Two Women

Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day. So, I thought it fitting and proper to highlight two special women from the Bible. Their names? Mary and Martha.

So here, the just of the story. Martha was the busy one, doing all the preparations to serve up Jesus a good, hot meal. Martha was also supremely ticked that Mary was just hanging out, sitting at Jesus’ feet. In fact, Martha was so irate that she complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t pulling her fair weight in the afternoon preparations! Martha was not happy when Jesus said to her “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many other things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Martha gets such a bad rap in this passage of scripture. To be sure, so many of us women are focused, driven and busy women. That’s actually how God wired many of us. But I love the confidence Martha had in going to Jesus and just sharing her frustration directly! She told Jesus exactly what she thought and she knew Jesus would hear her out.

Are you and I free to share our complaints with Jesus? Or do we just hold Jesus at bay, concluding He’s not for us?

Jesus responded to Martha. He didn’t shame her or make her feel guilty or put her down. He told her only one thing is needed right that moment. Focus on what’s most important now. Mary was focusing on Jesus and that was good.

The summary question from this passage is not: Which one are you, Mary or Martha? The question to be asked instead is: Will you seek Jesus throughout your day and throughout your life? I can be super busy in a task and still be devoted to Jesus. You can too! It’s a choice! So, whether we’re busy or not busy, our goal is to seek Jesus. Invite Him to partner with you throughout the day. Be in relationship with Him in the busyness and the calm times. When we do, He will take care of the rest.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

 Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Right Under the Nose

We don’t normally make a practice of giving our pooch people food. But, during SNOVID, rules are meant to be broken. And so began my doggie experiment…… I placed a nice size chunk of leftover steak in front of my dog’s nose, who was in deep REM sleep. Nothing happened. Maybe a slight twitch of the nose. That’s it.

All at once, Chara popped up to a sitting position. Left over steak still sitting there. I literally had to say “Chara, look!” and she finally noticed the steak. A one-second gobble and it was gone.

How could Chara not smell the yummy steak? Was she so out of it after a busy day in the snow, that she missed the most important food snack EVER? Why did it take her so long to notice this amazing, scrumptious snack?

Ephesians 5:14 would be fitting for Chara, but way more significant for us humans. It says “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” What is Paul talking about in this passage? Paul is literally telling us to “WAKE-UP!” We are to arise and walk as directed by the Lord. We are to take our relationship with Christ seriously and walk in union with Him.

We are prone to be just like Chara…. sound asleep while a great piece of steak lay there waiting to be enjoyed. We can be so afraid of progressing in our faith with Jesus Christ that we just resist Him. We know He’s right under our nose and basically all around us. However, we lay in wait, hoping we can just go about our life, running it our way.

Waking up involves taking a stark look at your life and how it’s going. Waking up involves asking the hard question “Why am I resisting Christ?” Waking up involves no longer using the same excuse “Christians behave badly” and instead, engaging in your own personal faith journey. Waking up involves not being afraid to participate in healthy spiritual conversations with other people….in a safe, caring and loving environment where it’s ok to question.

May I add one more verse? The very next verse says this in Ephesians 5:15 “Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Stop. Pause. Take this in! Be careful. How do you live? Are you quick to judge others? Tear others down rather than build up? Quick to get angry? Quick to gossip? Attack others on social media? Hold unforgiveness? Now, more than ever, God is calling us to a new way to live. Awake! Rise Up! Shine!

If you want to dialogue about this Start Up or receive prayer, please email me: Nancya@ymcasatx.org. I welcome it!

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. 

Dealing With Trials

As I watch the snow continue to fall, I have to admit, it doesn’t feel like I’m living in San Antonio, Texas. It was just a few weeks ago, it was 80 degrees! I would never have believed we’d experience a major snow week that would affect almost everyone in the state.

And who said that 2021 would be better? I was so very happy to say goodbye to 2020, and then 2021 began. To be honest, I haven’t felt particularly encouraged by the events of 2021. I am sobered by the stories I’ve read about what Texans have gone through this week. How do we deal with ongoing trials in our life?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Apostle Paul this week. He had a unique perspective on suffering as he had suffered so much! Take a look at his perspective below:

”But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed…… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unsee. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16-18)

Paul was a wanted man because of what he was for Christ. People wanted to murder him for his faith. He lived with stress every single day. Paul was a man who suffered more than you or I will ever suffer. Yet he didn’t let the stress and ongoing challenges crush him. That’s where I think we struggle…we allow the ongoing stress and anxiety crush us. We tend to cave in to our circumstances. Here are some of my thoughts on this scripture:

1.Triumph of Christ in Paul’s life- Paul was hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. Did you see what Paul is NOT experiencing? Look at the triumph in Paul’s life. He got it! He was in so many difficult circumstances that he realized that it was only the power and victory of Jesus that could meet his need.

2. We don’t lose heart- Paul probably knew what we’d want to ask him: “How can you NOT lose heart, Paul?” It’s easy to lose heart and want to quit when trials mount up. Don’t let pain, fatigue or even criticism of others stop you from persevering with Christ! Will you trust God in the midst of your crushing circumstance? Please, do not lose heart. 

3. Fix your eyes on what is NOT seen- We humans tend to live in the here and now. But Paul saw that this life is not all there is! Because of Jesus in his life, he lived with eternity in his heart. He knew that this life was temporary and he lived with that in mind. It helped him get through a bunch of trials! 

We don’t know what 2021 will bring. But, please, do not lose heart. And if you are, please feel free to email me: Nancya@ymcasatx.org. I'd love to encourage and pray for you.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Famous For

Most people watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. I’ll pay close attention to the game when the Dallas Cowboys make it. Sigh.

I already had my pick for the best commercial even before the Super Bowl- Lawn and Garden Giveaway! Like most Super Bowl commercials, I could care less about the advertisement, it’s what happens in the commercial that's cool.

I relate to John Travolta. I’m pretty slow with techy things too. But, I’m also a Travolta fan from way back. In college, I worked at a place called Dixie Electric Company, the best disco around at that time. Saturday Night Fever and Grease were some of the songs we danced to again and again and let me add, one more again.

Years later, when biking up the coast of California, my girl friends and I actually met Mr. Travolta in a restaurant in Carmel. The waitress whispered “Don’t look now, but John Travolta is sitting over there.” Of course, I couldn’t help but to “look now.”

We all love a touch of fame. But, I wanna tell you, we sometimes miss that our God is way more famous than any human being on the face of this earth. In the Bible, we see countless stories of God doing God-like things. He brings hope when we’re hopeless. He gives strength when we’re weak. He works miracles when we see no other way. He answers prayer after prayer after prayer. He is God and always has been and will always be. He’s worth getting to know… personally.

I’ll probably never know John Travolta and all the other famous people out there, but I can know God personally. I can tell you countless times he’s made a way for me when their seemed to be no way. I can speak of many times where He was the God of abundance and did more than I could ever ask or imagine. Yes, He is famous. He is worthy of our worship. He is God. He is like no other. Let’s celebrate that on this Monday after the Super Bowl.

Famous For (song by Jenn Johnson and Tauren Wells, 2020)

“There is no fear, ‘cause I believe
There is no doubt, ‘cause I have seen
Your faithfulness, my fortress, over and over

I have a hope found in Your name
I have a strength found in Your grace
Your faithfulness, my fortress, over and over

Make way through the waters
Walk me through the fire
Do what You are famous for
What You are famous for.

Shut the mouth of lions
Bring dry bones to life and
Do what You are famous for
What You are famous for.

I believe in You. God, I believe in You....."

https://youtu.be/hLCYTUaoqDM

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. 

Much More

Google search 'Stress related to COVID 19.' You will get way more information than you care to read. Most of us have had our share of stress in this last year brought on by COVID. We already know the stress that COVID 19 has caused.

How are you doing with that stress?  How has that stress affected your personality? Your relationships? Your outlook on life? How work?

Jesus lived a perfect life as a human and He actually dealt with way more stress than we ever will. He gave us instruction in how to walk through these times. Tucked away in the Gospels, Jesus has something to say about this very thing:

“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:30-34

Consider the words of Oswald Chambers “Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion it has been because we have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed the cares of the word to come in, and have forgotten the 'much more' of our Heavenly Father.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 26. Note: Chambers was an evangelist, teacher and also a YMCA chaplain in Cairo, Egypt.)

This week, I’ve been pondering the words 'much more.' To my regret, I too easily forget how much more my God will take care of me! Why do I suddenly get worried or anxious about something? It can happen like a drop of a hat! However, when I start my day in God’s Word, take time to pray for the many things happening that day, I have a better perspective. I don’t tend to worry because my focus is on Jesus. I still find just talking to God throughout the day invaluable. Bottom line: I need spiritual communion with God non-stop.

Honestly, there are so many other things that compete with God in our lives. Whether it’s relationships, work life, life’s circumstances or even anger or disappointment towards God, these things keep God at bay in your life. As you reset for this new month of February, why not do a reset with God?

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Bernie Memes

I bet you can’t even count how many Bernie memes you’ve seen this week. Bernie’s been everywhere in just one short week! My favorite meme this week was when Bernie came to visit The Hunt Store, right down the highway from our YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow. He looked so cute with his little handcrafted mittens, seemingly without a care in the world, stopping in for a lovely meal by the fireplace.

I just came to wonder if we’d see Jesus that way. Doesn’t Jesus look a little funny in our minds sometimes? I guess He really did at times. Jesus showed up in all sorts of places to be with all kinds of people. He healed the deaf mute in Decapolis. He healed a paralytic at Bethseda. He healed the blind man, Bartimaeus, in Jericho. He hung out with Mary and Martha in Bethany. One day, Jesus showed up on a cross  for you and me.  In fact, people came from all over to see Jesus and hear Him speak as well!

But what we saw with Bernie is that people were putting him places. You name it, Bernie was there! Where would you put Jesus in your life? Would you put him in the grocery store? Would you put Him in the YMCA? Would you put him in the shopping mall? Would you take Him on vacation? Would Jesus sit beside you at work? In the end, I have to wonder, isn’t Jesus there with You all the time?

The Bible speaks to Jesus’ presence. In Matthew 28:19-20 it says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Jesus was actually speaking those words.

We can insert Jesus everywhere. In fact we can insert Jesus everywhere, even unto the end of the age. Will you think about Him when you first open your eyes? Will you go to sleep talking to Jesus? Can your mind focus on Him at every lull in your mental processes? Will you engage with Him in your work? 

You and I might never meet Bernie face to face. But we can meet Jesus. Maybe it’s time in your life to cultivate a deeper relationship with our precious Savior. He is always with you.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Perfect Love

Spiritual Vitamin: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

Challenge: What do you fear? Will you run to the Father? He is perfect love. Give Him your fears today.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this verse. You are love. Perfect love. I have nothing to fear when I walk in relationship with You. How I need You today! Amen.