Too Much Tact


     Due to my incredibly busy day, I missed the Ash Wednesday service, today, but managed to make it for the church's choir (which I was practicly tossed into from day one) rehersal afterwards. However, as events would have it, someting the pastor mentioned at the end of rehersal struck me.


     The conversation was on 'what it means to be....' You see, he'd been involved at the local college today in a rather large assembly discussing the topic of war vs. peace. (Funny this, I missed that debate! Then again, it's probably a good place for a pacifist like me to get himself lynched!) He had been invited to accompany people who had been selected to speak on the 'Christian perceptive' of the growing threat of war in our country.

     According to the pastor, though, what struck him greatly was how someone could speak on the 'Christian perspective' without mentioning Christ whatsoever! Sure, there were plenty of moral and philosophical questions thrown, and a lot of 'good intentions' expressed, but does that really envelope an attitude and perception that is truly 'Christian'?

     Literally translated, Christian means 'Christ-like.' It's a mimicry, really. An ideal to strive to be as much like Christ as a human being can manage. With that in mind, it stands to reason that any motivation, choice, or focus on a debate should begin with Christ's teachings.


     It's so easy, sometimes, to get wrapped up in what it means to be a lot of things. What it means to be a 'good person', what it means to be a 'good parent', what it means to be a 'pacifist', or what have you. All these things are nice and wonderful, but they're not what it means to be a Christian.

     What really gets me, though, is the number of times I've done this. Many of my friends don't like Christians, but they like coming to me for advice. I'll wager part of this is because I don't slam a Bible over their heads and start going on about what is sinful and not, etc... Most of the time, I come up with what's probably good advice, but very neutrally delivered when it comes to a Christian aspect. I suppose it's me trying to be tactful, or moreso, because I think everyone already knows what I believe, and I don't have to remind them.

     I think, though, that maybe I should, sometimes. I'm trying so hard to be considerate of others' beliefs, but I'm missing the reason why God put me in their lives. If someone is running down the path of destruction, am I to make that path seem less upsetting, or strive to help them get off the path?

     Both are nice things, but only one counts in the end.

Don't Bite What You Can't Chew


     I received an object lesson today, though the meaning of it wasn't entirely revealed to me until a few hours later tonight. You see, as some of you may well know, due to a lack of consideration for myself in my youth, I've developed a severe problem with my teeth. They're basicly breaking and dying and after several examinations, there's no saving them. They all need to be removed and replaced. Unfortunately, the economics of the world say I can't afford that right now, so I have to make due as best I can until I can get it done.

     Today, though, my mom made steak for dinner. I love steak. I can't chew it right, but I love it. Without even considering the consequences, I dove right in and got myself some. It wasn't until a few bites later that I realized I was not finishing this steak. Mind you, this was not without several painful attempts on my part. Like I said, I love steak!


     Tonight, I also took another bite of something else I can't chew. I've been trying to help someone deal with events in their life that seem to contradict prophecies they've received. Now, I could debate until my fingers fall off whether or not the prophecies themselves are true or not, but I've come to the realization that it's not my place to. God didn't give me the gift of Prophecy, he gave me the gift of Servanthood. My role in life isn't to tell you what's to come, but to be here when it happens, good or bad.

     I "can't chew" prophecies and what's God telling so-and-so to do with their lives, so I need to stop worrying and stop biting at it. Instead, I just need to be willing and ready to be here when it all pans out, and and let God work through me like I already know He's done so many times before.

Agape   When I think about God telling me to view the world around me as He does, I can't help but wonder just how, exactly, does God see things? Afterall, how can I, a mere human being, possibly conceive with even a fraction of the understanding of the Almighty God? Fortunately, though, I've come to discover that it's not a knowledge God is leading me towards, but more an attitude.

     "God is Love." We say it over, and over again, but do we really understand it? Can we reason what it means to love everyone? If you're honest, you'll stop and realize just what a tall order that really is. Afterall, there's no shortage of less-than-lovable people in the world. I daresay I would only have to run off a few names or factions, and have people screaming at me at the very concept of loving people capable of such horrible things. In the interest of not inciting war, I'll trust that we can all find someone in our lives we don't want to love.

     Now, of course, when I say "love everyone", I'm not trying to bring back the 60's. One of the strengths I find in studying other languages, is finding situations where more than one word is used where the same word would be in English. The "definition of love" has been a controversial subject for as long as I've thought about it, and I think that is mostly because the various aspects of love are so distinct, they really deserve more than one title. The Hebrew word for this love is agape, which roughly translated means a general love for all mankind.

     Note I didn't say a general liking of anyone, but a love for everyone. Webster's dictionary defines love in four different ways, including: To hold dear; To feel a lover's passion, devotion, or tenderness; To like or desire actively; and To thrive in. By these meanings, we're not just supposed to get along with everyone around us, but actually cherish them. Be glad for them. Thrive in the knowledge of them and their well-being. Be devoted and tender. Actively seek their acceptance and companionship.

     What's it all mean? The guy who cut you off this morning, hope he has a good day. When the big corporation lays you off, pray for its success. If someone should wrong you, pray for their salvation. Hope for and strive to help those suffering around you, despite how mean, bitter, or selfish they may be towards you.

     If I'm getting odd looks, I'm getting the point across. Believe it or not, though, that's God's command to us by our definition of love. His definition is even more in-depth.

        "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Is is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.."
             1 Corinthians 13:1-7


     Now, just a minute. There is no way you can expect me to do all those things with all those #@$%@!'s out there! With all the suffering they cause, all the horrible things they do, and how they treat me, even, should I so much as dare to say hello?? Nut uh. You're dreaming.


     Actually, I'm qutie serious. Still, it's a good argument. How can I love people like that? How can I wish good things on those who delight in evil, are proud, boastful, rejoice in deceit, and are the living embodiment of everything love is not? Well, there are three passages God directed me to when I asked this very same question.


        "The teachers of the law and Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before he group and said to Jesus, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adulter. In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?' ... When they kept on questioning him, Jesus straightened up and said, 'If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.'"
           John 8:3-5,7

     God reminded me that it's not my place to judge. Not only am I not without my own flaws and wrong-doings, but I also don't know the whole story. I don't know the hearts and motives of those around me, or what drives them to such acts. Mostly, though, I have no power of my own to save or condemn them, and should have no place in my heart to try. That sole gift is from God's grace alone.

        "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fier, will he not much more clothe you"
           Matthew 6:28-30

     This passage, while generally considered as part of God reminding us not to worry, also struck something else in me. Jesus speaks graciously of the beauty in a flower, but then dismisses its worth is considered to us. As beautiful and gentle as He is with these temporary, frivilous decorations that will all wither away, much more he says when He promises to care for us. Clearly, we see God's love showing in the worth of His children, and his active promise to care for us.

        "But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
           Romans 5:8

     After these words here, I can't argue anymore. The whole paragraph speaks of how few would care to die for a wicked man, but some might just be inclined to die for a good one. Even still, Jesus died for everyone while we were wicked. Bad things were happening that very moment! The same people who beat him, whipped him, mocked him, drove spikes through his body, slammed his hanging form into the ground... he endured every agonizing moment of it all for his love for them.


     Well, I'm sorry, Tom, but I'm not God. When someone hurts me or someone I care about, I want them to hurt back. I just don't have that kind of love in me.

     You're right. Neither do I. That's exactly what I said, too. Lord, this....... this just can't be done by human beings! I like to think myself a pretty caring person, but here God is instructing me to be moreso. Still, he reminds me that his love is in me, and if I'm willing, his love will show through me, so that others who aren't so used to it will be drawn to him.



   Father, help me to love like you do. Quiet my temper, silence my selfish desires, keep me from judging and dividing the 'good people' from the 'bad people,' because I know in your sight we are all your children, and you hold us all just as dearly. Lord, let my life be a mirror of your love. Let the impossibility of it astound those around me, so much that they're drawn to discover what secret it is that makes such a man. Through it all, let all the glory and praise be yours, forever. Amen.

     This morning, I wanted to look back at everything God has shown Danielle and I, and try to find the common message. As wonderful as the insights granted to us both were, I still hadn't felt I'd found the one, core instruction that I felt I was intended to learn. Just before I went to sleep, I asked God about it, which let me tell you is not always easy for me. I'm the kind of guy who doesn't ask for help, you can ask anyone who knows me. ~.^

     I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting it. Me, the guy who never had to study for a test in his life; the guy who everyone asks for advice. Why couldn't I understand the one lesson God had for me that day?


     I felt like Marty confused over one of Doc Brown's theories in Back to the Future. "You're not thinking Fourth-Dimensionally!" Then it struck me.


     Sometimes, the difference between confusion and understanding isn't your intelligence. It's not your ability to reason patterns or complex ideas. It's all about perception.


     As human beings, we rely on our senses when reasoning the things around us. We make decisions based on what we see, feel, hear, etc... Then, these things get bent and twisted by our emotions, aspirations, anticipations and desires. If we want to believe something strong enough, then there's no convincing us otherwise, even if we physicly witness evidence to the contrary. We can deceive ourselves purely by our perception alone, and then back it up with every other rational sense we can muster.


     Yesterday, Danielle and I had days very similiar to every other day in our lives. However, we suddenly popped up with all these messages from God, and attacks at us from other forces. I don't know about you, but I don't regularly look at any given event and later call it a message from God. I see my life and I see responsibilities, and escapes, and problems to solve, etc... I perceive the world through a stained glass window, colored by my own pressures on myself and wishes for those around me.


     God wants me to see things as He sees them. I think both of us started to do that, yesterday, and we found more than one message peaking at us here and there. I feel that neither she or I will be able to fully grasp all the things God has in store for us this coming month (or for the rest of our lives), if we can't first learn to see things with God's perception.

     I told a friend of mine that whenever I meet someone new, I always ask myself, "What one thing can I do to help this person?" I now know that question was actually wrong. It sounds wonderful and noble, but it's not the right question I should be asking myself. I, myself, can't do anything, really, for one of my friends. Yeah, I can help out with little things here and there, and that's all well and good, but they miss out on the real benefit they could get out of our relationship, because I didn't have the right perception. I should be asking "Lord, what would You do through me to help this person?" I need to learn to see people as God sees them, as well as things around me and in my life.

     As a person, I can rationalize and justify almost anything. But as a believer of Christ, I have to accept absolute rights and wrongs. There are no justifications for these things. There's no "it's ok under the circumstances." As I study God's word, I need to look at how He sees things in our lives, and work to make them more like how I know He wants them to be.


     This morning, I woke up, and looked out my window. I saw the same run-down apartment complex I always see every day. I saw all my neighbors who will be up all night fighting amongst themselves, so much that this is considered the worst part of this town. I saw snow plowed and piled up into dirty mounds. Then, I looked again. I saw a coastline, dark and stormy, with people trapped in its wake. I saw myself as a lighthouse. I realized why I still live in this mercy-forsaken, run-down, almost ghetto complex. It's the same reason I have the friends I do.

     This is my mission field. God loves every one of these people, whether they love each other or themselves, or Him, or not. He wants to reach them, and he wants to do it through me and my family. I am God's light, shining in dark alleys and forsaken lands, where its needed the most.

     That's how God sees me.

Mission    This Blog is being re-worked, with a higher purpose. Today, a good friend and I decided to work together to strengthen ourselves and our relationships with God. We've felt, since we met, that God had a reason for bring us into each others' lives, and for creating such a strong friendship over a miraculously short span of time. Today, I feel like we're taking a step into the direction God wants for us.


     God is a big advocate of encouragement, and He knows the best way to deliver it to each person. My friend and I have found that in each other, and our friendship together. Some of you know how strictly judgemental I can get over people who proclaim to be Christians, yet fail in some of what I feel are the fundamental cores involved. It takes a special someone for me to take criticism about God without becomming bitter and defensive.

     It's a testiment to His love and patience that He found it fit to link me to such a person, so that we might help each other grow to know Him and His will for our lives better.


     It is my goal to be taught by God every day. That's something for me to say, too, because I'm a pretty smart guy. My brother has a better relationship with God, but he's always coming to me for advice about Him, or something the Bible teaches. He feels I know the meanings, better, and I feel he lives the meanings better.

     I've got my pride, really. It's buried in there under lock and chain that you've gotta really pierce me to find. I don't like to be told I'm wrong when I firmly believe I'm right. I don't like to be shown things about me that aren't appropriate or justifiable. I'm like a graduating Senior in highschool. I know it all....



     So, that's my first piece of wisdom, today. I don't know it all. I, Tom McDonald, am in no position to teach others about life, God, or being a Christian. Not yet, anyway. The most important point I want to make, is that I will not be the author of this Blog. God will be. As He teaches me, I'll record it here. It is my hope that not only will God use this to strengthen me, but continue to use me to strengthen others.

     It's amazing, that when I decided to open my Bible, I wanted to re-read Proverbs. I haven't read that book in far, far too long. What should I be welcomed to, but this?

        "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their principal sayings. The fear of the Lord is thje beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
             Proverbs 1:5-7


     I can't dare hope to teach others, if I can't call myself wise. Yet, if I shun God's teachings in my own life, then I'm already a fool.


     For those of you that do, please pray for us and these future writings. Pray that God will minister to us, as friends and as individuals, that he'll take our hearts and our longing for Him, and show us how to live the life He would have for us. Pray that this effort will help to bring light to others, and may He receive all the praise and glory for it.

Beginnings    Although still a bit under construction, this Blog is going to be a new "project" of mine.  For quite some time, now, I've felt compelled to write a great deal of things, and explain in my own words some of the beliefs and standards I uphold.  Most interestingly, my reasons for this are not the education of anyone in understanding me, as much as I hope it will aid others to understand the issues about which I speak.

     And just what is it I intend to address?  Almost everything you never wanted to talk about.  There are a great many topics in this life that we avoid in public, and I don't feel a right in that, especially in myself.  It is possible I will insult someone in these posts.  It's my hope that I'll shock a few people with them, but I firmly believe someone will learn something every time.

     That's the whole point of this, anyway.


     Know this isn't a one-way-deal, though.  If anyone ever has a comment, question, or even a subject they'd like me to address, I'm just an e-mail away.  I doubt I'll add a commenting link to this blog, in the interests of helping people remain anonymous.  I will generate a new E-mail address specificly for this blog, which I will check as frequently as possible.  I'm doing that in case anyone wants to e-mail something from an unknown address, whereas anything like that sent to my current mail would be instantly deleted.  This one, I'll check every letter.


     Unlike my personal blog, this one is not private.  You may feel free to invite or link anyone to this site, or link it to any other site you wish.  The only thing I do ask, is no one alter anything I write here, then still claim it a quote from me.


     Unfortunately, I don't have the time or resources right now to begin my first subject, but I assure you I'll try to get something started through the weekend.  Its important to me to ensure that I address these issues thoroughly and honestly, lest I confuse or lead anyone into false impression.  So, for now, I shall just wish everyone the best in everything you do, and ask you watch for something I think will be quite exciting in the near future.


Take care,