Month: March 2021

If you have ever been asked to make a public presentation you most assuredly suffered prior to the presentation; cold hands, weak knees, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat accompanied by a pain in the pit of your stomach.  I once had a friend who when pastor of a very large church said he often threw up the mornings he was to speak.  Psychologists tell us stage fright is the number one fear ranking above snakes, heights and spiders.  So you can imagine my delight when I read I Corinthians 3 where Paul says, “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”   Ah, ha.  Paul was one of us.  How could it be?

Actually, I am being very generous to place us in any category with him.  None of us have been, “Five times I received the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.”  II Corinthians 11.   I have heard people mock John Mark because he quit during Paul’s first missionary journey and went home.  I wonder how many of us would have stayed.  It was dangerous to be near Paul.   But let’s get back to his stage fright.  Jesus had promised, “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”   We really have it so easy.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 20, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Our local public library is presently featuring To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  This Sunday afternoon the National Endowment for the Arts sponsored an actor to portray Atticus Finch.  It was splendid and much to my pleasure during the hour he morphed into Scout, Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Ewell merely with voice and facial expressions.  Skilled actors can move us and manipulate our feelings with their talents. As I watched I pondered how easily we can be affected by other’s manners and demeanors.

When Jesus called the religious leadership hypocrites, He was using the Greek word for actor.  They pretended to be something they were not.  In Matthew 23 He accused them of being white-washed tombs; pretty on the outside but rotten inside. However, I’m not so sure it’s so bad to be a hypocrite in the Greek sense.  In the morning I determine today I will be as much like Jesus as possible.  That takes some acting.  It isn’t my natural reaction to the day’s irritations.   I believe Jesus’ problem wasn’t the acting on the part of the establishment as much as inwardly they weren’t trying to change.  As soon as the crowds were gone it was business as usual.

In Jeremiah 13:23 we find the old question, “Can a leopard change its spots?”  Many people contend that what we are we are and we will ultimately revert back to that.  I do hope they are wrong.  If so there is no hope in trying.  We might as well adopt Popeye’s philosophy “I yam what I yam” and be done with it.  Paul certainly thought we could change.  He devoted a good share of the book of Romans to the task.  Today I’m going for an Oscar.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 19, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

It is obvious that God loves diversity. There is no end of the differences in people.  We are made in His image but there are an infinite number of combinations of DNA producing an infinite number of unique beings. Our modern world enables us to feast on diversity.  Our supermarket provides us with so many different kinds of vegetables, fruits, breads, breakfast cereals and juices.  No matter the uniqueness of our tastes there is something there for almost everyone.

So how is it that we have such strong desires to make others think and believe just like we do?   Religion and politics are just two arenas that create “others.”  “Others” are those who do not walk in mental lock step with us.  We create labels like “heretic” or “liberal” or “conservative” and we use them for reasons to not trust “others.”  We create organizations, clubs and parties to make ourselves feel right and thus deem “others” wrong.  “Others” are welcome to visit but not belong unless they convert and conform to us.  Somehow we appreciate diversity in arenas that do not affect thought.

Is it possible we do this “birds of a feather” thing because we are insecure and need the presence of others who think like us to bolster our doubts and reinforce our biases?  In John 14 Jesus said something very interesting.  He said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.”  Was He only speaking about buildings in the sky or was He perhaps opening the door for His Father to extend grace to an infinite number of His children?  Revelation 7:9 says, “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 18, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell.org

While in college I participated in a few oratorical contests and thus have an appreciation for the anxiety of standing on stage, knowing that you did your best, and fearing you will hear your name as the person who didn’t make it.

Through the years I have known many Christians filled with anxiety and fear about their eternal destiny.  It is like standing before God’s throne waiting for the horrible news that you did not make it.  When you ask them if they are saved they respond with “I hope so.”  Somewhere along the way they have confused assurance of salvation with spiritual pride and they want to be humble.  Assurance of salvation has nothing to do with self but has everything to do with Jesus.  To live and rejoice in the promises of Jesus is all about praise to Him and not ourselves.

Paul wrote, “I know in whom I have believed and He is able.” II Timothy 1:12.  We might be tempted to think, “Well, that was Paul and he was special.”   We need to remind ourselves that God doesn’t play favorites.  Acts 10:34.  What was good for Paul, Peter and even Jesus is good for us.  Both in Galatians and Romans Paul assures us that we are co-heirs with Jesus Himself.  That is so beyond belief; if it were not in Scripture I would say it was totally crazy.  Chase away the anxiety and fear and live in the luxury of God’s Fatherhood.  Accept the promises of Jesus and know that should you so choose you are a winner and will never hear that you have to cease singing.  Live we shall.  Inherit we shall.  Sing we shall.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 14, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Because I was not at the top of my game I stayed in the car while my wife got groceries.  My eye caught a couple very engaged in conversation; so much so they pushed their cart of groceries into the parking lot shopping cart bin leaving all their food behind.  As they drove away I tooted my horn; but, to no avail.  They were gone. I was sure they would be back so I would be a really good guy and guard their things until they returned.  Not five minutes passed and they were back.  It’s a standard human response to laugh when one is embarrassed.  They laughed.

Not wanting to paint myself as wonderful because I really didn’t do anything but toot and that was too late, I did think about having someone to watch over us.  There are times we too become very engaged in something; so much so we also forget important things.  Life can be most engrossing and full of things; so much so that we neglect the important thing of remembering to maintain our relationship with God.  I don’t want to say that’s okay.  However, He is very understanding and He doesn’t go away.  He waits and watches and knows when we regain reality we will be back.  What I love about this is He doesn’t toss us out when this occurs.  He’s a good Father and though we don’t always act like it we are still in the family.

In the meantime He “sends His angels to keep us in all our ways.”  Psalm 91:11.   I wish that meant nothing bad would ever happen to us.  Alas, we live in a world where bad things do happen to good people. But it does mean He will always make it right.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 16, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

On our way into a Friendly’s I held the door for a family on their way out.  As a little guy passed me I heard him say to his dad, “I want to come back here again.”  Too bad Friendly’s didn’t have that on camera.  It would be a great ad.   I found myself wishing we could figure out how to get the same reaction from our youth regarding coming to church.  During church we have a children’s story and a mob of little kids flood the front pews.  But where are the teens?  Something happens during adolescence and we rarely hear, “I want to come back here again.”

I realize it does have something to do with being a teen.  After all 4000 teens start smoking each day.  That says a lot about their cognition.  The truth is we are competing with media productions that spend hundreds of millions of dollars to capture their attention.  It’s pretty hard to preach an eye and ear catching sermon without the visual fade ins and outs, the finely tuned music and the built-in laugh track.  Lest I sound totally pessimistic I do want to point out we do have something on our side the other side doesn’t have.  God promises to send His spirit to attend us.  Should we be wise enough to seek that help,  we will have something on our side no amount of clever, eye-catching media production can ever match.

One of the things every one of us needs to understand is “preaching” at them and “exhorting” just doesn’t work.  They react to it like it was smallpox.  Telling people not to do something usually elicits just the opposite response.  Inspiration is the key.  We must inspire them.  We must make them want to do what is best for them and love is the magic potent.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 15, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

While waiting for my wife to come and get me I sat on a rock at the side of a parking area watching the world go by.  It was warm and breezy – perfect.  Just then a woman came across the parking area toward her car.  She was carrying a good sized framed picture.  What followed should have been part of an old-time Abbott and Costello movie.  The breeze was just enough to turn the picture into a sail.  I kid you not.  She was blown from one side of the lot to the other twirling in the breeze.  At one point she needed to pull her dress down but that would require letting go of the painting which she would not do.  I should have rushed to her defense but I do have to admit, insensitive as I am, I was having way too much fun watching.  Only when she finally got to her car did I think that I should have videoed her with my cell phone.

Surely Paul would have enjoyed it with me and included it in Ephesians 4.   “Henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, . . .”  Almost every day I get emails filled with some ridiculous twisted thinking and they often end by demeaning either my loyalty to Jesus or my patriotism to my country if I don’t pass it on. I’m not concerned about that.  I am concerned about my friends believing the incredible stuff anyone can so freely disseminate on the web.

A really good policy to follow is to believe that others are as trustworthy and reasonable as we, until they prove themselves otherwise.  If ever, this is a great time to follow Jesus’ Golden Rule.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 15, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

I spent a lion’s share of the day connected to bottles and needles being filled with lots of interestingly expensive stuff.  Because it was 72 degrees when I came home I sat outside enjoying the warmth.  A mosquito landed on my arm and I watched her drink. (What’s one more needle?)  As she tanked up it occurred to me that she was getting far more than she thought she was getting.  Along with the blood she also tanked up on all the other stuff that was put in this morning.  I wonder how she will respond to her exotic meal.  The mosquito will be altered because she bit me.

In the midst of my ridiculous musings I remembered Eve.  She bit and she got ever so much more than she thought she was getting.  Satan did not lie when he told her she would learn much.  She did.  She learned about death, disease, hatred, etc.  When a teen decides to start smoking they too will get much more than they think they are getting.  They are getting bad breath, stained teeth, tarred up lungs, premature wrinkles and finally an early death.  Sin is that way.  It looks good.  Often it starts out nice but once past the sweet part comes the payment.

If only we could trust God and understand He always has our best interest at heart.  God has a reason for the don’ts.  I have a grandson who once stood in front of our woodstove.  Long he stared and then he did it.  He touched it.  He got so much more than he had imagined.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 13, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Elementary school teachers tell me they know when the weather is about to change.  They don’t need a barometer because the children get fidgety.   I wonder if that is also true with dogs.  Our weatherman is telling us a large storm is heading our way and today our dog has been fidgety.  Every little sound created an explosion of raised hair and ear piercing barking.   If the volume of ruckus roused had anything to do with it when the mailman came, one would have thought he was a terrorist.  While channel surfing I paused for a few moments on the end of Family Feud.  When the correct answer came up on the board there was a ding.  I do admit that it sounded like our doorbell and you can guess what happened.

Through the years I have known people who must have been aware that the weather was changing.  Every war, every earthquake, every natural disaster made them start barking that the end is near.  Our fervent desire for the second coming of Jesus sometimes clouds our better judgment.  The continual “wolf wolf at the door” has a dulling effect on our young people.   Soon they turn us off and discount everything we have to say regarding faith.   Our so very relevant message for vibrant living isn’t heard because of our not paying attention to Jesus Himself.  He said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

It’s popular for preachers to focus on end time events because they get lots of rave comments at the door after church.  It’s an easy sermon prep.  All they need do is recap the week’s news.  But let’s beware we don’t become fidgety barking dogs.  Be pastors and care for the flock which so often need to be reminded that Jesus loves them.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 6, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Daniel is the only significant Bible character for whom we have no mention of his personal failures.   Then I remember that it was Daniel who wrote the book of Daniel.  Perhaps his failure to mention any personal fault was his personal fault.  However, I should be careful and not sit in judgment.  It is easy and wrong to judge persons in different times and different cultures by our cultural standards and values.  We do have the tremendous value of hindsight.  We are inundated with and privy to information, scientific research and knowledge of God Himself that was not available to those who preceded us.

The revelation of God’s nature and character wasn’t clear until Jesus came.  Paul wrote, “The Son is the image of the invisible God.”  Colossians 1.  The advent of Jesus was the most dramatic presentation of deity ever given to man.  Jesus said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” John 14.   We have been so blessed but with that blessing comes great responsibility.  “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; andfrom the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  Luke 12

A small child today, hearing the stories of Jesus, has more information regarding God than did the Bible greats.  I sometimes forget that Old Testament characters were not Christians. I do them and myself a disservice to read their stories looking through today’s glasses. Jesus was so right when He admonished us not to judge others.  We only know what we know and we do not have the right to judge others by the abundance of our light and also by the limitations of our light.  Surely we are not as smart as we think we are.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 11, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell.org