ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER
Springtime morning,
The scent of cinnamon and sugar,
Permeate a chill in the air,
Cuddling it with its warmth,
Hearty Minnesotans don shorts,
Sunglasses,
Short sleeved shirts,
On a quest,
For the scintillating aroma,
Dare I ingest empty calories?
Maybe one little bite won’t hurt,
It’s Grandma’s Pantry after all,
And Grandma always loved me.
“It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.” George Washington
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Abraham Lincoln
“Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” Ulysses S. Grant
“The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe—the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God…… Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty…… With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.” John F. Kennedy I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas, but we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him on the shelf in our day to day living.” Ronald Reagan
Dear, Heavenly, Father, so many times we’ve fallen short of your expectations. We’ve wandered from your teachings. The staunch resolve of our founders to keep You at the center of this country has been trampled on and destroyed by those who would do us harm. On this National Day of Prayer, I ask that you instill in us a new sense of patriotism – a new sense of unity – a new zeal for you and your love for us. Without you, we will fail. With you we can accomplish the impossible. Amen!
(Photo of my little pirates last year.)
Working with children has blessed me, but there are times when I wondered if anything got through to those little ones. Teaching drama to K-4 children each week was a challenge The chaos, the after school energy needing to be spent, the attention span of a gnat – all led to an interesting hour.
They argued among themselves, they forgot lines and cues, missed entrances and were disconnected from the task at hand. I’ve learned over time, you don’t always see immediate results. Sometimes it takes many years. Other times, they get it right away and maybe they never get it.
It was perfectly understandable. When you’ve packed your brain with information, taking tests, math, language skills, history and perfecting social skills, your poor little mind is on overload.
However, the joy of the process is not in perfection, but in growth. As parents we often expect immediate results. We expect good behavior without setting good examples. We expect them to clean their rooms without showing them how. We want perfect little people, but forget they aren’t. None of us is perfect.
For most, parenting is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants experience. You take things as they come and do your best. In doing so, your children will eventually find a steady course and so will you.
There were days when I felt like I was talking to myself, teaching above their heads, giving them more than they could digest, but there were days when one they got it. When they had their backs to the audience and were reminded of my words – pretend you have a hole in your pants – and quickly turned around. With a one word prompt they would spit out an entire line. They loved the audience response and enjoyed the finished product and once in a while, they actually learned something.
We’re laying the ground work for what our children will become. The lessons they learn during this time will shape them. You may think you’re not getting through, but someday will be pleasantly surprised.
I’ve often been referred to as a saint (not hardly.) You might think I’m weird to be such a glutton for punishment. I like to think of it as watching children grow into responsible young adults. Don’t underestimate the things you’re teaching them even when they are young and definitely don’t underestimate the power of prayer!
My relationship with auto-correct has ended. I no longer proof read my posts, because I know he is going to change them to suit his own purposes anyway.
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? Of course we do. It’s the first thing we see, but once we get to know these folks, they may not be what they appear to be. If were honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we have at one time or another done this.
Christians are also placed into a certain category. Many think that 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. They think you worry too much about sin, because you’ve been brainwashed to believe so – 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 experiences 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!
I’ve always been interested in Schizophrenia. My mother in law suffered from it. She established a second personality, with a different name, to stand in when she couldn’t take responsibility for her own actions. It seems to be a genuine inner conflict that can only be controlled by using the mind as a protection mechanism.
Multiple personality disorder also shows how the mind can come to the defense of an individual at certain times. In the movie “Sybil” we saw a number of personalities come to life as this young woman went through horrific things in her childhood. In order to shield herself from the pain she endured, she became someone else – someone who could fight the evil that she was experiencing.
Of course, sorting through all these different personalities would be frightening and lead to severe mental problems. It reminds me how intricately and wonderfully made the human brain is. God gives us the ability to handle a lot – including inner conflict.
As all of us struggle inwardly with various conflicts, we often wonder where God is in all of it. You may be battling a serious disease and your mind is begging God to release you from it in one way or another. You wonder if you should end it all.
You fall in love with someone, but aren’t ready to make the commitment to marriage. Your inner mind tells you it’s wrong to live together, but your desires say something else. You know the difference between human behavior and what God expects, but you struggle. Sometimes those struggles turn into serious problems.
There’s a constant battle going on within us, between good and evil. It will continue until God takes us to heaven. We can be assured that Jesus took all our sins to the grave and destroyed our guilt, but we will still face temptation every day. Our sinful flesh will only die when we do, but in the meantime we can rest in the hope of eternal life in perfection.
Mental illness is very real. There are treatments and medications for this disease that should not be overlooked. God intervenes through medicine as well. Things have come a long way from the old ways of treating the mentally ill, but we have a long way still to go. I pray that God will comfort those experiencing these struggles and help us to eventually find even better ways.
Jesus is our champion. He’s the one who went to bat for all of us. He’s our hope and rock when we face adversity. He will defend us against the evil one and squelch all our inner battles when we ask for His help. He lives within us through the Holy Spirit and will never leave us. God is always there.
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Carved from depths of hardened granite,
Pushing forth with force unknown,
Placed upon this glorious planet,
By the Hand of God alone,
Through His skill and engineering,
His design fits every need,
With a simple word adhering,
Placing land where lakes recede,
Uncorrupted intersections,
Undefiled throughout the years,
Crevices and great projections,
Set tightly in a veil of tears,
Tears descending from the Father,
As He watches His dear Son.
Give His life for every other,
As eternal life is won.
“Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray; nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared.” Jane Porter
Yesterday I enjoyed a high school performance of Beauty and the Beast. This wonderful story of how love can overcome all obstacles was beautifully presented, with fabulous costumes, talented young people, fine direction, great music and a joy for my granddaughter and I to behold. Many of the performers were past students of mine and it was fun watching them take this next step in their growth. It was also a bittersweet experience.
The lovely message of this tale as old as time, is that kindness and love should rule our lives and with them we can overcome even our darkest days. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Is it the reflection of one who has found peace in life, or one who is still struggling? Have you become shrouded with a mask of ugliness which has turned a once kind creature into a beast? Does your face radiate the love which God has so freely given you or are you hiding that light deep inside of you somewhere?
We all have both kinds of personalities lurking within us. There’s the side that radiates peace and joy and the other that exudes anger and hate. Which would you prefer your life to be?
Over two thousand years ago, a man was sent by God, the Father, to change the course of the world forever. Through His death and resurrection, our fate has been sealed. We have the promise of eternal life – a life that no longer holds a darkened heart, full of sin. This was the perfect form of redemption, directly from God – performed by Him – given to an undeserving people, because of His unconditional love for us.
When you feel the beast coming out in you, turn to your Savior. He’s waiting for you. He will get you through the ugly times of your existence. He alone is the answer and that’s no fairy tale.
I spent weeks at my grandparents’ farm in the summer and am reminded of the crackling sound of the radio whining out some of those ancient spiritual songs of woe. I guess you could call them the blues of the country. Grandma would sing along and the old Border collie often joined her with howls of his own. The songs permeated the air and often prompted me outside, but they remain a steadfast memory. Even today, when urging our dog into his kennel, I sing, “Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot,” as he hangs his head low, knowing he’s going to be cooped up for a while.
I wonder how God feels when He hears our cries for help. He tells us to pray without ceasing, but it must be a terrible noise at times – a great cacophony of millions of prayers and songs of sadness and hope. The cool thing is that He can hear each and every voice and He answers all of them in His own time and way. I am so glad His patience allows me the opportunity to raise my voice to Him.
Thank you, dear Father, for opening the door to your office and giving me the assurance that you are always “in” to hear me. You have opened that door with your Son, Jesus, who made it all possible. Help me to sing songs that are pleasing to your ears. Amen
Lamentations 3:55-57 “I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help! You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’
Church attendance has been dwindling over the past few years. A lot of folks don’t think it’s necessary to participate in corporate worship. Many young people feel the church is full of hypocrites and those who live much differently outside of the church building. The number are declining also in the ministry. Are our young men part of this movement to worship God in your own way, by your own thinking and in a way that satisfies you?
God wants His people to take time to worship Him. He isn’t demanding that we attend church, but as His followers, knowing what He has sacrificed for us, it is our way of giving thanks and praising Him in a group setting. There’s nothing better than a group of sinners asking for forgiveness, receiving it and praising God because of it. That’s really what church is about.
Sure you can do that on a mountain top or in the woods. You can have church anywhere but the joy and blessing from worshipping with other Christians not only prepares us for the week to come, it allows us to encourage each other through prayer and lift each other to our God.
You can choose to follow many of the millenials who think church is where your heart is, or you can join the other millenials, baby boomers, Generation Xers and all the others that are sharing the joy of worshipping together on Sunday morning. We miss you!
Dawn Jones at INSPIRATION with an ATTITUDE had an interesting post today about tolerance. It got me to thinking how the devil works and what he’s done slowly sifting through humanity with his minions. His ideology would seem to be spreading like wildfire in the last fifty years, but it’s been a slow, insidious process. Little by little morality has been degraded. Those who once were champions for it are now laughed at for the primitive ideas about sex, drugs and rock and roll.
The devil is like a lion on the prowl. He waits for just the right moment to strike and we often don’t do a thing once he has. As Christians, it’s our obligation to stand up for what we believe. We need to use Gods Word as truth and not merely a story book of interesting tales. We need to feel offended, just like the rest of the world does, when our religion is maligned, distorted or rearranged in any way.
God’s Word should be the basis for all of our belief. It is the true voice of God speaking through inspiration to those He chose to write it. We cant just pick and choose what we believe. It’s all there, written perfectly. Any attempt to conform to the world’s view of accepting everyone and tolerating any kind of behavior is going against God’s expectations of us as Christians.
Let’s pray that God makes us aware of the devil’s tactics – to give us the wisdom and strength to stand up for the pure words He’s given us – and to know that Jesus has already defeated the devil. Our sins are forgiven and we can look forward to eternity in heaven.
When you’re retired, Saturday can seem like just another day, but it’s really a good day to give thanks for getting through another week – to praise God for the blessings He’s given you – to acknowledge His presence in your life – to live the day for Him and to look forward to Sunday and being in His house.
Dear, Lord,
You have blessed me beyond compare this week. Through each day you’ve given me hope. In my waking and my sleeping you’ve covered me with your protection. You’ve given me another day to share you with others. Through it may you be honored.
Thank you for the gift of good health.
Thank you for giving me a platform upon which to express my faith to others. I pray that my words will have an affect on some. Remind me that you are doing the work through your Holy Spirit and you are in control of the results.
Bless those who are hurting, grieving, frightened, going through any kind of difficulty and watch over them – giving your tender love and care.
Thank you for your gift of grace, which I don’t deserve, but you gave because of your unconditional love. Your love endures forever.
I praise you for the country I live in – for freedom to worship as I please, for boundless blessings, for our leaders. Somehow, you can intercede in all things if we pray and ask you to guide them.
I praise you with all that is in me, for giving me this day. Help me to use it to your glory. Amen!
HAVE A BLESSED SATURDAY, FRIENDS.
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
A fortress carved from stone, stands rigidly against raging waters,
A refuge from the relentless waves threatening to intrude,
God alone has created that place,
Cut through the massive rock with His finger,
Each pebble blasted away with the breath of His nostrils,
A perfect defense from the seas of torment that infests my life,
My enemies pursuit and cover me with fear ,
I feel I will drown in the great expanse,
When it seems the water will overtake and the enemy has won,
He plucks me from the tempest and places me in the pinions of His wings,
God is my rock and my salvation,
I have nothing to fear.
A number of years ago, I wrote a story about a huge tree in the center of town that had lived there for centuries. The tree itself had magical powers to open at the command of some Spanish words. The children who made their tree house there, discovered that it held a bottomless pit that eventually led to the Fountain of Youth.
Yesterday, while working in our backyard, cleaning up the remnants of winter, my husband discovered that the leg of a chair was sinking into the ground as he sat on it. He took a long stick and pushed it into the ground. It seemed to have no end to it. Do you supposed this is the bottomless pit I wrote about a while back? Could it possibly lead to the Fountain of Youth, or maybe the depths of hell?
Obviously we have another interesting development with our new “old” house. As I’ve mentioned before, this house was originally built in 1885, so there’s no telling what may be laying beneath the ground. It could be an archaeological discovery just waiting to be uneathed. It might be an Indian burial ground. Whatever it is probably will cost a lot of money to find out.
Have you ever wondered what hell is like? I imagine it as a bottomless pit, with no way out. A place of endless torment. Jesus described hell in His parable about Lazarus and a very rich man. The rich man lacked for nothing while poor Lazarus hungered for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, but the rich man had no sympathy for him. They both died and Lazarus went to heaven, while the rich man felt the pangs of hell. In his torment he called out to Abraham to relieve him by sending Lazarus to cool his tongue with just a drop of water. To read the rest of the story go to Luke 16:19-31.
In this story we see that once death takes place, there are no more second chances. It is what it is, as they say. Jesus teaches that heaven and hell are real places and we will be faced with one or the other when we die. We may go through life, thinking all is fine with us as long as we lead a good life and help others, but once the shades of death overtake us, will we be able to use our good works to find our way to heaven?
When the believer dies, he is immediately blessed with freedom from pain, sorrow and tears and sin, and perfect communion with His Savior. The unbeliever, on the other hand, goes immediately into an eternity of never ending thirst, eternal flames, and no hope for relief. The story is really talking about the believer and non-believer, not the rich and poor.
I don’t know what’s going on in our backyard, but I am sure about where I’m going to be when I die, and even if that bottomless pit back there happens to swallow me up, I know that I’m going to heaven. Jesus made that possible.
Who would’ve thought there’d be a day reserved for this? I happen to own a dog who thinks he’s a cat. He has many characteristics, like preening himself, curling up in a tight ball, being a loner and occasionally coughs up a hairball. I imagine it’s from all that preening and licking. In any event, I can’t see setting aside a day to be aware of it. Who wants to be exposed to hairballs?
We’ve never had a dog like this and we’ve had a number of them in our 53 years together. Dogs are different than cats, mostly in their independence. Cats can hide in small spaces. They don’t often run to meet you when you get home and want your constant attention. They prefer to be by themselves, get fed and watered and then go off alone.
Our dog has a habit of eating paper whenever he can get his paws on some. He loves toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, any kind of paper. I chalk it up to maybe a lack of fiber in his diet, but this along with the licking and preening creates some interesting looking hairballs. Not that examine them, but if I did, I’m sure there might be a copy of the newspaper in there. Come to think of it, this might explain the loss of my novel – oh, that was on my computer, not hard copy. I wouldn’t put it past him to find a way though.
So today, as you are cleaning up yet another hairball, remember that a day has been set aside in observance of that very thing. Go figure,
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Life is a patchwork of moments — laughter, solitude, everyday joys, and quiet aches. Through scribbled stories, I explore travels both far and inward, from sunrise over unfamiliar streets to the comfort of home. This is life as I see it, captured in ink and memory. Stick around; let's wander together.
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