"In the middle of the fire"

There is no shortage of blog topics.  For instance, we have entered the Christmas season; which, to amend the song lyric, is "the most bittersweet season of all" for the Bauer family.  I miss my dad most of all during this season.  But that’s a blog for another day.  Speaking of blogs, unbelievably, in January we will be celebrating 10 years of blogs!  I’m still pondering just what I will do to commemorate this milestone, so stay tuned.

Thirdly, I could also talk about how, thanks to the coronavirus insanity, the Denver Broncos essentially played a football with no quarterback yesterday.  It took me some time to try to wrap my head around the particulars of that crazy situation.  And yes, it played out just as you would expect: the New Orleans Saints routed the Broncos 31-3.

Somebody is saying, “So after all of this, what is your blog topic for today?”  I actually wanted to return to the topic I brought up last time: the notion of thankfulness even in the midst of the pandemonium that is 2020.  Let me clarify something I should have made clearer: 2020 has been an extremely difficult year for me as well.  No, I haven’t caught covid-19, but I’ve still had to deal with my own angst, fears, disappointments, and illnesses. 

In fact, to be transparent with you, I was recently worn out with everything I’ve had to contend with for these days and months.  I listened to Rebecca St. James’ new song “In the Middle of the Fire” several times.  I needed the truth of the song to fortify me.  The chorus says, “In the middle of the fire, I will trust You, Father.  In the middle of the fire, You are standing with us.  In the midst of my darkest hour, Holy Spirit, come show Your power.  In the middle of the fire, You are faithful, Jesus.”  The infusion of hope from this song's affirmation prompted me to compose this blog today.

To conclude, a great line from another Rebecca St. James song came to mind.  In a song called “A Cradle Prayer” from her Christmas album from decades ago now.  She says, “Trials may come, and friends they may go, what really matters is You, my Lord.”  I needed the reminder that real hope isn’t found in clear blue skies, or calm waters; it’s found in God alone!  Maybe you needed that reminder too.      

Kevin

Giving thanks, even in turbulent days

In a helpful devotional book titled “Navigating the storms of life”, author Gary Inrig writes, “Life in the modern world is like trying to navigate an uncharted, rapidly changing, unpredictable ocean.”  He penned those words a few years ago, but it sounds as if he could have written them this week!  2020 has been a difficult year.  Ryan Stevenson puts it well in his song, “Amadeo (still my God)”; he sings, “Life can take our breath away; tragedy can leave a wake; a broken heart won’t ever beat the same.” 

I’m well aware that you might be reading this with “a broken heart [that] won’t ever beat the same.”  Maybe the coronavirus took the life of your loved one.  Or maybe some other very sad development occurred, and you are in mourning right now.  So why be thankful?  It’s Thanksgiving, but where is gratitude in these turbulent days?  I began with a devotional by Gary Inrig; the booklet is about Job and his famous plight in the Bible.  At one point, Inrig writes,

“When Job’s nightmare day comes to an end and he finds himself stripped of everything he valued, his words are profound: “‘The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.  In all of this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing”’ (Job 1:20-22).  It is impossible not to be moved by Job’s response.  He makes no effort to choke off his emotions.  Through tears, Job maintained his focus on the Lord…These are not trite words; they are not pious words he was expected to say.  This was the resolve of his deepest being.”

This amazing affirmation of faith makes me think of my mother, Rose Mary.  By the way, I’m so thankful for her!  She recently put it so well.  She said that God is “the greatest gift we could ever receive.”  It’s true.  And remember, to quote Stevenson’s work again, Mom knows “a broken heart won’t ever beat the same.”  This time of year has a way of reminding us of the loved ones we have lost.  I certainly have gripping memories of my dad these days.

Suffering and pain notwithstanding, my mother is right.  To have an intimate friendship and fellowship with the Creator of the universe is a treasure that cannot be matched by anything or anyone else.  I don’t mean just checking in with Him on Sundays; no, I’m referring to a daily fellowship with Him.  In the painful episodes of life, you and I need help and hope.  We need what the Bible calls “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).  This doesn’t come through illegitimate sex or a bottle of alcohol; it comes with a relationship with God.  As Gary Inrig states in the devotional I’ve referenced, “The greatest privilege of life is to become a Christ-follower, a person living by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.”

Kevin

God's "limited time offer"

Back in April of 2019, I had the opportunity to hear a sermon from a dynamic preacher by the name of Doug Dameron.  He made a statement that has since been branded on my heart forever.  He said, “Salvation is a limited time offer.”  The context of the quote was the pagan city of Nineveh was told that they had 40 days to repent of their wicked ways, or God would destroy the city (Jonah 3:4).  It was at this point that Dameron made the observation that this was a limited time offer.  They had 40 days.  He then stated this:

“Salvation is still a limited time offer today.  None of us are promised tomorrow.  We don’t know when our last breath will be.  We don’t know when our last heartbeat will be…The rapture might happen this week.  We don’t know when our last day is.  The opportunity could pass.  It’s a limited time offer…I want to encourage you: if you are here today and you’ve never said “yes” to Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  You’ve never given your life to God through faith in Jesus; it’s a limited time offer.  Take God up on the offer today.  Today is the day of salvation.”

As I was putting this blog together, I was saddened to hear the news of the passing of two stars.  The first was Sean Connery, the first on-screen James Bond.  Like so many, I enjoyed his performance as the world’s most famous spy.  And of course, he had various other roles too.  The second was game show icon Alex Trebek.  I’ve spent time watching him, not only as host of “Jeopardy” but lesser known entertaining games, like “Classic Concentration”.  He will be missed.

The sad reality is no one will live forever.  Incidentally, the topic of loss is a personal one for me.  My dad – a healthy, vibrant man – suddenly passed away at the young age of 60.  I know firsthand the heart-wrenching pain of losing someone you love to death.  I also know that every day is a gift to be treasured.  Psalm 3:5 says, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.”

Back to Jonah and Nineveh for a second: Jonah was initially disobedient to God’s call to preach to a city that was guilty of abominable, egregious sins.  But he finally did.  The Bible says that the citizens of Nineveh – from the king to the common man – believed God, and repented of their evil ways.  The Lord saw this, and He refrained from the destruction of the city (Jonah 3:10).  Interestingly, in the next chapter, Jonah reveals that he wanted judgment for the Ninevites.  In anger, he says the Lord is “a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness” (4:2).  Yes, He is.  And apparently Jonah needed to be reminded that if it hadn’t been for God’s grace, that’s where he might be.

In conclusion, I’ve been thinking about the 2012 film “The Dark Knight Rises” lately.  For one reason, the main villain, Bane, wore a mask; it muffled his voice making him difficult to understand at times (does that sound familiar with our plight in 2020 with covid?).  But secondly, I was thinking of Selina Kyle’s quest in the flick.  She is in search of a program called “the clean slate” which erases her misdeeds from databases, and allows her the chance to start over.  At one point, after working with some shady people to get what she wants, she is betrayed by them; they tell her that there is no clean slate at all.

I wonder if you can relate to Selina.  You’ve made mistakes.  And you’ve searched for the chance at redemption, but your quest has repeatedly come up empty.  You were told there is no chance to get forgiveness – a clean slate.  You’ve subsequently found yourself drowning in a sea of despair.  But Selina was lied to in that scene in the movie.  Batman/Bruce Wayne had the clean slate all along.  In an intriguing act of unmerited favor, he gives it to her.  By the film’s end, we see that she had used the clean slate program.  Her sins were gone.  But, out of love and devotion to Bruce, she chose to remain with him.  The truth is, no matter what you have done, God has the same offer of a clean slate for you.

Kevin

Relevant words from the past in this chaotic time

Tim Jackson, in his helpful booklet titled “When Fear seems overwhelming: Finding courage and hope” began his work by citing a famous quote from President Roosevelt.  He spoke these words in March of 1933, but they are applicable today.  He said,

“Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” 

I have to confess that I had only seen the beginning of the quote.  That part is famous.  But it was helpful for me to learn the full context.  Roosevelt was saying that we should be wary of fear that grips us, paralyzes us, and debilitates us.  Doesn’t that sound relevant to us in 2020?

This has been a difficult year for so many people.  I have felt the added burdens, pressures, and anxieties in 2020 in my own life as well.  But recently I have faced new challenges.  Let me share that with you:

On Tuesday, October 20th, I wasn’t feeling well, and so I called in sick to my job.  However, this experience was different than it usually is.  I was told that I was going to have to be tested for covid-19 before I could return to work.  To make a long story short, the restaurant has been closed down for a few weeks now.  The details have been very hush-hush; I was told we closed as a “precaution”.  While I do know there was one positive case of covid-19 (and thankfully it wasn’t me; my test came back negative), once again, everyone has been very tight-lipped and I don’t want to deal in speculation.

The bottom line is, I’m feeling fit and healthy.  But I have had to sit on the sidelines, and wait until this new chapter ends until I am able to return to work (which is supposed to be sometime this week).  Not only this, but I have had to deal with car repairs, a large bill for a new set of tires, and what my pastor called “pre-election stress.”  It is easy to feel fear and anxiety in all of this.  That’s why I began with that Roosevelt quote; we have to fight against crippling fear – that “unjustified terror” – which paralyzes us. 

Finally, I would also add that you and I need to choose to put our trust in the magnificent God of the universe.  Back to the quote from my pastor, while I don’t have his exact words in front of me, he said, “Some of you are dealing with pre-election stress.  And God says to you today, ‘Relax.  I’ve got this.’  You’re wondering, ‘What about this?  What about that?’ And God says, ‘Relax.  I’ve got this.’”  I needed that reminder yesterday, and you probably do too!  I love Psalm 112:7; and I want to live it out on a daily basis: “His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

Kevin

Render to Caesar and render to God

With the Presidential Election coming up in just a few days, I think I would be negligent if I didn’t write a few words on the subject.  First, I think it’s easy to take all of the gifts we as American citizens enjoy for granted.  One of those benefits is the chance to vote.  It’s amazing when you stop and think about it: we get to choose the leaders in the highest offices of this land.  And yet many still don’t exercise their civic duty and cast their vote.  I spent some time looking at quotes on the importance of voting.  Kim Wehle puts it so well:

“Voting is vitally important, even if an individual vote doesn’t sway a particular election one way or another.  It is the only way that “We the people” self-govern.  The ability to self-govern is both a privilege and a gift – one that we honor by showing up at the ballot booth…It’s sometimes hard for Americans to fathom that not everyone on the planet enjoys the privilege of self-government.” (Source: https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19242142.Kim_Wehle)

In Mark 12, some slick religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with a loaded question.  They asked if it was right to pay taxes.  Jesus answered this by saying, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (verse 17).  I could write a whole blog on this interesting exchange in Mark’s Gospel, but I’ll give my abridged version.  I think it was Adrian Rogers who said that the “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” clause is not just to pay taxes, but also as Americans, this includes casting a vote.

However, let’s not miss that second half of Jesus’ words; He said, “and [render] to God the things that are God’s.”  As a Christian, I am to give my worship, trust, dreams, and ultimately my entire life to God.  So, as the Presidential Election looms closer, I hope you will vote.  I hope you will vote your conscience and values.  We should never take this for granted.  But regardless of the outcome, remember there is a glorious God who is sitting on His throne, in sovereign control, no matter what.  Jesus said in Matthew 6, “But seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”    

Let me conclude with this story.  The other day, while I was driving, I missed my street.  I decided to turn into a large venue with a huge parking lot, so I could turn around and get back on the right path.  Somehow I didn’t realize that it was closed for renovations (or perhaps because of covid-19, I’m still not sure).  I must have driven around that lot a dozen times.  Every time I came to a place in that parking lot typically designated to exit, it was either gated, or closed off with orange cones.  Finally, I realized that there was only one way out: the solitary entryway that I had initially turned into.

In a similar way, we all seem to drive around (if you will) seeking hope and salvation in life.  We think perhaps they are found in the avenue of marriage, career, or politics.  But that’s not the case.  All of these things have their place, but they will never provide lasting hope and everlasting satisfaction. (And by the way, it’s not found in success for the local NFL football team, either.  The Denver Broncos are off to another slow start this year.  They are 2-4, and coming off another lopsided defeat; 43-16 to the Kansas City Chiefs.)  Where are hope, salvation, and peace found?  In a Person: Jesus Christ.  The old hymn says it so well: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…all other ground is sinking sand.”

Kevin

A closer look at Harry Osborn's sacrifice

Let me set up the scene once last time.  Spider-Man was finally free of the dark symbiote suit.  But before this liberation, he had done terrible things.  There were new enemies that wanted him to suffer and die.  Eddie Brock – the next host of the symbiote – kidnapped Mary Jane, recruited Flint Marko (alias Sandman) and dared Spider-Man to rescue her and stop them.   The final confrontation was epic. 

As I described last time, Spider-Man was getting pummeled, but Harry Osborn swept in and saved him.  Soon he and Spider-Man were able to rescue Mary Jane.  At one point in the thrilling fight, Flint Marko/Sandman was wounded; he needed time to regroup and reconfigure.  But Eddie (a.k.a. Venom) was ready to brawl.  He managed to bind Spider-Man’s wrists, with his webbing, so that Peter’s hands ended up above his head.

It was here that Peter tried to reason with Eddie to get rid of the evil symbiotic suit.  But it did no good.  Soon after, Harry flew in with his glider to help again, but Venom yanked Harry off of the glider with a web line.  And then seconds later, the pivotal moment: Venom proceeded to leap at a defenseless Spider-Man with Harry’s own glider – with two sharp blades equipped.  That’s when Harry stepped in and took the blades meant for Peter.  Harry died a heroic, sacrificial death.

In a very real sense, Harry took Peter’s sin upon himself.  Venom was a product of Peter’s bad choices.  Under the symbiote’s power, Peter had lived a life of revenge, pride, selfishness, hate, and greed.  When he finally rejected the symbiote, it bonded with Eddie Brock.  Had Peter done the right thing at the outset, Venom never would have existed in the first place.  Yet Harry paid the price of that sin when he died in Peter’s place. 

I’m grateful to authors Jeff Dunn and Adam Palmer, and their helpful book “The Soul of Spider-Man”.  In their observations on Harry Osborn’s sacrificial death, they cite John 15:13 where Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends.”  But they point out that it was the previous verse, John 15:12 that gives the important context of Jesus’ words.  John 15:12 says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”  Dunn and Palmer continue by saying:

“With that preceding verse, we see that, when Jesus talked about laying down one’s life for a friend, He was talking about Himself.  That’s what He meant when He said “as I have loved you.”  This was a Man who was about to lay down His life, willingly…for those He loves…In a way, Harry does the same thing – though his sacrifice doesn’t purchase eternal life and redemption for his friend Peter Parker.  But it does allow Peter to live, and to live abundantly.  Peter is motivated by Harry’s death to defeat Venom and then follows Harry’s model of forgiveness by forgiving Flint Marko a few minutes later.”

Essentially, unconditional love saved Peter in Spider-Man 3.  There is a poignant, sacrificial Christ-like love in Harry’s death.  Peter had made terrible mistakes.  Incidentally, so did Harry.  I neglected to mention it until now, but he went down his own dark path as the new Green Goblin (at one point, Peter called him “Goblin Jr.” which is a designation I like, I must admit).  But Jesus’ death was as the perfect, spotless, and sinless God-man. 

In conclusion, perhaps you can relate to the bad choices made by Peter, Flint, Eddie, and even Harry.  You’ve made bad choices and you’ve subsequently made a train wreck out of your life.  Jesus paid the price for every sin on the cross.  Maybe you’ve never placed your faith in Christ, let today be the day.  Maybe you’ve let yourself stray far away from the Lord, let today be the day when you return home.  We’ve all made selfish, sinful mistakes – I know I have.  But there is hope in Jesus.

Kevin

Terrific trilogy - the ovation

To recap, Peter Parker went down a dark path in Spider-Man 3.  He thought the black symbiotic entity would help him.  Instead it brought out violence, hate, and aggression.  When Peter finally saw what he had become, he had essentially alienated everyone in his life.  How could he ever hope to restore the damage done?  In a word: forgiveness.  That’s why I say this film – as well as this entire movie trilogy – deserves an ovation.

There was an epic final battle to conclude this terrific trilogy.  The black suit that Peter had rejected found a new host: Eddie Brock.  Brock took on the persona of Venom.  Venom immediately sought out Flint Marko alias Sandman; a character that had several intense battles with Spider-Man.  A team-up is proposed.  “You want to kill the Spider; I want to kill the Spider, together he doesn’t stand a chance.”  And Venom was almost right.  Spider-Man was certainly taking a pounding.  They had him on the ropes, ready to deliver the knockout blow, so to speak.  But Harry Osborn heroically entered the fray and saved Peter.

Let me back up.  Peter was terrible to Harry Osborn while in the dark suit.  Peter had injured Harry both physically and emotionally.  And yet, Harry chose to fight by Peter’s side.  He chose to forgive.  He actually saved Spider-Man from death, not once but twice.  In the second instance, it proved fatal.  As Harry lay mortally wounded, the life ebbing away from him, Peter laments, “I should never have hurt you; said those things.”  “None of that matters, Peter,” Harry responds.  “You’re my friend.”  Talk about famous last words!  This special scene deserves an ovation.

The next example of forgiveness features Flint Marko.  Peter had thought all throughout the film that Marko had murdered his Uncle Ben in a malicious rage.  But after another epic fight, Marko finally explained what really happened that day.  Marko did have a gun, but he never intended to murder Ben, it accidently went off, resulting in a tragic accident.  “I’ve done terrible things too,” Peter says in reaction to the confession.  After many moments of inner reflection, he finally declares, “I forgive you.”  Both Flint Marko and Peter were liberated. 

What about Venom/Eddie Brock?  What became of him?  This is the sad anomaly in the final fight.  Peter tried to reason with Brock, he told him that he knew what it was like; that the power felt good, “But you’ll lose yourself.  Let it go,” Peter pleaded.  Brock wouldn’t listen.  Ultimately, as Peter was destroying the horrible alien suit once and for all, Eddie Brock tried in vain to save it, and he died in the process.  He was enslaved to his own unforgiveness, greed, and selfishness.  And it cost him his life.

Last, but certainly not least, there’s Peter and Mary Jane.  Peter had been a jerk to MJ in so many ways.  His actions toward her while in the throes of the dark suit are some of the painful moments of the film for me.  However, at the end of the movie, in a moving scene that always makes me cry, they reconcile.  The source I quoted from in the last blog puts it so eloquently:

“The ending of Spider-Man 3 is one of the most profoundly beautiful things in a superhero film…we end in a small jazz bar, where our hero and his love share a moment of tenderness and forgiveness.  No final swing.  No dialogue. Just a slow, sweet dance between the kid who got bit by a spider, and the girl next door. The final 25 second shot has the couple embrace.  And we end the film – the trilogy – on Peter Parker going from a feeling of guilt and sadness to a feeling of relief, comfort, and contentment.” (From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkRRMOcmgoc)

In conclusion, the first film, Spider-Man deserves an ovation.  Spider-Man 2 was the best of the trilogy; a masterpiece that deserves a standing ovation.  But what about Spider-Man 3?  I submit that while this film has its issues (one of them being studio interference) this final installment also deserves an ovation.  I’m not sure who said it, but someone said, “We can’t live without hurting and being hurt.”  It’s true.  To love is to risk being hurt.  But what can be done about it?  It was Rebecca St. James who once stated, “We don’t have to get caught up in the whole thing of anger, resentment, and bitterness.”  Like so many experienced in Spider-Man 3, we can choose to forgive.

Kevin