Author: Ian Bothwell

I had never seen a “Code I” before last week.  I was in a first grade observing a student teacher when suddenly over the intercom came the words, “Code I.”  Instantly the teacher hurried to lock the classroom door and turn off the light.  As she hastened to pull down all the window shades the children scurried to a pre-assigned place where huddled together on the floor so they could not be seen from the window in the door.  For over five minutes they made not a sound, even when someone came and rattled the door.  I soon figured out the “I” stood for intruder.  When the all clear was given one little guy came up to me and said, “Did you hide?”  I assured him that I had.

This was a 21st century equivalent to the “H-Bomb Drill” we did when I was a little guy.  I remember thinking how stupid it was to be under my desk for surely such a weapon would just vaporize me.  But then I realized it depended how far one was from the center of the blast and hiding under the desk could protect us from flying glass.

Alas, the human condition is indeed one of fear and insecurity.   It has been this way since Cain struck Abel.  The world is and always has been filled with danger and death.  Recently someone lamented to me how bad the world has become.  “Become,” I asked.  If we think it is worse now than ever it is only because we were asleep in history class.  Those of us who are blessed to look in the mirror and see wrinkles and gray hair are blessed.  We are survivors.  The only way it will ever get better is for Jesus to keep His promise and come again.

Written by Roger Bothwell on February 21, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

In order to put a new timing belt in my car the mechanic had to remove the front bumper assembly.  Upon putting it back in place it is now necessary to drive it sixty or so miles before the onboard computers can calibrate distances required for the proper operation of the front radar sensors.  Since I only live ten miles from our little college it will be two or three days for things to work as designed.

I had to remind myself of a time in my experience when I allowed my daily devotions to lapse.  Life just seemed to unconsciously take over before I realized what had occurred.  It was not a deliberate act.  It was so easy to lapse.  What fascinated me was when I realized what had happened and I began anew I had to bring myself back up to speed.  I had to recalibrate my orientation to my walk with God.  How fascinating it was that I could not just pick up where I left off.  If you don’t use it you lose it.

Paul must have understood this because he wrote to the Romans (12:2), “Be not conformed to the world.”  It was paraphrased by J. B. Phillips, “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.”  It is so easy to lose precious ground by the distractions around us.  When I think about having to recalibrate it is like most everything in life.  If we stop practicing the piano we have to recover.  If I am out of the classroom for a week, I have to spend a bit of time getting back into a rhythm.  Maybe it’s just me but I am suspicious it is the same for all of us.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 2, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

I feel like I’m adding to Art Linkletter’s “Kids Say the Darndest Things” when I tell you what happened to me in a first grade classroom today.  While supervising a student teacher a little girl approached me and asked, “How old are you?”   I told her and she seemed satisfied for about five minutes.   Upon returning she said, “You look like my mother’s boyfriend.”   “Hum,” I thought.  Either her mother is dating a very old man or I’m looking “good.”   I prefer the latter explanation.   On the way out I laughingly mentioned it to the room teacher and she told me that yesterday a little girl came up to her and put her hand on the teacher’s tummy and said, “When are you going to start birthing children?”

You just have to love little children.  It is no wonder Jesus’ loved to have them come to Him.  I’m sure He must have a litany of wonderful things children have said to Him through the centuries.   It will make a great afternoon of listening and laughing while Jesus tells us about them.   I don’t want to miss the matinee program. Since He knows everything He can fill in great details.

Years ago someone tried to convince me that Jesus never laughed because His mission on earth was just too serious to have time for levity.  To which I have to respond, “Nonsense.”  It was Jesus Himself who created us to laugh.  He knows how healing it is.  “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”  And a good laugh relieves so much stress and tension that is so destructive to us mentally and physically.   It is true that life is serious but really “recess” is good for everyone.  Balance in life is a tremendous quality.

Written by Roger Bothwell on March 3, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

When King Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes he was obviously tired, discouraged and disheartened. It is the thoughts of a man worn out and satiated. He had used his enormous wealth to glut his whole being with the things of the world. Nothing brought him pleasure anymore. He had grown useless to himself and his people.

Listen as I read just a few verses from Eccl. 1:8, “All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.”

Solomon needed to sit down with the apostle Paul who would have argued with him. Paul says, 1 Cor. 2:9, “However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.'”

Solomon was not the wisest man who ever lived. Paul was head and shoulders wiser than Solomon. Maybe they both had the same IQ but Paul knew something Solomon did not. Paul knew Jesus Christ. It made all the difference. Solomon had seen everything the world had to offer. Paul knew Jesus offers us so much more than this world. Solomon fed off the world. Paul fed from the deep things of God because of His walk with Jesus.

If we want to be really rich, if we want an endless experience of growth into the deep things of God and His universe, Jesus is the abundant never-ending source of truth and happiness.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 31, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Close your eyes and visualize this scene.  We are the only customers in Papa Gino’s.  We are patiently waiting for our pizza when a loud voice echoes past all the other empty tables.  #78!!  While picking up our order from the counter I noticed the sales ticket had printed at the bottom, “We deliver.” So I called to the manager, “What is your minimum delivery distance?” “Minimum?” he said, “There is no minimum.  We would deliver across the street.” So I asked, “Then why didn’t you bring my pizza to my table which is fifteen feet away?” Much to his credit, I have to say, he apologized. I expected guff.

On my way home I thought of Psalm 50:15 where God says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver . . .”   Now, I am sure while Papa Gino’s has no minimum delivery distance they have to have a maximum distance unless they use Fedex.  How grand it is that God has no minimum or maximum delivery distances and best of all there is no waiting two or three business days.  As a matter of fact He does even better.   “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”  Isaiah 65:24.  Can you imagine going to Papa Gino’s and as you walk in the door they are standing there with your order before you had even placed your order?

This is a great family to belong to.  Our Heavenly Father is the best.  He knows our needs.  He anticipates our prayers.  He will supply us with all our needs.  Philippians 4:19.   He delivers.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 30, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

Eons ago I belonged to a paramilitary organization called the Medical Cadet Corps. In the summers we met at Grand Rapids, Michigan to play soldier for a few weeks.  Don’t ask why.  Having the esteemed rank of captain made me responsible for several platoons and needless to say I was jealous for their excellent performance and decorum.  One hot July afternoon we scheduled a full dress five mile march through the downtown streets of Grand Rapids.  Everyone looked magnificent until we were about a mile into the march and then it happened.  Several young men had filled their canteens with A&W root beer instead of water.  It does not take much imagination to know what their uniforms looked like while marching with a shaking canteen.  Someone the night before had made an unauthorized visit out of camp.

Sometimes it is difficult to ferret out disobedience and sometimes it stares you in the face. Actually it is never difficult for God because He does see everything.  But for humans it can be much more challenging and usually is none of our business.  On occasion we find ourselves in the midst of a witch-hunt; the results of which rarely ever have a positive result. If the sin is blatant and brings harm and disgrace to a community occasionally it must be dealt with.  However, most of the time when we think we must act we end up causing yet another layer of harm, often worse than the original offense.

Sin has its own rewards.  Actually that is why it is sin.  If it doesn’t then God is not displeased and neither should we be.  So often what upsets us isn’t sin at all but merely a violation of some exacerbated social norm.

Written by Roger Bothwell on April 26, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Throughout the years I have been most unsuccessful in dealing with a major character flaw.   I do not react nicely when someone tells me I have to do something.  I bristle and my immediate response is, “No, I will not do it.”   This occurs when I get emails that tell me if I am a good Christian I will pass this on to twenty people or I am not patriotic and don’t care about our troops if the email stops with me.  This overt pressure that judges me based on another’s standard makes me not do it.

One of God’s characteristics that I admire is His willingness to work with us.  “Come now let us reason together, says the Lord.”  When He told Abraham about the coming destruction of Sodom He actually negotiated about saving the city.  When He made us He gave us the power of choice.  Yes, there are negative results if we disobey.  However, the negative results are the fruit of the action and not His kicking us if we don’t heed Him.  When Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” He is telling us that we will break His heart when He has to watch us reap the fruit of our foolishness.  When a child follows a path of destruction they are not only hurting themselves but a host of others who love them, especially mom and dad.

Some parents foolishly say, “My way or the highway.”  Our heavenly Father says, “My way is the smart way.  But if you insist by bristling just remember I will always be here to help you pick up the pieces.”  We just missed out on some good things had we obeyed.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 28, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

Many years ago late in the evening in western Uganda, we came upon a mother lion with three cubs.  Unfortunately she was on the other side of the road from her cubs.  As we slowly moved ahead we were between her and her little ones.  With a roar and huge teeth she attacked the front tire.  I was sure she was going to puncture it and leave us in a precarious situation.  Fortunately that did not happen and we were able to move on.

This afternoon here in New England, we had a new but similar adventure.  A large rat was positioned in the center of a two lane street.  As we slowly moved past, it bared its ugly teeth and leaped at the car.  Amazing! I have never before seen anything like that.  However, I am thinking of revising I Peter 5:8.  “Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  I think it should read “the devil prowls around like a snarling rat.”   The lioness was far too beautiful to be compared to the devil and she was doing her motherly duty.  The rat was being just plain mean and nasty as can be.

Whatever, the truth of the text is important to remember.  How often do we play with sinful behavior thinking we are very smart and know how to navigate lest there be any negative results.  That is so egotistical and ignorant.  We have lived a few decades.  The devil has lived thousands of years.  Do we really think we are a match for his treachery?   However, the good news is though we might have to suffer the natural consequences of our foolishness, Jesus will still and always forgive us.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 27, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

Is it just me or do you also develop a slight fear when exiting a store that you will set off the alarm and people will rush upon you to see what you have taken, even when you know you haven’t taken anything?   Just the mere idea that I could be mistakenly accused by a malfunctioning machine makes my blood pressure go up as I slip between the magnetic devices.  It even happens to me at our college library, a place where I should feel secure.

For thousands of years preachers have used the fear of judgment to keep their flocks in line. There are some harsh pictures of judgment in Scripture waiting for the guilty.  The power of such judgment is there will be no need for any false accusations.  God knows all.  All that needs to be done is for the truth about us to be revealed.  There is ample evidence to justify our banishment and death.  Paul says it so well, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

However, (I do love that word “however”) love drives out fear.  We are loved by the One who knows all things and He gives us an amazing option.  John 5:24 says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”  Please do not miss the words “will not be judged.”  This is so much better than a “get out of jail free” card.  Not only do we not have to show up for judgment we have crossed over from death to eternal life.  Amazing.  Absolutely amazing.  The Gospel is the sweetest message ever spoken.

Written by Roger Bothwell on May 2, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

If you watch television you most likely have seen the heartburn medicine commercials that feature a female physician trying to play a violin in a string quartet or a male physician trying to use a jackhammer on a construction project. The physicians are not doing well.  The voiceover says, “If you don’t want your doctor doing your job why should you be doing his?”  It struck me that many of us are trying to do God’s job.  We are trying to save ourselves. And we are lousy at it.  Selfishness is embedded so deeply within our being that we make a dozen or so selfish decisions every day without even being aware.  Paul was a law-keeper’s law-keeper and he finally cries out, “Who will rescue me from me?”

Romans 7, “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?  Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  If Paul couldn’t do it, neither can we.

Many of Jesus’ parables were stories about things people saw every day.  The genius behind this was each time they saw those things they were reminded of His teaching.  Since most of us see many commercials it would not be surprising if Jesus was physically among us that He would tell parables based on television commercials.  I am hoping the next time you see a Nexium advertisement you will remember that Jesus is our savior and we don’t have to do it ourselves.

Written by Roger Bothwell on June 8, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org