Lost in the Future or Anchored to the Ancient Book

The following cartoon and article is an introductory excerpt from my latest eBook: Mighty Messianic Prophecy. It's a non-fiction, no-nonsense, non-stop study of the predictions proving Jesus as the messiah. Release date: Summer 2013.

A father and son lounge in their futuristic living room while the son opens up an old box. The father is surprised at what his son has discovered in the long-forgotten box. 

Glancing up from his virtual reality goggles, the father declares, "Wow that's a real authentic book! We should read it." The father is referring to the top book in the box which his son grabs in curiosity. The title of this rare and giant book evokes a sense of respect and awe: "The Holy Bible."

The son, being only accustomed to eBooks, movies, virtual reality, and video games, has never seen an actual printed book. So he asks "Where is the start button?"

Lost in the Future or Anchored to the Ancient Book

A comic depicting the increasingly aloof attitude that the world has for the Bible has led me to a significant observation. More and more, I find that people, self included, can be easily captivated by the allure of anything new: iPhones, iPads, iWatch, Wii, the list goes on. I don't have any of these devices but I can't deny a certain fascination with the development and progress of such technology and the new content that these formats pave the way for.

While the façade of spinning everything new as supremely better remains part of our societal value system, one ancient book continues to hold up content that, despite being quite old, "is perfect, reviving the soul," as stated in Psalm 19:7. That book, of course, is The Holy Bible.

As we enjoy a sense of newness in life which God allows us to have, and as we search for the next big thing, I am reminded that what really counts is for us to meditate on God's law, day and night (Psalm 1:2). Think deeply and repeatedly about what God calls us to be and to do. Most people will scoff at this kind of talk. I know this for sure, since I was such a person for three dark decades of my life.

Nevertheless, a few faithful believers, anchored to the past that was transformed by Jesus Christ on the cross, will find excitement in God's ability to "revive the soul." No one but God can do such a thing as to revive our inner life essence--our soul. Yet for God, that is his main line of work! Luke 19:10 explains that Jesus "came to seek and to save what was lost." Being a former lost soul, and completely undeserving of any sort of revival, I am so grateful that God still called me to him. I was a lost cause, drunk on the future glory of self and fellow man, without a clue as to which way was up. Yet I was revived, converted, and found--only by the grace (undeserved favor) of God.

In the future, which is here today and full of tantalizing distractions, our population will become increasingly polarized about God. The multitudes continue to abandon him in favor of the many modern-day idols, while a select few will find an anchor for their soul in the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ, as highlighted in Hebrew 6:19, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure..."

Therefore the following core question is left as a warning, and as a challenge; Are you lost in the future or anchored to God's word? It may be an ancient book, but the Bible is the only book that has stood the test of time. In the end, it will also be the only book to remain.

If you need help finding the start button, please let me know.

Those Cute Little Interruptions

This universal mother and child moment in comics is one that all parents can likely relate with instantly.

While trying to write something of substance down on paper, a mother's train of thought is abruptly derailed by her young daughter who is pulling on her mother's arm with all the cuteness that she can muster. A common thought enters the mother's mind; "Someday I'll probably miss these frequent little interruptions."

As her child continues to tug on her arm, mom takes a good look at her dear daughter, hearts melt, and a childhood memory is cherished.

Even after over two decades of fatherhood, being a parent continues to be one of the most mind-boggling experiences of my life. I mean that in a good way, like how Disney's Space Mountain is mind-boggling the first time you go through it. Or closer to home, parenting is mind-boggling like that first visit to the beach on a warm sunny day after a long winter. There is so much more to life--wonder and amazement--unless we take it for granted. The same can be said for parenting.

I believe that God designed parenting not just to provide for the needs of the young, but also to humble the characters of the parents. Through raising children I have learned so much about the nature of life, God, humanity, and my own heart.

In my selfish nature, there is often the temptation to be laser-focused on my own interests, while ignoring the interests of others. Being a parent--at least if you want to be a good one--forces you to deal with those self-centered desires on a daily basis, because your kids always need something.

Therefore a good parent must not only accept this fact--that they must live a sacrificial lifestyle--but they must also be proactive in deciding how best to meet the needs of their family. I have now come to appreciate how God has put my three children in my life for great reasons, not the least of which has been so that I can see the depths of my sin and repent of my introverted, and often indifferent natural tendencies toward the needs of others. Parenting has changed me forever--for the better.

I thank God for setting such an irrefutable example of who a great father really is through his pattern in the Bible. God is the ultimate parent, laying down his life for me, and for my children.

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:18

Digital comic by Joe Chiappetta 2013 on Microsoft Surface Pro using Autodesk Sketchbook Express

If you appreciate the themes covered in this webcomic and essay, you will most certainly also enjoy my wife's eBook, Rescuing Supermom.

When Shopping with a Paratriathlete

Melissa Stockwell, a US veteran and person with a prosthetic leg, gave an inspiring as well as practical speech at the 2013 Adler Abilities Symposium in Chicago, sponsored by the Adler School of Professional Psychology. This is not an exact quote but she said something to this effect;

"When I go to the store, I don't need people congratulating me for getting out of my house to buy groceries. I'm a champion paratriathlete. You can congratulate me for that!"

Digital comic by Joe Chiappetta 2013 drawn on Samsung Tablet PC in ArtRage program running good old Microsoft Windows XP

If Boxes Could Talk

I hope you enjoy this surreal comic designed to expose the perils of pride and prejudice.

Amidst a crowd of cardboard cartons, one proud container asks another, "Do you know why us boxes are better than crates?"

Agitated, the other box replies, "Hey, my mother was a crate!"

I have been studying pride and humility lately in the Bible and in my own character. After much reflection, I have come to an essential conclusion; God is majestic and he is the only being to be raised up and exalted. Everyone else is designed to be lowly (humble), being in a state of awe and gratitude in their relationship with God on high. Therefore when it comes to rating oneself (or one's race) as better than another, this is simply foolish and ungodly--a line of thinking to be avoided.

Philippians 2:3 says it best; "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

Digital comic by Joe Chiappetta 2013 on Microsoft Surface Pro using Autodesk Sketchbook Express

A Comic of Wide Appeal

My daughter responded to one of my sketches with surprising alarm; "Hey, my face is not that fat!"

She is probably right but then we both agreed that the drawing was too cute to fix up.

Digital comic drawn by Joe Chiappetta 2013 on Google Nexus Tablet

Marriage Problems and Solutions all on a Date

On a special night out on the town in downtown Chicago, a husband and wife who are quite active in ministry issues have an eventually helpful conversation.

 

"Should we stop discussing how to fix other people's marriage problems on our big date?" asks the wife.

 

"Great idea!" replies the husband.

 

Problem solved. If this sounds like a real marital discussion, that's because it's ripped from the romantic realities of a would-be actual date we have survived through.

 

Digital comic by Joe Chiappetta 2013 drawn on Microsoft Surface Pro in Autodesk Sketchbook Express program

Need People First - Not Doctors

After falling off his wheelchair down a flight of inaccessible stairs, a well-intentioned fellow holds his phone out and asks, "Hey, wheelchair guy, should I call you a doctor?"

The disheveled individual on the ground replies, "I'd rather have you call me a person, first!"

While many initiatives that reword things to be politically correct can be hard to keep up with and even questionable in nature, the People First Movement can be quite helpful. This is an ongoing effort to help people consider those with disabilities as real people as opposed to thinking of them as being identified primarily by their disabilities. Disability advocates and friends in the movement for equal rights for people with disabilities understand this concept, yet the rest of the world can be somewhat oblivious to such societal goals for changing perceptions. Yet after seeing this cartoon, you now have no excuse. Everyone is a person first!

Digital comic by Joe Chiappetta 2013 drawn on Microsoft Surface Pro in Autodesk Sketchbook Express program

Dating and Alternate Futures

A Silly Daddy Sci-Fi Teen Dating Comic Designed to Teach You Something

An oddly intense teenage young man says with confidence to a young woman, "I'm from an alternate future where you will actually want to date me!"

"That must be the same future wherein I'm really a zombie," replies the woman coldly.

Does it come as no surprise that this poor fellow might be fine with that?

When it comes to relationships, the world is entirely messed up: desperately lonely, yet too prideful to ask the right people for help. Thankfully, Jesus Christ came to show us how to have awesome relationships--ones that I would never have imagined could even be possible. The way I interact with my wife, children, friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers have all been enhanced by a continual thirst to apply the teachings of Jesus into everything that I do.

Despite the reality of falling short more often than I realize, I cannot help but notice that the more I am in tune with how Jesus says to relate to people, the more those relationships prosper. Love your enemy, love your neighbor as yourself, love always trusts, love one another as I have loved you, do not be yoked to unbelievers, forgive as the Lord forgave you... these are all radical Christian concepts that have set my path on a straight course and have reliably kept the zombies away from my future. And the church said "Amen!"

Silly Daddy and the Sound Mind

My first comic of the new year is about (big surprise) the funny things that kids say.

It may be a new year, but I can't escape the wacky kid conversations. "What's that chirping from above?" asked the father to his little child while they were exploring at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.

"I see a bird sound," replied the child with certainty.

This comic was inspired by actual conversations that happened while spending time with the Economo family. In case you don't get the joke, sound cannot be "seen" unless you have radar.

Digital drawing by Joe Chiappetta 2013, on Google Nexus Tablet using SketchBook Express for Tablets

Nevermind the Silly Daddy

Step into the mind of a surprisingly spiritual seven-year old, in all its glory. On a white Christmas morning, my daughter began to pray, "God please help us drive safely to Grandma's house in the snow."

Abruptly she was corrected by my wife, who explained, "Grandma is coming to our house."

At this new bit of information, my daughter closed with, "Oh, then God, nevermind. Amen."

Sometimes it seems that comics just write themselves. Yet I also wonder if such amusing events in life may also be God having some fun with his peoples.