REFORMATION THOUGHTS

Posted on October 29, 2023 by atimetoshare.me
Luther at Worms

At the time of the Protestant Reformation, the Renaissance was creating many new ideas, machines that would further progress and the questioning of the reigning church of the time, the Roman Catholic Church stood with many reigning kings in various Christian nations. The thought of questioning the church was really not a possibility. Leonardo DaVinci was exploring how a man could take flight at the same time as he was working on plans for an armored tank. In his spare time, he created amazing pieces of art. World trade was bringing new ideas, new business tactics and creating a system of economics not yet experienced. King Henry VIII was in a battle with the Roman Catholic Church to bestow an annulment on his marriage to first wife, Catherine of Aragon. He finally was able to achieve a divorce and went on to marry many more women. A man named Martin Luther, struggled with the teachings of the church in Germany, and the falsehoods that were being shared among the people, encouraging them to pay their way into heaven with money or good works. Luther was a resolute Catholic. In fact, he served as a monk, prayed incessantly and went to confession as often as he prayed. Even doing those things, weren’t enough. He felt destined for hell and believed he was on a fast track there, until he discovered the truth of the Gospel. He diligently read the Bible on a daily basis. As he searched through the scriptures, he stumbled on the book of Romans. Within the pages of this book, Luther discovered that out salvation had been bought and paid for by Jesus, through His crucifixion and resurrection. It is by grace that we have all been saved.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘the righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17

We know that he went before the church with his grievances by posting a list of 95 potential assumptions challenging Roman Catholicism. Eventually there was a trial after Luther had been declared a heretic. He stood strong and courageously at his trial. He was firm in his convictions, stating that if the church would show him where he was wrong, He would relinquish his claim. If they could not, He said in his final argument, ” Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.” The statement encompassed his determination. Thus began a reformation that would be spread by many men, through many avenues, countries and denominations. The fight for truth, landed Luther in jail for an entire year. During that time, he translated the Bible from Latin into German. With the advent of the printing press, the Word of God would now be available to the common man – giving them the truth of God’s unconditional love and undeserved grace.

God’s Word is our great heritage.

”

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CARVING OUT A NEW FACE

Posted on October 28, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

It’s that time of year again. Buy at least one pumpkin, cut into the top of it, scoop out all the gunk and seeds, carve out a face, put a candle inside and set it by the front door. In some areas, carving pumpkins almost becomes an artistic event to see who can become the most creative. Some grow huge pumpkins that make it into the record books. Some folks like to roast the seeds for a homemade snack, while others will use the meat of the pumpkin to make pies or yummy pumpkin bars. When you drive through the countryside at this time of the year, you’re bound to see fields of pumpkins, untouched by human hands. There are little carts along the road where you can buy one or more of this interesting squash. You pick out your own and leave the payment in a coffee can.

Did you ever think of yourself as one of those orange orbs? I tend to think about weird things like that. Not because I have nothing else to do other than think about them, but because you can really take most any subject and turn it into a lesson. Our lives are kind of like those pumpkins.  There are times when things begin to rot inside of us.  We need to get the crud out.  We need to empty our innards of the confusion, anxiety, stress and daily responsibilities. We can scrape away at the surface things, but only God can get in there and really clean up the gobbledy gook that stagnates and causes decay within.  In this day and age, you can buy Styrofoam pumpkins already carved. They look good for a while, but eventually the elements of living, wash away the outer beauty and the grime within comes out with a vengeance.

So, what’s the lesson for today? Certainly not to think of yourself as a pumpkin, but to look not only at what you see on the outside, but how cleaning up the inside can make you even more beautiful. The truth is, if left to our own devices, there is no way we can get rid of every last bit of yuck. Only God can provide the freshness of unpolluted souls and make them spotless. Because of His great love for everyone, His grace is sufficient for all of us.

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IN THE GLOAMING

Posted on October 27, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL BOECHER, POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

Our days go swiftly, like an early morning dawn,
They often pass so quickly, they pass and they are gone,
We turn each page anticipating,
We long for and are waiting,
For time to take us home,
We set our course on human need and soon are pushed aside,
But holding to God’s master plan, with Him we’ll soon abide,
The lakes will turn to ice,
The trees will sacrifice,
And winter now does loom,
The end of days, a time to pray, repenting of our sins,
We softly cast our cares on God, we know He always wins,
In times of stress or pain
We look to Him for gain,
New life beyond the tomb.

Some of you know how much I love the old musical movies. I could sit and watch the same movie over and over as a child and still do. The movie, “Brigadoon” was one of those song filled stories that touches the heart and soul. Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse danced beautifully in the gloaming of a beautiful pasture of heather. It was filled with mystery, romance, tragedy, lost love and memorable music. The story was based on a fictional tale of a town that only made an appearance once every hundred years. The townspeople didn’t age from the time the spell was cast upon them many years ago.

Yesterday, we chose to wander in the gloaming – in the comfort of our car. It was such a day as the one when Brigadoon would make its magical appearance. A heavy mist was in the air after days of necessary rain. It was noon when we began our journey. As we drove further into the countryside, the mist turned into a dense fog. We could not see more than half a mile into the distance. Still, the mystical air created a beauty we would never have seen otherwise. The road ahead was clouded. The trees still held tightly to their colorful foliage, but the signs of winter were becoming more apparent. Many of those trees were already stripped of their canopy. The evidence lay on the ground below.

As we passed some church cemeteries, there was an air of finality – a grim reminder of this temporary life. Even in that, we saw a magnificent glimpse of heaven, knowing that the end of life doesn’t expire when we take our final breath. Beyond the grave, there is eternal life for those who have faith in what Jesus has done to extend our lives into eternity. That is indeed the truth – not a fairy tale or a magical musical. Days will come and go, but roaming in the gloaming is one way to enjoy even the dark days of life, with hope of a future in paradise.

Posted in aging, cancer, Christian daiuly devotions, Faith, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

SINGING & DANCING IN THE RAIN

Posted on October 26, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

For some reason, I’ve become kind of hung up on old barns and beautiful autumn color lately. Maybe it’s because of our special drives this year. Maybe it’s because the character that abounds in those rugged buildings that have seen better days. I think about those who tended the animals in those structures – who milked the cows – tossed hay into the stables – worked and almost lived in those edifices. It could be because I have a special love for this time of the year. The smells, sounds and sights arouse all my senses. Fresh apples, pumpkin spice and the crunch of fallen leaves under my feet.

For the past few days, we’ve had our share of rain in the area. Now those beautifully peaked colors will be disseminated into the earth to prepare it for the winter. For me, rain conjures up thoughts of God’s tears falling on us, either to wake us up or to calm and refresh us.   I think God cries when He sees all the evil that infests our world.  When wars erupt and nations fight against nations, the storms seem to increase. His heart must ache when someone denies His existence but imagine His joy when a lost lamb returns to the fold.

My mind goes back to a wonderful old movie – “Singing in the Rain.” I remember Gene Kelley dancing, splashing in puddles, all while being attached to his umbrella. I have dreamed about dancing like that – in the rain – with no pain in my knees and joy in my feet. I know that dream will come true someday. In the meantime, I will remember what benefits we gain when it rains. It makes my heart happy to think of what God does through all elements of the weather and the change of seasons. Even when winter finally comes and death is near, He is with us through every storm.

What a glorious feeling, I’m happy again!

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MAKING ART . . .

Posted on October 25, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

My husband is an avid wood carver. His love for chiseling on a chunk of wood probably dates back to his younger years, sitting around a campfire and whittling. He made a living doing wood sculptures for restaurants, individual residences and lake homes. He was once commissioned to create a mermaid mast head for a restaurant here in Minneapolis. NSince today is “International Artist Day,” I thought about all the art he has created in his lifetime. It has been a gift, not only to those who own a piece of his art, but also for our family. Paul has given that creative part of himself to his children and grandchildren. His work has also inspired many poems from me.

It was somewhere around 1978 when a contest was held in our community by a local vendor of wooden art pieces. When he found out about the contest, Paul decided to introduce our three kids to the art of whittling. Each of them had a piece to start with. They chiseled away at the wood, engraving feathers and other features into the duck decoys. As they worked, I could see a bond growing between them as well. With each mark made into the wood, there would be conversation, laughter and learning for all of them. I sat along with them, with a small knife, pushing away wood from a stick to create my version of art. Unfortunately, the only thing I produced were blisters, invading slivers and calloused fingers. I did enjoy the family time, however. I believe each of our three children came away with an actual prize in that contest. They were thrilled with the results. Paul’s reward came in the form of earned respect, building a bond with his family and stirring their creative juices.

Each of us has talents and gifts, given to us by our Creator. Some are great musicians, singers, dancers, writers, fine artists, actors. Some have been gifted with great minds and intellect. Some have the talent to encourage others, inspire them and lead. Some don’t even know that a talent may be lying dormant within them. As we pay special attention to artists today, let’s remember that the One who created life from the start, still provides each of us with special gifts. It’s up to us to nurture and use those gifts to help others and bring joy to their lives.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until i set him free.” – Michelangelo

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.” – Leonardo da Vinci

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent van Gogh

Posted in aging, art, Family, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER

Posted on October 24, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

My sister came into this world almost five years after I had established myself as the number one grandchild on both sides of the family.  I was the chief kingpin and I was not about to let her take over my place in the hierarchy.  When we were children, I was the most politically incorrect of all big sisters.  I made her sit on the back of the bus.  I convinced her, that when we washed dishes, all she had to do was the silverware – which included anything silver, like the caked on, food encrusted kettles and cooking utensils.  I’d take care of the glasses and plates.  I purposely ignored her when my friends came over and she wanted to join in.  We fought constantly and even more intensely as I entered puberty.  Once we both ventured out of the security of the nest, we realized how important we were to each other.

Our mother gave us the gift of laughter and that has carried us through most of life’s challenges and adventures.  Through the years, I watched as she struggled to have children, while I was already raising three of them.  I saw her grow into an independent woman, even in those times.  Her husband started a franchise business and she worked alongside him, until one day she decided to go on strike.  There she was, outside her husband’s business, with a picket sign.  All my bullying must’ve made her stronger.  OK, I won’t take credit for that.  We both had early experiences with death as our mother’s side of the family seemed to be dropping like flies during our childhood.  We learned how to weep over loss and still maintain the dignity of carrying on in adversity.  Mom and dad made sure we had a spiritual base.  Laughter, strength, hope and faith in God, all played an important part in our upbringing.

As the years advance, we grow even closer together. Our homes are in different states, but our thoughts and prayers for each other continue now for our husbands, for facing the aging process, for strength to get through it all and the wisdom to know how to handle it. God bless you, my dear sister. You will always be my best friend in the whole wide world.

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FINAL DAYS OF OCTOBER

Posted on October 23, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

“October is the month of painted leaves.
Their rich glow now flashes round the world.
As fruits and leaves and the day itself
acquire a bright tint just before they fall,
so the year near its setting.
October is its sunset sky;
November the later twilight.” Henry David Thoreau

This most majestic month, when God pulls out all the stops, filling the air with smells of burning leaves, pumpkin spice, harvested corn. Where fresh apple pies are on the menu. Where colors of many shades of gold, red and rust invade the forests and landscapes. Where summer melts into bales of hay in the field – squirrels and other critters forage for their winter sustenance – marshmallows are roasted over an open fire – hay wagons pull carts of people instead of hay, as they snuggle into flannel shirts. This month has been one of searching for us. As we took our little drives through the country roads around us, we were allowed to retreat from life as we knew it – even for a little while. We will continue to fill our days with positive thoughts and prayers.

In October, we celebrate the harvest. We purchase fresh pumpkins and apples. October Festivals are held for just about every reason. We have holidays for almost every day of the month, including Breast Cancer Awareness, Down Syndrome Awareness, Black Cat Awareness and Substance Abuse Awareness. It’s the spooky time of the year when ghosts and goblins supposedly roam the earth, scaring everyone. Maybe we’ll have more than one trick or treater this year. October is the month of Halloween. It is also the time when Protestants celebrate the reformation of the church in Martin Luther’s day. My sister has a birthday and so did my son-in-law.

Most importantly, this month indicates the changing of seasons. Autumn is our most glorious time of the year. With the range of God’s palette, we are treated to all kinds of beauty. It is the epitome of the year. It also signals the coming of winter. Life is like that too. Each season has its own beauty and majesty. The green, fresh sprouting of new life comes in spring. Summer brings warmth and rain to make things grow. Autumn is a time of reflection and winter ends it all, with her frozen air, her dancing snowflakes, her frost upon the windowpanes. Each one is filled with beauty. Each one has a purpose. Every human life is the same. Each is filled with beauty. Each has a purpose. We are all unique.

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MY QUIET PLACE

Posted on October 22, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This time of year, used to be reserved for hunting deer, squirrel, pheasants. I remember coming home one day to find recently besieged and already rigamortised pheasants staring at me from the refrigerator. We quickly put an end to that. Soon hunting became more of an escape to his happy place. Even though there was an occasional loss to the deer population, Paul found pleasure in absorbing as much of God’s creation that he could. He’d experience little chickadees landing on his shoulders. He witnessed deer munching on acorns just a few feet away from him. A majestic eagle would soar above, surveying his next meal. The sounds, smells and touch of being in the outdoors has since become one of his favorite spots.

We all desire a quiet place – a place made just for us. It can be the peaceful beauty of a flower garden, where the only sounds are birds chirping and singing their messages to other birds. It can be the serene humming of a bee as it pollenates each ripe bloom. It can be the hum of a tractor or a combine as the fields of summer are harvested. It could be the vision of an old run down barn or a newly built one. It might be a place that doesn’t even exist.

My quiet place is often a creation I make within the deepest parts of my mind. My imagination carries me over raging seas into a blissful paradise. A kaleidoscope of tiny fragments of memories creates delightful patterns on the ceiling. Soft, muted lights with shadows of intricately woven lace are pressed into the wall. Colors are blurred and brush strokes swirl them into a quiet energy. This energy revitalizes, restores and renews. All of it is created by a loving Father who uses His strength to bring peace. This is my quiet place – the place where comfort abounds and chaos takes a long vacation.

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THE LAST HURRAH

Posted on October 21, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

The flowers shout their last hurrah, they cling to hidden light,

They go to sleep and hide their heads, when day turns into night,

With wild anticipation then, they hope they will survive,

The wicked days of autumn’s grip still keeps them now alive,

Each morning gives them new desire, to live again that day,

As morning mist caresses them and sends them on their way,

Soon summer will turn chilly, the days grow shorter still,

The life is sapped from growing things, as fall retrieves each will,

Like us those flowers soon will die, but life is never lost,

It will return in springtime morns, arisen from the frost,

We too will come back into life, once all our breath is spent,

As Jesus rose from death’s strong hold, we will reach our ascent.

Posted in Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, cancer, life after death, seasons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

THE FAITH TO LET GO

Posted on October 21, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

When someone tells you to walk by faith and not by sight, what does that mean? Even though faith is something intangible, it requires action. We can’t see faith – we can’t hear it – it isn’t something we respond to by touch, taste or smell, yet it is one of the senses that’s built into us at our conception. The action of faith is stirred by the Holy Spirit at our baptism. That physical action is nurtured through our early years all the way through our lives. So how does an invisible God – Holy Spirit – Son of God become reality to us? Simply by faith.

Our faith can be tested throughout our journey. We may suffer loss, defeat, pain, disease, hopelessness, depression and anxiety because of it. We go through the years constantly wondering why. We struggle through those things and feel the testing should end soon – don’t we? We try to rationalize our faith, but we fall short because of everything that’s happening around us. One of the meanings of faith is to have complete trust and belief in something that isn’t seen. We certainly can’t see God, but we can see the results of His creation. We can witness His existence through nature, through a baby’s smile, through the courage of those who help others. We can see His power in the weather, the majesty of the mountains, the glory of the painted trees in autumn and the compassion man shows to his fellowman. We see Gods results when we pray. We can sometimes see that His answers don’t always jive with ours. Because His wisdom is infinite, we know He’s doing whatever is necessary to draw us closer to Him.

Our vision will fade over time. Some of us will suffer from cataracts, macular degeneration or eventual blindness. Our tunnel vision may no longer exist. We may have to give up driving because of it. In a way, we go back to our childhood as we age. That innocence of that smiling baby is again toothless. Our reliance on others to help us becomes necessity. Our attempts at reviving most of our senses is beyond our control. Our God and His power will never fail. He is the same today as He was on the first week of creation. He controls everything, even the air we breathe. Instead of wondering how we can have the courage to go on, we should be confident that His power will get us through anything. Faith is knowing that God is with us. He has a wonderful plan already waiting for each one of us when we walk by faith.

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WHAT IS TICKY TACKY ANYWAY?

Posted on October 20, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

My husband and I have been on a journey this year. It started almost three years ago as his body went through some difficult changes because of a cancer that was treated and supposedly in remission. It came back this year. We’re trying to fill each day with something that will give us time together, new memories and prayers that God’s will is going to be done. These recent months have been filled with mini vacations, which include driving close to home and exploring nature.

Yesterday we drove west, to one of our old neighborhoods. It has now sprawled out to the suburbs even further, taking away some of the beautiful farmland we used to enjoy. Rolling hills are now covered with the little boxes referred to in that old song about “Ticky Tacky.” I found the lyrics on the Internet, and they really are a look at progress and how it can change not only our landscape, but also the people that live on it. The dilapidated barn in the picture above is a common sight. The barns are usually accompanied with broken down, boarded up houses which are no longer habitable. As we passed through what used to be small towns, there now stood rows and rows of houses, apartments and condominiums. High density construction was filling the once abundant farm acreage and destroying some of God’s beauty. Every neighborhood looked the same. The charm of those old barns, homes and buildings was forever erased from the landscape. A very sad commentary on progress.

As our drive continued, I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be before every semblance of the past will be gone in our country. Beautifully rolling hills, filled with crops, farm implements, and hard-working people will be replaced with more ticky tacky that all looks the same. Not to mention that people are all becoming the same. In the hopes of being different, they change the color of their hair or shave their heads. They pierce areas of their skin that shouldn’t be pierced, cover other parts with tattoos and try to be independent of what used to be normal. Instead, they are all becoming more of the same. I pray that my great-grandchildren will still be able to experience the beauty of God’s creation, before it’s all covered up with little boxes that all look the same.

In a way, our lives resemble that “ticky tack.” We strive to make a difference in a changing world. We set goals, we punch a time clock, we go through the motions of living, but are we really living. We forget that change is constant on this planet, but God never changes.

LITTLE BOXES By Malvina Reynolds.

Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes, little boxes
Little boxes all the same

There’s a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

And the people in the houses all went to the university

Where they all were put in boxes
Little boxes all the same

And there’s doctors and there’s lawyers
And business executives

And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martini dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they all get put in boxes
And they all come out the same

And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family

And they all get put in boxes
Little boxes all the same

There’s a green one, and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

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THE LONG WEEKEND

Posted on October 19, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Today begins a long weekend for students in Minnesota. They call it MEA WEEKEND, because a convention is held annually for teachers in our state. Therefore, students get a couple of days off. Teachers can choose to attend the convention or take those days off too. My husband and I are retired, so one day often runs into the next and since we can’t afford to travel too far, we’ve opted for short drives into natural areas for rejuvenation. I’ve been thinking about checking out some of the MEA options for recreational purposes. Maybe there’s something on those pages of events for children that might appeal to us.

How about going to a pumpkin patch? Well, I already bought one pumpkin this year and have a few fake ones in the garage. I don’t really need one. How about a corn maze? I wonder if they provide walkers for the elderly. Otherwise, we can cross that off the list as well. I read that you can take a free streetcar ride in St. Paul but finding a parking place is a whole other story. We could go apple picking at a local orchard and have some cider afterwards, but my climbing trees days are long gone. I wonder how old Adam and Eve were when they went apple picking. I’ll just pick up some apples at the store and say we went to an apple orchard instead. A hayride might be fun but would certainly set me to sneezing. There are tons of events for children and their young parents to indulge in during this extended weekend in October. What about us old fogies?

Aging doesn’t have to put the elderly on the back burner. We can still get in our cars and take photographs from the comfort of the front seat with the window rolled down. So, it looks like another weekend adventure coming up.

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WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES?

Posted on October 18, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Our priorities often change over time. When we’re young and life is staring us in the face, we can take it on with little fear of failure. As we grow older, we see that life is fickle and things we didn’t expect to happen – do. We run through obstacles that should be building our character, but more than often, they can stunt our ability to proceed. As our older years approach and our bodies are incapable of doing what they did ten years ago, we get frustrated and even wonder why we worked so hard for so long. Our priorities become unimportant.

So, why do we push forward? Why do we set goals for ourselves? Why do we try to climb the ladder of success only to be knocked down in the process? In a way, unless we do something memorable, meaningful to mankind or become famous for some amazing discovery, we’ll be nothing more than a name on a gravestone when we die. That sounds really negative, doesn’t it? We all want to leave some semblance of ourselves behind when the time comes, but why is that so important to us? I think the answer lies in the expectations placed upon us throughout our days of living. Many of those assumptions are much more than we can legitimately accomplish. It makes more sense to set realistic goals.

As I approach this final season of my life, I can’t help but think about this. Do any of my successes matter? Maybe my losses matter more. Perhaps the goals of one’s life have absolutely nothing to do with us personally. I know that is true in my case. As I press on to my heavenly home, I know that I have nothing to do with that either. My God has provided that destination for me through His unconditional love. If I didn’t have that truth to lean on, everything else would be meaningless. Knowing that I am a loved, child of God is all that’s necessary.

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DOES GOD HEAR US WHEN WE’RE ANGRY?

Posted on October 17, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Is it alright to pray when our hearts are full of anger? I think it’s probably a really good idea. God is fully aware of what’s going on inside of us. We shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed to approach Him with our deepest cares or fears. In many of the Psalms, David rails against his enemies. He shouts for their destruction, and he screams for vengeance. That ordinarily doesn’t fit the Christian attitude of turning the other cheek. We have similar situations that make us angry, even though we aren’t in some of the tight spots David had to endure. Our battles are just as real to us as his were to him.

If you’re dealing with someone who has lied to you, betrayed you, hurt you in any way, Jesus tells us to love them. He says we should pray for them. How can we do that without having negative thoughts? We can’t, but still God invites us to come to Him in all circumstances and pray. He will hear our prayers. He will soothe our angry souls. He will give us wisdom and the right words to use. One of the greatest prayers of all times is the one that Jesus left for us. The Lord’s prayer tells us to ask for forgiveness – to keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil. When we’re angry, we need God more than anything else. He alone can relieve those thoughts from our mind. By leading us away from our anger, He is delivering us from the temptation to sin. What a special relationship we have with our Creator. He knows everything about us; He knows our fears and doubts; He perceives our deepest thoughts and still He loves us.

Thank you, Lord for putting up with my angry moments. You are the only One who knows my heart. I am confident that you are in control and that someday I will finally experience true freedom. Amen!

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THE SKY IS FALLING . . .

Posted on October 16, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

If we were to focus too much on the events in the news, it wouldn’t take long for any of us to need treatment for depression. Our world is in a terrible state, our own country is a mess and our media and leaders have painted a picture of gloom and doom for all of us to digest.

I’m reminded of the story of “Chicken Little” and her claim that the sky was falling. Soon people became tired of her claims and ignored her completely. The moral of the story is not to believe everything you hear. The news media has been spinning the news so much, it isn’t unusual for us to believe we’re on a fast train to hell. Or have we become so used to the bad news, that it doesn’t affect us anymore? Are we willing to be taken in by these same media outlets? When I think back to telling these little fairy tales to my children, I wonder if I was teaching them anything. Most of those old stories had a moral to them. Today, many of them seem unimportant. Have we become immune to morality? I pray not.

Our world is in a constant state of decay. That isn’t God’s fault. The world He created was perfect. He allows trials, tragedies, death, unexplained terrorist acts to continue, but He does so to bring us closer to Him and depending on His will to be done. God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth someday. In this world we will face difficulties. We will witness deplorable things. We will shed tears for those suffering needlessly. We will be ashamed, disheartened and even feel unworthy at times, but God never changes. His Word is truth, and He loves us so much that He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to win us back.

Thank you, dear Jesus, for providing us comfort and hope in every circumstance. We can find you in the Words of the Bible. We can see you in the good things here on earth. We can feel your presence in our daily lives. You are indeed our rock and cornerstone. That is the truth we can count on. That is the message you have for us. AMEN!

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NATIONAL FERAL CAT DAY

Posted on October 16, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

I live in a neighborhood that is filled with feral cats. We’ve lived here for seven years now and have names for most of them. The one who seems to be attached to us we call “Crabby.” She apparently is the mother of all the other cats around here. Crabby has been through the mill. She must’ve been a beautiful cat at one time, but her years of living on the streets has taken its toll. In fact, we think she may have inhabited the house we live in before we moved in. We remember seeing a long-haired cat in the bathroom sink when we looked at the house before making an offer. I hate to imagine that someone would leave their pet behind when they move away, but it could well be the case.

Most of the cats around here look well-fed and cared for. We enjoy watching their antics as well as those of the other wildlife outside our window. When the birds come to feed at our feeder, the cats wait, skillfully crafting a way to attack from under the CATarondack chairs. Paul and I find humor in most everything, so we continue brainstorming and have come up with a few different furniture pieces for this purpose. In fact, we may be designing a CATalogue to post online. For those who want a CAT Scan, we would build a long bench out of wood slats for the kitties to stand and wave as you go by.  CATamaran chairs would be comfortable at the beach.  If you want to set up a play area for the cats, you could install a CAT obstacle course, including a CATapult instead of a zipline.  I’m sure there would be a number of ways to set things up for a CAT Amusement Center – such as a solar light beam, they could chase around the yard. Or how about a hammock for them to take a CAT nap?  Although if more than one decided to get into the hammock it could lead to a CATastrophe.   For those cats that find themselves depressed or anxious there might be a night club called the CATatonic or for those who prefer lots of people, maybe a CATalyst.

I’m continually impressed with their survival skills. They seem to be very fit.  Either everyone is leaving snacks out for them, or they’re developing outstanding hunting skills. They’ve kept the mouse population in check and I know there are some good CAT Samaritans out there who make sure they have something to nibble on. So today we salute you, feral cats. You make life interesting and fun for us to behold. Thank you, God for providing for these creatures and for us as well.

Posted in animals, Humor, Uncategorized, Wacky holidays | 6 Comments

MY MOM . . .

Posted on October 15, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

For some reason my mother slipped into my mind today. She was a beautiful woman both on the outside and inwardly. Today we heard about the parable of the great banquet. Invitations were sent to many guests to attend a special celebration. The earthly story with a heavenly meaning tells us that many are called, but few are chosen. Maybe that’s why my thoughts turned to her. I’m certain my mom is in heaven. I’m also convinced that I will see her again when I get there.

She was a special woman in so many ways. For one thing she had to put up with my father, my sister and myself. That in itself, showed great fortitude. She and my dad lived a fairly average life, but they managed to scrape up enough money to give my sister and me a Christian education. I had the honor of spending most of her later years with her. Her faith inspired me, even though she felt she lacked the knowledge she felt necessary regarding religion. To me, it was the way she lived that made her “knowledgeable.” She lived her faith and showed love and compassion to others. She made no distinction when it came to sharing herself. Her childlike faith made her precisely the kind of person that God invites to heaven. She taught me many things in my life, but I treasure the greatest gift she introduced to me early on. She took me to church. She made sure I learned about Jesus. She showed me how to rely on Him in all circumstances by the way she endured hardship, despair and loss. I would watch her pray and knew she had a close relationship with her Savior. Though there were many times she had to chase me down while in the church, but she set an amazing example for me. There was no doubt in my mind that she is partaking in the great feast God has prepared for her and all those who accept His invitation.

Whenever I hear a sermon about stewardship I think of my mom. She knew how to listen to people – how to empathize and sympathize when necessary – shared words of comfort when needed. We don’t need theological degrees to spread God’s love to others. It’s a free gift designed to be shared with others. There’s a hymn that sums it up.

If you cannot speak like angels, if you cannot preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus. You can say He died for all.

If you cannot rouse the wicked with the Judgement’s dread alarms,

You can lead the little children to the Savior’s waiting arms.

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AUTUMN ANTICS

Posted on October 14, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

When autumns dons its coat of many colors, I can’t help but think back to this funny story from many years ago. You have probably read it before, but it stirs all kinds of memories for me. It was a series of firsts for me. Squirrels and bird feeders are a normal sight at this time of the year. The furry little critters are extremely busy gathering food for future consumption. They forage for acorns, crush through the hard shells of black walnuts and might get lucky and find a peanut or two laying around. When they’re extremely desperate, they hit the bird feeders. Thus began my story.

Every day I would venture out to fill those feeders to draw in a variety of birds. There’s something about watching God’s creatures within their natural habitat. I grew to enjoy their colors, their determination, their stick-to-it abilities. What I wasn’t ready for was a plethora of grey squirrels who had the same perseverance. They would climb up the post and invade the feeders, throwing seed all over the place for their buddies to enjoy from a safer vantage point. The main squirrel would go through all kinds of acrobatics to reach his destination. It was a bit comical to watch him scoot up that pole. I tried to think of ways to deter him. I even greased the pole to avoid any further nuisance. It worked for a while, until all their sliding eventually wore away the slipperiness. We bought one of those baffles intended to keep squirrels from reaching their goal, but they always seemed to figure out a way to bypass it. After weeks of frustration, I finally decided to take more serious action. I found my husband’s pellet gun and took aim. I’d never fired a gun of any kind in my life. This particular weapon was intended to stun, not to kill. In the process, my finger got pinched at least once while trying to fire it. When I finally figured out how to operate the thing, I was at a point of no return. I took aim – pulled the trigger with my blood blistered finger and shot.

It was the most dramatic deaths I’ve ever seen. No Shakespearean play – no cowboys falling off the roof after being shot – no falling off a skyscraper could possibly compare. He raised his front feet in the air, tilted his head back and opened his mouth to take his final breath. He then fell to the ground with a great thud. I was devastated. I’d taken the life of one of God’s creatures. Thoughts of my guilt plagued me for about two minutes, when he quickly came back to life and scurried into the woods. I put the gun away never to use it again. That night, as I lay in my bed replaying the whole scenario, I fell into a deep sleep. My dreams began to haunt me. There I was, sitting on top of the bird feeder, surrounded by a circle of squirrels with pellet guns. They were all shooting at me!

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TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA OR A GAME OF CHESS?

Posted on October 13, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

It is a typical Friday, the thirteenth. The sky is filled with grey clouds, spilling moisture we could’ve used a month ago. The wind is spiraling through partially emptied trees, whisking away the remainder of dried leaves. The limbs of those trees resemble skeletal remains of what held magnificent color only a few days ago. Howling sounds reverberate as they whistle through those same lifeless limbs. A fear of Friday the 13th is better known as Triskaidekaphobia, and we’ll see our share of scary movies on the streaming list for today.

This past week has been filled with sunshine and comfortable temperatures, allowing us to take a couple of drives to enjoy them. We have been trying to get the most out of each day and living one day at a time. Today we will be homebound. What shall we do today? A while ago, I purchased a board game which included checkers, chess and Chinese checkers. Today I will open the box and maybe learn how to play chess. It’s something I’ve never gotten into. I know it’s a game of strategy and skill – neither of which I possess. I know some of the basic moves, but like the cartoon, I am more of a drama queen than a mastermind. My ability to think things through and problem solves are not my greatest gift, so it may turn into a situation which occurred several years ago, when Paul was teaching me how to drive. One of those events which are better forgotten. I did get my license, thanks to his tutoring, but also created a few grey hairs on his young head.

Since we have been on the go for the past several weeks, it might be nice to just sit face to face, contemplating our next move, wondering where it will lead us and enjoying being together. Every one of those moments is precious right now. Sometimes it gets a little scary to think about what comes next, but we know that God is right there with us during the journey. Therefore, we have nothing to fear. Least of all, Friday, the 13th.

“Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see” – Helen Keller

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ANOTHER ROAD TRIP

Posted on October 12, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

PHOTO SNAPPED YESTERDAY ON OUR LATEST SHORT ROAD TRIP TO WISCONSIN

For a few months now, we’ve been taking to the road for short road trips into the countryside. We spent our honeymoon driving through the fall colors 59 years ago. These ventures are fulfilling our love of nature and especially focusing on our time together. Each trip is like adding to the time capsule of our lives together. We come to the top of a hill thinking the view can’t get any better. Then reaching the top, we’re amazed to be treated to an even grander panorama right before our eyes. This is the time of year when life abounds in the Midwest. Fields are wide open or finally being harvested. A trail of smoke follows the combine as wheat is garnered. A lone llama protects a flock of goats. A herd of Holsteins nibbles on a freshly laid bale of hay. Sheep are herded by a lively dog. Beautiful barns are filled with the bounty of summer. We love where we live. The change of seasons is a blessing to behold, although the thought of the chill of winter is in the air, and life is soon sapped. Still a beautiful luster will fill the landscape and life will go on.

Like the seasons, our lives go through times of change. We’re getting closer to the end of ours and have decided that we won’t let these last few years, months or days get away from us. There are moments when we can’t wait to get in the car and go and other times when our bodies tell us to lay low for a while. We’re trying to take advantage of those good days. As we travel – sometimes no more than a few miles – we laugh, we joke, we talk, we remember, we count each second as a blessing from God. Our days are numbered. We know that’s true, but as human beings, we hang on to this life, because we wonder what lies ahead. God knows we have fears and doubts, but He has revealed what comes after death. He has even prepared a special place for each of us who trust in His love for us.

This world is just a temporary place for us to be. Even though it is filled with wars and rumors of wars – evil treatment of human life – inhumanity towards our fellow man – darkness all around us – He has provided us with beauty in nature, wonderful friends, grace abundant and a future with Him.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:3-8

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