Original art by Paul Boecher©
Everything around us may be imploding, but the glory of God remains and sustains us.
RANDOM THOUGHT
What is the purpose of hanging onto things we’ll never use again? It’s time to get rid of the clutter.
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I CAN’T WAIT
I have a real problem with patience. It all started when I was a child at this time of the year and it seemed an eternity until Christmas. I have to admit, I sneaked a peek a time or two and acted surprised when I opened my presents, but there is something about the anticipation that sends our patience out the window.
As I grew more “mature” the thoughts of Christmas still held anxious waiting, but more often than not, the waiting was filled with worry about how we were going to pay for the gifts or if we would be able to afford a Christmas tree. God always provided, but the waiting became more difficult.
Now that I’m in my senior years, you’d think I’d learn to be more patient. Still, every year I go into “Martha Mode” trying to get it all ready before it happens, instead of soaking in the beauty – the glorious music, the reminders in scripture of Jesus’ miraculous birth, the real reason we celebrate.
Unfortunately, I get caught up in the excitement of waiting rather than actually enjoying every second leading up to it. We’ve grown accustomed to get what we want instantly, but oh how much more exciting it is to wait.
It seems we wait forever, for things we want right now,
It is our chief endeavor as through each day we plow.
Our hearts are disappointed when things don’t go our way,
but God’s own Son anointed, made sure our debt to pay.
When life has got us longing for all it has to give,
When every new day dawning, our dreams we want to live,
We turn our thoughts to Jesus and know that all is done.
He listens and He sees us, the victory has been won.
KATHY BOECHER©
Posted in Advent, Christian daily devotion, Religion, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, Christmas, encouragement, enjoyment, FAITH, God, God's Promises, INSPIRATION, Jesus, Patience, Religion
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AND IT CAME TO PASS . . .
Caesar Augustus reigned as emperor of the Roman Empire during a time of relative peace and prosperity – The Pax Romana. Many beautiful buildings were erected during this time. Old traditions were brought back and people also looked forward to a future of comfort. Rome was the center of the universe for many. He restored the office of the censor and set out to get an accurate census of all the provinces he controlled. Apparently it not been done for many years. How interesting that it happened at just that moment in time.
Caesar was a stickler for details, but again God was in control. It was time for Mary to deliver the promised Messiah. It couldn’t have been easy to travel by donkey in her condition, but it happened this way so the prophesy could be fulfilled. The Savior was to be born in the City of David, Bethlehem.
It’s so cool how God uses all the characters in history; even those who had no belief in Him. By placing these events and people together, He was making everything happen as he had foretold. Today He continues to place us in different situations with different people and it is all part of His amazing blueprint for our lives.
Posted in God, Religion, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, Christmas, Daily Devotions, encouragement, God's timing, INSPIRATION, Jesus
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RANDOM THOUGHT
Original Art “CREATION” by Paul Boecher©
If God can create order out of chaos, why do we wait until the last minute to ask Him for help?
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Tagged Art, Creation, encouragement, FAITH, God, INSPIRATION, prayer
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RANDOM THOUGHT
Death for some is the end of a relationship. a partnership, a deep loss, sadness. For the Christian, death is just the beginning of the good life.
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RELINQUISH
My power flurries through the air into the ground
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I’m never going back,
The past is in the past!
When the movie “Frozen” came out, it quickly became a marketers dream. Stores were flooded with action figures, blankets, stuffed toys and other gimmicks to lure Christmas shoppers in.
The song, “Let It Go!” was sung … and sung … and sung again, by everyone! It didn’t take long for many to grow tired of it. Soon we wished they would let it go.
We’re a lot like that in our daily walk with God. We hang tight when things are difficult. We know in our hearts that He’s caring for us, but we try hard to relinquish complete control. We still feel a need to be the master of our own universe.
God wants us to depend on Him all the time, not just when things are going bad – when our life hangs in the balance – when there’s no where else to turn. It isn’t the kind of control that a puppeteer has over his puppets though. It’s the care of a loving, forgiving Father.
Letting go simply means turning our cares, anxieties, worries, fears and doubts to the One who lovingly formed us before our birth. He wants to help. He can help like no other. He’s provided protection and peace for all who call on His name. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?
Everything about God’s love is simple and complex. He requires nothing from us, yet delivers everything. He asks for no payment for our salvation. It’s a free gift. We turn away and He still loves us. The complexity comes when we refuse to let go and let God handle things.
Posted in Advent, Bible, God, Uncategorized
Tagged Anxiety, christian daily devotions, Depression, FAITH, forgiveness, God's plan, Hope, Jesus, Peace, Religion
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RANDOM THOUGHT
Peace is the ability to withstand all the turmoil going on around you and still feel a quiet within.
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ANTICIPATION
This is the season of anticipation. We look forward with hearts wide open to what’s coming. Like the little child who can’t wait to open his presents – or the grandma longing to be with her family again – or the young woman waiting for that important question to be proposed. It’s a time of excitement, enthusiasm and even a time of depression for many.
Many think that statistics would show an uptick in suicide at this time of year, especially if people are isolated from others, but actually December is often NOT the time for this. The uptick usually occurs after the holidays, when things have quieted down and a feeling of loneliness sets in. The joy of the actual Christmas season can even act as a catalyst for those who easily experience depression.
Carly Simon wrote a song about this a while back. One of the verses sums up the feelings that could occur right after the anticipation of this special time of the year.
And tomorrow we might not be together
I’m no prophet and I don’t know nature’s ways
So I’ll try and see into your eyes right now
And stay right here ’cause these are the good old days
When we look ahead with anticipation we do so with great excitement. When what we’ve waited for is here, we often take it for granted and it loses some of its luster. We need to nurture our anticipation and enjoy it throughout our days.
Let’s never lose our anticipation for the coming of the promised Messiah. Sure it’s true, He’s already come and saved the world from the slavery of sin and guilt, but He’s coming back and when He does, He’s bringing a new heaven and a new earth. That’s something worth waiting for!
Posted in Advent, Inspiration, Jesus, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, anticipation, Anxiety, Depression, encouragement, FAMILY, good news, Holidays, Hope, INSPIRATION, Peace
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RANDOM THOUGHT
We know what God has done for us. Now what can we do for Him?
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ADVENT
The process of having a child is an exciting time. A new life growing within a young mom stirs all kinds of emotions. One moment you’re thrilled with the prospect – the next second you’re fearful of the role you will play in that child’s life. You’re on an emotional roller coaster most of the time. Many times you experience morning sickness, depression, anxiety, and extreme concern for how you will provide for the new life within you.
Imagine what Mary must have been going through in those early months of her pregnancy. She was carrying the Son of God – God Himself – the breath of heaven – within her womb. Her earthly thoughts concerning this had to be overwhelming. How would she explain this to her family and friends? Could she escape the ridicule? What would her future husband think? Could she handle this gift from God with humility and trust?
As we celebrate this Advent season, we can look forward to something very exciting and special. It is the anticipation we feel in knowing that our Savior God has come to take away our sin.
Mary and Joseph were assured by the angel, Gabriel, that the child would come to save the world. He was the promised Messiah spoken of by the prophets. Mary would be the vessel for this miraculous birth of the Son of God and Joseph would take the honorary place of step father. Once they had that assurance, can you imagine their excitement?
Jesus came for all mankind. He is the something special hoped and prayed for. He came, He suffered, He died, He rose from the dead and He returned to His heavenly throne to take His rightful place next to His Father. He will come again. Let’s prepare our hearts for that day. What a wonderful ADVENTure awaits us!
Posted in Advent, daily devotions, Inspiration, Religion, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, encouragement, end times, FAITH, FAMILY, forgiveness, God, Hope, INSPIRATION, Jesus, pregnancy, Religion
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RANDOM THOUGHT
A life can only be snuffed out by gaining a new one and God is the only One who can provide it.
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WAKE UP!
The holiday season is filled with preparation in many ways. We often have a million things to do to get ready, but what are we preparing for? If we look at the original story of the coming of Jesus, His people had been waiting for a couple thousand years for the promised Messiah. After that long, many had strayed away from the covenant God had made with them when man first fell into sin.
He came in a way not expected. He wasn’t the mighty warrior they wanted. He wasn’t wealthy beyond all measure. He didn’t come to make their road easier – in fact, following Jesus would require great sacrifice and struggle.
His birth occurred in a place filled with animals, germs, dirt and grime. His life was that of a lowly carpenter who lived in deep poverty. He had no special education or training for His role as King, but He inherited the wisdom of His Heavenly Father was there at the beginning of creation. His life ended in a most horrific way, but He conquered death and sin by returning to life a few days later.
Jesus is coming back again. We don’t know the hour or day, but He has promised to return. All signs point to the fact that it will be soon, but Jesus also promised that we will be surprised by His return. He will come as a thief in the night – totally unexpected – but He will be back.
We need to be ready for Him. We must be on guard and prepared. The only way to do that is to take His hand and follow Him, study the Word He has written for us, trust in His promises, and believe that He has already completed the work He intended to do. Don’t be unprepared. Arm yourself for His second coming.
Posted in Advent, Christian daily devotion, Jesus, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, Armor of God, christian daily devotions, encouragement, end times, eternity, FAITH, INSPIRATION, Jesus, preparation, repentance, Sin
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RANDOM THOUGHT
Life is too short to let the world get in the way of our eternity. Relish every moment, because we don’t know when we’ll come to the end of them. Each breath possesses a time of grace from our Creator.
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RANDOM THOUGHT
FDR said in his inaugural address, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” I believe that fear is simply a wound. If we allow it to fester it can kills us. If we consider its source we can overcome it with God’s healing.
Posted in America, fear, Uncategorized
Tagged Anxiety, encouragement, FAITH, Fear, God, INSPIRATION, Jesus, Religion, terrorism, Worry
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RANDOM THOUGHT
We ask for a sign, we hope for a clear answer, we pray and still no clarity – and yet the truth is right before our eyes. We are in the middle of a war – not a war we can see, but one that is undermining us from within. Words come forth that “God isn’t fixing this,” but we can’t even see that it’s all part of a greater plan. Only God can fix this!
A POWERFUL TYRANT
As a playwright, I find it helpful to get to know the characters involved in any dramatic setting. The story of Christmas is packed with many faceted characters who all fit the gigantic puzzle God was laying out for mankind. In the next days, I’ll be talking about the various historical characters who took part in this amazing story. The story is true and filled with hope and promise for all who believe it.
Imagine a man who thinks nothing of building a kingdom for himself, built on the lives of others. A sinister character with total power as his constant driving force. He has no morals – no ethics – no value for human life – extreme political savvy and knows all the right buttons to push to achieve an end result that will benefit him alone. Hmm, sounds like many of our current leaders, but this one lived over 2000 years ago.
This guy used his talent as a manipulator to maintain his status with the Roman empire along with being able to rule a country of people that despised him for over 30 years. He stopped at nothing to advance his political career, but along with obtaining great power, he became obsessed with the fear that others were trying to usurp him. He killed three of his own sons and seven other of his close relatives. He even had his Jewish wife murdered, because he thought she had been unfaithful to him.
Herod was also known as an architect and builder. He’s responsible for building a temple for the Jews – a system of aqueducts – many impressive structures and the remarkable mountain fortress at Masada. All required money, so the Jews were heavily taxed.
This, along with the fact that Herod wasn’t a Jew, but a descendant of Esau, made him extremely unpopular with the citizens of Jerusalem.
Every great plot has a villain and Herod fit the bill perfectly. He was the one who set the wheels in motion for more taxes – a census – and finally the massacre of thousands of innocent children in search of the Christ child, whom he thought was out to take over his throne.
Dear, God, in your wisdom you’ve determined a time and place for everything. You are the ultimate architect, who designs our destiny. It’s because of your plan that our salvation was set in place and you used the most unlikely characters to carry out that plan. Thank you for working everything together for our good. Amen!
Posted in Advent, Bible, Jesus, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, Christian Devotion, Christmas, encouragement, FAITH, God, God's plan, Hope, Jesus, nativity story, Religion
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RANDOM THOUGHT
Some days life can seem pointless. We collect dust like the creatures living under our beds and remain stagnant. All we need is to get sucked in by the vacuum of the devil ‘s lies. We could, on the other hand, be blown by the breath of God and scatter like the seeds of a dandelion. Which way do you choose?
Posted in Encouragement, Faith, God
Tagged Hope, INSPIRATION, Jesus, missions, Reflections, self-worth
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ALL IN GOD’S TIMING
An empty cradle sat collecting dust in the quiet home of an elderly couple. Carved many years ago, by anxious hands – filled with soft blankets of lambs wool. Time passed and still the cradle remained empty.
A sad scenario for many couples today. There are those who have no qualms about ending a pregnancy, while others long to have children. It was the same for this pair. Their home remained childless for years. Only the sound of children laughing and playing outside would lighten their hearts and make them hopeful again.
They were God fearing people – followed the commandments – served the Lord in every way, but for some reason their prayers for a child went unanswered.
In this scenario, as with many in God’s book, we see how God determines the right time and place for prayers to be answered and how He uses those circumstances to do amazing things.
One day, as her husband fulfilled his priestly duties in the temple, an angel appeared to him and said his wife would have a son, and that this boy would fulfill God’s ancient promise to His people. Zachariah doubted and because of this, his own voice was silenced until the birth of his child.
The joy in Elizabeth’s heart had to have been overwhelming as she prepared for the birth of her first born child. She must have wondered why God waited so long, but even though she was well beyond child bearing years, here she was old and pregnant. The thought of having a child at my age would be terrifying, but she accepted God’s will with joy.
Things were being set in motion. John, would grow into the man who prepared the way for the promised Messiah, fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah. All in God’s timing.
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.”
Posted in Advent, daily devotions, Jesus, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, Bible, Christianity, FAITH, God, INSPIRATION, Jesus, john the baptist, promise, prophesy, Religion
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GET READY! THE KING COMETH!
They waited for generations. Not since the days of King David and his wise son, Solomon, had there been such anticipation. They would wait for a long, long time. They would be persecuted, live in slavery, become a nomadic nation moving from place to place without one they could actually call home. They would know defeat, pain, agony. They suffered undo punishment. They were submitted to torture, death and near extinction. The days go on even today as many continue to wait for the Messiah.
There were those who followed John, the Baptist. Some later followed Jesus, the young rabbi from Nazareth. Some became followers of the followers.
Time was ripe for a Savior – just like it is today. The politics of the time weren’t much different than today. The morality of that era were as bad and maybe even worse than it is now. The disrespect for life – for marriage – for civil obedience – the intolerance for the poor, sick and mentally ill are not much different than they are today.
We wait in anticipation for the second coming of our King. Those of us who follow Christ, know that the signs are looking more and more real every day for His return. The prophesy revealed in the Bible talks much about the end of days. We believe that when He does come back, it will be a day of judgment for all of us.
We wait, but are we ready? We need to be prepared for that day, by cleaning up our own act and not looking at what others should be doing. We must come to God with repentant hearts and ask for forgiveness. We then should share His loving absolution, given through His Son, with others – so that they will be ready too.
When he does return in all His glory and majesty, will we be ready?
Posted in Advent, Christian daily devotion, Jesus, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, christian daily devotions, encouragement, FAITH, forgiveness, God, INSPIRATION, Jesus, judgment, repentance
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