BEST LAID PLANS . . .

Posted on December 5, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

The children are bundled in their warmest clothes. Mom has filled the thermos with hot chocolate. Dad has warmed up the car and it’s off to the tree farm. When they arrive, everyone sprints out in wild anticipation. All of them searching for the perfect tree. Dad removes the axe from the trunk and off they go. Icicles begin to attach themselves to mom’s nose hairs and dad’s beard. One of the children is having difficulty walking with all the extra weight of her snowsuit. The other two scurry around looking for this year’s Christmas tree with the rest following. The air is filled with a heavy mist. New fallen snow makes tough to get to their destination. It looks as though every tree has already been decorated. God’s special paintbrush has created a winter wonderland. Dad’s artistic eye spans the glowing evergreens. He won’t cut down just any old tree. Finally, the waiting is over. There it is in the middle of the forest. Waiting – just for them.

Does this scenario sound familiar? It is a true story of the many Christmases past in our family’s history. Eventually the tree cutting was replaced by an artificial one, but the smells of fresh evergreen has now been replaced by scented candles. There’s nothing like the real thing.

As I think about this yearly tradition or should I say, adventure, I can remember all the preparations that seemed so necessary at the time. With each passing year, I’ve grown to realize that what was really important about our search for a Christmas tree, was that we did it as a family. Even though feet were cold. mittens wet, and cheeks red, we persisted with that plan.

Are you ready for the coming of Christmas? There are many out there that feel this is a time to show off with a spectacular light display in your front yard – a time to spend more than you have – to have the best tree and ornaments and the most presents under that tree. Remembering that Jesus came the first time to live with us and experience all that the human race deals with. He lived in poverty. He faced a skeptical crowd. He performed miracles. He was the promised Messiah, but no one recognized Him. They had waited so long.

We now wait for His return. Will we recognize Him? Will we be ready? Will we have made the necessary preparations? He completed His Father’s mission for His coming. He overcame the devil and gave humanity a second chance at Heaven. He did this without hesitation. The plan that God ordained was set in motion. When Jesus returns, He will come in majesty. Are you ready for the King of Kings?

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I JUST CAN’T WAIT . . .

Posted on December 4, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

There’s nothing like a road trip to make the best of family or friends into the exact opposite by the time the journey is over. I recall many of our family road trips. Most of the early years of our marriage, we spent hours on the road traveling to Wisconsin from Minneapolis for the holidays. We gathered three children, a dog, us, a playpen, a dozen or so gifts and snacks to get us through the journey. There were a couple sleeping bags and suitcases as well.

The quest almost always involved inclement weather, potty stops, or just a moment to restore our sanity. If you’ve traveled this way, you understand what I’m talking about.
Those trips are planned in advance. Time and energy is necessary in getting there, but the first, “Are we there yet?” usually comes after the car is started and reaches the end of the driveway. That phrase is predominant from there on. Every camp song known to man is sung. Every snack eaten. Every interesting site has passed and now you’re in a blizzard. The wind blows, the windshield fogs and your nerves are frazzled. You try to convince your children that this would be a good time for a nap, but the incessant, “Are we there yet” reverberates throughout the vehicle. Those days are long gone, but even as we aged, a road trip could turn the anticipation and excitement into disappointment in no time.

We are like that with the onset of Christmas. We get all hyped up for the season, by covering our homes with decorations and lights. We buy gifts that we know will probably be exchanged. We bake and bake and bake until the freezer will hold no more. We want the day to be perfect, but often there’s a big letdown at the end of the journey. Things have changed in our house. Our children are all grown. Grandchildren are too. We rarely entertain anymore. My Christmas decorations this year, consist of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree (with lights), two poinsettia plants (a gift), a wreath (from the old days) and my treasured Santa collection (hand carved by my husband.} No cookie baking in my house. I usually wind up too hot by the time the last batch is pulled from the oven. Isn’t it funny how life changes as we grow older. We adapt and adjust. Still, we can’t forget that long ago phrase, “Are we there yet?”

The season of Advent is a great reminder of what lies ahead. We look forward to the birth of Jesus. We look forward to the pomp and excitement. We can’t wait for it to come. Our patience runs out. Why aren’t we there yet? Our aching bodies and failing senses are saying, “Enough is enough!” We even ask God to take us to heaven. Apparently, that isn’t in the plan right now. As we wait for Christmas, let’s never forget what’s waiting at the end of the trip. Jesus is there, with arms extended, anxious for you to enter His kingdom.

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WAITING FOR JESUS . . .

Posted on December 3, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

As we await the return of our Savior, Jesus, we wonder how long it will be. Will He return to judge the world during my lifetime? Will I have to wait to actually meet him when I go to heaven? The Advent season is filled with stories of waiting. We look forward to Christmas and remember all the promises of God being fulfilled in this one amazing event. Why is it so hard to wait?

When I think about the characters in the Christmas story, the shepherds come to mind. As they waited for centuries for the fulfillment of God’s promised Messiah, they eventually must’ve lost hope. The Old Testament is filled with events and people who hung in there, waiting for the Messiah. To them it must have seemed like an eternity. When we think of our own existence, having heard about Jesus’ birth and the many years that followed His ascension into heaven, we are much like those people of old who waited.

When we see a new life come into the world, filled with hope for the future and anticipation as to what will become of that child as he grows into adulthood? When we grow old and look back on our lives, we may wonder what made our life worth living? We wonder why it must go on and on and on. When illnesses prevail, we wonder too. When will they end? When will I get to see Jesus?

Psalm 25:5 ESV “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”

Jesus is with us today, even though we can’t see Him. He is present in every aspect of our lives. Waiting is hard, but He is walking right alongside each of us, because He knows that the waiting is worth it.

“WAITING FOR JESUS” by KATHY BOECHER

You came to a world filled with darkness and sin.

You loved us devoutly without and within.

Your love conquered all through a child meek and small,

Sweet Jesus, Your Son came and died for us all.

You took away sadness and filled us with peace,

You give us a hope that defies life’s surcease.

You gave Your life for us so we could be free.

Sweet Jesus, Your blood you did shed on the tree.

Your body lay lifeless, but rose on that day,

To show us that our sins you carried away.

So now we look forward to that special time

Sweet Jesus to join you in heaven sublime.

We know you’ll return to carry us home,

To empty the darkness of this world that we roam.

Be with us forever and love us each day,

Sweet Jesus, we love you, come quickly we pray.

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THE YOUNG & RESTLESS SHEPHERDS . . .

Posted on December 2, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

This is a rerun of what will probably be posted annually. It is a wonderful memory from several years ago, that will remain in my mind forever. There’s nothing like a Christmas pageant with children that seems to ignite all kinds of issues. For me it was a cast of ten boys and 2 angelic little girls.

I believe the picture says it all.  These young shepherds show how antsy little boys get when they have to wait.  The shepherds from the original nativity story, were young boys who were tending sheep in their fields. For many years, they would hear the promise that God had made to their ancestors of a Messiah who would come to save them. Can you imagine waiting for centuries for this promise to be fulfilled? Many of them had undoubtedly given up on that promise ever coming to fruition, but it made for good campfire conversation. This is not the best time to get into character development or acting skills, because each of those darling children couldn’t wait for it to be Christmas. It was their main focus. I wrote a script on that premise. The restless shepherds would discuss waiting for the Messiah – again. One of them may have given up hope, while another recited Old Testament prophecies telling of the impending event. Most of them were just bored and tired from watching their sheep at night. The main theme of the pageant was “patience.”

The script called for a couple of sheep too. I named them Bob and Joe. The significance of sheep referred to the unblemished Lamb of God, His only Son, as the final sacrifice given to God. Their angel voices would herald the good news – even though there were only two in this story, they had nice loud voices which carried throughout the hills and valleys. Some of the feathers from their wings were left behind though.

To keep the boisterous little boys quiet, I tried to remind them that shepherds would try not to disturb the sheep with their uproarious behavior. That lasted for about two minutes. Kids coming out of a full day of classes and going into another learning situation isn’t always going to work. The two angels stood by quietly, waiting for their time on stage. One worried if she’d be able to say the word – Alleluia – without getting her tongue tied. The other was more concerned with keeping her halo in place.  The imaginary sheep finally fell asleep, except for Bob and Joe – the rowdy ones.

In order to connect this to an exciting upcoming event, we talked about a super-hero coming to wipe out the bad guys. Suddenly those little boys settled down and ears perked up. Each rehearsal became more interesting.  Real life was breathing excitement into the scenario. Soon it became apparent that the kids were digesting this familiar story as they had never done before. We talked about Jesus’ cousin, John, the baptizer, who was born shortly before Jesus. One boy said, “He’s the one who got his head cut off,” which completely turned everything 180 degrees. I was able to wrap it up by saying that Jesus came to take away the sins of the world – even the guy that chopped off John’s head. You had to be there.

I have a real problem being patient, especially when answers are left unknown, and time runs out before we can achieve any patience at all. When we wait for something for such a long time, we often begin to doubt if it will ever happen. Our faith weakens – we become impatient. But when we are waiting for the King of Creation to be born as one of us – to live as our brother – to experience all that we do – it is definitely worth the wait. So, after six Mondays of rehearsals, ramping up the extending storytelling, my cast of shepherds, sheep and angels pulled off an amazing pageant. Not only did they learn some side stories about the birth of Jesus, but I did too. It had a lot to do with my patience.

ALLELUIA!

Posted in Advent, God's promises, patience, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

THE MESSIAH IS COMING . . .

Posted on December 1, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The merriment of Christmas, brings smiles to everyone,
But often we forget the joy of God’s own precious Son.
When packages are opened, and wrapping are all torn.
The ribbons lay upon the floor, expectation has been worn.

The wonderment of Christmas is over in a day,
But Jesus gave His life for us, our sins for us did pay.
A perfect life He lived with man yet took death’s bitter pill. He left His mark on every heart. He did His Father’s will.

When all the joy of Christmas is packed and stored away,
The Light He came to bring us will live in us each day –
A light that can’t be hidden no matter how we try –
This light will last forever and we will never die.

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

GOD IS AWESOME . . .

Posted on November 30, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

The word, “awesome,” is rather over-used today. When we wish to express amazement, surprisingly stunning, miraculous are words that display this kind of feeling or outcome in our lives. To say you did an awesome job, means that you gave it your all and then some. To say you look awesome, means you went the extra mile to impress. To say our children are awesome is not always true, but we say they are again to impress.


When it comes to God, the word awesome is not nearly enough of a word to describe Him. He created the world, the universe, everything. He can heal the broken hearted. His power is beyond magnificent. His love is never ending. His timing is meticulous. His plan is not flawed. His design is divine. His kindness. wisdom, power, strength, patience and understanding are not to be matched. God is perfect in every way.

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This message from the Gospel is the promise of new beginnings. Jesus, God’s own Son was that second chance – a new beginning. The start of a new way of life. God is also referred as the beginning and the end. or the alpha and omega. Isn’t that amazing? He has His finger on the pulse of everything. He is in control. He won’t ever leave us. He comforts us. He heals us. He restores us and He gives us the promise of heaven.

Next time you say the word, “awesome,” think about the One who created you. Think about the many blessings He’s placed in your life. Think about the challenges He has brought you through. Think of Him as the awesome Father He is. Thank Him for your life and for loving your unconditionally.

IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Life comes at us like a raging river at times,

Pushing, crashing, dispersing its power,

Seemingly overtaking us with its fury,

Yet even in those times of fear, loss, despair and anxiety,

God is there in the midst of it all,

His right hand directs life’s miseries and hopelessness,

And leads them to the final destination,

The peaceful waters,

The placid lake,

The amazing eternity He has arranged for us.

Posted in God, miracles, Poetry by Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

GOD UNDERSTANDS . . .

Posted on November 29, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Through every great blessing God bestows on us; for all the messes He’s repaired, for all the broken hearts; for providing relief from all our physical, spiritual and emotional needs, we give thanks today and every day. God understands.

The holiday meal has been served. A table of bounty, surrounded by friends and family is now empty. The guests have gone home. The leftovers have been packaged and stored for another meal or more. You’ve watched enough football to hold you until the next round. You may have gotten up way before your alarm went off to get in on all the black Friday deals. You fight the crowds. You buy more than you need. You arrive home exhausted and collapse in exhaustion. God understands.

Holidays like this and those to come can stir your adrenaline. A mixture of emotions can come out to haunt you. Many will suffer major bouts of depression as we enter the season of Christmas. You may be concerned about adding to an already hefty credit card debt. You hope that Christmas presents will be enjoyed by those for whom they were purchased. Decorations may go up, creating a beautiful display to praise the coming KIng of Kings, but what’s the motivation behind it? Are we trying to impress those who see them. Are those old ornaments going to make it through another Christmas? Are our aging bodies going to last that long? God understands.

You hang a wreath1, cut down a tree and display an Advent calendar which will be enjoyed each day. You go through the annual family traditions, but do you feel totally joyful? The joy we should feel at this adventurous time of year is not found in all the trimmings, the spending, the overindulgence, The peace that comes is in the form of a tiny baby born in a manger is all that’s important. This can also be a time of great depression for many. The loss of a loved one, the cancer diagnosis, the waiting to die, the trials of this life get in the way. The worries and fears that accompany these things naturally will bring us down, but God understands.

He knows everything about us. He made us. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He has gifted us with talents, provision and abilities to be used for advancing His kingdom. He loves us with a love that can’t be duplicated. There are no strings attached to His amazing gift. This is a time of preparation, but don’t let the small stuff or the big things get in the way of what’s coming. A King left His heavenly throne to live with His creation. He lived a humble life – one that resembled that of a servant. He shared His Father’s loving message with many. He was unjustly arrested, suffered and died the death of a criminal. He rose again proving that He is God and He conquered death. God, the Father understands each of our problems, but He goes the extra mile by laying down His life for us. God understands.

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GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE . . .

Posted on November 28, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Thanksgiving is a special day assigned to give thanks for all our blessings. Maybe you don’t feel your life has dealt any your way. You might even wonder if God is real or if He was just made up to make us feel better. The simple truth is that God, our Creator, our Comforter, our Champion, our Best Friend Forever is more than worthy of our praise. There is so much we can say about the influence He has within our lives. He has infinite wisdom. He knows everything about everyone and everything. He created a perfect world filled with beauty and implicit design. He has His eye on each one of us and is watching over us with love and compassion. He desires to have us as His children. To say thank you seems inadequate.

Today as families gather and partake of sumptuous meals, remember where all that provision came from. As you look around the table at smiling faces (most of them) remember how each one of them has enriched your life. As you offer a prayer of thanksgiving, realize who is responsible for all the blessings you have been given.

Even if your life is in shambles. Even when it looks like tomorrow the sun won’t shine. Even when you can’t see your way out of an addiction or financial ruin. Even when you’ve tried everything to “fix” your life by yourself. Even in those times, thank God for those things too. Each challenge we face will draw us closer to Him. His perfect love is the greatest blessing we have. All He asks in return is that we trust HIm, have faith in His promises and thank Him for all of it. Thank Him today and every day, because He is worthy of our praise.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5 ESV

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GOD IS FAITHFUL . . .

Posted on November 27, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

The word “faithful,” seems to have taken on a lot of different meanings over time. It can mean being steadfast or loyal. It may take on a different meaning when referred to as being true to your spouse or right there for your children. We are expected to be faithful to our God and obedient to His commandments, but our tendency is to fail in that area big time. Our lives are far from perfect. Our sinful nature draws us into following the world and our own desires. God seems to be pushed to the background, and we fail to call on His perfect faithfulness. Everything about our Creator is beyond perfection. His promises are always kept. He guides our ways. He leads us on the right path. He restores us when it seems there’s no way out. He never leaves us. He loves with an unconditionally perfect love. He is in control of everything.

Volcanoes may spew fiery lava, descending on everything in their path.  The earth shakes under it.  The seas churn as a ship is swallowed up.  Children are being murdered before they take their first breath. Youngsters are being sold into sex slavery.  Wars and rumors of war rage around the world.  People are uncaring towards one another as the tug of narcissism pulls them under.  Depression is at an all-time high and suicide seems to be the answer to many who can’t handle life anymore. Still, we know that God has all of these things in the palm of His hand. He controls them. He uses them to build us up, not to make us crumble.

“GOD’S FAITHFULNESS,” By Kathy Boecher

Great is the faithfulness of the One true God,

He walks with us through storms where we may trod,

He guides and determines the paths that we take,

He keeps every promise that He does make.

When perils surround us, we think there’s no hope,

He’s \there beside us, He helps us to cope,

His love is perfect, we don’t understand,

He takes us through troubles with His strong hand.

Lord, give me the wisdom to have faith in you,

Honor and praise in thanksgiving you’re due,

Your wings of power keep me safe through the night,

Your tender caress sends my fears to flight.

When life gets so hard that I simply can’t breathe,

Help me remember the promise you leave,

You’ll gather me up in your strength so divine,

You’ll take me to Heaven. Salvation is mine!

Posted in Encouragement, God, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

GOD IS MORE PATIENT . . .

Posted on November 26, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Another great attribute of God is His enduring patience. When we need to wait for something, we tend to lose that ability and even ask God to give us some as we pray. When that happens, God may give us another challenge to test our patience. His patience is beyond anything we can muster. In a society that is in the throes of instant everything, we become accustomed to wanting answers, information, media, knowledge, wisdom and just about everything else in a nano-second. Usually, we get it via technology. Even the Bible is available online. Even the internet is flawed, so how can we trust it?

Think of how God waited patiently for the Israelites during the Exodus. 40 years was a long time to wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled, but it was. Think of how many years during the Old Testament times passed before the promised Messiah would come to live among His people. Closer to home, think about the patience God has with each one of us as we struggle through life’s perils and challenges. It may take a whole lifetime before we see answers to our prayer requests. We may never get them. God continues to work on our hearts and has an almighty plan laid out for each one of us. We can be sure that the plan is designed for our good. If we don’t get the answers, God has a different plan which will certainly be for our benefit rather than our loss.

Dear Holy God, you continue to be with your people even when all seems impossible for us to figure out. You love with a love that has no comparison from a human standpoint. You wait and wait and wait, while we want answers immediately. Help us to trust in your wisdom. Guide us through this life of unknowns with your divine plan for our eternity with you. Amen!

“WHAT’S NEXT?” POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

Our walk each day is often filled with tangles, twists and turns,1

We try to forge a clearer path, for safety our heart yearns,

Each fork can lead you to success, each branch can hide the way,

You struggle with the smallest things, you’re not sure what to say,

The road holds many stumbling blocks, you fall and then you rise,

The darkness of a late-night walk, can muddle up your eyes,

If you don’t follow all the signs, you may stray off the way,

You need someone to walk with you and hear the words you say,

It all becomes much clearer when we trust in the true God,

He shows the way and leads us home, wherever we may trod,

He lifts us when our legs grow tired, He calms our every fear,

He carries us when we can’t walk, He wipes away each tear,

The darkness may surround your steps, but He is always there,

To shed His light upon your way, to take away each care,

Put your faith in God, the Father, He’ll never let you down,

His Holy Spirit comforts you, His Son gives you a crown,

Eternity will be your prize, when this life is long gone,

Just trust in His sustaining love from dusk until the dawn.

Posted in aging, patience, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

GOD IS WISER . . .

Posted on November 25, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Wisdom is a word used to describe someone who has gained understanding over a number of years, through the ups and downs of life, the experiences and the choices made – good or bad. It’s what we learn through these things that gives us wisdom. Therefore, you could say that wisdom comes with age.

Since God is ageless, there is no end to His wisdom. He’s the One who has always been, always is and always will be. He doesn’t have to experience any of the things of this earth, because He made it. He dwells in Heaven, yet His mercy and grace are abundant in the world He rules over.

We may have a long life, filled with great challenges, success, downfalls, making wrong decisions. We may have endured difficulties that we never thought we could. Our loss of a loved one, a family member, a child, a spouse are things that can destroy us mentally and emotionally. We may suffer financial loss, or our wealth has become more important to us than it should be. We may bend to peer pressure or the lure of the devil. There are so many ways we can succumb to this world. God knows everything about each human life that inhabits the earth. He never changes, even though we do. His consistency is what we need to get us through.

“SURVIVAL” by KATHY BOECHER

Life gets complicated,

Torrents of troubles rain upon us,

This brief time on earth is a mere whisper,

How do we withstand the storms,

How do we live through them,

How do we survive,

When life ebbs slowly away from us,

When friends and family pass away,

When financial worries overcome us,

When health issues surmount,

When it seems there is no end,

How do we survive,

We struggle to succeed,

Only to be battered down,

We strive to accomplish great deeds,

Only to be ridiculed,

We wonder how we fit into a world gone crazy,

How do we survive,

We’re amazed at the state of our youth,

We worry about the condition of our churches and schools,

We fret over man’s inhumanity to man,

We mourn for the children of the world,

How do we survive,

God has a plan,

We know He is perfect,

He always delivers,

He won’t let us down,

Be still,

Know that He is God,

We will survive.

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GOD IS KINDER . . .

Posted on November 23, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

When I think about God’s compassion and kindness I am overwhelmed. There is no amount of earthly affection that can come close to what He gives. The gift we give others through our kindness will encourage and inspire them. Often, we choose to focus on the weaknesses, even of those we care for most. When we do that, we’re simply alienating ourselves from them. God’s kindness is often referred to as grace. We certainly fall short when it comes giving the gift of kindness to others. God intends for His grace to draw us closer to Him. In doing so, we are brought to repentance and forgiveness.


“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 ESV


As we look forward to Thanksgiving let’s consider how important God’s kindness is to us. Had it not been for His loving grace, we would be doomed to an eternity in hell. Because of it, we have inherited a place in His kingdom.

Thank you, Jesus, for your compassion. You willingly took on our sin. You paid the ransom when you suffered and died on the cross. Your power and might showed us that you overcame death and that we will also. You alone are our refuge and strength. Amen!

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GOD IS STRONGER . . .

Posted on November 22, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

When we think of wings, we usually visualize the body part of some kind of bird, an angel or something we order as an appetizer. We don’t usually imagine great strength in those wings until we see a bird in flight or chickens and turkeys trying to establish a pecking order. Most of the time we consider wings to be easily broken or weak. In thinking about the wings of God, we can compare them to the strength of an eagle as she spreads her gigantic wings and soars through the heavens searching for provision below. We can also picture that strong bird spreading her wings over unhatched eggs to protect them. When they hatch, she will spread those huge wings and cuddle the newborn chicks. God’s creation brings to mind all kinds of lessons for us. His majesty is far greater than anything He created. His power has no end. He is in complete control of all things, even when we think He doesn’t hear us.

Our communication with Him is like an open door, where we can enter at a moment’s notice. We can go straight to the source now, because of what Jesus accomplished here on earth. When our hearts are trouble, when we need a friend, when our own plans fall short, when we can’t complete our goals for the day – He is available. All that’s necessary is a faithful heart. There are no barriers anymore. Christ took them to the grave when He died for our sins. He knows what His plan for us is and how He will turn our troubles into good if we let Him.

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

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GOD IS BIGGER . . .

Posted on November 21, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

Skies of grey, tempered by peeks at the sun,

Intermittently drifting in and out,

We know it’s coming,

We’ve been prepared,

Winter, like aging is the final season,

We know it’s coming,

We’re probably prepared,

We’ve confessed and repented,

Death is just a breath away,

Still, if we are grounded,

If we have faith,

If we live with God as our partner,

Death no longer holds its icy grip,

The cost,

Christ’s blood,

Perfect sacrifice,

Atonement,

Surrender to His love.

Giving up or giving in seem to hold a negative meaning to us. Surrendering is not easy, but it can be the only thing you can do when it comes to your relationship with God. We can be sure that He is almighty, all knowing and always available. You will never find a human being who can live up to that description. He is going to win every time. Instead of resisting Him, our attitude should be willing to depend and rely on Him when we’re faced with problems, tough decisions, choices, anything that requires a greater mind than ours. He always keeps His promises. When you feel that time has run out and there is no hope for you, let God in on your situation. He doesn’t need to be reminded, because He already knows what it is. Still, He desires hearing from you. He wants you to lay your cares on His shoulders. He loves you more than you do. Because of that, we can be confident of a good outcome.

Start today, by surrendering to Him.

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WORRISOME, WEAK, WASTEFUL, WHINY WEDNESDAY – NO WAY!

Posted on November 20, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Well, here it is another Hump Day.  We’ve made it halfway through the work week with only two more days to go. How many humps can a camel possess anyway?  I’ve seen some with two humps, but three or more might require a much larger camel.  In any event. I think many have already given up – thrown in the towel – become hermits – are developing underground cities at this very moment.  Are we turning into an Orwellian society?  Could be.

When we face hurdles or obstacles, we tend to weaken.  When roadblocks determine our future, we flinch.  When even the smallest health issue creates gigantic anxiety, we feel doomed.  When every day seems to run into the next, we feel lost.  When there is nowhere else to turn, we can fall into a deep depression, or we can ask Jesus to kick those barriers down and make a clear path.

I have decided it’s time to knock over those hump(s) that stand in the way of tomorrow.  If we keep looking back, there is no real destination. We cannot sit idly by and wait for Jesus to return.  It could be today or ten years from now. We may never experience it in our lifetime.  Will we be ready for His return?  We will if we make a commitment to serve Him and others while we can.  No humps, no potholes or caution lights are going stop our admittance into heaven.  Jesus came once to redeem all.  He accomplished what the Father sent Him to do.  He saved mankind from eternal damnation.  Believe and have faith in that and you will inherit His kingdom – where life will be far better than normal.

Every day can be viewed as “Hump Day” if we let it.  Looking forward with a positive attitude and with Jesus at our side, allows us to achieve the final goal – here and in eternity.

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TRUE GRIT . .

Posted on November 19, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

I come from a long line of strong women. My ancestors were what I would call, true pioneers.  They trudged across country with horses and covered wagons to begin a new life.  The women gathered buffalo chips to start campfires, did their laundry in a muddy river or rippling stream, cooked over an open fire sweat alongside their husbands as they built a new frontier. As they traveled over the prairie, they would often have to leave some of their treasured belongings behind, leaving a trail of “stuff” behind them. In order to maintain the proper weight for those wagons and the perils that lay before them, it was necessary to lighten the load. Men hunted for dinner and children worked hard too.  They weren’t simply served from a silver platter or given anything they wanted just because they felt worthy of it.  These folks didn’t have time or energy to get involved in shady dealings.  By the end of the day, they were exhausted from hard work. You could say they operated on true grit, but none of them would admit to that. Most of them were in search of a land of promise and opportunity.

Today, women have made gigantic strides. They run large corporations. They manage a family. They contribute to society and its welfare. There seem to be no limits to what they can accomplish. So, in a way, you could say they’re the pioneer women of the 21st century. There are crushing situations for these new groundbreakers. In an effort to prove themselves, they often are placed under a microscope. Highter expectations are demanded of them. Those who have careers outside the home and a job as a parent are required to do more. They sometimes get overwhelmed and reach the breaking point.

There are so many factors that enter in. Even when we reach retirement age, those requirements continue. We may be a caregiver for a spouse. We wonder if we can achieve the right things. We expect more of ourselves than is necessary and eventually something has to give. We try to take care of ourselves by remaining active, but time takes over and pushes those buttons which cause us to break. Everyone has that point of no return that needs attention.

Those pioneers of old made it through the trials of their time. We also manage to recover from ugly situations, gossip, hatred, self-worth and failure. In each generation there are new pioneers, pushing through huge obstacles, but even though they may be crushed they aren’t broken when they trust in the Only God who controls the universe and all things within and around it. “Grit” is a word which combines passion, perseverance and hard work to achieve a long-term goal. God provides the strength to overcome the perils we face in this life. He also has promised a place for us in His perfect kingdom. He truly gives us the grit necessary to make it through.

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FEELING GRATEFUL . . .

Posted on November 18, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

I love the wisdom of Piglet.  He always seems to know the right things to say.  “Our hearts may be small, but they have the capacity to hold great amounts of gratitude.”

Yesterday, the women of our church held a baby shower for the newest member of our family. An abundance of Christian love, thoughtful gifts and a delicious lunch were part of the day. As I sat and visited with special friends, I asked one lady who recently lost her husband how she was doing and she said, “Grateful.” She went on to say that this has been a common response at the senior living apartments where she resides. What a wonderful thought. I imagine we all wish we could have that kind of courage. When we’re going through times of loss, suffering, grief and just the beginning of each day, being grateful is so important to our state of mind.

Sometimes, we have to stop and think hard about what we’re grateful for. Maybe we’d rather retreat back into the comfort of our beds. We may not feel ready to be with others. We may even wallow in our sadness or pain. If we say that simple word, “grateful” we’re not just referring to our physical being. That word can change the way we feel about the rest of the day, week, month and the rest of our lives. Being thankful for all of God’s rich blessings can soon turn sadness into joy and tears into laughter. He gives us the breath of life, He gives us family and friends, He gives shelter and protection, daily bread and on and on and on.

Keeping it simple …

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

This is God’s greatest gift to us and the one that matters so much, because it has to do with our eternity.  It’s not a temporary fix, but one that will last forever.  We can accumulate riches beyond belief on this side of heaven, but none of that compares with what’s waiting for us.

Keeping Thanksgiving alive should be daily activity.  When the day of celebration ends and all the leftovers have been used up, our gratitude should be just beginning.  My family has been so blessed by our church family. Together we have become a group of friends who support and love each other, inspire and encourage, teach, and help with their prayers.

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours.
– Irish Blessing

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OLD HOLIDAY TRADITIONS . . .

Posted on November 17, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Holiday traditions come and go, but there seem to be some that hang on for a lifetime if not longer. With Thanksgiving just a short time off, food preparations are already being made or shopped for. We can almost envision grandma rolling out pie dough or making fresh baked goods. The old potbellied stove in her kitchen had seen better days and so had she, but she continued until she could no longer make her way from her chair to the kitchen. An oversized roasting pan would be prepared for the Thanksgiving turkey, usually shot by one of the boys in her large family. Or she might kill a couple chickens the day before to fill with mouthwatering stuffing. Vegetables canned in August would be brought up from the fruit cellar. Mountains of potatoes would be peeled by hand the night before. Efficiency would have to be maintained, or Grandma would spend the entire holiday in the kitchen. She would ask for side dishes and desserts to be provided by extended family. Then the fine China would be inspected, washed and set on a formal dining room table which has been covered with a linen tablecloth. Forks on the left and knife and spoons on the right. Her mother’s lovely somewhat chipped crystal glassware would accompany each place setting.

Today, most of that is forgotten. Maybe it came during the women’s rights movement. Who wants to spend half of the holiday preparing the humongous meal, setting a gorgeous table, timing everything so that it’s all hot when everyone sits down; and the other half of the day requires putting leftovers into containers for future meals and washing a mountain of dirty dishes. Maybe it was a rebellion of sorts on the part of those already overworked women. Whatever the case, the revolution turned into a completely downsized version of what once was.

Today you can order your entire meal and have it delivered to your home. Many grocery chains are offering this. Or you can order from a fancy restaurant and have Door Dash show up with everything necessary to impress your family and friends. Forget about the China and crystal. Plastic plates, eating utensils and paper cups will suffice. When it comes to doing the dishes, all you need is a large plastic garbage bag. You don’t even have to make a huge meal. Personally, I like the idea of simplicity and more conversation, rather than trying to figure out which fork to use or having a heated political debate at the dinner table. Anyway, those old traditions become unnecessary until the next generation decides they would like to entertain like they did in the old days.

Football seems to be the fare beyond the meal. While men are watching fifteen college games simultaneously on TV, the women are searching the newspaper ads for Black Friday bargains. In the old days, they would be doing the dishes. Now they don’t have to. Instead, they have the ability to go out the next day and spend hundreds of dollars on items that no one really wants or needs, just to say they got an amazing deal. Do I sound facetious or sarcastic? Good, because that’s my intention,

When we get together to celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving, our first thought should be being grateful. Every day is one to celebrate when you’re in your 80s. It’s also a time to honor family, relationships, marriage, all of God’s exceptional blessings in addition to the everyday blessing of provision. Maybe it’s time to start some new traditions. Like filling a jar with comments on what you’re thankful for. At the end of the celebration or even at the beginning, read those comments and talk about them before reaching for your cell phone or remote. You might be surprised what a great conversation you can start. We really need to work on that. We might even discover that we like each other -a lot.

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SATURDAY WORDS OF WISDOM

Posted on November 16, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

“THE OLD WISE ONE,” Colored pencil drawing by Paul T. Boecher

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The eyes are riveting,

Piercing the space they inhabit,

Thoughtfully,

Mechanically,

Driven by hunger,

He surveys his domain,

Do we take time to look,

To expand our horizons,

To explore what is right before our eyes,

All of God’s creatures are endowed with instinct,

but only man can claim wisdom,

And many never find it.

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ROD AND REPROOF

Posted on November 15, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Dr. Benjamin Spock was a bestselling author of the 1960s with his book on childrearing.  My copy looked like a ransacked Bible after my first child reached her first birthday. His ideas were mind blowing to most grandparents.  He suggested allowing a child to cry a while before picking him up and holding him.  He advocated permissiveness over hard discipline such as spankings and scolding. 

Up until that time, a spanking was not considered child abuse. This new decade of permissiveness may have contributed greatly to what’s happened to parenting over time.  It was a time of protest over race, wars, feminism, sex and independent thinking.  However, children haven’t learned about respecting themselves and others – many have an entitlement attitude – they’ve become inactive physically and overstimulated mentally.  Everything you need to know about sex is in their face before they enter middle school.  Violent behavior seems to be the norm. Families split, marriage has taken on a new meaning and moms and dads come and go like thieves in the night.

The Bible is very clear about discipline. The Old Testament refers to the rod of reproof and the staff of correction, which are referring to a shepherd’s tool. The rod is designed to get the attention of the sheep, and the staff represents the guidance which the sheep require. Psalm 23 refers to these tools as a form of discipline applied to our everyday lives. We need direction. We require discipline. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, is that rod and staff. He is the One who gives those things to us.

Another passage in Proverbs 29:15 we’re told, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” This passage is not advocating beating your child but gives them guidance for their future. Discipline creates wisdom. When we give our kids everything they want, they become spoiled. When left alone to their own choices, they run wild or choose a path that can be harmful to them.

I don’t remember being on the receiving end of a spanking, except the time my mother chased me with a hairbrush that eventually landed on my backside and broke. I didn’t need psychoanalyzing for it. I don’t believe my childhood was filled with abuse. I do remember being made keenly aware that when you do something wrong, we should feel a little uncomfortable – enough so that we regret doing the wrong in the first place.

Dr. Spock’s words created a parenting revolution, but was it for the better?

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