Movie Night And More

If you don't get lost, there's a chance you may never be found.
~ Unknown author

 

  I had a good night Thursday because for me it was Movie Night.  It has been awhile since I stayed up late, snacked, and watched movies from my collection; some old, some new.  After viewing several features and raiding the refrigerator of left-overs, I finally called it a night at around 3 a.m.

  Friday morning I attended my PTSD group at the VA hospital. It's always refreshing to sit  around with a group of men and women who mean no harm to anybody; just desiring to talk about everyday experiences in which we all communicate on ways we have overcome them in our own lives. There's always a bunch of laughter and true fellowship there. Laughter is truly the best medicine one could ever prescribe.

  While the family is visiting in Charlotte, N.C. I have taken full advantage of my "Me time" here at the house.  I am always concerned about the welfare of my loved ones and it is a daily ritual for me to release my excessive worry and to allow God to order the universe. Yes, I realize that some say to worry is sin, but I never said I was perfect. Partially due to the overcast skies and my own need to seclude myself, I retreated to the quiet serenity of my home and felt no pressure to be anything to anybody. As I alternated from watching television to reading to operating my computer I simultaneously reflected on so much that has occurred in 2012; both locally and nationally.

  Which of us can truthfully predict who will see the end of the coming year of 2013? Greater minds than my own have written and published vast discussions on life and how it will one day end for us all. I have concluded that having consistent thoughts of such things can elicit fear and paranoia in a person's mind;thus rendering them ineffective to the present realness which surrounds them. 

"  And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. 



But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'  -Luke 12: 19-20 (NIV)


   I am in a good place in my life where I do not regret who I am and what the trials in my life have forged me to be. As it occurs with change, I have been several people throughout my life; whatever the situation or circumstances dictated. I had the option to either remain in that specific mindset or evolve into an individual who has learned to assimilate each of his phases into one acceptable and congruent person. I live for today only but my life is prepared for heaven tomorrow. 

  Yes, at the end of one's solstice it should be for them as in the words of Charles Dickens;

"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known".

- A Tale of Two Cities

I love you all.
See you in 2013
Dennis
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Christmas In Connecticut

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."-Albert Einstein

  I'm not even going to try to explain the school shooting tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut which occurred on Friday, December 14, 2012.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I am absolutely clueless as to what would motivate an individual to illegally enter an elementary school with automatic and semi-automatic weapons, kill six adults and 20 first grade children. After hearing of this, I waited with baited breath for my son to come home from school in a few hours. I just wanted to hold him.

  The television coverage of the shooting is painful to watch and listen to and I find myself switching the channel to find something less painful to watch; but the thoughts won't go away.

  I put up our Christmas tree last Tuesday. In Connecticut I can imagine many families taking their trees down. Anything to help assuage the unthinkable pain of having your precious child ripped from your life by an unconscionable act of evil.  For me and my house, it further emphasises what is important in life. 

Throughout all of this, some have asked "Where is God"? 
Newspaper columnist and lawyer Michael Johnson once stated "Taking God out of school leaves a vacuum something will replace".  The well-known saying is much more than a fact of science which states that "Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time."  When something is taken out, something else will take its place.

  I pray for this poor and mean old world in which we live. I pray that those who are concerned enough, capable enough, brave enough, convicted enough and fed up enough will take part in conversations, community actions, exercising neighborhood vigilance, and deterring acts of evil whenever possible.  I am going to David's school on Monday to discuss security measures with his principal.

"Be of sober {in spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour".
- New American Standard Version (1995)

  God Bless Us All.
  Dennis

     

 

 

The End Of The World

"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always twenty years behind the times." -Mark Twain

  The ancient Mayan calendar has predicted the world will end on December 21, 2012. Already there is talk of a global panic, some people are purchasing expensive "Dooms Day" shelters located deep underground, others have decided to spend all they have, sell their homes, and not pay any bills because they say "What would be the purpose?". And without a doubt the overly eccentric and fanatically religious will compel their sheep to give their all to the church and/or perhaps enter into a suicide pact. (Remember Jim Jones, David Koresch and cult leader Marshall Applewhite of the Heaven's Gate UFO cult?)

  Here are a few quotes from some of your fellow Americans:

• If the world ends in 2012 I have wasted my whole life in school.
• Before you marry someone ask yourself, 'Will they be a good killing partner during the zombie Apocalypse?'.
• A lot of people think 'the end of the world is coming; let's go party', but God commanded us to warn people and I would rather be safe.
• Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's always tomorrow in Australia.
• (Harold) Camping of Family Radio has predicted the world will end May 21, 2011, but this reporter has learned he first predicted the world will end September 6, 1994.
• An extreme optimist is a man who believes that humanity will probably survive even if it doesn't take his advice. - John McCarthy
• This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but with a whimper. -T.S. Eliot

  Of course I could ambush you with a cavalcade of Nostradamus references to the end times, a plethora of prolific preacher's predictions, and mathematical computations from some of the world's brightest minds but how would that be of any benefit to you?  My sincere desire is that people everywhere will remain civil from day-to-day and live peaceably within your own heart by striving to please only God alone. 

  Please do not do anything rash or impulsive as December 21, 2012 nears. Enjoy your loved ones today, seek out only those things that are truly important, don't allow your blessing(s) to be taken from your life because everyone but you can recognize what you have. Go into the New Year with a renewed outlook on your life. Also, it may be time to scrutinize your list of friends; some of them have been holding you back because they are jealous of you or they may simply be beneath you so latch on to people who will inspire your dreams and who have far-reaching goals.  (I say this because some of your relationships do not have the drive to have anything beyond their noses).

  Have a great Christmas and a wonderful 2013. 
  Dennis