16 July 2025 The Now

July 17, 2025 by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Home, In the News, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. It’s another sunny and hot day here as I write to you. I hope this finds you well. If not I hope somehow God will show you how loved you are.

My thoughts this afternoon are about keeping my thoughts in the now. What sparked this was thinking about Link getting older. He’s showing signs of his age already- he will be 11 this December 9th. I can remember all too well how many pieces my heart was shattered at losing 4 pets in close succession when I lived in Texas. Two dogs and two cats – my fur babies Sam, Blondie, Amber and May. I think it was losing them that contributed to my many manic episodes that lead to my frequent hospitalizations. I never had children so they filled that maternal void in me. Losing them was so painful I could barely stand it!

Link is my second son and I try to avoid thinking of how losing him will break my heart again! I am trying to keep my thoughts in the now about him. Cherish each day the good Lord gives us together. I have said I don’t know if I will have another dog or cat after Link. As I stand here now, I don’t know if my heart will be able to take it! I say this now but who knows what God will have for me. Taking in Link helped heal my broken heart!

Dear Jesus I come before you to pray for this world and all its inhabitants. I pray for all the animals and those who are pet owners who may be on the verge of having to say that most painful of goodbyes. I pray for the flood victims and their families in Texas. I pray for the children of war torn regions of this world. I pray for the families struggling to make ends meet in this American economy. I pray for the world’s sick, poor and hungry. We need you now more than ever. I pray all this in your precious name. Amen.

29 June 2025 Who To Believe In

June 29, 2025 by saymber, posted in history, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, trust

Hello to you. It’s a balmy 83 degree Sunday as I write to you. I got my walk in before it got too hot!

Went to church today and it was interesting. I was greeted by little Dorothy who I think she said she’s 6 years old. She is a hugger and always hugs me when she sees me. Such a sweetheart. The message today came from Brad out of Revelations. We learned more about the end times – specifically the Antichrist and the beasts- false prophets. What I liked was hearing about who we should believe in. Not a political party or government but Jesus Christ. Back when Revelations was first relevant it was the Roman Empire now in our time it’s the MAGA movement and United States government. Don’t follow them – get into the Bible and the teachings of Jesus – follow him! I am happy the leaders of our church brought this up today!

Revelation 13New International Version

The Beast out of the Sea

13 The dragon^[a] stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ²The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bearand a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.³One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. ⁴People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁵The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. ⁶It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. ⁷It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. ⁸All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lambwho was slain from the creation of the world.^[b]

⁹Whoever has ears, let them hear.

¹⁰“If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed^[c] with the sword,
with the sword they will be killed.”^[d]

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

The Beast out of the Earth

¹¹Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth.It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. ¹²It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. ¹³And it performed great signs,even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. ¹⁴Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. ¹⁶It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark,which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

¹⁸This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.^[e] That number is 666.

22 June 2025 Tribulation

June 23, 2025 by saymber, posted in history, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Politics and Government, Social media, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. Today began with church and the message was kind of heavy. We are working our way through the end times in Thessalonians and other scripture – specifically the book of Mark and the tribulation today. Pastor Jason has been trying to break down things so we can understand. With the recent bombing of Iran and events in Israel it’s very timely! What is the purpose of the tribulation? To prepare Israel for its savior and Gods pouring out judgement on unbelieving nations and individuals. The length of the tribulation is 3.5 year cycles. The first 3.5 cycle will see prosperity and peace and the second 3.5 cycle will see destruction and devastation. It feels like we are in a cycle of destruction and devastation but only God truly knows!

I left with a heavy heart. In light of everything that is going on – feeling like so many bad things are happening at once. We have had bad things happen before – it’s how we get our news that makes it seem worse than times before. It used to take months, even years to find out what we find out now in an instant. In an instant we look at our phones and we are inundated with this crime here, storm here, this conflict there. It can feel overwhelming! I have to remind myself that what matters most is my personal relationship with Jesus. As long as I hold fast to my belief in him and how I am in the world I have nothing to worry about. My nightly prayers always include the whole world – especially the children in war torn regions like Gaza. In all the wars around the world it is the children who suffer the most!

Mark 13:19-23New International Version

¹⁹because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.

²⁰“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. ²¹At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. ²²For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²³So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

19 June 2025 A Psalm For World Peace

June 20, 2025 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. As I write to you this evening I wanted to find a psalm of peace. There is so much going on – every day it’s something. It’s hard to find comfort anywhere but in God. I hope this psalm I found helps you find some comfort!

Psalm 46New International Version

Psalm 46^[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.^[b] A song.

¹God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.^[c]

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields^[d] with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

18 May 2025 Sacrifices

May 19, 2025 by saymber, posted in animals, history, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

What sacrifices have you made in life?

Hello to you. It’s been a couple days since I’ve written to you – I hope this finds you well. Today’s message at church was a serious one. Are we in the end times? For many of us the signs point to yes. This is the scripture we read:

2 Timothy 3:1-9New International Version

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ²People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴treacherous, rash, conceited,lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

⁶They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,their folly will be clear to everyone.

Some other messages were to spend time in the company of fellow believers and to recognize foolishness when we see it. For me it’s always keeping the lamps lit for whenever Jesus returns! It could be any time!

The prompt today is hard for me to answer. In the course of my life I have wanted for little and that which I was lacking was made up for in some way. I never had children so the ways that parents typically have to sacrifice things I haven’t had to. The trade off I made was being being a pet parent for many years and I have sacrificed being away from my fur babies for great lengths of time. This has meant not going on trips away from home!

Just got the good news that my Aunts granddaughter is in the hospital tonight and going to be giving birth to a baby boy! Praise God! We are hoping for a smooth delivery!

26 April 2025 112 Years Old

April 27, 2025 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, dreams, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. I stayed up until the wee hours of this morning and caught most of the funeral service of Pope Francis. I have mixed emotions – sad yet happy for him to be free of his failing body. I can remember how excited I was when he was first appointed- the name he chose being that of my favorite saint – Saint Francis of Assisi. The job of Pope really takes its toll and it’s sad how his body failed him in the end. They would fix one thing and then something else would happen! I hope the next Pope will have good health.

Last night without realizing who this was from I started reading – this was from my Grandpa Becker. This was his church.

My Grandpa walking my Mom down the aisle. He never recovered fully from her death.

Yesterday would have been my Grandpa Beckers 112th birthday. Last night as I was trying to calm my mind I was lead to grab the tiny New Testament I’ve had since graduating high school. I didn’t realize until I talked to my Auntie today that It was from Grandpa! It’s funny how our loved ones reach out to us. He was in my prayers and on my mind! I told my Auntie today about a vivid dream I had after asking God if my Grandpa was ok in the afterlife. I dreamt that the spirit of Grandpa was in me and we were dancing with Ken my husband at the time. We told my Grandma Becker that we would see her on the other side. We apologized to his wife Charlie as she was the one who found him. Then we tripped and Grandpa popped out of me. The next thing I knew I saw him a ways away about to enter a church and he yelled out “there is life after death if you believe in Jesus Christ!” I woke up so comforted after such a dream! He was in heaven for sure! I miss him very much but know he’s not far away. Each night I pray for him and all those who have left this material world. I ask them to pray for us too!

I read this out of tiny print – one of my favorite passages:

Matthew 5:1-12New International Version

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, ²and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰Blessed 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. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

31 Mar 2025 Unique

April 1, 2025 by saymber, posted in animals, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

My one in a million little unique somebody Link today after his grooming

Hello to you. Today’s prompt makes me think about a struggle I’ve had much of my life. The struggle to stand out in the crowd and the backlash for doing so. When one strives to be unique you spend a lot of energy and time swimming against the stream most of the rest of humanity swims. The Chosen’s teal fish swimming against the current of gray little fish comes to mind. Having chosen to surrender my will to follow Jesus hasn’t been easy but I’m doing it! Sometimes I feel myself slipping back to my pagan ways but being surrounded by believers helps with that. As I look at this world and the way it’s going, I feel I have made a wise choice. The Jesus of my understanding is not the same Jesus being used by our country and its leadership. I think Jesus would feel quite out place if he were invited to the Oval Office. His attire would probably be mocked and his rhetoric would not win him popularity contests. He would likely kicked out. He would be himself which would fly in the face of what we are witnessing on the world stage today. There are a lot of money changers in the temple these days. There are a lot of desperately poor, hungry and sick- sinners who need what the true Christ would offer. Though much time has passed since he walked this earth his legacy is still relevant. He was and is unique – a pioneer. I often wonder how much longer, how much more suffering he will allow before his return. Would he be welcomed as a savior in our time or a delusional heretic drugged and locked up unable to complete his mission.

1 Mar 2025 A Plan

March 2, 2025March 2, 2025 by saymber, posted in history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Money, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How are you doing? I’m doing ok – kind of down. Too much news…bad news. I feel like my country is becoming a villain and I’m powerless to really do anything about it. There have been demonstrations all over the world but yet the eight ball is still in play. The only thing people have been doing that has really caused a stir is boycotts. Money is our superpower. I felt mortified watching how the Ukraines President Zelenskyy was treated in the Oval Office. I couldn’t believe what they did – ridiculing the man because of the clothes he was wearing?!! I felt like I was watching a bunch of bullies in a schoolyard. I want an end to the war too but how are we going to do it?!! What is Gods plan for all this that is going on? They put a statue of Jesus Christ in the White House lawn (how much did that cost us tax payers btw?!!) but everything going on seems so against what Jesus did and taught us while he was here. Jesus would certainly not publicly ridicule what a man was wearing!

Every day another fire alarm is being pulled by this administration – it’s only been a couple months but it feels so much longer. I want a do over on this election!

On a different note I wish to note today is my dear friend and earth angel Tawna’s birthday. We are the same age.

Proverbs 15:1New International Version

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

6 Feb 2025 Coping in Anxious Times

February 7, 2025 by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Television, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How are you doing these days? I have been feeling anxious lately. I am having to practice what I preach and turn my worries to Jesus. My therapist suggested that I set aside time for my worries each day and then leave it be for the rest of the day. I have been getting news from many different sources and it isn’t positive – one fire alarm after another being pulled! In particular I’m very concerned about how long a leash President Trump is giving to Elon Musk. He’s not an elected official and he does have conflicts of interest. I didn’t knowingly vote for the man I’m seeing and hearing day after day. I feel betrayed. Buyer’s remorse big time! The sad thing is even if I had voted for Kamala I would still be in the same boat. The country and electoral college wanted Trump. I guess at least my conscience would be clearer. Every day I feel regret over my choice.

I have to believe that when all is said and done that the will of God, Jesus Christ, will prevail. I have to believe that the will of the many will prevail over the whims of a select few. You can’t buy your way into heaven – billionaires seem to forget who is holding the keys to eternity beyond this earthly world of flesh and blood. Having lots of money in the earthly realm has too much power and justice only seems to come in the heavenly realms where the earthly poor and lowly can’t see it.

Matthew 19:24New International Version

²⁴Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

2 Feb 2025 Seeking Things Above

February 2, 2025 by saymber, posted in In the News, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Today’s message at church was about what we need to be doing as followers of Christ – specifically out of Colossians 3. When we seek things above and less on earthly things, which is hard to do, we become closer to what Jesus was when he was here. Being made of flesh it can be hard to focus less on earthly things! Pastor Jayson began his sermon in tears over his Dad who isn’t doing so well. How hard it must be to tuck away that pain and still give us the message he had to give! The fear of loss is an earthly thing that is hard to surrender to Jesus but he did it: Please keep Pastor Jayson Boyd and his family in your prayers.

In light of recent events a lot of prayers are needed! So far this year every time we think things are going to get better and we breathe a collective sigh of relief, something else happens! Even if you aren’t paying attention to the news and or current events something is happening! I try to pray for the world each night and all the life within it. Imagine the power of us all praying?!!

Colossians 3New International Version

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^[b] ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other,since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹Here there is no Gentile or Jew,circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love,which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households

¹⁸Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

²¹Fathers,^[c] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.