"Free to live and love as they see fit."

Yesterday President Obama attended a fundraiser for his re-election campaign that was hosted by a GLBT organization. Like all politicians, the speech was intended to express support for whatever that particular group champions. It just happened to be in this case that the cause being supported is the current legislation in the NY Assembly to endorse "gay marriage."

I'm thankful that every person in the United States is free to pursue 'happiness' as the Preamble to the Constitution states, within the boundaries of the law. I am not interested in trying to deny that right to the GLBT community. As far as I know, it is not illegal to be homosexual in the United States; although there have been laws regarding the sexual expression of homosexuality in a number of states in the past.

What caught my attention in the Yahoo news article about the President's speech was his statement that "he was confident that there will be a day when every single American, gay or straight or lesbian or bisexual or transgender, is free to live and love as they see fit." I thought that they were free to live and love as they see fit in the United States...aren't they?

The President's words "as they see fit" sounded awfully familiar. His speech writer may or may not be familiar with the Bible, but there is statement in the book of Judges that sounds quite similar to the President's dream. In Judges 17:6 we read, "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." Sounds great doesn't it? Sounds like real freedom! But this freedom that the President looks forward too with confidence doesn't apply to everyone in our country. "It doesn't?" you ask. No it doesn't.

Let me offer a few examples:

Rep. Anthony Wiener is free to live and love as he sees fit, right? No?

Lindsey Lohan is free to live and party as she sees fit, right? No?

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger certainly can live and procreate as he sees fit? No?

Bernard Madhoff? Can he live and spend as he sees fit? No?

Rev. Fred Phelps got approval from the U.S. Supreme Court to live and protest as he sees fit?

Osama Bin Laden? Can he live and fight as he sees fit? No?

Why not? Why can't these human beings live as they see fit? Not all of them are even breaking the laws of this country? The reason, of course, is because they are violating our societal laws and norms. We've decided formally and/or informally that the way that they want to live is most definitely NOT okay.

So, the President's dream is not for everyone. It is only for those who have gained the approval of our society. What about those who are outside of the societal norms? I guess they have to keep dreaming.

What happens if one day you are found to be outside of societies norms? Will you continue to live and love as you see fit? And really, isn't there a basis for drawing the boundary lines that is not left up to the whims of culture or the political fundraising of a president? I sure hope so!

Ecclesia Church Planter Training - Audio

Repost: 8 Ways to Easily Be Missional

8 Ways to Easily Be Missional

Article by: Jonathan Dodson

Missional is not an event we tack onto our already busy lives. It is our life. Mission should be the way we live, not something we add onto life: “As you go, make disciples….”; “Walk wisely towards outsiders”; “Let your speech always be seasoned with salt”; “be prepared to give a defense for your hope”. We can be missional in everyday ways without overloading our schedules. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Eat with Non-Christians. We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with a non-Christian or with a family of non-Christians? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal invite others. Or take your family to family-style restaurants where you can sit at the table with strangers and strike up conversation. Cookout and invite Christians and non-Christians. Flee the Christian subculture.

2. Walk, Don’t Drive. If you live in a walkable area, make a practice of getting out and walking around your neighborhood, apartment complex, or campus. Instead of driving to the mailbox, convenience store, or apartment office, walk to get mail, groceries, and stuff. Be deliberate in your walk. Say hello to people you don’t know. Strike up conversations. Attract attention by walking the dog, taking a 6-pack (and share), bringing the kids. Make friends. Get out of your house! Take interest in your neighbors. Ask questions. Pray as you go. Save some gas, the planet, and some people.

3. Be a Regular. Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places. Get to know the staff. Go to the same places at the same times. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. I have friends at coffee shops all over the city. My friends at Starbucks donate a ton of left over pastries to our church 2-3 times a week. We use them for church gatherings and occasionally give to the homeless. Build relationships. Be a Regular.

4. Hobby with Non-Christians. Pick a hobby that you can share. Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try City League sports. Local rowing and cycling teams. Share your hobby by teaching lessons. Teach sewing lessons, piano lessons, violin, guitar, knitting, tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Be winsome. Have fun. Be yourself.

5. Talk to Your Co-workers. How hard is that? Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team or task force after work. Show interest in your co-workers. Pick four and pray for them. Form mom groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission.

6. Volunteer with Non-Profits. Find a non-profit in your part of the city and take Saturday a month to serve your city. Bring your neighbors, your friends, or your small group. Spend time with your church serving your city. Once a month. You can do it!

7. Participate in City Events. Instead of playing X-Box, watching TV, or surfing the net, participate in city events. Go to fundraisers, festivals, clean-ups, summer shows, and concerts. Participate missionally. Strike up conversation. Study the culture. Reflect on what you see and hear. Pray for the city. Love the city. Participate with the city.

8. Serve your Neighbors. Help a neighbor by weeding, mowing, building a cabinet, fixing a car. Stop by the neighborhood association or apartment office and ask if there is anything you can do to help improve things. Ask your local Police and Fire Stations if there is anything you can do to help them. Get creative. Just serve!

Don’t make the mistake of making “missional” another thing to add to your schedule. Instead, make your existing schedule missional.

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Jonathan Dodson is one of the pastors of Austin City Life in Austin, Texas and also helps lead The GCM Collective, Acts 29 Texas, and PlantR.

This article was originally posted at the GCM Collective site, here.

Find more resources from Jonathan at his website, here.

Have any stories of your missional community putting any of these into practice? Share those stories with us, and let us know how these easy practices have challenged you. Join the conversation in the comment box below!

JR Woodward: Missional Communities

JR Woodward: What is a missional community? from Verge Network on Vimeo.

Mike Breen: Missional Communities

Mike Breen: What is a missional community? from Verge Network on Vimeo.

Missional Community: Austin

The Austin Stone Community Church - Austin, TX from Verge Network on Vimeo.

Alan Hirsch: Disciple-Making

Alan Hirsch: Disciple-Making [VERGE video] from Verge Network on Vimeo.

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