Happy 40th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

I just wanted to take a moment to express that today is a very special day. Today is my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary!  Here is a nice picture of them.

I found it noteworthy to look at what was going on back in 1974: consider this:  

In 1974 Gerald Ford was the President of the United States, after Richard Nixon resigned.  Roger Moore was starring in his second James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun.”  The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl (the 1974 season concluded in 1975); and “All in the family” was the top show on television (according to 1970’s flashback.com - here's the link: http://www.1970sflashback.com/1974/TV.asp 

While all this is interesting, it’s more fitting to focus on my parent’s marriage.  I suspect that if you ask them, my folks would emphatically declare that they are more in love today than they were when they got married.  They have grown closer and closer over the years.

Mom and Dad, I just wanted to say that you two are an inspiration, not just to me, but to many others as well.  I also know that you would want to me end this blog by diverting the attention off of you and onto God.  So I’ll quote 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (NASB). 

Kevin  

Tribute to a superhero (part 2)

Back in 1939, Bob Kane created the character of Batman. This year marks Batman’s 75th anniversary. In honor of this, I am devoting two blog installments to specific lessons that Batman teaches us. I posted some back on Friday, here are the remaining three.

#4: Never give up

In my opinion, as a Batman fan for decades, this idea of never giving up is one of the defining characteristics that sets Batman apart. In an episode of “Justice League” entitled “Only A Dream” a villain says to our hero, “You’re different; you don’t have any special powers.” Batman counters by saying, “Oh, I have one.  I never give up.” It’s so true. No matter how bleak, dire, or apparently insurmountable, Batman never quits. He never throws in the towel, or waves the white flag of surrender.

For instance, in an episode of “Justice League Unlimited” entitled “Destroyer”, a superpowered villain named Darkseid is running amok in Metropolis. Batman is there helping out, and while he is a mortal, he is still fighting Darkseid. What can he possibly do against an adversary so powerful? It doesn’t matter; Batman never gives up. The villain is shocked; he says to Batman, “You’re still here?” Superman answers for Batman, “That man won’t quit while he’s still drawing breath.” What an example! Never give up even when things look hopeless, dreary, and grim.

#5: Be prepared for any eventuality

I have two examples of this. First, there’s Batman’s famous utility belt. If you know you are going to be running around on rooftops, it would be best to have a grappling hook. If you know are going to be fighting villains, equip your belt with offensive weapons like tear gas pellets, or smoke pellets to avoid being seen at all. In short, Batman has his belt for what seems like any situation.

But Batman’s preparations include far more than just wearing his belt. In the animated movie “Justice League: Doom” it’s revealed that Batman has a contingency plan to neutralize any and all members of the Justice League. Batman’s logic is that if Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, or Green Lantern ever went rogue he could use his plans to make sure these extremely powerful beings are stopped. Some might say Batman is paranoid or expecting the worse in people, but in Batman’s mind, it’s better to always be prepared for any possible occurrence.

#6: Don’t seek personal glory

See if you can picture this: Batman saves a citizen of Gotham from certain death. The citizen thanks Batman, and in response, Batman says, “That’s right, you should thank me. In fact, you should go and tell all your friends and your family just how wonderful I am. Honor me. Praise me. Sing ballads of my exploits; for I am your rescuer.” No, you’re right; I can’t picture it, either. This described scene isn’t Batman in the slightest. The fact of the matter is this: Batman doesn’t do what he does for glory, adulation, or fame.

For example, in the pilot episode of the show “The Batman” entitled “The Bat in the Belfry” Bruce and Alfred are watching the chief of police being interviewed on TV. A member of the media asks if the rumors are true, that it was in fact, Batman who apprehended a powerful crime boss the night before. The chief denies it, relegating Batman as nothing more than an urban myth. Alfred is indignant, but Bruce replies, “Easy, Alfred. The Batman is right where he likes, hovering below the radar.” Alfred responds, “You are not one to bask in glory, Master Bruce.”

In conclusion, I hope you enjoyed my two blog installments where I presented my tribute to a remarkable superhero. Happy 75th anniversary, Batman!

Kevin

Tribute to a superhero (part 1)

Here’s a fun fact: 2014 marks the 75th anniversary since the creation of the superhero Batman. As a tribute, I want to devote this blog installment and the next one to stating certain lessons (in no particular order) that Batman teaches us. There are more, but these are the highlights of things that I’ve picked up on being a fan of this superhero for many, many years.

#1: Possess strong ethics

If Batman teaches us anything it’s that it is vitally important to have ethics. Batman chooses to never take a life. This choice has consequences: for one thing, you are destined to fight the same villains over and over again. For instance, some have raised the question why Batman doesn’t just kill his archenemy the Joker. After all, the Joker has murdered numerous people, and yet, Batman never takes the Joker’s life. Why?

Batman himself answers this in the animated film: “Batman: Under the Red Hood”. I’m paraphrasing but essentially he believes that to end the Joker’s life would be the easy way out. And furthermore, if he were to do so, it would change him to the point that Batman would begin to murder any of his enemies. Thus he chooses to never cross that line. He chooses to have strong ethics.

#2: Be committed to your life mission

Bruce Wayne, alias Batman, is an extraordinary man with many exceptional gifts. I agree with Arthur Ashe who states in his book “God on the Streets of Gotham” that Bruce could turn some heads at the latest NFL combine and then go and win big on the game show “Jeopardy”. Ashe nails it. I would add that Bruce could make a name for himself as an escape artist. Or with his brilliant mind, he could thrive as a lawyer.

But the simple fact of the matter is this: none of these avenues are his life's mission. Bruce Wayne knew what his life mission would be when his parents were senselessly murdered right in front of him when he was a young boy. He vowed to spend the rest of his life bringing any and all criminals to justice. His life mission is to protect the citizens of Gotham, and as he put it in the film, “Batman Forever” to “ensure what happened to me would never happen to anyone else again.”

#3: Surround yourself with allies

I personally don’t understand why Batman has the reputation for being a loner. As I see it, Batman is not a loner. Granted, he may be selective with who he chooses as his friends and allies, but he is not loner. Consider the fact that he has allies like his faithful butler, Alfred, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Commissioner Gordon, Superman and the rest of the members of the Justice League, Lucius Fox (who was an invaluable ally in the Christian Bale Batman movies), and on and on we could go with the list.

Most of the people that I’ve just mentioned know that Bruce Wayne is Batman. He could go to any of them and share the struggles of his life with them, if he chose. By contrast, Spider-Man (another great superhero) in most storylines has to deal with his double life all alone. Yes, he also has friends and family, but he can’t confide his escapades as Spider-Man with them. This makes his superhero duties twice as challenging.

To be continued!

Kevin

A critically important reminder

I love this verse from Revelation 3; Jesus says, “These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open” (verse 7). What incredible encouragement to consider that God, in His sovereignty, closes doors that I can’t open, and He opens doors I can’t close! Let me cite a few examples.

In February of this year, God opened a door that no one could close regarding a new small group Bible study. It was a door of opportunity to attend a group that would discuss the sermon from the weekend services, and then hold each other up in prayer. I remember saying when this door first opened that God presented this opportunity to me on a silver platter. I have subsequently obtained such a blessing to be a part of this group.

For another example, back in June, I celebrated my ten year anniversary at the current Chick-fil-A store that I’ve been employed.  I’ll be candid with you: while I love Chick-fil-A, I have to admit that it hasn’t always been fun and games. There have been times, over these years, where I’ve wanted to move on to something else. But God, who closes doors that no one can open, hasn’t opened another door of opportunity in this regard. Therefore, I know I’m to remain where I am, and that I’m supposed to serve willingly and joyfully.

When I think of a closed door in my life, I think of how, at age 33, God has never opened the door of marriage to me. There were relationships with the opposite sex that I thought might lead to marriage, but they didn’t. Certainly this doesn’t mean that God will never open the door, but to this point, the door of marriage has remained closed.

There are more examples that I could give. I could mention the opportunity to obtain a college degree; or I could talk about the fact that God opened a door for this blog to exist in the first place, but you get the point. I’m simply stating that God is always working. He says, “What I open no one can shut, and what I shut no one can open.”

Kevin

"By the grace of God, I am what I am"

A few blog entries back, I was talking about the number of tears that we cry. I thought about that notion again yesterday, as I was in tears at church. I was actually crying tears of joy as I was remembering how God, by His wonderful grace, transformed me. I was recollecting my story of how I became a Christian.

I was a six year old boy who went to a Billy Graham crusade with his parents and brother. God used the words of Mr. Graham; I was feeling the conviction from the Holy Spirit. I knew that I was a sinner who was in need of a Savior. I knew I needed to respond and put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ. So I stated to my parents that I needed to go forward during the altar call. I yielded my life to God that day.

Here I am all these years later. I’m far from perfect. I falter and stumble. I struggle with the sin that so easily besets me (old King James Version rendering of Hebrews 12:1), but there’s no doubt in my mind that God changed me that day. He changed my entire identity. The Apostle Paul wrote, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). I echo that for myself.

I've previously referenced a pastor by the name of Rick Ferguson.  Rick went to Heaven back in 2002, but he left a strong Christian legacy behind.  He was saved at a young age as I was.  When you become a Christian at a young age, you don’t have a dramatic conversion story to tell.

For example, earlier I mentioned the Apostle Paul. This was a man who persecuted the church, dragged Christians into prison, and murdered them. He wanted to stamp out and destroy Christianity. But God ambushed him, and completely revolutionized his life; his allegiance shifted from wanting to destroy Christianity to being an avid voice for Christianity. That’s a dramatic conversion!

This idea of not having lived much of a life before coming to Christ concerned Rick for a time, but then he shared that God showed him that when you come to Jesus at a young age, God doesn’t just save you from who you were; He saves you from what you would have become.  On more than one occasion Rick mentioned this notion in his sermons and it really resonated with me because it’s true. I shudder to think about the life that I might be living today, if I didn’t become a Christian. I prefer to thank God for His grace, love, and kindness in my life. Praise God for the gift of salvation!

Kevin