Sunrise

As I write this, the sun is rising on a new day for me. Of course, every day is a new day, but what makes today so significant is that this is the last time I watch the sun rise from work. After nearly 6 years on this job, working more than 1,100 night shifts, I'll get to sleep at night again. It's only the first in many new things to come, but it feels good. It feels very good.

The Truth of Temptation

Dr. Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Seminary, is one of the most brilliant and articulate men I have ever met. He's also one of the most humble and loving. Below is a post from his blog Moore to the Point, adapted from his new book Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ. It spoke to me and is well worth the read.

Why You're Tempted
Monday, April 11th, 2011

I don’t know what’s wrong with you.

Maybe you tear up when you think about the words you screamed at your kids this morning. Maybe you’ve deleted the history cache of your computer this week, again, promising yourself that you’ll never access those images again. Maybe you carry that empty snack bag in your purse to throw away later, so people in your office won’t see it in the wastebasket. Maybe the prescription drugs in your desk drawer right now are the only things keeping you sane, and you fear they’re making you crazy. Maybe you just can’t stop thinking about the smell of your co-worker’s hair, or the clink of the whiskey glass at the table nearby.

Maybe what you’re tempted to do is so wild that I wouldn’t feel comfortable posting it on this page, or maybe it’s so tame that I wouldn’t even think to mention it. I don’t know. But I think I know what’s behind it all.

You’re being tempted right now, and so am I. Most of the time we don’t even know it. And, in every one of those moments, we want either to overestimate or underestimate the power of that temptation. We overestimate it by thinking something along the lines of, “I have these feelings, so therefore I’m predestined to be this kind of person.” We underestimate it by thinking something along the lines of, “I’m not tempted to do anything terrible, like adultery or murder. I’m just struggling with this small thing, say, bitterness over my infertility.”

But it’s there, and it’s wild.

Temptation is so strong in our lives because it’s not about us. Temptation is an assault by the demonic powers on the rival empire of the Messiah. That’s why conversion doesn’t diminish the power of temptation, as we often assume, but actually, counter-intuitively, ratchets it up.

If you bear the Spirit of the One the powers rage against, they will seek you out. They want to tear down the icon of the Crucified One that they see embedded in you (1 Pet. 4:14; Rev. 12:17). We’re targeted because we resemble our firstborn brother, Jesus.

We all, whether believers or not, bear some resemblance to Jesus because we share with him a human nature, the image of God. As we come to find peace with God through Jesus, though, we begin a journey of being conformed more and more into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The demons shriek in the increasing glory of that light, and they’ll seek even more frenetically to put it out of their sights.

Aiden's Day at the Zoo

With spring upon us, Kristen and I decided that it was time to take Aiden to one of our favorite places: the zoo! We've been before, but it was definitely a whole new experience with our 6 month old son!

Here is Aiden and his beautiful Mom, ready for a day of adventure.

He seemed unimpressed by the giraffes, perhaps because he has one of his own at home!

The lions were another story, however. As we approached the enclosure, all three began roaring loudly. This seemed to worry Aiden!

At the elephant enclosure, Father and son had shared awe at the incredible elephants, then mugged for a picture.

Aiden and Mom enjoyed a walk through the bamboo forest...but he wanted to grab everything in sight!

He was a good boy, content to ride in his stroller and take in the sights and smells of the zoo.

Aiden enjoyed the gorillas and we all enjoyed an afternoon with each other.

By the time we finished, the poor guy was worn out. But it was a great day at the Louisville Zoo!