Look Up

Even when you don't notice the stars they are still shining. - M Santoso

It's truly hard to imagine that the Wise Men or Magi were the only ones to see the 'Star' that year. Hmm!

"Oh, what a day!" It's a proclamation we've all made a time or two. Usually when the issues or problems of daily living seem to suck all the joy out of life. This happens when we fix our gaze upon ourselves and forget about God. Since the beginning of creation He has given us a beacon to remind us of His great love, care, concern, and presence - all we need do is look up. And if that's not enough just look outward. God always gives us something good to enjoy despite life's current situations. It may be our loving family, energetic grandkids, playful pets, or even a good warm memory to get us out of that 'funk' and remind us of His goodness, closeness, and ability to work it out for our good and His glory. Though we are a little lower than the angels He is still "ever mindful of us!"

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge." - Psalm 19:1-2

Amazingly Imperfect Friendship

Love is blind; and true friendship tries not to notice! – Otto Von Bismarck

When Paul first came to the faith many would not trust him, but you couldn’t tell Barnabas that. He even brought him to the apostles. WOW!

What makes a friend a FRIEND? Perfection – no, because no one is. Loyalty – no, we’d be better off with a dog. Honesty – only if you don’t ask them certain things. Friendship is a combination of many things, but what makes it work is the willingness to look beyond one’s faults to the person we believe God meant them to be, and doing our part to help them get there; just as God looks beyond our faults and provides for our needs. It’s amazing how often we try to make people ‘fit’ a particular mold or model we have in mind before we will accept them into our circle of comfort or concern. But God chose us sin and all, and He expects us to do the same with those He sends our way.

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….whoever loves God must also love his brother.” – I John 4:20-21

Look Up, Look Outward

Even when you don't notice the stars they are still shining. - M Santoso

It's truly hard to imagine that the Wise Men or Magi were the only ones to see the 'Star' that year. Hmm!

"Oh, what a day!" It's a proclamation we've all made a time or two. Usually when the issues or problems of daily living seem to suck all the joy out of life. This happens when we fix our gaze upon ourselves and forget about God. Since the beginning of creation He has given us a beacon to remind us of His great love, care, concern, and presence - all we need do is look up. And if that's not enough just look outward. God always gives us something good to enjoy despite life's current situations. It may be our loving family, energetic grandkids, playful pets, or even a good warm memory to get us out of that 'funk' and remind us of His goodness, closeness, and ability to work it out for our good and His glory. Though we are a little lower than the angels He is still "ever mindful of us!"

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge." - Psalm 19:1-2

No Need to Broadcast

Beware every time you notice yourself doing a good thing because you ruin it by the notice. – Oswald Chambers

Jesus said the actions of the 'righteous' Pharisee went for naught because of his attitude and bragging in doing them. OUCH!

There is a lot of truth to the cliché “a good deed is its own reward.” Sure, we all appreciate a good pat on the back, a kind “thank you,” or acknowledgement of our actions, but when we come to expect such a response for what should be our Christian duty, or we talk them up like we just saved the world, we come dangerously close to being like our Pharisaical friend. Good deeds should just naturally flow (holding open a door for someone, helping out when needed without being asked, etc.) without any expectation of thanks or repayment. In so doing we are becoming more like Christ.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” –Colossians 3:23

It's Own Reward

Beware every time you notice yourself doing a good thing because you ruin it by the notice. – Oswald Chambers

Jesus said the actions of the Pharisee went for naught because of his attitude and braggart in doing them. OUCH!

There is a lot of truth to the cliché “a good deed is its own reward.” Sure we all appreciate a good pat on the back, a kind “thank you,” or acknowledgement of our actions, but when we come to expect such a response for what should be our Christian duty we come dangerously close to being like our Pharisaical friend. Good deeds should just naturally flow (holding open a door for someone, helping out when needed without being asked, etc.) without any expectation of thanks or repayment. In so doing we are becoming more like Christ.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” –Colossians 3:23

Behold!

Even when you don't notice the stars they are still shining. - M Santoso

It's truly hard to imagine that the Wise Men or Magi were the only ones to see the 'Star' that year. Hmm!

"Oh, what a day!" It's a proclamation we've all made a time or two. Usually when the issues or problems of daily living seem to suck all the joy out of life. This happens when we fix our gaze upon ourselves and forget about God. Since the beginning of creation He has given us a beacon to remind us of His great love, care, concern, and presence - all we need do is look up. And if that's not enough just look outward. God always gives us something good to enjoy despite life's current situations. It may be our loving family, energetic grandkids, playful pets, or even a good warm memory to get us out of that 'funk' and remind us of His goodness, closeness, and ability to work it out for our good and His glory. Though we are a little lower than the angels He is still "ever mindful of us!"

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge." - Psalm 19:1-2

Good Deeds

Beware every time you notice yourself doing a good thing because you ruin it by the notice. – Oswald Chambers

Jesus said the actions of the Pharisee went for naught because of his attitude and braggart in doing them. OUCH!

There is a lot of truth to the cliché “a good deed is its own reward.” Sure we all appreciate a good pat on the back, a kind “thank you,” or acknowledgement of our actions, but when we come to expect such a response for what should be our Christian duty we come dangerously close to being like our Pharisaical friend. Good deeds should just naturally flow (holding open a door for someone, helping out when needed without being asked, etc.) without any expectation of thanks or repayment. In so doing we are becoming more like Christ.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” –Colossians 3:23

A Thankless Job

Beware every time you notice yourself doing a good thing because you ruin it by the notice. – O. Chambers

Jesus said the actions of the 'righteous' Pharisee went for naught because of his attitude and bragging in doing them. OUCH!

There is a lot of truth to the cliché “a good deed is its own reward.” Sure we all appreciate a good pat on the back, a kind “thank you,” or acknowledgement of our actions, but when we come to expect such a response for what should be our Christian duty or we talk them up like we just saved the world, we come dangerously close to being like our Pharisaical friend. Good deeds should just naturally flow (holding open a door for someone, helping out when needed without being asked, etc.) without any expectation of thanks or repayment. In so doing we are becoming more like Christ.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” –Colossians 3:23

No acknowledgement No problem

Characters live to be noticed. People of character notice how they live. – N. Moser

Jesus said we should do our ‘acts of righteousness’ not to be seen of men but God; that is if we expect to receive a reward. Hmm!

They usher themselves before us everyday via the news, internet, magazines, radio, etc. News releases of some celebrity and their bid for a bit more recognition for their contribution to society. And admittedly, a lot of us live for such news, and also admittedly, a lot of us live so to bring about such news about ourselves. Accomplishments should be lauded and celebrated as the blessings they are, not who they make us to be. Granted our lives are not to be lived in seclusion or inconspicuously, but we are called to be known by the ‘fruit we bear’ not by the horn we toot or flag we wave, after all God has said, “not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice.”

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11

True Friends

 Love is blind; and true friendship tries not to notice! – O. von Bismarck

When Paul first came to the faith many would not trust him, but you couldn’t tell Barnabas that. He even brought him to the apostles. WOW!

What makes a friend a FRIEND? Perfection – no, because no one is. Loyalty – no, we’d be better off with a dog. Honesty – only if you don’t ask them certain things. Friendship is a combination of many things, but what makes it work is the willingness to look beyond one’s faults to the person we believe God meant them to be, and doing our part to help them get there; just as God looks beyond our faults and provides for our needs. It’s amazing how often we try to make people ‘fit’ a particular mold or model we have in mind before we will accept them into our circle of comfort or concern. But God chose us sin and all, and He expects us to do the same with those He sends our way.

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….whoever loves God must also love his brother.” – I John 4:20-21