ON BEING A MOM

Posted on May 5, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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This time of year there are many platitudes floating around regarding motherhood and the fact that these wonderful people should be exalted to a pedestal. Being a mom is a life-changing, life-lasting and life-giving experience. It doesn’t end with the labor in the delivery room. The work just begins there.

Moms will soon find they are no longer the center of their own universe. Once that new life enters yours, you become totally committed to it. A mother puts her child first. A mother’s love is unconditional. It can be inspiring. She can cause mountains to move with her encouragement. She can take pride in a job well done. She can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Wait – wrong super hero. Sounds fabulous, right? Anyone would want the job, right? What you don’t always hear about may have you thinking twice before entering into this facet of life.

Moms must be available 24/7. An appointment to the spa is out of the question. Your life will now consist of changing diapers and wiping little bottoms. You will be expected to listen to every word they have to say and every demand they make. You will transport them to every sporting event, concert, dance recital, or drama class until they are old enough to drive themselves. Then you will pray incessantly until they return home.

You will stay up once they’re tucked in bed so you can make a dent in the laundry – only to fall asleep before the spin cycle is completed. You will shop for their clothes until they tell you that you don’t have any style. You will provide nutritious meals, unless time forces you into a drive through. You will train them to be outstanding students, citizens and members of the community. You will cry every time they get hurt. You will defend them if anyone says a negative thing about them. You will put them before anything you need or do. You will give up and clean their rooms after you’ve asked them to do it at least a hundred times. You will discover things that may surprise you.  You will support them, encourage them, believe in them.

You will get angry with them. You will be discouraged with their behavior. You will wait your turn to use the bathroom only to be joined by them during that precious quiet time, because they want to be with you. You will read to them, sing to them, teach them, praise them, thank them, be proud of them even when they don’t succeed. You will discipline them even when you don’t want to. You will set rules for them even when they don’t want them.

What are the benefits? You will see sparkles in their eyes when they understand things. You will get goose bumps when they score their first goal. You’ll watch a life develop and become more than you ever dreamed it would. You will melt when they put their arms around you and say, “I love you, mom.” You will be proud, joyful, amazed and extremely gratified for a job well done. You will be thankful for the blessed opportunity to help create a life and watch it grow into an adult who may go through the same satisfying experience. You will always love them and they will love you back – because you are a mom.

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MY WRITING JOURNEY

Posted on May 4, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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Just a little less than 3000 words to go.  Then it’s time to edit.  Spell check has been known to be my worst enemy, so I’m praying that each word is the right one.  As far as grammar and all the rules, I’m certain I’ve stepped outside of most of them.  Is it OK to have run on sentences?  Will I be executed for using a dash rather than a semi-colon?  Where do I go with my finished epic to have it published?  Should I choose Christian Fiction, Addiction, Contradiction or Confliction Fiction?  Should I have an agent?  Should I self-publish or is that just tacky?

This whole novel writing experience has been sapping me of time which I should be enjoying outdoors in the budding luxury of spring.  There is something compelling about this kind of writing.  I’m discovering that I must continue to create a semblance of order to my story.  Otherwise I have to reread the few chapters before a new one so I keep the flow going.  The ideas don’t stop when I’m away from my writing instrument of choice.  My dreams, my thoughts, the daily tasks of life all relate to what’s going on in the formulation process.

Roget’s Thesaurus has become my best friend.

Last week I talked about getting to know my characters and actually feeling compassion for them.  They have become a part of me in a way.  Dialogue is challenging for me, even though the majority of my writings for over thirty years were stage plays.  In that genre, I was able to rely on my actors to bring the characters to life.  Writing fiction means creating the actual voice on the written page.  If someone has a particular dialect, it really should be written into the story.  If someone is old, has a speech impediment or a peculiar kind of voice, that also needs to be crafted into the conversation.

Words – words – words!  It seems everything is about words.  There’s a particular number to achieve.  They should be descriptive, sensory, uplifting, inspirational and like a painted masterpiece on a canvas.  They should spur the reader’s hunger for  the next page.  As a wordsmith, you have a responsibility to use words that people understand, yet lavish enough to create interest.

I have finally determined how to end the story.  Now I need to fill in some of the details of each chapter.  That should give me the WORDS I require to get that part of the job done.  Since this is probably the first and last novel I will write (maybe) I am hoping to get it right.  It took Victor Hugo seventeen years to complete “Les Miserables.”  If it takes me that long, I’ll be 94!

“Each of our passions, even love, has a stomach that must not be overloaded. We must in everything write the word ‘finis’ in time; we must restrain ourselves, when it becomes urgent; we must draw the bolt on the appetite, play a fantasia on the violin, then break the strings with our own hand. The Wise man is he who knows when and how to stop.”

Victor Hugo

 

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DO I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Posted on May 3, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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“If in my youth I had realized that the sustaining splendour of beauty of with which I was in love would one day flood back into my heart, there to ignite a flame that would torture me without end, how gladly would I have put out the light in my eyes.” Michelangelo

When you’re in the prime of life, you’ve probably come close to achieving masterpiece status.  Your body is in pretty good condition.  Your life is on the right track.  Your finances are in decent shape.  Your relationships have been established and if you’re fortunate, you’ve come to grips with who God is and the plan He has for your life.

When you go beyond those years, things start to fall apart.  Your aging body requires more help to get out of bed..  Your memory fails and so do many of your senses.  You are probably close to, or in retirement.  Your finances have shrunk and that small nest egg you had is dwindling by the second.  Your friends are passing you by on the way to heaven.  Your goals have all been achieved and you may even begin to wonder why you’re still here.

God has a purpose for each and every one of us – regardless of our physical age.  He created each one with unique talents, abilities, strengths, dreams and more. We are not merely clones, cookie cutter pressed out and sent through an assembly line.  Finding out what those qualities are sometimes takes some longer to figure out than others.

When we reach our elder years, we have more time.  We can use that time to wallow in self-pity or put it to positive energy instead.  If we’re still capable of working, we should.  If we find ourselves on a track to no where, its time to find something to fill our lives by making ourselves useful.  We can’t give up simply because our bodies are aging.

I really believe that the older generation has so much to offer this world.  Our years of life experience can’t be measured by college degrees.  We have attained a lifetime of knowledge, real life training and ups and downs which can be shared with those younger than us.  We’ve suffered through many of the things those younger ones are suffering right now.  We can be of more service than we realize when it comes to encouraging others.

Putting things in perspective – we only have a short time left to make a difference in this world.  Every waking moment should be spent in giving back in one way or another.  God’s work is always good and you are one of His masterpieces.

Isaiah 64:8  “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

 

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WALLY’S FRYDADDY FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on May 3, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on May 3, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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BIRTHDAY HAPPY TO GRANDCHILD OF YODA !

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

WORLD PASSWORD DAY

Posted on May 2, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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There are so many weird holidays.  You can even make up you own if you want to.  Today happens to be World Password Day.  How do you feel about them?  For me, if I don’t write them down, I forget every time.  If I write them down, I am putting my identity at risk.  Who knows when someone will look through my desk to find my list?  I may encounter someone from another part of the world, sitting in an igloo collecting passwords or trying to decipher them – an over weight , disheveled, person with a foreign accent will go crazy when he tries to find my passwords.

I have visions of having all my accounts hacked at some time and the $2.49 left in my checkbook will become pocket change for some thief.  When you don’t have a lot of dough, no one seems to bother you too much.

Many people choose to make their password something that only they could know about.  For example:  Grandmaknowsbest/3, or kathy’sFat@5 or Authorwannabe#1.  Those would be difficult to hack.  Now I personally have not used these passwords.  I’ve come up with my own way of keeping track of those difficult yet important codes.

Since I’m getting old and memory often fails me, the only thing for me to do is change my password every time I log on to a favorite site.  You know that little sentence under the place where you’re supposed enter your password?  It says, “Forget your password?”  That way I never have to remember them.

I can imagine those in charge of changing passwords at Facebook, WordPress, Yahoo, Pinterest and Amazon going a little nutso over my constant changing.  It does keep me on the ball.  Not only does it clear out some of the memory in my brain’s data bank, but it’s fun to come up with new and creative ones.

So today on this World Password Day, how do you intend to celebrate?  I think I’ll change all of mine today . . . AGAIN!

 

 

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MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD

Posted on May 2, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

I once in poverty did lay, my heart was full of need,

You came and took my sins away and now I’m rich indeed,

You gave your richest treasure – your one and only Son.

You are my greatest pleasure. With you I now am one.

 

Though troubles cling and still remain, my guilt has been set free,

My life will never be the same, I’ll get down on my knees,

And thank my Lord for saving me, from Satan’s grip and hold,

My walk will now with Jesus be, more valuable than gold.

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THE FLOWERS OF MAY

Posted on May 1, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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Today is May Day.  My fondest memories of this day are hand making May baskets filled with flowers and treats and placing them at the door of a friend and running away before they opened the door.  It also included celebrating the Queen of the May and welcoming spring by dancing around the maypole.

It was another beginning of sorts as we all so looked forward to the end of school, the start of summer and lazy, crazy days without a care in the world.  Ha!  Kids have cares too, but I digress.

May Day was also designated as International Workers’ Day by the Socialists and Communists of the Second International (A spinoff of the First International which was an organization of socialist and labor parties begun in Paris.) to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago.  It basically was a rebellion of workers of industry, mostly German and Bohemian immigrants, demanding shorter hours and no change in pay.  It took place on May 4, 1886, shortly after the Civil War ended and industry was beginning to go strong.

The immigrants became united and took up a battle for their cause by going on strike..  During that time of peaceful demonstration, a bomb was thrown into the crowd, killing twelve police and mortally wounding six others.  Shooting ensued by other police officers who actually killed many of their fellow officers in the melee.

After that incident, the people of Chicago sided with law enforcement.  Suspicion fell upon the German and Bohemian communities.  Homes of suspected anarchists were raided in search of the perpetrators.  Eventually eight were convicted of conspiracy.

The Haymaker Affair was the origin of  International Workers Day held on May 1.  A sculpture was dedicated at the site in 2004.  Another piece of history we don’t hear a lot about anymore.

 

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RUNNING A MARATHON

Posted on April 30, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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Don’t worry.  I’m not thinking about running a marathon.  I’m not thinking about taking up running.  In fact, if I did, I would look more like Tim Conway doing his old man routine.  I’m thinking about walking.  For me that would be like the average person training for a marathon.  There would be major amounts of sweat involved – copious tubes of Ben Gay – a heating pad and ice pack designed to cover my entire body – a heart monitor, IV filled with an energy drink and someone behind me equipped with resuscitating equipment.

When you get to my age, any kind of exercise is a challenge.  Frankly getting out of bed is huge.  Lately I’ve been stuck to a chair, writing all day, with a body that’s beginning to look like a combination of Jabba the Hutt and the hunchback of Notre Dame.  Still I press on as if I were in a race against time.  As a matter of fact, that’s what it is.  My book may be my last opportunity at success.

When I was a young girl of 13, I thought anyone over 30 was ancient.  When I became 30, I still had a certain amount of resilience, but I thought anyone over 50 was ready for the glue factory.  Don’t ask.  When I turned 50 I was becoming a bit sympathetic with those in their 70’s.  Now that I’m in my 70s I wonder how I ever made it.

Maybe  if I’d been more athletic as a young person I wouldn’t be in this condition today, or if I had been very athletic I may be in worse shape now.  Most of my friends who were cheerleaders or sports nuts are now suffering with bad knees and hips.

My doctor believes I’m an active senior, but the truth is most of my exercise consists of simply standing up, sitting and laying down.  With any amount of exertion I find myself short of breath and exhausted.  Thus I’ve decided to start walking again.  I even have some spiffy athletic shoes.  I can put my arch supports in those things and I should be able to make it to the end of the driveway and back.

I’ll start slow and maybe by the end of summer I can finish a block or two. It will be like learning how to walk all over again – starting with baby steps.  Wish me luck!

 

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RISING WITH THE SON

Posted on April 28, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

He died that I could live. He suffered pain and loss.  He gave all He could give, upon that rugged cross.
But on that awesome day, so many years ago,  The price for sin He’d pay, so freedom I   would know. 

He crushed the devils head.  He paid our ransom too.  Though we were all once dead, We’re promised life anew.

The story didn’t end there. He came to life once more.  To show me that I too will live beyond His heavenly door.

It’s been only a week since we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus., but still we should be bathing in the afterglow.  That feeling shouldn’t last for only a day or even a week.  It should be imbedded in our souls forever.  When He conquered death, He fulfilled His Father’s covenant with humanity.

May the joy of that wondrous message warm our hearts and give us the confidence and assurance of life everlasting.  He is indeed risen from the dead and because of that, we too will rise.

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GRATITUDE

Posted on April 26, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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The afterglow of Easter has all but disappeared in the world around us.  The memories contained in that Sunday should’ve filled our hearts and minds with overwhelming gratitude, but instead we heard another story of death and destruction in another part of the world.

How quickly our joy can be tarnished by evil.  We almost become dumbed down by events like the bombings at Sri Lanka.  These every day acts of evil become so common place, we’ve grown to expect them.  Have our minds and hearts witnessed so much evil that we are numb to it?

The day of resurrection means so much to those of us who believe that Jesus rose from death.  He overcame the devil. He limited the time Satan had left and the work he could do.  Jesus made it possible for us to look forward to eternal life in paradise. Because He lives, we know that we will also live with Him some day.

The actions of Satan’s minions are everywhere.  They continue to infest the world, looking to devour us.  Our joy, our hope and our gratitude should not be killed by an incident like this. Death came to those Christians on such a holy day.  Certainly it was a senseless act.  Of course it was perpetrated by an evil force.  The promise of resurrection was fulfilled for them as they died in their faith.  That doesn’t make the act any less horrific for those left behind.

Even in adversity, we should be grateful.  Like Piglet, our hearts may be small, but they can hold a whole lot of gratitude.  The old adage of counting our blessings applies. When our world is caving around us – when the politics of every day consume us – when financial disaster leads to ruin – when relationships fail – when even our lives are threatened by evil – we can be so grateful for what we still have and what is yet to come.

Easter cannot be destroyed by evil.  Easter destroyed evil forever.  He is arisen!  He is risen indeed!!

 

 

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WALLY’S FRYDADDY FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on April 26, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on April 26, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

WHERE ARE YOUR ROOTS?

Posted on April 25, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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“Millions of men have lived to fight, build palaces and boundaries, shape destinies and societies; but the compelling force of all times has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit.” Ansel Adams

Most of us have a piece of history tucked away somewhere in our past.  The latest desire to discover our ancestors and heritage is sweeping the country.  We’re even asked to provide a sample of our DNA in order to find more in depth information.

Were your ancestors pillars of the community or were there some shady goings on in their lives?  Were they rich or poor?  Did they contribute to society or just take advantage of it?  Were they famous or infamous?

Any information we gather from our family trees is certainly not enough to tell us what our forerunners were really like.  What did they believe?  How did the get through the perils of life that faced those past generations?   What framed their personalities and character traits?

I came across the above photograph a couple years ago and decided to keep it.  I don’t know who the people are in the picture.  I can recognize some facial qualities that might lead me to my mother’s family.  I will never know for sure.  The thing that stands out to me in this image, is one of hard work, perseverance, determination, physical hardship and not a lot of joy.

Today photographs often include selfies – perfectly posed pictures – straight, whitened teeth and coifed hair. There is no dirt under the fingernails – no hefty work animals at our side – no sadness, grief or pain.  We try to put the best image of ourselves out there for the world to see.

I wonder what future generations will say about us.  As we look back, our vision of what used to be conjures ideas of difficult times – physical labor – oppression – fear of the unknown.  In 2099 a whole new generation of geriatrics will walk the face of the earth.  Will they recall sitting at a computer to compose a piece of writing or will that be overtaken by Alexa or some other robotic instrument? Will they understand the joy of lifting a paintbrush and creating a piece of art or will they have forgotten to enjoy art all together?  Will it matter what they look like – their appearance – their beauty?  Most will probably be cocooned within their own environment with very little social contact.

When you get old you think about things like this.  The folks in the old sepia-toned photographs certainly didn’t seem to enjoy their plight.  They existed.  They carried on, but were they happy?

Every generation probably thinks there’s is the best.  The experiences, the challenges, the desires are all part of the big picture.  Life doesn’t change much over time. We invent things that make it a lot easier, but we are all still the same in God’s eyes.  We can choose to complain about our lot in life or we can decide to live with it and make the most of it.

“The righteous who walks in his integrity—
    blessed are his children after him!” Proverbs 20:7

 

 

 

 

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REDEMPTION

Posted on April 24, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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“Nations, like stars, are entitled to eclipse. All is well, provided the light returns and the eclipse does not become endless night. Dawn and resurrection are synonymous. The reappearance of the light is the same as the survival of the soul.” Victor Hugo

In the past couple weeks, Victor Hugo has come to mind.  This eloquent author captured the darkness of the nation of France during its revolution and the evil deeds of the rich and those in power.  The poor turned to doing evil, forced out of necessity or want.   Maybe it has to do with the incendiary event at Notre Dame.  It could be that Masterpiece Theater is starting a new series based on “Les Miserables.”

There is a thread weaving through these events.  The call to redemption is that common denominator.  The need for light in a dark, corrupt, insane and unfair world is shown in both stories.  We see it today as well, when we see what’s occurring in our own world.  The light has gone out of it.  Timing is right for revolution.  People are angry, frustrated, anxious and depressed by the government.  We have become divided in our alliances and our young people are longing for things that will make us all the same.

In both “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and “Les Miserables,” the main characters are on a quest to change their lives.  One finds sanctuary in the walls of a church.  Because of his appearance he’s scorned and laughed at.  He becomes friends with the many statues of saints that fill the church.  He feels protection from the marble gargoyles who stand guard. The church becomes his home and hide away.

The other man pulls himself out of poverty and a cruel imprisonment to make a name for himself and show love and compassion to others.  He begins his journey as a cynical atheist and when given hope by a man of God, he turns his life in a different direction.  It isn’t because of the wealth he’s gained, but his changed heart. Both stories scream of redemption.  Is it self-redemption or does it come from God?

Jesus made the payment for our redemption and is the only way for us to receive our salvation.  We can work our heads off, gain wealth and fame, prosper enough to help others, but none of that is going to buy us a place in heaven.

We can struggle through life in poverty.  Our hearts may fill with anxiety and hopelessness.  We hit bottom and who brings us out of that pit?  Not us.  Only Jesus.

When a child lays lifeless in a hospital after a three story fall and miraculously shows no internal or brain injuries, that happened because God was there to cushion the child and heal his broken body.

We can assume to take credit for these things, but the only true way to redemption is through Jesus, Christ.  Redemption means to buy back or repossess.  Think of it that way.  We were lost in our sins. We were enemies of God.  Through Jesus perfect life, His passion and sacrifice, the ransom has been paid and we are once again right with God.

All the darkness of life has been conquered by God Himself.  He loved us so much He sacrificed His own Son so we could live with Him forever.  He also brought His Son back to life, as He will with us when we die.  That’s the truth!

 

 

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LIFE UNBOUND

Posted on April 24, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

A town was once alive and bustling with activity,

Abandoned, but still built on solid ground,

We trudge through time with hearts held in captivity,

Our walk in life may keep us earthly bound,

But when Christ came He gave us the proclivity,

He shows us how to turn our lives around,

We are not able through our own activity,

To reach the gates where glory does abound,

Through Him alone and His sweet sensitivity,

We now are free, our sins have been unbound.

 

 

 

Posted in art, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

APRIL TESTIMONY TAG

Posted on April 23, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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I was tagged by Mark “Hat” Rackley last week to share my testimony with you.  Last week was a little crazy for me, so I had to put the honor on the shelf for a while.  Today, being Monday and the start of a new week, seems to be an appropriate time to do this.

My testimony is really rather boring.  I was born a Christian.  My parents had me baptized as an infant.  When I was thirteen, after years of studying the Catechism and Bible, I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church – Wisconsin Synod.  I attended Sunday school, Christian elementary and high schools.  I guess you could say I’m a conservative thinker – a staunch believer in the inspired Word of God – a stubborn sinner and a very appreciative saint.  I met my husband at a Lutheran high school.

Throughout my young life, I never thought too much about my faith.  It was just in me.  I had no Road to Damascus event which changed everything for me.  My growth as a Christian was slow and steady.

When young, I saw hypocrisy in the church as people changed their normal behavior when they entered the building.  I saw a difference in societal classes and exclusive cliques which I was not a part of.  I often felt left out. As a senior in high school we studied the book of Acts for the entire year.   I’m not sure if it was that me and my fellow students were becoming a little rebellious or what, but we didn’t see any value in studying that book.  We wanted something that would prepare us for the world outside.  It took me almost thirty years to realize what a gem that book is for our life preparation.

I went to church every Sunday, followed all the rules, was known as “that Christian girl,” and sometimes didn’t like the label.  I guess my enlightenment came in baby steps.  For many years I was going through the motions of  being a Christian, but my early training pounded the law into my brain and I never truly felt the comfort of the Gospel until I was well into my fifties.

My Lord carried me through many difficult times in life.  I believe that is how my relationship developed with Him – slow and steady.  We struggled financially throughout our marriage.  My ambitious husband worked in advertising as an art director for many years.  Eventually he started his own business.  The business grew to be quite successful for a while and then the bottom fell out.  We lost everything except the small change we had in our pockets when leaving bankruptcy court.  Life has been a series of ups and downs, but God has always been the head of our home so we know we’re in good hands.  He always provides.

Through the perils of health issues, death, caring for aging parents, emotional ups and downs, God has been the foundation of our lives.  I know that without him, I would have been swallowed up by the devil.  Because I know all about His love for me, how can I not love Him back?

My career came as a result of volunteering for thirteen years as the drama director at my kids’ high school.  I went on the writing plays that were suitable for a Christian school.  My writing has always been my passion.  Though I love being with young people, I fear my days of teaching are over, but I still possess a lot of information that I’d love to share with them.

As I approach the end of my days, I’ve seen enough of this world and how it has turned so far from God and His tenets for our lives.  I long for the day when I will enter heaven.  God places us in the world for a reason.  Each day I pray that I can be an encourager to others through my writing.  The road is never easy, but with Jesus at our side, we can overcome the obstacles of life.

  1. Now it’s my turn to suggest some of my favorite bloggers to participate in this tag.  Here are the rules:
  2. Thank the person who nominated you to participate.
  3. Link back to the original post.
  4. Use the original featured image.
  5. Share your testimony in your own way, this is a tag meant for reflection and sharing the amazing gift God has given us of redemption.
  6. Nominate one or more people to participate.
  7. Enjoy the rest of your month!

My nominations are:

  1. Julie (aka Cookie) Cook
  2. David Kitz
  3. LynnAbbott
  4. Chicken Grandma
  5. John at Eclectic Contrarian
  6. Mitch Teemley
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THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS OURS

Posted on April 23, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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Gated communities, walls, barricades, stockades, bulwarks, road blocks – all designed to protect one side from the other.  These obstacles are built for the purpose of protection of what lies within. They include precious people, riches and treasures, things not wanted to be shared with the outside world.

When we put up walls, we are indeed keeping those things safe.  We are providing a safety net for those inside along with a feeling of shelter and security.  When we wall ourselves in, however, we are losing out on what lies on the other side.

Most Americans are descendants of those from other countries. Illegal immigration has become the norm, because it’s so easy to get in.  Illegal means “against the law.”  In our world today, the word “law” has very little clout.  Over time, laws are changed, but they are intended for the same purpose – to keep us safe, to make us feel secure and protect us from the bad guys.  Going through the legal process of immigration takes a long time, but it’s the right way to do it.  We seem to have ignored that word “illegal” for some time now.

In a perfect world, all folks should live together peacefully, but for that to happen, there must also be law and order. In the past 50 years or so, I have seen a great change in what is right and wrong.  It seems to have flipped completely upside down.  Now the cops are on trial while the criminals are set free.  Our laws are not enforced as they should be, because of full courtrooms and prisons.  Those who break the law are released back into society too soon and return to their old ways.  Corruption is everywhere.

Over the past week, we saw how a kangaroo court convicted an innocent man and sentenced Him to a horrific death.  The stone sealing His secured tomb was rolled away and that barricade could not hold the living Son of God.  He conquered death and took away all our sins.  He made it possible for us to share in His kingdom.

On that same day, we heard of terrible destruction and persecution in another part of the world.  The churches of Sri Lanka – sanctuaries designed for worship – were destroyed along with the lives of many.  Those sacred walls were broken down, but the Joy of Easter continues to ring out.

Buildings, walls, fences, safeguards and barricades can keep us safe, but not forever.  Placing our confidence in the risen Messiah – the true Son of God – true God/true man – Creator of the Universe and all it holds – The One who loves us – is our sure defense.  We can be sure that he will guard us from all the dangers and messes of life.  He is stronger than any wall.  He uses His power to build us up and bring us to our eternal kingdom.  In heaven, there will be no obstacles.  Those who enter will immediately inherit a perfect life for all eternity.

 

 

 

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MY WRITING JOURNEY

Posted on April 22, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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Last week my  writing journey took a brief hiatus.  I guess it all started the week before, when Minnesota was hit with one last (I hope) snow storm.   There I sat again, in a pile of snow and ice, struggling to get up.  I felt like a turtle on its back.    I say “again” because this was not my first fall this year.  Each one had to do with snow or ice – not to mention my widening girth and age.  I thought I was fine until half way through the week, when the pain set in.

It’s strange how life can get in the way of our goals.  We push hard to achieve – to prove something – to finish the race and all of a sudden a road block gets in the way of our journey.  I think about all the obstacles put in our lives and how they can either mess things up totally, or add another page of dialogue to a growing story.  For me, it was a week of sadness as we put our twelve year old dog to sleep.  He also suffered through a difficult winter of deep snow and aging.

My novel has waited this long to be finished.  I began the journey several years ago – put it on hold as we downsized and moved – left my career and started over – realized it was time to retire – began to focus on blogging and Bible study.  During that interlude, the novel was lost to cyber space.  I didn’t want that to happen again, so with much encouragement from my husband and a group of dear friends, I set out on the voyage again.

A week is a long time to be away from something like this. I was just beginning to pick up momentum when life got in the way.  Isn’t that how life can hit us?  We move along smoothly for a while and something happens to disrupt things.  We cave to the pressure.  We succumb to inconvenience.  We fall apart at the slightest interruption.  At least that’s what usually happens.

Life does get in the way and the best way to be prepared for it is to contemplate what we just finished celebrating – the passion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  As we commemorated his final week of life and the price He paid for our salvation, my focus needed to be on Him.  His resurrection put His seal on my eternal life insurance policy.  He died for you and me.  He rose again so we will rise too.

Now it’s back to work!

 

 

 

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ALL THE SAME IN HIS SIGHT

Posted on April 22, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Within the city limits stands a relic from the past,

It used to hold some animals, but those days are long passed,

Today it holds many treasures, of times from long ago,

Their memory is restored again, and leaves an afterglow,

The barn is round and filled with love, with ancient tools it flows,

The things you find within these walls, will make you understand,

That nothing’s new under the sun, when in the artist’s hand,

What one may think is useless now, has found a life renewed,

What once was lost has now been found, a freshness now exudes,

We too are like that ancient shell, our sin has made us so,

Our bodies age, our sight grows dim,  our vigor is now slow,

But through our great Creator God, redeemed, restored we stand,

Our sins have all been washed away by His almighty hand.

 

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