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

Forgiveness, Pass It On!

Forgiveness is man's deepest need and highest achievement. - H. Bushnell

Joseph, Esau. Just two men able to forgive great wrongs put upon them by their kin. Amen!

"They make me so mad!" "I can't stand him/her!" We've all heard statements like these... and probably made them ourselves. Why can't we forgive someone? It's only because we feel God hasn't forgiven us! Yes, make no mistake about it, forgiving is hard work, but God's abounding grace makes it totally possible. But it only works to the extent of our belief in God forgiving us. So, the question becomes: how much forgiveness have we received? God freely gives it, but doesn't force it on us, so it's up to us to believe and receive it. True we don't really deserve it, but God gives it freely upon our repentances. And it's only when we truly receive it that we can pass it on to others. So why can't we forgive this/that person? If our heart is clogged with bitterness, anger, resentment, or past hurts, grace abounds to reopen it. Oh, and once again - it's FREE!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"If anyone says 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." - I John 4:20