William Douthwaite

Intense walking and talking

Posted on January 9, 2026 by William Douthwaite

Every morning as I’m walking my dog, I pass a woman walking her dog. She’s memorable because she zig-zags down the street. She walks from one side to the other, effectively doubling the distance they walk each day. She’s also talking to someone every morning through her AirPods.

It’s dark at this time of the year when we pass each other at 6:30 in the morning. My Great Dane shows no interest in her Schnauzer-ish dog, and he’s not interested in us, either. But she always says, “Good morning” to me. I always reply, but she doesn’t always hear me, because someone else’s voice is in her ear. So she’ll turn up the volume and repeat, “Good morning,” and I’ll repeat my reply.

Who does she talk to every morning? I picture someone else, a sister or child walking their dog at the same time, catching up on whatever happened since yesterday. I imagine it to be someone in Eastern Standard Time, since everyone else would still be asleep. But maybe it’s a friend in Europe, where it’s at least six hours later.

By the tone of her voice, it’s intense. A serious conversation. No nonsense. Almost aggressive.

I talk to God and the big dog when I walk. My words are upbeat, light-hearted, and at times, silly. (When you’re talking to a goofy Great Dane, it’s easy to be silly.) I have never had an early morning phone conversation. I don’t know who I’d call. All my friends are still sensibly sleeping at that time of the day.

Through the Bible Devotions

Rules: we need them and we don’t

Posted on January 8, 2026January 8, 2026 by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Galatians 3.

“Why then the law?” (Galatians 3:19)

Why indeed? If we receive the Spirit of God through faith, why have the law at all? (Gal. 3:2) If we are justified by faith, just like Abraham, why bother with the law? (Gal. 3:8)

“It was added because of transgressions” (Gal. 3:19). It’s because without the law, we’d do a lot of foolish things. We’d self-destruct.

I recoil at the printed warnings, cautions, and instructions that wallpaper my world. From desiccated silica packs labeled, “Do not eat” to “warning hot surface” on my 3D printer, I wonder, “Are all these warnings necessary?” Then I remember, if there’s a rule, it’s because someone ate or touched something, opened something, or broke something.

Someone let their kid play in a big plastic tote. So we’re warned, “Not a toy.” Someone poked their finger on a pod coffee maker needle, so I’m reminded, “Caution: sharp metal.” Someone messed up a yard with an excavator, so the Benadryl label reminds me not to operate heavy machinery. Someone stuffed a towel down the toilet, so now there’s a sign forbidding that. An ugly “Don’t poop in our yard” ruins a beautiful lawn because a dog dropped a deuce.

I never responded well to the abundance of signs adorning the walls of church buildings. (If you noticed one missing, chances are I tore it down and threw the paper away.) Turn off lights, throw away your trash, clean up the kitchen, wash your hands, flush the toilet. None of those signs should would exist. But they do. Human nature means we need lots of rules just so we can live together.

However – Paul really drives home this point in Galatians – living together with God isn’t about the rules. It’s about faith in Christ.

helping, Life

Helping the helper

Posted on January 7, 2026 by William Douthwaite

I did a double take the other day. Who does the Road Ranger call when the Road Ranger truck breaks down? The Road Ranger? Uh, probably not. Thank goodness for John’s Towing.

So what happened? Dead battery? They would have jumped it or replaced it. Out of gas? Ouch. Embarrassing. It doesn’t look like there’s a flat. Overheated? Maybe. Blew the transmission? Who knows.

It like asking, “Who cuts the barber’s hair?” Or “Where does the doctor go when the flu hits?” How about the dentist with a toothache?

Sometimes the helpers need some help.

Through the Bible Devotions

A battle in the mind

Posted on January 6, 2026 by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Romans 8.

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

The word “mind” occurs five times in Romans 8:5-7. The word refers to a way of thinking, a mindset. It’s a person’s aim, aspiration, or striving. One commentator described the mind as “a strategic battleground where the Spirit and the flesh fight.”

It reminded me of something I hear in my workout videos (BODi.com). Basically, let your body follow rather than rule your mind. Rather than letting your body tell you, “I’m tired and and I want to sleep in,” you get up when the alarm goes off and get moving. Your body follows. On a long run, my body would get tired, but I’d keep going, remembering my training and previous runs. My body would follow. When you’re hungry, your body may say, “Junk.” Your mind will remember, “Nutrition.” You’ll eat healthy, and your body will be satisfied.

That’s not to say you should never listen to your body. It will tell you when you’re injured and need to heal, when something is too hot to touch, when you need to go to the bathroom, or when throw out rather than eat that funky-smelling food.

But a mind set on Christ will butt heads with a body that is drawn to forbidden fruit, cheap thrills, “do not touch” signs, and selfish choices. We know this world is passing away. We know Christ will lead us to life. Yet that tug-of-war is our favorite game.

A regular helping of God’s word first thing in the morning helps my minds get a head start on the tyranny of the flesh. I don’t always win, but Christ already has. Thank goodness he’s in my head as well as my heart.

I had more thoughts on the mind last summer.

Through the Bible Devotions

Yes, thank you, I would appreciate your help

Posted on January 5, 2026 by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 13.

“Then [Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:5).

It’s the lowest of all tasks. Only the lowest of servants wash feet. And Jesus is that servant. Jesus humbles himself. Jesus is the least. Jesus isthe servant. Jesus is last in line. Jesus is last in his class.

Peter doesn’t want it. He doesn’t want Jesus to wash his feet. No way, no how. But Jesus says he must do this. This is what God does when he comes to earth. This is his mission.

I’ve learned to always accept an offer of help. Even if I can handle it, or it’s not too heavy, or its within my capabilities, I now say, “Yes, thank you.” Someone carries something, cooks something, builds something, writes something, teaches something, or whatever? Yes, thank you.

It’s good for me. And good for them. I’m not self-sufficient. And others benefit from helping me. It’s a win-win.

Little ones love to help. I always ask the grandkids, “Do you want to help me?” They are thrilled to help me walk a dog, gather sticks for a fire, or prepare a snack. They love being a part of the action.

Jesus told us to love, serve, comfort, and encourage. But if everyone is doing just fine, how can we follow his command? Sometimes we need to let others follow his instructions by being helped, comforted, and encouraged.

Life

Nice try, but I’ll stick with what I’ve got

Posted on January 4, 2026 by William Douthwaite

Photo by Jaycee300s : https://www.pexels.com

When I pulled up to the house, I noticed a business card on the front door. Another salesperson working the neighborhood. I get about two a week. Probably a tree trimming service.

It was someone from the internet company we used to have. Once another outfit put in fiber, I went with them for better speed and lower price.

The old coax company lost a ton of business and were out to win back some customers. This guy came back to chat with my wife while she was in the garage. He came back a third time to talk to me.

He laid it on thick, complimenting me on being a “legacy” customer entitled to a special deal. He claimed that the company had upgraded their equipment, so he could offer me the same speed I had with fiber for half the price. Plus, the system could handle up to 240 devices simultaneously. He’d install it so I could try what I had next to his company and decide which one to keep. For free. “Sure, why not?”

Someone was out the next day. The old line had been severed during some hurricane cleanup a few years ago, so the tech laid out a temporary line, set up a modem and router, and I was ready to give it a try.

At first, it seemed to work just fine. I was very tempted to save money each month. Then I ran an internet speed app. The download speed was a little faster. The upload speed was much slower. Hmm. That’s not what he promised. He didn’t exactly lie. He just didn’t tell me the whole story.

The next day, another tech was out to bury the new cable in the yard. These folks were serious. However, later that after noon, the system was down for a few hours. I haven’t lost internet service for years, not even during severe storms.

This wasn’t going to work.

Now I had the pleasant task of calling to cancel. I wasn’t on hold very long before a customer rep from Kansas City, Missouri, was on the line to help me.

I know he was just doing his job. I know he was following the script they gave him. “We don’t want to lose you as a customer. What if we took ten dollars off your monthly bill? Do you know we can give you free mobile phone service?”

I said, “I want to cancel my service” nine times before he conceded and closed my account.

The next day, I took back the modem and router to a local office. An emotionless young man took the equipment and said I was all set. I did not get any follow-up phone calls or correspondence from the company.

I guess that’s it. Until the next time they work my neighborhood.

Food, Travel

A little cheese with our wine

Posted on January 2, 2026 by William Douthwaite

We had time for some wine and cheese at the Antler Hill Village wine bar before our Christmas tour of the Biltmore House last night. The Fireside Ember & Oak Flight featured a Cabernet, red blend, and a Zinfandel. The cheese plate we ordered to go along with it was huge!

The generous slices of Swiss, Gouda, and Brie were joined by some balls of fresh mozzarella, dried cranberries, Marcona almonds, little bitty toasts, long crackers, peach preserves, and some coarse spicy mustard. And olives. Lots and lots of olives. When I ordered, the server asked if I’d like to add olives. “Sure.” There must have been about a hundred olives in the bowl.

We gave it our best shot. We made a respectable dent in the cheeses, nuts, crackers, and olives, but couldn’t finish it off.

Another option on the wine bar menu was a meat and cheese plate. We could have had all the above and three cured meats, too! And olives. Lots and lots of olives!

Through the Bible Devotions

High, low, buffalo

Posted on January 1, 2026 by William Douthwaite

When we’re together with the granddaughters, someone will say, “High, low, buffalo!” In response, we’ll go around the table and share the high point of our day so far, the low point, and then something silly (the buffalo). It’s a variation of the “Good thing/bad thing” we launch into with the grandsons.

It’s a fun discussion starter, and a good way to reflect on the blessings, adventure, and joys of each day.

But in some ways, every day is a bad day (according to Romans 3) and every day is a good day (according to Romans 4).

“None is righteous…no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10,12). I’m never really having a good day.

On the other hand, “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:5). In other words,
‭‭through faith, I’m always having a good day.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to do better. And it’s good to admit you’ve screwed up. But it’s important to remember that we’re justified by grace through faith, which means God no longer judges us by high, low, or buffalo. His love is steadfast and endures forever.

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