A Matter of Matter

Several years ago the American Bankers Association took one hundred healthy men at the age of twenty-five and traced their lives up to the age of sixty-five. These hundred men were all healthy to start with. They all had the same chance for success. The difference lay in the way they used their MINDS. It was discovered that Ninety-five out of one hundred just do the tasks that are set before them. They have no faith in themselves- no initiative- none of the courage that starts things. They are always directed or controlled by someone else. Where will you be at sixty-five? Will you be at the top of the heap or will you be struggling to make a living- accepting charity from others? I speak to family and to friends often. One constant between all is the desire to see a day when they are no longer slaves to financial limitations. Many have dreams of spreading their wealth in humanitarian ways, for others, the sudden acquisition of wealth could very well lead to their turning from God because they may reason that there is no more need to pray now that they have everything. But I am not one who subscribes to the belief that poverty keeps you humble and "closer to God". There are a plethora of men and women who have amassed great wealth and are devout and charitable people. Let us quote the scripture properly; "For the love of money is the root of all evil". -I Timothy 6:10. God never said that we could do nothing until given a financial stimulus. In fact, the ability to obtain our desires is already within us. We have two choices to make:

1. Bow down to matter, (the substance or substances of which any physical object is composed), as the only power and look upon your environment as something that has been wished upon you and for which you are in no way responsible. Or ;


2. Try to realize in your daily life that matter is merely a collection of protons and electrons subject entirely to the control of Mind, that your environment, success, your happiness, are all of your own making, and that if you are not satisfied with conditions as they are, you have but to visualize them as you would have them be and put your creative power to work in order to change them.

Many stutter at this sort of teaching because they say "How can I manage something that is invisible, such as Mind power?" But I ask you, is not Love invisible? Yet there is no greater power.

The short Victorian poem "Invictus" by the English poet William Earnest Henley best sums it up:

Out of the night that covers me,Black as the pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul.

I am pleased that my family of origin has chosen to believe along with me to accomplish things above what we can see. I am looking forward to creating miracles and awakening desires that have been slumbering for far too long.

There will be much more to follow.

Have a great day.

Dennis

From The Desk Of Dennis Spain: Starting Today

From The Desk Of Dennis Spain: Starting Today: "I was up at 4:30 this morning. I went to bed after 11:00 but sleep escapes me at the moment. It's raining heavily and if I did n..."

Starting Today

I was up at 4:30 this morning.  I went to bed after 11:00 but sleep escapes me at the moment.  It's raining heavily and if I did not have an obligation this morning I would hop in the Stang and go for a long ride as I listened to my music.  Its the perfect time to think.  My wife has an 8a.m. doctors appointment to read the results of a recent test.  I will respect her privacy and not divulge the reason for the test, but I feel absolutely positive that all is well.  It drains me, at times, trying to remain hopeful for more than myself.  I believe that is the main reason for my sleepless persona.  I anticipate a good report nonetheless. 
God has brought so many past relations back into my life recently.  I have been found by old military friends and childhood acquaintances.  There is a distinct reason behind all of this and I patiently, yet eagerly, await the completion of the puzzle.  I do know that it is time for me to take a road trip before death claims one of us.  I don't mean to sound so morbid, but we never know when our time will come. I am tired of seeing family and friends at gravesides. For once I would like for it to be a joyous occasion.  That is not always an easy thing to do for me; coming from such a large family.  It is difficult; however not impossible, to coordinate a time when we can come together under one roof and laugh, cry, reminisce, and rekindle our love for one another.  I often think of how easy it would be do arrange such gatherings if I had unlimited finances at my disposal.  But until that time comes I will continue to exhort and pray for such times.
My wife's mother, (who is in her 70s ), said she was going to teach me how to dance.  I laughed when she made that remark, but at the same time I was forced to realize how long it had been since I had cut a step.  I used to dance always.  It was uncommon not to see me singing some song and moving to the beat.  I have become so settled in my aging years.  The seriousness of my present life has rendered me pensive, sober, and oftentimes calculating.  I miss my free spirit; the desire to have fun at a drop of a hat.  I used to love a room filled with jovial people who could party until the sun came up.  It is not all my fault that these things have changed.  Sometimes you meet people who are outright selfish; takers who never give back to you.  These kind of people I have learned to throw overboard because they serve no purpose to my happiness.  And isn't life too short to be miserable, angry, and unsatisfied? During the next few weeks I am purposely going to make it a point to regain my personal happiness.  I will stop being so cautious about everything.  I will step out on the dare that is in my heart and I will do extraordinary things.  It matters not who believes along with me for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.    Soon it will be time to awaken David for school.  I will get refreshed and seize the day.  I feel compelled to extinguish the normalcy and live my life anew starting now; starting today.
Have a great day and be safe in all you do.
I love you all.
Dennis

The Facebook Phenomenon

Recently I have been inundated with friend requests on my Facebook page.  Some people I know and those I do not I ask them where I might know them from.  This is all well and good; having people want to be your friend, but what I cannot understand is why many of them never desire to communicate with me.  I am not in the business of collecting friends so that I may appear to be popular, nor do I befriend others to get in their business.  But if you want to befriend a person don't you think you should at least say "Hello" or ask about their welfare?  Perhaps I am old fashioned, but I think  people should talk. 
Dennis 

Waiting

I'm sitting on my porch chillin' in my own way.  David is taking advantage of the nice weather and is bouncing his ball in the front yard where I can see him.  I returned to the studio this morning to begin work on my next project.  I anticipate it being a great effort.  It will primarily be comprised of old school standards. 
I mowed the front and back lawn earlier and will probably watch a movie later tonight.  I must admit that I am feeling a little stressed at the moment.  I shouldn't be because the event that has me concerned has not occured yet and I try not to take any thought about tomorrow.  But I shun any reoccurance of a situation I experienced a few years ago.  I realize that I am being quite vague, but it is needful that I am at this moment.  Perhaps I shouldn't even be writiing today, but it is best, for me, to vent bad thoughts; if only partially. 
Have a good day.
Dennis

Rest Is My Friend

We returned from our mini-vacation in Memphis, Tennessee around 9 P.M. last night.  It was a great visit with my sister and her husband and they out did themselves in planning our itinerary.  My mind is full of things to I would like to share; the visit to the Lorraine Motel, Graceland, Beale Street, but that will have to wait.  I am famished.  I actually took an unintentional nap this evening.  I awoke with guilt and began to think of things I should be doing around the home or outside the home.  I finally concluded that I can rest and that I deserve to rest.  So here I lounge.  I will eagerly share my experiences with you at a later time.  Until then, be nice to people and love one another.
Have a great day.
Dennis

My Blue Suede Shoes

Good morning.  I am in Memphis today.  I am at the home of my baby sister, Cynthia, and her husband, Herbert.  On Saturday morning my wife, Eddrenna, David and Eddrenna's mother, Ms. Dorothy, hopped in the SUV and rolled on over to this fair city.  We always enjoy our visits here. Not only is the hospitality of our hosts always above measure, but there is so much history here.  Today we will visit the Lorraine Motel; the infamous site where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. met his end.  I anticipate the visit there to be solemn, yet impacting, to me emotionally.  Graceland, the home of Elvis Presly, is also on our tour; along with the legendary Beale Street and perhaps lunch or dinner at the restaurant of B.B. King.  Lucille!  
I have the feeling that my life is beginning to move into a fast paced episode.  Again, I have the unction that something awesome and fantastic is about to occur and I must be prepared to meet it so that I may rightfully react towards it.  I thought about so many of my friends last night.  It has been a whirlwind of a week for some, others have been concerned as to whether they are on the right path because of the unhurried pace of their lives.  I would only advise that you take advantage of your down time and rest during these periods.  Read a good thought provoking book; the type that makes your seek to aspire to a higher calling.  To those who have been exceptionally stressed, busy, and pre-occupied; know that this, too, shall pass and that each and every trial only comes to strengthen you and to add maturity to your spiritual side.  You are special, but you are not exclusive.  You have not encountered anything new under the sun.  If you look you will find a plethora of examples that have occurred before your situation; and also a means to make it through.  The fact that you are still here is a sure sign that there is still much for you to do; still many mountains to climb, gifts to give, hope to pass on to others, and dreams to be realized.  What you choose to do with your new lease on life is totally up to you.  I encourage you to imagine larger. believe for more, banish your timidity, and step out into areas that you, and others watching you, never thought you would go.  Sure, we shall all live again, but we only live this life once.  Don't waste it and don't blow it.  
Have a great day.  I love you all.
Dennis