Knowing Who You Are

  When is the last time anyone genuinely inquired as to how you are doing? I'm not talking about the standard "How are you doing?" greeting, but someone sincerely wanting to know how you are' both inside and out. I spend a great amount of time listening to others. I can probably tell you more about some people than you would care to know and it isn't because I'm a gossip. I just make it a practice to listen well. The trouble with being a good listener is that there aren't may people who actually practice listening to others so you may find yourself having listened to someone for hours only to have the conversation end on a one-sided note; You know intricately more about them but they haven't asked you one question about yourself.

  I do believe that there was a time when communicating was full duplex, (conversation going back and forth between two parties simultaneously), instead of half duplex (communication being accomplished between parties but not simultaneously). Growing up in the 60's I learned so much from my mother who was a very communicable person. True enough, she taught me to love the written word and encouraged me to read anything from encyclopedias to dictionaries to folk tales but she encouraged me to express myself, as well.  My memories of my mother are very vivid and plethoric and for some reason it seemed as if I spent more time with her then I did with my siblings. After she passed away her absence in my life was never replaced by another.

  Romans 12:3 states "...do not think that you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you." (Contemporary English Version).  I do try to be humble but at the same time I am bold enough to recognize that I am an exceptionally smart and talented man. I know that much of my drive to "be better" came from being the sixth out of seven children. Like David in the Bible, I felt that I was overlooked many times because of my small stature and plain appearance. Whenever my parent's would have social gatherings at our home, (which was quite often),  most of the attention was centered around the twins, (who were a year older than me), my older siblings who could sing and dance, and my baby sister. It wasn't until The Jackson 5 arrived on the music scene that I even conceived being the focal point of anything.  To this very day I am thankful for Michael Jackson for encouraging me to get out front.

  Still, through my schooling, the military, the ministry, my marriages, working with special needs children and incarcerated youth I found myself, once again, having to strive extra hard to show people that I did, in fact, exist.  

  Perhaps I am destined to be as I am until my final days. If that is the case then I am not in despair because I really want God to get all of the credit for any good thing that I have said and done in life; however, I would not be telling the truth if I didn't confess that I would love for  someone to genuinely say to me "Tell me about yourself, Dennis." 

  Michael Bassey once said, "Popularity makes no sense if your fame is a shame." Knowing this, I will ascribe to the type of life described by Virginia Woolf when she wrote, "Better was it to go unknown and leave behind you an arch, then to burn like a meteor and leave no dust." 

  Life is sometimes complicated.
  
I suppose I'm feeling a bit in my feelings today. 

Putting On A New Attitude

I had one of my war dreams last night. In my dream I was back in the military again and our unit was preparing to go through some rigorous training. I was unaware that my dream had escaped the confines of my own mind until my wife told me this morning that I said to her in my sleep, "Put on your boots. We are going to the field."

Later this morning as I entered my study I read Ephesians chapter 4 and the Word was so very much alive to me. It spoke about unity between all who profess to be a Christian and how our attitudes towards one another and non-Christians should be.

I have always believed that the enemy distracts us with sensational news in order to keep us away from the things that are truly important. We all were born with a specific purpose and when we take on the life God wants us to live we become virtually unstoppable.

The God life calls for humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love and making every effort to maintain this unity in love. But we were born guilty (Psalm 51:5) and changing our nature isn't always an easy thing to do.

I once worked for a man who was extremely bi-polar. He took medicine that helped him to remain focused and calm but he would often neglect the medicine because he liked the feeling of being unrestrained; unchecked, uninhibited and uncontrollable. You can say that applying the Word of God to our lives is the medicine that calms our sin nature.

My writings are meant to be conversations. I don't try to be "preachy" because non-Christians sometimes get offended and some Christians are competitive; judging every word to see if it is of God. Therefore, I merely speak and let God sort out the rest. 

Why is there so much fighting among those who claim to have the same father? We are no longer children. We are not supposed to be living out of the vanity of our own minds. How then are so many Christian's hearts ignorant and hardened?

Some people have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to speaking freely about their promiscuous sexual practices. They claim a new life but remain in their former life which is corrupted and lustful. This unchecked nature has found its way into many of our churches. I would say that it has crept in, but that would be a lie. This sinful nature has boldly walked into our places of worship scantly clad or bearing a lust-filled eye because it knows it will not be checked.

Please hear this; "God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of love and of power and a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7). We must, once again, find Holy Ghost boldness in our churches, in our homes and especially in our everyday lives. It is time to stop being false with people. Speak the truth. If it offends someone, oh well. The truth is better than a lie any day. If the dress is too tight; tell her. If his pants are too tight; tell him. If you notice someone trying to mix darkness with light; educate them. Stop holding grudges. You can love someone and not associate with them daily.

Stop stealing from your job. Stop talking ungodly around certain people because you want to fit in. Stop looking for a blessing from God when you do your best to be as cheap as you can be; never supporting a good cause, never contributing to the needy and always making an excuse not to give generously to the church.

Stop slandering your brother and sister in the Lord.

Stop grieving the Holy Spirit of God.

Sunday Morning Dream

  I slept very good last night, (Saturday).  Some credit has to be given to my prescribed sleep-aid. I had a very vivid dream during the early hours of Sunday morning. I dreamed that I was shirtless and for some reason I was carrying a woman, (I will not disclose who), who was flung over my left shoulder. As I alternated running through a residential area and a wooded area (sometimes it seemed to be in circles),  I recall feeling as if I was responsible for her safety. I say this because there was another woman who greatly resembled the ex-wife of one of my brothers and she very angry at me for some reason and she and her young son were throwing bricks, ( and anything else they could find),  at me as I carried the woman and ran. Some of the objects hit me and I recall that she bloodied my left shoulder with a brick as I continued to carry the woman through a small patch of trees. She yelled insults as she attacked me but my stride was unwavering. 

  I know that in life we are often met with obstacles while on our journey.  I would be in error if I contended that there was no one who desired to do me harm or wish me even death. (Yes, I truly believe that).  But here is the key to not having any fear; If God be for you he is more than the world against you. Regardless if you have wronged someone or have been wronged by another, God is able to forgive you of all of your mistakes and he will even protect you from those who have no capacity to forgive or who are simply too controlled by the enemy to think gracious thoughts towards anyone. When you know that you are forgiven you can rest easy and let the Lord fight your battles; seen and unseen. 

  The woman I was carrying and protecting in my dream was someone who had hurt me badly in life. She manipulated me for material possessions, she pretended to care about me, she talked behind my back and she lied on me yet here I was protecting her with my own life from others. In reality, I have forgiven this woman and I make it a point to still pray for her. I am concerned about the condition of my heart and being right with God more than anything else.

  Don't miss out on heaven because of anger, malice and unforgiveness.

Living After The Snow Melts

  The weather has been bitterly cold this Winter.  I greatly enjoyed being at home and listening to music and watching a couple of movies. It's something I have not been motivated to do for some time, (even though my therapist and several friends have been encouraging me to find a way to do the things I used to love doing). I also decided to do a little bit out and around town today.   I went to an early movie and later enjoyed a good lunch. Not being ready to call it a day, I continued on and perused a few department stores; not looking for anything in particular, but I find shopping, in general, to be a blessing and a great comfort.  It also helps me to not to dwell on unpleasant thoughts.


  Two families I personally know have experienced a passing of a loved one this week.  On the other hand a good friend has celebrated a birthday on this day. Whether we live or die, life goes on. I have learned that in the area of relationships, as well. Some relationships live and some die but life must still go on. Several quaint occurrences have encouraged me so much this week. The promise of newness is so close it is as a sweet aroma in my nostrils. I am purposely holding several things close to my chest for I have had to shift my perception of some of my surroundings; but with me what you see is what you get. I am so proud of the distance I have come these past few months. I am especially humbled by what God has shown to me and done for me throughout all of this.  I haven't loved myself like this is a long while.  

  Beginning to blog again feels different this time around. I received a couple of phone calls as I began to type and I was glad I was able to thwart the conversations because in the past they would have caused me much grief and pain. Instead, I am looking forward to the dinner I will cook this evening as I watch the game.  There has been a vast amount of snow in my life as of late. It had me covered heavily; so much that I often felt petrified, unable to move, smile or find any joy in being alive. But I am glad I didn't let the freezing cold paralyze me. I am thankful for friends who came with their shovels and torches and scraped the snow from my lawn and showed me that the grass underneath was yet green.

  I encourage my friends who are spending a vast amount of time being overly concerned about many things, (If able, read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:39-42), to let go and let God do what He does which is always perfect and right. Stay warm, travel safely and spread love.

Dennis   

  

The Start Of Another Year

Staying positive, focused and motivated is not always easy for me. Unlike some people, I have to work hard at it. It's a combination of several things; my childhood, my relationships, my careers, familial issues and more. I've discovered long ago that things which happen in one's life are sometimes traumatic enough to drive a person to acquire extreme behaviors, mental issues or addictions and without the help of true friends, a loving partner or a total stranger, (who has devoted his/her life to helping others through counseling and social work) some of us would, indeed go insane or succumb to a premature death. 

  No man is an island

No man stands alone

Each man's joy is joy to me

Each man's grief is my own

We need one another

So I will defend

Each man as my brother

Each man as my friend

-Joan Baez

  A new year has come. It is now 2018. If I told you that I cannot imagine what this year has in store for me I would be lying. Although I cannot predict each circumstance which may arise I can tell you that there are some things I am greatly anticipating because I have designed for them to come into fruition.  The usual "cast of characters" will also be before me in this New Year. You know who I am referring to; doubt, envy, hatred, rumor, slander, pain, ignorance; to name a few, but that's all right. They only exist to make me strong and through it all I must remember that my primary purpose is not to be an object of abuse or to be used by any person but, instead, to show the strength of God's love and with strength. 

  In 2018 I look forward to my visions and dreams becoming a reality. It took me a while, but I finally learned some of the lessons life has been trying to teach me for many years. I wish you peace, my friends. I wish you success in your good endeavors. I pray that you will no longer procrastinate in matters of your health. I pray you find the power to let go of whomever and whatever is stunting your growth and killing your dreams and aspirations. Let the paralyzing fear be cast out of your life and take that leap that you have been promising yourself you would take year after year. Explore more than your limited perimeter and travel somewhere new. Get to know new people and seek to understand others who don't look and act like you. Live your life!

  I love you all. 
  Dennis    

    

Learning To Love Everyone

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. 

-Lucius Annaeus Seneca

  It has been sometime since I sat down to my computer and typed a fresh thought. I must admit that I have been extremely busy at my home and with my family. I have no complaints about my life for in these times we need only to keep our eyes and ears open and we will readily see that there are many whose situations easily put our pitiful complaints to rest. 

  This has been a very enlightening year for me. I purposed to release toxic people from my life, to become more financially responsible, to be good about my opinion of myself, to be an active voice in matters of community and world views, to better understand my Facebook family and to try to be there for them and not to criticize them for the times when they are up and down and to be a better husband, father and friend. I am so very thankful for the burdens that have been lifted and the freeness of my soul. 
  

  And you, how have you been? I ask this sincerely because I don't want to be one of those people who can go on and on about themselves and never pause to really see how you are doing. I will admit that I am a bit addicted to Facebook because of the daily interaction it gives me with such a varying degree of personalities. I  don't like talking on the phone very much but I will text, message and respond to many of your postings. Some of you only like to share postings that you can personally identify with, some of you are deeply introspective about life and like to share what it has taught you, some have found religion and you wish that all men/women could share in your love of God, others love the past; the old sitcoms and old movies, some are very political while others seek to save others from making the bad mistakes that they, themselves, have made in matters of love. It's all good.

  
  In retrospect, I suppose the most difficult thing about being on Facebook, for me, was developing an attitude of tolerance concerning the opinions some people may display in their postings. Some are politically inflammatory, some are racist towards a specific group of people, (and that goes both ways), some despise those who post their love for their significant other while others wonder why people post every location and task, (regardless as to how trivial), they do in a day. People are people and therefore they have their own individual ways of doing things. Isn't that what makes life so interesting?

  I encourage you to keep being YOU. 
You are unique and there is absolutely no one like you. Those who don't like your posts have the option of ignoring them or deleting you from their page. Just know this; someone is being encouraged, rejuvenated, made to smile or laugh and carry when they wanted to give up on everything merely because of your thoughts, actions and words.

  Let's all have a lighter view of life and ourselves.
  I love you all,
  Dennis

Darkness Before The Dawn

"For the thing which I greatly feared has come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me". 
-Job 3:25

  Have you ever had a dark time in your life? I'm referring to a time when it seems that all that could go wrong does go wrong despite how much you pray.  Even the very things that you have feared happening actually do happen; and seemingly all at once.  When these times occur in our lives, (and they will come), our initial thought is to rigorously examine our own life.  You ask yourself "What could I possibly have done to bring such calamities into my life"? And soon you begin to scrutinize every move you've made in the last few days/weeks/ months.

  Very soon, the enemy will come in the form of doubt, self-pity, anger, fear, defeat, loneliness, confusion, rejection and self-condemnation.  Depending on the time of the day your thoughts could easily fluctuate between pressing through the situation and giving in.  It's not an easy place to be; in fact, it's sometimes so unbearable that your very breath feels as if it will be your last.  

  After hearing of several deaths of people she knew or who were close associations of other friends and family, my granddaughter remarked "I don't like this year. There are too many deaths".  She called it "A Haunted Year". 

  I personally believe in prayer.  For years I have witnessed the unrestricted and boundless power of my own prayers and many of my sincere and imperfect friends.  (I say "imperfect" because I try my best to only associate with "real" people; those who know of their imperfections but do not let them stand in the way of sincerely loving others, showing true empathy, are never judgmental and who have the most astonishing sense of loyalty, friendship and understanding.  These friends are not religious in any fanatical sense and they always seem to have the ability to love people when others have turned away. 

  If I were to divulge a brief synopsis of my own life it would include many of the things mentioned above. I have seen and felt dark days and gut-wrenching pain brought on by false associations and those with the express knack for usury; both mental and physical.  But I have not been drowned.  When my soul had become overwhelmed God reached out his hand to me; often in the form of one or more of those wonderful people I call FRIEND.

  Today, I wish only to encourage you to hold on throughout your storm, your test, your trial.  "Submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you". (James 4:7).  People will attempt to make you believe that there are no true friends left in this mean world.  I tell you the truth when I say that God has 7,000 who has not bowed down to the devil. (Romans 11:4).

  Love deeply.
  I love you all,
  Dennis

  

  

    

  

Letting Our Hearts Affect Our Prayers

  

"Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth." Colossians 3:2

  Today, after eating lunch in my home, I closed off all interruptions from the outside world, (television, cell phone), and purposed to devote some time to reading and studying my Bible. I desired to read something light and encouraging; something that would make me "feel good" because sometimes I simply get tired of being alone and of hearing all the depressing news reports, dealing with negative people and the silence around me. (Did you know that it is possible to have the t.v. on or the radio blaring and still not hear a thing)?  I had a moment of prayer and then opened my Bible to the book of Daniel.  "Too deep", I thought too myself. "I'm not in the mood to go there right now".  I prayed again and this time I opened my Word to the Book Of Revelations.  "Oh, my Lord", I exclaimed, "Can't a brother get some joyful reading in this morning"?  Insistent on finding a "happy" verse of scripture I prayed a third time.  As I opened my Bible I found myself in the book of Ezekiel chapter 14.  More prophesy and deep revelations. "Okay Lord", I thought, "Thy will be done", and I proceeded to read.

  Have you ever heard sayings such as "The best leaders/people/friends a person can have are those who have actually been through some hard times,  (or have made similar mistakes to yours), because they know what your situation feels like".  These people are usually not judgmental concerning your own shortcomings and/or failures and often will have winning advice to share with you. Sadly, this is not true of all persons who have fought their way out of a pit because many forget where they have come from once they reach the top.  These same folks can be found in our churches, in our places of employment, in our communities, and yes; even in our very homes.  They appear to have it all together. They may have risen to positions of power, prestige and authority in these aforementioned environments. On the outside they smell of success, they possess the finest wares, they seem to have no failures or weaknesses. 

  In Ezekiel 14:1-10 the prophet was approached by such people; a group of elders whose hearts were consumed with false idols, (an idol is anything or anyone in our lives which we put above God), to receive a Word, (a prophesy, blessing, advice), from God through the prophet. 

  Knowing the hearts of all men, God said “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves.  I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols.'  (Ezekiel 14:3-5)

  God went on to warn the prophet, himself, that if he, (or any man of God), would prophesy goodness to such persons out of respect for them they would suffer the same fate as those whom they prophesy to falsely.  What a lesson. 

  Recently we have been inundated with news of prosperity preachers shamelessly prostituting the Word of God for their own personal gain. They preach a new age doctrine which teaches that all who call on the name of the Lord should be living a life of wealth and unimaginable riches.  This preaching directly contradicts Jesus who said "The poor you will always have with you.." (Matthew 26:11).  

  Do not cease to aspire to live well by way of promotions, advancements, or education. Do not stop trying to look your best on Sunday or any other day of the week. Don't ever let anyone convince you that having fine things is an abomination towards God. Just as it is not a sin to want or have money, the sin comes when we begin to LOVE the money, (or any of these other things). When this is done, we have set our affections on things and not God's people. Our designs in life become self-centered, greedy and out of the will of God and before one realizes it we no longer love as God loves. 

  I suppose it's not always a "happy" message we need to hear, but my reading today has, indeed, made me glad.

  Help make someone's life better by first being true to yourself and by being true to them.  I've tried it, (as have some of you), and I can openly tell you there is no way that one love love the things of this world and love God equally. (1 John 2:16-17).
 I love you all,
 Dennis  

Carrying Around An Unnecessary Burden

"Throw the whole of your anxiety upon Him, because He Himself cares for you"

1 Peter 5:7

  Years ago, (when I was in the Army and stationed in Germany), I met a young man who attended the church my family and I attended on one of the local kaserne's, (Army bases).  I had previously noticed how he faithfully attended Sunday service and Bible study and often Sunday School. There were occasions when he would also travel with the church across Germany as we went to fellowship with other congregations within our faith. He and I eventually became somewhat good friends.  I was a young minister at the time and I once asked him if he had decided what ministry he wanted to become involved with within the church.  He stated that he was quite content just attending the church and contributing to the cause monetarily. 

  As our friendship progressed the subject came up again as to why he did not desire to find a meaningful place in the ministry of our church  He then confessed that some years ago his grandmother had become desperately ill; near the point of death. He told me how he went to God in fervent prayer and pleaded for the life of his beloved grandmother. He promised God that if He would allow his grandmother to live that he would turn away from the riotous and self-serving life he was living and go to church at every opportunity. 

  God was faithful and his grandmother made a miraculous recovery; perhaps because of his prayers or because of the sheer mercies of God, I do not know.  My friend went on to say that he believed that if he did not hold up his side of "the bargain" that God would not keep His and his grandmother would be taken from this life. 

  I lost contact with my friend after my time in Germany was served. I sometimes wonder if he still is attending church under his deal with the Lord.  I do not fault him, or anyone else, who is "stuck" in such a situation with God. After all, it is what we have learned to do through erroneous teachings of things passed down to us through generations or perhaps from within the very church(s) we may attend. 

  My friends, God is not a God of 'bargains and side-deals'. He is not like a mafia member with whom you made a deal with in some dark alley and now threatens to break your knee caps because you are now not able to uphold your end of the deal.   2 Timothy 2:13 states "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for he cannot deny Himself." In other words, our faith may fail in a particular thing; we may even find that our previous resolution we made to God is too much for us to uphold so we stay in church and go through the motions; devoid of any real power in Christ.  The faith and promises of God never wanes. What we may have, our success or even our ability to succeed is not based on our promises or vows we make to God but rather because of His promises to us.  If you, or someone you know, is living a life serving God but are doing so under shame or conviction or because of a vow you once made but are now unable to keep, I want you to know that God did not give it to you. God wants us to serve Him in freedom and in peace of mind.  Today, be free.

 I love you all,
 Dennis

The Beginning Of My Extra-ordinary Year

Photo by Sparky Jones, Fairbanks, Alaska

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

  Today was a quiet day for me. I stayed up rather late last night watching television and stayed in bed for hours this morning. Sometimes I get out and move about the city to keep myself entertained so as not to become a recluse. There was a time when I would wrap myself in my loneliness and excommunicate myself from the outside world; always cognizant that I was alone and without the constant company of a friend to talk to, to eat with or to go see a movie with. In 2015 I have vowed to have a different mindset. I vowed that I would love my own self and to stop looking for others to love me; to validate me, to make me smile. I did this greatly today. I cooked for myself and enjoyed my company. A friend reached out to me and we talked for long hours on the telephone, (something else that I do not regularly do), and I enjoyed it because the conversation brought me no pressure. 

  This morning I awoke with an anticipation that was different from the previous day. I immediately lubricated my insides with the bottle of water at my bedside and gave thanks to God for another day. I felt famished so I went into the kitchen and prepared myself a breakfast of pancakes and turkey sausage with orange juice. Loneliness was nowhere to be found.

  I turned on my music, I cleaned my house, I danced, sang, shaved, showered and dressed with expectation.  

  Later I went out to take care of some business locally and while I was out I received a call on my cell phone. Recently I had mailed a copy of my CD In My Father's House to Bobby Jones Gospel headquarters in Nashville  Tennessee. ( I included a handwritten note to Dr. Bobby Jones asking him to please help me with my singing career. Hey, you have not because you ask not). 
 The representative on the phone was calling to tell me that they had, indeed, received a copy of my CD and asked if I would be interested in participating in the Bobby Jones new Artist Showcase in Nashville on February 28th.  Inwardly I was shouting praises to God as I exchanged information with the gentleman on the phone.

  What can I say other than " Our God is an awesome God". I have spoken and affirmed every day that this year will be my extra-ordinary year. By the power of Christ within me I am breaking every chain, losing every naysayer, believing in the impossible and accepting the inheritance He has laid out for me. My heart is full of love for those who have continued to stand and pray with me and have not chosen to abandon me when my decisions and actions were not to their liking. It is those true and sincere friends who have given me the courage to boldly come before the throne of grace and, once again, obtain mercy. I am surrounded by true love. I am blessed to know real fellowship. 

  I do not stop at this latest blessing. I am bold enough to have faith in even greater things and I anticipate presenting you all with another praise report soon. I will keep you updated to the best of my abilities. Continue to pray for me as I do for you.

I love you all,
 Dennis

Thoughts After Breakfast

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Mahatma Gandhi

  Sometimes my breath is taken away; not from doing an exorbitant amount of physical activity, but rather from thoughts and memories that resurface in subtle ways either in my sleep or during my waking hours.  I am sometimes amazed as to how much I have seen and done in my 57 years of life on this earth. Granted, it isn't nearly as much as some have experienced throughout their own lives, but to me it's monumental. 

  This morning, after breakfast, I sit here in my bed not knowing exactly what I want to write but at the same time my mind is full of thoughts. Although I have known God and many things of God I still cannot keep up with Him. He is continually blowing my mind with signs and wonders that are too deep for me to even begin to fathom.  The only true solace I have as I blindly follow Him in faith is the assurance that he will never leave me nor will he ever forsake me. In His presence I have experienced both riches and poverty, pleasure and pain, sadness and joy, fellowship and loneliness, love and betrayal.  Throughout the gamut of these circumstances I have found no better place to be than in His shadow where I know I will suffer no harm. 

  As I write these affirmations the sun outside has burst through my bedroom window in a most spectacular way. It's as if God is saying "I am here and I will warm your heart with my presence and I will dash your fears with my promises".  Suddenly I can vividly see my lack become plenty. I see my needs met and my desires fulfilled. I feel my body regenerating and my mind rising above the clouds. My five senses are more attuned than they have ever been and I crave no substance that is harmful or a detriment to my body. God is continually rebuilding me where I have been torn down. His work is so meticulous within me that it reaches down to my most base emotions. 

  It has been said that the greatest fear is the fear of change. This is true and it is also the reason many never rise above a mediocre and mundane existence. They stay with what is safe and with what is familiar; not willing to break the generational cycle of normalcy that has been demonstrated in their lives for generations.  I recently began eating foods that I have always considered to be distasteful or unpleasant to the eye. I avoided these foods for decades; primarily because they were not the foods that I grew up eating as a child.  By accepting this change in my diet I have realized just how much I had been depriving myself of the abundance of richness contained in these foods.  I now break the chain of normalcy, complacency and comfort in my whole life.

  Be brave today. Be bold and be daring. Be willing to step outside of the norm and try new things; exciting and different things. Do not allow anyone to keep you contained in a box. He who the Son sets free is free, indeed.

I love you all,
Dennis

  
  

   

Reaffirming My Stance

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." -Ephesians 6:12

  It has been awhile since I have blogged. To say that I have been busy is both an understatement and untrue. I am never too busy that I do not reserve a few hours out of my day to rest, replenish and reflect. I must be inspired to blog. I am not on a schedule and I am certainly not on anybody's payroll so when I have something meaningful to say I begin to write. 

  It is so easy for the enemy to cause us to fall out of God's plan for us by bringing thoughts of: failure, sin, unworthiness, confusion, self-doubt, unforgiveness, trauma, illness (physical and/or mental), abandonment, abuse, despair and loneliness. Neither of these are easy to ignore but all are capable of being overcome. I will tell you now that there is no quick fix to whatever our "thorn(s)" may be and we have to remember that deliverance is often a daily process. This is what the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31 when he said "I die daily".  (Personal testimony); I am attacked by those who disagree with my method of controlling my environment which includes distancing myself from people and situations which negatively affect my health and well-being; regardless as to who they may be. We all have heard the old saying "blood is thicker than water". This adage intimates that family bloodlines takes precedence over anyone outside of our family of origin. If this is true then why did Jesus say in Matthew 12:48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
  And again, Proverbs 18:24 states "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  

 My Facebook friends, (those who I regularly dialogue with), have been very instrumental in helping me to hold on in difficult times. It is because of their own willingness to share their failures and testimonies and prayers and love that I consider them family and I am "fool" enough to believe that their love for me is sincere. The enemy would have me to doubt this very belief but I will not be swayed otherwise. You are the kind of people God said He would place in the world. You, my friends, are salt. (Matthew 5:13)

  As I began writing this blog I spoke to a good friend on the phone who asked me to pray and to pray "right now". I hung up and did just that. Minutes later the friend called back and said that a very unreasonable supervisor had just been removed by their headquarters from their place of business. 
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

This morning has been liberating in so many ways. I am strengthened a bit more. I am encouraged much. 
I love you all.
Dennis

Life After Being Played...

   Sometimes I get into pretty deep conversations with my friends. Not too long ago I was speaking to a certain friend whom I haven't heard from in some time.  "I've not seen you on Facebook much lately", I stated, "is everything alright"?  Almost immediately he responded with a string of profanities which were directed at a certain "lady" whom he felt had "played him".  He went on about how the relationship began as a friendship but later developed into something more; or so he felt, and before long he had invested not only his time but his money into her to some extent.  Unfortunately the relationship ended rather abruptly leaving him with the feeling of being used.  (Personally, I believe that his pride was hurt more than anything else because my friend is no novice to life and is at the age where one may feel that they have seen all of the many ways in which one can be played and they are now the teacher).  I listened intently to his story until he had satisfactorily expressed his frustrations to me.  And then I spoke;

   "Who has not been played at one time or another in their life"? It is, in fact, a part of life because there will always be those who will be looking for new ways to get something for free.  They may have beat you out of your hard earned money, they may have cleverly abducted your property, or maybe it was you who drove them around town all day in the hot, scorching sun as they ran their errands only to be given a crumpled $5.00 bill as you let them off at their home at the end of the day. And how about the "I'll pay you back when my Income Tax check comes"? Well, you know how that ends.  Oh, and don't forget the greatest robbery...matters of the heart.  So he/she took your love, (as you also took theirs). You became intimate, perhaps more than once, and the next thing you know you are no longer an item.  All of the plans the two of you spoke of before during the sex and pillow talk are now a fading memory.  But life does go on, doesn't it?

  Years ago I learned a saying that has helped me through many a game I had been involved in which is, "The best form of revenge is success".  Our lives are constantly filled with lessons learned; both good and bad, but if you live long enough you will find that the good and bad will balance out somehow, but only if you do not allow yourself to wallow in self-pity for getting played or allow yourself to become high-minded when you come out on top of a situation. Albert Camus said it best:  
"The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding."  (read it again until you can comprehend it).

  I am a much better person when I am doing good; regardless as to whether the same behavior is reciprocated unto me.  I feel sorry for people who are always angry, stressed, calculating, mistrusting of everyone and anything, mean. When we come to realize that we have brought nothing into this world and will not take any of it when we leave it we will re-evaluate how we conduct our daily business; both externally and internally.  

 So, my friend, let go of yester-year's pain, last winter's flop, that old ancient and brief relationship and stop revisiting the pain you felt from it on the people who love you today.  They had nothing to do with your old mistakes and neither should you any longer. 

  If we see with the proper eyes we will smile and find that we had a bit of fun along the way as we learned from life's lessons.

  Life is too short.

  I love you all,
  Dennis

Me & Al Green

  The other day I blogged about Seasons Of Change. I do not profess to speak my beliefs into anyone's life other than my own, (and experience has taught me that it is not always wise to speak what God has revealed to you about others to that person), but when it comes to myself, I can say all that I want. I'm still looking towards the wondrous and exceptional things that God is about to do in my life and I am mentally and physically preparing my body.  

I stepped out to worship this morning with purpose. Lately I have been longing for an opportunity to worship again with Bishop Al Green at his church, Full Gospel Tabernacle, here in Memphis. It has been months since I had been there. I told myself I wanted to belong to a church for God and hear the preached Word more than anything else. I've enjoyed every service I've ever attended at Full Gospel Tabernacle. Al Green's church is always lively with music, shouting, laughter and he doesn't pull punches with his preaching; but I always hesitated to join his church because I wanted to be certain I wasn't doing so because of his celebrity status and a few other things. So, over the months I have visited other churches and, (quite frankly), I have been so dissatisfied at what some folks call "worship" that I have often went to church through Joel Osteen on T.V.  

  I sought God on the drive across town as to what my lot should be. I felt that I needed to not only belong to a church that I liked but I also wanted to be somewhere God could utilize my gifts. I was greeted with love and kindness from several members as I entered the sanctuary. They told me how good it was to see me again and I felt It was almost as if I had not been away. It was then I decided I would make Full Gospel Tabernacle my home today.  I soon learned that Bishop Al Green would not be in attendance due to having a recent surgery.  I was not disappointed by this news for I was there for me and for what God had for my life and I was determined to proceed with my desire.  

  Subsequently, we had a glorious worship and praise service filled with anointed singing from the choir, a couple of soloist, and dancing in the spirit.  And just after the offering was collected the church was surprised by the appearance of Bishop Al Green who later confessed from the pulpit that God told him to "get dressed and go serve those folks communion". The worship continued.

  I went forward as Bishop Green announced that the doors of the church were open. I gave my name to the sister who came over to record my name. After praying for two women who came behind me he looked over my way and said to the recorder, "And what's going on here"? She read him my name from the tablet and he said, "I know who he is. I got his CD in my car". (I confess, I was both honored and humbled), He then shook my hand tightly and welcomed me into the church body after saying in a playful, rhyming tone, "Doctor Spain don't bring me no pain". I, and others, laughed out loud at this.  I will also be joining the choir this Thursday.

  "This is my season for grace and favor. This is my season to reap what I have sown."
  - (It's Working) William Murphy

  I love you all,
  Dennis
  

    

Seasons Of Change

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer" 

-Albert Camus

  Every so often I can feel it more intensely than I can at other intervals. I'm speaking of the change of season.  I liken the feeling as to when the moon is closest to the earth; a condition known as apogee.  I can almost taste the anticipation of something exciting and new about to occur.  I also know that I am not alone with this feeling of anticipation and that there are many who are also  sensing the winds of change in their own lives. I do not merely speak of things such as finding money on the ground or getting an unexpected phone call that lifts your spirits.  I'm not even referring to the promotion on the job or being hired for a new job altogether.  No, what I see in my inner man is purely a spiritual working that will coincide with the natural in ways not normally heard of in these days and times.  Unheard of because our communion, (communication), with our spiritual father is usually limited, contracted, specified, time-sensitive, self-imposing and short sighted.  Such is the nature of all prayer that is not guided by our spirit man.

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words".
Romans 8:26 (NLT)

  It appears that God has given me a theme for this year which is simply "Life is too short".  I cannot allow myself to become complacent and satisfied with living a mediocre life. Recently I have been reminded of my talents by a good friend.  "Mr. Spain, do you even know who you are?", I was asked.  Since then I have been seriously meditating and searching for more of me than meets the eye.  

  Perhaps you could/should ask yourself the same questions I have asked of myself. 

• Why must my dreams be lived out through the lives of others in movies, music, reality shows or even those neighbors across the street?
•  What prevents me from seeing the world, experiencing strange and exotic lands and people and dining in the greatest restaurants?
• Who said that I had to be relegated to a life of work, work, and more work with nothing to look forward to but more work?
• Just because I am ill/handicapped/have high blood pressure/suffer from diabetes/have aches in my bones/can't see well while driving at night/am not as sexually active as I would like to be/struggling with being too thin or too heavy; does this mean that I am unable to change these things about myself and become better than I ever have been before?

  My friends, as it has always been so it still is today; many of our answers to our questions are found when we go to that quiet space for the answers which cannot be given by any person speaking in his/her natural mind. The old folks called it the Secret Closet. It could literally be that, or you could hop in your car all by yourself and just ride. Perhaps you have the luxury of sitting on a tranquil beach or take a long stroll in the cool of the evening.  Whether at work or home or play; you must find your secret place; devoid of all distractions and demands from the outside world, friends and family. I promise you that if you do this you will find your purpose through Him. You will also discover that your burdens will become much lighter and your inner peace will increase.
  Now, the question is "will you have the courage and the faith to do what you know must be done after learning what it is you must do?" We are such creatures of habit and are not easily persuaded to change. So for this, some may need a strong, spiritual partner/friend along the way.

  Much more greater things to come.
  I love you all,
  Dennis