WAITING FOR JESUS

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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

You came to a world filled with darkness and sin.

You loved us devoutly without and within.

Your love conquered all through a child meek and small,

Sweet Jesus, Your Son came and died for us all.

You took away sadness and filled us with peace,

You give us a hope that defies life’s surcease.

You gave Your life for us so we could be free.

Sweet Jesus, Your blood you did shed on the tree.

Your body lay lifeless, but rose on that day,

To show us that our sins you carried away.

So now we look forward to that special time

Sweet Jesus to join you in heaven sublime.

We know you’ll return to carry us home,

To empty the darkness of this world that we roam.

Be with us forever and love us each day,

Sweet Jesus, we love you, come quickly we pray.

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

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TO JULIE FOR FUN

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LOOK TO THE CROSS

Our days on earth are really very few when you think about it.  As I grow older and closer to the end of mine, I’ve begun to realize that.  It seems only yesterday that the ground was covered with a white blanket of snow and today it’s encased in green.  The seasons slip from one to another like a train roaring through the country side.

Because time is so short, we need to make the best possible use of it.  Each moment is a gift directly from God.  If we were to get what we deserve, we’d all be facing His wrath and damnation, but because of His great love, we’ve been given freedom instead –  eternal life without pain, worry, fear, depression, anxiety.

I’ve been trying to distance myself from the news of the day – not because I don’t want to be involved – but because I’m just plain tired of it.  When I get too involved in the things going on this sick world of ours, it brings me down and I’m no use to anyone.

Imagine the burden our Savior had to carry.  He was covered with the sin of the world.  Every dark deed known to man – every evil thought, word and action – rested heavily on His shoulders.  He couldn’t escape what He was destined to do.  It was part of the plan – part of His promise to the world.  He carried every last sin to the grave and buried it.  He then conquered death and made it possible for all of us to see the light – even in a dark world.

When it seems like the world is closing in – when we just can’t seem to forget, forgive or be glad about anything – when our hearts are troubled – turn to the cross.  This instrument of execution is where our sins were destroyed forever.  The cost was immense and it was paid because of God’s love for us.

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BEAUTY IN DARKNESS

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Through a still, and temperate morning, light is hidden by the clouds,

Yet the dawn of hidden treasures, trickle through the darkened shrouds,

In the solitude of daybreak, life renewed and life restored,

As an eagle spreads its wings, we can also reach and soar,

In the darkness, there is beauty, such that we have never seen,

God is there within our shadows, with His hand He makes us clean,

We can now approach the world, even face the light of day,

There is beauty in the darkness, when we turn to Him and pray.

 

 

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

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Leave it to a dog to know the rules.

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WALLS CAME DOWN

8Tearing of the Curtain

For forty years, God led His children out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt.  He went before them as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night, allowing them to travel both day and night to escape their enemies.  When the tabernacle was built in the wilderness, there was a special room, which no one could enter except for the chief priest.  He would make atonement for the people through blood sacrifices.  The Holy of Holies, or most holy place, was a place for God to reside as He had when they made their exodus.

God was very specific about how the division should be made.  There would be a heavy linen curtain, woven intricately with cherubim entwined into the pattern of purple, scarlet and blue yarn.  The word “veil” in Hebrew means screen or divider and this wall was intended to keep anyone out other than the chief priest, and keep God separate from the sinful people.  Even the chief priest had to make special preparation to enter this room on the annual day of atonement.  He needed to cleanse himself physically, put on special clothing and burn incense as he entered so that the smoke would hinder his eyes from seeing God. He would also bring blood offerings.

When the Jerusalem temple was built, a replica of the curtain was made.  It was sixty feet high, thirty feet wide and was 4 inches thick.  This was not a piece of fabric that could be torn by human hands.  The curtain separated Holy God from His sinful people.  Anyone who entered, except for the chief priest, would surely die.  This was a clear picture of how God detested sin.

When Jesus took His final breath on the cross and surrendered to death, the earth shook, rocks split, dead bodies came to life and the curtain of the temple was split in two.  Within His short life upon this planet, the Son of God took upon Himself the sin of the world.  The wall that separated us from direct contact with God was now broken.  From that moment on, we no longer have to fear God’s wrath.  We don’t have to rely on our works to get us to heaven.  We don’t need an earthly intermediary.  We can now meet God face to face and know that our sins have been forgiven.

His sacrifice, His holy blood, His undying love for His creation was the final blood offering.

A curtain made of yarn and linen woven together with greatest skill –

Designed to honor the face of God.

Only one could come into this holy place.

Only one could enter and only at the appointed time.

Cherubim meticulously crafted into the cloth of royal colors – purple, blue and scarlet.

Colors of the King of Kings.

The purple shows His passion – His love for all and His willingness to die for us.

The blue, the heavenly realm from which He came and to where He ascended. There He has reserved a place for us.

The scarlet reminds us of the blood – true blood – true flesh – true man and still true God.

Shed in payment for the sins of the world.

The curtain stands no longer.   It has been torn in two.

God has shown His miraculous love for mankind.

The door is open now for all who follow Him.

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

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This may be why I haven’t yet succeeded as a writer.  The only thing I’ve experienced is a loyal pet.

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PINTEREST PERFECT?

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Don’t you just checking out Pinterest for creative ideas?  Doesn’t everyone have stuff like this on their mantle or dining room table for the Easter holiday?  So many times we hope things will be Pinterest perfect in our lives.  We try and always seem to come up short.

We expect our homes to be properly attired with the right color of accent pillows and the most beautiful accessories, but even those things aren’t going to cover up the hole in your couch.  Using trendy colors and adding fabulous pieces of art isn’t going to wash away the dirt underneath.  We put so much pressure on ourselves to LOOK good.  We don beautiful clothes, get hair coiffed, flawless makeup and manicures, but still we are just covering up the ugliness inside of us.

When we set unattainable goals, we are setting ourselves up for failure, but we’re also trying to cover something up with something that’s only temporary.  Pinterest has been a delightful resource for creative ideas to make our world more beautiful, but I wonder how many of those ideas have flopped or actually turn out like they do in the picture.  Much like our lives.

We try to cover up our sinful nature, our bad habits, our ugly side, but we can never wash away the disgusting truth that lies beneath the surface.  The only One who can do that is God.  What He does is  way beyond our perception of what things should be.  He even did the unthinkable to make that possible.

God knows what’s in our hearts and minds and only He can wash away our sins.  The new life He gives us, comes with a guarantee to be free of pain, tears and suffering,  it will last forever, it will be beyond perfection – as was originally intended.

As we ponder Christ’s Passion for us this week, let’s never forget how awesome God is.  He sent His Son to take away our sin permanently.  He washed the dirt away and we can now approach His throne completely perfect.  HOSANNA!

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Hand painted eggs which are Pinterest worthy.  It helps to have an artist in the house.

 

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

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For all those who believe in evolution – this guy is still waiting to evolve.  Do you think he ever will?

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PRAISE HIM

God is the Creator of all of things and certainly isn’t in need of our praise, but because of His great love for us, He definitely deserves our gratitude.  Hosanna on the highest.

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THINKING SPRING

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ORIGINAL ART AND INSPIRATION FROM KATHY BOECHER©

The sun trickles through somewhat bare branches,

Giving way to glistening dew drops and a fantastic diamond like glow,

It rises to full height and dispenses all its light and beauty for all to see,

Each day grows a little longer, removing the dirt of yesterday,

Each hour is packed with promise of new life,

Each minute fills our hearts with hope,

As the Son rises, we are assured the same things,

Cleansing from our sins, promise of eternal life and hope in Christ, Jesus.

 

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HE WILL RETURN IN GLORY

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Jesus was carried in His mother’s body on a simple beast of burden – a donkey – only 33 years prior to His entry into Jerusalem.  He came into the world in humility and left it in the same way, but He was no ordinary person.

He left his throne in heaven to take on human flesh and blood.  He left the majesty of ruling over heaven and earth and became the perfect sacrifice for all of humanity.  He left the attendance of armies and legions of angels.  He left everything so I could have it all; so that we all could reap the benefits.

Another donkey would again be used as the steed for the King of Kings -for God Himself – to transport Him through the streets and raise shouts of Hosanna for this simple man.  They had seen His miracles and heard His words of knowledge and authority.  They believed He was the promised Messiah foretold by the ancient prophets. Within days these same worshippers would be screaming, “Crucify Him!”

It had to be this way.  Jesus had to come in humility to show His willingness to take our place.  Remember how He told others that the greatest love was to lay down one’s life for another.  Only God could be the perfect sacrifice.  It’s incomprehensible to the human mind, because we don’t possess the wisdom of God.  What an incredible sacrifice.  The perfect, unblemished lamb, without sin, pure and holy, the Son of God, God Himself – the replacement for the iniquity of us all.

He will come again in glory, with pomp and majesty worthy of the King of Creation.  No more will He enter the world in poverty, but in royal robes.  Then those who believe these things to be true, through faith alone, will receive their crown of glory and a place prepared just for them in heaven.

HOSANNA in the highest to the King of Kings.

 

 

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

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Is this true – we only write for the money?  I kinda doubt it, or every writer in America would be rich.

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COME ON, SPRING!

Spring is having a hard time emerging in our part of the country, but there are signs that it won’t be much longer. Buds are ready to pop on the trees and little tulips and crocuses are peeking through the ground.

Every time there is the forecast for snow, we all cringe a little. We’re suffering from a malady which can be very contagious. It’s called cabin fever. We’ve been cooped up for several months and would really like to see green grass instead of more of that white stuff.

Spring means new life and a new start. As Christians we have been given a clean slate through the life and death of our risen Savior. Because of Him all the grime of our sin has been washed away. Spring has sprung!

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THE FINAL SACRIFICE

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It was the hour of the evening sacrifice when Jesus took His final breath and commended Himself to His heavenly Father’s hands. The final sacrifice was now complete. His distorted, gory, pitiful body was lifeless. It was getting late. The work of getting Jesus’ body into a grave and prepared for burial was drawing near. Soon it would be the Sabbath and no work could be done after that.

A follower of Jesus, named Joseph of Arimathea, asked to have the body placed in his own new tomb. Pilate obliged and Jesus was carried to the final resting place. The hour of the Sabbath had come, and it was too late to do any preparation of the body. A stone was placed over the opening, so that no one could do anymore harm to it.

The next day, the leaders of the church appeared before the governor and told him that Jesus had predicted His resurrection and insisted that something be done avoid the possibility of someone stealing His body and spreading another deception – one that would be worse than the first. A seal was placed on the stone and a guard stood steadfastly at his post.

Jesus, the Messiah, lay dead in the grave.  This should’ve been the end of the story.  His followers were wounded deeply by His passing.  What had this all been for? Why did it have to end this way? We would’ve reacted in the same way. It seemed that all was lost.

This was just the beginning. This was no ordinary death and burial. This was no ordinary man. This was the Son of God, God in the flesh, who came to gain victory over death, so that we would never have to fear it!

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WEEK IN REVIEW

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  • Saturday – Hubby informed me of a giant rat in the kitchen sink.  April Fools’ Day and I fell for it.  .You’d think after 53 years of marriage, I’d get wise to this guy, however I know that GOD IS IN CONTROL
  • Sunday – spent the morning in worship and Bible study.  Talked to several people who are experiencing physical difficulties, gave words of encouragement, realized that my problems are nothing compared to theirs and was reminded that even in times of trouble – GOD IS IN CONTROL.
  • Monday – Hubby went in for yearly physical and all blood work was perfect – except for his PSA count – which has always stirred anxiety, because he endured radiation treatments for Prostate Cancer several years ago.  My son closed on the sale of his house on his birthday.  Everything went smoothly.  GOD IS IN CONTROL.
  • Tuesday – Did mundane chores around the house, laundry day, lost socks, normal junk – but always a few surprises.  Our dog found the box of Kleenex and ate half of it.  I really think he needs more fiber in his diet.  The result was and extra scrubbing of the floor.  Through it I was reminded GOD IS IN CONTROL.
  • Wednesday – I refuse to listen to the news anymore.  Sick of hearing scandal after scandal, infused with lies and fake information.  It does nothing to advance the work of government.  Can’t escape the story of the Syrian chemical attack and the pictures of bodies of little children burns in my brain.  I get angry with all of it, but realize that even in spite of man’s inhumanity, GOD IS I CONTROL.
  • Thursday – Accountant called, taxes are done and we don’t have to pay except the $375 bill for preparing them.  We did discover that if we continue to live only on our Social Security Income, we don’t have to file next year.  Oh, boy, we’ll be $375 to the good.  As we left his office, I almost entered the wrong car, but realized before  actually opening the door.  A friendly little pooch jumped wildly inside, as I moved quickly to our car.  I could’ve been eaten by that doggie, but I know that GOD IS IN CONTROL.
  • Friday – I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside and the glimmer of sunshine piercing through the drapes.  I woke up.  I’m alive.  GOD IS IN CONTROL
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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Blogger's Block: 'I'm all nouned out.'

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