Roger Bothwell

One of the most precious words in any language is freedom. It is pronounced a hundred ways but means the same thing in every human heart. The desire to decide for oneself what to think and how to live is an inborn desire planted there by our Creator. Contrary to many religious leaders, true service to God does not demand mental lockstep. If God wanted us all to live and think and act in unison, He could easily have created us that way. And what a dull existence life would be!

God is a creator. He thinks new thoughts and plans new things. Furthermore, he created us in His image with that same characteristic. Freedom to dream of doing, writing, singing and going where no one has ever been before is what makes us so special. To sing freedom, to write freedom, to act freely makes life full and complete, but only if we use that freedom wisely. One could easily use freedom to destroy one’s own health and the lives of those about them. We can eat our way into the grave. We can gamble away all our substance if we choose.

But freedom used wisely is a magnificent thing. In Galatians 5:1 Paul declares that Christ has set us free from the bondage of rule-keeping systems to allow us room to grow into our own special uniqueness. God only wants one of you so that forever you will be special. Your thoughts, your dreams, your goals belong to no one else. In love we blend them with the dreams of others and produce the harmony of a community

Written June 22, 2004

In the backs of our brains we store all kinds of information. Occasionally, just for fun, we swipe away the cobwebs of our minds and try to remember some of our mental treasures. Among some of the treasures we sometimes find old word parts from a Latin or Greek course taken years earlier. One such prefix is “epi-.” It means “upon” or “about.”

Perhaps we remember this prefix because we see it so often in English words. People in California regularly hear about the epicenter of the latest earthquake. At funerals we hear epitaphs. On television we watch episodes. At the end of a book we read an epilogue. Some winters we experience epidemics of the flu.

Thinking about one’s relationship with Christ and how He showers us with grace, may cause us to wonder if it could be called epigrace. Perhaps the Holy Spirit falling upon us could be called epidivinity. One thing for sure is we have experienced epilove.

“Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgression—it is by grace you have been saved.” Eph. 2:4-5.

Written October 15, 2002

Dirt sneaks up on you. Ever so slowly it changes the appearance of something in a house until one day you look with horror at the door from the garage into the house and wonder how something could have gotten so dirty without your noticing it. What about the earpiece on your telephone–have you looked at it lately?

Dirt sneaks up on our characters. Continued exposure to media that feels the need to press the edge of decency has its subtle effects on us. Things that used to offend are now taken for granted. The edge of offense has moved. Little by little we change until one morning we wake up wondering how we got “here from there.” We never noticed it happening.

Sometimes we think it is sophisticated not to be offended or shocked by indecencies. We are fearful of appearing immature or prudish if immorality insults. Paul understood this and appeals to us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

We really need to be careful; dirt does sneak up on us!

Written 1/28/2003

She had just finished baking five of the most luscious hot steamy cinnamon rolls. Leaving them on the kitchen counter she went upstairs for a moment but returning quickly her mouth all ready to experience a gastronomic delight. However, they were gone. The only trace of their existence was the scent and a trail of icing on the kitchen counter. In the next room an incredibly contented Labrador retriever lay sleeping with a smile on her face. Telltale white icing was on her chin and cinnamon was on her breath. She was nailed!!

The question remained, “What to do with her?” It would have been so easy to get angry. But how could that profit? It would only add insult to injury because every time we get angry we release all kinds of chemicals and stress producers into our systems. Each time we grow angry we harm ourselves more than the person or dog with whom we are displeased.

Sometimes we say, “He makes me so angry!!” But really no one can make us angry. People—or dogs—can certainly irritate us but the response is up to us. We can become furious. We can retaliate. Or we can “turn the other cheek.”

When Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek He is giving us practical counsel. Not only does turning the other cheek defuse the situation, it also reduces our internal stress level thus enabling us to live a longer, happier life. Everything Jesus asks us to do is for our benefit. He is so very sensible.

Written September 3,2002

Good chess players not only anticipate their opponent’s next move but their opponent’s next several moves. A good player knows a fairly innocuous looking move might not appear dangerous in the immediate future but could be the key to victory as it sets the stage for a later devastating attack. A game can be lost several moves back, but the loser did not know it then. He did not know where he was led until it was too late.

In 1 Peter 5:8 we read, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Peter did not know about chess but he surely knew about lions. If he had known about chess he might have written, “Your enemy the devil schemes like a grand master seeking to devour you.” He is patient. He has a lifetime to get us. He can plant a seed now and water it knowing the ultimate fruit of an idea or action.

Psalms 1:1 tells us to be careful where we walk, where we stand and where we sit down for this is the progression of disaster. The walking seems so innocent. The standing is just satisfying curiosity. The sitting is the fruit. We need to be so careful because the grand master of evil is playing for our souls. How reassuring to know the true champion Jesus Christ is playing on our side. As Paul says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Written March 4, 2003

She’d been caught with her hand in the Cheerios. The front of the box promised a treasure inside and she could not wait until the family ate their way to the bottom. She had to have her book right away. Do you remember how your mother made your wait ‘til the box was empty? It was awful looking at the cereal box morning after morning waiting for the treasure to come tumbling into your bowl. No digging was allowed.

Psychologists tell us that teaching people to delay gratification is a good thing. It enables them in later life to sacrifice for meaningful goals. Sometimes we think of Christianity as delayed gratification. If we give enough now, if we sacrifice enough now, if we are good enough, if we deprive ourselves of something now someday we will get to heaven. While it is true, wonders do await those who allow Jesus to save them, we do not have to wait to begin experiencing the gift of salvation. Citizenship in God’s kingdom brings privileges that are available right away.

The psychological benefits are readily apparent. We can stop worrying about the future; we are secure. We can have peace of mind regarding past sins; they have been cared for. We can begin to reap better physical health because life’s stresses are reduced. Our relationship with people around us slowly improves because we are not alienating them with our competitive spirit. We become nicer and more likeable. There are a lot of treasures available now.

We don’t have to eat all the Cheerios to experience the cheer.

Written November 18, 2002

Fifty years ago children played outside a lot especially on warm summer evenings as the darkness was beginning to fall. They played “Kick the Can,” “Tag,” “Statue” and “Hide and Seek.” They ran through the neighborhood screaming and yelling, “You’re it.” Inevitably someone’s mother would call out, “Time for baths.” Baths? Why would anyone want to wash off the salty sweat mixed with the day’s dust? That was the tattoo of an evening’s fun.

So it was when three grandchildren came to visit. They wanted to play and grandpa suggested “Tag.” They had a better idea. Off they ran for the Monopoly game to get the money. “Let’s play “Charity,” grandpa,” they yelled. “Grandpa, you be the poor man and we will give you money.” In the next few minutes the three grandchildren invented all kinds of ways to help imaginary people in need as they ran from “place to place and person to person”

Grandpa had learned a new game. He liked the game. When he was a boy it was “Cops and Robbers.” He liked “Charity.” Perhaps the world would be a better place if all children played “Charity” instead of “Cops and Robbers.”

Written January 26, 2003

The restaurant supplied the jar of bubbles and the father provided the wind for the soapy orbs. In a gentle stream the bubbles floated across the table toward the sweetest little girl. As she reached out for them one giant bubble settled safely on the back of her hand. The rays of sunlight coming through the window polished its swirled reds and greens. Expressing glee she reached out with her other hand to stroke it and—BAM! It was gone. It was so pretty, so ephemeral.

Jesus touched on this theme in the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matt. 6: 28-30.

When we are ten years old a year is a lifetime. When we are 30 a year is a year. When we are 50 a year is a month. It does not take a Philadelphia lawyer to realize life is as ephemeral as a bubble sitting on the back of a little girl’s hand. Bam! It is gone. And how will we have lived it?

Written September 24,2002

There is a book and movie about the life of Adolf Hitler that has generated a considerable amount of criticism because they reveal his human side. He is not depicted as a homicidal maniac but as a person with characteristics and behaviors like us. We are most uncomfortable with this. We want him to be as much unlike us as possible. We want him to be a mad man from his youth to his death. We do not want to acknowledge his oratorical talents and mastery of human psychology. If he is like us then logic might suggest we also could mastermind the horror of a holocaust—an ugly truth we would rather not face.

Unfortunately, psychological research reveals the unpleasant truth that most people under certain stimuli will actually do the things of their nightmares. The battle has raged for years. Are we evil by nature or are we basically good? The answer seems to be “Yes.” On any given day we are capable of incredible acts of unselfishness and self-sacrifice. There is a bit—albeit just a bit of saintliness in us all.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24.

It is a blow to our dignity to think we cannot be good enough to be saved. Nevertheless, once we get over it and face the truth, it is at that point that we receive The Gift—the justifying grace of Jesus Christ.

Written February 2, 2003

She was 91 and her obituary described her as a good bingo player. “A Good Bingo Player.” That was it. She was 91 and all that could be said about her was she watched her bingo card carefully so as to not miss a number. Was she a mother? Was she a grandmother? A great-grandmother? Was she a good wife? Did she like to cook? Had she ever volunteered for a community service project? Did she ever write anything or read a good book? Did she raise a family? Was she a Methodist or a Catholic? So many questions could be asked. But her last line in life was, “She was a good bingo player.” It is obvious the last people to care for her and to notify the newspaper never really knew her.

But then again does anyone ever really know us? Do we ever really know ourselves? Fortunately, the one who counts the most really does know us. Jesus said, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:30-31. And Paul reminds us in Romans 2:16, “This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ.” I rejoice in knowing that the one who knows our secrets also loves us.

What would we want the newspaper to say about us when reporting our demise? How about “a good daughter,” “a good dad,” “a good wife,” or “a good grandpa?”

Written November 10, 2002