Author: Ian Bothwell

While I was waiting in the parking lot of a big box store a car pulled in near me.  The driver wasn’t in the store very long before he came out and started looking for his car.  Thinking to help him I called to him while pointing to his car.  “No,” he responded, “it’s over here.”  I understood his problem.  He had referenced his parking spot to the entry door of the store.  The exit door was farther away.  So, again I called out.  “It’s over here.”  Again he rebuffed my effort to help so I just sat and watched.  Finally he pressed the alarm button on his key and sure enough the car I was pointing to started beeping.  As he came over and drove away he never looked my way.  I guess it’s not manly to be wrong.

In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way.”  For two thousand years now people have rebuffed His directions.  “No,” they call back to Him, “I know a better way.”   Again and again He calls out directions until finally they can’t hear Him anymore.  He’s still calling but their ears have grown deaf to Him.  Maybe that’s why Jesus said so many times, “Let Him who has ears, hear.”

Perhaps part of the problem is that those of us on “The Way” have not made “The Way” a very nice place.  I hope not.  The early Christian church referred to themselves as “The Way.”  It is frustrating to really know something and to not be able to communicate it.  I have often wondered about the frustration level of the Holy Spirit.  He is continually wooing people and is continually ignored.  That’s tough.

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 21, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

It is such a grand time for catching up on friends.  Each day the postman leaves us a handful of Christmas letters and photos.  Contrary to some people’s complaints about reading about people’s cruises and brilliant grandchildren, I enjoy it.  Life is about people and it is a joy to read about people who had ordinary children produce extraordinary grandchildren.  Isn’t it nice to know that once upon a time we had grandparents that thought we were terrific?

One of the challenges of the season is recognizing just who sent the Christmas letter.  Even though there are pictures in the envelopes I still look at them and have NO idea who they are.  Men have gone bald.  Woman have gone blond.  Where there were two nice trim people there are now – humm – I don’t know how to describe what I see.  I don’t recognize the names of the grandchildren since they are new to this world.  Most of the time the return address on the envelope helps but sometimes it’s missing. I have one here in my hand that has me totally stumped.  Anybody out there know a couple named Alfonso and Rebecca with grandchildren named Jose and Isabella?

What a relief it is to know that God never has this problem.  No matter how much we change or how long it has been since we have bothered to contact Him, He still knows everything about us and our grandchildren.  He even thinks our grandchildren are extraordinary; maybe not brilliant but very loveable.  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus assures us God notes every sparrow.  Now that is amazing since they all look alike.  He’s just that way.  That’s why Jesus told us to call Him, Father.

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 20, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

While visiting a second grade classroom my wife was asked to read the Bible story of the children of Israel crossing the Jordan.  Afterwards a little girl came over to her and said, “You’re becoming a very good reader.”  Considering the fact that my wife’s doctorate from U C Berkeley is in reading I figured that was about the best compliment she has ever received.  That was a very discerning and sweet seven-year-old.

 I wonder if our praise and compliments to our Father God cause Him to smile.  He knows all the secrets of biology and physics.  Chemistry and mathematics are some of His specialties.  The intricacies of psychology are as open to Him as are the ABC’s to us.  When we pray we tell Him how great He is.  We have no idea how great He really is! Our perspective is so narrow and limited.  The day we walk into the throne room of the Almighty our mouths will drop open and we will gasp at the glories and intricacies before our eyes.  We will be overwhelmed to think that Jesus left all that to share with us the reality and horror of this sinful world.  The Gift in Bethlehem was God making Himself poor that we could become rich.  The problem for us is we have no idea what rich really is.  We think in terms of things and bank balances.  I doubt if those things are even in the equation of heavenly wealth, which is love and relationships and eternal life without the rotten fruit of sin.

 Now that I have said all this I think I will make God smile and ignorantly say, “Thank you Father for being so majestic.”

 Written by Roger Bothwell on December 19, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

What I ate for breakfast this morning traveled much more than I ever have.  My orange juice came from Brazil.  My banana came from Central America.  My shredded wheat came from Canada.  The sugar I put on my shredded wheat came from the Dominican Republic and my mandarin oranges came from China.  I think my milk was local and came from here in Massachusetts. As each week passes, our little planet gets even smaller.  Our technology and transportation have made people in India our neighbors.

Not that long (a few decades) ago when my wife and I were teaching in Uganda we relied on flimsy blue air mail letters to communicate with our family in the States.  Once each eighteen months we made an appointment to go to Kampala to have an operator place a three minute telephone call for us to our families.  Today teachers in Uganda daily use Skype or Facetime, not to just talk, but to see their loved ones in the States.

When Jesus gave His disciples the Great Gospel Commission to take the Gospel to the world they had no idea how far they had to go.  When I was a little boy there was a world map in our church with countries marked that had a Christian population.  I remember a large number of countries that were not marked.  I doubt if there are any nations left without Christians.  So what is Jesus waiting for?   Why does He not return?   We don’t know.   He will come in His time.  He will come when His infinite wisdom says it is time.  In the meantime our task is to allow Him to work out His life in us that we are ready to be with Him whenever.

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 14, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

I recently heard someone referred to as the World’s Greatest Preacher.  As crass as this may sound that is as relative as pronouncing a flavor of ice cream or a particular brand of pizza as the world’s greatest. Different people like different foods.  I chose food for the analogy because preaching really is a matter of taste – mental taste.  Preaching is a very stylized form of communication laden with theological and cultural biases.  A few years ago I preached to a large group of mostly Caucasians.  It was well received; therefore, a few weeks later when I was invited to speak to a large group of African-Americans, I decided to use the same sermon.  It was an awesome mistake.  I began looking for the backdoor as I came to realize very few were listening to me. If I ever had their attention I certainly had not kept it; thus the importance of the blessing of Pentecost and the gift of tongues.

The gift of tongues can be speaking in a foreign language, but most likely it happens more often than we think when we preach to a group filled with children, teens, young adults and seniors.  Each has a different need and each is listening for something meaningful and relevant to them.  One of the best compliments a preacher can have is when a small child meets you after church and says, “That was really good.”  You can take that one to the bank.  Older people will tell you it was good because they don’t know what else to say and be polite.

The most challenging command Jesus ever gave comes at the end of Matthew.  It is the Gospel commission. It needs not one preacher but a host because there isn’t one world’s greatest preacher.

 

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 16, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

I’m loving being a senior citizen.  I checked a videotape out of our city library and was told it was due on Friday.  However, I happen to know that senior citizens don’t have to pay library fines.  They don’t think we can remember to bring stuff back.  So I’ll take it back whenever.  I get my drink free at Taco Bell.  That’s a real bargain.  Last night while stacking chairs our conference president came over and offered to help me pick up a chair.  Hey, he’s no spring chicken either.  Then yesterday when I entered a barber shop the barber said to me, “What can I do for you?”   “What?” I thought, “This is a barbershop.  Why would I come in here?  Do I need a lobotomy?”  Last week, a teen passed me on the sidewalk and said, “Hi, Pops.”  Yeah, I like this stage of life.  I think I will revert to my childhood and start stating my age in fractions.  “I am 69 and three quarters.”  I told someone today I was 70 just for the fun of seeing their expression. They were shocked because I really look 80.

Even though I totally believe heaven is waiting for me I am in no hurry to check out of here.  There is too much fun going on.  I don’t want to miss what’s coming next. Just look at all the electronic gadgets we get to play with.  Next year I’m getting a robot to be my valet.

Jesus wants us to experience the abundant life.  He told us that is why He came.  He is interested in our future but He is also interested in our todays.  See John 10:10.

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 15, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

I have this teacher friend who kept calling me today.  When I answered he didn’t.  Instead of hearing his “Hello” I heard him teaching algebra.  I would hang up and a few minutes later he would call again.  This happened several times.  It seems he had his cell phone in his pocket and unconsciously he kept tapping it.  I was the receiver.  This must have been payback because a year or so ago when I was in with my doctor I unawares called him.  He wasn’t home and his answering machine then recorded my conversation with my doctor.  It gives us pause to think of the possible consequences of such an event.  However, if we only say nice things about others there is nothing to be concerned about.  Record away.

Recently I heard someone say we should pretend Jesus is in the room and then our conversation would always be nurturing and kind.   But wait a moment.  Jesus via the Holy Spirit is always with us.  We don’t have to pretend. See John 14.  I am uncomfortable with the idea that we always have to be monitoring ourselves.  That gets to be old very fast and we just give up.  Wouldn’t it be so much better if we were the kind of person who naturally said and did the kind thing?  No pretending.  No monitoring.  Just be natural and know we will say the right thing because we really care about others.  Actually that might be asking a bit much.  Even Jesus got angry at times and said some very harsh things.  See Matthew 23.  Wouldn’t we love to have a recording of that!   I guess Solomon was right when he said there is a time for everything.

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 14, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

When Peter Tchaikovsky died in 1893 he never could have imagined he would someday sell everything from expensive horseless carriages to inexpensive toiletries at Kmart.  Perhaps it’s because the music of his Nutcracker Ballet has become so associated with Christmas, or because it receives no copyright royalties, or just because it is so beautiful that merchants use it so often as background in their commercials.  If Tchaikovsky could have received a nickel for every product he has sold he would be wealthier than Bill Gates.  Then again we must not forget whose birthday is being used to stimulate the economy by getting us to shop.

Believing that Jesus voluntarily surrendered his omniscience when He became a man, then neither could He have known how many toys, autos, clothes and computers He would someday sell via His made-up birthday.  There is so much irony in all this thing we call Christmas.  It is a delightful time.  The music is great.  (Pretty much.  I’m not so sure of the Chipmunks singing “Jingle Bells.”)  Most people are a bit nicer.  (Worried about that “list.”)  And perhaps, just maybe, some people give a bit more thought to the real reason.  I am of the opinion that anything that draws people’s thoughts to the gift at Bethlehem has some merit.

Therefore, during the day as I drive about I will enjoy hearing about partridges in pear trees and drummer boys.  But my real thoughts, my solemn thoughts will be about the vulnerability of Jesus as one of us and His victory over sin.   As happy as pretty lights and decorated trees make me, the real joy that brings tears to my eyes will always be about what happened in a filthy animal stall in Bethlehem.

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 13, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Because of an international cancer conference this past weekend the news yesterday was filled with stories about the exciting new T-Cell technology.  Last evening ABC and CBS news broadcasts spoke of it and yesterday the New York Times ran an article that actually mentioned me.  How exciting.  But don’t go looking for my name.  It wasn’t there.  While speaking of the ten adults who are part of the leukemia t-cell study they reported on the health of the first nine and then said, “and one was treated too recently to evaluate.”  That’s me – number 10.  My granddaughter wrote from college that she had seen it and she wrote “a.k.a. my grandpa!”  She was right.  After being treated with the T-Cell technology in Philadelphia we are now waiting for the magic cells to complete their work of assassinating the bad cells. So I have had my moment in the sun and nobody knew my name.

But that’s okay because the people who count do know my name.  The researchers and technicians, (They emailed today.)   My family knows my name, one of which is “grandpa.”  My wife knows my name.  Jesus knows my name.  He knows a lot more than that.  He knows things about me I don’t know.  And it isn’t just me.  You also are known, very intimately.  “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Luke 12.  Not only does He know our names He is quite capable not to mix us up with others who have the same name we have.  He even has a special brand new name to give us.  “They will be citizens in the city of my God.  I will write on them my new name.” Revelation 3

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 12, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

The holiday music is well underway.  My car radio continues to fill my ears with Nat King Cole, Burl Ives and Jimmy Durante.  Those guys will never go away.  One of the well-known songs has a really great line.  “Be good for goodness sake.”  It is a bit ironic that it contradicts the song.  The song wants us to be good because Santa is checking his list. Twice!  So we better be good so we get our toys.   But I want to come back to being good for goodness sake.

How many of us are good or not bad because we think an angel in heaven is making a list?  I’m not sure that is a very mature motive.  If that is why we are good I don’t think we are really very good.  Goodness should be done for goodness sake.  The reward is in the act because it is the right thing to do.  Things are good because they produce good fruit. They are not good because of some arbitrary check-sheet. Wise people will be good because they have figured out that is the smart way to live.  Doing good produces an abundant life like apples appear on an apple tree.

If there were no heaven or no hell, wisdom dictates to us what is the good thing to do.  The life that God prescribes for us is the fruit of His wisdom.  Telling us to keep the commandments is God sharing His wisdom. Telling us not to do certain things is His way of trying to get us to stop “playing in the middle of the interstate highway.”  If you do it you will get run over!   Unfortunately it is true that sometimes doing good will get you run over.  It got Jesus on a cross. But that was not because He wasn’t wise.  It was because the people around Him weren’t.

Written by Roger Bothwell on December 10, 2009

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

Rogerbothwell.org