What are you listening to?

I was reminded of a story I heard many years ago when I was putting together my lesson for this Sunday. I could not find the author of the story but I still wanted to share it with you.
James 1:22-23
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
NIV


A Navajo Indian and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing. The sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly the Navajo said, "I hear a cricket." His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!" "No, I'm sure of it," the Navajo said, "I heard a cricket." "That's crazy," said the friend. The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket.

His friend was utterly amazed. "That's incredible," said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!" "No." said the Navajo, "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for.” “But that can't be!" said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise." Yes, it's true," came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you. " He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. Then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled onto the pavement was theirs. "See what I mean?" asked the Navajo. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What is important to you? What do you listen for?

Victory

I thoroughly enjoy watching the Olympics. I enjoyed watching the opening ceremony, I enjoy watching the competition, and I enjoy watching the joy of the awards ceremony.
As I watch the Olympics, my attention is almost always on the athletes, but I know there is a coach that has guided that athlete to the point of victory. The relationship between coach and athlete is much like our relationship with God. The coach knows the right way for the athlete to train and eat, and if that athlete is going to succeed, the athlete must be willing to accept the authority of the coach.
Why? Because the athlete believes the coach knows better than he does what makes a winner. When you truly believe in a person of authority, you follow that person in complete obedience.
God knows how we should live. God knows how to lead us to victory. Are you willing to follow Him completely?
James 1:22
“ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

The Giving You Receive

As I was preparing a class, I came across this little article that I found very profound. In his sermon "Overcoming Discouragement," John Yates says:
Dr. Karl Menninger, the famous psychiatrist, once gave a lecture on mental health and was answering questions from the audience. Someone said, "What would you advise a person to do if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?"
Most people thought he would say, "Go see a psychiatrist immediately," but he didn't. To their astonishment, Dr. Menninger replied, "Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, find somebody in need, and help that person."
To overcome discouragement, "Don't forcus on yourself," concluded Yates. "Get involved in the lives of other people."
Heb 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
NIV

In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Seeing God

Rom 1:20
“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. “
The glory of God and the beauty of His creation can be seen all around us.
This week, share how you saw the glory of God in your world.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

Giving Thanks

1 Tim 2:1
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”
God has placed several people in our lives who encourage us and help us grow. Too often we go through life and never take the time to thank God for the people He has placed in our path.
This week as you sit down together, each person in the family should share the name of a person who they are thankful for and why that person is a blessing to their life.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn

If you are free, walk out of the cell

The other day I was riding my bike past the prison, and I began to think about freedom. Freedom in Christ is a phrase I heard long before I began to understand what it meant (and I don't claim to understand all that it means now). As I rode past the prison, I knew there were men inside who would love to have the freedom to just be free, but they are confined by locks, doors and bars.
In the spiritual world, when we are in sin we are in prison. We are trapped behind locks, doors and bars that we are powerless to open. While we long to be free, we are powerless to escape, but Christ has opened the door for us. The blood of Jesus Christ has destroyed everything that keeps us captive, but we still need to chose to leave the cell.
So many people are comfortable in their little cell of guilt and shame and they are denying themselves the freedom of forgiveness and grace.
When you find yourself trapped by sin, when you find yourself imprisoned by guilt, walk out of the cell - Christ has already opened the door, He has already made a way.
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
NIV

The Bride

There is nothing like a wedding to remind you of the need for purity.
I love that moment, in the wedding, when the doors at the back of the auditorium open, and there before you stands the bride. She is all dressed in white and in her countenance you can see radiance. I love looking at the groom as he watches his bride come down the aisle, knowing that the next time she goes down the aisle, she will be his wife.
I am reminded, as I sit in a wedding, that this is a picture of Christ and His church.
Brides guard their wedding dresses, they keep them in bags until it is time, they don’t let anyone drink or eat around their dress until after the ceremony and heaven forbid a grimy handed child should come near the wedding dress. It is important to the bride that her gown be white.
As the bride of Christ, we should also care about our purity. I know that our purity comes from Him, but I also know that we are to take off the old dirty clothes of this world and cover ourselves with the new clothes given to us by God.
Colossians 3:12-14
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
In Him
J. Tom Washburn