Friday, February 17, 2017

The Promise of God's Presence

I heard a local meteorologist say today that we have had many more above average temperature days than below average temperature days this winter. I wasn't surprised or disappointed by his assessment...less fighting that heavy coat, less shoveling of snow, and even a round of golf played a few weeks back on a 60- plus degree day! All in all, it's been a very mild winter so far. Now, I know that might change quickly as an arctic surge could work its way down from Canada or a Nor'easter could work its way up the mid-Atlantic coastline. Our flirtations with springtime this weekend may fool us into thinking winter is done, but don't put your coat and gloves away just yet. A few realists among us have expressed concerns about March and even April. Next week and next month are yet to unfold, and they may bring that jolt of winter that will remind us of the necessity of our winter wear. But until that time comes, get out and enjoy the wonder of God's winter warmth. No matter the season, the promise of God's presence, as the prophet Isaiah encouraged, is that garment of praise that is always appropriate.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning for Bible study and worship. Invite a friend, as many of you did last Sunday, and join your Westwood family as we celebrate the wonder of God at work among us.

Jim Abernathy

Friday, February 10, 2017

The Crush of Time and Circumstances

Decisions have ramifications. Take retirement for instance. Sounds like a good thing...to pause, reflect, retool for the next chapter of life. Making such news known to friends, colleagues, parishioners, is bittersweet, for you are talking about change that affects their lives and your own; the joy in a new chapter of life, the sadness at leaving folks you hold dear. I think I was prepared for these ramifications when I made my announcement a few months back. Now, however, I am coming to terms with an aspect of this transition I had spent little time considering. The emotional and spiritual implications were well thought through; not so much so the physical. Yes, I am talking about moving, specifically, getting our house ready to sell.

We have spent several days in the last week or so going through different rooms to assess what to keep and what to let go of. It is exhausting in more ways than one. Clayton's room was the first to be assessed. Talk about a trip down memory lane! Clayton had just turned seven when we came to Westwood. His shelves, closets, and drawers were filled with items that invoked memories that caused us to take pause and reminisce. The realization that every room would provide opportunity for such reflection seemed overwhelming, but we persevered. The emotional came squarely up against the practical as we realized some things would have to be done to the house to get it ready to sell. And so, the slow, wistful march from room to room has given way to a more frantic pace ahead of the painters and handymen who are now at work.

Yesterday was spent in readying the basement and study for these repairs. At first, I rather cautiously sorted through things, treating them as treasures to be finely poured over. By last night, I was tossing right and left, filling trash bags and boxes with things once proudly possessed that needed to be disposed of before the painters arrived this morning.  At midnight, I was still schlepping boxes to the sub-basement and trash bags to the bin outside. With every trip it seemed that the bags and boxes were multiplying. Like many of my gender, I worked on the theory that volume was preferable to weight, so with each step I came to realize how heavy the inconsequential becomes collectively. My assistant in this project had tried to warn me, but I was resolute. As usual, she was right.

I realize this frenzy of activity over the last week or so is just the beginning. The things accumulated in one house over fifteen years and in a marriage of over thirty-five years are amazing. When they are all in their proper place or hidden away in blissful oblivion, they seem rather trivial. Taking them out, one by one, dusting them off, deciding their fate, and then disposing of them is a much more challenging endeavor indeed.

Perhaps the Psalmist was dealing with his own realization of the crush of time and circumstances when he wrote in Psalm 90, "Teach us to live wisely and well." (Psalm 90:12, MSG) In the middle of reminiscing, repairs, recycling, and refuse, those are correcting and encouraging words.

Sunday is "Bring a Friend Day," so give a friend or neighbor a call and invite them to join you at Westwood. We will have coffee, donuts, and juice in the narthex beginning at 9:15, so come a few minutes early and bring someone with you to Bible study and worship.

Finally, a biography has been written about our ministry partner and friend, Leena Levanya. Copies of this book will be available to purchase very soon for a cost of $20. All proceeds will go to help with the ongoing ministry of ServeTrust. Look for further details very soon about how you can purchase this book.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Jim Abernathy

Thursday, February 2, 2017

The Importance of Godly Training

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today. The bad news...six more weeks of winter! Now Phil has not had extensive meteorological training. There's no evidence that he monitors radar screens or subscribes to any reputable weather sites. However, every February 2, thousands of people flock to a sleepy Pennsylvania town, and probably millions more tune in, in hopes that this rather large rodent will offer some clear sign of what is to come.

Before you sink into a deeper winter funk, however, consider another perspective. Staten island Chuck informed his audience in New York this morning that an early spring was on the way, and Shubenacadie Sam came to the same conclusion in Nova Scotia. Mixed results at best, but in the world of weather prediction, accuracy is not always a given.

Most of us wouldn't put much stock in these hairy harbingers, though Staten Island Chuck is reported to be right 80 percent of the time. Yes, it's fun to see the pageantry and consider the possibilities, but few, if any would make plans accordingly.

In I Timothy 4, Paul wrote about the importance of godly training. "This is a trustworthy saying," he wrote. "This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers." Trustworthiness speaks of integrity, dependability, and strength. Here, there is no fantasy that entertains, no amount of luck that ultimately informs. This is the Word, with God from the beginning, still present and at work in our world. Hope isn't dependent on the whims of creation, but rather, hope is found in the Creator.

There will most likely be some very cold days over the next 6-8 weeks, but I will go out on a limb to predict that there will also be some very nice days mixed in to remind us of the coming spring. Don't be fooled, the Punxsutawney Phils, Staten Island Chucks, and even Shubenacadie Sams of our meteorological fantasies have little to do with the elements of nature around us. I'll trust the Creator who doesn't provide me with weather updates, but does promise to be with me, whatever the weather. That good news will carry me through to spring, summer, and beyond.

Hmmm, WeatherBug tells me that it will be dry and cool over the next few days, even partly sunny and 47 degrees on Sunday. I guess some look to groundhogs...some to bugs. The Creator, however, is Lord of all.
Amen.

Jim Abernathy