In the last 6 months, my children and I have developed a pattern. Monday night is movie night! Often it's a DVD but tonight it was off to the multiplex to see Superman Returns.

Just a little detour....last week, Nigel and I travelled to Gateshead to visit Emmanuel College. We met the lower 6th and Nigel gave a lecture called "Is Bruce Almighty" Basically it looks at spiritual themes in Hollywood movies. He made a good point that many recent movies look at issues such as self sacrifice and friendships etc.

Anyway back to Superman! Firstly let me say it was a great film, definitely recommended. With great cinematography, special effects and fantastic music from John Williams it hooked you in from the start. In my view it is at least as good as the previous Superman outings. Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that if Nigel is called upon to give the same talk he will definitely use this movie. It has some classic quotes. At one point Supermans father (Using a "resurrected" Marlon Brando) says "(humans) only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all—their capacity for good—I have sent them you, my only son." and then Superman says to Lois Lane "You wrote that the world doesn't need a saviour, but I hear them crying for one everyday. "

There is more obvious parallels in the storyline but I do not want to spoil it for you. Go see it and tell me what you saw in comments (BUT remember to start it with the word SPOILER so as not to give the plot away to others!

God does not require us to be superheroes. He has no illusions about us and He loves us unconditionally. However, last night Ugandan "Super" Pastor, Joseph Serwadda, whilst preaching at City Temple, said; "make sure your charisma does not overtake your character" I found that so powerful and challenging. So often we work on developing our gift when the main thing we need to develop is our character.

Keep in touch!

Gary