The Grateful Heart.

Ps 97:10-12
Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
NIV
I love this time of year, not because of the great food, and not because of the presents. I love this time of year because it calls for reflection. We stop and reflect on the great blessings God has lavished on us.
God guards us, delivers us, shines His light on us and places joy in our hearts. Every day for a child of God is a day filled with thanksgiving.
I want to encourage you to intentionally set aside a little time each day and just praise His holy name.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Count Your Blessings

One of the “old” songs, I grew up singing, has this chorus,
“Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.”
This song was published in 1897, one year after the first speeding fine was issued, one year after the third deadliest tornado in history hit St. Louis Missouri, one year after an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan and killed 27,000 people.
The world of 1897 and the world of 2011 have a lot of differences, but there are also a lot of similarities. This song reminds me that regardless of the time in which I live, God is always there and He has blessed me greatly.
Take some time today and offer thanks for what God has blessed you with.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

A Call To Focus

This past week I went to my sister-in-laws funeral. As a part of that celebration (and it really was a celebration) several women read from a book that Sharon had put together over several years. The book listed what Sharon believed. I was impressed that anyone would take the time and thought to list the bedrock beliefs that guided their life. I was so moved by the reading that I thought it would be good for me (everyone) to start my list of things I believe.

I Believe:
I believe Jesus is The Son of God.
I believe every word of the Bible is true.
I believe God created the world and everything that is.
I believe God knows my name.
I believe Jesus loves me.
I believe Jesus lived a perfect life.
I believe His Church is precious to Him.
I believe I am saved by grace through faith in Him.
I believe baptism is where I come in contact with the forgiving blood of Jesus Christ.
I believe in God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and even though I don't totally understand it, I believe they are one.
I believe God has placed His Holy Spirit inside me.
I believe God hears my prayers.
I believe God puts me where I need to be, in order to give Him glory.
I believe I am not alone.
I believe Jesus will return some day.
I believe He has prepared a place for me.
I believe I am forgiven.

Hands

Hands and fingers are a remarkable. Our fingers can be used to point out faults, accuse, judge, or they can be used to give direction, and if you place a ring on the correct figure it can show the mark of a covenant. When our hands are closed they can inflict pain, and show anger, but when you open that same hand if can give comfort and receive blessings.
God help us point to you and comfort for your glory.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Camouflage Christians

As I was walking into Wal-Mart the other day, I noticed several men entering the store in camouflage. I had several strange thoughts, which came into my twisted little mind, which amused me. The first thing I thought was that’s not very good camouflage since you stand out like a sore thumb. Then I began to think about the wisdom of wearing camouflage in public. Most people want to be noticed so cars won’t hit them, they want waiters to notice them in a restaurant so they can receive service. Wearing camouflage in public seems counterintuitive.
I am afraid at times that Christians wear camouflage. When a Christian goes through life hoping no one notices their faith, they have spiritual camouflage on. Christ doesn’t want us in camouflage; Christ wants us in the bold colors of a holy life, the holy life that wins the respect of outsiders and the holy life that glows with an uncontrollable passion for God. We are not called to hide in this world, but we are called to be a light in a dark world.
Jesus said in Matt 5:14-16
14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. “ NIV
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

The Blood

Have you ever thought about the amazing age we live in? Just 100 years ago our world was significantly different. If you wanted to travel across the ocean, you had to take a ship, and it took you as long as a month to get to your destination, today you can fly almost anywhere in the world in less than 24 hours (if you have good connections). If you wanted to send a note to someone around the world, it took weeks to get there, now we can send an email in just seconds. Phones were connected by cords; pictures were in black and white, and the television had not yet been invented. The world has changed a lot in the last 100 years, but there is one thing that has never changed, “People need Jesus Christ.”
No matter how advanced our technology becomes, it cannot solve the problem of sin. No matter how fast our technology becomes, it cannot our run the consequences of sin. It may seem old fashion, it may seem quaint, but the answer for sin has never changed.
1 John 1:7
…the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
Eph 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. NIV
Just something to think about today as you send your next emails, hurry to the next big thing and talk on your cell phone. There is one thing that will never change, there is one thing that will never become obsolete, there is one thing you can put your hope in, The Blood Of Jesus Christ.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Treasures in a jar

2 Cor 4:7-9
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. (NIV)
What is it that gives us the courage to stand up for our faith in Jesus Christ? What is it that gives us the courage to let others know we are Christian? What is it that gives us the courage to let others know that we really do believe the Bible? What is it that gives me the courage to hold on to my faith even when everyone around me ridicules me?
It is a treasure, a treasure of hope, a treasure of forgiveness, a treasure of light and life, mercy and love. It is the treasure given us by God and it is unmistakable. Unlike most treasures it is not meant to be put away in a safe place, this treasure is meant to be shown to the world, this treasure is meant to be lived.
As children we sang the song “This little light of mine”, as adults it is time to live that song.
Just something to think about.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn