SHELTER FROM THE STORM
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECH
When life engulfs you with anger and rage – when you struggle with fear and temptation,
Turn your mind to the glory of God’s written page – He will heal you and give you salvation.
Though your days seem relentless, your nights never end – your hope is in Jesus, your brother and friend.
He’ll give you His peace with a love overflowing – your burdens He’ll carry for you,
A peace that’s eternal, no tears, no regrets – He’s paid the full debt that was due.
So look heavenward, leave the world far behind, and focus on Jesus the King,
His arms are wide open – He hears every prayer – and surely His peace He will bring.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Christian Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, encouragement, FAITH, Inspiration
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WHAT DO WE TELL OUR CHILDREN?
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
During this time of social unrest, global rumblings, world politics and a stage filled with actors that seem to have no direction, I often wonder what kind of legacy have we created for the children of the future.
These little ones are getting a distorted picture of what our world can be. They’re exposed daily to tragedy, hopelessness and fear. They cannot even attend school without going through secured doors. The norm of their existence is peppered with negative news, bullying techniques on both sides, fear mongering, hatred and a social media that defines them.
Children are the future. They are the ones who will lead us some day. They need to know the cost of freedom. They need to be reminded that this place is worth preserving and that God is always at the helm.
I am genuinely concerned for my grandchildren and their children. As monuments are removed and destroyed; as art depicting battles from the past are eliminated from our public buildings; as words are revised and rewritten pertaining to the blood shed for the freedom we enjoy; as history is eliminated from the classroom – future generations will never understand what the cost was.
National pride has almost become extinct. The word “pride” has now take on a totally new meaning. Now we opt for self-gratification, instant everything and a country that will bend easily to our own agenda, rather than one that serves all.
What do we tell these young people as they come out of colleges and high schools? How do we excite them for a future of success and accomplishment, when there seems nothing to be proud of anymore” We owe it to them to re-instill a love of country. America is worth the fight. Those of us who lived through several battles over the years, will attest to the fact. There are scars. There are still open wounds. Lives have been spent out of love for her, and the freedoms we hold dear are worth the battle.
We need to rekindle the flames of patriotism. We need to pray for our leaders. We must ask God to intercede so that there is something left for future generations to hand on to their children.
There is hope for the future. God has provided for our eternal life with Him in heaven. In the time we have remaining, as parents and grandparents, we need to leave a United States for future generations. This means, putting aside our own interests and joining together as one nation, under God.
Dear God, heal our land.
Posted in America, Children, Christian daily devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged America, Anxiety, FAMILY, Fear, God, Hope, Patriotism, Peace
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PLEIN AIR IN HUDSON, WI
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Today, Paul is beginning a three day paint out in Hudson, Wisconsin. A group of talented artists from the area, will be painting a picture a day on site. Each painting will be of some location within the town or on the river. At the end of the three days, their art will be exhibited in the Seasons on St. Croix Gallery in downtown Hudson, WI. on Monday, August 21 at 6:30.
This magical little town on the St. Croix River is full of unique sites. The river is still filled with sail boats and other types of watercraft. People quietly stroll down the streets or on the beach – some alone, some hand in hand. Quaint shops line the main street. It’s an escape from the madness of society for just a few days. Oh that it would go on forever.
If only it were so easy. To pack up our troubles and cares – to get in the car and head out for unspoiled lands – to escape for a while. This is the beauty of being an outdoor painter. There are difficulties to encounter – like inclement weather, wind, rain, heat – finding just the right spot that will capture a story for your painting – making sure your paints remain wet – and countless other obstacles. The rewards far outweigh the interruptions. Being in nature brings you closer to your Creator. Being outdoors lends itself to peace. Breathing fresh, clean air and focusing in on natural and man made beauty can calm the savage beast.
Just like in life, we go through bumps in the road We face difficulties at every turn, but in the end we come up with some semblance of stability and order. There are times when we can tune out the world and enjoy the beauty of God’s splendid creation. If we walk with God, we won’t lack for respite. He puts things back into perspective. With Him we can decompress and find tranquility. Even if it’s only for three days.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, COMFORT, encouragement, FAITH, Inspiration, Peace, plein air artist
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REMOVE THE PLANK
As we prepare for the coming solar eclipse, we’re being warned not to focus directly on it. If we do, we’re allowing for damage to the retina and possible blindness. I wonder if it would make any difference to our spiritual blindness, if we were to simply not look at all the ugliness around us – to put on blinders, so to speak – to shield our eyes from the state of the world.
Our planet is full of so much hatred – so many opposing beliefs – so much anger and division – so much sin. The truth that we are all sinners has somehow become blurred. We don’t want to hear that we’re imperfect, but the truth is, we have all fallen short of the glory of God. Sin is an ugly word. It isn’t politically correct.
Many folks think that if they lead a good life and help others or do good deeds, they have paid the price for their own salvation. The thought that they might need help in that area doesn’t enter the picture. We’re taught to be self-sufficient and independent. We might learn that positive thinking is the answer. We sometimes turn down a different path in search of something that will clear our minds and take away the madness that surrounds us.
What we really need is a Savior – a Redeemer – Jesus. Without His perfect sacrifice, we are nothing but dark, deeply disturbed, perverted and separated from God. With Him, the path for eternity has been opened for us. We cannot work our way into heaven – only Jesus could do that. First we need to recognize that we need Him.
In times like these, I wonder just how long our God will be patient. As each day fills with bad news, illness, financial needs, hatred, war, abuse and division, we seem to be falling further and further away from Him. These are the times when we must learn to depend totally on the One who came for the express purpose of saving us from the results of sin – eternal death in hell.
It’s time to turn back to God. He has already provided the way to heaven. He can certainly change the direction of the evil that is infecting our world today. It’s time to stop looking for the fault in others, when a giant plank is lodged in our own eyes. It’s time to remove the plank.
Posted in America, Bible, Christian devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged America, division, forgiveness, God, Inspiration, intervention, Sin
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STOP THE WORLD
About a year ago, I started posting cartoons pertaining to writers. I did this as a means of taking my mind off of the negativity going on prior to our last election. Laughter can be good medicine, but so often the negativity doesn’t magically disappear with a nonsensical image or a funny story.
In fact, negativity is a tool of our most mortal enemy, the devil. He uses it to make us question, to create doubt, to enrage and to cause hatred and finally bring us down to his level. When he gains control, all hell breaks loose, (no pun intended) and exposes the dark side in each of us.
I happen to believe that we’re much better than that. For the most part our people want to live in harmony. We don’t all hate or explode with anger the minute some new opinion arises. I think we, as Americans, get sick of all the nonsense that appears on our television screens each day. Yet, those who deem it necessary to control our thinking, are on location when any kind of negative behavior occurs. Before things have a chance to go to trial; before all the facts have been gathered, before the incidents even happen, the media has already made it impossible for us to think for ourselves. Somehow, the devil has made it into the newsroom and begun the brainwashing.
Over time, we’ve become numb to all the ugliness we see everyday. It wasn’t enough to see men crushed in battle during Viet Nam. The embedded media took it on itself to show us every brutal deed as it happened. We’ve been eyewitnesses to assassinations, cold blooded murder, theft, corruption all in the name of instant news and instant gratification. We have become apathetic, because we feel there is nothing we can do about it.
I think there is something we can do. First we have to approach the King of Creation in prayer. We need His direction once more. We have allowed the devil to win if we don’t turn back to God. We need a spiritual revolution. God has promised to heal our land when we rely on His intervention.
We also need to become a United States again. The split between the races is just as great as it was in the 1960’s. Join me in praying for our land, our government, our people and the final destruction of the evil one who is trying to ruin us. In the end God will win.
Posted in America, anxiety, Christian daily devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged Anxiety, Brainwashing, Hope, Joy, media, Peace, trust in God
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IMAGINE
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:27-31
These words of Jesus still apply today, but unfortunately, the Word of God has been mocked and to the vast majority, doesn’t hold much water. Today, we are quick to judge others. We find ourselves consumed with our own lives, rather than caring for one another. Hatred, bigotry, violence and malice seem to be a way of life in our country. It’s all for one and one for one.
I began my young adult life in the sixties – another time filled with hatred and ugliness. It was a time filled with prejudice, anger and rioting. How far have we come in those few decades? I pray that we can return to God’s Word. I pray that our country will someday realize that all of the things we’ve fought for in our history, was for a good cause. I pray that once more we will become a United States with a common goal.
In those turbulent 60s, the Beatles invaded America and though I wasn’t a huge fan of their lifestyle, I loved their music. The profound words of John Lennon speak loudly today.
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
JOHN LENNON
Posted in America, Chrisian daily devotions, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, God, hatred, Inspiration, Peace, violence
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SO LONG AGO
A dream was hatched by a man,
A dream which allowed him to see the future,
Which gave him a glimpse of black and white co-existing,
Without complication,
Without hatred,
Without malice,
It was a dream which God gave to him,
A dream which we prayed would come to be,
A dream that should be reality,
But somehow became shrouded in darkness,
Smoldering into a flame that would not be consumed,
A raging fire, fed by rioting, violence, protest,
Hatred, malice and complication,
When will we learn,
We are all the same in God’s eyes,
We all have a place here,
If we don’t live together in unity,
We will surely perish,
If only dreams came true.
Posted in God, Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged bias, encouragment, hatred, Inspiration, opinion, racism
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CALL TO WORSHIP
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Psalm 95:1-6
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SIGNS
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
The end of summer will soon draw near,
Plans are made for a new school year.
Crops are ready for the harvest,
Tons of colors for the artist,
Bounty ready for collection,
Birds begin a new direction,
Animals gorge on their last meals,
Winter is right behind their heels,
Autumn is just a month away,
Go and enjoy this summer day.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Christian Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, autumn, change, Inspiration, seasons, summer
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PERSEVERE
We are living in terrifying times. The possibilities of nuclear disaster has become a political chess game. The rhetoric of our government and the lives of our citizens are being threatened by a health care plan that has turned into a nightmare. Our ability to think for ourselves is slowly being taken over by electronics. It’s enough to make one want to crawl in a hole and hide.
We could relinquish our free will. We could let go of all control of our freedoms. We could give up, give in and give way, but until God decides to wipe this world out of existence, I will continue to look forward.
Martin Luther said it beautifully, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
We cannot be bullied into negative thinking. We can’t stop living even though our lives are being threatened by a media that seems to be our greatest enemy today. Things that are tweeted are taken as truth. Words spewed in the heat of anger, frustration and even concern, are translated into hatred. Maybe if everyone peppered Twitter with words of scripture, people might start finding hope again.
Yesterday my husband and I decided to take a drive in the country. Some might call this escape, but I considered it a chance to free my mind and enjoy God’s beautiful creation. We had no destination. We thought maybe we’d stop at a garage sale or two, but God had other plans.
The heavens were filled with majestic clouds, interspersed with azure blue sky. The green meadows were beginning to show a hint of color as the first signs of autumn reminded us of the shortness of summer. We viewed a prairie filled with brilliant, yellow, black eyed Susans and purple larkspur. It was a kaleidoscope of color and majesty. It was just what we needed in the midst of a world gone amok.
We can’t hide from the news of the day. It affects all of us in one way or another, but we can divert our attention, even if it’s for a little while. Our lives cannot be put on hold, while the world struggles.
“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown” Revelation 3:11
Posted in Christian daily devotion, God, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, FAITH, Hope, Inspiration, perseverance
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