10 Sept 2025 The Abyss

Hello there! How are you? I hope this finds you well. The back pain is back but I’m trying not to focus on it! I appreciate your prayers!

Last night I had a good telephone call with a friend and we talked about something I haven’t talked about here for awhile. It was about the abyss that exists in all of us that we often unsuccessfully try to fill with worldly things. When I was an alcoholic, I used alcohol to try and fill myself up. When I was a fan girl for a musician or actor I filled myself up with their music and films. It was all so fleeting! It was an obsession.

Millions of people are rabid fans of people like Yungblud, Lady Gaga, Ozzie Osbourne, and Taylor Swift. Back in the day for me it was Prince, David Bowie, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. I drew their images and followed everything they did. There works temporarily filled the void inside me. When David and Prince died it left a huge void in me and was part of one of my manic episodes. Davids music got me through so many hard times especially my teens. It was a couple years ago that I realized my fandom was akin to idol worship and I pulled the plug on all of it. There is only one king worthy of worship! Once I completely surrendered to Jesus nothing else mattered. I realized these celebrities were almost acting like they were Gods – trying to be immortal , omnipresent and making a lot of money off of their worshippers! They are famous because we give them our time and lots of money. So many young people worship these performers and when times get tough they fall back on worshipping these celebrities instead of God. The celebrities are tangible to them whereas God doesn’t seem to be.

Only one thing fits into the void inside of me and that is God….things of the Spirit. I’ve known this for quite some time but I wandered off several times. As human beings we want a tangible “Jesus”. Like with The Chosens Jonathan Roumies Jesus. He is currently bringing a tangible Jesus to us. It’s tempting to fall into the idol trap. No matter how many times he emphasizes that he’s an actor portraying Jesus there will be those who think he’s the second coming! It must be so hard to be him right now in a world that so wants and needs Jesus to return.

Since I have put Jesus in the abyss that is inside me I know that I am never completely alone. I can talk to him anytime. A tangible Jesus lives and breathes through the people he has surrounded me with. My family and friends are the body of Jesus in my life.

Exodus 20:3-6New International Version

“You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Matthew 25:34-40New International Version

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

6 April 2025 Change and Best Pets

What animals make the best/worst pets?

Hello to you. How are you? So much is going on! Be it weather or demonstrators there is a lot of unrest. In my own life I am experiencing change. My church has moved. Last night we gathered at the new location and prayed. I got kind of lost and left early because it was getting dark. Before I left, I prayed with a woman I have a Thursday prayer meeting with, Amy, and her children at the entrance to the building. She was crying and tears fell down her cheeks. So beautiful! This morning the auditorium that seats 900 was almost full! Our prayers the previous night were surely answered! I was a bit overwhelmed as was my elderly friend Roy – the seats were more comfortable but shorter and harder to get up and down in. He sat much of the service. I am not a fan of big crowds so I was a bit out of my comfort zone – I fought the urge I had to flee several times! My friend Jeannie, Roy’s sister-in-law, encouraged me not to give up on things just yet. She was glad I was there so Roy wasn’t alone. I will have to pray about all of this.

I kept thinking of the scene with Mary and Jesus in The Chosen as we read this:

Israel’s Only Savior

43 But now, this is what the Lord says— 

he who createdv you, Jacob, 

he who formedw you, Israel:x

“Do not fear, for I have redeemedy you; 

I have summoned you by name;z you are mine.a

2 When you pass through the waters,b

I will be with you;c

and when you pass through the rivers, 

they will not sweep over you. 

When you walk through the fire,d

you will not be burned; 

the flames will not set you ablaze.e

Best pets – for me it’s a toss up between dogs and cats. Cats are much more independent but have the litter box thing going on. Dogs are more dependent and have their litter box that you need to clean in the yard! I miss the purring and calm nature of my cats. My Amber used to purr me to sleep and I miss her every night! Link is a barker and that’s not very soothing – everything is his job to alarm me about! I think what makes a better pet is your lifestyle. If you work a lot a dog isn’t for you. That’s why when I was active duty we had cats. I think it’s cruel to leave a dog home alone by itself for hours and hours.

10 Feb 2025 Outgrown

Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

Hello to you! How are you? I hope this finds you well in your life. In answer to today’s prompt I would have to say that drawing and writing poetry are things I seldom do anymore. I used to spend hours drawing and writing poems came to me very easily. With the medication I’m on to treat Bipolar, Depakote, I am blocked from doing these things. If I do attempt to do them it’s forced and just not very good! I miss being creative in those ways but would rather have my sanity!

I watched this scene from the first season of The Chosen the other night and it brought me to tears:

https://youtu.be/UI-PehitKKU?si=7fT_XBegSgOk10oC – The Chosen Jesus Heals Mary

I found myself thinking about what an amazing thing it must have been to be healed by Jesus. To have him put his hands around my head and look me in my eyes – for him to know me by name! This is the part of me longing for a tangible God! I often think why people don’t follow Jesus is because he isn’t here on earth – tangible. Hollywood movie stars and musicians often fill the void only meant for Jesus – they can be seen, touched and heard. Think of the craze Elvis and The Beatles caused in their day! Right now Jonathan Roumie is doing a fine job of filling the role of Jesus and he takes it very seriously but has said more than once he is not Jesus Christ no matter how much fans want him to be him. He is a servant. His portrayal of Jesus has helped me more than once. It was him I turned to a 4th of July a couple years ago when I was nearly driven to run out of my house and yell at neighbors lighting fireworks all around me. Jesus wasn’t with me tangibly but one of his servants, Jonathan, was when I was calm enough to seek him out. Someday Jesus will tangibly reveal himself to the world and I might not live to see it. I will hopefully see him in heaven if I don’t get to meet him here on earth.

Mark 16:9New International Version


[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

16 September 2023 Walking or Running (How Often)

How often do you walk or run?

Hello to you. How are you? Todays prompt brings me back to when I used to run track and cross country in High School and the Air Force. I wasn’t the fastest runner but I was steady. I ran slow at first and then sped up towards the end of the races. My knees got bad so now I just walk and that’s a struggle for me because of chronic lower back pain I have now. I go for walks each day in the evening and have to stop about half way because of the pain. Getting old sucks but I refuse to let it keep me down.

This was one of my favorite scenes in The Chosen- Jesus heals the Leper The Chosen https://youtu.be/VL8DThllZAY?si=X5DXm1AdXxS3ZXoQ

Matthew 8:1-4New International Version

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy[a] came and knelt before himand said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

30 November 2022 The Chosen (theatre experience)

Hello to you – hope this finds you well. Woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground and it’s cold. Definitely beginning to feel like winter here!

Yesterday my Aunt and Uncle treated me to an early Christmas present by going to see The Chosen Season 3 in the theatre. It was a good experience but I hope the rest will be on the app like before. Not everyone can afford to go to the theatre. When Jesus did his big sermon I was expecting the loaves and fishes miracle but may be that will be in another episode. The characters got more developed in these episodes and things are fixing to get tougher for them.

Alleluia clouds

There weren’t that many people besides us in the theatre but the showtime was when a lot of people are getting off work. I am glad we went. So grateful for my Aunt and Uncle. I felt like we were helping the cause!

28 November 2022 A Quest For Answers

Hello to you. Today I had an appt with a doctor at the VA about my swaying situation. He wants to persue a quest for answers through checking my ears and neurology. We brought up the fact I had been tased and want to see if that would have any impact on what’s going on. So we shall see. He’s doing a referral for me through the Elks – I hope they can help me. What pleased both my Aunt and I is that he didn’t just think tapering off medication was the only answer. He is taking the physical into consideration.

It looks like my Aunt and Uncle are interested in going to see Season 3 of The Chosen in the theatre tomorrow. It’s such a good show! By going we would be showing our support.

26 November 2022 The Chosen 2nd Watching

Hello to you. How are you today? I’m doing ok. The past night I’ve been rewatching The Chosen and it’s just as good as the first time. The scene when Jesus redeems Mary still brings tears to my eyes and when his mother helps him prepare for bed after working a long day. Another couple of favorite scenes is with Nicodemus crying as they prepare to leave town and Jessie at the healing pool. The writing and the music really pull it all together. If you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it. It’s neat that it competed with Hollywood for release of season 3 and 4.

27 June 2022 Putting your money where your mouth (and heart is)

More and more science proves something extraordinary happened for us to have this today. They can’t replicate what it took to make this dimensional image appear on cloth

Hello to you. How are you? Lots going on everywhere these days. Lots of people expressing themselves, myself included, in a lot of words and feelings but little actual action. My Grandpa Becker was a man of God when he was here serving as a pastor and actively worked, along with my Grandma for civil rights….human rights. This morning I am remembering a little thing he used to say to me all the time, “put your money where your mouth is.” There are many who want to save unborn babies but when it comes to being willing to help take care of the children and adults they eventually become they aren’t as concerned. ALOT of charities all over the world trying to do things – lots of money changing hands and yet conditions are still horrible for many of our worlds people. I would like to see more collaboration of efforts – trying to decide which charity, how many charities is overwhelming. What I see coming for the United States, if states actually are serious about caring for life…quality of life in all aspects….there going to have to raise taxes. The money to raise the children you are demanding to be brought here has to come from somewhere. Are you prepared for what more life means? More mouths to feed, educate, clothe, shelter, provide proper healthcare, trash, clean drinkable water, food resources, safety, infrastructure like roads and energy suppliers, clean air….are you prepared to pay? Nothing is free. Nothing ultimately “cheap.” Look back and how well have we done so far? Are you ALL prepared? You want to protect life – prove it by your actions not just rhetoric and empty promises.

You can do your own research but what I see is fragmentation of a world with the same issues. A lot of redundancy in effort…finances going on. More “life”…more responsibility. We have the same basic needs the world over. For example water and food. Gotta have water to get the food. So many separate agencies trying to do the same missions – some trustworthy and some not making it a risky thing sometimes to try and donate money to help.

These links here are just a fraction of information available to help you see the big picture I’m trying to show you:

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/magazine/organizations-end-hunger/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Christian_charities_based_in_the_United_States

https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=8636

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_poverty_rate#List

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/poverty-rate-by-country

https://www.drought.gov/international

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/plastic-pollution-by-country

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/education-rankings-by-country

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-environmentally-friendly-countries – the United States is not at the top of the list

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-currently-at-war

https://smartasset.com/data-studies/safest-cities-in-america-2022

https://www.militaryveteranproject.org/militaryresources.html

https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/healthcare-access

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/07/24/states-raid-fund-meant-for-needy-families-to-pay-for-other-programs

https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/

This from actor Jonathan Roumie, Jesus in The Chosen series, is some living water for these times. Like I asked you yesterday, what would Jesus do faced with the world of our times? I’m pretty certain he’d be praying about it all. It’s beautiful to hear Aramaic, Jesus’s primary language;

https://youtube.com/shorts/aTQfSf1Jrws?feature=share

1 June 2022 Letting God

https://youtu.be/_RzsPdmfcaw – The Voice Dog remix by Timbu Fun feat Walter Geoffrey the Frenchie

https://youtu.be/92i5m3tV5XY – F*ck that an honest meditation

How are you today? Link and I are doing pretty good. Last night was a bit rough for both of us but eventually Jesus and his team got us some rest. There is so much light and energy going on at night and I’m sensitive to it. Something I’m doing now is trying to get off the phone before bed and do some singing. The Tanpura is great to sing with along with Mei-lan. Just tones varying in range and duration….no words. It’s like prayer.

Today’s message from A Woman’s Spirit is a good reminder about the futility of trying to control others….letting God:

Basically, I have two choices: either accept people and their behavior at face value, or remove myself from the situation. I cannot change other people, but I can control my behavior.

Trying to control other people has been a long- term character defect for most of us. Becoming abstinent didn’t take away the seduction of control. Perhaps for some of us becoming abstinent even heightened the seduction. Minds no longer clouded by alcohol or other drugs see with greater clarity many more invitations to control.

At first glance, it seems unfortunate that becoming free of the obsession to use chemicals didn’t also free us of trying to control the people and events in our lives. But had that been the case, we would have relied less on our Higher Power for help to grow and change. And the greatest gift of this recovery program is learning that we have “One who is all powerful” to help us make decisions, to guide us every step of the way.

I will protect my serenity today by letting people in my life take charge of themselves. If I begin to falter, my Higher Power will help me.

__________

https://youtu.be/EoZPTaoo134 – The Embrace feat Ruby Amanfu (The Chosen)

Proud of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the people of Canada for deciding to take steps towards peace.

27 May 2022 Times in the Valley

Hello to you. Another week has come and gone. Today doesn’t find me on top of a mountain but down in a valley. I’m just finding it difficult to right myself after the latest goings on. Last night I was falling asleep and heard a loud noise inside and outside of my head and it startled me. Then I felt this presence fill the room and seem to be standing right next to me. There was a cold chill and I felt like I was being touched. Whatever was happening was not comforting and made me feel really anxious! When I asked if Jesus was there whatever it was went away. This kind of stuff happens to me and it’s so hard to understand.

As I write to you, I’m not feeling very rested but I can’t go back to sleep. What is my mind and body doing or is it something else? Someone else? I just don’t know! Praying and hoping Jesus will reveal some answers!

https://youtu.be/o5OnF3sg0cY – The Chosen Scene Jesus Gives The Beatitudes

Matthew 5New 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, and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes(A)

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(B)
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.(C)
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.(D)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.(E)
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.(F)
Blessed are the pure in heart,(G)
    for they will see God.(H)
Blessed are the peacemakers,(I)
    for they will be called children of God.(J)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,(K)
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(L)

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,(M)persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.(N) 12 Rejoice and be glad,(O) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(P)