Improving Our Aim

Failure to hit the bullseye is never the fault of the target. - Anon

The Pharisees and religious rulers of the day 'missed' Jesus because they had their minds already made up. Hmm!

Generally, when 'X' marks the spot, 'X' is not mobile or ambulatory. That's the one constant we need to hone in on to make sure we hit the bullseye. Interestingly enough, God and His Word never change, they are both the same 'yesterday, today, and forever' yet we continually seem to miss. Biblically speaking, sin is described as 'missing the mark.' Missing at times is okay, for God is truly gracious, but when we continue to miss in the same area, it should be a strong indicator to us that we need to improve our aim. That may mean learning to control the desires of our flesh and the lust of our eyes, to the point of letting go of certain friends, habits, routines, or conveniences that hinder our ability to concentrate and focus on the bullseye. True God's patience is long, but we never want to be found 'trying it.'

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart...." - Jeremiah 29:13

The Proper Mindset

A person who is always finding fault seldom finds anything else. – Anon

Nathanael thought nothing good could ever come from Nazareth. Jesus changed his heart and mind on that. Hmm!

Truth is we live in a fallen world. It’s easy to look around and see the wrongs of mankind. What’s more, the media of today’s world tends to glorify the ills and failures of mankind all too frequently with little or no regard given to successes. It’s enough to make one become a cynic. But we have “freedom” of choice in terms of what we dwell on or how we perceive the information or events of life that impact us. The proper mindset can change your attitude and outlook. Here’s hoping you have a thoughtful day.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, ...noble, ....right, ...pure,.....lovely, ....admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

You Can't Run Away

Your wound may not be your fault, but your healing is your responsibility. – Anon

Elijah tried to run away from it all, but God told him to go back and deal with life. Hmm!

The metaverse! Virtual reality games! Expensive trips to outer space…. all geared to give us time out of this present reality. Why, because whether we want to admit it or not life is an ‘interactive’ sport. Others around us – family, friends, acquaintances, etc. – do have a bearing on our well-being. And sometimes for better or worse their actions and our responses make impressions on our psyche that can have a negative, painful impact. That’s life, you can’t run from it. The question is what do we do after the fact? We can let them make us bitter, resentful, divisive, and angry OR we can seek the healing we need to help us grow. No matter the depth or ‘severity’ of the wound, God, The Great Physician; has a cure. As Jesus asked the man sitting by the pool some 38 years waiting to get in the water: do you want to get well? Well, do you? It’s not in running away from God’s design, it’s running to Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” – Psalm 139:7

Clear to hit the Mark

Failure to hit the bulls-eye is never the fault of the target. - Anon

The Pharisees and religious rulers of the day 'missed' Jesus because they had their minds already made up. Hmm!

Generally when 'X' marks the spot, 'X' is not mobile or ambulatory. That's the one constant we need to hone in on to make sure we hit the bulls-eye. Interestingly enough, God and His Word never change, they are both the same 'yesterday, today, and forever' yet we continually seem to miss. Biblically speaking, sin is described as 'missing the mark.'  Missing at times is okay, for God is truly gracious, but when we continue to miss in the same area, it should be a strong indicator to us that we need to improve our aim. That may mean letting go of certain friends, habits, routines, or conveniences that hinder our ability to concentrate and focus on the bulls-eye. True God's patience is long, but we never want to be found 'trying it.'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart...." - Jeremiah 29:13

Find Fault Miss the Point

A person who is always finding fault seldom finds anything else. – Anon

Nathanael thought nothing good could ever come from Nazareth. Jesus changed his heart and mind on that. Hmm!

Truth is we live in a fallen world. It’s easy to look around and see the wrongs of mankind. What’s more the media of today’s world tends to glorify the ills and failures of mankind all too frequently with little or no regard given to successes. It’s enough to make one become a cynic. But we have “freedom” of choice in terms of what we dwell on or how we perceive the information or events of life that impact us. The proper mindset can change your attitude and outlook. Here’s hoping you have a thoughtful day.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, ...noble, ....right, ...pure,.....lovely, ....admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

P.S. - NOTE: the community meeting on rent control has been pushed back a week to March 1st.