SUFFERING SAVIOR
During the time of His arrest, by a vigilante gang of leaders of the church of His day, Jesus stood uncomplaining. He suffered the brutal threats and insults. He withstood the humiliation of being spat upon and assaulted by His enemies. He quietly suffered the pain of the lash. which consisted of 9 leather straps imbedded with glass and metal. When whipped across the back, it would tear large chunks of flesh from the body, causing blood to spill out. When they forced Him …to carry His own cross, He no longer had the appearance of a man. He was now a bloody mass. His hair was matted with blood and saliva. His body was weak from the loss of blood, His face bruised from the continuous slaps and jabs of the Roman guards.
Was this the man who would save the world?
I can’t even begin to imagine the pain Jesus endured, but I know that He did this for me and everyone in the world – even those who don’t know Him or believe in Him. His fulfilled sacrifice for us was the necessary price paid for the forgiveness of sins. He has given this gift to everyone, through His precious blood, so that the slate is now clean for those who believe in Him. It is because of what He has done that we have been set free.
Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, forgiveness, Jesus, Uncategorized
Tagged crucifixion, encouragement, forgiveness, Inspiration, Jesus, Salvation, Sin
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BEGIN AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN …
“For a true writer, each book should be a new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed.” Ernest Hemingway
A few weeks ago, I told you about a novel I’d started t 4 years ago. It somehow disappeared from my computer and I was left with nothing but a blank page. I still remember who the characters were and have a clear memory of the story line, but all the accumulation of those nifty words and phrases are now lost to cyberspace.
I stewed about this dilemma and realized there was a reason for it. Over the past four years, my husband and I have been trying to figure out how to retire and live only on our social security investment. We had to re-evaluate how we could downsize our home, the clutter and collections of 52 years and make it happen. We did it. We began again. We now live in a smaller home, I’ve retired from my hectic work schedule, I’m spending more time with my husband and still wondering in the back of my mind if it will all work.
When we let go of things that hold us back, it allows us to move forward and do even better things – not only for ourselves, but for others on the way. My book will be rewritten someday and it will probably make more sense. I’ve had to mull it over in my mind for four years anyway.
So as we go from day to day, we must always remember that God has mapped out a perfect plan for us. It doesn’t mean instant success or wealth beyond measure. It isn’t a promise that we won’t have problems. It is the opening of a new door. The hardest door we have to open is the one which leads to the next adventure.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, fears, Inspiration, Uncategorized
Tagged change, confidence, encouragement, God's plan, growth, Inspiration, life
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CHARACTERS OF THE PASSION – JESUS
This is the final biography of the characters that appeared prior, during and after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Christ. Those I’ve talked about over the past few weeks define who Jesus was and still is today. His story is the greatest ever told and it’s not just a fairy tale or a happily ever after. His life was necessary for the redemption of mankind. Jesus wasn’t just a man. He was also God in the flesh. He gave the sacrifice of His life to take away the sin that has haunted us since Adam and Eve wanted to be like God.
He lived an average life, yet He was far beyond average. He felt every pain, loss and emotion that we feel, yet he never succumbed to sin. He showed us how to use His Father’s Word to fight off the devil. He showed us, by example, how to serve others when He washed His disciples feet. He had compassion for the poor, sick and troubled. He didn’t separate Himself from the lowest of the low – never making excuses for it. He knew the law better than the Pharisees and Sadducees and He alone was able to accomplish every bit of it. He became angry when He saw how His temple had been turned into a den of thieves.
When He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking that the coming events would pass by Him, He knew that it was not part of God’s. He knew in advance that He would be the atoning sacrifice, the unblemished lamb who would die for all – ONCE!
As He endured the pain and suffering of the cross – the ridicule of His own people and the Romans – the mockery, spit, sour wine, wounds, lack of oxygen and eventual death – He was paying for the sin of the world. His resurrection three days later, proved that He had conquered death and that we too will live for eternity, even after our last breath.
Jesus is our brother, our friend, our hero and our God. Without Him we would be doomed to the pits of despair in hell. With Him, we have a prepared placed waiting in heaven. Thanks be to Jesus, for giving us His passion – for paying the price by giving us His life – for taking our place and making us clean before Holy God.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Jesus, Passion, Uncategorized
Tagged compassion, empathy, encouragement, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Love, Passion of Christ, redemption, Salvation, sympathy
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THINGS WE TELL OUR CHILDREN
Do you ever stop to think about things that were said to you when you were a kid? The words we say can really impact them in one way or another, or at least conjure up ideas that go way beyond what was said. Some of the phrases we heard as children are now being used by us or our children as they talk to their kids.
For example – when I was a child, I struggled with my weight. A malady that continues to plague me to this day. Someone once said, “Don’t eat so much. You’re going to explode!” Well, obviously it didn’t stop me from eating, but it sure stirred up images of little pieces of ME falling all over that person.
Grandma used to say, “Don’t make those faces. Your face will stay that way.” Maybe that accounts for all the lines and crevices I now possess. Actually a lot can be said about this. My face served as a mask for many years in the area of theater. Perhaps it has stayed that way.
We were reminded that if So-and-So was still alive, she’d be rolling over in her grave. I often wondered how anyone could roll over in their grave, not to mention the thoughts of being buried alive!
There was another one, which I hope is non-existent in this day and age, but it sure scared the bejeebers out of me. “Don’t eat so many sweets. Your teeth will fall out.” or “You’re going to get worms!” That one really sent me reeling. I visualized worms crawling in and out of my eyes, ears, nostrils and my mouth – filling the empty spaces which once held my teeth. It didn’t stop me from eating sweets.
When they told me to clean my plate because kids were starving in China, I wondered how that was going to help them. They would still be starving and my stomach would ache from eating too much.
When they said it was so hot outside, you could fry an egg on the sidewalk, I wanted to try it. When they said never, never touch a metal pole with your tongue when it was below zero – that was just the incentive I needed to try it.
Most of those old sayings have passed away, (I hope) but some of them remain. When we say something like, “Stop it, or else …” what does that mean? Or else what? How about when we say, “Don’t cry.” Are you kidding me? Am I just going to turn off the water works just because you said I should?
OK, that’s enough of this nonsense. I will close with these words:
“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.” Mark Twain
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Family, humor, Uncategorized
Tagged children, encouragement, FAMILY, humor, parenting
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WRITERS’ FUNNIES
W
When life get’s tough and everyone knows it,
Don’t give up, just send in a poet …
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WHAT DRAWS US TO TRAGEDY?
In 2011, the REELZ channel received four Emmy Awards for the mini-series, “The Kennedys.” They are now following up with a two part showing of “The Kennedys After Camelot.” I was a young woman at the time of the Kennedy presidency and just starting a new life as a married woman. The story of this family and their courage in extreme difficulties and tragedy was a compelling draw for the entire nation. It continues today.
I vividly remember the events – the assassination of JFK,; the bloodied pink suit that Mrs. Kennedy wore; the parade with all its formality; the saluting little soldier, John, Jr. We watched as his assassin was also shot. We wondered if there was a connection to organized crime?
We watched again as Bobbie Kennedy rallied to become his brother’s successor and his life was also cut short. We cried with the family as yet another son was lost. We witnessed what followed after those Camelot years as tragedy after tragedy haunted them.
Why are we so drawn to things like this? It might be because these people are in the spotlight. They’re successful. They seem to have it all – money, fame, everything they could want. Are we so callous that we relish in someone else’s pain? Do we think they deserve it? Maybe it’s because we all experience trouble in life and misery loves company.
There was another family that had it all. The patriarch of the family had accumulated great wealth. He was respected by his neighbors. He was an honorable man of God. Yet within a week, he lost everything – his property, his riches, his belongings, his children, the disdain of his wife and the eventual deterioration of his body. Through it all, he was surrounded by a few friends who thought they had the answers to his plight, but they just didn’t get it.
They wondered what the man had done to deserve such pain and loss. What kind of sins had he committed to so deeply anger his God? Isn’t that true of us? We tend to think when someone is plagued with trouble, he must’ve done something to deserve it. The man remained faithful to God, never doubting that He was still in control of his diminishing life.
God doesn’t work like those friends believed. He doesn’t judge us on our merit or our good deeds. When he sees us, He no longer sees the stain of sin, because Jesus has paid the ransom and we’ve been redeemed. He allows trials so that we grow in our dependence on Him, but He will never give us more than we can handle.
Job was again blessed with renewed prosperity. He had more children and became even wealthier than before, not because of what he did, but because of God’s love for him. He will renew us, just as he did Job. He’s already prepared a place for us in heaven.
Posted in anxiety, Bible, Christian daily devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged death, encouragement, God's plan, Inspiration, loss, pain, restoration, trials
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MY SON
Today is my son’s birthday. He’s now 49, which is impossible to believe, since I’m 49. How did that happen? In this picture, you can see that I have raised a comedian. He is definitely a part of our family – always the one to make us laugh. There has to be one in every family, right.
Bob was supposed to be born on April Fool’s Day, but he fooled us and waited for a couple more. He was named for both of his grandfathers – Robert and Edward. From little on, he has been an adventure a minute and has grown into a responsible, compassionate, dedicated, loving and kind man. I thank God every day for him and my two girls.
Bob was the kid who brought things home – like frogs, baby ducks and birds, bugs and snakes. One day he rang the doorbell. When I opened the door he was standing with what appeared to be a forty foot snake with a huge bulge in its middle. I immediately went into panic mode. He said, “Don’t worry, Mom, it’s dead.” The snake was digesting whatever was in its middle and was very much alive. He had to peel me off the ceiling that day.
He was devastated when his younger sister sat on his pet, baby duck and squashed it. He placed the corpse into a plastic box, sealed it up and proceeded to bury it. It was a lovely funeral. There was the time he wacked a mouse with a tennis racket in the lower level of our house. The girls were screaming during the incident. I was upstairs and calmly said, “Be sure to clean it up when you’re done,” with no intent of checking it out. Once a bat ventured into our house and Bob went at it with the same tennis racket. I can’t remember for sure, but I think he actually used that racket for playing tennis as well as a weapon of mass destruction.
Through all of his years, Bob has maintained a sense of funny, which is so important. You can get through almost anything if you can smile. He ventured into the woods with his dad at age three and has become an avid sportsman because of it. He has held tightly to his God during times of trouble and has pulled himself up by the bootstraps many times.
This is my son – an amazing, God fearing, fun loving, friend, brother, helper in all situations. I have always been proud of my boy, but I am even prouder of the man he’s become. Happy birthday, Bob. Love you with all my heart!
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Family, Humor, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, FAMILY, Happy birthday, Inspiration, my son, parenting
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CHARACTERS OF THE PASSION – THOMAS, THE DOUBTER
Thomas was the doubter. He wasn’t always sure of what Jesus’ mission was. He had to see for himself, the wounds Jesus sustained in order to be convinced it was really Him. We all have doubts from time to time. Not only when we’re young and trying to figure things out, but when you’re old and facing the inevitability of death.
Yesterday our children’s message had to do with the nails that wounded our Savior’s hands and feet as he hung on the cross. The pastor talked to the little ones about something I had not thought of before – when Jesus was resurrected, His body was restored, yet the scars from the nails and the wound from the sword remained. Those scars remained as proof for Thomas, for you, for me and for all mankind to know that He suffered and died so that we wouldn’t have to.
Thomas was a fisherman by trade and a Galilean. We don’t know much about this man other than the fact that he became a strong builder of churches in the middles east and his mission for spreading the Gospel may have even been carried as far as China. He died a martyr’s death by the sword. Thomas had questions. For example at the Last Supper, he asked Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way.”
After the resurrection, Thomas wasn’t present when Jesus revealed Himself to the other disciples. Thomas wanted proof. He was a lot like most of us. We wonder, we question, and can be influenced by those who don’t believe. Thomas was undoubtedly asking questions that each of the disciples had been mulling over in their minds, but were unable to voice.
Jesus retained those scars. They were there to serve this purpose – to reveal the truth to Thomas and the entire world, that He is the risen Son of God. When Thomas placed his hand in the Savior’s wounds, he knew, without a doubt, that this truly was God in the flesh. He said, “My Lord and my God!
Because we haven’t seen Jesus, it’s natural for us to doubt at times, but Jesus also talked about us in the Bible when He said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We have the evidence of Jesus’ existence in the written Word of God.
Dear, Lord, Jesus, there are times when I doubt – when fears assail me, when things aren’t going well in my life, when things become hopeless. Keep me grounded in your word, because there I will find the truth – The Bible is your voice, your truth and your proof. Thank you for loving me enough to give your life for me. Amen!
Posted in Bible, Christian daily devotion, Inspiration, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible, Doubts, encouragement, fears, Hope, Inspiration, Passion of Christ, persecution, Thomas
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GOD USES THE ORDINARY
There are times when we feel attacked from all sides. Trouble continues to plague us or the world we live in. When we can’t possibly handle another test, another one comes along to add to the mix.
There are so many examples of people just like you and me in God’s Word, the Bible – people that had everything they could hope for and those with nothing. There were those who were disabled physically or spiritually and those that seemed to have it all together. Some examples of the greatest heroes of the Bible were ordinary people, living ordinary lives, filled with doubt and lacking faith at times.
These true stories help me face some of the bumps in the road of life. They allow me to see that God didn’t place only extraordinary people as examples. He writes about the average guy, facing obstacles that go way beyond average.
The Psalms are filled with the struggles of one of the greatest warriors of the Old Testament – King David. He was simply a small shepherd boy when God chose him to be King. David gained notoriety with the one stone that resulted in Goliath’s death, but his power came from God alone. His strength in battle was the result of his faith in God’s strength. He wasn’t perfect. He fell to temptation, as we all do, but he always repented of his sin and asked for God’s forgiveness.
God in His mercy forgives all of us when we sincerely repent and believe that our sins have already been paid for. Then we make an effort to go and sin no more.
This amazing best seller is filled with examples of people who faced amazing odds with faith in God. We’re much like those heroes of faith. We struggle every day, but we have the assurance of God’s presence in our lives through it. The stories are not merely fables, but words spoken by God Himself.
Posted in anxiety, Christian daily devotion, Faith, Uncategorized
Tagged Anxiety, Bible, Depression, encouragement, FAITH, God's Love, Inspiration, struggles
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SABBATH DAY OF REST
Isaiah 40:28-31English Standard Version (ESV)
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
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MY PLATE IS FULL
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “
I was reminded yesterday just exactly how full my plate is. We don’t often realize just how much energy we’re spending on times of worry, anxious moments, care and concern for others, personal demands on our ourselves, and just the daily motions of living. Wouldn’t it be nice if all that stuff burned a million calories a day?
I’m at a point in my life where friends are struggling through the process of aging. My age group is concerned about health issues, which pill to take, what to do with their “free” time, how to make their social security checks stretch to the end of the month. When we gather, we ask, “how are you,” which is a huge mistake, because there will be a litany of aches and pains, loss, anxiety, fears, depression and whether someone had a bowel movement that day. Growing old is definitely not for sissies.
I write a blog every day with more than one post per day, which requires my mind to think and work hard. That’s a good thing, because It keeps me awake anyway. I also spend time reading other’s blogs and sympathizing with their writers. I wonder how pastors and psychiatrists manage to make it through a day without falling apart.
When I was a young mother, my thoughts were for my children and making a good environment for them along with my husband. Each day I expected way more of myself than I should’ve. I became downtrodden, because when we set unattainable goals for ourselves, we’re definitely setting ourselves up for failure.
Later on, my concerns turned toward my students. I took each one of under my wing and tried to assure them they had talent, purpose and were much more than they thought they were. My concern for friends and family didn’t wane either. Even when your children leave the nest, there’s no escaping motherhood.
Now I’m in a place where I still have doubts about my future – a future that’s already here. I’m in it! Through all this, I’ve been blessed with an amazing husband, who isn’t afraid to tell me to slow down and smell the roses. I ‘ve become so regimented, it’s a hard thing for me. I feel like the little engine that could, as I’ve traveled at high speed throughout life, trying to climb mountains and stop to help others along the way.
My plate is full. I’ve got to cut down or I’ll explode. That means, I must put some of that worry energy into positive thoughts and good use. I will continue to write, because it is my passion, but I plan to slow down for a bit so I can recharge that little engine. When I reach the top of the mountain, I’ll be able to coast … right into eternity.
Posted in aging, Christian daily devotion, goals, Uncategorized
Tagged AGING, Anxiety, Depression, encouragement, FAITH, Hope, illness, Inspiration
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WRITERS’ FUNNIES
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FOR ALL OF MY AUTHOR FRIENDS WHO KNOW THE FEELING. HAVING A BOOK PUBLISHED AND WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO READ IT. TALK ABOUT STRATEGIC MARKETING!
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LIFE CYCLES
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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Life flows just like a river, winding twists and turns,
We rage against the current, until our body burns,
The waves can pull and drag us down, but also lifts us up,
It cleanses all the dirt and filth, it drains and fills our cup,
Refreshes as it washes and takes our sins away,
We’re carried on that water to see another day,
And when the river fails to be and life remains no more,
The Son of God will greet us and open heaven’s door,
He’ll give us living water a flood that never ends,
The river now remains in us, we reap the dividends.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Anxiety, baptism, Depression, flood, Hope, Inspiration, life, living water, redemption, Salvation
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CHARACTERS OF THE PASSION – JOHN
John and his brother, James were disciples of John, the Baptist. They were fishermen, like many of the other apostles and the sons of Zebedee and Salome. They made their living fishing on the sea of Galilee as did their father, who was probably a man of means.
These two were among the first disciples Jesus called to follow Him. Jesus referred to James and John as the Sons of Thunder or Boanerges. This did not mean they were wild or outspoken. Both brothers were usually calm and peaceful, but they sometimes allowed their voices to become like an untamed storm, as was indicated in the Gospel story which indicates the brothers wanted to call down heavenly fire on a Samaritan town, but Jesus rebuked them for it.
John was the only disciple to die a natural death. Judas, Iscariot died by taking his own life and the rest died as martyrs. John was the disciple to witness Jesus’ crucifixion as he escorted Mary to be at her Son’s side as He suffered and died. He was the one that Jesus asked to take care of His mother after His death. He was often called the one Jesus loved. I think their friendship was much like that of King David and Saul’s son, Jonathan. He was also a cousin of Jesus.
He faithfully followed Jesus throughout His ministry. He continued to spread the good news of the Gospel when Jesus gave the Great Commission and the fire of the Holy Spirit rested on His head at Pentecost. He may have been witness to some of his fellow apostles’ deaths. He continued on even in spite of the threat of his own death. When exiled to Patmos, he became witness to the end times in a vision provided him, by God Himself. He wrote it all down in the book of Revelation by inspiration from God, so that we could see what heaven will be like and how to be ready for it at any moment.
As I grow older, thoughts of heaven are more and more on my mind. We have lost many friends recently and our own aging bodies are showing signs of slowing down. We don’t know the hour or the day, but we do know, because of that precious, inspired Word of God, that we will receive all the benefits of the inheritance Jesus provided for us.
John was willing to risk His life to share the Gospel with as many as he could. Why are we sometimes afraid to invite others to share in that wonderful news? By doing so, we’re joining with other disciples for Christ and fulfilling what He asked us to do. Go tell someone today, how Jesus love has healing and blessing waiting for them too. The world is hungry for some good news and we have it!
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants, the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
Revelation 1:1-3
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Lent, Passion, Uncategorized
Tagged characters of the passion, encouragement, evangelism, Inspiration, John the Apostle, Revelation
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