"Once again I thank You; Once again I pour out my life"

I recently saw a scene in a movie that caught my attention.  Two coworkers were sitting down to have lunch; one was humming and the other cranky coworker remarked on it.  Specifically, she stated that she didn’t like when people hummed.  I don’t recall the exact dialogue but I think she went on to ask, “Why are you humming anyway?”  The response was something like: “I’m just in a good mood.”  “If you don’t like humming,” the coworker continued, “What if I whistled?”  “If you do that, I will break your lips.”  I guess at that point the happy coworker decided to stick with humming!

This scene resonated with me because I hum at work all the time – and I occasionally even whistle.  Why?  After all, there’s enough chaos, confusion, and suffering in life.  I’m not ignorant of this.  But I hum because, to quote the great old song, “I sing because I’m happy.  I sing because I’m free.  For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” 

On this special day – my birthday – I have another opportunity to give God all the glory and praise for who He is, and what He has done for me.  Without Him, I would be an empty shell; I would be devoid of joy, purpose, and without a song in my heart and soul.  Matt Redman once wrote a song that has been with me of late.  Here's a sampling of it:

“Once again, I look upon the cross where You died.  I’m humbled by Your mercy, and I’m broken inside.  Once again, I thank You; Once again I pour out my life.  Now You are exalted to the highest place, King of the heavens where one day I’ll bow.  But for now, I marvel at your saving grace, and I’m full of praise once again.”

In 1 Peter 2:9, we read, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  Like so many, I was in darkness and sin, but God called me out of that into His light.  It makes me want to sing – even hum.

Kevin

Colorado's "mission 16W" is completed

Part of my routine is to listen to a local sports talk radio station as I drive home from work.  Since I’m not a big hockey fan, I didn’t know what they were talking about when they spoke of a “mission 16W” for the Colorado Avalanche.  I get it now.  A hockey team needs to win 16 games in the postseason to win the Stanley Cup.  Last night, the Avalanche did get their 16th win – a 2-1 victory in Game 6 – to earn their first world championship since 2001. 

Once again, I’m not a big follower of hockey.  Largely because I don’t understand it like I do other sports.  But you don’t need to know the ins and outs of hockey to know how special this Colorado Avalanche team really is, and how they just completed a very special season.  First off, the Avalanche were 56-19 in the regular season, followed by an impressive 16-4 in the playoffs.  According to the postgame show I saw after Game 6 on Sunday night, the 72 wins in all ties an NHL record for most victories all-time in a single season.

Furthermore, a word needs to be said about the team the Colorado Avalanche defeated.  To be the best the Avalanche needed to beat the best, and the best happened to be the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.  Tampa Bay was attempting to three-peat as champions, something that apparently hasn’t been done since the 1980’s.  While they were unable to do so, it is remarkable that they were able to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals for three years in a row.  While the winner of these big games are remembered, and the runner-up is often forgotten, I don’t think that will be the case for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In conclusion, one author put it well when he said, “The city rallied around the Avs like never before.  Sure, hockey is a winter sport and Colorado is a snow-capped mecca.  But the Avs are too often overlooked in a city with Broncos-tinted glasses that can’t even hold the gaze of 6-foot-11 inch Nikola Jokic, one of the NBA's all-time greatest players.  This week, however, the streets were awash with burgundy and blue.  The team’s signature colors even splashed the DIA flight boards to greet travelers” (from https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/06/27/colorado-avalanche-stanley-cup-denver).   I even caught Avalanche fever, and considering it concluded with a world championship, I’m glad I did.

 
Kevin 

Honoring my dad - Father's Day, 2022

I recently got a shirt that I just love.  On the front it simply says, “It’s not about me” and then on the back it states, “It’s all about Him.”  It goes on to declare things like “washed in His blood” and “saved by His sacrifice.”  I got this shirt for many reasons; the biggest reason being this is one of my guiding principles.  But another reason is to honor godly men who lived out this maxim.

One such man is my father, Jerry Bauer.  Here is a picture of him:

On Father’s Day, I wanted to say a few words about him.  My dad’s life proclaimed, “It’s not about me; it’s all about Him.”  He didn’t talk it; he just lived it.  Even though my dad has been in Heaven for 7 years now, in a sense, he is always with me because I carry his example with me forever.

My dad was a man of humility.  On his 60th birthday celebration (which turned out to be his last birthday on Earth before his unexpected home-going to Heaven), I had the glorious opportunity to share with my dad an instance of how his humility impacted me.  I don’t recall the exact details, but it was a few years before the birthday celebration.  We were at family event, and everyone wanted to heap praise on him over something admirable that Dad had done.  He stopped the praise-fest and he simply said, “I give God the glory for that.”  After I concluded my recollection, I told my dad that I loved and appreciated him.  I'm so grateful to have this memory!

Last time, I quoted from another great man, Pastor Rick Ferguson, who also went home to be with the Lord sooner than anyone would have anticipated.  At one point in his book, “The Servant Principle” Rick spoke about how, in John 13, Jesus shocked everyone by washing his disciples’ dirty feet – a task that was reserved for the household slave.  Rick went on to write,

“Jesus didn’t make a big deal about what he was getting ready to do when he washed his disciples’ feet.  He gave no fanfare or announcement, saying: “Men, may I have your attention please?  I am about to demonstrate to you what real humility is all about.  Watch my humility as I humbly perform this menial task to each of you who think you are so important.”  Some people today can be so proud about how humble they can be.  These are the type of people who wish they could write a book entitled My humility and how I got it!  Jesus never worked this way.”  My dad had a quiet, genuine humility, and I want to live that way too.

Kevin

"Spider-Man: No Way Home" thoughts - Part 2

Last time, I began submitting my thoughts on the film “Spider-Man: No Way Home”.  While I didn’t know that it was going to be a month later, today I want to pick up where we left off.  After I presented my first takeaway of the movie last time, here is my second takeaway. 

Takeaway #2: A powerful ending

On two different occasions in “No Way Home”, Peter Parker/Spider-Man stated, “It’s not about me.”  That sentiment sounds good and right (because, without question, it is), but actions speak louder than words.  What Peter chose to do at the climax of the movie showed that he wasn't just mincing words.  If you still haven’t seen the movie, I’m not going to spoil anything here.  But it’s sufficient to say that Peter’s actions were not only that of a true hero, but they inspired me to follow his selfless example.

Somebody wants to venture a guess here.  You’re thinking, “He died in the end, didn’t he?”  That would be a clear and resounding no.  He chose a different kind of sacrifice.  While Peter made the right call, he still made a difficult choice that he will have to live with. 

Donald Miller is apt in his work “Blue Like Jazz” (this quote was cited in chapter 9 of Paul Asay’s excellent book “God on the Streets of Gotham”); Miller writes: “Dying for something is easy because it is associated with glory.  Living for something…is the hard thing.  Living for something extends beyond fashion, glory, or recognition.  We live for what we believe.”  Peter Parker alias Spider-Man believed what he said in the film “Spider-Man: No Way Home”; he believed “It’s not about me” because his actions proved it. 

Back in 2002, I had my first experience with losing someone.  Pastor Rick Ferguson passed away at the age of 46 in an automobile accident.  Here it is, 20 years later, and his influence and example remains with me.  I bring him up now because Pastor Rick would repeatedly declare from the pulpit: “It’s not about us; it’s all about Him.”  So I’m inclined to think that he would appreciate the heroic act Peter made in “Spider-Man: No Way Home”.  I sure do.  

In conclusion, Pastor Rick, in his excellent work, “The Servant Principle” wrote these relevant words: “You get to choose two ways of living your life each day.  The choice is, Am I going to serve myself or am I going to serve others?  The two options are considered a million times in a million different ways.  When Christ saved us, He called us to a life of self-abandonment.”  Sounds a little like Peter Parker in “No Way Home” to me. 

Kevin

My thoughts on Spider-Man's newest movie

It all started in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War”.  An entire blog could be written on just that movie and its story, but for purposes of today’s subject matter, it is enough to state that this film introduced a new era: Tom Holland had taken on the newest incarnation of Spider-Man.  I was impressed with the Spidey scenes in that film, even if they were brief.  The next year, the first Holland-led Spider-Man film – “Spider-Man: Homecoming” – was released.  This one was a home run.  I enjoyed the plot, the villain (Michael Keaton was great as Adrian Toomes/Vulture), and Holland was excellent.

However, my enthusiasm waned considerably after seeing the sequel.  The 2019 film “Spider-Man: Far from Home”, had very little I enjoyed (although Jake Gyllenhaal was a bright spot).  To this day, I still can’t quite put into words why this flick irks me so much.  But the movie hurt my heart in a visceral way.  After this, I wasn’t keen on seeing the next installment in the movie series: “Spider-Man: No Way Home”.  That is, until I saw a plot synopsis online.  Then I understood the hype, and was anxious to see it. 

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” was released back in December, and while I didn’t get the chance to watch it until just recently, it was worth the wait.  This movie is just sensational.  It is the best superhero movies I’ve seen in years, and certainly the best Spider-Man movie I’ve seen since “Spider-Man 2” back in 2004.

You might be asking yourself, “So what?  So you saw your 1,000th superhero thing?  What difference does it make?”  I have two items, I’m calling them takeaways, that I want to bring up.  I will mention the first today, but I’m going to leave the second one for next time. 

Takeaway number one: “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in many ways, is the origin story for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.  Even though this Peter Parker/Spider-Man knew loss, he had never learned the famous Spider-Man credo: “With great power, comes great responsibility.”  But did he ever learn it in this film!  I dare not reveal how he learns this maxim, but it is a fresh, powerful, and gripping take on the famous Spider-Man life lesson. 

Furthermore, at one point, Peter was acting out of character.  He was angry and vengeful after a personal loss.  He wanted to take matters into his own hands, and obtain revenge (it’s harder than I thought to lay all this out without revealing spoilers).  But in one of my favorite moments of the film, one of Peter’s allies heroically swoops in and stops him from making a big mistake he would have regretted.

This is a Biblical idea.  In Romans we read, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink”” (Romans 12:19-20).  Once again, without going into specifics, I was impressed by the kindness and care that Spider-Man gave to everyone in this film, ultimately that includes his enemies.

In conclusion, I love “Spider-Man: No Way Home”.  While I stand by what I stated back in March about 2004’s “Spider-Man 2” being the best superhero movie ever made, “No Way Home” is now in my top five list of best superhero films.  This flick has the action and the humor that you’d expect from a Marvel movie.  But what makes it truly fantastic is it inspires the viewer to live a life of virtue and heroism, no matter the personal cost (because there was a cost for Peter; something I will touch on next time).  Only the great superhero films leave you feeling inspired.

Kevin

Mother's Day thoughts - 2022

Back in 2014, I had the privilege of attending a Christian writer’s conference.  This event was incredible.  One of the workshops was entitled “Positive Impact from Negative Experiences”.  It was all about how God can use painful circumstances for His glory and the good of His children.  I was so inspired by the notion that day that I got a CD copy of this talk so I could refer back to it again.  Recently, this CD caught my eye, and I listened to it again.   

At one point, the facilitator gave a quote from an author named Ruth Vaughn.  She said, “God can make creative use out of your misery.”  Little did I know in 2014 that I would soon be facing my own misery.  The next year, 2015, my dad would pass away in a death that no one would have ever seen coming.  But Vaughn was right: God in sovereignty, has made creative use out of that miserable situation in my life in ways that I couldn’t possibly begin to enumerate today.

It’s Mother’s Day.  And because of what I’ve been through, I feel compelled to share this with you: honor both your mother and father while you can.  No one lives on this planet forever.  Life is a fleeting gift.  It is, as James describes it, “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).  We should always take the opportunity to let our parents – and all of our friends and loved ones for that matter – how much we love them.

Someone wants to object, “But my parents don’t deserve to be honored.”  I get it.  I know a parent can shirk their responsibility, and be a source of hurt, not help and love.  I’m sorry about that.  I wish it wasn’t the case, and I’ll talk more about the pain associated with a day like this in a moment.  But a parent’s bad example doesn’t change the fact that one of the Ten Commandments is to honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12).  It may not be easy, but speaking words of blessing, rather than cursing, is the right thing to do.  Furthermore, consider that verse in Romans 2 that states that it is God’s kindness that leads to repentance.  Perhaps your act of obedience, your act of Christ-like kindness, could lead them to forgiveness and repentance.

I would be remiss if I didn’t briefly speak about my own mother.  My mom, Rose Mary, deserves honor and respect (and so does my dad, by the way.  I miss him terribly.  But I plan to speak more about him next month on Father’s Day).  Of course, no parent is perfect, but Mom is such a blessing.  Her love for me and belief in me raises my spirits up to the highest of heights.  A few years back, I got her a plaque that had Wonder Woman’s emblem on it, and the inscription that reads, “A true Wonder Woman”.  It’s a good comparison in many ways.

To conclude, Mother’s Day can be a difficult day.  At church today, I teared up a few times.  I know that there were various stories of grief, heartache, and misery that the men and women all around me in that service could tell.  I know that’s true for you reading this as well.  It’s a special day, but it’s mingled with pain.  I think it was God’s Spirit that reminded me of Psalm 56:8; it states that the Lord records all of our tears in His book. 

Kevin

40 years later

April the 24th is always a special day for me; this year is extra special because it’s a milestone year.  It was 40 years ago today when my life was snatched away from death.  To state it briefly, as an infant, I had a horrible disease.  For several months, it gave me seizures.  One day, on a routine trip to the hospital, I flat-lined; I was dead for three minutes.  But, then a miracle occurred: my heart began beating again; my life returned.  And that horrible disease and the seizures?  They were gone, never to return again!  As I said, this is the 40th anniversary of that event.

In Joshua 3, the Lord does an incredible miracle for the Israelites; in chapter 4, God tells the people to take 12 stones as a tangible reminder of what He had done.  Verse 24, of Joshua 4, is a key verse: it states they were to remember this forever: “that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” 

There are several other metaphorical stones of remembrance in my life.  It’s not just some event that happened 40 years ago, that’s just the beginning.  I could describe how, as a boy, I attended a Billy Graham crusade; I left a new creation in Christ.  I could mention how God walked with me so closely as I endured the passing of my dad.  Or how God gave me a fine job, and most recently, He led me to my new car.  But my first remembrance stone was a special healing.  I bring this healing up because I want to highlight the mighty hand of God!

Furthermore, I celebrate God’s faithfulness to me, both in the mountaintop experiences, and in the low valleys.  To be transparent with you, I haven’t always been faithful to Him.  Don’t get me wrong, I earnestly desire to grow in Christ-likeness and holiness, but I still mess up.  But the Bible says even if we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). 

In conclusion, I love the song by Chris Renzema titled “Just as good”.  Here’s a sampling: “You’re still just as good as when I met You.  You’re still just as kind, don’t let me forget that You’re still the same God that led me through the fire; You’re still the same God that separates the waters.”  In another stanza in the song, it states, “My faith will surely falter, but that don’t change what You’ve done.  Cause every Ebenezer points to where my help comes from.”  An “Ebenezer” is basically another name in the Bible for what I brought up earlier: a stone of remembrance to never forget what God had done.

Kevin