"You're a wonder, Wonder Woman!"

I had the opportunity to see “Wonder Woman” yesterday.  I have to tell you that I love this film.  I could go on and on with acclaim for this movie, but let me boil it down to one key element.  In order to do this, I’m going to shift gears and talk about something that seems to be off topic, but stick with me, because it isn’t.

There is a you tube channel called “How It Should Have Ended”; it features a comedic, animated parody re-imagining the ending of specific films.  One strand of this channel is entitled “Super Cafe” where Batman and Superman sit down at a cafe together and banter with each other.  I love the video from a few years ago where the two heroes are reacting to the trailer of “Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice”.  They argue about who is going to win in their battle.  Superman essentially says that Batman could never hurt him.  But Batman disagrees, and Superman challenges him to prove it.  Batman doesn’t even move; he simply says, “Man of Steel was not inspiring.”  Superman appears to be on the verge of tears, and then replies, “Now, that’s just hurtful.”

The video is intended to be comedic, but nevertheless, I have to agree with Batman’s analysis.  Personally, I liked “Man of Steel” more than others seem to, but I do concede that you didn’t leave the theatre feeling inspired.  For a film that revolves around the first – and perhaps best – superhero, that’s problematic.  This was the cinematic world that Wonder Woman was born into.  The movie that followed: “Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice” certainly had its moments of greatness, but ultimately it didn’t fare too much better in the inspirational department either.  However, “Wonder Woman” is very inspiring!

I titled this blog “You’re a wonder, Wonder Woman.”  It’s a line from the theme song from the Wonder Woman TV show starring Lynda Carter.  Wonder Woman is certainly a wonder in this film as well!  She is faithful to her mission, no matter how difficult it may be.  She fights for those who can’t fight for themselves.  She is selfless, brave, heroic, and yes, inspirational.  I submit that “Wonder Woman” is the best superhero film to come out in years.

Kevin 

Words of blessing on my birthday

Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another man’s lips praise you; a stranger and not your own mouth.”  In the spirit of this verse, I’m going to do something I’ve never done in this blog before: I’m going to share some of the kind words that my family and friends have expressed to me.  Just so you know, it makes me very uncomfortable, vulnerable, and exposed to do this, but on my birthday, I thought it was appropriate.

I want to start with some words that my dad said to me in a card in 2011: “I am extremely proud to call you my son.  You are a rare jewel.  I love you very much.”  My mom once wrote that I'm "a great forgiver and humble to a fault.”  After I recently wrote the blog that I titled “gallant hero”, Mom sent these words to me in a text message: “I wish I knew how to post a comment.  You are a godly, gallant man, selfless every day.”

 

While I’m on the subject of my mom, let me take a moment to publicly thank her for what she did for me on my birthday last year.  She arranged for someone from my church to come to my work and serenade me with the “Happy Birthday” song.  I don’t know how she did it, but she managed to do all this arranging without my knowledge; it was a complete surprise!  That was my first birthday without my dad, and she made it very special.  Thanks, Mom!

Almost a year ago now, as we commemorated the anniversary of my dad’s unexpected homecoming to Heaven, my brother, Mark, wrote these heartwarming words to me in a text message.  He said, “I love you, Kevin.  You have undertaken the impossibly challenging task of taking care of a lot of Dad’s responsibilities, and helping to hold Mom together, in the hardest year either of you have ever had to face.  You are getting stronger and wiser.”

Let me transition now to what friends have said to me.  One of my best friends once wrote: “You have always been such a wonderful friend to me.  You are a special person and I am blessed to have you in my wedding, but more importantly in my life.”  In another card, she wrote, “Our world could certainly benefit from more people like you!”  A precious elderly lady who is like another Grandma to me wrote this in a birthday card in 2011, “Happy to send my wishes to an admirable young man, devoted son, and servant of God.”

 

As for coworkers, one person once stated that I am “like an angel on Earth”; and more than one colleague has dubbed me “Superman" (that's my dad's title, but I appreciate the sentiment). Recently someone on Facebook, reacting to my workplace anniversary, commented, "Kevin rocks - perfect gentleman."  I’ll conclude this section of the blog with the words of my pastor. He said in an e-mail that I am “an amazing young man, a miracle, and a blessing to us, and so many others.”

 

Can I tell you just how incredibly awkward it is for me to compose the verbal praises of others?  These words are kind, but they are humbling.  I don’t feel worthy of this love fest.  Let’s get the focus off of me: 

I recently heard a sermon where the pastor said, without God, his life would be a train wreck.  In fact, he went on to boldly declare, “I’m my own worst enemy without my Savior.”  I assert the same sentiments for myself.  I’m far from perfect or sinless.  But I can tell you, contrary to the opinion of some, God is not dead; Jesus is alive and well today.  One reason I know this is because He changed my life.  Without Jesus, the unique God-man, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today.  If there is anything praiseworthy about me, it’s not because of me; ultimately it’s because of Him.  I give Him all the honor and glory!

In conclusion, I have to share a beautiful prayer that my father e-mailed me on my birthday back in 2012.  I couldn’t help but end my birthday blog with his eloquent words:

“Dear Lord,

Thank You for the blessing of Kevin.  We thank You, and praise You, for all You’ve brought him through – both miraculous healings – and for using him as You do.  Thank You for preserving his life and helping him through so many difficult situations.  Thank You for his kind and gentle spirit, and for his Christ-like attitude about everything.  Thank You for the 31 years You’ve given him, and that You’ve given us to enjoy his presence.

We don’t know what You have planned for his life, but we ask that You continue to guide, direct, energize and use him.  Help him as he finishes up school.  Guide him into the next phase of his life, in a way that he will have absolutely no question as to the way he should go.  As we dedicated Kevin to You when he was a child, we dedicate his future to You now.”

In Jesus’ name, amen!”

"Life is hard, but God is good"

A pastor once gave this memorable analogy: “Do you ever feel like God shows up in front of your house; He’s in a four wheel drive vehicle.  He says, “Hop in the back.  Make sure you put your seatbelt on.  We’re going four wheeling.  And by the way, not just on the highways; we’re going off track.  We’re going out in the mountains.  We’re going to have some fun!”  Anybody ever feel like that?”  I certainly do.  Life often feels turbulent, bumpy, and unruly to me.

I don’t know where this quote originated, but someone said, “Life is hard, but God is good.”  Whoever said it is absolutely right.  Not too long ago, I commented to someone that the older I get, the more crystal clear it is that I’m not in control.  Ravi Zacharias in his marvelous book, “The Grand Weaver” writes, “We think that if only we were in control, everything would be fine.  I have a friend who is terrified of flying because, he says, he cannot handle anything that he cannot control.  I did not want to offend him by saying “Welcome to life.””

Just weeks before his passing, Pastor Rick Ferguson stated, “So what do we do…when we don’t understand God?  We keep trusting Him.  We keep worshipping Him.  We keep serving Him.  We keep looking to Him.”  Well said.  “Life is hard, but God is good.”  God, as “the driver” of the four wheel drive vehicle, knows exactly what He is doing; I trust Him, because He is trustworthy, faithful, and good.

I’ll conclude with this.  In an episode of the TV show “Lois and Clark” a despondent man is on the verge of committing suicide, but Superman stops him.  He says to the man, “Sir, please.  Life is a very precious gift.  Every day we’re alive is a new chance to be the best we can be.”  “Oh, please,” the man retorts.  “What would you know about it, Mr. Nothing Can Hurt me; I Don’t Need Money to Live?  And didn’t anybody ever tell you that two primary colors just do not work together?”  “You can make fun of my appearance, if you’d like,” the Man of Steel replies, “Or we can talk about what’s really bothering you.  Which do you prefer?”

 

The man does begin to articulate his problems, but Superman soon has another pressing issue to deal with, so he suggests that the man to get some help, but he proclaims, “Life is worth living.”  Later on in the episode, we see that Superman’s words took hold because the man says, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this it’s that life really is worth living for as long as you get to, because you never know what’s going to happen next.”  As my birthday looms closer, I am reminded that life – no matter how challenging it may be – is also “a very precious gift” to use Superman’s words.  And it is certainly worth living, no matter what.

Kevin

Reflections on Father's Day

Happy Father’s Day!  I have several reflections I want to share.  First of all, in honor of my dad who loved to share the origins of holidays, let me begin today by citing some information on how Father’s Day came to be.

“It is believed that Father’s Day was first observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, through the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd, a Christian woman and the daughter of American Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart.  Sonora’s mother died when she was age 16, and she wanted a day that would commemorate and honor fathers like her own, who had raised her and five other children.  Once she began soliciting the idea of an official Father’s Day she met some opposition, and even derision, but she persevered.  A bill was introduced in Congress in 1913, and in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson spoke at a Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington, wanting to make it an official holiday, but Congress still resisted.  In 1924, Calvin Coolidge became involved, and in 1930 a national committee was formed by various trade groups in an effort to legitimize the holiday.  The battle continued, and in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson made a proclamation for the third Sunday of June to be Father’s Day.  Finally, it was made an official national holiday when President Nixon signed a similar proclamation in 1972”

(Source:https://www.gotquestions.org/Fathers-Day.html)

Secondly, I want to encourage you to make this day extraordinarily special for your dad.  This is important for several reasons, for one, because we don’t know how long a life we will live.  You say, “My dad is healthy; he exercises and he watches his diet.  His father lived a long life, so my dad will too.”  I’m sorry but none of that matters.  I know whereof I speak.  I remember when I used to think like that regarding my own father.  But Dad, to the shock of everyone, didn’t get to see past the young age of 60.  You can rattle off all the statistics on life expectancy, proper diet, and whatever else that you want to cite, but it doesn’t change the fact that life is a fragile gift.  You can be seemingly healthy and pass away tomorrow.  Incidentally, this is true not only for your dad, but it’s true for you and me as well.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed even for the person who is in their 20’s or 30’s.

Frasier Crane, both in the TV show “Cheers” and in his popular spin-off “Frasier” spoke of how important it is to express to your loved ones how much they mean to you.  The “Frasier” storyline that prompted these words came from a rather dramatic narrative for a comedy show: Frasier’s brother, Niles, discovered he needed to have bypass surgery due to a blockage.  The severity of this news reminded everyone how precious the gift of life and health really is.  That’s an important lesson from a TV show.

Thirdly, and in closing, I can’t conclude this blog without bragging on my dad a little bit.  I know I’ve highlighted him a lot already this month, but it doesn’t feel right to compose a Father’s Day blog without referencing him.  I was recently at a grocery store and I saw a hash tag for Father’s Day that read: “#BestDadEver”.  I knew what I wanted to do at some point in this Father’s Day blog, and that is this:

#BestDadEver

I’m proud to be Jerry Bauer’s son.  I want to be as honorable, noble, selfless, and heroic as him.

Kevin

The incredible power of a godly life

A few weeks ago, I had an interesting experience: I was actually mistaken for someone else.  I was at an event where my pastor and his wife were being honored for their decades of ministry.  At one point, a lady came up to me and asked me if I was the emcee for the event.  Presuming that she was joking, I replied that I guess so.  Then she asked me if I was still on the radio.  At that moment, I understood what was happening.  This dear lady was confusing me with my dad.  I had to explain the whole situation.  The man before her was Kevin Bauer, not Jerry.  And while he and I have a resemblance, Jerry Bauer had passed away unexpectedly almost two years ago.  The poor lady was embarrassed, but I told her that it completely understandable.

This case of mistaken identity was surreal, but as I thought about it some more, it dawned on me that if my dad lived a rebellious, defiant, lifestyle it might have been a very different experience for me.  For instance, imagine if I had to admit, “he made shameful choices.  I’m trying to make amends for the disgrace he put on the family name.”  Thank God I didn’t have to say that because it isn’t true.  I actually told the uniformed lady that my dad was the most selfless person that I knew, and that I wanted to follow in his footsteps.  To put it another way: I may look like my dad physically, but I want to look like him in his unselfish conduct as well.

My brother, Mark, said something quite apropos at my dad’s service.  I plan to share the entirety of his comments on a future blog, but for today, consider this important excerpt: “I want to thank him for making me the person I am.  He didn’t teach me through words, by preaching at me, he taught me through example.”  Amen!  Eric Metaxas, in his book, “7 Men and the Secret to Their Greatness”, puts it this way:  “You can talk about right and wrong and good and bad all day long, but ultimately people need to see it.  Seeing and studying the actual lives of people is simply the best way to communicate ideas about how to behave and how not to behave.”  My dad lived out this concept.

I recently went to a family reunion.  One of the highlights of this trip was spending time with my Great Aunt Oca.  She is in her 80’s now and she just shines for Jesus.  At one point, when she was given the floor, she spoke of this same concept; living your faith, not just speaking empty words that don’t back it up.  She sang an old hymn written back in the 1920’s called “What You Are” by H.S. Lehman.  Check out these powerful words: 

“What you are speaks so loud that the world can’t hear what you say.  They’re looking at your walk, not listening to your talk; they’re judging you by your actions every day.”  For all the wonderful benefits that words have, I submit to you that modeling a godly lifestyle is an undeniably powerful concept.  I’ve renewed my commitment to living my faith out, and I trust you will do the same.

Kevin

A super example

I’ve previously said these words in this blog, but it’s worth repeating: the older I get the more I respect and appreciate Superman.  I don’t say this because the Man of Steel has those impressive powers, or even because he was the first of all the superheroes.  No, I love Superman because of his goodness, morality, and exemplary character.  I’m in full agreement with H. Michael Brewer when he states this in his excellent book “Who Needs a Superhero?”: “While invulnerability and super strength are undeniable assets, Superman’s heroism is ultimately rooted in his heart, not his biceps.”

One could probably cite a hundred examples of Superman’s character (I was reminded that Christopher Reeve’s Superman actually took the time to rescue a cat from a tree, to the delight of a young girl who was worried about her furry companion!), but I like the example that is cited in B.J. Oropeza’s book “The Gospel According to Superheroes”:

“Superman has modeled enduring values repeatedly throughout his history…In one episode of the animated series Justice League Superman hangs on chains from a wall while his enemy spits in his face and tells him how weak he is.  After his enemy leaves, he casually rips the chains off the wall.  When asked why he did not show his strength while being insulted, Superman replies with an answer resembling Christ, “It’s called turning the other cheek.”  Later in the same episode Superman refuses to kill this same opponent and is even willing to sacrifice his own life for the opponent’s home planet.”

A little while back, I purchased a remembrance decal for my car.  It has a white cross with a caption that reads “In Loving Memory”.  With the adhesive letters provided you can stick on the name of the person you wish to memorialize.  Mine reads: “In Loving Memory: Dad “Superman” 1954 - 2015”.  My dad’s heroism was evident because of his selfless character, and how he always looked out for the good of others before himself.  Sounds a lot like Superman to me.

Let me conclude by citing from H. Michael Brewer’s book once again.  He puts it so well when he writes, “Ordinary people abound with heroism.  I could make a long list of quiet, overlooked people who have inspired me by their faithfulness; most of these people would be shocked that I find anything heroic in their lives.  True heroism rarely involves front-page rescues or superhuman achievements.” I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to tell my dad on more than one occasion how his influence impacted me.  And even though Dad is currently enjoying his Heavenly reward, I continue to be inspired by his godly influence, to this very day.

But let me try and make this a little closer to home for you.  I suspect that you know of a dad who inspires you because of their quiet but heroic faithfulness to their family, church, neighborhood, country, and most importantly to God.  I want to challenge you: as Father’s Day approaches, take the time to thank that man for his influence in your life.  Send him a card, text, e-mail, or even face to face interaction. Whatever route you choose to go, I suspect your encouragement will brighten his day.

Kevin