Weeds

Posted on July 16, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

A tangled snare begins quite small, but quickly grows either into a thing of beauty or takes advantage of other living things to sustain itself.

Beneath the surface it worms it’s way through the fertile soil and takes hold of each and everything in its path. Slowly it saps the life out of the gems of the garden – choking, squeezing, cutting off all defense,

The garden – the farmer’s field – the soul of man. We all fall victim to the evil that lies below. It may come when we least expect it. We may not even see it coming. It can deceive us with it’s enticing appearance, but we can’t ignore it.

Our minds, our bodies, our hearts are all susceptible. The trap has been set. Our foolishness pulls us in, but something hangs tightly – with a fervency and strength our minds can’t comprehend. Some call it instinct, some see it as their positive aura or conscience. I believe that grip belongs to our precious Savior. He won’t let go – surrender.

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, goals, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, jpoetry/prose, Life, Optimism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

LETTING GO

Posted on July 14, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

let go

A couple years ago, a new Disney movie came out called “Frozen.”  I haven’t yet seen it, but I’ve heard the one most popular song from the story.  These words from “Let it Go” talk about giving up past things and moving forward . . .  

“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.”

I have a tendency to hang on to things, not because of their material value, but because of the sentimental value.  For example  As I try to organize and downsize my cache of costumes from over the years, I remember what was involved in making each one of them – the love that went into them – the purpose they served – the smiles they provided.  Or perhaps it means looking at years spent in a house – the trials you overcame, the joy that was built, the memories that came to be. 

The thought of giving those things up is difficult, but there are new memories to be made and new adventures to enjoy.  Memories of the past are part of us, but there comes a time when we need to let go and begin again.

Letting go at any age is difficult, but I think it gets harder as we get older.  Security and things that don’t change is important to us old codgers – especially to this one.  I do know that change is inevitable however and I pray for acceptance of that fact.

There is something that never changes however.  Something that we can hold onto until our dying day.  Our God is the same in all circumstances.  His nature is unchanging.  He is always consistent.

Dear, Lord, I need your strength, your guidance, your loving hands in my life.  With each new adventure you place in it, I must remain confident that you have only my best interests in mind.  Help me to overcome my weaknesses and look forward instead of back for all the joys you have waiting for me.  Give me the courage I need to take the next step in my life.  Help me to let it go.

 

 

Posted in aging, Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, goals, Inspiration, Life, Optimism, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Living Water

Posted on July 8, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Yesterday the clouds were heavy with rain – the air grew oppressive under the weight of high dew point levels.
Within minutes the ominous clouds emptied in sheets of torrential rain upon the earth.
Within seconds the air lightened. The clouds were replaced with pristeen blue skies.
In those brief moments, the earth was cleansed and refreshed.
We experience similar storms in life.
We can become burdened with the weight of sadness, worry, anxious thoughts.
We might gasp for air at times, thinking relief will never come.
Our hearts grow cold, our souls weary, our bodies and minds dry up
and sometimes our spirit dies.
It is then that God sends His refreshing waters – to renew us,
to satisfy us and to give us strength.
That living water is presented to us through His Holy Word.
It is the only place to find the rejuvenation that brings new life.

Posted in aging, Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, jpoetry/prose, Life, Optimism, parenting, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

IS OUR FREEDOM WASHING AWAY?

Posted on July 7, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

The picture I’ve chosen today shows just how fragile our freedom is – how it can be washed away in the sweep of a wave or the winds of time.  This past weekend we celebrated the birthday of one of the greatest countries on earth and the only thing that really gave me goose bumps over the past few days was to sing “God Bless Our Native Land,” at the end of our church service yesterday – the final line being, “God save the state.”

I am proud to be an American, but I am not proud of what’s happened to my country over the past several years.  When 9/11 occurred, I felt an urgency to go out and buy a flag because of my love of this nation.  We sang many patriotic songs in a special church service that week.   I was somewhat inspired by the words of our leaders, but the real inspiration came when I saw Americans coming together to help each other – when I saw the flag at half-staff for the many victims of that tragedy – when I heard “Amazing Grace” being played day after day – when I realized that the American spirit of hope and freedom were still active I our society.  That was almost 13 years ago and as I see what’s happened over that short span of time, it really makes me sad.

We have seen a growing government and the general population becoming more and more dependent on it (many times out of necessity.)  We are losing many of our basic freedoms daily.   The world around us is suffering too. The cost of living makes it almost impossible to survive on the income of only one job and that  market is suffering, even though the media would like us to believe otherwise.

Our founders wanted to be sure that this new country would survive for a long time.  They were tired of the chains of tyranny.  They wanted to be independent thinkers and doers.   It was a place where opportunity abounded and the little guy could build something for his family and future generations.  We have in a way lost some of those basic freedoms.

I pray that the American spirit never dies, but like most civilizations before us, who have lost sight of the One True God, our nation may also get lost in the history books.  We have something worth fighting for though and I know that God loves America.  We must be careful as citizens not to take her for granted.  Like sin infests our souls, the devil is also alive and kicking.  He would love nothing better than for us to lose sight of our God in this nation of ours.

So where does our freedom truly lie?

Galatians 5:1 says,  ” We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law.”

 

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, goals, Inspiration, Life, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

TROUBLE!

Posted on July 6, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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

Thank you, Lord, for daily strengthening me with your truth. May your gift of peace give me hope to endure each day.

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, Life, Optimism, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR . . .

Posted on July 4, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

 

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

EMMA LAZARUS

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France, intended to welcome visitors and immigrants as they entered the  New York harbor.

She carries a torch in one hand – representative of a light to guide the way –  Its symbolism denoted progress.  There is a tablet in her other hand, which represents the law with the date of the 4th of July, 1776 etched into it.  At her feet lays a broken chain which stands for freedom from the chains of tyranny – won by a determined, fledgling nation.

The words of the poem live on today and are a reminder of the concept of our welcoming nature as a nation.  We are a nation of many peoples and many cultures, but we manage to work together for the good of all our citizens.

Lady Liberty has been witness to so much in her short history, but so have we as Americans.  We have seen our nation under attack.  We have watched as the concepts of the founders have eroded over the past 50 years.  We see disturbing images of slavery of all kinds within her boundaries.  We watch in wonder at how the ideals of freedom have been corrupted and turned into something that has nothing to do with freedom at all.

We could throw up our hands in despair.  We could decry all that has been done – all the blood that has been shed – all the lives lost in defense of this great nation.  We could do that, but we must remember that our country is still the best there is.  We should never lose faith in that fact.

Our government was instituted by God – the Creator of the Universe.  He will never let us down.  His light – unlike that of the Statue of Liberty – will shine like a beacon to guide our every step.  His Law was established to bring us closer to Him and to realize how much  we need Him.  The chains that once held us captive to sin have been loosened by the blood of Jesus, Christ and our freedom has been guaranteed.

May God continue to bless America and all that she stands for.  Help us, dear Lord, to trust that you have a plan for everything and that no matter what lies ahead, you will be there to protect us.

 

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, Inspiration, reflections, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Incomprehensible Love

Posted on July 3, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

I’ll never grow to comprehend the power of your love.
You hold me fast. You treasure me. You guide me from above.
There is no other love like yours. You fill my every need.
You comfort and protect me. For my soul you did bleed.
So take my life and use it, to serve you in some way.
Help me to share your message today and everyday.

Kathy Boecher

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, jpoetry/prose, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Incomprehensible Love

WORRY IS A WASTE OF TIME

Posted on July 2, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

 

 

Image 

I’m not Jewish.  I’ve acted the part of many Jewish women in my life and I’ve pretty much mastered the accent.  Jesus was born a Jew and I’m willing to bet His mother worried about Him.  Maybe that’s why He spent a lot of time talking about this dreadful trait. 

We worry about life altering things – like getting married, graduating from college, getting a job, entering the military.  We worry about things we can’t control – like the weather, our environment, wars and disasters.  We worry about money, our children, our careers, our relationships.  We fret over things we can’t change –  like our looks, our circumstances, our strengths and weakness.  We just plain worry!

It’s easy to tell someone not to worry, but that isn’t going to stop them.  We may not have experienced what they are going through. Maybe our lives have never involved this emotion.  We might not be able to relate.  Jesus walked in our shoes.  He knows all our frailties and shortcomings.  That’s why He can look into our hearts and know what we are going through.  Because He is also God, He invites us to depend on Him to get us through these disheartening fears and doubts.

Isaiah 41:10  ” fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

In fact our God is telling us not to sweat the small stuff.  He’s got our back – He’s at our side – He will never leave us and we can depend on that!

I will undoubtedly continue to worry until I die, but my worries don’t have to depress me or dominate my thinking. When I turn my anxieties over to Him, He promises to give me peace – and God always keeps His promises.

Thank you, Lord, for giving rest to my weary mind and body, but mostly for relieving the doubts, worries and fears of my soul.  Be with me today and every day as you have promised.  Lift me up when I am down and help me to do the same for others.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on WORRY IS A WASTE OF TIME

IS IT EVER GOOD TO BE IDLE?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Image

 

Summertime is the perfect time for us to slow down.  The living is easy – as is said in the song – or is it?  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the busyness of life that we forget to take time off – or we just can’t seem to slow down. The need to work hard in order to accomplish great things has been hammered into our thinking from our youth. 

Our founding fathers had a lot to say about idleness.  Ben Franklin said, “Idleness is the Dead Sea that swallows all virtue.”  John Quincy Adams stated that, “Idleness is sweet and its consequences are cruel.”  Thomas Jefferson once said, “Determine never to be idle.  No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any.  It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”   He also stated that, “Lethargy is the forerunner of death to the public liberty.”

Somewhere between our nation’s beginning and today there has been an erosion to that ideal.  Many have become dependent on the government for their daily needs.  Some politicians with noble ideas about helping the poor have become victim to not really helping them at all.  We have the right as Americans to build a business, to work hard for what we need, to help others along the way, but we shouldn’t take away others’ ability to do for themselves by providing everything for them.  There is no joy in being pandered to.

Our country was built on hard work and determination.  When you look at our history, you will see men starting with nothing and building an empire for themselves by doing things rather than sitting around complaining about how things were. They saw a need, came up with a solution and acted on it. 

“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Age makes us slow down in our physical activity, but as soon as we let our minds stop coming up with ideas, we are opening the door to idleness and complaint.  Maybe that’s why older folks get grumpy from time to time.  We have more time on our hands than the average guy, but that shouldn’t deter us.  Using the time we have left can still be advantageous even if it’s in small ways. 

There are times when we must physically slow down however.  We need time to reflect, to get inspired, to plan our next move, to determine where we’re going.  The difference between idleness and relaxation is that one is something we choose while the other is a necessity.

 

Posted in aging, Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, goals, Inspiration, Life, Optimism, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

PEACEFUL SLEEP

Posted on June 26, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Image

There is nothing like a good night’s sleep.  When our labor is physical, it’s a necessity.  When our mind is overworked, we need rest too.  When we are struggling with a spiritual problem, God invites us to rest in Him – to actually lay our cares on His shoulders. 

Even in those hours when we have our eyes closed and our dreams come into view, He is there watching over us – keeping us safe – giving us needed rest and peace.  He never sleeps.  He is present everywhere and at a moment’s notice.  He knows what we need even before we do and He provides it for us in His way and on His timeline.

Dear Lord, you are so good to me.  Not only do you lead me beside still waters and refresh me daily in my walk with you, but you even care about what happens to me as I sleep.  I can count on you for all my needs.  I will continue to trust in you because I know that I can.  Thank you for being my forever friend.

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Inspiration, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on PEACEFUL SLEEP

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Posted on June 24, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Darkness

His hand reached for the oil lamp in the darkness of night. 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 permeated with the sullen blackness.

He groped and felt his way around the, 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 which surrounded him.

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?

<blockquoteExodus 10:22-23 "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."

To live for three days in complete darkness must have been unbearable. 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 that would infect your mind? Can you acknowledge your faith faltering – your courage failing – your hope dissolving into the murkiness? We are lost without light.

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.”

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, jpoetry/prose, Life, Optimism, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

THE BOOK THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Posted on June 24, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Image

There recently was a very powerful You-Tube video gone viral, depicting a group of Chinese people receiving a gift of several cases of Bibles.  The looks on their faces and the way they held and even kissed this amazing book, spoke volumes on the treasure they had in their hands.

I wonder how often we take this book for granted.  Many homes have Bibles as part of their family library.  You can usually see one sitting on a table.  Do we look at this collection of pages as merely something to decorate our homes or do we regard it as the true inspired Word of God?

We are told, within the pages of this best seller, that God inspired His very own words into the pens of men.  Not only are His words truth, but we can be confident that we have a direct line of communication through them.  Each sentence – each paragraph – each page has been inspired by the breath of God.

Every time you ransack the pages of this amazing book, you will find new truth that applies to what may be going on in your life at the moment.  You may receive peace, confidence, hope, consolation.  Your heart will be inspired by stories of people in high places and the least of humanity having a strong relationship with their Creator.  You will watch them rise and fall as all of humanity does – but you will also see how God uses those people for His purposes and that He has a plan for every one of us.  You will find that even when it looks like there is no hope for you – you have one who was willing to give His own life to make sure your salvation was won.

You will see how much you are loved – how you will  be judged – that there is hope even for those who think they are hopeless.  It isn’t only a physical treasure, it’s filled with purpose for our lives here on earth and the promise of eternal life in heaven.

How do you value the Bible?  There is no longer an excuse for not getting into it.  It isn’t just an aged, dusty, musty old book that sits on a shelf.  It can be accessed on the internet.  You can even find an app for it and have it at your fingertips in seconds.

Thank you, dear Lord, for speaking to us through your Holy Word.  May we show it the same reverence and respect for it as those who receive it for the very first time.  Remind me to search your scriptures on a regular basis, knowing that you will provide the answers I seek.

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Sentries in our Back Yard.

Posted on June 24, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Two ancient maple trees stand as sentinels on either side of our back yard.
During winter their skeletal branches reach up to heaven.
They look as though they’re entreating the God of creation to cover their nakedness with a blanket of protection from the elements.
When spring and summer burst through the bone chilling temperatures,
These majestic soldiers bring forth new life.
Squirrels scurry through their branches in search of some awaiting feast,
While birds prepare for the arrival of their young by constructing a soft bed for them.
Small green buds emerge and quickly grow into a glorious emerald canopy enveloping the space providing a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the urban world.
When fall arrives the greens fade into golden yellow and the leaves hang tight until the first heavy snowfall of winter – preparing for the cycle to return once more.
Those trees could tell a lot of stories. They’ve seen more than one family under our roof.
They’ve been witness to countless wind, rain and snow storms and endured.
They’ve suffered some damage, just like we have over the years,
But they remain steadfast, just like their Creator clings to us with consistency.

Our life cycle is much like theirs.  We’re conceived from a tiny seed.   We force our way into this world with great labor and grow through years of enduring life.  We suffer the storms of life and the extremes of our emotions, often just barely hanging on. We burst into life with enthusiasm, but at times our world seems to overtake us and sap us of our strength.  With each new stage in life, we long for release, but grasp everything we can from our surroundings.  When our final hour comes, we’ve experienced everything we possibly can and succumb to death, but through it all, we can count on the fact that has remained faithful and something even better prepared for us.

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Inspiration, jpoetry/prose, Life, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

I’M SO TIRED!

Posted on June 23, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

come-unto-me-all-ye-who-are-weak-and-heavy-laden-and-i-shall-give-you-rest

There are times when our bodies just 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 it too. We like to think of ourselves as strong and self-sufficient. It isn’t easy to say we need help – but we do.

Age isn’t always the reason we grow weary either. We may have undergone a time of hard physical outlay with little or no rest. We may be battling some kind of illness and really need to slow down. Our mind may be burdened with emotional or spiritual battles. Whatever the cause of our exhaustion, we can be certain that we aren’t alone in it.

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

I’m not a farmer, but I spent a lot of summers on my grandparents’ farm when I was a child and I recall seeing two horses or two cows yoked together so they could accomplish more work with less individual effort. When God invites us to yoke ourselves to Him, He is guaranteeing that we will 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.

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

Thank you, dear, sweet, Jesus for lightening my load in life – 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.

Posted in aging, Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, Inspiration, Life, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US!

Posted on June 21, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Image

I came across this passage today and it made me think of how this life is so uncertain.  We can share relationships and friendships – hardships and loss – joys and successes, but all those things are really only temporary.  Someday we will die.  Someday our hardships may turn into depression – our happiness and success don’t last forever. 

Everything in our existence is transitory.  We could be sitting at the pinnacle of our earning power, when the bottom falls out and we are left with nothing but the change in our pocket.  We could be the picture of health one moment and be faced with a terminal illness the next.  We may think we have found the perfect soul mate, but soon discover that they are just as human as we are.  Our flaws, our weaknesses, our strengths and our brain power don’t really amount to a hill of beans when it comes to our relationship with our God.

God’s consistency is something we can count on.  Our accomplishments will not be remembered much after we leave this earth.  Our wealth will have no value in the grave.  Our relationships will also wither and pass away along with us.  The world is in a constant state of change.  Moral values and religion are slowly being gobbled up by a degenerate society. Political correctness has become the norm in almost every area of our lives.

So how do we cope with all this gloom and doom?  We put our trust and faith in the one who never changes – the One who created the world – the One who promises and delivers.

Thank you, dear Lord, for putting up with your people for so long.  Your patience is beyond my understanding.  Your ability to look beyond the imperfections of this world because of your love for us, is just too much to comprehend.  I don’t deserve any special treatment, but still you give it freely to me and all those who love you back.  It’s such a simple thing for us to do, but it’s all you want from us.  Help me to rest in the knowledge that even though things are in a state of change, I can rely on you to be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, Inspiration, Life, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

YIKES!

Posted on June 17, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Image

If we were to focus too much on the events in the news, it wouldn’t take long for us to need treatment for depression.  Our world is in a terrible state.  Our own country is in moral decline; the world is constantly fighting terrorists; there are those seeking  political power driven only by greed and our media continues to paint a picture that all is well.  It makes one wonder where it will all end .

We could be like Chicken Little who ran through the barnyard claiming that the sky was falling.  The rest of the animals at first were frightened by her claims, but soon ignored her when the sky continued to stay where it was supposed to. The moral of the story is not to believe everything you hear, unless it’s backed up with some kind of proof or evidence.

We as Christians have a true story that we can depend on.  Our world will someday come to an end.  We have all sinned and don’t deserve anything but death and damnation.  God, the Father loves us so much that He became a man – lived a perfect life – suffered a horrendous death – was buried – came back to life and rose to heaven.  He sent His Holy Spirit to live in and with us so we could share His love. We have been promised a new heaven and a new earth and we can be assured of eternal life.  He did all of this because He loves us. That’s a story you can trust and believe.

Dear, Lord, you provide us comfort and hope in all our circumstances.  Your Word contains your truth for our daily lives and for the life to come.  You are indeed our rock and cornerstone.  Thank you for giving me peace in that knowledge.

“Remember your word to your servant in which you have made me hope.
 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.”  Psalm 119:49-50

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, Life, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on YIKES!

TO ALL DADS! HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Posted on June 15, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Image

There aren’t enough words to thank God for the gift of fathers.  They have been established and fashioned by Him.  God is the perfect example of what a father should be, but we often fall short of His expectations. Still He gives dads strength and wisdom to do the best they can.

Psalm 127:3-5 “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

Today and every day, let us not forget to hold father’s in high esteem.  Not only are they the head of the family, they have had a part in our creation

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Faith, Family, Inspiration, Life, parenting, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on TO ALL DADS! HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

FUNNY FATHER’S DAY STUFF

Posted on June 13, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

Image

I grew up in the years when Bill Cosby was launching his career into show business.  I remember listening to his monologues on the stereo and laughing at all his quips about family and parenting.  He had some amazing insights into what it took to be a parent, even though his stories were laced with humor.

“My childhood should have taught me lessons for my own fatherhood, but it didn’t because parenting can only be learned by people who have no children.“

There is some wisdom in that statement.  Nearly everyone who has never had the experience of raising children is an expert.  They seem to have all the answers.  The only lessons to be learned are through experience.  No one is born with the knowledge of how to be a good parent.  They may think they are, but let’s hear what they have to say after they’ve had a few of their own.

“No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I’m not talking about the kids. Their behavior is always normal.“

When you are blessed with more than one child, it becomes part of the job description to step in now and then and let your children know the right way to settle disputes.  The books say to talk to them about their behavior at the time it’s happening, but when one has the other in a headlock, the time for reason flies out the window. 

“Raising children is an incredibly hard and risky business in which no cumulative wisdom is gained: each generation repeats the mistakes the previous one made.“

No one ever said it was going to be easy to be a parent.  Today many young men think it’s cool to go out and father children, but walk away when it’s time to actually do the job.  Instead of passing down what we’ve learned from our own parenting experience, I think it’s necessary to be involved in the process.  That means changing diapers, cleaning up messes, laughing with your children, encouraging them, teaching them and being with them.  We all learn from the mistakes we’ve made and parenting is one of the greatest life lessons to be found.

One final  quote from Bill:

“Whenever your kids are out of control you can take comfort from the thought that even God’s omnipotence didn’t extend to His kids.”

God doesn’t make mistakes, but His kids do.  We can’t expect to be experts in all the nuances of raising children.  Every situation is different, each child unique.  All we can do is love them, give them beliefs they can be sure of, and pray that they will turn out OK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Encouragemet, Faith, Family, Inspiration, Life, parenting, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on FUNNY FATHER’S DAY STUFF

No Sense in Violence

Posted on June 11, 2014 by atimetoshare.me

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©

Posted in Christian Devotions and Reflection, Faith, Family, Hope for the hopeless, Inspiration, jpoetry/prose, Life, reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on No Sense in Violence

Trust quotes (1)

 

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?”

 

 

Posted on June 6, 2014 by atimetoshare.me | 3 Comments