Meaningful Conversations

To make a long story short, don’t tell it. – Anon

Jesus could’ve preached at them when they brought him the woman caught in adultery, instead he just ‘wrote.’ Hmm!

Secrets – do they really exist? Is it really better to leave some things unsaid? Take a look around you and listen up, and you’d be hard pressed to think so. The truth is conversation is good, it does help us to relate to one another and build relationships; but it should be meaningful, insightful, practical, respectful, and truthful to the person to whom we’re speaking. We all love good stories and humor, but we should never have to ‘enhance’ them, and we must still speak in such a way to please God. Remember, when words are many sin is not absent, and besides, it doesn’t really matter how ‘big’ the fish was that got away, if it got away.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….a time to be silent and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

Purpose Greater Than Our Plans

Maybe God is interrupting your plans to accomplish His purposes. - Anon

God often had to put people on a 'timeout' to show them He had plans for their lives. AMEN!

"I thought I'd be further along than this! I thought I'd have finished this project by now! I thought my life would be more settled by now!" For many of us these and other thoughts along the same line ruminate in our minds. We had such high hopes, great aspirations, and GOOD intentions for ourselves. And here we are at this age, and wondering what happened. How'd we get sidetracked? But, if we were made for 'such a time as this' and 'such a place as this' maybe we're not sidetracked at all, we're just looking at our life from the wrong point of view. God is working through us to fulfill His story and the things that bring us glory are not His major concern.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21

The Power of the Truth

Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it. – Anon

Satan subtly tempted Eve by ‘adding’ ever so slightly to the Word of God. Mankind has suffered ever since. Hmm!

I’m sure we’ve all heard of or quite possibly even told fishermen like stories of “how large the one that got away was,” often exaggerating or embellishing the truth to pump ourselves up. YEAH! God has called us to be truthful in all our doings and manner of conversation, even if it brings harsh consequences or circumstances upon us. It may not seem like a big deal, but somehow God has given 'truth' the power to sanctify, clarify, illuminate, and draw men to Him. So, as we progress throughout the day, may the truth in all things be our goal; and remember He sees and knows all.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” – Proverbs 30:5-6

The Truth Don't Change

Science and religion both agree there was ‘a beginning.’ But it’s only science who keeps changing the story. - Anon

When asked not to teach in the ‘name of Jesus’ anymore, Peter and John somewhat said “it’s the only truth we know.” Amen!

Our world is in a constant state of change – but God is not! Every day we encounter new laws, new morality, new economics, and a slew of other issues. And sometimes, even those we counted on to be strong pillars or unshakeable foundations change their position overnight. But we can take great comfort in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the one rock that cannot be shaken. ‘He is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ He will always be faithful and true – ALWAYS! And for us that should be one of the most peaceful and comforting thoughts we can ever have. So if this world and its issues have you worrying about which way to look or turn, just fix your focus on Him who never changes. Life is much easier when you do.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“…. I, the Lord, do not change…” – Malachi 3:6

Memorable Living Storylines

Lives are ‘lived’ but stories are what gets told of them. – Anon

Joseph, David, Esther, Lydia, Paul and on and on. We remember these biblical folk's names mainly because of the story behind them. Amen!

We look closely in the mirror and then we see it. Time that has passed from the past to the present and is going towards the future. We live by it on our calendars, wristwatch, phones, I-Pods, etc., marking our chronological progress by it: tick-tock, tick-tock. But life is much more than this, and so are we, for we are eternal beings. And it’s those things that happen in ‘heaven’s time’ and 'heaven's love' that we will be remembered for. A God moment, occasion, divine intersection, or instant revelation that brings unanticipated joy, and makes life more worthwhile and exciting – these are the stories of living. God provides the stimulus but each of us gets to write the story line that we will be remembered for. And the good thing about that friend, is God has given us today to make sure we might put a good ending to our story.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end…” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

P.S. - Fast begins at 7am this morning and ends at 7pm this evening. Also in addition to giving up 1 electronic entertainment device today begins the period where we do not use any 'Apps'.

The Truth Never Changes

Science and religion both agree there was ‘a beginning.’ But it’s only science who keeps changing the story. - Anon

When asked not to teach in the ‘name of Jesus’ anymore, Peter and John somewhat said “it’s the only truth we know.” Amen!

Our world is in a constant state of change – but God is not! Every day we encounter new laws, new morality, new economics, and a slew of other issues. And sometimes, even those we counted on to be strong pillars or unshakeable foundations change their position overnight. But we can take great comfort in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the one rock that cannot be shaken. ‘He is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ He will always be faithful and true – ALWAYS! And for us that should be one of the most peaceful and comforting thoughts we can ever have. So if this world and its issues have you worrying about which way to look or turn, just fix your focus on Him who never changes. Life is much easier when you do.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…..I, the Lord, do not change…” – Malachi 3:6

God's Story Told Through Us

God created man because He loves storytelling. – Elie Wiesel

Moses went to Egypt not only to free the Israelites, but to tell Pharaoh GOD’S STORY! Hmm.

It’s very true that God is for us, but the bigger picture is God is all about being God. He wants every one to know Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He can and will do in their lives, and He uses ordinary people like you and I to tell His story through. Granted our life may not be like Moses’, Esther’s, David’s or even Paul’s, but God has already told His story through them. He wants to now tell it through us. The daily circumstances and situations in our lives only serve to add color to the story. What is more important is that we make sure the mute is off and the sound is properly adjusted that others may hear.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said to them]…..’But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’.” – Acts 1:8

Allow God To Write

A blank page is God’s way of showing you how hard it is to be God. – Anon

Left to their own devices the best the Israelites could do was to make a ‘golden calf’ for their god. It only got them in trouble. Hmm!

Creativity – it’s a beautiful thing when done right, but it is oh so hard at times. I’m sure we can all think back to times we had in school when we had to write 6, 10, 12+ page essays and all we could do was just look at the blank pages. Or maybe you had to do a job performance review and tried 12 different ways to define ‘meets expectations’ in a positive creative way. It’s not easy. But yet we often quickly believe we can play God in most circumstances in ours and others lives. God wants us in His story, He doesn’t want a story by us. Each day He is writing a part for each of us to fulfill, and if we seek Him out, our lives won’t have so many erasure marks on the page.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” – Job 40:2

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 22

Today's scripture reading question: How would you apply verse 15 to adults, if at all?

Oh, Don't Tell

To make a long story short, don’t tell it. – Anon

Jesus could’ve preached at them when they brought him the woman caught in adultery, instead he just ‘wrote.’ Hmm!

Secrets – do they really exist? Is it really better to leave some things unsaid? Take a look around you and listen up, and you’d be hard pressed to think so. The truth is conversation is good, it does help us to relate to one another and build relationships; but it should be meaningful, insightful, practical, respectful, and truthful to the person to whom we’re speaking. We all love good stories and humor, but we should never have to ‘enhance’ them, and we must still speak in such a way to please God. Remember, when words are many sin is not absent, and besides, it doesn’t really matter how ‘big’ the fish was that got away, if it got away.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

 “….a time to be silent and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

Live Your Moment

The 2 most important days

in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why? - Mark Twain

Contrary to popular thinking, Esther

wasn't the only one born for 'such a time as this!' AMEN!

Though we all say "I just want

to do God's will," truth be told we wouldn't mind if it also got us some

recognition by others, a little respect, or even a handclap of admiration -

we're human after all. We all want our moment to be on a grand scale, with much

fanfare. But in the big picture of God, Esther's moment was only known by her

people. It wasn't a world televised event, nor did it make the newspapers, we

have it recorded for our posterity. It was however a grand moment in God's

story, the redemption of mankind. And if we abide in Him the same can and will

be said of us as we live out whatever our 'moment' may be in His great story.

Can't you kind of hear it now. "Good and faithful servant, you've been

faithful........."

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"For we are God's workmanship, created

in Christ Jesus to do good works....." - Ephesians 2:10

The Life of Life

You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day. – M. W. Edelman

Every battle God sent his people into they won. Not because they were the best skilled warriors, but because they were obedient. Hmm!

“Win at all costs.” It’s a message that gets drummed into our psyche the moment we begin to understand the competitive nature of life. That drive to be the best, the first, the leader of the pack often adds undue stress and strain in our lives. And often we never slow down and take time to see the competitive forces are man made. God has never asked us to compete for his love, mercy, or blessings. He’s not even obligated us to win the victory – its already assured. We're only obligated to tell the story. And the best way to tell the story of Christ is by the way we live each and every day. Life is not a sport, its life; which is to be lived moment by moment and not as a contest. Today’s results are up to us.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” – I Thessalonians 4:11-12

The Same

Science and religion both agree there was ‘a beginning.’ But it’s only science who keeps changing the story. - Anon

When asked not to teach in the ‘name of Jesus’ anymore, Peter and John somewhat said “it’s the only truth we know.” Amen!

Our world is in a constant state of change – but God is not! Every day we encounter new laws, new morality, new economics, and a slew of other issues. And sometimes, even those we counted on to be strong pillars or unshakeable foundations change their position overnight. But we can take great comfort in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the one rock that cannot be shaken. ‘He is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ He will always be faithful and true – ALWAYS! And for us that should be one of the most peaceful and comforting thoughts we can ever have. So if this world and its issues have you worrying about which way to look or turn, just fix your focus on Him who never changes. Life is much easier when you do.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…..I, the Lord, do not change…” – Malachi 3:6

P.S. - Don't forget our annual Business Meeting this Sunday following morning services.

The Story Imma Tell!

God created man because He loves storytelling. – E. Wiesel

Moses went to Egypt not only to free the Israelites, but to tell Pharaoh GOD’S STORY! Hmm.

It’s very true that God is for us, but the bigger picture is God is all about being God. He wants every one to know Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He can and will do in their lives, and He uses ordinary people like you and I to tell His story through. Granted our life may not be like Moses’, Esther’s, David’s or even Paul’s, but God has already told His story through them. He wants to now tell it through us. The daily circumstances and situations in our lives only serve to add color to the story. What is more important is that we make sure the mute is off and the sound is properly adjusted that others may hear.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said to them]…..’But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’.” – Acts 1:8