THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND

I cannot tell you the exact year, or who the pastor was at the time, but as the staff counselor at Calvary Assembly in Winter Haven, Florida I was once party to a unique experience. (I ultimately served that church for a decade and a half, during the tenure of four successive pastors. Ultimately, I was the longest-lived staff person ever).

A visiting evangelist, a friend of the then pastor, had been “contracted” to preach a weekly series of sermons, and had just finished his last message. “Rev. Smith,” (for lack of a specific name) called the congregation forward to send “Rev. Jones” off on his impending journey; (to wherever his destiny was taking him).

Twenty or thirty of us encircled the good preacher, and as is the tendency among Christians, (since we couldn’t all actually touch the evangelist,) we each stretched out an arm, (with the adjacent hand attached) and laid that five fingered bit of flesh on the shoulder of the person in front of us. As I recall, the minister invited us to verbalize our own prayer at that moment. Even before the congregational prayer began, I sensed someone’s hand on my own shoulder, and thought nothing of it.

As my teammates’ prayers subsided, Bro. Smith instructed us to return to our seats for a moment, since he had some parting words for us. Something, however, was different than any other time I had stood in a similar gathering of prayer warriors. Whoever stood behind me had obviously failed to heed the pastor’s instructions. For you see, the hand remained on my shoulder. As the crowd dispersed back to their seats, and it was time for me to do likewise, I almost dreaded to do a similar “180.” (Who, or what would I find behind me)? Something was obviously amiss.

I finally turned to face my “prayer partner,” but

… there was no one there!

However, the sensation of that hand, the obvious weight of that invisible appendage, remained on my shoulder. Amazed, (for lack of a better word) I walked back to my pew and sat down; (perhaps 10 ounces heavier than when I had first walked to the front of the sanctuary).

It was then that Bro. Smith made some closing remarks, and “benedicted” us to “outer darkness.” As my wife and I stood, and made our way towards the lobby, and drifted out one of the four glass doors, the sensation of that invisible, ethereal hand walked out the door with me; (“and would not let me go.”)

It was only after Jean and I slid into the front seat of our vehicle that I made her aware of “the latest development,” (and quite a development it was)!

“Uh, something very strange is going on, and I’m not sure exactly how to explain it. (But here goes”). I don’t recall my exact words. (After all these years, however, I recall the exact feeling).

Well, my readers, the additional weight I had gained in the past quarter hour “walked” into my front door with me, and the weight of the hand was present as I slumped into my easy chair. It was only after arriving home, and “settling in” for a few minutes that the sensation of that unseen, localized presence on my left shoulder lifted.

My friends, I cannot begin to tell you at this writing exactly why God, (since I have no doubt whatever that it was God) decided that I needed a tangible touch on that particular evening, or why He chose to literally reach out and touch me, when I had never been touched before, (or since) in such a manner.

Upon reflection, (and I have reflected upon the event many times over the years) I have determined that this miracle, (for that is what it was) was for a purpose, (as all miracles obviously are). While a counselor at the church in which the experience occurred, I was extraordinarily busy, sometimes seeing twenty and twenty five cases a week. And all the while, (like all those who minister to other human beings) I had my own “stuff” going on.

And since our God is the great “I AM,” Jehovah of the past, present and future, He knew that my wife and I were about to encounter a season of what has been for us a myriad of the most challenging and negative of personal events and experiences.

As not only a counselor, but a mentor, I offer a formal program of preparation and discipleship to young adults on the verge of assuming their own ministries or helping vocations. And one of our studies involves the presence of Miracles in the lives of God’s people.

As we consider together the story I have just shared, I experienced my own personal miracle that night, and God has been graceful to lend many other personal miracles to me over the years. Here I use the term “lend,” since in a very tangible way, He has loaned these miracles to me, so that I might share them with others, as I have you today.

The foregoing experience, and others like it have reaffirmed my faith in the presence of God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. And beyond the simple affirmation of my faith which accompanied these miracles, has also come encouragement; encouragement that our Lord, in all his foreknowledge, of all my wife and I would shortly encounter, was gracious to bestow upon us.

Do you recall that old poem, that old song, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand”? Well, I not only recall the words and the melody, but I have experienced the touch of the Master’s hand in a way that neither pen, nor tongue can hope to tell.

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending

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AN APPOINTMENT IN SAMARRA

A very long time ago in a faraway country there lived a benevolent king who surrounded himself with servants of the highest caliber. And one particular servant, his name was Jabez, did one thing on a daily basis and did it well. He had been delegated from a boy to purchase the choicest foods from the local market, and return said culinary resources to the head chef.

And thus, on such and such a day Jabez set off for a nearby town. And thus, as he was putting a pomegranate into his basket, he looked up and found himself peering into the dread face of

…Death!

Without so much as a word Jabez dropped the almost full basket, and ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to the palace. Upon arriving he reported immediately to the king.

“Well, Jabez. You’re quick to return to the palace. Have you already completed your purchases?”

To which his good servant exclaimed,

“Oh King. Please, you must help me. While I was in the marketplace I came face to face with Death, himself. You simply must allow me to borrow your horse and escape to the city of Samarra.”

And without the slightest hesitation, the king made arrangements for Jabez to borrow his horse.

Having taken care of the matter, King Aliphaz summoned his best soldiers, and ordered them to escort him to town; for he would get to the bottom of this apparent affront against his servant.

Arriving in town, the king began looking for that vile creature called Death. And having found him, he challenged him.

“Oh Death, my servant was shopping in the marketplace, and claimed that you threatened him.

To which Death replied,

“Oh no, dear King. I did not threaten your servant. I was just surprised to see him. For you see, I have an appointment with him tonight

…in the city of Samarra.

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending

WADDLING OUT THE DOOR

Once there was a pleasant little town, much like many other pleasant little towns, but this one was populated by ducks. There were white ducks, yellow ducks, green ducks, multi-colored ducks; ducks of every size and age. And everywhere they went… they waddled. They waddled here. They waddled there. They waddled everywhere. And when Sunday came, they waddled to the duck church, and sat in the duck pews, and listened to the duck preacher, as he preached his duck sermon.

On this one particular Sunday, all the ducks had waddled in and were anxious to listen to their favorite duck preacher preach his duck sermon behind the duck pulpit. But this Sunday would be different from all the rest.

For as the duck preacher got up to preach they caught a glimpse of fire in his eyes, and there was a whole different demeanor about him. The ducks of Duckville could tell… he was inspired. And so the duck preacher began:

“Fellow ducks. You weren’t mean to… waddle! You were meant to… fly! Over hill, over dale, over forests, over lakes. You were never meant to waddle. You were meant to fly!

And the ducks of the Duckville Church thought, “Well now, that’s a novel concept. And they continued to listen as the duck preacher waxed eloquent. And the longer the preacher preached, the louder and more inspired he became. And the louder he preached, the more enthused, and outrageous the ducks in the duck pews became.  And they began to shout, and clap their… well, wings. And some even flapped those wings a bit, as if they were practicing for the real thing.

And as the sermon wound down, the duck preacher said, “And so my fellow ducks, I leave you with this admonition, and please remember this bit of important information. “You were never meant to waddle. You were meant to fly!”

And finally, the duck preacher said the benediction, and offered a final prayer, and the hundreds of ducks in the duck pews realized that they had heard, possibly the most singular and most important sermon their duck preacher would ever preach. And his final admonition rang in their heads as they prepared to leave the church.

And when the closing prayer had been said, all the ducks arose from their pews, and

… waddled out the door!

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending

TO WHERE YOU ARE

I was looking at various and sundry songs on You Tube recently, and came across Josh Groban's, "To Where You Are." And as the music video played out its heart-rending lyrics, I happened to look down in the comments section. One comment in particular caught my eye. A fellow named Paul spoke about his mother who was in the process of dying in a distant city. She had been comatose for a week, and during that week her son would call, and the hospice nurse would put the phone up to her ear.

And on that fateful evening, as the nurse gently placed the phone next to her, Paul turned on his CD player, and the ethereal melody of, "To Where You Are" drifted across the airy span which separated them from one another. When the song concluded, the RN picked up the phone, and told Paul that his mother had suddenly woken from her coma, mouthed the words, "Thank you" and "Goodbye, Paul," and passed on to her eternal reward.

Following are the words which I posted beneath this same melody.

"I can relate to Paul's comment about playing this song to his mom on the phone, as she was going on to meet her Maker. I have sung at the bedsides of loved ones, as they prepared to cross over. In one case my wife, who was at the time a visiting hospice nurse, called me at home, and asked if I would sing to her patient. I readily agreed, and she put the phone up to the ear of her patient, and I sang to him; (Amazing Grace, as I recall).

My wife said the elderly man raised his hands in worship. And though he didn't pass immediately, I like to think my long distance intervention soothed and encouraged this dear man; if only for a moment."

Post-Script

As my own mother was in the process of passing from this life to the next, she drifted away from us, and her death appeared to be imminent. During that intervening space in time, I sang "Amazing Grace" to her... and she suddenly came back to us, if only for a little while.

I can't recall the words I said to my mother that day, but she was aware of my presence, and she responded to me. And then, after a precious few minutes, mama returned to the place from whence she came; to the Giver of life, and our only hope in the realm in which we pin our hopes.

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending

WHEN MAN WALKED ON THE MOON. WHEN GOD WALKED ON THE EARTH

Just 3 weeks prior to my wedding day, the spindly legs of Apollo 11 set down on the moon, and the feet of Astronaut, Neil Armstrong, dropped down upon the lunar surface.

I was watching the live black & white video feed when it occurred, and along with millions of my fellow earthlings heard the spacecraft commander’s voice, as he uttered the first words ever spoken by one of God’s created beings on an alien world.

“That’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”

It has been said that never in the annals of modern (or ancient) history has a more notable achievement been accomplished.

However…

(Have you ever considered the import of the foregoing word? For when that word crops up in an article or story the implication is that the entire dynamic is about to change).

However, while man’s landing on the moon was one of the most amazing achievements in history, it can be properly said that, at best, Neil Armstrong’s amazing experience ranks second in significance to another.

For you see,

THE GREATEST MOMENT IN HISTORY WAS NOT WHEN A MAN WALKED ON THE MOON, BUT WHEN GOD WALKED ON THE EARTH.

(And He did).

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah uttered the words several millenia before they came to pass.

“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call His name, ‘Emmanuel.’” (Isaiah 7:14)

Pt. 2

And not in the prophet’s lifetime, but millenia before the lifetimes of those of us who currently dwell on the earth,

…He came.

But unlike the accomplishment of our brave astronauts, He who came came without the benefit of some artificial means of transportation. But rather, He took on flesh and dwelt among us, and He continues to inhabit the same body which His disciples knew and recognized so long ago.

We return to our earlier premise.

THE GREATEST MOMENT IN HISTORY WAS NOT WHEN A MAN WALKED ON THE MOON, BUT RATHER, …WHEN GOD (THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS AND ALL THAT EXISTS) WALKED ON THE EARTH.

But about His Son, Jesus He says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of Your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set You above your companions
    by anointing You with the oil of joy.”

¹⁰ He also says, (about the God-man)

“In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
¹¹ They will perish, but You remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
¹² You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But You remain the same,
    and Your years will never end.” (Hebrews 1:8-12)

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending

THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS

(Quite some time ago, I paraphrased The Book of Philippians. I include it here, since nothing in my Christian life has allowed me to experience, and virtually know Paul, like this particular effort. I’m especially hopeful that the following paraphrase will enhance the spiritual lives of my descendants).



Chapter One



Paul & Timothy, Servants of Christ. To all who name Christ Jesus as Lord, who are at Philippi, with all the Bishops and Deacons.



May Grace be bestowed upon you, along with the peace only God Our Father can provide because Christ cooperated in the finished work.

Every memory of you is blessed and my thanks is continually overflowing before our Father.



Without fail, I always raise my voice to the Father on your behalf, praying with great joy.



For your fellowship in this great gospel from that very first day until now. I am confident of this very thing, that the One who has begun this magnificent work in you will continue it ‘til the day of our deliverance. And it is only right for me to remember you with such rejoicing because you reside in my heart. For you have remembered me whether I walked among you, or whether I continued to reside in the darkness of the prison. For God bears me witness that I have your welfare at heart and all my efforts are on your behalf.



And I pray the more earnestly that your love may increase and that your knowledge may abound to all judgment.



That you may strive for excellence and that you be without offense, even ‘til Christ makes His appearance.



Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are derived from Christ, unto God’s ultimate praise and glory. For I would have you understand, my brothers, that all my glories and all my sufferings have allowed the gospel to be shed forth in a mortal life.



Therefore, my chains in Christ are seen by the servants and those who have served in Caesar’s palace, and in other places. And many of those who once feared are emboldened by these chains, and speak without the slightest compulsion or anxiety. Some, indeed, preach Christ out of envy and strife, but some out of good will.



Some preach the gospel due to their jealousy of how God is using me. Other exhibit motives which follow a more righteous plane. They preach out of a heart overflowing with love for me. Again, some preach to make me jealous, believing any success will add to my sorrow in this prison.



But I am glad since Christ is preached.



And whatever happens, I will go right on being glad for your prayers, and I am convinced that good will come of this. And I live in eager expectation, and hope that my behavior will always honor God, and that my words will enhance Christ’ message, whether I live, or go on to be with Christ.



For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying, well, that’s fine too.



If remaining here affords me better opportunities to win some of my brethren, then it becomes a hard choice, whether to live or go on to my reward. Sometimes I want to go on living, and at other times I’m content to think of leaving this world behind. How much more content I would be.



But I’m sure staying will benefit you more.



And I’m convinced that I am needed here, and I’m certain that I will remain to help you mature and find joy in your faith. Though I long to be with Christ, my staying will give you cause to glorify Our Saviour when I next see you face to face.



But in spite of what may happen to me, always live as befits a Christian, that I might hear of your unity in standing up for the Gospel, courageously and in spite of fear. To your enemies it will remind them of their ultimate failure, but to you it will be an obvious indicator that God has bestowed eternal life on you.



For you have been presented the inestimable privilege of both trusting in Him and suffering for Him.



We fight this terrible battle together and suffer at every turn. And I wrestle our great enemy even now, as you all so well know.


Chapter Two

If there is anything like Christian encouragement, if we share the same Spirit, if there is any sympathy flowing through your being,

make me happy by cooperating with each other out of a heart of love, united in heart, mind and purpose.



Don’t live to impress others, but consider others better than yourselves. Consider your own affairs secondary to what seems important to others. Your attitude should reflect that of your Master, Jesus Christ, who though being truly God, did not cling to His prerogatives as God, but cast aside His omnipotent power and glory, and assumed the guise of a servant, becoming like men.



And He chose a pathway that ended at the cross, to die a death fit only for a criminal. And because of His obedience, God raised Him to a place of honor and bestowed on Him a Name above all others.



That at the mere expression of His lovely Name every knee shall bow down, both in heaven and on the earth, and every single tongue shall confess the Lordship of Christ, to God be all the glory.



My dearly beloved friends, you were always very careful to follow my guidance, and now that I am no longer with you, you should be even more careful to bring forth good works, obeying the merciful Creator with awesome respect, fearing lest you offend Him in the slightest.



For He continues to work in you, inspiring you to desire to obey Him, and cooperating with you in that effort. Flee the tendency to complain and to argue, so that not one word of blame may be laid at your doorstep. You should live pure and innocent lives as sons of God in a corrupt world full of stubborn and perverse people.



Let your lights shine out among them, holding out to them the Word of Life. So that when Christ returns, my joy will know no limits, and the great worth of my work will be affirmed.



And if my lifeblood must be shed and mixed with your faith, I am willing to make that ultimate sacrifice. If I lay down my life for you, my efforts will surely be confirmed.



You should rejoice with me, even if the ultimate outcome awaits me here.



If the Lord wills it, I will shortly send Timothy to visit you. And when He returns he can cheer me with your greetings and regards. Only Timothy has stood close to me during this dark night of my soul. He will come shortly and perhaps I may follow him at some point.



Meanwhile, I believe I will send Epaphroditus back to you. We have been brothers, working side by side. Now I will send him back to you, as he has been homesick and almost died. But God shed forth mercy on him, and I know how thankful you will be to see him. Welcome him and show your appreciation; for he risked his life to the very point of death.


Chapter Three


Whatever happens, my dear ones, rejoice in the Lord. I am never weary telling you this, and so I say it again, and again. Beware those who call you to observe tradition and stake your salvation on such things. For it isn’t outward symbolism that makes us children of God, but worshipping Him with our spirits.



The True Gospel, the only one we ought glory in, rests on the finished work of Christ, alone.



If anyone ever had reason to think his own works could save him, it would be I. I was circumcised at eight days of age, born of the stock of Benjamin. Thus, I was a real Jew if ever one existed. Beyond this, I was a member of the Pharisees who require the most austere obedience to every Jewish law and tradition.



But more, I was sincere to a fault for I persecuted the church and have obeyed the last jot and tittle of the law.



But all that once seemed so valuable now seems next to worthless, and I cast my lot with Christ, alone.



For I have laid aside what this world considers precious, that I may possess Christ. For my salvation will never be sealed by my own righteousness, or by the deeds of the law, but by trusting Christ to save me. It is by Christ, alone, that we are given an entrée into the eternal kingdom.



And though it may seem paradoxical, the only way we can experience His power and blessings is to suffer and die with Him.



I do not imply that I have arrived. I am still learning, changing and maturing. But I consider the day when I finally reach the prize, the goal, the finish line.



No, my brethren, I am not all that I should be, nor what I will be, but I bring all my energies to bear on this one thing. I forget the past, and gaze with jealous eyes towards the future Christ has for me. I strain to reach the finish line, and receive the reward bestowed on those who are called “Faithful.”



I pray my words ring true with you, and if not, my God make the Truth clear to you.



I invite you to pattern your life after mine, and notice others who live to this standard. For there are many along the way who are really enemies of The Cross. They have no future beyond this life, for their god is their appetite. They are proud of what is, rather, shameful.



But our eternal home is where Christ is, and we expectantly look for His return. When He returns, He will transform our own frail bodies, and energize them to resemble His own, with the same power He will use to conquer death, and Satan’s evil principalities.


Chapter Four

My brethren, I long to see you, for you are my reward, my trophies, for the efforts I’ve expended here. My beloved friends, remain true to Our Lord. Let me plead with Euodias and Syntyche, please set aside your differences and quarrel no more. And my friends, please help these women, for they assisted me in sharing this great Gospel. And they worked with Clement and many others who are written in The Book of Life.



Rejoice in the Lord at all times. Let your selflessness and consideration be evident where ever you go. Do not forget that Christ is coming soon. Don’t be anxious for the future, but speak to God daily, both asking Him for assistance, and thanking Him for the answers to your needs.



If you follow this advice you will know God’s peace which is infinitely more wonderful than we could ever comprehend. And His power will abide in your mind and spirit as you depend on Him.



Fix your thoughts on what is good, and pure, and righteous.



Constantly, consider the praises you owe the Creator. Remember all those things you have heard me teach, and model to you, and God will shed His peace on you.



How grateful I am and how thankful that you are assisting me again in the defense of the Gospel. I realize you have always been anxious to help me monetarily, but it is just now that you have the opportunity.



Not that I am in need, because I have learned to manage with much, or only a little.



I am content whether full or hungry. I do everything that Christ requires through His overwhelming power at work in me. Nevertheless, I thank you for helping me in my present circumstance. As you remember, only you Philippians assisted me in my journey through Macedonia. No one else aided my efforts. Even while in Thessalonica, you helped me twice. And while your help didn’t go unnoticed, what blesses my heart is the reward that Christ is preparing for you in heaven.



At this present moment, I am overflowing with provisions, those gifts you sent by Epathroditus. These provisions are a sweet sacrifice in God’s sight. May God continue to fulfill and supply all your needs and pour out blessings out of His abundance.



Now unto God be glory, now and forever, Amen.



I send my greetings to all the brethren there. The brothers here also greet you. The Christians in Caesar’s palace send you their love.



The grace and blessings of our Savior be with your spirit.

The Book of Philippians, McDonald Paraphrase of the New Testament. Copyright 2018

BURN THE SHIPS

In 1519, Captain Hernán Cortés landed in Veracruz to begin his great conquest. Upon arriving, he gave the order to his men to burn the ships. As I imagine it, someone then laughed and Cortés promptly thrust his sword into the man’s chest. 

Here’s the lesson: Retreat is easy when you have the option.

Let that ruminate in your brain for a moment. I had to.

We all cling to something that acts as our escape hatch or our exit strategy (in the negative connotation). It’s our safety net “just in case…” What we fail to do is honestly complete that sentence. We lie to ourselves. If we were honest, we would say, “This is my safety net just in case I get scared.”

We postpone action until we no longer feel fear. Either that, or our actions are shallow attempts never designed to succeed. In reality, we must learn to act decisively in spite of our fear.

Burning Things that “Make Sense”

“That doesn’t makes sense.” We love that phrase. We love to hide behind it. We tell ourselves that certain things don’t make sense. It would have “made sense” for Cortés to keep a ship or two if not his entire fleet. But Cortés was on a mission and he knew that the only way to keep himself or his men from quitting on the mission was to take that option off the table.

What Cortés did was force himself and his men to either succeed or die. Retreat was not an option. I believe that to truly achieve the level of success we each desire, there are times when we need to “burn the ships.”

The question we have to ask ourselves is this: What are my ships? What am I afraid to let go of?

I can’t answer that question for you, but I can give you some areas to consider as you ponder the question, “What ships do I need to burn in my life?” Take a look at them, then feel free to add your own in the comments below.

As you consider each one, if it jumps out at you, ask yourself why. What is it that makes it hard to burn? Is it a false sense of obligation to it? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it fear of being perceived as a failure? What is it?

• Your Current Job – Are you afraid of trying something new? Are you comfortable? Are you convinced that this is as good as it gets?
• Your Field of Employment – Have you been dreaming of a career change? Does every ounce of your work drain you? Are you a people person stuck behind a computer screen? This is one I had to wrestle with.
• A Bad Business Deal – Why is it a bad deal? Why can’t you let it go? Do you feel obligated to the relationship?
• An Unrealistic Dream – Sometimes this is the toughest one to spot. I enjoy watching TV shows like American Idol because you get a chance to see people who are willing to put it all on the line in front of a national audience for their dreams. During the tryout rounds, you’ll witness as people who are ill-prepared give what they believe to be a stellar performance. Unfortunately, they don’t recognize the lack of skill in themselves. It’s sad because they are neither willing to put the work into accomplishing their dreams nor willing to modify them accordingly. Instead of dreams they have fantasies and that is a sad state for anyone to live in.
•  Habits, Addictions or Life-Limiting Mindsets - What prevents or reduces your potential to fulfill whatever remains of your destiny; a destiny (and, ultimately, a legacy which you will leave behind) which God planned for you, by name, before He breathed the worlds into place?

What are other “ships” that often need to be burned? What “ships” have you burned? 

by Travis Robertson. Additional wording and editing by William McDonald, PhD