Remembering a man of God

Today is a noteworthy day.  It was on this day, back in 2002, that a man of God named Rick Ferguson went to be with the Lord in Heaven.  You get the idea of just how much of an impact this man had on me personally when you consider all the times I’ve mentioned him in this blog.

I once wrote a paper about Rick for a Colorado Christian University academic paper.  In my paper, I referred to how Rick was a very snappy dresser; I actually called him a “conservative James Bond” because He was impeccably dressed every week.  For many years, my family and I had the privilege of sitting under Rick’s teachings.  Rick was articulate, bold, passionate, sincere, and humble.

 

When Rick had what could be called his “homecoming” nine years ago, we had a ranged of mixed emotions.  While we as a congregation celebrated the godly life he led, and the fact that he was with Jesus in Heaven, we were also still tremendously sad.  In fact, I’m feeling sad again now, just mentally re-living this season of my life.

If you are interested in getting an idea of the heart for Jesus that this man had, I would strongly recommend that you read his book “The servant principle” (by Rick Ferguson with Bryan McAnally).  This is a fantastic book that you can get for a reasonable price at amazon.com.

I still miss Rick.  But I thank God for the impact that he made on many lives, including mine.  I concluded my CCU paper by saying, “I hold the view that I will see my beloved late pastor one day again in Heaven!  What a day that will be!”  Amen to that.

Kevin

My "Captain America" review

I watched “Captain America: The First Avenger” starring Chris Evans as Captain America today.  I'm certainly not an official movie reviewer by any means, but I wanted to give my personal opinion of the film. 

Let me start with the good points.  There are positive messages conveyed in the flick.  For instance, Steve Rogers (Captain America’s alter ego) is literally a ninety-pound weakling at the beginning of the movie.  But he is chosen, because of the heroism that he exhibits, to be injected with a “super soldier serum.”  This serum transforms him into Captain America.  Thus a big underpinning of the movie is the clear message that someone can be a hero because of who he is on the inside, not necessarily because he fits the physical stereotype of a hero.

A second positive aspect of the film is Steve Rogers’ humility.  Contrary to other characters we’ve seen, Rogers never goes around prattling on endlessly about how wonderful he is.  Rather he follows the advice of Proverbs 27, to let another man’s lips praise him. 

As for the unfavorable elements, let me caution parents that this movie is not at all for young children.  It is rated PG-13.  While thankfully the language is very minimal, there’s more blood than I would have liked to see.  Plus the main villain, Red Skull, might frighten younger viewers. Secondly, in one disappointing scene, a despondent Rogers tries to get drunk, and realizes that because of the super soldier serum, he can’t.

However, having said this, I don’t set my expectations on seeing a perfect movie in Hollywood.  The fact is, there are definitely some compelling reasons to watch this film.  Heroism is to be applauded and you certainly get to see it in Captain America.  In short, if you enjoy viewing superhero movies, you should enjoy watching this flick.

Kevin

God is in control

It’s a tremendous comfort for me to know that God is in control.  Of course, we don’t always understand why things happen the way that they do, but this doesn’t negate the sovereignty of God.  If we could get to place where we realize God is in control, no matter what, it would set us free. 

The Bible tells us that God puts men and women where He wants them.  Acts 17:26 says that God “has determined their [that is, humankind’s] preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (NKJV).  In other words, God planned it so that you would live at this point in history.  He chose where you would live, the employment that you would have, the school that you would attend, and so on. 

I don’t believe that God makes mistakes.  For example, it’s not as if God wanted me to change my job years ago, and yet He forgot to orchestrate the events that would have led me to a job change because He was too busy doing other things.  No, God has me in the job He wants for me; I am where I'm supposed to be right now.  Revelation 3 says that God is the one who opens doors that no one can close and closes doors that no one can open.  Sometimes we humans believe that we can actually pry open a door that God has closed.  Not according to Revelation 3!  We may kick the door, or knock on the door until we drop from exhaustion, but we will not open a door that God doesn’t want us to walk through.

To me, understanding God’s control is a tremendous relief.   You say, “I’m going through the worst storm I’ve ever gone through in my life right now.”  I empathize with you.  Life can be very difficult at times.  The reality is, there are no simple answers when it comes to trying to understand some of the adverse circumstances we face, so I’m not going to attempt to give one.  I do know that God is in absolute control.  He knows what He is doing, even if we don't have the slightest idea.

Kevin

A wonderful character from the Bible

I thank God for the men and women from the Word of God that we can learn from.  One person that is a big inspiration for a lot of Christians is Peter.  This is a man that at one point told Jesus, “Lord, I am willing to go with you to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33) and yet just a few verses later, three times Peter disavows any knowledge of even knowing Jesus (Luke 22:54-62).  This is a regrettable episode in the life of Peter, but it’s not the end of the story.

Peter looks like a different person in Acts 2.  He presents a thrilling sermon on the day of Pentecost and, as a result of his bold preaching, thousands of people put their faith and trust in Jesus (verse 41).  The lesson we gain from Peter is this: if we’ve failed, we don’t have to let it define us.  We can repent of it and move on.  We can still be used by God.

I think I’ve previously mentioned that I am a 30-year-old virgin.  But I know that unfortunately this is not everyone’s story.  In fact, every time I mention abstinence my mind quickly goes to the man or woman who tried to live a life of sexual purity and ultimately failed.  I’m sure that some of these dear people subsequently have reasoned, since they have failed, they will stay on the road of sexual promiscuity.

To the person who thinks this, I would point them to Peter.  This is a man that failed, but he didn’t let his failure define him.  He repented, and God forgave him (God will do the same thing for us; see 1 John 1:9).

Of course, this principle doesn’t just apply to the person who has failed in the sexual realm.  Perhaps you have struggled with gluttony, laziness, or anger in your past.  Once again, let Peter’s story encourage you.  Everyone makes mistakes in one way or another.  Peter was so afraid of what people would think that he lied and said that he didn’t even know Jesus.  Yet he moved on from that episode and went on not only to boldly proclaim the truth in Acts 2, but also to bless countless generations, including ours, with his letters of 1 and 2 Peter.  Like Peter, God wants us to move on to a life of obedience and service to Him. 

 

Kevin Bauer

Words to ponder

One of my birthday gifts was a book by former football head coach Tony Dungy called “Quiet Strength.”  I am really enjoying reading through this book – and I would like to recommend it to you. 

As a football fan, I am enjoying Coach Dungy recount the highs and the lows of his football career.  For instance, Bronco fans will remember, with sadness, the year that the Steelers defeated the Broncos 34-17 in the AFC Championship game.  They eventually defeated the Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl 40.  It’s interesting to note that the team the Steelers had to beat to get to that championship game against Denver was the Colts.  The Colts were 14-2 that year, but they lost a heartbreaker in the final seconds to the Steelers 21-18. 

The interesting historical context of that year (a fact that I didn’t know until I read "Quiet Strength") was this was the year that Tony Dungy’s son, Jaime, died a tragic death.  I remember watching that Steelers-Colts game.  I was rooting for the Steelers because I thought the Broncos had the better chance of beating them.  Knowing more about the trial that Coach Dungy was going through that year, I am very sad that his football team had to lose in the playoffs, and that they had to lose in such a heartbreaking way.

Having spent a lot of time talking about football in this particular blog installment already, I must admit that “Quiet Strength” is not all about football.  Tony Dungy, if you didn’t know, is a strong Christian.  Just from a cursory reading, one can tell how important his Christian faith is to him.  It was a happy day when his Colts won Super Bowl 41, but Tony Dungy – in my opinion – is a success even if his team had never won a Super Bowl.

I’ve written all that I have to this point so that I can relay this one sentence from his book (this blog turned out longer than I thought it would).  In chapter 11, a chapter entitled “Defining Success” he asks the reader a penetrating question: “Are other people’s lives better because we lived?”  This question really made me evaluate my own life afresh.  Can I claim that other people’s lives are better simply because I lived?  I hope the answer is yes.  I’m certainly striving to live a life that impacts others in a positive, God-honoring way.  How about you?  Can you claim that other people’s lives are better simply because you lived?

Kevin

A wonderful holiday

I want to wish everyone a very happy Independence Day!  In God’s timing, He worked it so that I would be taking a class at Colorado Christian University on America leading up to the fourth of July.  I’ve actually been contemplating this great land of ours since early June!  The United States of America is truly a great nation.

We as Americans are blessed, and it is very easy to take the blessings that we have for granted.  Today I would encourage you all to contemplate afresh the wonderful freedoms that we enjoy.  For example, we are free to worship God without having to risk personal safety.  We are free to vote.  There's a tremendous thought!  We are free to elect a new President every four years.  Not every nation gets the privilege of choosing our leaders.  I could go on and on.  I am very thankful to be an American!

I'm also thankful for the Founder Fathers of our nation and all they did in America's beginning days.  I've noticed an attitude in our culture that mistrusts the Founding Fathers, but this is a mistake.  Check out a book called "Vindicating the Founders" by Thomas West if you are interested in learning more about this.

Happy Independence Day!

Kevin

Each day is a gift

I recently discovered that July 1st, 2011, was the day that Princess Diana would have turned fifty years old, if she hadn't died back in 1997.  This fact only intensified a message that had already been bubbling inside me to share: every day is a gift.  Life itself is a gift that God grants to us daily.  We don’t know how many years we have on this planet.  We sometimes talk like we are going to live for decades, but truth is, we really don’t know.  Life is fragile.

I confess I’m feeling a bit more reflective right now as I look back at my recent 30th birthday celebration.  Many people conveyed to me how much they love me.  I felt their love.  I’m blessed to know many wonderful people.  But, the truth of the matter is, it took God’s providence for me to get to age 30.  As I’ve shared before, God protected me from death when I was just a baby.

So I just want encourage you (and I direct these words to myself, too) to live each day with gratitude to God.  He is the one who keeps our hearts beating, and gives us the breath we need to sustain us.

Kevin Bauer