Postitively, Absolutely...Maybe

Who have you been listening to lately? I try to remain informed about current events by listening to a variety of news and media outlets every day. Claims are made by the various news organizations that they are balanced, even objective in their approach to reporting the news, but sometimes it is difficult to identify the difference between fact and opinion. Truth be told, that challenge is true in many areas of life, including our spiritual journey. Ask a group of Baptists their opinions on a particular subject and you are liable to get quite a few different responses. One of the great principles of our Baptist heritage is the autonomy of the soul, celebrating the freedom of the individual to seek and be led by the Spirit of God. This soul competency speaks to the accountability of each person, and as a gift from God, is not to be forfeited to or held captive by the viewpoints or interpretations of others. To do so is to ultimately take one's eyes off of Christ, chasing after things that are not of eternal significance. For the follower of Christ, it is Christ first, last, and always...finding there grace, mercy, love, and salvation. We find ourselves at times debating a great many things, however, that which unites us is not our different ideological, political, or even theological viewpoints...that which unites is Christ.

As the words of a beautiful hymn encourage:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.

The varied opinions we encounter often confuse and confound...one moment speaking with certainty, the next with ambiguity. Focusing our attention on Christ helps keep other things in their proper perspective.

Jim Abernathy

And That's the Way it is...

Two items in the news this past weekend captured my attention. The first was the magnificent play at the British Open in Turnberry, Scotland. The British Open is one of four major tournaments sanctioned by the PGA each year and as a major event, it lived up to its hype, but for reasons far different than anyone would have expected. TW, Tiger Woods, draws attention and crowds whenever he plays, but after two rounds, he was gone, failing to make the cut in a major tournament for only the second time in his career. TW, however, was the story of the Open, only this TW was a 59 year-old American, Tom Watson. That someone other than Tiger Woods wins a major golf tournament is not necessarily surprising, but that a man nearly sixty almost pulled it off is indeed a big story. This TW had won the British Open five times before, so he was not a stranger to winning, but it had been a long time since he had won on the PGA tour. To lead a round at his age was more a novelty, it seemed, than anything else. Greg Norman had done it a year ago at age 53. This, however, was different for this TW led, off and on, Friday, Saturday, and right up to the last hole on Sunday before losing his lead and ultimately the championship to American, Stewart Cink. When asked if he was surprised at his performance, Watson answered emphatically, no, for he wouldn't have been there, he said, if he hadn't come to win.

The second story of note for me on the weekend was the death of Walter Cronkite, the venerable anchor of the CBS Evening News for more than two decades. As the tributes rolled throughout the weekend, the term used again and again to describe the respected journalist was "integrity." The video clips played and pictures shown during these tributes were obviously dated, but the concept of integrity appeared timeless. The reverence with which some spoke of Cronkite implied an absence of integrity in contemporary journalism, and some might say, in general, the world in which we live. Millions of Americans trusted that when Cronkite said "And that's the way it is..." at the close of the newscast every night, it indeed, truly was as he had said.

These two events may not seem to have a common thread, and yet, in each, I see the human story and the impact of one person's story on many lives. We are at times surprised by the courage and strength of those whose efforts touch our lives, and challenge us as a result to set the bar a little higher for ourselves. One commentator over the weekend said that there were probably many fifty and sixty year-old men hopping off couches to grab their golf clubs and get back into the game as a result of Tom Watson's performance, while others mused that the renewed spotlight on Walter Cronkite's journalistic integrity could be a lesson for a new generation of journalists.

As a person of faith and an ever-interested student of human nature, I thank God for the continuing lessons of life learned from the examples of people like Tom Watson and Walter Cronkite. There is still much to learn and much to live...and that's the way it is.

Jim Abernathy

The Gift of Yourself

I wrote last week about Vacation Bible School and I am still basking in the glow of a wonderful week! Everything worked together to produce a week that no one involved will soon forget. The enthusiasm of the children, the dedication of the workers, and yes, the quality of the snacks each day were a blessing indeed. I marvel every year at the faithful and giving spirit of our VBS workers. Several take vacation or go into work late each day so they can work with the children. Others have not had children in their homes for many years, but come back year after year to share Christ's love with these children as if they were their own. Giving the gift of yourself in service to Christ and others is one of the greatest gifts you can offer. Investing yourself in the lives of others makes a difference in their lives and in your own. Seeds were planted last week that will one day bring a spiritual harvest, but without the workers, such a harvest would not be possible.

Thanks to everyone who gave so much last week. Take a moment now, and think about giving the gift of yourself in service to others. Become a blessing to others through the gift of yourself in the name of Christ!

Jim

It's Vacation Bible School week at Westwood! VBS is always a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with children. There is such excitement and enthusiasm as children, youth, and adults gather to celebrate this special week. I enjoy watching the interactions between the ages and find there a glimpse of the best of who we are as a church. When we work together, crossing lines that sometimes divide us, good things happen and God is honored. That's true of more than just VBS. Together, we share gifts and talents that enrich our fellowship. Together, we share resources that empower our efforts. Together, we communicate to the community and world around us the blessing of relationship with the risen Christ. Together, we make a difference for the kingdom!

This will be a great week at Westwood. Seeds will be planted that will bring future growth, new relationships will be established that will have an impact for years to come, and the joy of Christ will be shared by a gathered people that will with God's help, take root and grow both within and without the walls of this church. Pray for our children, the workers, and all the families touched by the special week.

jim