"Man of Steel" not so Super

          I had the privilege of going to an advance screening of the new Superman movie “Man of Steel” this week. I have always liked the Superman comics and movies, although I slept through most of Superman II, so I had high hopes for this installment. There were many things to like about this rougher, edger version and some changes to the character that did not sit well with me and others at the screening. WARNING: there are some spoilers.

Let’s start with what was good;

First, I liked the way humans (non-superhuman) were portrayed in this version. Too often in “comic book” movies humans are portrayed as weak, helpless and fearful. In this movie the humans, particularly the soldiers will willing to fight to the death even knowing they had little or no chance against the obviously superior foes. Even non-military persons were willing to place themselves in harm’s way to help their friends.

Secondly, I liked the way they explored the mental aspect of a child growing up different than all of the other children. I think many kids feel this way at times and I think this makes Clark a little more relatable.

Purpose, lots of discussion about finding our purpose and following it. More people should strive this hard to fulfill their purpose.

Also, the production and graphics were great. It did drag a little during the middle but most of the time it moved at a good pace.

OK, What I didn’t like.

The wavering morals of Superman. This is a Superman who has no problem stealing clothing from a stranger because his were damaged in a fire. The original Superman was not a thief. Also, during the fight scenes it can be assumed that thousands of humans were killed in the resulting destruction of Metropolis, much by the hand of Superman. Apparently Kal-el has no problem with humans dyeing, as long as he doesn’t have to see them die (trying not to give away too much of the ending). Also, as Clark he starts to defend a waitress that is being sexually harassed, only to walk away when the confrontation gets physical. Leaving the woman with her idiot patrons. Clark then goes into the parking lot and destroys the assailant’s 18-wheeler. So I guess escorting a dirt bag out of a bar is crossing a line but destroying personal property for revenge is ok. This is also a Superman that lies, drinks beer, and cries (a lot).

Fatherly lessons. Clark learns from his earthly father that it is ok to let some people die so that others may live. He is further instructed that it is better to keep himself safe than it is to fight back against evil. Can we have one movie that doesn’t push liberalism down our throats?

Godlike. Several references in the movie of Superman being “god-like”.  They even made his age 33yrs when he started his earthly work as Superman (think Christ). In his defense Clark does not seem to view himself this way.

Fighting abilities. We learn from the movie that on Krypton people are genetically engineered and raised to perform a certain role in society. With that in mind General Zod was created and trained to be the ultimate warrior, yet gets man handled by the Jor-el who was raised and trained as a scientist. Further Kal-El who was raised to never defend himself or fight back suddenly becomes so proficient in his ability to fight that he is able to tangle with Zod AND all of his warrior minions who also have his super strength and speed.

No Jimmy Olsen.

Not sure how I feel about Superman killing someone. The original Superman always found a way to spare life but this Superman kills Zod by breaking his neck with his bare hands. It was portrayed in the movie as that he had no choice. The real Superman would have found away.

Unnecessary foul language.  Although there was not a lot of it, the cursing in the movie seemed out of place. It made otherwise intelligent, likable characters seem neither. It felt like the words were added not to enhance the movie but to surprise the audience.  It takes away from a movie when the director is forced to resort to this to keep the audience watching. The movie would have been better without it.

Overall not a bad movie but wish they hadn’t soiled a beloved character like Superman. Superman has always been the example that all other Superhero’s are compared to and the bar of what is best and right with America values. That bar just got lowered.

Roy and Amy Pauley appearing at The Crossroads!

Long-time song evangelists, Roy and Amy Pauley, will once again be with us at Crossroads Baptist Church  for a service of Southern Gospel and evangelistic-style music on Sunday, June 23, during the 11am Worship Service.

Roy is known nation-wide for his monthly column in The Singing News magazine, plus he has been a guest soloist with Bill Gaither’s Homecoming concerts on several occasions. He has also been featured on two of Gaither’s famous videos.

Don’t miss this Christ-centered service consisting of inspiring music, plus Roy will be giving a general alter call with special prayer for our spiritual and personal needs.

This is a full-time, self-supporting ministry sustained solely by the freewill offerings received at each of their services. Come expecting a great blessing and come prepared to bless Roy and Amy with a love gift to show your support.

Bring a friend and don’t miss this special service designed to point us to Christ!

Real Church...Real People...Real Simple...

This is not just a slogan, but the way of life here at Crossroads Baptist Church. Here you will find a church that this is truly a loving, filled with people just like yourself!

Crossroads is a Real Church

We were not born out of strife or disagreement; we were lovingly founded by Winter Haven Baptist Church. Crossroads is a church that is built on the Word of God not man. A place where you can learn and grow without all the man-made rules and complications.

Crossroads is full of Real People

At Crossroads you will find people just like yourself, Real. At Crossroads we're not about "having it all together" or acting like we do. We are simply growing together toward a God who really understands us and can put all the pieces of this often bizarre world into perspective. Come visit. There's a place for you.

 

Crossroads keeps it Real Simple

 Man has a way of making God, well, complicated. While we know that God is infinitely complex, the directions He gave us to live and grow by are Real Simple.

Step 1 - Join us this Sunday for Worship @ 11:00am.

Step 2 - Get involved with one of our Life Groups.

Step 3 - Come and pray with us during one of our POP (Power Of Prayer) Times.

Step 4 - Serve. Let us help you find your place in the family of Christ!

It just doesn't get any simpler than that!

 

 

 

Resistance is futile

Last night I was teaching a group of men incarcerated at the Osceola County Jail. As I was introducing myself one of the men spoke up and said that he was supposed to be going to Crossroads but instead wound up in jail. He said that shortly before he got himself in trouble he had received a hand written note from a lady in our congregation inviting him to church. He felt at that time that Crossroads is where he should be but he resisted and instead chose the path that led him to jail.

I wonder how often we resist the Holy Spirits leading and end up in a place much less than what God had planned for us? God wants to use you and do bigger things with you than you could ever imagine and He will, if you will let Him.

I also wonder how often we make an unforgettable difference in someone’s life without ever knowing. Whoever wrote that letter to that young man has changed him forever. At the very least he is knows someone cares and is recognizing the Holy Spirits guiding in his life.

Please pray for that young man that when he is released he will find his way to Crossroads where he can grow and become everything that God wants him to be! Our God is the God of second chances, for that young man and for you. Seek Him while there is still time.

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near”

What to do...What to do...

The last Sunday of October is Friend Day and I need a "stunt" to perform to help get folks motivated to invite their friends and make the day a little funner (is that a word?).

Some sugestions so far include;

Kissing a pig (some of you people worry me)
Eat a large bowl of vegatables (you know the stuff food eats)
Shave off my beard & mustache
Eat a two pound hamberger


What ideas do you have? I will do just about anything to be able to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with just one more person. In the past I have had pies thrown at me sang a solo, and lived for 30hrs on the roof of the church.

I need your ideas soon so we can get everything together Friend Day is just around the corner!

Soul Surfer - FREE Tickets

Soul Surfer is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton. Bethany lost her left arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith.

We will be going to see the movie Soul Surfer on Saturday April 9th (time and location to be announced) and you can go with us for FREE! How? Just bring a first time, unchurched, adult visitor to the Sunday, April 3rd, Morning Worship Service and you can go with us for FREE! But that’s not all! We’ll also pay for your friend to go with us as well!

See the trailer for Soul Surfer HERE

5 Lies The Jehovah Witnesses Will Tell You

The Cult of Jehovah Witness’s also know as The Watchtower is a religion created in the 1874 by Charles Taze Russell. The organization struggled until it was taken over by Joseph Rutherford in 1917. Since then it has steady grown to a multi-million dollar cult that preys on the poor and uneducated. In 1961 they wrote their own bible and came up with a book that was more in line with the bizarre ramblings of their founder. They are best known for their door-to-door recruitment and the false doctrine they spread. Listed are 5 of the more common lies a JW will tell you.

Lie #1- "Jehovah's Witnesses" (JW's) claim that Jehovah created Jesus as the Angel Michael.

In their book entitled Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life on page 62 they write,

“As we have previously learned in this book, Jesus had a prehuman existence. He is called God's "only-begotten Son" because Jehovah created him directly.”

Jesus is the creator not the created.

Colossians 1:16 & 17 tells us about Jesus the Creator it says: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

According to this verse “if” Jesus was created he must have created himself. That obviously did not happen.

See also John chapter 1

Lie #2 - Jesus is not God

In their attempt to minimize Jesus and exalt themselves they have reduced Jesus to a created Angel. They believe, in error, that Jesus is the Angel Michael. Since Belief in Jesus is essential to salvation Satan has created many “other” Jesus’. Paul warns of these other “Jesus’“ in 2 Corinthians: 11:4. Why the fake Jesus? When someone places their trust in a fake Jesus they have a false salvation.

Jesus is declared to be God throughout the scriptures.

John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Further on in John chapter 1 it identifies this “Word” that is God as Jesus Christ.

NOTE: When the JW’s rewrote their bible they edited this verse to exclude the last verse.

Hebrews 1:8: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom”. Here God the Father is calling the Son, Jesus, “God”.


Lie #3 – The soul is not Immortal.

In an effort to remove the punishment for sin JW’s teach that when you die it is over, no life after death, no accountability, nothing more just death. The Bible clearly teaches that the believer and the non-believer have life after death.

John:3:15: “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

John:10:28: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand”.

Lie # 4 - Lost people do not go to Hell

Again in an effort to eliminate their own accountability for their sins the JW’s denies that people go to Hell.

This again is clearly refuted by the Bible in Luke 16 where we see Jesus giving a very vivid description of Hell and the torment that goes on there.

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

Lie #5 – God is not a Trinity

Since they deny the Deity of Jesus Christ they also deny the Deity of the Holy Spirit, ignoring Bible verses that declare the plural nature of God such as:

1 John:5:7: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Genesis 1: 26: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:”

Notice the words God chose to use to describe Himself here, Us & Our, shows that He exists in more than one form at the same time.

Conclusion - This is only a short list of the lies being told by this cult, some of the other concern their refusal to salute the American flag, believing that the soul can be lost through bleeding, that only 144,000 will go to Heaven, Birthdays are evil, ect.