Friday, July 29, 2016

It's a Long Way to November

At this point, I must confess a weariness with our electoral process. I know, election day is still more than three months away, and yes, there are still thousands of attack ads, half-truths, and passionate hallway conversations to be endured. I understand the process and applaud the freedom that allows the unique brand of political discourse that seems to define our republic, but honestly, some days, one wonders if there isn't a better way. 

Over the last few weeks, in the Republican and Democratic conventions, much has been said about our nation's founders. Each party has it's own perspective on the original intent of their actions and the governing documents they produced. It seems to me, at times, we trivialize the great truths of these founding documents, as if they are best captured and interpreted only by certain individuals or political parties. Certainly, freedom allows for differing perspectives, but it does not give license to the berating, vindictive, even violent attacks that have come to characterize this campaign season. I understand the give and take of the political process and know that there have certainly been raucous, questionable strategies and actions in our nation's history. For the first time, however, in my recollection, the widespread assault on truth, decency, and integrity that both parties and candidates seem to have embraced, signals a disrespect for these truths we say we hold as self-evident

One might say today that disenchantment, anger, protectionism, and fear have colored our political perspectives. Each element, on its own, can be damaging to the process, but together they are cultivating an environment that has undermined the ability to govern. Already, we seem content to stand in our corners, point angry fingers across the wide chasms of our disagreements, assuming the worst about anyone whose opinion doesn't line up with our own. Such pride and arrogance is not only indicative of our political process, it is also taking root in our culture. As a result, it is so much easier to cast aside the "other" who is different for whatever reason and to continually narrow our focus to the point that no one is above reproach. 

In a democracy, perfection isn't a realistic characteristic of government, its leaders, or its people. Neither is lockstep conformity. Unless we are satisfied to retreat further into devastating isolation we are going to have to learn to sit down and work with people of different perspectives, faiths, races, and ethnicities, respecting them, affirming with our nation's founders, that "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." 

It's a long way to November. We are told it will be a bumpy, dirty road leading to decision. Let us fight the temptation to join the cynical parade that simply accepts this as the "new normal," and expect something different...something more. It begins in your and my conversations...it continues in the perseverance of respect that allows for difference and difference of opinion...it continues in the unique freedom that binds us together, individually and corporately as citizens of this nation. And for those of us whose faith informs these thoughts and choices, let us pray for wisdom to think, speak, and choose wisely. 

Jim Abernathy

Friday, July 22, 2016

The Heat Is On!

The heat is on!  I believe that was the title of an old Eagle's song from the 70's. It's also the warning meteorologists are offering to millions of folks across the country this weekend. Air temperatures in our area are expected to be in the high nineties with heat indices from 105 to 110 degrees.  Seems like not that long ago we were complaining about the lingering cold temperatures of late spring.  I suppose the extremes command our attention, often challenging perspectives about convention.

The same could be said about the everyday experiences of life. Things happen along the way that we take for granted, but occasionally, something happens that grabs our attention...the ordinary becomes extraordinary. The result can bring a wide range of emotional reaction...anger, sorrow, joy, even fear. Some will play on these emotions for their own purposes and for their own gain. Keeping proper perspective is important if one is to deal with the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Jesus spoke in Matthew 6 about overcoming the emotions that often flare at the extremes of life. He said, "strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." The Message Translation puts it this way, "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." It would seem then, in the extremes of life, as well as the mundane, that focus is vital for the follower of Christ. Distractions are constant in this twenty-first century. So too is the promise of God's love. So, steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Everything else will take care of itself...even when the heat is on!

Our youth and adults will give their Impact report in morning worship this Sunday. So you will want to be present to hear their report and to encourage them. Hannah He will share special music, and I will bring a message entitled, "Road Construction...A Righteous Path," based on Psalm 85. Dress coolly, invite a friend, and let us steep our lives in meaningful worship and praise.

Jim Abernathy 

Friday, July 8, 2016

A Call to Prayer for Our Nation

The images are haunting...violent death becomes a familiar observance as cell phone cameras capture and transmit the carnage. In the past we have seen only the remnants, the aftermath of such violence in the form of a blanket-draped body, a blood-stained sidewalk, a discarded weapon. In the last 72 hours we have seen shots fired, bloody wounds, and death as they happen. From Louisiana to Minnesota to Texas, from cellphones to tablets to television screens, we have witnessed, almost as if we were standing beside or riding along with the principals involved as the violence and death played out. This is the reality of 21st century communication...access to the moment, wherever, whenever, whatever.  

How do we respond to what we see...to what we now witness? Some of us will turn away as if ignoring such brutality makes it disappear. Some of us will rush to judgement as if the narrow slice of what we see tells the whole story. Some of us will allow the anger and frustration to feed our already prejudiced perspectives, confirming what we believe we already know. What will you do with what you have seen?

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." This isn't a hedge against the world that frees us from social and cultural responsibility. Rather, it is the empowerment of the Spirit of God that prepares us to engage this world with a strength and purpose beyond ourselves. 

It is easy to become desensitized to the violence and angry rhetoric that bombard us in many forms on a daily basis. It is tempting to give in to the fear and hatred that seems to sanction such violence. It is the calling of discipleship, however, to faithfully follow the way of Christ in reacting to such violence, anger, and devaluation of life. All lives matter, at least that is the message of incarnation. If we believe that to be true, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or political perspective should not devalue another in our eyes. Jesus defined "neighbor" in the broadest of terms, unbounded by prejudicial perspectives. Discipleship calls us to do the same.

Will you join me in a time of prayer for our nation? I would invite you to join me this Sunday morning at 9 in the sanctuary to ask for God's guidance and wisdom in these challenging days. We will pray for our leaders, the families and communities broken by this violence, and this nation, made up of many faces and perspectives. I ask you to vary your Sunday morning routine a bit, and in doing so, join brothers and sisters in Christ in this redemptive work of prayer. Our prayer time will conclude in time for Sunday School.

I believe that prayer is word and action. It is seeking God and then walking in the Christ way. Hatred and violence will not be impacted by people of faith unless we pray and live within the sound of God's voice. Let us, as Christ-followers, be faithful to the task. 


Jim Abernathy

P.S. If you are unable to join us at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, will you pause wherever you are and pray for our nation? Thanks for your consideration.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Freedom's Call

A blessed Saturday morning to you! Cindy and I just returned last night from Kentucky where we spent time helping Clayton get settled into his new apartment in Louisville. As often is the case in such things, it was an adventure, but we had a good and productive time! A new season of life has begun for our family and we are truly blessed.

This Independence Day weekend is a mixture of celebration and anxiety. We celebrate the 240th birthday of our nation, giving thanks for the privilege of living in this land of freedom, established through the faithfulness and perseverance of men and women, some, known to us through the stories of history, but so many more whose identities are unknown to us. Our citizenship bears the marks of their sacrifice and service, calling us today to be faithful stewards of liberty for generations to come. Indeed, there is much to celebrate.

But these are also anxious times in our nation and world. Social and political upheaval, threats of violence from within and without, and a growing intolerance for dialogue and respect for those whose opinions and beliefs are different than our own have positioned us in a most challenging place this Independence Day weekend.  There are no quick fixes or easy answers to these challenges. Like those gone before us, perseverance and faithfulness are necessary qualities in working toward meaningful change. There are voices of hatred and expedience, however, that call us to mindlessly react in kind to the violence and devaluation of life we are witnessing around the world. I appreciate and affirm the role of those who seek to defend and protect in the midst of such senseless violence and hate, but genuine and effective change will not come at the barrel of a gun, but only in the willingness of the human heart to acknowledge and respect our differences and to walk together in meaningful ways of mutual respect.

I am an American citizen, blessed to stand on the shoulders of generations of men and women gone before me who have persevered in the midst of great challenge. More importantly, I am a follower of Jesus Christ who calls me to a greater freedom that must not be limited by short-sighted intolerance and fear...mine or others. 

The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13, "My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love." To take seriously the call of Christ, I believe freedom calls me as an individual, to begin right where I am to bridge those gaps of intolerance and hatred where I can...to serve others with the love of Christ. I need to do a much better job of that. The persistent love of Christ would have me do nothing less.

As we gather for worship tomorrow, we will express gratitude for our nation. There will be special music, a testimony from one of our church family who has a different perspective on citizenship as one who immigrated to this country several years ago, and I will bring a message from Galatians 5 which I referenced earlier in this article. We will also be observing the Lord's Supper. On this holiday weekend, dress casually, invite a friend or bring visiting family members along with you, and let us gather to worship and give thanks.


Jim Abernathy