No Hype Communication

One reason the dog has so many friends, he wags his tail instead of his tongue. – Anon

David put to death the man who lied about killing Saul. Though Saul was David’s enemy, he was still God’s anointed. Hmm!

Years ago TV stations merely reported the news as it happened. Today in our media saturated culture they are out and about chasing and looking for it and then “marketing” the news, giving their own bias or slant to it. Often we fall prey to the same type of communication process. Out and about passing on our views on sights and sounds often without the “full understanding.” And when it backfires we’re often wondering why. Conversation is great, but conjecture on others lives is best left unsaid.  Just as the things we do say a lot about us, the things we say communicate even more. Sometimes silence is golden.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” – Proverbs 10:19

Good Lending Practice

Debt is our way of giving ourselves what God hasn't given yet. - B. Cameron

Every time the Israelites stepped away from God's commands, oppression seemed to set upon them. Hmm!

"The high cost of living!" It's a phrase bandied about by us working folk who are trying to survive down here on earth. It's our way of somewhat consoling ourselves when we tend to go overboard on our spending. We all know the basic economic principle that says we should NEVER spend more than we have/make, and we actually should NEVER spend all we have/make, but the "high cost of living" seems to make this impossible to achieve, so we go into debt. It's not really the "high cost of living" but our living choices. If it's true God supplies more than enough, then it is up to us to make it be just that - more than enough. We must learn the art of contentment that Paul spoke of and refrain from trying to live up to others standards and expectations.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day....." - Deuteronomy 28:12-13

Evidence of things not seen

If faith can see every step of the way, it is not faith. – W. Barclay

At the wedding feast of Cana, Jesus’ mother told his disciples to do whatever he asked of them. She didn’t know what he would do, but she knew he would do something. Hmm!

Pin the tail on the donkey – now that was a game we all relished. First they blindfold you, then spin you around and let you loose with a sharp object. And we trusted them to guide us with their shouts of “you’re getting warmer/colder” and generally it worked. As kids we never saw it as a game of faith, but that’s exactly what it was, trusting others to lead you. God asks the same of us as adults, to trust Him to lead and guide the way. But the difference is God is not asking us to go blindly into something, but to go trusting that He will get us there. He’s been there and knows the path. It may not always be safe, secure, and without apprehension, but just as we had no fear from those we played ‘pin the tail on’ with, we should have no fear God will not keep us by His grace. To walk with God is not to see where He’s leading us but to see Him.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see….” – Hebrews 11:1