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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RETIRED TIRED

Posted on January 14, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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I’m beyond the age of retirement.  I tried it once, but the lure of theatre drew me out of it.  I am one of those elderly women who drives a car from 2002, with a little over 100,000 miles on it.  It has a stick shift, so it takes a while for me to get up to speed. I’m the one who usually has a parade of cars behind her on the road, because I almost always drive the speed limit.  I drive in the right lane so people can pass me if they like, but they seem to prefer riding on my back bumper.

My brain is still functioning although some of my senses are lacking. I’m hard of hearing so have resorted to closed captioning when I watch TV, which is far more entertaining than hearing the actual words.  My taste buds are almost non existent.  My eyesight isn’t too bad, but I need specks to read.  My sense of smell is failing which is good in some cases, but no so much in others.  As for the sense of touch, I can still feel a needle pricking my finger or the softness of a baby’s skin.

My sense of nonsense is quite alive and well. I enjoy being the comedian in a group – telling funny stories – having a pie thrown in my face.  Simple things like that make me smile.

I’ve discovered the key to living a long life is to be active while you’re living.  That doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym every day, but it does mean getting out of your chair, out of your house and into the world of the living.  The more we sit around, the more likely we’ll fall into a coma.  I am an involved senior.  I still have opportunities to teach, to volunteer, to speak, to mentor and to share a lifetime of experiences with others.

There are times though when I feel like I’m on a merry go round, because my life is almost too full.  I have moments when I long to sleep until noon.  I would love to spend the day writing, reading or doing crossroad puzzles, but as long as I have the ability to move, I probably will never retire – even though there are times when I feel really tired of retirement.

I think God gives us these latter days to do some of the things we never had the chance to do when we were making a living.  We have a wealth of information and wisdom tucked away in our brains, which can be shared with others and perhaps even bring some joy to them.  Maybe I’ll retire – tomorrow.

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KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING

Posted on January 13, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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My husband and I are still part of the work force, although we officially retired over ten years ago.  Now we have the luxury of living on the entitlements so graciously given us by our government.  I’m not being sarcastic here.  We would be long gone had it not been for Social Security. We retired with no long range plan, no 401K, no pension. Life circumstances got in the way, but we do have the strength to press on for the eternal prize

I wondered what we would do when we retired. What would we talk about? Our family was out of the nest.  Did we have anything in common? The time we’d spent together alone took a back seat to family matters.  The whole idea of retirement scared me for a while.

I don’t know why I was so concerned.  However, there are a few things you can plan on before you get to that point, so the transition won’t be difficult. Start by thinking back to what first drew you together.  In my case, I’ve known my husband for most of my life.  We were friends in high school and became “steadys” in our senior year.  It was four years later when we got married..  We never lived together prior to marriage because we didn’t.  Today, that would be considered unenlightened, but I digress.

So what drew you together?  Was it a love of the arts – sports – eating out – going to the movies – a sound religious faith – hobbies?  Maybe you simply had a lot to talk about.  You might have been drawn in by physical attraction or more on an intellectual level.  As you grow together in a marriage all of those things take a back seat to having babies, supporting a family, building a business and caring for each other by instilling some good values in that family.

Your interests change with time.  Sometimes those hobbies you once loved are now physically impossible so you have to adjust, just like we adapt to other things as we grow older.  We suffer through illness, financial difficulties, problems with our children and tons of other problems through a marriage, but those things shouldn’t break us – only make us stronger.

My husband and I have learned to spend time together talking, usually first thing in the morning.  We share our aches and pains.  We talk about our plans for the day, discuss issues that are bothering us, the state of the world and other things which we have no control over.  That one hour sets the tone for the rest of the day.

We’ve also managed to make time to do something special together.  This doesn’t have to involve spending a fortune or maxing out the credit cards.  We’ll often get in the car and take a drive in the country for an hour, or maybe extend it to a day road trip. When we have a little extra money, we go on a real date.  Last Friday, for example, we went to see the movie, “1917,” nibbled on popcorn and then went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant.

Our every day routine sets us both in different directions.  Paul goes upstairs and works on a painting or art class curriculum and I stay downstairs and write my blog.  We meet at noon for lunch, where we again spend time talking.  In the afternoon, we often take a short siesta and then deal with everyday tasks.

Our time goes quickly.  It seems the older we get, the shorter time becomes.  There’s even a sense of urgency about growing old – like we have to get everything done before we go to heaven.  Life really is short, but when you have someone to spend it with you have a treasure beyond measure. When God is at the head of that union, you can’t lose.

 

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WINTER WATCH

Posted on January 13, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The majestic eagle casts his perfect vision on the field below,

Always looking for his next meal or provision for his waiting mate,

Who herself is on guard for the protection of her unborn.

A light dusting of glistening fairy dust falls gently from the sky,

Conserving the environment for the resplendent birds.

God’s breath covers the nest, camouflaging it from enemies.

It falls ever so softly – not disturbing, only covering slightly –

Creating safety,

Cuddling softly,

Chilling somewhat,

Yet draping a blanket of compassion and love over God’s creation.

New snow washes away the dark ugliness that comes with winter.

Just as the perfect life of Jesus creates a veil of immunity over our darkness.

We are cleansed from all our sin through His life.

 

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SATURDAY PRAYER

Posted on January 11, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Dear, Heavenly, Father,

As the week winds down, I come to you with a mind filled with anxious thoughts.  I know that you’ve told me not to be anxious about anything – that you’re in control and with me every step of the way –  that worry can do nothing as far as changing the way things turn out.  Your plan for our lives has already been written.

Still I read the headlines of things happening globally and it troubles me.  Are these signs of the end of times?  You have told us to be ready – to prepare for your second coming, yet I hold onto fear like a security blanket.

I hear of all the local disaster within my own community. There are numerous murders, assaults, domestic violence, sex trafficking and so much evil that it makes me think it can’t get much worse.

I see friends suffering with health issues, financial difficulties, marital problems and so much more and all I can do is sympathize with their pain.  I try to encourage with words from your Holy Word, but it seems so inconsequential at times.

As I approach your Sabbath day, help me to continue to put my trust in you.  You have never failed me in my life, no matter how difficult things have been.  Your love, your consistence, your faithfulness never changes.   I can count on your steady hand to guide me.  I know you will provide a way for your final plan to be accomplished.  Help me to accept your will and give me the strength to face the coming week with confidence. Amen!

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THE “JOYS” OF AGING

Posted on January 10, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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As another year and decade passes, each one of us is getting older. There is no escape from this malady, except for death and for many that’s the end of everything.  I hope I never lose my zest for living, but I certainly wouldn’t want to give up my hope of life after death either.

When you get old things begin to change – slowly at first, but once you’ve reached retirement age it’s like putting pedal to the metal.  Time moves much faster for example.  Days swiftly turn into nights and your daily fare may consist of crossword puzzles and watching Bonanza reruns.

With modern medicine we’re living longer lives.  Hips, knees, kidneys and even hearts can be replaced. Plastic surgery has expanded to all areas of the body.  You can replace your smile with dental implants.  You can endow yourself with perfect upper and lower body enhancements.  Your body can actually be sculpted into precisely what you want it to be for a price.  You can make bald heads hairy again.  It makes me wonder what our decaying bodies might look long after we’re placed in the ground.  Picture a skeleton with implants running wild.

For some, reaching retirement means time for yourself – a chance to check off things from your bucket list – get involved in something you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the time for.  You may choose to step outside the box and experience free falling from an airplane or zip lining across the Grand Canyon – neither of which I’d do because of my fear of heights.

We try to keep up with the latest technology, but need a five year old to explain it to us and most five year olds are too busy texting their friends.  So we stumble through the emojis, the tweets and chat rooms knowing nothing about what we’re doing.  Fortunately most of us are smart enough not to get caught up in the scams out there, but if we do, we never hear the end of it.

Staying alive is more than taking fifteen pills a day.  If you really want to enjoy your golden years, get out and do something – even if it means simply having coffee with a group of friends.  You might join a health club and meet new friends, but be careful.  Health clubs are full of bacteria and germs, not to mention those who are there to hit on you.  You might take a class in something you’ve always wanted to try.  Someone once said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but you’d be surprised at all the wisdom packed into an 85 year old mind. They might teach you a trick or two.

What I’m trying to say here is that we all go through the aging process, whether we’re ten years old or 80.  It’s the natural order of things.  We’ll also die some day.  Make the most of the time you walk on this planet, but don’t forget that something even better lies ahead.

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on January 10, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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NEW LIFE FROM OLD

Posted on January 9, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

A seed drops,
It burrows and nestles into rich soil,
It springs forth with new life,
Fragile branches at first,
Growing strong with each passing day,
Expanding, stretching, embracing the sky,
Reaching 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.

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HAVE THE BIRTH PANGS BEGUN?

Posted on January 9, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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When expecting my first child, I had no clue what was about to happen.  My body had increased by almost 60 pounds and I thought I was about to give birth to the largest child ever to be born. I’d forgotten what my feet looked like and when I did get a glimpse of them, they too had expanded to about three times their normal size.

I went about my normal daily activities without fear.  I was only 22 when these changes were happening.  I continued about living as usual, including my daily walk.  On the day of labor, I was on my way home from the nearby grocery store when my water broke.  I hurried home and called my husband to tell him that maybe a child would be born that day.  Even when he arrived home I wasn’t experiencing any pain.  By the time we reached the hospital and I was prepared for delivery, the contractions started.  My firstborn took only three hours to make her appearance.  The pains didn’t become intense until the very end.

Whenever I read the Bible verses in Matthew 24, I’m reminded of those first birth pangs.  There will be pain before the world as we know it ends.  There will be wars and rumors of war. There will be the noise of violence in every corner of our world. Dissatisfied and enraged voices scream for change. People are divided in their opinions, their beliefs and their politics.  Headlines proclaim stories of murders in the streets, in the safety our homes and within our churches and schools. The fierce winds of destructive hurricanes, fires and floods, have destroyed people’s property and lives. It seems this must be the beginning of the end as promised in God’s Word.

When it comes to the state of affairs in the world – this isn’t something new. The world has always experienced violence, hatred, division, intolerance, unnecessary and necessary wars. Today, however, we have access to information regarding all this in an instant. Some respond before getting all the facts while others take a wait and see attitude.

God tells us not to be surprised by these events. It’s like the birthing process. Once we have endured these pangs, new life begins. It may not be on this planet, but we have been promised eternity in heaven when we turn our lives over to the Lord.

Do not be alarmed. Do not let your heart be troubled. All of this must happen before the end result occurs. We have no idea when that will occur, but we know, by God’s communication with us, that the end is coming. With the end of birth pains, comes new life. Let’s turn it over to Him and know that He’s got this!

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MY FIRST RUNAWAY

Posted on January 8, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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The first time I decided to run away from home was shortly after my only sister was born. You see, I was the firstborn grandchild on both sides of my family, my parents’ firstborn, and the most spoiled child you have ever seen. For almost five years, I ruled the roost and suddenly the roost had been invaded by a child with naturally curly hair and lungs that wouldn’t quit. Her crying was the last straw.

I couldn’t take it anymore, so I packed up my little suitcase with necessities like my umbrella, a box of Kleenex and a quarter. I tied the cord on my chenille bathrobe, donned my slippers and announced to mom and dad that it was nice knowing them and walked out the door. We lived on the top floor of a four story apartment building. I don’t think I got down one flight of stairs before I realized they didn’t even act surprised or say a word. It wasn’t long before I walked back through that door and forgot about running away for a while.

It seemed to be natural behavior for me. I tried it a few times after that to no avail. At one point, my dad offered to help me pack. I guess they were getting used to it by that time. Whenever things weren’t going my way, I thought the best thing to do was escape from the thing that was bugging me. I’d hide in a closet when I didn’t want to confront – especially if I knew I was the cause of the problem.

I wonder how often God has to deal with us in this way. He has His finger on the pulse of every one in His creation. He knows where we are, who we’re with, what we’re up to and how to bring us back home. No matter how hard we try to run away, we can’t escape from God.

most of us like to think that we’re in control. We don’t need anyone’s help – especially someone we can’t see. Our human nature and society tells us we can do things on our own and we alone are responsible for ourselves.

It can be kind of daunting to imagine that someone is watching our every move – following our footsteps – setting the path and direction for our lives – observing our mistakes and unfaithfulness. On the other hand, He is guiding us with His right hand – protecting us from falling into danger – lifting us out of depression and anxiety – holding us through the dark days of temptation – loving us unconditionally.

We can’t run away from God and why would we want to?

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MY WRITING JOURNEY

Posted on January 7, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Here it is, January 7th, 2020 – a year I never thought I’d reach, but God had other thoughts.  I’ve never seemed to have a problem with writer’s block, but I am an author with “publishing block.”  I’ve published one book in my life.  It was a self-published book which was mainly intended as a legacy for my family to read some day.  The story was and autobiography, mixed with humor and a whole lot of faith.  When I got deep into some of the darker parts if my life, I put the work away.  It sat for a number of years.

You see, I have this fear of rejection, which shouldn’t be part of the equation when you self-publish.  The problem is I also have a fear of investing my meager dollars into something as unreliable as publishing my own work.

So much for my excuses.  The truth is I have written a novel. I sweat over this story for a number of years, using all my gifts of developing interesting, conflicted, unusual characters –  skill I attained over years of acting and writing plays.  I believe characters are everything on both sides of the performing stage.  I assumed this would be true in the writing of a book of fiction.  I had no trouble defining my characters and their unique situations, but I fell short in the telling of the story.  I created more characters than necessary.  I fell into a trap of too many side stories which really didn’t pertain to the actual flow of the main theme.  I had no idea that such a work would be so all-consuming.

My husband, the artist, assures me that everything is a work in progress. Sometimes we need to tweak or alter our thinking to make the most of it. Sometimes that never happens and we are left to abandoning it for a while.  When we come back to it in a few years, our eyes will be fresh and have found the answers we struggled over for so long.

The mentality of finding instant success in our art is really quite a pie in the sky attitude.  Yet when we believe in something, we shouldn’t hesitate because of fear of rejection or the loss of a few bucks.

One of my New Year hopes is to finally submit this work to a publisher.  For this, I need a good swift kick in the pants or it’s back to the drawing board.  In either case, I will never give up.

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WORDS OF TRUTH

Posted on January 7, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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Our world has been around for between 5 and 6 thousand years.  Of course, there are many who would disagree with that statement, but most of them don’t believe in God nor in His creation timeline.  Unfortunately, in our history we continue to make many of the same mistakes.  We follow old patterns until we realize there are better ways of doing things.  We become easy victims to innovation, invention and anything that will make our lives easier, but fail to realize that many of those transformations to our world may cause more trouble than they’re worth.

In a world that is supposed to be evolving, we see just the opposite.  We’ve grown dependent on our electronic devices.  We can shop from the comfort of our own homes.  We have access to everything in the world, just with the click of a finger or a voice control box named Alexa.  We, in fact, can control our lives without doing much physical work at all.  In our attempt to create ease of doing things, we’ve turned into a nation lacking get up and go and gumption.  We sit back in our recliners watching wars unfold, people’s character being judged, lives changed by numbing opioids, tolerance and acceptance of every kind of behavior.  We expose ourselves to predatory actions, sex trafficking, kidnapping of young unsuspecting children for that purpose.  It would seem that nothing shocks us anymore.

In the meantime our bodies are lacking physical exercise.  We lose our ability to communicate face to face with others.  We rely only on ourselves and seldom give any thought to God – the only true innovator around.

So what if our infrastructure was invaded?  What if this world of twitter dee and twitter dumb were to collapse and we had to do things the old fashioned way again?  What if we had no other resource for living other than reaching out to others?  What if we turned back to the One who created our planet and every other heavenly body in the universe?

I still believe in the future of our country.  I have confidence that the youth of today will pick up the pieces left behind and try to make something from them.  Our hope lies with them, so we must give them the tools they need to steady the ship.

God is still at the mast.  He’s even given us the perfect handbook showing His plan for us through the Bible.  It is His voice, inspired into the pens of average human beings by the Holy Spirit.  Maybe it’s time to dust off the Bible, or if you’re so inclined, get an app for that.  God’s Word is not only our great heritage, but it tells us how much God loves each and everyone of us.  It shows us how to live, to be kind, compassionate and caring for one another.  It gives us structure which will last forever, even when the internet fails.

OPEN THE BOOK & READ IT!

 

 

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WHAT AN EPIPHANY

Posted on January 6, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

Epiphany

We’re not told how many men came. Undoubtedly there were more than three. Being royalty and educated men they must’ve had a caravan of servants.  There were possibly other men of science who were interested in the super nova written about in the ancient scrolls.  This star would lead them to Jerusalem and King Herod.

Herod became interested in this impending threat to his own throne.  He tricked the men into telling him where the child was born so that he could eliminate every male child under the age of two.

They came from the east and traveled over deserts and mountain ranges. It was probably two years before they arrived. By this time the Son of God and His parents were now living in a house.  They must have been surprised to be greeted by these men of wealth, knowledge and power.

We know they carried treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  These gifts were most fitting for the king they hoped to find.  The gold was representative of his royalty.  The frankincense indicated that this king was also God, who should be worshipped as such.  Myrrh was an expensive ointment used in the preparation of a body for burial.  This final gift would be used when the newborn king was readied for His own interment.

Previously we saw how this child, born in poverty, came to the world for the shepherds, the common people and the poor. Now it’s revealed that He was born for all people. Jesus doesn’t exist for only one class of people. He was born to save the entire world.

God isn’t selective in His forgiveness. It’s available to everyone. His requirements for obeying His law are great – too great for us to handle. We all need a redeemer and Jesus was sent for that very purpose. The poor shepherds in the field knew that as well as the wealthy men who brought their precious gifts to Him.  Both groups had incredible news to share with others.  After seeing this child, they knew that the Messiah had come to the world to save it.  They couldn’t contain their joy so they rapidly spread the news.

Our epiphany should be like that.  We have been gifted with the promise of forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  That news is way too important to keep to ourselves, especially in a world filled with constant chaos.

Dear, Holy, Father, God, your Christmas gift to the world is the most precious gift we could receive.  You sent your own Son, born from the bloodline of King David, to fulfill your covenant with mankind.  You alone could provide the perfect atonement for our sins. Thank you for this amazing gift and lead us to share the news that life everlasting awaits those who ask for it.  Keep us in that faith even when the world looks hopeless and our divisions widen.  Bring us together through the knowledge that Jesus is King of Kings and He reigns over all the world.  Amen!

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ACTS OF KINDNESS

Posted on January 3, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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There are days when I wonder what’s happened to the human spirit. The old fashioned rules – like the Golden Rule – seem all but forgotten.  The population of It’s all about me,” seems to dominate and often our children are learning the same bad habits.  Simple things like “please” and “thank you” are almost non-existent.

It’s times like that when my attention turns inward.  Hey, it’s all about me, right? What I mean is, I have to look beyond others to see if I am just as much at fault as anyone else.  It really begins within our own hearts and how much we’re willing to give a part of ourselves away.  The thing with kindness is that no matter how much you give away, you’ll always receive twofold in return.  That shouldn’t be the reason for doing acts of kindness.  It’s just a bonus.

Yesterday, as I joined fifty million others who were restocking their refrigerators and cupboards, I was witness to a sweet act of kindness.  Two elderly ladies (older than me) were shopping side by side, each with their own shopping carts.  They stopped at the egg section and spent a great deal of time trying to decide what size to buy.  I didn’t know there were that many choices.  Their carts blocked the aisle and many impatient shoppers rudely pushed their way past them.  One woman waited patiently for the women to make their choice.  I backed up and continued to shop in a different aisle, opting to return later for my eggs.

I went down a couple more rows and returned to find the same scenario.  The two ladies were still trying to decide which eggs to purchase and the patient woman continued to wait.  At last, they walked on with their dozen eggs.  I’m not sure what size they finally decided on.  The patient woman proceeded to grab a dozen and apologized for taking so long.   She showed respect to the women.  She cared enough not to push her way in.  Not only was she kind to them, she took time to be kind to me as well.  I truly hope she is blessed with many acts of kindness towards her.

It seems such a little thing to some people – an unnecessary courtesy – an unimportant gesture – yet so important in our relationships with each other.  There could be a billion reasons for this lack of kindness which seems to pervade our lives today.  Maybe we simply have forgotten how to be nice or how to communicate, but there really is no excuse for not exhibiting a simple act of kindness to those we encounter each day.

Imagine how things might change in the course of our lives.  Imagine how those simple kindnesses will bless another human being.  Imagine how much better our world would be if we simply cared about each other again, rather than putting “me” first.

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on January 3, 2020 by atimetoshare.me

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I’ll be back

Posted on December 31, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

Taking a brief hiatus due to health issues. Prayers of thanksgiving, praise and needs for all the wonderful friends I’ve made this past year. May God carry you into the New year and decade with His protection, grace and mercy. Happy New year 🎈🎈

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PONDER THEM IN YOUR HEART

Posted on December 21, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

When I was little I thought the word ponder meant to pound. In a child’s mind it made perfect sense for Mary to treasure the things that were happening and pound them into her heart.

Today I know what that word means, but it makes me think about how children minds work and the innocent faith they have. Mary’s accepting faith is just the kind that God wants from all of us, whether old or young.

As impossible as the story of the first Christmas seems to some, the fact is that it’s true. God conceived a child in Mary so that He could be born human, live as our brother, suffer and hurt just like we do and die. After death He would conquer the devil and rise again to return to His heavenly glory.

Think about it, treasure it and POUND it into your heart.

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LUKE 21 THE END TIMES

Posted on December 21, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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READ LUKE 21

Christmas is just around the corner and we’ve almost completed this look at Luke.  Jesus has had many things to teach His followers over the past three years – things that will help all of us through the trials of life, give encouragement and hope, support us through times of doubt and help us to grow our faith.  It is getting close to the end of His time on earth. Still He has things to share with those who cling to His every word.

In the first few verses He talks about our giving when He notices a poor widow giving her last bit of money to the temple treasury.  Jesus knows that she is giving completely out of faith that God will provide for her needs, even though this is all she has.  We too should give with such faith. God will never fail us, neither physically, spiritually or monetarily.

His disciples notice the beauty of the temple and all its adornments, so Jesus uses the opportunity to talk about the coming destruction of the building when not a stone will be left unturned.  He continues to talk about the end times and the disciples are eager to know more.  I believe that we still wonder about the future, because it’s one of those unknowns that causes us to fret.  What will it be like?  Will everything be destroyed? Will we go to heaven?  Will Jesus have mercy on His people?

Jesus tells them that many will follow Him, claiming to be the Messiah. He warns them not to believe those false prophets.  He speaks about wars and rumors of wars must happen before the end arrives and even then there will be a while before it happens.  He tells of some of the physical signs such as nations rising against nations – earthquakes, pestilence, famine and other natural disasters.  There will be persecution against those who follow Christ, but we should arm ourselves with God’s protection and new life is promised for those who believe.  This is all part of the coming of the end.

He paints a picture of horrible things happening.  The people will become anxious with the anticipation of the terrors yet to be. The heavenly bodies will be shaken and the seas tossed.    He tells us not to be afraid even during these horrific events.  He will appear in the clouds and we can be assured that our redemption is at hand.

He tells those listening and us as well, that we should be prepared for the end, for we don’t know when it will come. We can do so by staying in the Word of God, following the commandments and believing that God has already forgiven the world from its sins.

Jesus continued to preach at the temple every day.  The undercurrent from His enemies was beginning to come to pass.  They were plotting against everything He ever said.  At night Jesus would retreat to the Mount of Olives for much needed rest and refreshment.  Each morning the crowds reassembled and waited to hear what He had to say.

 

 

 

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on December 20, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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LUKE 20 – THE PLOT THICKENS

Posted on December 20, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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READ LUKE 20

After a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus continues to preach to the crowds, but there’s a faction that wants to put a stop to what they consider heresy.  They’ve had enough of this rabble rouser and are determined to end it.  They go along with the crowds and add their questions, raising confusion, but Jesus uses His story telling skills to prove His authority.

In the Parable of the wicked tenants, He foretells His own death.  The owner of the land is God the Father.  The tenants are those He has rented His land to.  They are called to account at the time of harvest to give Him some of the fruits of the vineyards.  He sends three of His servants to collect on their contract and each of them is beaten and sent away empty handed.  Finally, the owner sends His own Son. The Son referred to here is Jesus.  The tenants plot to kill the Son so they can gain the inheritance.

When Jesus says that the owner will then come and destroy the evil doers and the Pharisees are outraged.  Jesus replies with the words of scripture Psalm 118:22 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”  He follows that verse with His words, “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

As we continue through Luke 20, you can see the undercurrent of indiscretion as the priests and scribes try with all their might to find something wrong in Jesus’ teaching.  They asked Him if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.  He shows them a coin with Caesar’s image and tells them to render unto Caesar what belongs to him and to God the things that are His.  His accusers marvel at His words and become silent.

The Sadducees come at Jesus again with a question about the resurrection and those who have married more than once in this life.  He replies by telling them that the world to come will be unlike the world we live in.  There will be no marriage. We will be sons and daughters of God and accountable only to Him.  The leaders were stunned by His response and said no more.

Jesus talks about who He is by telling them that He is both God & man. Christ as God was David’s Lord, but Christ as man was David’s son. In the presence of the crowd He speaks to His disciples about His accusers.  He already knows what they’re up to and He wants His followers to know that will be judged by God for their actions.  He tells them to be wary of them.

Jesus is coming closer to the end of His life.  His mission is about to be fulfilled.  As God, He knew what the future held, yet He remained confident that His sacrifice was necessary.  As a man, He must’ve felt overwhelmed by the questions, the accusations, the lies.  His words silenced His accusers for the time being, but that would soon change.

 

 

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