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The Heart, Manhood and Ron Stoppable

June 11, 2013 — 3 Comments
Disney Channel Original Series “Kim Possible” (Right to Left, Ron Stoppable and Kim Possible) (c) Disney Channel, 2002 – 2007.
“Dipper Pines” on the attack on the episode “Dipper versus Manliness” from Disney Channel’s Original Series “Gravity Falls,” owned and copyrighted by Disney Channel (c) 2012

 

I was asked to complete this mini-analysis regarding “Manhood,” specifically from the point of view of Ron Stoppable from the series “Kim Possible.”

Ron was not a typical, stereotypical man.

Growing up in high school and going to college while watching this character on the show unfold, I realized he and I had more in common than I thought. He’s a sort of “Dungeon’s & Dragon’s” kinda guy who has a positive disposition about himself and others. He’s not hung up on what people think of him…unless it hits him at his core.

At his core was the question: “Am I a Man!?” It was no different for Dipper Pines from the episode “Dipper vs. Manliness” on “Gravity Falls,” and it was no different for Ron Stoppable on “Kim Possible.”

The question of Ron’s manliness started with a certificate without a signature. That’s it! Think of that signature, that certificate, as affirmation. Then His teacher calls him out on it in front of his classmates and chooses to bulldoze over his affirmation like an old building. This hits Ron at his core…deeply.

The episode was hilarious but the struggle was very true. He looked for his definition in muscle. He looked for his definition on a piece of paper. But truth was, Ron was already acting like a man when he stepped out on dangerous territory and serious missions with his friend and partner in justice, Kim.

Ron always has Kim’s back…Ron takes care of his pet naked mole rat, Rufus…Ron took care of business at home (I never really noticed his parents have problems with him). Sounds like a man, right!?

So, with no signature on his certificate and the feeling of ridicule, he’s left asking a question.

We ultimate find out at the end of the episode “Ron the Man” that Ron’s answer was much like Dipper’s answer…it’s already built in the place that they never bothered to look…the heart!

Let’s go back to Dipper’s issue. He asked the question: “is it physical, is it mental, what’s the secret.” He was looking for things on the outside, but the ending of that episode “Dipper vs. Manliness” pointed the issues towards the heart.

In everything we do, we have to have a heart examination. Issues pour out there. Thoughts and unfair attacks can be solidified there. God himself looks there when men don’t (1 Smauel 16:7)!

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A New Heart & Spirit

June 7, 2013 — Leave a comment

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For some time, I thought that this “New Heart” and “New Spirit” was something that could be found in my writing, my art, in my blogging and more. This is not a while ago, but recent. I thought this was symbolic of it. It is a part of my life, but it’s much more.

The truth is, those things were symbolic of how awesome of a gift I was given from God but how selfish I was (or has been for that matter)….and to be honest…I’ve been very selfish to you the reader lately. Therefore, I must apologize.

You know, if it were up to me, I would be a better Seth MacFarlane (you can laugh here). I would be that preacher with a mega-church that would preach the truth, the Gospel…have two or three cartoons on the air as well….and multiple upon multiple books.

Yeah, if it were left up to me!

I’m so glad it isn’t. That may be a nice dream, but, I want to make sure that my dreams do not become distorted by a heart that’s still struggling to heal from past issues, especially a heart like mine. Please understand…those thoughts come from a guy whose from time to time felt so desperate and confused and upset because he’s sitting in a cubicle around others who seemed to have forgotten their dreams, their passion and their life. They sit around me with a weak or lost spirit….then I get worried that it’ll happen to me if “I” don’t do something.

Seeing the ratings on Cartoon Daily News climb have been one of the most exciting events in my blogging affair, but, the most exciting part about it should really be how much I’m helping you, the reader, see that you too can becoming something more than where you are now.

It starts with the truth. It starts with the one who gave me the heart to get to know and connect with other fellow Otaku’s, Writers, Anime fan’s, Gamers, Furries, Faller’s, Ponie’s and Bronie’s.

It starts with Jesus Christ….who restores and is restoring my heart.

So I can be more than just a good blogger….but a sufficient one…..one who has the guts to actually reach out and talk to you…help you….hold you….cry with you….pray for you…..regardless of your own belief’s, ideas and place in life.

It is because of this, I am so thankful to you all.

Really, at the end of the day, it really isn’t about me.

And I’m thankful for it.

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Dipper Versus Manliness (Re-Visited)

May 22, 2013 — Leave a comment
From Left to Right, Dipper and one of the "Manataur" he first meets

From Left to Right, Dipper and one of the “Manataur” from the episode, “Dipper vs. Manliness” on “Gravity Falls”

Several months have passed and it’s almost a year now since the “Gravity Falls” episode, “Dipper vs.Manliness” aired on Friday night, July 20th, 2012.

I related to Dipper’s struggle in more ways than I actually thought when I first wrote about this episode.

In the episode, Dipper Pines’ masculinity was challenged by his uncle and sister. He went into the woods to seek a place to get away and get the answer. He was initiated by a crew of others who “looked” like men. He was given a task or a cause. He realized in the midst of the “cause” that there were just certain things he couldn’t do, and in spite of it all, he made the right choice because of the good that was in his heart.

I learned that most boys that are in Dipper’s situation simply want to know, “do I have what it takes!” There are men even now who ask that question because there’s a place in their life that’s stuck in that place, struggling to use their job, career, family, sex, addictions or other things to try and answer that big question, “do I have what it takes!”

What I found out in my journey on discovering real, Biblical Manhood, is that I missed out on so much in my childhood. I never really dealt with the part of my life that felt like a kid who was never given a strong light to a situation.

 This journey, and that episode of “Gravity Falls,” and more importantly what Jesus has been doing in my heart, was the best thing to ever happen to me!

So what is a man then!? When I sought out answers to this question, more popped up:

“Is it mental, is it physical, what’s the secret!?” – Dipper Pines

I’ll be honest, I’m having a hard time with the idea of giving a one sentence answer. The answer is so complex, and yet, so simple.

I can tell you that what I discovered is that a man is someone whose love for Jesus and for God is lived out and shared out. A man is strong, courageous and obedient to the will of God and His Word. He understands His strength and his masculinity is not fully defined by the physical, but, by a direct connection to the Lord.

Certainly there are multiple scriptures to back this up. I can provide this on a later article.

My identity is no longer wrapped around an “idea” of what a man is, but the Biblical truth…the fact that I’m a leader, capable and expected to take responsibility and given strength that’s more than physical, but from God Himself.

Because of this, and much more, I am a man!

Look Forward To Part 2:  Applying the Lessons From The Manhood Journey

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Almost Broken Dreams

April 11, 2013 — 2 Comments

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I feel horrible for people whose dreams have been crushed…because for many of you, it only took a few words…words from people who claimed to love you and have your back…I can understand and relate.

My Dad had NO idea what he was doing when he told me things like “nobody cares” when I showed him a comic strip I drew.  Granted I did it during church, but I merged the story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with “A Goofy Movie.” I was 10, so I thought “that’s the stuff right there.”

Then, another moment…I was 16 when I actually wrote a mini-devotional using “Dragonball Z” and talking about the power we have in Christ as Christians. I left this written work on my bed and my Dad saw it and read it. He told me he read it. But, instead of encouraging me to consider using more illustrations like this to push good and basic Christian values, he said, “some people might not like this.”

I didn’t write for a while after that. I didn’t even let people see my written work unless it was for school. If I was writing, I kept it secret.

Until, one day, God hit me with it again…and I couldn’t help it…I had to write it. That time, it was “Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends,” and I was able to talk about identity.

I did this particular writing in college during my 3rd year at Oklahoma Christian

I suggested it could be a topical sermon for chapel. I didn’t think that they would take me seriously after introducing the idea.

48 hours later, I was standing in front of the entire student body giving my mini-topical sermon. It was quite literally the first sermon I ever preached.

Over the years, my heart slowly opened up to the idea of writing again, drawing again and using cartoons to reach people with the message that they didn’t have to rely on their own strength, but the strength of Christ.

Those words my Dad spoke were words of ignorance…I still love my Dad, but, I have to seriously disagree with him.

I love God, I love people and I love writing!

And if someone, not even specific family members like it, then its their choice NOT to click the button on my site or read the words that I print.

I have no ill will towards them. After all, they didn’t give me my gift, and you can’t win everyone with your gifts or beliefs.

But believe me when I say this, I want people to live life more abundantly, and that’s from the Bible and that’s from my heart.

You don’t have to hide your dream or your light of life…go out there and pursue it! Live it! You know it’s in your code, your make-up, your DNA. If you think you forgot what it is, search it out. Pray for it! Run for it! Research!

Go deep into your wounds and pull out the broken glass that originates from pieces of your broken dreams.

This year, that’s what I’ve been doing, from the counseling to ministry organizations.

I’m getting my true identity back…I’m getting my dreams back…I’m getting my life back!

Will you join me!

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“I Can Feel It In My Code”

March 30, 2013 — 1 Comment
Vanellope Von Schweetz from the Walt Disney Movie, "Wreck It Ralph" (c) 2013

Vanellope Von Schweetz from the Walt Disney Movie, “Wreck It Ralph” (c) 2013

Vanellope Von Schweetz of the movie, “Wreck it Ralph,” said something that has stayed with me ever since I’ve seen the movie…again…and again….and again (as you can tell I’m a fan).

I know I’m a racer, I can feel it in my code.

This statement is SO profound, not just for me but for all of us!

I so relate to this Vanellope here!

All of us have something that has been programmed in…a purpose…a passion…a goal…a dream…a reason!

Often times, we have “King Candy’s” (the guy who doesn’t want Vanellope to be a part of the game), running around trying to mess with our code. They can’t destroy us, but they can hinder us. They can slow us down.

But, even in the midst of being slowed down, they still can’t fully tear down that programming that’s built into us all that makes us say, “I know I’m purposed and made for something greater than me.”

I feel it in my code to write. I feel it in my code to help people. I feel it in my code to blog. I feel it in my code to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as a Christian and as a Minister.

There’s things in your life you gotta do! If you don’t, you’ll be unhappy. You’ll be unfulfilled. Ultimately, you just can’t help yourself!

Much like Vanellope, I agree with Jeremiah in Jeremiah 20:9, when he said this

“But if I say, “I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.(New International Version)

Whether you agree with me or not, at the end of the day, I gotta be me and I gotta be real!

After all, it’s all in my code!

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