People Of The Cross

It is important that we remember who we are and what we are about, that is why, from time to time, we remind ourselves with this little saying.

We are people of the cross,

blood bought and forgiven.

Our goal is to live lives worthy

of the calling we have received

and to be lights unto our world.

There is another saying that I have heard some churches participate in each week

God is good

All the time

All the time

God is good

If we can remind ourselves of who God is, who we are and what we are to be, it will be impossible for Satan to defeat us.

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Change

When I was young, I loved change. When I heard the Ice Cream truck coming down the road, playing its’ tune, I would gather up my change and buy a treat. When I was a teenager, change could buy me a soda. Now that I am a little older, I put my change in a jar. Change doesn’t seem as important to me now, until I take a good look at the jar, then I see “real” money.
In my spiritual life, I need to understand the value of change. Change is what God is doing. He takes me from lost to saved, that’s change. He takes me from selfish to giving, that’s change. He takes me from hopelessness to hope, that’s change. While God never changes, I am so glad He sees the value of change, and is willing to patiently change me.
2 Cor 3:18
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
(NIV)
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Dirty Diapers

Recently I read my nieces blog, she had a dirty diapers count, 705 dirty diapers and counting. It made me laugh. I wondered how many dirty diapers my wife and I took care of. I know she took care of a lot more than I did. It’s funny the things we keep track of, dirty diapers, broken bottles, spilt milk.
I am so glad that I have a Heavenly Father who doesn’t keep track of dirty diapers. He has forgiven my messes, my spilt milk, and my sin. What my Heavenly Father keeps track of is me. What my Heavenly Father delights over is me. I am so blessed.
Zeph 3:17
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
(NIV)
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Beauty

Recently my wife received a card in the mail that carried with it a powerful message. The card was a quote from The Great House Of God by Max Lucado.
“Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you.”” When we opened the card there was a passage from The Message “Take a good look at God’s wonders – they’ll take your breath away.” (Psalm 66:5)
In my life I have been blessed. I have seen the beautiful sunsets of the west Texas plains and I have seen the colors of an Oklahoma storm. I have seen the majesty of mountains and the colors of a coral reef. We do live in a symphony God is performing just for us.
But do you know what takes away my breath even more than the beauty of this earth, the loving acts of God’s created; an older couple holding hands, parents holding their baby, friends selflessly supporting each other. I see God’s love in waiting rooms, with the quiet support of caring friends, I see God’s love at finish lines, with cheering friends after a long hard race. As beautiful as God’s creation is, the hearts of God’s created is breathtaking.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn