Out Till November 9th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Folks!

I'll be off the radar until November 9th as my wife and I welcome our second child into the world. He hasn't arrived yet and is about a week overdue. If he doesn't come on his own, the doctors will begin throwing tear gas canisters into my wife on Friday or Monday.

As I said before, CD and download orders will still be processed normally. Although I'll have to rely on your patience and "undeserved favor" (grace) regarding responding to e-mails and things.

See you on the other side!

-Paeter Frandsen

Spirit Blade: Special Edition Live Chat!

 

 

 

 

 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 20th at 6pm Mountain Standard Time! (That should be 5pm West Coast and 8pm East Coast, but I'd suggest you double check.)

I will be hosting a live online chat for all those who have the Spirit Blade: Special Edition audio drama! While everyone listens to their own copy of the project simultaneously, we'll chat about the differences from the original version and you'll have the chance to get instant answers to any questions you might have about the project!

I've never done anything like this before and I can't wait to hang out and listen with you all!

Specific details for the chat will be announced as we get closer to the event, so stay tuned right here!

Shipping is free for CD sets and only takes about three days to reach anywhere in the US! (And of course downloads arrive much more quickly.) So don't miss out! Get your copy of "Spirit Blade: Special Edition" today and mark your calendar for the live chat on Saturday, November 20th!

 

-Paeter Frandsen

 

In Search Of Truth, Romans 3:19-26

 

 

 

 

 

Paul just presented a patchwork of quotes from the Old Testament ("the Law") that establishes the lack of goodness in every human being. Paul then explains that the Law taught things like this to God's chosen people group (The Jews) so that they, and the rest of the world (whom the Jews were meant to teach) would make no excuses for themselves and would instead recognize how they have rebelled against God. (v. 19)

Coming to this point of humility and recognition of our sinful condition is difficult but vital, because no one will be successful in gaining good standing with God by obeying the Law. All attempts at being "good enough" for God will fail. In fact, anyone truly dedicated to the Law will understand that it is impossible to be "good enough" for God, because the Law mercilessly exposes our sin! (v. 20)

The good news is that God's righteousness (his standard of goodness) has been revealed in another way that is separate from the Law, although the writers of the Old Testament books new it was coming and wrote about it. (v.21)

This standard of goodness, demonstrated by Jesus, is achievable by trusting in Jesus, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. And this option is available for everyone, not just "good" or "religious" people. God makes no distinction. Everyone has failed to meet God's standard in their behavior. Yet everyone can meet God's standard by trusting in Jesus. (v.22-23)

God offers this justification (right standing with God) as a gift, even though we don't deserve it. ("Grace" means "undeserved favor") The scales of justice are balanced by Jesus, who "redeems" (pays the ransom for) those who trust him for redemption. (v. 24)

So how does Jesus make this "payment"? God actually put this "transaction" on public display when Jesus suffered and died. He was a "propitiation".

A propitiation is an act that appeases. Our rebellion against God makes us deserving of punishment. But Jesus was a "propitiation" that appeases God's wrath against those who trust Jesus for this purpose.

The Greek word Paul used here that English Bibles translate to "propitiation" is "Hilasterion": mercy seat. The Mercy Seat was the lid, or covering of the Ark Of The Covenant, where the High Priest came once a year to sprinkle the blood of sacrifices for the sins of God's people. This metaphor indicates that Jesus is the means provided by God for dealing with our sin problem.

Jesus became the "mercy seat" by suffering the punishment rightfully meant for us. In this transaction, we see that God is consistant in his standards and his dealings with sin. God put up with sins in the past that deserved punishment so that he could eventually demonstrate his character and his justice through Jesus, while still granting mercy. God gives a status of "good standing" to anyone who trusts in the immeasurable payment Jesus Christ made on their behalf. (v. 25-26)

It is this righteousness, this goodness, justice and consistency in God's character, that makes him unique (in at least one way) to all other systems of belief. In every other major religion, there is either a neglect of God's grace, mercy and love, or a neglect of God's fairness and justice. Here, we see both in full operation.

Next Week- If "the Law" can't save us, then where does it fit in?

Coffee House Question- If you bias your thinking of God to one side or the other, do you tend to lean toward his grace, mercy and love, or his holiness and justice?

Going Off The Radar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a good week and I've enjoyed the progress I've been able to make on the Audiobook of Spirit Blade. Even the marketing side of things has been bearable.

But for those who aren't aware, I will probably be dropping off the radar soon for about a week or two. My wife is expecting to deliver our second child any day now.

I don't anticipate any interruption of services for those who purchase from our online store, but I will likely be dropping nearly everything else I do here for a little while as our world get's turned upside down for a little bit.

The podcast should be released as normal tonight or tomorrow, though I'm not sure if there will be one next week.

No signs of labor yet, but if I suddenly seem to "vanish" in the coming days, you'll know why.

Have a great weekend!

-Paeter Frandsen

“Marketing Madness” and FREE “Spirit Blade” Downloads!

 

 

 

 

 

Well, now that the “Spirit Blade: Special Edition” has launched, I head into what is possibly my least favorite part of my work: The “Marketing Phase”.

Granted, I always have marketing on the back burner and have to keep it going. But after the launch of a product I usually spend at least a few weeks doing almost nothing but writing and sending e-mails, trying to set up interviews and other types of correspondence.

The one difference this time around is that because of the “special edition” I am now proud of EVERY product in our library and feel much more confident in presenting the Spirit Blade series to people.

Which reminds me! I am offering a free download of “Spirit Blade: Special Edition” to anyone who will agree to review it (or interview me) on their podcast before the end of November! I am also offering free downloads to writers of established review (or appropriately themed) blogs that agree to review “Spirit Blade: Special Edition” on their blog before the end of November. If you fit either of these categories and want a free download of the project, be sure to let me know!

And for those of you who haven’t purchased a copy yet, I’ve added a new feature to the online store: Combos! Specifically, CD/Download combos. If you’ve ever been torn between getting a physical CD and enjoying one of our audio dramas right away, now you can do both! For both Spirit Blade: Special Edition and Spirit Blade: Dark Ritual, you can now buy the CD sets AND get the digital downloads for just $2.99 more!

Likewise, if you just want the download for yourself but would also like to give a CD as a gift, this is a REALLY cost effective way to do both at once!

You can check out your options at www.spiritblade.net.

Blah blablah blablah. (Sigh.) See, I told you I’d entered the “marketing phase”.


-Paeter Frandsen

Red (Movie Review)

I normally only review movies with clear geek appeal and action movies are not uniquely enjoyed by geeks. But since "Red" is based on a comic published by DC, I figured it has just enough connection to geek culture to warrant a review, since I have the time. As is ironically often the case (given my comic book fanaticism), I have not read the original DC comic and so am reviewing this movie based only on its own merits.

"Red" features an ensemble cast led by Bruce Willis, playing former CIA black operative Frank Moses. Each person in this group of protagonists is former-something. CIA, KGB, MI6, etc. And they were all the best at what they did. Now they're all retired, but someone is looking to knock them all off to clean up a "mess" from a mission they were all a part of in the 80's. Dragged along for the action is Frank's would-be girlfriend, who he has been talking to on the phone for months but meets for the first time just as people start trying to kill him.

This movie is fun from beginning to end. Plenty of laughs to be had as these unusual characters interact with each other. John Malkovich in particular is well cast in his role as former experimental test subject. But the laughs don't equate to a lack of intensity or danger. Until nearly the last frame of this movie I was concerned for all of our heroes and never felt "safe". In this regard, the tone of the movie is a fantastic balance of action and humor.

In the first half of the movie, there are some extremely cool visuals incorporating slow motion, at least one of which I have never seen anything like before. (A spinning car. Slow motion. Bruce Willis. You'll know it when you see it.) And Frank Moses uses some cool MacGuyver-like ideas once or twice that I found surprising and clever.

The second half of the movie changes significantly from the first, however. Right around the halfway point, things suddenly become slower and less explosive. The plot is moving forward nicely, but the creative action visuals are nearly dried up by half-time. What starts as a wild action flick settles into a spy/espionage movie. I think they might have been better off starting with that feel and placing the best visuals/action in the second half. As it is, the movie loses momentum noticeably.

The movie doesn't lend itself to much worthwhile discussion. Though in one exchange of note, Frank's "girlfriend" says that "people are basically decent", to which he replies, "that hasn't been my experience". The idea that "people are basically decent/good" is a common belief in pop-culture. The problem is that the definitions of "basically" and "good" are both left unexamined when this statement is made, resulting in a false sense of self-righteousness. Although one could argue that Frank's experience does not represent the norm, I still appreciated some form of counter argument being presented in response to this all too quickly ingested assumption.

Although it missed some opportunities to create something really incredible, "Red" is a fun action flick with a few really cool visuals and some really enjoyable characters.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language.

Quality: 8.5/10

Relevance: 6.0/10

In Search Of Truth, Romans 3: 9-18

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever heard someone say, "I think people are basically good"? Maybe you've heard this sentiment in a movie or tv show, or spoken by a celebrity or even a news commentator. The thought is a common one, and in one sense, it may be true. If we define "good" as not raping and killing people, then we might at least get away with saying that MOST people are basically good. But is this the way that "good" is defined?

If God truly exists and is the source of all good, than he defines good and our opinions about what we collectively think good means won't matter.

In quoting various Old Testament verses(Psalm 14:1-3, 1 Kings 8:46, Psalm 130:3, 143:2, Proverbs 20:9, Ecclesiastes 7:20) Paul paints a brutally honest portrait of the natural human condition. This is the state of things when God does not intervene and clean up the mess you and I have made and continue to make of our lives:

We are not in good standing with God. We don't understand what God teaches or have any interest in finding out who God is. We have turned away from God and live pointless lives. None of us do anything good. Corrupt and rotten words and ideas are constantly coming out of our mouths. We repeatedly lie to each other and hurt each other with our comments. We express hatred and festering bitterness to each other. We are quick to start fights and even kill. Our natural patterns lead to destruction and pain, both emotionally and physically. The idea of life lived in contentment is foreign to us. We don't have any respect or reverence for God.

This assessment might seem pretty harsh, given that we may not know anyone who seems to fit this description. But Jesus provides insight to God's perspective on goodness. He taught that anger is often equal to murder and lustful thoughts are equal to adultery.(Matthew Chapter 5)

Likewise, God said to the prophet Samuel that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

Jesus said that "no one one is good except for God alone". (Mark 10:18)

Isaiah said that even the good things we attempt to do are like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) The phrase "filthy rags" literally refers to "menstrual cloths". Think of a used tampon and you'll get an appropriate image of our individual attempts at being "good".

If this is true, if God's standard is so vastly higher and different from ours, then the comparisons we make to ourselves and others to decide what "good" is need to be thrown out the window. We should acknowledge that we may have no idea what it really means to be "good". Every single one of us falls hopelessly short. Regardless of religion, sexual practice, ethnicity, political leanings or culture, we are all in the same boat unless God fixes our mess.

Next Week- How God makes it possible to "clean up our mess".

Coffee House Question- Why do you think it is so difficult to acknowledge that even our "goodness" is vile and disgusting? Why is it so important for us to feel as though we are "basically good"?

"Spirit Blade: Special Edition" Is Available Now!

 

 

 

 

 

I am thrilled to announce that the “Spirit Blade: Special Edition” is available now at www.spiritblade.net!

 

I’ve looked forward to this moment for a long time and I’m so glad to finally be able to share this story with you. And if you think you’ve heard it before, guess again! The phrase “special edition” doesn’t do justice to the complete overhaul this project has received. For a comparison of the new version to the old, take a listen to this quick promo- http://www.spiritblade.net/downloads/SB_SpecialEditionPromo.mp3

 

Or take a listen to the trailer!

 

http://www.spiritblade.net/downloads/Spirit%20Blade%20Trailer.mp3

 

From now until November 21^st, you’ll also get a free copy of the first (and very different!) draft of the script for Spirit Blade with your purchase of the Spirit Blade: Special Edition CD Set or Digital Download! For more information, visit the online store at www.spiritblade.net.

 

 

In addition to the release of the Special Edition, I’ve launched a new line of products that you “special features junkies” will love! The Spirit Blade Productions Archives take you deeper into the development of our projects than ever before. And the first volume alone contains over 8 ½ hours of audio content, as well as more than 130 pages of documents exploring nearly every facet of Spirit Blade’s evolution. For more information, visit www.spiritblade.net/archives! (Volume 1 of the Archives is also included in the “Spirit Blade: Special Edition Collector’s Set!)

 

And to celebrate the release of the Special Edition of Spirit Blade, we’ve also lowered the price of the song bundles for Spirit Blade and Spirit Blade: Dark Ritual! Get them both now exclusively in our online store for just $5.99 each!

 

Welcome to the rebirth of Spirit Blade Productions!

 

-Paeter Frandsen

 

 

CDs Almost Here!

 

 

 

 

 

I checked my tracking number today and the CDs for "Spirit Blade: Special Edition" should be arriving tomorrow!

Meanwhile, I'm still scrambling to get the website ready to go. It's pretty close, but there are still a few odds and ends to straighten out and a product page to put together for the "Archive" CDs.

The weekend promises to be busy as I send CDs out to cast members and try to get song bundle updates out to customers who bought them before the updates were made. (Oops! I haven't talked about that yet, have I? Well, if you've purchased either song bundle, you should be hearing from me soon!)

Not to mention my wife is pregnant with our second son and about 10 days from her due date! (Hopefully the baby will see fit to at least wait until the weekend is over.)

Oh, that reminds me. If I seem to suddenly drop off the radar, that would be why. (Though I or someone else will still at least be filling CD orders of course!)

But for today, I think my work is done. There is a comic book store with my name on it. (That's actually somewhat literally true. They have a box with my name on it holding my comics for the week.) And that car won't scoop me up and drive me there itself.

See ya!

 

-Paeter Frandsen

 

Prepping The "Spirit Blade Productions Archive"

 

 

 

 

 

 

I FINALLY managed to corner Michael Tully (Raan Galvaanik) for our "Special Edition" interview and had a blast asking him your questions and goofing off in general.

The combined Special Edition interviews with Randy Hesson(Vincent Craft) and Michael Tully will be featured on the bonus "Archive" disc included with the "Collectors Set" of Spirit Blade and will also be available for purchase separately.

I've been having a lot of fun digging through my files to create what I hope will be the first of many "archive" discs. This disc will include hours of audio material and documents tracking the development of Spirit Blade, starting from just before the presentation of the live show and leading up to the Special Edition. It's been a long journey and much of it is chronicled in this archive.

More details on the specific contents of the archive disc will be available when "Spirit Blade: Special Edition" goes on sale. The CDs should be arriving any day now, so hopefully the big launch will happen sometime this week!

Stay tuned!

 

-Paeter Frandsen

Audiobook Progress and Special Edition Preview

 

 

 

 

 

While waiting for the CDs for the Spirit Blade: Special Edition to arrive, I'm keeping busy devloping promotional content and the long-promised audiobook of the Spirit Blade novel that the audio dramas are based on.

I recorded the entire book last year around this time but put production off to go straight into developing the Special Edition first. Although the final product will be several hours long (I'm estimating five or more) the production process is moving much more quickly because of the simpler nature of the project.

It's like mixing Spirit Blade at superspeed. Drop in my reading and edit where needed. Drop in ambient sound effects and finish with some music here and there and voila! In about 2-3 hours I've completed a 30 minute chapter!

I'm hoping to have the entire audiobook finished sometime in November, or earlier if at all possible.

Also, if you've been itching to hear some of the Special Edition of Spirit Blade, tonight is your chance! In place of a regular podcast episode, I will be airing the first 30 minutes of the Spirit Blade: Special Edition! The audio quality will be significantly lower than the actual product, but still plenty of fun! Don't miss out!

 

-Paeter Frandsen

Promotional Content

 

 

 

 

 

The proofs have been approved and the CDs are due at my doorstep sometime next week! I've also delivered the digital files to my "web-tech guy" to get the downloads ready to go.

In the meantime, I'm cooking up some (what I hope will be) cool promotional content to give you guys significantly more bang for your buck.

I've pretty well locked in what the bonus content will be, though I'm not sure of the delivery method yet. It may be a mix of download links for digital purchases and CD-Rs for Disc purchases. I'm still working out the kinks and trying to find the best (and most economical) solution.

At the latest, you'll hear an announcement at the time of release, and maybe before if I can get my ducks in row fast enough.

-Paeter Frandsen

In Search Of Truth, Romans 3:1-8

 

 

 

 

 

In chapter 2, Paul established that having a religious (specifically Jewish) background and knowing scripture well are not enough to gain someone right standing with God. But these are two key elements that singled out the Jews, the people group that God had set aside to serve him and be connected to him in a unique way. So Paul brings up the issue that ma have been on their minds at this point: If being religious and knowing scripture don’t make you right with God, what is so special about being a Jew?(v.1)

 

Paul insist that Jews still have great advantages. First and foremost, they were chosen as the custodians of God’s messages to humanity. (v. 2) Paul also denies the idea that the unfaithfulness of Jews causes God to reject them and take away their special role. (v.3)

 

This kind of reaction from God would be expected if he were like us (as we al too often make him in our minds). But even if every person on earth were demonstrat6ed to be a liar, God should still be recognized as perfectly true to his promises. God is perfectly reliable in what he commits himself to and is perfectly suited to judge us. (v.4 and Psalm 51:4, quoted by Paul here.)

 

Paul knocks down the twisted, man-made idea that God judges us unfairly, since our sin showcases, by contrast, the perfection of God. (v.5-6)

 

This accusation is related to one of the hot topics that the book of Romans helps to address: Humanity’s free will and God’s control of all things (sovereignty).

 

Later, in Romans 8:28, we’ll see that God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. A similar idea is expressed here in verses 7-8. God even uses the sins of people to accomplish good. So why does God judge people for their sins?

 

I’m convinced that the only conclusion consistent with all of scripture is that the free will of humanity in some way operates unhindered at the same time as the unhindered sovereignty of God, and we are therefore still completely responsible for our sin, despite the fact that God uses it to accomplish good.

 

On the surface, this may appear to be a contradiction, but this is in no way necessarily true. For a Biblical and very well reasoned examination of this issue, I highly recommend “Beyond The Cosmos”, by Hugh Ross. The author applies higher dimensional physics to our understanding of God and how his will, existing outside the confines of the fourth dimension (time) interacts with our will, which is confined to the fourth dimension.

 

Next Week- Are people “basically good”?

 

Coffee House Question- In the difficult balance between believing equally in your free will and God’s sovereignty, which do you find yourself leaning toward and why do you think that is?

Trailers Are Up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two trailers have been posted for the Spirit Blade: Special Edition! You can download them at spiritblade.net/freestuff or listen to them in the media players on the right side of the page at spiritblade.net/blog !

Enjoy!

-Paeter Frandsen