Author: rogerbothwell_kiywit

We have an old cherry tree in the side yard. Its bark is tattered and there are holes in the trunk but it still seems to be pretty healthy for each spring it is laden with the loveliest pink blossoms. One of its strong arms stretches out over the azalea bushes and bare dirt. There is supposed to be grass there but it blocks out the sunlight and drinks all the water. I don’t mind for hanging from that strong branch is a child’s swing. Mostly it just hangs patiently waiting for a small child to come and fly up and down. It doesn’t get used much and I could tell it all the children have grown up and won’t use it anymore. But I doubt if it would believe me. I think it knows someday someone small child will sit in it and call out, “Push me, please, push me.” “Higher, higher.” Then all the waiting will be rewarded as it soars again bringing joy and laughter to a little voice. Even the cherry tree will be delighted. Good things are worth waiting for.

Jesus said in John 14, “In my father’s house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place I will come again that where I am you may be also.” Those rooms patiently sit all furnished with our favorite things with our name on the door. They could think we are not coming but they know better. Jesus will keep His promise and the rooms will fill with joy and laughter. Good things are worth waiting for.

Written by Roger Bothwell on Sept. 1, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

God directed Moses to build a place of worship filled with visuals that would teach the people about His nature. The children of Israel had come out of a pagan environment filled with gods who needed to be appeased. The nations around them were worshipping capricious gods who could viciously turn on them if they did not make them happy. It was a huge task for God and Moses to change all that. They were an ignorant people with little if any literacy skills and just as we fill our children’s books with lots of illustrations so the sanctuary was a treasure house of illustrations.

The very name sanctuary was to reveal God’s desire to make them safe in a dangerous world. It contained a table of bread to demonstrate God’s assuring promise to feed them. It had candlesticks that they might understand God would enlighten them. The sanctuary was a place accused people could find safety until they had a just hearing. It illustrated in the morning and evening sacrifices that God would provide Himself a lamb and provide forgiveness.

The world is still a dangerous place and we need a safe place. In John 10:28 Jesus promises us He will hold us safely in His hand and no one can harm us. In John 7:37 Jesus promises to quench our thirst. In John 6:37 Jesus promises to feed us. And the end of each Gospel is an account of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

We don’t need a sanctuary building any longer. We have Jesus. He is all the sanctuary ever was and many times more.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 30, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

The wind blew out my match as I was lighting a citronella candle to ward off the mosquitoes. I relit the used match by putting it in a flame of another already lit candle. Again the wind blew it out. Again I relit it. Again the wind blew it out. Now there was no longer enough match left to try again so I started fresh with a new match. Afterwards I wondered why I had been so frugal with that first match. Matches are so inexpensive you can often get them free. Could it be I just don’t want to admit defeat?

I have often wondered how often God tries to use us to light up the world. Does He send the Holy Spirit into our lives only to have us by our attitudes and disobedience blow out the light? Does He try again to use us? How many times does He try before He decides there isn’t enough left and so He tries someone new? Do we ever become useless to Him?

When I was young I wanted to light up the world. I think every seminary graduate desires that. Now I just want to light up my family and my classroom. Has my vision shrunk or am I just being realistic and pragmatic? Perhaps in God’s great scheme that is all I was ever supposed to do. Surely my thoughts are not unique. Surely we all have dreamed of being a light to the world. What is important is to be content with the one’s light.

“Let your light so shine before men, . .” Matthew 5:16

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 29, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

When I was a teenager westerns ruled primetime. There was everything from “Gunsmoke” to “Have Gun Will Travel.” Richard Boone played a crusading gunslinger named, “Paladin.” I always thought that was such a cool name and never dreamed of how very carefully that name was chosen.
The word “paladin” means crusader, a heroic champion. I should have known because the second line in the theme song is “A knight without armor in a savage land.” But, then I was only a boy and didn’t know much.

The more we know about something the more interesting it is. I have a good friend who teaches art history. Going through the San Francisco Fines Art Museum with him was a real treat. It was so much better than going by myself. He held me spell bound with all the details about the paintings we saw.

Knowing about Jesus is the same way. The more we know the more interesting He becomes. What is really interesting is Jesus said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” The more we know about Jesus the more we know about God. One of the key reasons for Jesus’ life on earth was to tell us the truth about God. Prior to Jesus’ ministry God got blamed for everything that went wrong. We should have known better because the Book of Job clearly reveals who is the source of trouble. Never-the-less God got the blame. Jesus reveals God to us as a loving Father who longs for His children to come to Him. He waits for us with blessings.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 25, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

The completed thirteen year human genome project has ignited our imaginations. We now have a complete map of the human genetic code. Each of our 46 chromosomes is filled with the tens of thousands of genes that determine our physical appearance and health. Now we dream of altering our genetic material once we determine which genes produce weaknesses and defects. Not only do we hope to eliminate our physical problems we also dream of altering behaviors. Will we be able to isolate the genetic material that gives children with Down’s syndrome such a sweet gentle nature? Can we make Down’s syndrome a relic and also enable other children to have that gentle nature? Will we be able to eliminate alcoholism and other dependencies?

There are scientists who dream of injecting our cells with a 47th chromosome filled with all manner of physical and behavioral cures. Will we be able eliminate the “terrible twos?” Most likely we would not want to do that since that is an indication of maturity and the recognition of self.

Our future is filled with discussions of responsibility for misbehaviors and whether or not certain life style choices are really choices. If we think we have seen nature versus nurture arguments in the past, just wait, the most animated ones are yet to come. Moreover, where does repentance and character development enter the discussion. Will the Christianity of the 22nd century be very different from traditional appeals for divine help in being a better person? I doubt we will ever genetically alter away our selfishness. While we rejoice in human progress we will always need forgiveness.

Witten by Roger Bothwell on August 20, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

All good teachers know long-term learning is environmental. A teacher who fails to learn about their student’s homes, ethic backgrounds, religions, languages and cultures is nothing more than a dispenser of information or a giver of assignments and exams. Real teaching interacts with students in the historical context of their roots. One of the great failures of American missionaries was eager evangelists rushing into countries dispensing what they thought was Christianity when it was American culture. They did not take the time to realize they had much to learn from the local people. Real learning about the Good News can only be meaningful as it relates to local customs and beliefs. Too often we treat other people’s culture as being inferior and something to be discarded.

If we used Jesus as our model we would do differently. Jesus did not just drop onto planet Earth proclaiming the things we needed to change. Instead He came as one of us. He was born here. He grew up here. He ate our food. He spoke our culture. He taught us using common things like yeast and coins. He talked about wedding banquets and sons who wanted to go off and prove themselves. He knew about bosses, workers and wages.

It was obvious the people loved Jesus because of the miracles but there was so much more. They loved Him because He was a great teacher. He knew about the things that touched their everyday lives. Luke 4:15 says, “He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.”

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 22, 2003
151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

Humans are strange creatures. We are thrilled when we get a raise until we find out a colleague received a larger raise. There is an old Yiddish saying, “When does a hunchback rejoice? When he sees one with a larger hump.” Ambrose Bierce put it this way, “Happiness is an agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of others.” And Gore Vidal wrote, “It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.” Our happiness is so often a reaction based on our relationship with other’s situations.

It is interesting to compare the above quotes with Jesus’ prescriptions for happiness found in Matthew 5. The word “blessed” in the Beatitudes can be translated “happy.” “Happy are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” Note there is a relationship factor involved and it is opposite to our normal reactions.

The normal reaction to happiness is all about me. Jesus’ formula is all about others. If I am meek I am content with other’s success. If I am meek I am happy when you get a raise. Now I must confess I need to work at this and will most likely fail if I do not have divine help. Surely it is the “old man” Paul refers to in Romans. I must put it to death that a “new man” can live within me.

“You were taught, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness.” Ephesians 4:22-25

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 18, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

I have always believed the moon appears bigger when on the horizon than when it is overhead because of light refraction. When looking at it on the horizon we are looking through much more atmosphere therefore it appears to be very large. I was wrong. When the diameter of the moon is measured at the horizon and overhead the measurement is the same. So what is going on? It is our brain. Our brain concludes when it is near the horizon it is very far away and therefore has to be huge and when overhead our brain perceives it as being closer and it need not be as big.

Now please before you think I am either crazy or really stupid this is not my idea. This is the accepted theory of the world’s leading astronomers and cognitive theorists. It is an example of the old expression, “My brain is playing tricks on me.” It is comparable to not remembering why you entered a room until you return to where you were when you started the errand. It is a blow to our pride to think our own brain deceives us. We want to believe our powers of logic are a certain guide to truth. When we see something, we “know” it is true. But is it? At the beginning of my courses I inform my students half of what I will teach them isn’t true. My problem is I don’t know which half.

Thus the need for faith. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 17, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

It happens every semester. Term papers are due and someone comes up after class and says, “Dr. Bothwell, I need more time. The computer printer would not work. My paper is all finished. I just can’t get it out of the computer.” This is the 21st Century’s “The dog ate my homework.”

To which I reply, “I understand.”

To which they reply, “Oh, thank you, Dr. Bothwell.”

To which I reply, “Slip your paper under my door. You will only lose a letter grade.”

To which they reply, “But you said you understand.”

To which I reply, “I do. However, there is a huge difference between understanding and forgiveness.”

It is one of life’s great lessons. God understands us. He knows us intimately. He knows our appetites and passions. He knows how weary we can become. He made us. However, His understanding does not mean all is forgiven. Forgiveness needs repentance. Repentance means turning around and going the other way. 1 Peter 3:10 –11 says, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.”

However, you say, “I try and try and just keep failing.” That’s when grace enters the picture. It is our heart. It is our intentions. Victory will come with practice. In the meantime rejoice in salvation. Victory is not the means of our salvation it is the fruit.

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
I Samuel 16:7

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 11, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

While walking my dog last evening I looked up at Arcturus. It is easy to find in the night sky. Just allow your eye to follow the arch created by the handle of the big dipper and it is the first bright star you will see. It is only 37 light years away so if you are less than 37 years old the light you are seeing left Arcturus before you were born. I was wondering if there is intelligent life on a planet circling Arcturus and if so what do they call Arcturus. In their language do they call it “The Sun?” After all Arcturus is our name for it. I wonder what their name is for our Sun. As far as I know we don’t have a name for our sun. It is just “sun.”

I am glad for the dark. Without the dark we would never see the wonders of the heavens for the light of our sun would overpower the stars. Yet I am glad for the day for it allows us to see the colors of our wonderful world. How very complicated night and day would be if we were part of a binary sun system.

Light illuminates and light obscures.

In John 8:12 Jesus declared Himself to be the light of the world. His honesty, His purity, His trustworthiness, His love and care illuminate the character defects inside us. Yet His mercy and forgiveness will upon our request obscure and obliterate the record of our failures. In Him we become honest, pure, trustworthy, loving and caring. How grand!

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 10, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453