Jumping for Joy!

In the movie, "The Jerk," Steve Martin plays a simple man whose life has been challenged by many things.  While working as a gas station attendant he sees a truck make a delivery to the station and he jumps for joy as he cries out that the new phone directories have come.  He opens the book to find his name and address in print, then declares, having seen his name, that he has finally arrived. His enthusiasm over something so simple serves as a reminder that things long anticipated, sometimes things so very simple, can bring great joy.

 

Thursday, we felt like jumping for joy when a delivery was made to the church office.  "The new directories are here!" Martha exclaimed, as I stepped into the office, and indeed, there in two modest boxes were books containing names, addresses and pictures that serve to remind us of the significance of community. The photographs were taken late last summer and after a series of challenges, the finished product has now been delivered. 

 

One of the characters in the movie watching Steve Martin dance and rejoice over the new directories says, "I wish I could get that excited about nothing."  Some might wonder about our enthusiasm over these new church directories, but beside the fact that we have been waiting for a while for their delivery, they are also a great tool to put names and faces together that help us learn more about our church and the folks who we see on Sundays and at other times.  Some might not think it that big a deal, but who knows, maybe you too will think you have arrived when you see your picture alongside others and are reminded that you are part of a caring Christian community!

 

If you had your picture made or submitted a picture for the directory, you may pick up a free directory after worship this Sunday morning in the narthex.  Thanks to everyone who helped put this directory together.

 

This Wednesday evening, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. we will observe Ash Wednesday services as we begin our Lenten journey to the cross.  I hope you will be present for this meaningful service and invite a friend to join you.  Remember also that Celebrate Life will be presented Sunday morning, March 9 at 11 a.m.  Turn your clocks forward an hour before you go to bed March 8, and as we turn the clocks back more than four decades for the revival of this great musical, again, ask someone to come along with you for this special presentation.

 

Share the good news...The new directories are here! The new directories are here!

 

Jim Abernathy

Prayer

An article in the Post caught my attention this morning with the headline, "In Va. House, Seeking More Inclusive Prayers."  Public prayer has been a controversial subject in our American dialogue for more than three decades.  From the classroom, to the football field, to the halls of government, arguments over the appropriateness of public prayer have been passionate and provocative. Prayers have been offered in the Virginia House of Delegates since the days of Thomas Jefferson and with little exception, those prayers have most often been offered from a Christian perspective.  Of course, not every person of faith in the Virginia House is a Christian and a growing number of these folks are asking that the daily prayers which begin their legislative duties reflect a broader base of faith. The Post reports that in this session, twelve Baptists, six Catholics, five Methodists, three Episcopalians, two Mormons, two Lutherans, and one Anglican have been scheduled to lead the opening prayer, with one rabbi, invited by a Jewish delegate also participating. A thirty-one to one ratio certainly seems to validate the concerns of those asking for broader participation.

 

I know that in raising this issue I am treading on thin ice with some who believe that America is a Christian nation and as such should reflect solely Christian principles.  But America is a richly diverse nation made up of people from different ethnic, racial, social, and religious backgrounds that defy so narrow a distinction.  The unique nature and freedom of every soul is a gift from the Creator that is best celebrated not in legislated conformity, but honest and open expression.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I do see Him as way, truth, and life, but that is a truth that should not be forced on anyone as a means of religious conformity.  Many years ago, in a world religion class at Southern Seminary in Louisville, South African missiologist, Dr. John Johnson, impressed upon me and other students in that class that respect for people of different faiths was truly the pathway to meaningful dialogue about faith. He wasn't calling his students to a watered-down faith for he was a passionate Christian.  He was, however, calling us to an openness that allowed for differences that enhanced and encouraged communication and that is something that could certainly benefit our interactions with people of different faiths and cultures today.

 

Some would argue that public prayer of any kind is not appropriate in the context of governmental procedure.  If, however, in the state of Virginia it continues as a practice of the Virginia House, should one perspective so overwhelmingly dominate?  I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and scripture calls me to be an ambassador for Christ.  But I do not serve that cause well by ignoring the beliefs and religious practices of other faiths.  The closing words of John's gospel are perhaps helpful here... "there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25, NRSV)   The wonders of God at work in the story of Jesus Christ cannot be constrained by human words or by human legislation or practice.  The truth of God's word will be heard and if we trust God to be the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer that we profess God to be, then we must live not in fear of looming irrelevance, but hopeful purpose as we strive to become ambassadors for Christ whose lives are invested in sharing his love.

 

Prayer is a powerful expression of faith.  To respect the beliefs of others who find their voice in prayer is not a threat to the Christian faith, but an act of trust that embraces the truth of Holy Scripture that God can indeed be at work in all things. Prayer is an open door...let us have courage to step through it with faith and respect. 

 

Jim Abernathy

Communicating Love

"Nothing says love like a sizzling steak!"  Hmmmm, I suppose there are different opinions about how one defines or expresses love.  I can't say, however, that the email promotion I recently received from a local restaurant that included the aforementioned quote, is an expression of love I have ever heard before.  While my valentine enjoys a good steak, I'm not sure that its sizzle communicates love to her.

 

What quality or characteristic of your life communicates love?  Perhaps it's your generosity...maybe your kindness, or for some of you, your attention to detail or your thoughtfulness.  There is probably no single characteristic that communicates love, but most likely it is a combination of several things.  The unique characteristics of your life are what make you who you are and are to be celebrated, particularly with those you love.

 

The New Century Version translates I Corinthians 13:4-8a in the following way;  "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.  Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done.  Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth.   Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.  Love never ends. Perhaps on this Valentine's Day, a good steak might be appreciated, but over the course of meaningful relationship, patience, kindness, humility, truth, trust, hope, and endurance are qualities of love that serve us much better as we seek to be who the Holy One created us to be.

 

February 14 is a day that calls us to reflect on love.  The apostle Paul's words from his letter to the Corinthian church compel us to focus on the greatest qualities of love, qualities that challenge us to walk in a different way...the way of Christ.  Take a few moments and read those words again and again.  Ponder their significance and consider how well they are expressed by you.  Valentine's Day might be a great day to commit yourself anew to reflect these qualities in the relationships you share.  My guess is that those you love will remember what they see and know of these qualities in your life much more than anything else you provide, even a sizzling steak!

 

Dr. Michael Catlett will be preaching in my absence Sunday morning.  Cindy and I are spending a few days with Clayton in Lexington.  Dr. Catlett is a great friend to Westwood, having preached, led retreats, and taught seminars for us over the years.  Be present to hear him and I know you will be blessed.  Our week of hypothermia care is coming to a close.  Martha Lee, Lucinda, and Ed have led us wonderfully once again.  Continue to pray for our guests, leaders, and volunteers in these last hours of this vital Westwood ministry.

 

Happy Valentines Day!

 

Jim Abernathy  

Bringing Out the God-colors

The winter Olympics are set to get under way today in Sochi with opening ceremonies scheduled to begin around 11:14 a.m., EST.  The strange start time is a reflection of the nine hour time difference between here and there, and the use of the international standard for time which is the twenty-four hour clock, hence the 2014 games begin this evening at 20:14...those clever Russians!  Of course, you have probably heard the persistent reports about unfinished hotel rooms, sporting venues that have had to be retooled after athletes complained, and the growing concerns over security,  The latter seems to have caused the greatest concern, prompting our government to issue warnings this morning about toothpaste tube bombs and cautioning Americans at the games to be alert and cautious wherever they go.  American athletes have been encouraged not to wear their team wear outside secure areas.  Yet, most who have traveled there say that they will go on about their business, participating in this historic sporting and cultural event.

 

We live in a world of caution where things once taken for granted now become suspect.  The great shame is that no area seems immune.  Shopping malls, hotels, airports, stadiums, churches, quiet neighborhoods all are susceptible to the kind of violence that indiscriminately and thoughtlessly destroys. The temptation to turn away, to exempt ourselves from the world around us is indeed inviting.  But isolation isn't the answer.  To do so, some tell us, is to give in to terrorism...but it is much more than that.  We don't fight that isolation just to make a statement, but rather to embrace what the Creator set within each of us, the need for community.  We grow, mature, and are strengthened in community, and not just in our small circle of friends or acquaintances with whom we are most comfortable.  Our perspectives are broadened and those of others we encounter when we make ourselves available to the world. Jesus prayed that his followers would make a difference in this world, not in the safety of isolation or the comfortable routines of lock-step conformity. He called those who would follow him to be salt and light.  Hear these words of Jesus taken from Matthew 5:14-16 in the Message translation: "You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

 

And so, dear friends, shine!  In a sometimes dangerous, disappointing, uncertain world, let us not hide under a bucket of fear, but step up on that light stand and let the light of Christ shine, bringing, as Peterson translates, all the God-colors in the world.

 

Sunday begins our week of hosting hypothermia.  Much work has been done, many prayers offered.  Now, let us be the light of Christ, bringing out the God-colors. Shine!

 

Jim Abernathy