A new film worth considering

Earlier this month, the animated movie The Death of Superman was released.  When I first heard about this, I thought it was strange that they decided to do this.  You see, way back in 2007, the animated film Superman: Doomsday was unveiled.  What this film attempted to do was truncate three popular Superman graphic novels (The Death of Superman; World Without a Superman; and The Return of Superman into one animated film).  I’ve even blogged about Superman: Doomsday a few times.  While I’m happy it exists, this new film The Death of Superman is a much, much better version.  I feel like this is the version that should have existed all along.

For various reasons, I almost didn’t give this new movie a chance, but I’m sure glad I did.  I’m not ashamed that I cried a few times upon viewing this.  If you want to see a film that captures the essence of those first two graphic novels, I recommend The Death of Superman to you (they decided to release an upcoming second film Reign of the Supermen that covers the graphic novel The Return of Superman; and frankly, I think that’s a very good decision). 

Let me issue a caution: The Death of Superman (and Superman: Doomsday for that matter) is violent.  I know I’ve said it’s an animated movie, but it’s not for young children.  For those that don’t know, The Death of Superman is essentially the story of how Superman saves Metropolis from a heartless monster named Doomsday.  Doomsday has no conscience, mercy, or morality; he murders anyone that happens to be in his path.  Superman and Doomsday, in an epic fight, end up killing each other.  So, as you might expect, this film has a lot of violence, brutality (via Doomsday), and bloodshed in it.

But with that stated, I really like this movie.  You can see that the filmmakers had a deep love for the graphic novels; but really you don’t even have to have any knowledge of what transpired in those graphic novels to enjoy this film.  In short, this is a tale of the world’s greatest superhero giving his life for the citizens that he loves.  Many years ago, I heard a critic summing up the 1993 film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm by stating, “This is Gotham City’s savior the way he was meant to be.”  I submit that The Death of Superman captures Metropolis’ savior the way he was meant to be.

Kevin

"Memories never die"

As I shared back in June, the TV show “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” debuted back in 1993.  It was an immensely popular show.  Everyone seemed to watch it, and I was no exception.  I don’t know exactly why, but I have been watching a lot of those old Power Rangers episodes of late.  I’ve been watching the second season.  One of the storylines for a portion of that season was the fact that Tommy Oliver (arguably the greatest Power Ranger of all time) was losing his Green Ranger powers.  Every episode showcased that Tommy’s powers were getting weaker and weaker.

At the ending scene of an episode titled “The Song of Guitardo”, after yet another intense battle, Tommy was sad as he realized that his days as a Ranger were apparently numbered (ultimately, Tommy did lose his Green Ranger powers, but interestingly, he went on to become the White Ranger, and the new leader of the Power Rangers, but I’m getting ahead of myself in the story arc).  Seeing how somber and depressed Tommy was, Kimberly, the Pink Ranger, spoke up.  She announced that she, along with Zack, the Black Ranger, had written a song for him.  Kimberly proceeded to grab a guitar, strum it, and sing these words:

“Down the road, we never know what life may have in store.  Winds of change will rearrange our live more than before.  But you’ll never stand alone, my friend.  Memories never die.  In our hearts, they’ll always live, and never say goodbye.”

It’s always a strange phenomenon when I watch a TV show or a movie that I saw before my dad passed away, only to see it again now, and see it with new eyes.  Kimberly’s heartfelt song was something that I saw differently now than I did way back in 1994.  

Yesterday would have been my parent’s 44th wedding anniversary, but 3 years ago, “winds of change” hit not only my mother’s life, but my life as well.  The mantle has been passed on to me, and I feel the weight of that calling every single day.  Events like yesterday are bittersweet and painful.  But in a way, my dad will always be with me.  Because I will always remember his love, integrity, leadership, meticulousness, and humor; as Kimberly put it: “Memories never die.  In our hearts, they’ll always live, and never say goodbye.”

Kevin

The story behind a beloved Christian song

In 2015, I bought the CD “God Will Make a Way: The Best of Don Moen”.  I have listened to it dozens of times, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.  But something I didn’t know about it until just recently is that in the lyrics guide there is a description of how Christian singer/songwriter Don Moen came to write the beloved song “God Will Make a Way”.  At the beginning, we are told parenthetically that these words are from a devotional book also called “God Will Make a Way.”  I was so impacted by the story behind this song that I wanted to share it with you.  

“Late one evening, Don Moen received a phone call with devastating news: his wife’s sister had lost her oldest son in an automobile accident.  Craig and Susan Phelps and their four sons were traveling through Texas on their way to Colorado when their van was struck by an eighteen-wheeler truck.  All four boys were thrown from the van.  Craig and Susan located their sons by their cries – one boy was lying in the ditch, another in an area wet from melted snow.  Nearby was his brother who landed by a telephone pole.  All were seriously injured, but when Craig, a medical doctor, reached Jeremy, he found him lying by a fence post with his neck broken.  There was nothing Craig could do to revive him.

When Don received the news of this tragedy a few hours later, he recalls, “My whole world came to a standstill, but I had to get on a plane the next morning and fly to a recording session that had been scheduled for several weeks.  Although I knew Craig and Susan were hurting, I couldn’t be with them until the day before the funeral.  During the flight the morning after the accident, God gave me a song for them: ‘God will make a way where there seems to be no way.  He works in ways we cannot see.  He will make a way for me.’  The song was based upon Isaiah 43:19 NASB – ‘Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?  I will make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.’”

The song would bring comfort to Craig and Susan when all hope seemed lost.  It touched the hurt in their hearts with hope and encouragement…When Jeremy’s friends learned that he had accepted Jesus into his life before he died, many of them began to ask their own parents how they could be assured of going to heaven when they died.  The accident also prompted Craig and Susan into a deeper walk with the Lord as well as into new avenues of ministry.  Craig began teaching Sunday school at their church and Susan became active in Women’s Aglow, sharing with various groups her story and the Lord’s provision in her time of sorrow.

She has since said, “The day of the accident, when I got out of the van, even before I knew our son was dead, I knew I had a choice.  I could be bitter and angry or I could totally accept God and whatever He had for us.  I had to make the decision fast.  I’ve seen fruit come as a result of that choice.  If I had to, I’d do it again.  It’s worth knowing others will go to heaven because of what happened to Jeremy.  God really did make a way for us!”

Soon after “God Will Make A Way” was recorded, people from around the world began to write and call, sharing with Don how they had experienced similar tragedies.  All of the calls and letters had one great theme – God had made a way for them when all hope seemed lost!  God had carried them through a shattering situation, and by His grace, they were emerging with stronger faith, renewed hope and increased courage on the other side of heartache and loss.”

Last month marked three full years since my dad passed away.  He was only 60 years of age.  Stories of loss like the one I’ve shared today affect me deeply.  I know the heart-wrenching agony and excruciating pain that comes when you have to face the death of a loved one much sooner than you ever thought you would.  But, just as that last paragraph stated, I can attest that God has indeed made a way when there didn’t seem to be a way at all.  He has done this through His mighty power and grace.  I marvel at God’s faithfulness.

Kevin

"God of all comfort"

This month marks a full three years now since my world was changed forever.   Danny Gokey paints a vivid word picture when he sings these words in his song “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again”: “You’re shattered like you’ve never been before.  The life you knew in a thousand pieces on the floor; and words fall short in times like these, when this world brings you to your knees.  You think you’re never going to get back to the you that used to be.”

I’ve known sorrow, pain, and anguish these three years like I never knew before.  But I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way as well.  One thing I’ve learned is that God comforts.  I’ve tipped my hand on this subject by titling the blog “God of all comfort.”  This is a phrase from 2 Corinthians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort.”  In Isaiah 51, God says, “I, even I, am He who comforts you.”

An article from Got questions discussing how a Christian can find comfort after the death of a parent, states, “The God of the Bible delights in comforting the afflicted and healing the brokenhearted (Jeremiah 17:14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 7:6).  He is a “father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5).  When we are grieved by the loss of our loved ones, God is quick to offer us His peace.  In the midst of our mourning, we can know the presence of God with us; even in our sorrow, we can draw near to Him in worship and prayer.”  The citation of 2 Corinthians 7:6 in this article was a good reminder to me.  It reads, “Nevertheless, God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (italics mine for emphasis).  It is true.

https://www.gotquestions.org/death-of-a-parent.html

Kevin

Words of comfort in the midst of sorrow

For many years now, the Bauer family has been reading a devotional called Our Daily Bread.  Yesterday’s content was so impressive, timely, and relevant that I’ve decided to share it today.  Once again, all credit goes directly to the author of that particular devotional – Dave Branon – and Our Daily Bread Ministries.  One could probably even find the content I’m citing today on their website at ourdailybread.org.  With that introduction, here is Dave Branon and his devotional entitled “Hope Anyway.”

“Among the hundreds of articles I’ve written for Our Daily Bread since 1988, a few stick in my mind.  One such article is from the mid-1990 when I told of a time our three girls were away at camp or on mission trips, so six-year-old Steve and I had some guy time.  As we were enjoying an excursion to the airport, Steve turned to me and said, “It’s not as much fun without Melissa,” his eight-year-old sister and sidekick.

Neither of us knew then how poignant those words would turn out to be.  Life indeed has not been “as much fun” for the years since Mell died in a car accident as a teenager.  The passage of time may dull the ache, but nothing takes the pain away completely.  Time cannot heal that wound.  But here’s something that can help: listening to, meditating on, and savoring the solace promised by the God of all comfort.

Listen: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22).

Meditate: “In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling” (Psalm 27:5).

Savor: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (119:50).

Life can never be the same again when someone we love is gone.  But God’s promises bring hope and comfort.”

I can only conclude with an enthusiastic “amen”!

Kevin

"You, O Lord, are the lifter of my head"

In the last sermon he preached before he went home to be with the Lord, Dr. Rick Ferguson told an anecdote about an elderly lady who was driving her car.  When it began to conk out on her, she managed to coast off to the side of the road.  Soon a Good Samaritan gentleman stopped to help her.  As he was toying with the car trying to figure out what was wrong with it, he noticed that the gas gauge was all to the “E”.  “Well, ma’am,” he began.  “I think the problem might be that your car ran out of gas.”  The lady replied, “Well, do you think it will hurt it to drive it home that way?”  Then Pastor Rick asked this question: “Have you ever felt like you’ve run out of gas, but you had to keep going anyway?”
 

I relate to that question, more than ever before, and I can certainly answer with a resounding yes.  I often feel this way.  What is the reason for this?  Many readers will know the answer, but I’m going to state it again anyway: it is because three years ago, my dad unexpectedly entered his Heavenly reward.  Dad shouldered many responsibilities and burdens that I took for granted, but now, I feel the heavy weight of them.

I’ve been ministered to by many great Christian songs these three years, but to give just one today, I’ve been reflecting on the song by Colton Dixon simply called “You are”.  Check out these lyrics: “When I can’t find the words to say how much it hurts, You are the healing in my heart; when all I can see are broken memories, You are the light that’s in the dark.”  I miss my dad every day, but there are those raw, emotional, visceral times when I truly can’t “find the words to say how much it hurts” to be without him. 

The song goes on to say, “And when my circumstances leave me with empty hands, You are the provider of my needs.  When all my dirtiness has left me helpless, You are the rain that washes me” 
(for the full lyrics, and more information on the song, check out https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/coltondixon/youare.html).  

God is the One that has been good, faithful, kind, and generous to me these three years.  Psalm 3:3 says, “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter of my head” (ESV).  He is the “lifter of my head” because I know my dad is experiencing the wonders of Heaven, and one day, I will see him again.  What a day that will be!

Kevin

Celebrating Independence Day

If you’ve spent any time on this blog, you know that I enjoy sharing the origins of holidays.  Today is the 4th of July, or Independence Day.  This is the holiday that celebrates America’s independence from Great Britain.  This came, in large part, because of a document that details America’s ideals – the Declaration of Independence.

 

One helpful resource states, “Many times casual students of history tend to bypass the Declaration of Independence declaring that the document was written as a response to the taxation without representation that King George was imposing on the American people.  While this is in part true, this is far from the whole story.  The Declaration of Independence came about after a long period of suffering and even bloodshed on the part of the new American colonies.  The events leading up to the Declaration of Independence can constitute a whole study in and of themselves.  The document was carefully crafted to include all the reasons that separation was being demanded by the young country against the most powerful force in the world (on land or sea) Great Britain.

“The timeline of the Declaration took place over several weeks.  The Declaration was the result of several meetings and several different drafts: not a single copy as history would have us to believe.”  The article goes on to cite that from June 12-27, 1776 “Thomas Jefferson, at the request of the committee [appointed to compose the document] drafts a declaration [of independence].”  It also states that from July 1 to July 4, “Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence.”  (Source: https://www.surfnetkids.com/independenceday/265/what-any-citizen-should-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence/ )

Something that caught my attention was the high price for signing the document.  “There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence…In the time following the signing of the Declaration of Independence we see that the British threats were serious, as five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died…Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned, losing all of their earthly possessions.  Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.  Nine of the fifty six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.”  (Source: https://www.surfnetkids.com/independenceday/258/who-signed-the-declaration-of-independence/ )

The just cited article concludes with this: “These men had everything to lose and risked it all to declare that citizens of America would no longer be forced to subject to the whims of unfair British rule.  Because they did, we live in a nation with liberty and justice; a nation that is united and seeks to foster general welfare and justice for all of us who have the privilege of being Americans.”

Kevin