Month: April 2018

I listened to someone sing today. It was so bad it was beautiful. The singer was very old and sitting by a window watching it rain. Maybe once upon a time her voice was lovely and lilting but no longer. Now it was raspy and weak. In her voice I could hear joy and pain, both excitement and disappointment. Life is like that. One day our cup overflows and the next takes it away. It is such that makes us human. It is such that fashions within us the divine.

It was like that for Jesus. One moment the crowd was enthralled with him and the next they were clamoring for His demise. I am tempted to say during the down times we need the presence of God to carry us but I am thinking perhaps the good times are equally or perhaps more so the dangerous times. Most likely it depends on the person for each of us is so distinct there is no other like you or me.

Yet despite our uniqueness there are common bonds that tie us to each other and we feel other’s pain and joy. I believe that is why I enjoy “The Price is Right.” Even though I don’t know the contestants there is joy in seeing them win. I think the word for that is empathy. Jesus certainly had it. Isaiah said, “Surely He has born our grief and shared our sorrows.” Let’s add to Isaiah’s message and say, “Surely He laughs when we laugh and smiles when we smile.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 11, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

I noticed her obituary in the local paper. She was 91 and described as a good bingo player. “A Good Bingo Player.” That was it. How can you be a bad bingo player? The numbers are drawn randomly. She was 91 and all we could say about her was she watched her bingo card carefully as to not miss a number. Was she a mother? Was she a grandmother? Was she a great-grandmother? Was she a good wife? Did she like to cook? Had she ever volunteered for community service projects? Did she ever write anything or read a good book? Did she raise a family? Was she a Methodist or a Catholic? So many questions that could be asked. But her last line in life was, “She was a good bingo player.” It is obvious the last people to care for her and to notify the newspaper never really knew her.

But then again does anyone ever really know us? Do we ever know ourselves? Fortunately the one who counts the most really does know us.
Jesus said, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:30-31) And Paul reminds us in Romans 2:16, “This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ.” I rejoice in knowing the one who knows our secrets also loves us.

What would we want the newspaper to say about us when reporting our demise? How about he was a good dad or mom?

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 10, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

Three of my students came to class today with new hairdos. I probably would not have mentioned it but two of them were guys. I said, “Well, it appears that I also need a new hairdo.”

The following is a list of the immediate response from around the room.

“What you need is hair.”
“What you need is Rogaine.”
“Egghead Professors are not supposed to have hair, let alone a hairdo.”

It was the first time to my knowledge I had ever been referred to as an egghead. I must confess I was flattered because the term refers to academics who are bald and wise. Up until now I have been referred to as being a “Wise Guy” instead of being wise. I like the latter.

The truth is I have often been very unwise. Most of us have been unwise a few times in our lives. Some of us more than others. However, there is hope for everyone. There is a source of true wisdom available to all who ask. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

Should we get three wishes from rubbing a bottle the first and only wish needed would be for wisdom. Once obtained everything else falls into place. Of course the wisest thing anyone could ever do is allow Jesus to save him or her. For Jesus wisely said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 7, 2002.
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453.

Even though the sun was shining today it was fairly cold outside so I spent the afternoon learning how to take an image out of one picture and place it in another. It gives real meaning to the old phrase, “Not in the picture.” For fun I took a picture of my granddaughter’s favorite doll out of the toy ads in the Sunday paper, changed its size and put it in a picture with my granddaughter. They look like playmates.

While I was messing around I thought about what it means to be in a picture with someone. It does not necessarily mean you are friends. There could be many situations where just the opposite relationship would exist. However most of the time when pictured we are with friends. Pictures capture moments in time freezing them for us to enjoy later. I like to take pictures of my friends. The event is museumed in my brain and the picture acts as a key to open up memories.

Jesus loved pictures. He did not have a camera but He told lots of stories. Stories are word pictures. People would remember His stories and those stories would remind them of the lessons He taught. Most of us are visual learners. Jesus made us that way and He taught that way.

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:28-29

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 3, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

I saved 40 cents this afternoon because I am old. While returning an overdue library book I was informed because of my advanced age I did not have to pay the fine. It is expected that old people would forget to return their books and the city has graciously made allowance for such an indiscretion. Maybe I can use the 40 cents toward my medication.

I have been forgiven for a lot of things in life starting way back to childhood but this is the first time the rational for the grace was mental incapacitation. I need to write down this event and date it because I obviously will not recall it tomorrow. What I found amusing about the event was the woman who forgave me looked ten years older than me. She was probably ten years younger and smoked.

Before I forget what this is all about I need to get to my point that it is so nice to be forgiven. If you have not asked recently I would encourage you to give it a try. It comes with peace of mind, assurance of eternal life and a sense of wholeness. That’s a pretty good list of benefits and I am so glad I can remember what they are, at least for now.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

I wonder if the city will forgive parking tickets because I forgot to put money in the meter.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 1, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

His name is Lucifer from the Latin meaning light (lux) bearing (fer). The name has been used to refer to the planet Venus in the sky prior to sunrise. Isaiah referred to him as Lucifer, son of the morning. (14:12)

When Venus is the morning star it precedes the sun’s advent for the day and usually is so bright if one tracks it carefully it is visible all day long and sets just prior to the setting of the evening sun. Usually we do not notice it is visible all day because of its proximity to the sun, a place at which we avoid looking.

When its circuit about the sun takes it to the opposite side it becomes the evening star and is only visible for a short time after the sun sets before it sinks below the horizon. Thus the light bearer is not only the morning star but is also for an equal amount of time the evening star.

And so it is that Lucifer’s time is setting. He has had his reign over men far too long now. It is time for his evil light to be extinguished. It really is only a matter of time. The Book of Revelation gives us a grand look into the future. In the battle between good and evil, Jesus and Lucifer, Jesus wins.

You see Jesus is not like a planet. He is like the sun. He is the center of everything.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 31, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

This evening after the sun had gone down the sky was still just a bit light I sat by a lake watching my dog chase the last few frogs of 2002. It was brisk and clear as I looked into the western sky and I saw a light coming toward me. Since we are under the flight path from Chicago to Boston I knew my privacy was to be momentarily invaded by a few hundred people. About three minutes behind them I saw another light and then another and at one point I could see four planes all in a line heading in for the evening. It was rush hour in the sky.

I remember as a child being taken out to the Harrisburg, Pa. airport to see the very first commercial planes that did not have propellers. Wow – how did they stay up? Actually 50 years and a high school and a college physics class later I still marvel when I see a jumbo jet lift off from the earth. Flying has been the dream of men for thousands of years.

Paul speaks of his dream of flying in I Thessalonians 4. He wrote, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I am going to marvel at that forever.

Roger Bothwell wrote this on October 29, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

One of the great inventions for dog owners is the variable length leash. Sometimes my dog gets the benefits of its full length, which gives her quite a bit of roaming space. Other times proximity to people necessitates keeping it very short which very much limits her freedom. In those cases too much freedom would be dangerous both to her and others.

Freedom can be a frightening thing for along with freedom comes responsibility. When we are free to make our own decisions and to act on them we must also accept the full responsibility for the consequences of our choices. It is much more convenient if we have others to blame.

When children are small we limit their freedom and slowly expand it as they grow more capable of responsible behavior. Some people even into adulthood don’t handle freedom well. Paul refers to this in Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

Others know their limitations and join organizations with strict rules for membership. This avoids having to make difficult decisions. The leash is short. Jesus wants to give us a long leash. He wants us to be governed by principles of love, which sometimes necessitates choosing to do something everyone else thinks is wrong, but we know is right. Eternal life is for the brave.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 28, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

While I was waiting for my truck to be repaired I overheard one of the mechanics say to the shop foreman, “There is a spot on the inside one of our new cars that I cannot get out.”

“Call the spotman,” came the reply.

This was a new thing for me and so I was very curious when about 30 minutes later a spotless shiny red pickup arrived and disgorged a fat fellow with a spray bottle. I watched him disappear into the shop only to emerge a few minutes later with a huge smile on his face. “Done,” he said.

As he drove away I wondered what secret formula he had in that spray bottle that the car dealer needed but obviously could not get for himself.

Macbeth needed the spotman. We all need the spotman. Fortunately for us He does exist and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 The promises are plentiful. Try this one. Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

I would imagine the spotman used only as much cleaner as needed. Our God goes over board. He is lavish with His spot remover and with a great bonus that comes along with it: wisdom and understand.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 27, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453