Author: Ian Bothwell

Two nice looking young men stood at my door wanting to share their particular view of God and salvation.   As I listened it became evident that the underlying reason for their presence was to help me understand my relationship with God was flawed.  God could not accept me until I understood and believed as they.  Salvation was not the fruit of faith but the reward for understanding and accepting their truth.  This was salvation by rightness instead of salvation by the righteousness of Jesus.

While I do not want to put down on the importance of truth, it is important to understand in the realm of faith interpretation is.  At some point everyone who chooses to believe does just that.  He or she makes a leap of faith.  Even evolutionists who try to convince us their teachings are based upon hard scientific data at some point make a leap of faith.  Juries convict people and put them in jail because they believe the person is guilty.  They were not at the scene of the crime.  They didn’t see it.  They believe witnesses or the interpretation of evidence presented by a skillful attorney.

If we did not live by faith we could not function.  When I board an airplane I believe the mechanics got everything right.  I believe the pilot is skilled and the unseen flight controllers will put us at the right altitude out of the way of other planes.  When I drive I believe other drivers will stay on their side of the road.

We all live by faith in something.   So why not then be smart and choose to believe in a loving caring God?

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 8, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

I felt like I was driving the wrong way on a one way street.  After meeting an appointment at a local college I had an hour before my evening class began.  I couldn’t use my classroom because it was being used by some undergrads.   So I went to a city park to use the mile round walking trail. No where did I see any signs dictating you had to walk counter-clockwise even though everyone was.  I walked it clockwise.  I was the only one.  The advantage being that I got to greet everyone using the trail otherwise I would have merely stared at the back of the same person.  I enjoyed walking what was obviously the wrong way.

Many years ago on Candid Camera they waited until some poor guy got into an elevator.  Then a Candid Camera crew filled the elevator around him.  In unison they faced different directions every few moments.  Every time the Candid Camera crew faced a different direction he did it with them.  He couldn’t resist the psychological pressure not to conform.

Paul wrote the following to the Romans, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, . . .”   (12:2)   A paraphrase renders it like this, “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.”    Actually it isn’t very difficult to be different among strangers.  It is the people who know us who can apply subtle pressure.  We develop a known persona and the people we know want us to stay in character.  It’s time to walk against the grain.  If you are a grump, start being nice.  If you are a gossip, quit it.  If you are wonderful, please stay that way.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 24, 2009

Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94508

rogerbothwell.org

 

The Easter Bunny left me a box of chocolate covered cherries.  How is it that she knew exactly how much I enjoy them?  Isn’t it grand to sink your teeth into one and have all that juice run out into your mouth?   One has to be careful lest it drip on one’s shirt.  I noted that the box hasn’t changed size since I was a boy.  But that is deceptive.  Now they put them in plastic trays with fewer holes.  The box looks like it can hold a dozen but it only holds ten.  Actually that’s good because that’s two less to eat.

Most of marketing is packaging.  One can put an excellent product in an unattractive package and go bankrupt, while some people put inferior objects in great packages and make a lot of money.  This, of course, makes me wonder about how we package Christ.  In recent years Christianity hasn’t looked very good.  It has appeared to be bigoted and restrictive.  Instead of proclaiming a message of freedom that we find so proclaimed in Galatians,  we find Christianity wanting to restrict other’s rights.  We just haven’t looked very appealing.

Then there is the package we see in the mirror.   Repeatedly Paul makes references to our being in Christ and we being the temple of the Holy Spirit.   Are we an attractive package?  Do we inspire others by our care and love?  Do we make people want what we have?  We come in all manner of shapes, ages and colors.  However, each of us no matter how wrinkled and shopworn can still be a great advertisement for the abundant life.

Written by Roger Bothwell on April 14, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

This afternoon I was transported to a foreign country.  We were at a mall near Boston and I inadvertently wandered into a store with a name I had never seen before.  Walking down a dark hallway I entered an even darker world filled with tables selling thirty five dollar t-shirts and eighty-five dollar sweat shirts or should I say “hoodies.”  None of the sales-help asked if they could assist me.  I think they knew it was pointless, most likely from the reaction of others my age who had entered this world of distorted values.  I saw faded and torn blue jeans with two hundred dollar price tags.  Excuse me, but why not visit the Salvation Army where they are only ten dollars and the money goes for a good cause and not into some  …’s (fill in the blank) pocket.   Forgive me for that but even Jesus found the thieves in the courtyard offensive.  I have now officially passed over the threshold of old-foggism. I am no longer swayed to think this is “cool.”

At first I was tempted to think Jesus must have been equally appalled upon coming to earth.  But then I realized He was always here.  He was on Mount Sinai.  He was in Noah’s ark.  He was at Solomon’s dedication of the temple. There has never been a moment when He hasn’t been with us.  I doubt if there is any human behavior that surprises Him.   He has seen it all.  That is why I am so amazed that He still cares for us.  He even cares for the proprietors of that store.  Maybe I am being overly harsh.  Maybe they give their profits to the “Feed the Children” fund.  The truth is I don’t know and should hold my tongue.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 24, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

We had two of the most precious little red squirrels in our backyard.  They were beautiful little animals.  Unfortunately in addition to being lovely they were too smart.  They figured out how to eat out of our “squirrel proof” bird feeder.  It was amazing to see their ingenuity.  However, they were eating me out of house and home.  They could consume five dollars of seed in a single day.  They now live miles from here.  Our “live-trap” did the job.  They outgrew their welcome.

I have seen people do the same. It often happens in the work place.  My father told me to leave while I am still wanted.  That wasn’t bad counsel.  Most of us have seen that in church.  At some point it is often wise for the pastor to move on.  Unfortunately sometimes that happens after about a month!  It is hard on the pastor’s family.  They never get a new pastor.  I used to worry about my boys.  That is one reason I tried so hard.

There are some things in our lives we need to make unwelcome.  We need to recognize those things that harm us and tear away the fiber of our character.  We need to have the courage to own up to the need to expel them from our lives.  It’s time to make selfishness, envy and downright meanness no longer welcome in our behavior.  When we snap at people or belittle them or try to make ourselves better than they, we manifest behaviors unwelcome in heaven.  If we really want to live forever with our Lord we need to summon His help in making all that will be unwelcome in heaven to be unwelcome here and now.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 8, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

Just before highway I-84 crosses from Connecticut into Massachusetts there is a wonderful restaurant that gives away free books.  While one waits for one’s food one can browse the shelves and select up to three free books. Rarely do I find three worth carrying home but usually I find one I like.  Late this afternoon I got one.  I also like sitting at the window and looking out upon a life-size wooden moose.  This evening he was covered with snow.  I think he is huge but two weeks ago my wife and son from California were in the forest here caching and came upon two very real, very alive moose. (Mooses? Meese?)  I am so envious.  I have spent fifteen years wandering about our forest and have never seen even one.   She tells me the wooden moose at the restaurant is small compared to what they saw.

Life is a wonderful adventure.  Each day brings something new to experience and enjoy.  When I read the first two verses of the Book of Hebrews I get excited about our future.  “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

It is the plural on the word “worlds” that lights my imagination.   Surely this is not speaking of the other empty planets in our solar system but wonderful worlds spread all over God’s vast space.  Paul also wrote in Ephesians 3, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 7, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

They make $200,000 for seven months work.  In return they are required to make snap judgments that often reap abuse and ridicule. They do get absolutely terrific views of baseball games but sometimes get foul balls directly in the face. Umpires are always at the biggest games but never star.  Every once in a while I come across people who seem to think God has called them to umpire the game of life.  They make snap judgments about others and other’s decisions.  How often have we been with someone and have seen them declare someone an idiot or worse based upon the tiniest of information?  Without knowing background or pressures or details they (or should I say we) proclaim some easy solution to a very complex issue.

One of the last virtues in life we acquire is wisdom.  It is usually accompanied by being slow to speak.  I have been amused to sit in committees and observe the newest members usually have the most to say.  Fresh voices and fresh minds have fresh ideas.  Usually they are barely worth hearing. The framers of our constitution wisely declared one cannot be President of the United States until he or she is at least 35 years of age and has lived in the country for at least fourteen years.

The little book of James is pregnant with wisdom.  One of his gems is verse 8, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”   And of course it was Jesus Himself who told us not to judge.  I have enough problems trying to figure out the person I see in the mirror let alone another person who I barely know.  Aspire not to be an umpire.

Written by Roger Bothwell on April 27, 2009.

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

Our grandson loves to turn on the seat heaters when he rides in the back seat of our car.  Since we don’t ride in the back we are not aware that they are on–usually on high. This weekend we took some friends for a ride to New Hampshire.  They never said anything because at first it felt really good. It was crisp outside and the warm seat was snuggly.  Unfortunately they did not know where the control was and it wasn’t very long before they were extremely uncomfortable.  It was way too much.

I must admit my amusement but also pondered the reality that one can always get too much of a good thing. We can eat too much, breathe too much, sleep too much and even go to church too much.  Balance is the key to the abundant life.  Balance doesn’t always come easily.  Remember when you first tried to ride a bike?  At the circus we watch people walk a tight rope.  It took hours and hours of practice to develop that kind of balance.

When we lose our balance we fall.  When we fall we have two options.  We can stay down or we can get up and try again. Living a really good life can be as tricky as walking a tight rope.  People irritate us and we say things we regret.  We over indulge in something we really enjoy.  We fudge a little on our taxes. I could go on but each of us knows our weaknesses.  The good news is despite our failures and falls Jesus never gives up on us.  No matter how many times we lose our balance He is there to help us get up so we can try again.  See I John 1:9.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 19, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

One of American history’s interesting moments was when an American president from Texas spearheaded the Civil Rights Act of 1964.   Lyndon Johnson, our 36^th president, once said, “Doing what’s right isn’t the problem.  It is knowing what’s right.”   I’m fascinated by this because most of the time my problem is just the reverse.  I know what is right but want to do something else.  I have the same disease Paul talked about in Romans 7. He wrote, “For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out. For I don’t do the good I want to do, but instead do the evil that I don’t want to do.”

Yet now that I have said this, it isn’t that simple.  When I was young most moral issues were clearly right or wrong.  It was easy to call sin by its right name when I was twenty.  Life was black and white.  No longer do I see much black and white.  I see many shades of gray.  I read Ecclesiastes 3 and read that there is a time for everything.  There is a time to kill.  There is a time to rend.   There is a time to hate. There is a time for war.  And, yes, a time to forgive and a time to love.

Maybe President Johnson was wiser than I thought.  Perhaps the most difficult thing of all is to know what is right.

Written on November 17, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

Long before Einstein’s theory of relativity people were very aware that time is relative.  When we are very small time moves ever so slowly.  A week was a month and a month a year.  In our autumn and winter years it reverses.  A year is a month and a month a week.  I realize we are fearfully and wonderfully made but I do wish God had reversed the effect.

We are prisoners of time.  There are so many clocks that control our lives. We are governed by a psychological clock, a biological clock and a social clock.   As we mature different parts of our brains come on line and our judgment matures.  Our cells age according to a built in schedule.  And society tells us when we are too old for a pacifier and too young to marry. Often we hear parents say, “You’re not old enough for that.”  The average age of marriage now is twenty-eight.  Fifty years ago it was twenty.

God’s gift to us is eternity.  See John 3:16.  We will be set free from time.  There will be no psychological, biological or social clock to dictate our health or behavior.  We will be free to grow at our own pace.  We will be free to take as long as we desire to become masters of new arts and skills.  The whole concept is so vast it really is beyond the ability of our finite minds to grasp the infinite gift we are given when we make Jesus our Lord.  Just in case I don’t get to see you in this phase of life I’ll catch you somewhere a few thousand years from now.  How grand!

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 8, 2009

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

rogerbothwell.org