Why I love Batman

Clearly, I love Batman.

Look at the picture...

Some people say I take it too far. They say I quote the movies too often, or I pull parallels to the plot too often.

I am not just a comic book nerd with a t-shirt. (Yes, I do have a Batman t-shirt that I DO wear in public. No, I do not own any Batman comics.)

But there are reasons for having these favorite movies/this favorite superhero.

He is what I cannot be.

When I was little, I wanted to be grow up to be Batman. Not like most children. I mean seriously. I wanted to move to a big city. Dress up. Defend the people who could not defend themselves.

Batman is a character who has devoted everything that he is to this thing that drives him. He seeks justice...with all that he is. He gives up his entire life.

At the end of Batman Begins, Kate Holmes' character makes the point relevant when she explains that Batman is who Bruce Wayne really is. Who Bruce is during the day, is his real mask.

I don't want to wear any masks. I want everyone who meets me to meet the same person. I don't want to be fake to anyone. I want to be genuine. I belong to Jesus Christ, and I want to show that to everyone. I want to give my life to Christ who drives me.

The best part is, while we like to act like we are "giving up" our lives and "sacrificing" a normal life, God's plan for our life is way better than anything we can conjure up in our pitiful minds.

If Batman goes somewhere, people notice. He sticks out like a redwood in a desert.

Anyone who devotes his or her life to Christ is the same way. They are no longer like they used to be. They stick out.

I waste my life trying to blend in--trying to look like other people. Given much of what I do is unintentional, I still do it. I must be aware.

Batman IS what I can be...metaphorically.

I can live my life for Christ. I can LIVE my life for Christ. Not just talk about doing it. Not just talking about "what it looks like." How many times have I talked about "what things should look like?"

There are people in class with me who don't know Christ. Your classes are the same.

Let's go tell them the great news about our wonderful Savior. He has saved us from ourselves.

Miscommunication and Misconceptions (M&Ms)

"Houston, we have a problem."

We all know this quote. Sadly, the quote is incorrect. The original quote from NASA's log of the Apollo 13 space mission was recorded to say, "Houston, we've had a problem." While the popular quote is only slightly off, I was surprised to learn that for so many years we have been saying it incorrectly.

This happens all the time.

Miscommunication.

Somewhere along the way someone quotes someone else incorrectly, and from that point on everyone who says the quote is saying it the wrong way. Need more examples?

"Play it again, Sam."

Have you ever heard that quote? People will tell you that it is a famous line from the movie Casablanca... These people are wrong. No one in the movie ever says, "Play it again, Sam." Two characters say, "Play it, Sam," but no one ever says the popular quote.

"Luke, I am your father."

Never said in Star Wars. The actual quote says, "No, I am your father." Used incorrectly ever time.

"Money is the root of all evil."

I must be crazy to say the Bible is being misquoted right? Well, the quote isn't exactly misquoted--it is just not complete. 1 Timothy 6:10 beings by saying "FOR THE LOVE OF money is the root of all evil." All translations of the Bible that I could find agree to the translation. Money is not evil, but to love money is.

Preachers were on campus all last week.

I heard them misquote several Bible verses. I also saw people show them they were wrong. It all became an argument that was going nowhere. Neither side wanted to hear the other; they simply wanted to make their own point.

Misconception.

Thinking we are helping the kingdom of God by arguing with someone is wrong. I do not want to get into whether or not people should be preaching on campus. I think God could call some people to that. I do not think the people last week were called by God. Who am I to judge though?

What do I do on campus to share the gospel?

Maybe street preachers on campus are opening doors for the rest of us Christians who are too afraid to talk openly about Jesus. Maybe they are all lunatics, and the only way to combat them is to share the gospel in a different way on campus.

Too many people have told me that those who preach on campus are "going about it the wrong way." At least we can give them credit for going about it at all.

I want the boldness the talk to people about Jesus. Not just try to force people to believe, but talk openly about how awesome He is. I talk about sports, tv, music, and movies all day long. How many conversations do I have about Jesus being absolutely amazing? How many people have you ever told about Jesus?

It is time to live how we are called to live.

Abraham Lincoln is pictured on pennies facing to the right. All other coins have president's looking to the left.

We as Christians should look the opposite way of the world. We should look to God to see the options no one else can see.

I don't title these until after I have typed them...

Seriously.

I don't like to start with a title and let that control where my mind jumps to.

Warm weather is fantastic...even in February. I have worn shorts and flip flops for the last two days. In no way is that depressing. I absolutely love warm weather.

So maybe that means Alaska makes no sense, but I'm going to trust God with this...

I would like to live in either Florida or California at some point before I die; however, I am open to living wherever God sends me. Seriously I am. So far there have been ups and downs wherever I have lived. I would even go to Omaha, Nebraska. I don't even like corn that much...

...but I do like warm weather in February.

Warm weather makes me want to be outside. Outside is good.

Outside makes me want to work out, run, play guitar, swim, play sports, etc.

Cold weather makes me want to be inside. Inside is just sad.

Inside makes me want to be lazy, sleep, watch tv, play video games. Inside makes me waste time.

I'm probably a better Christian in warm weather.

So there is something for me to work on.

I need to be more willing to go out of my way and do things even when it is cold outside.

I do better in school when its warm.

Why is this?

I heard sun makes people happier by doing something to endorphins, but I hate science so I stopped paying attention. I have to think about spelling the word science every time I write/type it. I guess that's okay since I'm in communications... I before E except after C unless you're spelling science because scientists hate English.

I have butchered the English language throughout this blog.

This is a really random blog, but this is my blogpage--so yeah.

Random fact: In every episode of Seinfeld, there is a Superman somewhere.

This Generation

I often hear about how great this generation is as far as Christianity.

Lord do not let us forget those who have laid foundations.

I am tired of hearing of stories of God moving like he has just recently shown up. God has always been around. Always. Further back than we can think. I know God is doing awesome things now, and I do like hearing about those things, but the cool thing now is to say how great this generation is. Are the Chrisitians of the past not also our brothers and sisters in Christ?

A few weeks ago I was at a disciple now at home church. When we went to play an intense team game, I was shocked to see my father's pastoral mentor as he is pictured below...

I am encouraged every time I look at this picture.

The man is in his seventies.

I told him that I thought he was awesome for painting his face for a youth game. This great man of God who has spent most of his life pursuing God's call had a great reply when he said, "If you're going to do something for Jesus, you have to go all in."

He was involved with a youth disciple now weekend because he wanted to glorify God. He played the game for the same reason. He wants to bring Christ to a world who does not know Him. He would probably not want any of the credit for anything he has done.

An entire generation before this one. He gets it. He has been working (and is still working) for the glory of our great God, who always has been great, long before anyone can fathom.

I want this generation to do the work of God in ways that this world has never seen, but we should never forget that people have been giving their lives to God since life has been on this planet.

I want to do something for Jesus.

I want to go all in.

Super Excitement: A Look Back

The game--was an instant classic. The outcome was uncertain until the clock read all zeroes. A great game.

The commercials--subpar at best. There were a few laughs, but nothing spectacular. The Super Bowl commercials of yesterfar would be offended by the lack of zing that was supplied by the ads. Sure dorritos made us laugh, and of course the one-second miller high life commercial was funny, but there was an obvious lack of overall quality.

The Office--the best part of the night. My favorite episode yet. Fires, cats, ipod shuffles, and countless looks at the camera that have come to define the show. I laughed harder during the opening than I have ever laughed at a tv show. Lest we not forget that they also put me on the edge of my seat character-drama wise for the first time since season 3.

I flocked with friends to roll up a fatty full of fellowship and fun.

Alliteration aside, it may have been the best Super Bowl night ever.

Super Excitement

The Super Bowl is tonight.

Which is more exciting?

The game?

The commercials?

Or the new episode of The Office?

:to be continued: