Let Em Flow

What is holy water? Tears shed in prayer, praise, and anguish before God. – Anon

Isaiah ‘turned to the wall’ and cried out to God. God responded with “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears…...I will deliver you.” Amen!

At this stage in our lives, we’ve pretty much heard all the reasons given as to why we shouldn’t cry. How we should just ‘suck it up’ as they say and keep going, move on to the next thing. But this type of thinking begs the question: if God gave us tears to cry why shouldn’t’ we use them? Many of God’s prophets wept (cried), Jeremiah being chief among them. Even Our Lord wept at the death of His friend Lazarus. You can try and keep your tears bottled up inside but all that will do is interfere with your emotional and spiritual wellness. God gave each of us this ability for a reason and He knows best. So, whether it’s your ’awesome’ leaking out, or ‘something’ in your eye causing the tears – let it. God is honored when tears flow appropriately.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

‘Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record?” – Psalm 56:8

Healing Tears

Sometimes the strongest healing ‘Balm of Gilead’ is when tears trail down our face. – Anon

Jesus wept. Hmm!

We’re told it’s a sign of weakness. We’re told it’s being overly emotional. We’re told a lot of things by people we don’t even really know, and often we buy into it. But there are some truths to life that are at times unexplainable. At times we cry and cry and can’t seem to stop. We think we ought to be ‘stronger than this’ or should be ‘beyond this point’. But in truth, it’s the way God made us. He knows our frame, and He has given us these great healing powers – tears. Yes, they heal. They have a therapeutic effect on our innermost self. The place where you can’t put a band-aid. Just as an oyster covers over a grain of sand with ‘nacre’ producing a beautiful pearl, our God-given tears soothe, cover, and heal deep hurts and pains. AND they lay a fertile covering that in time allows new life to spring up from that area again. God would not have given them to us if they weren’t useful!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

Moving God

Praying people are the deputies of God. They seek law, order, peace AND unity! - Anon

The walls and gates of Jerusalem were rebuilt on the prayers of Nehemiah and the people. AMEN!

It should not be a secret that God is moved by prayer, and earnest conversation with His people more than anything else. And as we search the scriptures, we realize it doesn't have to be a long drawn-out diatribe, nor a 'fill in the form' correctly submission. Just a reverent, honest confession of the heart. In the midst of a rebellious nation God was often 'moved' by the remnant that remained faithful and showed mercy. He seeks the prayers and solicitations of His people and is overjoyed when we invite Him into our lives, activities, and relationships. So, if we truly need action in our life, mountains moved, or any other favor of God, His ear is open.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." - Psalm 34:16

Necessary Tears

"In my deepest wound I saw your glory, and it dazzled me!" - St. Augustine

Hannah shed a lot of tears, but God refreshed her soul with a son - Samuel. Hmm!

It's the shortest verse in the bible - "Jesus wept!" but yet one with purpose and strength for us. He wept at the death of his friend, Lazarus. For himself and all the others suffering through the grief. It's a sign given to us to teach us tears in grief, distress, or heartache are somehow a balm or soothing agent to our emotional state at the time. They help to wash away some of the heaviness of the moment, and yet help refresh the heart with life giving hope so that we might move forward as life goes on. They are a God-given gift. The bible does promise that someday in glory there will be no more need for tears. Amen! But just as some appliances/toys state "batteries are required" know that in this life tears are necessary, but God keeps score.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....record my lament; list my tears on your scroll - are they not in your record." - Psalm 56:8

Pray On My Friend

Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only those who are helpless can truly pray. - G. Hallesby

When Jonah hit rock bottom the only thing he could do was pray. Hmm!

The truly great thing about prayer is that it requires no special preparation, no precise vocabulary, no appropriate posture (other than a humble heart), and no special time. God is always available and listening. Yes, we're told to 'enter our closets' or 'steal away' for more meaningful time and intimacy, but that doesn't mean we can't pray right where we are now. How about it! If songs and prayers of praise come about when life is good and blessings are flowing, then serious cries, petitions, intercessions and other prayers for supplication and help begin in our times of trouble. And for most of us trouble is always the norm. So pray on friend, pray on, and trust that God's answer will always be wiser than your request.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice." - Psalm 55:16-17

The Power of Tears

Sometimes the strongest healing ‘Balm of Gilead’ is when tears trail down our face. – Anon

Jesus wept. Hmm!


We’re told it’s a sign of weakness. We’re told it’s being overly emotional. We’re told a lot of things by people we don’t even really know, and often we buy into it. But there are some truths to life that are at times unexplainable. At times we cry and cry and can’t seem to stop. We think we ought to be ‘stronger than this’ or should be ‘beyond this point’. But in truth, it’s the way God made us. He knows our frame, and He has given us these great healing powers – tears. Yes, they heal. They have a therapeutic effect on our innermost self. The place where you can’t put a band-aid. Just as an oyster covers over a grain of sand with ‘nacre’ producing a beautiful pearl, our god-given tears soothe, cover, and heal deep hurts and pains. AND they lay a fertile covering that in time allows new life to spring up from that area again. God would not have given them to us if they weren’t useful!


Until Monday…..


Pastor Botts


"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

Good Tears

The bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures. – A.W. Tozer

If Lamentations points out anything to us, it’s that Jeremiah’s tears allowed him to see and appreciate God much more clearly. WOW!

Though we may cry at a wedding, funeral, or birth of a child; we generally view shedding tears as a sign of weakness. Even recently a TV commercial stated “when you see a man with tears in his eyes that’s just a bit of his ‘awesome’ leaking out.” But just as rain drops fall from the sky to help in the natural process of new growth, tears are often a necessary action to help the Word and will of God go deeper into our hearts. That we may grow deeper and stronger roots, not only to stand taller and more robust, but to have a more fragrant aroma to attract others and ‘fruit’ to offer those in our sphere of influence. And though sometimes our eyes may be dry, when the heart truly aches, weeps, and anguishes for God, the Spirit within knows how to present those requests to God with the tears needed. Weep on friend, weep on!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” – Psalm 18:6

Refresh & Refocus

We should be thankful for our tears, they prepare our eyes for a clearer vision of God. – W. A. Ward

The sinful woman was not afraid to “shed a few tears” on Jesus’ feet. He gave her forgiveness and salvation in return. Hmm!

One of the greatest inventions of our time is the windshield wiper. It wipes away the water and buildup that would normally block our vision and impede our progress. Amazingly, our tears serve the same purpose. Whether they come at the birth of our children, wedding or other special dates, or even at the passing of a loved one; they refresh and re-focus us on what’s important and upon whom we must depend – God. The world and all its contrivances can and will cloud our vision if we allow it, but God gave us a way to see Him more clearly if we’re strong enough. If you haven’t cried in a while, maybe you just need to cozy up to God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

Prayers of the People

Praying people are the deputies of God. They seek law, order, peace AND unity! - Anon

The walls and gates of Jerusalem were rebuilt on the prayers of Nehemiah and the people. AMEN!

It should not be a secret that God is moved by prayer, and earnest conversation with his people more than anything else. And as we search the scriptures we realize it doesn't have to be a long drawn out diatribe, nor a 'fill in the form' correctly submission. Just a

reverent, honest confession of the heart. In the midst of a rebellious nation God was often 'moved' by the remnant that remained faithful and showed mercy. He seeks the prayers and solicitations of His people and is overjoyed when we invite Him into our lives, activities, and relationships. So if we truly need action in our life, mountains moved, or any other favor of God, His ear is open.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." - Psalm 34:16

Faith Looks Up

Sorry looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up! – Anon

Paul had a laundry list of persecutions and afflictions he suffered personally, but he always looked up to Christ. AMEN!

Our outlook on life is based on our attitude within. The issues and circumstances of life happen upon us all for the purpose of perfecting our character here on earth. How we respond is based upon what we have within. We can blame the world and everyone else and feel sorry for ourselves, we can cry conspiracy and believe everyone and the system is out to get us, or we can believe God and trust that everything that comes upon us can and will be worked out for our good and His glory. The decision is purely ours.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2

All for the Asking

Heaven is full of answers to prayer for which no one bothered to ask.  - Billy Graham

James told the saints of old “they have not because they ask not.” Makes good sense to me. AMEN!

“It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil,” is a phrase many of us remember growing up with; indicating that the one who cried out the most and/or the loudest seemingly got all the attention. That’s a good analogy to use when it comes to prayer. We can’t cry out too loud or too often to God. Oftentimes in our prayer lives we seemingly don’t bother God with various problems or issues thinking them too little or vain or even silly. But with God there is no small, vain, or silly prayer – as He just loves to hear from His children, and He has ‘wonderful things in store’ for those who ask.  You might’ve noticed in some of His answers an abundance of blessing, could it be possibly because He hears from us so rarely He just pours it on? Hmm!

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 I will hear from Heaven…..” – II Chronicles 7:14

Prayer Work

Remember that nothing will run itself, unless it’s running downhill. – Anon

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus exhorted the disciples to “keep watch and pray” and not sleep.  Though they failed on several occasions, they finally got it right later. AMEN!

It’s true the life Jesus promised us is the life we all want, but it’s also true that to have the life we want we must put in the “work” required.  If we were to ever seriously look at the life Jesus lived we would see the first and last order of work is prayer. The reasons our lives are often run down, drained, and without effect is because we don’t do the necessary work in prayer. Prayer is what keeps the life running. It is as vital to the Christian life as food is to the physical life. Without it we cease to exist. I pray yours is effective.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me and answer me. When thou saidst, ‘Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger, thou hast been my help, leave me not neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.’” – Psalm 27:7-9

Sowing Tears

Tears are like rain. They loosen up the ‘soil’ of our hearts so we can grow towards God. – V. Casey

At the home of Simon the Pharisee, a sinful ‘teary eyed’ woman had a life changing event at the feet of Jesus. Amen!

In the movie ‘A League of Their Own’ Tom Hanks as coach screams “there’s no crying in baseball” at one of his players as she breaks out in tears on the field. There may be no crying in baseball, but there certainly is in life. Male or female, God made us all just the same, and shedding tears often admits our hurts, fears, and failures to ourselves and to God. And that’s a good thing friend.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Restore our fortunes, O Lord like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” – Psalm 126:4-6