Friday, July 31, 2009

What does Today hold?


It is kinda fun waiting expectantly. When I was a child, Christmas was that time of year when I found myself waiting expectantly. What was in the big box? Did I get what I wanted? Will it be all I had hoped for? Now that I am older, there are more occasions when I find myself waiting expectantly, all of those things I have talked to God about. Today could be the day that the house sells. Today could be the day that we hear the cancer is gone and the treatments are over. Today could be the day that God brings a seeker into my life. Today could be ... Today is a gift from God and I can hardly wait to see what is in this big box.

James 1:17
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
(NIV)


In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Home is where your God is


There are days I need to be reassured, reassured that I am not in this alone. Everything inside of me says I should run home, shut the door, put on my comfortable clothes, curl up and go to sleep. Home. Home is my sanctuary. Home is the place where I can be me, the real me.
I guess the question I need the answer to is, "is God there?" When the real me shows up, is God there? I want Him to be, I need Him to be, but in my attempt to get away from everything that is pulling at me, have I also pulled away from God?
Moses said
Ps 90:1
Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!
(TLB)
I know the only place to find peace, is at home, with God.
So God over the next few weeks, months and years of my life, make my home in You. While I wait for the tension of life to fade (2 house payments and 2 house full of utility payments)do what you said you would do in
John 14:23
"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
(NIV)
God come and make your Home with me.

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

There is a Lion out there


Have you ever noticed that there is fear in places you don't belong.
Last night I was sitting in the back yard, watching the storms (no lights at all), I was startled by the scream of a cat. I knew better than to be outside with no light, but I thought "It's only a little ways out there". If I had brought a light, there would have been no fear, but in the dark the scream of a cat brought fear to my heart. Needless to say I was through looking at the storm and I fumbled my way back into the house were there was all the light I needed to feel safe.
In my Christian walk I also need to carry The Light with me, because there is a cat out there, who doesn't want to scare me, he wants to devour me.
1 Pet 5:8 .... Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.(NIV)

So my friends - keep your light with you, and keep it turned on.

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

My Statement of Faith

In one of the great statements of faith, Bob Moorehead wrote:

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, "chincy" giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, lean by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know,and work until He stops me And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me - my colors will be clear.

That should be the cry of every person who takes The Name of Jesus Christ! That should be me!

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

You Have More Than You Think You Do

Recently, Julie and I moved. We found a place to live, we got somebody to pack us up and we moved. When we were living in our other house, we were comfortable and we had everything we thought we needed. Now that we are unpacking in our "new" house, I have come to realize that we have more than we could have ever imagined. We have more hide-a-beds than any family should ever have. We have more videos than we will ever watch. We have more glasses than we will ever use. We have more than we ever knew we had.
It is that way in our Christian walk, We Have More Than We Could Ever Imagine. His forgiveness is more than my sin. His love is greater than my fear. My cup does overflow, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I heard a song

This morning I heard a song that had no words, and yet it lifted my heart to the throne of God. This morning I heard the birds singing, the wind rustleing through the leaves and a lone frog bellowing. This morning I saw the sun dancing off of the clouds and I said in my heart "thanks."
Ps 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God (NIV)"

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Life to the full

Jesus says in John 10:10 "... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.(NIV)"
Jesus didn't say "come unto me so that you can avoid stress", Jesus didn't say "come unto me so that you will avoid illness", Jesus didn't say "come unto me so that you will have a zone of protection all around you." Jesus DID say in John 16:33 "...In this world you will have trouble."He goes on and says " But take heart! I have overcome the world.(NIV)"

We sing a song that says "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through." When we learn to live with that understanding, the trials of life seem somehow lighter. When we learn to live with that understanding, the journey seems more like an adventure than a battle.

God help me enjoy the adventure, because I know you have already won the battle.

In Him
J. Tom Washburn