A profound question

Someone recently asked me who my favorite superhero is; I answered Spider-Man.  Later, this person asked which version of Spider-Man is my favorite, and I said the Tobey Maguire-led films (incidentally, both answers thrilled this person).  Did you realize that the first Spider-Man film will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year?  It’s true.  It was May 3rd, 2002 that “Spider-Man” was released.  This realization absolutely shocked me – and made me feel old.  Tobey’s Spider-Man inspires me to this day.  To quote Peter Parker’s own words when he was talking to Mary Jane Watson, his example helps me “know what kind of man [I] want to be.”  I am an unashamed fan of the whole trilogy (yes, even “Spider-Man 3”, although I know it had some glaring issues).

At this point, you know I could become a fanboy and talk about this beloved superhero movie in such precise detail it would become tiresome after a while.  So let’s not do that.  However, that said, there’s an important quote to help springboard us to a vitally important topic.  It was actually in another Spider-Man universe (2012’s “The Amazing Spider-Man” with Andrew Garfield), where Peter Parker’s teacher makes quite the statement.  She said, “I had a professor who liked to tell his students that there were only 10 plots in all of fiction.  Well, I’m here to tell you he was wrong.  There is only one: “Who am I?”

That’s a profound question.  It may inspire me to hear Tobey Maguire speaking these final words of “Spider-Man”: “Whatever life holds for me, I will always remember these words: ‘with great power, comes great responsibility.’  This is my gift, my curse.  Who am I?  I’m Spider-Man.” (Cue Danny Elfman’s “Spider-Man” theme song, as the end credits roll)  But who am I?  Who is this person writing to you in this blog today in 2026?  This brings me to a wonderful sermon that Jonathan Evans once delivered.  In it, he brought up another film as an illustration; it was so powerful I want to visit it with you today. 

Evans spoke of the film “The Lion King”; in the movie, Simba was excited to follow in his father, Mufasa’s footsteps, and rule as king one day, but his Uncle Scar, murdered his own brother; Mufasa was dead, and to make matters worse, Scar lied to Simba and said that it was Simba’s fault he was gone.  This led to decades of Simba running away from purpose and responsibility.  “But then” as Jonathan Evans described it in the sermon, “his father came back to [Simba] to remind him… ‘You need to remember who you are.’  And then it reverberates, ‘remember, remember, remember,’ that’s when I got goose bumps.” 

Simba, as Jonathan Evans so eloquently put it, “remembers that he is a child of the king.”  This inspired him to face his painful past; doing so leads to discovering the truth: he was not responsible for his father’s passing.  Ultimately, Scar is defeated, and Simba takes his place as king.  Now, at this point, I do want to state this clearly for the record: I am grateful for the godly example of both my father and mother.  I miss my dad to this moment, and I want to walk in his footsteps.  And frankly, I can’t imagine my life without my mother.  Ultimately, however, who I am isn’t answered by my heritage.  So, who am I?  I’m Kevin.  I’m a child of the King, through faith in Jesus.  

God bless,

Kevin

Easter Monday - 2026

It seems inconceivable to me, but it was in March of 2016 – 10 years ago – that the film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” was released.  I can envision you saying, “I’m not sure I want to think about that movie.” (Fair enough.  It’s a rather controversial film.  Some like it, some hate it.  If you were asking my opinion, I think it’s a pretty good, but certainly not great movie)?”  I bring this up today because there’s a line from this film that always plays in my head whenever I hear a certain song.  Since we sang it at my church yesterday, I knew how to start today.  The line in the film is when Batman coldly asks Superman, “Tell me: Do you bleed?”  The song is “Song of Suffering” by Matt Redman.  Here’s a sampling:

“Oh, the perfect Son of God, in all His innocence, here walking in the dirt with you and me.  He knows what living is.  He’s acquainted with our grief.  Man of sorrows, Son of suffering.  How can it be?  There’s a God who weeps; there’s a God who bleeds.”  Oh, praise the One who would reach for me.  Hallelujah to the Son of suffering.”

The disciples of Jesus Christ had been through the worst kind of suffering; they just witnessed someone they loved die.  Jesus was (and is) the God-man; He was/is “a God who bleeds.”  Further, Jesus had repeatedly predicted that He was going to die, but that He would resurrect from death, yet for whatever the reason, they simply did not understand this.  They had been through the worst pain in their entire life.  They assumed that now the party was over; the dream had died because their rabbi had died.  But everything changed on Easter morning, Resurrection Sunday.

One of my favorite accounts of Jesus interacting with His disciples after He arose from the tomb was His interaction with Thomas.  I’m going to just hit and run on this today, but Thomas flat-out refused to believe that Jesus rose from the grave until he saw it for himself (John 20:25).  And so Jesus, full of grace and compassion, showed Himself to be alive, beyond all doubt.  When Thomas saw this, he made an incredible statement, he says, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)!  Jesus replies, “Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed” (verse 29).  I’m in that group, and I am indeed blessed.

The dust has settled on the Easter celebrations.  We are back into a normal routine; it is Easter Monday, if you will.  I wonder if someone reading this is still on the fence regarding this resurrection of Jesus thing.  If that’s you, I submit Jesus’ words to Thomas to you, just as He showed Thomas his scars to prove His conquering of death, He said, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27).  Maybe you’ve done a ton of research into the life, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus.  You’ve seen the evidence and yet you’re not ready to commit your life to Jesus.  I’m telling you from personal experience the best thing you can do is give your life to Jesus.  Surrender to Him.  John 1:12 says it this way: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”  Or maybe you’ve wandered away the Lord.  Run home to Him today.  He’ll welcome you.

God bless,

Kevin

Thoughts at Holy Week - 2026

Does anyone feel misunderstood sometimes?  If so, take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus Christ knows exactly what that is like.  I know I missed talking about Palm Sunday on the actual day, but I wanted to begin today with it.  Palm Sunday was actually a bittersweet day for Jesus.  Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey; the crowd was enthusiastically chanting, “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9).  However, they had the wrong expectations for what Christ had come to do.  So much so, just a few days later, this same crowd was chanting, “Crucify Him” (Mark 15:13-14).  Is it anyone wonder that on Palm Sunday, Luke records that on that donkey, Jesus was crying (Luke 19:41).  Once again, Jesus knew all about being misunderstood.

Recently I had the opportunity to re-discover a fine devotional book by Kristin Parrish titled “No Cape Required: Ways to unleash your inner hero”.  I’ve enjoyed getting reacquainted with the content, as I haven’t read it for years.  I might even blog about some of it later on, but for today, it was the introduction of the book, written by Jefferson Bethke, that caught my attention.  Let me give you a few snippets:

“There is this real peculiar moment toward the end of Jesus’ public ministry where he is talking to the gatekeepers of his day and he quotes a Hebrew psalm by saying, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’” (Matthew 21:42).  I’ve always been one to pick up on awkwardness in situations…But what Jesus was getting at was they might have been extremely studied in the Old Testament and its prophecies about this messiah figure God has promised – but they couldn’t even see the King himself, living, breathing, and talking right in front of them.”

“But to some degree you can’t blame them.  Everyone in their particular context was looking for an earthly political or military rebel leader to rise up and take down the pagan empire of Rome and establish God’s reign and rule.  They expected a hero.  What they got did not meet their expectations…They wanted Superman, but it looked like they got Clark Kent instead” (italics in original).  This quote captures the irony of Palm Sunday.

Jesus’ own disciples misunderstood Him.  They expected that the time had come for Jesus to throw off the Roman oppressors, but He came to, as He put it, “give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).  Days later, one of His own betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.  This led to a kangaroo court, and ultimately Jesus was condemned to die an excruciating death by means of crucifixion.  You or I would never have chosen to write the story this way, yet this was all part of the sovereign plan of God. 

Tomorrow is Good Friday.  Let me return to Jefferson Bethke’s words in his introduction of the book “No Capes Required” as he has powerful words coming.  I already cited part of this, but here we go. “They expected a hero.  What they got did not meet their expectations…They wanted Superman, but it looked like they got Clark Kent instead.  In that last sentence, though, lies the beauty and mystery of this Jesus from Nazareth.  The beauty of Clark Kent is that he is Superman.  And while people may have called Clark names and thought he really didn’t do much, he was also the one truly saving the day and bringing salvation to Metropolis even though he didn’t get the credit as Clark.”

[He continues] “In fact, most people thought Jesus lost at the Cross, but looking back we see that was the moment of his ultimate victory.  In that dark, violent, crushing event he exhausted the powers of evil, brought them on himself so that his people didn’t have to.  He saved the day, not how people wanted, but he did save the day.  And he invites us into this peculiar way.  This upside-down kingdom.”  

Let me conclude with by quoting 1 Peter 2:24-25, which says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

God bless,

Kevin

Looking back on a difficult year

March of 2025 was the month that a horrendous saga began.  This year has taught me many things, one of which is it’s easier to be the patient in the hospital, than to see someone you love laying in the hospital ER room.  One year later, thankfully, the crazy chapter seems to have concluded (although who knows what tomorrow holds?).  However, I can declare to you that memories of this year can easily haunt me.  Did you know that Batman’s greatest villain, the Joker, once said a statement that I can relate to now?  In the controversial comic book “The killing joke”, Joker said, “Memories can be vile, repulsive little brutes.”  Honestly, I hesitated sharing this.  But when I was in a restaurant a few days ago, waiting to pick up my lunch, a painful memory from this past year washed over me, for some reason.  It confirmed that I needed to share that quote.

At this point, it’s important to be reminded of the truth that is so vitally important: God is in control.  Nothing happened to me this year that was accidental.  I could quote several Bible verses here, but there is a powerful verse tucked away in Psalm 103.  Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.”  Robert and Nancy DeMoss Wolemuth, in their tremendous book “You can trust God to write your story” puts it this way:

“Where would be without the certain knowledge that “He’s got the whole world in His hands” and that every detail of our lives is ordained by our all-wise, all-knowing, loving God?  Far from being a crushing burden to be borne or diminishing our value, the Providence of God is a great and precious gift.  To be helpless victims of chance, tossed about on the storms of life – that would be forever disconcerting and tragic.  Thank God it is not the case.”  

In conclusion, I’ve previously described how, in the epic CW crossover event “Crisis on Infinite Earths”, Barry Allen A.K.A. The Flash from Earth 90 saved the day, by stepping up and sacrificing his life.  Just today, in preparation for this, I watched the clip of this moment again on YouTube; his selflessness inspired me afresh.  However, I’ve never shared how, a few minutes before his noble act of heroism, he said some words that are profound and relevant to today’s subject matter.

Barry said this: “Sometimes…you’ve got to take a couple steps back, reverse the way you see the situation, and see the bigger picture.”  He is on to something.  In my case, yes, difficult memories from this past year can hit me; it’s easy to just focus on the pain and suffering.  But when I “reverse the way” I see the situation, when I change my perspective, I find myself humbled and grateful for how God consistently showed up during this very difficult time.  In fact, I want to stop here and give God all the praise, worship and glory for being with me during those insane days.  Through it all, God experientially taught me the truth of Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

God bless,

Kevin

"Blessed be Your name; on the road marked with suffering"

Here’s an interesting scenario: what do you say, as your introduction, when you haven’t written anything in nearly 3 months?  Do you quickly assure that you are, in fact, alive and well, even though many have probably wondered?  By the way, if that’s you, God bless you for your concern; yes, I am alive.  I thought about being silly about it by quoting the opening lines of 2002’s "Spiderman".  To re-introduce myself, I considered citing those iconic words from the beginning, where Tobey Maguire says, “Who am I?  You sure you want to know?  The story of my life is not for the faint of heart.”  ‘I’m Kevin Bauer,’ I might have said.  ‘I am storm-tossed, and probably not even the same man I was before; at this point, I’m a little older and wiser, but I am Kevin Bauer.’

Regardless of the introduction, I shake my head in amazement at the unexpected chapter that I have been in for a year now.  Matt Redman, in his classic song “Blessed be Your Name” puts it better than I ever could; “Blessed be Your name; on the road marked with suffering, though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.”  Later on, he sings this to the Lord: “You give and take away.  You give and take away.  My heart will choose to say, ‘Lord, blessed be Your name.’”

I imagined what I would say if you and I were able to sit down over a cup of coffee or something.  At some point in our conversation, as we were able to get caught up, I would bring up Jesus’ words in Matthew 7.  In verses 24-27 of Matthew 7, Jesus mentions two houses.  In both cases, Jesus says, “the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew” (verses 25 and 27).  Note with me that the storms hit either house.  In another place, Jesus said “it rains on the just and the unjust”.  The storms of life will inevitably hit.  But Jesus says that only one house stands; the one “founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:25).  Maybe at this point in our conversation I would declare that I have been storm-tossed, the winds and the floods have been pounding on my house; but, glory to God, the house is still standing, because Christ is my foundation, my rock.

At this point, I need to reiterate what I stated briefly after the “Spider-Man” quote earlier.  This chapter in my life has changed me; in many ways, I don’t feel like I’m the same person that I was a year ago.  I’m not sitting here claiming to be some perfect little angel.  No, in fact, God has used this season of my life to show me things about myself that needed to change – but that’s a whole other blog entirely.  The point is, as the Psalmist put it in Psalm 119: “It is good for me that I’ve been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (verse 71).

God bless,

Kevin

2025: The year I will never forget

Whenever we reach this time of year, I find myself reflective.  I contemplate the highs of the lows of the year.  This year has been dark and challenging, but I find myself so grateful to God for His presence and faithfulness, no matter what.  I’m reminded of a sermon I heard where the preacher spoke of a man in the church who was in the hospital waiting room, his wife was sick.  This pastor went to the hospital, attempting to encourage the man.  After a time of silence, the man spoke up and said to his pastor, “You know, this faith thing is pretty cool, until you have to use it.”  How true.

Back in March, attempting to help someone, I wrote the phrase ‘it’s always darkest before the dawn.’  While that’s true, 2025 has taught me that sometimes you can wait for a very, very long time before you see that light of dawn.  I’ve seen firsthand how long and how dark the night can be, I mean this both literally and figuratively.  I’ve been in lonely hospital waiting rooms, wondering what the coming days would hold.  I found myself in the chapel of the hospital, praying to God for Him to help and heal.

Thankfully, the Lord did heal; the one who was sick in the hospital was healed. However, this was not always a certainty.  But do you want to know what I’ve discovered in the midst of all of the uncertainty?  I discovered when you are at the lowest, the bottom rung, when the bottom drops out, and you have no one to turn to but the Lord, He is enough.  He is forever faithful.  Proverbs 18:24 states, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (ESV).  Some interpret that to mean that Jesus Himself is the One who sticks closer than any friend or brother; I can vouch for that. 

In the midst of the craziness of this year, I learned that Netflix was removing the TV show “Arrow” from its programming.  This is because the show has been off the air since 2020 (how times flies!); they structured it to drop off Netflix 5 years after the finale.  This is fair enough, but I was still sad to see this happen.  So I binged-watched portions of the show, until it was removed; which occurred back on December 18th, I think it was.  Not only did the example of protagonist of the show, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) inspire a group of heroes in that universe, but I confess he inspired me as well.  Therefore, Oliver’s words, at the end of an epic crossover, are a fitting way to conclude today:

Oliver Queen and Barry Allen (A.K.A. The Flash) celebrate their victory, defying impossible odds to do so.  Barry, as usual, wants to hug it out, but Oliver refuses and instead submits this toast.  “To appreciating what you have,” he says, “for however long you might have it.”  In the context of the finality of “Arrow” being removed from Netflix, this was an emotional line to hear again.  However, more importantly, Oliver’s words reinforced an important lesson that 2025 has taught me: treasure every day with family and friends for the gift that it truly is.  Because the old adage is true, ‘you never know what you have, until it’s gone.’ 

God bless,

Kevin

"A very special Christmas for me"

Hello old friend!  Here I am again writing after another much too long hiatus.  As has been my current pattern of late, I’m checking in again after a few months to confirm that I am, in fact, still alive.  “Where have you been, Kevin?”  You may be asking.  “Why have you barely written anything these months?”  Well, because, to put it bluntly, 2025 has been one of the worst years of my life.  For today, I want to say something about this year’s Christmas celebration against the backdrop of one of the most unexpected years of intense suffering I have ever faced.

Christmas has historically always been a special time for me.  It truly is, as the angel said to those shepherds in Luke 2, “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (verses 10-11).  Amen and amen!  But, to quote from Donny Hathaway’s 1970 song “This Christmas”: “This Christmas will be a very special Christmas for me.”  Oh yes, it’s true, the Christmas celebration for 2025 truly is a very special Christmas.  Why?  Because as Truman Burbank in the movie, “The Truman Show” (one of Jim Carrey’s great acting performances, in my opinion) put it, “Life is fragile.”   

If this year has taught me anything, it is to treasure the immense blessing of the people in your life.  It’s a sobering reality that your best friend, spouse, family member, etc. can be in good health one day, but the next day, you’re shocked because they are in a hospital emergency room.  So you find yourself in that lonely waiting room, wondering what your world will look like when it’s all said and done; after all, it could be that your loved one may not be in it anymore.  You say, “Kevin is back, and he is in rare form.  This is intense stuff.”  You are not wrong.  But Truman was absolutely right, “Life is fragile.” 

Therefore, because there finally appears to be a season of calm on the horizon, I can finally breathe.  The surprise calls to drive to the hospital in the middle of the night have ceased.  I rejoice because this is a wonderful time of the year.  Believe me, I anticipate and celebrate the birth of Jesus.  He is the One who came to give His life for us on a cross, out of selfless love.  This fact, coupled with knowing a loved one remains in the land of the living, leaves me feeling grateful.  Thus, once again, this Christmas will be, to quote Hathaway again, “a very special Christmas for me.”

God bless,

Kevin