save the multiverse. The problem is that he doesn’t know how and what the heck is going on!

Top 10 Best Books I Read in 2022

Another year another reading journey reached its destination. In 2023 I look forward to reading, enjoying and growing for Christ through new books. As always my reading list is diverse. I have theology books, YA fiction, children’s book and comicbooks. So happy to share with you what’s in store on this coming new year.

“Balik Tayo sa Church” )Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman) – A fitting open for the year and as we gradually recover from the havoc of COVID. Read some of my favorite quotes from the book here.

Rabbit Holes

Many folks (me included) are complaining of the entertainment content they’re consuming. There is too much woke-ness or SJW on social media, TV, movies and comics they usually indulge. While some parts of these movements do have some good things we should consider, the problem is that mostly they have the bad stuff that sometimes goes against our Christian conviction. So as a pop culture nerd myself, I have to stop reading and watching when these things pops up (aside from the profanity and violence it has). I know there is still good and clean content out here but I need to consider Christian content first. So the question is, what stuff will I consume and where would I go when all of these unnecessary and ungodly agendas permeate to those I’m currently enjoying?

Comicbook Review: “A Reign of Beasts” (Andrew Carman and Jared Boggess)

Summary: The prophet Daniel wakes up from a vision that is filled with horrific imagery. A prophetic dream (or nightmare) which shows Titans or kaijun emerging to battle humanity in the near future. Then as he nears the end of his, then comes a “Son of Man” to do a rescue mission.

Cover Art: This is just a foretaste of the art that you’ll experience inside the comic. And just by the cover (without giving away the details) you’ll find this is not the usual comicbook artwork. The monsters are scary looking and brooding over Daniel. It gives you that vibe that they’re menacing Daniel in his dream. The purple or maroon (color blind on digital copy) color instead of black still delivers that insidious feel to the reader.

Comicbook Review: “Perpetua” (Art Ayris and Jeff Slemons)

Summary: Perpetua is a story of one of the earliest Christian women recorded outside of Scriptures that suffered persecution because of her faith. Little was known of her but here death under the hand of Rome is an incredible story.

Cover Art: Similar to cover the of Martyrs comicbook but Slemons gives a sweeping cinematic look that you’ll always want to stare at. While that comic is minimalist cover, this one is masterpiece in itself. If this comic is on the shelf with other comics, surely this is an eye grabbing cover and you’ll be picking it up and read it on the spot. Slemon rendered his art on the cover (and interior) that can only be called epic.

Comicbook Review: “The Reign of God” (Issey Fujishima)

Summary: Set in the fall of Jerusalem 70 AD the story picks up Josephus Flavius, the Jewish historian as he pleads for the Romans to spare the temple. He then meet Shimon, who tells the story of John the Baptist.

Cover Artwork: The cover art is not that appealing to me. At first look it feels it’s not something about the gospel or any Bible story. It’s just the name “Fujishima” will catch your attention and think it’s a manga. Well I think it is and it’s a worthy read.

Comicbook Review: “The Gospel of Mark: Word for Word Bible Comic” (Simon Amadeus Pillario)

Summary: The Gospel of Mark is the shortest among the synoptic gospels and the earliest gospel account. It’s opens with John the Baptist preaching and baptizing in the wilderness and culminates with a short (the women flees the empty tomb) and a longer ending (Jesus ascended to heaven while his disciples fulfill the Great Commission) which Pillario accomodated both endings here.

Storytelling: For some the Gospel of Mark is the go to book if you want a short read of the gospel. Unlike the other books included in the synoptic gospels (Matthew and Luke) they covered lots of grounds in those accounts. Nevertheless we should honor it because, obviously it’s the Word of God and that’s how God design it to be. But being a short doesn’t apply here in this comic. This is not to say that the author or artist added words or sentences which the Bible forbids to us do. Pillario gave space for his artwork to add some details. I know, I know this is not the “Artwork” part of this review, but it’s hard not to point out this early on for how good Pillario utilized this to further move the readers with the necessary emotions that only his illustrations can deliver.

Comicbook Review: “Justin Martyr” (Art Ayris and Richard Bonk)

Summary: In this one-shot comicbook, Ayris and Bonk teams up to give a legit brief biography of this early Christian apologist, his conversion to Christianity, his teachings, death and legacy.

Storytelling: This comic is straight forward biography of this ancient Christian philosopher. Ayris gives us all meat without the extra i.e. heart wrenching stuff because there isn’t much in the life of Justin Martyr. However, as I have said if you want the meat, you’ll find it here. If your into that stuff without falling asleep then get this comic.

The Freebie Round-Up #131

This is the day I’m picking up my in law from the hospital. She had her brain surgery last Friday. Thank you for all you prayers and financial support for my Mama.

Anyways, enjoy these freebie to start your week.

FREE webinar “Surprised by Jesus Q & A” with Dane Ortlund – In line with the new book, 10 Publishing is inviting folk join it’s online book launch on May 12 with author, Dane Ortlund. Click here to register for free.