Category: Leading Life by Example

5 May 2025 Being a Spring

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you on this windy Monday afternoon. There has been some things happening the past couple of days that have been good for me and good for my church. On Sunday I went to church and got to hear from the inspirational representatives from a mission our church supports – Missions of Hope International or MOHI.

https://youtu.be/4jeA6wW9H5Y?si=AhGhYXA7QFyMeBoG – Be a Spring – Pastor Jason Boyd Grace Bible Church Middleton ID – includes interview with representatives from Missions of Hope International (MOHI)

https://give.mohiafrica.org/give

Linda with one of the arrangements we made

This morning I was asked to join some ladies at Grace House for coffee and to help assemble some Mothers Day gifts for residents at our local assisted living home called The Cottages. We will be taking them over on Thursday. They really appreciated the Easter baskets we made and asked if we would come back! I didn’t get to deliver the baskets but this time I will be involved in this delivery. Our women’s ministry leader Sandy has a lot of ideas for our little group to include may be making care kits for women at a homeless shelter. She was inspired by the message from MOHI – how can we reach out to those in need in our own communities? We have been known in the past as the “hot dog church” but with how much we are growing it’s possible we can be much more!

1 May 2025 Praying Together

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you! Can you believe it’s May already?!!

I just got off the phone with my friend Jeannie. Normally we would be together today but it didn’t work out. So we decided to pray from home and she asked if we could pray via a telephone call. I’m so happy we did! She has such a talent for prayer. The words seem to come to her so easily! We prayed for the people who normally join our little group, our family members, the town and schools of Middleton and this country and world. I felt it was important to share this today. Anyone reading this who feels alone – doesn’t have a support system like a church – a dear friend – know that there are people like Jeannie and I praying for you. You matter! There is so much power in prayer and it doesn’t matter how it occurs be it in person or on the phone. God hears our petitions!

James 5:16New International Version

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

27 April 2025 Legacy – Who Is Your Paul?

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging
Today was Baptism Sunday
He was baptized jeans and all! I almost went up myself! Not ready yet

Today we were in 2 Timothy 1:1-7. The message from Brad was a lot about legacy. His family wasn’t rich when he was growing up but they left him a loving legacy in Christ. He asked us who is your Paul and my mind immediately thought of my Aunt Ruth. She is such a good role model as is my cousin Tony and his wife my dear friend Tawna. It is through their example that they can count me and my drawing nearer to Christ as part of their legacy. I have been blessed throughout my life to have had loved ones and friends leading by their example in their faith. Today was baptism Sunday – I almost went up! I’m almost ready!

2 Timothy 1:1-7New International Version

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

https://youtu.be/X3y1CXlrAC8?si=_YXogVC2Z4YG-uEH

26 April 2025 112 Years Old

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, 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.

17 April 2025 Two or Three

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Matthew 18:20New International Version

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

This passage is one of my favorites and it has applied to our little Thursday prayer group. Today there were three of us. Today marked the seventh year anniversary of one of our groups daughters suicide. She is still grieving the loss as if it were only yesterday. She showed us video she took of a sapling in bloom that had been planted in the place of the shed her daughter died in. So beautiful! I am so glad we could be together to lend support. My prayer request was for my Auntie. She’s been worrying about medical things coming up. I am still praying for a miracle for her!

We keep praying our little group will grow but so far it just hasn’t. May be God has another plan? May be small is best right now? The population of our church consists of mostly younger working couples with children. I am thinking that’s why we haven’t had new people join our group. I will continue to show up!

A bouquet at my Aunt Ruth’s – I liked how it looked in the sunlight

10 April 2025 Unseen and Positive Change

by saymber, posted in dreams, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

Hello to you. It’s Thursday already! The weeks fly by so fast. Last night I had a dream that startled me awake. I was in my bedroom and all the sudden the lights came on. I hadn’t flipped the switch. I saw Link on the bed and was scared that the lights came on without me turning them on. I looked towards the bedroom door and made a strange sound of fear at something I couldn’t see. Then an unseen hand grabbed my throat and pushed me to the bedroom floor. This force held me until I startled awake! I have dreams like this from time to time!

The most positive change I’ve made in my life thus far is choosing to become a Christian. I have been able to overcome a lot of things that some would find nearly impossible to overcome by choosing Christ. I am still learning and growing in my faith and Jesus has been patient with me. I have a lot of “body” issues I have been praying to be delivered from and I have been fighting impatience. I am constantly reminded that may be I may be exactly how I am because I am of the greatest use the way I am. If I was perfectly healthy would I lean into Jesus as much? When we are healthy and don’t have any troubles we tend not to lean – least wise that’s been the case with me! When I am doing well in body I am not always well in spirit. Being a believer in the power of Jesus helps me face my limitations as a human being.

  • Acknowledging Human Weakness:The Bible recognizes that humans have limitations in knowledge, understanding, and ability.
    • For example, 1 Corinthians 8:2 states, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know”. 
    • Psalm 119:96 says, “I have learned that everything has limits”. 

31 Mar 2025 Unique

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.

16 Mar 2025 Letting Go

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

Hello to you. I hope today finds you well. It’s beginning to feel like Spring here. Blades of grass are peeking up and the birds are back singing their love songs. I went to church this morning- wasn’t sure my back would let me! I have been taking Aleve and using a roll on my Aunt gave me and that’s helping. I am happy to be fitting into my one pair of jeans! Progress!

Today’s message was out of Galatians 5. What stood out to me is how Pastor Jayson talked about our freedom. Our freedom makes many things permissible but we have to ask in the over all scheme of things is just doing whatever we want beneficial to us and the body of Christ we are a part of. When he talks about his own struggles with food I really can relate!

In a couple hours I’m going to be celebrating my Uncles birthday with family. I’ve decided to use this occasion to share my stuffed animal collection with the grandchildren. It’s been on my heart the past couple of weeks that it’s time for these things to go to a good home and be played with and not just take up storage space. Some of the collection is very sentimental stuff and I’m a little attached but it’s time to let go. Stuffed teddy bears and My Little Pony, for example, are great for young children. My cousin said it was ok to bring them over today so I am. They have a playroom designated for the littles when they come over and these new additions will get lots of use!

Galatians 5New International Version

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

9 Mar 2025 Corn

by saymber, posted in Home, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. How are you doing? I’m back from church – Pastor Jayson had a good message as always. His message was really relatable. He used gorging yourself at a buffet so you would get carried through the week is kind of what a lot of Christians do with their faith. His most powerful example was a seed of corn. To grow the seed you need soil, water and sunlight. He showed what you should do – put the seed in the soil and water it. He then pulled the seed out of the soil and laid it on the table, rinsed it off and put it back in the soil and repeated this process a couple of times. This was another example of how many Christians treat their faith. If you keep pulling the seed of corn out of the soil it’s never going to grow! The same things can apply to us with our faith. An hour on Sunday isn’t enough to get our faith to take root and grow.

John 15:5New International Version

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

1 Mar 2025 A Plan

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.

Our beautiful birthday girl

Proverbs 15:1New International Version

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