OUTSIDE THE BOX JESUS

Posted on March 11, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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It was the hottest point of the day, when the Samaritan woman came to draw water from Jacob’s well. Most likely she was trying to avoid the other woman who came to gather water in the coolness of morning. Those women had no use for her. She was immoral and had chosen to live an adulteress life with six men during her life. She knew she’d be cast aside or gossiped over if she had come with the rest of them.

An outcast, an enemy of the Jews by her Samaritan heritage, and a woman of ill repute; she didn’t have much going for herself. She made the lonely trek to fill her water jug for the day. She was used to this, but she wasn’t prepared for what waited for her that day.

Jesus sent His disciples ahead to gather some food for lunch and waited at the well. He knew there’d be an opportunity. As the woman approached, He could read what she had done with her life. He knew that she was despised by her neighbors and family. He recognized all her sinful behavior. He knew the guilt she felt. He knew that she needed to hear His message.

He asked her to draw a cup of water for Him. The woman was taken back by His request. First of all, He was a Jew and she a Samaritan – these people had been divided since the time of Judah. The Jews considered Samaritans mongrel Jews and their adversaries. For Jesus to ask a favor of a Samaritan would have been unheard of.

Secondly, she was a woman. Remember women didn’t hold the same status as men. On top of that, she consistently lived in sin with six different men. With that in mind, she responds with surprise – “How can you ask me for a drink.”

Jesus then offers her living water. He gently leads her from her sinful life to salvation allowing her to never go thirsty again.

His words are quiet, non-condemning, thoughtful kind. If we were all to evangelize as Jesus did, the world would be full of Christ followers. When Jesus said that He came to save sinners, He wasn’t simply talking about the obvious sinners. He was speaking to the entire world – to us.

Jesus confronted the woman’s sin so that He could provide a way out for her. He does this with us as well when we confess our sin and repent. The conversation ended this way. The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

With that announcement, the woman ran back to her town to tell everyone about this man who knew everything she’d done. Surely He must be the Messiah they were waiting for.

And so His work continued – the work of gathering souls for His kingdom.

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POLITICS – IN JESUS’ TIME

Posted on March 10, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

Herod, the Great and Herod Antipas ruled during Jesus’ lifetime.  Jesus assured us that His kingdom is not of this world.  His kingdom would last for eternity.

Mary was familiar with the name of Herod.  Herod, the Great ruled during the time prior to Jesus’ birth. and ordered the death of the innocents – boys born with the last two years.  He’d heard from the wise men who came in search of the King of the Jews.  They had seen the star in the east announcing His birth.  God warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with His Son and thus saved the little boy, Jesus.

Herod, the Great was also responsible for massive building projects in Judaea. He expanded the second temple at Jerusalem. He built a fortress city at Masada. He may have been great in creating impressive buildings, but his true nature was revealed in his ability to rule using scare tactics, subversion, and devious means. Sounds almost like organized crime or modern day politics in our country, doesn’t it?

The name Herod had become synonymous with tyrannical, fierce and heartless.  Herod, Antipas followed his father’s lead by continuing his dictatorial reign, stopping at nothing to gain power in the eyes of Rome.  Not only was he in charge of Jerusalem, but he held many foreign nations under his thumb and in captivity.  He was murderous, deceitful, vindictive, suspicious, conniving and any other negative term you might want to add. This man thought nothing of killing some family members, because they didn’t agree with him.

This was the Herod that ruled during the time of Christ’s crucifixion – the one who marred his brother’s wife – who watched as Salome danced lustfully before him – who had John, the Baptist beheaded – who wanted to see Jesus and the miracles He could perform.  He was just as murderous as his father and easily swayed by popular opinion.

He is also the Herod referred to in the arrest and trial of Jesus and His eventual crucifixion – one of the co-conspirators in Jesus’ death. During His ministry, Jesus referred to Antipas as “the Fox,” because of his nefarious dealings. He knew what kind of man this Herod was. He knew all about him.

These were the kinds of people who were governing during Jesus’ life. Though Jews were allowed to worship as they wished, they were still under the scrutiny of the government. This constant watchfulness, put the Jews on edge and they felt like prisoners in their own homes. They were also being over taxed for all the building improvements being made to impress Rome.  This political climate surged through the land during the time of Jesus’ life.  This tyrannical regime carried on until His death.

Jesus always would’ve been respectful of the governing rulers, because it was a command from God, His Father. Today we talk politics with each other. We state our feelings, because we live in a democracy, but we’re also part of God’s family as royal brothers and sisters of our Savior, Jesus.

In our dealings today, with those who lead us, we still must respect them and honor their choices, because God instituted government as He did everything else. All of these things were being set in place to fulfill the prophesies of old and to give us the hope of eternity.

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A FRIEND TO EVERYONE

Posted on March 9, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Mary’s heart was amazed at what was happening during this three year period of her Son’s ministry.  She recalled how, as a child, Jesus was always a friend to everyone.  He was the “go to” guy when it came to advice and counseling.  He continued to show His love for everyone throughout His life.  His words, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends,” were His mantra and would be until His dying day.

If Jesus were walking with us today, He wouldn’t think twice about hugging us with unconditional love.  No sickness or disability would hinder Him.  Jesus loves us in a way we can’t begin to comprehend.  He healed those with untreatable illnesses.  He gave sight and voice to those who never saw or spoke.  He even breathed life back into those who had died.  He counseled the homeless and gave them purpose to go on living.  He brought hope to a hopeless world.

His following was growing. Not only were people coming to be healed, but to hear His amazing message of forgiveness of all sin.  There was no sin too great, but the cost would require the final sacrifice – the perfect, unblemished lamb – the promised King from the lineage of David – the Son of God.

He spoke of things beyond human comprehension. He described a “new” life – a new heaven and earth. His compassion for all human beings, no matter what their occupation or station in life, was evident.  His advice for living was new to most – love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. He seemed an ordinary man with extraordinary powers, but Mary knew that he was much more.

His words were new to her as well, but she knew that Jesus was holy – He was from God. The angel told her He would be called the Son of God. God had taken on human flesh, just like us, to be the perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of the world.

The pieces were beginning to fall into place. As he taught from the Mount of Olives, the power of His words were holding tenaciously to many hearts. His love for them was apparent. It was the love of God emanating from his voice. It was God’s voice. Mary must have realized that the name Immanuel truly did mean, God with us.

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YOU GOTTA LAUGH – PANDEMIC INSANITY

Posted on March 7, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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The first case of the Coronavirus has been discovered in Minnesota. Suddenly people are stocking up on toilet paper, bottled water, Lysol and hand sanitizer to the point that the big box stores are running out.  The word “pandemic” is on the lips of many and we’re being advised to stay away from crowds – don’t travel – isolate ourselves from the world and everything else that happens when we are panicked into thinking the sky is falling.

I’m sure this is a serious disease.  It is the top news story of every night.  It’s the topic of conversation in most settings.  It’s becoming the modern day “Plague,” which many believe is a sign of the end of the world.  We should take it seriously, but some funny things are connected with all this madness, and I feel it my duty to share some of it with you.  I firmly believe laughing is one of the best medicines known to man.  So if we all fall off the edge of the earth and the sun don’t shine tomorrow, at least we’ll have fun while doing it.

Yesterday a friend posted a comment about the virus.  She told us to wash our hands with soup and water.  It was a typo of course, but the comments mushroomed into a bizarre mixture of what kind of soup to how much should be used.  My favorite comment suggested using beer soup – preferably Corona beer.  I suggested Won Ton or Egg drop.  The list went on and it actually warmed my heart that this particular group of commenters wasn’t taking things seriously.

It’s really amazing to me that people are so quick to panic and set aside reason and common sense.  Of course we should take precautions with any disease, but often the hype that is dealt out by the media is enough to send anyone into a frenzy.  Our source of information should come from the experts, not the media.

It’s funny how things can overtake our thinking.  For example, yesterday while shopping I  found something I liked, but turned it over and discovered it was made in China.  I put it back on the shelf.  Normally I wouldn’t think twice about that, but my first thought went to where in China was this exported from.

We thought about eating Chinese last night and chuckled about the possible side effects.  I read an article about using onions to draw bacteria out of the air.  So as one of my friends suggested, onions will be shopped off the shelves.  Actually I remember my grandmother using onions in a poultice when someone was sick.  She also used dried mustard in a poultice.  Think of it.  All she needed was a hamburger and she’d have a happy meal.  Maybe some of those old remedies are the answer.  I read somewhere that onions and garlic were hung all around the houses to fend off the Black Plague.

Certainly we could all cocoon ourselves for the next century.  Everything is available online except for the Coronavirus and who knows, that might be the next thing to invade our computers.  Still, there’s no place like home.

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HIS FOLLOWERS

Posted on March 6, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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As a mother, I know how important it is for our children to choose their friends carefully. The last thing we want is to have them get involved in something that we don’t agree with. Mary was like any mother, but Jesus wasn’t your average child.  When He chose his disciples, He knew in advance that they were just the right ones to teach the truthful message of the Gospel.  He would equip them with the necessary tools and train them in the path He had chosen for them. He wouldn’t be swayed by them. They were going to learn from Him and would eventually become the core of the greatest band to spread the Good News.

A disciple is another word for follower. Later, the Terrific Twelve, would become the base for the Christian church and be known as Apostles – AKA those who were sent out. There were far more that went out to reveal God’s gift of salvation and eternal life. The seeds were being planted by the finger of God Himself.

Jesus choice for His band, might seem unusual. Several of them were fishermen – business men who not only went fishing, but hired people to help with the work. One of the twelve was a tax collector – not a job worth favor in those days, because many of them were corrupt. Others were tradesmen. Judas, Iscariot was the treasurer of the group and constantly worried about financial affairs, which eventually led to his doom.
A motley crew indeed. They certainly weren’t flashy or capable of delivering crowd gathering speeches, but they followed Jesus without question. Most of them were probably young and physically capable of long hours, travel and hard work. They left their jobs, families, income to follow this new Rabbi.

As Mary saw those whom her Son was associating with, it may have caused her concern. He was known to spend time with the lowest classes of society. That could have been a sore spot for her, yet she was placing all of this in the hands of Jesus’ Father.  Mary knew long ago that her Son was going to be different than most.  He had been sent by God Himself to save the world from their sins.  He did not come to make life easy for us – to make sure we had enough to eat – to fill water jugs with wine – to heal all our physical ailments, but to bring us the gift of eternal life in paradise.  As co-heirs to His Father’s kingdom, His purpose was clear.  He would vanquish sin with His own precious blood.  He would conquer Satan through His resurrection.  He would show us how we would some day be carried up to heaven as He was.

She knew that this Son of hers was no longer hers. He belonged to the ages.

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on March 6, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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I CANNOT HIDE FROM YOU

Posted on March 5, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Psalm 32:7 “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.”

 

Within the reeds and waving grasses, in a place where you can’t see,
Everyone who slowly passes, simply won’t catch sight of me,
Even though I may be hiding, there is One who knows I’m here,
With His tenderness abiding, He protects and holds me near,
How much greater is His goodness, for those whom He created last,
How much more will love He grant them, If they come to Him and ask,
You can’t hide from God’s clear eyes, You can’t cover up His ears,
He knows every step you’ve taken, He’s been with you through your tears,
When you hide, your fear is showing, He knows all you’ve said and done,
He cares for you with love bestowing, He has for all the victory won.

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THE PASSOVER

Posted on March 5, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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It was like any other day during Passover. Many had come to give their offerings and make their animal sacrifices. The sound of sheep without blemish and doves cooing, along with chanting voices and general chaos filled the streets. Every year it was the same thing. People came from far and wide to do their religious duty in celebration of a long past time when God gave the Jews their freedom from the oppression of Egypt. For many, it had become a habit – a tradition – a ritual.

When Jesus made the journey to Jerusalem during the beginning of His ministry, He was following the tradition His family had followed since the days of the mass exodus including enslaved Jews in Egypt.  Now they were under the rule of the Roman government, who allowed them to worship as they wished, but were brutal in their governing and forms of justice.

Mary may have thought to stay home that year. It wasn’t necessary for women to make this journey, but her son, Jesus was there.  As He sat at the temple gate, where the treasury was set up and watched as people came, gave their offerings of money and left. There were those who placed large amounts in the boxes. They were rich and may have been able to give even more.  He also noticed a great number of vendors making money off of the sale of animals to be used in sacrifice.  His anger swelled and He made a whip from some cords of rope.  He then proceeded to turn tables upside down, money flew through the air and the vendors scattered with their animals.

When the Jewish leaders of the temple asked Him by what authority Jesus was doing this He answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Like many of this things Jesus said, they didn’t understand.   He wasn’t referring to the actual temple, but to His own body.  He was foretelling His own death and resurrection.  Imagine how sorrowful He felt to see the physical temple being turned into a marketplace.  His anger was the human emotion He waged when turning it upside down.  It had to be a wakeup call for those in attendance.

Mary marveled at Jesus’ insight. With each step of this extraordinary journey, her eyes were being opened to the divine side of her firstborn child. There was nothing ordinary about Jesus.  As the years ticked off, He would return to the temple during the Passover celebration.  He would again have to overturn tables and chastise those who were misusing the temple.  Those in charge were not pleased, but Mary knew that this was just the beginning of how Jesus would cleanse the church on earth along every human life.

She would make it a point to be part of this amazing journey as we should also.

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COMPOSURE

Posted on March 4, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & INSPIRATION FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

 

In a world of turmoil, rage, hatred, ugliness and insecurity, isn’t it nice to take a peek at the beauty of God’s creation? A graceful swan holds her head high, fluffs her feathers and continues to pursue her dreams in the cold refreshment of the spring waters.

God looks after her just as He watches over us in times of despair and hopelessness. He leads us to the still waters of life.  He bathes us in His righteousness.  He cleanses us from all our iniquities.  When fears assail, when we’re are put upon by others, when we feel the twisting of life’s regrets and wrongdoings, we can rest in the knowledge that our Savior went willingly to the cross to save us.  That should give us complete composure.

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A MAN OF SORROWS

Posted on March 4, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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He quoted scripture with great authority. Even the men of the Sanhedrin were amazed at His teachings, but He was beginning to stir up the people. Mary remembered some of the prophesies that were passed down from Isaiah regarding the Messiah and it must’ve become crystal clear to her by this time, that Jesus was the fulfillment of those words. Isaiah had referred to the Messiah as a “man of sorrows.”

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces. He was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3-5

As a mother, the thought of your child being rejected, especially by their peers, is heartbreaking. Even though Jesus was now a grown man, I’m certain it caused her heartstrings to twinge as she recalled this prophesy.

Jesus had stirred up the crowds with His teachings and the leaders of the church in Jerusalem didn’t like it one bit. They’d set their thoughts on ways to trip Him up – to make Him look foolish – to humiliate Him. Soon the plans would involved silencing Him forever, but for this brief time, Jesus was bringing a message of hope to these sin sick masses. Not only was He feeding them physically, but they were dining on exquisite words of promise and salvation – words they had not heard before.

Mary knew this was just the beginning. He would be labeled a heretic, a brother of Satan, a demon Himself. He would suffer at the hands of the vicious Roman government. His body would succumb to the torture of the lash, the spit from venomous mouths of His enemies and scorn from His very own relatives.

At the moment, she couldn’t bear to let those thoughts come into her mind, but she never lost sight of them. She knew it would have to come to pass for the prophetic words to be fulfilled.

Still this was her Son – the child she nurtured for so many years – the One who sat at her feet as she told the stories of God’s eternal love and promises – the One she fed, cuddled and bandaged scuffs and bruises. She looked into His brown eyes and saw a reflection of herself, but also the Father that had conceived this boy – Holy God.

She knew then that He indeed was about His Father’s business.

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A MOTHER REMEMBERS

Posted on March 3, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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We women have a preponderance for remembering. We’re right on top, with birthdays and anniversaries. We usually don’t forget important appointments, even when we put them on the calendar. We remember our child’s first words, steps and accomplishments. We often bring up the past, when we shouldn’t. Memories may even remind us of unhealed wounds from long ago. I think God instilled this ability in women because of our need to nurture and care for those we love.

Mary was no different than any mother. Her claim to fame was the fact that she was the chosen vessel for the birth of the Son of God. Her ability to accept this with humility and faith shows us how much she trusted God’s divine plan. It also demonstrates how God uses the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary – just as He uses each of us to fulfill His plan for the world.

Memories can surface when we least expect them. Sometimes we save them knowing they have value, but just aren’t sure what that is until we see them come to fruition. During this point of Jesus’ ministry, some of those old memories had to be coming to mind for Mary.  Her Son was no longer a child.  He was a man of thirty, but even when our children become adults, we mothers continue to remember things from their youth.

The early days after his birth were filled with happenings that simply didn’t make any sense at the time. Like the visit of the Magi and their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. She couldn’t have comprehended their meaning then. Gold was a gift intended for royalty – Frankincense was the sweet smelling fragrance offered to God in sacrifice and adoration- The myrrh was used as an embalming spice for death. In hindsight, we can see exactly what those gifts represented. This child was royalty – the King of Creation Himself. The sweet Frankincense was intended for worship, which He deserved. Myrrh would’ve been one of the spices used in His burial.

There was the presentation at the temple with Simeon and his unexplainable words regarding her Son, Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

There was the time Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem as a boy.  Being part of a great caravan, Mary probably assumed He was with another relative.  When she and Joseph realized that Jesus wasn’t with them, I can imagine the panic setting in. They returned to Jerusalem and found the boy in the temple speaking with great authority about the scriptures; doing His Father’s work.

The memories she’d tucked away so long ago would come to light again as Jesus carried His words to the masses.  His audiences were growing. His words were touching the hearts and minds of those of all nationalities, races and beliefs.  There still was a long road ahead – one that would eventually lead to the cross.  Mary thought about those early days once more as she listened to her adult Son spread His words of hope and promise for all.

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A SILENT FORTRESS

Posted on March 2, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

FullSizeRender - Copy (4)ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

A peaceful walk within the woods, can stir imagination,
The crunch of twigs and unknown things, all adds to this sensation,
A regiment of trees stand tall, and line a peaceful lake,
Enduring every element, the brunt of it they take,
A quiet breeze soon captivates and gives you some relief,
It trembles through each giant tree and tickles every leaf,
When life is filled with hope unknown, when all seems lost and over,
The breath of God is living truth that all our sins He’ll cover,
He fills our lives with confidence, He’ll never let us wander,
He carries us through all our trials, His love He does not squander.

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MIRACULOUS HEALING

Posted on March 2, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Most mothers have this built in desire that their children will be successful – that they will have friends and those they can counsel with – that their lives will be filled with joy and hope and that they never suffer from depression or give up. Mary was like any other mother in that respect.  She knew from the start that her Son was going to succeed in God’s mission in life. She was sure that He would have friends.  The miracles He was performing were different than that of a simple magician who displayed insignificant tricks to amaze an audience.  Jesus was using His inborn miraculous traits in a way the people had never seen before.

As time went on, Jesus miracles became even more amazing than the first one He did at the wedding in Cana. Now He was healing those with terminal illnesses, disabilities and even removing demons from those who had carried them for years. He was calming the sea, walking on water and defying nature as well. It didn’t take long for word to quickly spread across the countryside about this “miracle man.

To Mary, He remained her Son. Sons are a gift from God to a mother. They’re usually a reflection of their dads and Jesus was no exception. He followed the profession of His carpenter step dad, Joseph. in those years of growing up, but now it was time to exhibit the attributes of His Holy Father in heaven.

Mary heard the stories of the exile out of Egypt and God’s miraculous deeds as they traveled across the desert. Certainly, as families gathered at the end of a day, those stories would come alive again. There were the miracles performed by the prophets, Elijah as he raised the widow’s son from the dead; Daniel in the lions den; Jonah in the belly of the whale; and the Walls of Jericho falling at the command of God. She pondered over her own miraculous pregnancy and the angel that told her what would come to be. Each of those special memories she had tucked away were now coming to fruition. This surely was the Son of God.

Mary’s faith was with her from the beginning. She simply accepted God’s will for her. Listening to her boy speak in kind, tender words – lifting their spirits as well as renewing their health. His parables were also more than effective. Speaking to those who tilled the land, he would talk on their terms and yet His knowledge of the Scriptures was far superior to those who had spent a lifetime studying them. Jesus was the Word.

Every day news spread about the deeds of Jesus. Israel had long awaited the coming of the Messiah. The prophesies were now coming to pass. As the events unfolded before His mother’s eyes, her confidence in God’s covenant was growing stronger, but this was just the beginning.

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A LIGHT THAT SHINES FOREVER

Posted on February 29, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

A city of blazing lights can cover all the ugliness of sin,
A world that lies beneath the bridge of deception, hate, fear and addiction,
Underneath that hidden territory where darkness abounds,
There, shrouded in the shadows, the real world abides,
The cloak of evil captures those who would go there,
There is no light, no hope, no promises,
Only loneliness,
When sin obliterates the light, nothing can hide the darkness,
Nothing,
Yet there is one light that never dies,
A light that lives in the heart of everyone who believes,
The true Light of the world,
This light can extinguish the darkness,
Snuff it like a spent candle,
There is only One dominating light,
To replace eternal obfuscation,
Through it we can find our way,
Become light itself,
And pass it on by following it,
The Light of the world.

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LITTLE LAMBS

Posted on February 29, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Mary remembered how her Son loved children. He was the oldest child so often had to look after His siblings. He never seemed to mind caring for them. He looked like a little shepherd, tending His sheep. He played with them, told them stories, sang songs with them, rocked them to sleep and made sure they stayed clear of danger. Now He was leading a whole flock of troubled sheep with His words of hope.

As the crowds grew with each passing day, Jesus had to retreat to the mountainside or the middle of a lake to preach to them. His voice was powerful enough to reach every ear, but He was becoming physically weary from the days of traveling and speaking. As he sat for one quiet moment, a crowd of young children came running to Him. His disciples, being concerned for their Master, tried to shoo them off, but Jesus wouldn’t have it.

He treasured each of those children and babies as if they were His own. He scolded His disciples for sending them away, saying, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, if anyone does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, he will never enter it.”

It surprised the disciples to hear these words. How could anyone go to heaven without knowledge of the scriptures? How could one of these little ones enter heaven? They had so much to learn.  They were nothing but an inconvenience and a bother.  Mary knew that Jesus was talking about the faith of those children.

This is something we often lose as we grow older. We think we know more than God – that we can outwit Him or achieve our salvation with our good deeds alone. A child has a pure, accepting faith in the things we teach them. There is no questioning whatsoever.
Mary had a faith like that, when she accepted God’s plan for her life. She would admit, that it was not of herself, but a gift from the Holy Spirit. She was now beginning to comprehend the importance of that faith – for all things that God does are for our good, because He first loved us.

The little ones are like the flocks King David tended as a young lad. He would leave all of them to search for one who was lost. Jesus came to seek those who are lost – not just physically lost, but mentally and spiritually.  He will do whatever it takes to find them, to take them in His arms and hug them close to His breast.  Jesus loves children as a shepherd loves his sheep.

We all have from time to time strayed from our Shepherd, but He never gives up on us.  Mary knew that her Son, Jesus, had a special purpose in His life.  She wasn’t yet aware of the cost, but she was inwardly preparing for it as she watched and heard her boy.  His compassion for all humanity was apparent

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SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST

Posted on February 28, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Cana was about four miles from Nazareth. Another in a string of small towns leading to the holy city of Jerusalem. It was time for a wedding and of course all the relatives were invited, including Mary and her family. Jesus was thirty years old at the time and undoubtedly had his share of Jewish mothers nagging Him to get married, but we know that God’s plan didn’t include that.

The work Jesus was about to begin would be packed into three years of miracles, healings, teaching, calling to repentance and eventually taking the load of the sin of the world on His own back. He would be available 24/7 and each day would be full.

Weddings are a time of reunion – families reuniting in celebration – feasting and having fun.  The young couple was aglow and ready to start a new life together.  It was natural for them to want family and friends to share in their joy.   We don’t know if Jesus was related to these two, but His mother was also present at the wedding, so it may have been so.

Mary hadn’t seen her son in a while. He seemed stronger somehow. He was always a smart boy, but now His wisdom had become broader. He had an inner strength that comes only with experience.  His time away from His home town was treating Him well.  She knew He would someday become an important link to God, the Father.

She must’ve recalled the early days of His life. She knew Jesus was destined for greatness.  Every mom hopes that their child will be successful – that they will be happy – that they’ll follow their calling and do as God intended.  She wanted what was best for Him, but He was no longer a child.

When she saw him at the gate, she ran to meet him. Young men tend to get a bit embarrassed when their mothers do such things, but it had been so long and He didn’t seem to mind. He was glad to see her too.

The party went on for hours and soon they ran out of wine. Mary went to Jesus and told Him of this dilemma and Jesus replied, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” Mary told the servants to do whatever He said they should do. By saying this, she was acting in faith once more. She knew Jesus was capable of doing something. He was the Son of God, after all.

Jesus told the servants to fill six water jugs to the brim with water. Each of the jugs had room for about ten gallons. The servants complied and without a single word being uttered, and only the will of Jesus, the water became wine – the best wine they’d ever tasted.  Someone even remarked that the host was saving the best for last.

This first miracle set His ministry into action. We don’t know how many people realized what happened, but we do know that because of Jesus’ actions that day, the disciples believed in Him. Many more amazing deeds would be accomplished by His hand.  His Kingdom was coming to earth through Him, as it was in Heaven.  Mary knew this was His mission.

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on February 28, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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MARY HAD A BABY

Posted on February 27, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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She was just a simple girl – nothing special – not without sin.  She was like us, yet God chose her to  carry His very own Son for nine months in her womb.  She would also hold His dead body thirty three years later after He was crucified. This little child would be born in unusual circumstances so that He could become one of us.

Her mind must have been going in all directions.  What would she tell her betrothed husband?  How would she explain this to her friends and others in the community?  Certainly it defied all human thinking.  How could a young woman conceive a child without ever being with a man?

She knew she must tell Joseph.  His reaction was as she thought it would be.  He assumed she had been unfaithful and was ready to call the whole thing off.  It was a perfectly natural response.  Her heart was broken to the core to think her future husband would believe she’d betrayed him.  Shortly thereafter, Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream.  He was told that Mary’s wasn’t conceived by a man, but by the Holy Spirit of God.  He would be the Son of God and save the world from their sins.

Joseph was an honorable man.  He trusted God.  His faith allowed him to accept this news and go on with their original plans to marry.  Both Mary and Joseph were now the talk of the town.  Imagine their humiliation – their shame.  They were both on display now.

Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth during this time.  Elizabeth was also pregnant.  Her son would become the forerunner of Christ – the voice crying in the wilderness – John, the Baptist.  He would prepare the people for the coming Messiah by leading them to repentance and baptism.  When Mary appeared at Elizabeth’s home, her child jumped within her.  She knew immediately that Mary was carrying the Son of God.

When it was time for Mary to give birth, it was necessary for her and Joseph to return to the town of their lineage – Bethlehem – to be counted  in the census demanded by the governor.  They traveled over rough terrain almost a hundred miles to their destination.  Mary sat upon a donkey, and her pregnant body was subject to bumps, twists and turns.  God protected this little family through every inch of the way.

Mary undoubtedly noticed every detail about her baby boy. She probably counted His fingers and toes, as most moms do. She would check Him often to make sure He was breathing. This tiny child seemed so helpless, yet was all powerful. He cried when He was hungry, had to have His diapers changed, needed the presence of His mother to soothe his hurts and cuddle Him close to her breast.

As her boy grew, she watched Him at play – warned Him of danger – made sure He ate right and taught Him,  She certainly would guide and teach Him in His early years.  Later He would be the teacher and she the student.

Mary accepted God’s plan for her life completely by faith. None of this made sense to her from a human standpoint. She knew that God was placing this honor on her, yet she accepted it in complete humility.

Most moms look at their children with loving eyes.  We pray that they will succeed – they won’t have to experience bullying, emotional scars as well as bumps and bruises – they will have it easier than we did.  We want the very best for them.  Mary knew that Jesus had come to save the world, but pondering all of these early years in her young life could not have prepared her for what was in store.  Still she walked in faith and trusted in God’s promise.

 

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JUST A CHILD

Posted on February 26, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Mary accepted God’s will without question – she nurtured her Son, Jesus, made sure He followed the commandments, did His chores, worked alongside His stepfather. She saw to it that He had clothes to wear, food to nourish and an adequate place to live for the greater part of His life.

She emerged from a young woman into one who carried the forthcoming events seeded deeply in her heart, She knew that Jesus was meant for the ages. He would save the world from sin and grant eternal life to all who accepted Him. Put yourself in her sandals for a while as we walk through her life.

Imagine that you’re a young girl of about 13 or 14. You’ve been promised in marriage to an older man. You’ve met him. He’s a good man with a kind nature. His temperament is calm and he seems to be very caring and compassionate. Joseph is a tradesman and makes a fair living. He’s strong from working hard. He’ll make the perfect mate. Still, you’re just a child. Your life has been arranged for you. You’ve been obedient. You’ve lived a life of purity and service. You’re a little frightened about your upcoming marriage, but you’ve submitted, because of your strong faith that God will guide you through this, just as He’s done throughout your life.

Who knew that His plan would take you to a place you never planned on? God’s outline for your life wasn’t supposed to be like this – was it? Now imagine your surprise when the Angel of the Lord appears and tells you that you’ll conceive and bear the Son of God.

WHAT?! You will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and bring forth the Messiah that the world has longed for. How could this be? You’re a virgin.

Most of us would think it a weird dream or something you ate the night before that created this illusion. You’d hope it would go away and life would go on as usual. Mary wasn’t like most people. She wasn’t foolish or mindless – she simply accepted this part of God’s plan for her life by faith.

  • Could we do that?
  • Do we do that?
  • Are we willing to accept without question,
    The mysteries of Mary’s miraculous conception, pregnancy and delivery of the Son of God?

The entire thing seems full of events that don’t make any sense at all.  Mary was no different than us, but what made her unique was her enduring commitment to God – her total trust in His omnipotent blueprint for her life – her innocent, pure, unadulterated confidence in God alone. Walk in her footprints. Follow her example of diligence, perseverance and trust.

God has an amazing plan for everyone. We may not be endowed with a situation like Mary’s, but we face bumps in the road every day. The way to overcome those obstacles is through our Creator. Have faith, my friends.

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ASH WEDNESDAY

Posted on February 26, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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In Luke 22, where I left off on my Advent study, we find the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.  It begins with the preparation for the Passover meal, continues as Judas betrays the Son of God, Peter denies knowing Him and ends with Jesus’ arrest and appearance before the Sanhedrin.

When Jesus started His ministry, He spent time in the wilderness while fasting and praying. For forty days and nights this went on.  His throat was parched.  His skin dry and burned.  His hair matted by his own sweat.  His time of prayer was scuffed by the dust of the earth and dirt covered Him from head to toe. By the time the end of that journey came, He was weak, hungry, thirsty and vulnerable – a time ripe for temptation.

The devil wasted no time in trying to lure Jesus into his web of deception, but our Savior defeated him.  Even though Satan sugar coated his words by using the scriptures, Jesus had a comeback for each one.  Using God’s Holy Word, he was able to defeat the lure of  the evil one.  The devil left Jesus and He was now free to do what He came to do.

On Ash Wednesday, we have a perfect opportunity to thank God for giving us His Words in the Bible.  We can praise Him with those words.  We can honor Him and give Him due respect.  We can confess our sins and know that He will forgive them.  We can repent and ask for the ability to change.  Through our Savior, Jesus, we have all those things, because He came to do what we were unable to do.  He took our sins upon His back and carried them to the cross, where they were crushed along with Satan.

We may choose to give things up as an outward sacrifice of thanksgiving.  The giving up is not necessary, because Jesus took care of all of that, but in honor of what He’s done, we can do things that will change the way we live.  Redeemed by the Son of God, we can now share that Good News with others.  We can give to the poor.  Help those in need.  Support those going through difficulties. Lift in prayer those who walk in fear and anxiety.  We can be a friend to the friendless.  We can live as Christ lived when He walked the earth.

Let today be a new beginning for all of us.  As we travel through Christ’s passion for His people, let us leave behind the sins, guilt, shame and darkness of our past and move ahead with confidence that our sins have already been forgiven.

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