LUKE SIX – BLESSED WORDS

Posted on December 6, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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READ LUKE SIX
This chapter is filled with so much meat. It begins by discussing the Pharisees insistence on not working on the Sabbath. Such things as eating some gathered corn from the field or healing the sick from their infirmity were considered labor by the elders of the church. Jesus quickly set them straight by stating that He was the Lord of the Sabbath. Those words must’ve stung deeply, as they were seen as a threat to the church itself.

By this time, Jesus had chosen all twelve of His disciples. They indeed were helpful to His ministry, as many of our own church elders can be of help to our officiating pastors. Jesus was a man and because of that He got tired and hungry. He needed time to pray, to rest and take nourishment just like we do. On the other hand, He is also God and could’ve easily provided for those needs, but it wasn’t part of His mission on earth.

We see in this chapter that Jesus prayed a lot. As our example, we can glean much from this. God is available to hear our prayers at a moment’s notice. We don’t always take advantage of that.

Jesus and his band of disciples covered a lot of territory. The crowds were growing. People came to be healed, out of curiosity and because the message was one they had longed to hear.

The Beatitudes are listed in this chapter. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh,” was one of them. These were akin to the proverbs of old, but they carried an entirely new meaning. He said things like, “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”  These words were foreign to them, but they certainly held their attention.

Jesus must’ve been an exemplary speaker. His voice would have to carry to great lengths to reach the many in His audience. Imagine the voice of God speaking directly to them and us. He was nothing extraordinary to look at, yet he commanded the crowds. When He told them not to judge others, but to forgive them as we will be forgiven. He told them to be good fruit and to build their lives on the foundation of God. By doing so they would not be shaken.

Jesus was bringing that foundation back to the people. He came to establish His kingdom in our hearts. Let us continually stay rooted in His Word so we continue to flourish and spread the Good News of salvation to all people.

We are definitely living in troubled times.  The church is being attacked on a daily basis.  The devil is using every tool in his toolbox to take advantage of us.  Don’t let Him in.

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BIG GIRLS DO CRY

Posted on August 21, 2019 by atimetoshare.me

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The feminist movement did great things for women.  It allowed them to leave the ties of housekeeping behind and venture into a whole new world.  It was a world which challenged their abilities, their brain power, their industriousness, their ingenuity, their organizational skills, their talent and their compassion.

Yes, I said compassion.  Now where in the world does that word fit into the world of commerce?  Up until then, compassion was woven into the fabric of nursing or caring for others.  The corporate world was and still is, filled with money driven men who were trying to change the world.  Not a lot of compassion was necessary  When women became part of that world, things changed a lot.

In the beginning men said women’s place was in the home, raising a family, tending to the chores of the day and caring for her husband.  The game was on.  Women started attending colleges for things other than secretarial or medical skills.  They proved that they could work under pressure and handle the stress of corporate life.  It wasn’t an easy road, because these same women still had the responsibilities of running a home, but they managed to do both.

Today women are deeply imbedded into politics.  They hold positions of power in the medical field, the corporate world, high finance and industry.  They have proven to be equal to men, but still fight the battle of equal pay. I’m sure that day isn’t far off

In the process, families have become accustomed to both parents working.   The material things that were put on the back burner until they could be paid for are now staples in most homes.  The home fires still burn, but most of the management of that place is being carried out by hired workers.

In the meantime, women have become equal with men.  In my opinion, they always were in God’s eyes.  Woman was created to be a partner for man.  I’m sure there are statistics that prove that men are the hunter/gatherers and women, the caregivers, simply because of the way they are made up physically.  Women are sensitive, intuitive and have the ability to listen.  The tenderness of their hearts is something that continues to exist, even though they try to put on an armor of toughness.  Women cry.  Yes, so do men, but women seem to do it more often.

As women take on some of the roles of their counterparts, they’re expected to be tough,  put their emotions aside and act like a man.  However, even in a society that wishes to determine their own gender, men are men and women are women.  The differences were designed to compliment each other.

Women do have a softer side.  Our emotions are often worn on our sleeves.  Our compassion is evident in the way we work with others and live with them and should be considered a medal of honor.  It’s not an attack on your character to say you can cry if you need to.  There will be days when the pressure of work gets in the way of family – when the demands of travel take you from those you love – when the extra hours of work keep you from kissing your children goodnight.  It’s OK to feel bad about those things.

God made tears for a purpose.  They come out when we grieve, when we’re frustrated or angry and even when we’re happy. The silent tears you pour into your pillow each night do not go unnoticed.

There’s someone who understands those feelings.  Jesus wept.  He knows all about sorrow.  He understands our pain.  He is also our comforter.  He hears our prayers and dries our tears, but He allows us to  bring all our burdens to Him, so he can carry them for us.

 

 

 

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A WEEK WITHOUT BAGGAGE

Posted on April 29, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Mondays are good days to start over – to leave the baggage of last week and the weeks before behind and push ahead. The word, “motivation,” literally means to move forward. Sometimes it’s not easy to do so. We’re stuck in a rut because our mind tells us we can’t deal with change anymore. We’re too old to start over. We don’t have the energy or strength to begin again. Maybe we’re simply tired of the rat race of living and we don’t want to try again.

Life is full of reasons why we shouldn’t move on. We become complacent – satisfied – we’re physically unable to go through another change – we might be plain lazy – and a whole litany of other reasons. When you get to the final years of living, you become even more stubborn about change. You’ve worked all your life to achieve the things you hope to accomplish. It’s time for a break. By the time you reach retirement, you have all kinds of time, but no money – no energy – no MOTIVATION.

The truth is, when you turn 80, you can’t stretch your legs above your head. You can’t move as quickly as you once did. You’re deterred by poor health. Your sense of hearing fails, your sense of smell puts you in danger, your tastebuds have bit the dust, and your eyesight is clouded. Even your ability to physically feel something is deterred by neuropathy. In fact, you become senseless. All the things you strived for in your youth have no meaning now.

So how do we push on when our get up and go has got up and left? Where do we get the motivation to pursue something different, something new, something totally out of our realm of comfort? At this age, we’re making life changing decisions, even when we don’t want to. One thing I know for sure is that even though our life is full to the brim with choices, we have someone who will guide us through and has our back. God alone is our advocate. He will give us the strength, the brainpower, the wherewithal and the wisdom to make the right decisions. With that truth in mind, we cannot fail. He is our motivation.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

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LESSONS FROM NATURE

Posted on April 28, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

A seed drops,

It burrows and nestles into rich soil,

It springs forth with new life,

Fragile branches at first,

Growing strong with each passing day,

Expanding, stretching, embracing the sky,

Reaching for the face of its Creator,

It bends and twists in the storms of life,

It blossoms and thrives in good times,

It grows stronger in bad times,

It withers, it shrivels, it dies,

But it doesn’t end there,

The circle of life continues,

Watch, observe, delight in God’s hand in it.

The ability to observe is inherent in all of us unless our eyes have been blinded from birth, but even then, God gives us four other senses to allow us to breathe in everything in our existence.  We may not be able to see the brilliant colors, the majestic mass of a tree, the vastness of the heavens or the beauty of a sea or landscape, but He blesses us with other ways to “see”.

Every artist, whether a writer, painter, sculptor, actor, musician or dancer must observe everything in life in order to portray it in a believable, convincing way.  Studying every idiosyncrasy, examining each detail, with all the senses God has given us, allows our interpretation to be expressed in unique and wonderful ways.

Praise the Lord for the special attention He has paid to every detail of this life.  He calms the storms, He makes things grow and develop, He provides for every living thing, He gives life, He provides for eternity.  With Him, our salvation has been assured and life everlasting waits for those who believe in Him.

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ME, MY, MINE, MYSELF OR I . . .

Posted on April 27, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Today might be the time to challenge yourself. How many times, whether speaking to others, writing an essay, filling out an employment resume, do you use any of the words in today’s title? Isn’t it interesting how often those words come up in conversation. It may be that you simply want to help someone by sharing a personal experience that you’ve been through. It could be that your social circle is so small that you are limited in who you talk about. Perhaps you’re very proud of yourself to the point of being egotistical. Whatever the case, we all tend to refer to ourselves too often in conversation.

When we meet someone for the first time, it’s normal to expand on self in order for the other person to get to know something about you. If you tell them your entire life history, not only will you soon lose their attention, but they may actually fall asleep in your presence. When you’re filling out a job application, it can be difficult to list all the assets you can bring to the table. We don’t generally like to brag about ourselves. but is it bragging when what you can do to fill that job is precisely what’s necessary?

When you’re trying to impress someone, you tend to talk about things you excel at. When you are the center of the conversation all the time, you’re probably talking about yourself too much. It was recently suggested by an editor, that those self-words should be avoided as much as possible, because the reader may deem the author as arrogant. Something to think about for sure. Toby Keith wrote a song titled, “I wanna talk about me,” a while back. The words were sometimes comical but held a lot of truth. When involved in any conversation, it should not be one sided. Everyone has something to contribute and should be given the opportunity to do so.

We tend to throw ourselves into the limelight when it comes to social media. Of course everyone wants to put their best foot forward, but sometimes it best not to share everything. How about our prayer life? How many times do we use those self-words when approaching the throne of God? For example: Dear God, I need . . . or I want . . . or help me . . . give me. Get the picture? When we pray, we should first give thanks to the One we’re praying to. Then confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. Then we offer our petitions, pray for others and finally give honor and glory to God.

Try to do this for short time. Eliminate the self-words and focus on those you are talking to, writing to or praying for. It could make a huge difference in the way you actually see others and how they view you.

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GOING WITH THE FLOW . . .

Posted on April 26, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

You can almost imagine the sound of a babbling brook,

Trickling rapidly over rocks,

winding over obstacles, but still persisting,

Each turn in that flowage, touches something along the way,

We can be like that force,

As we tumble through life, we touch others,

Our presence has some impact on those we meet,

Either good or bad,

Wouldn’t it be grand if we made a huge difference,

If we could change another’s circumstances,

Lend a hand,

Be a friend,

We can reach beyond our wildest imaginations,

We can inspire, encourage, support, care,

With those tools,

We are making a difference,

Not only in someone else’s life,

But in our own.

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GROWING PAINS

Posted on April 25, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
― Mark Twain

When we embark on this thing called life, we have no idea where we’re going or what we’ll accomplish during that journey. When we reach the end of it, a new set of growing pains occur. Our bodies have given way to the effects of aging. Our skin sags, our muscles flop, our flexibility has flown the coop. Important parts of us have been repaired or replaced. Yet within our aging minds, is still a young person screaming for attention. The age-old question, “Why was I born, why am I living?” flashes before your eyes in bold neon letters. That question seems to become louder with each day, but there is a reason you were born and why you’re living. If you turn off the negative vibes that come with aging, you’ll see exactly why that’s true.

God designed our minds and bodies for a purpose. His intricate, perfect creation is often maligned over the years. We may try to alter our appearance in physical or medical ways. We exercise to keep the fit. We educate our minds and fill them with all sorts of philosophies and knowledge. All our attempts to stay young, eventually succumb to old age. That doesn’t mean that our growth stops.

Our death is a sure thing. What happens after death isn’t. When you have faith in the God who created life, you know that it never really ends. Our lives on earth are transitory. Heaven is real. We know this because God speaks that truth to us in His inspired Words, the Bible. Every day, we should give thanks for another chance at living, but we should also be anxious for our place in the heavenly realms of God.

Dear Creator, God, you have placed me upon this planet for a reason. I may never know what that reason is, but I can be assured that you do. When I look back at my life, I can see how you influenced it through trials as well as successes. As I now look forward to the end of it, I can see that my purpose will continue until my final breath. Help me to serve you here and throughout eternity. Amen!

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FILL ‘ER UP . . .

Posted on April 24, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

In the old days (how I hate that expression) filling up your car’s gas tank was so different. First, you’d pull into a “service” station and a young lad would come out dressed in a white uniform and hat. His clothing was spotless, even though his job called for him to be a jack of all trades. He would quickly fill the gas tank, wash your windows and check your oil, while you sat in the driver’s seat and waited. You might even be able to get a glass or plate with the station’s logo on it. Today, an elderly woman must get out of the vehicle, find the right button to push to determine what kind of fuel she wants and how much she’s willing to pay. She will then get tangled in the hose and proceed to fill her own gas tank. Forget about the windows and checking the oil. By the time the tank is full, she has endured rain, wind, sleet or snow and frigid temperatures. In those same “old days,” gas was 25 cents a gallon and you got the service for nothing.

There’s a lot to be said for customer service, which seems to be non-existent these days. (Another over-used term.) We push through over-stocked grocery stores and try to squeeze every penny out of a meager budget. We opt for buying clothes, shoes, necessary items to get through life either online or in big stores which offer fairly good prices, but the only employees you see today are either checking you out (which you can also do for yourself) or stocking shelves. Today we’re paying higher prices for less services, but that seems to be the scenario of this age. We want things right now, at the best (cheapest) price, without all the frills. We’ve become engrained with the idea that we are independent and free to do for ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with that. Freedom and independence are what our country was founded on.

There are times in our existence when we need to be re-charged or filled up. Not with things physical things or emotional stuff, but those things that bring us closer to God. King Solomon realized the importance of this during his time on earth. He was dubbed the wisest man of his time. He had everything he needed in life and then some. As he reached his later years, he realized that all of those things were meaningless. All the stuff we collect over time has no real value. All the expensive trinket, trips, special concerts or events, are nothing but trappings for an empty life.


So where do we go when things get to be too much – when you feel completely overwhelmed, empty and drained? The best place to recharge might be to fill up with things that you truly enjoy. That could be a vacation – a walk in the woods – a short road trip or attending a special event. However, none of those things compares with spending time with God. Maybe just finding a space where you can be alone – away from all the noise can be enough to fill ‘er up. The book of Isaiah is filled with promises from God, that He will be with us throughout this walk of living. He will lift us up, encourage, inspire, take away our anxiety and depression. He gives the best to those who place Him first in their journey. Even when it doesn’t seem like it – He is there. God is always there.

Isaiah 41:10 – “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you. I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

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THE NEXT STEP . . .

Posted on April 23, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

It’s been almost eight years since we downsized into a home half the size of where we were living for 24 years before. So, I guess we’ve accumulated enough junk to make another move. When age catches up with you – when you’ve lived a “full” life – when your family and friends tell you it’s time – let the shopping begin. Our last move involved looking at what seemed like a thousand homes before we made a decision. We’re now in the early process of checking out what’s out there in the senior living realm. OK, so I’m almost 82 and I should be excited about this, right?

I’ve heard many senior living places have wine bars and a great social atmosphere. I’ve even seen evidence of that as my troupe of fellow actors visited many of them and performed for them. Now I’m one of them. I knew the day would come, but there’s something about the finality of it that brings out my feelings of hesitation. I go back in time when we made this very decision for our own mothers. It wasn’t easy for us to do for them, but a very necessary situation.

I’m not afraid or stubborn or am I fighting this. In actuality I am very afraid, extremely stubborn and not looking forward to this at all. There are so many pros to making this a reality, but a lot of cons as well. I have many friends who are older than me, who still live in their own homes. The health care system has taken care of us and given us longer lives. For me, all of this is kind of like jumping off a bridge. You realize you’ve come to that final stage of life, and you might as well give in and jump.

Like all things, the best place to turn when you’re troubled or anxious is to God’s Word. Even though our lives are in a constant state of transition, His Word remains the same. God doesn’t change either. He is with us in all that we do. He stands beside us in good times and bad. He knows what is coming next before we do. He’s planned our future perfectly for us. I know that my future is in His hands and that whatever happens in this life is only temporary.

Psalm 71:18 ESV – “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

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THE EARTH IS HIS, FOR HE MADE IT . . .

Posted on April 22, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER

On this Earth Day, let us not forget the one who created it. He is always in control of its destiny. We are merely caretakers.

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;

the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;

or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you;

and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

Who among all these does not know

that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In his hand is the life of every living thing

and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10

Dear, Creator God, as the world celebrates the earth you have created, let us never forget that you are ultimately watching over it.  You are the one that can also destroy it completely in an instant.  May we honor our obligation to take care of it, but also trust in you for your unfailing love for us and your creation.  Help us to never forget that you are still in control of it. Amen!

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TIME PASSES

Posted on April 21, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

Time rushes as torrents of rapid fire. Pushing seconds out of the way,

To comfort and relieve my heart’s desire to listen to the prayers I often pray.

Then from God’s own mouth He whispers – take my hand and follow me,

I will always be here for you. I have died to set you free.

The hourglass will soon be empty. No more sand will enter there,

But the hope of something better, He has promised to prepare.

Time will hold no pressure for me. He has heard my pleading cries.

And true life eternal gives me. I now close my weary eyes.

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CLOUDS

Posted on April 20, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Like a giant vacuum, sucking vapor from the earth,

Descending down from heaven, like angels in their mirth,

Billowing up so very high, the sky can barely hold them,

Sprays of multi-colors rise, kisses and enfolds them,

Cotton candy on a stick, with gossamer wings that fly,

Mottled pink and mauve connect, convection for the eye,

Striated up above the world in a myriad of shades,

They act just like a fortress, of giant palisades.

When nighttime comes, they disappear from our imperfect vision,

But when the sun returns again, they come back with precision,

God’s own strong hand has placed them there so we would find some peace,

He also opens up the sky and shares in their release.

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FRAZZLED FRIDAY

Posted on April 19, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

We’ve come to the end of another work week. It’s Friday, and many of you are thanking God for that fact. I’m thanking Him for getting me through another week. When you’re in the “golden years,” it supposed to be smooth sailing through the rest of your days – right? Well, as we all know, life isn’t like that no matter what age you are. There will always be stress – that is until our life ends, and we enter heaven. In the meantime, what do we do with that frazzle dazzle?

I could bore you with a day-by-day account of what’s happening in my life right now, but my job is to encourage and inspire – not discourage and expire. Life can be overwhelming at times. Some of those times are worse than others. If we let the tough times pile up, we’re left with a ton of baggage on our backs. When you get old, the weight of that baggage can drive you right into the ground – literally.

These golden days can quickly become tarnished and worthless. If you add all the life changing events that we face on a daily basis, there is bound to be stress. If you try to lighten that load by turning it over to Jesus, it can relieve the burden, but our human nature will eventually cause deeper problems. It isn’t easy to simply let go and let God do what He does best. It takes a great deal of courage to do so, but with His help you can do it.

l Peter 5:6-11  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.  To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

In other words, don’t sweat the small stuff – or the big stuff either, because God has this. He knows what we’re going through. He is right beside us all the way. His only Son, Jesus, experienced pain, suffering, humiliation, shame, degradation, torture and death. God loves you. He will not leave you. He will carry the burden for you. He won’t let you fall. He is your Redeemer and Comforter. Today you can be confident that He is in this with you. He will not let you suffer more than you can handle. Trust that promise. Give thanks for it. Oh, and by the way, did you know that the word, “stressed” spelled backwards is “desserts?” Go have a piece of chocolate cake.

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JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD . . .

Posted on April 17, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

In instant lives are shattered and will never be the same.

A moment takes the light of life and it nevermore will flame.

Our hearts are heavy as we long for someone that we can blame,

But the lessons of a dreadful act are all part of the game.

The plan for life is so precious. It’s the reason that Christ came.

He came to take our sins away, our redemption to reclaim.

We can run the race we’re given. We can do it without shame

Because He died to save our souls, let us praise His glorious name.

Posted in anxiety, art & inspiration from the Boechers, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Inspiration | Leave a comment

THE FARM . . .

Posted on April 16, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

As I sit in my own “farm” house in the city of Anoka, I can’t help but recall days spent at my grandparents’ home in Wisconsin so many years ago. There’s something about a farm that reeks of clean living, nature, animals and peace. Our current address was originally a farmstead in the late 1800s. Even though it’s in the center of our town, I think of all the memories that must’ve been made here. It is a reminder of those childhood days on Grandma and Grandpas’ farm.

The path to their house was lined with a brigade of tall sentries. Each pine had been meticulously planted and nurtured for years. It was now their mission to protect the meager house from the elements. Once you reached the house you were greeted by a rusty old hand pump which had served its purpose until it was at last replaced by indoor plumbing. There was an outhouse in the backyard – another reminder of times past. A stray cat might also curl its way around your feet, begging for attention.

The house itself was modest but held stories of a family and their journeys through tough times as well as good. The little modified cottage grew with every new addition to the clan. As they grew so did the house. A window seat was built into the wall overlooking the massive flower garden, the fields of golden hay and the ever-present line of diligent soldiers. I used it as a perfect refuge to escape and read a book or just enjoy the view.

My grandparents raised eight children there. My grandmother watched five of them and her husband pass away during her lifetime and finally succumbed herself – never giving up the house nor the memories that were made there. Watching her children come and go, must’ve been so hard for her, but then to lose her husband as well. Isn’t it amazing what we endure in a lifetime? We start from scratch, building a life, creating new lives, watching them grow and spread their wings. We see them become responsible adults as we become old. In a way, it’s like beginning all over again when you reach these final years. You require more help just maintaining as you did just a few years ago. You become more dependent on others. Your strong stride has been reduced to baby steps. Such is the circle of life.

When you are in the building process, making memories and treasuring them, it becomes difficult to let go of the things you hold dear. Like King Solomon, you wonder what it was all for. Your mind skips through those younger years. Your body grows weaker with age, but if you are glued to the Savior, Jesus, you have more than memories. You have a full future awaiting in heaven.


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SUNDAY DRIVE . . .

Posted on April 15, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

We have been experiencing an amazing spring. The snow has melted. The ground is thirsting for moisture, but we know that God will provide that in time. Yesterday, after church, we decided to take a drive. We do a lot of that lately. It seems to give us a new perspective for the coming week. Our spirits were lifted earlier as we heard God’s Word preached. We studied a portion of Ephesians in Bible study. I was ready for a nap by the time we got home, because a busy couple of days prior to Sunday.

We’re beginning the process of downsizing – AGAIN. Instead of a nap, my husband suggested a drive in the country, since it was such beautiful day. So, I surrendered and I’m glad I did. The drive was much more refreshing than a nap. We headed for our favorite wildlife refuge and were treated to some migrating Sandhill cranes – a whole flock of them had landed and were feeding in one of the marshy areas of the park. These magnificent, almost prehistoric looking birds are in their full color right now. A rusty suit of plumage, along with a top hat of red – made quite an impression on those female cranes. As they paraded past each of them, I’m sure there were ooohs and aaahs from each one. They sounded more like squawks though. There may have been little scorecards too, determining the best of the group. A group of cranes is called a “dance.” I imagine it was like Dancing With the Stars as they strutted their stuff. In addition to the cranes, we saw a few turkeys, a couple eagles, several pairs of swans, a pheasant, a deer and a partridge in a pear tree. Just kidding about that last one.

There is nothing like getting back into God’s creation to renew, refresh and regenerate. Thankfully our winter was short this year. Only a couple of severe weather alerts were issued. I have often alluded to the fact that Minnesota will undoubtedly become the new garden state with all this “climate change,” “global warming,” or whatever you may call it. Here we go again. The start of a new week – another chance – yesterday’s tomorrow. I pray that you all have a blessed week.

Isaiah 55:12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

Posted in aging, Nature, seasons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

SIGNS OF SPRING . . .

Posted on April 14, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

Droplets blend together from remnants of ice and mountain snow,
Trickling over rocky crevices, dancing together in a timeless waltz,
Soon they meld into a cascade of raging energy as the dance becomes intense,
Crashing over rocks and boulders in search of the final destination,
Like us as we meander through life,
Wandering, winding here and there, tripping over roadblocks,
With one purpose in mind – new life,
As seen in the bursting forth of spring flowers and tiny green buds,
Soon becoming full blown life in all their glory
Reaching the finale of the journey,

Today becomes tomorrow, tomorrow slips right by,
Soon comes the end of life and like all things we die,
But Christ gives us the promise to meet us at that bend,
To be with us forever, where life will never end.

Posted in aging, Art & inspiration from Kathy Boecher, Art & poetry by Kathy Boecher, Inspiration, seasons | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on SIGNS OF SPRING . . .

WANDERING

Posted on April 13, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

WATERCOLOR PAINTING BY PAUL T. BOECHER – POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

My steps have slowed, my pace has too, a desert waits, I know it’s true,

I cautiously approach its ebb, I put away all fear and dread,

I trust as if a child would do, step by step I keep plugging through,

Though now my trust no longer holds, I feel it tug as it withholds,

My faith is being tested.

My breath is shorter than before, I wait a minute to restore,

Breathe in, breathe out don’t falter here, if you should live another year,

Don’t stop believing you can do, whatever God has planned for you,

Your age is showing on your sleeve, roll it up and just believe,

My hope is being tested.

I always walk a step behind, thank God, I see and am not blind,

Though years have taken me this far, my heart will follow each bright star.

Corruption, greed and fear of death, cannot destroy or take my breath,

My God is always at my side, for me He once was crucified,

My fears are all arrested.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

WADING THROUGH THE MEMORIES

Posted on April 12, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

JUST A SMALL SAMPLING OF ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER

Diving into the waters of downsizing is something we did almost eight years ago. Once more we’re faced with wading through years of accumulating, creating, saving, hoarding, whatever you want to call it. As we slowly took step by step to the upstairs of our old home, we were facing odds that we might not make it. Doing steps isn’t in our mindset these days, so we had to sit down to catch our breath, before we made any kind of a dent in ridding ourselves of stuff. While doing that, my eyes drifted around the living area up there.

I had not been upstairs in quite a while, so you can imagine the condition of a space which has been basically uninhabited for the last two years. Cobwebs were visible in the corners and on the ceilings, creating a net of glittering silk. Dust had collected on everything, since a major highway renovation had taken place during that time as well. In spite of all that, I was reminded why we bought this place in the first place. We had fallen in love with the simplicity of the old farmhouse dating back to the late 1800s. Many upgrades have been made, but the house itself maintained its original charm and melancholy.

Surveying the work ahead felt like a heavy weight landed on my shoulders. Then we started paging through stacks of art, art portfolios, sketch books, journals, memories galore. This area of our house had become an art studio over time. It’s also a museum of sorts, including most of the life of the artist himself. There was advertising art, nature art, landscapes, an album of the many wood sculptures created by this man. Among the art there is a library of art and textbooks. There are nature books, a number of Bibles, and books pertaining to the Bible. There are remembrances of trips taken to Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and California. There are hunting trophies upon the wall, along with bow and arrows and artifacts from Native American cultures.

As I sat there, thumbing through all the art, (some I had never seen before,) and looking at the tangible evidence of this man I married almost sixty years ago, I couldn’t hold back the tears. God has given us a time of grace during Paul’s untreatable Cancer. We feel blessed that we can make decisions together before there is no more time. As we enter this next step, however, it makes me feel like a whole lifetime is wrapped up in the things we’ve collected over time. I know it’s all just stuff and carries very little value for anyone other than us, but it’s really hard to let go of a part of your identity.

We’ll get through this, as we’ve overcome some much more difficult situations over the years. We have a God who has already planned our lives in advance. He is in control. He has never left us, and He never will. Please pray for us as we enter this phase of our life together.

Dear, Father, God, give us strength to face what lies ahead. Help us to release things that don’t matter. Help us to grow even closer together through this process and help us hold back tears and let emotions get in the way. Amen!

Posted in art by Paul T. Boecher, memories, Nostalgia, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

MELT DOWN . . .

Posted on April 11, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Rushing water,


Surging as it crashes,


Over broken rock,


And fallen trees,


Twisting and turning,


Undulating like a serpent,


Snaking its way through the forest,


Life giving water,


Flourishing with vitality,


Imprisoned by its boundaries,


Still following the path,


Carved out for it,


As in humanity,


On a collision course with life,


Obeying all the rules,


Doing our best,


Trying yet failing,


Melting down,


Stumbling,


Falling,


A catastrophe waiting to happen,


Within life’s disaster,


Our Savior walks with us,


Guiding our course,


Lifting us when we can no longer stand,


Supporting through all adversity,


The same Creator who made the river,


Allows us to crash and fall,


Yet guides us to still waters.

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

NATURE’S BOUNTY

Posted on April 10, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

PHOTO OF CALLA LILIES & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

A place of manicured, well tended plants

A crew of master gardeners to keep it free from infection,

How lovely if humanity mimicked nature,

If hands worked together to create beauty,

Instead of raising up in violence,

If hearts moved together in harmony,

Instead of division,

If minds cared for the finished product,

Rather than acting in the moment,

If we turned back to our Creator for intervention,

Instead of relying on our own efforts,

He designed that first garden,

Full of beauty and perfection,

No ugliness, no weeds, no unworkable soil,

Pure, perfect,

Oh that those things would simply reappear,

But we must continue to wait …

Posted in Nature, perseverence, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

PAYING IT FORWARD . . .

Posted on April 9, 2024 by atimetoshare.me

Every once in a while, something happens to reassure your confidence in the human race. Kindness is one of those things. I didn’t attend church this past Sunday, partly because of my inability to hear everything and partly because emotions have been building up over time and it seems the waterworks open up more readily. I watched church online. The message was about being afraid, as the disciples sat in a locked room after the death of Jesus. The unknown can do that to a person. One week ago, we were sitting in the sanctuary, praising God for His ultimate plan of salvation. This Sunday was filled with fear of the unknown. My daughter came over to visit after church and we exchanged some of the things going on in both of our lives. We laughed, we talked, and we shed a few tears.

Personally, Paul and I are in the process of a do-over, mostly due to age, illness and lack of stamina to fulfill the everyday tasks of being homeowners. As we look ahead, there are a million questions. Will we have to rely on others to care for us? Will our money run out before we do? Will we be able to continue our social activities as usual? When work has been the norm for your entire life, it’s scary to sit back and relax or smell the roses. Even when you think you have it all together, fear is not uncommon.

Yesterday, a friend invited me to lunch just to chat. We totally enjoy each other’s company. Hearing improves when I don’t have to sort through a number of voices. We laughed, talked, laughed some more, shed a tear or two and generally had a lovely time. At the end of the meal the waitress informed us that our bill had been paid by another customer. I’ve heard about this random act of kindness before, but never experienced it. It got me thinking.

Lives change drastically as we age. We hold onto things of the past. We try to maintain friendships but lack the ability to reach out to new ones. We become complacent and sedentary. Still, even though we’re both in our 80s, we still hang onto life. Our future is guaranteed. We know we have a place waiting in heaven. So. what is the solution for this feeling of depression and anxiety? The lessons learned in the last two days are these – Don’t hide behind closed doors. We have an amazing message to share with others. This gift from God is more precious than silver or gold. Paying it forward is a common term referring to being able to help someone experience an unconditional gift. Our greatest gift is Jesus. Tell others about Him. Pay it forward.

Posted in aging, Friendship, kindness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments