The World Keeps On Changing

It was nice when I was little. I knew my dad was better than your dad. I knew there would be food on the table every evening at 5:30. I knew, no matter what, that as long as my dad was there I was going to be ok.
Now that I am older, my dad has gone to be with my Father and while some things have changed, some things will never change. I know my Father is great and worthy of praise. I know my Father knows my needs and cares for me. I know my Father is with me, no matter what and at the end of this life, He will welcome me home.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

“Us and Them” Something to think about.

In Your Health Al Hinman writes:
“A spotless kitchen may harbor as many bacteria as a less tidy one, says a surprising new finding from the University of Arizona, in Tucson. That’s because the most germ-laden object in a kitchen is often the sponge. Researchers tested sponges and dishrags collected from five hundred kitchens across the U.S. and found that as many as one out of five contained salmonella bacteria. Almost two thirds had as least some other bacteria that, when ingested, could make people ill.”
Some attempts to cleanse can cause more harm than good. So it is when a pharisaical attitude prevails. Condemnation, self-righteousness, and judgmentalism are the salmonella of the soul.
Gal 6:1-2
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)
Just something to think about.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER

Last Sunday at the Brownwood Skilled Nursing devotional, we sang an old song that has a great message.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
These words, written by Joseph M. Scriven in 1855, have a great message and I have been moved to meditate on them several times since that devotional.
How often do I see prayer as a Christian obligation instead of an intimate privilege? How often do I hurry in and hurry out of my prayers? How often do I wring my hands in worry instead of folding them in prayer?
Jesus said in Matt 11:28-29
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” NIV
In Him
J. Tom Washburn