And Still I Wait

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."
-Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)


  I'm waiting on my proverbial ship to come in. This is nothing new I do; more like a continuation of hopes and dreams I have had ever since I can remember. Some items on my list have already been realized while others are slowly coming to fruition. Time and age has caused frequent changes in priority and quantity regarding some of the things on my checklist, but still, the basic items remain which are:

• Long life, good health and strength so I may be allowed to fulfill my obligations as a husband and father.
• I do not desire to support my family of origin or members of my extended family, but I do desire to alleviate them of any debts incurred and allow them a new lease on life.
• I desire to be able to come to the aid of friends who are already doing all they can to keep their nose above water but may have fallen victim to that unexpected emergency.
• I will travel to see friends and family who I've not seen in years. I would not show up to be a burden to their household but I would vacation in their city and invite them to go shopping and to have dinner with me at various restaurants .
• I will extend my ministry outside the confined walls of the church and pray that I will be led to interact with those who need more than a new suit or another pair of heels for the church anniversary. As a small child I sometimes wondered where was the church when we hardly had food in our home or when Christmas was devoid of a decorated tree with gifts underneath.
• I would like to help those who help themselves.

  Exhaustive volumes have been written about life and its meaning. I say we simply make life by being the best we can.

 Smile more often today.
 Dennis

The Futility Of Worry

“Thoughts Become Things... Choose The Good Ones!”
― Mike Dooley

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
----Philippians 4:8 (New Living Translation)

  There has been a constant theme being disseminated this week. I've heard it through the testimony of others, I've read it while studying my Word, and I have even seen various Facebook posts from several friends alluding to the same thing; People of God, do not become discouraged and lose faith. God is in control.

  Sometimes I have to take a break from watching the news on television. I believe in being in touch with current affairs, but nowadays the media appears to have an agenda to induce panic among the masses. If it rains they predict a massive flood. If it snows they predict shut-in conditions and advise you to go raid the nearest super market. There is nothing new under the sun, (Ecclesiastes 1:9), and if we will simply remember this we will know that this world has seen deep depressions, famines, disease, natural and man-made catastrophes, floods and storms since the beginning of time. Those who are devoid of hope and without trust in God will see every instance as "The end". 

  Author Anna Monnar said “Whatever is going to happen will happen, whether we worry or not.”  So true is this saying; However, do you know that a negative event is more likely to occur if you continually fear it happening? (See Job 3:25) "What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true". (New Living Translation)

  Every day that we awaken we must be aware of the fact that we are responsible as to how the day will be; regardless of what has occurred the day before; and certainly we are not to be worried about tomorrow. If you tell yourself you feel fine, you will.

It will not always be easy but it is always possible; shake off worry and fear and set your hopes on things above.

Dennis

 

Small Minded People

  I have purposely stayed away from blogging these last few days.  It's not that I did not have anything I wanted to say; quite the opposite. I had so much on my mind and when I get this way I have to remember to be slow to speak lest I speak out of anger as opposed to reason.  I actually do try to live peaceably with all men but then there are those who have a way of getting on that certain nerve out of their ignorance or purposeful hatred.  My wife will be the first to tell anyone that I have a very low tolerance for messiness; especially if my intentions towards someone is sincere; but it's those small minded people, (those who make it their passion to find a reason as to why you are less better than they are or who make it their mission to use you up until you are literally parched), who irritate me the most. Perhaps this is why I am such a loner and not one who regularly congregates with others. 

  The scripture says "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone", (John 8:7). But I have learned that as with so many other words of wisdom this goes right over the head of many people who believe they have "got it together". It's because of this prevailing attitude that over the years I have learned to love those outside of the church more than those in the church.  When will they learn that simply dressing up in their Sunday best will not get them any extra points with God when they lack compassion, forgiveness, love, charity and inner truth?

  Whenever I read facebook postings from friends who are hurting or lonely or hoping for a better day my own heart goes to where they are. I want so badly to hold them and tell them that "This, too, shall pass". But all I can do is pray for them and hope they remember God when they come through their trial.

  I end this dialogue in my right mind and absent of anger and frustration. I simply know that it is necessary to always pray.
  Still loving you all,
  Dennis 






   

Early Morning Thoughts Of My Father

"A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be."

~Frank A. Clark

 

 

   I was awake at 11pm. I had gone to bed at 9pm and felt as if I had a long night of rest ahead of me. Not that I did anything too strenuous today, but I did speak to a couple of dear friends at length on the telephone. The conversations, as always, were fruitful and heartfelt. I thank God for placing such good people in my life. But now, I was eager for some sleep because of the busy day that lay before me. My thoughts were of my father as I tossed and turned restlessly in the bed. Sometimes I think on him heavier than usual, and I miss him. Have I told you of my father? If I did, I don't mind telling you again.

 

 My dad was a military man. He was not a very affectionate man towards his sons and even later in his life he was still uncomfortable with hugging. Men during my father's time, and before, did not deem it very manly to publicly display affection;however, that never stopped me from desiring it from him.  I'm glad cultures change. 

 

  I have so many memories of my dad, some good and some bad. For many years prior to his death I resented some of the things my siblings and I had to endure after our mother passed away at a young age. But those things I used to long for; a telephone in the house, a washing machine, food on a daily basis, a decent wardrobe for school, lunch money.  All of these things meant very little to me as I matured and had my own family. Out of all the times my father may have disappointed me he did not allow our family to be divided after the death of his wife; our mother. And for this most cavalier act I remain eternally grateful to him. Hardship is easier to endure when you have family with you.  

 

  I will always love my father for his hard, but true, lessons about life. He taught me that there was a time to be a child but I had to be a man when the time came; not when I was ready to grow up. He cut the apron string with one swift stroke; almost so fast that you barely had time to catch your breath. But that's how life comes at you; fast and unexpected.

 

  Towards the end his final days my father battled the lingering effects of an overindulgence of alcohol, a stoke, and a cancerous tumor which speedily carried him from our lives. I will always love him. I will always give him honour. I will forever thank him for giving me life when so many were deciding against having a large family because of the economy. I miss his preaching after he had a few drinks, his soulful renditions of Sam Cooke, Johnny Taylor and Brook Benton and Percy Sledge. And I can not forget his love of playing cards. (My dad knew he could not gamble, but he had fun).

 

  I think I'll be able to get a bit of sleep now. My heart has been warmed with thoughts of my father and a childhood past. I have so much to be thankful for.

 

  I love you all.

  Dennis

Choosing What To Love

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
-1 John 2:15 (New Living Translation)

   It's awesome waking up to thoughts of God's blessings. Even during those times when everything around you may appear to give you no cause to rejoice, it's great to open one's eyes to His goodness that isn't always apparent in our lives.  I was reading Psalm 47 this morning and it spoke of how when God's people shout out to Him with the voice of triumph, (victory; an over comer's spirit), how He will show up for us.  What a comfort this scripture was to me.  Sometimes, in spite of all we attain by way of material possessions, we have a greater need within us than anything the world can provide.  let me explain:

  Earlier this morning I spoke at great length to another good friend here in the city.  We were discussing scripture and he related to me how a brother of his had become angry with him because he was telling some friends where his brother had come from, (financially and materialistically), in relation to where he is now.  He stated how he was taken aback at his brother's anger towards him because all he was doing was showing the goodness of God upon his brother's life.  He stated that his brother felt it to be an embarrassment for others to know of his poor, meager beginnings.

  To boast on where we came from in relation to where we are today is a true testimony to God and His awesomeness and there is nothing to be ashamed of at all. I often have told the story of my own impoverished beginnings and I am very proud to give God the glory for my present state. 

  There is absolutely nothing wrong with having money, cars, a nice home or an abundance of food and clothing. There is; however, much wrong with being in love with these things.  It is paradoxical to love the world and the things that are in it and love God at the same time. You can only love one or the other.

  The love of this world has caused families to split, relationships to fail, friendships to utterly disintegrate and provoked wars among our brothers and sisters, (James 4:1-3). It has caused those who were otherwise godly minded to become lost in their lust for fleshly, (material), things and disregard the things of the Spirit such as love, gentleness, and faith.    
 

"Change your thoughts and you change your world"

-Norman Vincent Peale

 

 

With Love,

Dennis

    

Making My Sunday

 

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"

Psalm 95:2

 

 

    I went outside of my home to go to church last Sunday. Although the service was enlightening and I was glad for the fact that I had actually gotten out to go worship, still I don't go to church every Sunday these days. My love for God and all He has done, (and continues to do), for me has not diminished in the least, however; I come from an era when the most anticipated part of church service was not the performance of the choir or the music which, nowadays transitions between jazz and funk and sometimes a hook from a popular rapper.  It wasn't the middle-aged praise dancers twirling about barefoot in their nearly see-through chiffon gowns that motivated my attendance. In fact I am bold enough to say I believe many a brother, (or sister), losses sight of everything else that comes after witnessing the physically exerting undulations of these spiritual sirens.  (Help, Lord. Some of us in here are trying to live holy). 

 

  Even the time of offering was simple back in the day. Those who were going to give of their tithes and offering willingly will do so without the extra 20 minute coaxing from the pulpit or the deacons for that "twenty-five more dollars" please.  I've always believed that if God ordained a church, its continued existence was not based on offerings raised from Sunday School, Bible Study, choir rehearsal, building funds, YPWW, bake sales, chicken dinners, yard sales, evening service or business meetings.  I wonder if the churches that are guilty of taxing their members in such a way are even aware that such an act significantly dampens the Spirit of worship and giving among its members? But that's just my opinion.

 

No it's not!

 

  I have worshipped in a church in which we only collected tithes and offering at Sunday morning service, (without any additional coaxing), and everything the church ever needed was provided through these means and benevolent givings from members within and strangers outside of the church.

 

  (But I lose my place in my conversation). What I look forward to first and foremost in service is the preached Word of God. Sadly, we are immersed in so many distractions prior to the message that the intended impact is sometimes lost in the surrounding spiritual melee. We must allow God to come in when He wants to; needs to, and not according to our "order of service".    Can I get an Amen, somebody?

 

  I made my Sunday today by tuning my television into a very inspirational message, followed by a sweet barrage of Gospel music from the spiritual channel as I barbecued a great rack of ribs for today's dinner.

 

  I cannot advocate for anyone what is needed for me day in and day out. But I have learned that I must sometimes make my Sunday.

 

 Be blessed.

 Dennis

     

The Conversation

"Conversation should touch on everything, but should concentrate itself on nothing"    -Oscar Wilde

This morning I received a call from a friend whom I had not heard from for many months.  I slept in because I stayed up late the night prior to watch a basketball game. I was not upset by being awakened by the call because he is one of my few true friends who never brings me gossip, ridicule, judgement or untruths. In fact, he is also one who is not afraid to openly discuss deep things and opinions I may share with him; regardless if he agrees with them or not. We spoke of many things and caught up on lost time. At one point he said; "Dennis, I read your blogs and sometimes they encourage me and entertain me, but I was wondering how are you really"? I thanked him for imbibing in my inward ruminations and thought about his question for a few seconds.  I explained to him that my blogs were my way of providing self-therapy and that because I have so much time alone and am always so introspective, blogging helps me to release tension, meditate on a variety of subjects, and share my experiences with others for the same purposes he said he received from them.    After the phone call I began to think on the conversation I just had with my friend. I looked inside myself and asked:  "Are all my days sunny and bright? Not hardly. Is my body always in tip-top shape and free of aches and pain? No, it is not. And do I sometimes feel alienated from certain friends and/or family members and alone; even when I am in a room full of people. Almost always." So exactly what is it that keeps me going everyday?  It's hope. Hope of an unexpected, but welcomed, phone call such as the one I received this morning.  Hope of getting a letter or a package in the mail that just makes my day. Hope that I will successfully conduct myself in a manner that is pleasing to God because if I please Him all other's opinions of me are moot.    It's exasperating to allow oneself to become preoccupied with external things.  it's one of the prayers I have asked of God for this New Year; to have the courage and conviction to act on releasing the deficiencies in my life and to take back what I have lost by force.  Not in the manner in which a thief or a bully seizes something that is not rightfully his, but by standing up and taking back anything and everything anyone has stolen from me which is rightfully mine.  I believe there is something each of us has lost and desire to get back?   Tomorrow is a new day. I will relish its arrival and keep my eyes and ears attuned to the little things; for it is in them we find our blessings. Thank you for the phone call, my friend. May your day be as blessed as you made mine. I love you all. Dennis