Author: Ian Bothwell

My wife just walked in with a container of strawberries freshly picked in the rain.  They are so fragrant.  Immediately my brain splashed across the inside of my eyeballs pictures of a mile high strawberry pie, heaps of sliced strawberries on bowls of cereal or better yet vanilla ice cream, and jars of fresh strawberry jam.  I wondered if Jesus ever had strawberries when He was a boy.  The only berries mentioned in the Bible are olive berries mentioned by Isaiah and James, Jesus’ brother.  There is no mention of blueberries, raspberries or huckleberries.  If this lack of mention meant lack of berries I find myself feeling sorry for their depravation of nature’s bounty.

What is interesting is what James had to say about olive berries.  He mentions them in chapter 3 where his illustration is that a fig tree cannot bear olive berries.  His point is that if we call ourselves Christians we cannot praise God one moment and then use the same mouth to say vicious and cruel things about people.  After all whether we like it or not those people we dislike were also made in God’s image.  His point is quite legitimate.  Consistency of character is the real fruit of a genuine walk with God.

When people know they are going to see us they should have a very good idea what they are going to encounter; basically unselfish kindness and concern for their well-being. I know this can be difficult, because let’s face it, it is delicious to say things that belittle others.  It makes us feel clever, big and important.  Guess what?  Our feelings are lying to us for it is just the opposite.  When we do so we aren’t belittling others.  We are belittling ourselves.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 8, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882. It is a day to honor the hard working men and women who have built this great land.  Labor comes in an infinite variety of tasks.  Labor is both physical and mental.  Just as it is hard work to build with one’s hands, it is hard work to build with one’s mind and bring ideas to fruition.  Life’s greatest rewards come from life’s hardest labor.

The Christian walk is a walk of immense hard labor.  While salvation is by grace and not of works that does not mean the construction of a Christ-like character strong enough to overcome lifelong destructive habits and our selfish natures comes with ease.   When Jesus saves us we are inspired to be like the One who died for us.  Anyone who ever says being like Jesus is easy obviously does not comprehend the magnitude of the task.  Nor do they comprehend the depth of selfish ignorance in their own being.

Giving one’s life to Jesus does not instantly eliminate pride and lust.  The moment we make Jesus the Lord of our lives we embark upon the most arduous journey ever taken by the bravest of explorers.  We are off to new territory.  The Sermon on the Mount becomes our philosophy of life.  The Sermon on the Mount contains ideas that have challenged the greatest human minds through the centuries.  It upholds a standard of behavior that requires all the help we can get.  Fortunately, we are not left to do this on our own.  Because we are saved, because we are God’s children, He sends His Spirit to enlighten and strengthen us for the challenge ahead.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 7, 2009

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Since our little college will not be opening this fall and I have been locked out of my office and classroom I am looking for a job.  I think I found it.  I looked on Craig’s list under Gigs/Writing.  Oh this sounds way too good to be for real.  Someone (I almost started that sentence with “they.”  But who is “they?”) is looking for an ice cream evaluator.  Now that is my kind of job.  They ever offer free ice cream.  They don’t say much about any other compensation so just maybe it is not the perfect job. (But close)

Perhaps I should respond to the ad asking for writers who have seen UFOs. As a Christian I most likely could say I have seen UFOs sometime in my life but didn’t know it.  The Bible is filled with texts regarding extra-terrestrials visiting us. One of my favorite verses regarding this is Psalm 91:11.  “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”  When I was a little guy I loved to hear angel stories.  If you grew up as a Christian you most likely have your favorite one.

Some of the references I find most interesting are the ones regarding Jesus’ life on earth and the angel visits.  The first one would be the angel talking with Mary about her pregnancy followed by the angel telling Joseph to marry her.  I think the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem must have been one of the more spectacular visits.  We must not forget to mention resurrection morning when the angel sat by the empty tomb to explain what had happened.  Maybe writing about angel stories or anything to do with Jesus would be the perfect job.  The compensation is out of this world.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 5, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

I was sitting in a surgical waiting room in a large Boston Hospital.  It was an interesting place.  It was a mix of people waiting their turn to go into surgery as well as family members waiting for doctors to come out to report on loved ones.   I could not help but notice one particular couple.  They looked to be near seventy and he was being very attentive to her.  One could see the anxiety in his eyes as he held her hand and occasionally touched her hair.  Finally someone in a blue coat came out to get her.  As he let go of her hand, ever so poignantly he said, “Take good care of her. She’s mine.”

I wonder if the night the angel came to tell Mary she was pregnant with the creator of the universe and the redeemer of mankind, if the angel said to her, “Take good care of Him.  He’s ours.”   How horrified heavenly beings must have been to see Him born in a filthy, fly infested animal stable. Despite such an impoverished beginning Joseph and Mary did a great job. Jesus grew and increased in wisdom and in favor with God and the people around Him.   Joseph and Mary were excellent parents.

After Joseph’s death Jesus took good care of Mary.   That’s the way it is supposed to be.  We are designed to take care of each other.  However, once again heavenly beings must have been excruciatingly horrified to watch what humans did to the Jesus heaven loved.  God sent us His only son and we did NOT take good care of Him.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 3, 2008

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Recently one of my students was puzzled and inquired of me about a statement I made in class.  I commented that I was looking forward to being in heaven with a host of people from different times and places.  I was especially looking forward to speaking with and learning from not only Christians from other denominations but from the redeemed from other religions.

My student asked the age-old question, “Does this mean that many roads lead to God?” “Oh, no,” I responded.  “The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the way and there is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved.” Seeing the puzzlement grow deeper upon his face I continued, “Ephesians 2 clearly states that God does the saving.  God is the seeker in the parable Jesus told about the lost sheep.  It is God who goes out looking for His lost ones.  God is the finder and He finds His redeemable ones on Elm Street and Oak Avenue and Spruce Lane.   It doesn’t matter that some are on dead end paths.   He finds and rescues all who will allow.”

God doesn’t play favorites.  Those who have been Christians all their lives are so blessed.  But just because we were born into a Christian culture does not mean we have exclusive rights to the Kingdom.  We did not choose to be born where we were born.  No one will be saved by an accident of birth.  All who are saved will be redeemed by the grace of a loving, caring Father who made it possible by Jesus, the Way.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 3, 2008

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

Rogerbothwell.org

Putting my glasses in my shirt pocket I said to my barber, “Number four on top and finger cut on the sides.”  Just then her cell phone rang.  I didn’t mind as I waited.  I enjoy the smells of a barber shop.  With a “Good-bye” she turned to me and began giving me a four on the sides and finger cut on top.  I didn’t say anything because it was too late and I was curious if she would ever catch on.  She did and fortunately my wife likes it.

As I was thinking about my backward haircut I was reminded of the Sermon on the Mount.  I think about the Sermon on the Mount a lot because it seems to be such a challenge.  It is backward living from my normal impulses.  When I get hit I want to hit back – harder.  Jesus tells me I am supposed to “love my enemies.”  I know. How could I have any enemies?  I am such a nice guy!  But I am a realist and know there are people who cannot stand me.  When I think about them I don’t want them to prosper. But Jesus is powerfully emphatic about this very issue. I must pray for them and long for them to do very well.  Being a real Christian is so very backward to my nature.

The last shall be first.  The poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom.  It is no wonder Paul exclaimed about himself, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?”   Praise God for the answer to his question.  Romans 8, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 3, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

The sign in front of the barber shop beckoned with the message, “First Time $5.” I’m not sure how many hundred times I have driven by without responding.  However, today I was very shaggy and decided to check it out.  Sure enough they (two very talkative ladies) only charged me $5 and it is a good haircut. I will go back.  My regular barbers (two not so talkative ladies) are going to miss me.   I enjoyed the chatter.

Persistent advertising finally got me.  When I was a little guy there was a map in our church where someone was keeping track of and marking countries that had been sent a missionary.  The inspiration for this was the idea that when the Gospel had gone to the whole world then Jesus would come.  What intrigued me was the idea that a single presence or a single event of witnessing meant we could check off an entire country.  We were one step closer to the Kingdom.  But does a one-time exposure really do the job?  I once heard someone say they passed out pamphlets to a neighborhood; therefore, those people had their chance.  Come on.  Really?

We are talking about something so much more significant than a haircut and it took hundreds of times before I responded.  When we are talking about totally changing one’s life we have to realize, while some people will see it right away, it will take multiple years before another person gets it.   So, don’t give up.  If there is someone you have been praying for keep on praying.  If there is a family member who needs to respond, keep on being the kindest, most caring, most self-sacrificing person in their life.  Someday it will make a difference.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 2, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

They seemed so sincere I don’t think they got it.  They were convinced they were not salesmen.  They were only knocking on doors to see if we needed new windows.  They would help us determine so.  Should they so decide they would then arrange to send a salesman.  Therefore, they were not selling anything.  I could not convince them they were selling.

They were like car sales people who rush out to snag you if you pause for a moment to look at a car.  After they schmooze you, they bring in the big gun from the backroom to seal the deal. It is also like people who bring friends to church hoping the pastor can convince them to join.  Everyone is part of the process.  Even the people who brought casseroles to the potluck are part of the team.  Convincing someone to buy or become a part of something is a team effort.  The pastor will never succeed if the members do not create a welcoming atmosphere.

One would think it to be easy to give someone eternal life.  Perhaps it is difficult because we complicate it.  Often we make people think they have to join “our” church if they are to be saved.  “We” are God’s exclusive little club and they need to dress like us, eat like us and pray like us.  God must sometimes smile at our ridiculous behavior.  At other times He must shake His head in exasperation.  The point is we do have a marvelous product to share with the world.  And the way we sell it or give it is to make it attractive and the way to make it attractive is for us to be as much like Jesus as we are capable.

Written by Roger Bothwell on September 1, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

The storm really took its toll on the little fellow.  Who knows where he was blown in from or perhaps he was a local who didn’t find good shelter.  We spotted him this afternoon looking ragged and exhausted.  Chickadees usually looked prim and proper but not this little guy.  He sat on a railing looking like he had just finished a marathon.  This evening he decided to spend the night by a large dish of water we keep on the ground for the birds.  He had tucked his head under his wing and became the perfect meal for any nocturnal hunter looking for a snack.  My wife went over and picked him up.  As he awakened in her hand he put up a major fuss.  How dare she interrupt his dreams!  Ever so gently he was placed up on a safe branch.

His squawking reminded me of us when God sometimes has to move us to a safer place.  Getting us to change isn’t always easy and sometimes we go kicking and screaming; yelling at Him for disturbing our perceived comfort.  When we put ourselves in His hands we then need to trust what happens next.  “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” Psalm 11  And where is our mountain?  “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” Psalm 48 Often from our point of view the change doesn’t look so good.  But should we see our life from His vantage point we would never want it any other way than His way.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 31, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

We had an interesting experience today at Denny’s.  While waiting for our order we watched a server prepare a table for the next customer.  First she cleared off the dishes and then she very carefully wiped the seats.  Following that she then wiped off the table using the same cloth she had used to wipe off the seats.  At least it looked clean.  But wait.  It gets better.  The next customer to use that table had really nasty looking sores on his elbows and I’m sure you know what happened.  He sat down and promptly put his elbows on the table.   I am amazed we are as healthy as we are.  The human body does a great job in fending off all manner of germs.

As I watched the man with the nasty looking elbows I found myself wishing that it would be as easy to spread the Gospel as it is to spread germs.  That really is a horrible analogy.  The Gospel is the best thing ever and I shouldn’t even put it in the same sentence with germs.  One brings health and never ending life while the other brings misery, suffering and death.  But wouldn’t it be grand if we could sneeze and spread the Good News like we spray colds and the flu?

I have always wanted to be an infectious Christian.  Yawning is infectious. A few good yawns in a classroom will produce more.  A good smile usually produces more smiles.  Kindness usually begets more kindness.  Those, of course, are merely human behaviors.  What I really desire is something much more substantive.  I long for people to understand just how self-sacrificing and wonderful God is.  That’s a much more difficult task.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 30, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org