“But how could you live and have no story to tell?”

Fyodor Dostoevsky, White Nights

I love stories. I believe we all do on some level – whether it be in the form of books, films, graphic novels, video games, music…the list of ways to tell and receive stories is practically endless. The art of storytelling has evolved from people orally sharing fables to newer forms of story telling like video games. I do believe everyone has a story to share. Stories build bonds and communities with people we otherwise would have nothing in common with. It’s that bridge into exploration that I love so much.

As a young adult, the desire to explore this hidden world of possibilities remains close to my heart. I get a taste of it every time I read a new book, listen to a favorite song, play a video game, look through a comic book…and especially when studying the Bible.

God is the ultimate story-teller, and every good and true thing that is conceived from our minds points back to him, whether we are conscious of it or not. Even stories that are cynical in nature can be used as cautionary tales as to show us what routes in life we should not venture on, so that we can live long, fulfilling lives.

This site will be a place where I can share ideas that God provides us with everyday joys and truth that can be found both outside the realm of media, as well as within.

So, why the name ‘Hope, Play, and Love’? I really want this blog to embody these ideas, that I associate with each word:

Hope – A confident expectation of what God has promised for us. Hope does not always come naturally. Sometimes, we are set in despair. By meditating on God’s promise for us, and by praying, we depend on God instead of ourselves, and follow the guidance and path that God carves for our lives.

Play – As kids, we loved to play all sorts of games. They helped us learn more about the world around us, and helped us develop skills that we would need to encompass as we grew older. As adults, it should not be any different. The act of playing can open our eyes on issues and topics in ways we would never have thought of before. I know I’ve learned some very important lessons from playing a video game or watching a film that I never would have learned about in the classroom.

Love – Love, in the Christian sense, is much more than a feeling or desire – it’s a lifestyle. How did Jesus show love? He healed those who were afflicted by illness and handicaps, when the rest of the world abandoned them. He befriended women, tax collectors, and notable sinners of all stripes, when others of his day would not make eye contact with them, much less have kind things to say to them. Most importantly, He made the ultimate sacrifice – dying on behalf for all mankind (emphasis made on the all). As Christians, we are charged to be more like Jesus throughout our journey in life, and that includes how we show love to others.

Not every entry I post here may mention God or pieces of scripture, but I hope that those eternal truths can be pulled from each one.

I’d like to open my thoughts and ideas up so that others may have a chance to bounce their own thoughts against them, and that this blog is a place that allows for thoughtful growth and contemplation, as well as enjoying the pieces of entertainment that inspired this blog to be created in the first place.

I hope you’ll join me on this journey as we explore these stories and ideas together.

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