Tempering Your Speech

When words are 'heated' they lose their sweetness! - Anon

When they brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus, he thought long and hard before he spoke. Hmm!

Coffee! Cocoa! Chili! Some things are good served piping hot. It adds to their overall presentation and enjoyment. We couldn't imagine receiving it any other way. But when it comes to conversation our words are not one of them. The bible tells us 'practice self-control', 'be slow to speak, slow to get angry', and 'in your anger do not sin'! Why, because in our anger not only do our tempers rise (think temperature) but our desire to inflict hurt, harm, and pain on others also increases. It's a mixture of self-presentation combined with pride, and everyone knows that's not a recipe to help build community. It's true, there are times we need to 'say what we need to say', but it should always be thought through and said constructively and in love. Sometimes silence sends an even greater message.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:6

Meaningful Conversations

To make a long story short, don’t tell it. – Anon

Jesus could’ve preached at them when they brought him the woman caught in adultery, instead he just ‘wrote.’ Hmm!

Secrets – do they really exist? Is it really better to leave some things unsaid? Take a look around you and listen up, and you’d be hard pressed to think so. The truth is conversation is good, it does help us to relate to one another and build relationships; but it should be meaningful, insightful, practical, respectful, and truthful to the person to whom we’re speaking. We all love good stories and humor, but we should never have to ‘enhance’ them, and we must still speak in such a way to please God. Remember, when words are many sin is not absent, and besides, it doesn’t really matter how ‘big’ the fish was that got away, if it got away.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….a time to be silent and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

Deeper Conversation

A prayerless life for a Christian is a high crime against God. - Anon

When Jesus said "when you pray" he wasn't making a suggestion. Hmm!

As you look around it's hard to miss -phones. Yeah. People are talking/texting and what not in great numbers seemingly all the time. Everybody is having a conversation. God says He's 'listening' for one. He says His ears are open to the cries of His people. Wow, what an invitation. Prayer anyone! Admittedly, it is not the quantity of words in the prayer but the heart, but also admittedly, as our relationship grows with God our walk should draw us into deeper more meaningful 'conversations' with Him over time. Prayer should become a source of joy and inspiration to us (Jesus often withdrew to do so) and a necessary component to our daily survival. Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things! Many people believe in it, but not many pray. How about you?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?' - Deuteronomy 4:7

REMINDER: All bible studies are suspended this week in lieu of Vacation Bible School. Come on out to the campus and join us each night at 6pm if you're available.

Prepare for Transmission

Prayer must mean something to us if it is to mean anything to God! - Richard Murray

Daniel let nothing and no one interfere with his prayer time with God. Hmm!

Growing up in our home, we as kids all learned that the phone was not a toy. It was to be used to conduct business, stay in touch, and pass along information. So when you picked it up to dial someone you had a purpose for doing so. The idea of 'just talking loud and saying nothing,' where the conversation was meaningless, pointless, and without purpose or conviction was not tolerated. Truth is, nobody likes conversation like that. Not even God. And though He has inclined His ears to hear our every call, we should always prepare our hearts before we call on Him, and we should have something worthwhile to chat about when we call Him. Even if it's just to tell Him we love Him there should be some conviction in our tone, or if it's to praise Him there should be some passion in our voice. Remember, as we talk He's looking at our heart.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart......" - Psalm 24:3-4

Nothing Less. Nothing More.

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. – Plato

When Jesus was ‘transfigured’ before the disciples there, Peter just couldn’t seem to hold his tongue. God set him straight! OUCH!

Look around, we now live in a culture where everyone is virtually connected at their fingertips by cellphone. And everywhere you go they are either ringing to be answered or someone is already talking on one or ‘thumbing’ through something on the screen. It didn’t use to be this way, but technology has made it easier and "affordable" – but that does not necessarily translate into needful. God has said our conversation is to be uplifting, seasoned with grace, non-condemning, and for the benefit of His kingdom purposes. Given the truth that we will one day have to give account for every word we speak, maybe we should weigh our words a bit more carefully.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

Learn the Language of God

Teach your child to PRAY! You won't be around all their life but God will. - Anon

Jesus loved to see the little children at the temple and often used them as examples. Hmm!

It's a human phenomenon. In every culture children don't come into the world knowing the language of their people. But by continually hearing it spoken by their parents and siblings they learn it's meaning and how to speak and converse with one another. And many go on to learn other languages becoming bi-lingual marvels. It gives rise to a question as to why I think many of us don't pray. We've never really been taught or learned the 'language' of God. Even Jesus' disciples pled with Him to teach them how to pray. And Jesus taught them it was not a formula, order form, or monologue, but a heartfelt conversation with the Father. And what better way to have such a conversation than to know something about how the other person thinks or feels. We need to learn the Word of God in order to better converse with Him in prayer. God's Word is written from His heart and fully wrapped up in His love for us. He's never said prayer has to have a minimum word count nor contain certain phraseology, just recognition of Who He is and who we are AND that we are welcome in His presence.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it." - Proverbs 22:6

Capture Those Thoughts

Beware of your thoughts. They can become words at any moment. – W. C. Brumby

Jephthah’s rashly spoken vow to God cost him his only daughter in sacrifice. OUCH!

Alarm clocks, car alarms, emergency sirens, screams, etc. These are all unexpected noises beyond our control that invade our mind and our inner peace. How much more so injurious are words from our mouths that hurt, maim, and tear down others. If it is true we speak from our hearts, we should be very careful what we feed it and we should “capture every thought” and make it subject it to Jesus before we act on it. Circumstances and situations will arise today that may upset our peace or plans, for that is the enemies goal. Ours is to live, love, and speak for Christ.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

Capture Those Thoughts

Beware of your thoughts. They can become words at any moment. – W. C. Brumby

The moment the rooster crowed; Peter wanted to eat his words. OUCH!

Alarm clocks, car alarms, cell-phone pings/dings, emergency sirens, screams, etc. These are all unexpected noises beyond our control that invade our mind and our inner peace. How much more so injurious are words from our mouths spoken rashly and harshly that hurt, maim, and tear down others. If it is true we speak from our hearts, we should be very careful what we feed it and we should “capture every thought” and make it subject it to Jesus before we act on it. There is an old saying that speaks to our act of conversation: "Please engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear!" Circumstances and situations will arise today that may upset our peace or plans, for that is our enemy's goal. Ours is to live, love, and speak for Christ.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

Life As An Influencer

Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence. – H. Amiel

Not much detail is given, but Naomi had a deeply profound effect on her daughter-in-law Ruth, who left all to follow her. And the rest as we know it is HIS STORY!

What we think! Our opinions! Our outlook on the world! Believe it or not many people have helped shape these values in us. From our parents, to our teachers, to our friends, our psyche has been impacted by them. So, no matter how much we want to believe our life is ours to live alone, the truth is it will in some way impact others, and often in very profound ways that we’re not even aware of. Most of us are our parents children. Having said such, remember the old adage: “you get from people what you give them.” Remember your faith is on trial today.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

Turning Down the Heat

When words are 'heated' they lose their sweetness! - Anon

When they brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus, he thought long and hard before he spoke. Hmm!

Coffee! Cocoa! Chili! Some things are good served piping hot. It adds to their overall presentation and enjoyment. We couldn't imagine receiving it any other way. But when it comes to conversation our words are not one of them. The bible tells us 'practice self-control', 'be slow to speak, slow to get angry', and 'in your anger do not sin'! Why, because in our anger not only do our tempers rise (think temperature) but our desire to inflict hurt, harm, and pain on others also increases. It's a mixture of self-presentation combined with pride, and everyone knows that not a recipe to help build community. It's true, there are times we need to 'say what we need to say', but it should always be thought through and said constructively and in love. Sometimes silence sends an even greater message.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:6

Our Desire to Communicate with God

The 'gift of gab' is not one of God's graces! - Anon

Jesus said it was foolish of the Pharisees to think God would hear them just because they 'talked' a lot. Hmm!

Parent's of a newborn can hardly wait for baby's first 'mama or da-da' utterance. It thrills their hearts to no end. However, later as an adolescent, they often wonder if they can ever get the kid off/away from the phone, thinking "how do they have so much to say or talk about?" You ever think God wonders the same as He looks down on us. We seem to have hours on end to chat and catch-up with family, friends, old co-workers, even the mail or delivery person. But our conversation time with God (prayer) is hit and miss, and often more miss than hit. We should be thankful that He is patient and gracious with us and won't force the conversation. BUT we should also realize that as we speak less and less to Him, we drift further and further away from Him. Prayer is not so much the many words we speak as it is the aching heart we have for His presence.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." - Psalm 42:1

Practiced Prayer Principles

Prayer does not need proof, only practice. - Sparks

Jesus chided the Jewish crowd that had gathered because they sought a sign or miracle from him before they would believe. None was given!

We love to see, touch, and feel results, and we often want great signs and wonders done before we will truly commit ourselves to something. But prayer is one of the greatest gifts to us from God, and often it is seldom used by us to commune with God. We want blessings, and the kind we can see, but God loves the art of conversation. True, answered prayer is one of the sweetest touches from God we can receive, but the proof of prayer is not so much in the answer it brings, but in the life of the individual it changes. And this change can only come by sustained, disciplined, heartfelt petitioning. May our vocabulary in this area be greatly expanded!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” – Psalm 32:6

Meaningful Conversations

Prayer must mean something to us if it is to mean anything to God! - Richard Murray

Daniel let nothing and no one interfere with his prayer time with God. Hmm!

Growing up in our home, we as kids all learned that the phone was not a toy. It was to be used to conduct business, stay in touch, and pass along information. So when you picked it up to dial someone you had a purpose for doing so. The idea of 'just talking loud and saying nothing,' where the conversation was meaningless, pointless, and without purpose or conviction was not tolerated. Truth is, nobody likes conversation like that. Not even God. And though He has inclined His ears to hear our every call, we should always prepare our hearts before we call on Him, and we should have something worthwhile to chat about when we call Him. Even if it's just to tell Him we love Him there should be some conviction in our tone, or if it's to praise Him there should be some passion in our voice. Remember, as we talk He's looking at our heart.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart......"

- Psalm 24:3-4

Your Rep

Not only do actions speak louder than words, they actually cause conversation! - Anon

The crucifixion happened over 2,000 years ago. Yet people still talk about it non-stop and wonder. Hmm!

Though we have a given name we are often known by our actions, or reputation as some call it. Those we know see us and the things we do and compare these to the values, morals, and truths we say we hold dear - and voila, reputation is born. Having a reputation is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly if our lives are authentic; meaning our actions line up with our beliefs, no matter the time, place, or situation. And it's not a one-time occurrence, it's who we are at all times. There's a lot to be said for authenticity, and the hope and prayer is that it is true of us!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....Simply let your 'YES', be 'Yes,' and your 'NO,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." - Matthew 5:37

Connection Interrupted

Heaven's phone number has not changed but it seems to be getting fewer calls. - Anon

I Samuel 3:1 tells us 'there was a time when God's revelations were rare...' What do you think was the cause? Hmm!

Most of us have had that frustrating cell phone call where the person on the other end keeps cutting in and out. You may be talking while driving (hands-free of course), in the middle of a long story or a funny moment or even a serious problem, only to realize the call was dropped miles back. Don't you hate that? Have you ever thought maybe that's how our communication is with God? We think we are in conversation with Him, but in truth because of our continual practice of sin or unrepentant lifestyle our prayers cut in an out and get dropped. God has told us what it takes from us for Him to 'hear' our prayers, and He has never backed away from His desire to hear from us and commune with us. If we're out of reach or cell coverage it's not His fault but ours. When we place our call we need to make sure of our connections.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - II Chronicles 7:14

Meaningful Conversations

To make a long story short, don’t tell it. – Anon

Jesus could’ve preached at them when they brought him the woman caught in adultery, instead he just ‘wrote.’ Hmm!

Secrets – do they really exist? Is it really better to leave some things unsaid? Take a look around you and listen up, and you’d be hard pressed to think so. The truth is conversation is good, it does help us to relate to one another and build relationships; but it should be meaningful, insightful, practical, respectful, and truthful to the person to whom we’re speaking. We all love good stories and humor, but we should never have to ‘enhance’ them, and we must still speak in such a way to please God. Remember, when words are many sin is not absent, and besides, it doesn’t really matter how ‘big’ the fish was that got away, if it got away.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….a time to be silent and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7