Witholding Water

To withhold or not withhold services from people who live a lifestyle in conflict with one's religious belief has been hotly debated in the public forum this week. I believe that most people would agree that everyone has the right to their own personal religious beliefs and the freedom to live whatever lifestyle they choose. But, to say that I'm not going to provide you with a service that I provide to any and everyone else, just because you live a homosexual lifestyle that goes against my religious beliefs, seems to me as contradictory and out of character with Jesus.

During a conversation with a co-worker, who is agnostic, about this debate, she said that this situation seems like what was going on in the 1960's when white people were refusing to serve black people in restaurants. I responded to her that it is my opinion that much of Christianity, unfortunately, seems to be focused on two issues: homosexuality and abortion. I followed that statement with a question for all who call themselves Christians: Is this what Jesus told us to do? How is refusing to sell flowers to or bake a cake for, or whatever, to other human beings doing what Jesus said to do, "love your neighbors"? Why do Christians pick and choose which sins they will put up with or not? Will the same people who refuse to sell flowers to the homosexual couple because of their "religious beliefs",
also not sell flowers to the man and woman who, because of infidelity, divorced their husband and/or wife in adultery to re-marry? If I remember correctly, Jesus was accused of hanging out with "sinners" of his day, not turning them away. He did not condemn the woman caught in adultery, but restored her dignity as a person loved by Him. I think we'd do well to follow his example.

This reminds me of a story by Max Lucado I used to read to my kids when they were little. It went something like this...there was a town where water was scarce and because so, it was greatly valued. One day a farmer stumbled upon a cavern where he discovered fresh, cold water. The farmer loaded his wagon and headed off to town where he excitedly told the townsfolk he had enough water for everyone and would return each day to share the water. The people lined up with their pots, the farmer filled them, and each person thanked the farmer. The next day the farmer returned with water and the people lined up and he filled their pots. But, some people forgot to say thank you to the farmer. So, the farmer made a rule. He said that only truly grateful people would receive water the following day. Each day the farmer would return, only to have made new rules about who could or could not receive water because of personal faults and failures he found in the people, until finally he decided that he was the only one worthy enough to receive water, so he no longer returned.

How can refusing to provide a service to someone be following the command to "love our neighbor"? It's like putting demands on others before we demonstrate kindness. In think I would rather be like Jesus than like the farmer. In my opinion, religious freedom is not being taken away, because religious freedom is this...

"The Lord has told you human what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying our God."

Micah 6:8

Humility On Display

I sat in the living room with a humble man and his wife this past Sunday. We sat and talked about how life was going, as we watched their one year old daughter play with her toys in the living room of their townhouse, where they have retreated each day after another round of radiation that the doctors say are attacking the tumor in his brain. I have considered Joe a friend of mine for several years now, almost from the day we moved here to plant Mosaic. We sat at a table outside of Starbucks the first time I met him and we talked about the vision God had given each of us to plant churches in Culpeper. Joe had already planted The River and now welcomed me and my vision for Mosaic. Since that day, we have partnered together on many occasions to help people in our community. Joe has been one of Mosaic's biggest cheerleaders. I have never sensed one iota of jealousy, competition, or pride in him, but instead, simple, yet profound, humility.

Our society tends to measure success based on things like numbers and the idea that "bigger is better". If one were measuring success by our culture's thinking, then The River and Mosaic have been failures. Real success in the kingdom of God is measured by how much we love others, especially those we don't agree with, kindness shown to everyone, compassion, contentedness wherever God has placed us, and humility. The River and Mosaic are a success based on God's measurement.

As I listened to Joe and Kathy talk about the days ahead following his last and final radiation treatment, I was humbled by the confidence they displayed in God who has always been faithful to them. Joe shared how he is busy these days doing paperwork and dealing with insurance and mortgage companies, and making plans to relocate to South Florida this summer to be near family. Joe has no idea how many days he has left on this earth to enjoy his wife Kathy and his beautiful daughter, Isabella. But, he is certainly grateful for every day he's been given. I am grateful to call him my friend and for the lesson in humility that he has been teaching me by the life that he is living.

Living the sermon

I had lunch today with a few of my friends who hang out with me every Saturday night at Mosaic. Among them was a guy who, like me, planted a church in the community a few years ago, but recently had brain surgery, so he and his wife have been gathering with us during his road to recovery. He still goes out almost every week to give out free coffee to the day laborers on the corners waiting and hoping to get a job for the day. Then there was a couple who found themselves in early retirement last year unexpectedly. They both shared how they didn't feel like they really "fit in" with other churches in the community, but are happy now and feel valued. Both volunteer regularly at Omega Partnership, helping meet the needs of people in the community. And finally, there was a guy who recently married, and he and his bride feel God leading them to plant a garden at their new home and use the vegetables they grow to bless those less fortunate in the community.

As I sat there in that restaurant, I couldn't help but feel how blessed I am to have such people in my life who care about others, who are living out the sermon..."Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." I thank God that he is bringing people together like these and others at Mosaic Church to bring mercy, grace, and compassion to the community of Culpeper, Virginia. What a joy it is to be a friend and pastor to people like these.

Duane

Competitive

I hate to lose. It really gets to me. Especially when you lose to the same team twice by one run. The toughest team in our league who holds an undefeated record. It hurts. I'm too competitive. I start going over the "should ofs" in my mind. We "should of" done this...I "should of" done that. My wife said she wished there was something she could do. She knew something was wrong when I came in the house all quiet. But, I told her just to leave me alone for awhile, so I could get over it. It's not happening. Here I am writing about it. I just need to vent.

Why am I so competitive? Is that the way God originally intended for His people to be? I'm not sure Adam was very competitive. Who was he going to compete with? Eve? I guess he could, but probably not and sleep in the same garden. I don't think that Adam originally had the need or desire to compete. He and Eve originally were in complete harmony with each other, nature, and God. Much changed when they crossed the boundary God had set. Chaos began internally and eventually passed on to the first two human offspring. Cain kills Abel. Why? Was he jealous? Competitive? Maybe.

I'm trying to make this competitiveness I feel fit into my Christianity. Was Christ competitive? I know He was zealous. Does that count?

I'm learning that being competitive isn't necessarily wrong for me as a Christ-follower. But, if I allow that competitiveness to cross the boundary it can become sin for me. I can be competitive for a game as long as I still love people. I can be competitive as long as it doesn't turn into bitterness or revenge-seeking when I lose. It still hurts to lose, but it would hurt even more to lose my integrity and reputation to others around me. Lord, help me.
Duane

Silence

My good friend and fellow pastor of Mosaic, Joel Gaines, wrote this poem that we used tonight as we examined the Christ's dependence on his Father. It reflects some of the struggles we battle in our minds when we know we need to spend time alone with God. These are great word pictures that describe what we all go through sometimes, the fears, the questions, and the results of silence and just being with the Father. "But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer." Luke 5:16

The cold fear destroys what guard I have

Naked, exposed like a victim

Gathering what protection I can

The futility of my defense

Longing for the noise of my wisdom to blanket this moment

Will I like what I find?

Courage to listen?

Passion to be?

Guilt for what I have been?

A sword that pierces?

A wildflower grows to exist

Reflecting the beauty of silence

Relaxed as the sun reflects its simple duty

Revealing the cruelty of those too consumed to notice

The value of existence

Why?

"Why in the world would God let this happen?" That's what I've been thinking lately. I don't understand. I'm supposed to be giving a report right now...a praise report...a report detailing how God came through at the last possible moment. But, He didn't. He chose not to. I don't know why, I just wonder. I want to know why, but I don't think He's going to tell me...at least not yet anyway...maybe never, in this lifetime. I'm supposed to be reporting about how I trusted God, had faith in God, and He came through. How He's an "on time God"...maybe not MY time, but surely on time or just in time. But He didn't. And now I wonder, why?

2 and 1/2 years ago, we put our house up for sale, packed our bags and moved to Culpeper, VA to plant a new church, Mosaic Church. God said to "go" and so we went, trusting that God would somehow allow our house to sell. It was out of our hands. We came with no guarantee of a job and not knowing a soul in this community. But God said "go" and so we went. God has since provided a great job and has grown Mosaic from 0-40. He has done some amazing things and provided in some amazing ways! God has put some great people in our life and we have made dear friends and relationships here. I'm confident that God has been in this journey with us every step of the way.

On Friday we received a letter from the attorneys that our house was foreclosed on. We had not been able to keep up with rent in Virginia and a mortgage in Florida, and because we weren't living in the home, the bank would not give us any help. The President's bailout wasn't any help for us and Freddi Mac never came through. Even after finally renting the house, the bank would not take payment unless it brought the mortgage current. Impossible. So, after exhausting every possible means of modifying the loan and being turned down, the bank finally foreclosed. We can add our name to list of millions here in America.

But, why? We trusted God. We stepped out in faith. We've seen Him do miracles in so many other ways and situations. Why not with this? Why in the world would God let this happen? As I shared my thoughts with a good friend tonight, he had no answers for me. How could he? But, he did remind me of some guys in the Bible who were in a tough situation. They knew God could come through for them. They trusted that He would. But there was no guarantee. It reads like this:

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18

Did you catch that? "the God we serve IS ABLE to save us...but even if he DOES NOT." Could he? He could. Would He? They didn't know. But, they were still going to worship and serve Him alone. Boy, I needed that. Thanks, Matt. Could God have done a miracle in this terrible economy and allowed my house to sell? Yes, He could. He was able. But even is he does not...and he didn't, I will worship and serve Him alone.

So, I do have praise report. I don't understand God and his ways, but I will trust him anyway. I will worship and serve him alone. What a journey this is turning out to be!
Duane

Frozen Pond

My son surprised me yesterday. It wasn't the good kind of surprise, either, like when someone gives you a gift you weren't expecting. No, he surprised me with something that caused fear to come over me. We went for a walk down to the pond in the park behind our house yesterday, because the pond has frozen over with the very cold temperatures lately. We wanted to go see it and maybe step on the ice a little bit along the edge to see if it would hold our weight. It was a father and son adventure. When we stepped out on the edge of the pond, we could see that it was definitely frozen enough to hold our weight. That's when my son surprised me. Before I could warn him, he fearlessly walked out about 15 ft from the shore on the ice, and said, "I did this yesterday, Dad, I know it can hold me up." That's when the fear came over me. "What, you did this yesterday?" Now, I'm thinking back to yesterday. When did he come down here by himself? Then I remembered. We had asked him to go walk the dog, Buster, down at the park. Now, I knew. He had gone down there when he walked the dog by himself. At that point the "what if" fear began to grip me. "What if" he had broken through the ice and I wasn't around. Without becoming angry, but certainly wanting him to understand how serious I was, I began to instruct him to never do that again. This was something we were to do together, never alone. It reminded me that it is impossible for me to always know what my son is doing at every moment. This is not the first time I've been surprised and it surely won't be the last, but God is never surprised. Just that morning I read these words in Proverbs, "For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths." (4:21) God is never surprised! That is amazing, wonderful, and disconcerting all at the same time. He's never surprised at the good and bad things He sees. And, yet, He is still compassionate towards me. Disappointed sometimes when I want to do things my way, but always lovingly drawing me back to His perfect way. He sees me stepping out on the ice and flirting with danger. He doesn't remove the consequences if I fall through the ice, but He certainly there to dry me off and warm me up; reminding me that His path is always the best and I should never try to do life alone.
Duane