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

Found this little plaque...

on my recent travels... made me think about my BLOG.

Been busy with friends, family and God... but I think I'm back.

:)

the weight

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

the weight

to lose oneself under the weight...
to wane...
to fade...
to dissipate...

to become less and then made more,
to be raised and then to soar.

timothy mark mcdonald

"The Peril of Prayer" 2

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

I've always struggled with knowing how to balance a hidden life of prayer with a community life of prayer. Some of the most powerful times of prayer I have been a part of have been with a few of my closest friends on a poorly carpeted floor around a couple candles. It seems that God's presence is increased in some special way "when two or three are gathered" in His name. And if you consider the idea that I mentioned in my last post - that it is as possible to dishonor God alone in prayer as it is with a group - it gets even more complicated. How are we to pray in ways that make much of God and less of us? How are we to pray NOT like the hypocrites but LIKE the tax collector?

It would seem that the real issue is not one of place - though that can definitely help and is an essential part of a Christ followers journey - but more one of heart... what is the status of your heart as you pray?

Which is a complicated question for sinners like us.

Tozer's thoughts from "Keys to The Deeper Life" are:

"What then shall we do?
We must deny self, take up the cross and count ourselves expendable.
We must cease to exercise the world's judgments and try to think God's thoughts after Him.
We must reckon ourselves dead to gain and glory and allow ourselves to become inextricably involved with the cross of Christ and the high honor of God." pg66

Simple enough...

;)

but what does that look like?

"The Peril of Prayer"

Matthew 6:5

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Recently I read an incredibly potent little book by A.W. Tozer called "Keys to The Deeper Life". More of a collection of thoughts, it is filled with amazing (and challenging) quotes and ideas. One idea specifically was in the area of prayer:

"Nothing is so vital as prayer, yet a reputation for being a mighty prayer warrior is probably the most perilous of all reputations to have. No selfishness is so deeply and dangerously sinful as that which glories in being a man of prayer. It comes near to being self-worship; and that while in the very act of worshiping God." pg65

Oh the hidden dangers of "being spiritual".

The truth is... I love to pray. By myself walking down the street, on the floor of my bedroom, in the morning with a couple of my closest friends, before a service at RE:hope... or lying beside my wife just before we go to sleep. BUT, I know this danger that Tozer refers to well. Sometimes I catch myself thinking about what I think others will find interesting as I pray OR I hear the phrase "I echo my brothers prayers..." and a little pride seeps in OR (if it wasn't my prayer) I think about why my prayers were just as valuable as "my brothers" OR (and this is probably the most dangerous) I think about what I think God wants to hear... hmm... how do you spiritually "butter up" an all knowing completely majestic Lord of the universe?

The REAL truth is that there is a part of me that wants to be known as a "mighty prayer warrior"... a part of me that wants to look more worthy than I could ever be... a part of me that wants to hear "well done" not JUST from my Father in heaven, but from my brothers and sisters in Christ... a part of me wants... to steal... just a little... wee bit... of glory... for myself.

I know... I'm a sinner.

But the problem is... I want my reward - the promised one from that passage in Matthew 6 - and glory seems as good a reward as any. And I want it today, on my terms with payment in full in the here and now... did I mention that I am a sinner.

Fortunately, the Bible (and Tozer) has some thoughts on this very situation.