Tag: Jesus

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Temptations of Jesus, Pt. 1

Posted on by Wick

Close your eyes for a moment, and try to imagine the very first time you heard the word “temptation”. For many of us, we heard it as children, or at least as teenagers. I remember clinging to the words of 1 Corinthians 10:13 throughout my young teen and older teen years. Whether substances, bad choices in general, or decisions with how to relate to the opposite sex, I heard these words: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

christ-in-the-wilderness-1898I knew there would always be a way out, and words to say, to escape having to choose the “wrong thing”. But as we see in the temptations of Jesus, “REAL temptation” is a much bigger deal than choosing A or B.

Jesus was “led up by the Spirit” to be tempted by the devil. There are all sorts of questions at this phrase, most of them too large for us to even know how to ask. But it seems like God wanted Jesus to experience the temptations he was going to face throughout His ministry…right up front. To make a statement to Satan, the forces of evil, and possibly even Himself…that when these temptations arrive throughout his journey – He has already decided and proclaimed how He will be responding. Maybe that same purpose is found in why this story has been written down for us to read as well. That we will decide this morning, how we will respond ahead of time. Because if it hasn’t yet, temptation will come. It’s the same reason in youth ministry, we recommend talking with your children and teenagers about topics like sex, and substances. Because you want them to know AHEAD OF TIME how they will respond, not wonder in the moment what decisions they should be making.

It’s important to note, Jesus was tempted when he was “famished”. We also face REAL temptation whenever we hunger, and our world tells us to hunger/builds hungers within us pretty much 24/7. Hunger is being discontent or unsatisfied with what we have. Sometimes it can be a good thing…reminding us to eat, or compelling us to take a move forward toward a fuller life. But many times, it’s simply selling us the belief that we would be “more content” if we acquired whatever is being offered.

If we were content…most of our temptations wouldn’t be as difficult a choice. Jesus knew this, and was constantly painting a picture of His followers as peace-filled, not serving anxiety, and those who held even possessions with a loose hand.

But not so for us today. We are a hungry people. Hungry in all of the same ways Jesus was tempted here.

One of the primary ways, is this: Bread – actual hunger. Remember, it wasn’t “40 Days of being Tempted in the Wilderness”. It was 40 days & nights of fasting, and then AFTERWARD, he was HUNGRY. To not rely on God for our “daily bread” is a regular temptation in the life of a Christian. Jesus knew this would be a major part of our struggle, so much that even though He talked about it several times, He also made it a part of teaching us how we should pray. That we ask God to provide for our daily bread…and live a life that reflects that kind of contented “coming before God.”

We know from experience in a broken world, where 3.1 million children under age 5 die each year from poor nutrition…that trusting God to provide our daily bread is not an economic transaction mindset. It’s not that we enter into an economic relationship with God saying, “God, since I trust you with providing my daily bread, I’m guaranteed to receive this many calories to intake every 24 hours.”

But Jesus does not respond here with a promise that God will provide for His every need. He responds with scripture that highlights something even more important – the Word of God. He reminds Satan there’s a hunger that goes beyond a grumble in the stomach…it’s the grumble in our souls. We want our days and lives to be a part of something larger. That grumble isn’t going to be satiated by anything this world has to offer.

We give in to that temptation all the time. We realize we haven’t spent much time in prayer or Bible reading this past week…because life’s just gotten too busy. But then you look at how much we’ve spent online, or watching TV, sports, movies, or other choices we’ve made. We’ve proclaimed that there are other things that bring greater satisfaction than time with God himself.

We buy into the promise from Satan, that this inanimate object that offers very little, can be transformed into something that brings us satisfaction enough to choose IT over the very presence and Word of God. We need to confess, and turn back to God.

The early church knew we would need such seasons of confession and repentance. Which is why they built in this season of “Lent” as we prepare to celebrate Easter together. Take a moment to think about it: What are the “stones” in your life? What has Satan offered you, promising it can be transformed into something satisfying. Something that brings contentment, and fulfillment, but in all honesty it’s actually robbing you of something you need more than anything else? Are you willing to put down the stones? Are you willing to declare to Satan that God intends to be the only thing we depend on for satisfaction?

As I was preparing for this message, I was trying to avoid a traditional “3 point sermon”. It’s a bit too obvious, as we read the temptations of Jesus, that doing anything BUT a 3 point message could be unfaithful to the text. So stay tuned for “Temptations of Jesus, Pt. 2″…

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an adoption psalm.

Posted on by Wick

Oh God, I cry out to you. We cry out to you.
In the midst of reccuring needs for paperwork, we’re frustrated.
After far too long with no official update, we’re discouraged.
Aren’t we following your call? Why have you been silent?
Hope seems to tease us over the horizon, and vanishes before the dawn ever comes.
Time stands still, and flows steadily on without us.

Stop. Breathe deep.

I see others following you, Jesus, and doors swing wide open.
I watch those who don’t even know you get what they desire.
I hear others struggling, and praising you for quick response.
Meanwhile your daughter is waiting. Your son is waiting.
Your children are waiting. Will you move? Will you speak?

Stop. Breathe deep.

God you hear our cries.
In the midst of our notarizations and birth certificates.
As we check our e-mail hourly.
As we flood our agency with reminders and requests.
You are near. You have not turned away. You will not leave us.
Hope is not over the horizon. Hope is here in our midst.
Hope is with your children, as they are waiting.

Stop. Breathe deep.

In a last minute late-night e-mail – you are here.
In the potential for immunizations – you are here.
In an overwhelming response to a fundrasier – you are here.
In the prayers of our children already tucked into bed – you are here.
In the transformation of a heart that might otherwise feel too easily contented – you are here.
And there. With her. With them.

And so the Truth comes – as we spend time with you, we are with her.
Lord, come near. I want to be with her.
With you.

Stop. Breathe deep.

Posted in Adoption Journey, Uncategorized

Adoption and Men…

Posted on by Wick

When entering the “world” of adoption conversations, especially when you connect to a blog/Facebook group/other online conversation, you’ll quickly notice the primary voices are women.  Certainly God uses “a mothers heart” in many cases, and speaks into a family through the bride.  In other times, it might be the “fathers heart” that He uses to tug toward adoption.  But even in cases where the couple is equally engaged/pulled toward reaching out to the orphan, most often it seems the mother is the one “out there” with the topic, connecting with others and having conversations about the process.  There are a few reasons that stand out as to why this may be happening:

1. Adoption involves a lot of emotion.  Like, gobbs.  The waiting, the picture updates, how far away this child is from you physically, etc.  And as we all know, emotions are for women.  (tongue in cheek)  Even as young boys, men are trained to have Jedi-like control over their emotions.  When someone is being “emotional”, we instantly feel they’re not being “manly”…whatever that might mean.  So even though a man may feel it, they’ll probably keep most of it to themselves.  There’s also a big chance, that even though they care deeply about what’s happening, they don’t have theimage words or the need to put into words all they’re feeling.   That’s because…

2. Men easily compartmentalize.  “The amygdala is a part of the brain that controls our emotional responses. In men, the amygdala communicates with just a few parts of the brain, like the visual cortex and part of the brain responsible for movement. (source: Lloyd) It’s like the amygdala is a power strip, and men have just one appliance plugged in. In comparison, a woman’s power strip is fueling many different appliances. In women, the amygdala is more connected to parts of the brain that control language, which may be why women talk about their feelings. It’s also linked to parts of the brain that control bodily functions like heart rate, blood pressure and digestion, which may be why women get a stomachache or other bodily response when they’re stressed or worried. In comparison, men seem to compartmentalize and show no outward display of emotion. But men still experience all the same emotions that women do, they just don’t cope with them in the same way.” (stolen from a science-ish website)

3. Adoption is much more emasculating than men realize when they “sign up” for it.  It’s sounds like the great plot for a manly story.  “Man helps his family reach out to the other side of the world, where a young child is in need of rescue, he helps bring them home and increases the size and heart of his own family (Christians add here “in the name of Jesus”).”  It’s totally a “knight in shining armor” type thing.  But then the journey actually begins.  He realizes he doesn’t have the finances to do it alone, and has to go around asking others to help.  He’s told by the agency “All of those natural fatherly desires you have to go and do whatever it takes to help your case move forward and bring your child home?  Let ’em go.  We represent you, and it’s in the best interest of everyone for you to let us do so.”  It’s probably true.  With the amount of extortion and corruption trying to seep into international adoptions, it’s really good to have people with experience and dedication to what’s best for the nation and children.

With these elements, and many more being thrown into the mix…our responses are important:

Wives – Understand the differences about how this adoption process impacts you and your husband.  Offer grace when he doesn’t seem geeked out about gushing his adoptive emotions over coffee.  Love him by asking specific questions, give him time to respond…and don’t expect a book.  Pray with him.  Help him connect whatever part of the process you’re in to his manly quest.  Sure, he may not be able to ride over there on a horse and scoop up your child – but he can certainly put on his shining armor and head out to the fingerprints office.  Be thankful that he can breathe slow and steady when you feel all out of sorts, and how God’s heart is reflected in such steadiness.

Husbands – Understand the differences about how this adoption process impacts you and your wife.  Offer grace when it seems she’s carrying a giant heavy burden…because she is.  When seemingly out of nowhere, she tells you how hard it is to endure all of this, and wonders if you even care.  This is your chance to be as manly as you were hoping you could be.  Not by rescuing your child just yet…but by scooping up your wife.  Reassure her.  Pray with her.  Use that focused amygdala to your advantage, and let her cry on your shoulder.  Dig deep into the compartment of adoption emotions and try to communicate what you’re feeling to her.  Be thankful for the depths of her emotions, and see how Gods’ heart is reflected in their mystery and force.