New Person... who dis?

     It seems to me that every single day when I look at my Facebook "Memories", I cringe looking at the awful statuses I may have posted five years ago. I'm horrified how stupid I was. It's very easy for me to sit back and judge myself for who I was years ago, but honestly, that person no longer exists. It's weird because I never had a funeral for him, and I never told him goodbye, in fact, I never even missed him. When I look back, I'm very happy that I have transformed into a better, more mature person.

     What's the point of all this? The point is that there are several things that I now remember that I did to make myself a better person. You may not agree with all of them, but all of them are beneficial, and most of them will help you no matter who you are.

     1. Have self-respect. You may be thinking right now how much self respect you have, but I remember as a young teenager having long, curly, Shirley Temple like hair, damaged by dyes, bleaches, and straighteners (all teenage guys try this, right?). I remember piercing my ear at my friends house because my mom wouldn't let me, and I was able to hide it for so long because I looked like Tim Allen in Shaggy Dog.
     Another thing about self-respect: learn to speak. I'm from Arkansas. Most of us flunk grammar, and if you are the grammar nazi, you can probably find several errors to this point. However, a basic understanding doesn't hurt. Also, expand your vocabulary. Trust me. You may think your girlfriend likes to be called 'awesome', but trust me. She doesn't. Part of this includes knowing how to type. When you get a text, how many of you tlk jst lk diz or use piles upon piles of acronyms? Stop it. 2005 ended, and with it, so did MySpace. You may think a simple text or email is insignificant, but impressions matter. Once again, trust me.
     If this isn't you, modify, modify, modify. You don't have to forsake everything you are, but find a style that is more respectable while still fitting your taste. And if you try something new, it grows on you. My bangs once touched my chin, now I get a haircut once a month.

     2. Have respect for others. This doesn't just mean greeting the man at the gas station with a "Howdy doody!" but going out of your way to show kindness in the world. It doesn't matter what you're going through, it gets better, even just for a moment when you see that smiling old lady. This takes up less than half a second of your time usually, so it will not kill you. This helps you get known as respectful, and in turn will earn you respect and multiple opportunities.

     3. Have faith in God. He's gonna work it out. You may be angry with him, but he knows what he's doing. Trust him.

     4. Make goals for yourself. Always plan to be better tomorrow than you are today. If you aren't reaching your goals, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to reach them soon. You can't make up lost time, and you'll feel the guilt of losing an opportunity. You'll never get it back.

     5. Finally, education. Not just education, but lifelong learning. Try to learn from everything. Your mistakes. Others' mistakes. Books, shows, videos, songs, classes, college, traffic. Literally everything. Make it a learning experience. Don't let people consider you dumb. Keep your eyes and ears open and be ready to work.

     The main point here to sum up all five points into one: DON'T BE LAZY!!

Is it Cage Stage... or Just Defense?- a testimony about staying true to my roots, and staying true to God

Is This What It's Come To? 

     

     Right now, I am doing some of the hardest things that can possibly be done in 2016: I am being a white man in a time of feminism and violent race protesters, I am a college student, and most importantly, I AM a Christian. Why is is that Christians feel the need to make people's lives harder. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Not all Christians are this way, how dare you?" However, we both know that if we're having a mature conversation, I should never have to describe that I don't mean all Christians- this is common sense. 

     Before you get riled up and pull out the dusty, old soapbox from your closet, take the humble seat and listen to what myself, as well as many Christians think about "professional Christians". For six years now, I have been a loyal and dedicated Christian, declaring my life for the glory of God, and using my skills to preach in his church and spread the gospel. Then I realized something. There was another understanding of scripture that is more biblical than the one I held true to. This is NOT to say that I think that those who don't believe like me are right, but I am fully saying that I found flaw in my own thinking, and came closer to what I believe the correct interpretation of scripture is. 

     If you're a true Christian, you would congratulate me. You would be happy that in my studies, I was able to lay my comfort and pride aside and transition to a doctrine that I knew would make me hated within most of my fellowship, which I will not name. However, in my time of transition, I haven't received any kind words, but fountains spewing judgement. This only comes from ignorance, so I forgive them, and I apologize as I know that God hasn't decided to let them understand quite yet (Romans 9:18). What do you receive from spraying your judgement? Well, I will assert that you have lost the blessing of God, as I see the biblical example of helping a brother out of sin in Galatians 6:1-10. Why do I think you've lost the blessing of God? Anyone who condemns a brother isn't going to Heaven (Matthew 7:1-6, Matthew 5:22). Matthew 5:22b says "and whoever says 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire." The man who passes judgement on a brother receives that same kind of judgement. But why? Matthew 18:15-20 completely states why: if you have two or more brothers binding something on earth, it will be bound in Heaven. If you give this condemnation, you will be bound as well. 

     There is a certain preacher who has made quite the impression on my life until about a year ago. Slowly, I watched as he stopped preaching the Bible, and started preaching a false, hateful agenda towards a group of people IN THE CHURCH who hold opposing views. As I began to transition to this group, I was told my loyalty is fickle. I don't take criticisms to this measure very lightly, so for weeks I pondered on his statement, and I came to the conclusion: anyone who doesn't know where your loyalties lie will shout fickle if you don't please their needs, so they complain and backbite as though they were still baby Christians who can't be trusted with solid food; only milk. I told him, my loyalty isn't fickle, you just weren't aware that I'm not loyal to your ministry, I'm loyal to God, and God alone, as it should be for all Christians. As the conversation proceeded, our friendship ceased. He shot attacks at me, and sadly I shot attacks back, just as Peter cut the ear of Malchus. I still accept him as a brother in Christ, so I apologized. He ignored this apology. He insulted my apology, and never took responsibility for his sin, never apologized, and his pride puffed up. I asked him a while later if he would like to sit down over coffee and discuss our differences. He said it's his obligation to meet with me, so as long as I visit his site and read every article concerning this topic, he would meet with me. If I didn't, neither would he meet with me. 

     What kind of men do we allow in our pulpits? Unfortunately, this man is one of many that allowed the power of being a pastor/preacher go to his head. What kind of man can point me to a blog instead of having a meaningful conversation with his brother? If he thinks my stance is wrong, then so be it. Show me scripture. Show me God's words telling me I'm wrong, and by all means, I will follow God whether I like it or not. Now, it may seem like I've wandered from the topic, but here's my point: this "man of God" wouldn't take the time to correct his brother as the Bible commands, but decided to hate, as is the antithesis of scripture. Christians are supposed to help and serve other Christians. When they don't, and to the extreme, if they act like this man, they make life harder for the Christian, especially a younger one. Have you ever wondered why 70% of young people between the ages of 18-22 leave the church? It's because the church acts like they've never tasted the goodness of Christ! They live as though they've never known his glory, and instead of teaching them, they shove doctrine down their throats. I remember my 5th grade teacher said at least twice a day "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time", and the same is true for the church. How can you teach someone about the righteous sufferings of Job if they still pronounce his name as if they just applied for it on Snagajob?

     The next time you think about the disrespectful teenager or even Calvinist, ask yourself why they're the way they are, and if you have contributed to it. Someone once asked me why Calvinists seem like they're always the ones that are defensive and aggressive, and I responded with the following analogy. Puppies are cute and sweet, and bring a lot of joy to peoples lives, but sometimes, they get in the grasp of the wrong owner. The owner beats and batters on it, and when it grows up, it's a ferocious beast. This isn't a decision, this is instincts after being attacked. Why are many teenagers and Calvinists disrespectful? We want someone to treat us with the same respect as you would anyone else, and treat us like a Christian. If you don't, don't be surprised when they grow up to be ferocious. 

     Unfortunately, this is the direction of the church. I can't even make a single post on Facebook without ignorant interjections are placed in the comments. This is never how it was meant. Discuss scripture with complete regard of respecting it and not throwing quotes around like it was your favorite quote from 'The Fault in Our Stars'. Be a Christian, help a Christian. You may have rebuttal to this post, and that's easy when I'm insulting your traditional way of handling situations, but when dealing with brethren, treat them as such, with all patience, love, humility, and teaching. If the post seems aggressive, that's not my intention. To me, situations like with the preacher mentioned above have worn me out. I am weary. Forgive me for my wrongdoings, as Christ has also forgiven you. I'll do the same. 

     Sola Gratia!

Tracy McCann

Wait, Where's My Identity?

You haven't seen it, have you? I've searched everywhere and I've asked several people. Hundreds of people and I can't seem to find my identity. I once knew who I was, and I was firm on the fact that I am a teenaged white male but I certainly can't be the gender that women call "dogs", can I? I can't be the same race that enslaved black people until a little more than 100 years ago.

People today struggle with their identity. I know a transgender that no matter the anatomy, he hated pronouns such as he or she. But why? It's something we're all born with. I was recently watching a documentary about a young black kid who tried to "brush the color out of his gums" because he wanted pink gums. He said "I have black and brown gums so they're ugly". But why? That's what he was blessed with. Brown gums and pink gums serve the same purpose, and with the same level of efficiency.

Here's the reason there is such an identity crisis in our society. Society has determined what they find right and wrong, ultimately making people feel uncomfortable with their identity. Culture has made falsehood about several things. Such things as a feminine acting males must be gay. This is untrue prejudice. Another thing is about a guy who takes care of himself well, is well-groomed, and well-dressed (also called a metrosexual), who is also considered gay. American culture has told us that men must be rough and tough with dirt and oil matted on their hands and torn clothing. Otherwise, they're gay. If you're black, you face mocking because of race. Men face dispute because we're all called dogs. If you're a woman, you face sexism by being called inferior. If you're feminine, you're called gay. If you're fat, you're a slob. Culture makes fun of anyone for anything and now we face the ultimate consequences.

How often have you heard "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."? The biggest problem with that is its a lie. Words do hurt. They cut deep. Now that we have to face a crisis that we caused in the first place, we resort to the thing that caused it. Mocking. Mocking comes in several forms. Making fun of someone for being different than the crowd. Acting better than someone. Religiously shaming them because they aren't in the same religious bracket. Those are all forms of mocking.

As Christians, we fail. We fail more than we will ever succeed. I have to admit that. I'll use a better word: I MUST confess that. We have caused a great shame upon ourselves because church is a safe place, or supposed to be. I'm not claiming I have everything right, but this is one thing I know: the church was designed to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. If we aren't serving the purpose, we need to take every step possible to change that. We have been called to a mission.

There is a world that is hurting and they're searching. Searching for us. The church. Jesus. It's our job.   Let's show them. Look for every opportunity to spread the gospel. This is not only important, it mandatory!

"There is a Great Chasm" -A Generation of Color Blindness

I attend Southside Church of Christ in Little Rock, a predominantly black congregation right in the heart of southwest Little Rock. A big change from my normal context, so to speak. In the midst of this context change, I found something. In my last post, I talked about waking up zombies. I was a zombie. I was redundant in faith and couldn't escape the sinfulness of bland affection. That's where Southside comes in. On my first week, my heart of faith started beating again as I found not a congregation, but a family. Inside this family, there's intense joy and heartfelt devotion. I couldn't take a breath inside the door without a set of arms wrapping around me in love. I remember someone telling me "You come once, you're a visitor. You come again, you're family." How amazing is that. As I've been there now for nearly 5 months, I learned a lot of things about a completely different culture, a church culture.

In Luke 16:19-31, you can recall the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus had a life full of pain and suffering while the rich man had all the treasures he could find. But then the day came where it was time for the rich man to feel the hottest flames and Lazarus to get his reward. Specifically, in verse 26, it says "And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us." They were separated and neither could reach the other. It wasn't until I placed membership at Southside did I realize that there's a great gulf in our church today.

Racism. The single word that can make my blood boil and my stomach knot. I hate racism and everything that stands for it. You're not gonna hear everyone make racist remarks, but you can see the ugly snarls and discerning eyes of judgement every time a black person walks in the room. How disgusting. Since when did it matter what color people were? Short answer: it doesn't. Never has, never will. And let me make a call to you. If you think black people are so terrible, remember that I would rather be in a black congregation any day. You aren't as amazing as you think you are, so let me make you a humble pie and I'll cut you a slice or two. We are called to love, and unite. God will not be happy when he sees that you just couldn't look past skin tone.

In Southside, I see God-fearing people. I see active worship. I see the mission of God coming alive. I see a family that loves. I see communion that matters. I see brothers that help. I see prayers that work. I see faith that lives. I hear songs that mean something.

Please consider joining me. I wish to raise a generation of people who are color blind, not judging someone by what color, or ethnicity they are. What language they speak, or where they came from. Let's raise a generation that decides whether they like someone based on their person, and who they really are. This is what Christ sponsors. Won't you join me?

Out With the Old, In With the New! (Traditions!)

Yesterday, I left from Little Rock to start my journey to college. I started thinking to myself "There's probably a lot of stuff here that I could throw out or put away." And I started thinking about our religion, and what we could throw out or put away.

Traditions, everywhere. They're terrible. Somehow, over the course of the last 2,000 years, we have watered down the gospel, and concentrated on our evil, worldly, traditionalistic worship services. We go to church every Sunday, dragging our feet through the door, trying to keep our eyes open long enough to hear this long prayer, or keep my straying heart attentive to the preachers sermon. Oh, the joy that floods my souls when they announce dismissal. I couldn't possibly run any faster out of the door, and God forbid anyone want to visit with me or wants to fellowship. While that's bad, and I have more than a mouthful to say about these lazy pew-sitters, they aren't the full problem. The problem is that if you're in a position of leadership, you've allowed Jesus and His church to become boring. Yes, I said it. Jesus was never a boring guy, so why make a boring worship service? I hear you singing, and sometimes, I would rather hear the sounds of an animal shelter. People sing, they groan and mumble the words in the most silent voice they can, and they stand there as stiff as a rock with a nosferatu look on their faces. How in the world is that worshiping God any? The definition of worship is "the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity". How can you feel reverence or adoration through mumbles? I'll tell you what worship looks like in the church today. It looks like a whole bunch of dead people singing dead songs, with a dead sermon, that leads to a dead invitation. Let me ask you a question. If it's so dead, why don't you go and bury it? 


So if you're asking what you can throw out to make the church the way Jesus actually wanted it to be, first throw out your zombie worship services. Next, get over yourselves. Class doesn't have to start at 9:30 on the dot. Worship doesn't have to begin at 10:30 on the dot. I've heard numerous people tell me "Well, the church needs structure and that's what structure looks like." That is a lie straight from the pits of hell. Jesus has never told us anything about meeting at a certain time of the day, and he sure as heck didn't authorize any structure apart from the structure he put down. I consider this adding to the scriptures. This is sinful, and we must veer away from that. I don't hate the church, please don't think so, but believe that we are going down a very bad road, and we need to get off of this road before it's too late. Do we really think that we have to worship in the same place every week? I guarantee if my brother is in need on a Sunday, I'm gonna go help him, and I'll conduct a service at his house. This is what the church is called to do. 
Instead, we get so caught up on times, and location, that we get cynical; we get bitter. I pray constantly that my heart and your hearts aren't turned bitter in any way. I ask that you pray for God to show you how to wake up the dead in your church, and that you realize it isn't about you, it's all about God. God bless you. 

The Church is Full of Babies!

Hey everyone! As you may know, my name is Tracy McCann, and starting next week, I will be a freshman at Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould, Arkansas. I will be a bible major. I have been in the ministry for 5 years now, that would be since I was 12 years old, when I delivered my first sermon about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the Redfield Church of Christ congregation. I wanted to create a blog to keep in touch with those I will be missing (and hopefully missing me) while I'm away at school. I pray that my thoughts stay pure and holy, and that the Spirit gives me the words to say online, so God bless you all. 

I am naming my whole blog from the title of my first post, "The Church is Full of Babies!". I get my wording from the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 3:2 also Hebrews 5:12. I'm gonna focus on the Hebrews scripture. Look at verses 11 through 14 for the appropriate context. In this time, it's not that they didn't understand, it's that they didn't WANT to understand. Tell me that, church. If you don't want to understand God, why would you follow Him? Why would you follow something you don't want to work for? Our problem today in the church is we follow that feel-good gospel and rob Jesus of his miracles, while we neglect him when we feeling good. In the 1 Corinthians scripture, they are being called babies because of their division. HOW CAN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST READ VERSES ABOUT UNITY AMD STILL DENY THEM? Talk about some babies. Let me tell you, I drew a circle around my church building on a map, and each side of the circle marks a point 30 minutes away from our church, Southside Church of Christ. OVER 40 CHURCH OF CHRIST CONGREGATIONS, just in that circle.  Talk about division, and talk about some babies. We can't even get together because we're too busy crying about what we don't like about them down the road. "We don't like them because they keep their building warm enough" "We don't like them because their preacher preaches 45 minutes" If you would stop worrying about your own agenda, and what your brother or sister may be doing, you may be able to eat solid food, but you're too busy whining about a part of the church that doesn't need work. Whine about yourself. You could be learning about the bible while you're busy whining about your brother taking too long to pass the communion tray. 

To put this into a conclusion instead of nagging, where's God in your church? Does He make all your decisions? Do you have a leadership that doesn't listen to God? If not, you might as well set fire to your building and go somewhere else, because God won't put up with that. He didn't with the Israelites, and he SURE ain't gonna put up with your stuff. If your church of Christ is really a church of Self, can you really call yourself a Christian? God wants to give you meat and potatoes, but we must grow past some enfamil. Not every congregation is meant to be in one building, but at least fellowship with other congregations. That's what the Lord says, not me. God bless you, and I hope you found encouragement or the courage to ask for unity in your church. I'll continue this blog post on Friday.