Red Tails

Watched the movie "Red Tails" this past weekend.  It was entertaining and deeply moving.  I, unlike another family member, did not even realize the movie was two hours long.  It is a powerful story of the Tuskegee Airmen who were the first black fighter pilots for the United States military.
It reminded me of the prejudice in the world that still needs to be fought against.  We may be better today as a culture, but there is still too much prejudice and discrimination.  If we are not active parts of the solution, we are still part of the problem.
I was impressed the George Lucas was willing to fund the movie completely because he believed it was a story that needed to be told.  I think about what it is in my life that I am willing to risk a great loss for in order to fight for a cause.  What am I willing to put my time and energy towards to see change take place in my world or in my community?

Jesus' Third Temptation

Satan took Jesus to the top of a mountain and showed him the kingdoms of the world.  He tempted Jesus to exchange God's plan for Jesus with Satan's simple plan.  Satan said, "Worship me now and all this can be yours."  Satan worships in our ears, "You don't need God, look at all the world has to offer.  Truth is you want the house, car and sweet life more than you want to follow Jesus."
The way of Jesus is not always the most convenient way to live.  To humble yourself by serving others.  To deny yourself by fasting and prayer.  To love your enemies instead of hating them.  To give of yourself instead of just being selfish.  All these ways of life that Jesus teaches are part of the good life Jesus offers, but the temptation is to see them only as worn out traditions.  Old ways of thinking about faith.  Truly we are still tempted to seek a different way to the Father.
The good news is that with the way of Christ comes the fellowship with Christ and the hope of Christ that can live in our hearts.  All of God's promises are true to those who have faith and follow the way of Christ.

Jesus' Second Temptation While Fasting

Jesus is taken to the highest point of the Temple in Jerusalem where Satan tells him to jump.  Doesn't seem to be much of a temptation to people who are afraid of heights or people who believe in gravity.  However, Satan adds that surely the angels of the Lord will rescue Jesus if he is the Son of God.  Prove you are who you say you are in your own time and in your own way.  Jesus knew God's plan to reveal him as the Son of God was with the cross and the resurrection.  Satan tempted Jesus to find his own way - dazzle the crowds with amazing acts like jumping off a building.  Instead Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick.  When he walked on the water or calmed the seas, only his disciples were present.
When are we tempted to do things our own way instead of following God's plan for our lives?  In faith we must step out to a place where God can rescue us, but how do we make sure we are still in God's plan?  How do we know if we are putting God to the test with our own plan or putting God to the test to rescue us?
Learn from the example of how people in the Bible trusted God and tested God.  Jesus knew the scriptures and was able to use that knowledge to combat the temptations of Satan. Learn from people who have a deep faith in God and talk to them about how they resolve this tension.

Temptations of Jesus - 1

Matthew's gospel tells of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness while Jesus was fasting.  The first temptation was for Jesus to turn a stone into bread.  You are the Son of God, why do you need to fast?  You can simply turn rocks into food and everything will be comfortable.  When I am fasting - I hear this temptation: "you can eat that and not tell anyone.  No one will ever know if you cheat."  Satan is always offering an easy way out of doing the hard things that God wants us to do.
Jesus temptation was for Satan to remind him he was really too important to be suffering.  You are really too good for this type of humbling activity.  Take the easy way out!
In our feel good about ourselves, I'm OK, culture - fasting and humbling ourselves at the feet of Jesus may not be natural or easy, but it is essential!

Blessing of the Father

I am always amazed at myself and my desire to receive approval from my dad.  There is just this incredible drawing to hear his words of approval.  I can remember as a teenage my dad was always getting after me to get a job.  "Dale, did you look for a job today?" seemed like the only words I heard one summer.  To my dad's credit, he may have only said it 2-3 times and it just echoed in my mind that if I was a good son I would have a job. But my dad instilled in me a work ethic and I have not had a problem finding a job ever since that summer.  I can remember the word of my dad's criticisms and his words of pride!  They are etched deep within my soul.  I long to be a father how gives his kids words of blessing and words of challenge.  I long to live a life that my kids would know I lived what I was telling them to live.
I want to learn to desire the blessing of God just like I long for the blessing of my dad.  That God's words spoken to me would be etched in my heart forever.  That God's approval would be my greatest joy.  That God's words of challenge would motivate me like nothing else in this world.  I know God is asking for me to seek his blessings as a priority in my life!