POLITICAL ADS OVERLOAD

Posted on October 12, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Wednesday around here, usually means it’s time for garage sales. We’re getting to the end of the season for that sadly. I love looking at other people’s trash and trying to imagine how to use it in and among my own trash. Like I said, the season is about to end with the onset of colder months. No one likes trudging through the snow to visit a garage sale. The fact that I often look for signs leading to them, brings me to another form of advertising that appears on people’s lawns and street corners. The political advertising season is heavily crowding out the yard sale signs and making them impossible to see. Like most of my friends, we are all sick of this massive advertising campaign, aimed at getting votes. I would imagine that millions or more dollars are being spent on these few months before an election to brainwash with pictures and names of various candidates. Wouldn’t it mean more to use that very same money to do some good for the community these people are running to rule over?

I firmly believe that everyone should be limited to how much they spend on posting their faces all over the place. This form of brainwashing should not be tolerated. Not only is it a waste of money, but it’s hiding the yard sale signs – making people really mad – irritating everyone who sees them – really not accomplishing what they set out to do. When we get this close to an election, you can’t take a walk around the block without being greeted by a Republican or Democrat candidate. They are plastered on lawns, billboards, the screens of our televisions and the media often takes a stand on one or the other. Because we are a free nation, we’re allowed to do these things, however, it seems to me that it’s just a form of agitation, which our country doesn’t need right now.

If you have any common sense, you’ll do your homework before going to vote. Find out what the candidates have accomplished so far and if they have the gumption to carry through on their promises. You can bet that most of them will forget what they promised the minute they’re elected. So, I propose that all the money used for political advertising is placed in a special account to be used for things like homelessness, medical care for the aged, help for those who can’t take care of themselves – I think they call it charity. Maybe we’d be looking at a whole new world.

Posted in America, change, country, Elections, FPRGIVENESS, Humor, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

EXPLOSION OF THE SENSES

Posted on October 11, 2022 by atimetoshare.me
Photo taken by me on one of our mini-road trips last week.

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. Not only are our eyes exposed to a feast of brilliant colors, but the sounds change too. We hear geese migrating in search of warmer climates and honking all the way. There are more birds at the feeder lately too. Squirrels are busy gathering sustenance for the coming winter months. How majestic is our God. He has His eye on His entire creation, every second of every day. He charts the paths for the birds to fly. He leads the critters to food sources that will keep them alive. He hears our prayers – every single one of them – and answers them with our best interests in mind.

We live in a small town, just north of Minneapolis. We’re close to all that we need to keep us going every day, but we are also able to escape the city within just a few miles outside our backyard. We generally get in our car at least once a week and travel through wooded areas – visit parks surrounding two large rivers that feed them and enjoy all that God has to offer. These little trips are a way for us to refresh and regroup and get closer to our Creator. The trips are short, but enough for us to enjoy the changing seasons and escape the city sounds, smells, sights, feelings and tastes. It is a sort of respite from all the chaos that is going on right now in our neighborhood. You see, our home sits very close to a major highway which is currently under construction. Even though we live in a small town, there is crime around us. There is danger everywhere, but God has placed His protection around us too. He has given us opportunities to venture to other places and enjoy His handiwork.

If you want to enliven your senses, get out in nature. Especially right now when the colors are amazing. The metamorphous of life is taking place. Survival of the fittest is in the works. There is so much to enjoy right now. God’s paintbrush has been working overtime.

Posted in America, God, Inspiration, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

EYES WIDE OPEN

Posted on October 10, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

We’ve had a taste of feasting our eyes on other people’s eyes in the past three years. Masking has made it difficult for us to get a clear picture of what a person is actually thinking, but our eyes tell a lot. Even though the rest of our face was covered, the eyes could display anger, frustration, hatred, love, and many emotions that are within us. They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, and I believe they are very important to our spiritual as well as physical sight. In our age of technological advances, it hardly seems necessary to use our minds.  Our information is right at our fingertips.  Wouldn’t it be interesting if at some point we eventually wind up like E.T. with our line of communication being our pointer finger? Our eyes take in all kinds of information – some that isn’t always good for us. Our mind may have difficulty processing the good from the bad, especially with all the eye candy being bantered around us.

We’ve been designed as visual creatures.  Our eyes are an important part of our makeup. We often look only at what’s right in front of them.  We need proof – we need to see for ourselves – we need to have the drama laid out before us so we can experience the beauty of a story or an image. My husband knows how to craft beautiful images through his art.  I use my gifts to turn stories into performance drama.  There are so many talented authors who have transferred their thoughts into beautiful words for the eye to read and places to stir the imagination.

Until we no longer have use of our eyes, we rely on them for many things and yet we’re often blind to the truth that’s right in front of us.  The clarity of God’s Word requires only one thing from us and that’s opening our eyes in faith to what its pages hold.  We don’t need to be an intellectual – we don’t need to be a theologian – we don’t even need to be a believer. In faith, inspired by the Holy Spirit, our eyes will be opened to the beautiful plan God has designed for each of us – a plan that goes far beyond what our earthly life provides.  It’s the nourishment that God has prepared for everyone in eternity.


Posted in Bible, Faith, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

FEARFULLY, WONDERFULLY MADE

Posted on October 8, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

When I look in the mirror first thing in the morning, I’m sad to say I don’t always like the reflection, but that’s just my vanity talking. If I look at the inner workings of the human body, mind and spirit, it is amazing to realize how we are so intricately made.

Every little piece of us is dependent on the other for survival too. The beauty of it is that God knew us even before our conception. He formed us before we were ever born. How can anyone say that an unborn child is not a life? Every life is important and special to the one who created it. Praise God for giving us the air that flows through our lungs, the blood that rushes through our veins, each miniscule cell that helps to keep us going, because God doesn’t make junk and every single life is extraordinary.

Psalm 139:14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Posted in aging, Children, God | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

MEDICAL MISHAPS

Posted on October 6, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

We’ve all experienced some pretty weird things when it comes to medical issues. My acting troupe, “The Jewels of deNial,” has recently combined their talents to create this next episode of our radio show called, “Medical Mishaps.” The collaboration of events in all of our own lives have melded into a really funny skit, including being on a ward as a patient, waiting in the ER, all the necessary medical forms to be filled out and a plethora of other things we must laugh at to get through.

The entire purpose of our shows is to demonstrate that life doesn’t have to be a bowl of cherry pits. We still have opportunities to laugh at ourselves and even lighten up some of those very situations. Agomg doesn’t have to be the end for any of us. We can continue to live, even through the dark times, when we maintain our sense of humor. Today we debut this episode at our home theatre. Northern Starz Theatre Company has been a real blessing for me. After retiring from a very long career of teaching drama, costuming countless shows, writing just as many and herding kids onto stage, I felt a real void in my life. There’s something about the theatre that gets into your blood, just like any of the arts do. I found this little theatre nearby and discovered a real gem while doing so. I became involved and so did some of my friends and my granddaughter. It became a haven for using some of my gifts that weren’t yet ready to retire. I don’t think they ever will. In fact, I fully expect to be doing this on the other side of eternity. When it comes to casting, I won’t have to look far for a John the Baptist or Simon Peter. They’ll be right there.

Back down to earth, the little community theatre, Northern Starz, is truly dedicated to the community. They include everyone from the very young to us old fogies and those with special needs. They offer something for everyone. So, I will be breaking legs for some time to come as I continue to be afforded my love of theatre and for as long as God wants me to serve Him on this planet.

Posted in acting, aging, Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

AGE OLD QUESTION – WHO AM I?

Posted on October 5, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Carl Sandburg was an American poet who won 3 Pulitzer Prize awards or poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. He was noted for his many volumes of verse and keen observations of life. When he passed away in 1967, President Lyndon Johnson said of him, “Carl Sandburg was more than the voice of America, more than the poet of its strength and genius. He was America.” In the poem, “Who Am I?” Sandburg captures the truth of what life means. We’re all placed upon this earth for a purpose.

Another man of note, King Solomon, wrote these words in Ecclesiastes 3:10 – 15:

 “I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race.  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.  I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”

God created man for a purpose. Each of us is unique in our own way. We’re affected by many things throughout our existence and those things will in turn affect our relationship with our Creator. When God created us, everything was perfect. There was no sin. There was no hate, anger, fear, guilt. The world of God’s making had no flaws. When sin entered the world, everything changed. Our battle with truth began and our purpose was diminished. There was no way to redeem ourselves, so God provided One. He sent His only beloved Son, to take on human flesh and pay the necessary ransom for our souls. His perfection was the asking price. The perfect unblemished lamb, Jesus, Christ, was the only One who could carry our sins to the grave.

So who are we, in the scheme of things? What is our purpose in this life? I think the key phrase in Ecclesiastes is this – God does it so that people will fear him. Fear, in this context, is meant as reverence and awe. When we look at God in this way, to honor and praise Him, we are showing Him the greatest respect. Yet even our act of reverence isn’t going to earn us a place in heaven. Our works and deeds mean nothing, unless they are done for the benefit of others and without fanfare. Our good works are a result of what God has done through us.

So, who are we? We are God’s handiwork – not puppets or sculptures of stone. We are created in a way that defies modern medicine. The intricacies of our bodies are so complex, they probably will never be fully understood. We have been enriched with a mind that can reason, solve problems, invent and create. We also have a soul that was purchased at a great price. Now it’s our time of grace – appointed by God Himself, to benefit the rest of creation. He has a purpose for each one of us and He will show us what that is as we continue through this veil of tears. When we see Him on Judgment Day, we will understand completely.

Posted in aging, purpose, SELF ESTEEM, work | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

BEING A MOM – EXPECTATION & REALITY

Posted on October 4, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

So, you’re having a baby! One of the most fulfilling, life-changing, magnificent, delightful, loving events in a woman’s life. It will definitely change you forever. When you first get the news that you’re going to carry a child within your own body for nine months, you become elated and full of hope and promise. By the end of the first trimester, you will wonder why you ever allowed this to happen to you. If you haven’t succumbed to morning sickness – experienced mood swing – or find it difficult to squeeze into your sweatpants – just wait. It gets better. By the end of the second trimester, you are beginning to walk like a duck. Your profile remains the same, except for the bump that is rapidly increasing in size. Shoes are no longer an option, because your feet are now two sizes larger than before. Chances are, you’ve already lost sight of them anyway. The morning sickness has been replaced with a voracious appetite. Your mood swings are even greater. There is absolutely nothing that your husband can do right, By the third trimester, your once slender body has been invaded with stretch marks. Your ankles resemble elephant feet. You’ve given up hope of ever seeing them again. By this time, you have been showered with gifts for the new baby – attention has shifted from you to that same child – you’re beginning to wonder if you can be a good mom. Then the child is born and everything you ever thought about motherhood is about to change forever.

The beauty of giving birth is that even though you go through pain and suffering to get there – you have something wonderful to show for it. The helpless, little body you hold tightly in your arms, is totally dependent on you. You will now be expected to care for, instill values, protect, teach, love, be a friend as well as an enforcer. Your life will never be the same. You now have their vulnerable, little life in your hands.

All the things you dreamed about, during those nine months prior to birthing your first child, are about to go up in smoke. You will now be responsible for another life, other than your own. You are about to take a step down on the ladder of life, because it is no longer about you, but truthfully, it has never been all about you. You know you will have to clean little bottoms, mop up vomit from the floor, increase the amount of laundry and extend the budget to limits you hadn’t planned on. What you aren’t always prepared for is the endless attention a child needs. You will not always get the dishes done. You may not even be able to hide them in the dishwasher. Meals will often be frozen pre-cooked and less flavorful than homemade. Your hair may not get washed. A bath is like a weekly reward. You will be lucky to get your makeup on, teeth brushed and roll some deodorant under your armpits. You will wake in the middle of the night to the sound of fierce hunger and must provide immediately. Your husband will not understand why you have lost that “lovin’ feeling.”

OK, this is beginning to sound like a warning to never have children – not true. The fact is, having a child is one of the most rewarding, blessed, holy, self-sacrificing job a woman can ever hope to have. The key to being good at it is dependent on your relationship with your own heavenly Father. He will give you the courage, the fortitude, the strength, the understanding, the compassion and the selfless love necessary to be the best you can be. The house may always be a mess. You will have an endless stream of unmatched socks. Your hair is on the low end of your priority list, but you are holding the future in your arms.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3

Posted in Family, God, motherhood, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

WHAT IS A FAMILY?

Posted on October 3, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

“Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built.” James Dobson

Having or being part of a family requires a lot of dedication, patience, sense of humor, ability to compromise, patience, listening, faith, endurance, persistence and did I mention patience? This weekend, our family pitched in to give us their help around our house. We had two chairs that needed repairing, some branches to be taken down, trim work that needed restoration, and they came to bat for us. Our children are definitely a blessing at any age, but it seems we turn the tables on them when we get old and now require their assistance like they did when they were learning how to live. We’re in the midst of a metamorphous at 80 years old. Our bodies have given way to gravity. Muscles have been replaced with droopy skin and if you have a tattoo with a ship on it, the ship has most likely sunk. Our minds are still intact, but our bodies have difficulty getting up and back down again.

When we started our lives together so many years ago, and began to plan to have children, we weren’t thinking about raising responsible adults, but somehow that happened. The days of having them help with chores around the house was designed to teach them, but it was also a tremendous help to us. The scolding to clean their rooms seemed a never-ending story. Helping with the lawn mowing, shoveling, doing the dishes were all tasks that helped them learn how to work together and solve problems.

I had one sibling – a sister who was born almost five years after me. We didn’t hit it off in those early years. In fact, I often came up with ideas to make her life miserable. She never fails to remind me of those deeds either. For example, when it came time for us to do the dishes, I conned her into believing I would be responsible for all the dishes except the silverware. She didn’t realize I was talking about the scalded, darkened, pots and pans as part of the silverware. I was only trying to be creative and teach her how to think outside the box. Oh, the things she put up with.

My own children had chores to do, but they weren’t made to feel like slaves, although they never received a monetary allowance. They often grumbled and complained while doing them, but we are now reaping the rewards of what they learned so many years ago. Thankfully they are making their own lives now, and they still include us.

Thank you, God, for family. Though miles may at times separate us – though time is often hard to sacrifice – though it seems like we are now the children, and our children are our parents – we’re eternally grateful for the blessings we receive through our family. Your love is amazing. Thank you for giving us this wonderful gift. Amen!

Posted in enouragement, Family, parenting | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

THE GLORY OF AUTUMN

Posted on October 2, 2022 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

The grandeur of a summer day, the warmth of golden sun,

The birth emerging from the trees, new life has now begun,

Incomparable perception, upon the highest heights,

Of golden fields and new mown hay and other glorious sights,

Of unpolluted county sides, of azure heavenly skies,

A glimpse of full contentment, lays right before our eyes,

Of waters flowing here and there, of peace and solitude,

Of quiet walks and friendly talks, will change our attitude,

When summer comes again to us, our time may well be spent,

Our days dried up and bodies cold, our days of discontent,

But still we’ll live in splendor, of endless summer days,

When breath inspired by God Himself will set our souls ablaze.

Posted in Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, ART & POETRY BY THE BOECHERS, change | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

GROWING OUR FAITH

Posted on October 1, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Faith is one of those words used to explain something that we can’t see.
It’s putting trust into something without having proof of its existence.

But it’s so much more than that!

To have faith, we must have confidence that the unseen actually exists.
We must be willing to give our full allegiance to it.
We must use that faith to penetrate the walls of fear, hate, anger, sadness.
Our hearts must be so consumed with faith that no other path will do.

But even that isn’t all of it.

Faith is an obligation, but it’s also a free gift from the Holy Spirit.
It’s ours to keep and as a result of it, good works will follow.

Even they are not our own doing.

Our good deeds are placed in us by the one who gave them to us.
The very Spirit of God Himself. A means whereby we can show our gratitude. His love – His mercy – His patience – His compassion – His forgiveness,
Covers us – encourages us – takes us in His arm and comforts us.
He bathes us in His righteousness and washes away all our iniquities.

My faith is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, falth | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

SOWING IN TEARS

Posted on September 30, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

When our tears overtake us at the drop of a hat, we immediately think of ourselves as weak or lacking faith. Tears are an outlet. They are a blessed gift from God, designed within us to provide moisture for the eyes. They can cleanse the eye of a foreign object. They can release a ton of emotional stress. They are a necessary part of our chemical makeup and I thank God for them every day. It has been nine months of hospital visits, waiting for hours in an ER, watching others who are in severe pain longing for assistance but having to wait their turn. Going through six emergency surgeries only to have to return for more. Dealing with anesthetic each time. No answers. No solutions. No wonder there are tears.

When you go through any kind of medical issue your whole world turns upside down. It isn’t just your life that’s affected. Those who love you, who live under the same roof, family, friends, fellow Christians are at the ready with sincere prayers, but still the tears fall. Sometimes they are uncontrollable. Sometimes necessary for the healing process. Isn’t it amazing to know that God is aware of each of those tears. He has even stored them in a bottle. When we get to the point of tears, we are close to a breaking point – wanting the suffering to end – praying for solutions – wondering if our faith is strong enough. When it seems that the end will never come, we can be sure that God knows. He is with us. He walks with us through each step of our existence. He, the King of Creation, is our friend, our confidante, our Redeemer. When we get to that breaking point, He is the One who loves us unconditionally. He will intercede. His will is always good, but we also need His strength to accept it.

After our morning devotion today, we shared some tears as we prayed and hugged each other. The tears were genuine – but for both of us, humor always helps in tough situations. Paul started to sing, “There’s a Place for us,” from West Side Story. I started to laugh and said, “Oh, no, something is really wrong. You’re singing show tunes!” We both began to laugh as the tears vanished. It’s really true. “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.”

Posted in aging, death, depression, Faith, God's will, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I CAN’T DO THIS ALONE

Posted on September 29, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

There are so many times when we try to manage our lives and all the difficulties we face. When we seem unable to find a solution, , we turn to God for help. Maybe we should just do that in the first place. It seems to me that it would save a lot of angst and knots in the stomach. We can’t solve every problem that comes our way, even though God gives us common sense and brain power. We become stubborn, in a way, because we feel like we should be able to solve the problem alone.

There are things that go beyond our control. There are health issues that seem to have no solution. There are relationship problems that are one sided or unyielding. There are financial problems that make us feel oppressed or downfallen. When things get to that point, we logically turn to God for help. However, the solution doesn’t always show up right away. What we truly need to know is that no matter what happens to us, God is with us all the way. He is there for us. He hears us. He knows our needs even before we do. He loves us unconditionally. He has our best interests in mind in all things. He will not give us more than we can handle. Even with those truths in mind, it isn’t easy for us to let go of the reins. The dilemma than becomes even more difficult. Add to all that, we have an adversary who is trying desperately to win control over our souls. The devil never sleeps. He is like a lion on the prowl and will stop at nothing to mess with our heads – causing us to lose sight of the power of God over Him.

Remember that God is faithful. He is our defense in every trouble. He will not leave us. He has already gained the victory over the devil and provides us with everlasting life. As I write this, I am struggling. I know the battle will end and good will come from it, but right now it seems that it will never end. This is when our Christian friends and family can be of much help to us. Their love and prayers are like drops of honey to those who are going through daily trials. Maybe you will be the one to administer that help today. Maybe you are the one who needs it.

Psalm 31:14-16 “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!”

Posted in anxiety, armor of God, falth, God's will, Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

OVERWHELMED

Posted on September 27, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

We all have those days when feeling overwhelmed becomes overwhelming. I’m talking about a number of circumstances, but particularly when you’ve been faced with a recurring problem that just doesn’t seem to get better. The frustration comes in not being able to do anything about it and it might even lead to a state of depression that can physically drain you.

Jesus had those feelings on the night before He would be nailed to a cross and suffer a horrific death. He prayed that God might find another avenue to follow for the salvation of mankind. Since He was both God and man, he certainly would have been in conflict about this. He continued to pray, however, that God’s will would be done. He knew what the outcome would be, yet he struggled with the overwhelming part of it.

When we feel overwhelmed by circumstances that are weighing on us, we can see that we are in good company. The Son of God struggled with a life and death situation that night. Tears poured from His precious eyes as He prayed for an alternative. We might pray for things to be different for us too, but there are times when we must press on, even when it seems too hard to do so.

If you’re overcome by depression – if you feel totally helpless in your ability to get out of that state – if you feel you simply can’t go any further, trust that God is in control. His will is always for our good. He will never give us more than we can handle, and He certainly will help us to come up with a solution. Instead of getting to that point, turn it over to God in the first place. He assures us that He will carry our burdens for us.

Posted in anxiety, depression, God's will, prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

MONDAY PRAYER

Posted on September 26, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Dear Father, God, Thy will be done. Amen!

Posted in prayer | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

JUST THE TWO OF US

Posted on September 25, 2022 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

Two lives mingle into one,

Of one mind,

One spirit,

One body,

Tempted at times by distractions,

Yet always returning to each other,

God watches over these creatures,

As He sustains them in marriage,

Never leaving,

Always faithful,

Watching and protecting,

Cuddling them in His arms,

Lifting them when they fall,

Teaching them to depend on Him,

And each other,

Breaking them,

Through all kinds of peril,

Building them,

Through disappointment,

Through misunderstandings,

And always returning to Him,

For guidance.

Posted in Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, love, marriage | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

AM I MY OWN WORST ENEMY?

Posted on September 23, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

As Christians, we’re told to trust God in all situations – to carry our burdens to Him – to be still and know that He is God. That sounds almost like a copout – like the easy way out of a situation. It isn’t so easy to do though, is it? We go through life trying to fulfill certain goals – build relationships – help people – do the right thing – be all that we can be, but when push comes to shove, we think we should be able to handle whatever on our own.

If someone told you that they would take all your troubles on their own shoulders, wouldn’t that be a wonderful offer? How could we resist such a great deal. God makes that promise to us every single day and still we try to muddle through the muck alone. The devil is a sneaky creature when it comes to getting into our heads. He uses our weaknesses to maneuver our thinking as well as our actions. He wants us to believe that we’re foolish to trust in someone we can’t see

I came across the lyrics to a Christina Aguiler song called, “It’s Not Easy Loving Me.” The words really fit when it comes to our relationships with others, but even more so when it comes to our connection to God. I don’t think it was written with that intention, but our first Love should be God and the rest will fall into place.

It’s not so easy lovin’ me
It gets so complicated
All the things you gotta be
Everything’s changin’
But you’re the truth
I’m amazed by all your patience
Everything I put you through

And when I’m about to fall
Somehow you’re always waiting
With your open arms to catch me
You’re gonna save me from myself
From myself, yes
You’re gonna save me from myself
Oh, yeah

Don’t ask me why I’m cryin’
‘Cause when I start to crumble
You know how to keep me smilin’
You always save me from myself
From myself, myself
You’re gonna save me from myself

I know it’s hard, it’s hard
But you’ve broken all my walls
You’ve been my strength, so strong

And don’t ask me why I love you
It’s obvious your tenderness is what I need to make me
A better woman to myself
To myself, myself
You’re gonna save me from my, myself

Today, resolve to let God take the reins in your life. He has promised to carry your burdens and He will. Instead of turning into yourself for healing, turn to the One who created you and your uniqueness. He is more powerful, more intelligent, more available than anyone or anything else you could ask for in time of need.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble,you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.” Psalm 138:7 ESV

Posted in anxiety, depression, Faith, God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

THURSDAY’S CHILD

Posted on September 22, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

I was born on June 19, 1942. I looked up the day to see which day of the week it was, and I was born on a Friday. If you’re old enough to remember the old nursery rhymes, the poem “Monday’s Child,” was designed to help children learn the order of each day of the week.  When I was younger and learning these rhymes, I had a tendency and still do, to wonder about such things. Who makes up these words? Here is the poem in its entirety.

Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay;

“Thursday’s child has far to go.” I suppose this could be because the week is almost over and it seems like the end is finally near, but it will return again next week.  It might have to do with not being able to accomplish what we set out to do on Monday.  Maybe Mother Goose simply couldn’t think of anything else to write that rhymed. The fact that I wonder about such things, gives one pause.

Some folks like to analyze these old verses. For example, some believe that Thursday’s child might be the child with special needs. Some think that it refers to the obstacles children run into during the week and by Thursday, they’re ready to throw in the towel. David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels wrote the music and lyrics for

Thursday was one of the most difficult days for our Lord, Jesus.  On that day of Holy week His Holy Supper was instituted.  He discussed  His coming death, behaved like a servant and washed His disciples’ feet –  foretold the betrayal of one disciple and the denial of another – prayed to the point of sweating blood in the garden where He often went to pray – replaced a man’s ear without surgery – was arrested for preaching the truth – was accused of blasphemy, placed before a kangaroo court and treated brutally by his accusers.

Most of us will never experience such suffering.   Our days may have ups and downs, but they will be nothing like the Thursday of Holy Week.  When we arrive at the end of our week, let’s be reminded of the great cost paid for our redemption.  Because of Jesus love, we all have the promise of being full of grace.  Heaven is waiting for those who believe that the price for our ransom has been paid by God Himself.

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WHEN WILL THE RIDE END?

Posted on September 21, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Life is like a roller coaster sometimes, isn’t it? You reach peaks throughout your journey and suddenly find yourself in the pits. I feel a little like Forest Gump this morning. I never have liked roller coasters. In fact, the idea of climbing those tracks to reach the top is more than just scary. There is the occasional bump along the way – the anticipation as to what’s on the other side – and then the excitement and fitfulness when you plunge back down to the bottom. There are the detours, the hiccups, the roadblocks and the downright tragedies that occur on that very roller coaster we call living. When we reach the end, we’re so glad that it’s over, anything looks better. We just want to get off.

It seems as though our lives have been subject to such ups and downs, twists and turns, joys and fears for the past few years. A worldwide pandemic turned joyful faces into masked marauders. Isolation turned extroverts into introverts. Anxiety and depression became the moods of the day. As we return to normal, we discovered that normal isn’t normal anymore. We don’t have a clue as to what’s normal.

Aging is like that too. With retirement we find a new way of living. If we’ve saved and prepared for it, we have many choices for adventure. If you’re living day to day on Social Security income alone, you soon find out that your working life isn’t over. To top it off, your body is falling apart. You aren’t capable of doing what you did at age 30. The roller coaster is now on a fast track to the end.

What does God have to say about this dilemma? Looking at Psalm 40, I found some encouragement in the entire Psalm, but particularly in verses 1-3.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.

We are bound to face challenges each day. Man’s self-destruction occurred in the Garden of Eden when our first parents ate from the forbidden tree – but take heart. Our God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to pay the price for our sin. We’ll still have a rough ride from time to time, but there will be plenty of times to enjoy the ride.

Posted in aging, anticipation, anxiety, change, corona virus, Encouragement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A QUEEN LAYS HER CROWN AT JESUS’ FEET

Posted on September 20, 2022 by atimetoshare.me
Queen Elizabeth II on her 90th birthday

I must admit, I didn’t tune in to the Queen’s funeral. For the past few months, I’ve been trying to stay away from current events and the news. Our world is filled with so much bad reporting, false news and stories of hate, violence and crime, that it’s enough to depress the average guy. When you’re going through your own trials, the last thing you need is all that extra baggage. I do remember when she became the Queen of England though, and how beautiful she was. I was a child of ten at the time of her coronation.

As her reign lasted for 70 years, she witnessed changes in our ever-changing world – wars, technology, the coming and going of many political and world leaders. The inventions during that time period have been immense and she experienced all of them. She always stated that she was chosen by God to be the Queen of England and that she would devote her life to Him and her subjects. She did. She often spoke of giving our hearts to Jesus. She wept at her husband’s funeral and saw the passing of many public figures – an amazing woman.

What surprised me most was a conversation she recently was said to have had with an acquaintance. She supposedly said, “I wish Jesus would come back in my lifetime, because I would place my crown at his feet.” Such a tribute to her Savior. Now she is with Him and has given Him that very throne, which she borrowed for so many years.

MAY YOU REST IN OUR SAVIOR’S STRONG ARMS, DEAR QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Posted in current events, death, savior | 3 Comments

ARGH!

Posted on September 19, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Well, the word for today is “ARGH,” because it’s “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” Who doesn’t like Pirates? Other pirates, I guess, along with those they pillage and plunder. The kind of pirate I’m talking about is the Errol Flynn or Johnny Depp, who portrayed the adventurous life of a pirate with all the swashbuckling and rum swilling. Whenever I did plays with kids, one of the favorites was a pirate play. I imagine it’s because of the adventure and complete drama of those stories. It could be attributed to walking the plank or hobbling around on one leg or using a hook to carve your meat. Whatever it is, it still draws us in. So, to all ya wannabee pirates out there, be spending the day talking like one – or wearing a patch over yer eye – or searching fer buried treasure – or wearing a parrot on yer shoulder – or doing other piraty things. I highly recommend it for a fun diversion. You might get a chuckle out of these cartoons too.

Posted in acting, Humor, miscellaneous, Wacky holidays, words | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments