Don’t Be Surprised

Have you ever found yourself surprised? We pray, and then we find ourselves surprised by how God chooses to answer. I am in my last round of chemo (at least this type of chemo) before starting the next phase of my treatments. My appointment at U.T. Southwestern in Dallas was initially scheduled for August 2nd. That appointment seemed a long way off, and Julie and I didn’t want to lose any ground that we had made up to this point in my treatment, so Julie began to pray. On Monday, I received a call, and my appointment had been changed to May 2nd. That’s right; my appointment was changed from 3 months away to this Monday at 2:00. Julie and I were amazed and grateful. God’s plan is always better than mine. I don’t know what you are worried about, but I know this, God has an answer, and it is better than the plan you have in mind. Give it to Him and trust that He will do what is best for you and His glory.

It’s not Over until It’s Over

First days can be difficult. After your first yard workday, you are sore in places you had forgotten about all winter long. After your first day of weightlifting, you are sore in places you didn’t know could be sore. After your first day of serious running, you question why you did such a torturous thing to your body. We all want the results, but a journey must be taken to achieve those results. There are no real shortcuts in the process. James puts it this way in James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I have been told about a great outcome in my cancer walk, but I still have a journey ahead of me. This week has been difficult. I was given good news (mild remission), and I must continue taking the drug that makes me hurt and gives me a fever. While this is the last month (for a while) that I need to take this drug, I still need to go through the journey to get to the place where they need me to be. I have been told of a great outcome in my Christian walk (salvation and a home in heaven), but I still have a journey ahead of me. Some days will be difficult, but the promise is still true. I still need to go through the journey to get to the place where God wants me to be. May we all be faithful through the journey until we hear the trumpet. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Good News and Better News to Come

This week the Doctor gave Julie and me some good news. He said I was in mild remission. He took me off all my medications except the one that makes me weak, sore, and nauseous. We are now waiting for the next step. Julie and I are now waiting for a call from U.T. Southwestern so we can get started on preparing for the Stem Cell procedure (they will kill my immune system, remove my stem cells, clean them, and put them back in me). Julie and I will go through this month-long procedure and recovery after my body has rested and no chemo medications at all (Yea). I want to thank all of you for your prayers and concern during this six-month journey; yes, this started in October. For the next two weeks, I will continue to have all the symptoms I am currently experiencing, but I can see a brief respite. It seems like a long time since I have not carried a high level of pain and nausea, but I am looking forward to that day. Over the past six months, I have learned many lessons. I have learned to accept help, let others do what they can do, humility, and be reminded of what is essential. People don’t need to be comfortable with Christ; they need to be confronted with Him. I have been reminded, with a laser focus, that this life is not all there is; in fact, this life is not the best there is. I have also been convicted that Jesus Christ is my salvation's basis, root, and total sum. I am saved because I am in Him, not because of who I am or what I have done. I am saved because He is enough, and His promises are true. I don’t need to fret over my past because it has been forgiven. I can sleep at night because I know. My prayer is not for long life, my prayer is for eternity, and I have the same prayer for you. That prayer is only answered In Christ Alone. I want you to have His peace, and I want you to experience the blessing that comes from being involved in His Body. Life may be short, but His promises are true, lean into His promises and receive His blessings. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Just Over The Next Ridge

2 Chron 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." NIV Many years ago, Julie and I led groups of teens on backpacking trips. The first day was always the hardest because most of the first day was about climbing a tall mountain. The one phrase we heard repeatedly was “how much further?” I would respond, “it is just over the next ridge.” My goal was to keep the teens from sitting down and giving up. I knew that if they kept putting one foot in front of the other, eventually, we would reach the comfort of camp. This past week has been a tough week. I feel cruddy, and I am tired of being sick and weak. It would be easy to give up and sit down, but I know that is not the answer. I need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and eventually, something will change. I have asked myself the question, what am I supposed to learn. The answer is encouraging. I have learned that God is still in control. I have learned that I am not the only one who can do some things. I have learned to accept help, and now I am learning to be still and trust God and trust others. I will be glad when the nausea is no more, but I hope I never forget the lessons I am being taught. In Him J. Tom Washburn

A Humble Act

One of the hallmark passages about Christian living is Titus 3:1-2. As I go through this journey of illness, I need to be reminded of the heart of a follower. It is easy to become stubborn. It is easy to become depressed. It is easy to become centered only on my struggles and forget those God has placed on the path that needs to see the heart of God through me. Despite the struggles and pain that sometimes come, I am always called to show the spirit of Christ to everyone who is watching. Listen to what Paul writes to the young evangelist: Titus 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. NIV Parts of that passage come easily, but humility is difficult. This past week Julie and I acknowledged that we need help in some areas of our lives. I am not allowed to lift heavy objects, and it is humbling to watch your friends do what you have always done for yourself. It is humbling, and it is also encouraging. I watched one of my friends use their life in an act that glorified God. I am not accustomed to receiving help. I have always been the one who gave help. After my friend left the house, the only thing I could think of was, “God is always faithful.” Today if you have an opportunity to do good, do good. If you are the recipient of an act of kindness, be grateful and look up, God may have just sent you an act of encouragement to remind you of His great love. On a health note – next week is the week for labs and the end of round 4. Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Humble Victory

This past week has been challenging, full of joy and pain. Julie and I spent Saturday afternoon in the emergency room because I had a hard time keeping anything in. Sunday, I preached a lesson that needed to be presented. Tired from the day before, I was lifted by the kind comments and responses to the challenge of unity shown in the lesson. Monday, when I went for my treatment, the doctor canceled a part of the treatment for a time, saying it was too hard on my body. I would love to say I was glad, but I felt defeated. Why were we stopping (even for a short time) something that seemed to be working? Fighting cancer is like fighting in a boxing match. When you get knocked to the ground, it is illegal to continue hitting somebody when they are on the mat. I need to rest in the corner and come back out fighting when the bell rings again. Taking a rest for my body is not quitting. Taking a rest for my body is not giving up. Taking a rest for my body is essential if I am going to continue the fight. I don’t know when the Doctor will start the discontinued treatment again, but I will stand up and fight until the fight is over. Fighting cancer and fighting for the godly life have many things in common. There are times when we will fall face down on the mat, and we need help. There are times when we need to rest from the constant attack. There are times when we need to be still. God has not put us in a fight that can not be won. God has not walked away from us when we fall. God will not kick us when we are down. God will provide for us, protect us, and comfort us. Most of us have the challenge of humbling ourselves and accepting the gifts that only God can give. We will lose if we insist on doing it ourselves. We can not fail if we follow close to Christ and trust His leading. There will still be a fight, and it will still be difficult, but our victory is already won. Trust in the One who can.