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

Israel Update

It is amazing how life just seems to move along. One moment I am thinking about how incredible the experience of going and studying for three weeks in Israel will be and the next I am trying to recall all the incredible things that happened almost a month ago! With so much going on this summer I decided it was time, finally, to sit down and write my update on Israel to let all of you (our friends, family and supporters) see a little picture of my time there.

As most of you know, I have as a part of this next season begun to slowly work away at a Masters degree. In light of all the teaching opportunities God has and is providing I have felt a strong conviction to become better equipped in bible, theology and practice. This fall an amazing opportunity presented itself in the form of a three week intensive class in Israel. With the help of a very special donor, a scholarship and approval from my family and boss I was able to make this amazing opportunity a reality. One of the goals of the geo-historical bible class was to help lift the stories from the scriptures "off the page"... and that is exactly what it did!

Standing where Jesus would have taught in the synagogue at Capernaum

In the field with my Bible, textbook and map... three key tools for the class

Dr. Wright in the "other" classroom!

Dorm life... living with nine other guys

To say the experience was incredible does not do it justice. It was profound, overwhelming, beautiful, challenging, tiring, motivating, formative, interesting, encouraging and expanding... just to mention a few descriptors. Part of the reason it was all these things is because it was SO busy. Imagine doing a three week country wide tour while taking a credited course (with exams and papers) all the while jet lagging and dealing with culture shock... and that is what we did!

Standing on Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal

Our boat ride on the sea of Galilee was amazing!

We were able to spend time on the ancient Tel of Jericho... couldn't find the walls though

Siege "machine" used by the Romans on the fortress of Masada (in the background)

Ancient desert fathers retreat... now the home to goats!

Probably my single biggest take away was seeing the reality of God's story in a particular place and time. So much of what we read (especially in the Old Testament) can become a distant story... almost myth like. Yeah, we know that it all really happened but we don't have a sense of its reality in our own world - it reads more like a fairy tale. That is until you walk on the mountain side that fire fell from heaven upon... you float across the lake that Jesus walked on... you see the Praetorium that Paul was held in before he gave his defense to Felix, Festus and Agrippa... you climb the path to the springs of En Gedi where David hid in the wilderness... and stand in the Jordan, in Nazareth, on the temple steps, in the Dead Sea, etc, etc. And then, one day a few weeks after the trip, somebody reads a passage from the Scriptures talking about a specific place and all of a sudden its not just an empty name. All of a sudden you have a picture of that place in your mind... the feeling of the heat on the back of your neck, the dirt under your feet... and the taste of the dust in your mouth... and it all feels so real!

THAT was the gift of this class.

Standing in the Jordan river!

The wilderness of Zin... where the children of Israel wandered for 40 years!

An example of a stone carved tomb

Roman ruins... which we saw A LOT of... :)

Celebrating the Torah for Pentecost!

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for this experience - it was not only empowering educationally, it was rewarding spiritually. I have experienced a renewing of my love for God's Scriptures (both in daily reading and in meditation) and for it's teaching (both formally and informally). I am excited to see how God is going to use this for His work.

Thank you so much for your prayers for me and my family while I was gone... they were definitely felt (we didn't even have a house fire this time)!

April/May Update + India!

Hey everyone!

To say that the past couple months have been crazy would be a complete understatement! Between traveling to India, having a house fire, living out of suitcases (while moving from house to hotel to apartment to house again), traveling to Canada, "re" moving back into our house (we are still in boxes), writing finals, Hallie's tonsillectomy and preparing to leave to Israel in 2 weeks, there has hardly been time to think... thank you for your patience (and prayers) as we get our feet under ourselves again!

This past weekend The Berean Way held it's first annual silent auction to raise money to reach and train barefoot pastors in the most unreached areas of Northern India. It was an amazing event that exceeded expectations. The evening was filled with bidding, laughter and fellowship while Jeff was able to communicate the need and vision for India. Britany was even able to dress up in a sari as she acted as one of the hostesses for the evening... it was a lot of fun AND its impact will be felt in India in the days ahead.


Just a couple of weeks ago we were able to move back into our house... it has been SO good to be back home. For those who may have missed the story or the specific updates on our house fire they are posted on our blog HERE. Our house looks amazing... we are so thankful to the Jeff and Brian Bohrer at Cornerstone Construction for going way beyond the call of duty and doing it so quickly. It feels good to be back in our neighborhood and we are looking forward to how God is going to use this experience and this house for His glory!


Just over a month ago Brit the kids and I packed up our van and headed up to Canada for a solid week of connecting with the Lethbridge Evangelical Free Church (the supporting church we grew up in), supporters, friends and family... it was 1600mile whirlwind! We had a very good time reconnecting with our supporters and telling them about our vision and direction. We left very excited about future partnerships and old friendships. It is always a joy to be home.


It feels like our trip to India was ages ago. Though I know most of you kept up with our trip on the Berean Way BLOG (if you didn't I would encourage you to look) I wanted to let you know what an impact full time it was. The conference times were fantastic but the spiritual warfare was intense. God had us in the enemies domain yet we experienced His power, strength and support every step of the way. As one of the local Indian missionary/pastors explained, "when I was in South India I saw myself as standing at the gates of hell, breaking down the doors, running in and rescuing the lost and hurting... now that I live in North India I see my self as having moved into hell, grabbing as many as I can and pushing them out the gates." Another pastor told us that we were the first to do any sort of training in the area and that they couldn't even get other Indians to come to their area... it is a very dark place.


BUT!!!


God is doing amazing things! Men, women, children turning to Himself, the fountain of living water for LIFE. God has amazing things for India in a time when the doors have never been so open. Truly the harvest is ready and the work is great... THANK YOU for you part in making this ministry happen. Your prayers, financial support and encouragement have been so appreciated. May God bless you as you have been a blessing to us!

grace and peace friends,
Tim

looking backward & forward

Isaiah 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Can you believe that it is 2010?

I remember thinking as a kid about how weird it would be to live in the year 2000 and now here we are... 10 years in! So much has happened this last year that it would be impossible (and exhausting) to recount it here - BUT there are noteworthy blessed moments that must be remembered with much thanksgiving.

- After 8 years, this spring we transitioned from our nieucommunities family to begin working with The Berean Way. We praise God for the friends and experiences that we were gifted by nieucommunities and are thankful for their great work.

- After 8 years, this fall we moved back to Portland Oregon. It has been great reconnecting with friends and family as well as seeking out new relationships and ministry.

- The kids started into their third school in three years... one they will (God willing) be settled in for the next season. They love their new school and have begun to really flourish.

- After 10 years, I started back (very part-time) at Western Seminary. I have felt God leading me for many years that it was time to continue my education. As I have found myself doing more discipleship and teaching as of late it has been exciting for me to be in an academic sphere.

- This Fall we were extremely blessed to have Sam Apollos and his family come to Portland for several weeks. It was an amazing blessing to have him here, to talk about the future in India and spend time getting to know them all better.

- After being gone from Glasgow for almost a year and a half Britany and I were able to return for some training and reconnecting... it was fantastic to be able to see our friends and RE:hope.

So what of 2010?

What an amazing year we have ahead of us... starting this February with my first trip back to India in a while. We have been planning, writing/translating material and fundraising for our next trip to the northern boarder of India. We will be doing three different training events for the barefoot pastors there (one of which will actually be in Nepal)... please be praying for money for the events and my visa!!

Beyond that we have plans for travel to Canada in March, Israel in May, Malaysia in July, Uganda in September and back to India in October... we would appreciate your prayers as we navigate all these trips!

Pray also for all the AMAZING opportunities God is opening up here in Portland. We have been so humbled and thankful for the doors that are opening up here. Pray specifically for two different equipping tracks that I am developing/teaching here for our teams and a handful of churches in the area. One is for those going on short-term mission experiences and the other is for those wanting to grow in their discipleship and disciple making. These are things that I have almost stumbled into but am excited to be a part of... God is using SO much of these last years for His work here and around the world.

Finally, would you join us in this prayer... this commissioning - that our minds would stay on our Lord, that we would not be distracted by issues of money, fear or doubt and that all of us would find our perfect peace in trusting in our everlasting ROCK.

Amen Lord. Amen.

pictures AND prayers

Well, after the last few updates ALL the requests have been for more pictures SO, in light of our busy schedules I thought I might share some pictures and some prayer requests!



October is a big month for birthdays and this year we were able to have a party with old friends and family... it was great fun! Celtin and McKenzie were able to eat their share of the cake though!!


Once again the McDonald clan has found the local zoo... not quite as close as the one in San Diego BUT with all the beauty that comes with the Northwest!



We were due for a new family pic and Chase makes seven... why don't we just call this shot, "The Trouble Makers!"




The past month has been a whirlwind that started with a miracle. A little over a month ago we decided that, if God would make it happen, we would like to have Sam and his family come from India to connect with supporters and communicate a clearer picture of the work being done by The Berean Way in India. We prayed like crazy and God did what seemed impossible... He pulled together a passport, three visas and several thousand dollars in less than a month to make it happen! It was a powerful and beneficial time for us as an organization as board members, supporters and key leaders were able to meet Sam and his family. On their 3 week trip we were able to sort through some of the next steps in India AND give Sam's family faces for the names of supporters and prayer warriors. Praise God for this time.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1 - Pray for Britany as she is traveling for the next 15 days (but who's counting). She is participating in the final training experience with the Women Of Influence in Austria this week. Pray especially for her travel - as many of you know Britany HATES to fly and she has 8 legs to her journey! She will not only be participating but also sharing her story and would appreciate your prayers as she shares. Pray also for me... I will be Mr. Mom alone for the first 5 days until MY mom comes and helps... thank you mom!

2 - Pray for me as I prepare and teach over the next few weeks. I will be teaching at a STM conference on the 24th in Portland (leadership/discipleship), doing leadership training on the 28th-5th in Glasgow AND again at a youth pastor conference in Portland on the 7th. It has been a pretty incredible fall... I prayed that God would open doors and they seem to keep opening.

3 - Pray also for me tomorrow (Oct 18th)... I have my first midterm in over 10 years and I am a bit nervous - its for Greek!

Thank you SO much for all your support and prayers!
Blessings,
The McDonald clan

home...

Kinda feels like we were just here...

Over the course of the last couple weeks we have been undoing what we have spent the last 8 months doing... creating a home. All the pictures, plates and papers that we brought out to make our "temporary" place feel like home are going back in the boxes they came in. We've got piles of boxes all over the house (and in the garage) and our home is beginning to get that rental feel again.

Home... it feels a bit like a surreal idea to us. Partially, it feels like we are moving home OR at least closer to it. We are so excited to move back to Portland and have in fact (God willing) bought a house... a home. Not only closer to friends, we are also closer to Canada and family - there is a lot of excitement in our home right now. On the other hand, it feels like we are leaving what we have known for the past 8 years (the family of NieuCommunities) and trudging off into a new unknown... kind of like leaving home. There are so many things that feel unknown, unfamiliar... it is a strange tension.

This morning I was reading in Acts 2 where Peter was speaking to the crowd and he refers back to a passage from Psalm 16 that goes like this:

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

I love the hope of this verse... the promise of REAL home. It was a powerful encouragement to a discouraged King David, the incredible motivation that got Jesus through the cross and a picture of God's best for each and every one of us. A picture that we, the McDonald clan, need right now as we walk through this next transition.

The Details:

Now that CRM has given us the "green light", we will be moving to Portland July 10th to begin working with The Berean Way (Check out their webpage if you haven't already). Jeff has just recently returned from India where he had an amazing time of connecting with Pastors there - I would encourage you to read about it here. We are so excited but in need of your prayers as we try to get everything done before our move date.

A part of what we are looking at doing with The Berean Way is the development of the discipleship base for the trips. We desire not only to go to India (and the nations) to teach, equip and duplicate, but to do it with increasing excellence, boldness and power in our local communities and churches. To allow our experiences with our couragous brothers and sisters in Christ around the world to shape us... transform us... unite us. As Paul puts it in his amazing letter to Titus, that we would be like Jesus, "...bringing [HIS] salvation for all people, training... to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

Friends... we are that people... we are His possession... it is time to be a part of awakening that zeal!

Please be praying for us as we move... especially for Duncan, Celtin, McKenzie and Hallie.

Special thanks to Peter Schrock for the photo's!

A word from our sponsor... :)

Hi friends,
As we begin the process of laying out our next steps for you all I wanted to include a note (below) that has been written from Jeff AND encourage you to go to his website and see more about what The Berean Way does. Thank you for ALL of your encouraging words... it has been amazing, confirming and humbling... we have the best friends, supporters and family anyone could ask for!


On behalf of the Berean Way, I am so excited to announce the addition of Tim & Britany McDonald to our ministry family.

Tim will oversee the newly formed position of Discipleship Coordinator where he will be responsible for overseeing all discipleship activities both in-country and overseas. This will include our extensive pre-trip training programs, developing all training & discipleship materials and managing the team's adjustment back home.

As the ministry has grown, our needs have greatly increased. My passion has always been the Bible and to provide methods to understand and apply its teachings. The other half of our ministry is discipleship. We have been praying for years, that God will send us the right person to lead this most important aspect. Tim is the answer to our prayers! I believe God has given him the passion, the experience and the relational skills to take this ministry to the next level of effectiveness.

Tim and I first started working together a decade ago to form a new ministry to provide opportunities for training future leaders to train future leaders. The two main sections of this ministry were Bible study and Discipleship.

Well, God lead us into different directions (post-church Scotland & unreached tribal villages of India & Uganda) for awhile. However, we discovered is that we were both striving to improve that concept that we had originally started when we served together in the youth group many years ago. Ten years later, we find ourselves joining forces once again to take that same ministry and expand it throughout the unreached areas of the world.

The possibilities are endless and I believe God will use our individual experiences, our relationship, our vision and our passion to make a tremendous difference in both the world we live in and unreached areas that we are yet to discover.

Because of you, many people have been impacted for eternity. I invite you to continue your support with the McDonalds and continue seeing the great work God is doing throughout the world. Praise God and to Him be all the glory! Jeff Valdes, President

{For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

wandering eyes...

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

Luke 15:4,8,20

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

I know that this is not usually what we think of when we say the phrase "wandering eyes", but I have been struck lately while reading the scriptures by how engaged God is in our reality. God is a people watcher. It seems is if on every level God is ACTIVELY seeking... those whose hearts are fully committed and those who are lost... those whose stares are fixed on Him and those whose stares are fixed on the ground... daring, hoping, to glance up into His face. Much like a holy version of J.R.R. Tolkien's "great eye" it seems to continuously be searching.

Searching for:
...passionately committed hearts.
...fragile lost (often foolish) wanderers.
...something (or one) with inherent cherished value.
...broken children willing to risk a humbled trek towards home.

Thank You Lord for being a God who searches... for being a God who engages. We are humbled by Your careful eye... and Your loving embrace.

blessed to bless...

Genesis 28:14

...and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

As I was reading through this promise made to Jacob (and those before him) in Genesis 28 I was struck by the idea of being a family that blesses families. Yeah, I know this promise was for the nation that would become Israel but I couldn't help but see the reality of their circumstance and the opportunity that lay before them... an opportunity that Christ holds before us everyday.

In Titus 2 we see this shocking statement... really more of a calling... an opportunity to be a people of blessing - "...a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." I wonder what would happen if we all embraced this calling to be a blessing?

I am a VERY blessed man.

I have four children who are amazing... who often know how to love people better than me. They are not perfect but in their eyes I see God's love on a regular basis.

I also have an amazing wife who knows how to make people feel comfortable, cared for and loved while asking the tough questions without flinching. She is the love of my life and God's greatest earthly gift to me.

So I ask myself how are we, the McDonald family, moving more wholeheartedly towards this calling of being a family of blessing? How am I to move from blessed to a being a blessing... zealous for good works?

Lord lead us on. We desire to be Your family that blesses all the families of the earth... that is zealous for good works. Anytime. Anyplace. Any cost. Amen.

Comfort amidst the dust

Psalm 103:13-14

As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

A while back I was lying in bed trying to sleep and I started thinking about the creation account of human kind (recently I "re" began my Bible read through in Genesis and it has been on my mind and heart). I was captivated by the picture of God reaching into the dirt and molding a sculpture from the earths clay... and then breathing His life into it. In fact, as I continued to think, it slowly turned into a poem (which I wrote about a while back).

When I was in High School I took art for a couple of years and clay was one of my favorite things to work with - so much so that I actually continued to do a bit of sculpting in college. It is a great medium (artistic NOT spirit "communicator") because it feels like you are a kid again messing around in the mud. By the end of a piece you usually have it all over your hands, arms and face. As the clay dries it slowly turns to dust and, inevitably, that dust finds itself all over every other part of your body, desk, room, house...

Clay is messy...
a lot like us.

This week I heard someone quote Psalm 103 and I was struck again with the beauty and power of the creation picture. But, as you read deeper, the Psalm says more than that... it seems to suggest that their can be peace and comfort found in the knowledge of who God is and who we are.

As a society, we seem so bent on becoming
powerful,
strong,
tough...
not very dust like...
yet dust we are.

It is amazing to me... God, the very Lord of lords, the Master sculptor of existence, reaches down into the dirt and forms a fragile clay man and then (in what is one of the most dramatic moments in history) pulls the clay close, like a Father with His child, and breaths the breath of LIFE into its earthen soul...

AND WHOOSH... life is!

And He looks upon His earthen man with an eternal eye and sees Himself nailed to a wooden tree (that He planted)... and has compassion... because He knows we are dust AND He loves us anyways.

dead... and dying

Colossians 3:3

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:5

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you...

I find the scriptures amazing.

Like its Author, it defies our human boxes and limitations while presenting truth and light for our (very human) path. It figures out ways of saying that things ARE in fact right/wrong while opening doors that help us find freedom, perspective and rescue in an ever changing landscape. It shows us which life is REAL... while at the same time helping us see what real LIFE is.

It is a breathtaking collection of God's words.

As we have progressed through Colossians we have seen many incredible examples of God's powerful Voice... but one in particular struck me this week as we talked. It is found in verses 3 & 5 of chapter 3. Paul tells us that we are dead men/women walking... that we have a new life hidden in Christ. It is connected to the imagery used earlier with baptism - we have died WITH Christ and are now something different... a new creation, a new man, a child of light.

YET

Two verses later Paul tells us that we must put to death that which is earthly... which feels very real to my very human heart.

But wait... which is it Paul. Are we dead and hidden in Christ OR are we wrestling with ourselves and trying to put to death that which is earthly.

The answer of course is, "yes."

But knowing that we need more than to just "know" that we have to fight everyday for this life in Christ... God gives us in His scriptures through His servant Paul the most powerful tool He can - He gives us hope. Hope of who we REALLY are. Hope of who we CAN become. Hope in WHO really holds us in Himself.

And hope does not disappoint... Romans 5:5!

The fold in the middle of a book.

Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

As I have mentioned before, we have, as a community, been working through the book of Colossians slowly but surely over the past few months. It has been an incredible experience... it is an incredible book.

We have wrestled with what it looks like to, "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord"... and sat in awe as we gazed at the, "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." We have meditated on the ideas of faith and hope AND searched the depths of, "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints." We have prayed for one another as each of us embrace the centrality of the cross and learn what it means to, "walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith..." and not, "captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world..." And of course we have begun to deepen our understanding of the tremendous theme of thanksgiving in Colossians by beginning the spiritual discipline of thankfulness.

And now we round a bit of a corner.

Like the fold in the middle of a book.

A focus point in an incredible work of art.

A lit candle in a darkened room.

Look HERE Paul says... So we don't forget the point... So we don't move to quickly ON... So we don't move to QUICKLY... So we don't MOVE... away from life.

The author of Hebrews says it this way, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Paul knows we need this reminder. In the midst of busy schedules and busy lives how do we move forward with courage? Without the rules (or leashes) of religion how do we trust our steps... our "walk"? Paul tells us that if we are in Christ we do this by seeking (literally with all our hearts) the things above... setting our minds on those things... the things of Christ... the things of REAL life.

But what does this look like... in REAL life?

doing and thankfulness

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This statement is amazing.

As a community we have been slowly making our way through the book of Colossians. This week we are entering into chapter 3... a very challenging and inspiring run of ideas that I am looking forward to talking about as a community. The climax of this run is this amazing statement.

Whatever you do...

• word (ALL that you say)
  
• deed (ALL that you do)
  

Do in the name of Jesus...

• giving thanks to God the Father (with a heart of thanksgiving to God)
  
• through him (through the person/power of Jesus)

Wow.

So what does a THANKFUL follower look like when he/she is DOING EVERYTHING in the NAME OF JESUS through the PERSON/POWER OF JESUS? And what about a community of those people?

And be thankful. (2)

Colossians 3:15b

And be thankful.

For the past couple of weeks I have been doing a bit of an experiment that I would like to invite you into. It is an experiment in thankfulness.

Now, having grown up in a home (and a culture) that valued manners I am... well... thankful that I have been given the gift of "P's & Q's". But, it has occurred to me as of late (perhaps the fruit of now being a parent?!) that there is a huge difference between good manners and thankfulness. As important that it is that we say "thank you" to those around us (and our Lord), one is an act of social conscious and the other is act of love. And, though both are valuable, I think we all know the difference when we see it AND I think our Father in heaven knows the difference as well.

A couple years back I was having a bouquet of flowers made up for my wife at the florist across the street from our Glasgow flat and I was struck with the level of care the woman behind the counter was taking. When she handed me the flowers I made a point of not only saying "thank you" but of also telling her that I noticed her hard work, I appreciated the care she took and that I knew my wife was going to love the arrangement. The woman was taken back (her eyes actually welled up) and she said, "thank you for noticing". Now I was taken back. Could my "thank you" have contained that much power... or maybe she just hadn't heard a real "thank you" for a long time.

Hence the experiment...

So the next time the barista hands you your grande half cafe with room OR your secretary brings the files you requested OR your child unexplainably says thank you when he or she hasn't been told... look them in the eye's and say "thank you very much... I noticed... you are very appreciated..." and see what they say.

BTW - As an aside, I just did the experiment in Starbucks (where I am typing this) and the barista gave me my grande drip for free... hmm.

And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15b

And be thankful.

Years ago I heard about an order that had practiced a spiritual discipline unlike any I'd ever heard of. It was called the discipline of thankfulness. Simply, they committed as a community to exercise Paul's call in Colossians to continual thankfulness in prayer through out the day... every day. Now, I often think of disciplines as exercises in restraint and perseverance BUT, in this case, it was a discipline that involved (what seemed like) a continual state of heart. I mean, anyone can say thank you for something (more on this tomorrow)... but to be really thankful means commanding the soul, the mind, the heart. This is not simply an exercise in saying a few words with the appropriate manners - no, this is an exercise in changing the outside SO THAT the inside will follow!

This past week we as a community have begun to practice the spiritual discipline of thankfulness to communicate to our GREAT God how awesome He really is. We are going to attempt to offer one prayer every day for the next month or so that starts with, "Lord thank you..." to see if as we exercise a discipline of prayer we might see a transformation of soul, mind and heart.

Thank you Lord for the gift of You. Amen.

prayer for this day

Colossians 4:2

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

I thank you Father for this day -
A day like many in every way.
And in every way You're seen today,
let these few words be the first I say,
"Thank You God... Thank You Lord."
So that with every fiber and every chord
I see this world, each breath and sight
With new resolve and new delight...
As the gift it really is from You
And the power of all that You can do!
So, I thank You Father for this day -
May it's gifts be seen in every way.


Timothy Mark McDonald

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.

NC Advent

I know I have been less present as of late on this blog (as I mentioned last, there has been more to think about than write as of late) BUT I thought I might point you at our NC Golden Hill blog to see some pictures from an activity that Britany and I led this Sunday. The pictures were taken and posted by Jon Hall... thanks Jon.

The details...
The hand made manger scene was the starting point for a discussion on what the different people/creatures who were a part of the advent experience must have been feeling... Mary, Joesph, Wise men, Shepherds, Angels, star?! and God the Father. It was a cool discussion.

The hand made advent wreath contained many of the symbols of our traditional advent wreaths with the wreath itself built out of post-it-notes. Each note contained a hope for the new year... each star a promise of what God could do...

Blessings in this Christmas season friends!