Tag: faith

23 Oct 2026 Being Good

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

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]

19 Oct 2026 Stress

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

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.”

15 Oct 2026 Spark of Faith

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

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

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Health, Mental Health, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

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.

7 Oct 2026 Aliens

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Music, space, Spirituality and Religion

If aliens arrived tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d ask them?

Hello to you. How is the where and when you visit me here from? Today I went to Bible Study and it was a good turnout. One of the ladies, Pam, that comes was seeming to have a hard time being still. Her hair was in a pretty braid – normally it’s long around her face. She is suffering from dementia and sometimes tries to engage with the group but she has trouble verbalizing her thoughts. She is so sweet. She had been sleeping when it was my turn to pray for her and her family. So I was careful about what I said. I asked God to wrap his loving arms around her and her family. Now is a time of tenderness and patience!

Now to aliens…..wow do I have a lot of questions! I would ask them about Jesus. Do they know when he’s coming back? I wonder if they would have an answer!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Watch thou, dear Lord,
with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give thine angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend thy sick ones, Lord Christ.
Rest thy weary ones.
Bless thy dying ones.
Soothe thy suffering ones.
Pity thine afflicted ones.
Shield thy joyous ones.
And all, for thy love’s sake.

Amen.

evening prayer – saint augustine – 4th century

https://youtu.be/Lq4PXLxTuVU?is=u6x99LBUyktn8yoR – Come Jesus Come – CeCe Winans

5 Sept 2026 There You Are

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Spirituality and Religion

What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?

Hello there! Hope this finds you well. Today was ladies coffee at Grace House at the new time of 1:30. It was Missy, Jera, Sandi, Linda and me. There were yummy treats and coffee. We got caught up and prayed together. We have such good people at our church! I love them very much.

One of the mantras I live by is where you go there you are – you can’t escape yourself! A lot of people have moved here from other places like California and they bring who they were there here to Idaho. The native born Idahoans suffer the most as everything has increased in prices – especially homes. The wages most natives make don’t keep up with the cost of living, I moved here from Texas – another state experiencing growth. I am not the same person I was when I lived in Texas and I’m glad! When I lived in Texas for 12 years I wasn’t part of a church and didn’t have any of my family close by. It really makes a difference and my quality of life is much better now. Having family to turn to helps me with living alone. I would say I am the exception not the rule for the mantra.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

When I despair,
I remember that all through history
the ways of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.

Think of it – always.

mahatma gandhi – early 20th century

4 Oct 2026 A Manna Mindset

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

Hello to you. Today was good. I was happy to see Pastor Jason up and well after his accident and of course seeing and hugging my friends Jera, Cheryl, Mark, Barbara and Jeannie. I was blessed by interacting with Cheryl’s little sweety girl Eleyana (spelling). She has the most beautiful curly blonde hair!

Toby had a lot of food for us to process. For example “kids become what they see not what we say.” I highly recommend your watching this link:

https://youtu.be/rBbglxV9jKI?is=AAQBv1Aa1hY1dqCQ – A Manna Mindset – Toby Slough

Glad to see Pastor Jason is ok!

After church I decided to buy breakfast at the Sunrise and put off grocery shopping til tomorrow after our ladies gathering. I had a half pumpkin spice waffle – so good! Tasted just like pumpkin pie. I so dread grocery shopping!

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly,
that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us,
that every person we should come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine;
so to shine as to be a light to others;
the light, Jesus, will be all from you.
None of it will be ours.
It will be you shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise you in the way you love best,
by shining on those around us.
Let us preach you without preaching:
not by words, but by our example,
by the catching force,
the sympathetic influence of what we do,
the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you.
Amen.

adapted – favorite prayer of mother teresa

27 Sept 2026 Celebrating Heidi

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, Music, Spirituality and Religion

Hello to you. I’m just back from a painful walk with Link. We made it around the short block (1/4 mile) and my lower back is not happy!

Today we celebrated my cousin, the miracle woman’s 61st birthday at Olive Garden. I rode with my Aunt and Uncle – we got there early and reserved a large table. Thankfully it wasn’t real busy so we could do that. Our server, Chris, was amazing and he kept up with everything so well. He said he works weekends to get some social interaction. During the week he does accounting work at Mountain Home and doesn’t get to see people much.

Heidi was so sweet! She said the Lord must have wanted her to be here. So many little miracles went into what happened to her from her getting home and not being on the road to her husband Rod being home when the aneurysm burst happened. She is one of the most grateful souls I know. She said she wants all the glory to go to God. She is an inspiration to us all.

Family dinner at Olive Garden

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Our God teaches us that
we are to be merciful to the stranger,
for we were once strangers in this land.

May God grant us all the strength and courage
to honor the dignity of every human being,
speak the truth in love, and walk humbly
with one another and our God,
for the good of all the people
of this nation and the world.

mariann edgar budde – inaugural homily

https://youtu.be/y0Jns_wrios?is=d0UtmFZwX-wl-0al – What’s your serve – Jason Boyd

New band:

https://youtu.be/CXmOCB5GjZs?is=G1A7hpZ2Kps2vd4S – see it all – dogmasociety

20 Sept 2026 Tragedy and 10 Years Anniversary

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, history, In the News, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

Today was both a celebration and a time of sorrow. Middleton Grace Bible church celebrated 10 years and we mourned the loss of 14 year old Carson Chrapkowski from a hit and run accident near Middleton High School:

https://idahonews.com/news/local/middleton-teen-dies-after-bicycle-vs-vehicle-crash-driver-arrested

https://youtu.be/LsmhcMgFhZs?is=G4LgrCoVIjB7PYcx – Hope In The Midst of Grief – Pastor Jason Boyd

Jason chose Psalm 57 at the reading for today:

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.

1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
    until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
    I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

I have been praying about what Jesus wants for me – what should I be doing. Well he is working that out for me through one of my friends from church. Today Missy invited me to go to her bible study starting this Wednesday. I didn’t have an excuse to say no and sometimes the answer is yes! Missy makes it so easy to say yes – no excuses. I told her I don’t do books but come to listen and have fellowship. I have to remind myself about this life that it’s not what I can’t do but what I can. What else am I doing?!!

Drawing I did today

17 Sept 2026 Stuck

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. How are you? I’m feeling better than I did this morning. I went to my prayer group to start my day. I almost didn’t go because the pressure in my ears was so bad. I’m glad I went and I didn’t stay stuck in my head. I got to see Missy who’s husband we’ve been praying for. He is still having headaches but is home and doing better. Pastor Jason’s daughter Harper is doing well after her surgery. We had prayers and praises. The biggest prayer is needing more people to volunteer to keep pace with the needs of our growing church. I feel bad that I’m not doing more but with my stuff I have going on I am limited. I will keep on praying that Jesus will show me what I can do.

Spin of the World Prayer Wheel:

Always be full of joy in the lord.
I say it again-rejoice!

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.
Remember the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything,
instead pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank him for all he has done.

If you do this, you will experience God’s peace,
which is far more wonderful
than the human mind can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.

bible – philippians 4:4-7 – paul