If there is one thing I am super excited beyond control about, it is my series, The Checkpoint Devotional. I made everyone sick hearing about the first edition of the book. I apologize for nothing. This is the coolest thing I have ever done in the name of theology, and it needs to be shared.

Well, NOW THERE IS A SECOND EDITION OF THE CHECKPOINT. Bible resources, hopeful messages, twice as many anime references, jokes, and video game metaphors. It’s the greatest marriage of spiritual discipleship and the love of all geeks. Geeky dads, college students, and modern-day disciples loved the first edition. Now there is 60 more devotionals containing stories from Shazam, Superman, Super Mario Bros., Gundam, and Fortnite. Bible messages cover generosity, forgiveness, humility, Christ’s glory, and service.

January 12th is the release day! It will be available on Kindle, paperback, and Unlimited.

To get everyone excited about the release of this momentous occasion. Here is a free devotional from the book.

Anger versus love

TAKEAWAY: Love fixes the problems that anger cannot.

MESSAGE:

Walt Kowalski is a Korean War vet with very unkind words for the foreigners he fought against. He takes that prejudice home when he threatens to shoot a Hmong teenager for trying to steal his Gran Torino. Walt would later befriend the boy and his family, genuinely understanding the Hmong culture. In the movie’s final moments, Walt confronts a Hmong gang that threatens to hurt the family. Instead of pulling out his gun and leading with his anger, he pulls out a lighter, causing the gang to react violently. They gun him down, but it leads to their immediate arrest. Walt sacrifices himself to keep the Hmong family safe without firing a single bullet.

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all offenses.” Proverbs 10:12

Anger and rage are loud. They demand satisfaction and care little about anything else until they get it. We need anger to warn us when something is wrong or unfair. While that emotion is a great alarm, it can do little to help the problem. It’s like an alarm in a burning house. The loud, obnoxious bell can tell you to act quickly, but it cannot teach you about fire safety, prevention, or proper first aid.

Only love wants to see the job get done right. It has the care, compassion, and consideration to help others. Love thinks about the future, while hatred thinks about the now. Love seeks to win people over with its promises of a good life, while hatred demands punishment for trespassers.

Most assuredly, people are doing awful stuff in this world. They deserve to be vanquished from the land. Hate will understandably feel that, and the conflict it raises would be justified. But consider the love of God, who desires people to leave their evil and return to his care.

FIGURE IT OUT:

11 Tell them, As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn you, turn you from your evil ways; for why will you die, house of Israel?

Ezekiel 33:11

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all offenses

Proverbs 10:12

  1. Circle any words or phrases that stood out to you in the passage. Why are they significant?
  2. What does God get from showing love to his enemies instead of hate?
  3. What will your transition from anger (your reaction to evil) to love (your response to evil) look like?

THE GEEKPOINT:

The Gran Torino is a symbol that connects Kowalski’s identity with the Hmong youth. Many of the Hmong actors had no acting experience until this movie.

CHECKPOINT RATING: An eye-opening movie about inter-generational connections

The R rating is heavy with profanity, violence, and strong language, but the movie carries a powerful message.

Blessing:

May your love present many godly opportunities that your anger cannot.