"How sweet it is to be loved by you"

Let me start by citing these words from a Christian song: “Sometimes I think what will people say of me, when I’m only just a memory, when I’m home where my soul belongs.  Was I love when no one else would show up?  Was I Jesus to the least of these?  Was my worship more than just a song?  I want to live like that, and give it all I have, so that everything I say and do points to You” (from the song “Live like that” released in 2012 by the group Sidewalk Prophets). 

It was interesting for me to realize that I have written 680 blogs (or counting this one 681) since this blog’s beginning back in 2011.  How many more will I be able to write?  Will I get to 1000?  I don’t know.  While I certainly intend to live a good long life; tomorrow is not guaranteed.  It’s so important to “number our days” (Psalm 90:12).  Furthermore, we must never forget this: Jesus is coming back again.  Yes, people endlessly mock this notion, but it’s still true nevertheless.

Therefore, let me state this definitively: The God who created the world, and everything in it, loves you and me with a pure, unconditional, immense love.  He proved that by initiating a divine rescue plan for humanity: Jesus – God in human flesh – died on a cross, as payment for our sin, and subsequently got up out of His own grave!  So now all one must do is turn to Him in repentance and faith.  The Bible says, “Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The film “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” was released in 1993; it is celebrating its 30th anniversary.  When I first saw this film as a child, I didn’t get the tone.  While it is undeniably great (Kevin Conroy delivers one of his finest performances in this one), it is also incredibly bittersweet and sad.  I could write a whole blog on this film (but for now, stay with me, as I do have a point).  The movie could be presented in this way:

Boy is orphaned and vows to wage a one-man war on criminals; boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, and nearly gives up his plans entirely.  Girl unexpectedly leaves boy.  Boy becomes vigilante (Bruce putting on the Batman mask for the first time is probably the best scene in the movie).  Years later, girl resurfaces, boy and girl reconnect; ultimately boy and girl realize they will never be able to make it work, and end up apart.  In a heartbreaking end scene, Bruce sadly laments to Alfred, “I couldn’t save her, Alfred.”  The faithful butler tenderly replies, “I don’t think she wanted to be saved, sir.” 

You say, “Why are you bringing up such sadness?”  First off, I’ve been mentioning I would give my remarks on a bittersweet superhero film.  This was the one I was referencing.  But secondly, I think this sadness is a picture of how God feels when we reject His offer of salvation and reconciliation with Him.  God doesn’t force us to have a relationship with Him.  We have a free will.  So God says, “She didn’t want to be saved, she thought she had to perform good works to be saved.”  Works are important, but it’s faith in Christ first, then works.  Or “he didn’t want to be saved, he thought he had sinned too much.”  Or perhaps, “she thought she was a good, moral person who didn’t even need to be saved.”

In conclusion, I don’t know if I have another 680 blogs in my future; maybe it’s more, maybe it’s less.  But whatever the case, I wanted to take the time today to express it clearly: God’s love for you is constant and fervent.  If you haven’t made the decision to begin your relationship with the Lord, do it today; it will be the best decision you will ever make.  I recently heard a love song where the line was: “How sweet it is to be loved by you.”  It’s true for a romantic relationship; it’s also what I express to God, right here and now.  His love fills me up to overflowing, and then it spills out onto others.    

Kevin      

Valentine's Day thoughts - one day late

Last time, I gave a teaser that I had some thoughts on a bittersweet love story from a superhero film.  While I probably will still give my remarks on that at some point, for today, I’ve decided to go in another direction.

I think it’s unfortunate that whenever we think of Valentine’s Day, we immediately think of romantic relationships.  Of course, that’s legitimate, but there’s so much more.  I don’t know who said it but a few years ago now, I heard Valentine’s Day described as “Love Day”.  And this makes me think about God’s incredible love for you, for me, and for all of the world.

Not long ago, I heard Jason Crabb on a Christian talk show.  I had heard Jason sing songs of praise.  I was familiar with what a gifted singer he is.  But I did not know about Jason Crabb’s story; it was fun to hear about it on this talk show.  He candidly shared about how after his parent’s divorce, he began to go down a dark path. 

He partook in what he called “cheap highs”; drugs, marijuana, etc.  But God turned him around.  He spoke of how the Lord used Michael English’s song “had it not been” to minister to him.  Right there in the interview, without any musical accompaniment, Jason sang a few lines of the song: “Had it not been for a place called Mount Calvary; had it not been for the old rugged cross; had it not been for a Man named Jesus, then forever my soul would be lost.”

Later on in the interview, he shared a story of when he had what he called a “God moment” with another songwriter, who believed differently than Jason.  He said, “Let me tell you why I believe the way I do: I am never going to be good enough.  I’m broken.  I’m a mess.  I’m a wreck…I realized I wasn’t good enough, but Jesus…why would He give His life for me?  Why would He die for me?  I don’t understand that.  I can’t fathom that.  It’s the greatest love story I’ve ever heard in my life.  Someone would give their life for my junk?”

(Source: “Jason Crabb, a story of tragedy and triumph: Intimate testimony and new music from Grammy-winning artist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd7hJx6MoLM)

In conclusion, in the midst of this Valentine’s Day afterglow, I am so pleased that the Lord laid this content on my heart.  Ultimately, the best gift I can give is to introduce you to this Jesus who changed my life, and the life of Jason Crabb.  If you’ve never began your relationship with Jesus, do it today.  Put your faith and trust in Him.  If you’ve been on the run from Him, perhaps you’ve been running for years, come home today.

Kevin   

Four blogs crammed into one

There’s a lot going on that I want to write about.  So I decided to change the format up a little bit for today.  Essentially, I have four blogs jammed into one.

#1: “The Flash” enters its final season

Back on Wednesday, the season premiere for the final season of “The Flash” aired.  Honestly, I could go on and on about this show.  “The Flash” is a spin-off of the show “Arrow”.  I remember when I talked with my dad, over pizza at a restaurant, about how much I enjoyed the first season of this show.  It’s a cherished memory because that was in late 2014; he passed away a few months later.

Over the years, I have shared a few storylines from this show in this blog.  I think what I will do at some point soon is celebrate this show by re-visiting some of the stories that I previously blogged about; take a bit of a walk down memory lane.  But I also intend to share some poignant moments that I haven’t previously shared in this blog before.

By the way, some state that the show’s quality has declined in recent years.  I would concede that there have been moments, storylines, and departures that have been regrettable.  But I don’t want to focus on the negatives; I want to focus on the positives.  All in all, the legacy of “The Flash” is it is a team of heroes who have inspired me.  Of course, it centers around Barry Allen, brought to life by the talented leading man, Grant Gustin.  Barry’s courage, optimism, and valor is an example I won’t forget.

#2: Super Bowl thoughts

Super Bowl 57 is going to be happening this Sunday.  I’m not going to be giving my prediction – I’ll say more about that in a second – but I don’t envision it will be a 55-10 blowout that the 49ers gave the Broncos back in 1990.  Or, when the-then Russell Wilson led Seahawks pummeled the Broncos 43-8 in 2013 (the Broncos have three Super Bowl victories to their name, but they were sure the victims of epic Super Bowl beatdowns too).  I think it will be an exciting game, one that goes down to the wire.

There was a time that I used to annually present my prediction, in this blog, for which team I thought was going to win.  I’ve gotten away from this in recent years.  To be clear: I don’t intend to pick this back up.  I could spend some time articulating why, but the bottom line is I don’t feel it’s worth it to alienate an entire state over my opinion.  Passionate fans are ready to go up in arms defending the honor of their team.  It’s just not worth it for me to fight that war over a game.

#3: Valentine’s Day is coming soon

Valentine’s Day is this Tuesday.  I have some thoughts I want like to share that day.  I want to touch on a bittersweet love story, from a superhero film of all things.  So stay tuned for that.  But for now, let me just say whether we have loved and lost, whether we are in a wonderful romantic relationship, or cupid’s arrow still hasn’t hit us, there is a glorious love that is available to us all.  This love is found in friendship and fellowship with God Himself.  And I can attest to you – from personal experience – that His amazing can love seep into every fiber of our being, which can then be poured out on others.

#4: Life is chapters

A Chick-fil-A operator once rightly stated that life is chapters.  I want to illustrate this by describing how actor Henry Cavill’s chapter of playing Superman ended in a very unexpected way. 

Back in December of 2022, Cavill was given sad news: he wasn’t going to be portraying Superman anymore.  This was only a few months after he was told to announce that he was going to return as the iconic superhero.  He even made a cameo as Superman in a post credits scene in the film “Black Adam”.  But new executives had a meeting with him, and told him they were going in a new direction.  So what do say in response to this all this?  The poise, kindness, and attitude Cavill had in response to being dealt this devastating news was admirable.  (The full details of this story, by the way, is in the link below) Here’s what he wrote:

“I will, after all, not be returning as Superman…this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life.  The changing of the guard is something that happens, I respect that.”  Cavill went on to say, “Superman is still around.  Everything he stands for still exists.  And the examples he sets for us are still there!  My time to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will.”  I submit this would make Superman himself proud.

(Henry Cavill story is from - https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/14/entertainment/henry-cavill-superman-no-more/index.html)

Kevin