Monthly Archives: February 2018

Winter Trek 2018-22

Posted in Contemplation by

How many snowstorms have I made in a car, when I wished I WAS home by a fireplace with nothing to worry about what is going on outside. Especially, not having to drive in the white maelstrom, and no worries of myself or others that I love.   BRRRrrrrrrrr!!!!!     It is Feb 27 and winter is on its way to being past, and thought I might post this as part of a winter remembrance.   Actually, wish I DID, still,  have a fireplace in this condo………

Winter Trek   2018-22

Windswept snow

forming sporadic whiteouts;

challenging dim headlights

stabbing through hazy swirls

 

Compressing, confining,

twin valleys of miniature mountains

piled high by metal monsters –stand high

 

Inside the capsule, white knuckles

furrowed brow and squinting eyes

peer at ghosts of whiteness ahead

 

Tenseness filling the air

with quickened breath;

Ice islands, snow covered,

near skids, heartbeats missed

 

Exhalation with thought;

reward of hot chocolate,

blankets and a crackling fireplace

waiting beyond the chill

 

Faint light filtering ahead,

a final turn

familiar beacon shining

home again, home again

journey done; reward to be taken.

Relief!!

 

Den Betts    bettsden@gmail.com

Hunter 2018-21

Posted in Contemplation by

I would think that if you have ever hunted, you are still a hunter to a degree. This would be the same as, if once a Marine, always a Marine type analogy.   I did hunt, I dressed and ate what I hunted and killed. I do NOT do so now, but time and age changes many of us. I wrote this when I was an active hunter, living on farmland in Chardon, Oh, area. I was an NRA member, and appreciated this group at the time, but since then, have gotten away from this now political group.

Hunter 2018-21

An honorable sport and
as a meat eater a satisfying one
that goes beyond the kill

The essence of hunting is not in the kill,
but the scouting, stalking, setup, stealthiest,
and mechanics of doing everything correctly

It is the aiming, the controlled breathing, the
the hold of the weapon, and squeeze of the trigger
that is part of the sport of hunting

It is not the actual kill of the game that can
be eaten and enjoyed like those meat eaters that
go to fast food places and eat the meat killed by others

I respect the animals I kill and try hard
to do so with accurate and humane shots
that lessen any suffering by the killed game

When I eat those animals, I commune with nature
as fulfilling an experience that goes back
to primeval times of my forefathers

I am a hunter, not a wanton killer of wildlife, and feel that
what I do is indeed honorable, and I am indeed part of wildlife
management of harvesting nature’s bounty

I respect those that feel different, for whatever reasons,
but also think that what I believe should be also
respected, if not agreed with by others

I am good at what I do in the wildness of the land
for I have the experience, the know-how of doing
that, which I am — I am a Hunter

Den Betts bettsden@gmail.com

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ 2018-20

Posted in Religious by

Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ  2018-20

I am TRYING to become a disciple of Christ, but it is not easy, believe me!

I remember a study course I was involved in called “The Reveal” and one of the excerpts was showing stepping stones in a path toward becoming closer to Jesus Christ. It seems like I am like the typical traveler two steps forward and one backward, in going or getting closer to Jesus.

Such a life!  I say, it is NOT easy for sure, in accomplishing the trip, or journey, toward this destination. The old saying nothing, at times, is easy or nobody promised easy in life. True!

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ involves allowing the way of life to take precedence over everything else in life, which is difficult to many today.

In other words, I must do more than look or just act like the one I am following!  I must copy and emulate how Jesus Christ was and is, not an easy job.

I number of years ago, I partook in an affirmation of baptism at an Easter Vigil service and my friend Paul, was my sponsor at the church.  After I was re-baptized, as a Christian I then made a statement to those in attendance.   I declared that I was hereby submitting myself to God and surrendering myself to Jesus Christ.

As of that weekend, I did become a true follower of God and a disciple of Jesus.  I am happy and glad that the one God of the Universe is a patient God.  He heard me and was witness to my action then and I realize that now. 

For whatever His reason was then, He let me know His power, His presence, and Activity and has allowed me to mature and nurture myself as his follower and disciple of Jesus.  I THINK, I am fulfilling His wishes and what His purpose for me in my journey to become His follower and disciple of Christ.

It has taken some time and is still a work in progress.  I consider myself somewhat of a poor student though, but have come to also realize He takes what He wants and uses those he desires to fill His needs in life.

For now, let me leave you with my normal ending of my discourses:   I have found out and therefore know, that God is Alive, He is Active, He is Aware, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS,  ALWAYS, He  is present with us.

Thanks be to God,

Peace,

Den Betts                                                            bettsden@gmail.com

Cancer Check/Surgery 2018-19

Posted in Religious, Statement by

Cancer Check/Surgery Done!  2018-19

I write this to allow others to know what I, and some others not just know, but believe.

I had a rather bad case of basal cell carcinoma a couple of years ago and had it taken care of by my doctor, Doctor Garcia. Since then, I have had regular 6-month checkups to make sure I am cancer free.

I had one exam, 7 months ago and had no problem. Last month was my 6-month checkup and the doctor saw two areas that were suspicions of not being correct. A biopsy was taken of both of them and they were analyzed. One came back as basal cell carcinoma.

Today I had it taken care of, with what is called MOHS surgery. This is a specialized surgery that is for cancer removal.

I cannot stress enough that anyone that has a unique, unusual growth on their body, MUST have it checked out to see if it is cancerous.  My latest growth was NOT there 3 months ago.  I knew I was going to have my 6-month checkup and had it early this month, and it was found out.  Basal cell carcinoma is a slow growth cancer, versus the melanoma cancer, which is fast growing and more dangerous to have growing on you.

I implore you to not take some growth for granted and fluff it off. Do NOT be stupid and think you are that smart to ignore something that will kill you in a most unpleasant way.

Enough of that…..   

I thank God for his Presence, the feeling of His being there this morning with me, giving me comfort, for consoling me, and showing He cared for me.  His hands guiding those of my surgeon, who, with his education, training, and experience made my incision small, and complete.  I felt His Presence and appreciated it as I appreciated the doctor doing the surgery.  

Thanks be to God,

Peace,

Den Betts

Lost in Space 2018-17

Posted in Contemplation by

When the mind is affected, and the thought processes are involved, we comprehend things in a different way than normal.  That is to be expected, but to experience it is somewhat of a different thing.  Actually, it is interesting to go through this, because, in some ways I was changed, I was different, and with this change I have a perspective in life that is, to me, unique and mine to own.

Lost in Space 2018-17

I look, but do not see

Try to listen, but do not hear

To speak, but cannot talk

 

I am alone with my senses

My mind overflowing

With random thoughts

 

The world spins so fast

Leaving me in a

Whirlwind of wonder

 

How does one follow

Is so common place.

We are, because we are……

 

Den Betts   bettsden@gmail.com

 

MARTIN LUTHER Quotes 2018-16

Posted in Quotes, Religious by

MARTIN LUTHER    2018-16     Posted 2-13-18

 

Martin Luther was a German monk, priest, composer, theologist, and professor of the 15th Century and was a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. The Lutheran religion of today is named after Martin Luther.   He made many statements and is quoted herein as just part of the thoughts that he had.

The below quotes are taken at random and are offered now:

 

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.  
 

To gather with God’s people in united adoration of the Father is as necessary to the Christian life as prayer. 
 

Anyone who is to find Christ must first find the church. How could anyone know where Christ is and what faith is in him unless he knew where his believers are.
 

I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen. 
 

Pray, and let God worry.  

 

The fewer the words, the better the prayer. 

 

You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.

 

Martin Luther

Robert F. Kennedy quote 2018-15

Posted in Quotes by

 ROBERT F. KENNEDY     2018-15

The glory of justice and the majesty of law are created not just by the Constitution – nor by the courts – nor by the officers of the law – nor by the lawyers – but by the men and women who constitute our society – who are the protectors of the law as they are themselves protected by the law. 
  ALSO:

 No one needs to tell me about the importance of the free press in a democratic society or about the essential role a newspaper can play in its community.
 and ALSO AGAIN:

It is the right of government to protect the weak; it is the right of the weak to find in their courts fair treatment before the law. 

Robert F. Kennedy

Spirits 2018-14

Posted in Contemplation, Poems, Religious type by

We have so many kinds of thingees out there to contemplate, which are of a “spirit” nature, and we can be glad or sad that we experience them.  I wrote this when I was, in fact, getting to know all of them on a personal level. Not bad, just a fact; well, maybe not the ghostly one.

 

Spirits 2018

 

The drinking kind can drive

you out of your mind

or make you sublime

 

The internal mind kind can lift

you to the heights of joy

or dump you on your behind

 

The ghostly kind can create

a kind of terror of the

time or night

 

The religious kind can make you

sing in rhyme, if you’re that

kind or, of that type

 

So tip a few, think good too, say boo

or hoo, and pray the kind of

spirit is the kind you have in mind.

 

Den Betts     bettsden@gmail.com