Weekly thoughts from the questioning mind of our Executive Director
Why is Everyone Going Bezerk?
By Rick Baker
On the same day that we learned a twisted father shot his wife, three kids, and a family friend in the stands at a high school hockey tournament in Rhode Island, we also read that a dance mom from Utah killed her 11-year-old cheerleader daughter and then herself, while attending a competition in Las Vegas. Then, just like that, an Ohio teacher and volleyball coach was killed in a home invasion while her husband and kids were asleep.
What in the world is happening to mankind?
We have a (kidnapped?) 83-year-old grandmother still missing after three weeks; corrupt, and ignorant politicians, (One who doesn’t even know that Venezuela is above and not below the Equator); an average salary for NFL players that is over $5 million per year, or almost $300,000 per game; and a country split down them middle on enforcing existing laws.
Sports betting has poisoned all professional sports, as we can no longer trust any player from any sport to not be on the take, as so many recent events have proven.
Marriages are imploding as never before. Faithfulness is a thing of the past, spouses ignore their vows, and the truth is now an endangered idea, no longer an absolute, with so many finding it easier to just lie.
Can it get any worse?
Well, unfortunately, it can, and it is, for many families in Southern Colorado.
Thousands in our Southern counties struggle to even pay their rent, while they watch their favorite NFL player make hundreds of thousands in a few hours. Many of our breast cancer families don’t know what tomorrow holds for them, or their family. Their kids has duct tape on their shoes and they don’t know where their next meal will come from. Meanwhile, the husband (If he is still there) has to raise the family now, continue to work his job, as well as tend to his wife as caregiver. We have seen so many men leave their wives or girlfriends once they have been diagnosed. In my humble opinion, these cowards should all be put in the ground. What happened to “In sickness and in health?”
So, back to my original question: Why is everyone going berserk? The simple answer is because they have turned away from God. Hey, it doesn’t matter if you believe in God or not, He is real, so you better get onboard.
For those who are struggling, (mentally, financially or spiritually) regardless of where you live, I offer this advice: Ignore the noise. Protect your world, your family, your life, at all costs. Don’t let our berserk world bring you down. Face your challenges head on, and never, ever, give up! And, whatever you do, never compare yourself to anyone else! Always remember that you are unique in God’s eyes, created by Him, and He knows what He is doing. Trust God, above all else. Call out to Him. What do you have to lose?
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
You Can’t Take It With You, So Just Serve!
By Rick Baker
My late wife, Becky, had a diamond wedding and earring set that was truly magnificent, and she was incredibly proud of it.
She wore it everywhere, and her smile would always brighten up when it was noticed, which happened quite often.
Even in her final days, as she was in hospice care with only a few days left, she wore the diamond set. The nurses would always compliment her on it, and it brought a smile to her face, even though she was facing many challenges.
When she passed away a few days later, her cherished diamond set was still on her finger and in her ears. She didn’t take it with her, even though I know she would have if she could. And, in fact, it was even stolen by someone I trusted completely. Material possessions, and having them, are just passing things.
Life here on this planet is also just passing things. What we get here stays here when we leave.
It seems to me that many of the Challenges we have in our city would go away if our leaders stopped chasing things that don’t last, like power, greed, and trying to get ahead.‘
Our City recently bought a building on the Riverwalk for seven million dollars. Then spent another two million dollars to renovate it and move the City offices there.
That’s a lot of money.
To make things worse, the City touts getting a “great deal” on the building for only seven million, because the original owner wanted “eight million dollars,” but they fail to mention that a local businessman bought the building from the owner for six million, and two weeks later sold it to the city for the seven million figure, making himself a cool million in just 14 days.
Did we have any input into the spending of those millions? Nope. Could that money have been used to make our Puebloans’ lives better instead?
Yep. So many here are struggling to even pay their bills. I see this every day, and for a large number, there’s no hope in their eyes.
I pray that the leaders of our city and county will all recommit to serving the people who elected them.
Power, material things, and greed are all temporary and will eventually end.
Only serving others truly lasts.
“Thank You,” Two Words We Don’t Speak Enough
By Rick Baker
Recently, I have been on a passionate quest to verbally thank all those in my life who have been a blessing to me, no matter how small that blessing might be.
And, to my surprise, I have found that the more I say “thank you,” the better I feel.
We all know people who just can’t utter those two words. Many reasons, I suppose. Maybe they feel entitled, or they are so wrapped up in their own misery that they don’t see the blessing they just received.
But, I am here to tell you today, that by thanking others, you will become a better person, maybe even overnight! (And, we need a bunch more “better people.”)
Yesterday, I went into the restroom at my gym, Planet Fitness in Pueblo. One of the staff members was there cleaning toilets. I approached him and said, ‘Hey, thanks for doing that, I sure appreciate you!’
He felt good, I felt good, and the world was suddenly balanced!
At dinner last night at Texas Roadhouse, Pueblo, my server refilled my coffee cup (and yes, I have my own personal coffee cup there!) and I said, ‘Thank you!‘
She lit up, and said, “You are welcome” with a big smile on her face. (Personally, I respect restaurant servers very much. I don’t know how they do it, putting up with unpleasant people as they do. I’d get fired my first day.)
She felt good, I felt good, and the world was looking better!
However, when we don’t ‘feel good’ is when we do something for someone and there is no “Thank you,” as if they expect it from us, or deserve it what we have done for them. We don’t do it for the thanks, but it sure helps if we get one, right?
Let’s all be aware of everyone around us who deserves a “Thank You”for what they do, and make sure we do so verbally!
I promise you will feel better and that other person (who may be having a terrible day) will know that someone appreciates what they have done, whether it’s their job or not.
Oh, and hey, ‘Thank You’ for taking the time to read this post!
This One Simple Act Will Make Pueblo A Better Place To Live!
There is no debate of the fact that Pueblo is facing many challenges, with the greatest being our out-of-control crime.
We are in the top ten of the “Most Dangerous Cities in America,” a list we don’t want to grace. (See the report HERE.)
Our Mayor has disputed this report: “Pueblo does not belong on the top 10 most dangerous places to live, and this report does not paint an accurate picture of our community,” Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham said. “While I agree there is still room for improvement to address crime, improve the quality of life of our citizens and help everyone feel safer, we cannot ignore the data that supports crime is decreasing in Pueblo.”
I don’t know if the latest crime reports issued earlier this month are true or not.
I only know that literally thousands in our city are afraid. They are afraid to go out at night, they are afraid their car will be broken into, they are afraid they will be accosted, they are afraid that the police will not show up when they report a crime.
Real, or perceived, this fear has gripped our city. One of our high schools, which had an enrollment of 1,500 last year, is now down to 700. Those families have taken their kids and moved away from Pueblo, most citing the “danger of living here.”
Everyone knows someone here with a personal crime story. We have one too: Someone tried to break into the back door of our Resource Center in the Pueblo Mall recently. They didn’t get in the first time, so they came back again. Destroyed the door hinges, took a pry bar to the back door, completely destroying the 50-year old door. It cost our Foundation $2,500 to replace the door, money we don’t have.
As Executive Director for the Becky Baker Foundation, I am Apolitical. I know it is easy to blame one party, person, or program, for all Pueblo’s problems. It’s not that simple.
But, what is simple, I believe, is the fix.
We have our county government, (Commissioners) our local executive government, (Mayor) our city legislative branch, (Council) our law enforcement, (Police and Sheriff Departments) our unions, the owners of the many buildings that need to be torn down, and some dubious landlords, all who have their own agendas. Their lack of unity only fosters discord and chaos.
If all these entities that control the direction of our city would employ this one simple act, we would be better off overnight.
The act? To serve others.
I hope and pray that all our elected officials will remember that they are in office for only one reason: to serve us. We need them to provide for us safety and protection, not blame others for our city’s shortcomings, nor step over us to push their own agendas.
I know this: that if they don’t do it on their own – and soon – they will be forced to do so by the federal government.
I would like to personally invite all the power players to our Resource Center in the Pueblo Mall. Come spend the day watching our volunteers serve this community.
By the end of the day, you will be ready to make this city the best it can be, and an example for all other Colorado cities because of your attitude of service.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”Romans 12:10.
Generous People Are NEVER Unhappy!
by Rick Baker
To answer this question, let’s look at two people I know.
First, a man I golf with periodically.
He made boatloads of money during his working years, and now retired, plays a lot of golf all over the country.
He always seems to make it a point to tell everyone about all his stuff. His big house, his ATV, boats, guns, new trucks in his garage, motorcyles, and all his other material possessions.
He wants, no, he needs, everyone to know what he has accumulated during his 70 years on this planet. He has attached his self-worth to money. Oh yeah, and he cheats at golf too, which begs the question about how he obtained his riches.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48
Now, let’s look at Barbara, a wonderful lady who shops at our Resource Center in the Pueblo Mall.
She is in her 80s. She and her husband of 60+ years, by today’s standards, are challenged financially. She only takes what she needs when she shops at our Center and never takes her limit of items.
Yet, having little, she took the time to hand-make a Christmas gift for about 50 of our shoppers. She made pin cushions from ceramic candle holders we had at the store that no one wanted.
Suddenly, everyone wanted one. She handmade other gifts using materials she purchased with money she probably didn’t have.
Why? Because Barbara is a generous person.
We have had many of our shoppers bring our volunteer staff gifts of treats, food, and other things. Generous people.
Generosity is about far more than giving away money and possessions – it’s about giving more of yourself – in any number of ways. It’s an attitude, and a disposition of the heart.
Here are some daily actions we can all put into practice:
•Do something generous every day
•Offer words that build up others
•Prioritize relationships
•Notice who needs help
•Be Friendlier to people
As we head into 2026, let’s all make a concerted effort to live a generous life, just like Barbara. It can be exhausting, but is well worth it in the end.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Prov. 11:2
America’s Top Fifty Charities Stealing From Their Donors
America’s top-50 charities spend less than 4% of what they collect for charitable giving, on the charitable causes for which they exist. There are outliers who give even less than that, and some don’t channel even a single dime to charity. (CNN)
This is the reason I resisted becoming an official IRS 501(c)(3).
Our country is riddled with breast cancer foundations, who, in the name of breast cancer “research” or “awareness,” are really nothing more than evil sub-humans pocketing most if not all of the donations they receive.
In 2019, American individuals and organizations gave almost $450 billion dollars to U.S. charities. We are a giving people. As a result, we are often times duped by sketchy breast cancer foundations who spend our hard-earned dollars on private jet flights, exotic cars and 10,000 square foot mansions.
Because breast cancer is an emotional give – everyone knows someone with breast cancer – most donors never ask where their money is going or how it will be used. But even if they did, most will be lied to by these foundations and no one holds them accountable.
I have a very difficult time asking for donations. I just can’t do it. It is easy though, for me to put on a golf tournament where the players experience a day they will never forget and the Foundation makes a fair profit, all of which is used exclusively to further our mission: to help meet the needs of those affected by breast cancer. At least I feel like we “earned” their donations.
Please don’t be fooled by these conscienceless foundations. Investigate any foundation before you support them financially.
Here is the CNN report.