Month: September 2020

Recently one of my students was puzzled and inquired of me about a statement I made in class.  I commented that I was looking forward to being in heaven with a host of people from different times and places.  I was especially looking forward to speaking with and learning from not only Christians from other denominations but from the redeemed from other religions.

My student asked the age-old question, “Does this mean that many roads lead to God?” “Oh, no,” I responded.  “The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the way and there is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved.” Seeing the puzzlement grow deeper upon his face I continued, “Ephesians 2 clearly states that God does the saving.  God is the seeker in the parable Jesus told about the lost sheep.  It is God who goes out looking for His lost ones.  God is the finder and He finds His redeemable ones on Elm Street and Oak Avenue and Spruce Lane.   It doesn’t matter that some are on dead end paths.   He finds and rescues all who will allow.”

God doesn’t play favorites.  Those who have been Christians all their lives are so blessed.  But just because we were born into a Christian culture does not mean we have exclusive rights to the Kingdom.  We did not choose to be born where we were born.  No one will be saved by an accident of birth.  All who are saved will be redeemed by the grace of a loving, caring Father who made it possible by Jesus, the Way.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 3, 2008

Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

Putting my glasses in my shirt pocket I said to my barber, “Number four on top and finger cut on the sides.”  Just then her cell phone rang.  I didn’t mind as I waited.  I enjoy the smells of a barber shop.  With a “Good-bye” she turned to me and began giving me a four on the sides and finger cut on top.  I didn’t say anything because it was too late and I was curious if she would ever catch on.  She did and fortunately my wife likes it.

As I was thinking about my backward haircut I was reminded of the Sermon on the Mount.  I think about the Sermon on the Mount a lot because it seems to be such a challenge.  It is backward living from my normal impulses.  When I get hit I want to hit back – harder.  Jesus tells me I am supposed to “love my enemies.”  I know. How could I have any enemies?  I am such a nice guy!  But I am a realist and know there are people who cannot stand me.  When I think about them I don’t want them to prosper. But Jesus is powerfully emphatic about this very issue. I must pray for them and long for them to do very well.  Being a real Christian is so very backward to my nature.

The last shall be first.  The poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom.  It is no wonder Paul exclaimed about himself, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?”   Praise God for the answer to his question.  Romans 8, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 3, 2012

Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

The sign in front of the barber shop beckoned with the message, “First Time $5.” I’m not sure how many hundred times I have driven by without responding.  However, today I was very shaggy and decided to check it out.  Sure enough they (two very talkative ladies) only charged me $5 and it is a good haircut. I will go back.  My regular barbers (two not so talkative ladies) are going to miss me.   I enjoyed the chatter.

Persistent advertising finally got me.  When I was a little guy there was a map in our church where someone was keeping track of and marking countries that had been sent a missionary.  The inspiration for this was the idea that when the Gospel had gone to the whole world then Jesus would come.  What intrigued me was the idea that a single presence or a single event of witnessing meant we could check off an entire country.  We were one step closer to the Kingdom.  But does a one-time exposure really do the job?  I once heard someone say they passed out pamphlets to a neighborhood; therefore, those people had their chance.  Come on.  Really?

We are talking about something so much more significant than a haircut and it took hundreds of times before I responded.  When we are talking about totally changing one’s life we have to realize, while some people will see it right away, it will take multiple years before another person gets it.   So, don’t give up.  If there is someone you have been praying for keep on praying.  If there is a family member who needs to respond, keep on being the kindest, most caring, most self-sacrificing person in their life.  Someday it will make a difference.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 2, 2011

Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org

 

They seemed so sincere I don’t think they got it.  They were convinced they were not salesmen.  They were only knocking on doors to see if we needed new windows.  They would help us determine so.  Should they so decide they would then arrange to send a salesman.  Therefore, they were not selling anything.  I could not convince them they were selling.

They were like car sales people who rush out to snag you if you pause for a moment to look at a car.  After they schmooze you, they bring in the big gun from the backroom to seal the deal. It is also like people who bring friends to church hoping the pastor can convince them to join.  Everyone is part of the process.  Even the people who brought casseroles to the potluck are part of the team.  Convincing someone to buy or become a part of something is a team effort.  The pastor will never succeed if the members do not create a welcoming atmosphere.

One would think it to be easy to give someone eternal life.  Perhaps it is difficult because we complicate it.  Often we make people think they have to join “our” church if they are to be saved.  “We” are God’s exclusive little club and they need to dress like us, eat like us and pray like us.  God must sometimes smile at our ridiculous behavior.  At other times He must shake His head in exasperation.  The point is we do have a marvelous product to share with the world.  And the way we sell it or give it is to make it attractive and the way to make it attractive is for us to be as much like Jesus as we are capable.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 1, 2011

Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org