Lessons learned (Part 2 - Refining)

Several months after I first began this blog, I wrote about the storms of life in this blog (it was on September 13, 2011 to be exact).  I called it “God is our refuge”; a phrase taken from Psalm 46:1, which reads, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  This is a precious truth from God’s Word!  By the way, just so you know in case you were wondering: the Kevin of 2011 did know about storms.  It’s not as if I were unfamiliar with pain and suffering.  However, that said, there were incredibly shocking episodes that would come in subsequent years.

My father’s passing in 2015, for example, was an excruciatingly painful storm that changed my life forever; I certainly rejoice that he has been in Heaven for 10 years, but oh, how I miss him!  Another example is the year 2023.  This was actually one of the hardest years of my life; not just physically – as I brought up in broad strokes last time – but other episodes occurred that year that deeply injured me emotionally as well.  Finally, I have to admit that this year has also been challenging and stormy as well.   

Back to that blog from 14 years ago.  I brought up a creative video game level design from the game “Donkey Kong Country Returns” (released in the year 2010).  Incidentally, I love this video game, but I have to say I watched some highlights of it again on YouTube, and I marvel at the patience I possessed back then!  This game has some massively difficult – not to mention crazy stressful – levels in it.  How did I ever defeat that game?  Anyway, level 2-7 “Tidal Terror” is the level I cited in 2011.  Throughout the stage, massive tidal waves from the background come crashing into the foreground on Donkey Kong, and his companion Diddy Kong.  If they don’t take shelter, they die.  I used that as an illustration for the storms that hit us in life.  I want to share how I phrased it that day, because it helped me, all these years later, reading it again:

"The storms of life will come at us sooner or later – Jesus said in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33).  We have to run and take refuge somewhere.  The Psalmist [in Psalm 46:1] declares to us to take refuge in God.  What does it even mean to take refuge in God?  I think it simply means that He is the one that we run to for help and comfort.  For instance, when faced with trials some people want to run to things like sex, food, alcohol, or drugs.  These things are not legitimate places of safety and refuge; they will eventually disappoint us.  God is the one that we should run to in the storms of life.  He will not let us down.  He is, after all, “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)."

In the 90s, I vividly recall singing – along with a group of other students on Wednesday nights – the song “Refiner’s Fire” written by Brian Doerksen.  It begins with these words:

“Purify my heart; let me be as gold and precious silver.  Purify my heart; let me be as gold, pure gold.  [Chorus] Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire is to be holy, set apart for You, Lord.  I choose to be holy.  Set apart for You, my Master.  Ready to do Your will.”

I confess I probably didn’t fully understand what I was singing in the 1990s.  But I get it now!  The Bible says, “These [trials] have come so that the genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7; italics added for emphasis).  When I think about the fiery trials I have endured, whether in years passed or as recently as these past few months, I see that God has used them to refine my character.

One resource puts it this way: “To conclude, there is a similarity between gold and genuine faith.  For gold to become pure, it is heated to remove impurities.  Similarly, our faith is shown to be genuine when we go through the “fire” of trials.  The apostle Paul agrees, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4).  Suffering is hard, but it is a comfort to know that our suffering is not in vain.  Rather, in suffering God continues to sanctify us, so our faith will become more like purified gold.”

(Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/more-precious-than-gold.html)

Kevin

A timely reminder

Last time, I introduced that I was going to have a series of blogs on things I’ve learned after some time away.  While I am certainly anxious to continue down that road, I want to put a pause on that, because today I am remembering – and celebrating – an event that happened on this day, two years ago.  Back in September of 2023, I went to a hospital emergency room; for three days, I was in that hospital.  I could go on and on describing the various details, but the bottom line is I was very sick, and not all that far from death’s door.  However, on 9/3/23, it was determined that I was able to leave the hospital, and finally return home!  What bliss washes over me, even now as I contemplate all this again, how exquisite it would be to sleep in my own bed again! 

I can’t recall if I ever shared this story in this blog before, but even if I did it is worth repeating.  Back in June, I brought up that the film “Batman Begins” was turning 20 years old (I’m still not sure how that is even possible; times flies).  I mentioned that this film has a very special place in my heart; and it does for many reasons.  However, one reason has nothing to do with the actual movie itself; it is because, two years ago today, as I was rejoicing in that hospital room that I was able to go home, the film that was playing on TV was “Batman Begins”.  I was praising God that He had used so many in the medical profession to save my life.  Like Bruce Wayne’s journey was continuing, so was mine.

There are certain milestones in my life that annually I celebrate; these events highlight the gift of life.  For instance, every April 24th, I celebrate that God, as a baby, healed me from a horrible disease that either murders its host, or leaves them a vegetable for the rest of their lives.  On April 24, 1982, God gloriously and miraculously chose to heal me from that disease.  Now I have another milestone event to celebrate: two years ago, the Lord chose to heal through the gifts of talented doctors and nurses.  I will forever be grateful.  The Bible says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were in your book before one of them came to be.”  It is a joy to consider how God has chosen to give me life to this moment in September of 2025.

In conclusion, let me answer the question of 'so what?'  Why bring all this up today?  As I once heard a preacher declare, looking back at what God has done in the past is a reminder of His faithfulness.  Lamentations 3 puts it this way: “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  We tend to forget how God has shown up in the past.  I know this is true for me.  Most of 2025 feels like it’s been continuous stormy weather, and it’s easy to feel shaken.  Nevertheless, when I look back at everything the Lord has done in my life it serves as a timely reminder; it reinvigorates and reenergizes me.  When I look back at the storm of September 2023, and how God got me through that, it reminds me that He was faithful to me then, He will be faithful to me now, and He will be faithful in the coming days.

Kevin 

Lessons learned (Part 1 - Adversity)

Back in May, George Wendt passed away at age 76.  Wendt was a very talented actor, best known for portraying Norm Peterson for 11 years on the TV show “Cheers”.  For 11 years, Norm would walk into the bar known as “Cheers”; he would say hello to fellow patrons in the bar.  Because he was such a fixture, everyone would react to the familiar voice of their friend with a chorus of, “Norm!”  I wanted to begin with some levity today (so don’t assume that I’m endorsing everything that happened on “Cheers”, or that I think it’s okay to drink excessive alcohol, or anything like that).  Disclaimers aside, I wonder if anyone saw that I finally posted a new blog – after almost two months away – and reacted, “Kevin!”  Hello everyone, yes, I am still alive! 

Today I want to begin speaking about some things that I have learned of late.  The year 2025 has been intensely challenging, hence the prolonged absence.  I have found it to be emotionally – and sometimes even physically – exhausting to navigate these days.  Previously, I’ve spoken about health challenges that I faced in 2023, but this year has been difficult because of a loved one’s health challenges.  To see this person go through this difficult health journey has been daunting, and as I say, exhausting.

What, then, is the first lesson that I want to present today?  It is this: adversity is a powerful tool.  No one likes to go through adverse situations.  No one enjoys having to endure seasons of pain, heartache and struggle.  But when I consider the adversity in my own life these past few years, I’ve seen that the Lord has used it, to refine me. 

I couldn’t help but think of the 1997 song “Tubthumping” by the group Chumbawamba.  You say, “Wow, I did not expect that!”  To be clear: my citing this song does not mean I fully endorse it.  Actually, I had to look online to see the specifics of this song, because I do like this famous refrain from it: “I get knocked down but I get up again, you’re never going to keep me down.  I get knocked down but I get up again, you’re never going to keep me down.”  I’ve learned that when life knocks you down, at that moment, you have the opportunity to see the resolve, strength, and perseverance – that perhaps you didn’t even know you had – to choose to get back up.  To choose to keep on fighting, even if it hurts like crazy.  I’m telling you this is such a priceless gift, for which I will always be grateful.

Because I am who I am, I need to throw in something about superheroes right about now.  Cary A. Friedman in his fine book “Wisdom from the Batcave” writes about adversity in chapter 2.  I find what he has to say instructive and fortifying:

“After his parents’ cold-blooded murder, Bruce [Wayne] could have easily allowed himself to hide behind a thick curtain of denial for the rest of his life.  His inherited wealth would have allowed him to drown himself in materialistic, mind-numbing pleasure…Instead, Bruce Wayne chose a very difficult path.  He refused – and refuses – to succumb to despair or to embrace a philosophy of hopelessness…Many of us suffer misfortunes in our lives.  We, too, can choose how to respond.  It’s so easy to succumb to depression and wallow in self-pity, to talk forevermore about what might have been “if only.”… Self-pity is the easy way out.”  [I’ll break in here and say that I have that line underlined in my copy of his book!]  “The more difficult choice is the road that the Batman chooses.”  Friedman goes on to submit this gem of a statement: “Misfortune creates opportunities for personal growth, development and refinement of character.”

I was blessed to contemplate song lyrics that I didn’t know about, until I began composing this blog today.  I decided to share a portion of them with you, in conclusion.  Back in 1995, Pam Thum released a song titled “Life is hard (God is good)”.  I wasn’t able to find why Thum co-wrote these lyrics, but check out these raw, honest words: “‘Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you, and sometimes living is all you can do.  Life is hard, the world is cold; we’re barely young and then we’re old.  But every falling tear is understood.  Yes, life is hard, but God is good.”  Amen to that!  And I would add that I’ve discovered that it is only when we see that life is hard are we able to fully appreciate just how good God is.

God bless,

Kevin 

Three songs

As has been my habit of late, I feel like I have to begin with the obligatory tone of ‘yes, I’m not writing very much these days.  Perhaps soon I will; for now, yes, I am alive.’  I want to address a few events, as we wrap up June, by quoting three songs.  Let’s dive in and you’ll see what I mean.  First off, I submit 2025 has been a very challenging year for me so far.  I can’t get into specifics right now (the clock and my body is telling me it's super late), but Toby Mac’s song titled “Faithfully” helps capture it.  “But when my world broke into pieces You were there faithfully.  When I cried out to You Jesus, You made a way for me.  I may never be the same man, but I’m a man who still believes.  When I cried out to You Jesus, You were there faithfully.”  God has been so faithful, no matter what! 

Secondly, a few weeks ago was Father’s Day.  Almost 10 years ago, my dad entered his Heavenly reward; because of this, I admit I have missed him more acutely of late.  Therefore, Father’s Day was particularly bittersweet.  So the song here is “Homesick” by Mercy Me.  “‘You’re in a better place.’  I’ve heard a thousand times, and at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you.  But the reason why I’m broken, the reason why I cry, is how long must I wait to be with you?  I close my eyes and I see your face.  If home is where the heart is, then I’m out of place.  Lord, won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow?  I’ve never been more homesick than now.”

Furthermore, I must admit that John William’s iconic 1978 “Superman” theme song would have captured my sentiments for Jerry Bauer, the one I got to call Dad.  My dad was a superhero without a cape; he was a real life Superman in so many ways.  How I miss him!  But I carry him in my heart.  Moreover, I’m pleased to honor him by following his example of humility, kindness, and love.  That leads to the third and final song.

Yesterday, June the 29th, was my birthday.  Jenn Johnson’s “Goodness of God” is the song I want to bring up for this event.  “I love Your voice.  You have led me through the fire; in darkest night, You are close like no other.  I’ve known You as a Father; I’ve known You as a friend.  I have lived in the goodness of God.  And all my life You have been faithful.  And all my life, You have been so, so good.  With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”  I wanted to cite a song that directed all the glory and attention back to God, because it’s all about Him, not me. 

God bless,

Kevin

The big 2-0!

Somehow, of all incredible crazy things, it was 20 years ago – June of 2005 – that the film “Batman Begins” came out.  Time marches on – and on!  I submit to you that this film is vastly, vastly underrated.  For one thing, remember the historical context.  Not too many years had passed since the train wreck of “Batman and Robin” (1997); a film where we were subjected to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze and his dozens of bad ice puns and George Clooney as Batman.  However, from the beginning moments, we could see that “Batman Begins” was the start of a new, exciting film series.  It showed us Bruce Wayne’s traumatic past – a subject that was barely touched in the movies at this point – and a compelling story of how he became the man who ultimately decided to become Gotham City’s protector.

I could go on and on praising various aspects of this great film.  I could discuss in detail how wonderful it was to see Bruce’s father, Thomas Wayne (played well by Linus Roache).  His love, devotion, and character was a highlight.  I could spend a considerable amount of time citing various quotable lines, as well; for example, Thomas Wayne says to young Bruce, “Why do we fall?  So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”  The Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth (played capably by Michael Caine), who had heard this exchange, actually quotes those words to Bruce decades later, in a low moment.  Further, if I lingered on this movie, I would spend time talking about the character of Rachel Dawes, Bruce’s childhood friend, and then love interest; kudos to Katie Holmes, who I thought was very good in this role.

While I am attempting to fly through this content today, I do want to slow down here and take a minute make sure I give props to Christian Bale’s performance as Bruce Wayne/Batman.  He absolutely knocks it out of the park.  He nails Bruce in all his personas; from the billionaire alter ego who, in one scene, feigns drunkenness, insults his guests attending his party, and tells them to leave Wayne Manor.  Unbeknownst to them, this act saved their lives from the main villain of the film who intended on murdering them all.  Moreover, Bale captures the Caped Crusader very well.  For instance, his Batman voice (often criticized in sequels) is, in my opinion, at its best here in this film.

Furthermore, Christian Bale – and all those involved in “Batman Begins” – did a wonderful job of capturing a fundamental component of Bruce’s character, something often ignored in other Batman incarnations: his objection to killing.  One of the great moments in the film is Bruce’s final initiation test to join Ra’s al Ghul’s mysterious League of Shadows.  After weeks or months of training with a man named Ducard, Bruce’s mentor of sorts – played brilliantly by Liam Neeson – there was one last initiation: end the life of a captured man, with a sword from Ducard.  Bruce refuses the sword, and states definitively, “I’m no executioner.”  “Your compassion is a weakness your enemies will not share,” Ducard replies.  “That’s why it’s so important.  It separates us from them.”  Ultimately, this choice leads to a harrowing encounter where Bruce nearly dies.  This is a sobering example of how doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily always lead to favorable results.

In conclusion, what is the point of bringing all this up?  I mean, I love Batman in general, and “Batman Begins” has a special place in my heart.  But so what?  I submit to you, as a Christian, I can relate to devoting your life to something bigger than self, and yet in the process, finding the life you were intended to live all along.  Paul Asay in his wonderful book on Batman “God on the streets of Gotham” puts it this way:

“Batman isn’t something Bruce Wayne does; Batman is who Bruce Wayne is…Sure, it’s a tough life.  It’s expensive and dangerous, and it never leaves Bruce enough time for a proper vacation. But that’s okay, because Batman isn’t something he does.  It’s who he is.  In submitting his own will to a higher calling, he finds himself.  It’s what he was built for, in a way.  And by extension, so are we.  We’re at our best when we’re setting aside our own desires and serving others.  When we forget ourselves, we become ourselves – our true selves, the people God designed us to be.” 

Jesus said in Matthew 10 (NLT), “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give your life for me, you will find it.”

God bless,

Kevin

Powerful words from one of my heroes

First off, I’m so grateful to have the chance to write to you again today!  I’ve been absent of content of late; it feels like I’m returning to a friend.  The year 2025 has been a strange, challenging one so far.  I haven’t really had a chance to share the reasons why (unfortunately, that’s a blog for another day).  For today, I want to share a quote, one that I’ve been excited to share, but haven’t been able to until now.

You already know that Rebecca St. James is a hero of mine – after all, I’ve mentioned that fact to you many times.  Her example of trusting the Lord is inspiring.  The first time I ever heard the name Rebecca St. James was in the year 2000 (by the way, I am amazed at how fast time flies.  In the next blog, I plan to speak about the film “Batman Begins”, which is somehow turning 20 years old.  So stay tuned for that!).  Anyway, Rebecca was doing an interview on abstinence.  At the conclusion of the interview she said these words that have both challenged and stirred me over these years:

“The big thing in the Christian life, the hardest thing to do, is to just let go of ourselves and let God change us, and transform us.  Because we so tightly want to hold on to what we think is ours, but God wants to just open our hand, relax in Him, rest in Him and surrender and watch what He does.  So that’s the big encouragement…I would leave with people listening: trust that God loves you more than you can ever dream or imagine; that He has the most incredible future for you imagined that’s beyond comprehension to you right now, and rest in that.”

I could go on and on speaking about my hopes, dreams, expectations, and plans for my life; I thought it was going to go in a specific way, yet God, in His wisdom, chose to let it play out in a different way than I would’ve ever envisioned.  Take it from me: that development can be scary.  But God has perfect vision.  He sees the bigger picture; He sees what we can’t see.  Thus, it is arrogant to presume I know better.  It’s far better to choose to surrender to God and His plans.  Proverbs 3 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes.  Fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

This is not to suggest in any way that this is always easy, but I can tell you, with transparency, that deciding to trust in God and His plan is something that I have chosen to reaffirm time and time again.  In fact, just today I heard a sermon from a guest preacher who spoke of how certain songs can be what he called a “soundtrack of our spiritual journey.”  One of those songs for me is the song “Lift my life up” released in 2014 by the group Unspoken.  Many times over the years, I’ve sung this song of surrender to the Lord.  It begins in this way:

“You’ve brought me this far, so why would I question you now?  You have provided, so why would I start to doubt?  I’ve never been stranded, abandoned, or left here to fight alone, so I’m giving You control.  [Chorus] I lift my life, lift my life up; I give it all in surrender.  I lift my heart, lift my heart up; you can have it forever.  All my dreams, all my plans, Lord I leave it in your hands.  I lift my life, lift my life up.  Have your way in me.  Have your way in me.”

God bless,

Kevin  

Remembering a miracle

I wanted to take a few moments to express the gratitude I have in my heart to the Lord for who He is, and for what He has done.  It was on this day – April 24 – that God miraculously healed me.  I wasn’t even a year old yet, and I had developed a disease called Infantile Spasms.  To give you the short version for today, I was having multiple seizures.  Infantile Spasms either kills its host, or leaves them as a vegetable for the rest of their lives.  However, with God all things are possible!  I was in death’s grasp, but the Lord breathed life back into me, and when He did, the disease was also gone.  No seizures for over 4 decades now.  To God alone goes all the glory.

There are several monumental episodes in my life; I make it a habit to choose to look back and remember just how faithful God has been to me.  This is so important because life can be difficult and, in the midst of the storms of life, it’s easy to forget.  The Bible speaks of an amazing episode where the recipients set up a tangible reminder to celebrate God’s power and help.  Check out this helpful article – which you can find at this link.

“The name “Ebenezer” actually comes from the Bible.  In 1 Samuel 7, during the end of the times of the judges, Israel experiences revival under the leadership of Samuel.  The nation repents of their sin, destroys their idols, and begins to seek the Lord (1 Samuel 7:2-4).  Samuel gathered the people at Mizpah where they confessed their sin, and Samuel offered a sacrifice on their behalf (verses 5-9)  

It was during this time of repentance and renewal that the enemy attacked: “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle” (1 Samuel 7:10).  The Israelites went out to do battle against the invaders, and the God sent them supernatural help: “The day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites” (verse 10).

Israel’s victory over the Philistines was decisive.  Several cities the Philistines had captured were restored to Israel, and it was a long time before the Philistines tried to invade Israel again (1 Samuel 7:13-14).  To commemorate the divine victory, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.  He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us’” (verse 12).

Ebenezer means “stone of help.”  From then on, every time an Israelite saw the stone erected by Samuel, he would have a tangible reminder of the Lord’s power and protection.”  Today, I relay my own Ebenezer, and I do so with worship and thankfulness to God.

God bless,

Kevin