Driving Lessons...Life Lessons

We are adding a new driver in our household. Clayton has had his permit for several months now and is taking the "Behind the Wheel" course at Lake Braddock this week. He appears to have few of his father's bad habits as a driver. The few times I have had to correct him for something, I have found myself later, more aware of my own mistakes. One example: a few weeks ago, Clayton approached a stop sign and prepared to stop, only he didn't come to a full stop before making the turn onto the next street. I reminded him that to fail to come to a complete stop on his driving test, would probably result in failing the test, not to mention the danger that rolling through a stop sign invited under normal driving conditions. He acknowledged the correction and has done a much better job when approaching stop signs as a result. A few days after that experience, he was a passenger as I was driving. We approached a stop sign and as I drove away from the intersection he said, "Dad, you didn't come to a full stop," and he was right. We smiled at each other as I acknowledged my transgression, and his recognition that the flaws of his father had been exposed once again.

As parents, we try to teach our children right and wrong, we encourage them to make good choices, and though our words are important, there is no substitute for a good example. Most of us, as parents, have experienced that uncomfortable moment when forced to address the glaring "gap" between what we have said and what we have done as our children have observed. "Caught," we sometimes make excuses for why those rules don't apply to us, or perhaps how the whole thing was just a big misunderstanding...yet, there are times when parents admit before their children that they were wrong...that they fells short...that they (I) should have come to a complete and total stop instead of rolling through the stop sign.

I can tell you that I have thought more about my own driving habits since Clayton has started driving. My driving faults are numerous and I am working to correct them. Clayton, for his part, is gracious in his recognition of those bad habits...usually acknowledging them with a sly smile, or perhaps a cleared throat as subtle reminders that there is still work to be done. I suppose such experiences serve as a reminder that each of us is a work in progress. Whether driving for 37 years or 37 weeks,
we can still learn and improve, no matter what we do.

Our faith journey reminds us of this truth every day. None of us arrive at a place of conclusion this side of heaven, where we know all there is to know or have mastered the truths of Christ-like living to perfection. There is always more to learn, experience, and share, and oh yes, more correction needed.

In Ephesians 4:13, Paul speaks of maturity as the goal of discipleship..."attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Maturity doesn't guarantee perfection, but in matters of faith, it does speak to a growing relationship with Christ that is evident in the things we say and do. Narrowing the gap between word and action is indeed a worthy goal for all of us.

In the meantime, I'll be driving with Clayton...hopefully a learning experience for us both!

Jim Abernathy

Looking for God

A number of times over the years I have heard someone ask, particularly in the context of grief and anguish, "Where was God when..." and then they finish the question with their particular heartache or uncertainty. These are great questions for they challenge us to think about the Creator as one whose presence among us is assumed and whose action is anticipated. What we miss often in these questions, is the degree of personal bias we bring to our inquiries. What we are often really saying is, "why didn't God act as I thought God should act?" We, like Jonah, seem to presume that we know what is best and therefore, how God should act.


God sent Jonah to Nineveh. Most of us know the story of Jonah's fear and of his running away from God. We know of the big fish that swallowed him and then spit him out, and of his relenting to go where God wanted to send him. We forget at times, however, that when God looked with grace upon the Ninevites and spared them, Jonah became angry with God, ultimately because God did not act as Jonah thought God should act.


Today, we still struggle with our understanding of how and why God acts. We, like Jonah, believe at times that we have it all figured out, yet are surprised when God doesn't come through as we would prescribe. "My ways are higher than your ways," God said through the prophet Isaiah, "My thoughts are higher than yours." To hear those words doesn't help us to always understand the action or inaction of God. But perhaps it reminds us that we do not have the last word...that we do not always have the last word...that we are not the center of the universe.

Where was God when...? Trust that God was there and trust that God will continue to be there and at work in the midst of whatever you face. By definition, isn't that what faith requires?

Jim Abernathy

Making the Most of the Upgrade

I am writing this entry from my new computer in my office. It is faster than my old computer, has a much bigger and brighter screen, as well as new programs my old computer did not have. It is definitely an upgrade. But I must admit, there are a few things that will take some getting used to. Now don't get me wrong, I don't want my old computer back, but this upgrade will require some work on my part to learn new applications. I will be challenged to learn new ways of doing things that will in the long run make me more efficient in the use of this computer. I could be satisfied with what I had, or step forward to embrace the new and allow it to enhance my work.

God has a way of doing new things within us, challenging us to think and act differently as we study scripture and are led by the Spirit to follow the way of Christ. In some moments we recognize this new path as obviously better than our old ways, yet at other times we find ourselves tempted to return to our old, contented ways. The apostle Paul said that to be in Christ is to be a new creation and that in Christ, all becomes new. You and I have the opportunity to live in newness every day, shaking off the contentedness of routine, learning new lessons from Christ that empower us for every moment.

Don't settle for the familiar routines that limit possibility...embrace the new, accept the upgrade that God brings to your life every day through faith in Jesus Christ. There are wonderful possibilities that lie before you if you are willing to try something new. Make the most of the upgrade...live in the possibilities before you as offered through the living God.

Jim Abernathy

The Car Wash Dilemma

The recent snows and their messy, muddy aftermath have left a lot of things looking quite dingy. My car is one of those dingy things. I should get it washed, after all, the salt and grime left on the roads has formed layers of dirt that may never come off...or so it seems. Yes, I should wash the car, but to tell you the truth, it is still so messy on the roads that after a washing, and a few more minutes back on the road, it would be dirty again in a matter of moments. Maybe I will wait for spring when all the snow has melted road spray from the salt and puddles is gone away.

Truth is that in the spring, there will be enough dirt, mud, and rain on the roads so that washing the car will not last long either and will probably just be a waste of time. Perhaps in the summer when it is dry and hot, I will wash the car. Yes, the summer's drought will afford the best opportunity to keep the car clean...except for the dust and dirt that collects on the finish when there is no moisture to sate the earth. Maybe there's no good time to wash the car. Maybe it's just not worth the effort when it will just get dirty again!

We have entered the season of Lent, a time of reflection and repentance as we journey toward the cross. Seems like just yesterday we were at this same place. Every year the season of Lent calls us to introspection and confession...to recognize anew our need for forgiveness when confronted with the matchless gift of God's love in Jesus Christ. In reality, repentance and forgiveness are continual themes for the Christian as every day we recognize our sin and ask God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ. I suppose, like a dirty car in the middle of winter, we might assume it unnecessary to find cleansing in the forgiving grace of God, after all, we will just sin again. Yet, unconfessed sin is a barrier to right relationship between God and sinners like me. Perhaps like a car, there are stains that after a while begin to eat away at the paint and damage the finish if not cleaned. Continuing to carry the burden of my sin without repentance allows that sin to compromise a vital, empowering faith. New Testament writer John encourages sinners to be intentional in seeking God's forgiveness, as he writes, "If we are faithful to confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." To ignore that sin is carry the dirt and filth of sin when it could easily be cleansed.

I think I will take my car and get it washed right away. Yes, it will get dirty again, but I must admit that keeping it clean will make a difference to the finish of the car, and probably make me feel better as well. Confessing my sin and seeking the forgiveness of God regularly, makes a difference in my life as well. That is a truth for Lent and every season of the year.

Jim Abernathy

Love in Action

In I John 3:18, the wise apostle writes, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." In other words, don't just talk about love, do it. We are fairly proficient, particularly in this national capital region, in talking a good game, whether it is a political hot potato, fiscal challenge, or simply a competition between friends. But talking is not the end-all when it comes to exercising significant change...there must also be meaningful action.

New Testament writer James said that it is not enough to tell a person without a coat to go and be warmed...to truly make a difference one must give the coat that helps keep another warm. As the old adage says, "actions speak louder than words."

The pictures from Haiti are hard to fathom. Hundreds of thousands dead, millions homeless or at the very least, displaced by the terrible earthquakes that have ravaged the country. We might grieve such hardship and mourn such devastating loss of life...to do so is to recognize the need. But if that is all we do, we have done little more than the disinterested person James describes who did nothing to warm a cold body and soul. How will we respond to the massive needs in the country of Haiti?

Westwood will do so in at least four ways. First, we pray. This is not a last resort when nothing else can be done. Prayer is the first response when there is any need. Second, we receive a special offering February 14th...indeed, a perfect day for a "love offering." This offering will be divided among our ministry partners, The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and the Baptist World Alliance, who have persons on the ground in Haiti and are working through local congregations there to meet needs. Third, in March we will receive medical and personal hygiene supplies that will be shipped to our ministry partners there that will be used for the foreseeable future. Finally, we hope at some point in the future to send a team to Haiti, though we know that will probably be quite some time before this happens.

Is love truly love if it does not motivate one to action? To love others in Jesus' name is to show that love. I invite you to join the Westwood family as we seek to love the people of Haiti in word and action.

Jim Abernathy

A Starting Place

During this season, a great deal of time is spent pondering the future and talking about all that lies ahead, and all that we are going to do to bring meaningful change to our lives and the lives of others around us. Resolutions are offered as verbal proof of our good intentions. Sometimes we follow through...sometimes we don't. In the heat of the moment, the shadow of guilt, or the blazing light of inspiration brought on by the threshold of another new year, it is easy to make resolutions, but the dark, cold days of January have a way of tempering our good intentions, and the momentum of hopeful expression gives way to the deflation brought on by the difficulty of following through.

Perhaps we try to change too much...to so radically change our lives that given our other responsibilities and distractions, our actions simply can't keep pace with our good intentions. Perhaps there is one thing, one aspect, one characteristic we could focus on and from that one focal point, meaningful change could truly occur.

Jesus said, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."(John 13:34-35, TNIV) We often speak of impacting the world around us and we think globally, as we should. But what if we allowed that love to impact our world, beginning right where we live, work, go to school, and worship. What if, for this new year, we focused on loving others as Christ has commanded. Would such radical change make a difference?

Maybe that's a starting place for you and me. Losing weight, managing time more effectively, taking up a new hobby, keeping your room clean...these are all worthy goals, but maybe, just maybe, making the love of Christ the priority for the new year will help you and me put everything in its proper perspective.

May the love of Christ be yours to share throughout 2010!

Jim Abernathy

Where Have You Been???

Life gets complicated at times. Distractions are many and some things just don't get done! Issues and events, expected and unexpected, demand our attention and things we have been doing can be pushed aside or forgotten. Such is the story of this blog. I started writing this blog several months ago and have kept it current...until the last month. I could list the many things that have commanded my attention over the last several weeks, but then you would have to get out your list of complications to compare and we would both wind up whining on each other's shoulders.

Perhaps someone might bring up better time management, or a re-prioritization of schedule and focus. Someone might say, "You're doing too much...you need to let go of something." There is truth in all of these concerns, but I also know that at times, life simply presents you more than you can effectively handle and something slips. Most of us could manage our time better, but then again, many of us do a pretty good job given the number of dates, events, and life situations we have to handle. Yes, it is good to occasionally evaluate an re-evaluate our schedules and the way we manage them, but so many of the things that demand our time and effort are important to us and to others. It is easy to tell another that they should let go of something, but are we willing to let go of those things that are important to us? Sometimes we just get overwhelmed in the busyness of this 21st century world, and some things just don't get done. I am not offering an excuse or rationalization here for poor performance. I am, however, reminding myself, and hopefully you as well, that grace must often be applied in the context of our and other's shortcomings. To recognize our failures and commit ourselves once more to the tasks before us is to admit our humanness, and to strive toward a better understanding of who we and others are. And at the heart of this discussion is the One whose grace, mercy, and forgiveness restores and empowers us for the tasks that need to be done.

I will keep a closer eye on this blog, and I hope you will too. I will also seek to live more fully in the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of the Christ, whose birth we celebrate...and I hope you will too!

May you know the wonder of God, present within you through the gift of Bethlehem's baby, during this busy and blessed season.

Jim Abernathy