HOW Did We Get Here?

When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, it is a good time to examine the quality of the workmanship. – J. Remmerde

After Saul met Christ on the Damascus Road, he had three days in ‘darkness’ to review his life’s journey. Hmm!

It’s a given that life has its ups and downs. But God is not always testing us with trials, nor is Satan always responsible for our ills. Sometimes it’s just our own ingenuity that lands us in a place or situation we’d rather not be. Now the good thing is we serve a God who can bring good out of any situation or circumstance, however; often before He responds He expects us to reflect on where WE went wrong, why WE went wrong, and how WE can prevent it from occurring again. Holding fast to and practicing His Word will keep us from many holes, ditches, and pits that are completely unnecessary in life. So, unless we just like digging maybe it’s time we took a look in the mirror.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

A Look At The Brighter Side

“I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.” – Psalm 37:25

Paul said that whether he had plenty or none, as long as he had God he was content. AMEN!

As an avid coffee drinker I’ve hit a many donut shops in my time. Some good, some not so good. But I can recall a poem I once saw some years back that resonates with life:

As you travel through life friend,

Whatever be your goal,

Keep your eyes on the donut,

And not upon the hole.

It’s a somewhat simple message that’s meant to remind us that we should spend more time looking at and being thankful for what we have and not worrying about what we don’t have. God has gifted us with exactly everything He needs us to have at this moment. In fact, we’ve got more blessings than we can truly count, and maybe that’s what we should do, start counting and start thanking Him for every one of them. In the end it’s a lot more meaningful and a lot less costly, and we can all stand to save a little more anyway.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…..My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…..” – Psalm 23:5

What did YOU do?

When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, it is a good time to examine the quality of the workmanship. – J. Remmerde

After Saul met Christ on the Damascus road, he had three days in ‘darkness’ to review his life’s journey. Hmm!

It’s a given that life has its ups and downs. But God is not always testing us with trials, nor is Satan always responsible for our ills. Sometimes it’s just our own ingenuity that lands us in a place or situation we’d rather not be. Now the good thing is we serve a God who can bring good out of any situation or circumstance, however; often before He responds He expects us to reflect on where WE went wrong, why WE went wrong, and how WE can prevent it from occurring again. Holding fast to and practicing His Word will keep us from many holes, ditches, and pits that are completely unnecessary in life. So unless we just like digging maybe it’s time we took a look in the mirror.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

You can't dig UP

If you’re already in a hole, it’s no use to continue digging. – R. Walters

While in the lion’s den Daniel didn’t antagonize the lions, he prayed. Hmm!

Live long enough and life’s activities or circumstances will deal you a setback upsetting your plans (finances, school, faith, etc.) putting you in a rut or hole. It happens – but the key is to not let it stop us dead in our tracks or make us tunnel further down. A hole only remains a hole if we do nothing to fill it, and gets deeper with worry. Putting off for tomorrow what we can do today, right now, is only digging a deeper hole. Hoping things will get better without doing anything about the situation is only digging a deeper hole. Hoping someone will rescue us is a start, but still we must cry out for the help. And when the help comes we must be willing to accept the instructions and not give directions. God is standing by right now.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” – Psalm 40:1-2

Look at what WE did!

When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, it is a good time to examine the quality of the workmanship. – J. Remmerde

After Saul met Christ on the Damascus road, he had three days in ‘darkness’ to review his life’s journey. Hmm!

It’s a given that life has its ups and downs. But God is not always testing us with trials, nor is Satan always responsible for our ills. Sometimes it’s just our own ingenuity that lands us in a place or situation we’d rather not be. Now the good thing is we serve a God who can bring good out of any situation or circumstance, however; often before He responds He expects us to reflect on where WE went wrong, why WE went wrong, and how WE can prevent it from occurring again. Holding fast to and practicing His Word will keep us from many holes, ditches, and pits that are completely unnecessary in life. So unless we just like digging maybe it’s time we took a look in the mirror.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

Everything You Need

“I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.” – Psalm 37:25

Paul said that whether he had plenty or none, as long as he had God he was content. AMEN!

As an avid coffee drinker I’ve hit a many donut shops in my time. Some good, some not so good. But I can recall a poem I once saw some years back that resonates with life:   As you travel through life friend, Whatever be your goal, Keep your eyes on the donut, And not upon the hole.   It’s a somewhat simple message that’s meant to remind us that we should spend more time looking at and being thankful for what we have and not worrying about what we don’t have. God has gifted us with exactly everything He needs us to have at this moment. In fact, we’ve got more blessings than we can truly count, and maybe that’s what we should do, start counting and start thanking Him for every one of them. In the end it’s a lot more meaningful and a lot less costly, and we can all stand to save a little more anyway.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…..My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…..” – Psalm 23:5

Digging a deeper hole or filling it up?

If you’re already in a hole, it’s no use to continue digging. – R. Walters

While in the lion’s den Daniel didn’t antagonize the lions, he prayed. Hmm!

Live long enough and life’s activities or circumstances will deal you a setback upsetting your plans (finances, school, faith, etc.) putting you in a rut or hole. It happens – but the key is to not let it stop us dead in our tracks or make us tunnel further down. A hole only remains a hole if we do nothing to fill it, and gets deeper with worry. Putting off for tomorrow what we can do today, right now, is only digging a deeper hole. Hoping things will get better without doing anything about the situation is only digging a deeper hole. Hoping someone will rescue us is a start, but still we must cry out for the help. And when the help comes we must be willing to accept the instructions and not give directions. God is standing by right now.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” – Psalm 40:1-2

Digging yourself into a hole

When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, it is a good time to examine the quality of the workmanship. – J. Remmerde

After Saul met Christ on the Damascus road, he had three days in ‘darkness’ to review his life’s journey. Hmm!

It’s a given that life has its ups and downs. But God is not always testing us with trials, nor is Satan always responsible for our ills. Sometimes it’s just our own ingenuity that lands us in a place or situation we’d rather not be. Now the good thing is we serve a God who can bring good out of any situation or circumstance, however; often before He responds He expects us to reflect on where WE went wrong, why WE went wrong, and how WE can prevent it from occurring again. Holding fast to and practicing His Word will keep us from many holes, ditches, and pits that are completely unnecessary in life. So unless we just like digging maybe it’s time we took a look in the mirror.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

PS- Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD 1 hour this Saturday night as we move into Daylight Savings Time.

Also for those who would like to discuss our 'campaign book' readings I'll be available in Parmes Hall from 9:00 to 9:15AM on Sunday.