Category: devotional

Even though the sun was shining today it was fairly cold outside so I spent the afternoon learning how to take an image out of one picture and place it in another. It gives real meaning to the old phrase, “Not in the picture.” For fun I took a picture of my granddaughter’s favorite doll out of the toy ads in the Sunday paper, changed its size and put it in a picture with my granddaughter. They look like playmates.

While I was messing around I thought about what it means to be in a picture with someone. It does not necessarily mean you are friends. There could be many situations where just the opposite relationship would exist. However most of the time when pictured we are with friends. Pictures capture moments in time freezing them for us to enjoy later. I like to take pictures of my friends. The event is museumed in my brain and the picture acts as a key to open up memories.

Jesus loved pictures. He did not have a camera but He told lots of stories. Stories are word pictures. People would remember His stories and those stories would remind them of the lessons He taught. Most of us are visual learners. Jesus made us that way and He taught that way.

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:28-29

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 3, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

I saved 40 cents this afternoon because I am old. While returning an overdue library book I was informed because of my advanced age I did not have to pay the fine. It is expected that old people would forget to return their books and the city has graciously made allowance for such an indiscretion. Maybe I can use the 40 cents toward my medication.

I have been forgiven for a lot of things in life starting way back to childhood but this is the first time the rational for the grace was mental incapacitation. I need to write down this event and date it because I obviously will not recall it tomorrow. What I found amusing about the event was the woman who forgave me looked ten years older than me. She was probably ten years younger and smoked.

Before I forget what this is all about I need to get to my point that it is so nice to be forgiven. If you have not asked recently I would encourage you to give it a try. It comes with peace of mind, assurance of eternal life and a sense of wholeness. That’s a pretty good list of benefits and I am so glad I can remember what they are, at least for now.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

I wonder if the city will forgive parking tickets because I forgot to put money in the meter.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 1, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

His name is Lucifer from the Latin meaning light (lux) bearing (fer). The name has been used to refer to the planet Venus in the sky prior to sunrise. Isaiah referred to him as Lucifer, son of the morning. (14:12)

When Venus is the morning star it precedes the sun’s advent for the day and usually is so bright if one tracks it carefully it is visible all day long and sets just prior to the setting of the evening sun. Usually we do not notice it is visible all day because of its proximity to the sun, a place at which we avoid looking.

When its circuit about the sun takes it to the opposite side it becomes the evening star and is only visible for a short time after the sun sets before it sinks below the horizon. Thus the light bearer is not only the morning star but is also for an equal amount of time the evening star.

And so it is that Lucifer’s time is setting. He has had his reign over men far too long now. It is time for his evil light to be extinguished. It really is only a matter of time. The Book of Revelation gives us a grand look into the future. In the battle between good and evil, Jesus and Lucifer, Jesus wins.

You see Jesus is not like a planet. He is like the sun. He is the center of everything.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 31, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

This evening after the sun had gone down the sky was still just a bit light I sat by a lake watching my dog chase the last few frogs of 2002. It was brisk and clear as I looked into the western sky and I saw a light coming toward me. Since we are under the flight path from Chicago to Boston I knew my privacy was to be momentarily invaded by a few hundred people. About three minutes behind them I saw another light and then another and at one point I could see four planes all in a line heading in for the evening. It was rush hour in the sky.

I remember as a child being taken out to the Harrisburg, Pa. airport to see the very first commercial planes that did not have propellers. Wow – how did they stay up? Actually 50 years and a high school and a college physics class later I still marvel when I see a jumbo jet lift off from the earth. Flying has been the dream of men for thousands of years.

Paul speaks of his dream of flying in I Thessalonians 4. He wrote, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I am going to marvel at that forever.

Roger Bothwell wrote this on October 29, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

One of the great inventions for dog owners is the variable length leash. Sometimes my dog gets the benefits of its full length, which gives her quite a bit of roaming space. Other times proximity to people necessitates keeping it very short which very much limits her freedom. In those cases too much freedom would be dangerous both to her and others.

Freedom can be a frightening thing for along with freedom comes responsibility. When we are free to make our own decisions and to act on them we must also accept the full responsibility for the consequences of our choices. It is much more convenient if we have others to blame.

When children are small we limit their freedom and slowly expand it as they grow more capable of responsible behavior. Some people even into adulthood don’t handle freedom well. Paul refers to this in Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

Others know their limitations and join organizations with strict rules for membership. This avoids having to make difficult decisions. The leash is short. Jesus wants to give us a long leash. He wants us to be governed by principles of love, which sometimes necessitates choosing to do something everyone else thinks is wrong, but we know is right. Eternal life is for the brave.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 28, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

While I was waiting for my truck to be repaired I overheard one of the mechanics say to the shop foreman, “There is a spot on the inside one of our new cars that I cannot get out.”

“Call the spotman,” came the reply.

This was a new thing for me and so I was very curious when about 30 minutes later a spotless shiny red pickup arrived and disgorged a fat fellow with a spray bottle. I watched him disappear into the shop only to emerge a few minutes later with a huge smile on his face. “Done,” he said.

As he drove away I wondered what secret formula he had in that spray bottle that the car dealer needed but obviously could not get for himself.

Macbeth needed the spotman. We all need the spotman. Fortunately for us He does exist and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 The promises are plentiful. Try this one. Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

I would imagine the spotman used only as much cleaner as needed. Our God goes over board. He is lavish with His spot remover and with a great bonus that comes along with it: wisdom and understand.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 27, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

While filling up my truck with gas I watched a man purchase five lottery scratch tickets. Ever so hopeful he walked out to his car, pulled a quarter from his pocket and scratched away. One, two, three, four and finally number five. Nothing. He didn’t even get his money back. With a look of disgust he threw them in the trash container, looked at me and shook his head. I didn’t know him but I wanted him to win. It would be great fun to see someone win something really big. We can rejoice with them even when we know their euphoria will be short lived. Those kinds of windfalls do not produce long lasting well-being.

So what in this world does produce enduring well-being? I want to answer relationships. Relationships keep on giving for years. Relationships are the best thing on earth. Yet the truth is the more we love the more we will suffer the loss of that loved one for all relationships are guaranteed a future parting. Is there any hope for any good thing to be permanent?

According to Paul there is. In Ephesians 1 Paul tells us God’s great pleasure is to lavish us with riches of grace, wisdom, understanding and great power. Every possible spiritual gift becomes ours. It is a process of giving that begins now and continues on forever. Paul calls it our glorious inheritance. We will not leave earth without it. How very grand!

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 25, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

Somewhere in my house my glasses are hiding from me. It is obvious they decided to do this for surely I would never put them anywhere I could not remember. They must be laughing at me as I now walk past them as my search moves from the obvious locations to the obscure. I know they have to be here. I drove home with them the night before last and did not drive away with them this morning. Fiendishly they mock me as they watch me crawl about on my hands and knees peering under the couch and as I pull the cushions off my favorite chair. This is great sport for them and when I apprehend them I shall punish them by giving them a good bath. In the meantime I am grateful for an old pair that work fairly well even if the prescription is different. All day today my eyes have been trying to readjust to the different lenses.

It is a challenge to see things anew. We like the old way of looking at people and ideas. It is far easier to change our socks then it is to change our mind. Like an old pair of comfortable shoes ideas seat themselves into our way of thinking. Two people see and hear the same thing and yet each sees and hears something differently. What we see or hear is the product of the event liberally sprinkled with pinches of prejudices, predispositions, religious beliefs, family loyalties and what we want to see and hear.

Psalm 19:12, “Who can discern his errors?”

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 23, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

I returned home from Home Depot this evening ready to fix something in my house. I put the box on the kitchen counter and with tools in hand I opened it all ready to go. And what to my wondering eyes did appear but nothing. I bought an empty box.

I can just see it now. Tomorrow I will go back and try to return the empty box. Will they really believe me? Or will I get the raised eyebrows of skepticism? Will the lady at the return counter say to me, “Mister, you can’t return an empty box.” And I will say, “But it was empty when I bought it.” And she will say, “Mister, how could you be so dumb as to buy an empty box?” “Didn’t you notice anything suspicious when it weighed so little?”

Life does have its trials and tribulations. Actually we would all be blessed if this were the worst thing that ever happened to anyone. Unfortunately we know this is nothing compared to the real tragedies that fall upon people. Unlike some primitive cultures that used to think if something bad happened to you it was because you had done something bad. We know better. In this world good and bad happen to the good and bad.

The promise we have to sustain us through the real trials of life is “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” I Peter 5:10.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 17, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453

Today was one of those days. The amp on the stereo system in my house made a slow fizzling crackling sound through the speakers and died. I went out to go to drive to school and noticed the spot where my wife had parked for the night had a puddle of brake fluid where the right front tire had been. On my way to school the windshield wipers started to go on my truck. I had not turned them on and the switch was still turned off. The printer for my computer is printing pictures with a purple overcast. On my way home from school the interior of the cab of my truck filled with smoke that came pouring out the heating vents. Really. I am not making this up.

So why am I still smiling? All that broken stuff is that. They are just stuff. The really important items in my life like my wife, my sons, my grandchildren, my Jesus, the assurance of forgiveness and salvation, those things are just fine. The glass is not half full. It is almost completely full.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 1: 3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

As for all that broken stuff. Tomorrow I will start working on them one by one.

Written by Roger Bothwell on October 16, 2002
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453