Author: Ian Bothwell

After going the same direction on our evening walk for about a hundred times, this evening I decided to go the opposite way.  My dog was very confused.  The resistance began at the end of the driveway and continued for almost the entire mile.  Every time we stopped for her to sniff she tried to reverse course when the sniffing ended.  She finally stopped wanting to go back when we rounded the last corner and she could finally see home ahead.

For over a half a century I have been encouraging people to repent.  “Repent” meaning to reverse course in life.  Maybe it is less difficult for a human than a dog, but I doubt it.  Actually, I believe it is more difficult for us.  To let go of isms and ologies is very difficult.  I have watched Christians struggle to undo a history of hearing sermon after sermon telling them they have to do this and that to be saved, then suddenly try to “by faith let go and let Jesus.” It is easier said than done.  Repenting of a past understanding of the Gospel is not an easy task.

How much more difficult must it be for someone coming from a non-Christian background to repent of ingrained biases and habits that were forged in childhood. It is so easy for someone like me to stand up and say “repent” and then go home and not think about the burden I have just cast upon some sin-weary soul.

Just as my dog struggled to walk the opposite direction, we must understand and be patient with people who have set upon a new course in life.  The challenge of being like Jesus is not easy.  Words are easy.  Repenting can be very tough.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 4, 2015

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

According to Leviticus 16 before the high priest could officiate on the Day of Atonement he had to change into the simple white linen garment of a common priest.  The symbolism was prophetic regarding the nature of Jesus’ coming to earth.  Jesus came, not as a king or ruler but, as a common man. In Philippians 2 Paul wrote, “Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

According to the book of Hebrews Jesus became our high priest after His ascension.  He is a unique priest.  He was our sacrifice.  Now He is our priest. There is no one and never has been any being in the universe that by personal experience so understands us. Notice how Paul says, “He made Himself nothing.”  Someday when we have the opportunity to see a replay of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (You can be sure every detail is carefully preserved in Heaven’s libraries.) we will be shocked at the gruesome details of that wretched stable.  We are told Lucifer was taken aback and thought a mistake had been surely made.  How could the glorious King of the Universe so degrade Himself?

The next time we think someone isn’t giving us the respect we think we should have, let us remember Philippians 2 where Paul admonishes us to “let this mind be in you.”  He was speaking of Jesus’ mind.  Jesus “was treated as we deserve that we might be treated as He deserves.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 3, 2915

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

There was a time before our time before the time of earth itself when all was well in God’s universe.  Yet He knew it would not always be so.  He knew how it would be spoiled and who would spoil it. God could have used that knowledge and chosen not to create the great angel Lucifer. Should He have done so He would have been forever a fraud.  Freedom of choice and self-determination is the foundation of love.  Angels would never have known that God’s government of love only existed because He used His foreknowledge to not create anyone who would choose to rebel.  God’s universe of peace and love would have been based on a lie.  Freedom would have been non-existent and thus love would be polluted.  God’s character would be flawed even if He were the only one to know.

Romans 16:25 is a fascinating verse.  It reads, “Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past.”   The mystery was sin would happen and God had a plan; the details of which were horrific.  It all involved Jesus stepping from His throne, becoming one of His created and submitting to a time of torture and death.

We think we are anxious for God to bring this to an end.  He is much more anxious than we.  But with extraordinary patience He endures our heartaches and pains and sufferings to make sure every issue, every question, every accusation, every doubt is clarified.  This sin thing must be settled for eternity.  It must never happen again because God only has one Son to give.  He gave.  He didn’t loan.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 31, 2015

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

When I put my credit card in the gas pump, the pump told me to see the cashier.  When I went inside and swiped my card it was declined.  Instantly I could feel the lady looking at me as if I was some kind of deadbeat who hadn’t paid his credit card bill.  “Try another one,” she said.  Try not use.  “Try” meant if I had any others they probably wouldn’t work either.  “Use” wouldn’t have had the same condemning implication.  You can imagine my relief when the other one did work.  I wanted to say to her.  “See.  I’m not a crook trying to use someone else’s card.”  Getting back in the car I had my wife call the company.  What was wrong?  We had used it about 30 minutes before.  Did someone at that place use the number and max it out?  The credit card company claimed they didn’t know what had happened and it would be fine today.  It was.

So why was I so concerned about what this stranger lady behind the counter thought of me?  I did not know her.  I would never see her again.  I had reacted like a thirteen-year-old whose main concern is what will others think of me.  Actually most of us never outgrow that concern. So often we dress and behave not so much for what we want but for what we think others expect.  There is this horrible inner compulsion to be liked, even by strangers. How ironic it is that often we are nicer to people we don’t know than to family who we see every day. Maybe it’s because we figure they already know the truth about us.  We are ….. people.   (Fill in the blank – nice, mean, loving, hateful, kind, selfish)  The kind of people we are is our choice.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 31, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

There is a house in our neighborhood that is no longer a home.  It has been sold, the previous owners are gone and no one has yet moved in to once again make it a home.  It looks sad.  There are no curtains or blinds and the grass needs mowed.  The dark empty windows stare at us when we drive by like some orphaned child begging to be adopted.  I feel like stopping and standing in the yard and singing, “The sun will come out tomorrow.  Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun.”  The house needs an Annie and Sandy.

According to Revelation chapter 12, God lost one third of His angels in a moral conflict with Lucifer.  That left such a vacancy.  Chairs in the throne room and homes in heaven’s neighborhoods (if angels have chairs and homes) are empty just waiting for someone to once again fill them with life and laughter.  The windows are dark and stare out longingly for someone to come.

In John 14 Jesus told us there are many homes in His Father’s kingdom and He has gone to prepare them for us.  Name plates are being fixed to the doors. Redecorating is underway.  Rooms are being painted our favorite colors, gardens are being planted with our favorite flowers, kitchen shelves are being stocked with our favorite foods, shelves are being filled with our favorite books, beds are being made for our favorite pets.  Anything and everything needed to fulfill all our dreams are being made ready.   He knows us so well nothing will be missing.  He promised, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place, I will come again to receive you unto myself.”  How grand.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 30, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

We have talked about catchy advertising and our Christian need to pay attention to something we could use to promote our Jesus.  We talked about Toyota’s “Let’s Go Places.”  I got an email from a friend that reminded me of Hellman’s Mayonnaise’s “Bring Out the Hellman’s and Bring Out the Best.”   That’s a great one.  If we bring out the Gospel we bring out the best.  There is not another religion in the world that comes close to offering what Jesus offers.  Christianity is the only faith that does not require some form of works.  It is the only religion where salvation is a gift of grace.  It’s the best.  If you are a member of a church that claims to be Christian and yet requires some work to be saved they are a sham.

May I add that Christianity rightly lived brings out the best in us.  We become a temple of the Holy Spirit.  “I in Christ and Christ in me” makes all the difference in the kind of person we are.  Little by little by growth we exchange the lusts of the flesh for the fruits of the Spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  Galatians 5.  We become quality people and not because we are so wonderful but because of the wonderful Being residing in us.

I am thinking of another product with the slogan “Breakfast of Champions.”  Now I wonder what product that could be.  When we watch people who do things really well we get a bit envious.  I’ve never met anyone who if having the chance would not choose to be a champion.  Jesus makes us so.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 30, 2015

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Before I was old enough to go to school my father would come home from school (he was a teacher) and play marbles with me.  It wasn’t the traditional game where you had to knock marbles out of a circle.  We had three small holes in a row in the dirt by the side of the house.  I no longer remember the rules.  What I do remember is waiting for him to come home.  I’m sure he changed his trousers before he got down on his hands and knees in the dirt with me, but I don’t recall that.  What I do remember is seeing him with the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up and his necktie tucked inside between two buttons and the sheer joy of it all.  I was so small I actually thought I won.  I did.  But it wasn’t marbles.

One is loved when another gets down in the dirt for them.  I was loved then and loved again when my God got down in the dirt for me.  This time it wasn’t merely getting soil on one’s hands and knees.  This time it was about “eating with publicans and sinners.”  This time it was about touching filthy stinking lepers.  This time it was about lying face down in the dirt of Gethsemane while the filthiest of all creatures ever pressed on Him to believe it was for nothing.

One can never tire of the Gospel.  It is the most amazing love stories of all time. No matter what the cost Jesus chose moment my moment to endure for us.  When He got down in the dirt it wasn’t a game.  It was life and death.  His and ours.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 29, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

It was so sad.  Lying by the side of the road, close enough to be run over, was Elmo.  There he was bright red, with his orange nose, mouth agape and two big eyes looking terrified as we bore down upon him.  Was he missing his owner and how did he get there?  Did he fall out of the window of a passing car and did a horrified child look out the back window watching him fade into the distance?  I wanted to get off at the next exit and circle back to rescue him.  But that would have been silly.  He wasn’t worth it.  If I wanted an Elmo I could order him on Amazon.com and have him delivered to my door the next day.  I could buy lots of Elmos.

When Adam and Eve fell was there ever a moment when God wondered if they were worth what their redemption was going to cost?  To get another couple He wouldn’t have to order them from Amazon.com and wait a day.  Not only could He create another couple right away He could create lots of Adams and lots of Eves.  God doesn’t need Fedex.

God’s ability to make more was never a consideration.  When we lose a loved child we are not pleased when someone says, “Thank God, you can have another.”  Another doesn’t work.  Another never replaces the one lost.  Each child is unique and once lost there will always be a room in our hearts with that child’s name on the door.  Therefore, the instant Adam and Eve fell the plan for their redemption was initiated.  There wasn’t a moment to lose.  Our salvation will come the very moment when all is ready.  Love hates to wait.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 28, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

This afternoon we visited with Patty, a friend we had not seen for 35 years.  When Patty graduated from the eighth grade her mother was ill and could not attend; my wife became a stand-in mom.  My wife wore Patty’s mother’s white dress and stood to receive the corsage the graduates pinned on their moms.  While Patty was pinning the corsage she kept saying, “I hope I get this right and it doesn’t fall off.”  My wife assured her it was not going to fall off because she knew something she didn’t tell Patty.  Patty had pinned it on my wife.  Yes.  The pin went in and out much deeper than just the dress. My wife’s concern was that the blood would flow out unto the pretty white dress.

I had almost forgotten this until this afternoon when we saw Patty, who grew up and went on to have a great career as an air traffic controller.   It was amazing that seeing her made time vanish.  It was almost like no years had passed.  Thirty-five years seemed like nothing.  After we parted I thought of living forever and seeing old friends after thirty-five hundred or thousand years.  Will we just pick up where we left off?  I think so.  With real friends it is like that.

Sometime today make a mental list of your best friends and try to remember when you last saw them.  If it has been a long time take the initiative to make contact.  You will not be sorry.  Then, of course, there is your best friend, Jesus.  If you haven’t contacted Him recently do so this very day.  I assure you He will be delighted and it will seem like no time has passed.  With real friends it is like that.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 27, 2015

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

I am so happy to report a restoration of my taste buds.  I don’t have much of an appetite but at least what I do eat tastes.   Restoration is a marvelous thing.   So often we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone.  Adam and Eve must have stood long at the gate of Eden and wondered if they would ever get to go back.   They will because our God is a god of restoration.  As Jesus moved across the hills of Galilee and through the narrow streets of Jerusalem He blazed a trail of restoration.   Blind eyes opened, deaf ears heard, lepers with new fingers were just a few of the most astounding things He did. Right in Bethany, the suburbs of Jerusalem, He restored life itself to His friend Lazarus.

Restoration is the theme of the Gospels.  Rebuilding lives, molding characters, forgiving sins, transforming less than reputable people into model people fills heaven with joy.  Many of Jesus’ parables are about restoration.  The lost and found coin, the lost and found sheep, the lost and found son was His message to lost humanity. These timeless stories cover the full spectrum of us.   The coin was lost and didn’t know it.  It was found.   The sheep was lost and knew it but didn’t know its way home.  It was found.  The son was lost and he knew it.  He came home.

The ultimate restoration is coming.  Paul wrote, “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality,…” Now that’s the ultimate restoration.

Written by Roger Bothwell on July 23, 2013

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

Rogerbothwell.org