ARE YOU A SAINT OR SINNER? YES!

Posted on March 13, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

There seems to be an interest in getting a bird’s eye view of other people making foolish mistakes or trying to be something they can’t possibly be. We see it in the weekly reality shows on television – movies- in the entertainment industry – in the news and just about everywhere we go. Somehow it makes some folks feel better about themselves when others fail. If we are to believe that what we see on the tube is reality, it’s easy to understand why we’re in such a mess right now. None of us is in a position to judge others. Only God can determine what is right and wrong. However, we have a legal system in our country that is currently upside down. The laws are often made to protect the offender, rather than the subject of the offense.

Everyone of us is a sinner.  It’s part of our DNA and was passed down from  Adam and Eve.  When they disobeyed God, humanity’s relationship with Him was severed.  He no longer would physically walk with His disobedient children.  There now was a separation that put man and God at opposition.  Still God loves His children and doesn’t want to lose them, so He provided a way for their redemption –  His own blood.

Everyone has a secret we don’t want the world to know.  We fall short of God’s expectations, but He invites us back into His arms when we realize our sins, repent of them and strive to change with His help.

The church has been referred to by some as an elite country club full of hypocrites.  I like to think of it as a hospital for sinners – a cafeteria where the food of life is served – a place to come and get a fresh start. Our hope is built on God’s generous, undeserved forgiveness.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV

Posted in America, forgiveness, sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

IT’S DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Posted on March 12, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

I’m at the age where TIME is running out. I’ve gone through 160 TIME changes in my lifetime. I’ve gotten used to falling back and springing forward. I now have a lot of TIME on my hands, but no TIME to spare. I’m still trying to figure out how to change the TIME on the clock in my car, so I just leave it that way because Daylight Savings TIME is short anyway. Besides, my Check Engine light has been on for three years and it’s still running. Much like me, however, my car is old and both of us are living on borrowed TIME.

When I went to bed last night it was 10 PM, but it was really 11 PM so I was living on the wild side for a while. I woke this morning at 9 AM, but lost an hour and it was really 10 AM. My computer must’ve sprung forward twice, because it’s two hours ahead. It’s TIME for a TIME out. I’m so confused, but that’s nothing new either. Every day is a challenge. It’s also a blessing to be alive and gives me more TIME to share God’s amazing grace with others. There will come a TIME when TIME won’t matter. It will be a TIME when I will no longer shed tears so much of the TIME. There will be no more suffering, no wars, no fear – just TIME in eternity with God.

“The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”  —C.S. Lewis

Posted in aging, daylight savings time, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

GOD’S MASTERPIECE

Posted on March 12, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART BY PAUL BOECHER – POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

Wallowing in the quietness of God’s beautiful creation,

Breathing in the scent of flowers and freshly mowed grass,

Observing wispy cloud formations, trying to make something of them,

Lost in the peace of the stillness.  Like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole,

Surrounded by the unknown, but enjoying the ride,

Every second an adventure – each thought full yet empty,

A noisy plane soars through its flight path, a pesky mosquito seeks an opening,

The sounds of a lawn mower, a power saw and occasional passing car –

With bass pounding, penetrates the moment, bringing you back,

Back to reality.  The stillness has been shattered, but only temporarily.,

In Gods original Creation, a masterpiece was made from nothing.

No sky, to seas, no divisions of land and water, nothing, yet everything,

When He placed his finger in the mix.

When He perfectly guided the process.

When He brought perfection out of chaos.

God, the Creator, the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Always was and always will be.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, creation, God, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

SURE SIGNS OF SPRING

Posted on March 11, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Winter simply wants to hang on this year. We’re blessed to have help shoveling our way out. It’s not a pretty sight seeing to octogenarians outside in below zero weather, trying to push snow around. In my part of the country, record snowfall and subzero temperatures are the fare for the day – the soup du jour – the endless number of snowflakes continuing somewhere into May. I love the beauty of snow. I love the glistening, diamonds that pop up on top of the freshly fallen white stuff. I enjoy watching flakes dance onto branches and snuggle into dry foliage, but enough is enough, already!

I was so excited last Tuesday, when a few of our local feral cats showed up. I know, most folks look for a furry groundhog to predict the future weather, but I watch the cats instead. I thought this was a sure sign that winter had finally come to an end. These hardy little critters had survived another jump from solstice to equinox. They took advantage of the February sun, to bask upon our Adirondack chairs,. We have renamed them – the CATarondack chairs. In fact we’ve concocted an entire story around those cats – CAT scans, CATamaran chairs, CATapults, etc. But I digress. My heart leapt for joy as I saw them. It was like viewing a glimmer of hope. Most people look for the first blooms of narcissus or tulips. I watch for winterized cats to appear.

Keeping our creative minds as active as possible is a huge necessity when you get old, even though there is very little funny stuff going on during this time of life. We almost have to create our own funny. Nothing wrong with that, I guess. So, I’ll keep my eyes open for those stray felines – get out my seed CATalogue – review the CATegories – check my peripheral vision for critters on the CATwalk – hope I don’t become CATatonic or that no one steals my CATalytic converter, especially because I now have CATaracts to worry aboutl.

Posted in aging, Humor, snow, Winter | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

SPRING, I KNOW YOU’RE OUT THERE . . .

Posted on March 11, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY FROM KATHY BOECHER

The snow is slowly melting now, soon green will take its place,

Long nights of winter darkness pass, soon sun will kiss our face,

Warm caress of springtime sunshine, drops of rain shall fall,

Dreams of golden days of summer, will surround us all,

Today becomes tomorrow, tomorrow slips right by,

Soon comes the end of living life, and like all things we die,

But Christ gives us the sweet promise to meet us at that bend,

To be with us forever, where life will never end.

Posted in aging, Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

FRIENDS BY FAITH, NOT SIGHT

Posted on March 10, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

I’d driven that same road several times during the week. Funny how you get in the habit of going somewhere and never really stopping to notice the things around you. There was one thing I did manage to see almost every day. There was a rather ragged man, with hair tossed about, riding a broken down, rickety old bike. He was accompanied by a strong, healthy looking Golden Retriever. The dog was leashed to the bike and the two seemed like old friends as they traveled the path into town. The weather never seemed an obstacle to either of them. Even on snowy days, I recall seeing the two of them, cutting through the white flakes on a quest of sorts.

In the summer months, there was a particular park bench where they stopped to rest. The man would unwrap his lunch and share it with his companion. The dog waited patiently for his portion.  His mouth began to salivate.  It was as if he could taste that sandwich before he even got some in his mouth. They were like two peas in a pod – always together – friends forever. There were days when the man walked the dog unleashed.  The pup would never go far from his master, except when the man threw a stick out ahead of him and his pal scurried to retrieve it and return it to his master’s side.  The scruffy looking fellow would pat him on the head and throw the stick again.

One day, I decided to park my car and get a closer look. There was no way of my knowing that the man was blind.  as I watched them interact, I soon figured it out.

The dog had shared his own eyes with those of his master. He’d carefully lead him where he needed to go, and the man would reward him with love and compassion. The man relied on the dog for guidance.  The dog trusted his master for love and friendship. All he asked was a little sustenance once in a while.

If I had let that whole story go unnoticed, I would’ve missed out on the treasure within.  We all need someone to rely on.  These two depended on each other and had a strong bond. We can depend on someone to help us when things are going bad, or we need a friend or confidante.  We have a straight line of communication to that One.  He invites us to be His own, because He loves us with an unconditional love.  Dogs seem to possess that same kind of love.  They’re forgiving, faithful, forget past mistakes, love us and bring us joy.  God loves us even more.  He never wanted man to be unhappy, anxious, lonely or desperate.

“Certain periods in history suddenly lift humanity to an observation point where a clear light falls upon a world previously dark. ”  Anne Sullivan

Posted in aging, Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

OH TO BE A BEATNIK AGAIN . . .

Posted on March 9, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s – when you were either a square, cool, a greaser or a beatnik. I’m sure every generation has their own labels, but to be a beatnik in the 50’s might’ve been akin to a pothead today. I never actually fit into that lifestyle, so I guess you could call me a square. Today, I’m an old lady of 80 and still kicking, so I’m blessed to be called “alive.” This thing which I love to do has begun to consume me.  As time swiftly flies beyond me – as my days grow shorter – as the need to make money is constantly on the brain – I come to the conclusion that I’m simply chasing the wind.  Still, I feel it’s something I must do.

I began writing stories when I was seven.  It was one of those things that came from loving to read.  The desire to weave intricate, beautiful words together and stitch them into my own stories carved out a lifelong passion. My dreams of being a writer included a French beret, lots of espresso, a dark, smokey coffee shop where kids would hang out and read their poetry. When I became an “adult,” reality hit home.  There were bills to pay, a family to raise, responsibilities.  The crunch of life got in the way of those moments of quiet contemplation.  No more the beatnik in black. Now a wife, a mother, the spitting image of my parents.  It was time to face reality and grow up.

Now I’m in my golden years.  Who ever thought of that term anyway?  There’s really nothing golden about them unless you’re independently wealthy or you’ve won the lottery.  Somehow the golden years have turned into tarnished brass.  We still have to make a living to survive.  Before we die, we must figure out a way to live. The starving artist comes to mind. It took Margaret Mitchell 10 years to complete “Gone With the Wind.”  It was the only book she ever wrote.  She received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and she died at the age of 49. Imagine what she might have accomplished had she lived to be my age. She wrote about what she knew and drew upon her own life in the South to tell this ageless story of perseverance and determination. I have tried to write the great American novel but have been told by some that I should really take some writing classes first. Oh well, maybe I should’ve become a beatnik.

Posted in aging, anxiety, fear, goals, Humor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE?

Posted on March 8, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Surrendering to God’s will is not easy. We can think of a thousand different reasons why we should follow our own heart, think it through and make our own decisions. Do we underestimate God so much, that we think we’re smarter than He or that we have brains given to us by Him which will calculate the path we should walk? God indeed is beyond our human intelligence. His plans were set in motion before we ever came to be. Like a great composer, He wrote all the beautiful chords, made harmony out of chaos, filled the music with energy, inspiration and love. He even knew that man would fall away from Him, before Adam and Eve ever disobeyed Him. He could hear all the dissonance of wrong notes through many emotional ups and downs. He created those to sharpen our focus and help us concentrate on the song.

So, what exactly is God’s will and how do we follow it? When we take our situations directly to Him in prayer, we have some insight into what He has planned for us. When we study His Word, the Bible, we see how He has inspired many examples of humanity into those pages. If our prayers don’t get answered immediately, God may be putting a plan into action to make it possible. If the response from Him is a definite “NO,” it will soon become apparent to us that it wasn’t the right choice for us in the first place. We may have to wait. We may not understand why. We most definitely aren’t responsible for the outcome, but we will have peace with God’s choice for us.

Let the Creator of the Universe fill you in on His plan for you. Let Him show you how you can be a part of the work that needs to be done here on earth. Allow His power to make all things possible, to lead you with His right hand, into the life He has already composed for you.

Posted in aging, anxiety, God's will, prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE?

LEARNING TO TRUST

Posted on March 7, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”  Psalm 9:10

Many of you know my husband is an artist.  He went to school at the Chicago Art Institute so that he could pursue a career in this his chosen profession.  He could have followed in his father’s footsteps and become a funeral director, but his passion for art was prompted by a desire to share his art with others. His parents didn’t discourage him.

If we find that we’re called to doing something outside of the box, or not expected of us, it can lead to great success, possible failure, starting over or giving up. It doesn’t make sense to the logical mind that our weaknesses can be used as an opportunity.  Those feelings of weakness hold no value . . . or do they?  We like the idea of success.  Failure isn’t an option in our world, but we do fail.   If we were all the best at everything, there wouldn’t be any motivation to take the next step, would there?  Goals are great, but too often we set them beyond our reach, making them destined to bomb.  Were in fact setting ourselves up for failure. We really need someone we can rely on to help us with tough decisions. Where do we go? Who do we trust?

My husband’s career didn’t take off right away.  He worked as an apprentice, did things that seemed mundane and lacking creativity, but work he did.  Eventually the hard work paid off and he opened his own business.  It grew and thrived.  At the age of 50, however, our world came crashing down because of the economy.   The doors had to be shut and we were left with nothing – no income, no savings – just the few pieces of change in our pockets when we left bankruptcy court.  Our home went into foreclosure and the only jobs which would suit our experience, we were over-qualified for. This could’ve been a time of great depression for us – and it was.

At our lowest point, Paul took up his chisels and began creating magnificent pieces of sculpture.  Those sculptures found homes in places of business and luxurious cabins and homes.  My 13 years volunteering as drama director at our children’s high school led me to a business of my own.  When it seems that all is lost, God always opens the doors to new opportunities for those who place their trust in Him. When you’re going through great difficulty, it’s hard to see any good in it.  It’s tough to understand there are lessons to be learned, but when you look back at these temporary setbacks, you’ll be able to see God ‘s hand in all of it.  He had a plan that was better than yours.  He never left you.  In fact there were times when he carried you.

He uses even our tough times to strengthen us when we trust that He knows what’s best.  Out of difficulty, we found hope.  We realized that success doesn’t come from what we do, but from the Creator of all things.  Trust requires submission.  Letting go and letting God do His work is a necessary component.  Trust also requires us to not give up, but to continue searching, look for opportunities and work at jobs or career paths that you never thought you would.  Trust enables us to surrender everything to the King of Creation.

I call that real success!

Posted in aging, America, Faith, trust | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

MISSING MY DOG

Posted on March 6, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

David Kitz had a charming story about his dog, “Champ,” this morning. It brought to mind all the many dogs we’ve had as pets over the years. Four years ago we said goodbye to our twelve year old Llewellin Setter, Gage. He was a different kind of dog. His breed alone wasn’t well known even to our vet. He soon became a puppy school dropout because of his obstinate behavior. He was a challenge in so many ways. His exuberance and ADHD (A darned hyper dog) syndrome, caused a torn rotator cuff for my husband, lots of accidents to clean up after and sometimes a total frustration. He was the first dog we ever had that took so long to get used to us. I know we’re a different breed at my house, but we’ve always managed to relate well to dogs. It took Gage almost seven years to like us.

We didn’t stop loving him, however. Even the day we returned from Easter Sunday church to discover that he’d eaten a whole bag of jellybeans including the bag. The remnants of this escapade wound up on our carpeting in technicolor. He was notorious for grabbing food from the kitchen counter before it had been cooked. Things like cookie dough, thawing chicken breasts, a pound of hamburger and other assorted goodies. Most dogs like doggie biscuits or treats, but Gage preferred a roll of paper towels or some toilet paper. We figured he must have a fiber deficiency.

He was a frisky dog too. Always on the move and ready for action. When we moved from what was our home of 24 years, he seemed to enjoy his new digs, even though he didn’t hesitate to pick a fight with one of the neighborhood feral cats. No damage was done, but an insatiable desire for cat fur was instilled into his brain. He slowed down quite a bit in our new surroundings. Maybe it was because he was then nine years old and naturally was aging along with us.

It’s amazing how much our pets become an integral part of our lives. They nuzzle their way in as puppies and chart new territory with you, always at your side or sitting by your feet or on your lap – often sleeping in bed beside you or walking you to the bathroom and staying there until you’re done. When they come to the end of their lives, we find it difficult to say goodbye almost as much as sending off a member of the family. Unlike family members, they have something that humans don’t possess. It’s called unconditional love – a love that isn’t always deserved – a love that lasts until the end of their lives.

We’ve not had a new dog since Gage and probably won’t now that we’re winding down the later years of our own lives, but if you ever have the opportunity to share your life with a dog, I would highly recommend it. I know there will be many, many dogs waiting for us at the gates to heaven when we arrive.

Posted in aging, ENDURING LOVE, humor, Pets | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

PEACEFUL LIVING

Posted on March 5, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Away from the maddening crowds,

Deep in the heart of natural things,

Lifted to heights unknown,

Separated for a time from the chaos,

The destruction,

The anger,

The hatred and blood.

There must be a place to hide,

There must be a sanctuary large enough for all,

Enough to fit every troubled soul,

The Lord, God of Israel,

Father of the Living Messiah,

Creator of heaven and earth,

That is where true solace lies,

Where the lion lays down with the lamb,

Where living waters flow,

Where pain is nonexistent,

Where life is free from anxiety,

In His bosom, we find comfort, peace, hope.

SANCTUARY!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD

Posted on March 4, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

My dad would’ve been 102 today, but he went to heaven at the very early age of 61. I think about him often now, especially as I near the late years of my own existence. Dad was one of four children. His father left the family when dad was just a young boy, leaving him with the responsibility of helping to raise his siblings. As a father, he was stern, but never laid a hand on me. His form of punishment was silence and disappointment. However, he was a good dad. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he was facing many of his own insecurities as I was growing up. Happy birthday in heaven, Dad!

I have a memory of him that turned into an article about parenting. Here it is:

The kitchen door holds stains from little fingerprints, though children no longer dwell there.  You can see lines on that same door, where we stood to be measured each year.  The room always had the smell of something good cooking, along with the cigarette smoke that curled above my dad’s head. I remember him sitting on a coral-colored, chrome chair, behind the newspaper, as he ate his breakfast.  He was often hidden behind that paper.  Maybe he did so to shut the world out for a while.  Maybe he simply needed some alone time.  Maybe he was sincerely interested in world events, but to me that paper was a shield. It was a way for him to close himself off from me and the rest of my family.

Do we do the same thing with our children? Do we shield ourselves from reality by hiding behind a computer screen or glued to a cell phone.  I heard a story recently of a teacher who assigned her class to write an essay on what they would most like to be.  When she read them, she found one that stood out more than the others.  The child said he wished he was a cell phone, so his parents would pay as much attention to him as they did with their devices.  She discovered that the essay was written by her son.

How much have we become slaves to technology? It’s really not much different than my father’s newspaper was for him. Those precious moments that we spend in another world, often becomes our reality.  We get so wrapped up in it that we exclude the important things in life.  I am totally guilty of this.  I have many people to reach out to through social media.  I often become so involved in their lives and their problems that I forget to nurture my own family.

Dear, God, as technology becomes a way of life for us, help me and all my friends and family realize what’s truly important in life.  To walk with You, to read and study Your Word, to relate to others in a positive way and to share Your Good News where and when I can.  Amen!

Posted in memories, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

MORNING BLISS

Posted on March 4, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER@

Crags of broken granite, carved by the hand of God,

Thrusting from an ocean green, where none has ever trod,

The glory of the mountains, the power of the sea,

The valleys and the forests tall were made for you and me,

Lift up your eyes to heaven, prepare your heart this day,

And thank God for creation, don’t ever turn away,

He formed it out of nothing, He crafted it with care,

He used His perfect power and love He didn’t spare,

This marvelous creation, is more than we deserve,

It’s up to us as stewards to see that it’s preserved.

Posted in Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, Climate change, creation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A BROKEN HEART?

Posted on March 3, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Have you ever felt that your heart would break, because of the sadness within it? Have you ever experienced a feeling of emptiness within that same heart? There are times when I think we all go through this struggle. There’s something going on inside of us that makes no sense. It triggers tears that won’t stop and thoughts of rejection, loss, loneliness and even a feeling of never recovering from it.

Some people call it a broken heart. Others refer to it as depression, anxiety and self-inflicted pain. Whatever it is, it is beyond our control. Sure, we have the brains to organize our thinking and the power to change the way we view things. We have strength that often goes beyond our wildest dreams, especially when we think we will never get through the situation. We are strong and courageous – at least we’re told to be so – but we need someone who knows the full scope of the problems that we’re facing. The only One, who created the Universe, – who breathed life into us – who gave us abilities to work through the problems of life – but also promised to be with us throughout the process. Our Holy God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is with us through all our ailments, our frustration, our fears and sadness. He sits beside us, comforts us, gives us rest, is in control of the outcome and leads us to a solution.

I have felt the emptiness of a broken heart. It’s hard to describe, because it isn’t like any other emotion. Knowing that God is our friend in all situations will help. He doesn’t want us to be sad. We are precious to Him. He sacrificed His own Son, so that we could reap the benefits of His eternal kingdom. Instead of trying to figure it all out by yourself, turn to Him for comfort, relief and the will to carry on. Remember, He will never leave you.

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

Posted in aging, anxiety, depression, Faith, God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

TIME FOR A TIME OUT?

Posted on March 2, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Having spent the last three years in and out of isolation, most of us are not crazy about timeouts. If you’ve been recovering from a long illness, you don’t want to hear that you should relax and take it easy – spend some quiet time – meditate. When you’ve put in extended hours at your job and someone tells you to slow down, you might feel inspired to push on, but your mind would rather take a vacation. Maybe you’ve turned to an artificial way to dumb down your feelings. You’ve gone from being a slave to one thing to exchanging it for another. There are times when we simply need to be alone in a quiet space with no one else around to interrupt our thoughts.

Do you have such a place? For us rustic Tundra people, we can count on at least half a year filled with snow, ice, treacherous roads, broken bones, colds, flu and on and on. We manage to survive, but usually succumb to cabin fever about this time of the year. How do we crush the feelings of being in bondage for all that time? Eventually, if there is more than one of you under the same roof, it becomes a time of tension, too much of each other, too much conversation, too much. As much as you love each other, you often get on the other’s nerves. When that happens, what do you do? Where do you go? How do you cope? Who will listen to you?

When Jesus began His ministry, He spent 40 days in the desert. During that time, He was tempted by Satan but used the Word of God to fight Him off. Many times, during His life, He would retreat to a quiet place and talk to His heavenly Father. His schedule was full. He grew hungry and tired. He needed some space. When we feel that way, we can go anywhere to be alone, but also know that God is right there with us. He will help us sort through the difficulties we’re facing. He hears our voice before we ever utter a word. He will guide us to answers to the things that tug at our hearts and souls.

Life on this earth will never be perfect, but if we remember what Jesus said to His followers as well as us, we can look forward to the hope and promise of heaven.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John16:33

Posted in aging, anxiety, depression, Encouragement, Lent | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

PROPHECY FULFILLED . . .

Posted on March 1, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

There was no question as to who Jesus was. He fulfilled every prophecy ever written about Him. He spoke with authority, He did miracles, He left His home in Heaven and took on the form of man, He died on the cross, He rose again three days later. He even told the people who He was and still He was rejected by men (another fulfilled prophecy.)

I wonder how we would receive Him if He came today. In this world of darkness, people are crying out for answers, for hope and for help. As we see people falling further and further away from Jesus and the truth of our forgiveness., it seems the perfect time for him to return to us. We don’t know when that day will come, but we still can open our hearts and souls to Him right now.

Dear, Lord, Jesus, help me and others to recognize you and not be afraid. Your love for us is incomprehensible and you give it freely. You are the light that fills a dark world with hope and promise. Teach us, through your Word, to know all about you, so we will be prepared for your final coming. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Posted in aging, America, armor of God, Faith, Jesus, Lent | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on PROPHECY FULFILLED . . .

WHY DO WE LOVE THE PAST?

Posted on February 28, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

What is it about the past that’s so appealing? Looking back at historical events – from ancient times -to times of royalty and the Renaissance – to the foundation of our own country, are times that are compelling to many of us. We like to romanticize then, because they seem to be more of an innocent existence, but is that true?

At my house, we tend to watch movies about history. The western films and war movies seem to be the fare of the day most of the time. We recently got caught up in the TV series “1873.” This mini-series is a pre-quel to the “Yellowstone” series which we never watched. The story of “1873,” focuses on the family tree of the Duttons as they made their way through trying times, danger and the peril of an unknown country. As in most stories of the old west, we assumed this would be right up our alley. The poetic beauty of each episode was brilliantly carried from one to the next. Yes, there was violence, promiscuous behavior and the typical heroes and villains. The truth of that time was not much different than it is today. The well written scripts were often filled with family values and morality as well as the ugly side of life.

When the latest spin-off, “1923” began we were anxious to see where this story would take us. The first few episodes were a bit hard to follow, because they were filled with a number of different stories. I’m sure there is a reason for this. Possibly to do another mini-series for each of these story lines. The last few shows have been a total disappointment. Suddenly we were being exposed to sadistic behavior, pornography, dialogue that could be written by any fifteen-year-old with a bar of soap in his mouth, and all the other ugly things that go along with deviant behavior. Is this the past we grow so quickly disillusioned with? I know the “real world” is filled with this garbage, but we don’t enjoy viewing it.

The days of nostalgia aren’t so great. God witnessed the same sins done over and over again, yet He still loves us. As blackened as our hearts are and corrupt as our minds become, God considers us His children. Why? We certainly don’t deserve His unconditional love. We absolutely can do nothing on our own to redeem ourselves. Life seems to fall deeper into the pit of sin and darkness, but it is a symptom of the original sin in the Garden of Eden. s dark as that chasm gets and as degenerate as we become as a people, God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so that we could enjoy the inheritance of heaven.

The promise of good winning over evil is real. Thank you, God, for making that possible!

Posted in aging, forgiveness, morality, sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

ARE YOU AN EMBARASSMENT TO YOUR KIDS?

Posted on February 27, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

We watched a Billie Cystal/Alan King movie the other day called, “Memories of Me,” (1988.) It was intended to be a comedy. The drama of the movie was more intense for my husband and me. Within this comedy, we saw how a man was often embarrassed by his father when he was a child. Their relationship had deteriorated over time, but eventually they come to terms with each other. It got me thinking about how our children relate to us when they’re going through their growing up years. Do we cause them embarrassment with our actions, words and behavior?

We both felt this film hit home for us. I was the drama director at my childrens’ school. It was often difficult not to act as a parent, but there were times when I didn’t. I was known to go through McDonald’s drive-thru to order with a fake nose and glasses. I often went down the same one-way street the wrong way while driving the carpool. In later years they watched me receive a pie in the face on stage. There was the time my windshield wiper flew off and I had to substitute it with a puppet from the back set of the car. Another time, while driving a stick shift Jeep, the shifter lifted right out of its place as I made a turn. I quickly stuck it back in and proceeded on. There were many occasions when I certainly must’ve caused them to feel at least awkward.

My husband will never live down the Speedo he wore in our backyard pool. He chose many different ways of wearing his hair (from Sonny Bono to Bob Ross) and the wardrobe he chose – from white button-down shirt, tie and three-piece suit to flannel shirt and jeans. His stories pertaining to trips he took, hunting, nature, sitting around a campfire, had the tendency to grow larger and larger with each telling. These situations could have caused some humiliating moments for them.

Our kids were often witness to funny stuff in our home. We both love to laugh and can usually find humor in most situations. As we grow older, things aren’t as funny anymore. We need their company. We need their help. We need them. All of those things have been provided by them. It’s like the hands of time have reversed and we’re now the kids and they’re the caregivers. Thankfully we can still laugh at ourselves.

In the movie, the son realizes how much alike he and his father are. They’re both charming, entertaining, funny and likeable. The things we do as parents aren’t always acceptable to our children. We are supposed to be setting a good example. I hope that we were a positive influence on our children and that they can laugh at some of those “embarrassing” situations with compassion, as we continue to make our way through this life. Maybe they’ve already passed awkward moments on to their own kids.

Posted in aging, change, Children, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

WASH ME CLEAN

Posted on February 26, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could power wash our souls and make them clean? If only  we could wash away the ugliness within us – the evil thoughts, the anger that infests our soul – the fears and anxieties of the unknown – the moments of uneasiness when confronted with disease or illness.  If only it were that simple.

But, it is.  All of God’s people have been washed and renewed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.  He alone can cleanse us from the sin that assails us daily.  He paid the ultimate price when He sacrificed His sinless Son to take our place – to wash the scum of sin from darkly soiled hearts – to redeem us as a chosen people – to give us new life.

When we forget the cost of our redemption, we are crucifying the Son of God over and over again.  There is no other way to salvation than through Christ.  Our works cannot take the place of the blood of the Lamb. He is the only One who can wash us clean.

“It is a mistake to imagine that man can exhaust his destiny, or can reach the bottom of anything whatever. Alas! what are all these destinies thus driven pell-mell? whither go they? why are they so? He who knows that, sees all the shadow. He is alone. His name is God.” Victor Hugo

Posted in aging, Lent | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

ELEMENTS

Posted on February 26, 2023 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

When it seems that all is gone and the days stretch on too long,
There is hope and consolation in God’s perfect preservation,
He provides for every need, even when there’s naught to feed,
When miracles are required, He will give with love inspired,
His perfection does abound in creation all around,
Lift your hands to Him in prayer, He will answer you with care,
Maybe not as you expected, but in ways that He’s directed,
He will soothe your troubled mind, give you peace in all you find,
He will lift you to His breast, calming fears through every test,
He will breathe new life in you, when the present one is through.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, hope, inspiration. | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment