29 Oct 2026 RIP Captain and 90 Days

Hello to you. There was sad news today. My favorite Star Trek ship Captain Jean Luc Picard played by Patrick Stewart passed away;

https://abcnews.com/amp/GMA/Culture/star-trek-star-patrick-stewart-dies-86/story – (use link for entire story)

Patrick Stewart, the legendary actor known for his roles in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the “X-Men” film franchise, has died at the age of 86, his representative announced Thursday.

Stewart died “in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny” after a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, according to a statement shared on his social media by his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak.

Today there was a lot of hoopla over 90 days and military installations being prepared to be self sufficient. The alarm bells have been going off for us regular civilians as a result. What aren’t they telling us? Is it just another distraction ahead of the upcoming primary races? I look at my life without a power and water grid and have to admit I wouldn’t do so well. The same with food stockpiles. All the food I usually buy is frozen. If we lost the power grid I would be screwed! I need to buy another bag of Links dog food – worst case scenario I could live off of that lol!

https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/fortress-plan-hardens-us-bases-90-days/amp/ – (use link for full article)

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s new initiative to make military installations in the U.S. self-sufficient for at least 90 days has generated a wide range of responses, including questions about how long it may take to fully implement the plan at hundreds of domestic bases.

Hegseth recently unveiled FORTRESS — short for Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability — in a bid to prevent homeland sites from being, as he put it, “starved out, shut down, or cut off” during conflict or disaster.

Here is a prayer for peace, safety, and provision when the power grid goes down:

Heavenly Father,

In the sudden darkness and stillness, we turn our hearts to You, the true source of light that never fails.

When the power grid goes down and our usual comforts are taken away, replace our anxiety with Your perfect peace. Give us calm minds and steady hearts to handle the situation practically and safely.

We ask for Your protection over our home and our loved ones. Keep us safe from physical harm, extreme cold or heat, and any dangers in the dark. We especially lift up the vulnerable, the sick, and those who rely on medical devices—please provide a swift way forward and keep them securely in Your care.

Grant us wisdom to navigate this disruption with patience and a spirit of cooperation. Help us to look out for our neighbors, sharing what we have and being a source of comfort to those around us.

Thank You that even when the lights go out, Your presence remains a constant shield and a lamp unto our feet. We trust in Your provision and Your timing.

Amen

25 Oct 2026 Accepting Gods Will

Good evening to you. I’m just home from a wonderful family gathering at my Aunt and Uncles. There was good food and lots of prayer. My sweet cousin has been praying for God to restore her to what she was before the aneurysm. She acknowledged if she isn’t completely restored she will have to accept Gods will – accept her body for what it is. It’s so hard! She has come so far in her journey but she wants it to go faster. It’s like what I’ve been dealing with my health. My reliance on God to completely heal me may only go so far. At some point there has to be acceptance. Letting go and letting God – sometimes we get in our own way.

We got to see Pastor Jason today. I could tell he wasn’t all himself but it was good to see him.

Today’s message from Garrett on the beatitudes was really good. It’s one of my favorite messages from Jesus:

https://youtu.be/XHcu7Xe7VKo?is=-Xu-bxl7C49s5cJG – The Beatitudes- Garrett Munger

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

https://youtu.be/o5OnF3sg0cY?is=4-3FxZaDOTI02jiq – The Beatitudes- The Chosen

Blessed is not happiness. To be blessed means to live the good life in God’s eyes.

23 Oct 2026 Being Good

What does it mean to be a good person?

Good evening. It’s bedtime as I write to you. Today was a good day. The new medication I’m taking, the Hydroxyzine, is having an interesting side effect. The sensation in my ears is changing. May be the histamine is doing something? I will just keep taking it. May be all the prayers for my condition is bearing fruit!

The prompt here today is thought provoking for me. What comes to mind is people in my life that I consider to be good people. What are some of the qualities that they consistently exhibit? There are so many! Kindness, generosity, devotion to God, selflessness to name a few. The people I’m thinking of will do anything you need without the slightest hesitation. They expect nothing in return. The people I’m thinking of aren’t perfect but that doesn’t matter. Any of their shortcomings are overshadowed by all the good they bring into the world. I am truly blessed with all the good people I know.

Prayer for tonight:

A Prayer for a Good Person

“Lord, I thank You for placing good people in my life—those who show kindness when it is hard, who offer support, and who walk with a steady heart. [1]

Please bless them with Your favor, protect their spirit, and guide their steps each day. Grant them wisdom when they face difficult choices, strength when they feel tired, and peace that fills their home. [1, 2]

Surround them with the same love and grace they so freely give to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” [1]

21 Oct 2026 ASK – Ask, Seek, Knock

Hello to you. I had Bible Study today and it was good. Missy got us caught up with what’s been going on with her husband Ray who is recovering from a brain injury. Missy is always so positive about whatever gets put in her path. There were other prayer intentions to include Pastor Jason and his family. I got to see my friend Jeannie which always makes me happy. There was a good turnout. We have a nice group of ladies. Judy gave us an acronym- ASK – Ask , Seek, Knock. She emphasized we need to be active in our faith not just sit back and wait for things to happen. I got to share about where our thoughts go we take action. The example being from Joyce Meyer about chocolate cake. If you think you want a piece of cake hard enough you will find a way to get it! Where our thoughts go we go soon after.

A powerful prayer for the world asks God for peace, healing, and wisdom:
“Father God, we pray for our world today. Bring peace, hope, and protection to all who suffer from conflict, poverty, and crisis. Give our leaders wisdom and humility, and use us to show your love to everyone. Amen

19 Oct 2026 Stress

How do you manage stress?

Hello there! How are you doing from where and when you are? Today was long. I tried the Hydroxyzine out today and I’m not sure it did anything. It may take time to do what it was prescribed for. The script is for a very low dose of the drug – 25 mg capsules. I think that’s why I can take it four times in a day. Today I had to force myself to exercise – doing the 8 min Tai Chi – and walk Link. I have been doing arm exercises with my 5 lb weights and stomach exercises too. I have to quit buying some of the snacks and stick to healthier options. My weakness is Skinny Pop popcorn. It’s suppose to be like 4.5 servings at 150 a serving and I eat the whole bag! I did get more baby carrots so I need to eat those. That MOVE class is getting closer and I want to have lost weight when it starts in January.

Today’s prompt makes me think of how I presently deal with stress. Mostly I take medication and reach out to my support system. I also turn to God and pray for guidance. My Auntie has shown me that prayer can be a powerful way to deal with most anything. I always feel so loved when she prays with and for me. She has a way with knowing just the right words to say!

A Prayer of Praise via Internet:

“Abba, Father, You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are my Creator, my Counselor, and my Almighty God. [1]

Lord, I praise You for Your great mercy, Your unending faithfulness, and Your boundless love. You are El Roi, the God who sees me, and my refuge in times of trouble. Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; Your greatness no one can fathom. [1, 2]

Thank You for Your presence in my life, for Your grace that carries me, and for the living hope I have in You. Today, I lift my voice to honor Your holy name, acknowledging that You are good, righteous, and faithful forever. [1, 2, 3, 4]In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

18 Oct 2026 Radical Forgiveness

Hello to you. How are you? Im doing ok. Today I started taking a new drug for anxiety called Hydroxyzine Pamoate. It’s a take as needed type of medication. You can take it up to 4 times a day. I have been feeling more anxious lately and my doctor recommended giving it a try. Here is some of what the internet had to say:

Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine medication used to treat short-term anxiety, allergic skin reactions (such as itching and hives), and nausea, or used as a sedative before and after surgery. It is commonly sold under brand names like Atarax and Vistaril. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

What It Does & How It Works

  • Mechanism: It blocks histamine H1 receptors in the body to reduce allergy symptoms and inflammation. It also reduces activity in central nervous system regions to provide a calming, sedative effect. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • Onset: It begins working quickly, usually taking effect within 15 to 30 minutes, with peak effects in about 2 hours. [1, 2]
  • Active Metabolite: Once processed by the liver, hydroxyzine converts into cetirizine(Zyrtec). [1, 2]

Today’s message on forgiveness was delivered by Elder Brad Bowden. It was nice to see everyone and get hugs. I almost didn’t go but I forced myself to go – it’s always worth it!

Pastor Jason is still recovering from the car accident:

https://youtu.be/Uh0QtEZAp40?is=uIIBlPkH2YrY_pTZ – Radical Forgiveness – Brad Bowden

I agree that just because you forgive someone it doesn’t mean you have forgotten. Forgiveness is a two way street and when done openly it benefits both parties. I have read about people who have forgiven murderers for example. It was a healing experience both ways. Here is what the internet said about it and examples:

Many family members and loved ones have chosen to forgive the people responsible for the murder of a family member, often finding personal healing and liberation from long-term anger. [1, 2, 3]

Notable Examples of Forgiveness

  • Mary Johnson and O’Shea Israel: Mary Johnson forgave O’Shea Israel, the teen who murdered her son in 1993. After years of grief and anger, she met him, forgave him, and later helped welcome him as a neighbor. [1, 2, 3]
  • Darryl Green and Kimyon Marshall: Darryl Green, a Morgan State University professor, forgave Kimyon Marshall, who killed his brother Ruben Cotton in 1988 when Marshall was 14 years old. Green later supported reducing Marshall’s sentence, and the two co-founded a nonprofit called Deep Forgiveness. [1, 2]
  • Kate Grosmaire: After her daughter Ann was shot, Kate Grosmaire visited the teenage shooter, Conor, in jail to tell him that she and her husband forgave him before turning off Ann’s life support. [1]
  • Sharletta Evans: Sharletta Evans forgave Raymond Johnson, the teen who shot and killed her 3-year-old son in a 1995 drive-by shooting in Colorado, after Johnson reached out years later seeking reconciliation. [1]
  • Bill Pelke: Bill Pelke forgave Paula Cooper, who murdered his grandmother Ruth Pelke in Indiana in 1985, and later campaigned against the death penalty on her behalf. [1]
  • Nadine Collier: The daughter of Ethel Lance—one of the victims of the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston—publicly told the gunman during a bond hearing, “I forgive you. You took something really precious away from me… But I forgive you and have mercy on your soul”. [1]

Why People Forgive

  • Releasing Inner Pain: Many survivors state that forgiveness is primarily for themselves—to stop carrying the heavy burden of anger, bitterness, or hatred, which they describe as emotionally consuming. [1, 2]
  • Restorative Justice: Programs that bring victims and offenders together help survivors find answers, understand the context of the tragedy, and move forward through accountability and healing. [1]

15 Oct 2026 Spark of Faith

Hello to you. How does life find you as you visit me here? Today was good. I had Thursday prayer group with Lois, Judy, Jeannie and I. We prayed for Pastor Jason and his family. He is recovering from a car accident in which he suffered a concussion. He is sorely missed! He does so much and his absence is deeply felt. I’m so glad he didn’t suffer worse injuries! It’s been so nice having Judy added to our group. She prays so deeply as does my dear friend Jeannie! I love our little group – our little spark of faith.

A little bit later I went over and visited with my Auntie. She made us a pizza for lunch. We had a good talk about negative media. She has felt like the news lately has been a horror show – the work of the devil. We aren’t designed to handle so much negativity! I have noticed it too. We need to focus on Jesus. She told my cousins daughter, a young mother, to avoid watching the news too much. Good advice!

We watched a nice show When Hope Calls:

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/when-hope-calls-cast-release-date-news

When sisters Lillian Walsh (Morgan Kohan) and Grace Bennett (Jocelyn Hudon) were young, their parents died of tuberculosis. The girls were separated: Lillian was adopted and raised by a kind family in the fictional Canadian small town of Brookfield, and Grace grew up in an orphanage. Upon reuniting as adults, the sisters open New Hope Orphanage, which is initially met with uncertainty and suspicion by the Brookfield townspeople. But in Season 1 of the romantic period drama When Hope Calls, Lillian and Grace open their hearts and make connections in their town in order to create a loving home for the children in their care. 

I love having time with my Auntie! She is so gentle and kind. When we are together we try to focus on what is good and light in the world. She is a great comfort to me.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

What you are, the world is.
And without your transformation,
there can be no transformation of the world.

j. krishnamurti

12 Oct 2026 Sensitive

Hello to you. It’s almost bedtime as I write to you. Today began early with Links grooming appt with Clean Pups groomer Diana. He knows the word haircut and did one of his nervous poops in the house. Poor little man!

I have been feeling extra sensitive these past couple of days. I waited too long to refill the medication that helps me with anxiety. I’m waiting on my prescription of Olanzapine to arrive. According to the automated message at the VA they sent out the order on the 6th. Today was a federal holiday so no mail was delivered. Hopefully it will be in tomorrow’s mail.

Prayer I found for World Peace:

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. [1]

Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil, and protect the dignity of every human life. [1]

Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders, free them from selfish ambition, and eliminate all violence and war. [1]

Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Make us sensitive to the cry of the vulnerable, the displaced, and those who suffer. [1, 2]

Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds so that our way of life will always be one of reconciliation, hope, and brotherhood. [1]

Amen.

11 Oct 2026 Anger

Hello to you. It’s a chilly Sunday afternoon as I write to you. Today’s message at church had to do with anger. Anger is something I had a lot of trouble with when I was younger. I have realized now that I’m older anger can be a waste of energy. When I get angry nowadays I soon realize I am giving my personal power to something I don’t want. I have to turn it over to God and let it go. What I have noticed is anger can obstruct Gods will on a matter. When I let go and let God on something a desired outcome usually follows:

https://youtu.be/xZ1gWayPs-Q?is=92DLDn6EA9N5sthh – Nuclear- Biblical Anger in the age of outrage – Brad Bowden

Ephesians 4:26 New International Version

26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

8 Oct 2026 Wish

The genie grants you a wish. What is it?

Hello there. How are you? Today’ began with the prayer group I go to on Thursdays. Today it was Lois, Jeannie and a new person named Judy and me. We prayed for Pastor Jason and his family to have protection from attacks. We prayed for each other and for the things on the prayer sheet Lois has for us like Leadership and Facilities. We prayed for the elders, volunteers and for a place to go when the lease for Grace House is over in December. There is always lots to pray for and also give praise.

After prayer Jeannie and I went to the Sunrise. It was so nice to have quality time with my friend! I ordered something different – no meat. I want to stop eating meat. I can’t stand the cruelty in the food animal system! Every-time I eat meat I am conscious that more than likely the animals whose flesh I’m eating has experienced trauma and maltreatment. I don’t buy milk or meat anymore. I buy Amy’s frozen dinners and they don’t have meat in them and taste really good. I’m doing what I can by voting with my pocket book.

Today’s question is pretty easy for me to answer. If I had one wish it would be to not bipolar – to have my health restored. So much of my life has been wrecked by this condition. Both of my marriages ended badly because of this diagnosis.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Believe more deeply.
Hold your face up to the light,
even though for the moment you do not see.

bill wilson – cofounder alcoholics anonymous