Jesus said “follow me” it sounds easy, but it may be the hardest command ever given. Following also involves leaving and leaving is hard. Most of us have created a world where we are comfortable. (Jesus never promised us comfort on the journey.) Their may be parts of our lives we are unhappy with, but we are not so unhappy that we have changed anything. Jesus says “follow me” and that means some things, everything, will change. For us to become what Jesus has in store for us, we must be willing to follow Him and be willing to leave behind those things that so easily entangle us.
There are times Jesus calls us, and He wants us to pick up everything and move to a new location. Everything we have become familiar with is gone and we start all over again. We feel alone, afraid and vulnerable. All of our old friends and support are gone and we feel afraid.
Jesus said “follow me” but He never leaves us alone or unprotected. He also never takes us to a place He has not prepared us for.
Heb 13:5-6
5 …, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
(NIV)
As Julie and I trust God on our new adventure, we also look back to dear friends and watch with great anticipation for want God has in store for them.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I Thank My God
There are many people who believe that their spiritual walk is private. These people don’t see the value of church or the value of sharing their faith. They believe their personal and private relationship with God should be kept private.
Recently I was reminded of just how important The Body of Christ is. You can not give true encouragement to yourself. You can not lift yourself up when you fall. You can not hold yourself when you need comforting. You can not accompany yourself when you need a companion.
I am blessed to know, that I have partners in the faith who cheer for me. I am blessed to know that I have faithful friends who will stand with me. I am blessed to know that I am a part of a greater body, and Christ is the head. I am blessed to know that I have friends.
Like Paul I can say “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Phil 1:3
And like Paul I can say “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” Rom 1:8
May God be glorified as all of us share our lives and faith with everyone who has an ear to hear.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Recently I was reminded of just how important The Body of Christ is. You can not give true encouragement to yourself. You can not lift yourself up when you fall. You can not hold yourself when you need comforting. You can not accompany yourself when you need a companion.
I am blessed to know, that I have partners in the faith who cheer for me. I am blessed to know that I have faithful friends who will stand with me. I am blessed to know that I am a part of a greater body, and Christ is the head. I am blessed to know that I have friends.
Like Paul I can say “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Phil 1:3
And like Paul I can say “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” Rom 1:8
May God be glorified as all of us share our lives and faith with everyone who has an ear to hear.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Friday, June 19, 2009
Burl
Wikipedia defines burl as - "A burl (British bur or burr) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress."
Burl is a new term to me. I was introduced to the term when some dear friends gave my wife and me a vase that had been carved from maple burl. The twisted grain of the wood made the vase unique and beautiful.
As I studied the vase, and as my friend explained to me what a burl is and how it only comes about through stress, I began to understand how God sees His children. Those parts of our lives that have been so twisted by stress are the parts, and are ugly to us, God can mold into the beautiful image of grace.
The trick is this, we must be willing to let God have our burl. We must be willing to let Him cut away the bark and gently cut away all those parts that are hiding His glory. It is only after God has done His work that others will be truly able to see His glory shining through you.
Eph 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(NIV)
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Burl is a new term to me. I was introduced to the term when some dear friends gave my wife and me a vase that had been carved from maple burl. The twisted grain of the wood made the vase unique and beautiful.
As I studied the vase, and as my friend explained to me what a burl is and how it only comes about through stress, I began to understand how God sees His children. Those parts of our lives that have been so twisted by stress are the parts, and are ugly to us, God can mold into the beautiful image of grace.
The trick is this, we must be willing to let God have our burl. We must be willing to let Him cut away the bark and gently cut away all those parts that are hiding His glory. It is only after God has done His work that others will be truly able to see His glory shining through you.
Eph 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(NIV)
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Finding Home
Looking for a new home is harder than you think. When you drive by a house you never know what it is like on the inside. Julie and I have looked at a lot of houses lately and it is true that you can not judge anything by the outside. Julie and I have seen some homes that looked great on the outside, but on the inside the floor plan was all messed up. We have seen some homes that looked great on the outside, but their foundations were cracked and needed a lot of work. We have seen some homes that looked great on the outside, but when you went inside, the only thing that came to mind was "What were they thinking?".
Looking for a good place to live is hard work.
The same thing is true in our lives, looking for a good place to live can be hard work, if you don't have the right guide.
There are people who look like they have it all together on the outside, but inside they are all messed up, the way they have arranged their life is all out of order. Some folks look great on the outside but inside they have all kinds of foundation trouble and they need a lot of work.
I want you to know something, there is a master carpenter who has built a special place just for you. It feels like home the very first time you see it. There are no foundation troubles, no paint scheme nightmares, and no rooms out of order.
Jesus wants you to have that home, and He wants to start preparing you for that home today.
He wants to start changing your life so you will be at home with Him forever. Will you let Him?
2 Cor. 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is The Spirit.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Looking for a good place to live is hard work.
The same thing is true in our lives, looking for a good place to live can be hard work, if you don't have the right guide.
There are people who look like they have it all together on the outside, but inside they are all messed up, the way they have arranged their life is all out of order. Some folks look great on the outside but inside they have all kinds of foundation trouble and they need a lot of work.
I want you to know something, there is a master carpenter who has built a special place just for you. It feels like home the very first time you see it. There are no foundation troubles, no paint scheme nightmares, and no rooms out of order.
Jesus wants you to have that home, and He wants to start preparing you for that home today.
He wants to start changing your life so you will be at home with Him forever. Will you let Him?
2 Cor. 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is The Spirit.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Think On Those Things
Phil 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.(NIV)
As I sit in my empty office, I can not help but notice how empty the walls appear. Walls are meant to have memories stored on them, pictures of family, remembrances of places visited, and accomplishments proudly displayed. It is empty in my office now and somehow that place that I once went to think and study seems lonely.
I have often wondered why God wants me to think on things that are lovely and the like, I think I understand it better now. God wants me to look at the pictures He has hung all around me and in me. Pictures of His creation, and pictures of His people. Those things give me comfort and those people give me encouragement in the journey of this life.
So think on those things.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.(NIV)
As I sit in my empty office, I can not help but notice how empty the walls appear. Walls are meant to have memories stored on them, pictures of family, remembrances of places visited, and accomplishments proudly displayed. It is empty in my office now and somehow that place that I once went to think and study seems lonely.
I have often wondered why God wants me to think on things that are lovely and the like, I think I understand it better now. God wants me to look at the pictures He has hung all around me and in me. Pictures of His creation, and pictures of His people. Those things give me comfort and those people give me encouragement in the journey of this life.
So think on those things.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Junk
Have you ever noticed how much junk we all have? Julie and I are boxing things up for a move, and I find myself looking at some things and asking "Why are we moving that?". The only thing junk does is weigh down the load.
In my life I know there is some junk that needs to be thrown away. I don't need to be weighed down any longer by the old life. I need to be free to follow God at a moments notice.
Heb 12:11
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.(NIV)
There are only a few things I really need in this life, and most of them will fit in my heart.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
In my life I know there is some junk that needs to be thrown away. I don't need to be weighed down any longer by the old life. I need to be free to follow God at a moments notice.
Heb 12:11
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.(NIV)
There are only a few things I really need in this life, and most of them will fit in my heart.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Moving
This past Sunday we let the church at North Garland know we will be moving after 9 1/2 years of working with them. Moving is never easy, and the longer you stay at one place the harder the moving is. We have friends here who have stood with us and held us up through some hard times. We have friends who have laughed with us and rejoiced with us in great times of transition and victory. Moving is never easy.
On the other side of moving there is arriving. Arriving is exciting. There are friends waiting to be met and hills waiting to be climbed. There are blessings just waiting to be discovered. Arriving is exciting.
Moving is never easy, not even spiritually, but when I am willing to leave the old way of life and start following The Light, there are blessing just waiting to be discovered.
Col 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.(NIV)
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
On the other side of moving there is arriving. Arriving is exciting. There are friends waiting to be met and hills waiting to be climbed. There are blessings just waiting to be discovered. Arriving is exciting.
Moving is never easy, not even spiritually, but when I am willing to leave the old way of life and start following The Light, there are blessing just waiting to be discovered.
Col 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.(NIV)
In Him
J. Tom Washburn
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