How to Overcome Temptationf

These notes owe a significant debt to Ken Leach, the minister at the Monte Vista church that we attend right now.

Understanding Temptation
In James 1:12-17
1. Temptation is a test, not an trick.

2. All temptation comes from the desires of the body, the desires of the eyes, or the pride of life.

Overcoming Temptation
1. Want to overcome it. To begin with, we deeply want to do what’s right.
2. Be aware of our weaknesses.
3. Accept responsibility. Cain was told “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7 ESV) You do have the ability to choose right or wrong, and accountability for your decisions.
4. Connect yourself with God’s people. Maintaining closeness with people who are trying to make the right decisions. It will make it so much easier to choose wisely, and harder to make foolish decisions.

Don’t try to process all the information; just let it go.

So much is coming at you everyday — much more than when I was young. You have to learn to swim in this vast digital sea. Here’s where to start: Decide that you simply won’t read everything that’s interesting, and let go of whatever you can. News from emails and social media updates, fascinating books and articles, fun videos and pictures – you just have to delete most of them. You simply won’t get around to them and they’ll start to weigh on you if you save them.

(Read Bit Literacy by Mark Hurst for more on this)

Go to a top college, but study what you love

The college you go to matters because it is part of your personal brand. Unlike your High School transcripts, your college alma mater will be with you all your life. In fact, going to a top college is more important than what your degree is in. An art history degree from Harvard means more than a Business degree from Community College, no matter what job you’re trying to get.

Another important factor is your level of education. For most careers, a Master’s degree is the most meaningful degree. A doctorate is overkill, keeps you out of the workforce too long, and may disqualify you from jobs you want because it’s just way too much. A Bachelor’s degree is fine for most situations, but a Masters will set you apart with only a couple extra years’ investment. The financial investment is worth it as long as you are committed to the career path.

Work hard in school and your life will just be happier. Try a lot of different crafts and disciplines. When it comes time to go to college, choose the best school that you really like and study a subject you absolutely love. Do well there and start focusing in on your next step: a post-graduate degree (and/or the perfect internship) that positions you to have the job you want.

Learn to speed read while you’re young

There is so much information coming at you (more all the time) and so much in the world to learn, it’s a good idea to have more than one gear for reading. You will certainly want to slowly savor and reflect on some reading, but it will be important for you to scan over some materials quickly. The key to this is reading visually (interpreting words as you see them) rather than phonetically (saying words in your head). Phonetic reading is hard to unlearn, so my intention is to provide you with some visual reading courses early on.

Learn to do some things that don’t come naturally

I’ve been working on the additions to our house a lot over the past couple years. Both of your grandfathers are so good at this, and I am so bad at it. That’s why it has been so good for me — most of the things I spend my time on come easily. Without these challenges, it’s easy to get lazy, overconfident, and unsympathetic to those who have difficulty with the things that seem so obvious and easy to you. And slowly, you learn that there isn’t much that’s out of reach if you decide to push through and will it to happen.

U-Day

Today is the day we find out if you are an Auna Belle or a “name-yet-to-be-determined” Joy Boy. Butterflies and smiles. You’ve been communicating with Mom, kicking and rolling, but you and I have had radio silence so far. Can’t wait to see you for the first time, and get serious about names and your room and most of all, thinking about the future without the hazy cloud of so many questions. I’ll check in later. Love.

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Your mom cried as soon as she heard you were a girl. We were both so happy to know that you are our Auna. I instantly could see you at age three, you in kindergarten, you graduating, and me teaching you to drive.

I’m hanging out with your mom in a dark room watching West Wing DVDs. She’s so beautiful in this light – she’s giving you “pretty girl” genes I’m sure. All of our friends are posting on Facebook their love and excitement. I’ll post a picture for you.

Squirming and Kicking

Tonight, right after your Aunt Nicole got in from Texas, your mom felt you kick. She said it felt like getting flicked in the belly.

A couple weeks ago we heard you in the womb for the first time and you were moving around a lot. And a couple weeks before that, while we were singing “In His Time” on singing night at church, mom felt you for the very first time, fluttering in her stomach.

Page 1 – Working

I fell behind this first week – about to head to Seattle and didn’t get the room, the girl, the blanket, or the curtain finished. Will complete next weekend, along with jumping into pages 2-3.

The text for this page is “The curtains never stay completely shut.”

Welcome

We announced you at church tonight. Stan started to cry as he announced it, it was a special moment.

I want you to know, I’m looking forward to giving you “Rule #5″ as a welcome gift, as in “Welcome to our world.”

Love you,
Dad

Originally written on drywall