4581
I was experimenting with a dish of alcohol and a lit match on top of my mom's washing machine in the utility room when I was 10 or 11, and I accidentally turned the bowl over, and the burning alcohol flowed down the side of her washer. My dad came running out and said, "You're going to burn down our house!" And when daddy was whipping me, I turned around and said, "That don't hurt!" I guess I convinced him since he never whipped me again.
4580
“A
good man leaves something behind for his children’s children.” (Proverbs 13:22)
I’d
like to read you an excerpt from a forward which I have included in an
expansive series of volumes I am leaving behind for my children, and their
children’s children.
“I stare into the eyes of that
yellowing, fading portrait of my great Grandparents now, and their dull,
unblinking eyes reveal
… absolutely nothing.
And I have often mused, “Why
didn’t you leave something behind?”
Oh, how I would have enjoyed
knowing you. How wonderful it would have been if you had left some word, some
reflection, something of yourselves.
Well, my dear descendants, I have
decided NOT to repeat their mistake; (and yes, I consider it an irrevocable
mistake; which once the party has passed from this earth can never be
corrected.) I think the following daily journal entries, (as well as my previously
written autobiography, counseling memoirs, and other volumes) will not only
elicit a few laughs, but provide you some insight into the life of your
ancestor; someone not unlike yourself, who lived, and loved, and moved, and
breathed, and made his way about this earth, and even impacted a few for good,
“before you were even a twinkle.”
You deserve it.
And this writer, who by the time
you read these words may have long since ceased to live, and love, and breathe,
and move, and enjoy the beauty which God has visited upon our planet, can only
wish you well, and exhort you to do as I am currently doing…
We are all too close to having
eyes which do not see, ears which do not hear, and mouths which do not speak.
While there is still time,
… Leave something of yourself behind.”
What
follows today may be more practical in nature, than spiritual. However, I am
convinced that when the earth, worlds, and stars were still a theory, and when
God was brooding about the men and women, and boys and girls He was going to
create, I think His thoughts were very practical in nature.
Even
the very shape of the cross itself implies relationship. The vertical beam. Our
relationship with God. The horizontal beam. Our relationship with our fellow
man.
Oh,
most of us leave something behind when we depart the premises, when we cash it
all in, when we check out, when we cease to live, and breathe, and move. It’s
the order of the day. It’s what we do. However, the things we leave behind are
so often brick and mortar sorta things.
We
draw up a Last Will and Testament. My children will inherit our home, and it
will be sold, and the moneys will be divided among them. And we have a list of
specific possessions which we intend to distribute to our offspring before we
go on to our reward. I don’t mean to detract from, or diminish this type of
leaving something behind. As a matter of fact, my grandfather left behind the
most wonderful old thing. It’s called an Amberola. It’s a Thomas Edison
invention from about 1910.
However,
as cool, keen, and groovy as it is, it won’t have any lasting impact. (I’m not
even sure how long our family members will continue to enjoy it. I have had it
worked on four times in the last decade).
As I
wrote about in my forward to this message, we need to be about leaving
something of ourselves behind. Something perhaps less obviously tangible than
that device, but something of infinitely more value.
As a
pastoral counselor I required my clients to bring a notebook to their sessions;
since I have always thought of myself as not only a counselor, but a teacher,
as well. From time to time, I would say something like,
“I
have a concept I want to share with you. Write this down.”
In the
same way, I hope you will take some notes today; on a piece of paper, or on
your phone.
There’s
a two word phrase in Philippians 3:17. At least, I can summarize it with two
words.
“Copy
me.”
Allow
me to share some examples of “leaving something behind;” which I have
discovered over the years. Now, I understand you have to find your own way to
impact people, and leave something behind, but I hope the following examples
and guidance will be helpful.
Now,
granted I spent 35 years impacting thousands of people. I had a ready-made
audience. However, I am retired now, and I am possibly in the last 10 percent
of my life on earth. What can I do with the time I have left? What can we do?
Here’s
a phrase for you.
*Momentary
Ministry*
That’s
my phrase, you can’t have it. No, write it down.
Momentary
Ministry is simply making a difference in the lives God sets in your pathway on
a momentary basis during the course of a day. Circumstantial to us, but God
knew a particular opportunity would present itself before He made the worlds.
I was
at the post office once, and this guy gets off a bus on the main road, and
makes his way towards the front door. He may have been younger than me, but he
is using a cane, and has a significant limp. It’s obvious that he depends on
the bus to go where ever he needs to go. As we both walk out the door of the
post office, I feel inclined to offer him a ride home. He accepts.
On the
way back to his home I talk to him about Jesus and his soul. Now, I’m not
suggesting you pick up everyone you see with his thumb out, but this is what I
did that day.
Momentary
Ministry
Our
time on earth will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.
*Messaging*
Another “M” word. Write it down.
The
root word is message. Another way to leave something behind. This is THE
Message. My first grade teacher gave me one of these 70 years ago. I order 15
or 20 online each month from the website “Friends of Gideons,” and hand them
out to store clerks, and whoever I come across.
Another
way to leave something behind.
*Mentoring*
Write that word down.
I am a
formal mentor. I developed a mentoring program which I continue to offer to
people. Talking about leaving something behind, at the end of a session, one of
my young students by the name of Rita spontaneously said,
“Dr.
Bill, I don’t want to disappoint you. I will go for you when you can’t go. I
will speak for you when you can’t speak. I will reach, teach, and keep people
in your name long after you have gone on to your reward!”
Uhhh!!!
Well,
the majority of you aren’t formal mentors, but you can take someone younger
under your wing, perhaps a grandson or granddaughter, and share some valuable
practical or spiritual knowledge with them.
And
since I have introduced you to Momentary Ministry and Messaging and Mentoring,
let me coin another “M” word which may or may not be a real word.
*Manuscripting*
Write
that word down.
Now,
there’s a more recognizable word. Journaling. Oh, how I wish my grandparents,
and great grandparents had left a journal behind; something that could be
passed down from one generation to another.
When
you boil it all down, I’ve been talking about the spoken and the written word,
and their impact. Momentary Ministry. Messaging. Mentoring. Manuscripting.
My
father was an amazing artist. He left hundreds of paintings behind, and sold
most of them. This is a print of one of them. I have a few. However, he left
behind something so much more sacred and special than that. He left behind the
verbal version of journaling.
Over
the last decade of his life, he audio taped ten or twelve hours of stories
related to his childhood and WWII military years. I transferred those tapes to
a computer hard drive, and transcribed them into a print version.
Speaking
of leaving something behind, and computer storage devices, I’m leaving five
hard drives to each of our children. These storage devices include a host of family
stories, photos, videos, audios, my unpublished volumes, teachings, and
ministry materials. I am hopeful they will pass these down to their children,
and children’s children. I am encouraging them to convert the hard drives to
the next generation of storage devices, as they develop.
My
definition here of manuscripting includes the spoken and written word. Anything
you leave behind which can be listened to, looked at, or read.
Now, I
don’t mean to imply you have to do things as formally, and fastidiously as I
have described. This is how I have chosen to leave something behind.
Jesus
prayed the following prayer:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who
will believe in me through their message,” (John 17:20)
In this passage he was praying for yet unconceived, unborn,
unnamed, unknown generations to come. He was thinking about us. I believe we
ought to be thinking about the unborn generations which will follow us; our
biological and spiritual descendants.
My friends, leave something behind. It may be as elemental
and simple as a journal, or audio recording with instructions that it be passed
down in the family. What do you want to say to them?
In the movie, “Shackelton,” a photographer is taking a
picture of the crew of an Antarctic expedition. He says,
“Look into the camera, boys. Your grandchildren are inside!”
What would you like to convey to your grandchildren, and
their grandchildren’s grandchildren?
Leave Something Behind.
by Bill McDonald, PhD
4579
"And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?" (Luke 13:4)
Having just penned the title of this reading, it occurs to me that there is an immediate implication that I, (or anyone else) knows the answer. (I don't, and they don't). At least, as human beings we can't begin to fathom the fathomless reasons bad things happen to good people.
The scripture with which I began this blog immediately came to me when I heard about the recent death of an Ecuadorian Catholic priest. Perhaps most of my contemporary readers are aware of this occurrence, (but there will be those who read my words years from now who may need to be reminded).
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, just 27 minutes into the live broadcast of the church service, a heavy wall crucifix broke away from its moorings, and came crashing down on Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari; killing him instantly.
And reminiscent of Jesus' words in Luke 13, it would be easy to think this dear man must have been guilty of some unpardonable sin, and Providence was exercising its judgement upon him. I mean, a priest engaged in his sacred duties, and the most cherished icon of the Catholic Church instantly and independently dislodges itself, and slams down on him from behind, and kills him outright!
Now, to be sure, I cannot know the agenda, or character of Father Molinari. However, I have lived long enough on this good earth to understand that bad things simply happen to good people, and that good things simply happen to bad people, (sometimes, more so the latter, than the former); and that it has little or nothing to do with sin.
Speaking of the seeming randomness of it all, or at least some peoples' misguided notions that just because they are believers God will always act on their behalf, and save them from a multitude of harm. I ran across a book with a title I have long since forgotten, but the implication was (paraphrased), "How to Pray so That God Answers Your Prayers."
Well, my friends, whether saint or sinner, or somewhere in between God is not somehow indebted to you that He is required to answer your prayers the way you order the outcome. I mean, if you had asked any of the saints of Hebrews Chapter 11, "Would you like to be saved from (name the particular calamity)?" Of course, they would have responded in the affirmative.
And then, I saw this social media post which posed the proposition, "Write 'Amen' under this post, and God will rescue you from the issue you are currently facing." I'm sorry. That ain't how it works. And I not only responded in that manner, but I went on to make them aware that their post was little more than a spiritual horoscope!
However, before you say, "Well then, what's the use?" Allow me to assure you that God is the author and finisher of our days, and ways, or at least His ways, and that He knew the sum of your circumstances before He made the worlds; (including the untimely death of Father Molinari).
He is a God we can trust, and with Whom we can invest all the yet unwritten words on all the blank pages of all the days of all the years which yet remain to us here.
by Bill McDonald, PhD
4578
4577
With the passage of time, I have realized how precious the moments we have been allotted are. I mean, I was just 20 yesterday; (or so it seems). Now, I am looking back at my immature adult self over a span of an additional 60 years; which have gone by the wayside.
Now, I find myself at a crossroads, as I just retired from a counseling practice of 35 years, and I, admittedly, feel a bit "betwixt and between." I think when one has been so integrally involved with people in a formal setting for multiplied hours per week, and then, well, then suddenly it's the lack thereof. Sometimes there's more of "the lack thereof" than is altogether comfortable; since I have been so transfixed on making a difference in lives.
However, not a day goes by that I don't pray,
"Lord, don't let me miss whatever still remains of my destiny."
It's a great prayer, if I do say so myself.
And I am convinced, in spite of a few anxious moments, that God will answer that prayer, and that He will continue to place people in my pathway who I can bless, encourage, and help.
I love the words of that old song. "If I can help somebody as I travel along then my living shall not be in vain."
A prayer and a song.
Lord, don't let me miss whatever still remains of my destiny, and give me the ongoing wherewithal to help somebody as I travel along.
by Bill McDonald, PhD
4577
I am an advocate of both the spoken, and the written word, and attempt to use them often, and fluently; in order to make a difference in the lives God sets in my pathway.
Among my foreign social media friends, I somehow met and messaged a twenty something Ukrainian woman several times.
Anna lived in the capital city of Kiev; a location which, though not in the very thick of the land battles which plagued Ukraine, it has, at times, suffered air assaults by cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.
And during the weary days and dreary nights the city was under attack, Anna and I continued to correspond, (though I have, admittedly, forgotten the topics of our exchanges). However, I am by nature an encourager, and I presume we discussed any number of things, including the war, and the fear which permeated her life.
Ultimately, Anna managed to migrate to Poland, and from there to Great Britain.
At some point she messaged me again from London, (or some other city in England), and began to reminisce about those deadly encounters with missiles and drones, as she sat cowering in the local subway, or municipal building basement on a recurring basis.
"Dr. Bill, you have no idea how much your words encouraged me during those long and lonely nights when missiles were falling all around us, and when my neighbors and I might have died at any moment. You were there with me when fear and anxiety threatened to overwhelm me!"
(and)
"Thank you, my friend."
If my entire life had been mundane and uneventful, if I had somehow failed to make a difference in a solitary life 'til then, it would be enough to have "merely" encouraged my friend, Anna, and helped bring her safely through that awful war which raged around her.
by Bill McDonald, PhD
4576
I was a member of the U.S. Air Force at the time, and my wife and I were attending a large church in Tampa.
And as is the case with many evangelical churches, Pastor Matheny occasionally brought in guest speakers. However, this time around the guest evangelist was, to say the least, different than all the rest who proceeded him.
Other than his Mississippi accent, Rev. Brown possessed one particular trait which separated him from every other evangelist with whom I’d been acquainted in my (at that time) 20+ years of life on this planet. (And to be sure, I’ve never seen that trait recreated in the almost half century since).
Now and then, as the good preacher reached a point in his sermon which he thought worthy of a figurative exclamation mark, he would throw out his right leg at a 45 degree angle. I suppose this occurred all of six or eight times during the course of every 45 minute message, and which he faithfully performed throughout the one week series of revival meetings.
The last night of his meetings finally arrived, and as his final sermon concluded, the audience was invited to ‘q up’ and wish the evangelist ‘God speed;’ as he prepared to travel to his next engagement. And although I have stood behind numerous pulpits and counseled thousands, I still possess a bit of introvertism I seem to bring to certain situations. However, this was obviously not one of them, since I had especially enjoyed the evangelist’ messages, and his strange little mannerism struck me both humorous and unique.
As the line ebbed, and I brought up the rear, I reached out to shake the good preacher’s hand, and he reciprocated. And looking me directly in the eye, Rev. Brown said something no one had said to me before, (nor since).
…“Stay Encouraged.”
And over the next almost 60 years I have been faithful to pass those same two life-giving words on to hundreds of friends, acquaintances, strangers, and clients. And some have reminded me later how much those 14 letters have meant to them, and impacted their thoughts and emotions when they needed it most. And for this I am humbled, and I am grateful.
Stay Encouraged!
"But day by day, and as long as today shall last continue to encourage one another." (Hebrews 3:13)
by Bill McDonald, PhD
