Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear Happy Mother's day to honor Henrietta Lacks for her forgotten achievement and the incredible legacy she left behind. Her immortal HeLa cells revolutionized medical research, advancing science and saving countless lives, yet she was a mother first—loving, nurturing, and sacrificing for her children. Henrietta's greatness is not only in her contribution to science but also in her enduring love and strength as a mother. Today, we celebrate her memory and the profound impact of both her life and her cells.

May 11 – Mother’s Day

“Today, I gave thanks for the unseen sacrifices that shaped my soul.”

“Her children arise and call her blessed…” —Proverbs 31:28

Personal Reflection:

My mother didn’t preach sermons—but her life did. She prayed in silence, worked without applause, and loved without conditions.

Cancer took her from this world, but not from my heart. I still hear her voice in the quiet, still feel her faith in my bones. Today, I rise and call her blessed—not just because she lived, but because she showed me how to live and how to let go with grace.

 May 17 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I found comfort knowing that faith is not blind—it’s anchored in history.”

“We were buried with Him through baptism… that we too may live a new life.” —Romans 6:4

My Personal Reflection:

My baptism wasn’t just a ritual—it was a death and a resurrection. The old me was buried; the new me lives by grace. “I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20).

So when I forget who I am because of Sin, I go back to the water.

I’m not defined by the world’s labels—I’m raised in Christ.

And "Sugar Bear", don’t forget—it’s not about you.

God is the steady hand on your back when the wind of naysayers tries to push you down.

When fear shouts, when anxiety swirls, He says, “Fear not… I will uphold you.” You don’t stand because you’re strong—you stand because His grip never slips.

Isaiah 41:10 — “I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

It’s about the One who called your name from the grave!

God bless you and this ministry!

 May 18 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I leaned into worship as the language of heaven.”

“Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” —Psalm 96:9

Personal Reflection:

Worship isn’t just a Sunday song—it’s a declaration of who reigns. Today, as I sang from a distance with others, I felt the power of something bigger than our voices—the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church joining across generations and continents.

It was also a moment when the voice of the Law and the voice of the Gospel met in my soul.

The Law reminds me that on my own, I fall short.

The Gospel reminds me that in Christ, I am set apart—separated for God, His promises, His guidance, and His love.

And then I remembered Psalm 40:3: “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” That’s what worship is—it’s not a performance. It’s the sound of a rescued heart.

Even when I sing from a quiet place among others, it still counts. That space—humble, still, reverent—is like a forest at dawn:

"still, sacred, and alive with unseen harmony. Every soul is rooted, every heart reaching upward. And the Spirit moves between us like wind through the trees."

I used to think worship was about me—my feelings, my style, my experience. But real worship isn’t measured in goosebumps. It’s measured in surrender.

“I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20). That means even in worship, it’s no longer about me—it’s about Him.

And when I sing, I’m not singing alone. I’m echoing heaven. I’m joining a chorus older than empires, deeper than denominations, and louder than fear.

So lift your hands, Sugar Bear and Fellow Christian warriors —not because you're perfect, but because the One you worship is!

God bless you and this ministry!

 May 19 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I rested in the truth that I am not my own.”

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” —1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Personal Reflection:

As I’ve been sitting and reflecting during recovery, the most unexpected thing brought me back to God’s goodness—not a sermon, not a strategy, but a child’s drawing.

It came from young childrens of God at my church, little Lydia and her sister Evelyn, To SugarBear, " get well soon". In bright colors and crooked letters, she asked, “Where do kangaroos like to relax?” Her answer: “In hop tubs!” And there, alongside the laughter, were hand-drawn hearts and crosses. No theology degree. Just crayons dipped in grace.

That moment—simple as it was—helped me focus on what God can do. It reminded me that I’m not defined by pain or performance. I’m not measured by how much I do. I’ve been bought with a price. And that means I’m set apart—not because I’m special, but because He is.

And I thought of Mary, the young girl called to carry the Savior of the world. Faced with a task beyond understanding, she didn’t panic—she said, “From now on, all generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1:48) That’s not pride. That’s identity. And it’s our declaration too. We who’ve been marked by God’s grace—carrying Christ in our hearts—can say it in faith: Call us blessed.

In a world that says you are what you achieve, God says you are Mine. That quiet truth hit louder than any applause ever could.

So today, I walk slowly but boldly. I’ve been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), and this life I now live—crayon-sketched and grace-covered—is His.

And Sugar Bear… when you start to forget, pull out Lydia’s drawing. It’s not about what you can do. It’s about who you belong to.

Call me blessed.

God bless you and this ministry!

 May 21 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I leaned on the Holy Spirit for courage I didn’t have on my own.”

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” —Romans 8:26

Personal Reflection:

There are days I wake up with more questions than answers—when my body feels tired, my mind feels foggy, and my heart wonders how I’ll make it through. And it’s in those exact moments that I remember: I don’t have to.

Because I believe in the Holy Spirit—the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and who whispers strength into places I thought were finished.

The Spirit doesn’t just come in fire and miracles. He comes in the breath between prayers. In the stillness. In the yes I whisper when everything in me wants to say no.

“I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20)

That means I’m not walking by willpower. I’m walking by resurrection power.

He gives life not just once—but daily. Breath by breath. Step by step.

And when I don’t know what to pray, He prays for me.

When I feel forgotten, He reminds me I’m sealed.

When I feel weak, He fills me with fire.

So I say children of God—don’t force it. Give it to the Lord

And be filled with his Glory !

God bless you and this ministry!

 May 22– Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I found strength in remembering that Christ will come again.”

“He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.” —Nicene Creed

Personal Reflection:

This world feels like it’s on fire some days—wars, injustice, polarization, division so sharp you can feel it in the air.

It’s easy to get tired, easy to feel like the darkness is winning. But then I remember the promise: He will come again. Not as a baby in a manger—but as the risen King, with fire in His eyes and healing in His wings.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him…” —Matthew 25:31–32

That’s not fear—that’s joy. Because we know the Judge. He bore our judgment. And He returns not to shame us, but to finish what He started.

Every moment of pain, every step of perseverance, every act of love—it’s not wasted. Because this isn’t the end of the story. The world may waver, but His kingdom stands firm.

And when I feel like giving up, I think of the words that ground me:

“I have been crucified with Christ…” —Galatians 2:20

If I’ve died with Him, then I’ll rise with Him too. So I walk forward with hope—not shallow optimism, but soul-deep assurance.

You see, faithful children, we’re not building our own kingdoms.

We’re bearing witness to His.

So we don’t panic—we persevere.

We don’t argue—we anchor.

We don’t despair—we declare:

His kingdom will have no end.

And to my fellow warriors in Christ:

We are battle-worn lanterns—cracked, scuffed, and sometimes flickering. But inside us burns the flame of Christ, and no darkness can extinguish it.

You don’t shine because you’re unscarred.

You shine because you’re carried.

So keep standing, warrior.

You hold the line—not with clenched fists, but with faithful hearts.

God bless you and this ministry!

 May 23 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I gave thanks for the Church that carries the Spirit’s fire across generations.”

“We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body.” —1 Corinthians 12:13

Personal Reflection:

The same Spirit who strengthens me when I’m alone is the One who knits me into a family that spans time, race, politics, and geography. I trust in one united, sacred, Gospel-led Church—not because its people are perfect, but because God’s presence breathes life into it.

The Church is like a stained-glass window—imperfect pieces joined by grace, shining only when filled with the light of the Spirit.

And one place where that light began to reshape me was Bethlehem Church. That’s where I learned that spiritual growth is the lifelong process of becoming more and more like Jesus. When we place our faith in Him, the Holy Spirit begins His work—conforming us to His image, not just with knowledge, but with character.

Today, I gave thanks not just for my personal faith, but for our shared faith—lit like a torch and handed down by those who came before. The Church is not a stage for perfect saints; it’s a hospital for healing hearts, fueled by the Spirit and guided by the Word.

And I remember a special chapter in that journey—my time in a group called Joyful Noise at my former church Bethlehem ,in Colorado. We were a group of retirees who met once a month to sing hymns and patriotic songs at senior living communities. We weren’t polished—but we were filled. It was a spiritual service, wrapped in the healing power of music. Smiles would brighten, tears would fall, and the Spirit would move.

“Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” —Ephesians 5:19

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” —Colossians 3:16

"Oh, those were the days—full of off-key notes and on-point grace.

And I’ll never forget what they taught me:

“Sugar Bear, it’s not about you—it’s about Him.”

Music didn’t just fill the room—it filled the soul.

And in those moments, the Church became more than a building. It became a blessing.

“I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20)

Which means I no longer walk this path alone. I belong to something eternal—Spirit-born, Spirit-led, Spirit-sustained.

To every warrior still showing up to small groups, Sunday services, or singing from a wheelchair in the back row:

You are part of the flame.

Even when your voice trembles, the Spirit carries it.

So Sugar Bear and Fellow Believers, lift your head.

You’re not a solo act.

You’re a member of a holy choir,

and the Spirit still conducts the music.

God bless you and this ministry!

May 24 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I reflected on the fractures of our world—and the healing only the gospel can give.”

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism…” —Ephesians 4:5

“…for the forgiveness of sins.” —Nicene Creed

Personal Reflection:

The year was 2001. September 11 changed everything.

We watched towers fall—and the world fracture. We buried neighbors, grieved from afar, and realized how fragile our unity really was.

That day didn’t just break the skyline; it broke our illusion of safety.

Since then, we’ve fractured further—identity politics slicing us into smaller and angrier tribes.

Labels shout louder than listening.

We ask “What are you?” before we ask, “Who are you?” and what is your "Why?"

You see , and now? The world isn’t just divided—it’s exhausted.

But I keep hearing the words of Faulkner:

“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

Those wounds still bleed.

But so does grace.

The world is a stained map—torn by fire, faded by fear, and drawn in dividing lines. But baptism is God’s seal, pressed over the broken paper, not to erase the damage, but to claim it for redemption.

I’m a free thinker and a child of God. I treasure both liberty and truth. But I also know this: there are traps in this world. Traps of distraction, tribalism, fear, and false comfort.

The enemy isn’t always loud—sometimes he just wants you to drift.

That’s why I stay anchored in my baptism. It reminds me who I am, "a child of God "and whose I am, "Gods".

And it’s why I serve with Braver Angels—a movement committed to healing the divide in our country not through shouting matches, but through respectful bipartisan engagement. We’re building civic trust, not political trophies. One conversation at a time, we’re proving that grace can hold space—even across disagreement.

The need for the gospel has never been more urgent.

Because only Jesus can forgive sin—ours and others’.

Only He can restore hearts, reconcile tribes, and call us to a higher identity: children of God.

“I have been crucified with Christ…” —Galatians 2:20

That means I’m not just forgiven—I’m redefined.

Not by race or rank or politics—but by the blood of the Lamb.

And that’s the power of one baptism for the forgiveness of sins:

A chance to start over.

A life no longer lived in reaction to the world’s hate—but in reflection of God’s love.

So Sugar Bear and Fellow Believers when the world trys to pulls you apart,

Let Christ hold you together.

You’re not who the world says you are.

You’re who the cross says you are.

God bless you and this ministry!

 

 

Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear"

The Homeless Architect: Traps, Truth, and the Triumph of the Cross

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

A man spent his life in a locked, windowless room. It felt normal—safe, even. One day, a note slipped under the door: “The lock isn’t real.” Doubtful but curious, he turned the handle.

It opened.

Outside was light, life, and freedom he never imagined.

"Truth isn’t a threat—it’s a key. Jesus unlocks the prisons we mistake for safety. Know Him. Be free."

Have you ever seen a blueprint in the hands of a homeless man? It would look strange to the world—like a contradiction. But what if that man wasn’t lost… what if He was the Architect?

Jesus, the Master Builder of the universe, walked dusty roads without a home—not because He lacked means, but because He refused to build His kingdom on the shifting sands of material comfort.

“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). This was not failure. It was faithfulness.

The world sees poverty and assumes powerlessness. But Heaven sees purpose. Jesus wasn’t struggling to make ends meet—He was making hearts whole. He became poor, not to protest—but to purchase. Not to spark a movement—but to save a multitude.

“Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor…” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Today, culture confuses holy sacrifice with helplessness. Commercials say Jesus struggled; critics say the cross was political. But the cross wasn’t a protest—it was a plan. His tent was temporary, His purpose eternal. He was building something far greater than brick and mortar. He was building you into a living stone.

We live in a time when confusion masquerades as compassion, and applause replaces repentance. But Romans warns us: “Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Don’t take the bait.

The world sets traps. But God lights the path. Walk boldly. Live simply. Speak truthfully. There is no greater wealth than walking in the will of God.

Ah… what a Savior!

God bless you—and this ministry!

—

 May 25 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I thanked God for the mystery I can’t explain—but fully trust.”

“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great...” —1 Timothy 3:16

“We believe in one God…” —Nicene Creed

Personal Reflection:

There’s a lot I don’t understand. Why prayers sometimes go unanswered. Why good people suffer. Why some doors stay closed while others fling wide open. And truth be told, I’ve stopped trying to have all the answers.

Because I’ve come to believe that faith doesn’t grow best in clarity—it grows in mystery.

I trust not because I see everything clearly, but because I know the One who sees me.

“I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20)

And in that surrender, I’ve discovered peace that doesn’t always explain itself—but never leaves me empty.

We live in a world obsessed with certainty and proof. But the gospel invites us into a holy tension:

One God. Three Persons. Fully divine. Fully human. Crucified. Risen. Returning.

The Nicene Creed doesn’t erase the mystery—it invites us to worship in it.

This is what I’ve learned:

Some of the most powerful truths don’t fit in a soundbite.

But they still hold you when nothing else will.

So today I rest not in what I know, but in Who I know.

And I walk forward—not with full understanding,

but with full trust in a Savior who never fails.

God bless you and this ministry!

 Memorial Day Tribute to Booker T. Washington

On this Memorial Day, I honor not just those who died in battle, but those who shaped the nation's spirit—like Booker T. Washington, an early mentor to me.

Born into slavery, he rose to become a builder of minds and character. He taught that dignity comes through discipline, service, and self-respect. His quiet strength reminded us that greatness can be forged in classrooms and workshops as well as on battlefields.

Washington's legacy of perseverance still guides me. His words march beside us: “Success is to be measured not by position, but by the obstacles overcome.”

Thank you, Mr. Washington.

May 26 – Serendipitous Thoughts by Sugar Bear

“Today, I found peace in remembering who’s really in charge.”

“He is seated at the right hand of the Father.” —Nicene Creed

“Jesus Christ… is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” —Romans 8:34

Personal Reflection:

Turn on the news, scroll the headlines, walk through your week—it’s chaos out there.

One group’s shouting, another is spinning, and somewhere in the middle, your soul starts to sink.

But here’s what I remembered today: Jesus isn’t pacing. He’s seated.

“Seated at the right hand of the Father.”

That’s not just a position—it’s a declaration: the work is finished, and the King still reigns.

He’s not running for office. He’s not losing control. He’s not caught off guard.

He’s reigning in love, with justice in one hand and mercy in the other.

I want to try to sell you on something—not a product, but a posture.

Every morning, start with this simple prayer:

“Lord, may Your words be my words.”

Let that shape how you post, how you speak, how you sit at the table with those who disagree.

Let that anchor you when the world feels unsteady.

“I have been crucified with Christ…” —Galatians 2:20

So I don’t need to carry the weight of proving myself or fixing the world.

Jesus is on the throne—and that’s more than enough.

Sugar Bear and children of God remember:

Peace isn’t the absence of trouble—it’s the presence of the One who reigns over it..

God bless you and this ministry!