Tag: faith

11 Nov 2026 Veterans Day

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

Hello to you. Today was Veterans Day. My cousin asked me to go out for lunch or breakfast but I already had committed myself to going to the last Bible study at Missy’s house. I was proud of myself as I got there using my GPS and didn’t get lost.

Back when I was A1C Cammarato (my first marriage)

There was good food and good company at Missy’s house. Her home is one of the new ones and is really nice. I got to see her husband Ray who is recovering from bleeding on his brain. He’s struggling with finding a balance between his blood pressure and diabetes medications. He’s in physical therapy to regain his ability to drive and just have balance. He showed me how he couldn’t do the test police use to check if someone is sober.

The more time I spend with people older than me the more I dread facing all the challenges they are facing. There are shoulder and knee replacement surgeries. There is diabetes and heart related issues. It makes me think of having a new car that eventually you will have to start taking to the shop for repairs. I have some health issues but overall I’m in good health.

Good prayer I found to honor this day and what it’s about:

God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation and have laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedom. We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war, whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day. We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm’s way. Shield them from danger and bring them home. Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and our enemies to the work of justice and a harvest of peace. Spare the poor, Lord, spare the poor! May the peace you left us, the peace you gave us, be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us. Christ Jesus, hear us! Lord Jesus, hear our prayer! Amen.

Prayer by Fr. Austin Flemming, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston on his blog

3 Nov 2026 Election Day

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, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. For those of you visiting here in the states did you vote? I did a mail in ballot a couple weeks ago. I will be watching for the results. PBS and many other news channels will be covering the races. It will be interesting to see what happens. So far so good for the Democrats. If they do manage to win will there be a peaceful transfer of power? I hope so.

I decided to cut my hair today. It just doesn’t look good longer anymore. When I was younger it looked good on me. I was going to try and find a hair dresser but decided to just do it myself. I like the pixie cut on me.

Here are some Election Day prayers from Hallow:

Short Prayer for Peaceful Elections

These original short prayers from Hallow can help you pray for our country as well as draw closer to God during election season. 

  • Heavenly Father, we ask you today to be with us and our country now as you have been since our first days as a nation. Help us to listen less to harsh rhetoric and more to the Holy Spirit. Help us to feel how Your Spirit will guide us, no matter the election’s outcome. We pray for peace, love and hope, in Your name. Amen.
  • Christ, our King, we pray today that we can look beyond the current political landscape, in a moment when it seems like it’s the only thing everyone is talking about, and remember that we are builders of Your kingdom here on earth. Prince of Peace, help peace flourish amid division, and strengthen us to live generously and charitably in Your name. Amen.
  • God, may Your Spirit unify us. May we recognize that we are all created in Your image, regardless of which political candidate we vote for. As we approach this election, open our eyes to recognize that people we may disagree with are still our brothers and sisters, Your children. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

https://youtu.be/AehMBw86jBs?is=YEbI8GqqdPhJfgMo – Peace Love and Understanding – APC

1 Nov 2026 Halloween and Giving Thanks

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Food, history, Home, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Music, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

Hello to you. How are you? For those who celebrated Halloween how was it? I didn’t hang out candy for a couple of reasons. My first year living here I dressed up and tried to hand out candy and ended up with lots of leftover candy. They had trunk or treat for the city on the 29th so most people take their kids to that. I heard a lot of negative press about the candy I would have bought. Most of the major brands had arsenic in them! Nothing is sacred!

The Florida Department of Health tested 46 popular candy products and found arsenic in 28 of them. [1]

Candies with Arsenic Detected

Candies Tested with No High Arsenic Risk Identified

Industry Response

The National Confectioners Association disputed the findings, stating that the report relied on misleading conclusions and scare tactics rather than established scientific thresholds, and that the products remain safe to consume in moderation. You can read the detailed breakdown via Southern Living. [1, 2]

Today was church with the daylight savings of falling back an hour. I didn’t notice it as much as when we spring forward. I wish they would do away with it! Todays service was a prayer and praise service. We sang a lot with reading out of Psalm 100. I got to see my church fam which makes getting to church good for me. My friend Jeannie came early and we got to visit a bit – loved that. We even got to see Pastor Jason who is still recovering from his accident.

There is change coming sooner than I expected regarding Grace House. They are packing up on the 23rd of this month. I thought we had til January. Our new office/meeting place won’t be ready until next year. So our Thursday prayer group will have to find a new place to meet interim. I had suggested Ridleys that has an open upstairs place that might work out. I don’t know if Lois has checked into that.

https://youtu.be/wrCoMyG4gYs?is=Sqz5UWkV-3OndsXj – Give Thanks – Garrett Munger and Brad Bowden

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20100&version=NIV – Psalm 100

https://youtu.be/h8uKldEUrPE?is=6pMJxp4MJIBlYrYa – Phil Wickham – House of the Lord

25 Oct 2026 Accepting Gods Will

by saymber, posted in Food, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion

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

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