Lenten Devotional...February 14

Psalm 51:1-9

The prophet Nathan confronted King David with charges David hoped would never come to light. Psalm 51 is David’s plea for mercy and forgiveness…a pledge of future faithfulness, not unlike the pleas you and I make when confronting our own sin. It is interesting to note that what draws David to this moment is not what he knows about himself, but what he already knows about God. One might think it presumptuous of David to call for compassion and unfailing love, asking to be washed clean from the filth and dirt of his sin when he was caught, as they say, red handed.

There is no doubt that you and I are sinners, falling short of God’s expectations. The key to forgiveness, however, doesn't lie within us. Yes, confession is important, but more important is the grace and mercy of God. The Lenten journey is a bold trek toward forgiveness, with eyes focused squarely on the unfailing, compassionate love of God. Will you be so bold?

Prayer: God of grace, may we find mercy and forgiveness as we boldly walk in your unfailing, compassionate love. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Ash Wednesday

Isaiah 58:1-12

Today, the season of Lent begins. What does that mean to you? For many, Lent is a season of preparation and contemplation as one journeys to the cross with Jesus. Too many of us talk of it in terms of personal sacrifice made for this journey, but I’m not sure that giving up one’s favorite candy bar, soft drink, or television show for forty days communicates true sacrifice. Perhaps we need to rethink our approach to Lent, shifting the focus away from what is given up, instead contemplating what might be given.

Today’s text challenges us to think beyond ourselves. To do so, one may “loose the chains of injustice…set the oppressed free…share food with the hungry, provide the poor wanderer with shelter, and seeing the naked, clothe them.” In the words of Jesus, “whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.”

What will you give for Lent?

Prayer: Gracious God, once more, I give you my heart. Now, what may I give to others in your name? Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Acts of Love

I have read with interest this week the story of Rob Morris, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, Connecticut. Rev. Morris has apologized publicly for his participation in the community prayer service in the aftermath of the horrific school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in mid-December. The church Rev. King serves is a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. The denomination prohibits participation on the part of its clergy in what they call "joint worship services" where other faith perspectives might be represented and shared.

I understand and affirm the privilege of soul freedom that allows for different perspectives and as such, though I don't agree with the MSLC's stance on this matter, recognize their right to the their beliefs and practices. We celebrate such freedoms as a nation and indeed, as Baptists, we have been known for fierce independence in the context of religious conformity. The issue for me is not how other Christians or denominations view their role in the broad context of modern spirituality for I am not called to be like other Christians. Unfortunately too much time and energy are spent defending our particular persuasions when a hurting world cries out for comfort in the midst of unspeakable tragedy.

Reading the gospels, one gets the impression that the greatest concern of Jesus was not for the protection of religious orthodoxy or for sustaining the status quo. His was a message of radical transformation that began in the heart and found its greatest expression in acts of love. His association with people wasn't dependent on their world or religious viewpoint. In the brokenness of disease, bigotry, grief, and social exile, he exemplified a willingness to look beyond the surface to see the need of the heart. He was criticized by the religious establishment for associating with these outcasts, but such censure did not dissuade him from loving...even his enemies.

Dr. John Jonsson was South African by birth, a Christian by faith, and professor of missiology at Southern Seminary when I was a student there in the early 80's. In speaking to the diversity of views apparent between people of different faiths, he taught his students to approach these differences with respect. "You will not have a platform for sharing the love of Christ, if you disrespect the faith of another person," he said.

From my perspective, to pray alongside a person whose faith is different than my own, threatens neither me nor my faith. The words, name, and comfort of Christ need to be heard. To reach out to hurting people in the name of Christ, regardless of their faith perspective, is not something I or any Christian should ever feel the need to apologize for.

Pray for hypothermia week at Westwood which begins this Sunday evening. Much time, effort, and prayer have gone into the preparation for this vital week of ministry. Now, let us warmly welcome these friends from our community, reminding them once more of the love of Christ.

Jim Abernathy

When Bad News Comes

What do you do when you hear bad news?  Sometimes our responses are tempered by distance and depth of relationship.  Things happening a world away to people we have never met are tragic, but often we respond to such news in muted ways that reflect a lack of connection to the place or person.  Perhaps we take time to pray for them, contribute to an ongoing fund for relief, or talk among friends about the continuing tragedies of the world.  But what happens when that bad news impacts a close friend, respected co-worker, family member...yourself? 

 

We each respond uniquely to hearing bad news.  Some immediately think the worst, others look for options, perhaps even silver linings among the clouds. Disbelief, shock, even anger are common responses, and yet, no one feels exactly as you do when confronted by tragic, even frightening news.

 

In a quiet moment this morning, reflecting on the news of this day, a gospel song came to my mind that I have not thought of or sung in probably two decades.  Perhaps it is a gift of the Spirit to me for this day...perhaps a perspective builder for this day's unfolding path.   The text of John Moore's hymn, "Burdens are Lifted at Calvary," offers this assurance in the midst of our heartaches...

 

Days are filled with sorrow and care,

Hearts are lonely and drear,

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

 

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary.

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near. (Chorus)

 

Cast your care on Jesus today,

leave your worry and fear,

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

 

Troubled soul, the Savior can feel

every heartache and tear.

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

 

Bad news is an unwelcome, but not uncommon companion on this life's journey. We would prefer it take another path...that we would not have to share a moment's time in its chilling embrace.  That is not a realistic expectation, however.  Yet, there is another companion whose presence empowers the bearing of these burdens.  Moore simply says in his hymn text, "Jesus is very near."  For some, that may seem little comfort when bad news comes.  For the one who knows the Savior, there is strength enough in his presence and the assurance that he will take those next steps with you.

 

Dear friends, no matter what news you hear today, remember, Jesus is very near.

 

Jim Abernathy

Working Together

Our quarterly church conference will be held in Whitten Hall after morning worship this Sunday.  Among the important issues to be considered are the 2013 unified budget, revisions to our bylaws, and a recommendation to initiate an endowment fund at Westwood.  Each of these recommendations are significant and have been brought forward after much work and prayer.  One of the blessings of our congregational form of church government is the privilege to empower brothers and sisters in Christ to the task of preparation and presentation of these recommendations, and to offer the congregation the opportunity to act on such recommendations.  Having worked with or known of the work of these groups over the last several months, I am confident that each team and committee has worked faithfully to bring to the congregation meaningful recommendations that will enhance and encourage the continuing work of Christ in our Westwood community and beyond. 

 

Sometimes we take for granted the privilege of working together in community for the cause of Christ.  We will never agree on every aspect of every recommendation...the uniqueness of every person and perspective assures that.  And yet, bound together by the love of Christ, we walk together to accomplish what we could never do by ourselves.  That cooperation and strength of purpose is celebrated every time we gather to worship, work, and fellowship.  I am grateful for such a rich heritage and so bright a future.  With the courage to follow Christ and the commitment to walk together in love, much has been accomplished and there is still much more to do.

 

I look forward to Sunday as another opportunity to affirm God's hand at work in the continuing story of faith known as Westwood Baptist Church. 

 

Jim Abernathy

What's Your Evaluation?

I recently bought a coat at a local department store. The salesman who assisted me in the purchase also concluded the purchase by ringing up the sale. As he was handing back my debit card he also handed me the receipt. He took a moment, while we both clutched opposite ends of the receipt, to point out a phone number he encouraged me to call to complete a survey about the purchase. "When you do," he added with a smile, "make sure you give me a good evaluation so they will know I'm doing a good job." This was the first time I had been encouraged to evaluate a menswear salesperson, but not the first time I had been told by a salesperson how to evaluate him or her. Evaluation, I have always thought, is best done in the context of objectivity and free thought, not as a directive from a person you don't really know that has just sold you something you didn't really have to have. To be told the quality of evaluation to offer is really not to offer an evaluation at all.

I suppose that you and I at times are in the business of pre-determining personal evaluation. Sometimes it's the simple "don't you agree?" that's asked at the end of a declarative statement when we want others to concur with our opinion. Sometimes it's the decisions we make for others, assuming that we know what choice they would make, given the same options before us. Occasionally it's simple tradition when our minds are made up about a particular direction without fully considering other possibilities, simply because it's the way we have always done it!

There are times along this journey with the Creator when we make pre-determined evaluations about direction or choice without consulting the wisdom of God's word or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had a lot to say about assumptions made pertaining to right relationship with God. He refused to affirm the evaluation of those who believed their salvation was summed up by a strict adherence to the Law, or to encourage the hatred and prejudice of those who embraced the centuries-old hatred of certain races, religious perspectives, or social positions. He would not confirm the violent ways of those who embraced retribution as means of overcoming enemies. A number of times in the fifth chapter of Matthew, in what some believe to be the most significant of Jesus' teachings, he seeks to revolutionize the thinking of his listeners as he says, "You have heard it said...but I say to you..." His words from these powerful teachings should remind us that the way of Christ is a transformative way that calls us to think and act in ways that reflect an openness to God's way, not a pre-determined path from which we should not vary. God created human beings to think, to make choices, not with the absolute certainty of lock-step conformity, but with open hearts and minds to what God might be saying and leading us to do. Jesus declared, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..."

I am stubborn enough not to be coerced into reflecting an opinion someone else pre-determines for me. Sometimes I agree with the assessment of others, sometimes I do not, but I believe strongly enough in the gift of freedom that God has given to make my own choices and come to my own conclusions. I believe I do this best when I am in tune with the One who made me in his image, the one who still instructs me through holy scripture, still goes before me in the example of Christ, and still guides me by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To seek first the Kingdom is to set aside pre-conceived notions, choosing instead to live as free and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. That's my evaluation...what's yours?

Jim Abernathy  

Our Human Condition

John Claypool, in his book, "Mending the Heart", writes, "Very few things about the human condition are truly universal, but one of them is this: none of us has lived life perfectly." The apostle Paul stated this truth quite bluntly when he wrote, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The Message perhaps takes it a step further as it says that we have a "long and sorry record as sinners." Doesn't sound like a hopeful assessment of our human condition, does it?

And yet, though broken by our sin, we are not without hope. Claypool continues, "We face no greater challenge day in and day out than simply discovering some way to live creatively and redemptively with the imperfection that is inherent in all things human." We are able to live creatively and redemptively in the midst of our imperfections because of the grace and mercy of the One who created and redeemed us. It is impossible to truly ignore the sin of our lives...there is no mistaking our failures. There is also, however, no mistaking the wonder of God's love at work through Jesus Christ to bring forgiveness and restoration. John reminds us in I John 1:9, "If we are faithful to confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Even with our long and sorry record as sinners, God does not forsake, but offers the way of return.

Thus, Claypool concludes, "Because of God's incredible patience, mercy, and hope, we can stoop over to pick up the pieces, learn what there is to learn from them, and then see what we can make of what is left. Next time, not if only, is God's gracious answer to our admission of guilt, and nothing is more basic to the mending of the heart." Amen!

As one with a long and sorry record as a sinner, I am grateful for the grace and mercy of Almighty God. I look forward to sharing with you this Sunday the continuing story of God's love as we worship together.

Jim Abernathy