Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #24

 

Welcome to the 2013 Summer Scavenger Hunt! (Beginning noon, Mountain Daylight time and not before.) This hunt has 32 stops and runs 5/17-5/19/13. You can make the loop, reading unique content from 31 different authors, and if you complete the loop, and fill out the Rafflecopter form at Stop #32, you'll be in the running for an iPad Mini (loaded with all our books), or one of two runner-up prizes---all 31 of our new releases in paperback. In addition, some authors are offering additional prizes, so be sure to read each post thoroughly to be in the running for all that are available. The contest is open internationally.

 

If you've JUST discovered the hunt, I recommend you begin at the beginning, Stop #1, found at LisaBergren.com. But you can also begin here, and keep on going. Just be aware that you have to have the COMPLETED phrase in order, which you construct gathering the clue at each stop, within 24 hours of email notification from Lisa Bergren that you won. If Lisa doesn't hear back from you with the correct phrase within the time limit, she will move on to the next winner Rafflecopter draws.

 Ready? Here we go . . .
 

Introducing: John W. Otte

 

I am excited to host John W. Otte, an author of YA "weird stuff," otherwise known as Speculative Fiction! His debut novel, Failstate, combines reality TV and superheroes.

Didn't see that one coming, did ya?

But, seriously, how much fun is that? Mr. Otte is garnering notice for his clever, humorous, suspenseful writing, and his debut novel has even been nominated for the prestigious Christy Award (YA Fiction category). So you know you want to check out his work. Or, if YA is not  your genre, think of the young people in your life who would love this story of an unlikely hero in an outrageous circumstance. (Personally, I'm a YA fanatic, so this story is right up my avenue!)

Here's a little more about John Otte:

John W. Otte leads a double life. By day, he’s a Lutheran minister. He graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a theatre major and then from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. By night, he writes weird stories. He lives in South St. Paul, Minnesota, with his wife and two sons.


Today, John Otte is going to talk to us about superpowers. It's a great piece, and I hope you'll enjoy it. So allow me to present to you:

FIVE SUPERPOWERS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BIBLE

By: John Otte

 

In Hebrews 11, we have a list of heroes of the faith. Well, I got to thinking. Heroes usually have superpowers, right? I mean, except for Batman and Iron Man (unless you count stacks and stacks of money). And yet, if you know where to look, there are a lot of what could be called superpowers in the Bible. I did some digging and found what I think are five superpowers that come straight out of the Bible:

5) Super Strength – This one is the obvious one. If you’re building a superhero, you’re probably going to reach for superior strength. Just think of all the heroes who boast this power: Superman, the Hulk, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Colossus,  or Power Girl. I could keep going. When I was creating heroes for my first novel, Failstate, you’d better believe I gave one of them super strength.

Gauntlet

 

And if you’re thinking superpowers in the Bible, this is the one that you probably thought of first because of Samson. He of the perpetual Nazirite vow, empowered by God to take on evildoers and smite them, especially when he brought down the house on the Philistines in Judges 16:23-30. When people think Biblical superhero, their first thought is usually this guy. Hence why he’s here.

4) Teleportation – If you’re familiar with Nightcrawler from the X-Men, you know he’s hard to keep in one place. Nightcrawler has the special ability to teleport himself instantly from one spot to another, disappearing in a cloud of smoke only to reappear somewhere else almost instantly. Believe it or not, someone in the Bible beat Nightcrawler to that by two thousand years, namely the evangelist Philip.

We usually remember Philip for the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, how he happened to be in the right place at the right time to share his faith. But then, at the end of the story, Philip just vanishes from the Ethiopian’s chariot, only to reappear in Azotus (Acts 8:39-40). I can’t help but wonder if he made a “BAMF” sound when he did.

3) Heavenly Fire – One of the most memorable comic book fights I’ve seen was between Superman and Captain Marvel  in the epic “Kingdom Come.” The two of them were pretty evenly matched in terms of strength with Superman eking out a small advantage. And yet, Captain Marvel was able to level the playing field with the one power he has that Supes doesn’t. He can summon lightning, a devastating assault that almost let him win.  It’s the same reason why Thor was such an important part of the Avengers. Both can call fire from heaven.

And that’s what we see the Old Testament prophet Elijah do on more than one occasion.  When he faces off against the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel or he’s dealing with King Ahaziah’s men (2 Kings 2:9-16), he too can call power out of the heavens to deal with his foes.

2) Cognitive Abilities – This is an umbrella terms for fancy mental powers. Think Professor X, who can read minds. Or Isaac Mendez from NBC’s “Heroes,” who could paint the future. I even made sure to include a few heroes like this in my stories, like Veritas, who can see the truth in any situation.

Veritas

We see the same sorts of abilities in folks throughout the Bible. Joseph, for example, could interpret dreams. Ezekiel, Daniel, and John were given strange visions. And countless prophets foretold the future (although, technically, it’s more accurate to say they “forth-told” the Word of God and revealed one possible future if God’s people didn’t repent. But that’s getting nit-picky). It’s hard to pick just one example.

1) The special gifts he gives us! That’s right, folks. God doesn’t just give special abilities to a select few. God gives all of us special gifts and abilities by the Holy Spirit for the greater good (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

Now that may seem daunting, but let’s remember an important detail: God doesn’t call the perfect. Those men and women listed in God’s “hall of fame” in Hebrews 11 aren’t there because of how awesome they are. They were all messed up people. No, what made them heroes was God and His grace, the same grace He shows us through His Son.

So maybe you don’t have super strength or the ability to teleport from point A to point B. But God has given you some pretty cool powers to use for His glory.

 _________

John Otte's new release, Failstate: Legends, continues the coming-of-age trials of young hero Failstate (aka Robin Laughlin) as he faces the trials common to teenagers--girls, sibling rivalry, friendship issues, zombie apocalypse--all the while coming to grips with his new role as a licensed superhero and a superpower that is acting a little . . . strange . . . .

Will Failstate survive to become a true legend among heroes?

You should pick up the book and find out. (And pick up the first one if you haven't read it yet!)

Failstate: Legends is available at bookstores or online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christian Book Distributors.

AND NOW, YOUR NEXT STEPS:

 

Write down this clue: THINK

Have it written down? Great! Now head on over to John Otte's blog, stop #25 for your next clue.

Godspeed, scavenger hunters!

BONUS PRIZE!

Or, before you move on, take a moment to add your name to this extra raffle.

I am offering an exciting giveaway: signed copies of the first FOUR novels in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series, Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and Starflower! If you'd like a chance to win this four-in-one grand prize, simply follow the instructions below. (This bonus giveaway is a US giveaway only.)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cd5249/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway