ORIGINAL ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER©
Lines intersect through valleys of viridescence,
Carving through shades of opulent emerald, Jade and golden yellow,
Cutting a straight path to somewhere, yet going nowhere,
On the less traveled roads, ruts don’t run so deep,
Scars do not seem so evident,
Simple roads that lead to more than you dreamed existed,
Sometimes we simply must follow them,
We will never know what’s at the end unless we do.
KATHY BOECHER©
ORIGINAL ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER©
A world shrouded in darkness, enveloped in an everlasting haze,
Closing in with its heavy cape of weight and anxiety,
Never ceasing to control us,
Holding tightly as we sink further into the bottomless pit,
But even in our darkest hours,
Our times of hopelessness,
Our days of helplessness and fear,
One brilliant light remains,
A light that leads from the depths of despair,
An energy that enfolds and protects,
A force that can capture you from infinite disaster,
It is the face of God,
Leading you back to Him.
Kathy Boecher©
Each day of our lives has already been planned according to a divine plan – God has it all figured out – He’s got our back – He’s got our future in the palm of His hand. We naturally want to be in charge. It started shortly after man decided that he was smarter than God and the whole relationship went bad.
Despite that crack in a perfect union, God still loves us and provided a way to mend it. He loves us even though we continue to laugh in His face – do things that totally offend Him – defy everything that we know is right – live silently in a world that seems to be crumbling under our feet.
As His followers, it’s our duty to stand up for what’s right. We may think there’s nothing we can do – and the truth is, there isn’t. God is in control when things are ugly and when things are running smoothly, but He also has expectations of us. He doesn’t want us to sit idly by as morality is kicked into the gutter, life has no value, evil is acceptable and those in control have been corrupted by greed and self-love.
It may be a cop out to say, “I’ll pray about that,” but don’t underestimate the power of corporate prayer. When the time is right, God will act.
He’s also given us the intelligence, voice and handbook to defend what we know to be right and according to His will. With a world that seems to have run amok, we should not only be appalled by what’s happening, we should find a way to act on it.
Have faith that He will give you the right words and arm you with His strength to accomplish His work. The time is now – while we still can.
Original art by Paul T. Boecher©
The world cries purple tears as an icon falls asleep,
They say he was a genius, and now they all just weep,
When faith is put in worldly men, our dreams are shattered soon,
Our treasures lie in heaven where from sin we’ll be immune,
Our earthly walk is just a breath, a whisper hardly heard,
The thoughts of death bring sadness. There’s never the right word,
But death won’t win for those who put their confidence in this,
New life begins when death arrives, we’ll leave this dark abyss,
Our Prince of Peace is waiting, He won us with His life,
He conquered death upon the cross and took away our strife,
Mere men cannot true heroes be, there’s really only One,
He’s clothed in robes of purple, true man and God’s own Son.
Kathy Boecher©
Original art by Paul T. Boecher©
A cobblestone path, a house made of mortar and brick,
With shutters to shade, open windows to cool,
The doors were not locked, its light was a lone candlestick,
A fire to cook on and warmth to provide,
When the days grew much colder outside,
Just a plain, simple building, with acres to till,
A place to call home and a lifetime of memories to fill.
Kathy Boecher©
Going to church for me has been a part of Sunday for as long as I can remember. When I don’t go, I feel something is missing. Today is one of those days. I’ve been aggressively attacking my garden and being an asthma sufferer, I always pay the consequences. Allergies flair up and eventually congestion winds up in my bronchial tubes, leaving me with a hacking cough that would wake the dead.
The act of church attendance isn’t what gets us to heaven, but it can be an exceptional habit. When we reserve one special day a week to praise our God, thank and worship Him, we’re also making a connection with Him. Of course we can do that any time or any day, but setting one day aside for Him reminds us of all He’s done for us.
It also gives us the confidence to face another week. We can share concerns for our fellow Christians, partake in the sacraments, sing beautiful hymns of praise, repent of our sins, ask for forgiveness and gratefully receive it. Through corporate worship we can also lift each other’s spirits, know that God is in our midst and get motivated to share the good news of the Gospel with others.
Some folks say the church is full of hypocrites – people who act one way on Sundays and completely different the rest of the week. The church is full of sinners who need to be forgiven and nourished. God invites everyone to share in His blessings when He calls us to His house.
PSALM 95:1-2 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Methinks I would be remiss if not to honor the distinguished bard on his special day. Happy birthday, Will. Born April 23, 1564.
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL T. & KATHY BOECHER©
The broken-down feed mill stands firmly aside the riverbank,
Like a noble guardian, staunchly overlooking the water,
Once filled with treasure of the harvest golden,
It now stands as a tribute to its former glory,
but the treasure no longer yields its bounty,
Do we store our blessings, our treasures, our time, our talent,
In a place that offers no solidity – no barricade against destruction –
No hope of replenishment,
Our harvest is not of this world, but a result of the seeds planted within us,
Treasure beyond measure,
Abundant life, fulfillment, satiation from hunger and thirst,
No fear of death,
Eternity.
An open grave awaits the arrival of a new owner. Pall bearers gently remove a casket from its temporary home and set it upon a waiting bier. After tears and prayers it will be lowered into the dark, freshly dug soil and eventually erased from memory.
Are you ready? Will you be when the time comes? Death awaits each of us. Like taxes, it’s one thing everyone can count on. No one can escape its grip. Some leave this world in their sleep – quietly, peacefully, without pain. Others will fight death with every ounce of strength and ability left within them.
We try to prolong life with exercise, proper diet, healthy living. There are new products and procedures to defy aging, but sooner or later it sneaks up on us and carries us off this planet.
So how do you prepare for your death? You can preplan your funeral, make all the necessary arrangements, put your estate in order, but all the planning in the world isn’t going to make the transition from life to death any easier. How do you plan for what happens once that casket is lowered or your ashes are scattered?
We have been given an eternal life insurance policy from God Himself. When Jesus paid the price for every human life, He was guaranteeing a new life in eternity for those who put their faith in Him. We all fear the grim reaper, but we don’t have to fear death when we have the knowledge of God’s fulfilled promise to mankind. Death no more will have dominion over us and the fear of it will no longer sting.
ARE YOU READY!
Original Art by Paul T. Boecher©
Road trip – away from the hustle and bustle of the city,
Tucked away in the bluffs along the river, a tiny town,
Population unimpressive.
Conveniences adequate,
Traffic minimal,
Pace slow,
Crime, practically non-existent,
Still alive and full of charm,
A simple store, the heart of the city,
Stirs the imagination,
Townspeople gather for morning chatter,
Exchanging stories, laughing, sharing,
Time stands still for a moment,
You’re in another time and space,
An oasis for the weary traveler,
Sometimes the only escape is a road trip.
Kathy Boecher©
ORIGINAL ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER©
Like ships that pass upon the open waters,
We sail through life effortlessly, or so it seems,
Under the surface there are tangles and weeds that strangle,
Above, prevailing winds determine the journey,
There are perils at sea as in all parts of living,
Storms that take our breath away,
Dangers that surround and overtake,
No matter the breadth or depth,
No matter the willingness or weakness,
No matter our desire or passion,
There is still only one way to reach home,
By taking His hand and following Him,
By living life with Him at the helm,
By putting complete trust in the pilot,
The Captain of the ship,
Will lead to our eternal home.
KATHY BOECHER©
Yesterday we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday in our church. The image of Jesus as the shepherd of a wayward flock has always been of great comfort to me. We used the 23rd Psalm as the focus of both of our mothers’ and fathers’ funerals as well as our wedding theme almost 52 years ago.
A shepherd is known to be with his sheep 24/7. They’ll leave the flock in search of one who has strayed. They defend their sheep against predators, often putting their own lives on the line. Sheep need guidance. Left to their own devices they will get into trouble almost every time.
The analogies go on and on, but the one that gives me the greatest peace of mind is that the shepherd will carry a sheep that has been injured closely to himself until the injury is healed – showing the animal that he is safe, cradled, loved, protected and totally reliant on his shepherd.
When we leave that protection we’re leaving ourselves wide open for disaster. Go to the Good Shepherd instead of running away from Him. He loves us all and wants us to be part of His flock. He has laid down His life for us, is available at any moment, cuddles and loves us with an unconditional love, and has made it His mission to save us from all danger.
Dear, Jesus, remind me every day of your unchanging love. You are my Good Shepherd. I know you will get me to my final destination unfettered, free from pain, alive again. Be with me today and all the days of my life. My reliance is on you alone. Amen.
Original art by Paul T. Boecher©
Droplets blend together from remnants of ice and mountain snow,
Trickling over rocky crevices, dancing together in a timeless waltz,
Soon they meld into a cascade of raging energy as the dance becomes intense,
Crashing over rocks and boulders in search of the final destination,
Like us as we meander through life,
Wandering, winding here and there, tripping over road blocks,
With one purpose in mind,
Reaching the end of the journey,
Today becomes tomorrow, tomorrow slips right by,
Soon comes the end of life and like all things we die,
But Christ gives us the promise to meet us at that bend,
To be with us forever, where life will never end.
Kathy Boecher©
Entering one phase of life to another can be daunting. My thirteen year old granddaughter is struggling with this now as she hangs on to her childhood years while wanting to be grown up. Suddenly you’re expected to shed off the things of yesterday and become a different person.
When we pass from childhood into young adulthood, we’re told to toss aside the things that occupied our lives for over a decade. The Legos, puzzles, baby dolls and Barbies are put into garage sales and expected to be erased from our memory. Our desire to hang onto past securities is suddenly erased. We’re asked to be more mature, make good choices, be responsible, look a certain way and be independent.
Somehow, I can totally relate to what my granddaughter is experiencing. The same kind of things happen when you grow from middle to old age. You’re expected to put away things that made you who you are. You must be brave and take the next step in your life. You should slow down, take it easy, enjoy life because you’re old and you deserve it. This is good advice and well intended, but hard to swallow and difficult to do.
In every stage of life, God has plans for us. He’s shaping us for what will come next. Change can be a difficult challenge or a great opportunity depending on how you look at it. We may want to slide effortlessly from one stage of life into the other, but it ain’t easy.
It will be the same when we approach our final destination. We know it’s coming. We don’t really want it to happen, but we also know that through it we will be blessed beyond belief. Allow God help you make those transitions easy. He will!
ORIGINAL ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER©
Entwined with brush and branches, a refuge holds you tight,
The world is far away, you’re hidden from its sight,
The fear you hold inside, adrenaline excites,
But comfort still you know. It takes away your fright,
So quietly you lay, hanging on with all your might,
The clouded skies of heaven turn into endless night,
But you can’t hide forever. Your dreams lose their delight,
He knows your every move. From heaven sees your plight,
He sent His Son to save you and take away sin’s bite,
He changes hearts and minds. He’s turned dark into light,
Your life is in His strong right hand, He’ll always hold you tight.
KATHY BOECHER©
Everyday, as I read my fellow bloggers’ post, I’m amazed at the positive attitudes of most of them. It makes me wonder if they ever have a bad day – a time when nothing seems to go right or a day filled with bad news, tears or disappointment.
I often feel silly doling out encouragement to those who appear to have it all together. I may sound pious or superior in telling someone not to worry, when I’m one of the most guilty of that sin. Being a cheerleader can be just as difficult as it is for the one that needs to be cheered for.
We feel we have to create this image of living without fear, pushing on in adversity, never giving up. When we get to that point, the encouragement we pass on to others is meaningless.
There are days when I simply cannot bring myself to writing a post filled with positive motivation – especially when I’m worried or fearful about something. It seems counterproductive. So where does the encourager turn for encouragement?
Jesus took on every sin in my life, carried them to the cross and placed His life in the hands of His enemies, and conquered death for my salvation. If He cared that much about me, why shouldn’t I have the same feelings for my fellow man?
When we turn our attention away from our own problems and focus on the cross, our troubles can seem ridiculous. When we pray for answers, we don’t always get them immediately. God has been patient with us. We need to do the same.
When you lift others up, you also will receive encouragement. By sharing this gift , you are allowing God to work through you. It’s a win-win situation!
Up until the middle 1950s, it was customary for prisoners to do things like repair buildings, build roads, or menial tasks like picking up roadside trash. They were chained, so the work was even more difficult than it would normally be. These chain gangs have vanished from our landscapes, because they were eventually phased out. Being chained was looked upon as cruel and unusual punishment.
In the early years of our country, slaves were part of society. It’s hard to imagine placing human beings in bondage – making them work under difficult situations – beating them – giving them just the bare necessities for sustenance. It was a horrible time in history.
The Jews were also held in captivity for centuries. They suffered through humiliation, being expected to do back breaking tasks, living like nomads with no place to call home. During Hitler’s reign, they were starved, carted on trains to unknown destinations like cattle, and sent to their death in ovens designed to burn several of them at a time.
We don’t like to look at this depravity of human behavior, but it is the result of sin – which has enslaved each and everyone of us. It stings worse than the lash of a whip. It causes us to suffocate, to become numb, to sink deeper and deeper into a pit that we can never climb out of. Everyone has been born with original sin. We can’t escape it and will never be free of it until we die.
To be released from the bondage of sin we must accept the fact that we’re sinners – to repent of our sin – and to believe in faith that God has provided a way out. God has given us the key to unlock those chains through His own dear Son, Jesus. The victory over eternal death has been purchased by Him alone.
Original art by Paul T. Boecher©
The world is filled with wondrous things,
Things that capture our attention with their allure,
Flashy things that entice and tempt us to do things we normally wouldn’t do,
There is so much more in simply looking at the real world,
God’s world, untarnished by human hands, pure, perfect, flawless,
A world so full of promise, hope, comfort, great design, loving care,
A world once completely perfect, without a single thing out of place
That world is the one God intended for us,
As we wait for perfection once more, we can find solitude in the simple things of life,
The setting or rising of the sun,
Light shining through darkness,
Glistening stardust falling on morning water,
trees shading the landscape with a canopy of green,
Skies bursting into crimson, gold and purple,
Sounds of nature exploding all around,
Majestic mountains, cradling a green valley,
Rest in the comfort of the simple things,
HE IS THERE WITHIN !
Original art by Paul T. Boecher©
A glorious sun rise pours its beauty over a peaceful lake,
Casting reflection and light as it rises slowly above the horizon,
Like shards of glass, the light dances from place to place,
Creating a mirage of diamonds and precious stones,
Things once hidden in darkness and shadows are now revealed,
When we turn our thoughts to the true Son of God, Son of Man,
We become like a mirror image of Jesus,
He is our redeemer, comforter, advocate, intercessor,
The light of the world has been revealed through Him,
And through that brilliance, We have been adopted into His kingdom,
Come let us adore our brother Jesus – The SON, The FATHER and The HOLY SPIRIT,
Let us bow down to the Lord, God almighty.
KATHY BOECHER©
I think it’s so cool how different Bible passages can be useful in so many ways, especially when you are going through some kind of trial. Many years ago, when I was feeling useless and even hopeless, a dear friend pointed out Psalm 139 to me. At that time I needed to be encouraged and assured that I had value and those words fit perfectly.
Psalm 139 can be used for so many issues that we face in life. Some examples: God knows us inside and out. We are important to Him. He is with us always, even in the darkest places and times. He knew us before we were born – a great argument for pro-life. He is glorious, omnipresent, our defender, our caring and loving God. He also is our judge.
Praise to you Lord, God Almighty for your perfect Word of truth. Through it, we have comfort, enlightenment, hope, forgiveness and so much more. Keep me steadfast in its truth.
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Soli Deo Gloria
Inspiring New Generation
Emmitt Owens
A Delicate Balance of Highly Organized Within My Creative Disarray
Writing to remember, sharing to inspire
Student of the Human Condition
Where curiosity meets opportunity
Faith.Growth.Purpose
GOD INSPIRED WORDS AND IMAGES
Here are some of the things I have learned from studying the Bible
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Romanticizing The World
The opinions expressed are those of the author. You go get your own opinions.
Psychotherapy, Walk and Talk Therapy, Neurodiversity, Mindfulness, Emotional Wellbeing
Finding the Extraordinary in Ordinary, Everyday Life
