Temptation #2

I imagine that Satan knew Who he was dealing with when it came to the temptation of Jesus—the Son of God and Savior of the World—which meant he probably also knew to bring the big guns if he was going to have any chance of taking Him down (Matthew 4:1-11). The first temptation targeted physical need (e.g. food) and the third attacked via lust of the eyes (e.g. power, pride, pleasure)—both commendable approaches I'd say if I were an evil douchebag.

However, temptation number two seemed to come out of left field, almost throwing a shot away. In Matthew chapter 4, look at verses 5 through 7:

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

My initial thought: "Seriously? Daring someone to jump off a building? That's your secret weapon, Satan?" Clearly I was missing something. But then I realized that tons of people (myself very much included) do stupid things all the time in order to prove their identity, whether it be to enemies, loved ones, or themselves.

"If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down."

Whoa. Temptation number two is a solid sucker punch after all. This trial goes to show how crucial it is to know who you really are (otherwise, you'd go splat)!

This reminds me of the teachings of a wise man.

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Photography and Things Unseen

Lately, I've been getting more into photography and I'm finally learning about the technical aspects of it. Capturing non-manufactured moments of human existence has always been my primary interest (and I think it always will be), but I came across this online article by Joel Tjintjelaar and it piqued my imagination.

Did you know that "if you use a long enough shutter speed, moving subjects that only stay a few seconds in your frame won’t be recorded by your camera[?]" Mr. Tjintjelaar explains that "removing the human element (or any moving objects, like cars) requires a long exposure [and] when making very long exposures, not only moving objects will disappear. Clouds turns into stripes, crashing waves into smooth surfaces… After a while your image is down to its true essence: lines, curves and tonality." Very cool.

I have yet to try it out, but to get that kind of long exposure, I basically have to set my shutter speed on bulb, stop down my aperture, apply a neutral density (ND) filter to my lens, and use a remote trigger as well as a heavy tripod (to prevent camera shake and image blur)... I think.

Now, applying this concept to the spirit world: as believers, we know it exists, but we very rarely physically see it. Why? Think about it. The faster a camera's shutter speed, the quicker it acts to "freeze" a subject's movement. Conversely, the slower the shutter speed (or the longer the exposure time), the more time the subject's movement has to "escape" from being captured in a shot. So, as described above, given a long enough exposure time, moving objects (i.e. humans) disappear from the frame.

Do our human "sensors" not visually register spiritual beings because they move so fast and our "shutter speeds" aren't quick enough to freeze their substance? But in that case, shouldn't we at least see blurred images? Maybe it's that spirits are moving at a rate considered to be normal (in celestial terms), but human exposure times are just super long (which, in turn, allow sights of supernatural movement to be lost from our frames completely)?

Does the real answer actually matter? Of course not; the possibilities are just fascinating.

Though the majority of human experiences don't visually register them, believers know—Biblically—that spirits exist. Personally, I find the concept of long exposures in photography all the more reinforcing of a not-seeing-but-knowing kind of trust in things unseen, and of a not-feeling-but-knowing kind of trust in Truths unfelt.

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What is essence? What remains to be seen? Blah blah blah...

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JV Testimony

I think I've always been (for the most part) very logical and "lawyeristic," and for me, Jesus is the only way life makes sense. Through the lens of Christ, I am able to see the so-called wisdom of this world for what it truly is: foolishness. Its trinkets do not satisfy.

I used to not be able to wrap my mind around the idea that God's greatest passion is for His glory as it seemed selfish to me. But then I realized that "at the very moment God exalted someone or something else, He would no longer be the great God worthy of all glory in all the universe, which He is" (David Platt). And everybody exalts something or someone—and somehow we (usually) know that that thing shouldn't be ourself.

I used to get stuck on why The Way had to be through Jesus. Now, I can see that the answer to that question can be found in the question itself. For me personally, the underlying inquiry—the driver—was really, "Why can't I do it myself?" And there, we have a pride issue—the very thing that got Satan kicked out of Heaven.

Grace is a gift from God. Take it, man!

“I didn't grow up in the church (at least not at a place where I made my faith my own), went to a prestigious university which contributed to my inward arrogance, was part of a fraternity where I did some real stupid things, and made light—into games even—of things I'm now ashamed.

But shortly after college, God somehow landed me in the middle of nowhere, in the dead of winter, with nothing to turn to but Him. He gave me the grace to put my trust in Jesus, and everything's turned 180 since then (though obviously not without its [hurdles]). Finding God later in life, one understandably slingshots in spiritual growth as there (usually) is more maturity to work with. And that's what I did. Much had been forgiven, so much love was shown (Luke 7:47).

Even though I'm in a good place now, I've still caught myself plenty enough times to fully know that apart from God, I have no good thing in me (Psalm 16:2).” [Post from July 26, 2010]

I’m learning what it means to depend on His grace on a daily basis.

“Each day, I wake up. With air in my lungs. Through each night as I sleep (demonstrating all the more that it is through no power of my own), my heart beats. I have control over my fingers, hands, and feet to run, jump, and dance and experience Creation as I please (indeed I am grateful). I have eyes that perceive better than any camera all the beauty that is around me. And despite all the brokenness in this world, God is all the more worthy to be praised because through hope—through Christ—brokenness isn't where it all ends. Beyond life, He gives Life. Before I had it, I didn't know what Life was, let alone know that I was missing it (dead men don't know they're dead).

Very real to me is the distinct peace I've been given, in deep contrast to the darkness that was once my mind. Very real to me is freedom from the shame I no longer bear, as well as liberation from addiction. And now, even in affliction, I see His goodness in refining me for His glory.” [Post from October 11, 2010]

Ephesians 2:1-10

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The Hobby Shop

Today was Presidents' Day and I had off from work. After a tri-state and tiring (but solid) Saturday & Sunday, I began to make my way back to Darien (by way of Nyack (woohoo!)). After topping off the tank with some sub-three-dollar-per-gallon Jersey fuel, I craved a bacon-egg-and-cheese. Opting for something less "processed" tasting, I by-passed DD and headed for a local deli uptown. There was no sense eating and driving simultaneously; I was in no rush and I had the day off after all, so I ate in my car. The first half of the sandwich exploited just how cheesy the breakfast delight was being, and I devoured it in no time. However, just as I was about to take my assault on the second half, I realized where I was parked. Right in front of me, only a few feet away, was a small hobby shop. As a young kid, I was really into collecting sports cards and this place was one of my primary suppliers. The thing is, though, not everything I got from this shop owner was purchased. I had stolen a bunch of stuff here and there.

Now, there I was staring at an opportunity. A thought was placed in my mind by whom I imagine could only be the Holy Spirit: walk in there and give the owner a twenty spot. Mind you, I'm a big planner and strict budgetor, and whatever I have in my wallet at the beginning of the week is always meant to last the rest of the week for both food and fuel (separate funds are set aside for other categories). Giving up a twenty, unplanned, would be pretty inconvenient... but rather than calculating in my head how much I would have left and figuring if I could stretch my coin, I stopped.

I resolved that walking in there would be the God-honoring thing to do, and that God would provide for me (even in the small things) as He always does. Still, after my mind was fixed, it took a few moments for my courage to follow. Eventually, however, by the grace of God, I went into soldier mode and just went for it.

I opened the door and cheerfully said a hello. I pulled out my wallet and began to explain. Though the act seemed genuinely appreciated, the cash that was placed on the counter was graciously slid back towards me... so that, per the shop owner, I could pass it onto another in need. He did ask, "What changed?"

I said, "I grew up," but more importantly (and I was grateful for the opportunity to finally say such words to a stranger), "I met Jesus."

Thank You, LORD. Not to us, but to You be the glory. Amen.


Just before this happened, I had been contemplating on upgrading my camera lens. Prior to this year, I hadn't spent much on myself, but now I'm already up to a telephoto lens with some serious glass and a brand new laptop. In terms of spending, I realized that I had "broken the seal" and I wanted to stop the bleeding. After all, godliness with contentment is of great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). I imagined myself getting all the goods on my mental checklist and preemptively processed how acquiring it all would not ultimately satisfy. I knew only God could fill that longing--and this experience provided a glimpse of that true Satisfaction.

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He Remembers Prayers Even When I've Forgotten

GUT CHECK
Does my gratitude from the Gospel end at my (me!) being saved?

Or does it extend [go beyond, surpass that which was initially most valued (e.g. life itself)] to awe (e.g. a response) over His (Him!) greatness?

Does creation (my life) mean more to me than the Creator Himself?
Are my eyes fixed on me and my sanctification over Him and His glory?

PROCESSING
Philippians 1:21
"...to die is gain..."
death is thought as bad
bad because it ends life
and life is thought as good
good because of good things in it

In order for gain to come from death, something must be offered that outweighs the goods of life: Christ. Scripture says it: to die is gain; Christ is better than the goods of life--even life itself!

(If you can't see it (it's hard for me to see), adjust your thinking
(rather than "rethink" what's already been Said).)

REALIZATION
If death is too high a cost for the sake of Christ, then I must be valuing my life too highly. And if I value my life so highly (over the passion of Christ), then where my focus lies--given the Gospel--is clear. My focus is still on what's been done for me rather than what's been done and by Whom.


•LORD, thank you for putting these thoughts and realizations into my mind. Please forgive me of my sin, of my inherent self-centeredness. Thank you for showing me the extent of my desperate need for You and Your daily grace. HOLY SPIRIT, I ask You to change the eyes of my heart so that I may truly see and, therefore, experience Your greatness. Let the Gospel, for me--individually and uniquely--truly be about You and Your glory.

Thank You, LORD, for Your love and faithfulness. I await in hopeful expectation for Your answer to prayer. I also pray this same thing over _____, LORD. Please give each of us open eyes through Your SPIRIT to know your glory. In JESUS' name, amen!•

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