INANE ANSWERING MESSAGE DAY

Posted on January 30, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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As some of you already know, I enjoy these offbeat holidays.  I wonder who thinks them up.  They must be very creative or they simply have too much time on their hands.  Occasionally I come across one that sends my creative juices rumbling.  If you were to change the message on your cell phone or land line today, what would you come up with?  Here are a few from me:

Hello, this is Kathy’s message service.  She is busy saving the world.  If you’d like to speak with her, stay on the line.

Hi, this is Kathy.  I can’t answer the phone, because I’m getting ready for the Oscar Awards.  I know it doesn’t happen until February 9th, but it will take that long to get made up.

This is the message service of Kathy.  She is unavailable to take your call. In fact she doesn’t take calls anymore.  She’s now working for the CIA.

Kathy doesn’t live here anymore.  Call someone else.

If you’re looking for Kathy, try AA – Aging Actively.

This is Kathy.  Who is this?  Is that you Marge?  OK it must be Norman.  Will you please answer me, who ever you are?

This is the office of Kathy Boecher.  She is unavailable right now.  She’s actually taking another nap and does not wish to be disturbed.  Hey, Kathy, it’s for you!!!

Hey, this is your local Pizza place.  We have an order from you for 75 pepperoni pizzas.  Will you please verify your credit card number?

HEAVY BREATHING.

You want to talk to Kathy?  We haven’t got a clue where she is.  She left two weeks ago and we haven’t seen her since.

This is Publishers Clearing House.  You have just won fifty million dollars.  You can claim your prize by giving me all your personal information.

I’m certainly not going to change my phone message today, but I’m sure it would be fun to hear the reactions.  What would you put on yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

ANGEL OF LIGHT NO MORE

Posted on January 30, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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He was there – before the formation of the world. He fell from grace, but God allowed him to walk the earth. He was there in the garden causing God’s first inhabitants to doubt and be deceived. His end was predicted in that same place. He lurked in the shadows when the angels proclaimed the birth of the true Messiah, Son of Man and Son of God. He watched the boy Jesus study the scriptures and grow in the knowledge of His Father.

He mingled into the crowds as Jesus ministered to the sick, the broken, the needy and the lost. He laughed when the Savior entered the temple and saw what had become of the holy house of worship. He entered into the heart of Judas and caused him to betray His Lord. He was in the midst of the mob that spat upon and threw insults at our Redeemer.
He was the force behind the nails that pierced those precious hands and feet. He rejoiced as Jesus took His final breath and cried out, “It is finished.” He jumped for joy when they laid the fallen Sin Bearer in the tomb. He was in the depths of hell when the conqueror came to crush him. Sin no longer had control over man. Jesus had paid the price once for all.

He was there when the stone was rolled away and the risen King appeared to the women. He cowered at the sight of Him. It was a light so bright that it blinded him and pulverized his power.

Lucifer is in our midst today. He has invaded our lives with his last ounce of strength and is intent on deceiving us into doubting once again, but we all know the end of the story. God wins! Because of that victory, we win too.

Posted in Salvation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

A BIG FAT CHESS GAME

Posted on January 28, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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“We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.  You must be, or you wouldn’t be here.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

I’ve refrained from the impeachment insanity for some time, because I refuse to be part of it.  To me the entire “historical” event is nothing more than a big fat political chess game.  Chess is a game of strategy and requires quick thinking, moves that will conquer, looking ahead, looking back and the use of brain power which will outthink the opponent.

In the process of these hearings and now the trial, we’ve been exposed to much of the same.  The public is getting tired of all of it, but we need to be careful in our thinking.  Like the giant chess board, we could be up against a future that eliminates our voice through our choice in an election.  If the wrong move is made it could be a critical mistake.  Whether our president is impeached or not, future elections are at risk.  If he is re-elected, we will be witness to more and more of these investigations.  The people want it over with.  That may be the final strategy.  I believe we’re smarter than that.

Both sides of this never ending battle are cheating the American people of their voice.  These learned men and women seem to enjoy pontificating ad infinitum.  Maybe things would move along faster without so many words.  In the meantime, we watch as millions of dollars are spent (of taxpayer money) on endless investigations, time consuming arguments and the work of the people (us) is not getting done.

It seems to me that all of these brilliant men and women have forgotten their purpose for being in Washington.

We see two parties at each other’s throats – counting votes rather than looking at evidence or lack thereof – speeches filled with hate, anger and time consuming words. We also see a nation divided to a point where families and friends are refusing to talk to each other.  It makes me wonder if we will ever be the same as we once were.  A United States of America, one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all.

What it boils down to is this.  The Congress and the Senate members are elected officials.  If they aren’t working for the people, they should all be fired.

Posted in politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR LIFE

Posted on January 27, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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There’s so much meat in the New Testament for the new Christian, but lots of side dishes for the old one too. The Apostle, Paul was a man seeped in the Old Testament and the laws and traditions of the Jewish religion.  He was dedicated to persecuting Christians. and determined to nip the heresy of this new form of worship in the bud. He witnessed the stoning of many and stood idly by as they took their last, dying breath.

When Paul was called by God to spread the Gospel, God knew this zealous man was just the right one to accomplish His work. Paul was well schooled in the covenant God had established long ago with Abraham. He knew the traditions – the works righteousness – the empty sacrifices, but God had a different plan for this persecutor of His Son.

Paul had a strong will. He thought he was doing the right things and yet his love for God was driven by his own interests. He’d grown up believing that if he followed the Old Testament laws and did everything according to the Commandments, he’d be fine.
We sometimes think that way as Christians. We go through life believing if we follow God’s rules and do good to others, that’s all we need – but we aren’t really allowing God to do His work in us.  There is so much more to it.

God uses us as His instrument for spreading the Gospel. He puts Jesus at the forefront of our witnessing and gives us the confidence we need to do the job. Through Him we are assured of forgiveness. Through Him we have freedom from the laws of sacrifice, because He became the Lamb without blemish when He sacrificed Himself for the remission of our sins. He paid the ultimate price. Through Him we have victory over death. He died so we could live and He rose to life again to prove to us that we would never die.  His greatest gift to us is the gift of eternal life.

Our gratitude for His amazing grace should manifest itself in the way we serve Him.  We do so with a grateful heart.  We are so thankful that we want others to know about the reason for our joy.  The way to eternity is insured, so it’s up to us to bring others to that knowledge.  Also we should study His Word and follow it’s precepts for a Godly life, not because it will win us a spot in heaven.  That’s already assured.  We do so because of our love for Jesus and the price He paid.

This is not only good news for God’s people – it’s great news for a world crying for hope. Our zeal for this amazing gift should never die.

Posted in God's promises, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

HE’S ALWAYS THERE

Posted on January 25, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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We go through life with goals that seem insurmountable, only to find we’ve already obtained them. We look at what our friends, neighbors or co-workers have and covetousness might fill our hearts. We sometimes desire that which is way beyond our reach and eventually realize that we didn’t need it or that we have something even better.

This is true in our Christian walk. We think we need to work our way into heaven. We may think we’ll be more blessed if we donate more. We might believe God doesn’t notice us because of our many sins. We look down on those who don’t conform to a certain standard. We’re filled with a desire to be better only to fall into temptation again and again. We often look at the speck of sawdust in someone’s eye without realizing the big log in our own. We could believe we’re responsible for our own destiny and that we don’t need forgiveness or God.

Our daily struggle continues through life, but we have God’s promise of redemption. The price for our forgiveness was paid a long time ago on a bloody cross. Jesus died to ransom us from our sins, not because He had to – but to demonstrate His love and win us back into communion with Him Through His mercy, we have it all and it’s always been there, just waiting for us to accept.

Sounds too simple? It is! That’s the beauty of it. Salvation is there for the taking. All we have to do is turn to God. He is always available to those who seek Him.  Put your faith  in the only One who can deliver you from all your sins – the One who will not turn away from a penitent heart.  Trust in God.

Posted in Faith, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

FRIDAY MEMORIES

Posted on January 24, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Facebook has an app that shows some of your posts from past years.  I hadn’t realized how many pictures of our dog, Gage would pop up to remind me of the sweet dog who had to leave us last year.  Another thing I didn’t realize is how much I would continue to miss him.

We’ve had dogs in our house since the beginning of our marriage.  Sometimes there were more than one at a time.  Each one had their own personality and temperament.  Each had their idiosyncrasies and each one found a place in our hearts.  Gage was a gift to us. Our children bought him for us after our last Golden Retriever left this world.  They knew how much we loved that dog and wanted to fill the empty spot in our house.

A unique breed, a Llewellyn Setter, Gage was beautifully white with brown, liver spots. His eyes were dark black/brown.   I worried from the start that he would be in constant need of a bath, but he always did a good job of keeping himself clean.  For the first few years of his life he was a bit standoffish.   He preferred to sit far away from us, unless he was being held.  He was the last puppy of the litter to be sold, so that may have explained some of his wanting to be alone.  It took several years for him to really warm up to us.

During his lifetime he watched his master, Paul, go through shoulder surgery, prostate cancer and a small stroke.  These were difficult times for both of them and it reflected in Gage’s ability to get out and hunt – which was one of the reasons he came to us.  This highly energetic dog had to adjust his lifestyle to that of those around him. It took several years before he settled down to become one of the best dogs we have owned.

When we downsized and made our way into a smaller home, he immediately adjusted to his new surroundings.  He was the dog that kept us on our toes.  He made life interesting when he ate a whole bag of jelly beans and threw up in technicolor.  He ate many things that normally should’ve made him sick, but didn’t.

When we take on the responsibility of owning a pet, it’s much like adding a new member to the family.  When they must depart this life, a little bit of us goes with them.  Seeing these pictures pop up so often, is like being with him for just another moment.

Posted in Pets, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on January 24, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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FELL OUT OF BED AT 10 AM DID I.  COFFEE I CRAVE!

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

PAINTING WITH WORDS

Posted on January 23, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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I sit here at my keyboard trying to create pictures with words.
The time spent often seems wasteful and futile.
I could be enjoying the genuine images-
not just pixelized versions, but the genuine article.
Maybe when the words run out, we should turn to the beauty that lies outside.
Maybe we should refresh our thoughts and minds with the glory of God’s creation.
That is where the perfect imagery lies. His Word holds beautiful masterpieces,
designed and crafted by the Creator of the Universe.
We are simply the instruments He uses to share His love with others.

Posted in art, ART & POETRY BY THE BOECHERS, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

THE POWER OF CHRIST

Posted on January 23, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

I don’t know why God allows some of us to go on living for so many years and others are taken at an early age. It is one of those mysteries that don’t make sense to me.

I do know that God has a purpose for everything under heaven. Perhaps the old among us are meant to be here to advise, encourage or strengthen those who are going through many of the trials we have endured.

Maybe the young die so that their families become stronger through their passing and will be a witness to God’s compassion even during suffering.

There are times when life simply doesn’t make sense. I know if I try to figure it out, I am also challenging God’s wisdom.

Lord, help me today to trust in you. Bring me closer to you through your Word. Prepare my heart and the hearts of all believers for our final days on earth; so that we may be completely blessed by our future life with you in eternity. Amen!

“No guilt in life, no fear in death; This is the power of Christ in me. From a life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.”

Posted in armor of God, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

AN END TO CHAOS

Posted on January 21, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

A day free of anger and hostile aspersion,
The peaceful relief comes in simple diversion,
Turn back to the simple the sweet and the kind,
Release all the wrath that is filling your mind,
Give in to the beauty of all that surrounds,
Enjoy God’s creation where true love abounds,
We can’t change the world, even though we might try,
We can’t stop the bitterness creeping on by.

The remedy lies in our hearts, don’t you see,
God wants us to love so we can be set free,
He wants us to soar with the eagles on high,
He wants us to live life and not simply die,
He wants what is best for the ones who love Him,
We can’t temper hate if we keep it within,
We need a diversion, a comforting place,
A place of sweet silence to end this rat race.

Posted in ART & POETRY BY THE BOECHERS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AN END TO CHAOS

DOES MY LAUGHTER OFFEND YOU?

Posted on January 21, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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“While the laughter of joy is in full harmony with our deeper life, the laughter of amusement should be kept apart from it. The danger is too great of thus learning to look at solemn things in a spirit of mockery, and to seek in them opportunities for exercising wit.” Lewis Carroll

Have you noticed how serious everyone is lately? Even those in the service industry leave a lot to be desired. Are we just going through the motions of living because we don’t want to offend anyone? If we have come to that point, I’m really glad that I don’t have too many more years left.

Laughter has been a huge part of my life. My mother was the queen of it. She laughed at everything – even when it wasn’t funny. Some folks would say that’s weird, but I truly believe my mom knew the secret to success and it had something to do with humor.  Her laughter was infectious as well.  When she’d laugh everyone around her did as well.

There’s nothing like a kid running around with his underwear on his head, or for that matter an adult doing the same. Children have a real knack for humor, even when they don’t intend to be funny. Usually the funniest things happen when you least expect them.

Laughter is one of the most spontaneous emotions we have. You can’t control it. I have a friend who I would count on to attend my plays, because she’d laugh at all the right spots, because she genuinely thought it was funny.  I love those who aren’t afraid to let it rip when it comes to laughing.

We used to watch clowns squirting seltzer bottles or getting a pie in the face, and roar with laughter. A guy would slip and fall on a banana peel and everyone thought it hilarious. I guess what we laugh at today isn’t as funny as it used to be, or maybe we’ve lost the ability to laugh at ourselves and choose to enjoy the failings of others.

God didn’t create humanity to live in despair and sadness. Think of the fun things He made for us to laugh at. Take the giraffe – or monkeys – or me. But I digress.
When we laugh, we release endorphins which make us feel good. I think it’s time for a good old fashioned belly laugh! How about you?

Posted in Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Posted on January 21, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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What’s in a name?  Sometimes people must live up to their name. Others may use their title to advance their career. For example, Prince Harry could easily profit from his past accomplishments and family influence – or he could lose all credibility simply because it isn’t believed he could make it without those things supporting him.

Jean Valjean, from Victor Hugo’s,  “Les Misérables,” worried about his label.  He was arrested and imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread.  He became a number rather than a name.  When he fled prison and encountered a priest who changed his life, he became a successful business man who made a stellar name for himself.

In Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible,” the hero of the story, John Proctor, has a similar situation when he is about to hang for being accused of witchcraft.  In the line, “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” he is begging for his reputation and how it would affect his children and their history.

A good reputation is something we strive for. When it’s slurred, lied about, set up to false witness and defamation, our character is at stake.  God even wrote about that very thing when he forged the ten commandments into stone.  “Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”   

Being wise in how we view others isn’t always easy, especially when we have come to wonder about what we read, hear and see in the media.  We can’t always discern the truth because it’s clouded by false testimony, unnecessary rhetoric or a strong desire to destroy another human being.  Yet we must be diligent in the pursuit of truth, especially when it comes to the leadership of our country.

In the span of my lifetime I’ve seen a decline in mankind’s trust and faith in those around them.  Instead of caring about each other, we’ve become suspicious, uncaring, lethargic and sometimes downright hateful towards our fellow man.

Yesterday I referred to a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about the results of  love.  Without this light in our lives, there is only darkness.  Darkness gives way to hatred and discontent.  That darkness is contagious and will spread like wildfire if not contained.  The power of love is far more powerful that hate.  Love is also very contagious.  With it we can overcome the dissonance around us and become united again.

It’s time to be open minded, but it’s also time to be diligent.  When a man’s name is being challenged, we must also be compassionate.  A name hangs in the balance.

 

Posted in love, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

WALK IN THE LIGHT

Posted on January 20, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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I became an adult in the 1960s.  I lived on the south side of Milwaukee where there was a shortage of Americans of the black race.  It didn’t make any difference to me what color a person was.  If we were born in America we were all Americans, but as I grew up I began to see the inhumanity possible by the white race against any person of a different color.

I didn’t understand why one race could be put into a constant state of humiliation.  The bonds of slavery were still apparent.  Blacks were required to sit on the back of the bus.  They used rest rooms and water fountains designated for them.  They were set apart in the employment lines.  Why were we so blind to the ugliness we were perpetrating with this segregation?

In the sixties the movement for equality in so many areas of life was underway.  There was the woman’s movement and the burning of bras to establish the fact that women would no longer be bound.  There was a desire by young people to be heard.  They grew their hair long and resisted authority.  The drug culture began to grow, numbing the mind to help forget the mindless war in Viet Nam.  Music indicated more than love and romance.  Now it was about social issues and indignation.  The pot of anger was stirring and hate was a predominant piece of our history.

Out of that time came Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was rebellious himself as a young, college student.  When in college, he often drank beer and associated with the wrong crowd.  This changed as he grew closer to the Lord and began to see the hatred within his sad world.  He eventually would become a champion for that very cause.

Yesterday our sermon had to do with the Lamb of  God and His instruction to us to love one another.  Today, for many, that seems such a pointless act.  We see people continuing to think first of themselves and put their neighbor somewhere on the bottom wrung.  Some feel that it’s more sensible to put numbero uno before anything or any one else.  We’ve morphed into a society of self indulgent people and it isn’t limited to one race or another.

Love is an attribute which Dr. King preached about.  He stood for non-violent demonstrations of protest, which often turned into riots of discontent.  He eventually grew tired of the protests and marches, because he saw the futility of their efforts.  When he was assassinated for his words – his desire to bring love back into our vocabularies – his zeal for equality – we lost one of the heroes of our time.  His message was one of love; a message preached by our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  If only we could think of ourselves as equals. We would then realize that God welcomes ALL believers into His kingdom no matter what color they are.

Maybe we should start thinking more about loving our neighbor as ourselves.  Dr. King knew how powerful love is.  It is a gift from God, who is in fact LOVE.  He poured out His love on everyone over two thousand years ago.

 

Posted in judgment, Lamb of God, Martin Luther King, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

WHAT DOES GOD SEE?

Posted on January 20, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Within my reflection just what do I see?
The confident woman I wish I could be,
But deep down inside of my sin stricken soul,
I still feel defeated and not totally whole.
The devil rejoices each time that I grieve,
He loves it when I forget to believe,
That God is my confidence, strength and my power.
He’s right here beside me each day and each hour.
When He sees my reflection – just what does He see?
He sees His Son, Jesus who set my soul free.

Posted in ART & POETRY BY THE BOECHERS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

POINT OF VIEW

Posted on January 18, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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I remember a time, about 25 years ago, when my husband’s ever youthful exuberance took him on a yearly trek up to the Grand Marais area of Minnesota.  He would venture out with several young couples for a weekend of events consisting of everything cold and icy.  The time included cross country skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding and other activities which require strong lungs, good physical condition and a lot of craziness in your brain.  At the end of the day, there was time spent in a hot sauna followed by a jump into the cold lake.  I went once and that was way too much insanity for me.  I recall a woman who was well into her 60s who also went with the group.  More power to her.

I am an inside kind of person when it comes to winter.  The less amount of time spent driving is high on my list of priorities.  Unfortunately I live in one of the snowiest states in the USA, so I don’t have much choice unless I opt for Grub Hub, grocery home delivery and online activity throughout the day.  In my neck of the woods you’re expected to accept the cold temps.  We grow strong backs, exceptional immune systems and extreme vitamin D deficiency.  Still we are hearty Nordic type folks who tell Sven and Ole jokes and sit on the ice staring down at a hole, hoping for a fish to jump out at us.  I must admit, I’ve never done the ice fishing thing either.  I guess I’m not really a true Minnesotan.

The amazing patterns of frost carved into our windows – the glistening beauty of new white snow – the dangling icicles looking like stalactites hanging tightly to the ceiling of a cave – the wind gusting and blowing snow around, clouding your vision for miles – cars getting stuck in snow banks – watching folks shoveling those cars out and making a path on their driveway just wide enough for them to push through.  These are a few of my favorite things – looking out at them from the warmth of inside.

The weatherman seems elated, because he finally has something to hype about when we get more than five inches of snow.  They go crazy with each impending storm.  I imagine things can get boring in the weather world when things move along normally.  They say some folks get migraines when a storm is coming – something about barometric pressure.  My joints aches – a different joint will join in with any degree of change in the weather.

Twenty five years have come and gone.  My husband is still the one to revel in the snow. His body is capable of shoveling a wide enough swath for the car to make it through, but we have to rely on our son-in-law for help clearing out the rest.  I don’t even try anymore.

We’re told to embrace winter – to enjoy the beauty – to layer up and get some fresh air – to breathe until your nose hairs freeze – to visit ice castles, skating rinks, ski slopes and winter festivals of all kinds.  I’ll continue to enjoy it from the comfort of my home, thank you very much.

Posted in Uncategorized, Winter | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

IT’S JANUARY – LIVE IT

Posted on January 18, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
In the coldest days of winter, when frigid temperatures hold us captive, is it possible to find anything beautiful in it? Our bodies ache, our lungs fill with frozen air, our hands grow numb and our cheeks turn red, but the finger of God is apparent in His creation. With brilliant brush strokes and tiny droplets He paints a most glorious landscape. Each icicle is like a stalactite clinging to the ceiling of a glistening cave. Each etched piece of frost contains a unique pattern. Every snowflake is different. Even the sound of His majestic breath whirling over the land can have a calming effect when you realize that He is in it. Winter will soon give way to spring. For the moment, capture and enjoy its beauty.

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ONE GLIMMER OF HOPE

Posted on January 17, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
In the heart of the forest, what is it you see,
The death of the brush or the loss of each tree,
They die for a while, and rise up again,
Spring pushes each bud, giving life deep within,
Our days undefiled and sins now washed clean,
The pure life of Jesus, will help us convene,
The darkness of winter can leave deep remorse,
We wander away and relinquish our course,
The coldest of days will be warmed through the night,
Our Savior will comfort and holds each one tight,
He won’t let us go, if we trust in His Word,
Our souls are renewed and our steps undeterred.

Posted in ART & POETRY BY THE BOECHERS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

DITCH YOUR RESOLUTIONS

Posted on January 17, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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It’s only January 17th and already there’s a holiday whereby you can ditch your New Year’s resolutions.  It’s been a while since I’ve shared one of those weird holidays with you.  There is one for every day of the year – did you know that?  It seems a little early to be giving up on New Year’s promises to change our lives for the future, but as you know, we live in a society of instant fixes and immediate results, so I guess it’s understandable.  If you don’t lose twenty pounds in seventeen days or the desire for another drink or cigarette is stronger than your will power, it seems to be the natural thing to just give up.

I have learned in my seventy seven years of living that making resolutions is like setting impossible goals for ourselves.  We think we can do it, but somehow it doesn’t take long for us to realize our human nature gets in the way.  Our own hope of being in control falters and we give up.  We often not only fail, but our ego is also bruised in the trying.

Is it futile to try and control our lives?  I don’t think God wants us to sit back and wait for Him to make things happen.  He tells us in His Word,

” But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Timothy 5:8

God expects us to plan for the future – to care for those within our families.  Without planning and counsel from those who know, we will often fall flat on our faces.  When we trust in the will of God, we are assured of a future filled with success.  It may not be one filled with riches, but His plans are always for our good.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

So on this day when we can actually celebrate being willing to accept that we are not always as good as our word, lets turn to God instead.  His will for us never fails.  We can depend on it.  The hardest thing for us to accept is the fact that we are not in control, but God is.  With that in mind, it’s so much easier to depend on His intervention in our lives and trust that He will fulfill every one of His promises.

 

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on January 17, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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BACK IN THE FRAY

Posted on January 15, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Once more into the fray…
Into the last good fight I’ll ever know…
Live and die on this day…
Live and die on this day… 

The phrase, “Into the fray,” has meant to me – getting back into the game after a time of rest or waiting.  The above poem may have been derived from Shakespeare’s, “King Henry V.” in Henry’s speech to his troops before battle.  That speech was spoken to encourage his army to try once more to break the barriers before them.  A kind of never give up speech.

After a long bout with my kidney over November and December, I’m back in the proverbial saddle again.  I always seem to muddle through some health issue, an important event (Christmas in this case) or a life and death situation when I am not involved in a lot of work.  I believe God knows that I wouldn’t be able to stand up under any other conditions.  However with the end of the holidays I am back into the fray.

Only a week ago, we started rehearsals for “The Crucible,” by Arthur Miller.  It is a timely play depicting mass hysteria, mob rule, strict religious teachings, land grabbing, political power and many things that continue in our world today.  The play is being performed by students from grades 6-12.  I’m stage managing this show under a very knowledgeable director who gives min-history lessons along the way.  I’m learning a lot.  I think the actors are as well.

I also began teaching my weekly “Golden Starz Creative Aging Acting Class,” for students 55 and up.  We are combining acting technique with creative writing and my students are learning how to create their own interesting characters in the form of a monologue which they’ll perform before an audience at the end of the sessions.

My creative juices are percolating again.  It’s good to get back to doing the things we love to do.  Aging doesn’t have to restrict us.  We have the ability to keep on trying no matter how old we are.  One of my students is over 80 and still very involved in the community and loves to learn.  She’s currently learning to speak Russian from her seven year old granddaughter.  Another who has just recently retired is taking art classes from my husband.  She’s traveling everywhere she can before she isn’t physically able to do.  She’s also joining me on the board of directors at the theatre I’m involved in.  Some are there for the social part of it, but they’re all learning something about themselves and stepping outside of their comfort zones.

The fray doesn’t have to be a call to death.  Getting involved is more life giving than we thing it is.  When we pour ourselves outside of ourselves we are making a difference within our communities, our families, our social circles and our own lives.  Never give up.

King Henry:
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger. . . .
Henry The Fifth Act 3, scene 1, 1–6

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