IN A FOG
There are days when things just don’t make any sense. In fact every day seems to become enveloped with a thick fog that could eventually consume us and leave us hopeless. We look for answers, we strive for contentment, we ask for peace but there isn’t any. Another act of senseless violence – a loss of someone dear to us – the fear of losing a job – an act of terrorism – political folly – all of this can leave us in a murkiness that won’t clear up.
We may even ask where is God in any of this? Our faith weakens. Our hearts ache. We feel helpless, depressed and alone. At that low point, we think God has deserted us. We fear that he doesn’t hear or listen to us. We give up.
This is just the time that we need Him the most. He is the only One who can clear away the fog of life’s disappointments and hurts. He will soothe our troubled hearts and give us hope once more, because He is the only consistent One who remains the same all the time. We can count on Him. He won’t let us down.
Put your trust in the eternal God, who created you – who loves you with unconditional love – who provides a way out for all your cares – who will never ever leave you
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Posted in Christian devotions, Faith, hope, Uncategorized
Tagged Depression, encouragement, Inspiration, The Light of the World
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WOODSY GUY
It started when he was a young lad, spending his summers at the lake. He met an old native American who was building a log cabin from scratch. Each log perfectly hewn. Paul pitched right in to help, but more so to learn all he could about outdoor life. The Indian was quick to teach – how to whittle interesting creatures out of sticks – how to build a campfire, unlike the white man who builds a large fire and has to sit far from it – how to dig deep into the ground and build a natural refrigerator and many survival skills.
This along with his church’s version of the Boy Scouts taught him everything he needed to know about the wild. It also gave him many opportunities to sit around a campfire with other boys and hear and tell stories that seemed to grow bigger with each telling.
Many of you’ve probably heard of snipe hunting, but for Paul it was an opportunity to take that simple story and build it into an epic. The snipe of these fables is not to be confused with the actual shore bird snipe. When he became a leader of the group, they’d have snipe hunt on every campout.
For those of you who don’t know, the hunt took place under the darkness of night, when the boys were restless and unruly. They would be led into the woods with a burlap sack and a stick in search of the mighty snipe, which actually didn’t exist. However, Paul had a heavy stick marked with several notches for the number of snipe he had bagged over the years. Quite impressive to an eight year old boy.
The story would have additions made to it on a daily basis. When it finally reached its peak it included searching for the mating grounds of the snipe. The way they’d determine if the location was true was this. First it would be a stoned encircled spot. The snipe is a very intelligent bird. They know how to make circles out of stones. Within the circle there would be remnants of smoked cigarettes with tobacco scattered about. You see, the male snipe would use the tobacco to lure the female into his space. He did this by placing the tobacco between his cheek and beak. The mixture of his saliva and the tobacco was too much for the female to resist.
Before each of these evening hunts, some of the older boys would be planted in various parts of the woods to make noises that would send the younger boys on another wild snipe chase. Prior to each hunt, the leaders would set out the clues. Every year, kids would begin to catch on, so the story had to be embellished to make it more believable.
They often camped at a local campsite in Crowhassan Park. One of the roads was named Ghostly Drive. This gave way to the dramatic addition of the Hassan Hag – a mythical witch-like creature that roamed the forest to frighten little boys; kind of like the boogie man I guess. The story made it to one of the naturalists at the reserve and she agreed to portray the Hassan Hag. She brought with her a small snake, which she tucked in her blouse.
That night, as they sat around the campfire talking about the Hassan Hag, some of the boys had their doubts, but then she appeared out of nowhere. Her appearance scared the bejeebers out of most of them – especially when she pulled the snake from her clothes. That addition to the story made believers out of them for another three years
Needless to say, this group of young boys, was highly disciplined, very well behaved, respectful and totally oblivious to all the pranks that were being played on them.
Posted in Humor, Life, Uncategorized
Tagged camping, FAMILY, ghost stories, humor, storytelling
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SUNDAY MORNING SWEETNESS. . .
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
This painting was done at a sweet little bakery in Stockholm, MN. Another of the quaint towns Paul visited to set up an easel and paint. On one of our road trips, he decided to take me there. It was a particularly difficult morning and I guess I needed some cheering up. The drive was filled with God’s amazing beauty. Cliffs lined these river towns Their majesty brought thoughts of protection. The changing color of foliage brought peace. The waters reminded me of God’s living water. It was a healing trip. When we got to our destination and were about to enter the bakery for a special treat, we realized that the store was closed. The sweetness wasn’t really in the bakery. It was in the heart of my husband who knew what I needed. It was also in the hands of God, who provided it.
Just before the day is started, right before the rising sun,
He starts each early morning, with a cinnamon frosted bun,
And then he turns his attention, to the work which must be done,
He punches the rising bread dough, and sets it to rise one more time,
The scones are coated with sugar, the pies are displayed in a line,
The donuts are frosted and warm, they all will be gone before nine,
The life of a baker is sweet, when others around are asleep,
He has the whole place to himself, his passion for sweets is quite deep,
No one will suspect what he’s done, for under the rug he will sweep,
Evidence of his addiction, will undoubtedly go unknown.
Except for the obvious proof, of the way his belly has grown,
His profits will suffer for sure, but the bakery is his own.
THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!
Posted in art, Humor, Uncategorized
Tagged addiction, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, humor, sweets
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ADVERTISING MAN
A while back, a television series about the advertising business hit the screen. I watched one episode of this and that was enough. Unfortunately it brought up some seriously bad memories. The three hour martini lunch was played up, but in all actuality it was true. The dog-eat-dog world of selling a client on your idea was vicious. Men and women dressed to the hilt in the agency business and there were always rumors floating around about infidelity.
This was my husband’s chosen profession when he finished his art education in Chicago and Milwaukee. Picture this – a young, Christian man who had spent his young educational years in parochial schools left his parental home to live and study in the big city of Chicago. Imagine how this naïve, sheltered young man had his eyes opened to the reality of the world in an instant. He lived off campus at the YMCA and took the El to school every day, soaking up images of life at its lowest.
He began as an apprentice in a print shop, gaining valuable information which would help him in his future endeavors. He went through the ranks and eventually became a creative director for a large agency. His manager enjoyed those 3 hour lunches and often kept a bottle hidden in his desk drawer. Paul knew what would result from that lifestyle and was able to resist the temptation to become involved. He also wondered how anything creative could come out of a gin saturated brain.
He worked many hours of overtime trying to come up with ideas that would win the client’s confidence and apparently his clear head led him to success in doing so. So, the responsibilities grew along with the salary and he loved the idea of being free to create and sell his ideas. He didn’t have to do anything underhanded to accomplish this either.
The day finally came when he decided to run his own agency. So with a small bankroll, he took a small office in the basement of an old mansion – sort of like returning to his roots. His life in the funeral home was nothing like this however. There was a psychiatrist working out of the office above him, who used primal therapy in his treatment. Strange and loud sounds often came out of that office.
He worked alone for a few years and I helped with the business side of it, but that didn’t last long. Eventually he hired a secretary. Soon he moved up to the first floor and finally up to the top floor of the beautiful old building and hired a few more employees. In the end, he moved into a new office building and hired some more folks. The business grew and flourished for a while and he never had to betray any of his ethics or beliefs.
When the economy took a dive, he had to begin the process of laying people off and making serious cuts. It was then that God led him to a totally different way of life.
I know the Mad Men series shows a pretty seedy side of this business, but it didn’t have to be that way. Much like the political scene today, advertising developed a tarnished image. Now the creative side has all but disappeared. The use of technology has done away with that process.
I have the privilege of being married to an ethical Mad Man of the 60s, 70s and 80s. His love for God has permeated every area of his life – even enduring an environment where lions eagerly prowled.
“In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:14
Posted in Faith, Family, Uncategorized
Tagged advertising, careers, encouragement, ethics, Inspiration, storytelling, temptation
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ANYTHING GOES!
“History isn’t just the story of bad people doing bad things. It’s quite as much a story of people trying to do good things. But somehow, something goes wrong.” C. S. Lewis
This weekend, my husband and I enjoyed our local community theater production of the Cole Porter musical of the 1930s. This action packed show was filled with movement from the minute the lights came up until the final bow. Even the scene changes were entertaining. We laughed at the antics of the characters on stage, we hummed along with some of the familiar songs and my feet felt like flying along with the amazing tap dancers on stage.
I still own a couple pairs of tap shoes from my younger days. I probably won’t be wearing them again here on earth, but I look forward to tapping across the heavenly stage someday.
This show’s title, though performed in 1934 on Broadway, is relevant today. Back then, our country was still reeling from the effects of the depression. They needed a diversion from all their tales of woe to get them feeling good again. Today we are embedded in political correctness, political revolution, diversion from fact, deception and so much more. We need a change of venue too. We really need something more than tabloid news and a distortion of facts.
In those earlier days, times were tough too. Bootlegging ran rampant. Speak easies were the problem of the day. Prohibition brought out the evil and greed in men and a whole new set of crimes were being committed across America. This was less than a hundred years ago, and you’d think we’d learn from our past.
We are often like the Israelites being led out of bondage into a new world – a promised land – a place where their troubles would be no more. Yet, while they traveled the road, they complained and whined. They weren’t satisfied with the speed of God’s plan. They wanted freedom – right now! They were easily diverted by foreign religions and practices that went against everything they believed in. They were in a different time and place, but the situations don’t seem to change much over time, do they?
Today we’ve picked up on the anything goes attitude. Do what makes you feel good, but make sure it’s politically correct. Think about yourself before others. Don’t follow the rules. Respect is old fashioned. Live and let live.
So what’s the answer? How do we get from one place to another without falling into these diversions and distractions? The best place to start is in God’s protected path. He led those people to their promised land. He was responsible for wiping out crime in the 1920s and 30’s. He repaired the economy of the Great Depression and got people back to work again. He can change minds and bring people back to Him. He alone has the solution to all of man’s problems.
Posted in America, Christian devotion, God's plans, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, History repeats itself, Inspiration, Living God's way
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DON’T GIVE UP
Sunday – a day which starts a new week. What better way to begin, than to go and worship the One who created this world. He has His finger on the pulse of our land. He knows what we need and provides for it in His time. He will never leave us. He is the same yesterday as He is today and will be tomorrow He loves us beyond measure.
This world is full of trouble and confusion. Each day we pray for peace, but there is none. Every day we ask for a solution to the problems that confront mankind, but answers are few and far between. The world we live in has been marred by the sin of its inhabitants. The only One to change that condition was the Son of the Living God. Jesus came to overcome the world and make us right again with God.
Go to His house today – not because you have to, but with grateful hearts. In thanksgiving, go to adore Him, praise Him and learn more and more about Him.
His mercy endures forever – a commodity that will never end!
Posted in anxiety, Christian devotion, hope, Uncategorized
Tagged Church, encouragement, facing our fears, FAITH, Inspiration, Walking with Jesus
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HOW TO BE A GOOD PARENT
I’d like to say, that after 75 years of living, I am an example of what a good mother should be. I’d like to say that, but unfortunately I’d be lying. Everything I did as a parent was merely by the seat of my pants and on a wing and a prayer – lots of prayer.
When my children were growing up, we didn’t have fancy dog kennels like the one above, but we did have play pens – which were similar in their capacity to contain the little buggers during their terrible twos. My first two children actually adored being in the playpen. They didn’t have to go far to find a toy, becauseevery toy they owned was in there with them. The sides were bursting out, due to overcrowding, but they continued to enjoy their time of imprisonment.
Somewhere along the parenting process, we convince ourselves that we need to become our child’s friend. That we need to put ourselves on their level in order to communicate with them. The truth is, our kids want to know who is in charge. They expect boundaries. Your job as a parent is to let them know you’re the boss. You’re not their buddy or BFF. You are the one who feeds and clothes them. You are their hero and being a hero is a great responsibility. Take the job seriously.
Teach your children how to communicate with others – not by giving them a smart phone or texting – but by actually talking to their friends. Conversation has become a lost art and it’s the basis for problem solving, team work, building relationships and communication skills. Limit the time they spend on electronics. They need to learn to talk to another human being. Talk to but don’t forget to listen to your children. Meal time and trips in the car are great opportunities to communicate with them. They need to know you’re interested in what’s going on in their lives.
Unfortunately our kids don’t come with all the skills necessary for becoming upstanding andadults. They have to be taught to respect others. This includes teachers, grandparents, police, pastors. even politicians and other kids. Everyone matters in this world. When you teach them to be unselfish, caring, thoughtful and sincere, your child will form lasting friendships.
Teach them to pray. Teach them the power of prayer and pray with them.
Let them know that problems can be solved without resorting to anger or violence. This is where communication comes into play again. Set a good example in your own behavior with others.
Of course children need to be taught the basics, like being courteous, waiting for others to be seated before eating, looking someone in the eye when talking to them. They need to know how to shake hands, say “excuse me,” use the right silverware and be polite. Remember, if you don’t teach them the right way to do things, someone else will surely teach them to do it the wrong way.
Our world is a precarious place to live. Changes occur by the second. The speed of technology has given us instant everything. We, as parents and grandparents, need to realize our responsibility to our children and treasure them as our greatest accomplishments.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Inspiration, parenting, Uncategorized
Tagged communication, encouragement, FAMILY, manners, parenting, Respect, technology
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ST. SWITHIN’S DAY
‘St. Swithin’s day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin’s day if thou be fair
For forty days ’twill rain nae mair.’
I like checking out unusual holidays and celebrations each day. You never know what you’ll learn. For example, today is St.Swithin’s Day. I’d never heard of the Sainted bishop of Westminster who lived during the 800s. His time on earth apparently didn’t merit a great deal of attention. I guess before the Renaissance, nothing much merited any attention, but once he passed away several miracles were attributed to him prior to and after his death.
He requested that he be buried in the church yard so that people passing by would walk over his grave and the falling rain from the eaves of the church would wash over him. Rather a weird request, but I guess his wishes were acknowledged. Maybe he was a fan of falling rain. Perhaps this was his ritual shower for the week. Who knows?
On the 15th of July, it was decided to move his body to a more suitable place and it is said that it rained for 40 days after the move. Tradition holds that if it rains on July 15 it will continue for 40 days. If the weather is fair, it will continue for the same amount of time. I think it may have had something to do with the depth of the grave and other impending developments.
I guess you could call St. Swithin one of the first meteorologists. He certainly had a handle on weather trends. Probably more so than our current weather people.
Today is also National Gummy Worm day – Cow Appreciation Day and Tapioca Pudding Day. So if the spirit moves you, meander out to the country and hug a cow. Then if it’s not raining, plan on having a picnic of tapioca pudding and gummy worms. Don’t worry about rain falling, because it won’t for another 40 days.
Reposted from 7/15/2016 by atimetoshare.me
MY OUTDOORSMAN
My husband has many traits. He is intelligent in many areas of life. He knows how to survive in the wilderness. He should’ve been born two centuries ago, because is filled with the spirit of adventure required to have lived then. He is an avid outdoorsman. He knew what it took to survive before the reality show ever existed.
When he was just a child, the infamous funeral home he lived in, was so large that it had an archery range in the basement. At a young age, he was trifling with bow and arrow right in the midst of the city. He read countless books about mountain men, survival, camping, outdoor living and all the adventure stories pertaining to them. All of that knowledge was being stored up for future use.
He used all his book knowledge to forge trails in the woods, sit by the campfire and tell countless stories, learn which mushrooms not to eat, whittle little creatures out of a stick of wood, forage for food, live under the stars and survive without a compass.
My first encounters with the outdoors, came after we were married. I’d never been camping in my life. I’d never held a gun and wasn’t much of an archer, but I did so anyway. I could never bring myself to hunting, but never begrudged him the joy of doing so. In fact, we were married on the opening day of deer hunting for archers. I would say that’s pretty impressive, wouldn’t you?
I even agreed to going along with him on our honeymoon as he tracked the evasive whitetail. Of course I stayed in the car and read a book while he was out in the wilderness. After an hour or so of waiting, I became concerned. I wondered where he was.
I had visions of his being gored by a deer or slowly going down in a pond of quicksand. My visions turned into fear, but instead of venturing out, I beeped the horn. I really don’t know why I did that. If he had been drowning in quicksand, what good would it do?
It didn’t take long for him to respond. Within a few minutes he appeared out of the woods with a look of sheer rage on his face. I didn’t understand his anger. I thought I was being a good wife by being concerned for his welfare. I was wrong. It seems he had a deer in his sights and was about to shoot, when the horn frightened the mighty beast away.
That honeymoon disaster almost ended our marriage, but not really. I’ve since learned never to hunt with my husband. He does that stuff on his own. Maybe that’s why our marriage has lasted so long. Who knows?
JESUS, MY BROTHER
When we are in the throes of despair,
When we think that all hope is gone,
When our hearts feel empty and hopeless,
That is when Jesus is the closest to us.
He knows how we feel.
He endured emotional and physical pain too.
He lost dear friends to death.
As a child, He scraped His knees a few times or had blistered hands from working as a carpenter.
He suffered a painful death and humiliation on the cross.
He was human, just like the rest of us, and also had to endure death. His death had a purpose that none other could possibly attain. His purpose was to carry the sin of the world on His shoulders, to the cross and finally to the grave.
That’s a hard concept for us to understand, but also reassuring. His humanity is proof that He was a man of sorrows. He experienced the same things we do. He knows the weight of sin and the aloneness of being separated from God, His Father. He felt the darkness of hell, abandonment and suffering. Had he not died and been buried, we would never know the joy of His resurrection from death and our coming resurrection to heaven.
He understands our problems and has compassion for them. Though He was God, He came to earth as a man so that He could be one with us. Because of that, we can go to Him anytime with our cares and worries. He is the best friend we can ever hope to have.
This is one of the mysteries of God. He is three separate entities, yet one God. Each of the persons of the Godhead is for our benefit. The Father created us out of love. He placed us in a perfect environment and wants only what is best for us. The Son departed His throne in heaven to become one of us – to live with us – to bear our afflictions. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the inspirer, the peace that surpasses all understanding. Through these three separate parts, united in one being, we have the God of all ages.
With Him, we can do great things.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, forgiveness, Salvation, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, FAITH, family of God, Inspiration, Jesus, redemption, Trinity in unity
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INSIDE OUT
ORIGINAL ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©
Scuffed by the constant thrashing of the elements,
Exterior somewhat battered by overuse,
Sitting quietly in the peace of the harbor,,
Waiting for another chance,
Like us, clothed in dignity and strength on the outside,
Yet falling apart internally,
Pushing hard to survive, struggling to stay afloat,
Our bones cry out for relief, our minds turn to the end of the journey,
Where will it take us?
What lies ahead?
When your anchor is embedded in Jesus,
The destination is sure,
Cast your burdens on Him,
He gives us a reprieve,
Another chance,
Trust in the pilot to take you home.
Posted in art, Christian devotion, Christian Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged AGING, death, forgiveness, gospel, Inspiration, Sin
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