You Do What You Want To Do

"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or his foe, that lures him to evil ways."-Siddharta Buddha

I like to watch crime dramas.  CSI, Chicago Code, Criminal Minds, and Detroit 187 are but a few of my favorites. These type shows not only cause me to exercise the right side of my brain, but they also make me aware as to how close a person is to crossing the line between good and evil.  The prophet Isaiah said "You (God) will keep him in perfect peace whose mind stays on your ways". Jesus, himself, warned us not be be concerned about whether we shall have food or drink because our heavenly Father already knows that we have need of these things; but rather we should first seek God's kingdom and its righteous attributes and by doing this all our other needs will be given to us. (Matthew 12:29-31)  And momma simply said, "Boy, you had better behave while I'm gone".   It's inherent within all of us to misbehave, but just as it takes more facial muscles to form a frown and less muscles to make a smile it takes less effort to be kind than it does to be unkind.  Some religious folk would disagree and quote such scriptures as "Behold, I was shapen (created) in iniquity (wickedness) and in sin (a deliberate violation of a religious moral) did my mother conceive me."  Psalms 51:5  Oh, but how I tire of men's excuses to be mean and evil towards others; especially if that person claims to know God and to be associated with Him.  Let's face it; some people actually enjoy being evil.  They set their minds to it.  They plan evil attacks.  They are unhappy and they want everyone else to be just as miserable as they are.  I feel sorry for them, don't you?  My intention is not to be preachy in my writing.  I am just man enough to know that it is outright better to love my neighbor rather than to hurt or slander him.  This is what I have learned: Not to be conformed to this world, (in harmony with the prevailing nature of the world we live in), but be transformed, (to have a change in your nature or character), by having a renewed mind and a better way of thinking.  Are people going to magically jump on board with your loving attitude?  Heck no!  Some will even attempt to take advantage of your goodness; to exploit it for their greedy gain.  But in those instances we are to be wise enough not to cast our blessings towards swine, or those who are truly unappreciative of our gifts, and separate ourselves from wicked and unruly people.  It took me too long to realize that there are some things in this life that I simply do not have to tolerate.  This is not a hard attitude to formulate if you value your peace of mind, like less stress, and are not a people pleaser.  I call this "The ability to have church all by yourself". 
If you love yourself it matters not what others may think.  We can even learn from bad examples, such as how not to be.
Have a good day.
Dennis 

Looking Forward

The day is past.  David is safe in his bed and I am attempting to follow suit.  I have not actually come down from the events of the day but I am getting there.  I hope to get some decent sleep tonight.  Earlier I was thinking of how focused I had become on the funeral and the family's loss.  I realized that I had not allowed any "nonproductive" issues to enter into my thought life.  I will strive to be like that more often.  Yes, no doubt someone wished evil upon me during these last few days.  The enemy sought to steal my joy and cause me depression and stress but I was too focused to give a care to those type of things because of the tasks that lay before me.  I'm reminded of a story.  There once was a church who cried out to God.  "Lord, we need you to send a person to us who can drive the church bus so that we can bring people to our services". "I sent you such a person over a year ago", the Lord replied.  "How can that be Lord?", they cried.  "Surely we would have recognized him if you sent him to us a year ago.  Where is he, Lord?"  He's sitting in your pulpit preaching", God replied.    The message here is that we should always strive to be where God needs us to be and not where we feel we should be.  I, like you, have aspirations for my life.  I have learned that when my aspirations do not pan out as I believe they should I am not to become angry and frustrated, but I am to trust and believe that He knows what is best for me.  In addition, it becomes much easier to accept when I know that I have consulted God through prayer before embarking upon any desire.  I have been at fault for one thing, if I must be honest.  I have allowed my mind to look towards tomorrow as opposed to dealing with the day at hand exclusively.  Oh, I can still plan but I must close out my plans by stating "Lord, if it be your will".  He knows my most secret desires.  He knows what will truly make his son happy, just as I do concerning my own son.  So I will trust in him.
Have a great day, and good night.
Dennis

The Wake

I was in bed by 10:00 PM but I couldn't sleep.  I should have known better.  Sleep doesn't come to me too easily these days; especially when there is an important event about to occur in my life.  Sometimes it is my dreams that cause me restlessness, other times it is the mere thought of nearly everything else.  I sometimes take a natural sleep aid to get a good 8 hours or more, but that does not happen too often.  I can't stop thinking about the day.  You see, I went to the wake of my dear friend's son this evening.  I listened to my music in the car all the way there but I honestly did not hear any of the songs. I arrived at the funeral home and noticed that my breathing become shallow as I parked my car.  I did not know what to expect as I walked towards the entrance.  I immediately spotted a woman from the VA hospital where I once worked walking towards the same door I was entering and we smiled at each other, spoke greetings and hugged.  Once inside, she spoke to her daughter who accompanied her and stated that she needed to first visit the restroom.  That was not odd to me because I had to do the same.  Besides, I needed a little more time to pray.  The hall was crowded with people.  Some were standing around in groups talking, some were sitting in sofas.  All were trying to be strong.  I wondered what many of them, including myself,  would have given to not be gathered for such a sad and solemn occasion. No one wanted to be at a wake but everyone believed in paying their respect to the departed and showing their sincere love and support to the family. I greeted some of the people from the hospital that I used to work with and then I entered the processional that was lined up nearly to the rear of the room.  The mother of the young man was seated at the foot of the casket in which her son lay. "She had been here since it began at 1:00 pm", a young woman said.  A girlfriend of hers from work had made it her duty to routinely take her a soft drink at specific periods of the evening.  The mother, my dear friend, had a serene look about her.  She looked at you but looked through you.  She greeted each well-wisher with a smile and a hug.  She was strength enough for all of us who came to see her baby.  And he looked so good.  He looked as if he were merely sleeping and could awaken at any moment.  I hugged the young man's step-father at the head of the casket and we shared a moment that was cordial, but painful, at the same time.  "Remember, "Farther Along " at the service tomorrow", he said.  "I have everything ready", I smiled, and left his side.  At this very moment my chest hurts.  Actually there is a heaviness inside of it.  I want to cry but I am afraid I won't be able to stop myself.  I will sing for their son tomorrow.  I will sing and imagine the gates of Heaven opening up to usher him in; this young man, this poor young man who knew too much pain too soon in his life.  
"And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus".
I'm going to try to get some sleep now. If not, there is always tomorrow night.
Love your family now. God bless.
Dennis
    

While I am On My Way

It's early and I am alone.  The wife has gone to work and my son has ridden off on his school bus.  "Today is Tuesday", he remarked as he exited the door.  Yes, it is Tuesday, I thought, and I have a busy week ahead.  I would be openly telling a lie if I said that I missed getting up at 5:30 am, (sometimes much earlier), to get ready for work.  This morning I have thoughts; many thoughts, and I can't go back to sleep just yet.  I am listening to my CD play in the background.  Listening to it is a constant reminder of how God has blessed me beyond what I could ever have imagined.  I pray that others find my music comforting as they listen to it.  I will be getting dressed tomorrow.  It is no longer a standard to see me dressed to the hilt on a daily basis since I have retired. I was asked to render a few music selections at the funeral of our friend's son who recently passed.  I consider it an honor whenever asked to express my gift at an event, however; funerals are particularly special.  Yes, I know that we shall all see death at some time but no one likes to say goodbye to a loved one; especially when the death was not readily anticipated.  I am glad that death is not the end; "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses", and that with each person's death we are to be renewed with a desire to live life to the fullest, to love unconditionally, to trust in impossible things in our lives and in the lives of others, and to persevere beyond the expectations of others who may doubt in our abilities to do so. And yes, even doubt from our own selves. "Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us". Hebrews 12:1. 
The word for today is Symbiont.  This is when two organisms which are distinctly different exist together.  The symbiont organism is always the smaller of the two and usually derives its benefit from the larger organism.  This is the relationship that we, (the symbiotic), have with God.  We exist with Him and in Him and it is by His life that we benefit in our own lives.  But the relationship goes far beyond just being connected to God.  We are also connected to one another.  It is a sad man or woman who never learns that we are all one; regardless of race, occupation, gender, socioeconomic status or beliefs.  Everybody wants to go to heaven but we must realize that not one person has the "key" to getting in.  So much of what we perceive to be "good works" will be left at Heaven's gates and not allowed in because these perceptions are only acts of formalism and tradition and hammered down religiosities which served their purpose on earth but were never designed for God's plan.  And so it is true of some of the ideals we have grown to reject as we journey in this life.  We should therefore keep it simple;  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you would love yourself.
Have a great day.  I love you all.
Dennis

A Loss In The Family

You never know which way your day will lead you.  All the more reason the proverb instructs us to "Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He shall direct your path".  We do well to simply wake up each morning with the full use of our minds and bodies; let alone have sufficient food, clothing, and shelter at our disposal.  The weather has recently made a drastic change from sunny skies to snow and chilling winds. The family and I had decided to retire to the comfort of our home and enjoy a movie together.  We had even gone as far as to put on our pajamas.  My cell phone rang about 30 minutes into the feature and when I answered it the familiar voice of my dear friend whom I had met while working at the Veterans Hospital.  The strain in her voice alerted me that there was something that was amiss.  "Dennis, my son is dead. My son is dead". I quickly collected their address and the family and I proceeded to get dressed.  Getting ready to leave was another story.  Tears freely fell from my wife's eyes as she ironed a blouse.  I numbly selected a tie from my closet to accompany my black shirt and trousers I had chosen.  My friend had just lost a 24 year old son; her husband, a step-son.  Without elaborating too much, I will merely say that the wounds of the loss of our own 25 year old son, my step-son, four years ago were all to familiar to us.  I read a verse from 2 Corinthians, prayed with Eddrenna and David, and we were on our way. Did my wife and I intend on going to our friend's home to tell them that they will be alright or that we are living examples of "How I got over"? Far from it.  We were prepared to do nothing but cry alongside of them.  Whatever words were to be spoken  would have to come from the Lord.  Later that evening our gathering was mixed with tears, andl aughter, (their pastor was there and it is always amusing to hear of the strange foods he likes to consume such as alligator and guinea pig). We ate KFC and listened to each other's conversations, reviewed photographs, and sang songs and prayed.  Love covers a multitude of faults.  There were no accusations being made in their home; no angry words being yelled out towards God or any person.  Only a tender quietness that those who love God and each other can manifest in a single room of such a diverse group of individuals. 
I believe that our friends will get better as each day passes; but the days will noticeably pass by much slower than before.  So many questions, so many hopes, so many prayers and yet....

Farther along we'll know all about it, farther along we'll understand why. Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine. We'll understand it all by and by.

Love one another extra hard today, and forgive.
Dennis 









 

A Message From Tyler Perry

I wanted to share this email from Tyler Perry.  It speaks strongly of so many things I believe.

Thanks for the congrats on the 2011 NAACP Image Awards! It was a fun night. What made me feel so great about 19 nominations is that 16 of the 19 were for actors or actresses that have worked or are working on something produced by my studio. What a blessing that is! Thank you for allowing me to be able to put so many people to work. I also gotta say that I'm so happy for David Mann (Mr. Brown). He won his first image award! He is so talented and so funny. Congratulations sir!
After the show, I threw a party and called it the "Rise Above It" celebration and I dedicated it to all the folks who are trying to keep their dreams alive.
This party was for everyone who has to go on 1,000 auditions just to get what a lot of others can get in one or two. This party was for the people who have to knock on 1,000 doors to get a break when others seem to be able to make one phone call and get things done. This party was for the people who felt like their dreams were fading to black and white. I spoke to the crowd about all of this, and then I went on to encourage them just as I'd like to encourage you. Don't let your dreams lose their color.
I called the party "Rise Above It" because that's what we have to do sometimes. I could sit thinking about a million things that are wrong, but instead I choose to think on what is right. So "as a man thinketh so is he". In order to see any kind of good success you've got to think positively so that positive things can start to happen in your life. This I know for a fact--IT WORKS! Your thoughts are so powerful. You've got to rise above negativity. Not all of it, but most of it. I say that because even the smallest battery has a positive and negative charge and they both are needed in order for it to work. If you get criticism that is vitriolic and full of venom, don't let that in. Venom kills the spirit. If you get criticism that is constructive and full of love, take it under consideration and learn. It takes a little wisdom to be able to know the difference.
My mother, God rest her soul, when I was a kid in New Orleans, taught me something about higher ground. Every time a hurricane would threaten the city she would gather us up and take us across the lake to higher ground. New Orleans is 6 feet below sea level and she would always tell us that we would be safe if we were up higher. No matter what the forecast called for, even if the storm was just coming close to the city, she would take us to my grandfather's house. He lived 80 miles away in a town that was much higher than New Orleans.
Now, as a man, I recount that. When I deal with negative things in this life, in this business, I "rise above it". I stay on higher ground. I don't come down from the safety of a higher place to deal with the foolishness or danger of what is beneath me. I tell you it works. It frees your soul to be free. If you haven't tried it you should. It will mess your enemies up. If I can leave you with anything, I will leave you with this--in this life there will be a lot of things thrown at you. Take them as they come. Some things you fight, but most you don't. Rise above it! Nothing can hurt you when you stay in the high place. It's safe there. And don't worry about your enemies. The 23rd Psalm says, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies", which means, in order for you to eat, then your enemies have to be present! (smile)

For Your Benefit

"So it is with life.  Everyday has its worthwhile rewards for work well done.  Everyday offers its chance for happiness. But those rewards seem so small, those chances so petty, compared with the big things we see ahead. So we pass them by, never recognizing that the great position we look forward to, the shining prize we see in the distance, is just the sum of all the little tasks, the heaped up result of all the little prizes that we must win as we go along."

Robert Collier, author of "The Secret Of The Ages,  The Master Code To Abundance And Achievement"

My friends, I wish that you all may prosper and be in good health.
Have a great day.
Dennis