Staying Above The Gutter

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men".  Matthew 5:18

 We were at a restaurant the other night and my wife had ordered one of her favorite dishes. A little into her meal she decided to season her dish with the salt that was provided on the table. Unfortunately, it was sea salt. She used the salt anyway but after several shakes she could not get the desired taste for her dish. Finally I flagged down the waiter and asked if they had regular table salt. He promptly returned with a small bowl of the coveted granules in which my wife used straightaway and was immediately satisfied. "Now that's salt", she exclaimed.
 It's like that in our everyday lives. We are continually surrounded by rude, insensitive, and obnoxious people. Even as we attempt to be the best person we can possibly be these individuals are consistently evil and seemingly unlovable.  It is so easy to give in to the inclination to render the same brashness to them that they deliver to you but that is exactly what we are not to do. These people are hurting and are products of something that went very badly in their lives that we may never know about. They need to be rescued from their misery and we have the heart to pull them out of the fire.   We do not do this by accepting their unwarranted behavior, but we win them by keeping ourselves on the straight and narrow and not submitting to the thought of hopelessness.
 Just as my wife could not be satisfied with the salt substitute on the restaurant table, we cannot be content in being the "packaged Christian" that the world is promoting. You know what I mean; the type who prays on Sunday and curses people out on Monday. We must be authentic in all we do.
 I ask that you seek out such a person in your life today who is hurting and lonely and unhappy. Bless them with an unexpected gift, give them a compliment that they are not expecting to receive, (I'm certain there is something good about them that you can find). Let your light shine so that others will see God through you.
 Have a great and productive day and try to make a difference in the world around you.
 Dennis

Taking Your Life Back

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart.

Helen Keller

 I spent a great amount of time last night thinking about friends and family. That's not unusual for me to do but last night was exceptional.  The thoughts followed me into my very dreams and were still with me as I awoke this morning.  I talk to a good amount of people throughout the week; either via phone, text, or email.  I listen intently to every conversation I am involved in and afterwards I actually meditate on the substance of what was said from the different interactions I have had.  All in all, I recognize a constant theme in what I am hearing from several different people, in different locations, in different situations, and in different time zones concerning their lives; there is an evident attack on the institution called Family.  The "enemy", be it spiritual or fleshly, is not concerned at what tender age your child may be, how long you have been in a relationship with someone, or if you have already suffered one or more devastating events in your life; the intent is to destroy all hopes of you ever truly experiencing happiness and fulfillment in this lifetime.  The lie being spoken is that "No one is truly happy so you shouldn't expect to live that fantasy".  The truth is that there are an abundance of happy people all around us.  I interact with them everyday in some way or another. These are people who have learned what the true meaning of "friendship" is.  These are those who do not measure their success by the material possessions they acquire or the company they keep.  These are they who have sincerely learned to live in this world uncontrolled by so much of the degradation and prejudice and malice and hatred it tends to foster.  

 I am still dismayed at the inability so many people have to do something as simple as to forgive themselves.  "He who is without sin let him throw the first stone", said Jesus.  Yes, I admit there are many people out there throwing a heck of a lot of stones, (you would think they own a rock quarry).  But they are hypocrites and they are not to be paid attention to except as examples of what not to be like and if you are wise you would distance yourself from them immediately. The truth is that some people spend so much of their time re-living their past mistakes, beating themselves up over and over again for that "unbelievable thing" that they did. Eventually they actually believe that God will not, and could not, forgive them either.  But we are so much weaker than God.  I have learned that if no one else will forgive me, I must forgive myself in order to believe in my heart that God actually has forgiven me.

We have so much good to experience and do in such a short life.  Some of us will be given many years to do our tasks, some only a short time. Being cognizant of this, with every new morning I encourage myself to see each day as extraordinary; taking no encounter for granted; regardless as to how small it may seem.  I do not profess to know what principles were ingrained into your spirit as you grew, (and as some are still growing); however, I will be as bold as to say that the very principles which brought you into the light of right doing, compassion and love are still available and are still just as valid as back then.  Instill these principles in your children, your marriages, your relationships and on your jobs.  Love more than only the people who look like you look, talk as you do, and hang out in the same corners you hang out in.  And above all remember, Love is not weak.

 Have a great day.

Dennis

 

A Change Of Weather

                                               Vernon, Cynthia, Wilbert Jr, & Alfred
                                               
It was quiet today. I attended a couple of appointments at the VA, (all is good), and finally got the opportunity to go and have lunch with my wife at her job. It was a pleasent break in the middle of the afternoon.  Afterwards I went to my favorite store, Wal Mart, to get a few needed items and I was off to the house to await David's arrival from school. His class had a field trip to an area that annually sponsors Hearts at Halloween, a Christian-based organization that allots for a safe and fun-filled trick or treat party for Special Needs children. David was happy as he got off his school bus with his large bag of candy and prizes, but he easily handed the bag to me, gave me a hug, and went upstairs to change. He will not desire one piece of the treasure trove he carted home, but it was just the idea of participating in the event.
 My adopted sister, Yvette, called me from Atlantic City. She and some friends are vacationing there for a few days. Yvette, (and her brother, Ron), are my dear family who recently lost both of their parents within a year. It has been difficult for them but they are both driving through the storm. Yvette has vowed to fully live her life and I am so very proud of her. I asked her to make time on her busy schedule to plan a visit this way. It is always good to see her.
 My brother, Alfred, called from North Carolina this evening. He and his wife, Phyllis, are baby-sitting their granddaughter. Al's voice is very hoarse due to an inpatient procedure he has to have on his larynx, but it was good hearing from him, as always. He and one of the twins, Vernon, from South Carolina may be joining me and the family here this weekend as we welcome our baby sister, Cynthia, from Memphis.
 The skies were cloudy all day and it began to sprinkle later this afternoon. My wife called to ask if I would like her to bring me home some fried fish for dinner. I love fish and I greedily accepted her offer.  (She just walked in the door).
 My day has been quiet but content. I see God's hands in it all. I pray that your day is as fulfilling as mine.
I love you all.
Dennis

Carol

 I lost another dear friend the other day. Her name was Carol and she recently lost a valiant fight against cancer. I first met Carol when I began working at the Business Office at the Louisville, Kentucky VA nearly 2 years ago. Carol had been a veteran employee there for many years and was very popular among many because of her gentle spirit and blunt, but funny, sense of humor.  She was the biggest Louisville Cardinal fan I had ever met. Carol was the type of person who made me proud that I shed the dogma of organized religion and began to love people for who they are; not  for what they professed to be.  Carol was a real person and I admired the friendship we shared. Carol showed people that it was never a hard thing to love. I left Kentucky soon after Carol became ill. I know there will be so many that will touch her and tell her how much she was loved.  Hey Carol; when you see my mother, my father, and my son in Heaven give them a big hug for me.
May God keep us all. 
Dennis  

Getting It Right From This Day On

  My eyes opened at 4:20 A.M. I knew that my slumber was over but still I attempted to coerce myself back to sleep. I made a quick trip to the bathroom but still, even that did not help me return to sleep. I attempted to extract some conversation from my wife but she only sighed heavily, wrapped her arms around my torso, (which I understood meant "be quiet") and was soon lost in her dreams again; leaving me wide awake and alone with my thoughts. So I just lay there and I wrote in my mind.

 Much has transpired over the past few days. Yes, I meant to say days.  I always said that it doesn't take God all day to work and I have been viewing so many of His wonders at an exponentially high rate recently. There are some things I would love to share with you, my friends, but they are acts that should be kept close to my chest because they were things that were done in secret and I do not wish to be rewarded openly by man's praise.  I will tell you that I have had the opportunity to meet some people whom I know were placed directly in my path by none but God, alone. And it's not always about what you can receive, but more importantly as to what you can give.  I have been as a child in a candy store watching my own progression; I do not want to label it as a higher level, there is too much of that talk talk going around and it has somewhat lessened the impact of what I am currently experiencing in my life. Instead, I will classify it as a new direction.  

 As I lay in bed awake I recalled the young married couple I knew in which the wife was a very promiscuous woman. She was deeply immersed in her world of adultery and did not have the power, (nor the desire), to rid herself of her lascivious demons. To compound the situation, she knew she had a husband who loved her and adored her, but alas, she continued in her secret ways that are too painful and shameful to recant.  In her vain attempt to assuage her guilt she sought to "buy" God's grace by giving to her church more than she and her poor husband could afford. Whenever her husband received a bonus from his job or they received a tax return or even their proceeds from something as simple as a yard sale she would give it all to the church.  This proved most futile for her scandalous acts eventually led to separation, sickness, disease, and finally death.  You cannot purchase grace because it is freely given.

 Have you ever wanted to obtain perfection even as you lived in a body of imperfection?  The beauty of it all is that God does not expect us to be blameless; without a spot or blemish, in this life.  That expectation comes from man and man alone. We make our lives so unbearably hard by placing unobtainable standards on ourselves, and when we fall short of the mark we drown ourselves in woes and tears and the assassination of our character.  Stop this madness and live!  Realize that you are a part of God's tapestry and therefore you are never alone, never far from help, always in sight.  So many of you have sparked such love in my heart just this week alone.  I've spoken to several of you on the telephone; many via email, text or Facebook message.  One thing is constant; I am glad to be a part of your life in this life.  You are doing some very good things out there; don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.  You are making great strides in becoming a better you every day and your gifts often spill over into the lives of others, even as you are unaware.  It's time to celebrate the goodness that you bring. Enough has been said about your shortcomings.  Whatever is ailing you, whatever is troubling you-shake it off and drive on to make this day, and all of your days, great.

I love you all.

Dennis