AUTUMN CRUD
This is my favorite time of year. The trees are splendidly dressed in their most brilliant colors, the air is crisp and clean, and I even got married in September. One of the side effects of this season for me is the surge in my allergies to mold, trees and other stuff that’s in abundance right now.
Add to that the fact that I sifted through crates of costumes this past week and the dust got into my lungs, causing another case of bronchitis. Being an asthma sufferer, everything intensifies when my allergies kick in.
All that being said, I didn’t attend church this morning. My coughing is the deep bronchial cough that is more of a distraction for those trying to enjoy their worship. Fortunately I have another chance to go to church during the week. Hopefully I’ll have recovered by then.
Sin is like the nasty germs of this season, the mold of dead leaves, the deterioration of life. It embeds itself into our inner selves, plays on our conscience and makes us sick. Praise God, He loves us with unconditional love and provided a way for our sin to be dealt with. It was the perfect sacrifice – God’s sinless Son, was the unspotted lamb that took away our sins through His death. His resurrection showed His power over the grave and we can be sure of attaining paradise once we leave this veil of tears.
Thank you, dear Lord, Jesus, for taking my place on the altar of sacrifice – for paying the full ransom for my soul and the sin of the entire world. Help us all to share that you have made it possible for everyone to enjoy this gift. Amen!
Posted in Christian daily devotion, forgiveness, sin, Uncategorized
Tagged allergies, death, illness, Inspiration, Sin
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TWO CHOICES
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Relief carving on two panels.
Two trees stood in the garden there,
Their beauty filled with fruit to spare,
Conditions went along with each,
The fruit from both was in their reach,
God told them they could eat from one,
But from the other death would come,
The serpent set his trap to win,
To lead the couple into sin,
Luring Eve with forbidden fruit,
While Adam watched and remained mute,
And when she offered him a bite,
He’s blinded by his appetite,
The devil won that victory,
But there’s much more to this story,
His children disobeyed His Word,
Their vision was completely blurred,
By Satan and his evil plan,
To set a curse upon the man.
From that day forth they’d now fear death,
Until they took their final breath,
But God’s plan for their redemption,
Showed His love with no exception,
His precious Son would come to earth,
He’d come from lowly virgin birth,
To save the futures sons of man,
And that’s when life returned again.
THE SINGING CHURCH
Originally posted by atimetoshare.me on 10/27/16
“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.” Martin Luther
One lovely result of the Protestant Reformation was the introduction of congregational singing. Music had already existed in the church in the liturgical singing of the priest and choir, but the congregation simply listened to the words. This inclusion opened doors to the many hymns we sing today.
This gave the common man the opportunity to not only hear the Word of God, but to participate in it. There’s nothing like a choir of trained, rehearsed voices, but to hear the cracking voices of the elderly and the sweet sounds of children raising their enthusiastic voices in song is just as beautiful.
Giving praise and thanks to the Creator of the universe, is a great honor. No matter what the ability, God hears the vocal prayers of His people. Today we can lift our voices in song just as David did when he sang his Psalms to the Lord. It’s a privilege we’ve almost forgotten.
When we are permitted to join in the responses of the Liturgy, our involvement gives us a closeness to God that simply doesn’t happen when we aren’t. Really concentrating on those words gives us comfort, reassurance of the forgiveness of sins and a direct line to God through Jesus, Christ our Savior.
Today, many churches have introduced more contemporary music for those who crave a different sound, but there is nothing like the good old Christian hymns. The following is the battle cry of the Lutheran Church – written by Martin Luther.
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Today is September 23, 2017 – a day that should be the ending of all the strife in the world, all the evil, all the pain, every last person and the elimination of planet Earth. So say the astronomers. Their reasoning has to do with the autumnal equinox and the alignment of the planets and the stars.
How often do these doomsday claims occur? I can recall at least four of them in my lifetime. Since men started looking for signs in the heavens, they’ve been trying to figure out God’s mind. Since the beginning of time, humanity has been attempting to be on the same level as God and sometimes believing they know more than Him.
We’re told in scripture to look to the sky for signs, but also to be aware of the signs that we face daily – signs like wars and rumors of war, inhumanity towards one another, lascivious and immoral behavior, earthquakes, flooding and destructive wind. The book of Revelation tells of many of the final signs that will occur before the Lord returns in glory.
For us to try to figure out God’s future for this planet is really futile. Jesus taught that we do not know the hour or the day. It will come when we don’t expect it. I remember when the millennial came to an end and it was supposed to be the end of the world. There was the Mayan calendar of final doom. When the world is in such a mess, it’s probably normal for us to want it to be over.
Today, the signs are there. We’re in the midst of horrible weather and natural disasters. Immorality has become the norm along with political correctness. Abortion has become an every day event. Sex before marriage is fine. Commitment to another person, a job, a family, is lacking. We are witnessing a tug of war between America and her allies and a tyrant who wants to take over the world.
Is it time? I don’t know and I don’t believe anyone else does either. The thing I do know is that we must be ready at any moment for Christ’s return. Now is the time to ask Him for forgiveness and prepare for that day within our daily walk.
I believe the prophesies of the Old Testament have been fulfilled. Christ was born, lived, died and rose again to pay for my sins. That’s the only prophesy that saves us. If we believe it, we will inherit paradise. What are your thoughts?
Posted in Bible, Christian daily devotion, End times, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, end times, Fear, Inspiration, Peace, prophesy, Salvation
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OLD RAGS
I’ve been sorting through crates of costumes that were packed away in our garage for the past year. Before we moved, I didn’t realize I would have no further use for these things, so they were sealed up and made ready for the mover.
What a job! It’s like going through a lifetime of memories. Each costume stirs thoughts of past productions; who wore them; what was their response when told they had to wear them; and how they lit up the stage by doing so. I threw many of the oldest ones away, but many remain. There are pirates, harem girls, cowboys & Indians, early settlers, orphans, cartoon characters, poodle skirts, rock stars and lots of props and accessories to go along with them.
I’m going to have a sale next week and since we live in the Halloween Capitol of the World, these costumes should sell quickly. What doesn’t sell will be donated or given away.
Last year, as we downsized and rid ourselves of 50 some years of our life, it was a bit painful, but necessary. Now I’m saying goodbye to years of fun memories I shared with my theater pals. It’s kind of bittersweet, but if we’re going to be able to get a car in our garage this winter, it must be done.
As I do this, I think about the great gift God has given us. We once wallowed in our sinfulness. We became more and more used and abused because of it. Soon our clothes became unrecognizable. We tried to cover up our sins by doing good deeds, but all of those were like those filthy rags to God.
His blood washed all of them clean and made us pure again in God’s sight. Just imagine being able to stand before the authority of God – sinless – because of what Jesus did for us.
I feel a load of weight lifted from my shoulders by getting my costumes ready for sale, but the weight of sin is so much greater. Praise be to God, He has given all of us the victory over death and damnation. I can’t wait to greet Him in heaven, clothed in the purest of clothes.
ISAIAH 64:6 “ But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, forgiveness, sin, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement., filthy rags, forgiveness, Hope, Inspiration, repentance, Sin
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RIGHTEOUS BLOOD
Faces and heads shrouded in black,
Too cowardly to show themselves,
Thoughts of waging a righteous war,
Against those who don’t believe as they do,
Brainwashed into thinking they are doing this for their god,
Misdirected, searching, groping for something to believe in,
Something to hang on to,
Do they find peace in ending lives?
Where is the righteousness?
Blood flows from a beaten, smitten corpse,
Hanging on an instrument of torture,
This One not taking life, but giving it,
Through His own precious blood.
That is righteousness,
Bought and paid for the ugliest of us.
KATHY BOECHER©
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Christian Poetry, forgiveness, Uncategorized
Tagged forgiveness, Inspiration, Poetry, righteousness, Salvation
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AGELESS
I’ve always enjoyed working with children and seeing them grow physically and confident. My joy in seeing a child succeed may go back to my own childhood, when I felt completely inadequate – unsure of myself and lacked one ounce of self worth.
When I had my own children, I wanted to make sure that they didn’t suffer from the same malady, but I’ve learned in my later years, that we all go through some kind of junk when we’re growing up. Some of us blame our parents. Some choose to blame their circumstances or social status. Really each of us is responsible for our own behavior and the outcome of it. But I digress.
The point of this post is that I turned 75 this year and among all the changes in this past year, I still have a need to work. Not only because living entirely on Social Security is near to impossible, but because I can’t not work. It’s in my blood. I was raised in a home of hard workers.
So, I decided to do one more afterschool drama class at our old church school. I didn’t realize how much I missed being with these little ones. After the tedious task of reading through their script this week, I knew I was losing one of my little kindergartners because she said, “It feels like nap time.” I totally agreed with her, since it’s been a while since I’ve been with a batch of youngsters.
I’m also enjoying my work with memory care residents at a nursing home, with inclusion of drama and writing for them and the senior assisted living residents. What fun that’s turned out to be. I’m only with them once a month right now, but the potential for growth to other homes within their system is good. I’ve been having a blast with them.
In addition, I’ve joined the Board of Directors of a children’s theater company in the area. I’ll be doing some writing for them and possibly some directing and classes. Doors are opening for both me and my husband. We are so blessed to be able to work at what we love.
There are days when I wonder why I’m still on this planet. Why are so many of those I love going to heaven? I get frustrated with all the stress our country faces. I groan when I think about how helpless I am as far as offering assistance. Then I realize there is nothing that I can do about any of it. God is still in control and He hasn’t made a mistake yet.
So I will carry on until my last breath, praying that God gives me the energy to do what I love while I’m still here, and the confidence that I have a paradise awaiting me when this life is done.
Posted in aging, Christian Devotions and Reflection, Uncategorized, work
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MUTED
Colors subdued, perfunctory, underwhelmed,
Yet in the palette of unimportant hues,
We are held captive to the beauty,
Our lives can be ordinary, uneventful, mundane,
But still the array of light, shadows, darkness and aloneness,
We can be held captive to the beauty,
Life doesn’t always have to be flashy,
Days don’t have to be filled with complexity or disorder,
Sometimes we simply need to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Posted in art, Christian devotions, Christian Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, beauty, encouragement, Inspiration, life
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WEDNESDAY RAMBLINGS
I, like many, had my doubts when I went to vote last November. I wasn’t convinced in my heart of hearts that my decision to vote for Donald Trump was the sagest idea I ever had. He was brash, earthy, condescending and rude. However his opponent was not an option.
For the past ten months I’ve seen the making of a president. What seemed to many to be an impossible choice, has developed into a strong leader, a man who loves America, an astute businessman who knows how to make a deal and one who takes his job seriously.
If you’ve been paying close attention to this man, you can’t help notice a change in his demeanor. His last two speeches – to the Air Force on their 70th anniversary and to the United Nations yesterday – resounded with strength, passion, love of country, willingness to stand up for it and true leadership. This has been lacking the presidential office for some time.
Usually you can tell by a person’s body language if they’re telling the truth or simply putting on an act. President Trump has either had some superior training in the past few month or his true self is surfacing. So far, during his short presidency, he’s had to deal with a media that seems bent on his destruction – a Republican party that’s been too wishy washy to defend him – a Democrat party that refuses to accept the results of the last election – two horrific hurricanes that ravaged the Southern edge of our country – a man who plays with weapons of mass directions as if they were toys – a radical group of Islamic dissidents who wish to eliminate us – allies who have lost faith in the strength of America. He hasn’t even completed one year!
In that time, he’s been successful in diverting the press. His tweets may seem absurd at times, but the press is having a field day with them, while he gets his work done. He’s gotten more people back to work. The stock market is at an all time high. He’s fighting for the American people and their safety. He is talking to our military like a true commander in chief. He continues to put new ideas out there and is willing to butt heads with his opponents.
Maybe it’s a time we start taking this guy seriously!
Posted in America, Inspiration, politics, Uncategorized
Tagged America, encouragement, Inspiration, opinion, Politics, presidency
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GOING HOME
(This poem was written a year ago at this time. We just made the offer on our new old house – a house that has brought us much joy in just a year.)
A little house is all we need to knit our lives with love,
A place where we can simplify, with God’s help from above,
He found this place just for us, prepared it with His hand,
A home that’s stood the test of time and firmly it does stand,
We know that it’s by God’s design and He will live there too,
Where ever He does lead us, He’ll also see us through,
His presence always will be felt, with us He will reside,
He’ll guide us through the rest of life and stay right at our side,
And when our final days draw near, He’ll linger with us too,
And take us to His throne on high, where promises come true.
Posted in art, Christian Poetry, DAILY CHRISTIAN DEVOTION, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, contentment, FAMILY, home, Peace
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CONSCIENCE
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Last night we went to see the uncut version of the Luther film, “Return to Grace. I watched the film on PBS, which was abridged, but many of the historical events and results of the reformation were highlighted.
As I watched poor Martin, observing a puppet show depicting the battle of good and evil, I couldn’t help recalling some similar events from my own childhood. Luther became obsessed with his sin and inability to do anything about it. His conscience convicted him and his frustration haunted him, causing him to beat himself and take to an austere lifestyle. Nothing he could do was sufficient.
My early experiences in church came back to haunt me as well. I grew up in a conservative Lutheran church – one that believed in all the teachings of scripture. We had a beautiful altar, complete with statuary of Jesus ascending into heaven with cherubs surrounding Him. The altar itself was in the Gothic style, complete with spires, edged in gold, that stretched to heaven. The pulpit rose above the congregation and the pastor would climb several steps to deliver his sermon. Above the pulpit there was a cross adorned dome. The church was full of beautiful stained glass windows and paintings on the ceiling – many distractions for little eyes.
I couldn’t have been more than six or seven when the words began to resonate in my brain. The Law was preached from that domed enclosure in full fire and brimstone style. The pastor would spew words of God’s wrath for what seemed an eternity, making me feel totally incapable of ever reaching heaven. It would take me many more years to hear the voice of the Gospel.
Apparently Martin Luther struggled much like I did. I never resorted to his drastic measures, but I was convinced that I was on a fast train to hell. My conscience would not let me rest. My sins seemed insurmountable.
Luther confessed his sins to another priest. How many sins could a Catholic monk have? He was confined to the severe lifestyle of the monastery, with every second filled with prayer and supplication along with hard physical labor. Yet his confession ran for hours.
As he dug further into the scriptures he finally realized that it was by grace that his sins were forgiven. No amount of works, prayers, money or repentance would salve his broken, spirit. When that fact sunk deeply into his brain, all the rest fell into place. Salvation is a gift from God. We can only be saved through faith in that wonderful knowledge. That truth comes from God’s Word to us – the Bible and is administered by Christ alone.
The rest is history. Martin Luther changed the way people viewed God – not as a fearful judge, but as One who loved them so much, He gave His own Son as the perfect sacrifice. He used the tools at hand to spread God’s Word through the printing press. He changed the politics that infected the church of the day. He made it possible for the common man to read the scriptures through the printed Word.
He was the rock star of his day, but would be the first to chastise those who made him one. He was simply a man struggling with his conscience – feeling the pangs of the law and not knowing the beauty of the Gospel.
Posted in Bible, Christian daily devotion, Faith, Uncategorized
Tagged christ, FAITH, Grace, Martin Luther, renaissance man, scripture
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