The Door

Antique stores fascinate me because they are filled with priceless junk from my childhood.  I walk around and say, “Oh, look.  I had one of those. I wonder what happened to IT.”  I most likely was looking at IT.  Recently I was in one that had a door.  I know – they all have a door.  I mean this one had a door and frame displayed for sale.  It was quite ornate and actually very lovely.  It would have been nice in the right place.  I wondered about that door.  Where had it been?  What or who did it keep in or out?  Did anyone famous ever pass through it?  Did its presence assure a child of safety?

Doors are important. They often lead us into new experiences.  Yesterday our second semester began and I along with my students walked through the classroom door to a brand new experience.  Will that door lead my students to new realms of thought and preparation for a wonderful life of service?

I like John 10:9 where Jesus calls Himself “The Door.”  Step across that threshold and eternity beckons.  Entering God’s Kingdom changes everything from our limited range of thought to endless expanses of new ideas.  When we go in we leave behind guilt and are filled with new desires for growth and Godlikeness.  Some doors need to be shut.  Hopefully we will close the door to the old ways and not return.  Alas, sometimes we do return.  But thankfully we can reenter The Door.  Jesus gives us one of those stamps on our hand that allows us reentry.  Well, no.  We don’t need a stamp, because we didn’t pay the first time.  It was free and remains free each time we are wise enough to return and hopefully stay.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 26, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

Ruminations

Over 150,000 people were buried as a result of the Haitian earthquake.  I have been trying to grapple with that number.  I have been trying to put it in perspective.  This evening my wife and I went to a wake. As the people flowed by the bereaved parents I noted the average time spent with each person in line was approximately one minute.  If one greeted 150,000 people at that rate, for eight hours a day, five days a week, it would take over a year.  That is a lot of people.

It makes some of my losses in life look pretty small.  When we lose something we tend to think “poor me” while the truth is most of us have been overwhelmingly blessed. Most of those 150,000 people were by the world’s standards very poor.  By American standards they were miserably poor.  It is so hard to imagine how this can be.   Yet my wife and I lived in Africa for six years and we do know life can be very hard for some.

Sometimes there is a strong temptation to think that human life is cheap and replaceable.  Over 300,000 babies are born on earth every day.   That meansonly 12 hours of people were buried in Haiti.  My question is why is God so obsessed with our redemption?  Why did the Word become flesh and dwell among us?  Why does God so love the world that He gave His only son?  Why when we were His enemies did He die for us?  Some people tell me when I get to heaven I will understand.  Honestly, when I get to heaven and see God’s glory I think I will be even more amazed at His love for us.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 26, 2010

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

“Get Me to the Church on Time”

The small diner is just a half block from one of our town’s Catholic churches.   This morning the parish priest was in the diner when the bell began to ring announcing it was time for mass to begin.   Hurrying to the door he ran into two of our friends.  One would have expected him to rush on by to get to the church on time; however, he stopped and very politely greeted the two in his way.  Only then did he take off running for his service. Life works so much better when we take the time to be polite and thoughtful.

Paul wrote to the Romans, “Be inventive in hospitality.”   Romans 12 through 14 is filled with wonderful counsel regarding human relations.  In chapter 12 he talks about loving deeply and practicing “playing second fiddle.”   In 13 he speaks of our responsibility to be good citizens.  In chapter 14 he says, “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.”   That’s just not natural.  However, with God’s help we can do the unnatural.  See The Message paraphrase.

The way we treat others is so important.  It is the hallmark of Christianity.  Jesus said, “Men will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”  I have a theory.  If people discovered your church as a safe place where they were not criticized but be lovingly accepted I think the pews would fill very quickly.  People are hungry to be loved.  Next weekend when you, if you, go to church find a way to see something beautiful in everyone there.   There it is again, Romans 12.   I am interested that this was written by a man who was beaten, stoned, exiled and executed.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 25, 2010

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

Rogerbothwell.org

We Live in a Dangerous Place

So often we misuse Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  I can understand why we do it.  When tragedy strikes we desperately try to make sense out of it.  We don’t want some terrible loss to just happen without some meaning.  It is our nature to order our lives and random horror is contrary to our sanity.   When nothing seems to have a reason often we say, “Well, surely God must have had a purpose.”  When I was a pastor I used to respond with, “Someday we will know.”

We live in a world filled with random events that ruin lives.  We run over a road hazard and damage a tire.  Fifty miles later it explodes and our car careens into a tree or worse across the center lane destroying even more lives.  Let me be very plain.  God did not do this. If anyone did it, it was Satan.  However, most likely, it was a random bad thing that happened to good people.

So what about Romans 8:28?  It is a wonderful promise that means when horror happens God can help.  Something good can be worked out.  It was not His will.  But because He loves us so much He will bring about something positive.   Now you are thinking but why didn’t He intervene before it occurred?  That is a question no one on earth can answer.  We don’t know.  What we do know is someday we can talk to Him about it.  But please do not blame God for the bad things that occur.  We live in a dangerous place.  It’s called Earth.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 20, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Winter Has Settled In

An almost full moon hovers over our six degree evening.  Winter has made herself at home in New England.  Long gray shadows artistically lace across the snow creating eerie art that changes moment by moment.  An owl fluffs his feathers while silently watching for a stray creature to satisfy his evening appetite.  One would not know a storm approaches for it is still and sounds are swallowed by snow cushions hanging on the pine boughs.  Our dog sits by a window on the second floor of the house ever so softly growling at any sign of life. I wonder what she thinks.  Are there primal memories from ancestors past reminding her of hunting with a pack on nights such as these?   As I enter the room she looks at me as if to say, “Could I please go out?  I need to push the snow with my nose and feel it on my tummy as I wade.  I have business out there.”

If one listens carefully one can hear my trees creak and groan in the stillness of the coming night.  One can stand outside and be fascinated as one’s breath slowly ascends past one’s eyes.  The flush of red cheeks is its own elixir.  I am reminded of Proverbs 25:13, “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.”   Solomon reminds us of cold refreshment on a hot day but let us not miss the delicious joy of it on a cold winter night.  What a joy to be a faithful messenger that brings joy to our Master.  How wonderful if we were always so.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 18, 2011.

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

Rogerbothwell.org

It Pays to Pay Attention

After slipping into the driver’s seat, inserting the key into the ignition, I put the car in reverse to back out of a hospital parking space. Almost instantly I heard a steady beeping from the car’s rear radar telling me something was very close.  I looked in the mirror and didn’t see anything.  I turned around in the seat and still did not see anything.  I inched the car back and the beeps came closer together telling me something was there.  The temptation was to think  it was malfunctioning and just go for it.  But my better judgment kicked in and I put the car in park and got out.  Phew!  There standing not tall enough for me to see over the lid of the trunk was a little girl.   Her mom was busy in another row of cars getting a baby out of its car seat.

Sometimes I think I am smart enough to ignore one of God’s commands. I can’t figure out the danger so I just go for it.  Now that is hubris and just plain stupid.  He knows.   If it wasn’t going to hurt me He wouldn’t have mentioned it.  But He did mention certain things and it pays not to ignore Him.  Sometimes I see life falling apart for people, smart people.  Could it be they are ignoring the warnings?

There are some wonderful verses in Psalm 119 extolling the value of paying attention to God.  “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.” Verse 71 “Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;. . .”  Verse 98  “Through Your precepts I get understanding; . . .” Verse 104.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 22, 2010

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Happy Sounds

We ate this evening beside three of the happiest children.  All through our meal we were serenaded with happy sounds.   It was better than any concert no matter how skilled the musicians.  There is something magical about the sounds of happy children that cannot be surpassed by any other earthly sound.  No matter how rotten our day has been and how many grousing adults we had to listen to, it all ebbs away by laughter and sounds of love.  Awesome.

There are other happy sounds.  I can think of baby birds chirping for the next worm, squealing puppies, off key people singing Happy Birthday, people on Let’s Make a Deal winning the Big Deal of the Day, the softness of my wife’s breath sleeping beside me.  There are so many wonderful things to listen to.  Right now the wind is wrapping itself around the corner of my house whispering to me, beckoning me to come and let it redden my cheeks.   What happy sounds can you think of?

Of course the best sound of all will be the voice of Jesus soon saying to us, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34.  Now that is a HAPPY SOUND in capital letters.  After we hear that we will then get to hear the sound of the redeemed, “And (they) cried with a loud voice, say, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”  Revelation 7:11.

There are so many good things for us to hear but until then I still think the happy sounds of happy children are the best.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 21, 2011

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

“Duh”

Occasionally I receive emails from individuals who remind me that even though salvation is free we can’t go on sinning as usual.  What I want to say but won’t because it wouldn’t be nice is “Duh!”  Of course not.  If one truly understands God’s incredible gift of grace one would want nothing more than to be like their saving hero.  That means by His grace and with His help I will do all I can to be “good.”   The key here is motive.  I am now wanting and trying to be good not to be saved but because I am saved.  The real fruit of a Christian life is that which comes because more than anything we want to be like Jesus!

When I was a little boy I wanted to be like Roy Rogers.  I had a double holster with two cap gun six-shooters.  I used to stand in front of a mirror and would see how fast I could draw those guns.  I had seen a movie when Roy drew them like lightening and that is what I wanted to do.

“Now that I have put away childish things” I still want to be like my hero.   Except now instead of my hero drawing a six-shooter He draws something so much finer.   My Jesus draws pictures of His perfect character on the canvas of grateful souls who know there would be no possible way for them to have eternal life other than by grace.

The tone of the emails I receive are almost like people are afraid someone will be saved and still get away with doing something bad.    Well, we will, but not because we want to.  It is just because God is still working on that canvas!

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 20, 2010

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

Rogerbothwell.org

Too Much Too Fast

It just seemed like a good ice cream day.  I realize that 30 degrees, a gray sky and a fresh layer of snow don’t seem like a good ice cream day, but the truth is any day is a good ice cream day.  So I talked my wife into stopping at Friendly’s.  I ordered a double thick malted milk shake.  It was awesome. It came in a clear glass filled to the brim along with a full metal mixing can waiting to refill the glass.  But to my horror when I tipped the can to pour into the glass it all came out in a giant rush.  It was way too much for the glass and my precious ice cream cascaded down the sides of the glass and all over the table.   I sat there wishing I could lick off the table. But alas it was gone.   It was too much too fast.

I truly believe God is very careful when He dispenses blessings to us.  We are limited in what we can receive and properly use.  Too much too fast could easily end up in a disaster.  While it is difficult to believe, winning the lottery has destroyed families.  It was too much too fast with limited ability to cope.

In Malachi 3 God speaks of opening heaven and pouring out blessings upon His people.  “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

Despite the promise of more than we can receive and not having enough room I still believe He is wise and judicious in His care.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 19, 2010.

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

 

Tears in Heaven

I have waited a few days before responding to some recent outrageous remarks by some religious leaders concerning the tragedy Haiti.  I wanted to regain my composure lest I say something I would regret.  However, after waiting I am still furious.  Realizing that Jesus Himself would on occasion be filled with anger because of attitudes of so called religious men, I think I am in excellent company.

First of all, we live in a world where bad things happen to both good and bad people and to blame victims for misfortune is heaping misery upon misery. Something God would never do.

Second, if God was responsible because of something that supposedly happened two hundred years ago, it certainly doesn’t say much about an omnipresent God keeping up with His agenda.  God must have been pretty busy elsewhere to just now get around to it.

Third, it says God is pretty sloppy when handing out punishment because there were many missionaries, college students and others on mercy missions to Haiti who perished.  They were good people doing what God would want from all of us.  What about their parents?  These people hardly had made a pact with Satan.

Fourth, it says God is capricious and unthinking and hardly the God presented to us by Jesus when Jesus said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.”  John 14

With men like these religious people on God’s side, God really doesn’t need any enemies. I have come to believe they and I worship different Gods and I have no desire to meet him anywhere and at any time.  I like my Jesus God so much better.  No, let me rephrase that.  I love my Jesus God so much better. I know there are tears in heaven over this loss.

Written by Roger Bothwell on January 18, 2010

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

Rogerbothwell.org