Loose Ends.

Mark 9

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

Jesus had a lot of loose ends to tie up in the weeks before He was murdered. He needed to be alone with God. He needed to have a final meal with His best friends. He needed to warn Peter and Judas that they would betray Him.

Check out the story of David and Bathsheba.David had an affair with Uriah’s wife while he was at war, and she became pregnant. He tried to tie up his loose ends by bringing Uriah home quickly and tricking him into thinking that the baby was his. But Uriah refused to go home, even after David tried to get him drunk and make him do it (It’s true, read the story). 

So, David killed his servant Uriah. Then he married his wife.
Now, there are two ways to tie up loose ends: our way or God’s way. David tried to do it his own way, but in the end there are always consequences.

2 Samuel 12

13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.”

I have an announcement to make.
I have some loose ends in my life that need to be tied up. There are some things between God and myself that need 100% of my attention. God has asked me to do some things lately, and I’ve been pushing them to the side. And I know that it’s not worth trying to do things my way.

So, with an extremely heavy heart, I’m letting you all know that I am not going to be playing with Sixteen Cities anymore.

A few things I’d like to say: First, THANK YOU to every single person who has ever come to a Sixteen Cities concert or worship event, let me sign their iPods/shoes/phones/hats, played cards with me at camp, danced and sang with me at the talent shows, listened to me babble about my guitar gear, lost miserably to me at 9 square, watched midnight movies with me, gave me hand-made thank you cards, splattered/stuck/assassinated me on Halo 3, and otherwise made a huge impression on me that I will never forget. If you’re reading this, chances are pretty good that you’ve blessed me in some way over the years.

Thanks to all those who have supported the music along the way. Especially the close friends who bought the CD even though they felt like they should’ve gotten a free one. :) Also, thanks to those of you who have listened to the music I’ve managed to release on my own, when I have the free time.

Finally, I want to let you all know how excited I am for the new Sixteen Cities Worship EP that will be coming out in a few months. I had the priviledge of working really closely on this project and I can honestly say it’s the best we’ve ever put out. You’re going to love it.

Thank you for reading the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write. I hope you understand. And I hope you continue to be awesome friends and fans to the band in the years to come, just like I will.

Love,

Dustin

Matthew 10

37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

17 July 2010 ·