What was your favorite comic book when you were a child? Mine was Superman. Archie came in a close second, but to me, the "man of steel" was tops.

Sometimes childhood can be quite turbulent. Mine was somewhat. Partly my parents' cause (though they did not know it), partly mine, and the rest came from the usual trouble we meet. Some of that was from other children being somewhat unkind to me.

Keep in mind this was before mom, dad, and myself came to personally know Jesus. After hearing argument upon heated argument, with my mom thinking that dad was going to kill her, my nerves were getting rattled. They really got a rattle when my mom all of the sudden to me and my sister and fled away.

Eventually she went to the hospital for mental illness, I was placed with my aunt for two weeks, and I forget what happened with my big sister during that time. My cousins had plenty of comic books and I found the Superman variety quite appealing. Aside from his super strength, in reality his "Fortress of Solitude" seemed to bring some comfort to me.

After a busy day of defeating evil space aliens and humans, and at times plagued with a pressing problem, Superman flew to that northern hideout where he could relax and think about things. I thought it would be great for me to have such a fortress.

About ten years later I found myself a Senior in high school -- and a complete failure. No colleges accepted me and I had other problems.

However, on January 25, 1970, I turned to a "higher power," and the only power that could eternally help -- God. In essence, I followed what David spoke by the Holy Spirit in Psalm 61:1-2, "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." I surrendered to His Son, Jesus Christ.

Many things happened at that moment, but one thing I need to bring out for this Bible GemLight is the fact I felt His peace and protection. My spiritual eyes were opened, and I then realized my whole family had been in the grips of satan (I avoid capitalizing that name). Mom and dad argued because of their sin nature and I had been rattled because of my sin nature. Satan was the enemy.

Trouble, of course, kept coming after I became a Christian. There were even times I thought I had more than my share! However, each incident nudged me to run to God, Whom I found the Fortress of Solitude that I needed. Verse 3 reads, "For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

But, we should not just go to God only in times of trouble. We should enjoy the peaceful presence of God every day. As David said by the Holy Spirit in verse 4, "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings." Please do not think you are bothering God. He is waiting for you.

By the way, mom and dad made their peace with Christ, and each other, by the end of the year.