quickdrawdaniel's Xanga

Switching blogs

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:30:32 GMT

Hey guys, for right now I have switched to a new blog site. The new site is:
http://quickdrawdaniel.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you all there to continue our discussion on God, his Kingdom, and his role in my life! God bless you all!

In Christ,
Daniel McGraw

I want to be like Christ. . .

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:43:30 GMT

These are the words of Marcia For, from Traditions of the Ancients

"When I came to faith in Christ, I was so broken that I had no hope that he could or would fix me. I didn't come to be fixed; I came to him hoping that maybe he could hold the shards of my life in his hands for awhile, even if he couldn't put them back together again and make me whole. My life no longer mattered to me. Christ was my all, and I wanted Christ to consume me. But I did not flee to the desert like Anthony (a 3rd century monk.) I became a 'victim' of my society -- which, by the way, includes the church -- and continued to be entangled in the illusions of my false self. I conveniently forgot that my new passion as a believer was to become like Christ. Instead, I became like. . . well, everyone else."

Wow. The Christian life does not mean being like everyone else in church. Instead, the true Christian life is about being like Christ.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:39:41 GMT

Jesus is pretty radical. Have you noticed it? Have you seen it?

I grew up with this flannel board picture of Jesus: He's always got this all knowing, half smile going on. He has one hand out (no matter what is going on.) He's "meek and mild," according to our teachers. Jesus was predictable. I knew the stories, I knew his message, I knew what he came to do.

Yet recently I was challenged to read the Gospel of Mark with new eyes, to stop reading into the story and instead see what Mark was telling me about Jesus, and I was shocked! The Jesus I encountered wasn't easy to explain away! He wasn't always sweet, meek, and mild. This Jesus was untamable, unflappable, and a little wild. This was a Jesus who spoke harshly to the Pharisees but touched the outcasts. Yet it was also a Jesus who spoke (seemingly) harshly to the Syrophoenician woman, calling her a dog! (I still struggle with this story!) Jesus boldly told his disciples his death was coming, then went to Gethsemane and prayed that it wouldn't happen! Jesus inspires faith in those that meet him, yet his own disciples barely believe. he is an amazing miracle worker, driving out demons and healing all of the sick; he calms storms and he feeds thousands, yet cannot work miracles in places where they have no faith at all.

Jesus defies my expectations, and I wonder what to do with him! I believe that he is LORD; now what does that mean for my life right now. . .

Great Quote!!!

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:20:32 GMT

"Self indulgent sleep is the state of too large a segment of today's Church. Self-indulgence has produced a myopic introspection; we seem to focus on healing ourselves so we can have nicer lives. 'Lord, comfort me so I will be comfortable" is in direct contrast to what is said. . . in Scripture."

What an amazing comment. We all, at some point, seem to fall into this trap: Lord, make me comfortable. I want your blessings poured out on my life. I know I am that way sometimes. A lot of times. I want the blessings without the possibility of pain, the gifts of God without the hardship. Christianity is supposed to be easy, right?

Instead, God writes this:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

God, help me move beyond my comfort zone. Especially this week, as I serve in the inner city. Lord, help each of us to worry not about our comfort but extending the comfort of your grace to those around us.

Because I am boring. . .

Thu, 17 May 2007 19:59:56 GMT

This blog entry is for one of my students, Taylor Hammond, who told me my blog was "kinda boring" today. So, Taylor, here goes some non-boring stuff just for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oynPlzxVZnI
* Absolutely hilarious video of one of my favorite comedians! (Sorry about the language!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mBGODdzzVw
* "White and Nerdy"

Next time I'll add hilarious stories about some of my college friends!

Hope y'all are having an awesome day! God bless.

~Mr. M

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:53:42 GMT

Wow, it has been a long time since I have written. Sorry about that! Life has gone through some dramatic changes since I last wrote. But let me just say that GOD IS GOOD!!!

Quick prayer request: Please pray that God will continue to direct my steps and help me to discern where he is leading me in the future. I am praying a lot about a mission field, and God keeps directing my sight back to Bolivia/Peru and the Aymara people there. Possibly working in an urban context to reach the poorer classes of Indians.

I will write more soon! God bless!

The Breastplate of St. Patrick (St. Patrick's Prayer)

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:53:48 GMT

Be Christ this day my strong protector;
against poison and burning
against drowinging and wounding,
through reward wide and plenty. . .
Christ beside me, Christ before me;
Christ behind me, Christ within me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me;
Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me;
Christ in my lying, my sitting, my rising;
Christ in heart of all who know me,
Christ on tongue of all who meet me,
Christ in eye of all who see me,
Christ in ear of all who hear me. . .

For to the LORD belongs salvation,
and to the LORD belongs salvation
and to Christ belongs salvation.
May your salvation, Lord, be
with us always.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:28:23 GMT

The final prayer of the evening from The Book of Common Prayer:

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

Lord, this is my prayer for us all. Let us join with our brothers and sisters around the world to pray this prayer to you. May it help open our eyes to the needs and cares of the world and join with you in your mission to the world.

Father, bless Bekah as well. Thanks for her love and beautiful spirit. Protect her, keep her safe, and keep her strong while she is at boot camp. Lord, continue to help her look to you as her source of strength and fulfillment, her source of hope and life and love. Thanks for her kind, gentle heart. Help her be a blessing to those around her just as she is a blessing to me.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 13:20:50 GMT

"It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

I am pretty sure I agree with this thought, but it is a little harder for me to take today. The girl I have been dating left for Navy Basic Training this morning, so I am pretty down right now. The scary thing for me is, I really think I loved this girl. Scary, huh? The "L" word scares me to death, yet I couldn't help it with Bekah. She was just too amazing. She has left me a better person through her actions, her words, her presence, her friendship, her service, and her love. She has made me more confident, more excited about life, and more passionate about God. She encouraged me in so many different ways, and time flew by when I was with her. The last two months have quickly flown by.

So, yes, it IS better to have loved and let them go. But today I am pretty torn up about it. Please pray God will grant me peace to accept this.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:56:01 GMT

"Job convinces me that God cares more about our faith than our pleasure." -Philip Yancey

Amen!