HE IS RISEN INDEED !

Posted on April 1, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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Originally posted on 3-25-16

 

His bruised and smitten body lay quiet in the grave,

He gave His precious blood for me and all the world to save,

There are no words to thank Him, to give love in return,

God’s promise now fulfilled, within my heart does burn,

The words are ever etched within this heart of mine,

My sins have been forgiven, by God’s own Son divine,

I wait this Easter morning, with confidence and hope,

To see Him resurrected gives me a way to cope.

Sweet Jesus lying there, Your love will never fail,

I put my faith in You.  No other can prevail,

Your grave is empty now, no more does death take hold,

The quiet sleep is ended, the morning light is gold,

I see your perfect body, in royal majesty,

I am redeemed by your own life, I’ve gained the victory,

That glorious Easter morning, when new life you did send,

For we who love you most, will never fear our end,

The scars in hands and feet, the wound upon your side,

Are proof to those who love you, that your Spirit never died,

You’ve risen from the grave, our debt for sin is paid,

We now we can sing our praises for the smitten body raised.

 

 

 

 

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TOO YOUNG TO DIE

Posted on March 31, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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There are so many harsh memories of the American Civil War.  Even today, remnants of the pitting of brother against brother seems impossible to imagine.  Yet even in times of war, deference to family can take a back seat to the belief in a cause.  Our nation was divided in thinking and the cause of division was slavery.  Today we face similar splits in society.  We often have a congress and senate that can’t seem to agree on anything.  We have subversive agents within our own country who seek to destroy the very founding of our nation.  When men must take up arms to defend the country, it’s one thing, but when we become so divided in our thinking that we are no longer unified, its quite another.

John Herbert Kelly, a Confederate General, was born on this day in 1840 in Carrollton, Alabama.  He became an orphan at the age of seven and was raised by his grandmother.  By the time he was 17, he received an appointment to West Point, with the help of an influential uncle.  Before graduating, Alabama had seceded from the Union and John went to Montgomery to join the Confederate Army.

John had no qualms about fighting in this battle.  He was more than committed.  He entered the army with the rank of second lieutenant. He was assigned to Fort Morgan where he stayed until 1861.  In 1862o Kelly was appointed Major of the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion which he led into  battle at Shiloh.

Later in 1862 he fought at the Battle of Murfreesboro where he was wounded.  He was in charge of a large brigade of men at Chickamauga.  He lost 300 men at Chickamauga within one hour. While leading his troops Kelly had a horse shot out from under him. Because of his bravery, he was recommended for promotion.  General Cleburne stated, “I know no better officer of his grade in the service.” At the age of 23, John Kelly was promoted to a Brigadier General.  Kelly’s brigade was one of the key factors at the Battle of Pickett’s Mill which led to a Confederate victory.

Only one year after his appointment, while leading a charge for a skirmish in Franklin, Tennessee, Kelly was shot by a sharpshooter.  He was immediately removed from the field of battle, still alive, and taken to confederate doctors at Harrison House.  He died the next day, when Union soldiers moved in.  He was buried in the uniform he proudly wore in that incident.  He was one of the youngest generals in the Confederate Army.
We often wonder why, when a young person dies.  It doesn’t seem right that a life should be cut short, just when it’s beginning.  John Kelly was a hero for his cause.  He believed in what he was fighting for, as most soldiers do.  His courage showed on the battlefield and in spite of his short life, it was filled completely.

“Some are bound to die young, By dying young a person stays young in people’s memory. If he burns brightly before he dies, his brightness shines for all time.”    

Unknown

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DO NOT BE AFRAID!

Posted on March 31, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

When it seems that all is gone and the days stretch on too long,

There is hope and consolation in God’s perfect preservation,

He provides for every need, even when there’s naught to feed,

Miracles are now required, He will give with love inspired,

His perfection does abound in creation all around,

Lift your hands to Him in prayer, He will answer you with care,

Maybe not as you expected, but in ways that He’s directed,

He will soothe your troubled mind, give you peace in all you find,

He will lift you to His breast, calming fears through every test,

He will breathe new life in you, when the present one is through.

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HE LAY DEAD IN A TOMB

Posted on March 31, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

The disciples, except for John, scattered and went into hiding in fear for their own lives.  His mother grieved over the death of the Son who was gifted to her as a young woman – the child who would grow in the fear of the Lord – the baby boy, she quietly nursed close to her breast – the little boy at play – the young teenager who worked aside His stepfather as a carpenter – the young man who knew the scriptures better than every learned scholar.  The apostle that Jesus loved, John, led Mary away from the horrendous scene and comforted her as she took one last look at her bloodied Son.  She would now be in John’s care, as Jesus had requested.

As Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus carried the body away from the morbid scene, the sun which had darkened at the point of Jesus’ death, began to reappear. A few curiosity seekers lingered in the shadows to gloat and mock the three who died that day.  Joseph was a rich man who made arrangements with Pilate to bury Jesus in a tomb upon His death.  The tomb was intended to be for himself, but He knew it was meant for Jesus.

There was little time to get the body ready for burial.  The usual preparations included bathing the body, cutting the hair and beard and finally wrapping Him in linens filled with spices.  Soon the Sabbath Day would be on them.  There was barely three hours to get Jesus ready.

The body was ripped and flesh torn away from muscle, where the lash had struck Him beyond recognition.  The head which bore a crown of thorns was covered with matted blood, sweat and spit from hateful onlookers.  His hands and feet were bruised and cut deeply by the long iron spikes.  His eyes were swollen and His entire body covered with the scars of His suffering.

The men tenderly cared for the smitten Lamb of God in those short hours.  They respectfully laid him on the bier after cleansing Him the best they could.  Through sadness and tears, they covered His face with the final shroud.  They could not even have a proper funeral for Jesus, because the Sabbath was upon them.  They left.

The Son of God was dead.  The ransom was paid.  Salvation had been won for the entire sinful world.  On that Sabbath morning, after a large stone was placed over the tomb, they must’ve been so confused. What was the purpose of this man’s life?  Why was he put to death?  What words could explain away the fact that He no longer would lead them or secure their future?  What was it all about?

As we ponder those questions, we could have our doubts as well.  We could question the purpose of Christ’s ministry on earth. We could think He was just another false Messiah, but what happened the following morning would allay all fears and questions.  He has secured our future.  Through His death, we live.  His victory over death assures us a spot in His heavenly realm, where there will be no more tears – no more suffering – only peace!

 

 

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SPRING FUNNIES

Posted on March 31, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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In addition to that, we have almost five inches of accumulated new snow on the ground this morning.  I’m going to back to sleep for six weeks.

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A BEAUTIFULLY, TROUBLED MIND

Posted on March 30, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

“What am I in the eyes of most people – a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person – somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low.  All right, then – even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart.

Vincent Van Gogh

You can almost see the insecurity of his mind within his troubled eyes.  This self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, the greatest Dutch painter after Rembrandt, revealed what might be going on within.  An obsessive compulsive personality  became apparent not only in his daily behavior, but also in his art work.  Largely self taught, Vincent spent his life chasing the light, so to speak.  He was an outdoor painter hoping to capture the light in the moment.  His bold, post impressionistic brush strokes and often primitive style, were not popular in his time.  Demand for his work came after his death.

Vincent was born on this day in 1853 to Theodorus van Gogh, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church and Anna Cornelia Carbentus.  His mother was strictly religious and her hovering became almost claustrophobic to Vincent.  It’s easy to blame the mother for a child’s mental state later in life, but Vincent admitted that he was a quiet child who kept pretty much to himself.  His relationship with his brother, Theo would last for his entire life. They corresponded relentlessly and Theo saved the letters over time.

As a child, he was encouraged by his mother to follow his interest in art.  Yet he was expected to become involved in the work of the church by his father. His early works included still life drawings and were nothing in comparison to those he would produce the last ten years of his life.  He would later refer to his childhood as “austere and cold, and sterile”.

In his short time on earth, his greatest amount of work was produced in his last ten years.  He created 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of them in his last two years. His existence was riddled with tragedy and poor choices in his lifestyle and relationships. He spoke of hearing voices and was admitted to an asylum for mental illness.  We’ve all heard the story of his cutting of his earlobe with a razor and practically bleeding to death.  He sent the lopped ear to a prostitute he was acquainted with.  He drank too much.  Didn’t take care of his physical well being.  He was a constant customer of prostitutes and never really settled into any one thing permanently.

At the age of 37, he shot himself and died a few days later from the gunshot wound he suffered.  He continues to exist in the public imagination as the quintessential misunderstood genius, the artist “where discourses on madness and creativity converge”.  His mental state was probably due to malnutrition, over work and alcohol, but he could well have been suffering from bipolar disease, because his difficult times were episodic.

His work became popular posthumously.  He became a new voice in the art arena.  His bright yellows and oranges, his bold intentional brush strokes and his zeal were all part of what makes an artist.  What makes a genius is what is often hidden in the recesses of the same mind that took his life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VINCENT VAN GOGH.

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on March 30, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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LIFE SAVING WATER

Posted on March 30, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Life flows just like a river does, with winding twists and turns,

We rage against the fast current, until our body burns,

The waves can pull and drag us down, but also lifts us up,

It cleanses all the dirt and filth, it drains and fills our cup,

Refreshes as it washes us and takes our sins away,

Transported through refreshing warmth to see another day,

And when the river fails to be and life remains no more,

The Son of God will greet us there and open heaven’s door,

He’ll give us life saving water, a flood that never ends,

The river will remain in us,  we reap the dividends.

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THEY WATCHED HIM DIE

Posted on March 30, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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John and Jesus’ mother, Mary,  followed the Via Dolorosa and watched the mighty warrior, Jesus go forth into battle.  By this time, the Son of God had gone through a kangaroo court, been put on display before two Roman leaders, beaten and flogged within an inch of His life and led to Calvary to be the final sacrifice for the souls of man.  John was like a younger brother to Jesus.  He was the only disciple to show his face during these horrific events.  The rest went into hiding.

As they trudged the mountain path, thoughts of the last three years ran through their heads.  Mary  pondered the events of His life within her heart from the day she received the message of salvation from the angel.  Now it was all coming to an end.  The promised Messiah was being led to his final destination.  He would take with Him, the sins of the world – my sins and yours would be atoned by this precious Lamb of God.

A mystery indeed.  How could God become man?  How could this immaculate conception occur?  How could a simple young woman carry the King of Creation for nine months through His birth only to watch Him suffer so?  How could He be born as a human being to be both man and God?  How could He take on our sins and forgive them through the ultimate sacrifice of death?  What hope would there be in a dead Jesus?  These were questions they must have considered.

As they watched the noble king be nailed to a common cross, their hearts had to be crying for justice.  There had to be another way.  Why did He have to die?  What wrong had He done to deserve a criminal execution?

John thought of the early days with Jesus.  How he and his brother, James, dropped everything to follow Him.  They left their careers, their livelihood and their past behind, because this man indeed had an important mission.  John was witness to many of the Lord’s miracles.  He sat in astonishment as 5000 or more were fed with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish.  Just the night before, Jesus offered the last supper – the last Passover meal – His own body and blood.  It was all so confusing, yet he knew he had to be there to support the woman who had given birth to Jesus.

Jesus looked at the two with great compassion as their tears flowed down their cheeks.  His body was broken, His blood spent, He was in shock, thirsty and being mocked by a crowd of enemies.  Yet in His dying moments He provided for His mother’s care. He commended her into the hands of His disciple and in turn gave John to be His mother’s son.  Even in the dreadful horror of His final time on earth, He was tending to those He loved.

Finally the last minutes came. Jesus died.  His disciple, John, wrapped Mary in his arms and led her away from the horrible scene.  He would continue to provide for her needs from then on and she would look upon John as her own son.

Their tears continued.  They didn’t understand.  The words of promise that Jesus spoke in life, made no sense to them that day.  When the sun rose on Easter morning and the tomb was empty, they understood.  Jesus was alive and because of His death and resurrection, we will all live with Him in eternity.

Go tell someone today, how Jesus’ love is available to them.  The world is hungry for some good news and we have it!

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SPRING FUNNIES

Posted on March 30, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BIG BOX

Posted on March 29, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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Celebrate your success and find humor in your failures.  Don’t take yourself so seriously.  Loosen up and everyone around you will loosen up.  Have fun and always show enthusiasm.  When all else fails, put on a costume and sing silly song.”

Sam Walton

I can certainly relate to the above quote.  When I find myself wallowing in self pity I tend to take myself too seriously.  I may get stressed over an upcoming project or feel inadequate to get the job done to fruition.  Most folks have a little of that within them, but if we learn to have fun in what we do, we can overcome those feelings.  The little saying that went under my high school graduation read, “Keen sense, common sense and always room for nonsense.”  I guess my classmates had my nature nailed.  I tend to be somewhat analytical, but have a very silly side too.  Apparently Sam Walton did too.

I am a frequent shopper at Walmart.  I shop there because I feel I can get the most bang for my buck, but often wind up spending more than I intended, in spite of it.  Most of the world’s inhabitants have heard of Walmart or Sam’s Club, but few know about the man who started the worldwide box store.

Sam Walton was born on this day in 1918 in Kingfisher, OK.  His father was a banker – which I imagine came in handy later in Sam’s life. He was the quarterback of his high school football team and was an Eagle Scout.  He was name the “most versatile boy” in the high school yearbook.  I wonder what he was versatile with.  Maybe it was enough to stir some entrepreneurial skills for his future.  He graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in economics in 1940.

Growing up in the depression Sam’s father often had to foreclose on family farms.  Their own farm business quickly gave way to searching for more steady employment.  During those depression years, Sam worked at various jobs – selling newspapers and magazine subscriptions. He also milked the family cow and would sell the surplus to their neighbors. He learned many valuable lessons during that time, which he would use later in business.

After graduating from college he worked in retail for J.C. Penney in Iowa.  There he gleaned facts about retail work and a good work ethic evolved.  He joined the military in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps and finished with the rank of Captain.  Upon his return to civilian life, he bought a franchised Ben Franklin store.  There he learned about keeping shelves stocked, merchandise availability and marketing skills.

He married Helen Robson in 1943 and they had 4 children.  They were active members of the First Presbyterian Church and major contributors to the work of the church.

The first Walmart store opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. Walton was proud of the fact that he used only goods manufactured in the United States.  He also built most of his stores in rural communities so that the farmers could do all their necessary shopping at one store.  Upon his death, caused by multiple Myeloma in 1992, he had established 1960
Walmart stores.  He was named one of the most wealthy Americans by Forbes magazine from 1982-1988.

I wonder if he ever took his own advice to put on a costume and sing a silly song.  In any event,  he was one of those fellows who achieved success yet kept everything in perspective.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAM WALTON.

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ROMAN SOLDIERS

Posted on March 29, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

A0003282-Edit1.jpgThe Roman soldier was a leader of men, yet it was his obligation to follow orders.  They came through the ranks after serving in the military for years. The requirements to become an officer were often difficult.  The candidate had to be able to read so he could carry out written orders.  He needed to be extremely fit and strong to wield the sword and carry the heavy shield. In addition his troops were well disciplined and ready.  These were men who aptly followed orders and executed them to the letter.

That day they were in charge of a crucifixion.  Three men were to be executed.  The cross was the instrument of torture used for this horrible death.  It was designed to support the body enough so that the flesh wouldn’t tear away from the nails, yet it was positioned in such a way that the victim would slowly suffocate because of lack of support and oxygen flow to the lungs.  It was a slow and painful death.

Soldiers are used to seeing the ugly side of life.  When in battle, they’re subjected to death, suffering, bloodshed and adrenaline rising to the limit, but this was different.  These men had been accused of crimes against the government and had to be dealt with.  Just another day for a soldier and officer of the state – nothing like the field of battle and yet a battle was being waged at that very moment – one for the hearts of men.

The victims were laid out on their crosses.  Soldiers hoisted the beams to an upright position and each body let out a gasp of pain as the air was sucked from their lungs for a moment.  They waited to die.

The one in the center had already gone through hours of torture.  He’d suffered the tearing of His flesh by the scourge – a beating that would have killed most.  He’d been on public display, humiliated and spat upon.  He carried the weight His own cross to His execution.

The soldiers sat below the cross and gambled for the seamless, homespun robe of purple which had been placed on the back of the supposed king of the Jews.  They laughed and enjoyed the moment. Finally the sky began to fill with darkness as the man uttered His final words.

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

The earth began to shake as Jesus died that day.  Rocks came tumbling down,  Lightening pierced through the heavy sky.  The Centurion looked upon the face of the stricken soldier on the cross and knew that He was more than just a man as he declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

 

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SPRING FEVER FUNNIES

Posted on March 29, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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TIME TO COLOR THOSE EASTER EGGS!

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PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST

Posted on March 28, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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We went to see this latest movie, including actor, Jim Caviezal as the physician, Luke.  It depicts times of terrible persecution within the early Christian community in Rome.  Paul is in prison when Luke is called to write down Paul’s story before his impending execution.  James Faulkner plays the part of the aging and soon to be killed, Paul.

The beauty of his conversion, his time spent in the wilderness as a student of Jesus, Christ, the change from murderer/terrorist are all played out in flash backs as Paul and Luke sit in a solitary cell within the darkness of his small cell.  Paul dictates – Luke writes what will become the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible.

Luke was a medical man.  He could diagnose and cure most diseases with the help of God.  He always gave the credit for the healings to his Creator, God.  As he listened to Paul’s story, he has doubts about his own Christian conviction.  When he learns that Paul was once destroying Christians with as much zeal as Nero, and then suddenly stopped because of an appearance by the One he was persecuting, it opened his eyes to God’s love and mercy even for his enemies.  It gave him new hope of the promise of salvation he had available to him.

The characters of the movie are played with great believability.  None of them appears any different than the average guy on the streets of Rome.  The story tells of courage under the most difficult persecutions of Nero.  People were burned and used as human torches to light the city streets.  They were beheaded, crucified and tortured.  When Nero’s circus began, the first act included the devouring of Christians by wild animals.  Still they remained courageous, knowing that death wasn’t the end for them.

Caviezal and Faulkner carry on ordinary conversations, but delve into subjects of God’s love for man and man’s love of his fellow man.  Love and forgiveness seem to be the common thread of the story related on the screen.  We’re listening in on ordinary men and women who were used by God to do extraordinary things in their lives – even unto dying for their beliefs.  The deeds they accomplished were through God’s grace and care of His children, but also for the spreading of the Gospel message throughout the world.

Most people will start out thinking it’s just another blood bathed story of Christianity, but I think it’s more than that.  There are some gory scenes that make you cringe, but still forgiveness even for those sins was carried out.  Christians are under attack today as they were then.  ISIS is killing, torturing and brutalizing those that will never deny their beliefs.  The film was dedicated to all those Christians who have perished through persecution.

If you have a chance, this is the perfect flick for Holy Week.

 

 

 

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BREAKING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER

Posted on March 28, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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On this day in 1793, the United States was just a fledgling nation with much unexplored land to the west.  On that day, Henry Schoolcraft was born in Albany, New York.  His father was a glass maker and Henry would follow in the family business for a time in his early years.  At the age of 15 he became interested in geology and attended college. Soon the draw of the west enchanted him and he changed his path.

Henry is best known for his discovery of the source of the Mississippi River in Itasca, Minnesota. He also worked with the Native American Ojibwe people.  He met his first wife, Jane Johnson in 1822 when he was assigned as an Indian agent in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Jane was the daughter of a prominent Scots Irish fur trader and his Ojibwe wife.  The fact that she was fluent in the native language, helped him to establish a good relationship with them.  Jane’s Ojibwe name was Bamewawagezhikaquay (Woman of the Sound the Stars Make Rushing Through the Sky).  Don’t you just love the descriptive names they were given?  I’ve often wondered if they were named when they were older, so they knew what they would be like or if their given name described what they would become.

In any event, Jane and Henry worked together as a team and some say they were the inspiration for Longfellow’s Song of Hiawatha.  Their partnership produced many books on native culture and language.  Schoolcraft later engaged the artist, Seth Eastman as illustrator for his books.  Eastman was renowned for his paintings of Native American peoples. He had painted the people and their surroundings at Fort Snelling in present day Minnesota.  He also painted the Indians of the Great Plains.

Jane died in 1842 and Henry married southerner, Mary Howard.  Schoolcraft didn’t anticipate the problems that would arise between her and his children.  Mary was a slaveholder and didn’t believe in mixed race unions.  Of course there would be conflict and the children alienated themselves from their father and his new wife.

During their years together, Mary would assist her husband in organizing the material for his books.  When he became crippled with rheumatism, she became his hands. Upon his death in 1864, she donated over 200 books from his library, which had been published in 35 different Native American languages, to the Boston Athenaeum.  My husband has seen some of the books from the Schoolcraft collection.  He says they are as impressive as those created by Audubon during his lifetime.  Schoolcraft’s contribution to American history is priceless.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HENRY SCHOOLCRAFT!

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PRINCE OF DARKNESS

Posted on March 28, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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The story of the Passion of Christ wouldn’t be complete without the antagonist – that ever present cad who was on the scene at the beginning of the creation of the world – the one who attempted to take away God’s glory by thinking he was greater – the one who was defeated at Calvary when God’s Son died and sentenced to roam the world in agony for the remainder of its existence.

He was there in the Garden of Eden, slithering into human minds with deception and promises.  He was there throughout Israel’s history, rearing his ugly head and hardening hearts against the One True God.  He was there as kings ruled, countries fell and  change occurred.  He has been man’s nemesis since the beginning of time.

When Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting, the devil was there.   It was necessary for Jesus to face the slings and full quiver of arrows Satan was preparing to throw His way.  Jesus was weakened by hunger and thirst.  His body ached from lack of sleep and nourishment.  His humanity had lowered Him to His weakest point.  It was just the right moment for Satan to strike.

He approached the God/Man with words from the Bible.  He still does this today when he twists the words to his own advantage.  He was so bold to think that he could possibly tempt the Son of God, but that’s the way he operates.  He comes to us in our weakest hours, when we’re anxious, depressed, lonely, in pain or nearing death.  He pulls out all the stops, because he wants us to suffer along with him in the depths of hell.  Misery likes company, they say.

In those moments, Jesus didn’t lose His resolve.  He came right back at the devil with words from the same source, setting another example for us.  We have access to God’s weaponry in that Bible.  It is sure to kick the devil right where he needs to be kicked.

He was there as Jesus ministered to the sick, healed the lost and forsaken, forgave the sins of the world.  He was there when Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  He was in the courtyard when Peter denied knowing his Savior.  He was there during the unfair trial, when spikes were driven into Jesus hands and blood flowed from His innocent body.  He was in his glory during those times, thinking he had finally defeated God.

He was in his hellish realm when Jesus came to claim victory over death.  When He rose from death and revealed Himself to His followers, Satan was no where to be found.

The devil continues to walk the earth, seeking those he would devour, but God’s ransom for our souls has been paid and we can confidently say that Satan no longer holds claim to us.  We still should be on guard.  He has been allowed this time, before the final judgment, to lead us away from God.  We won’t see him as the man in the red suit with a pitchfork and horns.  He will come to us as one of us – manipulating our thinking, testing our intellect, endeavoring to make us think we can outsmart God.  The day is coming when he will not be there.  Satan has been defeated.  The work was done for us, because of the love of God.  In the end, we win because Jesus won salvation for us

 

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SPRING FEVER FUNNIES

Posted on March 28, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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JUDGE NOT

Posted on March 27, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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A stereotype is defined as an over-simplified or standardized conception of a culture, profession or group.  How often do we categorize people?  For example, everyone knows that cops and donuts go together – right?  The Italian people are all members of the Mafia.  Rednecks have only one  tooth and park their used furniture outside next to their pickups.

I happen to be composed of five different nationalities.  I’m Irish, English, German, French and Swedish.  I should therefore be a green beer swilling drunk- with a stiff upper lip – without a sense of humor, stubborn and serious all the time –  a rude, arrogant romantic who loves freedom – and a blond socialist who shops at Ikea.

Well, I certainly hope that doesn’t describe me.  It’s funny how we put people into pigeon-holes before we ever get a chance to know them.  We have a tendency to judge.   Do we tend to think we are better  than others?  Do we look at outward appearances?  Do we look at humanity unfairly?

I think if we’re honest with ourselves, we have to admit weve at one time or another done this.  We are all guilty, because it is part of our sinful nature.

Christians are also placed into a certain stereotypical category.  Many people think if you’re a Christian, your life is perfect – that you have no problems and if you do, it’s because you’ve done something to displease your God.   They think you’re a goody two shoes – you’re too conservative – you don’t have any fun – you worry too much about sin – that you are all show and no action and that you believe in fairy tales.

Many of those attitudes are formed because it’s easy to put people of one race, one nationality, one ethnic group, one religion into one category.  We aren’t all the same.  God tells us not to judge others.  That job is up to him.

Matthew 1-2 says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.   For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Dear Lord, help me to reflect on these words .  Help me to keep an open mind in all my relationships today.  Keep me from making judgments about people, their intentions, their thoughts, their motives, without really knowing what’s in their hearts.  You alone are our judge.  Don’t ever let me forget that. Amen!

 

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SPRING FEVER FUNNIES

Posted on March 27, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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HIDDEN HISTORY

Posted on March 26, 2018 by atimetoshare.me

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Picture this fellow wearing a worn out fedora, a slightly unshaven face and a whip encircling his shoulder.  He wears a leather bomber jacket. He’s fit and strong.  His brain is sharp.  His sense of adventure stirs him into action.  Yes, whenever I think of archaeologists, I conjure up this image of Indiana Jones.

In 1840 on this day, George Smith, was born.  He was the Assyriologist archaeologist who gained notoriety by translating the Epic of Gilgamesh – one of the oldest pieces of literature ever discovered.  He was born in Victorian England into a working class family.  It wasn’t easy for the boy to get an advanced education because he also began working at the age of 13.

He had a fascination for Assyrian culture and history and would spend hours at the British Museum studying the cuneiform tablets unearthed in Iraq during the archaeological expeditions of 1840-1855.  His interest in these areas, sparked a desire to learn more about these early cultures.

He married Mary Clifton in 1863 and they had six children.  By this time, Smith had been noticed by Egyptologist and Director for the Department of Antiquities, Samuel Birch. He would bring the young man to the attention of the renowned Assyriologist  Sir Henry Rawlinson.  Before his marriage, he worked evenings sorting and cleaning fragments of clay cylinders in the museum storage rooms.

His discovery and translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh led to further expeditions to discover the missing fragments pertaining to the Great Flood story.  I find this fascinating too, because I believe in the Bible and over time, the truths of the Bible are being unearthed through archaeology.  Almost every culture on earth has a flood story – hmmmm!

In November 1873 Smith again left England for Nineveh and continued his excavations at the tell of Kouyunjik (Nineveh). An account of his work is given in Assyrian Discoveries, published early in 1875. The rest of the year was spent piecing together and translating the fragments relating to the creation.

While on yet another expedition in 1876, Smith became ill with dysentery and died. His wife and children were imparted with a yearly annuity of 150 pounds by the Queen.  His discoveries opened the door to further study which continues to today.  Slowly, through sifting sand and gentle brushing, the secrets of history are being revealed.  Isn’t it amazing how God allows those truths to live on?

By the way, I missed my birthday celebration yesterday for David Lean, English director of “Dr. Zhivago.”  Due to other commitments, I didn’t get that one written.  Besides, it snowed again last night and I’m a little ticked off.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO DAVID LEAN

& HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GEORGE SMITH

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