See You Later, Zaundra

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed..."

1 Corinthians 15:51

 

   I attended a funeral in Alabama this past Saturday. A dear friend of mine named Zaundra had suddenly passed away; leaving behind a young daughter and a host of heart broken family and friends.  I met Zaundra when I was employed at the Veterans Hospital in Tuscaloosa. She was a fun-loving woman who had a genuine personality. (We would all do well to leave such a testimony behind). I don't do funerals very well because I unintentionally internalize the entire service and my mind matriculates from my own parents funerals to the funeral of my step-son 6 years ago and even thoughts of my own demise.  You see, I never expected to live this long. I actually believed I would die in the military when I participated in Operation Desert Storm, and truthfully, I should have died on several occasions but God, indeed, had mercy on me and so many others. I sometimes make a mess of things, but I am thankful to be given the chance in this life to try to right my wrongs. 

  At the funeral I sat beside my other good friend, Patricia Jackson, and we quietly reminisced about Zaundra. Before I realized it my tears began to flow uncontrollably and continued for a large part of the service. The ride home was long and very quiet. I think that for the next funeral I attend I will have to bring my family so that afterwards I can focus on life and the living.

  Yes, life is short and precious.

  Enjoy your loved ones today.

  Dennis

You Are Not Alone

 

  My walk this morning was brisk, but insightful, as always. Last night's rain created a balmy, but relaxing, environment as I walked.  My night was filled with dreams and visions which caused me to awaken on an hourly basis. I have come to terms with the fact that my mind will possibly always be permeated with quickening thoughts of both conscious and subconscious situations. I have learned to be attentive to my dreams, for it is when we have surrendered our fleshly minds to sleep that God can best commune with our Spirit man. Keeping in touch with my Facebook friends has shown me that life goes on for us all. This month alone we have suffered great losses, experienced  trying difficulties, celebrated in successes, and have had our faith tested to the limit, it seems. We have learned through all these things that God is faithful to our cry. We have seen that we are stronger than we imagined possible and that prayer does, indeed, change circumstances. We have had it confirmed, once again, that the battle is not given to the strong but to the one who holds on to the end.

  I am walking on egg shells today. My heart and senses are intently attuned to what is going on in and around me. I believe we are all connected in God's plan. As the old saying goes, "No man is an island, no man walks alone. Each man's joy is joy to me, each man's grief is mine own." So I pray for your situations. I ask for God's mercy on your sick family member. I offer supplication for the healing of your disparaging financial problems and that they will be alleviated very soon. I ask God to hold you when no one understands the depth of your pain. I pray that you will be able to successfully break away from bad habits which trouble your very soul.

"O Lord, how many are my foes!

How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,

“God will not deliver him.”

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;

you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

To the Lord I cry aloud,

and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

I will not fear the tens of thousands

drawn up against me on every side.

  Arise, O Lord!

Deliver me, O my God!

Strike all my enemies on the jaw;

break the teeth of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.

May your blessing be on your people."

 Psalm Chapter 3

I love you all,
Dennis

Fed By The Ravens And You

"Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food."
1 Kings 17:4

  Almost daily I talk to a friend who is "getting by" in life, but almost always trusting in the Lord to see them through.  These are not people who are merely seeking to bum a quarter because they have "smoked" or gambled their money away or some other facetious act. I believe the majority of persons understand that we do live in a tough economy and so they don't even ask friends for help unless they are truly destitute; and even then it takes so much out of them to do so.  It pains me to know, (either by factual information or through spiritual discernment), that a brother or sister has a financial need and I am not able to satisfy that need at that very moment.  I try to be prayerful before making any decision, (especially one concerning another person's life because I fear getting in the way of what God may be doing in that individuals life),  but I would like to believe the scripture when it says,  "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

  I have been there in my life; destitute, needy, in want of basic sustenance. I had not done anything unwise with my money. I  simply was in a hard place. (have any of you ever been in a hard place)? I re-traced my steps, as far as my spiritual life was concerned. Like the prophet, Job, I sat in my fasting and meditation; scrutinizing my walk with the Lord. I will not go into all that was revealed to me about myself during my time of fasting and prayer, but I will say this much; God did send the ravens to feed me during my hard time. But as with Elijah, the brook dried up but I was reminded that the scripture says "you have not because you ask not" and I reached out to family and they came through for me with an eagerness and love that humbled me greatly. 

  Most of you know that ravens are considered unclean creatures because their diet mostly consists of carrion (road kill or dead animals) but let me tell you, when you are fed by ravens you don't have time to be picky. When I speak of ravens I am speaking metaphorically. And I certainly am not suggesting that you eat any one's roadkill, for even the prophet was brought bread to eat by these very same ravens.  A raven can be anyone who we may consider "unclean". If you are a Christian you may want nothing from the hands  of an non-believer. If you are heterosexual you may shun anyone who is homosexual. If you are of one race you may avoid anyone of another race. My friend, the point I am making is merely this: God can and will use whomever and whatever He wants to answer your need. You must therefore ask yourself "how bad do I need it"? 

  However; knowing how God works in the miraculous does not omit any of us from being our brothers, (or sisters), keeper. Jesus said that the poor will be with us always. I believe this is God's design to remind many of us to look on the needs of others more than the needs of ourselves.  So many claim that they are not of this world but they store up every penny as if the Stock Market will crash tomorrow; and if it does your money will not save you. What will save you is storing up your riches in Heaven by helping those who truly are needy. By being a blessing to the widow and the fatherless. By sharing your fruit during your season, (read Psalm chapter 1:1-3), and then when your season has passed someone else whose season has arrived will be there for you.  

  Some of you are thinking "You make this all sound so simple". Well, it is.

Love is not hard at all.  

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."



1 Corinthians 13:4-7

  I love you all,

  Dennis



We Wrestle Not Against Flesh And Blood

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV)

  I had a very vivid dream a few nights ago. In my dream I was simply standing alone when someone came before me, drew a gun and shot me in my stomach. I instinctively grabbed my stomach, doubled over, and fell to my knees; anticipating the pain that was to follow.  I soon realized that there was no pain; in fact, I was not even bleeding. I stood up and discovered that the bullet had not touched me. The shooter did not miss me, but  God kept me from harm. In my mind I heard the scripture "No weapon formed against you shall prosper". (Isaiah chapter 54:17a).   

  Someone once asked me "What was the hardest thing about being a pastor"?  I answered them without hesitation; "Getting people to believe the impossible". It's so wonderful to read the many Bible tales of how Christians were delivered from lion's dens or escaped a fiery furnace totally unscathed. We get a chill as we read how the lame were made to walk, the blind to see, and the dead raised to life. Sadly, these great accounts are becoming as fairy tales in our modern age. There are even some religious schools that equate the stories of the Bible to be an allegory (symbolic), interpretation of events that were once proclaimed as the infallible truth of God. It can be discouraging to hear so many Christians downgrade the words of God into man's own intellectual parabolic interpretation.  But I resist becoming discouraged because I remember God said "For I am the Lord; I do not change". Malachi 3:6.  

  I am so thankful that we do not have to contend with situations or people that are seemingly bigger than us, more aggressive in their nature than us, or  may even outnumber us. Although I am a mere worm in God's grand scheme, I am comforted knowing that His eye remains on the sparrow and that He cares so much for me that He guides my very footsteps, protects me from those who seek to destroy my body and/or my character, and still gives me miraculous proof that He, indeed, is still in control.  Please allow me to encourage you, my brothers and sisters, to hold on to that crazy faith you had when you first believed; when you would believe God for anything!  And if you no longer have it, I urge you to reach into your pocket full of past miracles and dig it out again. Having absolute faith in God is the only thing that will defeat our enemies, both seen and unseen, and give us victory from day to day. 
Call someone and encourage them today. It's not all about you.
I love you all.
Dennis






 

When Marriages Break

Dedicated to anyone who has experienced divorce

He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.
Matthew 19:8 (NAS)

  “My husband and I have never considered divorce... murder sometimes, but never divorce.”      Joyce Brothers

  Divorce. What a nasty word. When I was a child I sometimes heard that word. It was never in relation to my own household, but always someone else's. I grew up believing people got divorces because something worse than death had happened behind their closed doors. What it was, I could not even begin to fathom, but whenever I heard the subject I felt as if something ominous and very scary had happened to that couple.  Both of my parents loved each of us in their own way. My father expressed his love for us by having a steady job and "bringing home the bacon" while my mother trained us in personal hygiene and domestic responsibilities. She encouraged our education and made us feel secure in our home. I remember how she would sometimes hold me for hours as she rocked and hummed to herself.  Now, she and my father had their trying times as all people who are married do. I can recall a few times when my father angered her to the point that he narrowly escaped the room before a dish or a lamp or a glass, (whatever my mom had available to throw at the time), shattered in the space he stood a millisecond ago, but never did I hear the word "Divorce".

  Having been raised with a religious background I later learned that even God frowned upon divorce.  "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (Matthew 19:6). That settled it for me. When I get married,( I vowed), I will be married forever.  In my immaturity and youth I did not hear the cynical voice of the world saying "Right, good luck with that".

  I have often heard people remark that marriages were made of a different quality back then.  I don't believe that. I believe the quality of the people getting married has changed and not the institution of marriage itself.  After all, God ordained marriage and we know that He never changes.  Later, when men found it impossible to maintain their wives and desired to put them away for such frivolous reasons as her lack of cooking skills, her looks, or her age, God allowed Moses to decree that divorce was acceptable only in the case of adultery; and even then, we messed that up.  These modern times have allowed folks to divorce for basically no apparent reason. Whereas our parents, and those before them, had the tenacity to forgive after a fight and to heal after a hurt, we have almost none of those qualities in us and it is looked upon as being okay.  After all, we are intelligent, able-bodied individuals who have out grown the antiquated teachings of God. We know what is best for us.  (I say this with sarcasm and with shame). 

  One thing is certain; divorce is never an act between two people only. There are almost always children involved. And if not children there is the added element of family and friends.  I seek not to instruct anyone on marriage and divorce for I have been there myself,  but I will say this; life does not end after divorce. It will take a period of recuperation, (which may last for many years), however; God is able to patch us up again and lead us to happiness in this life.  Some have sworn off marriage because of the trauma of divorce and to them I say "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."
3 John 1:2. 

 “A heart can stop beating for a while, one can still live.” 
   Suzanne Finnimore

  Beloved, encourage yourself in the Lord today.
  I love you all,
  Dennis

Expecting The Impossible

Sometimes life tends to produce one agonizing theme after another and, (if we are not careful), we will find ourselves doubting our hope in God and His promises. I urge you all individually to hold on to His promises. If you are finding it difficult to do this then you are in need of reading His Word more often because within it are His promises clearly pronounced. Here is what I can attest to:

• I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread
• Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
• My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory
• Ask and it shall be given
• You have not because you ask not
• Men, (and women), should always pray 
• Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty

  Can you add your own favorite passages to these? I'm sure that you can. I am still hearing awesome reports from several of my friends who are seeing their lives transformed in miraculous ways before their very eyes. And these are not delusional reports because others around them, (many of them witnesses who were doubters and unbelievers), are seeing them as well. If we sow sparingly we shall reap sparingly. In other words; if you continue to believe for a skateboard instead of a Cadillac you will continue to receive a skateboard.  How long have you professed to being a Child of the King? Well, it's about time you started living as a King's Kid should.  And I am not simply referring to material wealth and possessions because I sincerely believe that is secondary when God refers to "blessings".

  Don't beat yourself up if you have temporarily lost sight of these truths. I, like so many of you, have gotten off track and lost my own compass because of distractions and situations in my life. As the disciple Peter, we do well walking on the water as long as our eyes are fixed on Jesus. It is when we begin to focus on the tempestuous waves around us that we began to sink beneath the surface. It is also when we began to try and equate man's logic with the supernatural power of God and start to disbelieve our miracle because man's logic says that walking on water is utterly impossible! But we as true believers know that with God all things are possible.

  Today I am encouraged in a mighty way.  I have just begun to knock down the walls that stand between me and my goals, my prize and my victory. Oh, yes, I know the enemy is coming but I run towards him with the power of the Lord in my body just as David ran towards Goliath with his rock in his sling.  I want you to win. God wants you to win. I want you to love like God intended you to love because the world says this type of love no longer exists. I want you to be strong and courageous in spite of what life throws at you because your strength is needed in this weak world. Your faith is considered obsolete by those who favor technology and science over our God.  Let us show the world that He is alive and that He lives through us and in us. This is still an age of miracles.

God bless.
Dennis

Better Because Of It

 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”  John 4:23,24

  Where do I begin? The past weeks have been fraught with powerful revelation and truth. I had to apologize to God because I listened to some people tell me that I was becoming "too religious" about things. Now understand, someone who is not at all spiritual minded, (seeking the things of God), can, in no way, advise a worshipper of God about anything that pertains to God. That's not Dennis talking; that's the Word of God talking. (1 Corinthians 1:25-30). Read it, please.  Through dedicated times of prayer and by asking God to open my eyes to things that were obviously before me, yet still cloudy to my natural eyes, I have emerged better for what He has allowed me to experience as of late.  Some may view my attitude to be one of vanity, superior thinking, narcissistic, or outright offensive. The fact of the matter is this; I had to forget what anyone outside of my body thought of me and return to my roots which are deeply entangled in God.

  During our recent fast I was privileged to spend some in-depth time with God in prayer.  It was revealed to me how so many of God's people, (including me), have become conformed to this world instead of being transformed as God desires us to be. As God's children we are not subject to the same "curses" or famines or plagues that are placed on the land in which we live in because of people's chosen disobedience. God always makes a way for His people to escape, but we are inundated with a constant barrage of television, evil associations and even fads and popular trends which are permeating many of the churches we attend.  We are beginning to accept anything; and I do mean anything!  From sex to drugs and alcohol to telling "white lies" to the blatant misuse of funds and supplies on our jobs, showing favoritism among employees and even thievery. (Thievery pertains to more than just money). We are quickly becoming a generation of "Christians" who do not appear any different from the world we preach against.

  We close our eyes to the wrongness being perpetrated by our leaders simply because they are our leaders. Do you not know that God holds us all accountable to each other and He cares less about the status one might hold in the church or on the job or in the home? If sin and unrighteousness are being committed, we are commanded to confront it, rebuke it, and insist on a change of behavior; regardless as to whom the fault lies.  Then, if at all possible, that person needs to be led back to God through repentance.

  I have said enough for now. Some will read this and dismiss it as the ramblings of another religious nut while others will read it and hear what is being spoken to their heart.

  I apologize to no man. I will do what I must do because I belong to God and Him alone.

 More to follow.

 Have a blessed day.

 Dennis