A life snuffed out in an act of senseless violence,
Another tear is shed, there is no recompense,
What makes a mind go so crazy, that all that’s real grows hazy?
There seems to be a blindness to all the twisted minds –
An ignorance to what is going on behind closed blinds.
People pulling triggers is why those lives are spent.
Is violent behavior the way we circumvent?
but there’s much more within their brutal hate.
The Respect for human life is simply out of date.
Kathy Boecher©
Webster describes trust as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something. In the acting classes I teach to children, we do an exercise to see exactly what that means. I have the children pair up and one stands in front of the other. The one in front closes his eyes and falls backwards into the waiting arms of their partner. Most of the time the children peek to make sure that those arms are open and waiting. It’s important as an actor to be able to trust your fellow actors. If one happens to go off in their own direction in hopes of stealing the stage, he is breaking that trust which has been developed through the rehearsal process.
It isn’t easy to place trust in someone you don’t know. You haven’t developed a relationship with that person yet. Even those we are closest to can let us down at times. We may have to keep our eyes wide open to believe that they will do what they say.
Who do you place your trust in? Once trust is broken is the relationship ever the same? You can look at broken trust as a piece of paper that is torn in two. It used to be perfect, but it will never be the same again.
Because of our humanity we can never really be capable of perfection, so we must rely on the one who is. God doesn’t make mistakes. He is the epitome of perfection. He is strong enough to catch us when we fall. Even when we stumble He is right there to pick us up again. His Word is truth so we can always rely on it. His mercy is overwhelming and we can depend on it. His love for us is unswerving and we can be assured of it. His forgiveness is unending and we can count on that.
Psalm 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?”
There is nothing like a good friend to brighten your day. They can encourage you when you’ve failed, support you when you’re down, love you despite your imperfections and be willing to do anything for you. To be a good friend isn’t always as easy as being the one on the receiving end of friendship. Where do we start to establish that kind of relationship?
Probably the best example of total and complete friendship comes from Jesus. He walked the earth with man even though He is God. He struggled through the same kind of difficulties we face each day and He felt the sting of disappointment, the stabs of abuse, the penetrating words of hatred and bullying. He suffered – not because He had to – because He loves us so much that He was willing to. He faced the same kinds of temptations we do each and every day, but He overcame them.
He had the power to destroy His enemies as He faced them, but He didn’t. He could have obliterated Satan and all His angels with one blow, but He didn’t. His power is beyond comprehension, but He chose to take on our burdens rather than just eliminating them. What kind of earthly friend do we have that would do all that?
“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!”Joseph M. Scriven
Thank you, Jesus, for being my best friend forever. You have walked with me every step of my life and I know you will continue to even after I pass from this world. I look forward to the day when we can meet face to face. Until then, please continue to stay at my side and guide my every step.
Sometimes I think I’m really losing it. For example, I will leave the room to get something only to completely forget what it was when I get there. Or I will hear something someone tells me and in a flash I’ve totally forgotten what they said. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older- maybe I have too much information already in my head and I simply can’t fit another piece into that measly brain of mine. – maybe it’s because I’m not perfect.
I’m afraid I have to admit yes to all of those maybes, but the third one is the zinger. I’m not perfect! My days aren’t all planned out for me. There are mistakes along the way. I fail miserably sometimes. I say things I shouldn’t. I get angry and frustrated. I don’t trust in God enough for the small stuff. I try too hard to control my life. I hurt others with words or deeds – sometimes even without realizing it. I am a sinner.
That’s why it’s so good to know that I have someone who lived the perfect life – without sin – to take my place in God’s eyes. If I had to stand alone, I would be just another broken, unworthy, ugly person but with Jesus, I can be judged as forgiven, free of sin and perfect.
It’s not easy for us to think of ourselves as failures in life. It’s even more difficult to think that God would see us as the grimy sinners we are. We can be confident that our slate has been washed clean, not by our own doing, but by the love of the One who first loved us.
Thank you, Lord, for your saving grace. Without you I am nothing. With you I can now approach eternity knowing that a better place is waiting for me. Thank you for caring so much for me that you gave everything to save me and all those who believe in you..
When people ask me how I am, I usually don’t want to go into detail. I have a friend who when asked, “How are you?” always replies, “How long do you have?”
As part of the body of Christ, however, it is important to share your physical, emotional and spiritual needs with fellow Christians so that they can pray for you. It is then their responsibility to actually go to the Lord and pray for their friends. Sometimes we go through the motions of saying, “I’ll pray for you,” but that isn’t enough. In true Christian love for our fellow believers it is our obligation to follow through.
Jesus taught us how to pray for one another when he gave the disciples His very own prayer as an example. During His crucifixion He took time to provide a son to take His place for His mother. He accepted the prayers of a remorseful sinner and guaranteed him a life in paradise. He asked for forgiveness for His enemies. He gave complete control over to His heavenly Father.
When we say, “I’ll pray for you,” we are making a solemn promise to do so. We should never just throw the words out there. Words without actions are really quite useless, but the prayers of believers hold great power. When our friends face illness, financial loss, the death of a loved one – when they are going through marital problems, having difficulty with a wayward child, coping with unemployment, depression, hopelessness or frustration – this is the time that our joint prayers are needed most.
God tells us to encourage each other through our prayers and thanksgiving. Friends are a precious commodity in this world of sadness. They can bring peace to our troubled daily lives. When you are part of a family, you don’t want your family members to suffer. It’s good for us to bear each others’ burdens.
John 13:35 says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Dear God, Your dear Son, Jesus, had only one thing in mind during His short time on earth – to bring total and free salvation from the snare of sin. Now, out of gratitude, I am completely confident that you will hear the prayers of your people. Be with my friends today and always as they face the trials of life. Let them know that there is peace in you no matter what their cares may be. Even though my list of prayer requests gets longer as I get older, I know that you will answer each of them in your wisdom and on your timeline.
Life can be but a mere whisper or it can be a consuming fire.
The way we approach it will define who we are and where we’re going.
If we go through life without any focus,
If we don’t set goals or make wise decisions,
If we try to accomplish anything alone – we are bound to stumble.
If we use each moment with purpose,
If we wake each day knowing that Jesus is our partner,
If we light the world with our enthusiasm,
We will turn that fire into a raging blaze.
Our spirit will soar on wings of eagles.
We will succeed in ways we never imagined.
Kathy Boecher
Trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding.
Heavy droplets tumble to the ground in random spurts,
They settle on receptive soil, thirsting for refreshment.
Only a few weeks ago water seeped up from the earth
And down from saturated clouds,
Pushing new life forth in abundance.
The calendar said it was spring.
The temperatures begged to differ.
It seemed that a transition season hardly existed.
White blankets were replaced with a carpet of green.
Now it seems that nature is trying to catch up with the calendar.
The rain is a welcome relief to the onslaught of the sudden heat.
We need that transformation time to get used to these immediate changes.
Like caterpillars covered in the protection of a silken sleeping bag,
We struggle to move from one season to another
Our bodies are renewed – refreshed – reborn.
Struggling wings open to display our fresh beauty.
We soar – we reach new heights – we fly!
Someone once said, “Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time. You won’t have a leg to stand on.” There have been times when I’ve said something without thinking about the consequences of those words and how they might hurt, deflate, belittle, defeat or cause another to stumble. My tongue doesn’t always follow the directions of my brain and it seems to take on a life of it’s own.
The tongue is a tiny muscle that can be more powerful than a well-developed bicep and yet it can do more harm. Life would be so much easier if we had a script to follow, but part of who we are is our ability to communicate in an improvisational and spontaneous way. Unfortunately, we can’t take words back once they’ve been spoken. The damage is already done. Admitting that we’ve spoken wrongly can do some good, but the sting of the tongue bites deeply and the words will linger.
Lord, I am a sinful being. Even my words can be a result of my sinful behavior. When I am tempted to say or think things that might hurt another, I need to be reminded that I cannot even speak without Your intervention. Keep my tongue bridled and may I use it only to Your glory and honor. Help me to think before I speak and never to use my words to hurt another. Give me the strength through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
James 1:19-20 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Recently a math teacher in our area gave her students a choice. They could take their final exam, but they could opt out if they surrendered their cell phones. You would think this was a no brainer, but almost all of them chose to give up their phones for a week.
Her whole point was to get the students to realize there was another world beside that little piece of plastic that was connected at the hip. Her tactics worked. Kids began to communicate again. They didn’t have to take the exam, but were given additional assignments to maintain their grades, but the greater lesson learned here was how important it is to start real live communication again.
What a great teacher!
Maybe now that school is out for summer break, it might be a good time for parents to institute a similar option. There is so much out there for our children to experience and none of it involves texting, email or tweeting.
If you haven’t enrolled your child in some physical activities – do so. Encourage them to do as much outdoors as possible. Maybe they could help an old lady weed her garden. (My weeks have taken on an identity of their own.) They might offer to babysit for a child in the neighborhood for free. Helping others is a great confidence builder. Spend time at the beach – go for a walk – glide over the water in a canoe – plan a treasure hunt. Anything that involves interaction is great for future team building and problem solving.
There will be many good memories of this summer if they begin to turn their thoughts and deeds outside of themselves.
I know this might sound drastic to some and even brutal to others, but you will be giving one of the best life lessons you can. You don’t have to confiscate the phone for the entire summer, but I am willing to bet they won’t be relying on it nearly as much anymore when school resumes.
The reason we have summer vacations is to renew physical bodies and refresh them for the work that lies ahead. It is the responsibility of parents to also remind their kids where their true strength lies – in their one and only God.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
We are entering tornado season in the Midwest and many lives have been completely changed in just a few moments. In other parts of the country, people are facing mudslides and quickly spreading wildfires. Our world has experienced tragedy beyond any human being’s control causing many to be displaced or having to start over with their lives.
We sometimes wonder why a loving God would cause such devastation -why He would He allow His children to go through so much suffering. These events could turn us away from God if our focus is inward. When we allow our own personal needs to get in the way, we often miss the lessons to be learned through suffering.
God always provides a way out for us. Our faith is being strengthened along with a closer relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Going through difficulty is not just reserved for the bad guys of this world. The Bible is filled with examples of God fearing men who experienced sadness, failure, fear, desolation, hopelessness.
God uses these situations to build us up so that we can help someone else down the road through our experience. Christians are not immune to suffering, but we do have the advantage of knowing that our pain won’t last forever – what we learn through it can benefit others – we have an advocate who is interceding for us.
Thank you, dear lord, for your constant presence in my life. You are my comfort, my strength and my peace. Through you I can endure all things.
1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
“
Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.
(Bill Cosby)
I truly believe that God has a sense of humor. He loves it when we laugh and when we’re happy. His original plan for man was to enjoy life to the fullest. He created a perfect world with no problems – who wouldn’t be happy?
My mom was a great laugher and I think I have inherited that trait. She laughed at everything, even when it wasn’t particularly funny. Many people in the world today might think she wasn’t totally “all there,” but I think she was more “there” than most people. She had the ability to take a tough situation and turn it around with her happy face.
Today it isn’t uncommon to walk into a store and ask for service, only to be greeted by a grumpy person behind the counter. Even in the service industry, there is a lack of joy. What has happened to the giggles, chuckles and guffaws? Has it become politically incorrect to laugh? I hope not.
Laughter is the one contagious thing we shouldn’t be afraid to share with someone else. When we start to show our joy in this special way, it can soon bring a smile to someone’s eyes and eventually they have caught the happiness disease youre spreading. Laughing makes our face hurt sometimes; it gives us a whole different body language; it lightens up a room; it takes away some of the pain you may be feeling deep inside.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
So now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have a good belly laugh before my bones get crushed!
You never cease to hold me safely in Your hand.
For everything my body does demand.
You guide my steps, You hold me tight,
You strengthen me with all your might.
You lift me up from ever sinking sand.
I know that I’m just one speck upon this ground.
There are so many other folks around.
But still You find the time for me,
You gave your life to set me,
Your mercy for this speck still does abound.
Thank you, Great Physician for bringing me through a minor surgical procedure. I praise you for your persistent love and care.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
You think that it’s all over. You’ve only just begun.
Your accomplishments prove your value. Your faith has kept you strong.
You’ve pondered o’er the last few years, where life will take you next.
Your dreams will follow a different path now – there are mountains left to climb.
The challenges you face from this day forth will build another you.
You will still be the little child I held – the boy that I watched grow.
The times we’ve shared together have been a treasure to me.
Though time and experience will help you reach your goals,
The only one important thing for you to know is that you always will be child of God.
Your past and present days, along with those to come,
will be In His strong, protective hands until your dying day.
Trust in Him. Depend on His wisdom. Ask for His guidance and protection. Have faith!
The successes you achieve in life are nothing compared to work He has begun in you
The next few weeks will hold many graduations. As young people take the next step in their learning process and move closer to their dreams, they will be faced with new challenges. They will leave the security of their past and lunge into a totally different realm.
My first grandson will take that step tomorrow night as he graduates from high school. I have mixed feelings about this special day. I still remember the day he was born – this tiny life – this precious child – this helpless little boy who grew so quickly into a young man. Even as I write this, I can still see him snuggling up to our golden retriever pup – wearing grandpa’s boots – banging on pot covers in the kitchen.
He has spent his entire education so far with the same classmates in a K-12 Christian academy. He has led a somewhat sheltered life and now is about to spread his wings and fly. Needless to say, I am extremely proud of this child. He has developed into a strong Christian, with equally strong values and the love of God firmly planted in his heart. His mind has grown along with his body. He’s the one my other grandson refers to as “the walking encyclopedia.” He has had the opportunity to share his faith on two separate mission trips in his short life.
All graduates have so much to look forward to. Their lives will never be the same once the cap and gown come off. They will be exposed to new lessons every day as they enter a different facet of their existence. They will enter a world of temptation, fear of not succeeding, possible bullying for their beliefs – a world that will challenge everything they have been taught to believe – but if they have a firm foundation, they will never fail.
I could be afraid for my grandson because the world is an ugly place. He will have to stand strong to face the challenges that lie ahead, but I know that his faith is deeply rooted and that he has learned the one thing needful for this life. Success isn’t measured by the things we accomplish, but what has been accomplished in us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, as my grandson moves forward in his life, I pray that you would always be at his side. Give him the necessary tools to strengthen him daily, to arm him with your protection and to give him the right words to spread your loving message to others. Keep me from being too proud or from shedding too many tears on this very special day for him. I pray that he will continue to trust in you always. You are the sure foundation upon which he can rely.
CONGRATULATIONS, JORDAN – I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!
This has been a physically difficult week for my husband and I. We are trying to downsize 22 years of living in the same house so that when the time comes our children don’t have the burden of doing it. To say the least, we are both exhausted.
Have you ever had days when you feel you just can’t carry another load? Do you feel overwhelmed by the burdens you’ve laid upon yourself? When Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest, He isn’t just talking about our aching muscles or aging joints. He’s inviting us to lay every load on Him – not only our physical needs. but our emotional and spiritual concerns.
We try to muddle through our lives, thinking we can handle everything – thinking that we have it all under own control – and then the bottom falls out and we realize we aren’t in charge at all. It’s difficult for us to let go and let God take the reins. Human nature tells us we should be able to handle things. We are fed on ideas that tell us we create our own destiny. God has given us a brain to help us figure things out, but ultimately He is the one who has our future in His hands.
Dear, Lord, you have given me a special invitation – to come to you for the peace I need in every area of my life. It’s hard for me to let you do it all. I feel I should be involved in some way. Help me to realize that life is going to be full of trials, struggles, tough choices and fears. Encourage me through these times and keep me strong both physically and spiritually. When the baggage becomes unbearable, take away the weight and hold me tight. I need your unfailing love and strength. I rest in the security of your unwavering arms.
When I feel alone and troubled by the cares of this world,
I turn to you.
When I think I can no longer endure the jabs and punches of life,
I turn to you.
When I’m tired and worn out by fear, hate, anger and greed,
I turn to you.
When I come to you in prayer and ask for your forgiveness,
You turn to me.
Kathy Boecher
I have always hated tests. My friends always seemed to whiz through them in school, but I struggled – struggled the point of getting blinding migraine headaches and becoming physically sick. When I took my driving exam, I remember gripping the steering wheel with whitened knuckles. With each medical test, I worry and wonder what the outcome will be. Testing isn’t fun unless you are brilliant, you have no health issues and no fear. Most of us aren’t built that way. There is always something that gnaws away at us.
Now that I’ve reached the “golden years” you would think the testing would be over and maybe I would have passed. I don’t believe God is sitting up on a cloud somewhere, dictating the kind of tests we will face each day to to antagonize us. Each of those tests is designed to bring us closer to Him and His Word. He wants to hear from us. He wants our complete attention.
Some days I’m almost afraid to pray for patience, because I can usually be guaranteed of another struggle. Many people think that when you become a Christian you no longer have to face any problems. They believe that if you have issues with anything in life, you aren’t right with God. I believe that this world is preparing us for heaven. We are being made patient through our adversity.
There are many times when God should lose patience with us. We’re stubborn, self-centered, angry, helpless and many times thankless. God provides for all our needs and still we want more. We’re like the kid in the back seat of the car – constantly asking – “Are we there yet?”
Isn’t it wonderful that our God is so patient with us? He continually puts up with our shortcomings and even overlooks them, because of what His Son, Jesus did for us.
When things seem hopeless and like the testing will never end, let’s look forward to what lies ahead – eternal life!
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” James 5:7
You are the Master Gardener, you tend to all my needs,
With water you refresh me. With love you plant the seeds.
You take away the grip of ugliness and sin,
You’ve given me a second chance – a new life to begin.
When all the weeds infest me and choke away my life,
You lead me on to heaven – away from all this strife.
I thank you, Heavenly Father, for all your love and care,
Now help me to proclaim you for all the world to share.
by Kathy Boecher
This time of year is especially satisfying to anyone who loves to dig in the garden. New life is sprouting up all over. Everything is fresh and unblemished by sun, wind, frost or rain. Each plant has a second chance. I am one of those who love to dig in the dirt. It must go back to my days of making mud pies for the dog. There’s something about getting your hands dirty and getting a grip on those nasty weeds which are already sprouting beside the healthy plants.
It always amazes me how deep the roots of those weeds bury themselves into the ground and eventually take over. It feels good to pull one of them out and know that you’ve got the entire root. Unfortunately they always come back. There may be just a bit left of that root, but it hangs tightly to the soil and doesn’t give up.
I think that weeds must be like sin. It works its way into our hearts and squeezes out all the good that God intended for our lives. The devil and his minions take hold and choke and tug at our daily walk with God. They hang on to us even though we have been forgiven and the seed invades our souls. A garden that once was perfect has now become an ugly landfill.
Thankfully our Creator sent the perfect vine, Jesus, to crush Satan and create a new paradise for us in heaven. We have the assurance that we will once more walk in that beautiful garden He has waiting for us beyond this veil of tears.
Lord, I know that while I still struggle here on earth and am attacked by all sorts of temptation, you are the Master Gardener. You have pruned all the dead parts of me; whittled out the weeds that infect me; given me new life; made me beautiful again. Thank you for caring so much about your creation to tend to it constantly. Thank you for giving me a second chance every day. I look forward to being in that perfect garden which you have prepared for me and all believers.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Poor old Noah had to be the laughing-stock of his time. Here was a guy who claimed that he had a private conversation with God and that he was instructed to build a sailing vessel that would house two of every living species. Noah encouraged everyone to repent of their evil ways. He said that God promised to send rain and they would be swallowed up by a great flood. The people had never even experienced rain much less a flood. They must have viewed Noah as a real weirdo.
Sounds like material for a movie script or an incredible Disney animation – right? just a fairy tale, but it happened. I know this, because it’s written in God’s Word and His Word is truth.
I wrote a musical play based on this event a while back and performed it with a group of children. When it came time to choose the characters, everyone wanted to be Noah or members of Noah’s family. It made perfect sense to me. I wouldn’t want to become fish food either.
Many of us are concerned about the state of our world today. It seems that things can’t get any worse. There is evil and corruption in our own government. Morality has taken a nose dive in the past half century. Organized religion is taking a hit. People don’t think they need a savior. It almost seems like God is dead to our world.
Noah preached repentance for more than a hundred years and still the people didn’t take heed. The world must have been a real mess at that time, especially when you think of how bad it is now.
God kept His promise to those who would not repent. He also set up a new covenant with Noah’s family when the flood ceased. He promised never to destroy the world in this way again. By setting the rainbow in the sky He sealed that promise and gives it to us as a reminder of His steadfastness.
Lord, our world is full of sin and ugliness. I am just as guilty of turning my back on you as any other human being, but I can be confident of your promises. You washed away my sins on the cross of Calvary, just as you cleansed the world in Noah’s time. Stay with me today and always.
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