Disagreement Does Not Equal Bigotry

There was a time in this country when people could hold differing ideas and merely disagree without being called names.  There was a time when the marketplace of ideas bubbled with vibrancy and excitement; many ideas were allowed at the table.  That time is gone.  We are living in a culture that tolerates ideas and thoughts, so long as they fit into a politically correct framework.  My aim here is not to expose some grand conspiracy or even change minds on the issues of homosexuality or gay marriage.  My goal is not even to give a full biblical account on homosexuality. It is humbler, simpler, less audacious and grand.  My goal is merely to demonstrate that not everyone who disagrees with the homosexual agenda is bigoted, hate-filled and mean-spirited.

I will lay all my cards on the table.  I am a Christian.  I believe the Bible to be authoritative, true, clear, infallible and sufficient for life and godliness.  Again, my goal here isn’t to prove or even to defend this.  I will say this, the bible teaches that ALL have sinned and are separated from God, under his judgment and doomed to eternity separated from Him.  The bible teaches that the only way to remedy this situation is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died in my place.  It teaches that I am united to Jesus by faith and am reconciled to God.  This is true whether one identifies as homosexual or not.  ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  This is the foundation and cornerstone of my belief system.

Some may ask, why homosexuality?  Why are Christians so up in arms over this?  Again the bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin.  I will simply list a few passages that show this.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV)

Romans 1 is a remarkable chapter that leaves everyone without excuse before God.  Here is a small section:

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

(Romans 1:26-28 ESV)

So again, what is the big deal? Why don’t we hear about Christians “hating” drunkards or greedy people?  The issue is not one of hate or bigotry.  The issue is that homosexuality is banging on the door of the church demanding to be let in and upheld as normal…demanding to make the church redefine sin.  The last time I checked, there was not a movement of adulterers or drunkards doing this.  I understand that we live in an increasingly secular world.  I get it.  But this is why homosexuality is an issue.  I will say again, the goal here is not necessarily to change minds concerning the issue.  Finding “The Answer” is not in the scope of this essay.  Certainly, there exists in this world bigots, and people filled with fear and hate toward homosexuals.  Christians who believe and understand the bible as objective truth do not fall into this camp simply because they believe the bible.  They merely have a differing view and opinion based on a different authority.   

Calling someone who disagrees with homosexuality a bigot is along the same order as calling someone who disagrees with the policies of the president a racist.  It is intellectually dishonest and is not helpful to the discussion.  It only serves to marginalize the one who disagrees and dismiss them as irrelevant and backwards.  This is not enlightenment.  When someone who holds to biblical beliefs concerning the issue is effectively disallowed from running from public office¹, aren’t we doing to one group the very thing we accuse them of doing?  When a sportscaster is fired from his job after one day for expressing his beliefs on this issue two years prior, there is a problem ².  This issue IS a big deal.  Who are the ones filled with hate?  Biblical Christians are not bigoted for believing and expressing what they believe.  In fact I sincerely know not one Christian who hates or bashes homosexuals in any way.  We are all sinners in need of the grace of God.  My hope is that this might be a small voice of reason in an otherwise chaotic landscape.  Lobbing irrational bombs across the aisle with accusations of hate and bigotry is not the answer and only marginalizes and undermines those with other beliefs.  Can rational, intelligent, grace filled discussions exist, or are we doomed to a future of Orwellian political correctness?  My hope is for the former.

 

1.        http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/05/san-antonio-city-council-extends-anti-bias-protections-to-gays-over/

2.       http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/24/craig-james-fires-legal-team-over-religious-firing/

Sky Beyond the Couds

If the world seems to be closing in,

Weighed down by a load of sin;

When all seems dark and grim

And the rain seems to never end,

If all is irritating, chaotic and loud,  

Remember, there is sky beyond the clouds,

Vast and clear, bright and pure –

Look up, there is more there to be sure.

When all hope seems gone and lost,

And you’re beaten down, tempest tossed

When grace and love are behind a shroud,

There is sky beyond the clouds.

Majestic, peaceful, sparkling and serene,

It is there, behind the veil, above the screen.

When His providence seems out of reach

And you can’t sense him across the breach,

When the rain of sorrow has you bowed,

He is the Sky beyond the clouds.

Open Letter to Heritage Christian Fellowship

Brothers and sisters,

I know that this is very late and long overdue, since we have lived in Florida almost three months.  It has been so long in coming because I didn’t think I could have proper perspective on everything until now.  Who knows, maybe I still don’t.  For someone who doesn’t cry easily, it has been difficult for me to not tear up, even now writing this.

Anyway, I could never fully articulate my personal thankfulness to God for the body of Heritage Christian Fellowship and the deep friendships I and my family have developed there over the past 9 years – and beyond.  I cannot contain my gratitude that God would grant Danielle and me salvation and all that goes with it under the preaching ministry of Pastor Tim, as he taught through the book of James, all those years ago!

My heart overflows and is humbled that God would use Pastor Shaan and Carrol James to the degree that he has in Danielle and my spiritual formation early on and throughout the last 9 years. 

I also praise God for the love, guidance, and godliness and friendship of pastors Brandon, Richard, Harry and Terry over the years. 

We were overwhelmed (and still am) by the love of Christ through so many at the memorial service for Danielle’s  grandmother, Polly a few years ago…Blown away by so many who were so quick to jump in and help, and sing and  encourage and cook.

I am blown away by the love and ministry of so many in the body of Christ at Heritage who have ministered selflessly and joyfully to my entire family.  I am encouraged and edified by the godly examples we had surrounding us day in and day out.  I cannot name every name of all who have blessed our family and even now continue to do so.

Danielle and I have also been privileged to minister to and alongside everyone there.  I am so thankful and greatly humbled to have had the many opportunities to teach, serve, learn and grow alongside you all.  We have been extremely blessed to have shared in trials, afflictions, good times and bad times with many saints at Heritage.  The laughter and the tears, as well as great discussion about things of the Lord, the many bible studies, and being part each other’s lives have been tremendous blessings to us as well.  The fellowship has been sweeter than we could even imagine.  God has been so gracious to us in so many ways I can’t even begin to count them all!  The many friendships that God has brought into our lives will carry through, even though location has changed.

I praise God for the elders’ desire to hold firmly to the Truth that God has revealed in Scripture and the determination to teach and preach it boldly and unashamedly, yet patiently and lovingly.  Thank you for instilling this in the Ferreri family!

I also want to thank Rich and Suzy for their great hospitality and love and friendship in hosting our going-away party and the many other fellowships we attended at their home.  I’ll even miss Suzy giving me a hard time every I said “yep!” or amen to a particularly profound point during Tim’s sermons!  I could go on and on, but will stop for now.  Again, there is no way I could ever express our love, joy and gratitude for all that the Lord has done through HCF in our lives over the years.

The deep and profound love of Christ through Heritage in our lives has been truly life-changing.  HCF has always been and will continue to be “home” for us.  We pray for God’s continued blessing and favor upon the body of Heritage in your ministering to each other and to the community around you.  May God continue to be glorified in the love, fellowship and ministry of Heritage Christian Fellowship!  

We love you all dearly and miss you immensely!

In Christ’s love,

Greg, Danielle, Matt, Jake and Joey Ferreri

RELENTLESS

The relentless march of long slow hours -

What do we have? What is this fate of ours?

We drown in an ever-flowing sea of fun.

Is that all there is - frolicking in the sun?

With endless toys and games we are smitten.

Underneath, Death is always hidden.

We avert our gaze from the grand and ugly fact.

Hours and days seem slow, no need to act.

But the truth cannot be so easily hid-

Paint, drugs and blind hope will not rid.

Deceptive and evil are the minutes and seconds

Before we know it, the end inevitably beckons.

Twenty years, a blink of an eye, decades history.

Caught off guard, we marvel at the mystery.

But what do we do to redeem the days?

What can last, when all else fades away?

The days and weeks and months and years

Gone.  We are left with our own weakness and fears.

We look back, where did it all go?

We thought we had forever, what did we know.

Walking dead men, our days we fritter away. 

But there is no doubt, we all return to clay.

Fractured, cracked and broken, we live our lives.

Fighting against where time ultimately drives.

Only through One can we triumph over Death.

Only through Him can we live past our final breath.

He alone has conquered the cold lonely grave.

It is only in Him can our dreary lives be saved.

His life covers our weak and pale attempt.

His death instead of ours, we are exempt.

Rising from the grave removes death's sting.

What love untold, what eternal blessing brings.

GOSPEL

God's glorious grace

Overcomes satan, sin and self

Sovereign over death and life

Propelling sinners over strife

Ending the reign of death and loss

Lord Jesus reigns supreme

Wandering

Wandering, lost but not knowing.

34 years all on my own strength.

Proud, puffed up--wind blowing.

Not a thought for my next breath.

Then came sweet grace and mercy

The likes of which I'd never seen.

Light shining in a darkened place.

Now great praises, I've seen his face.

Yet, often struggles and fights,

Heart tending to wander away from truth.

Wallowing in muck, away from the light.

Tending toward the folly of my youth.

The great ease of sin is shocking.

My actions and thoughts mocking.

Such a stiff neck; a stubborn fool.

Without trying, rebelling your rule.

Wandering, feeding on dust.

Entertaining and serving lust.

Starving without even a thought.

Faith ignoring what you bought.

Satisfied to wallow in the mire.

All the while, about to expire.

Oh - who will help me to see,

that this can't last, it cannot be?

But grace is greater and vast!

Pulling me out of dense fog at last!

The purchase much more stable,

For he who is far more able!

The darkness once again swallowed by light.

Behold, not by innate strength or might.

In my shallow weakness and frail frame, 

Another's strength has wrought, never to be the same.

Oh-keep my fickle heart under your wings.

May you be that for which my mouth sings!

Your love and strength are beyond my days,

You shall keep me shouting your praise!