And I'm Proud to Be an American . . .
Posted by James MacDonald on September 24, 2007 05:09 PM | Comments (27)Well, it's finally happened. I took the plunge, I stepped over to the other side, I burned the bridge, I'm an American. It all happened last Friday morning at a special ceremony with about 200 others from countries around the world. Like most major moments in our lives, this one was filled with a lot of emotion. Can I just share some of my feelings? Will you listen? I have to get this off my chest.
Lessons from a New American:
1) I feel torn. I am thankful to live and serve Christ in America. I am thankful for the privilege of voting etc., but it was really tough to renounce my Canadian citizenship. I am a loyal guy and while God has led me to America, I remain very thankful for my country of origin. I don't see the two nations going to war any time soon, and even if they did, a fat old guy like me probably wouldn't get drafted, but I gotta say I would feel kinda torn. I guess if we ever get too stupid to work out our differences I will throw a grenade at both sides. "Come on guys, get it together!" Check out this picture of me at the swearing-in ceremony, holding the U.S. flag but wearing my Canada cap. Wow, what a chameleon! Ha ha!
2) I feel ripped off. For 22 years Kathy and I have lived with the pain of a deflated Canadian dollar. When we sold our little house in 1986 to come here for seminary, $10K became $6k--ouch!! It was all we had in the world. About enough $$ for one semester. God provided of course, but it hurt to see our dollars shrink like that. I can't tell you how many times I have endured my American friends scorning our currency. I would tell them about a friend in Canada who was sending a gift of $1000, and they would say "what's that about $235 here?" Well anyway, wouldn't you know it that LAST WEEK THE CANADIAN DOLLAR surpassed the U.S. dollar in the world market. WOW. Just when I want to jam it in their faces, "Hey, what's up now, big bad U.S $$? Who's your daddy now?" Nope, can't say any of that, have to keep quiet because I am talking about my own currency. Bummer!
3) I feel reunited My wonderful wife Kathy became an American almost 60 days ago and that has caused a real rift in our relationship, her not wanting to sleep in the same bed with a foreign man etc. I kept explaining that "it's me, I'm still the same guy," but she has her standards, you know. My kids were just the same, (they always side with their mom) they were leaving me out of family gatherings as the only "resident alien," and just making me feel awful about my minority status. Anyway that's all worked out now and we are one big happy family again.
4) I feel 100% the same. There are only two kinds of people in the world. It's not where you're from or what color your skin is or who your mamma is. It's about death and life, light and darkness, citizens of heaven or citizens of the kingdom of this world. Changing my earthly citizenship may have tax implications, and the right to vote, but I am still the same: saved, and eternally grateful for it. Check out this picture of me actually getting my document. I guess that's some Asian American dude, perfect! :)
We really are a melting pot: Chinese, Canadian, American, Polish, whatever. Thankful to live in a place where we are free, like the one I grew up in. Enough about geographical citizenship--time to get back to the work of eternal citizenship.
Thanks for listening, love to you wherever you live,
james
Comments
Posted by: Scott B | September 24, 2007 09:56 PM
Congratulations sir. May God richly bless you and yours.
Posted by: B Givens | September 25, 2007 06:18 AM
Congrats Pastor James... I hope and pray that the every person in this country presses on to a higher goal, to be "citizens of heaven."
Posted by: Heather | September 25, 2007 03:03 PM
The dollar is less, all the good hockey players come from Canada, and you choose now to become and American. Bummer is right! At least now you can say that America has the best baseball players, whether they play for a Canadian team or not ;-)
Posted by: Jan Barclay | September 25, 2007 04:47 PM
LOL! You are so funny . . . a funny American! We love you and Kathy and are glad you're now official. :)
Posted by: Denise | September 25, 2007 04:57 PM
Congratulations, Pastor James!! You have made a difference here. Praise God!!
You & your family are prayed for.
Denise
Posted by: deborah | September 25, 2007 06:40 PM
Congratulations, Pastor. Glad you're here with us. And by the way, you're not fat. I know, because I prayed every day for you when you were doing the weight loss thing.
Posted by: Michael Hopkins | September 25, 2007 09:14 PM
Pastor James
God is awesome not only has he blessed us with bringing you here for all of us to learn from you, but now you are one of us Amen.God Bless you and your family.
Posted by: Matt | September 26, 2007 12:44 AM
James,
Congratulations on your U.S. citizenship, eh?
You waxed a bit comedic in your post, so I'll try my hand here: Have you heard about how Canada got its name? They threw all the letters in a hat and had a fellow pick out one.
"C, eh?"
Then another..
"N, eh?"
And the last one:
"D, eh?"
Seriously, though, congratulations on this development! God bless you, you American!
Posted by: Julie | September 26, 2007 12:39 PM
Way to go Pastor James!!!!! Your Finally legal! The U.S., especially us Harvesters have really benefited from you and Kathy's ministry to us, but so have your fellow Canadians. So thank you, My United States pastor for your faithful service to us these twenty years and looking forward to what God has in store for us as a church.
Posted by: PG | September 26, 2007 02:58 PM
Wow look at James. 8) Love to hear you on the Radio waves, but it's kind of cool to see that your a pretty funny dude.
Love your blog entries..
Keep up the excellent work.
PG
Posted by: Canadian Eunice | September 26, 2007 03:01 PM
We in Canada are proud to have sent another successful missionary to the States. We are sorry that you could not have blessed us with your ministry here in Canada - but I get podcast - praise God - and know your ministry is 10 times bigger down there.
We Canadians don't wear our pride on our sleeves as Americans do, but we are quietly proud of our wonderful country.
However, our true citizenship is heavenly - our salvation the only passport needed. We are all equals there.
Posted by: Joe | September 26, 2007 03:55 PM
I am wondering if the increase in the Canadian currency value had something to do with you leaving Canada? Hmmmmmmmmm, there may be more to this story!
Posted by: Elaine | September 26, 2007 08:14 PM
How neat that you have chosen to do this...I am glad you will have the right to vote!! You are such a huge blessing in my family and I welcome you as a fellow citizen of this grand country. I am grateful that you are such a faithful servant in your ministry and such a hoot as well!!
Posted by: Tracy | September 27, 2007 10:10 AM
Pastor James,
My husband and I are in the ministry in NC, USA. I listen to you almost every day and receive your devotionals, you are like our Pastor, since we are always busy serving others, God always seems to use you to bring us a fresh Word! I'm so glad we are fellow citizens, both here on earth and the greatest Kingdom of all, Heaven. I thank the Lord for your ministry!
Posted by: Mary | September 27, 2007 01:06 PM
Pastor James, you are my adopted Pastor - I have a local one, but your messages bless me so much and I always learn something from your tremendous teachings. Please receive a spiritual hug from my family to yours. Welcome aboard, we need as many God-fearing country-loving Americans on the same side. God Bless you and your family - congratulations!
Mary
Laredo, Texas
Posted by: Anne Richardson | September 27, 2007 05:35 PM
You know Pastor James That was almost too cute for words.Congratulations on going from Canamerican to American now you have to stand for the Anthem and Remember the Pledge of Allegiance.SSome of my Cousins are in NJ,Texas and South Carolina so I consider myself a CanAmerican as one kid at school told me to go back where I came from .He couldn`t make out whether I was English or American ,so much for being born inToonto but I too would be proud to belong to either of those countries and by the w
Posted by: Shane Vander Hart | September 28, 2007 06:41 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Bob Schultz | September 28, 2007 08:37 PM
Now if we can only get you to convert to being a Packer fan...
Posted by: Rob | September 28, 2007 08:53 PM
James,
O.K. congrats James. Just don't goof up the next election. It may be up to you next time instead of Alistair Begg.
love ya,
Rob
Posted by: Jessica | October 1, 2007 09:03 PM
Let me just tell you how blessed America is to have you as a citizen. I know it must have been a big step. Thanks for your loving sacrifice.
Posted by: Anne Richardson | October 5, 2007 10:34 PM
Can I just say Happy Belated birthday wishes on your first birthday as an American Citizen.
Posted by: Debbie | October 5, 2007 11:40 PM
Congrats Brother MacDonald! As long as you stay a brother in Christ, that is all that matters to me. May God always pour his favor upon you and your family~
Posted by: Pastor Alex Akpodiete | October 9, 2007 06:10 AM
Congrats. It makes international mobility easier, especially for ministry. I did it 10 years ago, but did not have to really give up my Nigerian citizenship because of dual nationality.
Posted by: eric oswalt | October 10, 2007 03:07 AM
James, you are a true blessing! Did you know that? i am touched by your passion to really KNOW the LORD Jesus Christ. In fact, i will be bold in saying this: YOUR MINISTRY HAS HELPED INFLUENCE ME TO DO SOMETHING I NEVER THOUGHT I WAS MENT TO DO: BECOME A PASTOR. Yes, your ministry was and still is a HUGE influence on my life and my dedication to the growing relationship that i have in Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for what you do! Thank you for the CD's and the Program.
In Christ,
Eric Lee
Posted by: Jan | October 10, 2007 04:03 PM
Hi Pastor James-
This is a two-fold comment.
#1 Belated congratulations on your citizenship :)
#2 Happy Pastor Appreciation Month :)
And believe me, you are truly appreciated, James.
I have been attending Harvest for about 11 months now and love your no-nonsense, no holds barred approach to teaching the Word. I am grateful to our Father for using you as He has. The words He gives you to speak each week have made me hunger for Him even more.
Thank you :)
Jan
Posted by: rosalie | October 31, 2007 09:28 AM
Congratulations on your becoming a citizen Pastor James!
And thank you for being my pastor here in Elgin. Love our church. Rosalie
Posted by: jb | November 6, 2007 07:14 PM
I love Eggs Benedict
lets come up with a breakfast meal with your name....eggmacmuffin? nah
no really, dont care that you're a yank, as long as you never cheer for the yankees...we good!