Category: Leading Life by Example

23 Sept 2026 Truth Adorned

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, books, history, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. It’s afternoon as I write to you. I am fighting cravings for pizza. I have already gone over 2,000 calories for today so ordering a pizza is out of the question!

Today was bible study and there was a great turnout. I think we had 12-13 ladies. There were many I hadn’t met before. We are using the Truth Adorned book. We spent time in Titus. The phrase I had to read came from Titus 2:13 :

Titus 2:13New International Version

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearingof the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The focus of the “Truth Adorned” or “Adorned” style Bible study (frequently based on Titus 2) is living out the beauty of the gospel together through intentional, cross-generational Christian community and mentoring. [1, 2, 3]

The central idea is drawn from Titus 2:10, which states that believers should “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” in everything they do. Rather than reducing the Christian life to a rigid list of rules or trying harder on one’s own, the study emphasizes how God’s grace transforms character, behavior, and relationships.

Today was special. Taking and actually opening my Bible – using my Bible – was a first in a long time! During my last manic episode I was using my Bible practically everyday. I would read passages out loud and different voices came out as I read.

My friend Jeannie was with us. She’s been having a hard time with Roy’s two daughters. They keep dragging her into the middle of everything! They haven’t been very nice to her. We were going to get together and eat at the Sunrise but she can’t now. It’s ok and I understand! I wish things were easier for her.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

God, I offer myself to Thee –
to build with me
and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!

alcoholics anonymous – the big book – third step prayer – 1939

22 Sept 2026 Self-Care

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, history, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

How do you make time for self-care?

Hello to you. It’s evening as I write to you. Today marks the end of summer and you can tell fall is here as it’s getting dark earlier! Some of the trees are changing into their autumn dresses. Such a beautiful time of year.

Self-care?! What’s that?! I don’t do much these days! The older I get the less I care about how I look. About the only things I do is trim my nails, color my hair and put lotion on my ever drying skin. I am doing the Tai Chi each day and try to get out and walk. As I get older I have resigned myself that I want to age gracefully.

Tomorrow I am going to Bible study at Grace House. It will be good for me to have something to look forward to each week. I will get to see friends outside of church – enrich friendship. I am not doing the book but just going for fellowship. I have been asking God what he wants from me and some of the answer has been getting out of the house and have fellowship with others. I hate leaving Link by himself but he’s a good boy while I’m gone. Even if he does his business in the house I have floors for it. Easy to clean up.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Dance as though no one is watching you,
Love as though you have never been hurt before,
Sing as though no one can hear you,
Live as though heaven is on earth.

source unknown

11 Sept 2026 Armor of God and 25 Years

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Television

Hello to you, Today has been good. I went with my Aunt to the Sisters of Grace gathering in Nampa. There was a good turnout and lots of delicious food. I helped with a skit my Aunt put together called Fashion of a Lifetime- putting on the full armor of God – from Ephesians 6:11-18 :

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

I was the helmet of salvation in the skit. My Aunt gave me a gray felt hat to put on. There were no pictures taken but that’s ok. We all were in the moment which is rare these days.

Today is a good day to remember this passage with the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s one of the darkest days of world history. I will never forget it! I was sleeping after a 12 hour shift and was called by my coworkers and I went and turned on the tv and couldn’t believe what I was seeing! It just didn’t seem real!

Something happened that day – we were all united in a way that only such horror can do. We were all Americans and grieved together. We are living in a time of such division in this country. It’s like we have forgotten – we need to remember we are one.

What is a powerful quote for 9/11?

AI Overview

Powerful 9/11 Quotes For Remembering September 11, 2001 ...

One of the most powerful and enduring quotes for 9/11 is inscribed on the wall of the National September 11 Memorial Museum: “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” 

This line comes from Book IX of the epic Latin poem The Aeneid by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. At the 9/11 Museum, the letters were forged by artist Tom Joyce using pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center site. It honors the lives lost and promises eternal remembrance.

 

3 Sept 2026 Different

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Music, Spirituality and Religion

What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised?

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. So much bad news in the headlines right now, I don’t think we were designed to process so much “news” all in one sitting everyday.

In answer today’s prompt I would say the thing I do different from how I was raised is how I practice my faith – religion. As a child I was raised Roman Catholic. In addition to Mass were the Sacraments like Confession- there were rules. As an adult I fell away from Catholicism because the church wouldn’t honor my first marriage. I went for a bit when I was with my second husband but we stopped going because going to Mass was like going to a funeral. We were surrounded by people who didn’t seem to want to be there. Then I was a Pagan for most of my second marriage which was like 12 years.

In my current life I go to church on Sundays in an high school auditorium versus a brick and mortar church like I used to. My current church, Grace Bible Church Middleton, has given me a church family that I know and love. People know me by name. Each Sunday there are warm hellos and hugs! I feel like I belong to this church. I was even baptized last September which was a big step for me in my walk with Jesus.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel;

The angels dance in your wake
The sun rises for your glory
Stars illume in your light
Magnificent and eternal
My Lord Jesus
My timeless love

justina m. pernetter

https://youtu.be/zSif77IVQdY?is=TvVuxgFvt1vQL-_z – Alison Kraus – Down to the River to Pray

14 August 2026 Peace

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Music, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well you well and if something, whatever it may be, is disrupting your peace I hope help is on the way. I was going to write something totally different today but decided not to contribute to negativity. So many people are going through so much right now. With the modern news systems bad news is vomited on to us at every turn! Let love, peace and light find you today. You are unconditionally loved! Don’t you forget that!

Spin of the world prayer wheel today:

Violence never again!
War never again!
Terrorism never again!
In God’s name,
may all religions bring upon earth
justice and peace,
forgiveness, life and love!

his holiness pope john paul ii – 01.24.2002

https://youtu.be/k4V3Mo61fJM?is=rYMeeH526uTUne1T – Fix You – Coldplay

9August 2026 I Am The Good Shepherd

by saymber, posted in history, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. Today began with church. We were in John 10:10-16:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010%3A10-16&version=NIV

https://youtu.be/qw7xhchfoe4?is=U_iLflvDM6ClyM_U – I Am The Good Shepherd – Brad Bowden

It’s about the love of the shepherd not the worthiness of the sheep. This funny video was shared that illustrates very well what being a good shepherd must be like:

https://youtube.com/shorts/Cu5qyPamutc?is=SUDx7mzl-103Y2ga – The sheep is all of us

After church I went and breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe. Got my Emma fix. She is so kind and always remembers my order!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Well, I don’t know what will happen now.
We’ve got some difficult days ahead.
But it doesn’t matter with me now.
Because I’ve been to the mountaintop.
And I don’t mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life.
Longevity has its place.
But I’m not concerned about that now.
I just want to do God’s will.
And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain.
And I’ve looked over.
And I’ve seen the promised land.
I may not get there with you.
But I want you to know tonight, that we,
as a people will get to the promised land.
And I’m happy, tonight.
I’m not worried about anything.
I’m not fearing any man.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord

i’ve been to the mountaintop – martin luther king jr. – 1968

16 July 2026 Gods Forge

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

Hello to you on this hot Thursday. We gathered a little later than normal for prayer today. It was so we could participate in the 21 days of prayer. There weren’t any new petitions but more of us to go over the ones we had. Afterwards Jeannie and I went to the Sunrise for a late breakfast. We had a wonderful visit and delicious breakfast. I got a hug from the manager Emma – I just love her! With Jeannie’s schedule it was the last day we could do this for her summer break. I was going to get groceries afterwards but decided to go tomorrow morning when it’s cooler. I really don’t like doing it!

Today’s prompt made me reflect on my own life and all that I’ve been through. I believe I have been put through Gods forge that has shaped and molded me into who I am. If I haven’t gone through what I have I think I would be a much weaker person. I have quite a laundry list! I have been divorced twice both times my being bipolar was a main cause, anorexic, bulemic, alcoholic, abused, an abuser, suicide attempt, obese, unjustly arrested, an adulterer, had fibroid cysts which resulted in me choosing to have a hysterectomy without ever being a mother, survived storms, been in and out of mental health institutions, dealt with the grief of loss of many people and pets I’ve loved to include losing my mother when I was just 10 months old to suicide. These are just a few of the things I’ve been through! Just about every tragedy you can come up with I have gone through either directly or indirectly. The way I look at it is Gods forge has shaped me into who I am today. Sometimes I have felt a bit like Job from the Bible!

Spin of the Prayer Wheel for today:

I see no stranger, I see no enemy
Wherever I look, God is all I see

I don’t think of us and them
No one do I hate or condemn
I see God’s image – each one a friend.

Of any religion, caste or race
All I see is God’s shining face
His smiling face, His gracious face.

Accept as beautiful all His design
I learnt this truth in sangat divine

One Word resounds in me and you
Waheguru … Waheguru …
In him, in her, in me and you
Waheguru … Waheguru …

Beholding in every being His light
I bloom like a flower in joy and delight.

adi granth – guru arjun dev ji – ca. 1604 ce.

14 July 2026 A Beginning

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. I’m just back from the MOVE orientation at Caldwells VA. After going through everything, I had the option of asking to be put on a GLP-1 but I decided I’m going to take the 16 week class starting on 6 Jan of next year. I want the weight loss to be lasting and going to a class will make me stay accountable! I have already started a food journal to track my calories. I need to make lifestyle changes and going to a class each week I hope will help me achieve that goal. Another benefit to go to class will be getting me out of the house another day of the week. I am proud of myself for taking this step – it’s a beginning.

Spin of the prayer wheel today:

This is the beginning of a new day.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
leaving in its place something I have traded for it.
I want it to be a gain, not a loss;
good, not evil;
success, not failure —
in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it today.

author unknown

13 July 2026 Learner

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

Are you a lifelong learner?

Hello to you. There has been difficult news today. Another person was shot and killed by ICE agents in Biddeford Maine:

https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-maine-immigration-dhs-f26f8c2256aa6f0748582ea4adbb515c

I feel so bad for his little girl who is only 3 years old! Her dad was shot right in front of her. When is enough enough?!! My prayers go out to her and her mother.

Changing gears…..

Todays prompt is so true of me. All my life so far I’ve been in school – life school. I have experienced both the good and bad lessons life has to teach. I believe we don’t go through things for no reason – especially difficult things. When we approach difficult things as learning opportunities we grow as people. We become the sort of person that can then turn around and use what we’ve learned to help other people facing similar challenges. When we face difficulties we can choose to shut down and become bitter or we can bloom where we are planted.

Turning to God during trials makes the load lighter. There has been so many times when I turned my trials over to God that doors previously closed flew open! The way was made smoother than it would be on my own. These past couple of years I have really been using the power of prayer to help me and others get through difficult times.

Spin of the Prayer Wheel today:

God, help me to be 
a pure vehicle for your love,
and light, 
and wisdom.

steven sadleir

11 July 2026 Hard Years

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

What’s a chapter of your life you’d title “The Hard Years” — and what got you through it?

Hello to you. It’s morning here as I write to you. Today’s prompt is kind of difficult to answer because throughout my life I have had difficult things happen. I have lived a life where hard times have been sprinkled with the good and easy times both of my making and not. What has gotten me through the most is my faith in God – now specifically Jesus. Jesus used those close to me to help me get through what I was facing. When I first got to Idaho , my family helped me escape the grip of what had a hold on me in Texas. I literally felt like the enemy had a hold on me! It was a physical AND spiritual battle. Then living with my Aunt and Uncle for 6 months helped me so much. More earth angels that treated me with loving care.

Throughout my life I feel like God was waiting for me to make a decision – to choose Jesus specifically. Going through hard times without faith is just so hard! It can seem so senseless! Before turning my will and care over to Jesus I was so vulnerable – porous. I was under attack without a shield!

Lately I have been going through a bought of hard times with my health. I am leaning on Jesus about it and gradually he is helping both directly and indirectly. He asks me “Do you want to be healed” like the lame man at the pool in Bethel. My answer is “YES!” I wish healing was as simple as picking up my mat and going home. There is stuff I need to do for the healing to take place. Yet, I believe he will! I believe he is!! I have a wonderful support system with my family and church family. It’s not how I would have it but as he would have it. It’s not in my time but his. I am hoping the MOVE program I’m starting on the 14th of this month will be a great beginning.

Prayer wheel prayer for today:

May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.

bodhisattva prayer for humanity