By My Own Hands

I am up, but I am still in bed. I awoke to a rainy morning. David and I are hanging out again today.  I have several things that I plan to do today but none of them are urgent. I received an email from a very dear friend with whom I worked with at the VA hospital.  She is the epitome of giving, as God would have us to be givers, yet she sometimes suffers ridicule for having such a devotion to God and His people.  We are living in that era that the Bible speaks of; a time when men will become lovers of themselves more than lovers of God.  I struggled with this permeating attitude for many years while I worked after my military retirement. It is only certain that the times that are upon us will only worsen.
In my back yard I have a built up garden trough with a trellis.  The previous tenants had painted it with the most ugly mix of colors.  My initial inclination was to tear it all down and be rid of the eyesore once and for all but my wife insisted that something could be done with it.  This weekend we went to Home Depot and purchased a gallon of barn red paint.  I painted the trough and the adjoining trellis as I listened to a gospel CD on my boom box.  Before long the trough begin to look almost brand new as I stroked, brushed, and rolled the paint onto its unattractive surface.  I must admit that I was somewhat proud of the transformation that was occurring right before my eyes; and even more so by the actions of my own hands.  Life is like this. There are many things in life that we desire, many things we may even covet because what we possess never seems to add up to what is "over the fence" on our neighbor's property. 
The truth is that we must apply our own efforts to our "gardens" to derive beauty from it.
Have a great and productive day.
I love you all,
Dennis

A Saturday Afternoon Meditation

I have been at rest for the last few days.  I had to listen to my body as it told me to replenish my mental and physical strength from events of the past week.  I normally like rainy weather and we have had quite a bit of it lately; with an occasional tornado touchdown. There have been several record-breaking events this year; floods, tornadoes, and fires alike. It all has somewhat of an apocalyptic feel to it.  This year's events can either cause one to cower in fear in the security of their home or stand boldly and continue to live their lives. Which shall you choose?
 
We had the funeral my neighbor, Dave today. Me and several men in my neighborhood were pall bearers.  I love my small community and the people who live nearby.  We have a private, yet friendly, neighborhood and that is exactly how the funeral was conducted.  So many thoughts transpire during a funeral.  Today I was able to look into my wife's eyes and tell her that I am truly not afraid to die.  I've not been afraid of death since I gave my life to the Lord years ago, but I have always been one to tell God how long I needed to live.  But He knows what is best and therefore I can only try to live without regrets. I live my life for God and me so there is no need to fear.  I used to try to live my life for others but that is a sure way to become lost and confused and sickly.  Every man must seek out his own soul's salvation. There truly is no time to try to please everyone else because you will only end up displeasing God. You will not always be popular when you go against the grain, but wasn't that what Jesus was referring to when he spoke of taking the narrow way? There is so much I can say on this subject but I don't feel like it right now.
 
I am thankful that God is allowing me to have my siblings and their families join us here at my home next month. I love them so much and I look forward to seeing them again.  I believe the Lord will bless us with a great and loving meeting.

I pray your weekend is well.
I love you all.
Dennis

For Whom The Bell Tolls...

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

-- John Donne

I had a good morning.  My wife went to work at an earlier hour than usual so I was able to make breakfast for our son and take him to summer camp.  Later I went to the recording studio for a couple of hours to begin work on some new material.  I had lunch on the way home and decided to take advantage of the climate and mow the lawn. A thunderstorm was approaching and the weather was overcast and breezy.  I finished the front yard and moved to the back which is much larger.  I picked up the pace lest I get caught in a sudden downpour of rain.  As I was midway through the yard my elderly neighbor came out of his back door and approached the fence that borders our property.  I pushed the mower to where he stood and asked, "What's up, my friend"?  "Do you know my neighbor on the other side of my home?" he asked. "Sure I do.  Are you talking about Dave?" I inquired.  (I first met Dave when we initially moved into the neighborhood.  Dave, like me, was retired Army.  He was very hospitable to me and my family.  We would sometimes see him and his wife taking a walk thru the neighborhood). 

"Dave died this morning", my neighbor said.  All went silent around me and suddenly I was vividly aware as to how heavy I was breathing.  He told me that Dave had stomach cancer and had been diagnosed before we arrived to the neighborhood.  He was always so busy in the yard. One would never have known he was suffering from any disease.   "I didn't know if you knew him", he continued, "but in case you did I thought you would like to know", he said.  "Thank you. My wife and I will pay our respects later this evening."  My elderly neighbor turned to go back inside his home.  I started the mower and began to pray for Dave's wife.  It began to rain. I put the mower in the garage and came inside.

It was nice meeting you, Dave.

Dennis

Wilbert Spain, Sr

Father's Day is soon approaching.  I personally do not make a big deal about it for myself but my wife does.  Although I am very appreciative for the attention shown towards me on this day of recognition by her and other members of my family, this is the time when my thoughts are predominately of my father, Wilbert Spain, Sr.  My father died of cancer in 1998.  I was still active duty military but my family and I were able to come from Alaska (where I was stationed at the time) to attend his funeral in North Carolina.  I will not dote on any negative exaggerations or  rumored particulars of my father's life, but instead I will use this opportunity to love him all over again.  
I will love him for his 20 plus years  of service to our country in the United States Army.  I will love him for marrying a sweet young girl from Durham, N.C. with whom he fostered a family of seven children; 5 boys and 2 girls.  I will love him for the rough times he and my mother went through but never settled for a divorce.  I will love him for keeping the family together after my mother's untimely death at a young age, even though he had not a clue as how to be a parent to us.  After all, that was my mother's job and he was just supposed to bring home the bacon.  I will love Wilbert Spain, Sr. for liking his alcohol because it would help him forget and ease his pain and broken heart, if only for a short while.  I will love my father for his quoting of scriptures and his singing of Sam Cooke, Percy Sledge and others.  I will love him for his "jump off the kitchen chair"  demonstrations of how to execute a proper PLF  , (parachute landing fall) when he and his Army buddies would get together at our home on occasion for drinks and socializing and poker games.  I will love my father because he chose to remain in this world when his demons urged him to exit this life prematurely.
To Wilbert Robert Spain, Sr. and all the fathers who are deceased or no longer with their families for whatever reason:
Happy Father's Day.  I love you so much.
Dennis 


  

Encouraging Words From A Friend

God had placed me in the heart of a dear friend and they sent me an email.  I would like to share with you the words of encouragement I received:

Far and Beyond

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever”
(Ephesians 3:20–21, NAS)

God wants to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond all you can imagine! He wants to pour out His favor on you and open up opportunities that will boggle your mind!

Notice this verse says that He will do it “according to the power that works in us.” How does His power work in us? When we yield ourselves to Him, when we obey His Word and do what pleases Him, more of His power is activated in our lives. When we put Him first in everything that we do, when we choose love, we are allowing more of Him to work in and through us. When we choose God’s way, we get God’s results: peace, favor, blessing and increase.

Today, no matter what you are facing, know that when you invite God into your circumstances, He will transform them! He will do more than you could ever imagine. Line yourself up with His Word in your thoughts, words and actions, and watch Him do exceedingly abundantly far and beyond what you could ever imagine!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for loving me and choosing me. I know that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond anything I can imagine. I submit myself to You: spirit, soul and body. Search me and know me. Have Your way in me and keep my mind stayed on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God always has us in his sight.  Have a great day.

Dennis

Facing Pressure

No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.

- Barbara de Angelis
      

 Have you ever had anyone try to tell you how to be happy?  The Bible tells us that no one knows the spirit of a man except that man and God, yet we are surrounded by others who feel they have deduced your nature, our very thought processes because one does not respond as they think one should.  I have been dealing with such an issue for a great part of my life.  I choose to be secluded for the most part; away from business and gossip. I shun large, rowdy crowds for they have the tentancy to become obnoxious and beligerant.  My idea of a good Friday night is either watching a good video, sitting on my porch with a cold drink, going on a walk thru the neighborhood with the wife and our son, or just simply chilling in the comfort of my home.  My wife and I both vowed to be more sociable this year but being sociable often comes with a cost and I do not like to be inconvenienced.  Let's face it; not all people who approach your doorstep do so in peace and goodwill and it is our duty, as men, (and women, if you are the head of your house), to be ever vigilant concerning your kingdom.  The Reverend Robert Collier said; "Experience teaches that we need to be protected more from our fears and wrong thoughts, than from so-called evil influences external to ourselves.  We need not suffer for another man's wrong, for another man's greed, dishonesty, avarice or self ambition. But if we hug to ourselves the fear that we do have to so suffer and we take it into our thought and allow it to disturb us, then we only punish ourselves.  We are free to reject every suggestion of discord, and to be governed harmoniously, in spite of what anything or anybody may try to do to us." (The Secret of The Ages). 

I awaken each day a free man.  I am free as I go to and fro about my daily business.  And at night when I lay down my head I smile and thank the Lord because in spite of all things, I am still free.  My brother, Alfred, once told me years ago that there will always be those who speak evil of you and it is primarily due to jealously.  "But I don't have anything that anyone would want", I replied.  He looked into my eyes and said, "You're happy, you are successful, you do right by others and you have people who love you. Well, that is all the reason some folks need to hate you."  I love my life and I would not trade it for anything.

Have a blessed day.
Dennis

Thoughts On My Front Porch

I worked hard to get where I am today.  Will I ever be satisfied with the things I have achieved up to this day?  I'm afraid not.  In fact, no one will.  Although man was created "A little lower than the angels" there resides inside of us a God-inherited tenacity; a will to go on in spite of all the adversity we face every darn day.  But we run our lives as we run our children by telling them to expect life to give you bumps, trips and bruises along the way.  We tell them the "importance" of wearing brand name clothes only.  Men teach their sons how to resist working and to pimp their way thru life on the back of a good woman.  So far this pathetic attitude has created a generation of  young men who only value the means to get a quick dollar by using others.  Women teach their daughters that their body is an integral part of her successes in life.  Sadly; however, many woman can't or won't obtain the "ideal" body and soon begin to equate physical beauty with success. They go as far measuring  their own worth by it.   But a real man knows that the beauty of a woman begins on the inside. 

I, for one, am thankful that God took the rib from out of Adam's side and created Eve.  A woman who has the mind of Eve will be vigilant, thrifty, of good hospitality and obedient to her husband; not by demeaning him through the use of submissive and subservient behavior, but cherishes her husband as he must cherish her. 
Let all men noticeably love and respect all women.
Have a great day.
Dennis

Up All Night

It's nearly 2 A.M. The family has been asleep for hours but I am restless. I've had quite a productive Friday and I did not want it to end.  If anthing happens I will be awake to see it.  I purchased an old 1950's horror movie last Saturday and it is really good.  
I spoke to Ron today.  He and his sister, Yvette, are doing well considering they lost their father recently.  Ron is a singer, dancer and a musician.  He recently bought himself a bass guitar.  Yvette purchased a WII and a few games.  Their has been such a shroud of unhappiness over their home for so long.  I am happy that they have have allowed life to return to their home.  When I think of them playing games, listening to music and visiting with neighbors I smile inside. 
Do you remember Alex whose wife passed away last Friday?  My sister, Cynthia, asked me about him when I spoke to her earlier today.  I called him afterwards and learned that he and his mother will soon become roomates.  I will keep in touch with him.  After the funeral is the worse time.  It seems that everything is working out as God would have it.  
I spoke with my daughter, Denielle, today.  She is a single mother of three and she is handling it in a manner that makes me proud.  I sent her a dvd of one of my singing performances.  She called me a star.  What a doll. 
 It is now 10:18 A.M.  I eventually went to bed at 4 A.M. and am now ready to take on the day.  I pray this weekend will be blessed for all.  Have a great one.
Dennis

Feeling Deeper Than Usual

Some people say that man is putting his nose into what he shouldn't be. But I ask you what is the number 1 topic "around the water cooler" these days? Global warming. That's right. The recent onrush of record-breaking tornadoes has our world in the frenzy. And let us not forget the flooding prior to that. New Orleans, Mississippi, Indiana and some parts of Louisville, Kentucky. But as I sit here on my porch and watch the morning sun, I am in awe at everything; and I mean everything, that is around me.

I am always mindful of nature, or should I say, the natural things in life. Birds singing, trees flourishing in their many shades of green, the smell of pollen and grass, a dog barking in the distance, the chirping of insects, birds fluttering about in a nearby tree, and the wind blowing in my ears.

And then there is the man-made. Man-made is exactly what the word implies; its man made. Our futile attempts to "create" as God creates. The best we have been able to create is a method to implant different environments anywhere we please for the sole purpose of learning more and more about the world around us. But do not be angry at man. He is simply doing what he has been commanded to do since the beginning of time; "Take dominion over the earth". Ever since our pitiful fall in the Garden of Eden we haven't exactly stayed on the path that was ordained for us. But we are surviving, and some would argue that that is not too bad of a thing.

If we are actually in the last days I would hope to be able to live it to its fullest. After all, in Heaven, or Hell, there will be no marrying and giving in marriage, no family to raise, no yacht on the beach. Just as in life, our priorities will be changed. We will do far more than sing hymns around the alter. "Eye has not seen; Ear has not heard".

In this short life I have learned to hope for the hope-less, to cheer for impossibilities, and to laugh in the face of calamities.

I love you all,

Dennis

Leisurely At Home

I'm vacationing at home today. Largely because my wife was kind enough to place our son in summer camp this week. I know he deserves to be out and about at times but I am so concerned about his welfare that I actually become overprotective. Eddrenna is able to say, "Boy, you're getting out of the house this week", and for that I am thankful. Now I can actually have entire days to myself, to totally relax.

I spoke with my daughter, Denyel, this morning. It was a good and funny conversation.I also spoke with Adrian in Atlanta. His health has me concerned. I will keep him in prayer.

I still do not know what my itinerary will look like tomorrow. But isn't that what vacations are supposed to be like?

Have a great day.

Dennis

My Family and Me

Today begins a new chapter in my life; in all of our lives. If you have been with me in my recent blogs you will see that there are many events occurring simultaneously. If it were not for the Lord, who was on my side, where would I be? Today is David's last day of school and he is very happy. My boy is an A student and we are so proud of him. He, alone, is a testimony as to what God can and will do. Miracles still occur these days but man, in his own wisdom, has slighted God. When God heals someone from a deadly disease we call it a "misdiagnosis" on behalf of the doctors instead of seeing the miraculous healing power of God. When doors are shut in our face we sit down and pout rather than say "Mountain, get out of my way". The school system has taken our children from us by teaching them that immoral behavior is not wrong, but instead, is to be tolerated and embraced. Parents have given up on trying to instruct their children for fear of being "disliked" by them. I choose to suffer my children's disappointment at me than have God disappointed in me. We do have an obligation to train up our children in the way of the Lord yet we allow them to do what they please, when they please. May God have mercy on this generation. I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor His children begging for bread. The wonderful thing about serving God is that He doesn't expect that we be perfect, only that we earnestly try to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. My family is coming to visit us here for the July 4th weekend. I am so happy that we are meeting on a happy occasion and not at the funeral of a loved one, which is usually the case. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us so we should live each day as if Jesus is soon to come. Don't reserve your kindness and charity for Christmas only, but display it all year long. Do not be one to carry nasty rumors and add fuel to disagreements. Gather those together who are responsible for the controversy and let the truth be told and shame the devil. What are you afraid of? Fear God before you fear any man (or woman). Today I take back what the enemy has stolen from me. I am determined to be successful in my dreams, my goals and my happiness. Poverty will have no place in my household for already I prepare for the blessings that are right now pouring down from Heaven upon my head.

Enjoy your day and be encouraged.

Dennis