A PARTY OF ONE. Pts. 1-3

I am a great fan of one particular social media site. (However, though I realize I spend far much time with it, I haven’t done much to curb my participation).

Recently, a new social media friend messaged me a question, and I promised her that I would do my best to respond to her inquiry. 

The question?

“If Jesus was still present in the flesh, and walking and talking among us, with what political party would He affiliate Himself?”

Well now, it seems to me that if I am to be successful in my task I have to do a little research into the only book (of 66 chapters) God ever bequeathed to mankind.

The Bible

What, (after all) would Jesus do? (WWJD)?

*We know Christ was a man of great empathy.

"So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him." (Matthew 20:34)

He must be a Democrat. (After all, what party has done more for the homeless, harried and hungry among us)?

*On the other hand, it seems apparent Jesus was hesitant to shake up the status quo, and wasn’t into demonstrations against authority.

"Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.” (Mark 12:17)

He must be a Republican

*Then again, Jesus was a prodigious healer of men, and went about doing good.

"And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus touched his ear, and healed him." (Luke 22:50-51)

Which among the two major political parties has done the most to promote health care; (for Jesus’ final miracle, cited above, is a case in point).

He must be a Democrat

Pt. 2

*And so reminiscent of one party’s outspokenness about human life, (including the life of the unborn child). 

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).

He must be a Republican

*Speaking of Jesus’ unwillingness to shake up the status quo, it seems He changed His political stripes when He finally ‘jumped into the middle of it.” 

So like an article on the front page of today’s newspaper…

"He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables." (John 2:14-15)

He must be a Democrat. (I can just see Him carrying a sign in front of the White House and yelling Himself hoarse in the name of social justice).

*And if we are to believe that old children’s song which boasts, “Red & Yellow, Black & White they are precious in His sight,” and the Old Testament scripture which suggests…

"If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters.” (Deut. 23:15)

He must be a Republican. (For, after all, wasn’t it the party of Lincoln which freed the slaves)?

Pt. 3
Confusing isn’t it? It seems Jesus possessed many of the political perspectives of the Democratic Party. Then again, it seems He exhibited some definite Republican persuasions. 

If Jesus were alive and well and walking and talking among us today, what party would He follow, and to which would He lend His support?

I think the most conclusive scripture of them all, in this regard, is the most widely known in all of Holy writ.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

God so loved the world

(and)

Whosoever believes in Him

Unlike our modern day Democratic and Republican parties, and their inability to cooperate or agree, or get anything substantial done in our nation’s capitol, no division or party is apparent in the foregoing verse.

My friends, it seems obvious to me that if Jesus appeared in the flesh, and walked and talked among us today, He would be 

…a party of One

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 50. Copyright pending

If you wish to share, copy or save, please include this credit line.

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If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015 and 2016, do the following:  

Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the right margin

Click on 2016 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "Children of a Lesser God" appears, click on the title. All my 2016 blog titles will come up in the right margin

THINGS GOD HATES. THINGS GOD LOVES. Pts. 1-2

I was just watching a Youtube interview featuring Joni Eareckson Tada. 

If you are at all familiar with this dear lady, you know that this precious woman has endured the unendurable. For you see, in 1967, the year which I graduated from high school, she sustained a life-altering accident. As the result of diving into the ocean, and having misjudged its depth, her spinal cord was severed. She was immediately paralyzed from the shoulders down, and lost the use of all four limbs. (It was only because her sister caught a glimpse of her blonde hair in the water that she was rescued from certain death).

Over the next two years Joni submitted herself to physical and occupational therapy; during which time she experienced severe depression and suicidal ideation. If that were not enough, in recent years, Joni was given a diagnosis of Stage III breast cancer, a circumstance which required a mastectomy, and five months of chemotherapy.

As might be expected, in spite of her Christian faith Mrs. Tada has continued to have sporadic bouts with depression. During the interview she addresses the practicalities of such emotions for people who sense they are stuck in a recurring cycle of pain and suffering.

As a counselor I have encouraged the disabled, doubting, discouraged and disillusioned to discover whatever works best for them during a season, or a lifetime such as this, and to practice that particular catharsis; again and again. For Joni, it helps her to believe that our heavenly Father has trusted her enough to allow her to tolerate the sort of pain and limitations that comparatively few people ever experience in this life. She has been counted worthy to, as scripture puts it, ‘fill up in (her) own body the unfinished sufferings of Christ.” (Colossians 1:24)

Pt. 2

During the interview, Joni made one statement which I have personally and professionally learned to affirm and embrace with all my whole heart.

“God allows the things He hates to accomplish the things He loves.”

If we are to allow for the same theory which the suffering servant Job of the Old Testament also espoused, it certainly seems true in Joni’s life. Though she is an accomplished author, vocalist, radio hostess, and artist, (she paints by positioning a brush in her mouth) how many of us would care to trade places with her?

Almost completely dependent on others for her care, two of her female friends get her up in the morning, change, bathe and dress her. Her husband is even more desperately involved with the requirements which surround her life. So much so that he has, at times, despaired, and (admittedly) entertained a sense that his every waking moment was subservient to her needs.

Joni finds herself among those who speak from incomprehensible and unfathomable personal experience. A quadriplegic for half a century, having once known the blessings of touch and mobility; to have these precious faculties stripped from her in the blink of an eye.

I simply cannot imagine.

I have often marveled at the faith and perseverance of the suffering saints in Hebrews Chapter 11. From my way of thinking Joni is a modern day candidate for membership in this illustrious group of saints.

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 50. Copyright pending

If you wish to share, copy or save, please include this credit line.

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If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015 and 2016, do the following:  

Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the right margin

Click on 2016 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "Children of a Lesser God" appears, click on the title. All my 2016 blog titles will come up in the right margin

GOOD NIGHT, MARY

I admittedly spend far too much time on my social media site. 

That being said, as I was scrolling down my homepage today, I came across one of those live feeds from CNN. As I opened the feed, I noticed a wreath planted on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a very familiar name scrolled diagonally across the flower arrangement.

Mary Tyler Moore

In a millisecond I realized that ‘Laura Petrie’ was gone. And an unexpected, audible sob rose in my throat, and tears sprang to my eyes.

I mean, I grew up watching “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” And, at least in retrospect, the two major stars of the show looked surprisingly like the then President and First Lady of the United States, John and Jacqueline Kennedy.

‘Rob’ and ‘Laura’ were just so believable and plain hilarious. And especially in reruns I have become so enamored with that television production; (‘for my money’ the best situation comedy of all time).

I never watched “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” on which she portrayed ‘Mary Richards.’ I can’t really account for it. Perhaps I thought there just wouldn’t be any topping her performances on “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” 

Of course, Mary Tyler Moore was neither Laura Petrie nor Mary Richards. She had her own distinct history and personality. 

The actress was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when she was 33. In 2011, she had surgery to remove a meningioma; a benign brain tumor. Her 24 year old son died of an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was a recovering alcoholic. She was married three times. In 2014 friends reported that she had heart and kidney problems and was nearly blind.

Somehow, in spite of her own self-inflicted wounds, and, correspondingly, the wounds life inflicted on her she maintained her impish smile and kind-hearted demeanor.

Rest in Peace, ‘Laura.’

Good Night, Mary

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 50. Copyright pending

If you wish to share, copy or save, please include this credit line.

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If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015 and 2016, do the following:  

Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the right margin

Click on 2016 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "Children of a Lesser God" appears, click on the title. All my 2016 blog titles will come up in the right margin

STAY ENCOURAGED. Pts. 1-4

My favorite two attributes in all the world are 

Humbleness 

and

Encouragement;

in that order.

And I like to think that I, (at least attempt to) emulate both traits in the context of my own life.

When I served as an adjunct professor at Southeastern University, my alma mater, I would walk past a wonderful statue on a daily basis.

“Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet”

And speaking of the former traits, I have seldom been exposed to anything which characterized each of them more than this metallic rendering of our Lord and his best known disciple.

But to narrow my literary meanderings to one of these attributes, I love the verse in the Book of Hebrews.

“But day by day, and as long as today shall last continue to encourage one another.” (3:13)

Encouragement

Note the root word ‘Courage.’

Thus, we have in this four syllable word, ‘Encouragement’ the notion of instilling courage, by word or deed, in ourselves or another person.

And God knows that in this day and time how important it is to rise above those dark circumstances, and sometimes emotional shadows which accompany our journey on earth.

Pt. 2

I have been reading, “Forever Liesl” by the late Charmian Carr. Charmian, as the title implies, portrayed the real life Liesl von Trapp in the movie, “The Sound of Music.” (Sadly, in the past year, and at the comparatively young age of 73, she died from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease).

It seems as the mid-20^th century gave way to its sixth decade that Twentieth Century Fox found itself on the brink of bankruptcy. And it was no large secret among the actors and crew of this illustrious film that the future of the production company depended upon its success.

Charmian relates one especially poignant episode during her tenure in the making of the movie.

I went with my boyfriend Mickey to see the stage version of The Sound of Music. After the final curtain, I walked out of the theater completely depressed. I thought it was awful! The story seemed sugary and contrived, and even my favorite musical numbers seemed static on that stage. Maybe it was because I was exhausted from work and travel, but seeing the play convinced me that all my hard work had been for naught. Our film was going to be a dismal flop.

I wasn’t the only one feeling low and Bob Wise sensed the need to lift everyone’s spirits. In secret, during our first weeks back in Los Angeles he had William Reynolds put together the montage of “Do-Re-Mi” as a surprise for all of us.

One afternoon he assembled the cast and crew in the screening room and without any fanfare rolled the film.

What an impact those eleven minutes of the film had on us! We sat in the dark, totally enthralled by “Do-Re-Mi.” It was marvelous. Beautiful. Everyone, even cynical Christopher Plummer, was overwhelmed. And proud! This was the boost we all needed to finish the work at hand. And as we walked out of the screening room, we all knew we were involved in something that was going to be extraordinary.

It was spectacular.

Pt. 3

The thoughtful, purposeful action of one person and the eleven minutes of video footage he assembled turned it all around for three adults, (for Charmian was 21 playing 16) six children, and untold members of the production crew. Who can say how desperately this seemingly small, creative act instilled courage in the hearts and souls of many who had, by this time, surrendered that attribute?

I can tell you when I read the foregoing passage in Charmian’s little volume, tears came to my eyes, and her account spoke life to my own soul.

For you see, I am an Encourager; with a capital ‘E.’  

I think I place that particular attribute on a pedestal for two reasons.

As a pastoral counselor I know the value of encouragement. Over the past two and a half decades, and among thousands of clients, I have attempted to instill courage in multiplied hundreds of hopeless individuals whose courage was nigh on to being lost.

And

As a human being I have oft times found myself bereft of encouragement during seasons of lack, limitations and loss. Either people lacked the wherewithal to come along side and offer a ray of hope, and perhaps a word of admonishment, or they were simply too busy living out their own lives to expend the time and effort.

Speaking of admonishment, God’s word admonishes us with the poignant challenge to the status quo:

“These things ought not to be.”

Pt. 4

At the time I was the same age as Charmian when she portrayed ‘Liesl’ in “The Sound of Music.” At 21 I was married, the father of a young son, and a member of the United States Air Force.

My wife and I attended a relatively large church in Tampa during my tenure as a personnel clerk at MacDill Air Force Base. We had taken advantage of several nightly revival meetings, and as the final service concluded Pastor Matheny invited the congregation to ‘q up’ and say our ‘farewells’ to the visiting evangelist.

While I have long since forgotten the name of the itinerant preacher, I will never forget one especially peculiar trait which he displayed on a recurring basis. For you see, at times he would get ‘so wound up’ that it seemed he needed to release his emotional mainspring. And thus, after this admonition or that bit of spiritual insight he’d kick out his right leg like he was punting a football, and shout, ‘Hallelujah.’

Be that as it may, as I finally neared the somewhat quirky evangelist, and reached out to shake his hand, he looked me in the eyes, and offered me what was perhaps the two most singular words in all of my life.

“Stay Encouraged!”

Though almost half a century has come and gone since that evening, and though this dear man may have, by now, passed from the earth, I have never forgotten his words, and they have buoyed me up, and afforded me courage when I might have, otherwise, simply given up.

And I think there is no more fitting manner in which to conclude what I have begun, nor anything more crucial I could offer than to pass that proverbial baton on to you; the one I received when I shook the preacher’s hand.

“Stay Encouraged!”

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 50. Copyright pending

If you wish to share, copy or save, please include this credit line.

************
If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015 and 2016, do the following:  

Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the right margin

Click on 2016 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "Children of a Lesser God" appears, click on the title. All my 2016 blog titles will come up in the right margin