Faithfulness

Twelve flag-draped caskets lined the front of the Ferrell Center at Baylor University in Waco, Texas today as President Obama, grieving families, and the stunned community of West, Texas gathered to remember those first responders who died in the fire and explosion at a fertilizer plant, April 17. The events in Boston last week somewhat overshadowed the Texas tragedy, but the reality of this small community's loss was unmistakably evident today. Texas governor, Rick Perry, said, "First-responders know better than anyone that there's no such thing as a routine emergency, but it didn't slow them down as they raced toward that burning factory." His words should serve to remind us of so many people who have been trained to respond in crisis, and who do so faithfully, putting themselves at risk for the good of the community. We pay limited attention to these brave men and women in what we too often view as the "routine" of their jobs. The sights and sounds from Waco today should remind us that the faithfulness and sacrifice of first responders should never be taken for granted.

Finally, give thanks for the sacrifices of those who routinely place themselves at risk, but whose faithfulness is anything but routine.

Jim Abernathy

Shine

This morning has dawned with news that one Boston Marathon bomber has been killed and police are in pursuit of a second suspect in Watertown, Massachusetts. Law enforcement officials have been aided in their search by eyewitness accounts as well as pictures and videos taken by people in the crowd at the Marathon on Monday. There has been a continuing dialogue in our contemporary society pertaining to privacy issues around such images in the normal context of daily life. This pervasive voyeurism that seems to threaten personal privacy seems now to have been instrumental in providing clues that helped identify these terrorists. While there is still much to be uncovered, it is truly amazing that so much is known so soon after Monday's tragic events and that information from common, everyday sources has made such a difference.

Awareness is an important strategy in response to terrorism. Most likely you have noticed the electronic message boards along major thoroughfares, in airports, and other public places encouraging passersby to take notice of suspicious persons and circumstances that could lead to terrorist activity, and to report those suspicions to proper authorities. Initial reports this morning seem to indicate that one or both of these Boston suspects may have lived among the people they sought to terrorize for some time without drawing attention to themselves or their cause. In this context, fear and paranoia can motivate a particular kind of panic that paralyzes individuals and communities, painting broad strokes of suspicion that can unfairly accuse and condemn.

The human suffering created by these heinous acts of violence should preclude simple statements of response. Lives have been irrevocably affected and we disrespect that pain and struggle with rushed and thoughtless judgments. This morning, officials in the Boston area are asking for cooperation from local residents and that cooperation will hopefully play a significant role in bringing about the capture of the second suspect. If anything, these events remind us of the significance of community where various points of view can be voiced and respected, threats responsibly addressed, opportunities equally offered, and grief broadly embraced and shared. As a person of faith I experience this community within the context of relationship with the living Christ and with a body of believers who share that same relationship. We do not, however, exist in isolation, but are called to live within a greater community where others may not share those same values. We are to be purveyors of light and hope whose strength comes not from the fear and anxiety created by the uncertain circumstances of life, but from the One whose promised presence empowers courage for the living of these days.

I John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." In these challenging days, may God empower you and me to be "...children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world." (Philippians 2:15B)

By God's grace, may it be so.

Jim Abernathy

Praying for Boston

Good morning. As you go about your day, remember the power of prayer and the role of encouragement we share as followers of Christ in an often dark and difficult world. The events in Boston yesterday remind us once again of the uncertainties of our daily lives and of the devaluation of life so evident in the actions of a few. Remember today the victims of this terrible bombing and their families, the unseen wounds of first responders and medical personnel, law enforcement agencies who will seek to identify and arrest the guilty, religious leaders who will face with grieving families the most difficult of questions, and governmental leaders who ponder appropriate responses to such crimes and preventative measures for the future. Our world needs to see the healing, hopeful presence of God in the midst of tragedy. You and I can offer that healing and hope.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1)

Jim Abernathy

Dropping In

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just dropped in to Washington National Airport." The announcement by the flight attendant, with an emphasis on the word, "dropped," brought laughter from the passengers. You see, as we landed last night, an anticipated smooth landing in good weather became an unexpected hard landing as we literally bounced on the runway before safely coming to a stop. I have experienced rougher landings but never with the good-natured commentary of a flight attendant...gave the phrase "dropping in" a whole new meaning!

We have some familiar friends dropping in this afternoon as the U.S. Army Chorus presents a concert at Westwood at 5 PM. These wonderful musicians have become an annual fixture at Westwood and are a blessing every time they join us. I hope you will drop in to hear their music and support these men in uniform.

Tomorrow morning you will want to be present for Youth Sunday. This special day is always a blessing as our young men and women lead our worship. You will want to be present to encourage them and let them know you appreciate them as they lead us.

Happy Landings!

Jim Abernathy

The Greatest Security of All

News came Friday that restrictions have been eased at Liberty University in Lynchburg, allowing students to carry loaded guns into classrooms and other campus buildings, with the exception of dormitories. In the aftermath of recent mass shootings, (several on school campuses) some believe this to be a next step in making the learning environment a more secure place. Liberty Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr. said, “I think it’s a positive thing for security that there’s at least a chance that somebody responsible will be carrying a firearm when something like (the Virginia Tech massacre) happens.” Given Mr. Falwell's "at least a chance," perspective, I suppose it could be argued on the other side that there's at least a chance that somebody carrying one of those firearms into the classroom will not act responsibly. One sarcastic blogger, responding to the Liberty decision asked, "Who would Jesus shoot?"

The arguments on both sides of the discussion are too simplistic. One side believes that by arming more people, those who are vulnerable will be safer, while others believe that limiting the kinds of weapons and ammunition that are available will diminish the killings that devastate lives and communities. I wish it

were so simple. What we seem to have here is indeed a failure to communicate. Even among Christians, the disparate views and practices presented are inextricably varied. In our own church family, I suspect we have a wide range of passionate opinions on the subject. Does our hope lie in arming more citizens; making public, even religious institutions more secure by the presence of guns? Can we assure that the loopholes of legislation can be tightly closed and basic rights preserved through more restrictive gun laws?

The emotionally and politically charged dialogue and continuing unwillingness of leaders and lobbyists to meaningfully address these issues would lead me to answer, no. Once again, I am left to look beyond the noise and rhetoric. As a person of faith, called to follow the way of Christ, I seek a different path; I search for a different possibility.

The answer isn’t found in arming college students or classroom teachers, nor will simply altering our laws suddenly transform our societal challenges. Hope, the Psalmist says, is found in the Lord. And so, as the Psalmist closes the thirty-seventh Psalm, so I close this note…”Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.” I believe that is the greatest security of all.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Easter

Colossians 3:1-4

One of the truly powerful moments of baptism is the symbolism that accompanies the candidate coming up from beneath the water. In going under the baptismal waters he or she is burying his or her sin, dying to the old self. Then, as the candidate comes out of the water, he or she is being raised to new life, sharing in the resurrection of Christ. Paul speaks of this new life when he writes in today's text, "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above....for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." My friends, this is the good news of Easter. Christ has taken our sins upon himself and they have been buried with him. As he has risen to new life, so too we rise to be like Christ, to seek the things that are above.

We so often think of resurrection as our hope for that moment some day when we breathe our last breath, but resurrection is more than eternal security...it is empowerment for daily living here and now. Through Christ, you have been raised to glorious, new life. So, today, seek the things that are above. That is the joy and hope of resurrection for this and every day!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to rise anew and live victoriously. Because Christ lives, we too shall live! Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Lenten Devotional...Holy Saturday

I Peter 4:1-8

First century Christians believed the return of Christ would come at any moment. Indeed, Peter writes in our text today, "The end of all things is near."

Though we know little about what truly happened to the followers of Christ in those hours between the crucifixion and the resurrection, it would not be much of a stretch to surmise that they believed the end of all things was near, but for very different reasons. The One they had followed, leaving behind the familiar faces and places of their lives, had just been executed. Mark tells us the disciples were weeping and mourning when Mary came with the news of resurrection. John reveals that when Jesus first appeared to the disciples post-resurrection, they were behind locked doors, afraid of what might happen to them because of their association with Jesus. Perhaps the end of all things would come for them as it had for Jesus.

Fear paralyzes, causing us to withdraw...to detach ourselves from the world around us. The difference between the Christians Peter writes to and the disciples in the immediate aftermath of the crucifixion, is resurrection. Pre-resurrection, fear overwhelms, death defeats; post-resurrection, fear is overcome, life wins. Thus Peter encourages his brothers and sisters in Christ to arm themselves with the same intentions of Christ...living not by their own desires, but by the will of God.

Perhaps in these hours between our observances of crucifixion and resurrection, we would do well to heed Paul's words: ... live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God.

Prayer: Lord, help us overcome the fears that paralyze. May we live by your will, in the light of Sunday's resurrection hope. Amen.

Jim Abernathy