Author: Ian Bothwell

We don’t stop at yard sales anymore.  We used to enjoy rummaging through other’s discards.  One never knows when they will find a million dollar Rembrandt for a dollar. But our house is full and at our age there is little point in adding more to the bounty of fifty years of marriage and the passing of our parents, whose things abound in our rooms. There are things in this house that I know not of.  I am not speaking of spiders and chipmunks.  I am talking about drawers full of things from our parent’s homes that I have never opened. I hope our children will treasure what we have treasured. But I must be a realist and recognize they only have so much room. Instead of rummaging at other’s yard sales I think I shall rummage in my own house.  Who knows what is here.

Sometimes I rummage in my Bible.  I pick it up and just read a bit here and a bit there.  There is no organization or plan.  I realize this is not a very scholarly activity but it is certainly pleasant.  A rereading of a passage from Paul or David can be a serendipitous event.  I know I have read this before and yet brand new ideas leap from the pages and stun my brain with freshness.  If I did not know better I would think it was written this week instead of thousands of years ago.  Modernity has changed how we live and travel but has not changed our hearts.  Humans are still the same perverse, caring, evil, righteous creatures who walked across the Red Sea or stood on Calvary.  Give yourself a treat.  Sit in your favorite chair and rummage about in God’s Word.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 16, 2012

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

rogerbothwell.org

 

I overheard a man say that Jesus never made any mistakes.  He went on to quote Hebrews 4:15 that tells us Jesus never sinned.  Apparently this fellow never looked up the definitions of mistakes and sins.  There is a huge difference between cutting a board too short and offending a moral principle.  Surely when Jesus was learning the fine art of carpentry from Joseph there were mistakes.  If not then He wasn’t human and we are assured of His humanity.  “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  Luke 2:52

Dr. Luke informs us that not only did he grew taller as a child but He grew intellectually.  He didn’t know everything as a child nor was He perfect in everything He attempted.  His perfection was moral.  He tripped.  He fell. He scuffled with His siblings.  He got splinters in His fingers and sawdust in His eyes.  He read the prophets and memorized what He was to do.  The Book of Isaiah was a Messiah Manual that He sent ahead of time so He would learn and know what a Messiah was to be. He grappled with our human issues and learned the difference between violating His Father’s law and burning breakfast. Mistakes are stepping stones to a better man.  The problem with a mistake is not so much the mistake but what we then do about it.  Do we learn?  Do we also grow in wisdom?

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  Hebrews 4:15.  Wise is the person who understands that all sins are mistakes but not all mistakes are sin.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 15, 2012

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

rogerbothwell.org

In addition to a CAT scan today I also had an echo heart examination.  (Researchers are preparing me for experimental treatment beginning in Philadelphia next week. They are eliminating variables in me, their white mouse.)  I thoroughly enjoyed the heart examination.  I got to watch the image of my heart on a monitor and listen to it sounding like a Maytag washer.  Not only was there the regular beat but the whishing sound of blood being pushed through chambers and arteries.  How grateful it was to hear the technician say, “There is nothing here that will get anyone excited. It’s a clean heart.” What she meant was it was normal and routine.  But that excited me. Those were good words. Obviously she wasn’t speaking of David’s prayer in Psalm 51. “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  There isn’t anything in a medical laboratory that can do that.

There is no injection or detergent that can touch what David was talking about.  He said, “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. And cleanse me from my sin.”

Our God is a fabulous God who doesn’t require us to accumulate merit points.  The only act of contrition is that of our heart.  If we want it and come with a repentant attitude, it will be done.  I do need to mention the importance of the repentant attitude.  He will not absolve us if we come to Him with no intention of change.  The entire process is all about desire, intent and a willingness to become His temple.  His clean temple.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 14, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

I’m getting a Computerized Tomography, CAT Scan in the morning.  This thing takes pictures of everything.  When they are finished my insides will be like an open book.  My heart, liver, kidneys, etc. will be public.  I’ve had a scan before this and remembered Psalm 139:15 which speaks of God, The Scanner, “You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.”

In this age of terrorism we are becoming accustomed to being scanned.  If the airport security people deem it necessary we are scanned if we want to get to our destination.  We have no secrets.  My metal knee and hip make great pictures.

Thinking about tomorrow morning’s procedure awakens thoughts of David praying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”  Now that’s a scan. Frankly, I don’t mind physicians looking at my aorta but I would be very uncomfortable if they could record, probe and ponder my thoughts, passions, and ambitions.  That would be way over the top.  But then there is God.  There isn’t a random thought He doesn’t know.  He actually knows more about me than I know about me.  Each of us have layers of consciousness and only have total access to the top layer.  Once in a while we have stunning breakthroughs and catch glimpses of our subconscious. But, He has total access to all our thoughts and the seeds of our thoughts. That’s okay.  It is nothing to fear because He loves us so much.

Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate therapist, who not only knows, but understands and treats us with incredible compassion because He and He alone really knows us.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 13, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

The hospital I was in is on a hill.  I was on the fifth floor looking out over a still darkened city.  Dawn approached and little by little the shapes of church steeples, domed buildings and electronic towers crept out of the night.  Suddenly a beam of morning sun caught a star spangled banner flying high in the midst of the soon to be busy city.  It was magic.  That cloth flag illuminated as if it were neon.  There against the dark backdrop was this brilliant symbol of the ideals of a land for everyone to speak and think and worship as they may.  That magical moment was the highlight of my day.

How could I not think of Song of Solomon 2:4 which wonderfully proclaims His banner over me is love.  For thousands of years peoples, armies, churches, and nations have used banners to proclaim their identity.  During the Civil War each side bravely carried their flag into battle.  During one of the battles in Virginia the Union flag was held high by five different men.  As each man fell another brave soul raced to retrieve the banner to hold high.

Is it possible to think of any banner for God’s government than love?  His banner over us is love.  Love displays itself by its behavior.  John 3:16-17 says it all in regards to God’s behavior.  He withheld nothing in order to redeem us.  Jesus was the most valuable gift ever conceived.   He was the Creator.   The idea that such a being who is responsible for unnumbered galaxies should voluntarily experience the Cross has to be true for who could invent an idea so outrageous.  His flag over us is love.

Written by Roger Bothwell on May 8, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

It’s a funny thing about human beings.  If we hear one hundred positive compliments and just one negative comment, we will obsess over the one.  Tell someone you love them many times but just once say you don’t, it will be almost impossible to convince them that you do.  Tell a child they are stupid and it will mold their self-image and they will most often not try challenging tasks.  They will concede to the negative.  Perhaps it is easier to take that course than trying hard.  I am talking about most of us.  There is the reverse response in some who will say, “I’ll show them.”  But they are far outnumbered by the first group.

Perhaps we are our own worst enemy because we know our own dirt. No other human can more accurately accuse us than us.  Sometimes we try to honey coat our faults and make excuses but deep down inside we know the truth.  We choose.

This is why it is so difficult to get people to accept the Good News.  Jesus loves us.  He will forgive us.  He will help us improve and overcome.  That’s a message for others but not for “me.”  But it is for each of us.  Despite the fact that God knows the truth about you and me He cares for us as a father loves his errant child.  I believe the prodigal son’s father always knew the whereabouts of his son.  He was rich.  He could pay people to report.  How thrilled he was when he heard his son had started home.  And when his son tried to tell him all his wrongs the father would not listen.  All that mattered was his son was home.

Written by Roger Bothwell on May 9, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

This morning’s Leominster/Fitchburg newspaper just spoiled one of my favorite things.  I love to sit outside in the evenings and feel the cool air push away the afternoon shadows as dusk closes another day.  Alas, it seems that our mosquitoes are now bearers of more than an itchy bite.  Some of those trapped by Mass Public Health Department are carrying West Nile Virus, not something one puts on their bucket list. I can still walk my dog but I can’t just sit still and soak in the glory of an evening in New England. Our newspaper counsels don’t panic just use common sense.

That is pretty much the advice we receive in Psalm 1:1 regarding sinful behavior and its horrible results.  “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.”  It’s the company we keep or should I say don’t keep.  It’s a matter of common sense.  However, now that I have said that Jesus kept some very questionable company.  It is amusing that when he met with Mr. Respectable, Nicodemus, He met him in secret.  When He met with publicans, sinners and tax collectors He did it in the plain light of day.  Jesus can indeed confound us.

But really, most of life is using common sense.  Unfortunately it takes a few decades of living to acquire it.  Too bad we aren’t born with it. In the middle of writing this I stopped and took my dog for our evening walk.  Can you believe it a mosquito flew right into my ear?  How can that be?  I crushed her because she obviously didn’t have much of any common sense.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 10, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Oh, I am in trouble.  My wife has been gone for three days and the last thing she said to me was, “Don’t forget to water the plants.”  This afternoon as I walked past a drooping hanging basket of flowers I thought, “We sure could use some rain.”  Then it hit me.  I was supposed to be the rain. The only hope I have for some kind of redemption is that they will recover if I soak them.  She will get home tonight after dark and won’t see them until morning.  Maybe, just maybe, they will be perky in the morning and she will never know.  Perky would be good.

As all good farmers and horticulturalists know growing plants need adequate water.  Deprive them for just a short amount of time and they will wither up just like people’s spiritual lives if deprived of a daily watering from heaven.  Like plants we are dependent upon external essentials.  If we long to thrive we need daily supplies of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual food and water.

On the mornings of the annual Feast of the Tabernacles a priest carried a vessel of water to the altar to represent the Rock that had supplied the children of Israel with their daily supply of water while in the wilderness.  On such an occasion Jesus stepped forth and said with a loud voice, “Whoever thirsts let Him come to me for I am the water of life.”  It was an amazingly bold declaration of His identity and power. Position, power and pomp were inadequate to satisfy the spiritual hunger of the people.  Nothing has changed.  It is still Jesus, the Creator of all things, who can satisfy our thirst for real life and real growth.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 9, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

Many years ago the wizards who make Kleenex marketed red Kleenex especially designed for use by hunters.  No hunter in his right mind pulls out a white Kleenex, wipes his nose and thereby makes himself look like a white-tailed deer.   Red seemed ideal.  No one would shoot at the color red.  Alas, that year more hunters were killed than ever before.  No one knew why.  So there was no more red Kleenex.

Hunters have become very skillful in looking like trees and bushes.  I have often wondered how many hunters I have walked by when I take my dog for a walk in the forest.  We try to look like a canine with her human and so far so good.  Have you ever wondered if you are or have been a camouflaged Christian?  Is it possible that some people who have known us for years would be shocked to discover our commitment to Jesus?  Sometimes we see pictures in the news of so-called Christians carrying hate signs.  Not only are they not real Christians I am not so sure they are real human beings.  “All in the name of Jesus.”   Surely He must weep.

There is no question about the fact that Jesus called it correctly when He said, “By their fruits ye shall know them.”  You can hide.  You can pretend.  But ultimately, one’s true self will be revealed to family and colleagues.  We can only pretend for a certain amount of time.  Now that I have said all this, I have to admit that I have pretended all my life to be a Christian.  I mean a real Christian, one who always loves, forgives and cares about others.  Sometimes I meet people I just don’t like.

Written by Roger Bothwell on August 8, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

There were a few people waiting for the elevator to arrive when a small group of young people suddenly appeared and pushed their way to the front and rushed in as soon as the doors opened.  I had to smugly smile to myself as I got on last.  They were now trapped in the rear while I was first to get off.  “The last shall be first and the first shall be last.”

For many it always is “Me first.”  I get the same smug feeling when someone cuts me off in his car as he rushes ahead only to be stopped by a traffic light.  As I pull up alongside and once again he leaps forward only to have me slowly pull up alongside at the next light, I want to look and laugh.   So the question is “Who has the problem?” Is it he or me or both of us?  Do I have the same “Me first” complex?  Is it just that I have learned to play the game a bit more wisely? Perhaps the issue is my smugness.  The human heart is a deceitful thing.  Perhaps we never get better just more subtle.  We just learn to play the game.

Paul’s words in Romans 7 bounce about in my mind, “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?”   I am so thankful he answers his question in Romans 8.

Written by Roger Bothwell on May 10, 2012

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

Rogerbothwell.org