FATHER’S WEEK

Posted on June 12, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Father’s Day will be here in a week and I have a lot to say about dads. So I’m beginning with this one. It’s a rerun from several years ago, but I think it applies today, even more than it did back then.

WANTED:  Man who is willing to sacrifice nearly all his working income to the benefit of his children.  One who will set aside time to comfort, tend broken arms, encourage young minds and put his children before himself.  A man who when faced with difficulty at work, will not be deterred in his parenting.  A man who will do all that he can to take care of the physical needs of his children and is the spiritual leader of his house.  A man who will give up his Saturday golf game to teach his son how to fish.  A man who is setting a great example for his daughter as to what a good husband should be.

EXPERIENCE:  None necessary.  This is a job that you learn as you go.  The only real manual is the Bible.  Trial and error will often be your instructors.  If you had a father that led, was involved in the family, gave up much for them and loved them unconditionally, you have more than enough experience knowing what a good father is.  If you believe in God, the Father, you have the perfect exampleto follow.

REQUIREMENTS:  Patience, leadership qualities, perseverance, teaching ability, love, involvement, great work ethic.  One who deserves respect from his family and does everything in his power to earn it.  One who prays daily with his children and teaches them the ways of the Lord.

SALARY:  None, but the rewards and benefits are greater than any job you’ve ever expected.

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GLOWING IN THE DARK

Posted on June 12, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

Each delectable petal weaves and intertwines,

Softly in the moonlight where midnight beams and shines,

The black of night might hide its glow, but light peeks through each petal,

But look beyond the darkness and you’ll soon test its metal.

The flowers in my garden display both day and night,

As stars fill out the heavens, each bloom shines radiant light,

So even when I’m sleeping they grow and prosper there,

And when I rise I wallow in flowers everywhere.

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

DUKE OF THE WEST

Posted on June 11, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

As I look back at my movie and television watching days, mine used to be filled with romantic comedy and flashy musicals. Occasionally, I’d watch a western, but war movies were definitelynot on the list. My husband and I now live on the same level of our house. Up until his recent hospital stay, he would go upstairs to watch his favorite movies and I would be able to choose my chick flicks for the evening. One of his art studios is also located on the second floor of our old farm house. With the advent of this new arrangement, we are seeing more of each other and having to make adjustments to compromise with each other. Thus John Wayne has made his way into my heart. I always wondered about this guy and his swagger along with acting skills that were never what I thought of as perfection. Lately my opinion is changing. I think we must’ve viewed most of his moviesm but when I think there can’t be another one – another pops up.

Marion Robert Morrison was born on May 26, 1907 and he died on this day, June 11, 1979. He was known by his stage name of John Wayne, and acquired the nickname of Duke. The name was given to him by director John Ford, who directed Wayne in 14 films. They developed a close relationship during that time.

Wayne became popular during the Golden Age of the movies. He started acting in the 1920s during the silent movie era, but became especially popular in the 1930s. He made 142 films during his life. The final film, “The Shootist,” is about an aging gun fighter who is dying of cancer. It seemed to be a self-portrait of sorts, because he actually died of cancer shortly after filming this movie.

So he had quite a career. He made a big name for himself in the greater part of his life. I never used to enjoy his films, but as I said earlier, when you age, you learn to compromise. Especially when your husbnd refuses to watch anything else. RIP, Duke.

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FRACTURED FRIDAY – MARRIAGE

Posted on June 10, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

We ‘ve known each other now for 57 years – more than a life time – a gift from God.  When you pledge your life to another it should be taken seriously, but there needs to be tons of laughter in this partnership or you will soon find plenty of reasons to walk away from it.

There are times when it’s really hard to find the humor – especially in the tough times.  When a thriving business fails with the economy – when you face difficult health issues – when you wonder if you will have enough money to eat – when you can’t find a job that suits you – when things are so upside down that you find very little to laugh about – how do you face these things?

Fortunately I have a husband who still likes to “dance” from his place on the couch to the kitchen to dish up some ice cream.  He beeps when he comes down the steps, because he has to do so backwayrds. He tells jokes that take a while to figure out because they have so many layers to them.  He sings like Donald Duck from time to time and that really cracks me up.  He has a great laugh and his face lights up when  he smiles. I’m not nearly as quick witted as he, but occasionally I can get a good laugh out of him too. I think a sense of humor is really an important part of a good marriage.  I also believe that having God as the head of our house has been the glue which binds us together.  He is the most important element of our life together.

There have been many books written on what it takes to have a good marriage.  There really is not one good answer for that.  We still have spats from time to time, but they usually end pretty fast, since we don’t have the physical energy that we used to have. Spats don’t usually result in anything good either, so we just cut to the apologies.

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WHEN YOU’RE AN ARTIST

Posted on June 9, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

My husband, Paul, is an artist. He has been painting since he was 11. He made his career as an art director for several ad agencies and owned his own for 12 years. He now paints for himself and has started painting outdoors again. I found one of his sketchbooks the other day and these are a few examples of some of his watercolor plein air paintings.

A grove of trees, a cloud filled sky, a building set in the midst of nature,

Anywhere the road takes you can become the perfect destination for a painting,

When you’re an artist, your paintbrush, your imagination and your skill find it,

When you know all about color and light – shadows and definition,

Your hand responds to the invitation.

You find beauty in all things, because you take the time to enjoy,

to see the details of life – the important things – not the clutter,

You can sort through the garbage and darkness and find it,

When you’re an artist.

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THROW BACK THURSDAY – CONTRITION

Posted on June 9, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

The word contrition comes from the Latin word, meaning to crush.  What a vivid description of how we should come to the Lord with our burdens.  We should be crushed by the weight.  Even the smallest of our wrongdoings are like filthy rags to God.  He looks at all sin in the same way – with total disgust and repulsion.

On the other hand, God is also merciful and loving.  He came to earth in human flesh to suffer and die so that we could be free of sin and guilt.  He became our sin bearer and was crushed for our iniquities. This is one of those inconceivable things about God.  We, in our human understanding, would be quicker to judge and much more severe in our sentencing. He then overcame the power of death, by raising from the grave and appearing to many afgterHis resurrection.

God uses certain circumstances in our lives to crush us and even take us down a peg or two.  He does this, not to punish us, but because of His insurmountable love for us.  Everything that happens in this life is another lesson leading us to depend on God in all things. He knew in advance that His Son, Jesus, would be crushed physically – that he would be humiliated and scorned, yet He also knew that those things were necessary for our redemption. What a great love that is.

An artist creating a piece of pottery will often reshape the clay and pound heavily on it at times, and the heat of the kiln only adds to its strength. The finished product will often become a piece of beauty.  All the battering and bruising we received in this life will be replaced with peace and forgiveness in the next. When trouble comes to our lives it is for our benefit, even though we rarely think so.

God also wants us to know that He’s with us every step of the way – even in our darkest hour – He is there.  When we are truly sorry and saddened by our sins, God will forgive and restore us. Will we be contrite today? How about tomorrow? Remenber that you are not alone in any of it.

Psalm 34:18  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

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WEDNESDAY WISDOM

Posted on June 8, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Have you checked yours stats lately? How do you rate in the public eye? How many Facebook or Instagram friends do you have? Have we all grown a little crazy about ourselves with social media and blogging? I have to ask myself what the true reality of my purpose is in writing a daily blog. Am I doing it to bring comfort to others, to share God with them, to let them know that God is their best friend and that He loves them so much that He gave the ultimate sacifice? Am I truly doing His work or am I looking for self-gratification?

I think we must examine ourselves daily to see the true motivation behind what we do. As soon as we put ourselves in the driver’s seat and forget the One who is driving, we’re setting ourselves up for disaster. Doing the right thing for the wrong reason is an easy trap to fall into, especially with the way we measure success today. Giving medals for simply participating in something, doesn’t set the right standard. Expecting more pay for actually doing your job shouldn’t be an option. Thinking we are better than others because of what WE do is the lowest form of narcissism. Today, let’s remember who we are – Forgiven, restored, children of the only Almighty King.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the giver of all things. You alone deserve the glory. I am merely an instrument – a vessel – to carry your message of love to others. Help me remember that. Guide my use of the right words. Be my inspiration in all that I do and lead me in the Way everlasting. Amen!

Posted in humility, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

IT’S SUMMER, ALREADY?

Posted on June 7, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

I live in a part of the country known for its extreme weather changes.  Only a month ago, we were experiencing temps in the 50s and 60s.  When you’re a menopausal woman – or just an old woman for that matter – summer means sweat – lots of it.  I never used to sweat when I was younger.  Now I’m dousing deodorant twice a day and when I work outside, I can say goodbye to any semblance of a hairdo.  Sweat pours out of me like a prize horse after winning the Triple Crown, but I’m not even movingl.

As we go through life, things change.  Our bodies sag, our hearing fails, our teeth need replacing and many times we lose track of the replacements.  Our energy level sinks to a new low.  Our daytime hours include naps.  Our memories fade.  Becoming old isn’t for the faint of heart.

I resist the heat as much as I resist aging.  I’ll undoubtedly spend the day inside or at an air-conditioned place.  I can refresh myself with a nice tall glass of lemonade or water.  By tomorrow it might be back to 60. My air conditioner is totally confused by the weather changes. One day it’s on and the next day not.

When we become uncomfortable in our walk with Christ, we need to take a closer look at Him and realize that He’s the One who brings refreshment to our souls.  No matter how difficult our journey – no matter how others affect our walk – no matter how things get in the way – He is there with living water to satisfy our thirst – to wash our sins away and to bring us closer to Him.  The problems of this life are trivial when you compare them to the glory of what lies ahead.

Stay thirsty, my friends.  His Holy Word will refresh, restore and renew you..

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FULFILLING OUR PURPOSE

Posted on June 6, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Why was I born? Why am I living?
What do I get? What am I giving?
Why do I want a thing, I darent hope for?
What can I hope for? I wish I knew.
Why do I try to draw you near me?
Why do I cry? You never hear me.
I’m a poor fool, but what can I do?
Why was I born to love you?

This haunting tune, written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1929 became popular as it was sung by torch singer, Helen Morgan.  She draped herself over a grand piano in a club in Chicago and the song became an instant hit. It was the height of prohibition and speakeasies were the fare of the day.  Helen was born in Danville, Illinois in 1900. She never received more than an 8th grade education and grew up in a dysfunctional family.  The lyrics of this song mimicked her own life.  This time of excess led Helen to become an alcoholic and often she performed while under the influence.  She died at the young age of 41 from cirrhosis of the liver.

The words tell a sad story of someone who feels they have no value – no purpose – other than loving someone who doesn’t return those feelings.  It sounds hopeless and daunting when you hear her mourning voice capture the mood of the piece.  The song was redone over the years by Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Dorothy Lamour and Judy Garland (who also suffered from depression and self degradation.)

When we look at our lives, we could wonder what place we have in this world.  Are we successful by the world’s standards?  Do we have what it takes to make friends and influence people?  Are we driven to be better than others and to achieve greater things along the way?  Or are we simply satisfied to settle for less?

If the latter is the case, we need to examine ourselves.  Take a good look at what we have to offer the world.  Every gift, every talent, every bit of kindness and love which has been planted into us before we were even born, needs to become the focus of our journey.  What’s your gift?  Find it!  Often the things we loved doing as a child of 10-12 leads to our passion in life. Sometimes we have to search hard before it becomes apparent and when we do, it’s time to give it away.  That’s the beauty of it. The things we hold within us, can serve others.  So why would we cling to those talents and not share them?

Why were you born?  Why are you living? You are more than you think you are, because God made you, and God doesn’t make mistakes.

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SATURDAY SAILING

Posted on June 4, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Spring has sprung and summer in the midwest is bound to be tomorrow. We’ve been having a pretty good entrance into the season we all look forward to in Minnesota. I recall summers on the lake and sailing regattas on Saturdays. The beautiful white sails would fill with air and race to the finish line in a succession of billowing synthetic fabric. The above painting was done on the lake at Hudson, WI, where sailing is in full bloom right now. The poetry was written a few years ago by me.

Was it only yesterday, I didn’t put the hose away?

The winter months sailed swiftly by, but when they left I did not cry.

The winters in the great Midwest are absolutely not the best.

But finally the cold days passed.  I yearned for spring, but it went fast.

It seems we’ve jumped from cold to hot.  I do not like it – absolutely not.

(I’m beginning to feel like Dr. Seuss.)

The hose still lies where it has lain, for it will now be used again.

To water all the blooms that popped,

 When summer came and spring just stopped.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, inspiration., summer | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

FRACTURED FRIDAY – DIETING

Posted on June 3, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

I like the idea of the Swiss Cheese Diet.  If nothing else, everything you eat, would fall right out.  I’ve spent most of my life on a diet.  I didn’t start out fat.  I weighed in at 7 pounds 80 years ago. The truth is I’ve always had a battle with the bulge.  Some say it’s genetic.  Others maintain that you need to have strong will power.  Others say getting fat is a state of mind over matter – if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.  I think it’s more about a love affair with food.  Certain foods remind us of good times, special dates, caring parents, or comfort.

I still relate most of my emotions to food.  When I was six or seven, my sister locked me in the linen closet and the bathroom door was locked.  Since she was just a toddler, she didn’t know how to unlock the door.  My mom was in the kitchen making pork chops and the aroma wafted into my tiny space.  Now when I feel claustrophobic, I relate to that delicious smell. The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Food fills us with comfort. It’s woven into the fabric of our lives.  Unfortunately, some folks can eat all they want and not gain an ounce, while others eat one cookie and put on ten pounds –  OK, a dozen cookies – well, maybe a whole box.

During middle age my father died and my weight dropped quickly. I looked anorexic, so I packed on additional pounds to feel better. Now that I’m a senior citizen, weight shouldn’t be so important..  When you go through a serious illness, you tend to lose weight, so it’s a good idea to have a few extra pounds.  However packing extra weight is like carrying saddle bags around and adds to your inability to walk.

Every day I have new determination to drop some weight.  It lasts for about five seconds. For those going through this same dilemma, my heart goes out to you.  I think the best way to diet is to not think about it.  The more you do, the harder it is. Excuse me, but I have a chocolate eclair in the fridge with my name on it.

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THROW BACK THURSDAY – GOD’S IMMENSITY

Posted on June 2, 2022 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

When my husband worked as a naturalist, he would demonstrate what the world looks like from above.  He also highlighted the fact that we don’t often realize that we may be walking over an entire living community without even knowing it.  He challenged them to block off a square of land and take a really close look at the tiny plot.  The kids were flabbergasted to see the earth alive with life.  Tiny insects could be seen.  Each blade of grass, became a sanctuary for those microscopic beings.

Is this how God sees us?  Are we just a tiny piece of the puzzle?  We are so much more to Him.  He holds each individual in the palm of His hand.  His data storage is beyond human comprehension.  He can tell immediately when we hurt – when our hearts are heavy with grief and loss – our minds are full of indecision and hopes for the future – when we are led into temptation.  He knows in an instant when a personal prayer is lifted to Him.  Not even a miniscule instant passes before He is already working on finding an answer.

I wrote this poem a couple years ago, to accompany my husband’s vision of creation in his painting:

What if Jesus were to come to earth again,

What would His thoughts be about the state of this world,

Would He accept what we’ve become,

Would He forgive what we’ve done,

Would He sentence all humanity to eternity in hell,

What if we were just like the animals?

What if our minds weren’t so full of thoughts, hopes, dreams,

What if we had become so full of hatred, violence and sin,

That God stopped loving us,

What if God never sent His Son to save us,

We’d be no different than the beasts of the field,

He will return to judge every one of his people living and dead,

Will you be among those who go to the right side of His throne,

The victory has already been won.

Our sins are forgiven because God loves us.

What if He didn’t?

Next time you’re in the garden or taking a short walk in nature – stop and take a look.  God has provided for the smallest of His creatures.  It may seem that we’re walking through the desert at times, with no one even noticing our isolation, but God is the well of living water within that wilderness. We can be assured that we aren’t just a speck in the desert.  We are His children and He is our loving Father.

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

SURPRISE!

Posted on June 1, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

This story is the result of a prompt from http://fivedotoh.com/2022/05/31/fandangos-story-starter-48/ to write a story with the following sentence to inspire.

WHEN THE TAXI DRIVER SUDDENLY TURNED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING. HE TURNED AROUND, HAD A NASTY GRIN ON HIS FACE, AND TOLD ME THAT HE…

*********************

When the taxi driver suddenly turned in the wrong direction, I asked him what he was doing. He turned around, had a nasty grin on his face, and told me that he wasn’t a taxi driver at all, but a terrorist. He said he had a bomb in the trunk, and it was going to go off in five minutes.

I had become his hostage – his insurance policy to get the job done. Within seconds my life passed before me. After a long life of eighty years, I knew my time was limited, so I only hit the high points. I realized my only hope was to break out of the cab and put a stop to his treachery.

Fortunately, I had my trusty sidearm in my purse. I grabbed it and placed it up against the back of his head. Little did he know, the gun wasn’t loaded. His body stiffened but he continued driving. and I could tell he was scared, but not nearly as frightened as I was. My hands were sweaty, my knees were knocking, and my blood pressure was rising to infinity and beyond.

He pulled over to the curb. I escorted him to the trunk of the cab and told him to open it. He obliged. The trunk lifted with ease, but there was no bomb. Instead, I came face to face with my husband, who handed me a dozen roses and a birthday cake. He jumped out and yelled, “Surprise!”

Posted in aging, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

WEDNESDAY WISDOM – EXPERIENCE

Posted on June 1, 2022 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 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, confidence, Daily inspiration and devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

INTO EACH LIFE . . .

Posted on May 31, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

“Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We are surrounded by various storms in life.  We may lose a loved one – lose jobs – reach for the stars only to be knocked down over and over again.  You can see a similar thread weaving its way through this patchwork of pain and loss.  When a storm occurs, it can result in complete desperation or the victims rallying together to rebuild.

When we place our troubles in the hands of the One who controls everything, we are truly letting.  That doesn’t mean we simply sit back and wait for Him to fix everything.  He gives us the means with which to mend our physical situation, by providing us with logical minds – physical strength – determination – and even our faith.

When Jesus slept during a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, His disciples panicked.  They thought all was lost.  We think that way too when trouble comes our way. We often raise our hands in despair and sometimes even curse God for bringing this torment into our lives.  Jesus calmed the sea.  He rebuked the wind and it became quiet.  He proved He was God.

We are much like those men who feared for their lives in that storm.  When faced with difficulties, we panic – we lose hope – our faith wanes – we firmly believe this is the end for us – we give up.  We quickly forget that Jesus is our companion through this life and He will never let us down.  Even in our darkest hours, He is with us.

Thank you, Lord, Jesus, for calming the storms of life – for rebuking the devil and all his wicked ways – for walking beside me – for carrying me through the most difficult times – for dying for me and giving me eternal life. I ask that you give comfort to those who face great loss.  Remind them of your presence in their lives.   I will forever praise your Holy Name.  Amen

Posted in America, storms | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DOWN & DIRTY

Posted on May 29, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

When things of this world envelope my soul,

It’s time to get down in the dirt,

To get my hands dirty and dig a big hole,

To bury the junk and the hurt,

I find in the garden a wonderful peace,

That separates darkness from light,

There’s joy in the earth that creates a release,

From problems of daytime and night,

Our One true Creator knew just what to do,

When He took the earth in His hands,

With care and precision, made everything new,

From an orb in the sky carved His plans,

When hurt overtakes us or when we feel lost,

Remember the power that He holds,

He loves us so much that His Son’s life it cost,

Within His strong arms He enfolds,

He lifts us again to His glorious face,

To share in the bounty of heaven,

He washed out the dirt, with new life He’s replaced,

Through His Son all our sin is forgiven.

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

SATURDAY SOAKER

Posted on May 28, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

There’s something about Memorial Day weekend that seems to conjure memories of camping trips interrupted by rain. It seems to never fail. There is almost always a certain amount of rain during this holiday. Maybe it’s the tears of God – enriching the soil with thoughts of those who perished in war. Maybe it’s because we tend to put so much focus on plans for summer fun and the beginning of vacation season. It might be a simple need for the moisture that makes things grow and flourish.

I recall a camping trip when our two oldest children were very young, and daddy wanted to give them the experience of living outdoors for the weekend. Mommy wasn’t too crazy about the idea, since she had never been camping in her life. Off the little family went, with tent in tow and various cooking supplies, sleeping bags and survival stuff. I had no idea why we needed supplies for survival, but soon found out. We all helped to pitch the tent and set up our meager camp site. The sky was looking rather ominous as a wall cloud began to form. We finished our supper, made over an open fire – toasted marshmallows and succumbed to the end of the day. Everyone immediately fell asleep after a day of living in the wilderness. Mommy and daddy were wakened by the sound of a fierce wind swirling around our little tent. The two children slumbered deeply not realizing the danger that was approaching. Daddy went outside to secure the tent to a nearby tree. Mommy thought she would help by pushing the side of the tent towards daddy’s direction. As water poured into her armpits, he scurried outside in nothing but his underwear. We both realized we were in for a big-time storm so sent our prayers to the One who would protect us through whatever would happen next. The children slept through the entire ordeal. We discovered the next morning that a tornado had leveled most of the tents in our campground. Ours was still standing. We spent the rest of the day at the laundromat, drying out the sleeping bags and our clothes. You would think my experience that night would’ve made a seasoned camper out of me. It didn’t. I rarely camped after that experience, but I was amazed that my children were oblivious to the danger which surrounded them.

There will be storms in every aspect of our lives. Trusting that God will see us through gives us the confidence we need to weather those storms. As we begin this Memorial Day weekend, always look for the rainbow that follows a storm. It’s God’s promise to us that everything is going to be alright.

HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

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FRACTURED FRIDAY – ARE WE BROKEN?

Posted on May 27, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

As we approach Memorial Day, there is so much to think about. A senseless war is being waged in Ukraine. It has no real purpose other than greed and power. Lives are being snuffed out for no reason. Cities are being destroyed and the economy is in shreds. Here in our own country, we’ve seen a continuing battle ensue among our lawmakers, pertaining to the sanctity of life and abortion law. The world around us is still suffering the effects of a pandemic that has wiped out countless lives. People have become isolated and afraid to venture out. We’ve become secure in our seclusion and fearful when we attend church or other events which call on us to gather with others. Our schools are unsafe, and parents wonder if their own children will be subjected to bullying, shaming or even death by a maniacal killer. We all live in fear. Where is God?

Our world is an ugly place. The country I knew as a young girl is no longer. Patriotism is a thing of the past. Politics is much like the government that America was trying to escape in its early days. We have career politicians who really don’t know the problems the average American faces.. Food shortages, gas prices, no baby formula, hoarding, fear and anxiety is ruling our land. Honoring our military and their sacrifice just means a long weekend for many. Where is God?

Those who give up what they have rightfully worked for and give it up to serve this country aren’t even appreciated for what they do and have done. These heroes should be honored for their service, their sacrifice, their dedication. Many veterans come back home to no home at all. They must begin again from the bottom and work their way back up the ladder. That in itself takes courage. Many become homeless. Many suffer from mental illness. Many take their own lives. Where is God?

This weekend, look for God in every situation. He is there. He’s always there. He is at our side and will hear our prayers. He loves us. He wants the best for us. We can have complete confidence in that truth. We may be a broken nation, but we are not yet fallen. Let’s begin again, with the same zeal as our founding fathers who pledged allegiance to those who live here. Those who were willing to give ultimate sacrifice for the benefit of that tenet deserve our respect, our gratitude and our honor. Through them, we will see God at work.

Dear, Almighty, God, only you can change hearts.  You have shown throughout history, that there is redemption and restoration in your name.  I call on you to heal our land.  You are our only answer.  Amen!

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THROW BACK THURSDAY – PERPETUITY

Posted on May 26, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

Perpetuity is one of those words we don’t make a lot of use of, but it’s one that should be brought forth again from time to time. It means timeless – eternal – everlasting – forever – to infinity and beyond. It’s a perfect description of our God. All knowing, ever present and powerful are adjectives that are used to get to the core of who God is. We definitely need someone who shows consistency – someone who listens to our prayers – One who will guide us through the difficulties of this life – One that we know has already prepared a place for us in eternity. This world is an ugly place; filled with lawlessness, hate, anger, fear, mental problems, egotistical behavior, lack of respect for the living and loss of morality. We have been placed on this planet for a purpose, yet there are so many times we wonder what that purpose might be.

The events which occur on a daily basis have become the norm in our time. Evil continues to invade the minds and hearts of many. The devil is on a rampage during these last moments of his time on earth. He is determined to win the souls he can snatch away from God. Maybe he didn’t get the memo. Even though he’s been allowed to spread his lies to the people of the world, he has been defeated once and for all. Judgment day will bring him to his knees. In the meantime, we’re still members of the world’s population. Our armor may be tarnished at times, but God will never let us go, if we place our trust in Him.

In my years of living, it seems that there is nothing new under the sun. There are just new ways of accomplishing them. We need to get back on track and stop passing the buck. We can blame the devil, we can blame the gun lobby, we can hold our politicians responsible, we can even demand stronger laws, but if those laws are not enforced, they become nothing more than words. We can go to God and ask for forgiveness; for not trusting in His divine intervention; for thinking of ourselves as better than others; for not following His perfect law; for losing faith in his Omnipotence. He has already won the victory, but the war will continue until we are reunited with the One who defeated the enemy.

We are the recipients of His divine love and will live with Him in perpetuity when He calls us home. In the meantime, we pray, we speak out, we defend ourselves, we care about others, we try to be kind and forgiving, we teach others about the love of God, we look forward to our perpetual home where sin is no more.

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WEDNESDAY WISDOM – AGING

Posted on May 25, 2022 by atimetoshare.me

When you reach the Golden Years, you are at the epitome of your existence. Life is finally winding down and you don’t have to work as hard as you did in your 50s. You have earned the right to take it easy and enjoy the rest of your days. NOT!

What really happens is this. All your worldly belongings are now considered antiques. You crash at 8:30 in the evening. You put your teeth in a cup at night and your ears and eyes on the nightstand. You still roll out of bed in the morning, but you spend half an hour trying to get on your feet. When you do get up, your body no longer reaches full height. You take so many pills it’s no wonder you forget which ones you took. Your memory is failing. You’re not as quick in your movement. Your body has lost the battle with gravity and everything is now five inches lower than it used to be.

You suddenly have to rely on help for the simple tasks, and since you can’t depend on others, (because they are taking care of the same tasks in their own lives) so you must take a part-time job to pay a professional to do the job.

Once you reach retirement age, you have outlived your earning potential. If you are depending on living only on Social Security, you might as well throw in the towel. Financially planning for old age is a great idea, but no one tells you that your 401K could have dissolved by then or that you’d be spending most of it on car repairs, home maintenance, doctor bills and medication.

Everything in our society is geared towards youth. Even the idea of caring for aging parents has been almost forgotten. Many countries still revere the aged. Not so much in the United States. In the land of the free, it’s everyone for himself.

Now that I am part of this growing population of the elderly, I have to tell you it isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. We start our lives as totally dependent infants and find ourselves in the same place when we reach our 70s and beyond.

What does God say about old age?

Dear, Lord – You have sustained my life for a long time now. You’ve given me strength when I need it; patience when things seem overwhelming; hope when it looks like nothing will ever be right; faith when I lack it; and perseverance when I think I can’t go on. Help me, in my old age, to put my focus on all you have done for me and give me the stamina to press on to heaven where perfection waits for me.

Leviticus 19:32 — (ESV) “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.“
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