Birthday thoughts

I recently heard a supposed minister of the gospel proclaim, “You know the directions to Heaven?  Turn right, stay straight.”  I vehemently disagree.  The Bible says that only the person who has a right relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, will enter the blissful existence of Heaven.

In John 14, Jesus said these words to His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you.  I am going to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place I am going."  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me” (verses 1-6).  What are the directions to Heaven?  It’s not through effort, conduct, or works; it is through Jesus Christ alone.

You see, humanity chose to turn its back on God, because of sin.  No one is perfect or sinless.  “There is no one righteous, not even one.  There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).  “We all, like sheep, have gone astray,” says Isaiah 53:5, “each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  Jesus, the unique God-man, shed His blood on the cross to atone for our sin.  One just needs to put their faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus to save them.  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

It is my birthday.  As I look at my life, I recall how the Lord transformed my life when I was a boy.  That was the starting point of the most exciting journey with Him.  Don’t get me wrong: I haven’t followed Him perfectly.  I resonate with the Christian singer Carman who stated, “He has been better to me than I’ve been to myself.”  He went on to sing, “I’m so glad that the Lord saved me.  If it had not been for Jesus, where would I be?  I’m so glad that the Lord saved me.”  Amen and amen!

Kevin

Sports news

I wanted to extend my congratulations to the Toronto Raptors; they won their first world championship last night over the Golden State Warriors.  I have been keeping a close eye on this series because I know how incredible the Warriors are (after all, you don’t just happen to win 3 titles in 4 years).  But the Raptors proved to be the best team.  What an accomplishment!

This development came on the heels of the NHL finals finishing up as well.  The St. Louis Blues also won their first championship after defeating the Boston Bruins.  The series went to a winner-take-all, game 7, in Boston.  St. Louis won the game 4-1.  I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that St. Louis shocked the world in this series.  Congratulations to the St. Louis Blues.

It is fitting, with Father’s Day coming up, that two underdogs took down the favored teams.  My dad always rooted for the underdog; that was just a part of his DNA.  I know he would be pleased to see these two teams win it all.  Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

I wish I could end on that high note, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this last item.  Everyone is Colorado, and in the NFL world, was saddened to hear of the passing of Pat Bowlen last night.  He was 75.

The Broncos had amazing success with Mr. Bowlen as the owner.  He bought the Broncos in 1984, and check out the results: “No NFL owner during the last 35 seasons had more winning seasons (21) and playoff berths (18) than Mr. Bowlen, who helped Denver become the only team with 90+ wins over each of his first three decades of ownership.  Denver posted a league-low seven losing seasons under Mr. Bowlen while being the only team to rank among the top five in wins during both the pre-free agency…and post-free agency…eras of his ownership.” (https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/statement-from-the-bowlen-family-on-broncos-owner-pat-bowlen).

I want to express my condolences and sympathy to the Bowlen family.  He is survived by his wife, Annabel and his 7 children.  To lose someone you love is the most emotionally gripping pain imaginable.  I know firsthand about this.  I hope it is a small comfort to realize that Bronco nation, and the entire NFL community, is grieving today as well.

Kevin

Memorializing the heroes

I've been thinking about two quotes on heroism.  Joseph Campbell said, "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."  And Oliver Queen, in the TV show Arrow once remarked, "The essence of heroism is to die so that others may live." 

Today, Memorial Day, I want us to pause from our activities and think about the heroes who gave their lives.  I'm so humbled at the valor and heroism these brave men and women displayed.  A simple thank you seems inadequate, but for today, we stop and remember their noble sacrifice.  We will never take it for granted.

Kevin 

A milestone worthy of celebrating

One of the things my dad liked to do in celebration of a birthday is share the notable events that occurred over the years on that day, and then compose his own paragraph on the person being celebrated.  I’m going to continue on in that tradition today.  I do this for my Grandma, Darlene Bauer, who is turning 90 years old today.

As reported by Britannica.com: On this day, May 14 “In 2015, American guitar and singer, B.B. King, who was a principle figure in the development of blues and from whom style leading popular musician drew inspiration, died in Las Vegas.

In 1998, the last episode of the television situation comedy Seinfeld aired; ostensibly a show about nothing, it was a landmark of American popular culture.  Also in 1998, American singer and actor Frank Sinatra – who, through a long career and very public personal life, became one of the most sought-after performers in the entertainment industry – died in Los Angeles.

In 1984, American computer programmer Mark Zuckerburg, who cofounded the social networking Web site Facebook, was born.

In 1973, Skylab, the first U.S. space station was launched.

In 1948 – just before the expiry of the British mandate in Palestine – David Ben Gurion, and the Jewish People’s Counsel, proclaimed the establishment of the state of Israel.” 

In 1929, Betty Darlene Bauer was born to Ernest and Ruby Rummerfield.  After marrying, Cecil Bauer, she gave birth to two children, Judy and Jerry, both born on September 12 – although on different years.  Darlene is loved and celebrated for her faith and humor.  She is the Matriarch of the Bauer family.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Darlene!  I love and honor you.  This blog today isn’t your only birthday surprise, but I hope you feel the love, both of the Bauer family, and more importantly, of God.  As you always say in your sign-off, “XOXO”.

Kevin

Musings on honoring Mom and Dad (part 2)

One of the voices that I feel our culture and society is missing today is the voice of Fred Rogers (better known as Mr. Rogers).  When he passed away in 2003, he left a void that, sadly, I don’t think anyone else can ever fill again. I’m fortunate to have recently found the book The World according to Mister Rogers.  It is filled with insightful quotes from Fred.  One quote is particularly relevant for Mother Day’s.  He once said, “To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”

I do love, honor, accept, and value my mother, Rose Mary.  We have always had a close relationship, but as we lived through the intense ordeal of my dad’s death, it drew us even closer together.  I honestly cannot imagine my life without her in it.  My dad was a skilled photographer; he left behind thousands of pictures.  Because of this, I am able to share pictures like these with you:

First Mother's Day - 1982

Mom with her boys - 1988

Here we are several years later - 2012

Dad usually took the pictures; he was posing in this one

Rose Mary Bauer

One wonderful Mom

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I love you.

Kevin

Musings on honoring Mom and Dad (part 1)

A wise pastor once said, “Holidays that revolve around relationships are risky.”  It’s true.  Whether you are talking about Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. you could potentially be confronted with painful emotional issues.  For instance, you may be facing your first Mother’s Day since she unexpectedly passed away.  Or, perhaps you have an estranged relationship with your mother.  I’m not ignorant or unsympathetic of the anguish that could be churning either in your heart or in the heart of someone close to you.

Without making light of any of these aspects, I want to present God’s standard.  The Bible says, “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Deuteronomy 5:16).  Today, I want to bring up some of the theological notions regarding honoring Mom (and Dad), and then tomorrow, I plan to narrow my focus to honoring my own dear mother.

To begin with, what does it mean to honor your father and mother?  Got questions.org is such an invaluable website to consult.  They have an article on this; let me quote part of it:

“Honoring your father and mother is being respectful in word and action and having an inward attitude of esteem for their position.  The Greek Word for honor means “to revere, prize, and value.”  Honor is giving respect not only for merit but also for rank.  For example, some Americans may disagree with the President’s decisions, but they should still respect his position as leader of their country.  Similarly, children of all ages should honor their parents, regardless of whether or not their parents “deserve” honor.

God exhorts us to honor father and mother.  He values honoring parents enough to include it in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12) and again in the New Testament: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).  Honoring parents is the only command in Scripture that promises long life as a reward.  Those who honor their parents are blessed (Jeremiah 35:18-19).  In contrast, those with a “depraved mind” are those who exhibit ungodliness in the last days are characterized by disobedience to parents (Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2)” (Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/honor-father-mother.html).

I could go several different directions with this subject matter, but this same article goes on to ask exactly how a parent is to be honored.  “Obviously, we are commanded to honor our parents, but how?  Honor them with both actions and attitudes (Mark 7:6).  Honor their unspoken as well as spoken wishes.  “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).  In Matthew 15:3-9, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the command of God to honor their father and mother.  They were obeying the letter of the law, but they had added their own traditions that essentially overruled it.  While they honored their parents in word, their actions proved their real motive.  Honor is more than lip service.  The word “honor” in this passage is a verb and, as such, demands a right action.”

To conclude, there is one last question I want to pose.  We’ve already read verses from Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6 that speak of this concept of long life being given as a reward; but we also know the good can certainly die young.  So what are we to make of this?  Once again, got questions.org is helpful:

“First, yes, the promise is true, but not in a universal sense.  There are people who honored their parents but died young.  And there are people who did not honor their parents but lived a long life.  Therefore, it is a principle that is generally true.  If you honor your parents, God will, generally speaking, reward you with a long life.  However, this promise does not override other decisions we make that impact how long we live.  For example, if a man honors his parents, but then decides to commit suicide, the act of suicide “negates” the reward of long life.  The same can be said of those who engage in reckless or dangerous activities.  God’s reward for long life for honoring parents does not miraculously make you immune from serious injury or death.” (https://www.gotquestions.org/long-life.html).  Nobody, whether young or old, is guaranteed tomorrow, so let’s esteem our parents while we still can.

Kevin  

My spoiler-free review of "Avengers: Endgame"

It is unusual for me to see a movie on the opening day of its release, but today I had the wonderful opportunity to do so; I viewed the new film Avengers: Endgame.  It was very good!  I thought I would present my thoughts by asking and answering some questions you may have about it.

How many of the other Marvel movies do you need to see prior to this one?  The Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU) has been going strong since 2008 with the film Iron-Man.  There are now a whopping 22 films.  Do you have to view them all?  No, but I say you’ll have to see these: the aforementioned Iron-Man (2008); Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and the sequel Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014); also The Avengers (2012) and its follow-up Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015); Captain America: Civil War (2016); and Thor: Ragnarok (2017).

It is true that viewing other Marvel films will aid in the enjoyment, but as I see it, if you see last year’s Avengers: Infinity War, you’ll be familiar with a lot of the characters and the context.  Furthermore, the dialogue does an adequate job of explaining most of the plot points from prior films that the uninformed may not know.  I still haven’t seen movies like Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, or Captain Marvel and I was able to keep up (although differentiating between Marvel’s Captain Marvel and her DC counterpart Shazam – who used to be called Captain Marvel – was an item I had to thoroughly research; that’s a blog for another day).

Is Endgame too long?  It’s a 3 hour movie, but the pace and story is so good that it felt like it was only an hour and a half.  I say it is the perfect length.  Does Endgame have some troubling aspects to it?  It does.  I could mention a few things, but for just one example, I’ll bring up that there is much more foul language than is necessary.  I’m not a prude, but in one scene, they use a certain cuss word for comedic effect; the film has many humorous moments, but that wasn’t one of them.

One last question: Does Endgame end well?  Being careful not to reveal any spoilers, I will say that this film has a very good ending (and yes, in case you were wondering, I did cry).  Sometimes I feel like the word “epic” is way overused, but the ending is truly epic in every sense of the word.  The Marvel movies are sure to continue, but if they wanted to end on this note, I think every Marvel moviegoer would be satisfied with the way things were resolved.

 

Kevin