Pastor's Update

Have I ever told you that I love superheroes? In fact, when I was younger (much younger), I dreamed of becoming a superhero and being part of the Justice League. I use to imagine what it would be like to sit at the table with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Green Arrow. I love that these guys did not just sit around and talk about fighting crime...they actually went out there and fought crime. They did more than just talk about stomping out injustice and oppression...they did more than just vow to stand for truth, justice and the American way.

I do realize that nowhere in Scripture is Jesus referred to as a "superhero" but in my mind, He is the perfect example of a superhero. In John's Gospel, Jesus talks about what greater love is. He tells His followers this, "Greater love has no one than this, then to lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). More than just talk about it, Jesus actually laid down His life for us. Years later, John would write some letters to the churches, in those letters, he reminded his readers (and us), of what Jesus did for the world. Yes I know John doesn't say it, but I have come to believe that because of what Jesus did, He is the real superhero. Then John reminds you and me, that we are to do the same, "And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:16,18.)

I have had a few heroes in my life, men and women, who did more than just say the words, they lived the words. They did more than talk the talk, they walked the walk. Men and women who told me they loved me, and then "laid down their lives for me." To me, they will always be heroes, and I will always be thankful for their sacrifices and their love.

You know, when I was younger I dreamed of being Batman or the Silver Surfer. I would dream of being a superhero...so that I could change the world. Today though, God is calling us to stop dreaming and start being the superheroes He created us to be. When we follow the example of Christ...we are then taking serious the words of John, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth, we then become true superheroes and the world will be changed.

This Friday night, beginning at 8:00 pm, we will be showing a movie that will teach us about a couple of unlikely heroes. We will be showing the popular movie, UP. This movie is so popular that one child told me Sunday, that on a scale of 1 to 10, UP is a 2,000,000. Now that is quite the review!! I hope you will make plans to join us on this summer night for an evening of perfection, fellowship and food, plus a 2,000,000 rated movie. Oh yeah, did I mention all of this is FREE??!!