PURPLE MORNING MAJESTY . . .

Posted on February 9, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

THE VIEW OUTSIDE MY SIDE WINDOW THIS MORNING . . .

I look out my window at dawn of each day,

The sky fills with glory and begs me to pray,

My God is my helper, my strength and my rock,

He lifts up my spirits – I start to take stock.

Each morning is filled with a promise from God,

To guide and to keep me with His staff and rod,

He is the Good Shepherd in love with His sheep,

He tenderly hugs us when we need to weep.

I come to you Jesus and pray that you’ll hear,

My many requests for those I hold dear,

I know you can hear me, Your Word tells me so,

You’re right here beside me wherever I go.

In darkness you bring me your wonderful light,

You chase all my troubles right out of my sight,

When fears make me tremble, when hope disappears,

You hug me so sweetly and dry all my tears.

I trust you, dear Jesus, you know what to do,

My conquering Savior will make all things new,

Each day you will show me in beautiful skies

How close you are to me. Your love never dies.

Posted in aging, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUMMER . . .

Posted on February 8, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

Since it’s Throw Back Thursday, I’ve opted for a rerun.

The beat of a different drummer, the rhythm that forms its song,

The ratta-tat-tat of the lonely drum, creating a deafening, mortal, gong,

The march of weary, blood torn feet, continue with reverence.

Over roads where death awaits, like a pale horse’s countenance.

Often our words get in the way, they pound deep within our heart,

Tearing away at others’ thoughts, breaking a friendship apart,

In our narrow way of thinking, to pursue what we believe,

We sever close relationships, which we never can retrieve.

Does it matter to beat the drum, do our words mean anything,

They injure more than a bullet, they create a deadly sting,

They need to be thought out fully, before we utter a word,

So, tempers don’t flare, or fester and anger will not be stirred.

Posted in aging, anxiety, Faith, Poetry by Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

KNOWLEDGE +UNDERSTANDING = WISDOM

Posted on February 7, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Job 28:28 “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

The hope of every human mind is to gain wisdom,

We labor through our lives in search of it,

We imagine that it will come from learning,

From experience,

From years of practice,

But it doesn’t,

When we reach the end of our days,

We see,

We know,

We have learned,

That wisdom is like the air we breathe,

Like the birth of a child,

Like the first blooms of spring,

Wisdom is a gift,

From God,

To His children,

A precious commodity that only comes,

Through understanding.

Through trial,

Through adversity,

From a fear of God,

Not a fear that makes us tremble,

But one that instills an awe within us,

That fills us with inspiration,

Encouragement,

Hope,

That lifts us up,

To touch the face of,

Our Creator,

With confidence,

That He will accept us as we are,

His own precious creation.

Posted in aging, Encouragement, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

WHO IS GOD?

Posted on February 6, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

I came across some verses in Proverbs 30 today which describe who God is. These words are powerful, just like God is. These words show His omniscience (knowledgeable of all things,) – omnipresence (always present and available,) – omnipotence (all powerful.) They also fill my heart with hope. Since I’m talking about wisdom this week, I thought the best place to start was to go straight to the source of all wisdom, power, knowledge and consistent presence. The Bible is filled with wonderful adjectives describing my God. Here are just a few verses.

“The man declares, I am weary, O God;
    I am weary, O God, and worn out.
2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
    I have not the understanding of a man.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
    Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
    Surely you know!” Proverbs 30:1-4

Wow, what a description!  “Gathered the wind in his fists,” “wrapped the waters in his garment.”  How great is that?  Our God is awesome.  He is alive and active in our lives and our world.  He hears us.  He communicates with us through the Bible, in His creation and through His miraculous signs.  He loves us without end.  He provides for us.  He is our Redeemer, comforter and deliverer.  He knows our every need before we do.  He has a plan for each individual on the planet.  It’s time for us to return to the One who is consistent – who never changes – never fails and wants only the very best for us.

Wisdom is a word that describes good things like knowledge, experience, sageness, understanding, contentment, peace, discernment and so much more that we can’t even begin to understand. When we know who God is, wisdom will follow. Godis the One who created everything – the One who knows our thoughts, concerns, hopes and dreams – the One who loves us without conditions – the One who gave His Son to make us right with God – the One who lives forever – The One waiting for us in heaven. God is also the One who determines who we will be. He knew us before our conception. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. 

GOD IS AMAZING AND HE IS WAITING TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE TODAY!!

Posted in Bible, Daily inspiration and devotions, God, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

ON BECOMING A WISE GUY . . .

Posted on February 5, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

This week I’m going to focus on wisdom. Not because I’m so filled with it myself, but because age doesn’t necessarily make us wise. I think some of the greatest words of wisdom have come from children. For example, when I was teaching drama to young students, a kindergarten child gave me a taste of wisdom that was like frosting on a cake. It was the end of our six-week session, and we’d just finished our final performance. I asked her if she was coming back for the next class. She said, “I don’t know for sure. If the groundhog sees his shadow, I may have to spend the next six weeks with my grandma after school.” It was just a few days until the little rodent’s weather forecast, so her comment to me made perfect sense and was filled with amazing wisdom. 

Mark Twain once said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” When we’re in our teen years, we tend to think we’re the only ones who know anything, but there is some merit in age. Old people have had the benefit of years of experience. We know what love’s first kiss feels like. We’ve experienced the joy of bringing a new life into the world. We’ve struggled with finances, child rearing, striving for success, building a life. Our minds have been filled with learning. Some of it has been good for us and others, not so much.

Age doesn’t always make us wise, however. We still tend to make the same mistakes, follow the wrong path, hurt people with words or actions. The truth is that the older we get, the smarter we think we are, and that can make it appear that we don’t know anything. Our minds are so full, that it amazes me that they still function – most of the time. We are flawed human beings. God didn’t make us to be that way. Our journey through this veil of tears is a life lesson for each one of us. We may all take different paths, but the final destination is dependent on how we choose to travel.

Knowledge comes from experience. Experience comes from living. Life comes from God and He is the source of all wisdom.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Socrates

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. “ Henry David Thoreau

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo

Posted in aging, Life, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

JESUS, LEAD US THROUGH THE SHADOWS. . .

Posted on February 4, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Our world is full of tragic news and difficult decisions.

We struggle to find good in all the strife and dark divisions.

The devil uses all these things to tug within our reasoning.

Manipulating all our thoughts, with his own special seasoning.

But God’s power is much stronger. He’s crushed the serpent’s head.

He took the devil’s strength away when He rose from the dead.

That evil creature walks the earth, in shadows and in darkness.

He preys upon our weaknesses. He thrives upon our starkness.

He lurks about like lions prowl and forage for their food,

But never will he find surcease for he can do no good.

The day of victory will come from heaven up above.

When God will come to judge us all with justice and with love.

Lord, give me wisdom from your Word. Protect me with your arm.

Keep me within protective wings that shield me from all harm.

You’ve conquered death and so will I, as long as I trust You.

You’ve taken all my sins away. There’s nothing I can do,

Except to spread your Word of truth and love as you loved me.

Now shield me from all evil and set my spirit free.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Posted on February 3, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

This painting was done several years ago, shortly after a tornado tore through the city of Minneapolis.  An entire rookery was destroyed, except for one lone survivor. God shows us, even in the darkest hours, there is beauty. He turns dark into light. He gives hope to the hopeless, He reins over all of His creation. He is always with us. He helps us survive.

He sat majestically in his tattered nest, surveying the remnants of his former home.

A tornado ripped through the neighborhood the night before, splitting trees in two,

Uprooting some and destroying hundreds of nests in the rookery.

This Great Blue Heron survived the turmoil – the devastating wind –

The fierce torrential rain.

Now he sits, staring out over the destruction below.

Many of his friends have vanished or died.

The aging bird was spared, remaining behind and lonely.

Would he be able to pick up the pieces of his former life?

Would his life ever be the same?

If God’s eye is on the sparrow, He certainly would provide for this king of the river.

This majestic – almost prehistoric – champion will rebuild day by day, with the help of his Creator,

But that day he was simply a survivor –

Crushed by the elements, yet hopeful.

God formed this earth from nothing. He designed a perfect place for his creatures to live and thrive. When sin entered the world, the beauty was tarnished. Each day it devolves back into chaos. We have made it so. Let’s return to the One who graciously allows us to have the earth to care for. We have been given that responsibility. With His help alone, we can restore it. It will never be as it was in the beginning, but we can see to it that it is available for future generations. In the meantime, we can look ahead to a perfect paradise in heaven.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, trials, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

WHEN YOU JUST CAN’T . . .

Posted on February 2, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

There are some days when you just CAN’T –

Make it through the discontent,

Throw your troubles to the wind,

When your inner thoughts have sinned

Toss your worries in the air,

Hope that someone’s home up there,

Pray for God to intercede,

Shed a tear for those in need,

Give some hope to someone sad,

Listen to some news that’s bad,

Cry for those who cannot see,

What the Lord has done for me,

Raise my arms beyond my sides,

Pray that God with me abides,

Try to understand the world,

Hope when the flag is unfurled,

Figure out God’s perfect plan

For the lives of every man,

Make some sense of terror strikes,

Wonder why the climate spikes,

Change the things I cannot change,

Why do people act so strange,

Will our Jesus come again,

Will we enter His domain.

Life can be a series of question marks, indecision, lost hope, trouble, addiction, fear and loss. It can also be covered with love, fond memories, peace, wonder, excitement, joy and anticipation. There are days when we can’t cope – when all of those mixed emotions come together and weigh heavily on our shoulders. At that point, we either become victims and fall apart, or we grow stronger in our dependence on God. We all have days filled with both those issues. It’s OK to let it out – to talk to someone about it – to pray about it – to let it go. Some days, you just CAN’T. That’s OK too, because God is always by your side.

John 14:27 ESV ” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Posted in aging, Life, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

HAPPY FEBRUARY 2024

Posted on February 1, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Here we go again. Time to flip the page on your calendar. This is the shortest month of the year. This year we’re getting an extra day. I never quite understood the whole concept of leap year. So, do we get out our pogo sticks; go to the zoo and watch kangaroos; go to the gym and do jumping jacks? This happens every four years, just like our government elections. I wonder if they needed an extra day to count all those extra votes. Anyway, February is full of fun holidays. Of course. there’s Groundhog Day, which Bill Murray made a movie about. Peta is suggesting that we do away with the groundhog and replace it with a coin? OK, what does that have to do with anything – except maybe if there’s going to be more days of winter it will be harder to find that coin. Who knows?

In February, we’re treated to the Super Bowl. We usually enjoy the commercials more than the game or the half-time production. We all know who is going to win anyway. Since the Vikings and the Packers are no longer contenders, I have very little interest in the outcome. The day after Super Bowl is my husband’s 82nd birthday – a blessing we weren’t sure would happen this year. There’s Valentine’s Day, all the holidays listed on the above calendar, along with the first day of Lent. This season of Lent is a celebration of Jesus’ ministry, life and death. It all leads up to Easter, which changes everything for us. The Mardis Gras celebration begins the day before Lent. In other words, all the things that everyone plans to give up for Lent will be overindulged in for one day prior to that celebration. Another “biggy” is Presidents Day. They’ve lumped all the presidents together for this. I remember celebrating Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays separately a long time ago.

In addition to daily holidays and celebrations, there are monthly holidays.  During the month of February, 2024, The Year of the Dragon – Chinese New Year – will be honored. February includes Black History month, National Cancer Awareness month, National Embroidery month and National Pet Dental Health month. There are many more, but I’ll spare you.

In other words, this seemingly insignificant little month is filled with lots of things to look forward to. Some more than others. Maybe it’s because in February, most of us are experiencing cabin fever and we need more things to keep us occupied. Unlike the groundhog in search of a snow-covered coin.

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

Posted in aging, Humor, seasons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

EARTHLY TREASURE

Posted on January 31, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL T. & KATHY BOECHER©

The broken-down feed mill stands firmly aside the riverbank,

Like a noble guardian, staunchly surveying the water,

Once filled with treasure of the harvested gold,

It now stands as a tribute to its former glory,

But the treasure no longer yields its bounty,

Do we store our blessings, our treasures, our time, our talent,

In a place that offers no solidity – no barricade against destruction –

No hope of replenishment,

Our harvest is not of this world, but a result of the seeds planted within us,

Treasure beyond measure,

Abundant life, fulfillment, satiation from hunger and thirst,

No fear of death,

Eternity.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Encouragement, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CLEANING OUT THE CLOSET

Posted on January 30, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

We often work too hard and might forget that life is too short not to enjoy the time we have. We place stock in the accumulation of things – the blessings from God – the special remembrances. When it’s time to clean the closet, we have an opportunity to count our blessings. In our middle years of life, we clothe ourselves with the garment of work and discipline. When we don the apparel of perfection, the disguise simply acts as a cover-up for the things going on within us. The fabric wears out. The threads begin to fray. There is nothing left but the worn, tattered rags of a frayed and meaningless existence. Clean out the closet.

My motto is, if you haven’t worn something for more than a year, it’s time for it to go. I usually go through the things in my closet in autumn and spring. My husband, on the other hand is a bit of a pack rat and places a lot of sentimental thoughts on his stuff. We are opposites in a lot of ways, but in this area, we tend to disagree. Even those differences might need to be tossed out. Clean out the closet.

Wasting our time thinking about what could have been or what might be becomes a waste of time. We need to snuggle in the warmth of the attire Christ gives us through His love. Before Jesus came into the world to save it, we were all clothed in filthy rags. In God’s eyes, we were disgusting. When Jesus died and was resurrected, our sins were wiped away – eliminated – discarded forever. His payment made it possible for us to wear a royal cloak as heirs of heaven. First, we need to cast off those old clothes. We need to ask for God’s forgiveness, repent and receive His precious blessings with thanksgiving. Then the closet will be cleansed, and we can approach Him with confidence. He has already cleaned out the closet.

Posted in aging, Jesus, repentance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CLEANSING WATERS . . .

Posted on January 28, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL T. & KATHY BOECHER

You came to wash my feet, my hands, my heart and soul.

You washed me in your Son’s own blood.  You made me clean and whole.

From sin’s dark grip you pulled me – from Satan’s hands of steel,

Your love did then enfold me.  Your tears for me did heal.

Because you cleansed my soul, enslaved I’ll never be.

You loosed the chains that held me tight – You set my spirit free.

A bond that took the place of chains – exists within your touch.

A love that man cannot explain – a love that means so much.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

WHAT EXACTLY IS A CONUNDRUM?

Posted on January 27, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

No, I haven’t been to the Ark Encounter, but I’ve read the book. There are so many questions with this story that boggle the mind. In fact, you might call it a conundrum. A conundrum is defined in the dictionary as a confusing or difficult question – a riddle or puzzle – a pun. The story of Noah and the ark is filled with conundrums. How did he get two of every kind of animal on that boat? How did they feed them? Did the animals eat each other and call it a cruise with an endless buffet? Was the meat Kosher? Well, the questions create all kinds of images and make us laugh, but Noah was really faced with a conundrum when God approached him one day and told him to build an ark. Can you imagine? 

First of all, where did he get all the materials? I don’t think there was a Home Depot in the neighborhood. There wasn’t a lot of wood to be found in his little town. How about that gopher wood. Did someone have to go for it? God was very specific in his blueprint for this vessel. He also provided for the necessary elements to make it happen. This story could be considered an epic tale or a legend. However, the fact that it’s included in the Bible and that almost every nation has some kind of great flood story to tell, is more than enough proof for me.

God’s book is filled with stories that cause a conundrum. We might call them impossible narratives. We wonder how, why, when, where and who accomplished them and that makes us suspect the truth of them. However, God’s Word is truth and I believe that this story was an actuality. I also believe that God can do anything, provide everything, cause things to happen that seem inconceivable and turn things around at a moment’s notice.

We face conundrums each day. We struggle with problems that seem impossible at the moment. We try to fix the unfixable. We hang on to our own abilities instead of trusting in the One who created the world, the universe, everything. If we turn to Him in the first place, we’d probably have less conundrums to worry about. The solutions to our problems are all in God’s hands and part of a greater plan for us. That doesn’t mean we should sit back and wait for things to happen and problems to just go away. Noah didn’t sit there and angst over the state of morality in his world. He didn’t complain to Mrs. Noah about the condition of the politics of the time. He built an ark and through him, God saved the world.

Posted in Bible, God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FACING INTO DEATH . . .

Posted on January 26, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

I’ve talked about my “Jewels of deNial” group in the past. This is an acting troupe which deals with the issues of aging. We’ve covered topics like technology, medical problems, memory issues, traveling in the golden years, physical maladies and dependance on others for help. One topic we’ve avoided is death. This is something most of us usually try to avoid. We may not write a will, because it adds a finality to life We may not prepare for our final days as we should. It’s not an easy subject to face into, but one that we all have encountered during our passage through time. I cringed a little as I thought about writing our next episode. Since our group is presenting the comedic side of aging, this seems a tough subject to approach from a humorous standpoint.

Death is a reality. Just like all the other truths of life. It may not be on the top of our funny bone list, but to get through it, there needs to be an easier way of coping than retreating. We encounter death through all generations. It isn’t reserved for us old fogies. Life can end at any age and it’s never an easy process. It seems much more difficult to lose a child, or a young adult who is just beginning their own adventure. It seems more logical to lose someone because of their long existence, yet the sting of death has no boundaries. The grieving process cannot be catalogued into a set pattern of behavior, because we are unique individuals who do so in our own way. What works for one person, may not be the solution for another.

Death is nothing to laugh at – or is it? Monty Python found humor in the Black Plague in his movie, “In Search of the Holy Grail.” We laughed when bodies were being gathered up by the cart full and one reluctant fellow said, “I’m not dead yet.” We chuckle as comedians approach this topic, but it’s an uncomfortable laughter to say the least. However, humor is how I look at life. Why not look at death in the same way? I don’t mean to poke fun at it or demean the necessity of the process of grief. I do think that we get through it with much help from friends and family and certainly through our faith in God.

I’m confident that once death comes, it is just a transition from a life of darkness into one of pure light and perfection. God wants everyone to be part of His family. He has prepared a place for anyone who chooses to become part of it. Even during the tears, sorrow, sadness and helplessness of death, we have the hope of a future. Laughter will be part of that perfection. I’m sure of that, because I also believe God has a sense of humor.

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12

Posted in aging, death, Humor, life after death | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I’VE GOT NOTHING . . .

Posted on January 25, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Today is one of those days when I’ve just got nothing. It’s Throwback Thursday, so I could show you a ton of old pictures, but who cares? It’s warmer than it has been for some time, but how is that really important? I could talk about my thoughts on why PETA is suggesting that the groundhog should be replaced with a coin, but I’m sure I’d get all kinds of
“radical” responses. I could write about the ups and downs of living, but who wants to hear depressing things like that? Maybe a positive post that encourages others, lifts them out of anxious moments, but don’t even get me started.

I’m not ready for negative today. I truly don’t like confrontation. I can’t stand rejection, but how do I avoid those things. I definitely love the warmer temperatures, but they’ve been rearranged into a sea of fog and dampness. I always hope to encourage others, but some days I need more encouragement than I can deal out. I could go on a rant about the politics of today, but no one wants to hear my opinion. I should really spend the day dusting, but I’ve heard that dust is made up of dead skin, so why would I want to remove parts of us? I could talk about the aging process, but why add to people’s anxiety? There are topics which need to be addressed, but I’m too tired to deal with any of them. I think I’ll just go back to bed and hope that my muse pays me a visit. 

In the meantime, Happy Throw Back Thursday. Happy Irish Coffee Day. Don’t take any wooden nickels. Don’t jump into a frozen lake. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Enjoy your day. Live it up. Go with the flow. It’s almost Friday and the weekend is right around the corner. 

When you’ve got nothing, you can always think of something.

Posted in aging, Humor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

WINSOME WEDNESDAY

Posted on January 24, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

“Winsome” is one of those words we don’t use in daily conversation anymore, but it’s a lovely word. It’s an adjective which means – sweetly or innocently charming. Maybe that’s why we don’t use it much.  Our world has become less innocent, more bitter and less charming. What happened to those days of innocence – when thoughts were on simple things that would amuse or entertain? Oh, well, that isn’t the reason for this post really. I’ve done my share of complaining about the state of our emotions lately. It’s time to be winsome. At least a little winsome.

Yesterday, we had a meeting with Paul’s primary doctor. Another trip to ER required a follow-up. The day before I received a knee injection and was feeling a little sorry for myself. We all have days like that. Where things don’t always go as planned. We’re traveling through life with a feeling of being on track and something happens to disrupt that. It seems to happen a lot as we get older. However, if I’m honest with myself, life has always put detours in our way, but with God’s help, we’ve managed to get through them. Life tests can be difficult. There’s no getting around that fact. No matter what we do, or how hard we try, things happen that disrupt your daily living. Some days, you just wait for the axe to fall, because you know it will. 

So how do we get back on track? I guess the best way to do that is to return to the Bible for advice. God has a plan for each one of us. He has control over that plan and will direct it for our benefit. He has paid a great price to redeem us. He will never leave us. His love is indescribable. The example His Son lived during His time on earth can serve us well. We can never live up to it, but He has shown us how to treat others. We learn so much about our Heavenly Father through Jesus. When we trust in His direction, His will, His consistency, His presence, His kindness, His empathy, His love, we will be able to get through the tough times. Life is not going to be perfect in this world. The rulers of planet earth are not winsome. The politicians may be charming, but they don’t truly have our best interests in mind. Many people have lost their ability to smile, to laugh at themselves, to have fun. Confusion and dissension are all around us, but GOD is still in control. Trust in His complete love for you.

Posted in aging, anxiety, peace, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

WHY DO WE ASK, “WHY?”

Posted on January 23, 2024 by atimetoshare.me


When children are between two and three years old, they begin to ask the familiar question, “Why?” Most parents can relate to that question and how it continues on and on. The fact that our kids are asking the question, is not to irritate us, even though it often does. Instead, their curiosity about their world is opening up and ready to soak in as much information as possible. Why do we have to wash our hands? Why do we have to take a nap? Why, why, why? As we grow older, we continue to ask why. By the time we reach old age, the whys aren’t’ use much anymore. We simply have filled our data bank to the brim and one more fact just might turn us into zombies.

My grandmother had a great way of dealing with frustration. When it became too hard to cope with the life changing events of losing five children to untimely death; managing a farm; nursing a husband who survived 2 massive stokes – she would go to the woods.  She’d sit there for a while and look at the beauty of God’s creation, focus on it for a while, cry a little and then return to her life with a new outlook.  We all go through times like this.  We may even cry out to God and ask, “Why?” When trouble comes, we might even blame Him for causing them. When anxiety comes on, we again tend to ask, “Why, God?” When full-fledged depression hits, it’s easier to blame someone else for our state of mind. Instead of asking “Why,” try asking, “Why not?” By doing so, we’re opening the door to discovering why. Like little children, we expand our horizons when we ask, “Why not?”

Kids will continue to ask the repetitive questions that drive most of us crazy, but there is a reason for those questions. They really want to know. Their maturing minds are sifting through things that will eventually define who they become. Sometimes a parent might simply say, “Because I said so.” That might quiet the questioning a bit, but don’t discourage that curiosity. Positive and negative energy have one thing in common.  They are both forms of energy.  Choosing the negative will often lead to a defeatist attitude, self-reliance and never getting anywhere.  If we decide to go the other route, we can become energized, push forward and never give up.  Turning our attention to the only power source, will allow us to become fully recharged.  Our Creator knows what’s best for us. After all, He has promised us that He has a plan for our lives.

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REDEFINED

Posted on January 22, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

I’m not a big fan of Picasso, but obviously a lot of people are. Art is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.  However, the above quote from him, does make sense to me. In a time when the world wants us to redefine ourselves into something that isn’t really who God created us to be, it’s important that we understand who we are when we become part of His family.

It’s hard to believe that we can be redefined even in our older years.  We’re supposed to have it all figured out by then – right?  The truth is we are in a constant state of redefinition.  We may take on a job we’ve never done before – we might go sky diving – we may try a new hair style or a new fashion trend.  Life doesn’t stand still when we age.  It’s actually being renewed with every breath we take.

I looked up the word “redefined” in the dictionary and found that one of its synonyms is “redeemed,” which is exactly what we are when we’re reborn in Christ.  We’ve been purchased with a price.  The price was so great that it required perfection.  God knew that we couldn’t come to Him because of the sin originally planted in us by the devil, so He took our place in the form of His sinless Son, Jesus.  Through Him, we are made new – we’re redefined. Because of His grace and unconditional love, we have a new identity. Instead of unforgiveable, we are forgiven.

With grateful hearts, let us now lead new lives that point others to Jesus.

Dear, Lord – I have done nothing to deserve the kindness of your perfect love, but you continue to lavish me with it every day.  I have nothing to give you except my heart and even that was yours to begin with.  Help me to use the right words to share your love with others so that they may have inner peace and the knowledge of forgiveness.  We have been made new by what you have done for us. Amen!

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JESUS LEAD & I WILL FOLLOW . . .

Posted on January 21, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER© 

“TAKE MY HAND, DEAR JESUS!”

My life is filled with twists and turns, with bumps along the path.
A crooked road that’s filled with holes – reminders of God’s wrath.
The way becomes corrupted with thorns and tangled webs.
My feet are often stifled, my hope and spirit ebbs.

It seems as though I’ll never reach the end of that dark road.
I feel I just can’t carry another heavy load,
But there beyond my mind’s dark fears, lies light to lead the way.
My Lord and Savior, Jesus is reaching out to say,

“Come follow me, my little lamb. I’ll lead you to your rest.
I’ll never let you fall again, no longer will I test.
Your journey has been difficult, but you’ve not been alone.
Come follow me, my servant, and let me take you home.”

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

GOD, BE WITH ME!

Posted on January 20, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

“MY HIDING PLACE”

I go through life in search of human treasure,

I seek to find the things that give the utmost pleasure.

But when I’m faced with trouble,

when my life bursts like a bubble,

I turn to God to gain true profit without measure.

He fills my empty cup to overflowing.  He walks beside me on a troubled road.

He leads me safely to my destination.  He takes me home and carries every load.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments