Month: January 2022

To Be Human

Have you ever stood on a stage and looked at the different colored lights that are available to set a scene?   Changing a hue changes an atmosphere.  The lights are different colors, not because the inside of the light is different, but because of the filter covering the light.  There is no such thing as bias-free.  It is a myth of gigantic proportion.  The end result being that each religious or political group is absolutely convinced their views are the right views and others are either horribly mistaken or downright evil.

So here I sit with my Bible in hand.  The light that floods from its pages flows through the biased filter of my mind.  In order to change me, I have to be jolted otherwise my biases will adapt what I read.  What I read will merge with what I already believe.  In order for God to recruit Saul into Paul, God had to literally knock him off his horse and strike him temporarily blind to jolt Saul into a reevaluation of his core beliefs.  Even then Saul\Paul retreated for literally years of study before he emerged as Paul, Christ’s greatest ever evangelist.

Before we take up arms, verbal or otherwise, against anyone either for religious or political reasons, we must step back and recognize that we could be that other person were it not for the filtered set of biases we inherited from our past, our subculture and culture.   We must understand the other is as spiritually or philosophically invested as are we.  The cause for which we are willing to die is heresy to another.  It does not make them evil.  It makes them human.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 21, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

As the full moon slowly slid across our winter sky with tomorrow’s snow clouds in tow our beautiful lab patiently sat watching supper preparations.  The sizzling skillet filled the air with saliva inducing aromas.  The floor would have to be cleaned below her chin.   Her dark brown eyes were fixed on my wife as she waited for the command.   This was her job.  When the food is ready she gets the nod to find me.  I can hear her coming.  There is a thunder across the floor and up the stairs as her ninety pounds hurl into the room.  “It’s time to eat.  Don’t linger.  Can’t you smell it?”   She is as persistent as if Timmy were in the well.

Her joy is to obey.  In Psalm 119 we read, “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”  Oh that the psalmist would be as happy with me as he would be with her.  “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.  I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.  I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.”  While it is true we are motivated to obey because of our love for our heavenly Father, we should also be motivated when we understand that obedience is the smart thing to do.  Not only does it keep us out of trouble it makes us smarter.

I should be as smart as my dog.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 20, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

While root beer is the extent of my indulgence in kinds of beers, I do have to admit some of the better commercials on television are the beer ads.  Who among us doesn’t enjoy the Clydesdale horses pulling a sleigh across the snow?  One particular brand features “the world’s most interesting man.”   He is an incredible looking, grey bearded 70ish guy who does phenomenally outrageous things like parallel parking a train.  Each ad closes with a close-up of his slightly wrinkled tanned face looking into the camera as he says, “Stay thirsty my friend.”

“Stay thirsty” is a great message for everyone.  Our lust for life, our desire to try new things, read a new book, climb a new mountain, take a new class, taste a new food, write a new poem is what we are designed for.  Adam and Eve weren’t made just to smell the flowers in Eden but to design a world.  In John 7 Jesus said to a massive crowd, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  The paradox of Jesus’ comment is once we have quenched our thirst by coming to Him we will want more.  One can never be sated when we are with Jesus because He continually expands our capacities.  The more we know about Him the more we want to know because the results are so very enlightening.  New vistas of thought flood our minds with new intelligence to comprehend.

The real “world’s most interesting man” is the One who’s birth divided history.  He is the One whose message was and still is “stay thirsty.”  Drink up as much of Him now and He will give us an eternity more.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 17, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

You might think I spend a lot of time behind cars and trucks.  I do.  And I suspect you do also.  Today I pulled up behind a car decorated with contradictory symbols.  There was the traditional fish symbol for Jesus next to a cross.  However, there was also a pentagram and a bumper sticker promoting Satanism.   As this mixed message drove off I remembered the witchdoctor that sat under a mango tree in front of the dispensary by our school in Uganda.  It was there that I discovered that the witchdoctor was a good guy.  He sold things to counteract curses from witches.  He was the doctor.

One afternoon while waiting my turn to see the nurse at the dispensary (I had fallen off my motorcycle and needed an antibiotic ointment.) I noticed people coming from the dispensary also purchasing things from the witchdoctor.  I recognized one of them and I asked, “Why?”  His logic was interesting.  He told me he was covering all the bases.  Modern medicine was fine, but just in case, a good charm from the witchdoctor might do the trick.

Jesus once said we cannot serve two masters. We can’t play both ends against the middle.  We are either with Jesus or we are not.  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”  Matthew 6:24.   I wondered if the person in the car in front of me was trying to hedge his faith.  If so Elijah would have a few words for him.  “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”  I Kings 18:21

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 18, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell org

 

The sign on the back of the semi read, “Our most valuable asset is sitting 62 feet in front of this sign.”   Wouldn’t it be grand if all companies/organizations felt that way about their employees?  Things can be replaced.  People should not be replaceable.  Heaven certainly doesn’t think people are replaceable.

Just how do you place value on something?  Sometimes we see TV programs where people bring in their questionable treasures for evaluation.  They are thrilled to discover some old piece of junk out of their attic is actually worth millions.  At least that is what they are told. However, something is only valuable to the degree that someone will purchase it from you.  We can say it is worth a million but if no one wants to buy it then it really isn’t worth anything other than its aesthetics.

So if you are a valued asset, just how much are you worth?  Calvary!

Scripture indicates one third of the angels were expelled from heaven with their chosen leader.  Were they, are they replaceable?  One of the worst things we can say to any parent who has lost a child is “Well, you have two other children.”  Or “Thankfully you are still young and you can have more.”  Each child has a unique place in our hearts. Another child creates a their own space.  The already existing place will always be empty.  While God is thrilled beyond words to have us in His family, there is no possible way we can fill the emptiness in His heart for His lost angels. Love builds bigger houses with more rooms.  It doesn’t fill up the old.  Value is in the eye of the beholder.  What an asset you are!

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 17, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

My Popular Mechanics came today and I just finished reading about making concrete furniture.  I wondered why.  Not why I read it but why anyone would want concrete furniture.  I tried to think of the pluses and came up with a. It might deter one from becoming a couch potato.  b. It would most likely keep one’s wife from continually rearranging the room.  c. It would never go out of style since it never was in style. d. It would generate discussions with guests during a lull in a conversation. e. No one could accuse us of living a soft cushy life. f. I can’t think of an f.

Mark 8:34 has always concerned me. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”  I don’t believe I have chosen to be a cushy Christian, but I have never once felt that being a Christian lessened the quality of my life.  As the years have gone by and my walk with Jesus has deepened the rewards keep flowing.  When I read stories of people who are persecuted for their faith I begin to feel pangs of guilt.  It has never occurred for me.

Jesus suffered.  Paul suffered.  Many early church fathers suffered.  I read about lions eating Christians in the Roman arenas and wonder if I would have the courage to be faithful.  It is true that many of those who died in the arenas actually went looking for it because they sought martyrdom.  And some people today go looking for trouble. I don’t think that is what Jesus meant for us to do.  Unless something drastically changes I will live my life as a cushy Christian not having to sit on a concrete sofa.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 9, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

There is a traditional view of people showing up at heaven’s gate only to be turned away.  Peter or some cosmic being sits at a desk with a large book and a pen in hand.  It is a moment of being accepted or rejected by a judge.  While this picture is metaphorical there is an essence of truth.  There is a judge and there will be rejection. In John 12:47-48 Jesus said, “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

According to Jesus He never has nor ever will reject anyone.  His responsibility in the plan of redemption is to save the world.  Please note He said, “The world.”  That’s everyone.  But we know not everyone will be saved.  So who then does the rejecting?   The answer isn’t a “who” but a “what.”  It is the words of Jesus.  They are the standard.  If there is a “who” involved it is the lost themselves.  They perish because of their decision not to pay any attention to what Jesus said.

This is what judgment is all about.  All of our lives Jesus woos us.  “Come unto me” He calls out.  “Let my righteousness be yours.”  Being lost is a matter of personal choice and not an edict from on high.  We are not rejected by another.  We are the rejecters.  We are not cast out.  We turned and walked out.  It’s a horrible realization. It is hell.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 15, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

During the winter Olympics we watch the best of the best compete for the glory of the gold medal and the few moments on the stand listening to their national anthem.  Most of us are drawn to excellence and will at least once, if only momentarily, wonder what it would feel like to have the joy and satisfaction of being the winner after a lifetime of dedicated training.  Paul thought about it and makes reference to the Olympics in Philippians 3.   While Paul was sure of his salvation there was yet another goal that he pressed forward to attain.  He wanted to know Jesus and be as much like Jesus as possible.  He wrote, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

His calling, his goal, was to be like Jesus. This is what Christianity is all about.  Salvation is step one and is then followed by challenges to character growth.  Salvation is a gift.  Character growth is work.  We will always be saved by the righteousness of Jesus.  Then with the Holy Spirit abiding in us, we are called to grow and then grow some more and then grow yet ever more.  Like Olympians it is a life of dedicated purpose.  It is the goal of an eternal life.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 14, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Life is very much like a football game without any timeouts.  There is no whistle to stop the aggressors from coming after us.  Sometimes the future appears to be blocked by a line of 300 pound 6 feet 6 inch tall bruisers with bulging muscles.   If you are in school there are lectures and exams.  If you are busy with a career there are growth goals and competition from colleagues.  If you are parenting there are the joys of having your sweet children becoming adolescents.  The list of challenges just keeps going.

We are tempted to blame it on modernity but it isn’t new.  Two thousand years ago Jesus said, “”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  People have always found ways to fill their days with endless activity.  All our electronics have not lessened our workloads.  Instead they have raised expectations that we will get even more done.  Children used to play Hide and Go Seek or Tag.   Now they play soccer, take martial arts classes, take dance lessons, play basketball games.  The need is for a second car and a full time driver getting the children from appointment to appointment.

It makes one tired just thinking about the stress.  I have never heard anyone say they are taking their children to “How to be Relaxed and Quiet” classes.   So many of us long for our children to be successful so we push them.  C’s in school used to be average.  No longer.  Anything less than an A is a source of disappointment.  Often teachers will give a B student an A just because it isn’t worth the grief they will receive from eager parents.

When it all gets overwhelming remember there is place of quiet rest.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 13, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

At one time our son’s office was in a high-rise in southern Connecticut looking down on I-95.  One day on our way to Philadelphia my wife texted him that we would be coming by his building in a few minutes.   As we came in sight of his glass structure we opened the sunroof and my wife started to wave.   A few seconds later she received the text, “Saw you waving.”   Not much of a visit as we whizzed by a wee bit over 65 mph.

I used to think that God watched us from above.  As a little guy I learned a song about God looking down in tender love.  Only instead of catching just a glimpse He got to watch everything all the time.  Later in life I read Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”   This certainly changes everything.  God is not watching from above.  He is inside!  We have no secrets. Now comes the amazing part.  He still loves us.   How can this be?  I don’t even pretend to know.  I just take Him at His word. “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  That’s the rest of Galatians 2:20.

We are invited to participate in a very intimate relationship.  Not only is He aware of our thoughts, He longs to share His thoughts with us.  James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”  This is so much better than waving out the top of a sunroof.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 16, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell.org