Jeff's Journal

I think I will still eat at Chick-fil-A.

Having said that, please read further.

Can those on both sides of the traditional

   versus gay marriage debate chill out.

Dan Cathy, President of the family owned

   Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, recently

   made statements to a religious magazine

   indicating his support for marriage between

   a man and a woman. The firestorm of

   of criticism and support especially on the

   internet, has been intense.

I admire Chick-fil-A as a business. They are

   clean, servers have always waited on me

   and my family with attentiveness and

   efficiency. Chick-fil-A closes on Sunday

   to honor the commandment "remember

   the Sabbath to keep it holy."

Now, I must say, in this 24/7/365 world,

   very few take Sabbath time this way.

   Many must work and find "Sabbath time"

   or time to rest with God at other times.

   Sunday is not the only time for Sabbath.

   But I admire this decision because of the

   faith principles it represents and the

   financial sacrifice it represents. (By the

   way, each year since the 40''s, this

   chain has grown in size and profits).

I suspect, as a Christian person, were I to meet

   and have a conversation with Dan Cathy

   I would enjoy our time together.

Those who don't agree with him have had conniption

   fits over his stand and those who support him have

   declared there is a war on Christianity.

Not so fast, to both groups.

He has a right to say what he believes.

Those who agree or disagree have a right to

   speak and act in response. It would be great

   if the dialogue was civil, but often it is not.

   Some say boycott. But that misses the point.

This is not fundamentally about chicken sandwiches

   and making a political statement with each purchase.

   I don't know where the leadership of each business

   with whom I do business stands on political and

   social issues.

Such controversies get us talking about the issues,

   not the people involved. Who does God love and what

   does it mean for God to love and welcome all his people

   to live in his world?

One thing I know for sure is that Dan Cathy or any single

   individual Christian does not represent all Christians.

Agreeing with or disagreeing with Cathy does

   not include you in or exclude you out from the love

   in God's heart to bring you into the kingdom.

It is not about chicken sandwiches.

I think I will just keep welcoming all God's people

   and eat where I want to eat based on the quality

   of the food and the hospitality offered.

Moving to the deeper places,

Jeff