The original Halo games that were crafted by Bungie are widely regarded as not only the high points in the series, but rank among some of the best video game experiences of their generation… unfortunately, the campaigns developed by Microsoft’s 343 studios after Bungie’s departure haven’t achieved the same level of success. While the recent titles in the series continue the original story, feature the same characters, and even possess many new and impressive technical enhancements, the original “creator’s touch” is clearly absent from these releases… no matter how hard they try, we can all tell that these games were not made by the original team. Nobody knows Halo better than the hands that lovingly designed this franchise in the first place.

No matter how well intentioned our efforts are in the activities we take on in life, the Lord simply can not bless what He didn’t originate. As our Creator, He designed us with a specific destiny in mind, and only what we build on His foundation will last, both on this planet and in eternity. Rather than waste our time and efforts on pursuits that only advance self-serving goals, let’s prayerfully align our intentions, words, and actions with His divine purposes in all that we do. The Lord will always bless and protect the work of our hands when we build on His unbreakable foundation. 

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3 

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. Matthew 7:24-26

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The Master Chief carried the weight of saving the entire universe on his shoulders, so he is never found wasting his limited time or his even more limited words engaging in pointless arguments or unproductive disputes. But being a man of few words has some pretty valuable benefits… rather than expending his energy participating in lengthy dialogue trees that don’t actually resolve any of the conflicts surrounding him, he ignored the comments of others and focused on completing his mission. And because the Chief demonstrated restraint in what he chose to say and when he chose to say it, it added greater meaning and value to his words when he did choose to speak.

Thanks to all of our modern technology, the ability to communicate with each other across the entire planet has never been greater… but to our shame, we often use these gifts to engage in pointless, divisive arguments with others that only diminish the value of our words and distract us from our actual mission. Christ didn’t waste His limited time engaging in petty verbal conflicts, so let’s follow His example and avoid the pitfall of engaging in unproductive conversations that are often fueled by anger rather than guided by His Spirit to share His truth in compassion and love. Harsh words (even when true) spoken without mercy and grace doesn’t save souls… love does.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth. 2 Timothy 2:22-25

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Original TimeSplitters and GoldenEye developers David Doak and Steve Ellis have reunited to make - oh, those scalliwags, you're going to love this - a roguelike word puzzler called Beyond Words, which is being billed as "Balatro meets Scrabble".

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