SAY PLEASE & THANK YOU

Posted on July 12, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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Two of the first words we learn as toddlers are please and thank you – rather than demanding and expecting to get an immediate response. If we look at our relationship to God in this way, things might go a lot easier for us.  Instead we return to our childish ways – thinking we don’t need His intervention – do what we think will be best for us – make decisions based on that – fail – and wonder why things didn’t go our way.

I am convinced that God wants what’s best for us.  He invites us to call on His name in time of trouble, to provide for our daily needs, to forgive us for our wrongdoing, to ask with confidence that He will answer our prayers, but we soon forget and try to manage our lives all by ourselves.

When you come to God in prayer, saying please is the easy part. Were all needy in so many ways and unfortunately want immediate results.  When we don’t get the answer we want or feel we should have, we get discouraged or even give up.  At that point we are not allowing God to do the work for us.  That’s when things break down.

Prayer is our communication with our heavenly Father.  It is not only a time to lay our requests at His feet, but also a time to thank Him for what He’s already done for us and to praise Him for His hand in our lives.  There is nothing that He cannot do and He does listen to every one of our prayers.

Pray today with confidence that He will answer and then thank Him with words of praise and honor and actions of love and service for Him.  I know it works!

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VIGILANTE JUSTICE

Posted on July 10, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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A vigilante is defined by Webster as a person who is not an officer of the law, who pursues and punishes a wrongdoer or criminal.  In other words, someone who takes the law into his own hands.

Society today has turned into something like this in the past few decades.  Peaceful protests have turned violent and often deadly.  What may start out as good intentions turns into a mob mentality and destroys those good intentions in an instant.

My state is currently in this condition.  I do not claim to know all the elements that led up to the shooting incident that occurred last week.  What the media is showing the world is a video clip from a cell phone.  We don’t have the entire scenario, yet action has been taken, words have been spoken, judgments have been made and tried by a court of angry citizens rather than a court of law.

Unfortunately there are so many situations just like this today.  Our country is killing itself from within.  We are being misinformed – lied to – fed by a media hungry for ratings – enraged – stirred to action (whatever side you’re on) and divided in our thinking.

We have reverted to the old days, when towns had no governing system- where people took things into their own hands and made judgments without evidence.  What it boils down to is vengeance.  Is this the way God wants us to live?

In truth, God is our only judge, yet he established government to bring peace and stability to our land.  Jesus also talks about the peacemakers in the Beatitudes.

Dear, God, May we as a nation return to our roots.  May we start once more to revere authority.  May we be patient and wait for all the information to be gathered before jumping to conclusions.  As citizens, it’s our duty to trust those in authority.  I  pray for legitimacy, integrity and honesty to return to our land – not only in our government, but also in the media that feeds this kind of vigilante frenzy.  Save our nation from itself.  Amen!

 

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CHAPTER SEVEN

Posted on July 9, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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Here I am in the seventh stage of life – the final years – the golden days of living – the days when aches and pains are commonplace and getting out of bed is an accomplishment of ginormous proportions

In my book, “Stages – a Memoir” I refer to the seven ages of man written about in the Bible and compare them with those same years referred to by William Shakespeare – sprinkled with stories from my own past stages.

As I look at the world I’m today, It would be easy to beg God to take me to heaven right now, (not that I’m being demanding or anything) but that would be such a cop out.  Once we reach that seventh stage, we have opportunities we never did when we were children.  We don’t have the problems we experienced as teenagers.  We don’t stress over making an impression or living up to another’s expectations.  As parents we’re in a constant state of worry, over protection, hoping we’re doing the job right and making mistakes we never thought we would.  During those years of building a life, we are so busy, we forget to enjoy the moments we’re in.

So as time ebbs to a close, we should realize that there’s still something we can do.  Those things that concerned us in the past no longer hang over us.  Our time is pretty much our own and we have a great deal to contribute to society – even though the world’s view of the aged no longer is revered.

There are many opportunities to volunteer (way too many) – there are many that need to know about Jesus and His love for them (way too many) – there are those that can use mentoring, encouragement, financial assistance or just someone to talk to.  We are living computers with tons of information stored away in our short existence – we need to share those experiences, knowledge, talents and love with others.

The great commission was not simply intended for the young.  Us seventy somethings have a lot of living yet to do and so much to give back.  We can still change the world.

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THE GOLDEN RULE?

Posted on July 8, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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I have turned off the TV this morning – I refuse to read the headlines on the internet – I am going back to bed and bury my head in the sand.  NO I’M NOT!

This world is out of control.  The devil has been unleashed in every corner of it – including what once was a most precious gem within it.  No, I’m not talking about some far off country.  I’m referring to the good old USA.  This place that I’ve been proud of for a lifetime has become unrecognizably tarnished.

There is corruption in the government, which isn’t new. There’s defiance in the streets to the point of disgust.  There’s hatred all around and somehow that simply rule which God gave to His people, centuries ago, has been long forgotten.

Matthew 7:12  Matthew 7:12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Now we live in a place that accepts all kinds of behavior because we’re told to be tolerant.  Disrespect is shown to anyone who doesn’t go along with your beliefs – those in authority or the peacemakers – and the is no longer satisfaction with our governing leaders.  We are taught to  take what we can get in life because we deserve it.  Good behavior has been substituted with bad and right and wrong are invisible concepts.  We have a media that judges crimes before they ever go to court. We have politicians that lie and cheat and continue to get away with it.  Our society is all for self and forget about your neighbor.  We have become so complacent and desensitized, that nothing seems to bother us anymore.  ANYTHING GOES!

So, does it make sense  to simply ignore what’s happening?  Do we quarantine ourselves from the rest of the world and hope it will magically go away?  Only God can change hearts.  This is a time for His intercession.  This is a time that we get back to His basic principles and start to put ourselves on the back burner.  We need a huge revival of faith in God for this country.  It’s the only thing that will save her.

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PROVISION

Posted on July 7, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART – (FAMILY OF OSPREYS) & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Three precious eggs hatch one by one,

The first to arrive receiving the most attention,

Slowly the others burst through their encrusted habitat,

Longing for nourishment.

Clinging to an unstable life,

Tucked into a nest of remnants from the river’s edge,

Soft, yet not completely comfortable,

So do we enter life,

Not knowing what lies ahead,

Not feeling as snug as we did in the womb,

Desiring constant attention and sustenance,

Through it all,

God provides.

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ON TURNING 21

Posted on July 7, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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Today, my oldest grandson turns 21 years old and it got me thinking about where my life was when I turned that age.  I was active in the workplace.  I was looking forward to my future marriage in a short year from then.  I was full of optimism, energy, enthusiasm, hope and scared to death in many ways.  It seemed all of a sudden that I was an adult with a ton of responsibility ahead of me.  I didn’t know if I was prepared for my future at all.

As this young man becomes an adult in the full sense of the word, his world is much different than mine was, but I’m quite certain he is feeling much the same as I did at that age.   Entering a new stage is always difficult.

His future well planned. He is currently in his second of year of college and has a few more to go.  He’s a tutor in math, has a part time job and is in the process of accumulating a huge amount of debt for his education.  He’s growing up in a technology world that I cant begin to understand.  This country has changed so much  in the course of his short life time and confidence in its leadership has slowly disintegrated.  I wonder how all that will play out in his future.

If I were to give him some advice, which I’m hardly qualified to do, I would suggest he continue living as he is.  He has a strong faith in God.  He knows that God has his future and the future of this great country in His hands.  He understands the great price God paid for his salvation.   He knows that life on earth is just the beginning of our real existence.  So my only advice would be for him to stick to his beliefs, be strong and courageous and know that He is loved – not only by his family – but by the King of Creation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JORDAN!  MAY GOD CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOUR WAYS.

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TROUBLE!

Posted on July 6, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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Originally posted on atimetoshare.me 7/06/14

Some folks think that becoming a Christian means gaining complete freedom from all our troubles. Not true! In fact, God never promised any of us a rose garden. Well, He gave us a perfect garden, but that was quickly lost when man thought He was smarter than God.

We are going to have difficulty in our lives until we pass into eternity. However, our troubles here on earth don’t have to overwhelm us and send us into a deep depression. Some “Christians” believe that if you have trouble in your life it is because of something you’ve done to put yourself out of favor with God.

God’s mercy is beyond our wisdom. He has placed these trials in our lives to make us stronger and yet completely dependent on Him for help.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

 

 

 

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ALMOST FINISHED

Posted on July 5, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. John F. Kennedy
True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. William Penn

My world lately has been focused on de-cluttering 52 yeas of memories, work, accomplishments, accumulations and unnecessary stuff.  We often hold on to things in hopes of creating future memories, because we take pride in some of those things and we think maybe someday our children will like to have them.

It’s kind of a cleansing process, but still it can be very difficult.  The process of shredding or burning old records can be daunting – especially with all the identity theft out there.  We also hang on to memories through photographs, letters and cards, as simple reminders of family and friends.  We hoard things instead of realizing they’re just things and have little value to anyone except us.  Our children don’t place the same worth on it – which is good, because they won’t have to face this same thing when they grow old – but how much of ourselves eventually wind up in a trash bag?

God tells us not to worry about tomorrow – that He has things under control – that He has arranged for our futures.  Still we try to manage our lives according to our own desires and dreams.  Letting go isn’t easy, but with God, we can be confident that we have a future.  Our past (good or bad) doesn’t really matter anymore.

Isaiah 43:18-19  “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Dear Heavenly Father, you have provided a whole new life for us.  I’m confident that whatever you have planned is going to be for our good.  Take our hands and lead us there.  Give us peace and contentment and help us to fill the rest of our days with new memories and a future together with you in eternity. Amen!

 

 

 

 

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SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

Posted on July 3, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

My dreams are often full of creativity and unusual thoughts which don’t usually manifest themselves in my daily life. Sometimes they become part of a play or story I’m writing. I had a whopper last night and I don’t think even Joseph, the interpreter of dreams, would take long to figure this one out.
It started out with me spinning and winding down through a hole in the ground – somewhat like Alice in Wonderland. I was going through a series of tunnels that all led to a dead end. I wound up in St. Paul of all places. I guess St. Paul could be considered an unusual place by some.
Suddenly I was driving through knee deep water. The water continued to rise and it wasn’t long before the car became engulfed and I had to escape. I walked over a long bridge covered with doors of various sizes and shapes. Do you get the feeling that I have been spending too much time with children?
I finally opened one of the doors and walked through it, only to discover more obstacles. I spiraled through another channel of openings, each leading to things I enjoy in life. There were beautiful gardens, masterpieces of art, rows and rows of beautiful costumes and many more things that bring enjoyment on this earth – including chocolate – gobs and gobs of it.
When I finally woke up I felt as though I had been on a safari in Africa. I was exhausted. Every bone in my body ached. I was literally worn out, but couldn’t go back to sleep. I didn’t want to go back to that place, even as tempting as it was. It was confusing and just didn’t feel like a good place to be.
OK, so what does this silly dream have to say? I think it was a reminder of how out of control our lives become when we try to handle them ourselves. We think we’re In the driver’s seat, but we really aren’t.
Life is filled with many twists and turns – some of them are nice while others get us no where. We have the brains to figure out which path to take, but it may not be the best one for us. So who do we turn to when things are muddy – when we see no clear path – when the world is spinning out of control?
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “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.”
My dream sent me out of control for a few fleeting moments. My life is often out of control too. I don’t always have a clear road map. God knows what I need and what I confront every day. He knows that I get worried and stressed. He sees my weaknesses, but He also sees my strengths. He knows that I am going to be tempted each and every day, but He still provides a way out for me.
Life is never easy, especially when you’re a Christian. The problems don’t go away, but when you are grounded in faith, God will not only give you answers – He will also give you the means to solve them.

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LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR

Posted on July 2, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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When I  visited New York several years ago, there were cows everywhere. I ‘m not referring to herds of them running through the streets.  Artists had painted these whimsical creatures to highlight some of the landmarks. My sister and I took photos standing in front of them, (before selfies) but I lost my camera so never had a chance to see them.

We place a lot of stock (not talking about cows here) in some of our famous landmarks in the USA.  The Golden Gate Bridge, the Paul Bunyan statue, the monuments in Washington, DC and Mt. Rushmore, but they’re just reminders of the achievements of some, for the glorification of others and for destination spots for travelers.

The Statue of Liberty is one of those colossal monuments.  It sits in the harbor welcoming newcomers to our country.  She has been there since 1886 and was a gift to our country from France.  The plaque at the base contains the words of Emma Lazarus and have served as a greeting to immigrants as they journey to Ellis Island.

During my stay in New York, two other monuments stood tall in the midst of the city.  The twin towers were a symbol of world trade, but on September 11, 2001 those buildings were wiped out by a terrorist attack that changed our country.

Like all monuments and buildings which have been exposed to the elements, they eventually need repair, replacing or reconstruction.  They are simply structures built by human beings and with work can be rebuilt.  When it comes to people, we often need repair too. Like those aging edifices, we become tarnished with sin – broken by difficulty – stressed by the outside influences of life.  We need rebuilding too, bur our rebuilding takes place internally..

When we place our trust in God, He will constantly repair and rebuild us.  Our human nature will lead us to believing the lies of this world, but He will keep us on the road to heaven if we let him.  He’s given us the promise of an open door to His kingdom – a place where we will never grow weary, feel pain, experience sorrow.  All sinners – the wretched masses yearning to be free – will know the glory of God.

 

MAY GOD ONCE MORE  BLESS AMERICA!

 

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MY HUSBAND, MY FRIEND

Posted on July 1, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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Yesterday, as I watched my husband vigorously lift and haul things out of our basement, my heart jumped for joy.  These past few years he’s undergone treatment for prostate cancer as well as enduring a small stroke.  He’s always had the amazing ability to bounce back from just about any situation.

When we first met, I found him to be funny, charismatic, charming and even a little weird, but then we were only 14 or 15 years old. We remained friends throughout high school and in our senior year, finally started dating.  The rest is history and this year we’ll celebrate 52 years together as husband and wife.

He managed to have a great career, but not without struggle.  He started three different businesses in those years and each one led to a new adventure and challenge.  Things were not always a bed of roses for us, but the result of our growing up together has bonded us into one being over all this time

People often ask what the secret is for the longevity of our marriage.  I really can’t narrow that question down to one answer, but I feel we’ve been able to survive through one challenge after another with God as the head of our house.  The only time we seem to have problems is when we forget about that and start thinking of our own selfish needs.  When you make a commitment to share your life with another, you better be serious about working hard at making it work.

When you marry for life, you’re setting yourself on equal footing with your spouse.  You are two separate individuals, with similar or different interests, but always with each other as your best friend.

Yesterday, God gave my husband the strength to move mountains..  Today we have a double date with the chiropractor.  Talk about togetherness.

 

 

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SUMMER FUN

Posted on June 30, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Aye, me hearties, it’s time to swab the deck and man the mainsail,

For it’s summer and the sea beckons,

Or at least the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota do,

Water so clear, wind at your back and

Hundreds of others with the same idea,

You inch along, even though the wind is strong,

For nary a soul can go faster than one mile an hour,

In a lake that’s full of all sorts of crafts,

From paddle board to yacht,

From wind surfers to kayakers,

Each in search of the thrill of the open water,

Only to be met with an entanglement of others,

Ah, summer.

 

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WE, THE PEOPLE …

Posted on June 30, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

Soon it will be time to get out the fireworks, set your lawn chair alongside the road and wait for the parade to pass by, to cheer and celebrate, but how many of us really know the reason we are so happy?

Patriotism or love of country has dwindled somewhat in the United States.   It seems only yesterday that we would decorate our bicycles with red, white and blue crepe paper; we’d line the streets to watch parades; our hearts would swell with pride when the flag was displayed.

God has been part of our country since its inception.  Christian men signed the Declaration of  Independance which begins with this sentence penned by Thomas Jefferson:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

This set the paradigm for the “American Dream.” It nurtured the notion that success comes from hard work, the sweat of the brow and tears of disappointment – but it also contains the notion to persevere. Somehow, over America’s short history, that dream has turned into a nightmare.   We’re a nation of many people – from many nations –from different governments, cultures and  backgrounds – but with the same hopes for a new start in the land that offers so much to so many.

I remember feeling my heart beat with excitement along with the drums traversing down the street in perfect syncopation. The 4th of July was a special day, because it reminded us of our freedom – free to worship as we please – to speak our minds – to govern ourselves – to live as brothers with those who choose to live and work here.

We all crave freedom. We want the comfort of not living in fear. We desire the security of protection. We long for the hope of peace and contentment. We need to rekindle the pride that our founders had when they signed that amazing document. Our nation is worth so much to us as Americans. There is no other country on earth that allows so much freedom.

As we approach this National day of celebration, we should do as John Adams suggested many years ago.

“…It ought to be commemorated as a day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bell, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…”

The signers of that document created a blueprint that has lived for 240 years. Those who have fought for our country have shed their blood for her. She is worth the fight.   Thank God for allowing us to flourish and may He continue to bless our nation and restore our respect for her .

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HOW LONG?

Posted on June 29, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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“Series of deadly explosions tear through crowds at Atatürk international airport on Tuesday.” Headline from this morning’s news.

It’s becoming a weekly state of affairs.  An explosive group of radicals is reeking havoc across the globe and people die needlessly as we sit with our heads buried in a wide beach of unbelief, but what happens when we finally come up for air and see the destruction that’s  infested every inch of that beach?

We, as a people, have been led to believe that we should be tolerant of everything today.  The things we once held sacred are now being trounced upon by political correctness and downright disinterest.  What’s going on?

As we come close to celebrating the formation of our nation and its independence,  I wonder what’s happened in the last 240 years.  Our fledgling country lifted itself out of the ashes of a brutal revolution and established itself in spite of all the bloodshed.  It grew into a place where all could take refuge from governments that enslaved them.

Over time we’ve seen injustice  as our constitution has been altered to fit the needs of society and special interest groups.  Once again the almighty dollar has gotten in the way, and the only way to get elected into public office is if you have a hefty bankroll or can enlist millions from those who do.  Corruption in the making.  The common man is being trounced upon as he was back in the day.

Now a group of individuals with hopes of destroying us, attacks on almost a daily basis, and we sit back and let it happen?   I’m afraid we’ve become a nation of sheep, being led to the slaughter and we have no clue as to the danger that lies ahead.

The tactics of this radical Islamic group is to enlist young men to fight for their cause with promises of life in paradise for doing the will of their god.  This kind of “gang mentality” is appealing to those who are looking for meaning in their lives – even if it results in killing innocent victims.

I’m  not an expert on psychology, but I do know something about families and it seems that much of what’s happening today goes to the basics of having a LOVING God in the midst of our families from the onset.  God promises to heal those nations that return to Him with repentant hearts.

We cannot remain apathetic.  We can’t just bury our heads and pretend this doesn’t exist.  The devil and his minions are seeking to destroy this world.  We have a most powerful advocate.  His name is Jesus.  Don’t underestimate Him.  He has already won our eternal freedom.

 

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CHUGGING ALONG

Posted on June 28, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The muddy waters are stirred by the giant paddle wheel,

Steam pours from the smoke stack,

The craft easily cuts through the river,

Gliding, coasting, dancing across the glasslike surface,

Encroaching on music from a choir of croaking frogs,

Standing firm within the winds of a summer storm,

Ever staunch,

Yet pouring out great effort,

Within this workhorse, inside its protected cabins,

Are stories yet untold,

Gamblers, wayfarers, moguls, those in hope of a future,

The best and worst of society,

This belle of the water is a symbol of another time,

A quieter, more peaceful time,

A time when the sound of the paddle,

Gave way only to the sounds of nature,

Oh for those long lost days.

 

 

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LOOKING FORWARD

Posted on June 27, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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With each box we pack, there is a memory or more to go through.  Every scrap of paper, every photograph deserves our attention as we decide whether to save or toss them.  In the middle of all this clutter and confusion is the glimpse of light that is pushing its way into our lives.  There comes a time to say good bye to old memories and look forward with anticipation to making new ones.

We’ve lived in our home for 24 years so you can imagine the amount of collected things and clutter we’ve accumulated.  We also accumulated things from both of our mothers after their passing along with a studio of art equipment and art which had been living in a different location for a number of years.

God has an amazing plan for my husband and I as we take the next step in our lives together.  We will be putting our house up for sale in a week.  We’ve been talking about doing this for the past three years and are finally taking that giant leap of faith.

When you reach a certain age, you think that all things will stay the same until you die, but they don’t. We can learn to accept change or we can sit around and pout about it for the rest of our lives.  We are anxious to get the process rolling and begin this final chapter.

My trepidation and angst will soon fade away as I plant a new garden, decorate our new house and finally have enough extra cash to travel a little and not have to work so hard to survive.  It’s time to start living.

All of our days are numbered and we have been given this time on earth for a purpose – to share the love of God with others.  What a great gift to pass on.

 

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DOES GOING TO CHURCH MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

Posted on June 26, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

 

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Many think that they’re above reproach or no longer considered sinful if they simply attend church.  Many are also there because they feel safe from the world outside.  Some even use church as a place to compensate for the sins they commit every day.  Unfortunately, going to church isn’t going to make you perfect.  Only God can do that.

The church itself is full of sinners just like you and me.  It’s an imperfect body of soiled and ugly people – often dressed in their most beautiful clothes and looking like a million bucks.  Within this seemingly perfect refuge lies deceit, judgment, anger, adultery, homosexuals, bigotry, liars, thieves and every other kind of villain you can think of.  This is one of Satan’s most popular places to visit, because it’s filled with imperfect people who are subject to sin.

However, when you look at the ministry of Christ, it took place in the most unusual places. He went to the core of humanity – to the sinners of the world – to all those who needed His healing.  He still does.  Through His Word, the Bible, He comes to the broken hearted, the poor in spirit, the lost and condemned and those who need Him most.

When God looks at our wretched condition, He’s like the prodigal Father who longs for us to return to Him.  He loves when we ask for His help, because He’s always eager to give it.

Going to church isn’t going to guarantee our salvation, but if our church is preaching the truth of the Bible, we will be nourished each week – fed with the good news of the Gospel – that our sins are forgiven through Jesus.

The church body is filled with sinners and hypocrites that need to hear that message every day.  Otherwise we are no better than the Pharasees of Jesus’ time.

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LIGHT IN DARKNESS

Posted on June 24, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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His hand reached for the oil lamp in the darkness. He was enveloped in the deepest darkness he had ever experienced. He strained to see even a tiny glimpse of light – just a faint whisper – nothing. He groped, but still the blindness which had overcome him, left him hanging only to his other senses, and even they were hidden in the sullen blackness.

He his way around, but here in this pitch black abyss he felt so alone – so lost. Maybe if he could just reach the door and open it, a tiny sliver of light might steal its way into his humble home.

Finally he felt the latch and opened the heavy wooden door. On the other side – darkness, obliquity – only the stench of the last days lingered in the dank air.

When would this end? When would his eyes be free to view his surroundings? He didn’t deserve this punishment. It was the king who wouldn’t relent. Why couldn’t he swallow his pride just this one time?

“So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived.”  Exodus 10:22-23

To live for three days in complete darkness must have been daunting to say the least. We panic when the lights go out for a few minutes and our minds shut down after an hour or more, but we rarely experience complete or total darkness.

Can you imagine the fear? Can you acknowledge your faith faltering – your courage waning or your hope dissolving into the murkiness? We’re lost without light.

When Jesus entered the world the first time, it was a dark place.  Corruption permeated government.  Crimes of sexual immorality ran rampant.  Violence was a way of life and fear of starvation was an every day occurrence for the poor.  Are we headed in the same direction today?

John 8:12. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

When Jesus comes again, will we be ready for Him or will we have succumbed to darkness.  Now, more than ever, we need His glorious light to wash away the darkness.

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I’M SO TIRED

Posted on June 23, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

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I posted this two years ago and find myself in the same position today.  When downsizing a house and getting rid of the clutter, I realize that I’ve actually been doing this for quite some time. Some things never change.  We struggle day by day. As time goes by, the burden can become more difficult, but God leads us, the journey is bearable.

 

There are times when our bodies wear out. We get tired – physically as well as emotionally. The older I get, the more I realize that this weak, old carcass can’t do what it did twenty years ago. It’s hard to admit. We like to think of ourselves as invincible, strong and self-sufficient. It isn’t easy to say we need help.

Age isn’t the only reason we grow weary. We may have undergone hard physical outlay with little or no rest. We may be battling some illness and need to slow down rewind. Our mind may be burdened with emotional or spiritual battles. Whatever the cause, we can be certain that we aren’t alone.

God has promised to refresh us through His Word. He gives us renewal by carrying the bulk of the load.

I spent a lot of summers on my grandparents’ farm and I recall seeing two cows yoked together so they could accomplish more with less individual effort. When God invites us to yoke ourselves to Him, He’s guaranteeing that we’ll have complete rest. What an amazing visual that is. That burden has been totally lifted and we have enduring freedom from the weight of it.

Thank you,  Jesus for lightening my load – for lifting me up when I feel down – for giving rest to my soul through the refreshment of your Holy Word. Remind me each day that I can count on you in all my burdens.  Amen!

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

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WHO’S YOUR FATHER?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by atimetoshare.me

 

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I’ve always thought it would be interesting to study my family tree and learn the kind of people I came from. The problem is, there were probably more than a few scalawags in the bunch, and I don’t necessarily want to know about them.

The Bible is full of genealogy all the way back to creation. It’s a complete timeline from then to the birth of Jesus, Christ. How interesting that His family tree included people who weren’t perfect, even though He was. There were prostitutes, adulterers, drunks, the dredges of society, abusers, murderers – sinners just like me, but they all trace back to one Father; God, the Creator of all.  Jesus is the Son of God, true man and true God. It had to be this way so that He could be the perfect sacrifice to wah away the sin of the world.

When we look at our own genealogy, we will run across some not so nice people, but we can also trace our beginnings to God the Father. Because of that, we can consider ourselves Jesus’ brother. He regained our perfection in the sight of God, the Father, and therefore we’ve been adopted into His kingdom as sons and daughters.  Our true freedom waits on the other side death.

Thank you, Lord, for the price you paid for my ransom.  Because of your suffering and pain, my life can now be spent serving you and looking forward to thanking you in person in heaven.  Amen!

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