HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY . . .

Posted on February 2, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

February would seem to be an ordinary month. Nothing special really, but when you look at this page on your calendar, you’ll find all kinds of special days in the shortest month of the year. It may be that we all have cabin fever and need to fill our social calendars with things that will keep us from falling victim to that very illness. By February, we’re looking forward to spring in a big way. Driveways have been shoveled, cars brushed off and prayers said before turning the key to the ignition. We have had it with winter.

For many of us old fogies, going outside in below zero temperatures creates sinus issues, frozen fingers and toes and often brings on the sniffles and other respiratory problems. I’d like to think that germs in my body have died of old age, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. We tread carefully so we don’t fall and break any of our brittle appendages. We decide that it’s safer to say inside. We wait for February and the groundhog to see his shadow. I always have to be reminded if he sees his shadow will we have 6 more weeks of winter or what? As I look out my window this morning, I am viewing shadows all over the place. The sun is shining brightly leaving patterns on top of newly fallen snow. By the way, I don’t see any groundhogs – just some hardy Minnesota squirrels and a few feral cats. Does it count if they see their shadow?

Besides Groundhog Day, we find a number of celebrations to look forward to. Yesterday, the first day of the month is designated as “Freedom Day,” which kicks off Black History month. There was also a full moon yesterday. Opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics happens on February 6th in Italy. On February 8th the Super Bowl game will be played, and many will watch it to see the commercials or the half-time entertainment. February 11th I will celebrate Paul’s second rebirthday in heaven. February 14th is Valentines Day. Presidents Day is on the 16th. Mardi Gras will occur on February 17th with Ash Wednesday following on the 18th, and the beginning of the Lenten season as well as Ramadan.

The rest of the calendar is filled with some fun days like Cherry Pie Day on the 20th – I wonder if that started when George Washington cut down the cherry tree. On the 26th you can celebrate Tell a Fairy Tale Day. There’s also a day for hugging, loving your pet, donating blood and random acts of kindness. Sounds like a very special month.

The month of February is chock full of things to do. Meanwhile, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a little groundhog has just predicted six more weeks of winter. I wonder if that works for Minnesota or do we have our own groundhog? Even if Punxsutawney Phil says we’re going to have to endure six more weeks, he’s about as accurate as most meteorologists I’ve heard from.

Posted in Climate change, ground hog day, holidays, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

MYSTERIOUS . . .

Posted on February 1, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Happy February! Another page to turn on the calendar and thoughts of love abound. The painting I’m showing today is a mysterious look at a cliff-lined river right after sunrise. The contrast of dark on dark is apparent, just like our sin can appear to God. The intricate lines show the weight of the rock formations showing the depth our disobedience. It would be a rather somber painting, but the sun is the man focal point. As we enter this new month, let’s thank our Savior for giving us hope for a future without darkness. For loving us so much that He died for us. It didn’t end there. Instead of a journey into hell, we have received the gift of eternal life in a perfect paradise.

The path is strewn with peril, there’s danger all around,

A hydrothermal basin, steam rising from the ground,

You walk with trepidation, yet something draws you in,

The beauty that surrounds you, just covers up the sin,

Though others also walk there, it seems you aren’t alone,

The way is filled with danger for those who choose to roam,

Within the steaming vapors, the rising smoke invites,

It lures you with its mystery, it tempts you and excites,

The smell of putrid sulphur, invades your every pore,

The hissing, grumbling, belching, tells what you have in store,

A life of endless anguish, a never-ending thirst,

The scorching heat engulfs you, in flames you are immersed,

You think that life will end soon, but the terror’s just begun,

There is no turning back now, it cannot be undone,

But if you never go there, instead heed Jesus’ call,

His hand will guide and lead you, beyond death’s heavy pall,

By what He’s suffered for us, He takes away death’s sting,

His death and resurrection, Salvation He does bring,

No more will we be thirsty, in pastures green we’ll lie,

Eternal life He gives us and we will never die.

THANK YOU, JESUS FOR ANOTHER DAY – AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRAISE, THANK AND HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE YOU!

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, eternal life, Heaven, sin, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

SATURDAY REFLECTIONS . . .

Posted on January 31, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

I became a mom when I turned 24. I was blessed to experience the same feelings two more times. Parenting has taught me so many lessons about things I thought I knew when I was that age. How to forgive – how to love – how to sacrifice – how to understand and respect life and so much more. I could probably fill a book with all the experiences that parenting allows us. Being a responsible parent isn’t easy in times of turmoil and fear. How do you tell a child to be suspicious of strangers? How do you talk to them about random shootings? How do you teach them to respect others – God, parents and country? How do you find the words to explain violence, hatred, school invasions, etc.?

Each generation has their own way of parenting but let me be clear – it isn’t “generational.” This term seems to express being a slave to the past. When the elderly are considered stuck in their own muck or given to sticking with tradition, there must be at least an ounce of truth in it. Parenting is probably one of the most difficult jobs today. Especially when we live in such a state of confusion, and differences of cultures, beliefs and opinions. Many of the basics of raising children are written in the Bible. Most of them have gone by the wayside and become lost in the shuffle of living in a world of self-absorption.

If there was only a one size fits all solution to this condition. Parenting can often be considered a learn as you go experience. When you place God at the center of your family, you’re giving them the greatest gift for living. Having a family relies on our dependence on God’s providence and intervention. 

I found this poem, which I wrote when my oldest child and her family moved to another state far away from us. It was a time of letting go.

The moments have turned into days, the days turn into years.
We’ve watched you grow. We’ve seen success and now there come the tears.
I know I should be happy for all that lies ahead.
A new life to start – in God’s strong arms – so why do these tears I shed?
It’s so hard to say goodbye to those you call your own.
When they were young and starting out, who would have ever known,
that some distant day they would leave and cut a path alone.
I know The Lord will be with them, but my heart is breaking inside.
Take care of them, Lord, protect and sustain and with them always abide.

Posted in God, parenting, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

DIGGING UP THE PAST . . .

Posted on January 30, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

I planned on writing about archaeology today but stumbled upon this cartoon and couldn’t resist changing my thinking a little. A fake nose and glasses have always been a trigger for me to laugh. I’ve used them in various productions I’ve directed over the years. I even wore one as I arrived at the drive-up window of McDonalds, just to get a reaction.

Laughter aside, (even though it’s good for us to laugh) digging up the past can reveal a lot of ugliness along the way. Many folks are having their DNA tested to find out more about their heritage. Ancestry.com has become quite popular. Why do you suppose we have an interest in this? Perhaps we think we might locate a long-departed relative who was a nobleman or prince. We may go in search of an entrepreneur or successful person who made a fortune out of nothing. We don’t hope to find anyone of ill repute – someone who made headlines by robbing banks – or serial killers. The chances of that are slim, but possible.

When we look at Jesus history, there are a number of outstanding people. The Bible gives concise genealogical information in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Some of them we know about – King David, simple shepherd who killed a giant and eventually became the leader of the people of Israel. He lusted after someone else’s wife, committed adultery with her and plotted to have her husband killed in battle to cover up his actions. Eventually his guilt overtook him with the help of prophet Nathan he was led to repentance and forgiveness.

King Solomon followed in his father’s footsteps, by giving in to temptation. There are two women named “Tamar” worth mentioning. Both were daughters of fathers who lacked good parenting skills. Their stories are in the Old Testament. Rahab, the prostitute who helped in the defeat of Jericho by hiding the Israelite spies was rescued by them and is listed as the mother of Boaz. The list goes back to Abraham, Noah, Methuselah and others who were flawed in one way or another. Eventually we arrive at Seth, son of Adam and Adam, son of God.

We may be surprised when we look back at our own history, but we can be sure that the facts may have been peppered with things we didn’t expect or want to find. Jesus’ humanity is shown in these historical events. He was human, but He was also God, so he bore no sin. Because of that He was the perfect and final sacrifice. God always keeps His promises no matter how impossible they may seem.

Posted in history, Jesus, sin, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

HAPPY CURMUDGEON DAY . . .

Posted on January 29, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

Today is Curmudgeon Day. Who knew that we’d come to this. Actually, raising a glass of good cheer for those who have turned into the grumpy Muppets complaining in the balcony, seems common in these times. I don’t get out much anymore. I’m one of those curmudgeons that prefers distancing myself from the news and all the political noise. However, when I do take a short road trip to the grocery store, I still see smiling faces. They may be missing a few teeth, but they look happy. I also notice a lot of others like me, who search for a nearby shopping cart to use as a walker. There are those who use the handicapped parking spots who look quite fit. When I find myself spending too much time watching TV or looking at a computer screen, it’s therapeutic to get out and do some people watching.

A curmudgeon is usually associated with the elderly. I guess that would mean I’m one of them, but usually we think of men getting grumpier as time goes by. Of course, I don’t want to be considered sexist or intolerable. I must be careful not to be offensive to anyone – not because it’s the right thing to do, but it might cause activists to protest my thoughts and words. The point is, being a curmudgeon has no boundaries. You can be one, no matter how old you are.

The truth is, when we get old, we tend to have a lot more time on our hands. We spend much of that time looking out our windows. If you have a creative mind, you can conjure up all kinds of scenarios that might be happening right in your own neighborhood. You sometimes feel that now that you’re old, you have a right to be grumpy. The world owes you. We think about the past a lot and wonder why things aren’t like they used to be. We can’t believe the morality of today. We don’t understand a lot of things that are going on – not because we’re addled, but because most of it doesn’t match up to our way of thinking. We worry about money. Will there be enough to keep us alive for a few more years? We’re stressed about our health and mortality. We go crazy about the state of the world, politics, elections, relationships, people that don’t believe as we do. Most of those things are situations that just about everyone is concerned about. It’s not just the elderly.

We’re all unique. Even the grumpy folks we encounter from time to time. We all feel out of sorts some of the time. There is most likely a reason. We can’t walk in someone else’s shoes, but we can show understanding and compassion as they go through those difficult times. If we’re guilty of being the grumpy ones, ask God to turn things around in your mind. Focus on the positive things. Don’t give up. God also gives us wisdom in that department. 

Philippians 2:14-16 – “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

It’s Curmudgeon day. Make someone happy. Laugh with them. Lift them up and encourage them. Tell them you understand. Share a silly joke. Turn their frowns upside down. Share God’s love with them.

Posted in aging, anxiety, Chrstian daily devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

REDEMPTION . . .

Posted on January 28, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Through the cobwebs of existence – through the darkness of our strife –

Through the dankness of our sinfulness and wickedness of life

Through the deepest, darkest pits of hell and the helplessness we feel –

Comes a single beam of light from heaven our sinful hearts to heal.

The light grows stronger as we move to get a closer glance,

But as we reach to touch it, we’re enveloped in a trance.

It’s just within our reach we think, but no matter how we try,

We can’t escape the darkness that consumes us from all sides.

Just when we think that all is lost and relinquish every hope,

The light erases darkness and through it we can cope.

This little light from Bethlehem became a brilliant Star

That came to earth to save the world from sin’s most deadly scar.

He came in darkness of the night, but His brilliance cannot hide.

We are redeemed by His great might.  Hes always at our side.

Posted in America, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, freedom, redemption, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?

Posted on January 28, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

No, I am not taking sides, nor am I suggesting that we start a revolution. The Victor Hugo story, “Les Miserables,” has been in my brain for several weeks now. Victor was born just after the turn of the nineteenth century. He was a journalist, playwright, statesman and an activist. Being part of the Romantic Period of writing, most of his works are concerned with redemption – from political strife, from poverty, from corruption and from the classes of rich and poor. He is also known for writing “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Both of these works stir the heart and mind to thoughts of freedom, justice and truth.

“Les Miserables,” was made into a musical production which is still very popular today. Some amazing music came from this show. “Do You Hear the People Sing?” was one of them.

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again

When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free

These selected verses are words that seem to be resonating through our city. Angry voices – injustice – wanting to be heard. In our country, we are blessed to be able to protest peacefully. There are always two sides to any discussion or argument. Each side believes they are right and most of the time, they both have points to make that deserve a listening ear. Our freedom has been bought by the lives of many men and women who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

In the story of Jean Valjean, we see a poverty-stricken man imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. He manages to escape and slowly gains the freedom of being able to change his life. He takes on a new identity, starts a lucrative business and cares for the child of a homeless mother who has died from the depths of destitution. He has been redeemed but still has guilt hanging over his head. A determined law-enforcement officer has been tracking him down for years. He lives in fear of being found. In a way, we’re much like this man. We’re drowning in the depths of sin. We try on our own to make things right, but that sin follows us through life. True redemption is not something we can gain through good works. It is a gift of love given by God Himself. Through His sacrifice, the guilt is removed because our sins have been forgiven. The ransom has been paid. We can count on eternal life after death.

“The supreme happiness of life consists in the conviction that one is loved; loved for one’s own sake—let us say rather, loved in spite of oneself.” Jean Valjean

Posted in America, change, freedom, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

HIS WORD IS TRUTH . . .

Posted on January 27, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

Those of us who call ourselves writers, cannot compete with the oldest book in time. There is nothing like it. It’s the inspired Word of the One who created time and eternity. It’s His Spirit being penned by human hands. Through it, we have a description of how our world was made. We have a perfect recorded history of mankind, his mistakes, his foolishness, his self-reliance and his disobedience. We see the war between good and evil. We learn how to live within God’s perfect plan for our lives. We also learn that God loves us. He’s shown that through the final sacrifice of His only begotten Son, who suffered and died for us. We are guaranteed eternal life when we believe in our triune God. Because of that, we will never die. God reveals His trued nature to us through it. We know that we’re loved and will never be alone.

The words within this amazing book have survived centuries. They’ve been revised, reprinted, restored to their original form through their original languages. The Bible will remain until the end of time. It is the truth. So, why have we neglected it in the past century? We look at these ancient manuscripts and wonder how they apply to us today. We let them sit on a coffee table to gather dust. We may open the pages when we’re feeling disappointed, sad or fearful. We read it when we’re looking for answers. We thumb through the pages or search the Internet for passages that will comfort us. Most of the time we go to it as a last resort.

The answers we seek about our current problems are in this book. The strength and fortitude we need to push through the ugliness of our world, are printed on its pages. Our faith, our trust, our interaction with others, our ability to work through things that cause us worry are all packed into the scriptures. God breathed the words.

When you feel you can’t go on living in a society filled with hate and anger, this is exactly where you should go for answers. When you feel the world has nothing to offer – when your money runs out before the end of the pay period – when relationships suffer – when addiction grabs hold of you – when disease invades your body – when families drift apart – when all the downers of life seem to rest on your shoulders – you can find words in the Bible to encourage, restore, renew, revive, comfort, inspire and keep you pressing on for the final prize.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “there’s an app for that.” The Bible is so much more. It’s a way of life.

POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

Your Word, Lord, is perfect, its teachings are true,

By faith we believe this, not by what we do,

The words can give strength to our weak minds each day,

Our path is made straight through the things that you say,

You reach out your hand and you touch me with love,

I long for the day you return from above.

Posted in Bible, God, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

WHAT’S ALL THE NOISE ABOUT?

Posted on January 26, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

The definition of cognitive dissonance is one way to look at what’s going on in the world today. It emanates thoughts of confusion, discord and disorganized thinking. When we’re affected by this malady, our brain seems to go on overload. We’re surrounded by conflicting news reports. We see photos and videos of scenes which arouse anger and frustration. We try to make sense of it with our limited intelligence. We try to escape it by turning off the news. None of those solutions can be achieved because we’re trapped in a world of instant communication. Social media becomes a sounding board for opinions. Anger rises. People are blamed. Politicians are scoffed. Law enforcement is scorned. What was intended to make people aware through peaceful protests, becomes infected with activists who make a point of turning them violent.

We can’t ignore what’s going on in the world. We can’t hide in the safety of our homes. We cannot give into things that affect life and death situations. What we can do is maintain common sense. Rage, hate and anger don’t solve problems. They simply fuel the fires of discontent. When our morality is challenged – when hatred gets in the way of talking and listening to each other – when we become divided as family and friends – when the dissonance of unrest becomes a cacophony of white noise that drifts throughout the crowds – we actually become part of the problem.

History has proven the effects of mob mentality. We need to voice our opinions, yet we also should be aware of people’s feelings. When name-calling becomes the fare of the day, it has turned into childish behavior. Division leads to cracks in relationships. It becomes a battle between who’s right and who’s wrong – and of course everyone thinks they’re right. Wars can result from such division.

Some might believe that God has abandoned us. It would certainly seem that way. We’ve all been overtaken with grief at one time or another. We witness injustice on a daily basis. We’re slowly being eaten up by the devil and all his minions if we give up. Instead of blaming God for the tragedies of life, let’s remember who created it perfectly. Let’s realize that He can change things in an instant. He will carry our burdens. He will give us relief from all the cognitive dissonance of the world. He has promised an eternal life for all those who believe, follow and serve Him. Instead of running from Him, we should be racing towards Him for help. He alone is our refuge and strength.

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord, Jesus, Christ, that all of you agree and there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV

Posted in America, anger, change | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

DARKENED SUN BEAMS . . .

Posted on January 25, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

In this watercolor painting by Paul, you can see the use of various sizes and shapes of brushes which he used to create lines, surfaces, contrast and rays of light. With very few colors he created different hues to bring magic to this painting. He loved doing lighthouses. They represent a refuge – a beacon in a dark time or space – a call to the lost. Paul knew that it wasn’t really magic. His brushes were guided by His Creator.

This particular painting shows the use of a liner brush to create definition throughout. The rocks upon which the lighthouse stands are roughed-out crags which have been shaped over the constant thrashing of the sea. Sweeping strokes define the wind and its power. The beams that pour from the light itself, seem dark but still convey the presence of straight lines leading the lost to the safety of land.

As we walk through this journey of life there are many ups and downs to face on a daily basis. We can be crushed by the waves that try to cover us, or we can reach out to God who provides preservation. We make decisions that seem right but need His guidance to make sure. We can succumb to the noise of this world. We can be overcome by the drowning sounds of death and destruction, but only our God can direct us to safety. When things become confusing – when we don’t know what to pray for” – when all seems lost and hopeless – we can count on the One who carries us through this pilgrimage. God wants us to be wise in our choices. Through His wisdom, we will. Through His Word, we will find the right words. Through His forgiveness, we will reach our final destination safely.

“You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.” Psalm 89:9 ESV

Posted in America, God, prayer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

CLOTHED IN ICE . . .

Posted on January 24, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

“In our world too, a stable had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.” (spoken by Lucy) C.S. Lewis “The Chronicles of Nania”

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The painting I’ve chosen for today is a watercolor depicting a winter day in the city. The buildings, the trees, the grounds are covered with a coating of ice and a dusting of snow. It makes me think of C.S. Lewis’ world of Narnia. Of course, that was a fantasy world of which fairy tales are made, but I believe that there is such a place where the promise of green pastures abides. Where all our needs are provided for us at no cost. Where peace and contentment reign. Where there is no sin, no darkness, no hate, no pain, no lack of good. We cannot begin to imagine such a place. It is the eternal paradise that God intended for mankind in the beginning.

God’s breath weaves its way through fields and cities across the land.

Temperatures fall so quickly. You might easily freeze your hand.

Cloaked in the pureness of white, holding deep darkness within,

Preserving what lies below, but it cannot cover sin.

The icy fingers of death reach out for someone to steal,

Though we fight the sting of death, our end cannot be concealed,

The purity of God’s Son was needed to pay the price,

He rose to life once again, we live through His sacrifice.

Days may seem dark right now, but God has given us the only hope we can rely upon. He has a plan. He knows what we need. He will never leave us. He is consistent. He has our future in His hands, so we know the outcome will be good. The ice will melt. The cold will disappear. New life will return, just as it does when we die. Eternity is waiting for those who believe.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

Posted in America, anxiety, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

IS CURSIVE WRITING OBSOLETE?

Posted on January 23, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

Today is Friday – the end of the work week – the beginning of the weekend – and it’s also National Handwriting Day. Who would’ve thought that we’d be honoring this means of communication, but then why shouldn’t we? I’ve always enjoyed receiving a letter or greeting card that was written and signed in beautiful handwriting. I used to do a pretty good job of writing in cursive. It’s how I was taught from my early days of learning. Attention to detail – keeping the line straight without having a line to guide you – different pen points to highlight – fancy looking letters that were readable. As the youth of today would say, it’s a “generational” thing. I have grown tired of that idiom because it makes me feel old. So many of the things that we used to put value on, no longer exist because they’ve been replaced by technology.

Today, handwriting in itself has become somewhat obsolete with the entrance of the computer age. I must admit giving way to that practice myself. There are huge varieties of fonts in various sizes and boldness. What we used to painstakingly spend a great deal of time producing has now turned into an app for that.

When I was long distance letter writing to my future husband when he was in the service, I would display my affection for him through the handwritten word. He, on the other hand, preferred printing the words. As time went by, I would eventually give up cursive writing, but there was something romantic about the former. When I was directing student plays, I found it necessary to print my notes rather than using the formal style of writing. It took me longer to print, but the students could not read cursive, so I gave into their needs by printing my suggestions for them. I guess the art of handwriting is now related to the nostalgic things of our past. I never kept a journal until recent years. I wrote most of my entries in cursive. Now that I look back at them, I have a hard time deciphering what they say. Guess I’ll just have to put them in a file on my computer. I wonder what the future holds for ways of communicating.

Change can be seen as good for the most part, but some things never go away completely. I hope that taking time to write to someone in beautifully hand-crafted words never does.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

Posted in change, generations, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

THE JOY IS IN THE GIVING . . .

Posted on January 22, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

O.K. enough of this gloom and doom stuff. The last few days my posts have reflected my feelings. Most of these words were not meant to bring people down. There’s enough of that in the news. Unfortunately, reality isn’t great right now. However, we are living in this world and the only way I can see for us to make it through any kind of difficulty is to direct our eyes to God’s Word. His voice is clearly in the inspired word.

Jesus said this to His audience, “I have said these things to you so that, in me you may have peace. In this word you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

Those words of reassurance should give us all kinds of hope when it looks like there is none. Jesus knew what His mission was. It wasn’t pretty. He would suffer torture, pain, suffering and death, but He was willing to do so. He went uncomplaining to the cross and took with Him all the sins of the world. That’s more than an act of random kindness. It’s the gift that was given without expectation – or unconditional love. His death led to resurrection, which is what we have to look forward to when we believe.

When Jesus spoke the sermon on the Mount, He said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life. what you will eat or what you will drink, nor your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25 ESV

Our acts of random kindness are nothing like the gift we received from God, but He wants us to give from our heart without expecting reward. There are so many little ways we can do that. We can make a meal for someone who is homebound. We can pray for them. We can send a note of encouragement. We can shovel a sidewalk, clean a house, offer your services freely to someone who can’t afford them. We can give a welcome hug. We can say, “I love you,” and mean it. We can take care of the child of a single parent who can’t afford childcare. We can send them a silly emoji to make them smile. We can listen to their story.

Yesterday was the first day in a long time that I was able to get out of the house and do some shopping. As I searched for a parking place close to the entrance, a woman was going to her car and noticed me. She pointed to her car, which was in a perfect spot. After she filled her trunk, she pointed to the shopping cart as if to ask if I wanted to use it. My heart was filled with joy at that simple act. I was able to use the cart as a walker to get me into the store and was close enough that I wouldn’t run out of breath. The woman didn’t know me, yet she saw that I was in need of help and provided it without question. I hope she knows that a simple act like that made my day. It gave me hope in humanity again.

As I entered the store, I saw people smiling and helping each other. I actually felt like I was on a different planet. The world will always look dark when you are hidden behind dirty windows. Being cooped up, I was exposed to the darkness in the sounds of the news, the internet and social media. My mood was getting darker by the minute. Some would say, I just needed to get out of the house, but I feel this simple act of kindness was a lesson I needed to learn. There are still people who care about each other. There is kindness out there. We simply have to look for it.

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DAYS OF OUR LIVES . . .

Posted on January 21, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

Betty White had a long life, filled with trials and loss. She also was a funny lady who appeared as the naïve lady from Minnesota who always tried to find the best in every situation. Her dimpled smile made us laugh for many years on the Golden Girls. I wonder how her character would react to what’s going on in Minnesota right now. Pretty much of everything you can imagine is happening here and it’s truly hard to keep on smiling – even for Rose.

We moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota in 1973. Our first impression of the state was how welcoming it was. People had a different way of talking. It wasn’t really an accent or dialect. It was just plain down-home Minnesotan. The only skyscraper was the Foshay Tower in the center of downtown. The Mississippi River ran through it both cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. It was a beautiful extension of Wisconsin, which made the move easier. Over time, more big buildings popped up. Population increased. We raised our three children here, made many friends and were able to have jobs that we loved. Something happened to the friendly attitudes along the way. People became more isolated. We made most of our friends through the churches we attended but also stayed connected to the real world. Politics changed. We even had a former professional wrestler as governor. In 2020 we fought, along with the rest of the world, a plague that would further isolate us. For five years we became sequestered from the rest of the population. Somewhere along the line the Minnesota of 1973 was no more.

Today our streets are filled with protests – mostly well-intentioned but often scarred with activists that turn things ugly. The news media stirs the pot and the average person gets riled up. We became a sanctuary state welcoming immigrants who went through the legal process of gaining their citizenship. We are considered a very liberal state. In the past twenty years or so, the protests continue. Many become out of control. Lives have been lost and law enforcement has taken a big hit. Law and order have been under attack. Along with that, Minnesota is under investigation for massive fraud which has allocated government funds into the wrong hands. What happened to my state?

This week has been designated a week of prayer for Christian unity. I wonder if anyone realizes that. It makes me sad to think we set aside only one week. Jesus gave us instructions to love one another in His Sermon on the Mount, yet we’re seeing so much division among those who disagree. We used to be able to listen to people’s opinions. We used to work together for the good of our country. We used to help each other when we needed to. Disagreement turns into anger and anger progresses to hate. We’re all children of God. We have different ideas on how to deal with things, but the minute we start thinking we’re better than those we disagree with, we’ve started to behave like less than human beings. If equality is ever to happen, that’s a good starting point.

I guess I’m a lot like Rose, from the Golden Girls. I recommend being positive in a negative world. I pray that we can set aside our differences and talk to each other without anger. That we can learn from our past mistakes and finally work together in a friendly way. Yes, I am naïve, but I also believe that even in the chaos of our lives, God has a plan. He’s had it since the beginning of time. He never changes, even though our lives are constantly in a state of flux. When we look to Him for hope in hopeless situations, we can be sure that He will answer.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY. I KNOW YOU HAVE A PURPOSE FOR ME TODAY. USE ME TO BRING PEACE TO OTHERS – TO LOVE THEM EVEN WHEN I DISAGREE WITH THEM – TO FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE FOR LIVING TOGETHER IN UNITY AND HARMONY. AMEN!

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STAY THE COURSE . . .

Posted on January 20, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

A typical news day throws headlines at us that would depress even the most hard hearted of people. We read things like “Abolish I.C.E,” or “Brutal temperatures in Midwest,” or “Incredible Fraud in Minnesota,” or “Iran Threatens Massive Response,” or – well I could go on and on, but you get the picture. I’ve also seen comments like, “This is like a return to COVID-19,” or “A Dictator in the White House,” or “Stop the Insanity.” This is what we’re exposed to on a daily basis. You can turn off the news, or discard the newspaper, or you can get involved in the insanity, or you can go into a deep state of depression.

The symptoms of depression are many and most of us have experienced them from time to time. Emotionally we become sad most of the time – we lose interest in things that used to give us enjoyment – we feel hopeless. Physically, we feel fatigued, our sleep patterns change and changes in diet occur. Mentally we may isolate ourselves, we lose motivation to do anything and we retreat. Add to that the goings on in the world, your personal life, health and life and death situations, we’re all bound for the nuthouse. So, where do we go when this is happening to just about everyone today?

Severe depression requires professional help, but there are things we can do to relieve some of the pressures that we face. The ideas of running away to a deserted island or a different country or planet can sound appealing, but not practical. God doesn’t want our existence to be filled with anxiety and worry. In fact, His plan for our lives has been predestined before we ever came to be. I had a recent comment on one of my posts that expressed the hope for a world that would be filled with people of like opinions and beliefs. Where everyone got along, where we never disagreed, where there was no hate or anger or deceit or violence. I totally agreed with the person but added that we’ll never experience that on this side of eternity.

What does God say about all this? There are many comforting words in the Bible that we can draw on. We can pray specifically for things that make us depressed. We can talk to someone about our feelings. We can get involved in a positive way. We cannot run away from the difficulties of life. Even when the times seem ripe for Jesus to return, we have no control over that. Even when the darkness seems to be pushing out the light, there is always hope. Jesus is the Light of the world. Turn to Him. He has promised to give your heart rest and to carry the burden for you. Have faith that He never changes. His consistent, unconditional love is available to all.

When life gets tough we sometimes feel we have to run away.

We look at things much differently with every passing day.

It seems too complicated to stay and go the course.

We cave to selfish thinking. We give in to remorse.

This force can pull us far away. It saps away our hope,

It leads us to a web of fear where we can’t even cope.

It pulls us in – devours us – and spits us out again –

It doesn’t care about us. Our souls it might obtain.

To fight these awful feelings which leave us all alone,

We have to change these hearts of ours, which now have turned to stone.

“Come follow me,” our Savior says, “come walk with me today.”

“I’ll take your hand and lead you and help you find your way.”

You can’t escape the woes of life ’til death is at your door,

But when you trust in Jesus, He’ll give you so much more.

Stop running from the Prince of Peace, instead run to His arms.

He’s waiting just to help you and free you from life’s harms.

POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

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HE HAD A DREAM . . .

Posted on January 19, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

Today we honor the man, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the work he accomplished in the 1960’s.   I remember viewing his “I have a dream” speech on television as a young woman. I especially recall his words about looking forward rather than back.  To be truly free, we must put the past behind us, yet our past gives us lessons for the future.

The world has changed tremendously since Dr. King gave this address to a divided nation.  However some things have remained the same.  There still is injustice within our country.  Prejudice still remains and new divisions have occurred in the last 50 years.  Terrorism has reared its ugly head. New cells are breaking out everywhere.  Because of that we’ve all lost part of the freedom that our nation has shed so much blood to preserve.

We have to be careful what we say – how we respond to other cultures, ideas and beliefs – being so politically correct that our own faith is often placed on the line.  Have we really stopped looking back?  I think not.  We are probably now more afraid than ever that we might offend someone – that we no longer have the freedom to stand up for what we believe is right.

I think Dr. King would have been deeply offended at the change that has occurred in our country.  His words of tolerance and peace have been tarnished to include tolerance of any kind of behavior.  To be truly free, we need to look forward.  Our destiny is not going to be determined by anything we do.  It has already been set by the Creator of the universe.  God is in control and the death and resurrection of His Son has set the entire world free from the sting of sin and death.  We are ALL free at last.  

To soar with the eagles no matter how high,
To reach all my goals or at least I can try,
To try and to fail but never give up,
to turn to my God to fill my cup,
To speak what I feel without fear of dissension,
To believe what I choose without intervention,
To live without fear and to follow my dreams,
To love and be loved with a peace that redeems.
The only thing needful for freedom that’s true
Is to love one another as Jesus loved you.

POETRY “FREEDOM RINGS,” by Kathy Boecher

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IN THE DARKNESS . . .

Posted on January 18, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

I came across another box of watercolor paintings recently – surprise, surprise! Paul’s many years of creating art seem to pop up just when I think I’ve seen them all. What a special gift he’s left for me and others.

A city of blazing lights may cover all the ugliness of a darkened world,

The world that lies beneath the bridge of deception, hate, fear and addiction,

Under the hidden territory where sin abounds,

There, shrouded in the shadows, the real world dwells,

The cloak of evil captures those who would go there,

There is no light, no hope, no promises,

Only loneliness,

When sin overtakes the light, nothing can hide the darkness,

Nothing,

Yet, there is one light that never dies,

A light that lives in the hearts of those who believe,

The true Light of the world,

This light can extinguish the darkness,

Only this One dominating light,

Can swallow up eternal obfuscation,

Through which we can find our way,

Becoming light itself,

Just as a small ember grows and ignites everything in its path,

Don’t hide in the shadows,

Follow God’s Light.

With all that’s going on in the world today, I can’t help but think that darkness is on a fast track to covering the goodness that will eventually prevail. God is the light that created the world. He alone can fix it, but we have to be part of the solution. We can voice our opinions through peaceful protests. We can rethink the way we interact with people. We must be willing to start over. We can make a difference in little ways which will eventually turn into real change. We can turn off the anger and hate which seems to be part of the current dialogue. We can listen to each other. We can be slow to speak and when we do, the words we choose can make it matter. We can wait patiently for truth to come. We can rely on the One who wants only the best for us. We can learn to trust again through example. We can pray. We can stir the luminosity of patriotism and allow the light to grow. Even when it seems hard to endure, we can believe that God has this.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY! HELP ME TO SEE YOUR LIGHT AND BE A REFLECTION OF YOUR LOVE.

Posted in America, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, sin, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A DIFFERENT TIME & PLACE . . .

Posted on January 17, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY & PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Taking a trip back in time has been in the back of minds for many years. The thought of erasing all the ugliness and evil of current events is naturally appealing. This watercolor pencil sketch crafted by Paul shows in detail the way things might have been a hundred and fifty years ago. There were churches on just about every street corner, along with a bar or two peppered in between. Cities were constructed by manpower rather than through the Industrial Revolution. They lasted longer than most current buildings do. People weren’t afraid to leave their homes unlocked when they went outside. Neighbors took the time to chat for a while and sincerely ask how you were doing, without running away before you told them. Community was strong and people cared about each other. I’m not saying that doesn’t exist today, but we seem to have drifted further apart during those intermittent years.

Jesus told his followers that they should love one another as they loved themselves. This was in practice and called the “golden rule” a hundred years ago. What happened? Life became more complex, even though many of the tasks were taken over by machines, and free-time became available. That should’ve brought people together, but instead they retreated into bigger homes, which required larger incomes from two parents bringing home the bacon. More expensive homes followed with amenities that would’ve been reserved for the rich. A second, third and fourth car might be required. Fancy vacations with high price tags came next. Even with all those luxuries, families drifted apart. Friendships took a hit too. When people did converse, they might become argumentative. I see many of those churches now empty. Some are being sold because of lack of attendance. People opt for the “feel good – no mention of sin churches” or watc live streams on their mega TV screens in the comfort of their own homes. They also miss the fellowship which comes with attending church regularly – not to mention the truth of God’s Word which heals broken souls.

It might be awesome to retreat to better times, but times haven’t changed much – people have. We’ve grown suspicious of each other. We lack trust in our friends and neighbors. We feel safe in our homes because they’re protected by security systems. We lock are doors anyway. We’re surrounded by those who steal from the taxpayers to line their own pockets. There are those who enter our country illegally and take advantage of government programs. Maybe we should look forward instead of back and see what we can learn from past mistakes. God gives each of us a second chance. Many times, it’s more like a third and fourth chance. If we ask for forgiveness with repentance in our hearts, His love endures forever. We all have ideas on how to solve the problems of the world, but only God has the answers we need.

A simple time when days were filled with elementary things,

Like gathering wood and breathing air and songs that nature brings,

Enjoying all the scenes of life within our earthly pale,

And leaving all the cares behind when life starts growing stale,

To start each day with wonderment, instead of fear and care,

To feel the hand of God near you, His closeness there to share,

To contemplate the quiet things and not be self absorbed,

To turn your troubles to the Lord, you’ll surely be restored,

That simple place is in your heart, a place where Jesus dwells,

A place of calm and comfort too, where all our fear dispels.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

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SKIPPING STONES . . .

Posted on January 16, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

As I sit here by my side window, looking at an expanse of dirty snow and a cloudy sky, I can’t help but think about warmer days, enjoying a swim at the lake and skipping stones as a child. I never got very good at skipping stones. Most of the time, I’d throw and kerplunk! The stone immediately descended to the bottom of the lake never to be seen again. It’s easy to sit back and dream of the olden days when you’re old. I’m learning (even in my old age) that keeping my mind busy is as necessary as taking care of the physical self. That part of me has been quite inactive lately, so I better keep looking out my window to keep my mental state in good working order.

When I choose a subject for my blog, I sometimes have to dig down into the recesses of my brain. For some reason, the thought of skipping stones came to mind. As I recall, my expertise left a lot to be desired, but it was such fun watching others spin those rocks right across the surface of the water leaving a trail of ripples where the rock had been. As I usually like to research what I’m talking about, I did so this morning and found some interesting facts about this phenomenon. This has become a national pastime for some folks. In fact, there are contests that test the participants’ skills. The Guiness World Record tallies the results of these competitions. In 2013, Kurt Steiner broke the record by skipping a stone for 88 bounces.

There is naturally a lot of science behind this. Since it includes physics, I don’t have a clue as to the reason behind it. Some relate this anomaly to the force that allows a person to get up on water skis. I was never very good at that either. I do know that it’s best to use flat rocks. If you’re lucky you can make it happen on the first try, but most of those who are really serious about it, practice for hours to be good at it.

All of this led me to thinking about how this can be applied to our witnessing to others about the One who created us. He loves it when we talk to others about eternal life and sins forgiven. I wonder if Jesus ever skipped stones across the water. Anyway, when we work together our voices are eventually heard. Each tossing of that truth begins a ripple effect which spreads quickly. Just a thought, but how do you send out ripples when it comes to sharing the amazing truth of the Gospel? It doesn’t happen by watching the day pass by your window. We need to be active in our witnessing, especially in a world that is screaming for change.

“But God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:17 ESV

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POWER OF PRAYER . . .

Posted on January 15, 2026 by atimetoshare.me

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 ESV

As our world continues to grow and the sense of community is lost to the busyness of every day, we may forget to pray for others. There are times we don’t even know that our friends or family need our prayers.  There are a number of reasons for that. We might be afraid to open up our lives to others.  We may feel ashamed or embarrassed by the things that we’re concerned about.  We may not want people to know we’re suffering with an illness or loss, because we think it’s a sign of weakness.  We may think we don’t need the prayers of others, because our relationship with God is a private thing between us and God.  We may want to handle things ourselves.

When Jesus taught His followers how to pray in His Sermon on the Mount, He made it clear what our prayers should include.  Our words should be from the heart – not just words that outwardly make a show of ourselves. Prayers should be done in private – with the doors closed – in a closet, no less. So, what about the image I’ve chosen for today’s post? It shows a number of people praying together – for each other. Have we forgotten how to do that? Each one of us is facing some kind of problem, illness, loss, anxiety, depression, fear, etc. When we pray together, we’re amplifying our voices to the One True God. Not that He doesn’t hear the most silent of our prayers. In doing this, we are joining together our belief in God’s providence and provision. Not only are we praying for each other, but also for ourselves.

In the words of His very own prayer, He tells us to honor and praise God, the Father – to forgive others – ask for our own forgiveness – have our daily needs provided – to be kept safe from temptation. He wants those words to spill onto all those around us.  We really need to get back to a community of people who care about each other.  This is part of the reason people go to church – to be encouraged by the Word, to praise God, to give thanks to Him and to be in fellowship with other Christians.

Don’t be afraid to share your prayer requests with others.  God loves it when we pray together with sincere hearts.  Jesus also said that where two or three are gathered in His name, He will be there with them.

THANK YOU JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY TO OPEN OUR HEARTS IN CORPORATE PRAYER. YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL UNDERSTANDING, JUSTICE AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

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