Always Thinking Of You

When Julie and I started dating, so many years ago, she was always on my mind. When Julie and I had our children, they were always on my mind. It seems like I am always thinking of my family. I want to know how they are doing and I want to do everything I can to make their lives as good as possible, that's what a father does, he cares for his family.
God cares for His children with a perfect love. From the very beginning He had a plan to save us, so that we could spend eternity with Him. He watches over us and teaches us how we are to live. God walks beside us and comforts us, He also loves us enough to discipline and teach us. What God does every minute of every day, He cares for you with an undying love.
1 PETER 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

BLESSED

Rom 4:7 "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
(NIV)
Blessed, that is a good word to describe the Child of God. We are blessed, we are blessed because we are forgiven, we are blessed because we are a part of “The Family”, and we are blessed because of the hope that lives inside us.
Blessed, I like the way that word sounds, it reminds me of the way I feel when I am with others who are in God’s family, it reminds me of how I feel when I share in somebody else’s joy, it is the closest word I can think of to describe the way I feel when I sing praises to my God.
Blessed, is exactly how I feel when I am comforted, in my test and trials of life, by “The Family”.
Blessed, what a great way to describe the Christians life.

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Some Things Change - Some Things Don't

I love remembering how things were "in days of old". I like watching old television shows like Andy Griffith, and George Burns. I like remembering summer days when mom would just tell us to be home by supper. I like remembering drive in theatres, banana seat bicycles, party line phones, record players, and ice cream trucks.
It seems like so many things in this world have changed. Change isn't bad, it isn't good, change is just change. Change can make me uncomfortable, but it will keep coming, that is why I am glad that there is at least one thing that will never change.

James 1:17-18
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.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
(NIV)

God will never change, that is why I am putting my life, and hope in Him.

In Him
J.Tom Washburn

Shaving

As I looked at myself in the mirror this morning, I was reminded that I needed to shave. The first thought that went through my head was "I just shaved yesterday, why do I have to do this every day?". Every day (well almost every day) I go through the same ritual, I look at myself in the mirror, examine the scruff that seemed to grow when no one was looking, then I let the razor do its work.
As I went through my routine this morning it occurred to me that shaving is a lot like how I give my life to God.
First, I need to do it every day.
(Ps 145:2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
(NIV))
Second, I need to examine the scuff that has grown in my life.
(2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. (NIV))
Third, I need to let Christ do His work in me.
(Phil 1:6 ... He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.(NIV))

Today as you begin your morning ritual, don't forget to do the truly important things, those things that remind you "Who God Wants You To Be".

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Really Living

One of the people God has put in my life is Sharon Washburn. Sharon is one of the strongest believers I know, and her faith has always blessed me. I wanted to share with you something she wrote in her blog.

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The last few weeks, I've been blessed to meet some new ladies through radiation as we sit in the "locker" room waiting for treatment. One lady in particular has been on my heart. She's 20 years my senior with the sweetest disposition. Through these weeks, she's grown to trust me & has shared with me that she is near the end of her medical journey. The breast cancer has returned a 3rd time, & now is extensively in her bones & spine & this is the last radiation for her. There is little left the medical community can offer her except pain management & those conversations with doctors will be forthcoming soon.

You'd think our conversations about death & dying would be gloomy & depressing, but they're really not. They're sweet & hopeful. Thoughtful & reflective. She needs a listening ear because her family is not quite ready to accept her physical realities. Sometimes a "stranger" like me can be a pretty good listening ear. You see, she's a believer & knows God can step in & save the day at any time. She also knows He's getting her ready for heaven & she's planning the way she's living out her life. She's cleaning out closets & getting her house in order for her family. Not in a desperate way, but a loving way. She's thankful for the years God has given her & is just so graceful in her manner! She & I pray we have the grace to walk our life's journeys the way He intends for us. The number of those days is really of no consequence, only that each one is spent living.

I don't know how many days, weeks or years God has planned for me here, but I will live them all! I will love the ones He loves & depend completely on His grace to save me. I want my life to be a love response to Him for my salvation & be ready to go to heaven. Sure, I don't want to dwell on death all the time, but living with a readiness to meet Jesus face to face - that's really living!

Blessings!
Sharon Washburn

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Eph 4:1
... I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
(NIV)

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Cyphonocerus ruficollis

I must admit, I love looking at the stars, on a moonless night. Away from the city lights, it is amazing how bright, clear and spectacular the heavens are. God amazes me.
I remember as a child, not only seeing the stars at night, I also remember seeing stars in the trees and in the fields, at least I thought they were stars, my dad called them lightning bugs or fireflies.
You don’t see fireflies much anymore, those little bits of heaven flying down here on earth, but when you do they seem spectacular to me.
Christians are like fireflies, little bits of heaven here on earth. They show the glory of God in the dark world we live in, and they make you dream of heaven.
Today I want to challenge you to let your light shine for all to see, and the world around you will be blessed.

1 Pet 2:12
12 Live such good lives among the pagans that,… they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
(NIV)

In Him
J. Tom Washburn