Previously on "The Flash" (Part 4 - of 5)

Last time, I stated that I was going to finish off this blog series on “The Flash”.  But I want to give adequate coverage to the seventh season of this show; I think it will be this one and then one more.  Season 7 is something of a mixed bag.  I’ve decided to organize my thoughts in this way: the good, the bizarre, the changes, and the takeaways.

#1: The good Season 7 had good moments.  One of my favorite moments was when a memorable villain from season 3 – Abra Kadabra – returned.  He intended to destroy all of Central City.  Ultimately, Barry stopped him, and he did so without even throwing a single punch.  As Chester said (the new guy, a little more on him in a moment), “Barry doesn’t need big fists; he’s got a big heart.”  Barry had confessed to Abra that he had lost someone in Crisis as well; he lost his friend Oliver Queen.  Oliver had made the ultimate sacrifice in the epic crossover event the year before.  Barry had gotten through to Abra.  It was an amazing moment: Abra Kadabra, a once hated enemy, was a friend now.

Without warning, they were suddenly interrupted by a monstrous beast, eventually named “Fuerza” (I’m told that’s Spanish for “strength”); really it’s just because “She-Hulk” was taken.  This massive beast grabs Barry, Abra tries to help, but the behemoth kills Abra Kadabra.  “Fuerza” eventually runs off, leaving Barry not only to heal, but to mourn the loss of Abra, who died an ally and a hero.

Secondly, I enjoyed the Godspeed storyline in season 7.  Godspeed A.K.A. August Heart is a speedster from the future, who mysteriously showed up in 2019, or season 6.  But Team Flash just kept encountering numerous Godspeed clones, not Godspeed himself.  This storyline continued in season 7.  I found the Godspeed clone saga intriguing.  It eventually even morphs into a compelling Godspeed Civil War, where one faction of clones wars against the other.  Finally, near the end of the season, they find August Heart, but he had amnesia.  The actor who played Heart/Godspeed in season 7 was Karan Oberoi.  He was absolutely riveting in this role.

#2: The bizarre While season 7 had good aspects, there were also bizarre moments.  I could give several examples, but let me give just this one.  As I explained last time, Barry and Iris mourned the loss of their daughter, Nora West-Allen in the finale of season 5.  This grief storyline continued in season 6, and even into season 7.  But then, all of the sudden, there was Nora in all of her glory (played once again by Jessica Parker Kennedy) to help fight the Godspeed clones.  Presumably, because the audience was as thoroughly confused as I was, Nora had to quickly make a reference to “the other Nora”; the one who had been lost at the end of season 5.  The decision to bring this character back – even if it was Nora 2.0, so to speak – seemed like a lazy decision by the writers.  Let me explain.

In season 5, when Nora met Eobard Thawne for the first time, he correctly deduces that she was Barry’s daughter, and but then incorrectly refers to her as Dawn.  Thawne is the smartest guy in the room; it was an odd mistake you wouldn’t think he’d make.  I did some research; it turns out that Dawn Allen was an Easter egg.  In the comics, Barry and Iris’ children were Dawn and her twin brother Don.  So after having the emotionally gripping loss of Nora in season 5, why not be more creative; upon meeting Barry’s daughter in season 7, why not actually have her be Dawn Allen this time?  Instead, we are just introduced to a second Nora who is exactly like “the other Nora” in every way.  Once again, this seemed lazy.

#3: The changes Team Flash looked different in this season; Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes), a character who appeared in every season since season 1, left the team.  While Chester P. Runk (Brandon McKnight) performs well in his absence, it still felt weird to be without Cisco.

Tom Cavanagh’s presence was significantly diminished too.  After Harrison “Nash” Wells nobly sacrificed himself (a great moment from a story that deserves a full blog), the original Harrison Wells arrived to help Team Flash.  For some reason, he had the ability to travel through time – I’m not too sure why, but I digress.  After his aid, he departed.  Then we were left to wonder if that was going to be it for Tom Cavanagh on the show.  Even his Eobard Thawne hadn’t appeared for a while; once again, it just felt strange to have a Team Flash without Cavanagh. 

Furthermore, Ralph Dibny left Central City with his girlfriend, Sue Dearbon, to travel the world and face new adventures together.  This scene was to provide closure for the character; in real life, the actor who played Ralph, Hartley Sawyer, was fired for derogatory, offensive, and controversial statements, made in the vein of humor, in 2012 and 2014. 

#4: The takeaways I read Hartley Sawyer’s controversial words.  They were problematic and wrong.  I have two takeaways: first off, this is a good reminder that a life marked by virtue and integrity is a blessing.  Proverbs says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (22:1).  Further, a good name, a good reputation, is fragile.  All it takes is one bad decision for it to go up in smoke.  Then all you can do is rebuild, and move forward.

However, secondly, I wholeheartedly believe in forgiveness and second changes.  I also read Hartley’s apology; he stated that he is “ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then” and that he “regrets [the words] deeply”.  Apparently, like his TV counterpart Ralph, Hartley had grown.  He went on to write: “I want to be very clear: this is not reflective of what I think, or who I am now.  Years ago, thanks to friends and experiences who helped me to open my eyes, I began my journey into becoming a more responsible adult – in terms of what I say, what I do, and beyond.”  (You can find the article I’m quoting from at this link)

In conclusion, I have a dream: for Hartley Sawyer to make a surprise appearance as Ralph one last time in season 9.  After all, who among us said something 5 years ago, 7 years ago, that we wish we had not?  Regardless, Ralph Dibny’s influence and selfless character remains with me, even to this day, and I’m grateful for that.

Kevin

Previously on "The Flash" (Part 3 - Legacy)

I’ve been looking at moments from “The Flash” in celebration of the long run this show has had.  For today, I want to bring up three characters, and then present a takeaway. 

Character #1: Ralph Season 4 was a solid season with a very formidable villain, but the best part of the year was the introduction of a character named Ralph Dibny.  When we first meet Ralph, he is unethical, bitter, and selfish.  He obtains the superhuman power to stretch, contort, and elongate his body; he eventually is dubbed Elongated Man.  Barry takes Ralph under his wing.  Ralph’s transformation is amazing to behold; it’s not that long before he becomes brave, noble, and selfless. 

By season 5, Ralph Dibny is a trusted member of Team Flash.  So much so, that by season 6, when Barry believes he is fated to die (I will touch on that storyline in more detail in a moment), to prepare for this event, Barry says, “Central City has to be ready for a world without The Flash and Elongated Man should be its sole protector once I’m gone.”  They set up what Ralph believes to be routine deposition, but it’s actually a press conference to present Ralph as the main hero for the city.  At the press conference, Ralph gives a marvelous speech, and promises to “defend Central City with my dying breath.”

So what?  Ralph Dibny is one of my favorite characters on “The Flash”.  I think one reason why is because he is an example of how anyone, no matter selfish or sinful, can change.  Better stated: as a Christian, I believe that God can come into a person’s life and revolutionize them from the inside-out.  The Bible says anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, old things have passed away; all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Character #2: Nora Nora West-Allen is the daughter of Barry and Iris who travelled from the future to meet the father that she didn’t get the chance to know in her time (as future Barry had vanished in an ominous event called Crisis).  Eventually the secret comes out that it was Eobard Thawne, in 2049, who had taught Nora how to travel back in time in the first place.  Thawne was condemned to die and claimed that wanted to do some good; he stated that he wanted to help Nora and Team Flash neutralize Cicada, a vicious killer that future Flash never caught.

But it was Ralph Dibny who solved the case: Thawne had been manipulating Nora every step of the way.  It was all a devious plan to ensure that he escapes his prison in the future.  When Nora learned the truth, she blamed herself.  She asks her father how she can fix it.  “I don’t know if you can, Nora.”  Barry said.  “You made a mistake…sometimes in life, all we can do is live with the consequences.  So what you have to ask yourself is what kind of hero are you going to be?  One who takes a do-over after every mistake, or one who lives with it and moves forward.”

In the exciting season 5 finale, Nora’s hand begins to sparkle and fade; Thawne explains that a new timeline is setting in, and it is erasing Nora from existence.  Ultimately, Nora chooses to let the timeline fully solidify.  “Sometimes all you can do is live with the consequences,” she says.  Thawne gets away.  Nora fades out of existence.  She had saved countless lives, at the cost of her own. 

So what?  In a message she had recorded in the event of her death, she said, in part, “I always wanted to be a hero.”  She proved herself to be one, but she had to make hard choices to do so.  In his book, “Fight for integrity” Dr. Russ Frase, Jr. writes, “Heroes encourage us, strengthen us, and motivate us…heroism is an ideal that raises our standards and our eyes to something that is higher than ourselves, pushing us to live a life of valor, of principle, of integrity” (page 37).  That’s certainly what both Ralph and Nora do for me.  But there’s one more…

Character #3: That other Barry Season 6 of “The Flash” is one of my favorite seasons.  A mysterious, seemingly all-knowing character, known as The Monitor, forecasts to Barry and Iris: “In order for billions to survive this coming Crisis, the Flash must die.”  In the end, Barry and Iris agree that Barry must sacrifice himself, when the time comes.  Everyone who loves Barry mourns this development.  It’s emotionally gripping.  I wish I could go on and on with each episode to build the tension, as this was a storyline that took 9 episodes before there was a resolution.  But let me cut to the chase.

Ultimately, Team Flash meets up with the Flash from Earth-90 (a clever inside-joke as this is John Wesley Shipp, who played Barry/Flash in the 1990 TV show, reprising his role here).  They realize that this is the moment that they had been preparing for: Flash needed to vanish in Crisis to save billions of lives.  Grant Gustin’s Flash steps up, ready to sacrifice himself, but John Wesley Shipp’s Flash volunteers.  “The Monitor said the Flash needed to die,” he begins.  “He never said which one.”  “Let me do this,” he implores, “Let me save you all.”  Reluctantly, Grant’s Flash agrees. 

As John’s Flash heroically sacrifices himself, the theme song from his show plays in the background.  That 1990 Flash TV show was my first introduction to the Barry Allen version on the Flash.  So I confess I cry every try I see this moment.  Kristin Parrish, in her book, “No cape required” writes, “How blessed we are that our hero is a real one who had such compassion for us sinners that He took on our sins and died for us on the cross so that we can experience everlasting life.”  Amen belongs here!

Next time, I plan to wrap this Flash series up.  So stay tuned!

Kevin

Previously on "The Flash" (Part 2 - Hero)

The 5th season of the TV show “The Flash” was a good season.  Not only did it have a formidable big bad – the vicious Cicada; not only did it have Barry Allen and Iris meet their adult daughter from the future, Nora West-Allen played by Jessica Parker Kennedy (by the way, I plan to talk about Nora in more detail in another post).  Further, there was an intriguing passing reference to Red Death.  At the time, I didn’t have any idea who or what that meant.  But having done some research, I now know that this is a powerful villain who will appear in season 9 of “The Flash”. 

In addition to all of this, season 5 had a good celebratory 100th episode for the show.  In the episode, Barry and Nora travel back in time to obtain various items to create a power-dampening tool to neutralize Cicada.  While it was a good plot point for the story, it was also a way for the audience to re-live moments from previous seasons of the show.  I’ve decided to follow the time travel sequence they took from that 100th episode here.  Barry and Nora first travelled to 2017, or the 3rd season of the show. 

Season 3 had my favorite villain of the entire series – the memorable Savitar.  Savitar is a speedster, who wore a silver exosuit (a suit of armor that makes Tony Stark’s Iron-Man suit look small by comparison).  Barry, with his speed powers, manages to force the man wearing the Savitar suit out and pilot it himself.  Barry looms over the man, now without his armor (Savitar’s identity was a mystery for a large portion of season 3; I dare not reveal it here).  He begs Barry to just kill him.  Barry refuses, and manages to destroy the Savitar suit forever.  And then Barry says, “I’ll never let the pain, the darkness, determine who I am.”

Let me stop here for an application point.  Barry’s declaration to never let the pain change him is inspiring.  This man has endured loss upon loss, and yet he never loses his optimism, hope, selflessness, and character.  Don’t get me wrong: Barry is far from perfect, season 3 has noticeable examples of this.  But he stays on the path of heroism and light.  Similarly, we all know loss and pain.  I certainly do.  Furthermore, like Barry, I am not perfect.  But even so, I still want to let my light shine before others; let them see good works from me and glorify my Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). 

Next, Barry and Nora travelled back to an event from the second season of the show.  This season was particularly noteworthy; it introduced staples in the series such as a plurality of universes, or the multiverse (Tom Cavanagh played several versions of Harrison Wells; in this season he was “Harry” Wells).  They revisited when Barry had selflessly chosen to give his powers to the big bad of that season – the monstrous Zoom – to save the life of Wally West.  Interestingly, Harry used his brilliant mind to effectively re-create the event that gave Barry his powers before to obtain them again.  This showcases that it’s Barry and his friends working together; often called “Team Flash”.

You say, “That’s nice and all, but I’m not a superhero who can give his powers away for a friend.  What’s the takeaway?”  One of the things I love most about superheroes, and in particular for today, Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen/the Flash is his heart to serve others, not promote himself.  Kristin Parrish in her fine book “No cape required” sums it up well:

“As we go about our lives, we often forget that we are to be living sacrifices daily for Christ.  What does that mean?  We must be willing to forget ourselves and commit to doing Christ’s will in our lives.  We are to love others as He first loved us, freely sacrificing our time and energy – even when we don’t feel like it.”

To conclude for today, in one of the last scenes from the celebratory 100th episode, there is a touching, bittersweet scene.  Barry and Nora travel back to the night when Barry’s mother, Nora, would soon be brutally murdered (and the life of Barry’s father, Henry, would be changed forever too; sadly, Henry would be killed by Zoom in season 2).  From afar they watch Barry’s parents on the porch, blissfully unaware of what is about to happen to them.  Nora asks, “Do you ever think about stopping what’s about to happen?”  Barry nods, “Every day.” 

To be continued (next time: I want to look at a memorable character that was introduced in season 4, one who became a fan-favorite)!

Kevin

Previously on "The Flash" (Part 1 - Origins)

Last month, I stated that the TV show “The Flash” has entered its 9th and final season.  I wanted to take some time to share some of my favorite moments over these years.  Rest assured, I’m not going to belabor this by making this 9 blogs or something.  But I do want to highlight the heroism not just of Barry Allen – alias The Flash – but several figures in this show as well.  I don’t know how many installments this project will take, but this is part 1.

It actually all began in the TV show “Arrow” starring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow.  It was in the 2nd season of that show where Oliver met Barry Allen played by Grant Gustin.  While Barry did not have his powers at that point, he was able – quite brilliantly – to save Oliver from the brink of death after he was poisoned.  When Barry left to return to Central City, he had left a mask for Oliver, to better conceal his secret identity as the Green Arrow.  The following year, 2014, the first (but not last) “Arrow” spin-off was born; “The Flash” starring Grant Gustin as Barry Allen. 

It was in the first season that we were introduced to the character who ended up being the main villain of the entire series – Eobard Thawne, the Reverse Flash.  Thawne was actually a scientist from the twenty-second century.  Eventually, we learn that it was Thawne who, out of vindictiveness, traveled back in time and murdered Barry’s mother, when he was a child.  But by doing so, Thawne lost the ability to travel through time.  He was marooned in the past.  In season 1’s finale, Thawne presented Barry an offer to go back to the past and save his mother from ever dying in the first place.  However, to do so would give Thawne the opportunity to escape justice by going back to the future. 

Ultimately, Barry refuses and prevents Thawne from returning to the future; Eobard Thawne is so enraged by this that he fully intends to kill Barry and all his loved ones.  But Eddie Thawne, one of Eobard Thawne’s ancestors, was there.  Eddie did some quick thinking: he chose to sacrifice himself, by shooting himself in the heart, to save everyone’s life.  This noble gesture erased Eobard from existence, as if he was never even born.  Eddie’s heroic act is one of the great moments from season 1.  I always tear up when Eddie, in his last moments, says to Iris (who he intended on marrying): “I got to be the hero after all…that’s all I ever wanted to be; your hero.”

This poignant moment was marred a bit: Eobard Thawne actually returned again and again (and again), even up to season 8.  How did Thawne always come back, when he probably shouldn’t have?  Thawne would usually just say, “Time travel is so weird.”  But, the bottom line is, Thawne is to Barry what Joker is to Batman – the main villain in a long line of a rogue’s gallery.  He’s too good a villain not to continually plague Barry.  So I had to take the time to inscribe the noble sacrifice of Eddie Thawne.  Well done Eddie, well done.

In conclusion, perhaps you are wanting to ask, “I know it’s a TV show that’s been on a long time, but why are you devoting so much time to this?”  When the superhero genre is done correctly, the superhero inspires the viewer; Barry Allen/The Flash has inspired me for eight years, going on nine.  In the pilot episode of “The Flash” not long after Barry’s life is changed forever when he gets his powers, he seeks his friend, Oliver Queen for help. 

“I’m just not sure I’m like you, Oliver,” Barry says.  “I don’t know if I can be some vigilante.”  Oliver’s words of response are priceless: “You can be better.  Because you can inspire people in a way that I never could.  Watching over your city like a guardian angel; making a difference; saving people in a flash.”  As he prepared to leave, Oliver added, “Take your own advice: wear a mask.”  While Oliver was being modest regarding his own heroism, his point can’t be disputed.  But, it’s not just Barry; incredible heroism has abounded over these years on this show.  Next time, I hope to tackle more highlights.

To be continued!

Kevin

"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