How God makes your action-packed life like a superhero's:

I know where I'll be at least a few times this summer: waiting in line outside my local movie theater. Summer movie season means one thing to me: lots and lots of comic book superheros. I love them. But simply seeing comic book heros in the flesh and blood (and cool suits) isn't the main reason I buy my ticket. I keep coming back again and again because of the stories. You see, I've noticed something pretty cool. Almost every time I leave a superhero movie, I say the same thing to myself: "I can't believe how many biblical themes are in that movie!" Here are four big ideas from the Bible that are commin in superhero flicks: (Continued in "Stories")

So why are superhero stories so popular? Maybe it's because we know superheroes can do for us what we can't do for ourselves. When things look impossible, we want heroes to help us, save us and give their all for us. This is exactly what superheroes do: They step in when we can't go on.

In X2, the X-Men are about to drown in a tidal wave until jean Grey decides to save them, no matter what it means for her. She holds her arms out, lifting the X-Men's powerless jet with one hand and holding back the water with the other. As the waters rush over her, the X-Men regain their power and fly away to safety.

When all looks hopeless for a runaway train in Spiderman 2, Spidey sacrifices himself -- arms outstretched and with gashes in his side -- to save the train's passengers.

These types of selfless acts of heroism appeal to us because they reflect something bigger than just a comic book story or a summer action movie. They mirror the story of a different kind of superhero, the Son of God who gave his all for us. As we look at these superheroes, I hope we see them as reminders that we have a God who helps us, saves us and gives His all -- no matter the cost.

--Todd Hertz.