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

Posted in God, praise, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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.

Posted in aging, Faith, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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.

Posted in aging, courage, DAILY CHRISTIAN DEVOTION, Daily inspiration and devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

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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HAVE YOU MET JESUS?

Posted on November 14, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:14

Along with a change in the numbers of church going people today are the youngsters who are missing out on one of God’s greatest blessings to His people – the ability to share in His message of forgiveness of our sins and eternal life along with others in corporate praise and thanksgiving.

Christ used children as an example, because of the kind of childlike faith they exhibit.  What a perfect description.  We are all to become as little children, with minds open and willing to believe, because we trust Him.  It’s a tremendous responsibility for parents.  It isn’t about pushing them into a pew on Sunday morning or struggling to get them ready.  It’s about making sure they ‘re grounded in God’s Word from the beginning.

As I look back at the days when my children were toddlers – the memory of getting them out of bed on Sunday morning isn’t a pretty one.  They would much rather have stayed in bed.  As they grew into teenagers, this became even more of a struggle, but by then, they knew that crawling back under the covers wasn’t an option.  They were crabby, didn’t want to go, had incurable ailments, nothing to wear, every excuse in the book, but they went to church. Once there, it was another story.  Distractions were everywhere.  Cheerios in a plastic container would keep them quiet for a while, but the inevitable walk out in the middle of the sermon, became natural for us and them.  Soon the walks stopped and so did the wiggling.  As they grew older, in spite of the teenaged child occasionally falling asleep, the Holy Spirit was doing His work in their hearts.

OK, we were ramming it down their throats – some might say.  Aren’t we all like that at times?  Aren’t we all like kids when it comes to being told how we shouldn’t be doing something wrong?  We don’t like discipline, but if we’re to become responsible parents it’s vital.  Isn’t the word “sin” offensive?  Why would any caring parent want to instill that kind of fear into their precious child’s mind?

Well, God demands it of us.  We’re told in scripture to teach God’s Word to our children.  We’re required to start when they’re young.  It’s an admonishment from God Himself and a responsibility that many parents don’t want to do, for fear that it will scar their children.

What’s wrong with that kind of thinking?  Let’s take a look at children today.  Many of them are suffering from depression before they reach middle school.  Bullying is at an all-time high.  Children are committing suicide at an alarming rate.  Self-mutilation/cutting is not unusual.  Some have become reliant on drugs or alcohol to soothe the inner pain. They’re unhappy with their lives because something is missing from them.  They don’t have that fail/safe message that, even though we’re sinners, God loves us and has solved the problem.

Kids need to know they have a champion. So do the rest of us. We long for someone who will be with them throughout their lives, even when others fail them.  They’re longing for the safety and protection of a superhero.  They want to know that they have merit, that they’re loved, that a wonderful future is already laid out for them, both here and in eternity. 

So why is it important for parents to bring their children to church?  As children of God, we need a safe haven – a refuge from the horrors of the world.  Church is a place where we can share our love for God and thank Him for His grace. We can support, encourage and help each other.  We can prepare ourselves and them for the week ahead and for the rest of our lives.

Our children are on loan to us really.  They belong first to God.  He’s placed them in our care for a short time and it’s our duty to make sure they know about their true Father. Ask your kids ro take you to church this week to get reacquainted with Him. Your lives will never be the same.

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IS THERE A GOAT GENERATION?

Posted on November 13, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

The chart unfortunately doesn’t go back far enough, but most of those living today, will fit into one of these categories. Yesterday I posed a question and would still love to hear from you regarding the generation gap. The years from 1925 to 2024 have been witness to many great inventions, new ideas, unusual changes and a whole lot of question marks.

I am part of the Silent Generation. This doesn’t mean that our generation didn’t speak out. For the most part, we were the product of our predecessor, the Greatest Generation. Our parents struggled through many trials, disappointments and wars. They believed in God, country and the American dream. My generation was beginning to question the validity of wars. Protests were commonplace in regard to that. Race discrimination was still a big issue, boiling in a pot of hatred and separation. As an idealistic young college girl, I was aware of what was happening in my country, but for the most part, I spent hours in the public library, reading books and listening to classical music. I didn’t feel I could change the world around me. Over the next generations, I would witness a huge alteration in that opinion. More and more young people were rising up against various issues which would eventually lead to protests, riots and even incarceration. I didn’t have the courage to do so.

What do you think were the highs and lows of these generations? Finding out will maybe help us relate to each other, which is the beginning of understanding. So, my question for you to ponder today, has to do with this very thought. What is it that makes/made your generation good, bad or ugly? I am now a great grandmother, and the future is important to me as I wonder what this little man will face as he grows up. What will he become twenty years from now? Will he experience the pangs of war? Will he be responsible for great changes in society? We’ll he become the president of the United States or the leader of some corporation? OK, I’m reaching. Will he be happy or depressed by the condition of his world. Will he learn to rely on God to get him through the good and bad times? All I can do is pray that he will find his place and know that he is greatly loved. He will also learn that he has a God who is in control of everything.

Each generation has their faults, but they also have accomplished greatness. If we focus on the good rather than the bad, we will realize hope for the future. Those who hope in the Lord, will find peace in the future. He is the Greatest of all Time. GOAT!

Psalm 100:5: “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

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GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES . . .

Posted on November 12, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

I’m on a quest in search of opinions regarding generation gaps. My reason for this is that I’m involved in a program that is looking for ways to bridge the gap which exists between them. I know that when a child becomes a teenager, they don’t think their parents know much of anything. When that same child becomes an adult with children of his own, he wonders how his parents got so smart during those passing years. Having started out as part of the “Silent Generation,” I’ve seen the development of several different types over the years. I’m not an expert on any of them really, but I do know that what goes around, tends to come around again. Or as Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” This may make us wonder, but often what happened in the past will surface again at another time in history. It will just be packaged differently. For example, a lot of what is going on in 2024 was happening a hundred years ago.

The generation before me was the “Greatest Generation.” My parents were alive during the time of the Dust Bowl of 1930. They witnessed the Great Depression. The saw the ending of WWI and the beginning of WW2. They were involved in a worldwide epidemic in 1919 which was like the COVID disaster which rocked our world only a few years ago. This generation learned about manners, respect for those in authority, following God and His commands for life. The family unit was important too. Games were played at a table, not on a device. Most of them didn’t lock their doors – not because they felt safe in them, but because they had nothing of worth to steal. They knew the value of a dollar and worked very hard for every one of them. The recycled everything including diapers. Their name aptly describes them.

It seems like every generation has something going for it. We all endure hardships from time to time. Wealth can go away in an instant. Success is fleeting. Relationships fall apart or come together again. Marriage meant committing to another person for life. Live are cut short in many ways. In an instant life can be altered. Change is all around us and now in this era of technology, us old fogies are struggling with it. Maybe this is the place to start bridging the gap. Certainly, those youngsters with all their computer savvy, could help the older generation figure things out. We elders can help the youngers know the value of communication on a different level. We have a plethora of wisdom which has been gathered over so many years of learning and experience. Most of it has been forgotten along the way, but if our memories are still sharp, we can teach through them.

It seems that the gap is impossible to breach, but with God’s help, I believe we can. Since I’m beginning to research this subject, I would love some feedback – not only from the golden agers, but those just starting their journey. Understanding comes from talking to each other. Problems can be solved by that very thing. So please feel free to express your opinions on this topic. Thanks in advance.

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END OF A PERFECT DAY . . .

Posted on November 9, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Yesterday was a beautiful November day. The morning carried a bit of a chill in the air, but the sunshine made up for it. The Jewels of DeNial were invited to participate in a Veterans Day celebration. As many of you may know, this is a performance group of women over 55, me being the oldest. Veterans began to gather. You could tell many had been at this venue before and were eager to make connections once again. It was a morning filled with the presenting of the colors by the military color guard – always an inspirational ceremony. The American flag waved against a blue backdrop as you see in the pictures. There was a luncheon served – military style and we finished up the celebration with a snippet of one of our recent episodes. It was a great opportunity for these men, women and their families could come together, talk about current and past events and share memories. Truly, it was a blessing to see this unfold.

The afternoon was spent resting at home, followed by a delightful meal at a restaurant on a local golf course. It was just me and my own personal veteran airman from the 1960s. We shared an amazing dinner. We watched through sun filled windows as the golden orb descended into the horizon. We don’t often venture out to eat, but we were glad we did. Thank you, Jesus for another day.

“LET IT GO,” By Kathy Boecher
 
When darkness fills my sleeping nights and fears surround each hour,
When good news turns to deep concern and makes my day grow sour.
When perils of each passing day invade my tear-filled eyes,
I wonder if God hears my prayers, or does he hear my cries?
 
Confusion rages in my thoughts, I try to lift the load.
But it’s too heavy for these arms which now are turning old.
My mind is going up and down, like waves that fill the sea,
The turbulence is far too much for one like little me
.
The world is throwing challenges from every single port,
When wars still rage, and hate abounds we can’t begin to sort,
The answers seem to disappear, when they begin to form,
The shadows of a broken life leave nothing but a storm.
 
As hard as we may try to win, the struggles we must fight,
Trials cannot by us be won. Our dreams soon take to flight.
And when it seems impossible, that’s when God shows His face,
He reaches out to calm our fears, He cuddles us with grace
.
Instead, it would be easier to let God take that role,
To trust in His unfailing love, for things we can’t control.
To turn them over to the Lord, and trust He’ll find a way,
To give us rest and confidence to live another day.
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Posted in America, Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments