FIND YOUR BLESSINGS

Magazines-24 (10)

There are days when nothing seems to go right.  If there is one good thing, it’s totally hidden by the garbage of all the yucky stuff.  Sometimes we simply have to take time to search out our blessings.  Too bad really, because there are so many hidden ones just waiting to kiss us on the nose.

For example, here are a few of mine:

  • You awoke this morning.  That’s a real blessing when you reach my age.  Every day is a bonus and should be considered as such.
  • You were actually able to get out of bed and get dressed.  For a kid of five, this is no great advantage, but if you’re 75, its an accomplishment.
  • You have a spouse – someone to share your burdens with – someone to carry you when you fall (or at least try) – someone to love you and love back – someone to laugh and cry with.
  • You have a family that cares about you.
  • You have food on the table, even though the costs of everything have outweighed your meager income.
  • You have an abundance in comparison to so many who have much less.
  • You can worship as you please.
  • You live in a country where freedoms still exist.
  • You have friends whom you love as brothers and sisters,
  • You have a God who was willing to sacrifice everything, because of His great love for you.

Life can often grab us by the throat and choke every breath out of us.  We become obsessed with appearances – with things that have no real meaning – with stuff that only adds to our burdens.  We shouldn’t have to shovel our way through mounds of clutter to find the every day reality of God’s precious gifts to us.  They are right there staring us in the face.

Instead of wallowing in the negative, start taking inventory of all that the Lord has given you.  You’ll be amazed at how blessed you really are.

Posted in Christian daily devotion, hope, joy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

FUNNY FOR JULIE

40-fishing-yoda

Poor old wise one, spending too much time meditating without using his brain, he is.

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

MY SHEPHERD AND GUIDE

11264976_10202978978073734_1961707171094355075_n

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

You never cease to hold me safely in Your hand, When everything my body does so blatantly demand,

You guide my steps, You hold me tight, You strengthen me with all your might,
You lift me from the deep, dark pit of ever sinking sand.

I realize I’m just one speck upon this ground, There are so many other folks around.

But still You find the time for me, You gave your life to set my spirit free,

Your mercy lives, new life will now abound.

 

Through trials dark and fretful You do lead, You  purposely provide my every need,

You walk beside me when I need your hand, You carry when I can no longer stand,

Your blood was shed so I don’t have to bleed,

I cannot say enough to thank you, Lord, You’ve conquered death with your almighty sword,

The devil has no power over me, My eyes were blind, but now I see,

I rest in your unwavering Holy Word.

 

Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on MY SHEPHERD AND GUIDE

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

10259810_769716566380669_3888028812202447867_n

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

HIDDEN THINGS

thJA6ETCV3

When Easter ends, we often find reminders around the house that keep the thoughts alive for just a little longer.  Maybe it’s one of those plastic eggs that never was found.  Perhaps a few jelly beans have made their way under the cushions of your couch.  There are lots of visual reminders with photographs of children in their Sunday best, playing outdoors in the lovely spring weather.  Those hidden things, that we tuck away within our hearts often stay there, just as thoughts of Mary as she deeply pondered them on the day of her Son’s death.

Some time those hidden things, left alone, are forgotten.  I think of a time when my then five year old son had gone fishing with his dad.  They both caught fish and every time someone cameover, the fish would come out of the freezer to be displayed proudly.  This continued for some time.  After a few months, I noticed a strange smell coming from the toy box.  Instead of returning his catch to the freezer, my son decided to put it in a more accessible location for instant viewing.  Needless to say, that was the end of that memory.

When we hide our treasures, we’re doing them a disservice.  God gave us His most precious gift, when He sent His Son to us.  This gift was intended for the entire world – even those who do not accept it.  Jesus died for all – one time. We have been accepted by God Himself into His kingdom.  The work has been done.  The gift is so undeserved – so perfect – so infused with love, that it deserves to be on display.

““You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” Deuteronomy 11:18

The holiday is over, but the gift will remain forever.  Get it out there!  Share it!  Wear it on your heart for all the world to see.

Posted in Easter, Jesus, treasure, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on HIDDEN THINGS

REDEMPTION

11040584_10202929202989388_6657230081064565448_n

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

He died that I could live. He suffered pain and loss,

He gave all He could give, upon that rugged cross,

But on that awesome day, so many years ago,

He for my sins did pay, so freedom I would know,

The story didn’t end there. He came to life once more,

To show me that I too will live within His heavenly door.

 

 

 

 

Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

10175047_1579062419007673_6162188647666687599_n

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

WHEN WORDS GET IN THE WAY

“The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking.” A. A. Milne

It has been some time since the last presidential election and still we are  inundated with political rhetoric, hatred, possible assassination plots, talk of impeachment and words turn into more and more of the same, getting in the way of the work that could be done.

I don’t like to bring my political feelings into my blogging, but once in a while I have to rant a little.  We’ve been dwelling so long on the negative of our current administration, (which by the way was duly elected by the American people) that none of the positive information seems to matter.  It seems to me that a large, vocal part of the population has not learned to give up.  Their words are like a constant eruption of lava oozing out of their mouths.

I understand their concerns somewhat.  For example our president is going to be making deep cuts in the federal budget – cuts that will affect the arts, help for the poor and homeless, medical assistance, and many other things that used to be funded by industry and church communities.  Unfortunately, we have become dependent on the government to help in these areas.  The arts have benefited from government involvement, but do we have to become reliant on them?

As Jesus said, the poor will always be with us.  We have a responsibility as human beings to take care of each other, but somehow that work has all been absorbed into federal departments where names turn into numbers and people get lost in a system.  What’s happened to charity within the community – within the church?  Have those requirements been squashed by government involvement?

I have a lot of friends who can’t seem to let our current administration govern.  I love these people, but I feel they’ve let this whole thing consume them.  It’s almost childlike in a way.  If they can’t have it their way, they’re going to make everyone else angry.  I feel saddened by it, because there really is no point in dragging on the negativity.

Instead, why don’t we look at the work that’s already being done – the campaign promises that have already been fulfilled.  Instead we enjoy making fun of our president or subjecting his wife and family to insults. Instead, we look for fault and errors in judgment.

The America I used to know wasn’t like this.  Have we evolved into a nation a protesters? Must our daily diet consist of fake news, biased and slanted reporting, slander and lies?  Frankly, I love my country.  I think it’s the best place in the world to live – in spite of it’s current immorality and constant put downs.  We, as the people, need to take back ownership of it by letting our elected officials do their job and get over this incessant complaining.  We need to start loving the United States again.

There, I’ve said my piece for the month.

 

Posted in America, daily walk, Encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

HOW’S THAT EASTER THING GOING?

th8BR3EEP0

It’s Wednesday – three days after our risen Savior proved His divinity and overcame the power of the grave.  Good news – yes, awesome news!  Three days into the week and you receive news that a relative has passed into heaven.   You may be dealing with the remnants of a recently passed life – a financial problem – a relationship issue – buying a new house – pulling up your roots and starting over.  So what happened to that good news from Sunday?

Our hearts can take drastic swings in the light of different emotional junk that’s going on in our heads.  We can easily be distracted by troubling events – or quickly give way to excitement or joy.  Maybe you could call it ADHD of the spirit.  Our minds are so full of stuff, we often become overloaded.

We can’t escape life, simply because we know that our salvation as been won.  Days go on, one into the next – often at a fever pitch.  There’s seldom time to sit and contemplate what occurred on that cross and in the grave.  Life happens.  But how can life really go on without that wonderful knowledge?

We worry about the small stuff. We grow anxious over the bigger things.  We go nuts when the really big stuff happens.  Unless we have a strong foundation – a base which is going to support us through all the garbage of every day.

Jesus is that base.  He is our foundation for life – for yucky stuff – for fears and worry – for sadness, anxiety and depression – He is the solid rock which holds us up through all things.  With each day, let’s put Him at the forefront.

Dear, Savior, Jesus,

You didn’t think twice about giving it all for us.  Help us to remember your amazing grace when we wake and when we sleep.  Without you, our future would be hopeless.  With you, we can stand on solid ground with the hope of heavenly bliss.  Thank you for giving us eternal life and give us the right words to share this great news with others.  Amen!

Posted in anxiety, Christian daily devotion, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on HOW’S THAT EASTER THING GOING?

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

10155625_770716279614031_293746554448493266_n

Oh, the power of the written word.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

SHIPS PASSING

f914bd50e39a68280ef9e8a2269bd339

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Like ships that pass upon the open waters,

We sail through life effortlessly, or so it seems,

Under the surface there are tangles and weeds that strangle,

Above, prevailing winds determine the journey,

There are perils at sea as in all parts of living,

Storms that take our breath away,

Dangers that surround and drown us,

No matter the breadth or depth,

No matter the willingness or weakness,

No matter our desire or passion,

There is still only one way to reach home,

By taking His hand and following Him,

By living life with Him at the helm,

By putting complete trust in the pilot,

The Captain of the ship,

Will lead us to our eternal home.

Posted in art, Christian devotions, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

WATER COLORED MEMORIES

I admit that my memory has faded over the years.  However, I feel it’s kind of a defense mechanism.  Maybe God has sifted through some of the junky memories that are no longer necessary for me to hang onto.  We often dwell on times or events that have passed and try so hard to find solace in them, when maybe there never was any at all.

The important moments can now be classified into specific categories to be pulled up when needed.  Pictures are now stored in files on memory drives, CDs and all we need to do is click a button and they’re there.  Important dates and appointments can be placed in your phone with alarms to remind you of them.  You can even save specific resources for future reference.  Ah, the world of technology. So great, until it stops working.

Kind of like us.  We get overloaded with facts, information, good times and bad, emotional baggage, fear, bad experiences, loss of job, health and eventually we all have to face death – that troublesome little event that no one can escape.  Unfortunately, we can’t shove death under the rug.  It’s coming and there is no doubt about it.  Fortunately, we have someone who took the sting out of death, by giving His own life.  Those of us who know that Jesus did this because of His great love for us, can’t wait to reach eternity.

Memories fade. Thoughts evade us at times.  Facts can become all consuming and drown us and like Solomon said so long ago, “everything is meaningless.” There is still room within those empty spaces, for the greatest gift bestowed on mankind.  That gift is eternal life with minds that are sharp as a tack and memories that live forever.

 

Posted in aging, Bible, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DON’T TAKE AWAY MY JOY !

thSRH3RRZE

The Easter message has been preached.  There were lots of folks in church that usually only come for this one special time.  The music was fantastic, the words gave great inspiration and the closeness of church family radiated like sunbeams.  What a perfect time to join hearts in joy.

Something happens, between Easter Sunday and the next chance to come to worship.  Some call it the post Easter blues.  To others it’s like a big letdown after weeks of prayers and repentance and finally the joy of salvation.  How do we keep that joy alive?

Yesterday, as my husband was taking out the trash, he spoke to a neighbor and wished her a Happy Easter.  It turns out this woman had been attending our church regularly for some time a while ago.  She’d thought about going on Sunday, but her circumstances took her to her dad’s church.  Paul invited her to come this week.  He took a moment to plant a seed.

The Sunday after Easter should be just as full of love, excitement and praise as last week, but sometimes that joy diminishes as we get back into our normal every day living and Easter becomes just another holiday that’s over and done.  Just think how the church would grow if the same enthusiasm existed every Sunday.

The early Christian church thrived because of the amazing message they had to share and because the Holy Spirit was working through them.  We also have an opportunity to bring this truth to others and it’s even more important today than ever. The church is dwindling in numbers.  The number of men entering the ministry is at an all time low.  Morality is at an all time low – division prevails across our country – “all about me” is at the forefront of most everyone.    The fields are fertile and ready.  Now is the perfect time for planting.

Our joy should not be a come and go thing, reserved for certain days of the year.  This precious gift that was given freely to us, by God Himself, should make us reel with excitement every day.  By keeping it alive, we are letting others know that they can experience it too.

Posted in Christian daily devotion, Easter, Holy spirit, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on DON’T TAKE AWAY MY JOY !

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

1897697_768037363215256_2541575175059370810_n

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WRITERS’ FUNNIES

PINTEREST FAILS

pinterest-fails

OK, so the cupcakes didn’t turn out like the picture.  Your hair went straight in the humidity.  Perhaps the kids were all dressed perfectly for church and within two seconds, they were out in the mud looking for Easter eggs.  The egg bake you slaved over, fell flat.  The hot cross buns were frosted too soon and are a mess.  Life is like that.  It really isn’t always like we want it to be.  In fact, more often than not, it’s messy.

There always seem to be roadblocks that steal our joy.  For me this year, it’s been a long running battle with a cold that won’t quit.  Our son and his lady came for dinner on Saturday – they brought the dinner.  Our daughter and her family were also on hand, she brought wine and dessert.  Tuna steak and rib eyes were on the menu and were to be cooked on the grill.  At the moment the meal was to be grilled, the rains came pouring down and plan B came into effect – cook inside.

In the meantime, I was feeling the effects of prednisone and hot flashes and my face had turned cherry red and coughing in streaks where I couldn’t catch my breath.  I felt like an idiot, but I wouldn’t let it steal my joy.  Being with my family is one of my most treasured things to do.

Yesterday, we celebrated with an Easter breakfast at church and a wonderful alleluia filled service.  My friend, who has been battling cancer, walked into church with her husband and two girls and my heart leaped.  This lovely woman, with so much dignity and love for her Savior, wasn’t going to let her joy be stolen either.  She wanted so much to be in God’s house this day.

Life is full of ups and downs, insides and out and we often feel overwhelmed by it.  If we dwell on those things, we can easily be led by depression, anxiety and hopelessness.  By the way, those emotions require a lot of energy.  I’d much rather put my effort into looking for the good even in the times that aren’t just perfect.

Because of Resurrection Sunday, we have a joy that words cannot express and actions fall short.  Just enjoy it.  Don’t let other things get in the way.

Posted in Easter, Jesus, joy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

TRUTH

101964379033913642_kQZgH5R9_c

Aslan says,

“though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know.  Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time.  But if she could have looked a little further back…she would have read…a different incantation.  She would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards …

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis was written as a child’s tale of redemption.  Even though it was filled with fantastical characters and mythology, Lewis managed to interweave is faith into the story.  Of course this is simply a story.  The one that it’s derived from is true.

A willing victim did lay down His life for humanity.  He took the place of all of us when He was sacrificed on the cross.  Jesus conquered death – even a brutal death without cause, without blame, without protest.  He did it because it was the only way.

Today, we’re resting in the afterglow of Easter.  The days of Lent are behind us.  The difficult days of the Passion are over.  The tomb has been found empty and the Savior has risen indeed.  The battle is over.  The victory has been won.  End of story?  Not yet.

Now what do we do with this wonderful gift?  God has blessed us with eternal life.  The worse thing we can do is hide it within our own sheltered little lives.  It’s too great a gift not to share.  When Jesus made that final sacrifice, He wasn’t doing so for just a select few. He came for all sinners – the Hitlers, the Charles Mansons, the Judases, the most sinful of all – YOU and ME.  His death would have meant nothing otherwise.

His resurrection assures us that we will reap the benefits of His holy kingdom when we pass from this earth into heaven.  He’s made that possible because of His great love for His creation.  Now that this wonderful news has been given to us, our hearts should be so filled with joy, that we cannot contain it.  Spread the Gospel!  Share it with everyone.  We all need it.  It is our life – our connection to our loving God – our salvation – our freedom.

Today we can be sure that heaven is real – that God is real – that salvation is truth and it’s ours.

CHRIST IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Posted in Easter, forgiveness, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CIRCLES

c4c7354ad1789d996d908964a9ca99e7

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Droplets blend together from remnants of ice and mountain snow,

Trickling over rocky crevices, dancing together in a timeless waltz,

Soon they meld into a cascade of raging energy as the dance becomes intense,

Crashing over rocks and boulders in search of the final destination,

Like us as we meander through life,

Wandering, winding here and there, tripping over road blocks,

With one purpose in mind,

Reaching the end of the journey,

Today becomes tomorrow, tomorrow slips right by,

Soon comes the end of life and like all things we die,

But Christ gives us the promise to meet us at that bend,

To be with us forever, where life will never end.

Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on CIRCLES

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

10173681_768036066548719_9217072985901107739_n

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WRITERS’ FUNNIES

LET ALLELUIAS RING

thRONVNO4P

For the entire season, we have eliminated the “alleluias” from our liturgy.  A time of contemplation and repentance is reserved for inward thinking and learning to walk closer with our Savior.  Through the past days, we’ve witness, through His teachings, how to live our lives – how to serve others and our  God – how to live in humility and turn our cares over to Him.

In my new church, the Pastor had a little box, shaped like a casket for the children to bury their alleluias until the time of our final joy when Jesus raised Himself from the pit of hell and back to life again.  By so doing, He conquered death and we no longer have to fear it.  He proved that He is God and there is plenty of reason for us to shout and sing for joy.  Our sins have been forgiven – once for all – and once again we can sing ALLELUIA!

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY – CHRIST, THE LORD IS RISEN!  HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

Posted in Christian devotions, Easter, falth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

WEEP NO MORE

untitled

“Let not a libation of tears be the only offering at the shrine of Jesus; let us also rejoice with joy unspeakable. If we have need to lament our sin, how much more to rejoice at our pardon!” Charles Spurgeon

Tears were all that remained as the body of the Savior, Jesus was moved to the empty tomb – a grave carved from stone for a rich man – now welcoming the dead warrior.  The King of the Jews lay lifeless on a slab of cold granite.  Tears were all that remained.

Yet in that grave, beyond the sadness, beyond the grief, the body of Christ was still fighting our battles.  He descended into the pit of hell to be totally abandoned by His Father.  He suffered what we should suffer because of our sins.  He died so we wouldn’t have to.

As He descended into that netherworld, He came face to face with His enemy, the devil.  Even in death, Jesus could not be defeated.  He crushed Satan, as was promised.  Tears remain, but now they are tears of joy as we realize that the work has been accomplished.  Our sins have been forgiven by God Himself.

Posted in Christian daily devotion, Easter, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments