My Lenten vision beyond temptation to triumph

By the Spirit of God

As this Lenten season according to church tradition begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday, I have been thinking about what spiritual growth I seek to achieve. There are many struggles and situations I find myself in that challenge my discipline and resolve, understanding how to triumph is a walk of faith and “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty. [Bible Hub: Zechariah 4:6]

Yet, we think that by mental capacity and fortitude, the force of determination and discipline, we can totally overcome the vagaries of humanity to which we are too susceptible in habits, desires, temptations, and tests. There is a reason why the phrase, “Lead us not into temptation,” exists in the Lord’s prayer. Temptation is more than a lure; it feeds on our natural instinct to yield and fall into it. There is always a way out, but we rarely find it.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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. [Bible Hub: 1 Corinthians 10:13]

Bible Versions, so many

In view of how temptation seems to wield such influence over us, I have decided to revisit the temptation of Jesus Christ, not in what He was tempted of, but in how He responded to each temptation. Those red letters in the gospels have drawn my focus to a new understanding of what is possible.

While I have developed a preference for listening to and reading the New Living Translation (NLT), the traditions in which I was taught and how I remember verses are in the King James Version (KJV). However, when I share single verses, I offer links to over 30 English translations covering the modern, classic, literal and other versions, to give context and understanding in the different modes of English we use.

Temptations abound, but we can win

Apostle John talks of the ways in which temptations take hold of us, in each of which Jesus was tempted too. “For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.” [Bible Hub: Hebrew 4:15]

The apostle lists out the fundamentals of temptation and how they are all not of God.

“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” [NLT]

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” [KJV] [Bible Hub: 1 John 2:16]

The lust of the flesh

To the first temptation of turning stones to bread to feed his hunger after a 40 day fast, Jesus answered the devil and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” [Bible Hub: Matthew 4:4]

I find in this the need to immerse myself and feed on the Word of God for strength and sustenance. This always transforms my thought processes and guides me in places where I need inspiration, insight, peace, and resolution.

The lust of the eyes

When the devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and asked dared him to jump because angels will bare him up, lest he dash his foot against a stone, the devil was quoting from Psalm 91:11-12, though inaccurately, Jesus said unto him, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” [Bible Hub: Matthew 4:7]

Understanding God’s word better would give one an understanding of God’s will, what He would do, and what He does not do. God is not into the sensational or theatrical displays for entertainment, feeding our egos or lusts, but for bringing men into the kingdom of God.

The pride of life

Finally, the devil chose to tempt Jesus with giving him the world he came to die for by suspecting he could have the world just by falling and worshipping the devil. The same devil and the works of the devil; he came to earth to condemn and destroy. Then saith Jesus unto him, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [Bible Hub: Matthew 4:10]

Temptation always offers a shortcut to pleasure and attainment, but never by the right and just means. We could be easily drawn away with pride and that sense we could do things alone without anyone’s help or the discovery of how we have achieved success by suspicious means.

Stoicism and strength in faith can only come from trusting in God, feeding on His word and seeking only to do His will with the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

This is my Lenten vision and my greatest desire to live and love this way. Have a wonderful Shrove Tuesday. Now to find a Lenten prayer group for study and devotion.

Photons on the Prostate - VII

Whether the weather

My radiotherapy session which was planned for much later when my scheduling sheet was filled last Monday had been brought forward three hours on my Thursday visit.

This did not make it any more convenient because Manchester was under the generous sprinkling of torrential rain and rain in the UK is so alien to us, traffic literally stops and puddles become lakes with cars aquaplaning like speedboats. Well, drop the speed part, my Uber had to swerve off the road for a filling of petrol.

You may wonder why I have resorted to getting myself to and from the hospital by bus or Uber when I had the pleasure of friends chauffeuring me there for the full week of the one before the last. I appreciate everyone wants to help, we are all full of amazingly good intentions that we express with urgency and a seeming willingness to do as we ask others to make that demand on us.

Yet, we are rather busy people and much as we would bend over backwards to help, we do have other things to do that are important, urgent, ordered, scheduled, or impromptu. An apology reaches our lips suffused with concerning equanimity as we deliver disappointment with the expectation that alternatives are readily available. The truth; is there are no alternatives, and people who have relied on us are being let down gently, kindly, and sadly.

Just do your thing

It becomes a logistical nightmare for the person being helped between knowing an arrangement is firm to scurrying to make your appointment because of unforeseen circumstances, and a situation totally out of your control because of the reliance on others. You feel worse for feeling bad for their feeling sad that they cannot help. The same people who insisted they would drop everything and blue-light you to the hospital rather than see you struggle on a bus or pay a king’s ransom for a taxicab.

It's just better to make your own arrangements and anything that comes in to alleviate the situation rather than encumber it is a bonus. Decline the offers promptly rather than be beholden and reliant on the accompanying stress that comes with things not going to plan. It is hard enough doing things on your own, but you know you are setting the agenda and doing things your way.

Seeing our future in one

On arrival at the hospital, I was assigned another suite, the fifth I have attended in 13 visits. I first sat in front of a family of four, and then I needed a little powdering of my nose in the ladies’ room. It’s got a mirror, and I can adjust my day cravat, I forgot my lipstick. When I returned, my original seat was occupied, so I chose a seat at the back.

My appointment time came, but there was going to be a longer wait, two other people were called in, and then out of the family of four, the older man stood up, those accompanying him were his wife, his daughter and his son. His adult son called him and gave him a big hug and he walked in and gave the staff a box of chocolates, it was his last radiotherapy session.

What a triumph over adversity as they flung wide the double doors for him to walk out to the camera phones held up by his family, it calls for a celebration. He wished the rest of the waiting room good luck as I urged him to go and ring that bell for victory. I did not hear the bell as was called into the suite.

Number thirteen done

We had a student who asked if it was okay to be present, I obliged without any fuss, we need students as much as we need professionals showing them the practicalities of what is involved, and she attends my alma mater university. One of the transparent derma patches needed changing to preserve the tattoo marking, a job I have always left to the personnel because they include markings before taping.

I took the bus back into the town centre because I needed to top up my supply of cranberry juice which eased that stinging urethra issue. Another one of those situations where you only get to tap on good intentions once before it becomes a chore for them.

Yet, people never fully understand why for times like this and during recuperation, having time with your partner and them being available to help is always a labour of love done with every desire to see you well and a joy to them that they can be doing something effective, effectual, and productive. Until you know, you never really know.

Blog - Photons on the Prostate - VIII

Blog - Photons on the Prostate - VI

Blog - Men's things

Thought Picnic: In triumph beyond the memories

An ordeal called life

I called the matriarch for a chin wag just after work and what a conversation we did have all down memory lane into streets and avenues I never knew existed. Paths and tunnels couched in stories that have probably never been told to anyone else, the wealth of experience in a world where the loved have the darkest hearts known to man.

The things I learnt were hair-raising leaving me tingling with sensation that the saints lain under tombstones long ago were anything but, the evil they perpetrated lives in the tales that get told in remembrance of them.

At a point, I thought, should all these reminisces be jotted down and then told for if not one for non-fiction, it exuded the elements of fictional thrillers, but for the grace of God, here we stand, and they are long gone.

Grace and enduring peace

Then you wonder about the inability of people to capture the zeitgeist, the things said in jest that have become the definition of people in whom we once laid trust. They have forgotten taking umbrage at strained relationships they in their careless talk forsook.

Yet, in not any one of them have we been left blinded or in their shadow, for in the deliverance of great favour and fortune with the goodness of people as angels we have risen. We would tell stories of amazing triumph that leaves the slights way behind in the completely forgotten, for we have been blessed and that prayer has been a living stream from the mouth of the matriarch.

For all her faults even amongst those who have sought to besmirch and assail her, she remains faultless, navigating the strangeness of this world with premonition and insight, guided by the divine through the many valleys of the shadow of death to new still waters beside green pastures, her soul restored, her peace enduring. I smile thinking, I do love my mum.

Chasing waterfalls of life

Delivered from drowning in waterfalls

From the song Waterfalls (Lyrics) by TLC comes the refrain.

Don't go chasing waterfalls,
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to,
I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all,
But I think you're moving too fast.

[]

When I saw the lyrics beyond listening to the song, I did wonder about the many waterfalls I have chased and fallen over the edge into a ravine, breaking somethings and because I cannot swim, I would have probably drowned.

Then Prince reminds me with “Let's go down 2 the holy river, If we drown then we'll be delivered.” [The Holy River – Prince Vault]

Blog - Thought Picnic: Find your holy river in which to drown

If I will be delivered, I can afford to sail on rivers and lakes, even the open sea and oceans, if I did fall over a waterfall, I will see rise from what all assumed was death to live strong. There are too many examples of where three letters could have led me to my resting place.

The reckless and careless things that have looked to pitch milestones in my story are hammered out of sight for the billboards for triumph through adversity. Something to meditate on, on the rivers and lakes, I can go boating, kayaking, or canoeing, over waterfalls, I probably want to go hang-gliding than falling over the edge in the thundering roar of cascading waters.

I am grateful for life and opportunity that comes my way unexpectedly and that is the stuff of a storied life. A hope and fearlessness of whatever lays ahead including waterfalls will not be the end of the story.