HEAVEN IS MY HOME

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For most of us the year 2020 should be eliminated from the historical calendar.  What should’ve been another year of prosperity and growth has been tampered with by science, the political realm, the local scene, violence, anger, hatred and all the negatives we don’t want to talk about.

Looking back a hundred years, we’ll see much of the same.  There was the eighteenth amendment, which put a ban on the sale, consumption and production of liquor (prohibition.) This opened the door to organized crime.  The crime syndicates ruled the streets and bloodied bodies showed up everywhere.   It was the year women achieved their right to vote with the nineteenth amendment.   Tornadoes swept through the Midwest and killed over 200 people.  The ACLU was formed.  There was a housing boom as soldiers returned from the war.

The Roaring Twenties was an age of illegal operation in the US.  There was corruption everywhere.  Lavish living was the soup du jour.  Young people threw caution to the wind.

Within just the first quarter of year 2020, life as we knew it plummeted to new depths.  The culmination of a continuous battle to oust a sitting president was set aside because of a pandemic which spread across the globe.  There were floods, destruction from hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters. Citizens were sentenced to their own homes, away from the workplace and the security of steady jobs.  The economy took a massive dive.  The glimmer of hope that came from social distancing was soon swallowed up by the loss of small businesses, employment, new means of communication.  Restrictions were slowly  lifted and what seemed to be a slow down in the climate of man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man once again reared its ugly head,

In my state, Minnesota, an arrest turned deadly causing anger within the community.  Before learning all the facts and reviewing all the film, the media took hold of this story and ran with it.  I have no idea what the truth is at the moment.  Most facts have been clouded by anger and hate.  The truth will come out, but in the meantime, activists have added their voice to the noise and created a bubbling pot of hatred and violence.  The reactions turned ugly last night as local businesses were burned and looted.  Small businesses which already have taken a large hit by not being able to open their doors, were vandalized, destroyed and decimated.  This was done in the name of social justice.

God reminds us that this world is just a stopping off point for us.  It isn’t our permanent home.  When He faced being handed over to the church of His day, He told His disciples that His kingdom was not of this world.  Neither is ours.  Our home lies in the heavenly realms, where no evil can possibly touch us – where no disease can overtake us – where no harm or danger can overcome us.

In the meantime, we’ve been allowed this time of grace to tell others that there is hope for a future.  To let them know that God loves them in spite of the evil that surrounds us.  In times of darkness, we can be sure that our future doesn’t rely on the things of this world.  Our hope is in Christ alone, who lived here for a while as our brother.  Who also experienced the sting of this world throughout His brief life.  He promised to bring us to His heavenly home when we die, so we will never really die.  What joy there is in that message.  No fear of death, no apprehension in life, only hope for the future – that’s the assurance that can never falter, when we believe that God is for us and He has this and everything in His control.

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TUMBLING DOWN

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ORIGINAL ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Revelation 14:2 “And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.”

God proves His strength, power and wisdom by controlling the strongest winds- by churning the waters of the sea – by determining that only He has these things in His hands.  No matter how man tries, he’ll never be able to change the setting and rising of the sun, the provision He graciously gives to all His creatures, the moon and stars, the warming and cooling of the planet.  He is our Almighty God.

We see His power in the hurricanes, tornadoes and snow storm.   The wherewithal contained in His little finger can stir the mightiest of seas.  We also see His wisdom.  It seem that in times of adversity, He brings out the best in people.  There are those first responders – the life savers, the everyday heroes – neighbors, coming to the aid of those who have lost all their worldly goods.

People may ask where is God in the midst of disaster after disaster.  How could a loving God put these tragedies in the lives of innocent people?  What is the lesson to be learned from all this?  Even in those times, God is with His people – caring for them, rescuing them, lifting them out of the pit.

I do not understand God’s wisdom.  It doesn’t make sense to me at times.  I don’t know why these things happen, but I do know there’s a purpose for all things under heaven.  In all things, God is there and as Job said when all seemed lost – “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”

What comfort this gives to all of us.  Even in the worst of circumstances, God is there with us, and when the final day of judgment arrives the angels will announce His return and we will see Him face to face in all His glory.

COME QUICKLY, LORD, JESUS!

 

 

 

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STILL TRYING TO DISCOVER YOURSELF?

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In my years of stumbling over obstacles, brushing myself off and starting over again,  I’ve come to the conclusion that my life may not have seemed important to me, but God knew me before I ever came to be.  He created me with special talents, gifts and a sense of humor.  All of those things are positive when it comes to discovering who you are.

The world is constantly telling us how we deserve special treatment.  We’re worth it.  Is that really the case?  There are so many individuals out there who feel they have no value to society.  They aren’t equipped to handle the challenges that come their way. They retreat.  They stumble.  They fall.  They turn to things which will numb their pain and do whatever is necessary to make themselves look good in the eyes of the world.  Every claim about our self worth is abused by the father of lies, Satan.

In the beginning, when all this sin thing got started, he was there telling Adam and Eve that they deserved to be like God.  He made them doubt their Creator.  He set a trap for them, based on their own self worth.

The same thing happens today as teens surrender to peer pressure – as children fight for attention on the playground, the classroom or at home.  As they get older the fight for self worth calls to all who enter the work place.  There is competition all around.  There is hatred, envy and jealousy in every stage of life.  Even when we should be enjoying our final years, we often compare ourselves with someone else.  We naturally push back when we don’t make the grade.  We blame others for our failures rather than admitting we were wrong.

These feelings are a result of our sinful nature.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could get a do-over?  If we could jump in a time machine and race back to the Garden of Eden and tell those first human beings to listen to God.  However, that would be a matter of trying to be on the same level as God, wouldn’t it?

There is an even better plan, which was laid out for every individual who experiences the breath of life.  God scripted the whole thing before He created the world.  He knows before it happens.  He has arranged it all with our best interests in mind.  Why?  I mean, who are we to expect special treatment from the Creator of the universe?

Every life is important to God.  He crafted us in our mother’s womb – not only with eyes that work and ears that hear, but with a heart and mind that can make decisions and still discover what He has planned for us.  If we allow Him to, we will see not what we deserve, but what He has so graciously given us through His Son, Jesus.  If He thinks we’re worthy of a heavenly home, He will certainly be with us through this short time on earth.  His love and mercy endure forever.

 

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ONCE UPON A TIME . . .

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A tale of many cities had forged its way through the land, forcing those in its path to hide away for a while – to rest securely in the comfort of their dwellings – to abandon the places which once consumed their time – to be limited in their wandering.

At first the time passed quickly as new skills were learned and families grew closer together.  Eventually, the routine became burdensome to many and they longed to be outside the four walls that contained them.  As days passed into weeks and turned into months, tempers flared – anxiety set in – a feeling of imprisonment and loneliness took the place of the extended vacation syndrome.  Though they were still allowed to be outdoors, the walls of their detention began to close in on them.

Slowly the restrictions were lifted and some took complete advantage of it.  They ventured out like grubs from the bottom of an overturned rock.  Some blatantly returned to places that would make them feel pampered.  Heads of scruffy hair begged to be cut and groomed.  Others found solace in simply being with others.  Some chose to go to houses of worship and thank their Creator for opening the doors for them again.  Some chose to stay at home.  They had become accustomed to the serenity of being housebound.  They felt a sense of safety and peace, being isolated from the rest of the world.

The enemy had not yet been defeated, but the world could not stand still and wait to be conquered.  Instead the brilliant minds – the innovators – the scientists – those who came up with cures for the most heinous diseases convened to find answers.  To create a strategy that would once more bring life to a civilization on hold.

In the meantime, enemies from other sources reared their ugly heads.  Those who wished to see their wealth return – the politicians – the naysayers – the idle and those who would benefit from such disaster.  There always seemed to be plenty of them.

The people felt so deserving of getting back to normal.  This time of incarceration was more than they could bear.  It felt good to be with friends again and to share time, food, laughter and hugs.  Many tossed caution to the wind and refused to cover their faces with the mandatory concealments.  Gloves were tossed aside.  The enemy was still with them, but the people felt cheated of their every day pleasures.  They could not be stilled.

Many would take on the cause of revolution.  Some became violent in this new surge.  They looted and pillaged.  They waged a new war in which they rebelled at anything that would restrict them.  This battle would be far greater than the one they had been fighting for the past short months.

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ABANDONED HOUSEBOAT

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The old houseboat still maintained a look of elegance even though paint was chipped and faded – the bough battered slightly from constant pushing against a battered shoreline,

She sat quietly moored under the wispy trees which lined the river – softly banging against the disintegrating pier,

How many years had passed since her maiden voyage?

How many months had slipped by since she cut stealthily through the rolling current?

She sits untouched – idle – lonely – forgotten – devoid of life.

Oh that the walls could speak and tell us of the days gone by.

Imagine the parties, the celebrations, the intimate, secret rendezvous.

Promises made and vows broken.  Lives changed for just a fleeting moment,

As she carried them downstream, washing their troubles away in an instant,

Did her life end when those who lived there did?  We’ll never know.

Only that she kisses the river’s edge now instead of cutting through its current.

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HEROES DON’T KNOW THEY’RE HEROES

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A true hero doesn’t need to be recognized for his acts of courage.  The act is enough.  The field of battle has changed over the years.  The enemies have come in all sizes and shapes.  Some of those enemies have different ideas than we do – some want power – whiles others want freedom.  Some of them are unseen.  They hide in the bushes, under cover, camouflaged from those seeking them out.  Yet they are there and must be fought.

Our enemies today are much like that last group – the unidentified – the invisible – the invasive.  Those battling against this insidious foe wear protective clothing, the armor of masks and gloves and the tireless hours of persistence and dedication.  Not knowing who or when the enemy will strike is the hardest part of the fight.  Knowing that it will, is inevitable.

There are other opponents to be faced in this battle called life. Those who choose tyranny over democracy.  Those who would demonize all that this country fought so hard and long to defend.  As spiteful and evil as corruption in the ranks can be, there is still a remnant of those who will stand against such an adversary.

They do not consider themselves heroes.  They are doing what is right and good.  They do so without consideration of their own safety, because they want to be of service to their fellow man.

As we honor our military heroes for their steadfastness under fire and for their willingness to give their lives for the benefit of others, let’s also remember the every day heroes who are willing to sacrifice their own health and even their lives. A true hero is one who will lay down his life for another.  There is no greater love than this.

1 John 3:16  “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

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THE HEART OF THE CHURCH

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In the past few months we’ve been socially distanced from our churches.  Not only are we not permitted to worship together in one place, but we’ve not been able to partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, because of a pandemic.  Our lives have changed in numerous ways, but we’ve been able to maintain a connection with our church through the internet, yet we long for the day when we can again join together with fellow Christians and praise God as a group of believers.

This time of separation has caused me to think seriously about the actual building – the facade – the physical edifice.  When we plan to build a church there are things to consider.  What does it look like to the worshipper? Is it inviting as a place to spend time with God and fellowship with others like you? Is it equipped with all the technological equipment to reach those who are homebound – or tuned into the internet for immediate Bible references? Is it a place that is well maintained? Is it a place of refuge for those who feel lost? Is it a sanctuary for those who have strayed from God and His Word? Is it beautiful in design – its outward trappings – its glorious art work?

When we make a decision on which church to attend, are we looking at the outward appearance of the building? Are we putting our reliance on things that will make our worship more meaningful to us? Are we looking at the friendship of the people and the acceptance shown towards all? Are we, once we become active in that church, subject to all the behind the scenes skirmishes and petty arguments that really have nothing to do with worship.

The church is not about a building. It’s not there to make us feel better about ourselves. It’s not always a cohesive body. Many of the members of the body are subject to making wrong choices, finding fault in others, judging and forgetting the One who rules over that body.

Certainly a church must follow a set of rules. They have a constitution, by-laws and a number of leaders of committees to care for the church from an administrative standpoint. Right now we’re subject to the governing bodies who tell us to keep our churches closed.  Still the church is not immune to making human mistakes. We’re all sinners in God’s eyes. Had it not been for Jesus, our sins would continue to plague us and cause us to fall into hopelessness.

When you get down to the nuts and bolts of a church, there will always be a difference in opinion on the maintenance and future growth of the structure. There will be arguments on what to physically fix first. Many feel they aren’t being heard and become frustrated. Many get tired of fighting these minor battles and walk away rather than getting to the core of the matter.

God is not impressed with outward appearances. We can spend millions on places of worship, but to Him it makes no difference. “Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” This gathering place is a temple to give thanks, praise, sing, hear Gods Word and bring our petitions to Him. We don’t need to make an impression on God. We certainly shouldn’t try to make an impression on those we wish to attend our church. The Bible and its truth are sufficient.

God’s Word is our great heritage – a gift from our Creator. We each have something to bring to the body of the church. Everyone has a unique purpose to the advancement of His truth. If the church is focusing too much on its image, it has begun to cover up its core teachings. No amount of adornment is going to bring us closer to God.

It’s not about us. The church is all about God and His plan for each individual member. When we mask the truth of the Bible with outward appearances, we’re opening the door to Satan and his minions. He will attack from the inside out. Our assurance is that Jesus already conquered death and sin, and we will inherit God’s kingdom in eternity free from all sin.  He is the living, breathing, heart of the church and He willingly gave His life to breathe life back into our sin sick souls.

No matter where you worship today, remember that Christ is the center of your praise.  He alone deserves honor and glory. He provides us with places even in our own captivity to worship Him. Once the pandemic ends and we’re called back to worship in our church buildings, may our hearts remember how we longed to be in His house and thank Him for making it possible again.

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FINDING THE ROAD

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ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

Is there a place where I can hide, is there a shelter there,

Where from this hectic pace I run, to shed off every care,

A quiet, cozy place to rest, to ponder thoughts unknown,

To dream of places far away and those still close to home.

 

A nook to craft the perfect words to comfort someone’s heart,

A place where time stands still a while and offers a new start,

The plans we made so long ago, and ones we’ve yet to do,

Our hopes and goals and tasks undone and dreams to carry through.

 

When walking with the Savior, the road is surely sound,

He carries us through every strife, He gifts us all around,

He is our refuge and our strength, our constant advocate,

With Him our comfort is assured and all our needs are met.

 

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SATURDAY PRAYER

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Dear, Lord,

Some days I feel like I can do all things through your bounty and grace.  There are also days when I feel overloaded with worry.  I think a lot about those I love – family, dear friends, those who are unable to get around.  I wish that I could help them in some way.  I know that you invite me to come to you with all my concerns, but then I think I might be asking too much, or burdening you with my problems.

Then I realize that you are in charge of all things.  You’re fully aware of the plans for our lives.  You created the blueprint a long time ago.  You knew then, what we’d be able to handle.  You knew that the road wasn’t going to be easy for us, but you never promised that it would.  Your craftsmanship is beyond our comprehension, so I trust that you’re power is immeasurable and that gives me peace.

The world is in a constant state of flux.  The challenges we face each day seem insurmountable.  Our cars break down or we need to have the plumbing repaired.  Our loved ones die or experience illness.  Our goals are crushed by circumstances beyond our control. Nothing is permanent except for your Word, dear God.  You’re the one consistent in our lives.  I know that you’ve got this.  Though perils all around us rage, my life is in your hands.  I’ll trust in your unchanging care and hearken to your plans.

Please help man to discover a cure for this dreaded virus.  Watch over our leaders and give them wisdom to make the right choices for our safety.  Help us to trust them.  Give us strength to overcome whatever the consequences of this pandemic may bring.  Remind us to come to you for help.

Thank you for your unconditional love, especially during times of change.  We don’t deserve this love, but you replenish us with it.  In Jesus name, I ask for your continued presence in our lives.  Amen!

 

 

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

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LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP

I love technology.  I hate technology.  I can’t live without it. I want to live without it.  It’s a conundrum of magnificent proportions to those of us who grew up with 10″ television screens and 45 rpm records.  However, I’m trying to adjust.

Because both my husband and I are now teaching classes in art and drama via the internet, we found it necessary to upgrade our WIFI service.  That required us to bundle a few things together and hopefully it will cost us less by the time we’re done.  With all this COVID19 social distancing, it was interesting to see how all of this would be handled.

My husband took care of the visit to the provider store with his face covered and hands gloved. He was met by a young man who was covered as well.  The entire process took about two hours and by the time Paul returned home, he was a nervous wreck.  Numbers were flying in his head.  He was unsure if he’d done the right thing.  I knew it was a matter of technological overload, but it actually scared me a little.

The installation of the WIFI was interesting as well.  Most of it took place from the outside.  They connected to an existing portal, which took about an hour to do.  Then the masked man entered the house and set up the modem.  Just like that it was all done.

Buyer’s remorse set in when the estimate came in the mail for our first bill,  Today we will set up the television sets which will widen our viewing experiencecov and I expect that should take most of the day, since we’re doing it ourselves.

Personally I feel we’re being force fed this technology stuff whether we want it, need it or not.  At the moment, it’s a matter of necessity for us to be able to work and make a buck or two in addition to our fixed income of social security.  We’re both willing to learn, but truthfully it’s hard to teach old dogs new tricks.  I guess I should call on my granddaughter for assistance.  For the younger generation, all of this is just a snap.

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THROW BACK THURSDAY

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One of the many photo ops on social media is to post a picture from your past on Thursdays. Maybe the photo is from a time before you knew them and you wouldn’t recognize that person in a million years. Other times you can see a definite resemblance. We all like to remember the pleasant things from our past.

I think every generation believes that the “good old days” were the times they were growing up and young adults. George Washington undoubtedly preferred recalling cutting down cherry trees more than his time leading a fledgling country out of a revolution and building what is now America. On the other hand, he would probably be rolling over in his grave if he knew what has happened to the country since it’s beginnings.

The older we get, the more we seem to dwell on the past. We reminisce about how much better things were when we were kids. We believe that particular juncture in time was perfect, but not so. For example when I was growing up in the 40s and 50s, we had no clue about global warming or the internet. Our lives were simpler then. Kids played in the street – we didn’t lock our doors – we ate dirt – we recycled before it was popular, BUT it also was a time right after a world war and during the Korean War .

The atomic bomb was a real threat. Air raid drills were held in our schools. Many were building bomb shelters in their backyards. The economy was still in a state of recovery. We wore second hand clothes and shoes. Our food was home made and consisted of starchy things like pasta to fill us up. We never knew about the ill effects of gluten. We never thought of paying $50 bucks for a pair of old, torn blue jeans and we were lucky if we got a pair of new shoes when school started – but. I digress.

The truth is, every decade has its good and bad memories. One of the blessings God has given me is the ability to forget the bad things that have happened in my life. I’ve been able to tuck the icky stuff into the back of my brain. Maybe that’s why I have such weird dreams, but I digress again.

I wonder what the new generation will hold as memories of this time.  This was their year to graduate and begin careers in college or the workforce.  What will they remember as the most important lesson from this time.  I pray that they will be able to look beyond these days of the unknown to what lies ahead for them. The future still holds promise for all of us, if we allow it to.

What I’m trying to say is this – Looking back is a good thing, but looking forward is even better. We, as Christians, have been promised a perfect life in eternity after our death. How great is that? We will some day be in the paradise that God originally planned for us. We will have all our teeth – healthy bodies – no sorrows or tears – our joy will be overflowing. So without hesitation we can say “Throw every day forward!”

Hebrews 10:17 “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

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IMAGINATION

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Imagination is funny, it makes a cloudy day sunny. Makes a bee think of honey just as I think of you. Imagination is crazy, your whole perspective gets hazy. Starts you asking a daisy what to do, what to do. Have you ever felt a gentle touch And then a kiss, and then and then – Find its only your imagination again.  Imagination is silly. You go around willy nilly. For example I go around wanting you, And yet I cant imagine that you want me too
Lyrics from “Imagination is Funny,” by Miki Howard

  • I –   IDEAS – tons of creative thought processes, melding into one.  The spark that ignites invention.
  • MMIND – The brain is the core of invention.  We have so many storage spots and memory banks, there really is no limit to how far we can go.
  • AACCIDENTS – Mistakes shouldn’t set you back, but push you forward.  They will lead to solutions, which lead to ideas and the creation of something new.
  • GGRATITUDE – Always be willing to listen to others’ ideas.  Collaboration and team work lead to even greater success.  Think if Tesla and Edison had worked together on their inventions.  The Electronic  Age would have come and gone and someone would have already taken their place.  Great minds work together to change the world.
  •  I –  INTUITION – Your intuition should be a clue to what needs to be done.  Don’t disregard that little voice in your voice that tells you to stop or go.  There’s a reason you’re hearing it.
  • NNECESSITY – It’s the mother of invention so they say.  The first man needed something to eat.  He found tools to help him hunt for his food.  His wife needed to cook it, so together they crafted a pot.  The first one probably burned in the fire, but the next guy figured out what would correct that.
  • AAMBITION – Things don’t get created by laying on your back and dreaming about them.  The dreams make you anxious to find answers.  They should be your stimulus to do something about it.  Get on your feet and put your ideas into action.  If you don’t, someone else will figure it out and beat you to the patent or copyright office.
  • TTENACITY – Stick to it.  Don’t give up.  The next experiment, design, text, piece of art, will not get done by itself.  Be persistent in your quest.  If you have a reason or motivation, it will make things happen faster than you can blink an eye.
  • IINSPIRATION – Don’t wait for inspiration to come to you.  You need to inspire yourself to – think, work, think, plan, re-plan, re-think, get excited about what you’re doing – think some more and so on.  If you’re inspired you will inspire others and together you can encourage each other.
  • OOPEN – Don’t think your way is the only way.  Open your mind and heart to suggestions from others.  Imagination is wonderful, because it can be shared with so many, and paid forward in so many ways.
  • NNOTICED – once your creation is complete, you have to find a way to get it in the hands of those who need and want it.  This requires marketing, advertising, selling your product as well as yourself.  If you believe that your work is worthy, you need to make everyone else believe that too.
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EAGLE EYE

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

If we could soar like eagles and swoop down to valleys below,

If we could hear the voice of God, if we could cause it to snow,

If we could climb the highest mounts and all but vanish from view,

If we could sleep in grass so green and live where the flowers do,

If we could swim through oceans blue or walk on its sandy floor,

If we had minds both clean and clear or could open any door,

If we could launch a thousand ships, with one little, tiny breath,

If we could finally lose our lives and awake up after death,

Each of these things is possible, when we trust in God alone,

Our wildest dreams and hopes come true,  when we walk within His zone,

He will  never leave or forsake, and His promises are true,

He said He’d take our sins away, and that’s just what he would do,,

So when you face life’s obstacles, lift your eyes up to the sky,

God’s waiting just to hear from you, He’ll answer your every cry,

Don’t hesitate to call on Him, He listens to every prayer,

His love alone will sustain you, He knows He’s right there.

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ONCE UPON A TIME …

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For many years the land was full of plenty.  The people grew accustomed to having much of what they needed and many had more than they could handle.  There were still those who lived on the streets – who filled parks and slept under bridges, but some appeared to like it that way.  Others simply lived day to day wondering if they would make it through another one.

Then a darkness came over the land.  The people were forced to take cover inside.  Even the homeless were not immune and many died because of it.  For many it was a long awaited vacation from the rattling noise of daily living.  It was a time to get reacquainted with family and start to do some of the things they wanted to do together, but never had time for.

A spirit of unity was returning, but still those who were alone and without families lived hidden away from the world.  They had now become even more outcast from society. They were considered a threat to those who remained cloistered.  They were deemed carriers of the dreaded disease which was weaving its way inside the city streets and outlying farm country.

Those who felt secure before this all happened were beginning to fear that their life savings were being swallowed up by the lack of open workplaces.  Vendors and purveyors of goods were forced to discard their products for fear of infecting those who purchased them.  Shortages of those goods made it difficult for both providers and their customers.  Eventually the workplace would be replaced with work at home stations and loss of any personal interaction.

Every day seemed to bring new challenges.  It was as if they were the nation of Israel, trying to survive their exodus from Egypt through the wilderness.  They lost faith in their leaders.  They doubted those who were feeding them information.  They began to fight among themselves by any means available to them.  They felt defeated, lost and deserted by those who had promised to help them and by the One who had delivered them.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the murmuring began. As in days of old, when things got tough the tough gave up.  They grumbled and complained.  They felt cheated by their circumstances and began to venture out of their shelters, in spite of the chains that were designed to protect them.

As more and more came back into the streets – faced the day with hope and optimism – weren’t confined anymore – their world came back to life.  People began to feel satisfaction in their work.  They felt useful and purposeful again.  Their prison doors were opened and they were released from bondage.

Things returned to the way they were before the imprisonment, but would any real lessons be learned?  Would the new normal be nothing more than life as usual?  Would their time in the wilderness show them the importance of being with those they loved? Would they have learned to adapt,  to innovate or create new ways of doing things or would they simply survive?  Would the love of material things, money and success return and swallow all the good things that happened while incarcerated?

It would take more time to see the results of the entire event.

 

 

 

 

 

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SUNDAY PRAYER

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Dear Holy, Risen, Savior, GOD,

As I look forward to celebrating your ascension into heaven, I can’t help but imagine what it will be like when you return.  You’ve promised in your Holy Word that you will return to us in the same way.  It had to be so exciting to see your restored body, surrounded by glorious light and angels singing your praises – better than anything man could produce with their limited abilities.

I thank you, Jesus for paying the essential price to deliver all people from the chains of sin.  You took it all away when you lived life as our brother – experienced every human emotion and physical problem – suffered and were humiliated, scorned and mocked by a jeering crowd – withstood the scourge and cross – died in our place – were risen from death and returned to your heavenly home in glory.

I don’t deserve this.  Still you loved me so much, along with every other human being, that you wanted me with you in paradise.  Because of that love, I will praise you and your holy name.  Help me to focus my last days on heaven and the welcome that awaits me there.  Amen!

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WHO ARE WE?

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Someone once said, “Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.” Change can be good; it can drive us crazy; it can be difficult, but it will happen to everyone. When something disrupts our comfort zone it can really shake us up.

The world is in a constant state of flux. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand how changes in morals and ideas occur, but in a world of ever darker thoughts and evil, we are exposed to the destruction of any moral fiber.  It slowly eats away at us until we become totally unrecognizable.

Our physical world changes because we, as stewards of our environment have failed to take care of it as God intended.  Laws change – new technology becomes obsolete before we get it out of the box – minds change and are easily bent – our thoughts are on overdrive and change daily.  Change has been a part of our vocabulary since mankind fell from God and tried to manage things on their own.

Change can be for our good as well.  We defy the laws of science through research.  We discover new ways of dealing with old problems.  We find solutions and can even step ahead of where man has not gone before.  These changes can make us better or cause even greater difficulties.  The way we deal with this constant state of metamorphous is by staying grounded in something that never changes – the one thing that remains consistent always.

The actual words of God, inspired into the pens of average men, have been preserved for us in the Bible. If you want consistency, that’s where to go.  God never changes, therefore His words always reman the same.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us your Holy Word; for inspiring men with those words and for keeping it alive even today. Though our world is constantly changing, your love and your laws never do.  Change the hearts of all of us to return to you once more.  Amen!

 

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DEEPLY ROOTED

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Our lives are like a thin, frayed thread,

Our thoughts are filled with fear and dread,

The tines of life like wildfire spread,

We even wish that we were dead,

Yet God would not release His hold,

He held us tightly in the fold,

To teach us to be strong and bold,

He never let His love grow cold,

He will not let us go.

 

His roots run deep, His hold is strong,

He keeps us where we now belong,

He turns us right when we do wrong,

His Word is like a lovely song,

He pulls us out of danger’s way,

He gives us light in each dark day,

He leads us back when we would stray,

He even teaches us to pray,

He will not let us go

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A CHANGE OF SEASON

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER – From the sketchbook of Paul Boecher, this magnificent maple tree and a study of the seed and stem that goes with it.  At first when I saw this little water color, I thought the seed and stem were real.  The attention to detail in the tiniest of things is created by God.  We are simply the admirers of it.

A seed falls from a tree.

It burrows and nestles in rich soil,

It springs forth with new life,

Fragile branches at first,

Growing strong with each passing day,

Expanding, stretching, embracing the sky,

for the face of its Creator,

It bends and twists in the storms of life,

It blossoms and thrives in good times,

It grows stronger in bad times,

It withers, it shrivels, it dies,

But it doesn’t end there,

The circle of life continues,

Watch, observe, delight in God’s hand in it.  The ability to observe is inherent in all of us unless our eyes have been blinded from birth, but even then God gives us four other senses to allow us to experience everything in our existence. We may not be able to see the brilliant colors, the majestic mass of a trees, the vastness of the heavens or the beauty of a sea or landscape, but He blesses us with other ways to “see”.

Every artist, whether a writer, painter, sculptor, musician or dancer, must observe everything in life in order to portray it in a believable and convincing way. Studying every idiosyncrasy, examining each detail, with all the senses God has given us, allows our interpretation to be expressed in unique and wonderful ways.

Praise the Lord for the special attention He has paid to every detail of this life. He calms the storms, He makes things grow and develop, He provides for every living thing, He gives life to all things, He provides for eternity. With Him, our salvation has been assured and life everlasting waits for those who believe in Him.

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

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