Heaven is touching earth...

Photo by Todd Melrose

In my younger years I often thought of prayer as an open handed reaching for God as God reached down to us.

This image worked for me because I imagine the gentle finger of God (not unlike the Sistine Chapel) reaching down from heaven to heal, comfort and move His people toward His eternal purposes. In my mind it was a beautiful and simple picture. That being said, over the past few years I have been learning that the reality is less simple... but far more beautiful.

Our time in Nepal was powerful for so many reasons... the warmth of the people, their receptivity to our teaching, the youthfulness of the Nepalese church, the majesty of God's creation, etc. But I would say the one piece that stood out to me from the trip the most was the power of God in the prayers of His people.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Thessalonians 5:16-18

So often it feels like we relegate prayer to an activity that complements other activities... we pray in church, before our devotions, after something has gone wrong, before we eat, etc. It is like a spice we add to the food of our life and rarely the main course itself. Even when we gather for a "prayer meeting" we often find more meeting than prayer or at the best a single prayer lifted up one at a time as each individual waits their turn. I found myself reminded in Nepal of how essential a life of prayer is to the Christian. Though we may not understand it, prayer moves the heart of God and shows faith (and utter dependance) in His unseen hand. In Nepal, like most parts of the world where God is truly ALL people have, prayer is a lifeline to God. People pray continuously and passionately because they believe God is listening and cares about their pain. When it is time to pray EVERYONE prays at the same time and expects to be heard. Their prayers come with force, expectation, devotion, tears, joy, shouting, crying, standing, kneeling, pleading, thanking and with great love.

The Nepalese christians believe in prayer with a reality that goes so far beyond our western understandings - especially when it comes to prayers for healing. We heard the same story over and over; a person (or spouse, family, friend of person) gets deathly sick. In desperation the person seeks help from Doctors, witch doctors, hindu priests, buddhist monks, etc. and nothing works. They hear about "the christians" and talk with a local pastor who prays for them and they are healed. Healed. The person receives Christ and decides to live their lives for Jesus wholeheartedly... sounds just like the New Testament doesn't it?! In Nepal, God's "gentle finger" is more like a mighty force of restoration and healing. It is unpredictable, powerful, mystical, dangerous, mighty, frightening, magnificent... it is as if Heaven is touching earth.

One of the best stories I heard was from Obed (our Nepalese Coordinator) who was told by his Doctor that he was going to die. Obed was fairly certain that God had other plans and prayed. When he returned to the Doctor Obed was told that the sickness was completely gone (even after multiple tests). The Doctor was amazed. Obed simply turned to the man and said, "my Doctor made your Doctors". After that the Doctor regularly called Obed to have him pray for his patients because God is a God who hears and heals according to His will.

I believe Lord... help me in my unbelief. Father, grow me into a follower that moves to prayer first because that is what You've commanded... makes expectant prayer the "main course" because that's where Your power is... and gives thanks no matter what the answer because Your faithfulness is always perfect. Amen

the crowing rooster

Mark 14:72

...And he broke down an wept.

I have always enjoyed reading through the life of the apostle Peter. I find a lot of comfort in watching how he walked with Jesus. He seems to have made as many mistakes as he had successes... and though some of his successes where amazing and dramatic so much of his life seems filled with "good intentions" gone awry. This ordinary fisherman seemed to have a heart to do the right thing but often found himself running in the wrong direction. He would open his mouth when he shouldn't AND he would remain silent when he shouldn't. He would run in swords raised when he shouldn't AND run away when he shouldn't. Though seemingly not a very "religious" man he would often make religious mistakes (even late in life). He would show tremendous courage (at the wrong time) and tremendous fear mere moments later. He would confuse the spoken word of Christ and even be called "satan" by Jesus himself. And, in an ultimate act of fear, he would deny Jesus publicly 3 times in a row... just as Jesus had predicted.

Yet...

He walk on water.

He spoke the first confession of Christ.

He was called a rock on which the Church would be built.

He open the gospel to the gentile world... through the courageous word of his testimony.

And though he would deny Jesus on one day he would eventually deny himself and take up his cross and follow Jesus unto death.

There have been so many times in my life when I have represented everything that Jesus is NOT. Times where I have trudged ahead and found myself walking down a different path than Jesus with a foot in my mouth... and usually more than a bit confused. You see, like Peter, I have all these good intentions and (I think) a heart to do what Jesus wants me to do BUT, also like Peter, I find a battle between courage and fear within me. There have been times when I have spoken courageously only to find out that I am missing the bigger picture... and there have been times when I should have spoken but was too afraid.

And I have wept.

feels like worship

Psalm 66:1-4

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name."
Selah

I am sitting here at my kitchen table this morning listening to the sound of the rain hitting the pavement outside (YES, it does occasionally rain here in So Cal)... I love rain... especially when you haven't had it for 40 days straight. I think it is because (to me) it represents cleansing, freshness... even newness. It reminds me on my childhood.

I remember the storms that used to move across the prairies where I grew up. It would be dry, dusty and lifeless yellow everywhere you'd look. The air (and everything else) seemed thin... without substance.

And then...

in a moment...

you could feel the shift.

The air would become heavier and begin to smell like Spring at the lake. And it would begin to move, like it was alive... you could feel the storm coming. And though the sky would still be light blue from one gigantic end to the other you KNEW the storm was coming. After a while the edge of the giant blue sheet would turn purple... then almost black... and it would move with steady, constant power from one edge to the other. And when the storm hit it was like some sort of misplaced tsunami or tidal wave. The rain wasn't a mist or even drops... it felt like my Labrador's tongue as he licks my hand... womp, womp, womp. In a moment you are soaked. In an instant the dust and dryness was gone. You could cut the air with your hand. And as quick as it arrived, it would vanish... except for the amazing smells and sights of newness and life.

It feels like redemption.

It feels like new life.

It feels like worship.

tough training

Hebrews 12:10-13

...he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

I have been on a bit of a Hebrews kick as of late... man, what a great book. It is a bit complicated in sections BUT if you can wade your way through the Melchizidek/High priest conversation (which has incredible ramifications) you will find some amazing fruit.

Hebrews 12 is an especially fantastic chapter of the Bible that I have been reading with greater detail in the past few months. In the midst of it lay this powerful passage dealing with the nature of a Jesus followers life. The mysterious author tells us that discipline is a normal part of a parent and child relationship... and that, just like our earthy parents, God disciplines His children to mature them into the kind of followers He desires. The author even states the obvious so that we will not over spiritualize this truth - "discipline seems painful rather than pleasant" (the way WE wish it was). AND it IS a type of training... to become something more than what we currently are... tough training.

But THEN, the author changes the perspective.

No longer talking about what God is doing in the discipline... the author challenges us in how WE are to respond under the discipline. I was struck by this idea of strengthening myself so that "that which is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." - suggesting that I have a part to play in this discipline process.

I don't know about you, but often I find it so much easier to simply sit in the pain (or shame) of my (or somebody else's) sin than rather deal with it. OR, to sulk in the discipline and consequences of the actions for so long that my hurt moves from "lameness" to "out of jointness"... instead of doing everything I can (ie. lift my drooping hands, strengthen my weak knees, and make straight paths for my feet) to get to the place of healing. Hmm...

stuff

We have been pretty busy as of late what with Britany's medical tests, moving AND doing a little demolition at RE:hope... here is Brit's latest update!

Hey friends,

What an amazing God we serve! This day was a God given day from the moment we woke up to the Dr "unofficially" closed my case... to the peace Tim and I are feeling - It has been a God given day.

Do we understand any more about the journey God has had us on (from spots on the brain to holes in my heart)?

No, but we are filled with a renewed hope and trust in our Savior.

What now for the McDonald clan? We move forward with the saying of goodbyes and the moving of our belongings... June 4th is the day we will officially leave Glasgow! We will do our furlough (and fundraising) in Canada and Portland and then we will (God willing) settle our clan in San Diego and stop... and see how I feel after that. We have learned so much it is hard to even express it all. Though I still have the symptoms, it feels like we at least have a little closure.

We are so thankful for all your prayers... please keep praying! We still need to raise a lot of funds AND get this little herd into a new life in one peace. New position. New country. New home. New culture... so much will be new! Thank you again.

blessings on you all,
Britany and the clan

A "wee" update from the McDonald clan

I thought I might include a recent email we sent out to our prayer support team updating what is going on in the McDonald house hold as of late!

Hi everyone,

WOW is time flying by... we move in less than 2 months and there seems to still be so much to do. It has been way to long in writing this email but we have had the privilege over these past many weeks of hosting close friends (while Tim traveled to India with The Berean Way), Britany's mum and sisters and traveling to South Africa ourselves for a Nieucommunities conference. We have been very busy.

In the midst of all this Britany went back to the hospital for a day of "final" tests... at least that is what we thought. They did an ultrasound on her heart and were not happy with what they saw. They are not sure BUT seem to have found a valve in her heart that is leaking and want Britany to come back for more tests. So, on May 8th, Britany will return to the hospital for more tests on her heart (including a heart echo - which will include putting a tube down her throat). Britany is not very excited for that test but we are thankful that they have been so thorough and we feel blessed to have walked this journey with the same doctors. Our prayer is that we would have the results WELL before we are to leave. But, this has created a new set of questions as to whether we should be leaving in the midst of these tests or not? Our thoughts are no (in light of seeing the tests and treatment all the way through), but our tickets home say yes! We believe that God will provide the perfect path for us AND we will follow it. Britany was hesitant about us even writing about these tests because it feels like it never ends with us... BUT we know how much we are going to need you all and your prayers now and in the months ahead.

Another area we could sure use prayer for is with our finances. We have amazing supporters and have never gone for want... God is our provider! We will write more in our next letter (coming soon) but through a series of different and difficult circumstances we have had a significant drop (%35) in monthly support. There are many things before us (Britany's health, our family move, new ministry role, etc.) but this was not an issue we thought we were going to need to deal with. So, our prayer is that God will use this as a reminder of our total dependence on Him - a path we have walked down numerous times over these last years (like when we moved over to Scotland in the fist place). We know that our mighty God is faithful.

Thank you once again for continuing this journey with us... you all are a gift to us.

God bless you all as you live life where God as placed you,
The McDonald Clan

believing...

Mark 9:23-24

And Jesus said to him, "'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"

What does it mean to really believe?

Jesus' statement seems so unreal... almost unbelievable (ironically). It is a tension that seems to follow all those who want to pursue a life chasing hard after Christ. Is it REALLY true - are ALL things possible for those who believe? In Christ? In what He can do?

Too often I find myself in the shoes of the father of the child... desperate, I want to believe that Jesus can do all that He has said He can do... No, I DO believe that Jesus can do all that He has said... Help me Lord to believe!

It feels like a battle between what we see all around us and what we know to be true about our God... because, after all, sick children die everyday around this cruel globe to God believing parents BUT we know God is good, in control and searches the world for hearts fully committed to Him... Help me believe Lord!

It becomes even more complicated when we find ourselves dealing with the divine will of God vs. our small version of the story. Our perspectives are so small compared to Gods... I do believe Lord, help me!

This man's response is so honest and yet filled with desperate intent. It is perhaps one of the shortest most powerful prayers in the whole Bible. It allows for a tension that is foreign to our ears... a sort of both-and. The result is a cry from a despairing father on behalf of his broken child to an all powerful Savior. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!

Touched...

Matthew 8:14-15

And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.

I was struck today by how many times Matthew makes a point of saying that Jesus touched people AND where people wanted to touch Him. I counted at least 10 different blatant occurrences and a bunch more subtly suggested. The blind man’s eyes, the women who had chronic bleeding, the little children… This got me curious so I did a search on all the occurrences in the Gospels… 30 occurrences of the word “touch” in the ESV and there are many more occurrences that don’t use the actual word "touch". It made me wonder how often Jesus touched and healed people’s hearts as he touched their bodies? Touch is such a powerful thing… it brings all sorts of healing on the outside AND the inside.

In addition, there are specific times when Matthew makes a point of mentioning it when there doesn’t seem to be a reason. In one such moment Jesus touches the hand of Peter’s mother-in-law and she gets up and serves them. Why the hand? Does it relate to her subsequent act of service for Him? Hmm?

Yesterday the Doctors told us that all the tests that Britany had done in September had come back clear. Clear of MS, clear of Lupus, clear of cancer, etc. Wow, thank You God! In Britany’s words:

Tim and I are so thankful and thrilled that so many things have been ruled out. The Neurologist does have one more set of test he would like to do in January so he can say he ruled everything out that he could… God has been so good to us over this season and I can't tell you the peace Tim and I had going into today. Our hope in all this is that you all would see the invaluable role you have played. The prayers that have been sent up on our behalf is nothing short of AMAZING! Thank you for walking this long and never ending journey with us. God is and has already used today for His kingdom. It truly is wonderful how he leads us on His path in life and does not let us get distracted by other trails. Oh what a few years this has been and honestly Tim and I would not trade it for anything. Our hearts and minds have much to rejoice about as we will look at this coming miracle of the birth of our Savior differently… Take time to be thankful for the lives He has given you, we are!

God has touched Britany (for this moment) and it is a powerful thing… His touch found it’s way to us through the hundreds of encouragements, prayers and hugs… and it has brought all sorts of healing on the outside AND the inside. I am left wondering what purposes lay in my wife’s future and how this relates to her future acts of service for Him? God truly is good. And He is truly in control. He will not waste a tear.

I praise You Lord for this moment. No matter what comes next we look to You… we trust You… we love You. Amen.