Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 546

Temptation...Revisited

1 big bag o' candy + 80 children = feeding frenzy.

Last week I posted a devotion on temptation (http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2010/10/which-lion.html), in preparation for a Sunday school lesson on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness for fourth- and fifth-graders. I had no idea how much those kids would teach me.

Our class meets in a multi-purpose room, the children are divided into small groups with adult leaders, and we gather together for the lesson. I started by roaming the room with a large bowl of candy. The good stuff. M&Ms and Milky Ways and Reese's. Didn't take long to get their attention. I promised everyone one piece of candy after the lesson. Excitement - and a whisper of disappointment at having to wait.

I asked them to open their Bibles to Matthew 4, pretended to forget my Bible, and disappeared into an adjoining room - after asking an adult to watch the candy. But he was my accomplice, a young man with an engaging way with kids and amazing acting skills. Let's call him...Geoff.

"Hey, you guys! She's gone," Geoff said. "Who wants candy?"

Within a minute, a loud roar built in the room. When I returned, Geoff had retreated to the stage with the candy bowl. Half the kids rushed him, laughing, screaming, grabbing at the candy. The other half remained seated. Wow.

Order was restored. Then I repeated my promise - everyone could have one piece after the lesson unless they'd already taken one, and those who had remained seated would receive two pieces. Groans of dismay and exclamations of joy, but they accepted my decision. One little girl looked forlorn. "I only went because my friends did." That was a sad and unexpected part of the lesson. Following the crowd can lead you into trouble.

I think all were humbled - as I was - by how vulnerable we are to temptation. How enticing the chocolate-scented voice that says, "Why wait? You can have it now," and "All your friends are doing it," and "If you don't, you'll miss out on all the fun." But it's not real chocolate - it's a carob-saccharine-soy byproduct. Recognize that voice and stand against it.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 13, 1940: Indian National Congress launches program of anti-war civil disobedience.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 12, 1940: In Africa, Free French invade Vichy French-held Gabon from Cameroon and Congo. All Japanese required to join neighborhood associations for social control.

Lessons from the 1940s - Don't Lose Heart

In 1940, things looked bleak in the United Kingdom. Hitler had swallowed up Poland, Norway, Denmark, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. In July, the Battle of Britain began as the Luftwaffe began attacking British shipping. In August the target shifted to the RAF, and by September 6, the British had lost 466 planes. Then the Blitz began in September, and London bore fifty-seven straight nights of bombing. By the end of the Blitz in May 1941, only one house in ten was undamaged in central London, and 43,000 civilians had died. Invasion loomed as an ever-present threat. Extreme rationing and shortages, blackouts and air raid shelters, fires and gas masks - this was life for the British.

Living in England seventy years ago, it would have been easy to lose heart. Yet the British kept their famous stiff upper lip and "muddled through." What Hitler meant to break them made them stronger, more determined, and more unified. They kept to their work and cranked out the ships and planes and tanks they needed for victory. And the senseless raids turned the tide of public opinion in the United States, allowing passage of the crucial Lend-Lease program to provide arms to the United Kingdom, and paving the way to America's alliance with Britain.

By 1942, light could be seen. Hitler had greedily and foolishly invaded his ally, the Soviet Union. Freed from harassment, Britain grew in strength and became the staging area for Allied troops and for Allied bombers.

Things may look dark, but there is always hope. Follow the British example, don't lose heart, and let adversity make you stronger and more determined.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Oct. 11, 1945: US Marines land at Tsingtao, China.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 9, 1940: FDR releases policy allowing blacks to serve as officers for black units; Army begins to recruit black nurses and doctors to care for black patients only.
65 Years Ago—Oct. 9, 1945: Typhoon Louise hits Okinawa, killing 36 and destroying hundreds of US ships, the most damaging storm encountered by the US Navy.

Which Lion?

We think of temptation as a blinding neon light, a shout through a bullhorn, a shocking aroma—blatant and easily avoided. More often temptation comes as a fleeting glimpse, a gentle whisper, a pleasing whiff. As we become more spiritually mature, temptation becomes more subtle and less easy to distinguish. Our tempter is crafty and knows when neon no longer appeals to us.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he didn't offer glitzy sleaze—he offered good things. Feed Yourself. Prove God's power before the people. Take the kingdom the Father promised You. Subtle, and he even used Scripture. But Jesus saw the truth. What Satan offered wasn't God's will for Jesus at that time, in that way, or by those means.

To discern if that gentle whisper is from the Lord, self, or Satan, we must be so familiar with God's Word and God's ways that we can tell truth from lies.

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith" 1 Peter 5:8-9.

How can you watch out for the prowling lion and turn to the Lion of Judah?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 8, 1940: British reopen Burma Road to transport US Lend-Lease supplies to China. First Red Cross reserve nurse joins active duty with US Army Nurse Corps.
65 Years Ago—Oct. 8, 1945: Nazi Rudolf Hess (who stole plane May 10, 1941 and flew to Scotland in unauthorized attempt to encourage British to seek peace) flown from England for Nuremburg Trials.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 7, 1940: German troops enter Romania at request of Fascist Gen. Antonescu and occupy crucial Ploesti oil fields. Japanese protest US embargo on vital materials as "unfriendly act."
65 Years Ago—Oct. 7, 1945: Gen. George Patton removed from command of US Third Army due to his criticism of US "de-Nazification" program for German officers.

Book Beat - Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad

Every once in a while, a book comes along that's so fun, you just have to share. Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad is one of those books - as refreshing as the strawberry sundaes its heroine craves.

It's refreshing to read a historical where ladies wear hats instead of bonnets. It's refreshing to read a novel set at a lake resort in Iowa in 1895. But most of all, it's refreshing because of Marguerite Westing.

Marguerite is rich and spoiled and prone to lying to get her own way - and yet you can't help but love her. She runs - no, "steps lively" - when others stroll. She loves astronomy, not a proper pursuit for a proper young lady. And she falls in love with sailing, a most unseemly activity indeed. She's witty and impulsive and cares deeply for those around her.

And she's trapped in more than a corset. She's being courted by a boring, self-absorbed man who may have a sinister side - and circumstances may force her to marry the cad. Meanwhile, she meets dreamy sailing instructor, Trip Andrews, who awakens her love of sailing - and other pleasant emotions. Trip is trying to prove himself to his rigid father, and the last thing he needs is Marguerite. Or so he thinks...

Mrs. Seilstad truly makes waves in her debut novel. She writes delicious humor and swoony romance - but still makes you think about honesty and obligations. Her research shines without blinding you. This is the first in the Lake Manawa Summers series, and I can't wait for the next two books.