The Necessary Heartbreak

If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart. – Oswald Chambers

God heard Hannah’s painful heart-broken prayers. He answered by giving her a son mighty in the priesthood. AMEN!

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but pain, sweat, and tears are what get the job done. Now admittedly, we all have an aversion to pain of any kind. With so much to do, so many places to go, or people to interact with we seldom have time to be laid up or sidelined with it. But that is the call of an intercessor, to have a deep-hearted pain for others that only God can soothe and heal. Pain is not optional in our Christian walk, it is inevitable; and as much as we try to avoid it, sometimes we need to ask God to break our heart.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

The Best Lubricant for Life

The cure for anything is salt water, whether it be sweat, tears, or the sea! - I. Dinesen

An in-depth view of Jesus' life shows that He 'served' often, wept at times, and did some of His best teaching by the seashore. Hmm!

God said, "by the sweat of your brow you'll earn your keep!" We say, "never let them see you sweat!" God said, "a broken and contrite heart He will not despise!" We say, "never let them see you cry!" God said, "take a day of rest to enjoy Him!" We say, "learn to multitask and get more done!" Seemingly, all the ways God gave to us to show we're human and frail, we've turned into ways and ideas to show our strength and ability to go beyond. But it begs the question: What are we going 'beyond' to and for whose benefit? Maybe it's no small wonder why we live in a culture of burnt-out, substance dependent, anxiety laden people - our methods just don't work. I'll agree God is not against us being more efficient, but I stand fast on the fact the best lubricant for us is our life is salt water. Why not start with a trip to the seashore for a sunrise or sunset. It couldn't hurt and you might meet God there.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." - John 21:4

Little Irritants

If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size? – S. Harris

King Saul got plenty angry when his people sung of his servant David’s exploits. He prospered through David's exploits and they were still all his subjects. Hmm!

Long lines! Rush-hour traffic! Telemarketers! People with bad attitudes! We’ve all experienced these things and other small incidents like them and will probably continue to experience them. They’re part of life and our maturing process. God expects us not to sweat the small stuff, nor let it sweat us. As we venture through today’s circumstances remember it’s a growing process.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22

The Salt Water Cure

The cure for anything is salt water; whether it be sweat, tears, or the sea! - I. Dinesen

An in depth view of Jesus' life shows that He 'served' often, wept at times, and did some of His best teaching by the seashore. Hmm!

God said, "by the sweat of your brow you'll earn your keep!" We say, "never let them see you sweat!" God said, "a broken and contrite heart He will not despise!" We say, "never let them see you cry!" God said, "take a day of rest to enjoy Him!" We say, "learn to multitask and get more done!" Seemingly, all the ways God gave to us to show we're human and frail, we've turned into ways and ideas to show our strength and ability to go beyond. But it begs the question: What are we going 'beyond' to and for whose benefit? Maybe it's no small wonder why we live in a culture of burnt-out, substance dependent, anxiety laden people - our methods just don't work. I'll agree God is not against us being more efficient, but I stand fast on the fact the best lubricant for us is our life is salt water. Why not start with a trip to the seashore for a sunrise or sunset. It couldn't hurt and you might meet God there.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." - John 21:4