WE ALL NEED A BRYCE AND A LORETUS

This was originally a "note" on Facebook. Well, today, I found out that the notes section was missing. I was able to dig this up, and hope this is a more permanent form. It's one of my favorite blogs that I've written, and so I wanted to share it. I did edit it a little.

At the end of King, the finale of R. J. Larson's Books of the Infinite trilogy, she had a question on our favorite supporting characters. I mentioned four, and shared it with the author. One was a Destroyer (an overgrown horse) named Scythe, though a main character chose to call him Pet. Larson mentioned that was a popular answer. My other three characters got a combined one mention: The lucky one was Tsir Aun, a gentle milatry commander who became a prime minister, and who always commented that Ela the prophetess (the character I referred to above) was always getting into trouble.

One of the other two was Bryce. The other main charater, Kien Lantec, found himself appointed to govern a region of Siphra in the second book, Judge, as a reward to saving King Akabe's life...an unwanted reward. Bryce was assigned as a steward. What I liked is that Bryce was loyal, had Kien's back, but would not hear of Kien backing out of his role. Kien told him not to call him "Lord", and Bryce wouldn't hear of it. Bryce also appeared in King, but it was his role in the first story that won me to him.

The last one was Loretus (pictured above). He also was introduced in Judge, assigned by King Akabe to train Kien for battle. The thing that impressed me -- in King, you can see that Loretus was no less loyal, probably no less fond, of Kien as Bryce was. But he had a different role. Bryce was the companion who fought beside. Loretus' job was to toughen Kien up, a job Loretus relished. And while Kien wouldn't admit it, I'm sure he knew Loretus was a faithful friend as well.

We all need a Bryce and a Loretus in our lives, both in general and especially in ministry. We need someone who has our back and supports us ... except when we want to step away from what God has called us to do. One who will defend us to the death, but will not hear of us retreating or surrendering. And we also need someone who will test us -- not to break us but so we're ready for the real battle.

That's what church is about. It's where we meet with our Bryces and Loretuses. That's why we're not to forsake our assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:24-25). We're supposed to be stirring up one another to love and good works and exhort each other, exactly as Bryce and Loretus have done for Kien.

But whether our church needs a Scythe/Pet is another matter. He's got a bit of a rebellious streak. And he takes up a lot more space.

Do you have any Bryces or Loretuses in your life? (Or a Scythe/Pet for that matter?) 

Favorite Movie & Novel Lines

Here's a list of favorite lines (or a brief paragraph) from movies, novels, and in one case a TV episode. Some of them are thought provoking, and some are humorous. Some of them are more effective in the context of the plot, while others would bring contemplation or a smile by itself.

These are listed in alphabetic order of their source.  

"I'm going back out there because it's my job. Okay? And I can't do my job and babysit. It doesn't matter what you did or what you were. If you go out there, you fight, and you fight to kill. Stay in here, you're good... But if you step out that door, you are an Avenger." The Avengers: Age Of Ultron

"Some days, you just can't get rid of a bomb." Batman (1966)

"Sushi. That's what my ex-wife called me: Cold Fish." Blade Runner

"There will always be those who prefer the dark. It is our responsibility to shine the brightest light possible." Burn (Firebrand Chronicles, part 3) by J. M. Hackman.

"I've seen better organized riots." Chariots of Fire

"I'll do my best. I can do no less." Chariots of Fire

“So bullets are the new way to say, ‘I can be your friend?’” Crossfire by Jodie Bailey

“Don’t think like a wasteling.” Firebird by Kathy Tyers.

 "Churches aren't judgmental. People are." Gathering Shadows (Finding Sanctuary, part 1) by Nancy Mehl.

"Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends." Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

To the question, “There are many who consider the Miss United States pageant to be outdated and anti-feminist. What would you say to them?”
“I would have to say I used to be one of them. And then I came here, and I realized these women are smart, terrific people who are just trying to make a difference in the world. And we’ve become really good friends... and for me this experience has been one of the most rewarding and liberating experiences of my life. And if anyone, anyone, tries to hurt one of my new friends, I would take them out. I would make them suffer so much that they would wish they were never born. And if they ran, I would hunt them down.” Miss Congeniality

"Prophets always have enemies." Prophet (Books of the Infinite #1) by R. J. Larson

"I don't know. I'm making this up as I go along." Raiders of the Lost Ark

"Mother, we have sinned." The Sound of Music

"We can admit we're killers, but we're not going to kill today." Star Trek The Original Series: A Taste Of Armageddon.

“Could you tell me where the nuclear weapons are?” Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home (with Chekov doing the asking on a San Francisco street)

"Of course, people do go both ways." The Wizard Of Oz 

What do you think of these lines? Do you have any favorite lines from movies or books? 

 

WHEN MY 20 FAVORITE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS GOT TOGETHER FOR DINNER.

 

Above is a picture of my twenty favorite fictional characters, who got together in my fictional world Chrysostom. We chose that place because the atmosphere kills off COVID-19 germs so they didn't have to wear masks.

Unfortunately, photography doesn't exist on Chrysostom, so I had to draw the characters, which is hampered by my  drawing skill. So if the characters look more like my impressions of them than what the author intended, my apologies. 

Allow me to introduce you to them, front row first, left to right:

Arvandus the Gryphon from the Firebrand Chronicles by J. M. Hackman. A voice of wisdom to the main character.

Drew Farthering and Nick Dennison from the Drew Farthering Mysteries by Julianna Deering. Set in Depression Era England, these two friends do a great job solving the crimes, and I love how they relate to each other. By the way, both married American ladies.

Dorann the Tracker from Tales of Faeraven by Janalyn Voigt. Some characters capture me without having a reason, and Dorann is an example.

Mortuary Beautician Hilde Higgins from the Curl Up And Dye Mysteries by Nancy Mehl. Hilde also has a pug named Watson, a fish named Sherlock, a love for cooking with Spam, and a phobia of clowns. Her boyfriend, by the way, does charity work where he dresses up as a ... oh, you know already?

Hercule Poirot. Considering that 19 of the 23 Agatha Christie novels I read features him, as well as the first two novels where Sophie Hannah picked up rather recently, no question why he's on my list.

Felix McClintock, a.k.a. The Zealot, from The Merely Mortal by J. P. Leck. His path is a little more ... what shall I call it? Intense? ... than other characters, this Christian can hold his own against evil spiritual forces and their earthly incarnations.

Arianna Sloan from the Teen Mission Series by Jill Williamson. Considering the fact that she's the same age as main character Spencer Garmond, she has a major spot in this series.

Debuggers ThreadBare and BullHammer from The Darktrench Shadow series by Kerry Nietz. Threadbare is one of the characters I can really relate to, but I also enjoy when his buddy BullHammer shows up.

Back row:

George Sullivan, director of the Office of Joint Liasions (OJL) from The Fast Track Thrillers by Suzanne Hartmann.

Brennan Caldwell from the Firebird Trilogy by Kathy Tyers. He gave one of my all time favorite quotes - "Don't think like a wasteling."

Tanner Calhoun from the Serena Jones Mysteries by Sandra Orchard. A FBI Agent with a sense of humor.

Blix, the peaceable Vythian warrior from Space Drifters by Paul Regnier.

Father Antony Sherwood from the Monastery Murders by Donna Fletcher Crow. My all time favorite character, who I also relate to.

Fightmaster Loretus from the two latter books of the Books Of The Infinite by R. J. Larson. My second favorite character. One of those who manages to be both tormentor and friend at the same time.

Ryland Montgomery, Duke of Marshington and spy, from An Honorable Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter. Yes, those familiar with the book will wonder why a historical romance shows up on my list. But when Kristi and I were in the same critique group, I looked forward to her contribution each week.

Wilder Flynn - who loves to tell stories and is obsessed with his hair - from Dangerous Obsession by Jessica Patch. This story is the third part of the Security Specialists triology, and Wilder is the director. Considering we're talking Love Inspired Suspense here, my hunch is he's more of a supporting cast member in the first two books.

Attorney Wyatt Jackson from Rule Of Law by Randy Singer. Jackson has a dog named Clients. When someone calls for him, his assistant tells them he's with Clients. He also calls his mobile home Court.

Crusader the Assassin from Numb by John Otte. He served the overly religious government known as the Ministrix to maintain order, helped by the job that he was without feeling, either physically or emotionally. But then, something happens.

Have you had the honor of reading the adventures of these characters? How would you like to join this group for dinner? What kinds of conversations can you imagine between this group?