CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS – SCROOGE

Posted on December 6, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

The image of the child, Charles Dickens, is so precious. A young lad from the Victorian Period of history grew up to become a famous novelist with stories based on many of the people he interacted with throughout his young life. He was born on February 7, 1812 and died at the young age of 58. During his lifetime he was a voracious reader and writer, often using characters from his life experiences to craft his amazing works. I believe that there is a plethora of writing material obtained from our own stories. He used his short lifetime to create masterpieces of literature, including the familiar story of Scrooge and his redemption in “A Christmas Carol.”

I think the reason the story of Scrooge remains such a classic is because we can all relate to him. When three ghosts take him on his journey through time, we see a young boy growing up in the streets of London without a strong family unit. The backstory of Scrooge was a father who was bitter against him because of the death of his wife while giving birth to him. As he grew up and became obsessed with work and less involved socially, the only love he knew refused to marry him because of it. All of these negative events in his life took place during the Christmas season.

That may be the way it is for us too. We work twice as hard to make ends meet. Our focus becomes so narrow that the joy of Christmas is often lost in our own needs and desires. Many people get depressed during the holidays. In the story, Scrooge simply snuffed the ghost out with his hat, but it’s not always that easy to get rid of the things that bring us down. You may be going through some financial problems right now. You may have a marriage in need of repair. You might be overwhelmed by a disease that has sealed your last days. Whatever you are going through at this time of the year, it seems to be magnified so much by all that is happening during a season that should be filled with joy.

When Scrooge wakes on Christmas morning, his whole attitude is changed. Was it because he was fearful of dying? Was it because he realized the truth of Christmas and the wonderful news of having a second chance? We all have that same opportunity. We have been gifted with a most amazing treasure which doesn’t cost us a cent. The Savior of the world, Jesus.

Dear Savior, help all those whose hearts are heavy at this time of year. Allow them to realize that you love them with the greatest love ever known and you invite them into your arms each day. Thank you also for Christmases past. They can teach us so much about ourselves. Amen!

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

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JOSEPH, A MAN OF FAITH & HONOR

Posted on December 5, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Nazareth was an insignificant small-town set in the hill country just a few miles from the Sea of Galilee. It had a population of about 400 people who were mostly Jewish in heritage.
Everyone knew everyone else. Any news would travel fast in this little village. The Hebrew word for Nazareth means “”branch.” This could relate to the prophesy in Isaiah 11:1 “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” The story of our Savior begins in this town. Through angelic visits, Mary would receive the news about her immaculate conception. Her betrothed husband, Joseph, would also be approached by an angel in a dream. The angel assured Joseph that Mary’s child would be from God. It had to take a lot of faith, trust and courage for him to believe this, but he did.

Joseph was a carpenter by trade. His hands were likely rough from chiseling away at a piece of wood or stone all day, but they were also strong from handling those materials. Some suggest that he was a skilled stone craftsman as well since wood wasn’t in great abundance. In any event, he was considered an artist. He taught his stepson, Jesus, the trade as they worked together in those early years.

Joseph was used to working hard. He probably had been doing it since he was a boy himself. Things were going well for him. He was engaged to a young woman; he had a trade; he was a man on the move. Life was good. Then something happened that would change his life forever. The angel of the Lord appeared to this average “Joe” with an announcement that would change the course of history. Like Mary, he accepted what the angel told him with a heart of faith even though the whole idea was incomprehensible to him.

There are so many times in our lives that we feel secure and then something happens to completely throw us off guard. I pray that I could have even an ounce of the faith that Mary and Joseph displayed when being confronted with such shocking news. Joseph could’ve walked away from Mary and follow the Jewish law which stated he could divorce her from their marriage contract, but that would mean that she would likely be stoned to death. His love for Mary kept him on the right path. His confrontation by the angel sealed the deal. He would take on the role of stepfather as was directed by God Himself.

God, give me strength in the knowledge that you control my life and thus give me peace because I know you are the best one to be in charge.

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ANGELS AMONG US . . .

Posted on December 4, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

This time of year is filled with lights of all kinds – festive events – beautiful choral music – gifts – anticipation – excitement – stories – and angels. The Bible talks about angels being present from the beginning of time. These servants of God had all sorts of jobs to do. They weren’t just delegated to a cloud where they would sing all day long. I guess that’s what it must be like in heaven. I’ll find out when I get there, but I imagine that God has a purpose for each one of us in heaven, just as He has outlined our lives here on earth.

Getting back to angels – there was one who made a name for himself when he appeared to the virgin, Mary. He was to deliver a message that would change her life forever. Not only her life, but those of every human being to inhabit the world. A young woman, who was already pledged to Joseph, would become pregnant with the Son of God. Imagine all the thoughts that ran through her mind after getting this news. She had a lot of explaining to do. First to her family – then to her future husband – and finally to the community she lived in. Being pregnant before marriage was frowned upon. For her to say that she became pregnant without intercourse, was also questionable. Tongues would wag as this girl would be called upon to explain her condition. Her “good news” from Gabriel would put her in a very awkward position.

Gabriel had been bringing messages for some time. In fact, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, who was deemed barren, would be told by him that she would conceive and bear a child in her advanced age. Her husband didn’t believe her. Elizabeth even laughed it off. Gabriel knew better. The news of her pregnancy came before Mary’s, but it was all part of the salvation plan God had prepared for the world. When Elizabeth and Zechariah welcomed their son, John into the world, they knew that this was God’s doing. John would become the forerunner of his relative, Jesus and prepared the way for Him.

Do angels exist? I believe they do. The Bible has a lot to say about them. Satan was once an angel, but he didn’t like taking a back seat to God. I’ve witnessed many angels in my lifetime as “people” who have been placed there by God. Especially in times of suffering, anxiety or great need, God always provides them to watch over us.

At the time when Gabriel made these important visits, the world was in much the same situation as it is today. It was darkened by the shadow of sin. It was polluted by immorality. The nation of Israel was under Roman rule. The political climate was fierce. It was on a road to hell and destruction. All of this prompted God to make such a time as this, the perfect time to send a Savior to the world. Jesus, His own Son, carried by a virgin who trusted God completely, even though her reputation had been put on the line. She confidently prayed to her Heavenly Father these words.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46-55

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THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Posted on December 3, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!

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CHRISTMASES PAST – PART THREE

Posted on December 2, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Picture this – You are about to embark on a family visit to see the grandparents. You can’t afford to kennel the dog. You have three kids ages 0-7 You load up the station wagon with enough clothes to get by for three days. The playpen is included with the luggage, dog kennel and dog. Christmas presents and homemade baked items are stuffed into the empty spaces. It’s about 20 degrees outside and a blizzard is expected between Minneapolis and Milwaukee. You’re hearing the familiar, “Are we there yet?” starting within the hour. The camp songs have run out along with your patience. It starts to snow, creating a beautiful landscape, sparkling like diamonds. Within half an hour the snow is falling sideways, and blizzard conditions are now in effect. Don’t you just love holiday road trips with kids? We made it a tradition, that would run out when our kids grew into their teen years and the grandparents would begin to come to us.

You continuue your road trip and see cars in the ditch along with frustrated travelers trying to figure out how they’re going to survive in the now dropping temperatures. You try to maintain your sanity as “Are we there yet,” has become a recurring theme. You start to fall asleep to escape the mass hysteria that’s now ebbing within the confines of your temporary house on wheels. Suddenly red lights are seen flashing in the distance. Another accident. Time to stop. Pull into an all-night truck stop. Get out of the car. Go in. You have entered the Twilight Zone. Others who are trying to reach their destination are huddled together, sipping on coffee and hot chocolate. Mind you, this is the age of no cell phones – no ability to text and let people know where you are – the Internet has not yet been invented. In those days, you had to wing it. So we did. We joined the group of travelers in the huddle.

Every Christmas road trip we ever took, brought to mind that very first Christmas journey. Mary and Joseph were on their way to the home of their ancestors to register for the census which Caesar had called for. Mary was probably in her final days of pregnancy. Joseph walked as Mary sat upon a donkey. The roads were rugged. The path filled with all kinds of possible dangers. They pushed on with determination to get to Bethlehem. The only distractions were the sounds of wild animals and the potential attack by thieves or murderers. They left their hometown and the whispers of the family and neighbors whose tongues were now wagging about the impending birth of Mary’s “illegitimate” child. When they got to their destination, they were met with no place to stay. Mary was about to give birth and there was not a room available. She had to deliver that child, the Son of God, in a stable where animals were kept.

As we rounded the corner to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, I felt compelled to thank Jesus for being born on that first Christmas Eve. Because of that treacherous journey, the birth pains, the lack of housing and all the other things they encountered along the way, God was coming into this world of darkness to bring light to all of us. Every trip comes with a certain amount of angst, but what a wonderful gift arrived when Jesus was born. Unto us, a Savior came to be one of us. That’s good news that we are joyful and grateful to share with everyone.

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GOD CAME DOWN TO EARTH

Posted on December 1, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

He was just a little baby, but like no other one,
He fussed and cried like babies do, but this was God’s own Son,
People came from miles around unto this unknown place,
Unlike all other kingly homes, in any time or space.

His Mother held Him gently and nursed Him at her breast,
While sheep and cows lay quietly, His bed was not the best,
When shepherds came to see Him, they knew Him right away,
He was the boy whom Angels hailed upon that glorious day.

The boy would grow into a man and worked beside His father,
He knew that He must do the work of God and not another,
When He became a rabbi, His words were straight from heaven,
He spoke with such authority of sins to be forgiven.

He lived among the people and felt each pain they bore,
He ate with them and healed them, His words meant even more,
He spoke of love and peace. He taught things new to them,
How we should forgive others, as He did for all men.

When on the cross at Calvary, my Savior died for me,
But rose from death as promised and from sin we are set free,
So as we come to Christmas with gifts for everyone,
Let’s not forget the Son of God whose work has just begun.

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A NEW MONTH WITH ABOUNDING HOPE

Posted on December 1, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

The month of December is filled with so much of everything, we tend to forget what the season means and the hope that is built into it. In a little town, long ago, a child was born. He was no ordinary child. He was fully human, but also God. The promised Messiah took on human form and came to spend 33 years with the world. In that time, He left us with the real everything. The unchangeable Jehovah fulfilled His ancient promise to bring salvation to the world. In doing so, the world would never be the same. Jesus changed everything.

As we begin the adventure of the Advent season, and those Advent calendars are used, take time to look at the promises Jesus kept for you. He never stops loving us. He is always there for us. He will not leave us. He gives us reason for living. He fights for us. He died for us. He rose back to life before many witnesses. His truth is evident in His Word to us – the Bible. That little child led the entire population of the world, past – present = future to the next promise. Eternal life in paradise.

We hear about the promise of Jesus in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Isaiah 7:14 ESV – “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Micah 5:2 ESV – ” But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

Jesus is the only one, the promised one, the true God, our Savior and our EVERYTHING!

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SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

Posted on November 30, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Yesterday was my first day of Christmas shopping. I visited Hobby Lobby in hopes of finding some crafts I could make instead of investing in high buck gifts this year. I remembered how I used to make beautifully decorated ornaments out of styrofoam balls, and always well received. My craft stash was liquidated when we downsized, so the craft store was my first destination. I was surprised to see all the people with the same idea I had. Many young women were searching the shelves for things they could turn into Christmas treasures with a smaller price tag. At the same time, their children were glued to their phones.

Isn’t it weird how commercial Christmas has become? I guess it was the same way when I was a kid. The first thing we thought about was what we would get for Christmas. We’d make our list and hope our dreams would come true. When we started our own family, gifts were mostly homemade at the beginning. The first thing created was a rocking horse, crafted by Paul. It was absolutely beautiful and even though our firstborn was suffering from a bad cold, she got up on that horse and rocked for hours. It helps to have a master artist living in your house. I would make cookies to give away, homemade ornaments, and home sewn Christmas outfits for our kids to wear. When they were grown up and our business was lost, we gave secondhand gifts. I remember those gifts and I think our kids do too. It doesn’t really matter what the price is. What matters is the gift itself and the time, talent and love that goes into it.

This may seem cliche’, but Christmas isn’t about the gifts we give or receive. It’s about the greatest gift ever given. On that first Christmas, we were the recipients of a Savior who lived and died for us. He would then rise from death and return to His throne in heaven to prepare a place for us. The Advent season will soon be upon us. Let’s take time to look at the real reason we celebrate this blessed holiday and focus on the love that was poured out upon each human soul. The credit cards don’t need to take a hit. The household budget doesn’t have to suffer. Think about the gift that was given on that special birthday. The gift of unconditional love – which doesn’t cost a cent.

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FEAR & ANGER CAN LEAD TO HATE

Posted on November 29, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

I watched a devotion from Time of Grace Ministry this morning that really made sense to me. It was about how grief can easily transfer into fear and fear into anger. We get angry when someone leaves us behind – when we can’t imagine life without them – we may not understand why any of this is happening. Mary Magdaline was so overcome with grief when she approached Jesus’ tomb on that first Easter morning. Even when Jesus spoke directly to her, she didn’t recognize Him. When He said her name, “Mary,” she responded immediately to her Savior’s voice.

How often do we turn our sadness, our fears, our losses into anger? Suddenly it seems that the whole world is against us. In thinking about our youth today, you can’t help but wonder how they are coping with today’s world. It is a world full of fear, death, wars, confusion about who they are, bullying behavior and so much more. Alcohol and drugs are often a result of these feelings and usually are turned to in order to numb what they face each day.

When we discover that a terminal or life changing disease has affected someone we love, the same thing occurs. We might go through the same steps a person does when they’re grieving. You wonder what you did to deserve this. You wonder why it isn’t you instead of them. How will you survive without them? As time goes by, you receive comfort from friends, but eventually they forget about your loss or sadness. You don’t hear from them again. The prayers that are being said, might even seem pointless. As you go through this process, you could even blame God for your situation.

The photo I’ve chosen of wise, old Yoda, is not a typical place to start with the actual wisdom of living, but the words make sense. Getting to the root of anger, frustration, anxiety, depression – which is almost always caused by fear – is a real problem in our current society. We’ve been through some volatile years. Those times have had a deep impact on our mental health along with the mindset of our young people. So, what do we do? Like Mary, our grief, our fears, our sadness can all be dealt with when we know that our Savior never – NEVER – leaves us. He has promised to be with us through all our difficulties. The One we need the very most, is right in front of us. Turn to Him now.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

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BY MY SIDE

Posted on November 28, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Through troubled waters, you are there, You watch my every move,

You know my thoughts, you hear my prayer, my way you will improve.

The storms of life will come and go, but you will never change,

Through difficult and anxious times, my path you  rearrange,

When trials overtake me and when sin gnaws at my heart,

Stay closely here beside me Lord, and nevermore depart,

Your love will surely bind me Lord,  my life is in your hand,

Abide with me and lead the way to your sweet, promised land.

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SENSELESS

Posted on November 28, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

To be “senseless,” is to lack the ability to feel. It can also mean useless, unreasonable or unconscious. For someone in my age bracket, senseless can mean the loss of physical sensations like, hearing, taste, touch, smell or see. All of the senses become shaded and void of feeling over time. I guess I could be called senseless for all but one of those senses. I can still see pretty good. I had cataract surgery this year and my vision is better than ever.

There are some senses that aren’t really included in those five physical senses, such as common sense, keen sense, nonsense. The sense to do the right thing – to be proactive – to think things through – to change the way you do things without question. Making changes along the way, our once youthful bodies now sag, lag and often drag. We make adjustments to accommodate our now transitioning and often failing frame. Change is good for the most part but can cause big alterations to our life. Such are the seasons of the year. We adjust to the colder temperatures by donning more clothes. We shed those clothes when the sun hangs around longer. Life is kind of like a metamorphosis in a way. We are constantly changing.

The One that never changes – the One who is always available – the One who is consistent in His love for us – is the One we can count on, even when our faces begin to look like worn out leather shoes. That is one thing that truly makes sense.

 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 ESV

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THANKSGIVING IS OVER – NOW WHAT?

Posted on November 27, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

When one holiday flows into another, we can become overwhelmed with parties, family gatherings, lots of selfies and anticipation for the next one. I recall walking through a Hobby Lobby last July, only to see that all the summer things had been discounted, making way for the Christmas decorations which were already taking over a section of the store. Maybe it’s because we have become accustomed to things happening within nanoseconds in this day of instant gratification. The internet has made it possible for us to jump from one thing to another so fast, that we don’t even have time to enjoy what’s going on in the here and now.

Thanksgiving gets sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. The letdown in January, leaves us without something to celebrate until Valentines Day. Maybe it’s time we enjoy each of those special occasions in the moment, without being so focused on what’s coming next. In other words, slow down and breathe each one in and let the afterglow be enough until the next one comes.

I am at the age where family has become a major focus. The days of raising that family are well over, but the times we continue to spend together are so important to our mental health and our positive moments. As we approach the end of life, we can see our mistakes – our foolish decisions – the bad choices – the innocence, the lessons learned and the hope for a future in eternity. We slow down because we have to. Our bodies no longer are capable of preparing a huge feast. Getting decorations up and cleaning the house are no longer simple tasks. We have a family that pulls together whenever they can. Being together is one of the benefits of that goal.

So, Thanksgiving is over for another year. The pumpkins and fall decorations will be replaced with inflatable Santas and reindeer. Lights will be lit on Christmas trees and packages will be placed under them. The gratefulness of this season should carry over throughout the coming year, but we soon forget all the platitudes become meaningless -and we return to normal living – whatever that is. Being thankful should be a daily activity. Thanking God for all His blessings is a good place to start. Every day should contain our prayers of Thanksgiving.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

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CHRISTMASES PAST – part two . . .

Posted on November 26, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

My maternal grandmother was always on top of Christmas. She had a lot of grandchildren. They weren’t wealthy – just an ordinary couple of farmers who never failed to remember those they loved. It seemed there was one tradition that always arrived shortly after Thanksgiving. We knew it was coming. Every year it would. Every year we anticipated the contents. What I really remember most about that package was the size of the box. It was huge. in those days, there was no Amazon or special delivery services. She used the USPS to send her packages. She meticulously wrapped each of the contents within. Then she would seal the box with tape, wrap it in brown paper, write the word “FRAGILE” on the outside. I think she tied string around it too. She then would drive to town in their old pickup truck and make the first stop at the post office. Off it went – sealed with a kiss.

The box would conjure ideas of magical gifts, special candy and cookies and lots and lots of love. We would have to wait until Christmas Eve to open the box, but it was always worth the wait. She would send homemade ornaments, socks and underwear, a pair of mittens for each of us. There might be a new box of crayons and coloring books and paper dolls. We would open each package and enjoy the surprises they held. Finally, we would turn the big box into a little playhouse or a prop for one of our plays – whatever suited our fancy.

Traditions come and go. As we get older, we often forget about them completely. Some of them are just too difficult for us to accomplish anymore. This is a special time of the year – not because of the traditions we establish or enjoy, but because the greatest gift to humanity was born into a life of poverty to become one of us. His name is Jesus and His love is bigger than any special box or anything else that this life has to offer. He left His throne in heaven to take our place – to die for us – to live again – to prepare a room for us in heaven. That’s what I call an incomparable treasure available to all of us.

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WE ARE FAMILY . . .

Posted on November 25, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

There’s nothing like a family gathering to get your heart pumping, your eyes alert, your ears partially aware and your hugs so meaningful. The pictures from yesterday show the intensity of watching football on TV – the sharing of fun and games and lot of good food and love to go around. Today, our oldest daughter and her family will depart for their homes far away. Our youngest daughter and her family hosted our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and are always near at hand to watch out for us. Our grand dogs will continue to provide for our need of canine companionship without all the responsibility that goes along with them. Our son will return from Wisconsin, either with a load of venison or empty handed. We’ll see him and his lady and their two doggies soon.

It never fails to tug at the heartstrings, to get together and share family love and then watch as they leave. It’s so good to sit back and enjoy what these special human beings have become. Our grandchildren were all on hand. Each has their own personality and goals for the future. We can see our own children and child rearing days through them.

This has been a year of transition for all of us. Life will go on and growth will continue. Our legacy will be fulfilled through what happens through them in the future. God has so richly blessed us with his tender care and love. Until we gather again, know that we will never let you go. You will all live on in our hearts until we all reunite in heaven.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE BLESSED OUR LIVES SO VERY MUCH.

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BLACK FRIDAY – ORDER IN CHAOS?

Posted on November 24, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Black Friday shopping? No thanks! I’ve never been one to wait for Thanksgiving to end to go shopping the next day for bargains. I’m probably in the 2% of the population that feels that way. Actually, shopping has become more and more of a chore since I entered my eighth decade. I’m not a fan of any kind of shopping, unless I have a cart to hold me up and have one thing to buy. This was the case on the one and only Black Friday I ever participated in. It was about 7 years ago. I saw an ad for a dog bed that was only $5. Since our dog was in need of a new one, I braved the cold weather – waited until later in the day in hopes that no one else would be in the store – went straight to the dog bed department – was deterred by some other special deals. When I finally got to the dog beds, there was only one left. I quickly snatched it up and headed for the checkout.

The trip to the waiting line was a breeze, but once I got there, I was surrounded by about 100 others who were already waiting. Of course, there were more bargains to be had at the waiting area. By the time I finally checked out, my cart was filled with $100 worth of bargains that I didn’t intend to purchase. After an hour of waiting in line, I started to doze off. A new batch of shoppers entered the store and were on a quest to get their own bargains. Hopefully they weren’t there for the dog beds, because I had the last one.

Was it worth it? When I arrived home, I placed the new dog bed in front of our dog. He immediately snuggled into while I collapsed on the couch. I guess it was worth it. Since my solo excursion on that black Friday, I’ve opted for staying at home. I’ll leave the chaos to those with more stamina than this old lady.

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GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD

Posted on November 23, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Today is Thanksgiving, 2023.  It’s time for us to stuff ourselves beyond capacity – to fill every empty cavity with carbs and sugar – a time to forget about calories and just let ‘er rip.  After that, it’s a time to watch football, if you’re so inclined.  If not, you may have spread the newspaper advertising for Black Friday all across the room.  You make this part of the tradition of Thanksgiving. Seems there are lots of traditions for Thanksgiving.  It’s time to share a meal with those you love – not to discuss anything political – stuff your face – eat some more pie.  You will suffer from indigestion, fatigue, stress, anticipation – just to name a few results of Thanksgiving.

You gather at the dining room table, trying to put twelve people around a table for six.  By the time you’ve finished eating, you can barely move so you find a place to stretch out and catch a few winks before your favorite team comes on the tube.  Those few winks can turn into a rip roaring, loud and imposing sound of snoring and sleep assisted by Tryptophan.  When you wake it’s time to hit the stores for all those magnificent prices. There are sales everywhere. This year they started yesterday.

Talk about the perfect situation for renewing relationships and starting over.  It’s a time to forgive and forget – feel nostalgic – overindulge a little and have fun. It’s also time to thank Jesus for another day – a special day – Thanksgiving.

May your blessings be many.  May you walk through life with the Lord at your side.  May you be shielded by His presence as you venture into the world of retail.  Remember this:

What did the turkey say to the computer?   “Google, google, google.”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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WE ARE ALL PILGRIMS

Posted on November 22, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

“I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation.” Charles Spurgeon

In 1621, in Plymouth colony, Massachusetts, two separate cultures came together to share in the bounty of the harvest. Many folks today would like to forget about this event, because of the greed of the early settlers and their eventual stealing the land belonging to those they first met after landing from a perilous journey across dangerous seas. We can try to cover up our history – especially the dark parts of it – but it remains part of who we are as a nation. We’re made up of many races – religions – ethnicities and cultures. To do away with the truth of how we came to be, is to cheat future generations from our earliest beginnings.

When you think about the melting pot we’ve become over the past few hundred years as a nation, there is a progression of humanity that continues to invite all to enter her ports and harbors for refuge. This is part of why we celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s not about the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It really should not be about the food and the extra calories and overindulgence. Thanksgiving is a time to thank God for all He does to provide for our needs and beyond. We may travel many years, through the perilous storms of life, but God remains unchanging. He continues to be with us through each one of them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF MY BLOGGING COMMUNITY AND ALL THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLESSED MY LIFE.

Posted in America, Faith, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

A RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH

Posted on November 22, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

On that dreary November morning, I sat in my office chair, daydreaming about my recent engagement and upcoming wedding.  As I pondered the most important event to happen in my life, a customer entered the office.  “Have you heard,” she said, “they’ve shot the president.” I felt like a character from the past – an insignificant piece of a massive puzzle – knowing that I was part of one of the most historical events of my lifetime.  President John F. Kennedy had fallen victim to an assassin’s bullet and lay dead on an operating table.  The story began to unfold as we watched the scenes repeated over and over on our television screens.

As the events of this current tale of terror exploded rapidly, we watched the victim’s wife reach for the secret service man behind the convertible.  We saw her covered with her husband’s blood – her pink suit forever stained with crimson.  We witnessed the pursuit of the assassin and his eventual arrest and confinement.  We were glued to the screen as he was moved to a different area only to be confronted by a night club owner with a gun. We saw the assassin shot to death in an instant. It was like a bad nightmare coming true.

We looked on as a new president was sworn into office, while the dead president’s wife stood stoically alongside him – a look of dismay and shock on her face.  We suffered with the young children who were now fatherless – the many brothers and sisters who would mourn their sibling’s demise – the parents who had to endure losing a child again  and a country that would go through the process of grieving along with them.  A parade of dignitaries from many nations wept.  The youngest president to ever govern in the United States was dead.

Conspiracy theories were a dime a dozen.  Everyone had an opinion on who this man was. Was there a mob connection – was the assassin a communist – did he act alone or was he part of a greater plan?  A special commission was assigned to investigate. We were on-the-spot witnesses, watching the rendezvous with death unfold. The president was as vulnerable to death as we all are. 

Alan Seeger was an American poet who fought as a French Foreign Legion soldier during World War One.  This poem was favored by John F. Kennedy who shared it with his wife on the return from their honeymoon. His new wife, Jackie would later memorize it and say it to her husband.  The poem proved to be prophetic in a way, but we all have a rendezvous with that final stage of life.  Like all stories forged in fantasy, their relationship could be described as a great love story.  It continued even after death.

Death is imminent.  We can’t escape that fact.  When we’re convinced that death isn’t final, we’ve achieved true communion with God.

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WHAT DOES ABUNDANCE MEAN TO YOU?

Posted on November 21, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Webster defines abundance as “the state or condition of having a copious quantity of something; plentifulness.” In other words it means a huge amount of material things or talents. From a Biblical standpoint, abundance may refer to having joy and contentment in life, no matter what the circumstances. As we approach a day of giving thanks for all our blessings, it may be a good time to make a list of all of those blessings that make your life full and abundant.

  • A closet full of clothes that either don’t fit or are out of style. More than necessary to get a person through one week of not wearing the same thing every day.
  • Enough food to suffice and often more than necessary. Even when the budget is stretched to the limit, there is abundance.
  • Friends and family you can count on in any situation.
  • The talents God has given you and how you can use them to spread His good news to others.
  • The love and companionship of a faithful spouse.
  • A family that you have equipped with the Word of God.
  • A job that helps to provide for those you love. That same job, which gives you satisfaction and you love doing every day.
  • Spiritual leaders who inspire and guide you through life.
  • Even in your old age, you have an abundance of help getting through each day, physically, mentally and spiritually. You also have accumulated years of experience and wisdom through those things. Through them you become a blessing to others.
  • Whether good or bad, your health can determine how you look at life.
  • Your aches and pains – Even when your body is crying out in despair or discomfort, you can rejoice in the fact that it won’t last forever.
  • Your financial, relational, emotional problems can be considered stepping stones for the future.
  • In times of war and violence, you have the peace that you are living in a country that has not yet been devoured by them.
  • Knowing that we are merely visitors here on earth. Our true home awaits in heaven.
  • You can be confident and assured that you are not alone in your walk on this planet. God is always with you. He will never give up on you. He loves you unconditionally. He gave His life for you. He created you and He knows all about your thoughts and concerns.
  • You are a child of God and an heir of eternal life.

I could go on and on with this list, but I think you can understand what I’m talking about. We’ve been blessed beyond measure with an abundance of gifts. So many that we can’t even list them all. Unfortunately, we often forget all about those blessings for the rest of the days of the year.

” May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as he has promised you!” Deuteronomy 1:11 ESV

Posted in Faith, God's promises, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THANKSGIVING WEEK

Posted on November 20, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

This week started with a Thanksgiving dinner at our church. It had been a tradition for some time to enjoy a potluck feast the Sunday before the actual holiday – that is until the pandemic. Three years of isolation, with concern for spreading the disease caused that practice to cease. The best part about an event like this is the fellowship. My church is comprised of caring, thoughtful people who share our faith. We sometimes meet for breakfast during the week if we can. This wonderful group has become a support group, a special collection of believers, friends, lifter-uppers and a family of sorts.

This week will be filled with family, friends and an assembly of those we love. There may be some differences within those groups, but for one day a year, we tend to set those issues aside and gather together to give thanks. Unfortunately, it has also become a time of discord for many. Those who have parted ways from the family – those who have changed their political views from yours – those who have drifted from the beliefs of their youth – those who have health or mental issues. So, in those cases, the thanksgiving part of the holiday might get lost in translation. When you think about all the people who have touched your life in the past year, you will probably come up with many. For example – it may be someone who did something against you. It could be a nurse or doctor who intervened in a specific illness. It could be the family member that is struggling with a financial crisis. It might be one you haven’t heard from in a long time. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to set those issues aside and concentrate on the positive affect these same people had on you during this time.

We give thanks for God’s bounty. We give thanks for His mercy, grace and love. We give thanks for His guidance. We give thanks for the positive things in our lives. Do we give thanks for the negatives that may have happened? Do we thank God for those who would hurt us? Do we thank God for our problems – financial, emotional, relational or physical? The things we hold dear are not hard to give thanks for. The others, not so much.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving Day, let’s try to remember how each of those negatives brought a positive result. Maybe it’s the lessons learned. It could be a complete change of opinion. It might even lead to a deeper relationship with the person that caused you harm. God uses all of our experiences to teach us – to grow our wisdom – to prepare us for the final banquet that waits for us in eternity.

Give thanks for your enemies, because God has a plan for both you and them!

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