Superhero (series) – Introduction

Why am I writing a book about superheroes? After all, I’m a Christian pastor. Can I justify writing a book on such an unbiblical concept such as superhumans with superpowers? I admit that at first glance, this book appears to be unbiblical, but that’s merely the surface. Remember: don’t judge a book by its cover. To discover Truth, we must dig into the depths beyond the surface. The real question we need to ask ourselves is, “What biblical truths can we learn by studying superheroes?” For all superheroes only exist because of the One true Superhero: Jesus. The purpose of this book is to define the qualities of a superhero and reveal how all of those qualities come from GOD. 

Ever since I was a little boy, I had been fascinated by superheroes. And like many others kids, I wore Superman and/or Batman pajamas with an attached cape. I played with my action figures and used my imagination to create different scenarios for which the superheroes would be needed in order to save the day. I had even created my own mask out of a paper plate and made up my own superhero name. Eventually, however, life redirected my attention to other matters such as sports, girls, jobs, bills, etc. But in recent years, Marvel has released many superhero movies. And as an adult, those movies spoke to my inner child and inspired me to once again think about superheroes. While watching the 2012 movie, The Avengers, I thought, “It would be so awesome to be a real superhero!”

Almost as soon as I finished that thought, I had another: “Because it would be awesome to be a real superhero, I bet there are people who have attempted to fight crime while wearing ridiculous outfits.”

I then went home and researched news articles that might have mentioned such people and sure enough, there have been grown adults who attempted to fight crime in ridiculous costumes! One such example was in Seattle, Washington – a man by the name of Phoenix Jones. In fact, he was the leader of the “Rain City Superheroes” – a group of 10 crime-fighters at that time. While I admired Jones’ passion to patrol the city and keep it safe, I also recognized that real superheroes possess more than enthusiasm. But it made me think: “What if superheroes were real? What would they actually look like? Would they even bother wearing a costume? Are superheroes actually possible? Do superheroes exist?”

And – yes! They are not only possible, but they are real! Their appearance doesn’t usually match our expectations, but superheroes do exist. 

GOD uses ordinary people to achieve extraordinary accomplishments. Heroes are not specific species born into existence, nor are they genetically modified or engineered beings; rather, they are average humans who become above-average people due to the decisions they make out from their free will. How a person freely responds to the challenges and difficulties of life will determine if he/she is a hero. An example of a hero would be a man who risks getting injured by pulling a woman out of a burning vehicle in order to save her life. That would be a heroic act; therefore, we can recognize that man as a hero. But how will that man choose to live the remaining time of his life after the initial heroic moment? Will that incident puff up his pride and cause him to glorify himself? Will he continue to respond in a consistent heroic manner in the future? Will he be a one-hit-wonder? Will he later decide that taking risks for other people is too dangerous and that he’s not willing to sacrifice anymore? It’s worth thinking about it. Anyone can become a hero by simply doing one noteworthy act. Just one noteworthy act can bump someone up from average status to above-average status. But should we set our standards so low? 

A superhero is not a Superman who comes to Earth from outer space wielding supernatural powers; rather, a superhero is merely a hero with supreme status due to his/her decision to go above and beyond the call of duty through sacrificial love on a consistent basis. An example of a superhero would be Mother Teresa — she went above and beyond by sacrificing nearly everything in order to dedicate her life to loving the unloved. She proved that a woman can be a superHERo.

Sadly, superheroes should be common, but they are not. In this sinful and fallen world, people are often selfish. And because of this sad truth, you would think that superheroes shine and stand out against the backdrop of the darkness in this world. Unfortunately, superheroes often go unnoticed unless the spotlight of fame happens to highlight them. Mother Teresa was one of the superheroes who ended up in the spotlight. But there are many superheroes who work in the background, blend in, and go unnoticed. People are usually distracted with entertainment, celebrities, and their own problems, and so the background superheroes go unrecognized. But there’s another reason why superheroes often go unnoticed: they don’t need the recognition. Superheroes are not superheroes because they get recognized as such; rather, they are superheroes whether anyone recognizes them or not simply because of what they do and who they are. Superheroes do not live for the praise of humanity; they’re not in it for the audience applause, they’re merely doing it for the cause. They don’t seek to please people; rather, they desire to pursue people with a loving purpose. 

In reality, superheroes don’t typically wear ridiculous costumes. So, how can we recognize these superheroes working in the background who go unnoticed? In order to find these superheroes, you need only to seek to find the character qualities of these superheroes. So, what are these qualities? I have dedicated one chapter per character quality so that we can expound upon each quality and discover the depth beyond the surface of superheroes. Superheroes:

1. recognize evil because they realize there is an absolute standard of goodness by which all evil can be known (GOD is the standard for all that is good)
2. recognize what is right and wrong because they realize there is an absolute moral standard by which all wrong can be known (GOD is the standard of all that is right)
3. are full of love and are compelled to act out from love (GOD is love and love comes from GOD)
4. desire to save people from danger and/or death (this desire comes from love)
5. see beyond problems, through the potential and to the possibilities (if they are to save people, they need to be solution seekers)
6. do not “what if” themselves into failure (because they are solution seekers)
7. are willing to sacrifice for the betterment of others (if the solution means sacrifice, then so be it)
8. make themselves available to be used (sacrificial love steps forward and offers service)
9. are not blue cord bums (they walk the walk and don’t just talk the talk)
10. go above and beyond the call of duty (if you’re going to make yourself available, don’t just put your foot in the water — dive in)
11. are courageous, committed, consistent, and unwilling to quit (going all in is to never back out; because they are willing to do what is necessary, they will not back down, give in, or give up)
12. know why they do what they do
13. do it for the cause, not for an audience applause — they don’t need recognition (they are only motivated by love)
14. understand that meaningful REALationships require love; they desire to be loved
15. understand that teamwork works — Batman linked with Robin; Ironman was smart, but still linked with Avengers; even Superman linked with Justice League)
16. understand pain and suffering
17. have real problems because they’re real people (in an intimate connection with close personal relationships, they can receive as much as they give by simply admitting they don’t want to deal with their problems alone)
18. make conscious decisions to overcome darkness with Light
19. are more than conquerors (our problems don’t define us; exterior circumstances should never alter our inner dispositions)
20. are woven together by faith (we are defined by our identity and our identity is found in origin)
21. understand their calling
22. are always ready for battle because they wear the Belt of Truth
23. understand Truth
24. are always ready for battle because they wear the Breastplate of Righteousness
25. are always ready for battle because they wear the Shoes of Readiness
26. are always ready for battle because they hold the Shield of Faith
27. are always ready for battle because they wear the Helmet of Salvation
28. are always ready for battle because they carry the Sword of the Spirit
29. live, eat, and breathe Truth
30. are always ready for battle because they pray at all times and on every occasion (Powerful Prayer – Part 1)
31. understand who they are praying to (nature of GOD)
32. understand who they are praying to (Jesus)
33. understand who they are praying to (Trinity)
34. know how and when to pray (Powerful Prayer – Part 2)
35. Superheroes have superpowers!
36. are focused and completely committed
37. understand what it means to be a Superhero
38. choose to be superheroes rather than evil villains

The Pursuit of Happiness

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If you’d rather read this message, I provided the words below…

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A woman asked me, “Are you happy doing what you’re doing in life?”

I answered her question with a question: “Should what I do be based upon a feeling of happiness?”

The woman replied, “You should be happy doing whatever it is you find yourself doing.”

I said, “I am perturbed by the pursuit of happiness and I don’t believe it is relevant to purpose. I believe purpose is more meaningful than happiness.”

Before you accuse me of being negative, allow me to explain my position, for it will ultimately end in love. What is someone pursuing when that person is pursuing happiness? Is the pursuit of happiness a noble pursuit? Is it possible that it’s actually cowardice? Does a person truly deserve to be happy at all times? Should pain and suffering always be avoided? Can purpose be found through pain and suffering? What is the ultimate goal of the pursuit of happiness?

Comedy stems from reality; it originates from truth. People laugh when they are able to relate to the root of the reference. Comedy is created with a hope of being able to cope, to make light of the darkness we experience. Even knowing the truth, most people will laugh and choose to cope. Now examine the reality from which the coping was created. It’s sad because it’s true. Humans are very versed in coping with the worst. Be careful of what you prioritize to first. Humans are often coerced into traveling head first in reverse to the conjured cope of hope that is cursed. Simply because humans resist facing their fears and overcoming obstacles. All hail happiness, right? Happiness will be our guide and lead us to victory, right? If it makes you happy, do it. …Right? …You better be certain you’re right; otherwise, what’s left?

Happiness. …I had to ponder on that concept for a long time.

As if listening to cult members repeating the words of their instructor, I have heard many different people recite the same mantra: “If it makes you happy, do it.”

Even my own mother had told me many times, “I want you to do what will make you happy.”

It is possible to have good intentions yet travel in the wrong direction. Is a path based on happiness a wise route to travel? Can it be wise unless it’s right? Is the pursuit of happiness right?

I believe that ‘happy’ is merely a term used to describe a temporary feeling that one receives when one gets a break from the sad reality of life. In this sin-filled and fallen world in which we all live, sadness is the constant of life; only when one is able to rise above the sea level of sadness does one experience the feeling known as happiness. I would relate happiness to the feeling one gets when finally inhaling oxygen after being held under water to the point of nearly drowning; happiness is merely a breath of fresh air from our stagnant society in which people suffocate in their sufferings. It seems that happiness is merely a discontinuity from misery, only enjoyable and desirable by comparison.

Can I be honest with you? Will you allow me to expound upon my thoughts? Can you refrain from your judgement about me until you have read everything I have to write? The truth is that I can’t seem to figure out how to obtain that feeling of happiness for an extended period of time; happiness only seems to exist in short bursts between the extended drudgeries of life’s normalcy. But unless happiness is the purpose of life, does it matter if it is the constant? I would say no — it doesn’t matter if happiness is the constant. Happiness is chocolate cake. Can you imagine what everyone would look like if chocolate cake were the constant? Happiness seems to be correlated to feelings; however, feelings can be misleading. Even a drug addict receives the short burst of happiness after getting a temporary fix; even a cheating wife/husband receives the short burst of happiness while sinning against his/her spouse with another happy-driven individual. For if happiness is the purpose of existence, what can be labeled as right or wrong? How can it possibly be wrong to do drugs if it brings the user/abuser happiness? How can cheating on your husband/wife be considered wrong if it brought about happiness?

What is the pursuit of happiness? The pursuit of happiness is nothing more than the pursuit of pleasure. Happiness simply cannot be the purpose of life. Happiness only fulfills mere moments, but always leaves people grasping for more. Too many people trade purpose for pleasure. So, what then? What is my purpose? I am not convinced that my happiness is of any importance to this world or my own purpose. Is there a purpose? Why am I here? Why do I exist?

Happiness must not be the focus point in our journey through this life. Happiness seems to be unconcerned with the purpose of others; in addition, happiness seems to be so self-centered that the intensely focused approach to obtaining happiness seems to be unconcerned even with one’s own purpose. The pursuit of happiness can be dangerous and sometimes deadly. I have reason to be wary of a smile or a laugh because there’s no telling from where the smile or laughter originated; after all, I have seen evil people smile and laugh before. Haven’t I? Evil is real, isn’t it? What is real?

Solipsism breeds sin; therefore, happiness warrants caution and invokes question of motivation and intention. I often observe that the pursuit of happiness for self often produces negative consequences for others around that particular happy-driven individual. And if happiness and purpose aren’t analogous, what purpose does happiness serve? But why do we possess the innate ability to feel happiness if happiness serves no purpose? So, then there must be a purpose for happiness. What is the purpose of happiness? To keep us going? To show us that ultimate happiness is possible? Is happiness the ultimate goal in which we should all strive to achieve? When? In this lifetime? Certainly not. I want to be happy, but I don’t know how to be happy and remain happy at all times. It’s simply not possible – especially if you allow yourself to feel the pain of others. Happiness is not the constant. When I do manage to obtain that feeling of happiness, I am unable to keep it without also keeping a selfish focus on myself. My happiness starts to dissipate once I start thinking of others’ pain and suffering. I sometimes even feel guilty for possessing happiness when so many other people in this world live in misery and despair. What’s so special about me? Why should I be happy? Should happiness be a constant in my life when so many people are suffering in this world? Why is there suffering? But why do we exist at all? Why does it matter? Does it matter? What is important? The only thing that seems important to me at this time is knowing the Truth. I exist. I need to know why I exist. You exist. Don’t you want to know why you exist? What is the meaning of life? What is your purpose for being alive? Why is there life at all when there doesn’t need to be?

Life is quite complicated and [to be honest] I don’t care much for it most of the time. Please allow me to bring clarity to what I just wrote: I like life as [I believe] it should be experienced, but I hate the life that humans have distorted and disfigured in order to accommodate their arrogant, atrocious and abhorrent agendas. One example of an atrocious agenda is the abhorrent act of abortion. Why are we willingly murdering babies and snuffing out life? Just so a woman can be fulfill her pursuit of happiness?  I don’t understand life as it is in its current state, only as it should be experienced; therefore, I am an outcast, imprisoned in a free yet fallen world.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the more knowledge I acquire, the more I realize just how much I don’t know. I am aware that I could obtain the feeling of happiness more often than I currently do; however, I am aware that I would be obtaining that feeling of happiness at the expense of others. I am aware that much of the misery I feel is self-inflicted because I choose to feel and care so deeply for others; however, I believe that the alternative of harvesting happiness at the expense of others would not be fulfilling — hunting happiness is an endless endeavor, and an unfulfilling endeavor at that. A human hunting happiness is like a cheetah hunting a gazelle; the amount of effort and energy used to catch the prize will only replenish the effort and energy that was used to obtain the prize. Happiness produces no gain; the most happiness can do is help one sustain. The cycle never ends; the replenishment is always short-lived. All batteries must either be recharged or die. A human continues to recharge the ‘battery’ of his/her body until the body can no longer sustain the charge necessary to produce the movement which is necessary to sustain life. I hate the hunt; I am tired and irritated by the body’s weakness and dependency upon its seemingly everlasting soul to recharge it for another redundant day. There is a soul, isn’t there? If I am merely matter in motion, what does anything matter at all? There is no good reason why anything should exist at all. But we do. Why? To experience happiness? Certainly life is not so superficial.

What produces happiness anyway? Maslow’s hierarchy of needs asserts that basic needs must be met before happiness can ever be achieved. I believe that one’s definition of success produces happiness. But how does one define success? Fame? Fortune? Fornication? Family? Fortitude? For many people, money equates to success because money eliminates the worry or anxiety over basic needs; furthermore, money aids one’s desire to obtain happiness, to seek pleasure.

Both those who are ignorant and those who are people-pleasers desire to promote the promise of paradise in a passionate proclamation of love and equality for all — a fairytale happy ending for all who choose to believe! But that doesn’t coincide with reality. And if a belief does not coincide with reality, it cannot be true. Belief does not prevent grief; in fact, my belief has brought me to grief many times.

Earth is seemingly overpopulated and the only way to rise to the top is to pull others down while climbing up. That’s the way of the world. There is much wisdom to be found in life by simply examining nature. Nature is pure, raw, mechanical, and typically uncorrupted by influence. Nature doesn’t try to call attention to itself and doesn’t attempt to be anything it is not. If there is an occurrence in nature, it happens by ‘divine’ order — it was destined to happen. In order to win the prize of the female, male blue whales try to push each other down, and if necessary, with intent to drown — the most aggressive male wins the prize (ends up with the female). Take your pick: hippopotamus, silverback gorilla or even a lion — the most aggressive male will dominate and receive whatever prize it desires. Within nature, the dominance hierarchy declares that losers are inevitable. There are winners and there are losers. Sink or swim. Fight or flight. Kill or be killed. That is life in its current state in this sin-filled and fallen world. Therefore, the notion that humans will coexist and live in peace is wishful thinking — so long as life exists in this current state, there will always be competition to live and reason to die. Pain and suffering are inevitable. Why? Because people will pursue pleasure. So, is that the real reason so many humans pursue happiness? To escape pain and suffering? Is that a noble pursuit? Is it possible it is cowardice?

Humans are just as primitive as animals and resort to the same primal instincts: we dress to impress, dance to advance, we strut and flaunt, we even kill to get what we want. But more so than animals, humans dig deeper into the expanse of evil because we conjure lies and concoct plans in order to appease our carnality; the demonic deeds of humans are often premeditated. Well, I despise the desire to bring others down just so I can be on top. I refuse to allow my body to be a flagitious factory that will produce misery for others all for the selfish sake of my happiness. I am convinced that the purpose of my existence has little or nothing to do with my happiness.

It is true that I am unhappy a lot of the time, but it’s not because of a lack of joy. I have joy within. Joy and happiness are not one and the same. I’m unhappy a lot of the time because I have refused to allow the superficial to sway my selections or settlements; I have refused to allow demons to desensitize me and detour me from righteous decisions; I have refused to be plagued by promises of power; I have refused to allow my ethics to be eroded or my morals to be manipulated; I have refused to allow my hero to be anyone other than He who is Holy. I refuse to allow my eternal soul to be misguided by temporary temptations of damning desires. And by living as such, I have become calloused to the ways of this world. For a long time now, I have not felt temptation’s incessant tapping and I have not been persuaded by pain nor pleasure regardless of how persistent the pain or promising the pleasure. Am I impervious to evil’s invasions? No. Evil’s attacks are present and are evident by the persistent pain I experience. But my armor is thick and my threshold for pain is high. I simply choose not to be directed by the ways of this world.

If you can be honest with yourself, you will agree that in general, our society is superficial; our culture is corrupt. I feel as though I don’t fit in anywhere; I feel like I don’t belong anywhere; I’m seemingly surrounded yet feel incisively isolated. But I am a piece to the puzzle of life and I do belong somewhere even if I don’t know where I belong. I may not be a cornerstone, but I am of the Creator and a component of the calling. And if GOD won’t extract me from this execrable Earth, I will be forced to endure until I get interlocked into my predetermined place within life’s puzzle and fulfill my purpose. But while I exist, is happiness a goal in which I should strive to achieve? Or is happiness merely a covetous concept that will distract me from achieving my purpose? Also, how can the purified form of happiness be harvested in a world so impure? The very idea of me being happy creates conflict within myself, rendering any brief moment of happiness obsolete.

My mother desires me to do whatever makes me happy; my father desires me to climb to the top. If I do whatever makes me happy, my actions will most certainly produce misery for at least a few people. Though my mother would be happy knowing that I finally found happiness, would either of my parents be proud to know of the method to which my happiness was achieved? And what would the ramifications of my actions be in regards to many others? Others matter, don’t they? Others are important, aren’t they? To what degree? To what extent? Only so long as they don’t take away from your happiness? Think: if you were to get everything you ever wanted and fulfilled your every desire in order to be happy, how many people would not have their desires fulfilled? A quick example of this is the scenario of sexual relations. Let’s suppose you pursue pleasure and receive happiness from having sex with someone you’re physically attracted to yet that person was not physically attracted to you. Well, you would be happy, but would that other person?

Can you even fathom what would become of this world if everyone set their focus on obtaining happiness for self? A pursuit of happiness is self-centered; in addition, the pursuit may lack purpose. Like the term, ‘fun,’ happiness is also subjective when put into proper perspective. The pursuit of purpose, however, will ultimately lead to joy. Happiness can always be found when fulfilling purpose, even if the discovery is not immediate. I must not risk my purpose by chasing the white rabbit of happiness down its black hole of absence. And though my arduous adventure to achieve my purpose may cause me to be unhappy a lot of the time, I will eventually discover happiness once my purpose is fulfilled. When that day comes, I will discover even more happiness as I notice that my happiness and fulfilled purpose continue to bring happiness to others. For the only way to obtain happiness and keep it is to help others obtain it. I choose purpose over pleasure because the promise of pleasure can be found in the pursuit of purpose. I choose a purpose-driven life. Hmm…. But what is my purpose? My purpose is to make life better for others by helping them to understand that they were created for a purpose beyond what they currently see and experience. We do not exist to merely exist. Are you merely existing or are you truly living? Purpose cannot be experienced if the heart and mind are numbed and medicated by happiness. Happiness is a drug that prevents potential. The person stuck in the pursuit of happiness is a sleepwalking citizen who is unable to experience growth through pain and suffering. If one is to pursue happiness, it should not be for self. If the purpose of your life was to make your own life better, you wouldn’t be surrounded by so many other people. Your life is not your own and your happiness has little or nothing to do with your purpose.

Do you know why you exist? Do you know the meaning of life? Do you know your purpose? If you knew your Creator, you would know why you exist. 

To know why I became a Christian, see my other article, “My Testimony: from Agnosticism, to Atheism, to Christianity“

[Suggestion: read “The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For”, by Rick Warren]