Early, Early Edition

My body is still recovering from the 10.5 hour time difference from India and I am finding myself wide awake at strange hours of the night.  As I write this note it is 2:40 a.m. and I have been up for an hour.  Cindy has told me one can be productive in the wee hours of the morning, but I am not sure I have ever believed her.  You may be the judge of whether or not this is true if you can make sense out of these words I am writing.

Hypothermia week at Westwood is going well.  Our volunteers have welcomed our guest's warmly each night, fed them well, given them a warm place to sleep, and are providing for a number of their needs along the way.  Each year, we recognize and welcome back guests we have known before, while making new friends as well.  Relationships are built that allow us a window into the challenges these friends face.  We cannot fully know their hearts nor understand all that has and is continuing to happen to them, but in welcoming them, we are honoring the call of Christ to welcome him as we welcome them.  Thanks to our marvelous leadership team of Ed Armstrong, Martha Lee Fugate, Lucinda Marvin, and Sandy Milam, and many others from our faith community and surrounding faith communities who are working to provide for this special ministry this week. Please note there is no Church Family Night this evening due to our hypothermia ministry. Sanctuary choir will meet. CFN will resume next week.

The finance committee met last night to finalize the 2016-2017 church budget. They have faithfully worked through this process and believe they are presenting a responsible, yet challenging budget for the coming year.  You will receive a letter in the next few weeks that will contain the proposed budget and details pertaining to it.  The quarterly church conference which will include this budget presentation will be held Sunday evening, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the music suite.  Plan to be present for this important step in our continuing ministry.

Mama Mias is just around the corner, March 5, at 6 p.m.  This annual dinner and show benefit youth missions and your participation is vital to its success.  This  Sunday will be the last Sunday to purchase tickets before the event, so stop by the welcome center in the narthex to get yours.  Invite a friend to join you and enjoy the good food, warm fellowship, and fun of this special evening.

By the way, I will be sharing in more detail my India experiences at Church Family Night on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:15 p.m.  I will share some pictures and be telling some of the stories from this life-changing trip.  I hope you will plan to join me then.

Well, AOL and I have proofed this copy and it seems to be spelled correctly and generally make sense.  I guess one can be productive at such ungodly hours...come to think of it, God can empower our thoughts and words and actions for any and all of our hours.  I am just hoping the productivity of sleep returns to these hours before long.  Until then, I'll just enjoy the solitude and opportunity for growth the early morning provides.  Cindy will be so proud of me...once she wakes up!


Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...February 23

Psalm 62:2-3a

“From the end of the earth I call to you,

When my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock

That is higher than I; for you are my refuge…”

There are a number of beautiful lighthouses on the eastern seaboard.  I have climbed to the top of a few in Maine and North Carolina.  They have been prominently placed along the shoreline to give warning and guidance to ships in distress, often in inclement weather. 

The Psalmist reminds us today that in life’s storms, when the heart is faint, there is a rock higher than ourselves that becomes refuge and help.  These words are echoed in Psalm 46 as the writer says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of trouble, therefore we will not fear.”  Your steps today may be uncertain, the winds of disappointment and change may buffet, but cling to the rock that is higher than you for there you will find refuge.

Prayer: Eternal God, Rock of Ages, guide me safely to find refuge in you today. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...February 22

John 6:48-51

“I am the bread of life.”

(John 6:48)

As I write this devotional, someone has just brought me a sandwich. Physical nourishment empowers mental productivity, though I’m not sure fast food is the best writing fuel!  (I’m convinced it’s chocolate pie!)

Today’s text is ultimately disturbing to many who followed Jesus.  In speaking of himself as the bread of life, he called those who would follow to be filled with him, embracing his sacrifice as life-giving nourishment.  He offered them a glimpse of the cost of discipleship that some were unwilling to embrace.  Verse 66 says many turned away and deserted him.

The elements of communion remind us of sacrifice and nourishment.  The body and blood of Christ were broken and spilled as an offering of salvation.  His sacrifice became our eternal nourishment and hope, thus we embrace the bread of life in remembrance of God’s great love. 

Prayer: Living Bread, fill and nourish my soul that I may continue to walk in your way. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

India Trip, Day 10

Today's report is short for this is a travel day. We began in Narasaropet at 9 this morning, traveling by bus to Vijayawada where we caught an Air India flight to Hyderabad. As I write, we are awaiting our boarding call for the next leg to Dubai, arriving there before midnight, then the final leg from Dubai to Dulles, arriving at 8:15 Sunday morning. A long day of flight, layover, then flight again!!! Will be good to step into Northern Virginia soil tomorrow morning. Pray for safe travel and for the report I will share with you tomorrow morning. I hope to see you then. Pray also for our hypothermia ministry which begins tomorrow night.

God is good and has given us wonderful opportunities to share the love of Christ. See you tomorrow!!!

Jim Abernathy

India Trip, Day 9

Today concludes our ministry time here in India. Tomorrow we begin the long journey home.  This last day found our team in multiple villages visiting churches founded by ServeTrust. At the first stop we saw a recently finished church building and parsonage.  As members of the church and village came into the building, one lady began screaming and writhing on the floor.  Most of our team was unacquainted with such behavior, rarely seeing anything like this at home. The fear of and belief in evil spirits is pervasive in these small villages. We have seen children whose faces bear black marks to make them unattractive to such evil spirits. This woman feared our presence and believed we were bringing fire down upon her. She was finally calmed and we had prayer with her. The experience made for an interesting discussion on the bus about the theological implications of evil spirits in the modern world.  

At the next stop we walked through the village, meeting and praying for people along the way. I was invited to come and bless two new brahma bulls one man had just purchased. Leena feared the bulls might be frightened if I got too close, so with arms outstretched, at a relatively safe distance, I asked God's blessings on these two very large, very white bulls. I'm not sure, but I think one of the bulls winked at me in appreciation!

The final stop was to another new church whose pastor and wife welcomed us warmly with their two adorable children. We shared prayer in their church building, then went to their parsonage directly behind the church to bless that structure. Our bus driver did some creative maneuvers to get us out of the village in the midst of a repaving effort. I'll share more about the driving in India some day after I receive proper counseling to deal with the nightmares I know I will have for months, perhaps years to come!!!

We had a delightful treat in the afternoon as we stopped by Leena's parents home for dinner. Rice, chicken curry, yogurt, and another chicken dish, as well as a sweet noodle dish and strawberry ice cream were well received by our weary and hungry team. We also had a special drink that is at times hard to find here...chilled Diet Coke! Leena's family is delightful and were such gracious hosts. I was given the privilege of offering a blessing for them before we left and I was honored to do so.

After a brief hotel stop, we left for the dedication of a new church building in a community about thirty minutes away. Leena wanted to stop in a small village to check in and people kept coming to the bus for prayer. Forty minutes later we were on our way to the dedication service. Singing had already begun when we arrived and over the next 90 minutes, different folks from the audience stood to sing while the crowd slowly gathered. Eventually every chair outside the building was full and children were sitting on the ground. Our team leader, Tony Cupit, was allowed to cut the ribbon across the door, and with a snip of his scissors we all walked in. There was a brief sermon followed by a solo. As the service concluded, people approached us to pray for them individually. We complied and dedicated a people in prayer as well as a building.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Vijayawada for a flight to Hyderabad, then a connection to Dubai and then a final flight home. If all goes well, I will see you in worship Sunday morning to share a glimpse of my experience on this trip. Please pray for safe travel and the continuing work of ServeTrust.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...February 19

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”

(1 Corinthians 3:19)

Paul often confronted his past. He admitted his wrong and claimed the mercy and forgiveness of the One whose followers he so furiously persecuted. From the Damascus road to the welcoming tutelage and friendship of Barnabas to the continuing hand of God at work within him, he became a bold voice for the way of Jesus. In doing so, he confronted the foolishness of the world he left behind.

The Lenten path is not easily traveled, for the cross and its claims are not easily borne. Sacrifice, service, and humility are not qualities of character the world around us often celebrates. But Jesus called those who would follow to take up their cross and daily follow him. To the world it is foolishness. To God, it is way, truth, and life.

Prayer: Help me walk in the way of the cross, today, Lord, even though others think me foolish. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

India Trip, Day 8

This morning ServeTrust held a pastor's school for the continuing education of the pastors who work alongside Leena Lavanya. I was privileged to speak on the subject of the pastor caring for his/her family. Tony Cupit, leader of our team, spoke about caring for the dying, and Nick Tuohy, a new friend who is an Australian pastor, spoke about suffering with Christ. Leena was the interpreter and as always, that made the process a bit more interesting and entertaining. When the training was complete, we shared communion and I helped serve the pastors and their spouses. Then, as per their tradition, the ministers and spouses were anointed with oil and offered a blessing. It was a moving and powerful moment affirming that the body of Christ is not bound by geography, language, or culture. The words of the great hymn are true, "In Christ there is no east or west, in him no north or south, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth."

Another day of blessing, and yet another affirmation of why we support this vital ministry.  

I have been a bit under the weather today, so please keep praying. Your prayers mean more than you know. 

Jim Abernathy