I think I need to join this group. I’ve been sitting on 40 years of writing – procrastinating – fearing rejection – unsure if it’s ready. Finally submitted two pieces yesterday. Maybe I’m making a breakthrough.
THE FARM
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER
In the weeds and trenches,
In the darkest holes,
Perched within the clenches,
Of yearned for days of old,
This bird of many colors,
Stands guard along the gate,
As colors bloom like flowers,
As spring’s brief advocate,
The new growth brings new life,
The gentle rain renews,
The end of snow and winter strife,
Replaced with wondrous views.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion
Tagged Art & poetry, Inspiration, New Life, spring
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICK!
“I live in sin, to kill myself I live; no longer my life my own, but sin’s; my good is given to me by heaven, my evil by myself, by my free will, of which I am deprived.” Michelangelo
On March 6, 1475 Michelangelo Buonarroti, was born. This child born in the small town of Caprese. He grew up in the town of Florence and at the age of 13, his talent as an artist was apparent. For two years beginning in 1490, he lived in the Medici palace, where he was a student of the sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni. He was a student of ancient Roman statuary. His talent as a sculpter allowed him to be commissioned at the age of 23 to undertake the task of creating THE PIETA.
It’s no wonder that this small man had hands gnarled by arthritis at a young age. Imagine the strength required to cut into solid marble with minimal tools.
This artist of the Renaissance was not only prolific in sculpture, but also known for his paintings, murals and frescoes, including the beautiful Biblical scenes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Later in life he was an architect as well as a poet – a true artist in every sense of the world and yet a faithful servant of the Lord. His huge body of work can be seen in churches and museums throughout Italy. His stunning poetry also shows honor to His God. He lived to the ripe old age of 88, which was quite astonishing for his day. He left the world a wonderful legacy and tribute to his Savior.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Inspiration, Uncategorized
Tagged Art, Inspiration, Michelangelo, motivation, Poetry, potential, Rennaissance
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WRITERS’ FUNNIES
Some say that parenthesis are not necessary in good writing, but sometimes the stuff on the inside is just as important as all the words around them.
THIS ONE’S FOR JULIE
I THOUGHT THIS FIT NICELY WITH YOUR POST OF THE JEOPARDY UNIVERSITY STUDENT’S LACK OF RESPECT. MAYBE YODA WOULD DO BETTER IF HE COULD SPEAK IN GOOD GRAMMATICAL FORM.
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MOTION
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Life is constant motion,
A dance to the beat of a certain drum,
Hearts racing through life,
Never time to relax,
To contemplate,
To enjoy the motion itself,
Nature is filled with it too,
As the wind swirls endlessly through the forest,
As the wildlife scurry to gather food,
As the sounds of life explode all around,
Whispers from the Creator,
To stop for a moment,
To listen,
To watch,
To feel,
The rhythm of life,
To become enshrouded with it,
To live.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, encouragement, Inspiration, life, motion, motivation, rhythm
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CHARACTERS OF THE PASSION STORY – JOHN, THE BAPTIST
This begins a series on the characters of the Passion of Christ for Lent
An empty cradle sat collecting dust in the quiet home of an elderly couple. The woman prayed for many years to have children, but that hope was long gone and now she had quietly accepted her fate.
This could be the scene of any home today, but it took place centuries ago. Zachariah was a priest in the temple. He and his wife, Elizabeth were both God fearing and followed the commandments. It seemed a simple request to ask God for a child, but for some reason their prayers went unanswered.
In this scenario, as with many in God’s book, we see how God determines the right time and place for our prayers to be answered and how He uses those circumstances to do amazing things.
As Zachariah was tending the incense in the temple, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him that he and his wife would have a son and that this boy would fulfill an ancient prophecy. Zachariah was doubtful and because of this, his own voice was silenced until the birth of his son, John.
The joy in Elizabeth’s heart had to have been overwhelming as she prepared for the birth of her first born child. I’m sure she was wondering why God waited so long, but here she was – well beyond child bearing years – old and pregnant. The faith of this woman had to be tremendous. She trusted in God’s plan for her life.
Her son, John would grow into the forerunner of Jesus. The boy, John, would grow into the man preparing the way for the Messiah. He’d be known as John, the Baptist and fulfilled the ancient prophecy..
Isaiah 41:3 A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
As Jesus waded into the water, a stillness came upon the crowd. John was awe struck as he moved to his Messiah. Jesus asked to be baptized – not because He needed salvation, but so that the Holy Spirit would bless His ministry and that God, His Father would approve it.
Still, John felt unworthy, as we should when in the presence of our Savior. It became apparent soon enough as the heavens opened and a dove descended and the voice of God uttered the words, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Word of the Messiah would spread like wildfire from town to town. Soon Jesus would be gathering crowds of His own and His message was one of forgiveness.
Soon John would be beheaded and Mary would visit Elizabeth to comfort her in her grief – not knowing that she ‘d be suffering for her own dying Son in three short years.
Posted in Christ's passion, Christian daily devotion, Lent, Uncategorized
Tagged baptism, characters of the passion, History of Jesus, Inspiration, john the baptist, prophecy fulfilled, Salvation
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WRITERS’ FUNNIES
Doesn’t every good writer, worth his salt, have a little clown hanging out inside of him?
FEARFULLY, WONDERFULLY MADE
This morning was spent in the retina clinic, having tests done and pictures taken of Paul’s eye. I am amazed at the technology available today, which can look inside your eye and get a perfect image of what’s going on inside. A bleed definitely showed up and the image was exactly what Paul had described seeing.
As I sat there watching, I started thinking how amazingly we have been created by a Master designer. The different vessels and neuro-transmitters were visible and there were so many. To think that all those little spider webs were sending messages from the brain to the eye and allowing it to function. This isn’t something that just happens by chance or evolution. This is God’s doing.
We are blessed in our time to have such great insight from technicians, doctors and surgeons. They have their hands involved in finding the right treatment for the malady, but there is still much to be learned. Some day many of the illness that plague us today will be a thing of the past, but as long as life continues, there will be sickness. It’s the result of our sin.
Not too long ago, Macular Degeneration was the beginning of blindness. I have an aunt that suffered from this disease and no longer has her sight. Now they can inject medicine into the retina and with many treatments eliminate the problem or at least make it better.
Our inner workings are so complex that even the best the medical professionals are boggled by it. There are so many intricacies within the human body. Strides will continue to be made in the medical field, but no one will ever know all of what makes us tick. Only God can create life.
Praise God for so fearfully and wonderfully making each and everyone of us in a unique and special way. Each layer is perfectly designed to contribute to the makeup of His kingdom. Thank Him for making you a part of that. Use your gifts and talents to serve Him and share the wonderful news of His salvation.
Posted in aging, Christian daily devotion, healing, Uncategorized
Tagged AGING, Creation, encouragement, health, Human body, Inspiration
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REFRESHMENT
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Slowly crossing the sands of time – into a pasture green sublime,
I’ll rest my feet and wet my lips, with waters clear and cold that grips,
Through danger I will walk with Him. He guards me from each foolish sin,
He takes my hand and leads me now, to comfort me and show me how,
to live my life and live it right and when I stray He sets me right,
When my own final hour comes near, I’ll face my death with no more fear,
I’ll trust in His unfailing love – which He bestows from up above,
With Him in paradise I’ll live. He promised me He did forgive,
Each one of my transgressions.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, consolation, encouragement, FAITH, Inspiration, Peace, Refreshment
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KIDS ON THE BIBLE
I love the way children’s minds work. I find myself having some of these same thoughts when I was a kid – how the words I heard didn’t always mean what I thought they did. Some very interesting interpretations have taken place over the years. For example, when my third child, Joy, was born, my son noticed her umbilical cord and said, “We’re singing about her in church – Joy full of cord.”
Here are a few very funny comments from kids.
- David was good at playing the liar.
- Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
- Joshua fought the battle of Geritol.
- The Passover feast was unleavened bread, which meant it had no ingredients.
- God split the Adam and created Eve.
- Mary gave birth to Jesus because of an immaculate contraption.
- Adam and Eve were created out of an apple tree.
- Noah’s wife was named Joan of Ark.
- Methuselah was Noah’s grandpa and he lived to be like a million or something.
- Moses looked at the burning bush and fried his hair.
- Jacob had an son named Joseph who wore a flashy sports coat.
- Moses real name was Charlton Heston and he led the Israel lights out of Egypt.
- When they were in the desert all they had to eat was manicotti.
- Moses died before he ever reached Canada.
- Lot’s wife turned into a salt lick when she turned around to watch her town go up in flames.
- There were a bunch of major league prophets and some minor ones too.
- Jesus had lots of arguments with Pharisees and Republicans.
- Jesus healed a bunch of leopards and there were also some Germans on the Mount.
- Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.
- When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
These interpretations may not be exactly right, but telling the stories is. Be sure your children have the opportunity to hear all of them.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, parenting, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible, children, encouragement, humor, kids' interpretation of Bible, parenting, teach your kids
4 Comments
WRITERS’ FUNNIES
A sign of the times?
Posted in Humor, Uncategorized
Tagged humor, technology, texting, writing
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ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF US…
When you reach your seventies, it’s not uncommon to spend time in an ER. A little over a year ago, my husband suffered a small stroke and tried to get help by dialing 911. His speech was impaired and 911 hung up on him three times. He called me. By this time his speech was so disabled that I thought he was goofing around until I heard him say the word “stroke.” I told him to call 911. left my grocery cart and sped home. I could’ve called 911 myself, but I wasn’t thinking. Somehow, by the time I arrived home, an emergency team had already arrived.
Yesterday, my husband started experiencing distorted vision and tingling in his arm. Remembering our last experience, we decided to make a trip to the clinic instead of using 911. We got there and were told to go to urgent care. We got to urgent care and they told us to go to the ER, which by the way is only a few blocks from our home.
During this time of running around, my asthma started to act up and I began hyper-ventilating. Thoughts of the two of us going to heaven together ran through my mind. We finally got to the hospital. Two hours later we were ushered into a room. A nurse came in, got his information, followed by a doc who examined him. They decided to page an eye doctor, thinking there might be damage to the eye. He closed the curtain and left.
We sat for another two hours, looking at each other. Our creative minds became bored. Maybe we could use the disposable gloves as slingshots and fire spitballs into the hallway to get attention. We might blow air into said rubber gloves and make balloons out of them, surprising the doc whenever he did arrive.
We twiddled our thumbs, had a puppet show with Paul’s hat, danced with happy feet while sitting and waited again. We thought of the possible outcome. Would his sight return to normal? Would Paul be able to paint anymore. Were they sure it wasn’t another stroke? What would I do without this man I’ve spent a lifetime with. We had to do silly things to keep our minds away from those thoughts.
At last the doctor arrived and diagnosed a small hemorrhage in the retina caused by macular degeneration. This is treatable, but the doc suggested getting right into a retinal specialist asap. Five hours after our initial departure, we arrived home. Feeling relieved, but still concerned.
The waiting continues, since he can’t get into the clinic until Friday. Just what do you do while you wait? I’d really like a few suggestions, since it will probably be a common occurrence from now on.
Posted in aging, Christian daily devotion, Humor, Uncategorized
Tagged 9/11, AGING, emergency rooms, encouragement, health, Inspiration, perseverance, waiting
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RESTORED
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
A tiny seed is planted, it burrows in the earth,
It waits through winter weather, in spring it gives new birth,
Dormant in frozen earth for so long,
You wouldn’t think that see would ever see light again,
When we plant God’s love into a precious soul,
It will never return to us empty,
God will care for that seed,
Nurture and protect it,
Breathe life into it,
Give it restoration,
We too can be like a seed,
Needing God’s attention,
Craving His loving protection,
Desiring His forgiveness,
All we need do is turn to Him.
Posted in art, Life, Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, encouragement, FAITH, forgiveness, Inspiration
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I GIVE UP?
Today thousands will be relinquishing their hold on something. Some will give up a favorite food, social media or do something to help others. Giving things up is good, but it isn’t going to get you one step closer to heaven.
Lent is a time to take stock of our lives – going into the wilderness, so to speak – to repent and change our sinful ways.
As with most things in a Christian’s life, we turn to Jesus as our example. What did He give up? What was His gift to the world? He led a life of perfection – without sin – the unblemished sacrifice that God demanded. When we realize all that Jesus gave up for us, it’s impossible for us to understand how we can ever do what He did.
We try our best. We don’t cheat, steal, lie, murder or commit adultery. We eat healthy, don’t smoke or drink and follow the rules. We spend time in worship by going to church. We try to help others in need. We pray. All those things are great, but they don’t save us.
What did Jesus give up for us? He gave up His throne in heaven and went through the birthing process to become a human being. He did this so that He could live among us, see and feel exactly the same emotions we do. He lived in squalor and poverty. He never had a place to lay His head. He studied endlessly. He traveled daily to bring His message of hope to the world. He hungered and thirsted just as we do. He was tempted by the devil. He was falsely accused, beaten endlessly, spat upon, set up to ridicule, called a false prophet, and pinned to a cross. He did this so that we could inherit eternal life.
The giving up has been done and He did it. How freeing is that? He gave His life for everyone – not just those who love Him, but to the entire population – past, present and future – including you and me. This universal forgiveness is the greatest sacrifice ever. Not all will accept it, but those who do are guaranteed a room in heaven.
During this time of repentance and contemplation, talk to your children about God’s wonderful gift to humanity. They need to know that they can inherit heaven too.
Posted in Christ's passion, Christian daily devotion, Lent, Uncategorized
Tagged Ash Wednesday, encouragement, forgiveness, Heaven, Inspiration, Lent, repentance, Sacrifice, Salvation, temptations
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WRITERS’ FUNNYS
Sometimes you do feel like a stand up comic when you’re writing – always waiting for a response which never occurs unless you’re the one responding. A lonely business indeed.
Posted in Uncategorized
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ABSOLUTION
ART & POETRY FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
The world is filled with darkness, the sky is filled with clouds,
The hold of sin entwines you, the weeds encase like shrouds,
But in that deepest sadness, one light remains unmoved,
His arms reach out to hold you, your life will be improved,
Just ask that Light to guide you, repent and follow Him,
By giving up the darkness, new life in you begins.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged absolution, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, encouragement, forgiveness, Inspiration, light, repentance, Sin
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WRITERS’ FUNNYS
I have had a running problem with autocorrect. It amazes me when I read a post of mine after I’ve already sent it. I really need to edit before doing so.
atimetoshare.me 