Roger Bothwell

If you are not a sports fan you probably missed something quite impressive that happened this past weekend.  Actually it started a week ago.  A young football player for the New England Patriots rushed over 200 yards and scored four touchdowns in a single game.  It was such a remarkable feat he was featured on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated.  However, on Friday he was late coming to practice.  The young sports hero learned an important lesson in discipline and humility.  Because he was late he was not allowed to practice.  Because he did not practice he did not play on Sunday.  He was made to stand in full uniform and watch the Patriots win without him.  I think he will be on time to all upcoming practice sessions.

While I am not so naïve to think character building was his coach’s main purpose, that would be winning games, it is a fact that games cannot be won without discipline and teamwork.  It isn’t all about one person.  Life is that way for all of us.  None of us succeed all by ourselves. We are aided by teams of people.  The self-made man wasn’t self-made.  Yes, he went to work every day.  But, he went in a car he did not build on roads he did not build using gas he did not refine.  He ate food he did not grow and wore clothing he did not sew.  He solved problems with information given to him by others who came before him.  We build on the shoulders of the giants who preceded us.

Neither will we be saved by our own efforts.  We are not self-saved.  Eternal life is a gift to all who will accept it.  We are Jesus-made forgiven saints.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 25, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

There were at least twenty of us driving our cars at a dutiful 65 miles per hour when suddenly a car whizzed past us doing at least 80.  He never saw it until it was too late.  The blue lights came on as he sped past the state trooper we were following.

I know we are not supposed to follow the herd.  We have all heard sermons about the people who wouldn’t get into Noah’s ark because it wasn’t the popular thing to do.  But once in a while we should slow down enough to ask just why the herd is doing what it is doing.  It isn’t always advantageous to be different. The herd isn’t always stupid and blind.  While it is true sometimes the herd gets it wrong, but not always.  Usually there are good reasons for why things are the way they are.  Before we declare the herd to be senseless sheep we should take a few history classes.  History courses aren’t in the curriculum merely to make us hate school.  If they are taught correctly they will keep us from making the same mistakes our forbearers made.

Robert Frost wrote, “Before I built a wall I’d ask to know what I was walling in or walling out.”  I would like to add, “Before I tear down a wall I’d ask to know why the wall was first built.”  Taboos and traditions are/were there for a reason. God’s commandments were given for a reason.  They are not there to keep us from having fun.  It is just the opposite.  They are there to guide us to the abundant life promised us by Jesus in John 10:10.  If only we could get our young to know that.  But maybe we can’t because we don’t get it.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 24, 2014

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 945474

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When Jesus’ disciples saw Him walking to them over the stormy sea they were filled with horror thinking the specter of death was coming for them.  Then above the roar of the wind they heard, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”  Those words still echo in our ears.  Paul wrote, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

After 9/11 we rushed to give away our liberty in exchange for safety.  The very liberties paid for with the blood of patriots were signed away and today we have the specter of someone listening to our phone calls.  Why have we done this?  Because we forgot what Jesus said.  We forgot what Paul said.   Fear is worse than death.  Death causes all thought to cease.  But fear terrorizes us with unimaginable thoughts.  The strength of our honor and our values are tested when faced with fear.  The terrorists listened well to FDR when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  By the slaughter of hundreds they filled a billion with fear.

The bogeyman lives.  He/she is real.  But Jesus is stronger.  Before his death by the people he was seeking to evangelize Jim Elliot wrote these famous words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”  And David wrote, “Yeah, though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me.  Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

We learned it as children let us remember it as adults.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 23, 2015

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

There was a photo on the front page of our daily newspaper this morning that made me ashamed to be part of the human race.  A lady (No, a women. She was no lady.) was holding a sign that read, “Feed our Kids – Not 10,000 Refugees”.   When we allow our inner dark side to express itself in xenophobia or any other evil we allow those who despise our value system to win.  By denying what makes us special (our Christian values) we are lowered to the same ignorance as those who would destroy us.

What makes us special isn’t that we are richer than others and have food.  We are special because we believe our Bible that says, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.’” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Furthermore refugees are 99.99% not our enemies.  They are hungry people who have lost their homes and area fleeing for the same safety we enjoy.

When someone slaps me on the face and I slap them back, they win.  Even if I slapped them harder than they slapped me, they win.  They have reduced me to their level. They made me less like Jesus.  If we can only remember what Jesus’ very own did to Him, perhaps we can (with His help) rise to be like Him.  And just one more thought for the woman with the offensive sign, in America we have enough food for our kids and 10,000 refugees.

 

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 20, 2015

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

I love cold pizza for breakfast.  You know – those pieces that are left over from the night before and have been on top of the fridge overnight to keep them away from the dog.  They are so good.  They aren’t floppy any more.  They are nice and stiff and only require one hand to hold.  They have all the necessary ingredients.   They have grains in the bread, dairy in the cheese and vitamins in the onions, green peppers and tomatoes.

There are certain things that just get better with age.  Some people age well.  Their wisdom, kindness and understanding more than make up for the wrinkles and lack of hair. The story of Jesus gets better as the years go by.  It mellows with meaning as we grow to more thoroughly grasp its importance and the unselfish love that under-girds its power. When I was little I loved the idea of going to heaven because of the goodies, which were mansions, streets of gold, petting lions, etc.   Now, it isn’t so much about material things as it is about maintaining the companionship and love of friends and family.  It’s about safety and comprehending the mysteries of existence, which can be totally baffling.

I like old cars, old music, old books and old people.  Old cars I can understand.  I can open the hood and tell what the parts are.   The old music I can enjoy and not find annoying.  Many old books grapple with the mysteries that will be opened to us. I can empathize with old people and their aches and pains, their concerns over grandchildren, and their endless lists of doctor’s appointments. But, best of all, I never tire of the old, old story of Jesus’ love for us.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 21, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

We were in one of those stores that sells miscellaneous products they somehow got for highly reduced prices.  We walked passed a stack of cans of dog food for a great price.  So I stocked up.  This was too good to by-pass.  There was just one huge problem.  Our dog hated it.  After one big eager bite she spit it out on the floor.  Wow, that had to be some really bad tasting stuff because this dog eats everything and anything.  What seemed like a great deal didn’t turn out that way.   How often have I purchased things thinking it was a marvelous deal only to discover later it wasn’t so great?  “Buyer’s Regret” is an ailment I have often tasted.

One of the things about accepting Jesus as one’s savior is there will never be “Buyer’s Regret.”   We might have a bad experience with a particular church or with a pastor but never confuse them with Jesus.  He was most likely more upset with those who mistreated us as we were.  Accepting Jesus is one of those rare experiences that keeps getting better as the years go by.   It is like opening a present to discover inside there is another present even bigger than the first and inside the second present is an even bigger third present and inside the third present there is an even bigger present and the experience never ends.  Jesus is eternal and our growth with Him is eternal.

I took the dog food back.  We never have to consider giving Jesus back.  After all we aren’t crazy.  Which leads me to think those who do walk away are either crazy or someone never told them the truth about what they were getting and they just didn’t understand how wonderful He is.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 20, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

Last night all fifty states, even Hawaii, had at least one location that experienced below freezing temperatures.  Over the majority of the land white “sheets” have been pulled up and in some places there is so much snow one has to say white “quilts and fluffy comforters” have been pulled up tucking in the bears and beavers for a long winter’s rest.  Icy winds have stripped the trees of their leaves and now in their bare beauty we see their dark skeletons reaching up to the sky.  It’s a fine time filled with sleds, hot chocolate and fireplaces with crackling flames casting moving shadows across our rooms. It’s a time for coats, boots and gloves.  Earmuffs and parkas with fur collars tipped with frost surround our reddened cheeks.  It is entrancing to watch our breath swirl before our eyes. I miss the old single-pained windows that would frost up with Picasso-like crystal engravings.  It was such fun to put one’s finger into the window-art and watch it melt away only to refreeze when we withdrew our fingers.

Soon Thanksgiving will have come and gone.  We will be inundated with music and decorations reminding us that it is time to shop.  Sometimes I hear folks complain about the commercialization of the season, but I don’t mind. It is a good thing to be reminded that we should find something for those we love and for those who do things for us.  Giving is good for us.  Each gift given makes us more like the One who gave everything for us.  Each present bestowed says, “I appreciate you. Thank you for making my life better.”  It really is “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 19, 2014

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

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Saturday morning our dog was tremendously roiled with the hair on her back standing erect.  Looking out the window I saw an absolutely beautiful red fox slowly moving through our woods.  Calling for my wife she came and was as pleased as I.  Suddenly she realized how clearly she was seeing it without her glasses.  Later that morning while driving to South Lancaster she said to me, “Look how green that field is.  It is so vivid.”  On Thursday she had had a cataract removed.

I immediately thought of a story in Mark 8.  “They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ He looked up and said, ‘I see people; they look like trees walking around.’ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”

Before Jesus came people thought God was a capricious being that treated us with abandon to accomplish His will.  Jeremiah 18 talks of God being a potter that smashes us to pieces if He wills.  Then Jesus came and said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.”   Jesus removed the cataracts from our eyes and we now see that the Father’s concern is always what is good for us.  He is not capricious.  He is as steadily good as anything can be in the vastness of the universe.  To the Muslim, God is great.  To the Jew, God was Holy.  To us, God is good.  Now we see.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 18, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

There are linguists who believe it is nigh unto impossible for us to express our inner most thoughts without the use of metaphors.  “I love you with all my heart” is one I hope you use often.  Our faith, our walk with God (there I just used one) is filled with metaphors. I was browsing a hymnal this weekend and noted “Far and Near the Fields are Teeming,” “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus,” Break Thou the Bread of Life,” “O, For that Flame of Living Fire,” “The Great Physician Now Is Near,” “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” “Showers of Blessings,” “Sound the Battle Cry” “This Little Light of Mine,” and “We Plow the Fields.”

Jesus was a master of painting pictures to communicate great ideas.  The sawdust in one’s eye, the lost coin, the lost sheep, the light under a bushel basket are just a few.  I have noticed that I cannot really teach my students anything until I have metaphorized it.  Once I have done that in terms of something common in their lives I can then get them to see (yet another) it.

One of our challenges is to strive to be fresh.  Our experience can be so clichéd people stop listening to us.  I can remember being in church listening to a man who was well spoken but his well spoken, well articulated words and phrases were so clichéd, so old, they had been resoled a hundred times. (yet another)

It is human.  It is the way we think and process ideas. Great ideas are only great if we can communicate them.  Jesus speaks of heaven in terms that we can understand. That’s why Jesus said, “In my father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.”

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 17, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org

 

My father wasn’t much of a handyman.  He was a school teacher.  That was what made his obsession with tools fascinating.  He loved to go to Sears just to buy tools.  He told me Sears had a lifetime replacement warranty on tools so those were the ones to buy.  You never knew when you are going to wear out a crescent wrench.  Most of what he brought home was never used.  But one never knows when one might need a super socket set. A man can never have too many tools.   The only tools my dad ever wore out were textbooks and other teaching tools.

In Ephesians 6 Paul speaks of military tools being used by Christians.  It’s interesting that he never used any tent-making analogies.  Jesus was well acquainted with tools from his carpentry years.  He did make reference to building on a rock or sand and He spoke about a man building a tower without doing a cost analysis.  He did speak about sawdust in your eye.  But He never did talk about His carpentry tools.  His new tools were His disciples.  If you are going to build the new kingdom it isn’t with an adz.  His tools aren’t saws and hammers they are you and me.

I like the idea of being a tool in the hands of the Master.  Maybe He needs you or me to do a very specific job just as some tools are very specialized.  Whatever it is I hope we do it well. As a result of my father’s tool obsession my shop area is well equipped.  There are some tools there I have no idea what they are.   But I have them just in case.  Perhaps Jesus keeps us ready just in case.

Written by Roger Bothwell on November 13, 2014

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

Rogerbothwell.org