Between the Panels

Living in our modern North American context, the word “ refuge ” isn’t a word we have to think about too terribly often. This is quite unique, historically speaking, as the idea of having a shelter from the dangers of the world is ubiquitous throughout history and culture. You don’t even have to go back far to the nuclear paranoia of the mid to late 20th century and the concept of a fallout shelter being a much more common notion to people’s minds. It’s almost comical to think about the fact that the term “safe space”, a reference to a place where you can be free from ridicule, is about the closest we tend to come in day to day conversation.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to mock the idea of safe spaces. Despite my more conservative doctrinal leanings, I’m not so removed from my millennial nature that I will start tossing around their term “snowflake” to the denigration of my peers. My intent today is quite the contrary, in fact. A need for safety and shelter is universal a...

What's not to love about a character like Reinhardt (Overwatch tank hero)? He is a giant, older man who dives into the fray to protect his team in the middle of the fight.  This epic, German hero not only has a ginormous rocket hammer and massive armour, but also sports an immensely huge energy shield.  An energy shield that acts as both protection and a mobile fortress for the team to advance their ground.  However, this all pails in comparison to the enthusiastic battle cry from this mythically large brute, "Ich bin euer schild!" Translated from German to English (varified by our own German International Staff) "I am your shield!" As a player in the game I have seen this shield in action and it definitely offers a sense of peace as well as a drive to advance forward in competitive game play. I know in my life I have been in what feels like a battlefield.  A battlefield in my mind of what I think of myself or the worry of what others think about me.  The battle...