I remember being at Wizard World Raleigh and hearing people talking "there's a dude dressed like a Power Ranger rapping!" That was enough to pique my interests, but God brought our paths together several times in the years to follow. Primisis was kind enough to allow one of his tracks to be on the Faith & Fandom Mixtape as well. Primisis uses his love and passion for Power Rangers to give him opportunities to share his love and passion for Jesus. I'm all about that. Check him out on Facebook & Instagram @Primisis - Hector
The year was 1993. Steven Spielberg's creation, Jurassic Park, shattered many box office records, the European Organization for Nuclear Research released the World Wide Web, and the spin-off of a Japanese Sentai television show, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, became an overnight sensation. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers wowed kids across the nation with its spectacular good-versus-evil martial arts fights, interesting alien baddies, and an even more interesting collection of weapons, gadgets, and hero's costumes. Not to mention, their oversized robotlooking dinosaurs they would summon into battles, making the Saturday morning super hero show even more unique in its approach for its time. But the children's television program gave us more than just a cool show with cool characters.
It all began with the introduction of a character, Tommy Oliver, who eventually became what most would consider the most iconic Ranger in the franchise, the Green Ranger. Tommy was scripted into the television show as a new student at Angel Grove High School who also happened to be a highly skilled martial artist. His journey to becoming the Green Ranger began when Rita Repulsa, a villain and sworn enemy of the five member Power Ranger team, noticed Tommy Oliver's skills and desired to use him for her own evil agenda. Rita captured Tommy, enchanted him with a mind-controlling spell, and gave him powers that transformed him into her very own evil version of a Power Ranger. Tommy unknowingly caused destruction and harm to everyone that came across his path while under Rita’s spell. Fortunately, the Power Rangers eventually found a way to break the spell on Tommy and his eyes were opened to the truth. When Tommy realized how much damage he had caused, he immediately apologized to the Power Rangers and requested their forgiveness. The Power Rangers’ response was one of grace, mercy, and love. They forgave him without question and inducted him into the original Power Rangers team, as the sixth and newest member - and to become the legendary Green Ranger.
The story of Tommy Oliver becoming the Green Ranger is very similar to the story of every Christian who has come to know Christ. Paul tells us in the New Testament book of Colossians that because of sin all men have been alienated from God and are living as enemies against God.
"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:21-22)
The good news is that God is full of unconditional love and endless grace and desires for everyone to be in relationship with Him. He loves us so much that He sent His one and only son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, breaking the spell of “evil” in our life, and allowing whoever believes in Him to become a part of His team.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-16)
Our goal, once we’ve become part of this new team, is to showcase and share this good news. No one or anyone of us should claim to be perfect or without flaws or failures. Our job and our duty, is to point others to the one person who is without fault and tell everyone that He has a plan for their life. God can and wants to use YOU! Whoever you are, and wherever you are, for His glory! Imagine this: you can be a real life superhero! You can do amazing things in your own home, your own town, your own city, your own state, and your own country! And even, quite possibly, BEYOND! How? All by showing people the love of Jesus Christ that was freely and gracefully shown to you and me, and sharing what He’s done in YOUR life. This will bring life, growth, and renewal, not only to your own life, but to those around you. So be transformed. Morph out, and live like Jesus. Then, and only then, will you TRULY know what it means when we can all stand side-by-side and say these famously quoted words, founded by 5 ordinary teenagers.... IT’S MORPHIN’ TIME!!
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
