Because YOU...

One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary people, but no machine can do the work of one extraordinary person. – E. Hubbard

Jonah and the repenting Ninevites. Peter on the Day of Pentecost. One powerful, spirit-filled message changed many hard hearts. Hmm!

Automation. Assembly lines, Time-motion processes, etc. These are so yesterday. Now it's AI. It's taking over in every realm possible, generating all kinds of content and possibilities. Yes, it’s true in many areas the human element has been curtailed or improved upon to benefit mankind, some good, some not so good. However, no matter how technologically advanced we become; no mechanized or computational process can change the hearts of men and women. Only God working through us can accomplish this great feat, and this happens only in relationship. So, no matter what comes our way may we be extraordinary today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.” – Matthew 25:34-36

Unlocking the Power of God

When we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon skill, we get what skill can do; when we rely upon technology, we get what technology can do; but when we rely upon prayer, we get what God will do. – R. Leroe

When Peter and John were charged not to preach Jesus anymore the early church didn’t start a letter writing campaign nor go on strike – they prayed. GOD MOVED!

Without a doubt most of us are highly qualified for the work we do. We’ve spent years in disciplined training and vast hours in education. We’ve honed our skills to near perfection and enhanced our life with the latest technological innovations. But often we find in life, when it comes to dealing with people no matter how much education, skill, or technology you have, they are of little help. That’s why it pays to be a praying person. Prayer can do things all these other advantages can’t. Prayer interjects Our God who can change the hardest of hearts – even ours.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18:1

Hearing Beyond The Tech

We are drowning in communication technology, but still have not perfected the art of listening. - Anon

It took God three attempts before He got young Samuel's attention. Hmm!

Smartphones, I-Pads, ZOOM, Facetime, Facebook, and other apps, all designed to keep us connected, up to date, and well informed. We spend so much time with technology and communicating via technology, we have lost the art of casual, intimate conversation and relationship where listening takes place. Technology has not really made life simpler, it has only sped it up. We’re so ‘wired’ we no longer know how to slow down and catch our breath and actually catch up with one another, especially God. This is not to say technology is a bad thing, particularly in light of the current pandemic climate, but we must remember God was communicating long before technology came into being. So, no matter how technologically advanced we become, the intimacy we seek with God and others will always be up close and personal.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” –Revelation 3:20

Techno Crush

There is more to life than increasing its speed. – Gandhi

James says a good farmer “patiently waits” for the rain and seasons for his crops. What a novel concept.

Technology! Instant access! We’re now available 24/7, 365 days a year, never out of reach or touch. We’re multi-tasking, multi-relational, multi-dimensional, and dead-tired. Most studies show for every efficiency we gain in technology, we lose time and touch with humanity (we’re on the phone or PC more, hooked up to music earplugs more, etc.) missing intimate conversation and God’s greatness all around us. Though we may be “up to speed” God’s pace is still the same.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“The apostles gathered around Jesus….then because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:30-31

The Art of Waiting

Could you not watch with me one hour...... - Jesus

Saul grew impatient waiting on Samuel to arrive, and it cost him dearly. OUCH!

Technology, with its many instantaneous forms of communication has opened up the floodgates for conversation, idea exchanges, discussion, etc., which are all very good. Almost everyone with a cell phone, I-Pad, or PC can join in. The dark side of this communication phenomenon is that it has begun to make us very impatient. Just think of the times you've texted or e-mailed someone, then called to see if they received your message because their response wasn't quick enough for you. And sadly, we've let this impatient attitude creep into our relationship with God. We want our prayers answered in an instant. We want our faith built in a day, our character perfected through 1 or 2 bible study sessions at most. God cannot and will not be rushed. And if we become frustrated with His apparent delays to our needs we must remember He is not so much concerned with our comfort as He is our character. And character is developed by a faith forged through perseverance and patience.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14  

Prayer. What God Can Do

When we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon skill, we get what skill can do; when we rely upon technology, we get what technology can do; but when we rely upon prayer, we get what God will do. – Robert Leroe

When Peter and John were charged not to preach Jesus anymore the early church didn’t start a letter writing campaign nor go on strike – they prayed. GOD MOVED!

Without a doubt most of us are highly qualified for the work we do. We’ve spent years in disciplined training and vast hours in education. We’ve honed our skills to near perfection and enhanced our life with the latest technological innovations. But often we find in life, when it comes to dealing with people no matter how much education, skill, or technology you have, they are of little help. That’s why it pays to be a praying person. Prayer can do things all these other advantages can’t. Prayer interjects Our God who can change the hardest of hearts – even ours.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18:1

Listen intimately

We are drowning in communication technology, but still have not perfected the art of listening. - Anon

It took God three attempts before He got young Samuel's attention. Hmm!

Smartphones, I-Pad/IPOD, PDA’s, Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi technology, etc., all designed to keep us connected, up to date, and well informed. We spend so much time with technology and communicating via technology, we have lost the art of casual, intimate conversation and relationship where listening takes place. Technology has not really made life simpler, it has only sped it up. We’re so ‘wired’ we no longer know how to slow down and catch our breath and actually catch up with one another, especially God. This is not to say technology is a bad thing, but we must remember God was communicating long before technology came into being. So, no matter how technologically advanced we become the intimacy we seek with God and others will always be one on one, face to face.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20

Take time to work it out!

Exercise does not take time out of your life. It puts life in your time. – L. Maxwell

David's young warriors would often play a round of 'spirited' games to keep their skills and bodies ready. Hmm!

Though we are steadily progressing via technology, automation, robotics, etc., we still live in busy times and there will never enough hours in the day. Be that as it may, God has so designed the human body to require some sort of physical exercise for maintenance. Physical exercise helps the body spur on certain chemical processes that aid in health, healing, stress reduction, and longevity, not to mention it serves as an aid in spiritual and emotional development. And I think those are all positives in this business of life and godly living. So we should all take time to maintain “the temple’s” appearance.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” - I Timothy 4:8

Silent Speech

Let your speech be better than silence, or be silent – J. Gibbons

At the transfiguration, it seems Peter just had to have his say. God spoke and put him to SILENCE!

There is an old proverb that says, “it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” How true. But in this day and age of communication technology silence has gone the way of dinosaurs (extinct). Truth be known often we converse with others just to hear ourselves talk. We need be careful of what we say and how we say it, but moreso we need remember God is a friend of silence, for in the midst of it He often speaks. Are you listening?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted; and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36-37