TEMPORARY REFUGE

Posted on July 8, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL &y KATHY BOECHER    

Our lives on earth are temporal – a whisper hushed and still,  

We’re placed here by the Father’s hand and through His mighty will,  

He guides us through the depths of pain, He takes our hand and leads,  

Washes all our sin away and cares for all our needs.    

When faced with darkness, fear and loss, He lifts us in His arms,  

Protecting us from Satan’s wiles, his misery and charms,  

When things become too hard to bear, He takes our cares away.  

He gives us hope, He shelters us, to see another day.    

So turn to Him upon this day, when all seems lost and gone,  

Rejoice in His unfailing love, replenished every dawn,  

And when that final day arrives and death knocks at the door,  

Our tears will never overtake, the glory that’s in store.

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

CONSTANT DRIPPING

Posted on July 8, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

Proverbs 19:13  “A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.”

I kind of bristle when I read some of the proverbs.  Especially the verse above.  I don’t consider myself a nag, but there have been times when I’ve felt like one.  Maybe nagging fades when we get older.  We no longer have the pep or the spunk to speak up or we’ve learned that it’s better to be patient in our waiting.  Whatever the case may be, I feel like this is a definite slam against women in general.  The truth is we are different than men in more ways than one.

When mankind fell into sin, all kinds of changes occurred.  Not only did humans realize that they made a huge mistake, but there would be consequences for their disobedience.  They would no longer have the gift of paradise.  They would experience all the negative emotions that would lead to future disobedience.  Men were assigned the task of taking care of the animals and the earth.  After sin, the task became hard work and created aching bones, muscles and sweat.  For women, they would endure pain in the whole child bearing process.  Today those issues have been dealt with in not having children, birth control and abortion.  All of which are forms of trying to take God’s place and doing things our own way.

Men are workers, hunters and gatherers, as the saying goes.  Women are meant to be caretakers of the home and family.  They are to keep the home fires burning while man supplies the wood.  So sometimes, when you run out of wood, a need is created which must be addressed.  That’s when the nagging comes in, I guess.  What starts as a simple requests is responded to with subjective hearing.  When the request must be repeated a number of times it becomes nagging.

Times have certainly changed with all the modern conveniences we now have to tend to our needs.  Still those inner parts of our makeup will often surface.  Today, many men are the naggers and the wives are the bread winners.  Today, you may not even know who is who anymore.  Once again, the human race is trying to play God in almost ever area of our existence.  They want to control the weather by spending billions of dollars to create alternate forms of energy.  They can choose whether they have a child or not.  They can abort a child almost to full term call it choice rather than murder.  Every form of decadent behavior is deemed being a success.  In fact, the world today is a constant dripping that seems bent on taking God’s place.  Eventually, we will be able to determine when end of life should come.  The list of man’s interference in God’s divine intervention is endless and will be until Jesus returns again.

We must remember who the boss is.  It’s God alone that determines when a hurricane is necessary to stir up the waters and balance nature.  It is God’s hand that turns a tiny seed into a plant that will feed many.  It is God who brings about life and determines when it will end.  Have we forgotten to trust in His will for our lives?  Instead of complaining (nagging) about who is going to fix things, let’s return to prayer for God’s omniscience in our lives.  He’s the only One who can repair the mess we’ve all created.  Oh, and by the way, He did.

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I LIFT MY LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR

Posted on July 6, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

When I  visited New York several years ago, there were cows everywhere. I ‘m not referring to herds of them running through the streets.  Artists had painted these whimsical creatures to highlight some of the landmarks. My sister and I took photos standing in front of them, (before selfies) but I lost my camera so never had a chance to see them.

We place a lot of stock (not talking about cows here) in some of our famous landmarks in the USA.  The Golden Gate Bridge, the Paul Bunyan statue, the monuments in Washington, DC and Mt. Rushmore, but they’re just reminders of the achievements of some, for the glorification of others and for destination spots for travelers.

The Statue of Liberty is one of those colossal monuments.  It sits in the harbor welcoming newcomers to our country.  She has been there since 1886 and was a gift to our country from France.  The plaque at the base contains the words of Emma Lazarus and have served as a greeting to immigrants as they journey to Ellis Island.

During my stay in New York, two other monuments stood tall in the midst of the city.  The twin towers were a symbol of world trade, but on September 11, 2001 those buildings were wiped out by a terrorist attack that changed our country.

Like all monuments and buildings which have been exposed to the elements, they eventually need repair, replacing or reconstruction.  They are simply structures built by human beings and with work can be rebuilt.  When it comes to people, we often need repair too. Like those aging edifices, we become tarnished with sin – broken by difficulty – stressed by the outside influences of life.  We need rebuilding too, bur our rebuilding takes place internally..

When we place our trust in God, He will constantly repair and rebuild us.  Our human nature will lead us to believing the lies of this world, but He will keep us on the road to heaven if we let him.  He’s given us the promise of an open door to His kingdom – a place where we will never grow weary, feel pain, experience sorrow.  All sinners – the wretched masses yearning to be free – will know the glory of God.

MAY GOD ONCE MORE  BLESS AMERICA!

Posted in 4th of July, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE SIGNING?

Posted on July 5, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

Fifty six men were signers of the Declaration of Independence.  They represented the thirteen original colonies. That small group of patriots would cause a great reaction when it was released to the world.

What kind of men were these?  Some were doctors and lawyers.  Some were merchants.  Some were farmers.  They came from several walks of life.  All of them had one goal and that was to be free from the tight hold of the British government.  They’d been taxed beyond their means.  They were also plagued by British troops, acting as police.  Those who were to keep order often killed innocent victims and created havoc in the streets and across the countryside.   This new land was still in its infancy, but it was comprised of ethical men who saw beyond the hard work necessary to build a new country.  They were willing to invest in this union with their very lives if necessary.

The document was intended to be signed on July 1, but there were differences of opinion on the wording.   It was presented to the Continental Congress on July 4th and adopted by twelve out of thirteen colonies.  New York delegates had not yet received authorization from their home assembly to do so.  Still July 4 was determined to be the day that our declaration of independence was established.  The actual signing of the document did not take place until July 9th.

The backdrop of the New York harbor was filled with British ships.  On that day, George Washington, who was commander of the continental forces in New York, read the document to a crowd of citizens.  They cheered the words.  The cheering turned to rioting and the eventual vandalizing of a statue of King George III.  They melted down the metal and it is said they used it to shape 42,000 musket balls for the revolution.

John Adams wrote to his wife this following thought:

“I am apt to believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

When we think about slavery, lets consider what would’ve occurred had not the Revolution taken place.  We would all be under the thumb of a foreign nation and slaves to tyranny.  Because we have this document, we can see that freedom is for all, not just a select few.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died fifty years later in 1826 on the same day, within 5 hours of each other.  Both of these signers and patriots who stood up for freedom would go on to become presidents of the United States.  They also had this in common.  They died on the 4th of July.

Posted in 4th of July, America | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

HOT, HOT, HOT

Posted on July 5, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

For Minnesotans, a tropical heat wave is considered anything above 80 degrees. We were blessed with a lovely spring, filled with just the right amount of sunshine, low dew points and rain. Normally spring doesn’t last more than a few days here. However, somewhere in June, we jumped into summer with a vengeance. I love getting into my garden and spending time thinking about the beauty of God’s creation. Now I find it difficult to go out to get the mail. I know there have been extremes in temperatures lately, but when I look back a few years I see that this is really nothing new.

Since 1872, Minneapolis has had 10 days when the temperature reached or exceeded 105 degrees. Except for one date, July 31, 1988, when it was 105 degrees, all the other dates occurred in either 1936 or 1934. On the other hand, the nine coldest temperatures ever recorded, included the -34 degrees in 1970. Seven of the dates occurred in the late 1800s.

We have extremes here in the Tundra, but it always amazes me how God provides for all of His creation even when the weather is unbearable. The birds can still find water to refresh themselves, and food to sustain them. The animals are given the ability to find places to rest and hide during extreme temperatures. If God takes care of these creatures by giving them what they need, how much more will He look after the ones He created in His image. There are days when I think there will be no end to the waiting, or no relief from fear or anger or anything else. I try to figure things out myself and don’t rely on the only one who can really take care of me.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for providing for all my needs in good times in bad, in fair or bad weather. I know that I can count on you to provide for me and give me the true rest that comes only from your loving hands. Amen!

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YES, THE BANNER STILL WAVES!

Posted on July 4, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

An American flag had seen better days, It had become battered and worn by the weather for over almost two years. It was our own personal flag. Like our nation it faced a time of isolation for a long time. The elements took their toll on Old Glory and she became shredded and worn. It was time to retire this relic and start fresh.

We purchased a new flag this spring and it seemed quite fitting that the time coincided with our freedom from fear of a world wide pandemic. Today as we celebrate our nation’s founding, let’s never forget the symbolism of our American flag. We have been through a very short history as a nation and yet we have overcome battle after battle. We’ve endured tragedies suffered because of war. Wars of many kinds have invaded America’s shores and fields of grain. The majestic mountains remain. The climate may be changing, but God never does.

As we pray for our country, let’s keep our unity in tact. We are one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Our flag may have been replaced because of the physical damage done to it, but our God never changes. He will live forever.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Posted in 4th of July | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

FILLING AN EMPTY CANVAS

Posted on July 4, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER ©

An empty canvas, white and pure, transforms before your eyes,

Through brush strokes and through patience a painting does arise,

Our lives are like that canvas, we start out fresh and new,

We stumble down the path we take, we see our troubles through,

But nothing that we say or do can fill our life with splendor,

The only One who can do that is our Christ, our own Defender,

We’re born into a sinful world, our souls need reparation,

But Jesus came into the world to win for us salvation,

The masterpiece is almost done, the Master’s almost finished,

Our life is drawing to its end, our last breath oft diminished,

But hope remains for all of us if only we believe,

That Jesus shed His blood for us so with Him we could live.

Posted in Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

ARE WE A CHRISTIAN NATION?

Posted on July 3, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

A few years back, our then president made a statement that enraged many. He said that America was no longer a Christian nation. Since I’m a Christian, I felt a little miffed by the thought that we were no longer considered Christian. When you get right down to it, God isn’t available just for the United States. He loves the entire world. He loved us all so much that he sent His only Son to pay the price for our freedom from sin.

The founders were wise in establishing a separation of church and state. This allowed all faiths to come to America knowing they would have the freedom to worship as they pleased. That there would be no repercussions for doing so. When we say we are a Christian nation or a Jewish nation, an Atheist nation or a Muslim nation, we’re making our country like an exclusive country club with closed doors to those deemed unsuitable.

As we look back at our history we can see how those original references to God and Christian morality have been eroded and corrupted.  Still we maintain the ability to go to worship where ever we choose.  We can keep big government away from interference in areas that separate us in the first place.

I know there are many who might disagree with me, but I don’t feel I’m the only one entitled to God’s grace.  I’m not entitled at all.  In fact I’m unworthy to even enter His presence.  The gift of grace is just that – a gift.  It was given without any strings attached.  My responsibility is grounded in the fact that I should be so overjoyed with the gift that I want others to know all about it too. If there were limitations on my ability to do that, my God would not be any the less powerful.  He is able to get His Word out there without my intervention.  It’s with His help that we can be used as instruments to do His will.

So as we celebrate our freedom, let’s not forget to thank God for our country.  It isn’t perfect, but God instituted government to create order out of chaos, so we must remain respectful of it.  That doesn’t happen when we tear down monuments or turn our backs on the flag.  Patriotism is something that should live in our hearts for all time.

Posted in church, freedom, patriotism | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

LAND OF THE FREE

Posted on July 2, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan

During this time of social unrest, global rumblings, world politics and a stage filled with actors that seem to have no direction, I often wonder what kind of legacy have we created for the children of the future.

These little ones are getting a distorted picture of what our world can be. They’re exposed daily to tragedy, hopelessness and fear. They cannot even attend school without going through secured doors. The norm of their existence is peppered with negative news, bullying techniques on both sides, fear mongering, hatred and a social media that defines them.

Children are the future. They are the ones who will lead us some day. They need to know the cost of freedom. They need to be reminded that this place is worth preserving and that God is always at the helm.

I am genuinely concerned for my grandchildren and their children. As monuments are removed and destroyed; as art depicting battles from the past are eliminated from our public buildings; as words are revised and rewritten pertaining to the blood shed for the freedom we enjoy; as history is eliminated from the classroom – future generations will never understand what the cost was.

National pride has almost become extinct. The word “pride” has now taken on a totally new meaning. Now we opt for self-gratification, instant everything and a country that will bend easily to our own agenda, rather than one that serves all.

What do we tell these young people as they come out of colleges and high schools? How do we excite them for a future of success and accomplishment, when there seems nothing to be proud of anymore” We owe it to them to re-instill a love of country. America is worth the fight. Those of us who lived through several battles over the years, will attest to the fact. There are scars. There are still open wounds. Lives have been spent out of love for her, and the freedoms we hold dear are worth the battle.

We need to rekindle the flames of patriotism. We need to pray for our leaders. We must ask God to intercede so that there is something left for future generations to hand on to their children. Don’t turn your back on the flag. Don’t bend a knee in protest against the very nation that paid dearly for your right to do so. Don’t give up on America, because God never gave up on us.

There is hope for the future. God has provided for our eternal life with Him in heaven. In the time we have remaining, as parents and grandparents, we need to leave a United States for future generations. This means, putting aside our own interests and joining together as one nation, under God.

Posted in 4th of July, America | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

WE THE PEOPLE …

Posted on July 1, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

Three documents comprise the founding of our nation – The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  The Declaration relates a list of differences between the United States and Great Britain and expresses the reasons for separation.  The Constitution describes the workings of this newly founded country, establishing a framework for the government of the people.  The Bill of Rights includes the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. It defines citizens’ and states’ rights in relation to the Government.  These documents laid the ground work and have proven to be timeless in essence and consistency over the years.

Of course amendments have since been made, but the base – the foundation – remains the same.  We the people refers to all the citizens of the United States – those born here or those who have entered using the legal system to do so.  Why do we place so much emphasis on these ancient documents?  Do we still revere them as we once did?  I hope there are still those in this country who appreciate the many lives spent in defense of them.  I pray that patriotism is not dead.  I know that no matter what happens, God has made it possible for me to enjoy the freedoms America has to offer and that there is a perfect life awaiting me after this one.

Protestors and activists will remain to stir the pot.  They will cite all kinds of changes that need to be made to accommodate current trends and orientations.  The beauty of this country is that it was designed to look after “we, the people.”  Not only the rich or elite.  Not just the homeless and poverty stricken.  Not the average Joe, trying to make ends meet.  Every single person living here has the same rights according to these documents.  We are free in so many ways, and freedom is precious.  When we remain in slavery or shackled to our own fears of success, we’re not truly enjoying what our founders chose to include in their papers.

We can look at these documents as dated pieces of parchment which no longer apply.  We can pooh-pooh them and even laugh at their simplicity, but there again those words were designed to reach everyone.  As true Americans, we have the right to call our leaders out if they go against the Constitution.  We can expect them to work for us, rather than us working so that they can prosper.  We can demand, in fact, that these public servants are accountable to each of us, because we are their employers.  

When we think about Independence Day, let’s remember that there is a cost to anything of value.  In this case, our founding fathers knew that there needed to be checks and balances to protect us from a growing government with plans of their own.  This is what they were trying to change on that July morning in 1776.  

Enjoy the Fourth of July with celebration and excitement, because of the freedoms we enjoy, because of our founders and their ageless wisdom.  Pray for our nation.  May God bless America!

 

 

Posted in 4th of July, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

MY HEAD IS IN THE CLOUD(S)

Posted on June 30, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

I promised to be back and here I am again. Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of me unless something of great magnitude occurs – like the breakdown of a computer. Who knew? I’m sure there are many who didn’t miss me for the last few days, but to those who did, thanks for being such loyal readers and commenters.

This old broad has an affinity to doing things a certain way and when things get in the way of that, I kind of lose it. I’m truly an old school writer. I love using flowery words and filling the page with imagery. I also enjoy laughter and do so whenever I can, but being without your writing instrument is near to cutting off an arm or leg. You become totally useless. I took a long time to give up my manual typewriter. I still like the idea of using a rotary phone. I enjoy the simple things in life and computers are not simple things.

I’ve had this machine for about seven years now. My last one bit the dust at about five years of life. These things come with a planned obsolescence clause. I found a man who knows everything about these necessities and he added two more years of life into my current computer. Like I said, change is difficult for me, especially when I get used to something and comfortable with it. So when I locked myself out of my writing tool, I had no choice but to return to the same professional with my problem. “We have to wipe it out completely and start over,” he said. It will cost $150 and you can have it by tomorrow.” To me $150 bucks requires several hours of work or cutting down on the groceries for a while. I refuse to go buy a new one, because I’d be paying it off until it fell apart or I do – which ever comes first. So to make a long story short, I went for the $150 fix.

Now, after changing all my passwords (a normally four hour project for me,) I’m ready to dig in again. I now have a brand new computer with all the updates I need and passwords which are now in a notebook just for them. I’ll probably have to get one of those safe deposit boxes from the bank, but I’m sure I’d be there every day, because I never remember my passwords.

Oh for the good old days, when all we had to worry about was changing a typewriter ribbon and using white out to correct our mistakes. Of course our hands became black with ink and we might get high on the white out, but at least we knew our work wouldn’t come to a complete standstill. Hooray for technology. It corrects our mistakes and creates new ones. It gives us almost perfect copy, unless we forget to proofread. It saves us time, unless we need to take it in for repair. Technology is great, but give me an old Smith Corona manual typewriter. At least I could still read the keys on the keyboard. My computer is like brand new and it’s fortunate that I still know how to type without looking at the keys.

https://www.facebook.com/public/Kathy-Boecher

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

SAIL AWAY

Posted on June 30, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

“Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

1 Chronicles 16:32-34

These are the days of summer.

When God’s tears pour from heaven replenishing the streams, rivers and seas,

When the sun spreads its warmth over the land and seeds emerge into life.

These are the days of renewal, restoration, redemption of tired, aging bodies,

Getting another shot at life.

 

These are the days – the final days for some,

The beginning of new adventures for others,

Whether we walk in the shadow of death,

Or cast all our cares to the wind,

We will all come to an end some day.

 

From the beginning of life to the end of it, these are the days,

God will always be in His heaven, yet constantly involved in the things of this earth,

He created it for His purpose and loves it entirely and passionately,

So much so that He gave the greatest sacrifice one can give for another,

He alone can calm the seas, make straight our paths, deliver us from sin.

 

He is the pilot of our ship and will always put us first,

He will walk with us through the perils we face each day,

He leads us through difficulties as well as our successes,

He loves with no strings attached – only that we love Him back,

These are the days, the time of grace, a gift from God to us. 

 

 

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

I’LL BE BACK

Posted on June 28, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

My computer is disabled for a couple days, but I shall return, whether you like it or not🥸🥸

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

READY FOR A RAIN DANCE

Posted on June 26, 2021 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, along with the many other states, have been experiencing some extremely dry weather. The lush green of spring has gone dormant as the lack of moisture leads to the beginning of a drought in some areas. Some may say this is another means of God trying to get our attention and return to Him – casting off the ways of the sinful world and renewing our faith in His will. I don’t think God works that way. Or are the days of the ten plagues returning with a vengance?  This pattern will soon be broken and the rain will fall to nourish the fields of grain and corn. They will reach their stems to the heavens and praise God for the refreshment. They will bury their roots deeply into the ground and their fruit will come forth and replenish the earth. In the meantime, we can thank God for keeping us free of deadly winds, damaging storms and flooding the streets on which we live.

We all have a time in our lives when the storms of every day living engulf us and cause us to fall into a deep state of depression.  I’m not talking about the weather here. There are days when we coast along through life easily.  Other times we’re overcome by difficulty, but as Longfellow so aptly said, “into each life some rain must fall.” Can you imagine life without the nourishment of rain?  If we didn’t have it, we’d soon shrivel up and die. When the storms seem like they’ll never end – when one thing after another continues to pound heavily on us – when we become drenched with the weight of it – it’s hard to be positive.  We fall deeper and deeper into the pit of self-pity and anxiety. When we remember that God has His hand on the sun, which continues to shine behind the clouds, we have something to hope for.  He controls every aspect of the weather. His tears over our condition have washed us and made us clean for ever. Don’t let the tempests of the world overtake your thinking. The day is coming soon when there will be no more droughts or floods – when we will live triumphantly in a perfect paradise where ever day is blissful. The storms will come and go, but they also serve a purpose. Until the work is fully completed, kick off your shoes and dance confidentally knowing you are ready for the ride.

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RAISING CHILDREN CAN BE RISKY

Posted on June 25, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

I have vivid childhood memories. Some of them have been delected from my memory bank, but there are some that stand out more than others. There were the years living in a four story apartment building on the top floor. The iceman would start out his journey to our apartment with a large chunk of ice and arrive with a small cube. Mother would carry the groceries up those four floors and I recall her making several trips to the grocery store so she could spread out the trips up and down the stairs. I remember spending summers at the farm of my maternal grandparents – making mudpies and feeding them to the dog, dressing the same dog in baby clothes and putting him in a toy high chair. We were not allowed to have dogs in the city apartment, so I took every advantage while I was at the farm.

My husband was also a city kid. He lived above the family funeral business, so had to maintain a fairly quiet childhood, but he made up for it when he spent his summers at his paternal grandparent’s summer house on the lake. There was a farm nearby where he learned to pitch hay and lead a horse to water. He remembers time on the lake as well and recalls when he was a young lad learning to swim. His mother donned him in a wool swimming suit. Can you even imagine wearing wool in the water. It would act as a sponge and soak up half the lake in just a minute. Add to that the fact that he was required to wear a life preserver jacket. After a few weeks of paddling around in the water with all these encumbrances, he decided one day to jump in without the life preserver. His father immediately called to him to put on his life jacket. As Paul got up on the pier, he accidentally kicked the jacket into the water and it immediately sank to the bottom of the lake. Wearing those woolen trunks and a useless life jacket accounted for his ability to learn to swim like a fish.

When we become parents we soon realize that it’s a risky business. You never know what each day will bring, but you can be sure it will be an adventure or a disaster. How you look at it is all important. There will be days that go smoothly and you really feel confident that you’re making a difference in your child’s life. Other days will bring disappointment, frustration, lack of communication and much more. One of the joys of being a grandparent is that you can enjoy the parenting without the responsiblity of the day to day stuff. It’s kind of too bad we can’t be grandparents first so we could get more joy out of the process, but then we wouldn’t be learning anything or teaching much. The one gift you can give your child, your grandchildren or even great grandchildren, is a love their heavenly Father – who forgives and loves unconditionally. He is the Father of all creation and has years of experience in dealing with the human race.

Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

Posted in parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION

Posted on June 25, 2021 by atimetoshare.me
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The waters part, the seas prevail,
The excess pours into streams of rushing refreshment,
Tumbling over granite, forging a new path,
We bathe in the cleanliness of it,
All our darkness is washed away,
In the sound of it, we hear God’s voice,
The taste cools the palate and brings relief,
Senses are aroused,
We are in direct communication with the Creator,
Storms rage, obstacles stand in the way,
My God is not moved,
His consistency remains,
We are at times crushed like hammered glass,
Still the peace emanating from His omnipotent voice calms,
Even in the raging which surrounds,
We come to Him confident that He will still the waters,
He can calm the storm,
He will provide a safe path,
He will lead us through His Word,
He will protect with His power and majesty,
Praise to God,
My Rock and my Salvation.

The surface of the highest peak,
The strength of granite can’t compete.
The hardest rock, the toughest stone,
Can’t take the place of God alone,
His power is much greater than,
The self-contained of any man,
He lives in every space of life,
He carries me through pain and strife,
My God is greater than my fears,
He cleanses me through all my tears,
He lifts me to the highest height,
He stays with me both day and night,
He is my strong foundation,
As He pours out salvation.

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

THE BATTLE IS AT HAND

Posted on June 24, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

After kissing my husband good morning, he related that he woke up with the lyrics to “Onward Christian Soldiers,” running through his brain.  I asked him if he’d checked the news recently and wondered if we were at war. We chuckled at the possibility, since we rarely tune into the news anymore, except to check on weather conditions.  In our blindness, war could be declared and we would never know. 

Then it was time for our morning devotional.  We’re using David Kitz’s “Psalms 365 – Volume Two, for this time together and guess what the title of the message was?  “They did not believe in God or trust in His deliverace.”  This message from Psalm 78:17-22 references the Israelites and their rebellious ways.  These were the same guys who were led out of bondage by Moses and guided by a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud.  The sea had been parted by God’s finger and yet they foolishly strayed from Him.  Our first inclination is to wonder why their faith was so weak when they had God right there physically in their midst.

So David’s devotion and my husband, Paul’s waking thoughts coincided and I thought maybe I should write about God as our Commander in Chief – the general who expects us to follow His orders without question.

When young men and women enter the armed services, they take an oath to that end in the Oath of Enlistment:

I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

As followers of God, we are also taking a similar oath to follow His orders or commandments as part of our relationship with Him. We are submitting to His authority by doing so. Unfortunately, we often fall short f doing His will. We tend to stray, just like the Israeliites were often tempted to do. Because we can’t perfectly submit, God provided someone who would take our place – someone who would lay down His life for us. That obedient soldier was Jesus.

We are so blessed to have someone who stands up for us daily, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to follow orders. As soldiers of the cross, we must be even more diligent. With Jesus’ help that’s possible. With Him leading the way, we can be assured of victory. for He has already won the war.

Posted in America | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

WHERE LIES YOUR TREASURE?

Posted on June 23, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

 

Almost five years ago, we downsized our house of 24 years and an accumulation of over 50. We painstakingly waded through things that we considered eventual treasures and got rid of many of them. We moved into a renovated 1885 house so were able to use the antiques we managed to save. So we’re now working on “furnishing” our yard. This requires us to go scavanging at garage and estate sales or use many of the online ways of buying junk. It is true that one man’s trash is another’s treasure.

As you’ve seen photos of some of the things we’ve done, you’ve seen unusual things turn up. There’s the baby bed that served my husband and his sister in the 1940’s-50’s. There are old bikes, urns, pottery, rebuilt adirondack chairs, wagons, kitchen chairs, signs, old decaying wicker furniture and carts along with various things we put plants into. Our house sits on two city lots. Paul purchased a spacious shed which he uses for one of his painting spaces. His artistic eye has created various art locations – things that artists like to paint. I in turn have refurbished and repainted some of those old things. Our team effort has raised many comments. “Hmmm, interesting,” “Ecclectic,” “Busy,” “Cluttered,” Looks like a museum,” “It’s like walking through a piece of history.”

Last week I found an old wooden sled that appears in good working condition. I plan to stain it and paint a little rosebud on it (reminiscent of “Citizen Kane.) We have an old pair of ice skates from the early 1900s and some snow shoes which will create an interesting corner somewhere out there. It’s fun to create little areas in which people can see something different each time they come to visit. This will eventually serve as our entertainment area, since we don’t have nearly as much room inside.

There are many little seating areas too. Within the addition of some original sculptures and paintings made for the outdoors, people can converse in fun spots. Paul even designed a new form of croquet. Instead of making it through the hoops, he created it so that people hit the ball to one seating area – sit down and talk for a while – get up and hit the ball to the next sitting area. I imagine the game would catch on for other senior citizens who would like to remain active, but need a little rest in between

So what’s my purpose in this days post? I’m not really sure if there is one, but I thought it might be fun to share some of the things we do when we age. Life can be downsized and brought right back to what it was now that outdoor yard sales are being held. We’ve found many items for little money. Soon we will have to downsize our outside space.

Posted in aging, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

BESIDE STILL WATERS

Posted on June 23, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

You lead me to the waters still, you fill my soul and quench my thirst,

You guide me through the paths unknown, you’re with me at my best and worst,

In valleys green you watch my steps, and carry me when I can’t walk,

You treasure me in every way, you’re there to speak when I can’t talk.

 

If water carries me away, I’ll live to fight another day,

With confidence I know full well, you’ll never leave me when I stray,

You love me with a love unknown, my heart is filled with you alone,

And when I die my comfort is that you have crushed my heart of stone.

 

As this life ebbs and death appears, I know that I am not yet done,

You have prepared a place for me, a perfect room above the sun,

Where I will live eternally in peace and love forever more,

The gate to Heaven opens wide and you will guide me through the door.

 

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

RETURNING TO NORMAL

Posted on June 22, 2021 by atimetoshare.me

We all seem to be eager to return to life as we once knew it. I can’t help wondering if we’re rushing too quickly back into it. Personally, I like alone time, yet part of me yearns to be with those I enjoy spending time with. I had low points during the pandemic, as did many others. I was fortunate in that I never fell into complete times of depression, but Iexperienced loneliness, sadness, frustration, fear of becoming sick and other emotions which hindered me in various ways. Still in all of it, I tried to maintain a positive outlook and see the benefits of this time of isolation. It got me thinking about the things that really matter and those I care about the most.

There were many positives that came from that time. We saw a return to family life – even though many considered it too much. Priorities changed too. We longed to gather, but were held back from attending church, coffee time, small group meetings, visits from friends and all of that became intense over time. However, our need to be involved took on a new meaning. We began to find other ways of communicating even though it lacked physical touch or interaction. We learned about forms of technology that would open our doors again and allow us to shop, worship, teach and learn because of it.

So now in this huge rush to return to life as it was, it is really time to look back and see if we learned any valuable lessons during this time. Did you? We discovered that we had more time to spend on daily devotions, home Bible study, conversations between the two of us that had gone by the wayside in the busyness of every day living. We learned that we didn’t have to go to the doctor every six months. In fact the entire time we were probably more healthy than we ever were because of our imprisonment. We ventured into online church services that were offered and were edifyed by them.

Over the past month, the numbers have dropped. People are getting vaccinated. Suddenly it’s like night has turned into day in an instant. We seem to have no fear. We walk into stores without masks. We dine in at restaurants that are still struggling to maintain staff. We are gathering at church, attending graduations, weddings, funerals and other events with no apparent concern for possible new strains or resurgance of another pandemic. I’m not suggesting that we continue to separate ourselves from the world, but I am asking that we don’t jump right into the same kind of careless, selfish behavior that was going on before this all began. If we’ve learned anything during this time it should be how important we are to each other. The value we place on relationships is so important. Instead of becoming angry and hateful, we need to reevaluate what this pandemic has done to us and what we can glean from it in a positive way. Above all, we should thank and praise God for getting through this time and providing another day.

Posted in corona virus | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments