How Great Are You?

"...But he that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he." Luke 7:28b

Did you hear the disturbing news about the family that was returning from a wedding and three people, along with the groom, were killed after being rear-ended by a Fed Ex truck?  I have a close friend; as close as a brother, who lost his mother to pancreatic cancer a few months ago and has just received word that now his father is dying from cancer, as well.  Most of you are familiar with such situations in your own lives.  Sometimes your accounts are personal and if not, you know of another who is or has experienced such a tragedy.  It's events such as these that cause us to slow down and seriously take in what is going on outside of our world.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us, yet we continue to look forward to it and plan days, months, and even years ahead. And there is nothing wrong with this other than the fact that while we are planning we need to continually be mindful as to how precious the gift of life is.  Too often we are surrounded by attitudes such as "I got mine, now you need to get yours".  Some even hide behind scripture and other familiar sayings like "God helps those who help themselves".  But I challenge you to take a self inventory to see if you are truly being a good example of benevolence.  We are encompassed on all sides by people who are so insecure that they dare share their knowledge with others for fear of that person becoming "greater" than they are.  We see supervisors who fear the initiative of their subordinates, co-workers who purposely refuse to correct the errors being made by their counterparts in order to appear "more productive" or "more valuable" by others in the workplace.  Are we not all just a small part in the larger scheme of things?  What does it matter who gets the credit for the successful accomplishment of a particular task?  As long as there is success is what should truly matter.  Someone once said "The best way to lose total control  is to try and take total control".  It is a wise man or woman who recognizes that everyone has been allotted a gift for the express purpose of completing the tapestry otherwise known as God's will.  Yes, I know that some of the things I say go totally against what you may have been taught of are now experiencing, but the light always hurts our eyes after we have been in the dark for far too long.
So be bigger today by being the most humble.  You are the only Bible that some people will ever read so let your voice be calm, let your spirit be loving, always have the desire to do whatever good your hands can find to do, don't let anyone coerce you to speak evil of others behind their backs. Be your own person because in the end you will be the one held accountable for your deeds (or mis-deeds).  
Spread love today.
I love you all.
Dennis   

A Brief Word For The Day

Good morning.  I have only a brief comment today but I pray that it will stay with you:

"Belief in limitation is the one and only thing that causes limitation" - Robert Collier 

Have a great and productive day.
Dennis

5:56 A.M.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans".
-Proverbs 16:3

I have been sitting before my lap top for quite a while this morning.  I can sometimes sense when there is something within me that I want to express and share; other times I intrepidly pause as if waiting for a signal to proceed.  And then I begin to type and my thoughts become syncronized with my hands and my heart and I am off.  It's 2:27 A.M. and I couldn't sleep. It is not because I am deeply troubled about anything or even worried over any specific situation.  I simply went to bed early and I have slept enough.  Besides, this is the best part of the day, for me. I like it when it is so still and quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat if you focus.  I always listen extra hard to try and hear the voice of God during these times.  Don't get me wrong; I seek to "hear" Him through my heart.  If He audibly spoke to me right now I would probably make an appointment with my doctor.  I'm just keping it real.
February 21, 1958 at 5:56 A.M. I entered the world from my dear mother's womb.  Five siblings  preceded me down that same canal but now it was my time to shine.  Thank you, mom, for not saying 5 was enough.  Astronomers can provide us with birth charts that are designd to guide us through every phase of our lives.  What to wear, who to date, when to play, what to think.  I make no argument as to the accuracy or the validity of the horoscopes and the reading of the stars; (did not the three wise men find Christ by following the stars)?  I do; however, believe in entering each day with my mind set that I am in control of what I do.  And for the most part this is true.  I am able to choose who I associate with and what events I will or will not attend.  I do not allow outside influences to dictate to me what is right and honorable.  I do make it a point to consider where I plan to tread for every direction has consequences.  (Not to mention that there has been enough examples that have gone before us to easily help us to determine if he choices we make will bring us good fortune or bring us ill will and destruction).  Can I get an Amen. 
 As for my special day, it was filled with people who loved me from both near and far, via telephone and mail, from email to text messages to Facebook and in person.  It was not an overwhelming calvacade of people but definately enough well-wishes from intimate friends and family to cause me to lie down last night with a smile on my face.  My dear friends, Heaven is real and we all will see death one day.  But I urge you to not become preoccupied with those thoughts.  Grab hold of what and who is before you at this very moment in your life.  Stop procrastinating about so mny things and go see Mount Rushmore, visit Disneyland, go fishing, shopping or take a long weekend drive to no-where-in-particular.  Stop counting pennies and planning so meticulously.  It all belongs to God and if you claim the same God I do then remember that HE Is Rich and will not withhold any good thing from you.  You are deserving! 
Finally, let me say this.  I always talk of how I trust God to provide my needs and the needs of my family. My wife and I were concerned that our growing David was becoming uncomfortable riding in the back seat of my Mustang and her VW Beetle.  We went to God about it and Last Friday and He blessed us with a new SUV. I will not elaborate at this time but I will tell you that the entire process was not only sporadic but it was absolutely miraculous and painless.  I always say that when you follow God you had better sleep with your shoes on.  When He moves you have got to be ready; there is no time for doubt or speculation.  I boast not on myself but only on the Lord.
And finally, cherish these times and one another.  Take some chances this week.  Trust God in a foolish way. Stop playing it so safe.  The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof!  When we were children He watched over us as we climbed the tallest tree, skated on thin ice ponds, swam in muddy swimming holes, and jumped of near cliffs with our bicycles.  And quess what? We are still His children.
I love you all. Have a great day.
Dennis

Where I am Today

Good morning.  For some reason I am feeling an overwhelming love in my heart today.  I wonder, is it because I received a text from Q-Dawg, an Army buddy who expressed his love of my CD, or was it because I heard from my dear sister-in-law, Juanita, via email, who is in Afghanistan working under contract. Or was it the call from one of my twin brothers, Victor and his wife Janet, which is always a welcomed event.  They was just calling for no real reason.  (Those are always the best calls). Perhaps it was because my son David loved his pancakes and smoked turkey breakfast before school or that the eggs and sausage I cooked for my wife, Eddrenna, were pleasing to her palate.  I don't stop there; because I do admit that the warming weather and not being hurried and constrained by the events of the day is always good for me.  I sought to find purpose in life after retirement and until I am nudged in a different direction I intend to stay on track with what I am now doing.  Life is good and whatever my hands find good to do, I will do it.
I am smart enough to realize that some envy my freedom, others pity me because they think that I am such a lonely man.  However, my "freedom" does not consist of maintaining a non directed, lackadaisical schedule or being in the constant company of people. Far from it.  For I am a product of the United States Military and the saying is true; "We do more before 9 AM than some people do all day".
(Let me share). My mother died when I was 9 years old.  My father was a career Army guy who was very lost after losing his wife and he unfortunately resorted to strong drink.  There were seven of us children and we each had enough of my mother's spirit in us to raise one another.  When my siblings and I get together we always end up talking about some hard time that we experienced as children; after mom's death.  But the tears are assuaged by the positive result of each of our present lives.  And we are not above saying "I love you" at the end of a phone call.

"There's been times that I thought I wouldn't last this long, but now I feel I'm able to carry on."- Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come

Every day I burst inside with a new vigor towards life and those I love. I pray for boundless wealth so that I may express my love to others in ways my heart can only utter.  Until then, you must all be content in knowing that you have my undying love.
What an exciting life we live. Love one another extra hard today.
Dennis

While On My Back

Sometimes it can become complicated trying to follow all the "right rules" of behavior in order to receive only the best things in life.  For myself, I do not attempt to live right solely for the sake of what good I might receive from life, but I desire to live as clean and pure as I can because I  actually enjoy reaping the benefits of a peaceful home, never being in need (because they are always supplied), and having a good company of people I honestly consider friends. I have always been inspired by those of old who have chosen to live a non-regrettable life.  There are several good examples of individuals in this present day and age who have "put off the corruptible nature" and have chosen to live lives that are of service to others regardless of their own well-stocked coffers.  And like me, none of them have ever claimed to be perfect.  They just begin each day anew.   Let me share a story I learned today: 

One day the Sun was listening to a lot of earthly creatures talking of a very dark place they had found. A place of Stygian (hellish) blackness.  Each told of how terrifically dark it had seemed.  The Sun went and looked for it. He went to the exact spot they had described.  He went everywhere.  But he could not find even  tiny dark spot. And he came back and told the earth creatures he did not believe there was any dark place.  

Often times it is our fear of the dark places; unemployment, sickness, disease, loneliness, hatred, painful thoughts, etc that cause us to selfishly and greedily gather up all the good for ourselves, alone, and everyone else is on their own.  But when the sun of understanding shines on all the dark spots in our lives, we will realize that there is no cause to fear anything or any man.  Keep practicing being beter than people expect you to be. You can afford to buy extra items that you see on sale and share them with someone who has twice as many kids as you have.  Or perhaps you can share some of that bonus money with the family whose husband has been unemployed for some time and not because he chooses to be. When was the last time that family was able to go out to dinner or to a movie together?  Like it or not, we are our brother's keeper.  We are all interwoven into this thing called life and from it we are all to learn a valuable lesson before obtaining the next one.  Sadly, some will choose to deny any good example you may display towards them and others, but that is their lot.  Don't let one ignorant person cause your helping hands to clinch shut.  Move on to the next one and spread love in this desolate land.

I have been a bit under the weather for a few days and this is what I learned while on my back.

Love you all.

Dennis          

I'm Proud of Me!

 I have nothing profound to talk about today.  Other than the fact that it is Monday, Valentine's Day, cold outdoors and I'm a bit under the weather; all is well.  I am proud of myself, though.  I really am.  "What did he do?", you ask.  I think that it is more about what I didn't do.  We all reflect on our past at times; either voluntarily or something or someone may trigger a certain thought.  At my age I have many memories to contend with; and they are not all good ones.  I have come to learn that holding onto bad, hurtful, unfruitful and non-productive memories can make it difficult to accurately measure yourself as the person that you are now.  We all have made bad decisions at one time or another.  And in addition to this we all have secrets that we dare share with anyone else; and rightfully so.  And herein  lies the lesson of repentance.  To repent merely means to be sorry for what you have done and do not visit that act again.  Once we do this we are free.  God has promised it to us.  The problem is that we, as people, find it difficult, (and sometimes impossible), to forgive ourselves.  Without sounding too preachy, I just want to say that we are new in whatever endeavor we have undertaken.  Whether it is a new relationship, a new job, or any other plan, you have a right to be proud of yourself.  
It's true; no one particularly becomes as excited as you do when you do a good thing.  You get so amped and you are beaming with pride and you can't wait to tell someone.  And when you do get the opportunity too tell them they are like; "Yeah, that's cool" or "Oh, that was nice".  
It's easy to be cruel, but it is difficult to be nice.  The world we live in compels us to be as disassociated from your fellow man as they are towards you.  It's sometimes hard to find pride in yourself for working overtime to help someone who has a need.  It's unheard of to compliment your enemy; even when he/she has done a good thing, but you must do it in order to remain at the top of dignity and morality.  And what about those you have wronged along this journey?  Are you still looking over your shoulder for divine retribution concerning that infraction you caused 10 years ago?  If God wanted your bad self taken out it would have occurred a long time ago.  But we are still here so what does that say to us?  That there is still much more we must do with our lives.  Forget those things behind us and look forward to the things that are ahead of us.  You will, undoubtedly, be better at whatever the task because in all of your learning you have learned what not to do. So be proud of yourself when your co-workers do not notice your good.  Be very proud of yourself when your supervisor has no idea as to what fires you have put out all by your lonesome yet continues to give credit to others that are always bragging about their accomplishments.  Be proud that now you are a good husband, a good wife, a good son or daughter, and a good friend.    
So, you are proud of you?  I'm not mad at you.  I'm proud of me too.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Dennis    

Don't Sell Yourself For A Penny

" I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of life,
Life would have paid." - Jessie B. Rittenhouse

I heard from a very good friend via email this morning.  We worked together not too long ago and we still keep in touch from time to time.  I remember in my reply that I told him "I am taking each day in stride and carefully contemplating my next move".  Although the days often pass by without incident, I am reminded of the true benefits of exercising the mind.  When I was a child in school I remember learning in science class that the actual definition of exerting energy is not how hard one pushes against the stone, but how much one is able to move the stone.  I have kept this learning within me throughout the years.  It has kept me in remembrance that idleness (in body and mind) is to be frowned upon and never emulated.  "Ask and you shall receive so that your joy may be full".  I have long ceased to believe that life hands you what you have and that we are just pawns who must accept whatever lot we are dealt.  Kingdom building, (for lack of a better phrase), is something that is accomplished, first in our minds, and later brought into reality.  Do you ever feel that you should be living a more rich and abundant life?  Do you often look at your situation and earnestly believe that you deserve more?  If so, read on.  If not, shame on you, but read on anyway.  Contrary to several religious teachings, to be impoverished and lowly in socioeconomic status i the only true way to Heaven.  Sadly many have been conditioned to strive to maintain this teaching in their everyday lives.  Whenever they approach the slightest similarity of wealth and prosperity they close off the funnel from which their blessings flow and begin to mutter penance for "almost living too well".  How terribly absurd! 
"Don't sell yourself for a penny.  Whatever price you set upon yourself, life will give. So aim high. Demand much! Make a clear, distinct mental image of what it is you want. Hold it in your thought. Visualize it, see it, believe in it. The ways and means of satisfying that desire will follow. For supply always comes on the heels of demand." -Robert Collier; The Secret Of The Ages. 

Perhaps it is time you begin to pay closer attention to your dreams.  As our body sleeps, the mind never sleeps. Our subconscious is in constant communication with our Creator.  Our subconscious often attempts to show us how to obtain our most intimate and good desire but we shrug it off upon awakening and go about with our schedules.  When we deny our dreams we usually choose to visualize our worries and fears, instead; thus making them real.  Control your thoughts and you control your circumstances.  Conditions will be what you make them.

I am not offering any new doctrine; for there is nothing new under the sun.  Let us all stop working at only a tenth of our capacity and put ourselves at full to overtime. Keep that one thought in mind.  SEE it being carried out step by step.  You can put across any definite idea.  God is able to give you the house you cant afford.  He is able to have you meet any increase in gasoline prices, without fail, in any of your other responsibilities.  Let us all meet at the top of the hill.
Have a great day.
Dennis

Loud Silence

Some days are more quiet than others.  It's very easy to become accustomed to the fervor of the day; constant noise, unceasing talk, the whirring of faxes and printers, the clacking of computer keys, telephone calls and intrusive thoughts. When a person finally does get an opportunity to stop the madness they usually don't.  Soon after leaving the work place we tune in the radio or the cd player and let the events of the busy day merge with our "down time".  We get home and the television is there to resume the noise that has permeated our minds the entire day.  Some have even found it impossible to go to sleep unless the television is  constantly speaking to their subconscious.  And we awaken the next day to begin our noisome ritual again. 
The scripture compels us to " Be still and know that I am God". (Psalm 46:10a).  I do not believe that this was merely an arbitrary "suggestion" given by our sovereign God, ( for He knows what the unguarded minds of men can yield), but an important tool for our everyday lives.  But why the admonishment to be still?  It is primarily for this reason: "...because your enemy, the devil, walks all about you, just like a roaring lion, seeking who he can destroy". (1 Peter 5:8). 
 In this highly automated age even believers are becoming less affected by the power and the literal meaning found in the Word of God.  There was a time when a prayer, although uttered in secret, was expected to bring about miraculous results. Not a wavering doubt was ever present.  We believed that there truly was no distance in the Holy Spirit and we touched and agreed in America for things all the way over in Germany.  Nowadays if we can't copy and paste it or email it or transform it into a Powerpoint slide it is futile; useless.  All the more reason to be still, my friends.  All the more reason to consider yourselves for who and what you truly were created to be; man in God's own image  Our education demands that we compete with the unbelivers on their level.  But do you remember that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God and He takes the wise in their own craftiness."? (1 Cor 3:19).  Our conference room meetings are consumed with egotistical persons whose only glory is themselves.  Too often we measure our own worth by the abundance of material possessions we acquire.  Let me expound on how simple I have learned this life to be; There is no better feeling than seeing a smile brought upon another's face because I am able to be a blessing; wether openly or annonumously.  This is what I have learned from loving God.  I have had to re-train  myself to set aside an hour of quiet time each day so that I may read, listen, meditate and gain focus for the next day's journey and to be certain that I am walking in His will.  It's a terrible thing to be where God isn't and I always want to be on the path He designs.
Thanks for listening.
Have a great day.
Dennis     

What David Has Taught Me

Recently I have had the opportunity to study more about receiving those things I desire.  This pertains to physical needs, emotional needs, and monetary needs, as well. Just like many of you, I don't have the time to pursue "fairy tales" and superstitious schemes to obtain my wants and needs.  I am convinced that it is only through faith and sincere belief that the things I ask will come to pass.

David is my son.  He is 13 and has autism. In the years David has been in our lives he has demonstrated what faith is in the flesh.  Although he is limited in his vocabulary he continually says to me "I love you, daddy".  He says this when I am working, driving, watching television, cooking a meal or just sitting down.  I cannot measure the joy I feel inside when he says this to me.  It makes me feel so very loved and compels me to do whatever I can to keep him happy.  Imagine how God must feel when we vocalize our love to him throughout the day; and not just when we receive a blessing.  David hates hospitals and at the slightest indication that he is getting ill he will say "No doctor.  David better".  And sure enough, his condition almost immediately improves.  He controls his frame of mind by saying "Happy", and will gallop off to another part of the house and begin to play. 
There is so much more that David has taught me such as to never raise my voice in anger because he is easily distressed by violence or any appearance of his father being upset. He never argues back at me or his mother, goes to bed without a fuss when asked, and remembers a lesson once taught to him.  When there is a toy or video he wants he goes on E-bay, searches it out and brings me to his computer.  I am so pleased at the effort he took to make certain that I knew exactly what he desires and I immediately pull out my credit card and order it.  He has taught me to be a father like our Heavenly Father is to us.
  The scripture reads "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise". (Matthew 21:16b). We should never be too old to learn from our children for their innocence brings them closer to God. 
Have a blessed day.
Dennis

Livin' For The Weekend

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not". Galations 6:9

It's Friday, and I just got paid.  Going downtown on the East side, on the West side.....". (Livin' for the weekend by the O'Jays).

Yes, it is Friday and I can't think of a single one of you who doesn't feel as if you earned the right to let the weekend be all yours. You've dealt with difficult co-workers/non-responsive supervisors, internal battles to do what is right and not what is popular, and aside from all of that; you are just plain ol' tired! 

This morning, as I stood on my front porch welcoming the brisk, new air of the morning, I asked the question. "What would I be doing if today was Thursday?"  But that is not the case, is it? It is Friday and there is no work tomorrow.  But do you realize that you are more than just a small piece in some cosmic puzzle? Everything you do, (especially those things that are good and righteous), are a integral part of a larger design.  Don't even begin to try and figure out the endgame; because it would be futile. Just do good at all times and the "universe" will repay you kindly. 

Being a Veteran I have grown to have a special fondness for those of you who give so many hours a week to our care.  And I will be the first to admit tat we Veterans can be a trifling group.  But love us anyway.  You see, we were the few who elected to undergo a life of orderliness, structure, frozen tears and, at times, unimaginable horror.  It's a no-brainer that many of us are as dysfunctional as we are.  But we did it all for you.  We slept in the jungles in foreign lands, we endured 70 below temperatures on the frozen Alaska tundra, we traveled countless miles on a huge ship with no wife, husband, child or relative to hold when we became lonely, afraid, or hurt. You do know me.  To some, they are your husbands, your lovers, your fathers, brothers, sons, daughters or friends.  To others they may be your wife, mother, lover, sister, brother, daughter or friend.  I appreciate each of you for serving in whatever capacity you do in my life; and I can easily muster up a few thousand other Veterans who feel the same.

 So, go on and live for the weekend.  You deserve it.  Because we want you well rested come Monday so that you may serve us again.  We will be here.

Have a safe and blessed weekend.

Dennis

Starting Anew

I've decided to share my thoughts via this blog.  Sometimes you may be offending people when you merely send them your emails and they have not requested them so I am being as thoughtful as I can by doing it this way.  I hope that you can share in with me.  I would love to hear what you are thinking, as well.  Be blessed.
Dennis