Friday, December 21, 2012

The End of the World?


While shopping the other day, the clerk and I were making small talk as the card reader was slowly processing the transaction. When asked if she had finished her Christmas shopping, she replied, "No I'm waiting until after the 21st this year. No sense in spending a lot of money if the world is coming to an end." Of course, she was speaking of the ancient Mayan calendar prophecy that some have interpreted as an apocalyptic event. I suppose it's understandable that one would be cautious about spending for gifts to be presented after the world comes to an end...seems like a total waste of good money. The clerk smiled after she said those words, betraying a cynicism that communicated that she was more of a procrastinator than a true believer in Mayan prophecy.

Every generation has its doomsday prophets. For some reason, the last few years have been full of these "end of days" forecasts. Some have sold everything they own to proclaim the news. Some have made pilgrimages to certain "holy" sites to greet the apocalypse, while others have seen these warnings as opportunities for partying and revelry. In a world where it seems that the challenges of every day are enough to deal with, the distractions of global destruction, based on questionable prophetic sources, seem to command an inordinate amount of our time and energy. For some of us, it's difficult enough just to get to the mall, find a parking place, and then the perfect gift for Christmas, much less worry about the end of the world!!! What's a person to do???

OK, my cynicism got the best of me there. To a world of uncertainty, war, extreme poverty and civil unrest, a baby was born nearly 2000 years ago. Of course, many babies were born, but this one came as a unique gift. You see, this baby was the Son of God. His birth was common in nature in that he was born in a stable and placed in a manger...no room at the finer places for his parents to dwell. His birth was uncommon, however, in that the announcement of his birth was made by an angelic choir to lowly shepherds tending their flocks. His birth did not signal the end, but the beginning of hope, for the Creator of the universe had come to live and dwell among his creation. This birth did not hail the end of all things, but the glorious rebirth of the human soul through faith in the living Christ...the Word made flesh. Mayan predictions and nonexistent parking possibilities at the mall aside, that is the wonderful news for our world on this December 21, 2012. With headlines bearing the news of fiscal cliff impasses, funerals in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shootings, and all that accompanies a world that often seems bent on some kind of apocalyptic expression, there is good news, "for to you, in the city of David, is born a Savior, Christ the Lord." Remember that good news when you read the headlines, consider ancient tribal prophecies, or search for that elusive parking place before Christmas.

Jim Abernathy

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Prayer in the Aftermath of Newtown Shootings

The news of this latest school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut has once again shocked our nation. The relative sanctuary of an elementary school was shattered by a lone gunman with semi-automatic weapons, shooting indiscriminately, taking the lives of children and adults, most of whom he probably never knew. The senseless and violent nature of such an act can erode our sense of security and well-being, leaving us with questions of life and faith that can be very difficult to answer.

Tomorrow morning, my sermon title is "News Worth Repeating," based on Philippians 4:4-7. The text begins, "rejoice in the Lord always, and again, I say rejoice." This title and text were chosen before the events of yesterday, but speak quite clearly to us in great joy and devastating sorrow. Our focus will be on the way we live and respond as people of hope in the aftermath of life's unknowns. A word to parents of young children...our preschoolers will be in extended session during the sermon time, but since we do not have children's church in December, elementary children will be in the sanctuary for the sermon. I will not speak to the specifics of the elementary school setting nor speak in any specific detail about yesterday's events that might be difficult for children to hear or process. I will, however, speak to the comforting presence of God in the midst of joy and sorrow, the hope we have as we trust in God, and the calling of Christ to love others in His name, regardless. As with any message, my desire is to convey help and hope for our continuing journey of faith in the midst of ever changing circumstances, and to remind us that God is present, whatever we face.

Spend time in prayer today for the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. Pray also for teachers and counselors who will work with the children when they return to their classrooms, first responders who must now process what they have witnessed in responding to this tragedy, ministers and other religious leaders who will walk with grieving families and their community for some time to come, elected officials and school administrators who will grapple with the response to this horrific event, and moms and dads who will sit down with their children to talk about something they would prefer not to discuss.

The Psalmist reminds us in the thirty-seventh Psalm, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." May that presence encourage and strengthen next steps for these very difficult days.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, December 14, 2012

Finishing Well


I received a wonderful book this week from a dear friend that contains a treasure trove of home-grown country sayings, full of good humor and straight forward common sense. In a section entitled, "Completing a Job," were these words about expediency: "We ain't got time to do it right, so just hit it a lick and give it a promise." Most, if not all of us, can relate to that moment when you're in a hurry or distracted by something else that needs to get done, and attention to detail in finishing the matter at hand suffers. Finishing a task well is the mark of a faithful worker.

As we approach the close of 2012, there are a number of things that we can finish, not expediently, but well as members of the Westwood family.
1. Giving Tree Gifts...if you took a card with names and wishes for Christmas, complete your shopping and have those presents back to the church no later than Tuesday, December 18. In doing so you will truly brighten someone's Christmas celebration.
2. Global Missions Ingathering...this Sunday, December 16, during morning worship, we will bring forward our gifts for global missions and place them in the manger as a sign of our continuing commitment to share the love of Christ with people near and far. This meaningful moment will be concluded as long time Westwood member and missions advocate Kay Cumbie leads our prayer of dedication for these gifts. If you cannot be present Sunday, Global Missions gifts will be received through the end of December.
3. Worship Opportunities...as mentioned above, this Sunday's worship will feature the Global Missions Ingathering and special music from our preschool and sanctuary choirs. We will also light the Advent candle of joy! Our wonderful handbell ringers will present several special pieces in
morning worship on the 23rd, and of course, the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is always one of the highlights of the year. You can share these
blessings by inviting someone to join you for these special services.
4. Year-end Giving...Westwood has a strong history of generous year-end giving. Your faithfulness throughout the year empowers our ministry efforts. By finishing strong, we express our gratitude for the blessings God has given us as individuals and as a church family, and build momentum to move into the new year, expecting and attempting great things. In our stewardship emphasis this year we focused on the theme, "Building the Kingdom...One Gift at a Time." Your faithful gifts over the next several weeks and beyond will indeed make a difference.

Let us do more than "hit it a lick and give it a promise." Let us finish this year well and look forward with hopeful anticipation to what God will do in and through us in the days to come.

Make the most of this beautiful day! I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, December 7, 2012

Promises Remembered and Commitments Honored


On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, drawing the United States into the second world war. The following day President Franklin Roosevelt, in a radio address to the nation, identified December 7 as "a date which will live in infamy."  Seventy-one years later his words, and the horrific events of that day, are indeed still remembered.  
 
You and I are marked by many different experiences that become part of the narrative of our lives.  I was not yet born when Pearl Harbor was bombed, but there have been other events I have witnessed that are remembered still.  These memories become mileposts along life's journey, drawing us to recall different times and circumstances that have in some way shaped us.  Of course, not all of these remembrances are as tragic or painful as the events of December 7.  Joy and sorrow mark our lives...opposite poles of the continuing spectrum of life.  Our memories hold treasures and trials that instruct, confound, and yes, even comfort.

In the sixteenth chapter of I Chronicles, the ark of the covenant is brought into the tent David has erected.  He blesses the people in the name of the Lord, reminding them of the faithfulness of God, and then the priests come before the people to sing praise to the Lord.  They shout, "He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations..."  These words of praise give voice through the generations to you and me, calling us to praise the One who remembers His promises.  That is the good news of Christmas...God has remembered His covenant.  In the midst of the challenges that mold our lives, there is hope in the One who remembers...the One who has fulfilled his promise.
 
Regardless of your memories of this or any other day, find courage in knowing that God has remembered His promises and honored His commitments.  Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
 
Jim Abernathy 

Friday, November 30, 2012

Perspective On the Unexpected


The day has nearly gotten away and I am sitting down to do what normally is done several hours before...my pastor's notes. Many things have kept me occupied today in ways that I am not normally occupied on Friday. The unforeseen, unscheduled events of life change the routines of everyday expectation. Some days I handle these changes better than others...sometimes these changes bring challenges that rearrange thought and action, Sometimes you just have to give in and go with the flow, caught up in the current as it takes you to places you had not planned to go.

I have always appreciated the apostle Paul's perspective on the unexpected. He wrote to the Philippian Christians, " I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." I don't believe that meant that he never got angry, worried, or frustrated with the unexpected, but he learned through the years and through many different experiences to trust God no matter what. There are days when you just can't get it all done...days when the heaviness of life seems overwhelming...days when you have to remember those now famous words from the final scene of Margaret Mitchell's epic work, as Scarlett O'Hara proclaims, "After all, tomorrow is another day!"

So, we shall see what tomorrow brings. I am confident that there will be surprises there as well, but just as confident that God will be present in it all.

Well, by the time some of you read this, today will have become tomorrow. Make the most of the moments given you, and with each surprise or each affirmation of that which was expected, trust God...after all, tomorrow is another day and the living God has promised to be with you, no matter what.

Jim Abernathy     

Friday, November 23, 2012

Integrity


One of the great conundrums of our day is this: When is Black Friday not Black Friday?  The riddle, of course, is generated by the day, for this year, Black Friday actually began on Thursday.  For years now, stores have started Black Friday sales at midnight on Friday, allowing their customers to at least have the semblance of decorum and appreciation for the Thanksgiving Day observances.  This year, however, many stores opened by 10 p.m. Thanksgiving night, and I'm sure there were probably folks lined up outside their doors, waiting to get in.  Some determined shoppers have been camping out at least a week in front of some electronics stores, wanting to be first in line to get the "buy of a lifetime". 
 
So, when is something not really what it is, and what effect does that have on our sense of integrity?  One might argue that integrity has nothing to do with the Black Friday (Thursday) shopping experience.  It seems that gift giving in that context has become more of a competitive event than an altruistic offering.  I understand the pressures of the retail industry and the clamor to better, or at least keep pace with last year's sales.  But in a broader context, one could certainly argue that things aren't always what they seem to be, and perhaps, we have simply accepted that as the norm for the world we live in.  Honesty, integrity, dependability...are these virtues that still resonate with an ever rushing, ever distracted society?
 
Jesus, very simply stated a principle of integrity in Matthew's gospel as he said, "Let your Yes be simply Yes, and your No be simply No." (Matthew 5:37, Amplified)  In essence, as the old colloquialism says, "let your word be your bond."  Our world would be better served if that timeless encouragement was fully embraced. 
 
Now, this little epistle isn't meant as condemnation on the ever-changing landscape of American consumerism, simply because retailers rearrange the clock and calendar.  I do wonder, however, at times about the disconnect between what is promised and what is delivered.  Simply stated, "yes" being "yes" and "no" being "no" sounds too good to be true, but our lives would be enhanced greatly by living this great truth.
 
Make the most of this Black Friday...regardless of what the advertising world may tell you, it contains the same twenty-four hours as does every Friday.  Color the day as you choose with the beautiful blue of the sky, the last reds, yellows, and browns of the remaining leaves, and the warm tones of family and friends that make these days truly wonderful.
 
Jim Abernathy

Friday, November 16, 2012

Kingdom Builders

Cindy and I sat in the design center of Henry Fisher builders in Ft Thomas, Kentucky nearly twenty years ago. We had signed a contract to build a house and found ourselves at that moment of decision confronted with a myriad of choices on everything from doorknobs to kitchen cabinets to the color and style of brick for the exterior. So many possibilities...so many decisions!

Where does one begin in such a process? Fortunately, the consultant reminded us that it was best to build...one brick, one cabinet, one doorknob at a time. This measured approach gave proper perspective for each decision. The whole process went much more smoothly than I anticipated and ultimately, the finished product was something we were very pleased with.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be Kingdom builders. This transformational calling challenges us to use our talents wisely, offering the gifts of ourselves and our resources generously so that the Creator God will be praised and lives will be touched and changed. Called to such a task, we join together with others to maximize our efforts and work together as good stewards of God's blessing. When we work together, we do build the Kingdom, one gift...one person at a time.

This Sunday we will gather to worship the living God whose grace and mercy empowers our stewardship. During the service, we will commit ourselves anew to faithful financial giving, that the work and ministry of Westwood Baptist Church might not only continue, but also thrive. There are many things to do, many opportunities to maximize, many choices to make. Like sitting in a design center and considering the possibilities of building a home, we find ourselves anticipating the start of a new calendar year with many possibilities for Kingdom building. You received a letter a week or so ago that contained a commitment card with an envelope. You were asked to pray and consider what God would have you do through your financial giving to help build the Kingdom during the coming year. I hope you have prayerfully considered the possibilities and chosen well how you will participate in the unified budget for 2013. I also hope that you will fill out that card, place it in the envelope provided, and bring it with you to worship Sunday morning. Together you and I can, and I believe will, make a difference for the Kingdom of God...one gift at a time.

Let us remember the words of the Psalmist who wrote, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Ours is a shared calling, built on the love of Almighty God, expressed in the faithful living and giving of God's people. Let us work and worship together, truly offering ourselves for the building of God's Kingdom, one gift at a time.

I look forward to joining you as we gather this Sunday to honor the living Lord in worship and commitment.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, November 9, 2012

Moving Gingerly Along the Fiscal Cliff

The euphoria or hand-wringing (depending on your perspective) in the immediate aftermath of the national elections this past week, has given way to a new topic of discussion that is almost as consuming as the non-stop political television ads which dominated the air waves over the last few months. The government's inability to find consensus in dealing with our nation's financial challenges has placed our economy in a very difficult position. Depending on who you listen to, the failure of our nation's leadership to effectively provide a solution to this crisis, threatens to send us into deep recession, resulting in higher taxes for families and further growth in unemployment. The cynic among us wonders about a nation that worries about paying its bills when an estimated 6 billion dollars was just spent on the presidential election, but that is another topic for another day.

There has been more conciliatory language coming from the president and leaders of congress in the last few days, but there is a long way to go to avoid what some believe could have catastrophic consequences for our nation.

I got to thinking about this image of a fiscal cliff, envisioning a traveler inching his way along the edge of that precipice...sweaty palms, jittery nerves, trying not to look over the edge, yet...unable to look away. That describes our lives at times when facing the great challenges that come our way. We find ourselves in tight spots where each step is a calculated choice and each breath, a measured reminder of our tenuous circumstance.

Churches walk along these narrow pathways as well...sometimes because of faithfulness to the Lord that puts the church at odds with others; sometimes because of the financial demands of ministry and structures; sometimes because our faithfulness in giving falls short of our dreams for ministry. Westwood walks along this pathway this year as we begin our stewardship emphasis. No, we are not teetering on the edge of a financial cliff where calamity awaits, but giving is down this year as compared with recent years, placing us further behind our budget goal for 2012. Bills are being paid, and our deficits of spending versus income are close to where they normally are this time of year. Westwood traditionally increases giving during the months of November and December as the calendar year comes to a close and we believe that will continue again this year. But trends in churches across this nation are edging downward in attendance and giving, presenting the church with growing challenges for the future.

Our stewardship theme for this year is "Building the Kingdom...One Gift at a Time" Here, we see the significance of working together for the cause of Christ...building, not our kingdom, but the Lord's. Here we are also called to recognize that every gift is important...that every gift empowers the building of God's kingdom. Charlie Shuman wrote, in the letter you received this week, of the blessings of God that "boggle the mind." Truly we see the hand of God at work in our lives, the world around us, and in our church. We express that gratitude in many ways, including our financial giving. There is so much to do, so much to accomplish, so much of ourselves and our resources to give for the cause of Christ.

Over these next few weeks and then as we move into 2013, may we be faithful to give generously, empowering our church to be used of God for Kingdom-building in Springfield, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

If you are inching your way along some cliff today, remember, you are not alone. The living God is right there, with you...always.

Jim Abernathy

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Election Day

In the fall of 1984, I was pastor of the Milton Baptist Church in rural north-central Kentucky.  On election day, Cindy and I went to the Milton Fire House to cast our votes. In such a small community the voting process seemed fairly straightforward.  As we walked in, we greeted and were greeted with the familiarity of a small town where everyone knows everyone.  As we went through the formality of presenting identification and verifying addresses, we were surprised to learn that our household was divided more so than we realized.  In that particular election, Cindy and I were supporting different candidates...a division of loyalties that had made for interesting discussion, but little more than that.  The surprise for us that day came when the poll officials couldn't find one of us in her official voter registration list.  After a few moments of spirited conversation about the obvious miscarriage of justice in allowing only one of us to vote, it was discovered that indeed, we were both registered, but in different precincts.  You see, even though it was a small community, there was an East Milton and West Milton precinct.  Somehow, though registered at the same address, we appeared in different precincts.  We all laughed about the obvious mistake, then we cast our opposite votes and went on our way.

Of course, our differences were purely political and our separate precinct assignments simply a mistake, but the issues that often divide us as a nation and within our particular communities in an election year are not so easily overcome. This election cycle seems to have been particularly divisive on many levels. I do not remember a recent election where the rhetoric and hyperbole have been as overblown as this year. Extremists on both sides have made near-apocalyptic predictions about the future if their candidate does not win. Rational, otherwise thinking people have gotten caught up in this debate and the stakes seem higher by the minute. I understand the passion of politics and the ideologies that drive such passions. It does matter who wins any election, which is why participating in the process is not just a privilege to be acknowledged, but an opportunity not to be missed. That said, I would remind us that whoever wins will need the prayers of persons of faith. I believe we honor the Lord when we participate fully in the electoral process and act responsibly as citizens of this nation. But one person, and most likely one political party, will not lead us to better days solely on their own. It will take people from all perspectives, learning to work together not for personal or partisan gain, but for the good of the nation. We are capable of such responsible citizenship and I believe we should expect that kind of leadership from our elected officials. The privilege of the voting process is too precious and been purchased by the faithful dedication and sacrifice of too many people to settle for anything less.

Regardless of your precinct assignment or party affiliation, celebrate the freedom you experience as a citizen of this great nation and give thanks for the privilege of participating in this electoral process. The living God will still be at work, regardless of who wins this election...that is the best news of all!

Jim Abernathy


Friday, November 2, 2012

Empty

The wise writer of Proverbs reminds us that "empty talk will make you poor." (Proverbs 14:23, CEV) He writes in the context of faithful effort, doing one's best in direct contrast to simply offering empty words. That is good advice for one who seeks to be responsible in whatever he or she does.

I suppose those words might also speak to Christian stewardship, particularly pertaining to how a community of faith is challenged to grow in committed giving. It could be said of Westwood today, "empty envelopes will make you poor." Of course, one might understand this in the context of offering envelopes not used, gifts not given. However, today, there is a different context which some of you have already been made aware of. Due to an unintentional error in the office, empty envelopes were mailed yesterday and began showing up in your mailboxes today. I suppose we should be encouraged that the U. S. Post Office delivers the mail so quickly and efficiently, considering these envelopes were just mailed yesterday afternoon. But that is little consolation for the work some of our folks have done in preparing to send a stewardship letter in that envelope next week. I assure you, Charlie Shuman has written a wonderful letter of encouragement and appreciation for the ministry of Westwood, calling for all of us to share in stewardship that honors the Lord and empowers the work of His church. But, unless the letter makes it into the envelope, there's little that can be done to communicate that message.

I am a bit surprised that these unsealed, empty envelopes were processed and mailed by the Post Office, but that probably speaks more to the automated way the mail is handled today than anything else...perhaps a reminder that the human touch is still important in an increasingly automated, cloud-filled world.

So, watch for another envelope next week that I promise will be filled with something very important, and in the meantime, perhaps we all are being reminded of that great lesson of life and faith, that what is on the inside is often more important than what is on the outside.

I close with the wonderful words of the Psalmist who writes, "You are my hiding place. You protect me from my troubles and fill me with songs of salvation." (Psalm 32:7, NCV) May the ever-present Creator of all, fill you this night with songs of salvation that overcome whatever emptiness comes your way.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, October 26, 2012

Frankenstorm!!!


It's coming, and just in time for Halloween...Frankenstorm!!!! Yes we have added a new word to the already crowded landscape of weather hyperbole, and with it there are the growing rumblings of that unique weather phenomenon so familiar to all in this region...PANIC!!!!!! Having lived in a variety of places over the years, I believe I can say without fear of equivocation, that no region does weather panic better than the D.C. metroplex. Perhaps it`s our sense of self-importance that drives our weather hysteria, but for whatever reason, we seem to have mastered this frenzied approach to the ever-changing elements of nature.

Now, please understand, I in no way mean to diminish the severity of the potential storm that may hit our area. Flooding, high winds, power outages, even measurable snows in some parts of the region are possible. One would be ill-advised to ignore these warnings about the possible effects of this or any powerful storm. One would do well to make a BB&T deposit..(Bread, Batteries, and Toilet Paper) as well as to check gutters and other outside drains, window seals, and basements as well as making sure there is plenty of gas in the car in preparation for the storm. These are responsible precautions that help one be prepared along the way.

As people of faith, our greatest preparation in anticipation of the storms of life that come our way is the word of God. The Bible is nothing if not practical in its application. We read and study its truths not just for spiritual nurture and inspiration, but also for help in the midst of the changing, sometimes threatening challenges of life. Reading God's word doesn't necessarily bring change to the the situations and circumstance beyond our control, but it does empower our approach to those situations and circumstances, allowing us to face with hope and peace what we might not be able to face on our own.

I often return to the 46th Psalm in challenging times: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble, therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells....The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Perhaps to some, this sounds too simplistic, and yet, in the midst of the storm, I would rather have peace in knowing that God is with me than to be momentarily energized by a sense of panic that only serves to make the possibilities of the moment seem more daunting. God is present with us in the storm, and yes, even in the threat of storm. Realizing that, and finding peace as a result, is perhaps the greatest "storm preparation" that can be done...even for a...Frankenstorm!!!

Well, I wonder what the latest computer models have to say about the storm? Sandy...Noreaster...Frankenstorm...no matter what one names it, there will be no shortage of coverage over the next few days of anticipation, then occurrence of the storm. Perhaps a good book, a cup of tea, a walk around the neighborhood are good alternatives to the wall-to-wall coverage that tends to breed the panic we seem so willing to embrace. Perhaps the admonition of the Lord offered through the Psalmist in Psalm 46:10 is the best way to bring this note to a close..."Be still, and know that I am God." Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, October 19, 2012

The God That Does Not Disappoint


The recovery is slower than I anticipated. I thought by now I would have been over the shock, but the sudden disappointment has left me ill-prepared to move forward. Others have expressed these same feelings as friends, co-workers, and strangers lament their loss without consolation. Some have expressed anger over the way things were handled. Some are unable yet to talk about their feelings, while others are beginning to reflect on all that has happened with a big picture perspective. A few are looking forward to better days, believing this recent loss will give way to future victory.

It was one week ago tonight that our Washington Nationals blew a 6-0 lead, eventually losing to the St, Louis Cardinals 7-5 in the fifth and deciding game of their playoff series. The Nationals had the best record in Major League Baseball, but it wasn't enough. They had clutch hitting, talented pitching, capable management, and a growing, loyal fan base. All of that, however, couldn't keep the Cardinals from scoring the winning runs in the ninth inning and sending our Nationals home earlier than any of us anticipated.
I haven't been able to watch the baseball playoffs since then...there's just no joy in it. There were such high hopes, such big plans, such good will established. Davy Johnson may win manager of the year; Bryce Harper may win Rookie of the Year; Gio Gonzalez may be crowned Cy Young winner, but each of them, and probably all of us fans, would trade those personal accolades for World Series wins.

Life is full of disappointment. Some pass quickly, some linger longer, and others mark our lives for a long time. Most of us will get over the game five loss to the Cardinals, particularly in light of the promise of next season and with time to reflect on the fact that this season's success was not really anticipated.

How do you handle disappointment? Obviously, some disappointments are more difficult to overcome than others. The game of baseball for most of us is a distraction, a seasonal passion that comes and goes. Our everyday experiences touch us where we live, worship, and work. Writing about some of the struggles and disappointments faced by the church in Rome, the apostle Paul says, "We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us." We may not think about our disappointments as opportunities for learning and growth. The pain often seems too great. And yet, some of the greatest work that is done within us comes about in our struggles. So, whatever your disappointment, remember that patience produces character, character produces hope...hope in the living God that does not disappoint.

Well, there is new excitement about another team in town these days. The RG III-led Redskins are raising the hopes of many fans in the region. Surely they won't disappoint us as well. Better keep Paul's words close by for perspective.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, October 5, 2012

Musta Been the Doo Wop

Cindy and I left yesterday for Parent's Weekend at the University of Kentucky. Not sure how far we would drive, we decided to not make motel reservations, believing that the open road would welcome us and motel space would be plentiful. The drive was actually quite enjoyable with light traffic and subtle changes in color through the mountains of West Virginia. We made it to Beckley, West Virginia and decided to stop for dinner. After dinner we drove down the street to a motel chain where we usually stay, only to find them "full for the night." We tried several other places at that exit, all with the same story. It was early enough in the evening that we confidently decided to drive on and find another place down the road. The story was the same as we called or stopped at more than a dozen places. Finally, on the other side of Charleston, WV, we found a place. As we were registering, Cindy mentioned to the clerk that we had difficulty finding a place. With dead pan expression and a wonderful West Virginia flavor in her voice, the clerk said, "Musta been the Doo Wop. Motels are sold out everywhere." My mind raced to a number of possibilities. We later found out that the "Doo Wop" was a classic car and fifties music show in Charleston where thousands of people from all across the region gather.

We settled in for the night and are now on our way again, but I must admit, I'm a bit intrigued by the possibility of a Doo Wop weekend in Charleston, WV. I'll have to put this on my calendar for next year, and certainly, make my reservations early.

"Musta been the Doo Wop". The clerk knew what she was talking about, but of course, we did not. I got to thinking about the things we take for granted that others know, but really don't. Most importantly among these is the faith in Jesus Christ we hold dear. We assume the world around us knows Jesus, or at least something about him. We assume too much. You and I may be, though flawed, the best opportunity those around us have to see Jesus. In his final words with his disciples in Acts 1, Jesus said, "You shall be my witnesses." That is an assignment still given and still needed today. Let us not assume that other's know Jesus; let us live in such a way that they see Jesus in us.

Farewell from the road and remember, when things aren't working out as you think they should, there's always an explanation..."musta been the Doo Wop:"

Jim Abernathy

Friday, September 28, 2012

Called to Serve


"Are You Being Served" was a British sitcom  that aired in the United Kingdom from 1972-1985 that lives on in reruns on American Public Broadcasting Networks.  Set in the fictional Grace Brothers department store in London, Captain Peacock, Mrs. Slocomb, Miss Brahms, and Mr. Humphries, among others, dutifully assist customers, addressing them consistently with the same question..."Are you being served?'  These quirky characters found themselves in challenging circumstances in dealing with customers, management, and their colleagues, always with hilarious results. Their focus was the customer, always seeking to serve.

Service is a quality of human character that marks one's willingness to give of him or her self, most often to help others.  This stewardship of time, effort, and resources is a quality of faith for the follower of Jesus Christ who recognizes that he or she is called to serve others. 

One of our own, Eric Morrison, will be offering himself tomorrow (Saturday) in service to our community of faith as he leads work efforts around our grounds in fulfillment of his Eagle Scout project.  Eric, in consultation with Dennis Milam, has planned a day of service projects at Westwood that will exercise this gift of service and leadership as he guides those present in completing a variety of tasks.  You have an opportunity to join Eric and others who work alongside him in this important service project.  Come by anytime between 9 & 5 tomorrow to lend a hand and join in this meaningful service project.

Join us Sunday morning as we participate in the ordination of Skip Fee as a deacon.  Skip will be sharing his testimony and we will observe the ancient practice of laying on of hands as we set him apart for service.  In addition, we will observe communion. 
 
This weekend will be a celebration of service.  Thanks for sharing in what promises to be a most meaningful weekend.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, September 21, 2012

Good For Us To Hear


Having spent time in the Trauma ICU unit at Fairfax Hospital with Clay Nettles over the past 48 hours, I have been reminded of the importance of competent, compassionate care.  I have witnessed this care and have also heard Clay remark about how well he has been treated there.  We live in a world of critics, (you and I are some of the harshest, no doubt) where voices of complaint often seem to drown out voice of encouragement.  Now, I know that there are those who will not give competent, compassionate care in such a situation, but my sense is that there is a lot more of the good kind of care than bad, and many of us have been blessed as a result.

Our blessings are many, and yet, we seem too often to take them for granted. Spend some time in a hospital waiting room, sit with a hurting friend, or open the pages of a newspaper or watch the evening news and you will be reminded of struggle, but also of stories of grace and hope.  Perhaps the challenge of the Psalmist is good for us to hear today, whatever we are facing..." I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.  I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together." (Psalm 34:1-3 TNIV) In a world of complaint, that is good news to hear and repeat.
 
Glorify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together....good words for us all.
 
Jim Abernathy

Friday, September 14, 2012

Welcome!

Using the term welcome as a noun, dictionary.com defines the familiar word in the following manner:
a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure. This definition is very fitting as we celebrate the beginning of Andre Towner's ministry among us this Sunday. His arrival will indeed bring great pleasure as we expect that God will do great things in the days to come. Westwood is known for its welcoming spirit. Andre has already expressed to me his appreciation for the warm welcome you have offered him.

The apostle Paul encouraged the Philippian church to receive Epaphroditus as he once again came among them, writing, "Welcome him in the Lord with great joy..." I know that our Westwood family will do the same as Andre joins our ministry team.

Join us this Sunday as we give a warm WBC welcome to Andre Towner and his family.

Jim Abernathy

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Remembering 9/11

"Welcome to Westwood." We had heard and experienced that warm greeting in many ways during the first three weeks of our ministry here. Having begun that ministry on Sunday, August 19, 2001, I had been Senior Pastor here for little more than three weeks when I sat at my desk on a sunny Tuesday morning preparing for staff meeting. It was another new day...of course, everything was new and fresh in those first days as Cindy began her new job at Navy Elementary, Clayton entered the second grade in a new school, and all of us were finding our way through that process of acclimation to many new things in our lives. Little did we know that the narrative of our and every American's story would change on that September 11 morning.

How does one prepare to witness and absorb all that happened on that day? The scenes of exploding planes, falling buildings, the burning Pentagon, and the smoldering remains of a commercial airliner cut deep into a Pennsylvania field seemed more like the frames of a motion picture than the reality of a late summer morning, but the harsh reality of these cruel events soon gripped our bodies, minds, and spirits with a collective grief and anger that had no parallel in our nation's history. Much of our time at Westwood that morning was spent trying to track down the whereabouts of church family members who worked in the affected areas, and to hastily prepare for a prayer service at noon, and then again at 7 that evening. It was a moment of utter disbelief and certain belief. Questions of who, how, why, and what's next were heard again and again that day. There was no explanation, no resolution it seemed. Yet, there was faith, and the belief that inhabited our songs, prayers, and scripture readings that day that kept us connected to a hope beyond ourselves.

I remember Pat Close and B. R. McDonald singing the old hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," at one of our services that day. When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near... it was that lingering presence of the Holy Spirit that empowered our help in brokenness, our strength in uncertainty, and our hope in those dark moments of grief. In the decade since that day, we have experienced this lingering presence again and again, finding the assurance of God's presence to be enough in the midst of life's uncertainties.

September 11, 2012, if forecasts hold true in our area, will dawn perhaps a lot like that 9/11 morning...a beautiful day, seemingly full of promise. You and I do not know what this day will bring, and yet, the same assurance from Thomas Dorsey's old hymn text still rings true...Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall, Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

As you remember this difficult day in our nation's history, hold tight to the precious hand of your Lord, the One who lingers near.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, September 7, 2012

In All My Experience...


One of my students at Leland began a question the other night with these words; "In all of your experience..." Something about those words made me suddenly feel a bit older. Perhaps the recognition I received at IHOP recently when told that I now qualify for the senior menu made me a bit more sensitive to the student's words. Or maybe it's the passage of time now marked by our "empty nest" that has made me more aware of my "maturity." It could be the occasional inquiry that comes from time to time these days about where and when we might retire.

I suppose I would have to admit that there are days when I feel a bit older than others; days when I recognize the signs of aging in my face or in the sounds of my occasionally creaking, stiff joints. I've had gray hair for years...of course I'm glad to have hair of any color. Perhaps the student's words caught me at just the right moment, you know, that intersection between reality and insecurity where something said at any other time wouldn't have hit me that way...but in that moment, it gave me reason to pause.

Some of you may be chuckling right now, thinking I'm too young for such thoughts, and I guess you are right. I'm in reasonably good health and have an otherwise positive outlook about life and living. I have always subscribed to the familiar adage, "You're as young as you feel," because I've always felt young, certainly younger than my years. But time now seems to slip by more quickly. Yes. I know there are still the same twenty-four hours in the day now that there were thirty years ago...perhaps I simply mark them in a different manner.

Irish playwright, Oscar Wilde, once said, "The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything: the young know everything." Perhaps my middle-aged suspicions are simply running amok. The words of another middle-age man are appropriate for my season of suspicions. "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation... I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength." Paul's admonition to the church at Philippi is good medicine for my and your suspicions...no matter our age or circumstance.

In all my experience...I realize how blessed I have been in so many ways. Thanks be to God!

Jim Abernathy

Friday, August 31, 2012

"One In the Bond of Love"


Wednesday evening, the Hope Class hosted the www.go group for dinner and fellowship.  This is the second year in a row that these young adults have hosted our seniors and I, for one, found it a most enjoyable evening.  At the same table, I was involved in conversations about empty nest strategies, the energy necessary to keep up with grandchildren, and the "bestest-ever" roller coaster ride at Disney World.  There were infants and octogenarians, five-year olds and fifty-five year olds, eating, laughing, and playing together.  It was a wonderful picture of family too rarely seen in our often age-segregated world. Certainly we have different interests and energy levels, freedom and constraints of time, and life perspectives informed by our different levels of maturity and experience.  But I would argue that there is more to connect us than separate us...more to unite than divide.
 
From time to time we plan activities at Westwood that remind us that our church family is a varied and vital community.  The uniqueness of each individual and each different age does not have to create obstacles that keep us apart.  Just as the apostle Paul reminded the Roman church that the human body is made up of many parts, all working and dependent on each other, so too is the body of Christ, the church, made up of many members, united in purpose and calling.  
 
Yes, we have age-graded classes for our children and youth, and many of our adult classes are formed around people who share a variety of similarities, including age, but how remarkable it is when we come together across all of those and other lines that threaten to divide us, to honor the Lord as we worship, minister, and fellowship together.   Thanks to all who remind us we are truly one in the bond of love!
 
Jim Abernathy

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Transition

Good Saturday Morning!!!

The Party's Over....ah yes, vacation comes to an end. Cindy and I have been away the past ten days. To say that we have enjoyed these days would be to overstate the facts just a bit. Certainly there have been good times, renewing acquaintances with old friends, reading, shopping, visiting historic sites, playing golf, etc. There have been bittersweet moments as well during these days, for included in this trip was an act of separation as we moved Clayton into the dorm at the University of Kentucky for his freshman year. Though this move has been eighteen years in the making, it seems to have come so quickly...where did the time go?

Moving him into the dorm was reasonably uneventful. The mothers of the roommates got everything organized and settled in its place and we left Clayton on Friday afternoon with the assurance that we would see him again the next day for the freshman induction ceremony. Saturday afternoon we stopped by his dorm to drop off a few items, and I warned Cindy not to give in to the urge to straighten up what I assumed would be a now disheveled room. My assumptions were correct and Cindy, to her credit, bravely resisted her motherly instincts to clean and straighten, and we headed off to Memorial Coliseum for the induction ceremony.

There had been few tears along this journey. We had been prepared by others to expect a rush of emotions as we made our way through this rite of passage. As the induction ceremony got under way, the president of the university stood to welcome and challenge the class of 2016. A rising sophomore then reminded the new students that she had sat where they were now sitting the year before, offering encouragement for their new adventure. The students were inducted by reciting a pledge of commitment together and then a choral group sang the song all Kentuckians revere, My Old Kentucky Home. Tears were flowing as parents across the room were overcome by this special moment...except for me. As a native Kentuckian I am often moved by Stephen Foster's great tribute to the bluegrass state, but as I sang along with thousands of others on this day, there were no tears, no obvious emotion. I was handling this experience much better than I thought I would.

Then something happened I wasn't prepared for. The marching band came running into the coliseum and commenced the playing of the UK fight song. It was a loud, boisterous moment when tears were to give way to a unified celebration...except for me. With the drums beating, the brass blaring, and the batons twirling in the air, tears began streaming down my cheeks. I was caught off guard by this sudden emotion that seemed a bit out of place. People around us were clapping and singing, some pounding their fists in the air to the beat of the drums, and I was tearing up. Now I have counseled people through the years that grief can grab one at the most unexpected times. The playing of the the UK fight song was certainly one of those unexpected times. As I stood there wondering why I was crying when everyone else was joyously celebrating, it hit me, that this very song was something Clayton and I had hummed, whistled, and sung together whenever we watched a UK basketball or football game. Over the years, whether watching on TV or having traveled to Rupp Arena, we had shared experiences that had marked our allegiance to the Wildcats, and in a very real way, to each other. We would still celebrate this connection, but now, in different places and different experiences. I pulled myself together long enough to clap as the majorettes strutted out of the building and the last echoes of the drums were released into the late afternoon air. I dried my tears, smiled at Cindy, and acknowledged yet another transition in our lives.

Few tears have been shed since that day. The moment of release had come. Now, we begin the daily routines of our new lives. Texting, email, and phone conversations keep us connected. And of course, come November, some five-hundred miles apart, we will once again share a connection, with Clayton at Rupp Arena and me in our family room watching by television, as the familiar sounds of the fight song are played...On, On, U of K, we are right for the fight today.

Excuse me, I need to find the box of Kleenex.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, August 10, 2012

Pressure and Distraction

The Olympics are coming to a close this weekend in London. Organizers have proclaimed the games a great success, not only for the athletic competition, but also in viewership as the IOC estimates a potential global audience of over 4.8 billion people. I know I sometimes get a bit nervous standing over a four-foot putt with only three people watching. Imagine trying to balance yourself on a 4 inch beam, or stop a slicing soccer ball from going into the net, or clear a hurdle while running at full speed knowing that there might be 4.8 billion people watching!! The ability of those athletes who focus their attention on the moment and task at hand, blocking out the pressures and distractions all around them, is what often separates them from other competitors.

How do you handle pressure? How easily are you distracted? Few will ever have to perform before the glaring eyes of billions of people as Olympic athletes do, but for most of us, it doesn't take that kind of crowd to do the job. The pressures of work or school, even family sometimes take their toll and the easiest of tasks are made more challenging. Elite athletes often have some kind of strategy for dealing with that kind of pressure and distraction.

So, what is your strategy? I think the apostle Paul had a pretty good handle on the challenges he faced that brought pressure and distraction to his journey. He wrote in Philippians 4:11b, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." This isn't apathy or disconnected indifference. Contentment, for the person of faith, is living in the moment with all its pressures and distractions, trusting that God is present with you as you do your best to accomplish the task...to do whatever must be done. Gold medals aren't often awarded for the daily challenges we face, but the assurance that God is with us empowers our actions and sharpens our focus. In the midst of pressure and distraction, that is our greatest strength.

Jim Abernathy  

Friday, August 3, 2012

Interruption and Opportunity

I awakened early yesterday morning to take my wife Cindy to BWI to catch a flight to Indiana for her high school reunion. As we were leaving the house at 4:30 a.m., I glanced at my phone to check email and saw that Delta Airlines had emailed at 1:23 a.m. to let us know that Cindy's connecting flight had been canceled. It's a bit disconcerting when walking out the door to find that arrangements for your ultimate destination might be in question. After some frustrating moments on the phone with the airline's automated system, we finally decided to go into the terminal and speak with a living, breathing human being. With appropriate encouragement, the agent found an acceptable connecting flight and Cindy was on her way.

Life changes in a moment. Cancellations, postponements, revisions, adjustments...these are all a part of the journey we experience. They sometimes wreak havoc with our schedules and our perceptions of what is fair and what is not. Occasionally we have control in these moments, but often, not.

I heard someone say recently that God is at work in the interruptions of life. In the middle of the uncertainty about destination and outcome, one wonders about God's hand. This is not to say that God pre-ordains these interruptions, but that in the midst of them, God can work to teach valuable lessons, and to empower thought and action that enable decision making in the midst of the moment.

In the case of our early morning "interruption," there was nothing we could have done to prevent it, nor was there anything that we could have done after being made aware of it to fix it. What we were able to do, however, was not to panic, not to succumb to the frustration, but to resolutely and calmly find an appropriate resolution. Every interruption is not so easily managed, and certainly there are other interruptions more significant in nature. The Psalmist's response to his "interruptions," gives us a good word for today..."Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, My Savior and my God," (42:5) The interruption presents an opportunity for God to work, and for you to seek God in the midst of whatever is going on around you. The little word "yet" tells the story...there is still hope.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, July 27, 2012

There Is a Better Way


Cindy and I went to a new restaurant today for lunch. It was the kind of place where the menu is on the wall and you order at the counter, then take a seat and wait for someone to bring you your food. That's not unusual. Sounds like your typical fast food restaurant. What set this place apart from other hamburger joints we've been to, however, was the detail of each menu item listed on the wall. Not only was the particular burger listed, but also its calorie content, organic origin, and its designation as "free-range" meat. Now we didn't go there because of any of those things...we just wanted a good burger! Every condiment and additional topping that could be added was also listed on the wall and beside each listing, the calorie content for each one as well. After a while, it became too difficult to keep track of the calories; that was just too taxing when the smell of grilled onions, french fries cooking, and the occasional chocolate milk shake that was being delivered to someone near my table captured my attention. It was all just too distracting, and I was simply too hungry to get caught up in the particulars that this restaurant thought I was either interested in or should know.

When our food was delivered, it looked and tasted wonderful. As I took the last bite, however, my mind wandered once more to the board and all the information listed there...the healthy information the management had displayed for my good and perhaps to ease their consciences. It was then I began to ponder..."Is it good to consider the degree of sin in the midst of the moment, or just forge ahead and consider the consequences later?" For this day, I must admit, my hunger got the best of me. The calories added up to more than they should.

I suppose our momentary weaknesses produce the kind of sin that brings recognition, like that calorie-laden burger just before the last bite is finished. The apostle Paul must have struggled with this sort of thing to some degree. He wrote to the Christians In Rome that he found himself doing the things he didn't want to do while often not doing the things he knew were right to do. That is the struggle with sin that we all face. Paul came to the conclusion that there was nothing good enough within him to overcome that sin. "What a wretched man I am," he wrote in the seventh chapter of Romans. "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord." His hope was not in his own ability to overcome, but in the power of Christ to help him overcome. When we stop to count the calories...the sin, we recognize that there is a better way. Paul was right...Thanks be to God--though Jesus Christ our Lord!

Well, it's nearing dinner time. I'm grateful that Cindy hasn't listed the calorie content of the meals she prepares on the wall...yet.

Jim Abernathy    

Friday, July 20, 2012

I Continue to Trust


As citizens in a free society, we live in a reactionary state where triumph and tragedy breed responses that exhilarate and confound, sometimes at the same time. In this twenty-first century, we live in very dangerous times where safety can evaporate in a moment's time, or in the case of a theater in Aurora, Colorado earlier this morning, in the span of a few frames of a motion picture.

By now you have most likely heard of the horrific shootings at the Century 16 theaters in Aurora, Colorado. As I write, fifteen persons are known dead, fifty others injured, several of those, critically. It seems unthinkable that something like this could occur, and yet, the unthinkable once again confronts us with a savagery that has become all too common. In the aftermath of such tragedy, there will be calls for measures to be put in place to prevent such things from happening in the future. These reactionary changes may have some effect in slowing such activity, but the best precautions cannot always anticipate the mind of one bent on destruction or whose twisted sense of notoriety causes him to do such terrible things.

In the aftermath of 9/11 new security measures were introduced that made certain experiences more challenging, from airport security, to entrance in government buildings, even certain sporting events. We are all a bit more aware of our surroundings, perhaps even more selective about the places we go and the kinds of events we attend. Overhead signs on major highways tell us to be watchful and to call government hotlines if we suspect terrorist activity. This most recent shooting will spark passionate debate about safety in the public square...the kind of debate that is necessary in a free society.

Our freedom is both our greatest asset and deepest threat. Danger always tempts the kind of reaction that limits freedom. In certain circumstances that is a necessary response that indeed saves lives. But most of us will not choose to live under such heaviness, seeking instead to live our lives within reasonable parameters of liberty that allow for personal choice. Hence, the choices we make and the way we make those choices becomes vital to our own well-being, and to some extent the well-being of others around us.

As a person of faith, I believe that the ability to think and make choices is a gift from God. I also believe that my best choices are made when I am walking in right relationship with the One who has made me. Trusting myself into God's hands isn't a guarantee that I won't face danger, but I do find peace in recognizing that God is with me, no matter what I face. I don't believe that I serve the Lord best when I cower in fear, but when I trust God to go with me everyday into the unknown. The promise of Jesus to his disciples as he ascended into heaven is the same promise for us in the midst of continuing uncertainty..."I will be with you always."

Cindy an I will be going to the movies later today. Our lives continue in the midst of great tragedy. Our reactions to life's challenges help define our next steps. I continue to trust the words of the One who has promised to be with me. In heartache, joy, and threat, that will not change.

Remember the families of those victimized in this terrible tragedy. 

Jim Abernathy

Friday, July 13, 2012

WOW!


WOW!!!!

I know that is not a very interesting or thoughtful opening line, but "WOW!!!" is really hard to improve on when describing this year's Vacation Bible School. I could talk about the record number of children enrolled, or the generosity of the children and their parents in their daily offerings for ServeTrust, or the wonderful organization and leadership skills of our VBS staff, but most importantly, we talk about people. From the youngest child to the oldest volunteers this was an incredible week that reminded us of the significance of community where every person is important and every opportunity to share God's love, truly a treasure. At parent's night on Thursday evening as each group got up to sing, I marveled in watching preschoolers, children, adults, and senior adults singing and sharing in the wonder of God's love. I have said on a number of occasions that Westwood does large things well and this year's VBS is certainly evidence of that. Together, we accomplish so much more than we could apart, and together, we honor the Lord through the gifting of ourselves for the cause of Christ.

This afternoon there are probably a lot of naps being taken...mostly by adults, I'd guess. Those moments of rest and solitude have been earned through faithful and loving service. Thank you Westwood family for reminding me and our community once again, that God is at work among us. WOW, indeed!!!

Jim Abernathy

Friday, July 6, 2012

Keep Trusting the Lord


The kind of persistent, extreme heat we have experienced recently alters our routines and schedules, causing us to reconsider things often simply taken for granted. Whether it's working in the yard, running errands, walking the dogs, or playing golf, we consider alternative times for pursuing these interests or alternate activities that will keep us in cooler places for longer periods of time.

Losing power last week forced many of us to be confronted by the blessings we so routinely take for granted that were suddenly non-existent. Several times I walked into rooms and flipped on switches, as I had done many times before, only to be reminded that without electricity, the switch and the light fixture, were useless. My neighbors hooked up generators that rumbled day and night, but they were only a temporary solution, and depending on the size, a poor substitute for the source of power we utilize every day.

Now, certainly there were circumstances that were life-threatening, depending on the age or physical needs of particular persons, but for most of us, these challenges were more manageable than we would probably like to acknowledge. Adjustments were made, complaints were voiced...then we moved along to do what had to be done.

Life is like that...recognizing our situation, assessing next steps, then moving forward to do what we have to do. The Psalmist has good advice for us in such transition... "Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help." (Psalm 37:5, CEV) I know the frustrations of day to day challenges sometimes get the best of us. I know we grow weary of things and people that don't always work as we think they should, but remember...in the dark, in the extreme heat...even when nothing around you seems right, God is still working...Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help."

Stay cool and keep trusting the Lord for help. That's the best advice on a day like today!

Jim Abernathy 

Friday, June 29, 2012

I Took a Walk...


I took a walk with Tiger Woods yesterday...well, actually, I followed Tiger Woods...from afar...along with hundreds of people I had never seen before. I spent part of the day at the AT&T National golf tournament at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland. It was obvious from the ropes barricading the fairways, the numerous PGA officials walking with him, and the armed security guards nervously surveying the crowd that my "walk with Tiger" would indeed be "from afar!" He was near, yet far...visible, yet inaccessible...recognizable, yet unknown by me.

I took a walk with the Lord this morning...well, actually a journey of prayer. There was no security to overcome, no entourage to break through, no ropes to hold me back. There were moments of praise as I acknowledged the wonder of the Creator God. There were moments of confession and repentance, concerns for myself and others, and the framing of hopes for the day. This walk was also characterized by silence as I listened and found comfort in the presence of the One who desired, not to be distant, but as close as a dear, dear friend.

I suppose these walks each had their place...one in the pursuit of entertainment and athletic admiration, the other in pursuit of growing relationship with the One whose Word is life. The walk with Tiger created memories that will fade...the walk with the Lord was another step along a pathway of eternal significance.
Perhaps the closing words of Geoffrey O'Hara's powerful text from "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked," speak best of this journey..."I walked today where Jesus walked, and felt him close to me." That's a walk that I and you can take every day.

Jim Abernathy