What Do You WANT To Eat?

Fine dining is really a matter of choice! - Anon

Manna from heaven for 40 years! Yet they never lacked anything vital to their healthy well-being. Hmm!

Candy! Popcorn! Chips! Hamburgers! Hot Dogs! Pizza! Pepsi or Coca-Cola. Oh, the foods we loved when we were younger. Many of us thought we could live on them forever, and some of us are still trying to. But as we aged and our bodies changed, we realized we needed a better diet, one that helps to aid our mind and bodies, rich in nutrients, vitamins, proteins, etc. It's a scriptural parallel, as the bible tells us in our faith walk we should eventually move on from 'milk' to solid food. Unfortunately, many of us still live on the 'milk'. We try and face life's problems and circumstances with our early on 'Sunday School' answers when a faith more meaningful and well-nourished in God's Word is required. It's a given we're going to grow physically through the biology God placed within us, but it takes a daily desire and discipline to grow faithfully, to become who God made us to be. Is a diet change in order?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:14

Distracted Living

People who matter are most aware that everyone else does too. - M. Forbes

Amidst a throng of people pushing and shoving, Jesus 'stopped' because someone touched Him. Wow!

It happens all the time. You pull up behind them at the stop light. It changes, they still don't move - asleep at the wheel. Not physically sleeping, but caught up with their phone, distracted. How often has that been us, distracted? When our brother/sister needed us, asleep. When they were really trying to connect and communicate, we're asleep or distracted because we could not or would not turn away from the phone, PC, TV, etc., only half-hearing their desperate plea for connection and intimate conversation. It's really ironic when you think about it. Devices that should aid in information sharing and connection actually prohibit face to face sharing. Thankfully, God never sleeps. Nothing gets in the way of His watching over us, listening for our call/prayers. Maybe we should take a cue from Him and realize sometimes 'old school' works the best.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you..." - Psalm 121:4-5

Choice, Circumstances and Conclusions

In the grand scheme of things there is God in ALL things. - Anon

Rahab is in the genealogy of Jesus for a reason. Hmm!

"How did the world wind up like this?" "How did I wind up in this position?" Why are people so evil...?" Honest questions we all ask from time to time. The 1-word answer - SIN! God did not create sin but He knew it was an inevitable possibility with giving us free will. But even with that He created a way out for us (Jesus) and a place for those who don't want Him (Hell). Again, letting us by our own free will make the choice. Life is full of choices. No one is a victim of their circumstances; they are victim of their free will choices to the circumstances that presented themselves. The good thing is that though we may make a bad decision from time to time, God can take it and make it work out for our good if we're willing to trust Him. It doesn't mean He will take the situation away, but He will give us a new perspective and a renewed spirit to see and deal with it in a way that brings glory to Him, and that ain't all bad.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." - Ecclesiastes 12:13

Blessed At Any Age

Don’t ever regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many. – Anon

Methuselah lived 969 years, but I’m sure he would have taken one more day had God offered it. Hmm!

It is said that ‘age is mind over matter,’ - if you don’t mind, it really doesn’t matter. There is a lot of truth in this way of thinking. Oftentimes people get caught up in the idea aging or growing older, not wanting anyone to know their age or so forth. But not one of us had anything to do with our being here, it was God and our parents, so timing was not up to us. And God has been very gracious to allow us to remain here while others have gone. So we should celebrate each day and give glory to Him, aches, pain, troubles and all, for the alternative is not too pretty.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout….It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26

Factually Focused Faith

It is not so much a matter of great faith, but faith in a great God. – C. Ringma

The heroes of the bible weren’t perfect bible quoting folks, they just believed God was who He said He was. Hmm!

The boastful! We’ve heard their claims, and often we’ve been the ones making the claims. Claims of what we would or could do if faced with extreme circumstances. In truth, our faith is often fragile, and when sorely tested it often falls short. That’s often because of what we’ve placed our faith in, a fallible being. In our Christian walk we sometimes do the same, we place our faith in faith and not in God. Faith in faith is meaningless, as faith must have a person to be grounded in. God is our Rock. Yes our faith is shaky and incomplete, for God is still ‘growing’ it through life’s circumstances; but it should always be focused on Him who gives grace, forgiveness, and strength for the journey. True faith looks to God’s keeping power rather than its own ability.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…..If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it….But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 4:17-18

The Lord Watches Over You

People who matter are most aware that everyone else does too. - M. Forbes

Amidst a throng of people pushing and shoving, Jesus 'stopped' because someone touched Him. Wow!

It happens all the time. You pull up behind them at the stop light. It changes, they still don't move - asleep at the wheel. Not physically sleep, but caught up with their phone, distracted. How often has that been us, distracted? When our brother/sister needed us, asleep. When they were really trying to connect and communicate, we're asleep or distracted because we could not or would not turn away from the phone, PC, TV, etc., only half-hearing their desperate plea for connection and intimate conversation. It's really ironic when you think about it. Devices that should aid in information sharing and connection actually prohibit face to face sharing. Thankfully, God never sleeps. Nothing gets in the way of His watching over us, listening for our call/prayers. Maybe we should take a cue from Him and realize sometimes 'old school' works the best.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you..." - Psalm 121:4-5

What Really Matters Most?

The things which matter most, must never be at the mercy of things which matter least. – Goethe

Jesus had a word for the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day for their love and respect for ‘traditions’ rather than God’s word -Hypocrites!

On average, most of us say we know what’s important. Hmmm! We’ll work 60-80 hours a week to provide for our family because they are important, yet we’re too busy working to spend time with them. We’ll say our marriage is important, yet we willfully spend inordinate amounts of time away from our spouse. We’ll even say our relationship with God is of prime importance, yet we struggle to give Him 5-10 minutes a day. The fact of the matter is no matter what we say, the life we live bears the truth, because you will only do that which matters to you! The question is to determine what matters to you most.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’.” – Matthew 22:37-40

Personally Known

You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was. – Abraham Lincoln

David was the greatest king Israel ever knew, but his son Solomon was its wisest. Both knew GOD! Hmm!

Though we may admire them as we grow older we do not automatically turn into our parents. Though they instill us with wisdom, nurture us; give guidance and assistance it does not make us like them. Who we are or become takes shape when life’s trials and circumstances come upon us and what we have inside is put to the test. This is called growing. The same is true of our faith walk with God. No matter how often our parents took us to church, read us the bible, or made us participate in Easter & Christmas plays, our relationship with God has to be personal. We may know the same God our parents know, but we must know him apart from our parent’s knowledge of him. Remember, God has no grandchildren.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying ‘Know the Lord.’ Because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 31:34

Better Connection

People who matter are most aware that everyone else does too. - M. Forbes

Amidst a throng of people pushing and shoving, Jesus 'stopped' because someone touched Him. Wow!

It happens all the time. You pull up behind them at the stop light. It changes, they still don't move - asleep at the wheel. Not physically sleep, but caught up with their phone, distracted. How often has that been us, distracted? When our brother/sister needed us, asleep. When they were really trying to connect and communicate, we're asleep or distracted because we could not or would not turn away from the phone, PC, TV, etc., only half-hearing their desperate plea for connection and intimate conversation. It's really ironic when you think about it. Devices that should aid in information sharing and connection actually prohibit face to face sharing. Thankfully, God never sleeps. Nothing gets in the way of His watching over us, listening for our call/prayers. Maybe we should take a cue from Him and realize sometimes 'old school' works the best.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you..." - Psalm 121:4-5

Focused Faith

It is not so much a matter of great faith, but faith in a great God. – C. Ringma

The heroes of the bible weren’t perfect bible quoting folks, they just believed God was who He said He was. Hmm!

The boastful! We’ve heard their claims, and often we’ve been the ones making the claims. Claims of what we would or could do if faced with extreme circumstances. In truth, our faith is often fragile, and when sorely tested it often falls short. That’s often because of what we’ve placed our faith in, a fallible being. In our Christian walk we sometimes do the same, we place our faith in faith and not in God. Faith in faith is meaningless, as faith must have a person to be grounded in. God is our Rock. Yes our faith is shaky and incomplete, for God is still ‘growing’ it through life’s circumstances; but it should always be focused on Him who gives grace, forgiveness, and strength for the journey. True faith looks to God’s keeping power rather than its own ability.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…..If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it….But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 4:17-18