Monthly Archives: May 2018

The Art of the Lies 2018-61

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The Art of the Lies 2018-61

The first thing to know is this: Lies made by someone are intentional. They are meant to deceive, distract, create discord and, in the process, they create disillusionment, divisiveness and are destructive in nature, in the whole. Falsehood statements are the state of being untrue and could be unintentional in nature, but still, they constitute a lie.

To lie, is to speak or write an untruth. This means you are communicating something that is wrong or incorrect; simple as that. There are many reasons that some people do this. It is done to sway the opinion of others, such as a base of followers.

There is nothing honorable about this action of wrong doing. Lies are easily found out in time and will show the truth as facts and not made up stories or statements. When someone is found to have committed a lie, NORMAL people will lessen their respect for the liar.

And, from that lying statement to any future pronouncements, the question will always be made, is that person lying again?  Can we trust anymore, what is said or written by that person?  It takes time to garner something else; RESPECT, which is earned and not a given in life. Once respect is lost it is so, so, so difficult to be attained again in life. 

I would imagine that to be caught in a lie would be embarrassing to that person. Unless, lying is a part of that person’s makeup and way of life itself. Then there are no such feelings of having remorse of being found out for what you are a liar in life.

It could be that the “Art of the Deal”, involves having “The Art of the Lies” as a norm in life and that person would think it is all right to do this, without any compunction.

Now the other side:

What does lying by a leader mean to the world, the U.S. and citizen today?

I would think that distrust would be a large factor. How can other world leaders believe what a leader states as policy and wonder if it is a true decision of policy? How can those in the U.S. decide on what to think about what they hear is actual which is based on a Fox News report that is based on lies? How can a common citizen make decisions themselves, that are predicated by lies by a leader who thinks lying is normal in everyday life?

If we are in denial, we would have no problem with going about life in a fog of deceit! We would accept the lies as truth and call factual news outlets as being “fake” news in their reports. We would become “lemmings” and follow others in a way of refuting facts and accepting unreality.  

We could look in a mirror and eventually curse ourselves for allowing lies to control our lives. The basis of accepting lies as lies is hard to do for some, but the truth is; it is needed. If this is hard or difficult to do or worse, impossible to do, that is sad.

The choice is ours!   So be it…

Peace,

Den Betts

Alone 2018-59

Posted in Contemplation, Religious by

Alone 2018-59
So I started. What? Well, I began to think about what was going on around me, away from me, and, within me. What did I realize? I am basically alone, even if married to a wonderful person. I am still myself, even though I am near somebody; I am alone, even when (of course) I am not near anyone, and my Self is by itself within me.

What! How can this be? What does it mean? How will I accept this statement? Again, what does it mean?

I am an individual and nobody, no one, no anything can change that fact. We are ALL like islands in the ocean, separate, but part of the whole, way down below. Our base roots go further than what we see on the surface above. We are grounded as part of the big picture of life. We cannot change that; a fact..

We like to think that our existence is part of the larger in life, but we are still just, a separate organism or form of life composed of mutually interdependent parts that maintain vital processes. These have properties and functions determined, not only by the properties and relations of its individual parts, but by the character of the whole, that they compose and by the relations of the parts to the whole. Whew!!

We are NOT stuck to one another. We have separate ways of life, but still interact with others, to a degree. God gave us free will to do as we desire with our actions causing repercussions and consequences.

We have brains to think things out, to rationalize, to vocalize, to act out and, at the same time, NOT do any of those things. We have choices, we can make decisions, or we can vegetate and do nothing in a dull, inactive, idle, unchallenging way.

But in the end, we ARE alone. We have a final journey to make at some time, that will be, ours to own and it will be what we make it then, by what we do now in this lifetime. I do not KNOW what will be then, but I have some insight to a degree.

I remain, basically alone, but with people that love me and whom I love. These are my family, my friends, my neighbors, and, well, most people. They have their moments of aloneness, that they must cope with and I wish them well. I will survive, and I will do so, hopefully, to live again in an environment that will be something to experience beyond belief.

Peace be with you,

Den Betts                 Email: bettsden@gmail.com           Blog: thebettsden.com

The U.S. – a NATION OF COWARDS 2018-58

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The U.S. – a NATION OF COWARDS 2018-58
We in the United States, are a nation of cowards!! This includes me, you and anyone reading this message of despair in the U.S. if you read and only complain, and do nothing.

This includes the so-called leaders of our country, which includes the President down to the county office politicians, where we live.

We allowed the current top leader in the U.S., to be elected by default. This was enabled by non-voters of each party, the votes by the “base” that are still mind controlled by him, and normal people with hyped expectations. If you did not vote for “him”, that is a plus.

Our politicians have no guts and allow the pro-terrorist group called the NRA to bring them into submission with payoffs as bribes to follow their wishes.

We continue to allow the weapons of war to kill innocent people across America. We have politicians, paid by the NRA, to promote their wishes of using killing weapons on our people, and WE DO NOTHING!

I name, Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, one of my Senators, who is a coward, being bribed by the NRA for doing NOTHING regarding the gun issue. I do not know about my Congressman Dave Joyce, if he is a paid NRA participant, but if he is paid, he is a coward also. Many others in America belong to this group of cowards, that say much, but do NOTHING!!!

The killing today of 10 students in Texas is another example of our do-nothing country citizens and poor politicians. We the people, are guilty of their deaths, just like the 17-year-old shooter in Santa Fe, TX. We allow our country to be ruled by the NRA and with a President, who was paid also, and, as a lying SOB, who leads those in control of Congress to just ignore what can be changed.

A Nation of Cowards we all are, for we are ALL complacent and complicit in these horrible actions. I am ashamed of myself, and of others that just say much, but do little regarding this issue. I applaud the students of Parkland, Florida who are outspoken about this and they are heroes in my mind.

Den Betts email: bettsden@gmail.com Blog: thebettsden.com

NOT approved for publishing by my Editor, as it is deemed “too reactionary”!

Joys of Pain 2018-57

Posted in Contemplation by

I remember a TV show, movie, or book where the man was, I think, a special forces soldier who was wounded/ hurt and he said, “Pain lets you know you are alive”.  I believe this is where this came from. I think now that that was, somewhat, BS, but it has a point to it here.

Joys of Pain  2018-57

Pain is not a joy of life

but instead a joy of knowing;

 

Knowing where the hurt

is located and finding it

 

Realizing where the

mind needs fulfilling

 

Seeing where the spot

needs fixed or repaired

 

Feeling where the heart

needs comfort with care

 

But most of all, the joy of pain

allows us to know we are living.

 

Den Betts     email: bettsden@gmail.com

Blog: thebettsden.com

Life’s Questions 2018-60

Posted in Contemplation, Religious by

We all have questions about life, to a degree, especially about life or the afterlife. It is great to have these questions, and doubting is a normal thing of existence. But, even if we do not get or have the answers, it is still a good thing to have questions.

Life’s Questions 2018-60

 

The equation in life is but a paradox,

It sits on the verge of reality.

A balance, a draw either way,

From knowing or being lost in a void.

Multitudes of signals transpire,

With highlights of supposition.

The answer is, but opinion,

One to be recognized for what it is.

It remains, as to who really knows all things,

Of life, with its totality of questions.

Only God knows for sure

the answers to what all ask, that all wonder.

Den Betts    email: bettsden@gmail.com  Blog: thebettsden.com

Submit and Surrender 2018-56

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Submit and Surrender!  2018-56

Sounds like a line from a TV show episode, but I am not referring to anything like that reference!

First off, allow me to define both words for you per Merriam Webster dictionary:

To Submit: To act always obedient, particularly to a master. This would be like a pet to an owner, or a slave to a master, but involves yielding oneself to the authority or will of another.

Surrender: to yield to the power, control or possession of another upon compulsion or demand. This would particularly be as a prisoner.

So, what do we do if we are going to submit ourselves to God and surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ? And, why should we do so? I realize that some could care less, but some do, so I will continue.

I have commented on this at one time, when I partook of a reaffirmation of my baptism. After the service was done, I declared that I was going to submit myself to God and surrender myself to Jesus Christ! I said this, but in hindsight, I was not sure of the exact meaning of what I said and what it entailed!

Since then, I have found that God is a demanding God. He does not want us to serve or submit to Him, because we are just supposed to do so. He WANTS us to do so, because we love Him!

Ok, I believe in Him and DO love him, yet I find that submitting to Him is a commitment; one that is difficult to do so in totality. It is making a commitment of ALL my energy, emotions, thoughts, and actions toward God.  Quite a package to consider!!!

I feel I am NOT doing what I could, to fulfill my commitment, but also believe, I AM working on it.  It is a slow process for me but one that I think is going in the right direction.

The same goes for surrendering myself to Jesus Christ. All that I have said about submitting to God applies to this surrendering to Jesus Christ.  I will NOT beat myself up in this matter, just make these statements.  I might hold myself to a high standard for doing these thing with God and Jesus, but feel they have a higher standard themselves for me.  So be it!

Therefore, I will Keep working on how to satisfy God and pray I have their help and understanding, which I really think they are doing for me.  I know one thing for sure!! I am a better person than what I was before, I have a deeper relationship with God and am feeling better about myself and others. I would NEVER have found this out, unless I made the first step toward becoming closer to God and in doing so, my life has been changed; changed forever.

I would suggest that you consider what I have stated above and give it some thought. I am on MY journey and it works for me.  I wish anyone reading this to begin their journey in any way that they feel comfortable, any way they feel good, and maybe, just maybe, they will find the contentment that I have found, the joy that I experience, in my journey.  It really is neat and wonderful………….

Thanks be to God!

Peace,
Den Betts            bettsden@gmail.com   Blog @:  thebettsden.com

God’s Gift 2018-55

Posted in Contemplation, Religious by

We all have a chance in life, and sometimes a second chance. If we do get another go of it, we should take advantage of what this is and improve. Hard to do sometimes, but great if we do so.   A gift is usually something given voluntarily without a payment in return and God does this many times to many people…….

God’s Gift   2018-55

God’s gift to me was life,

The beginning followed by rebirth

The many past years of living,

Plus a second chance on earth

From year one, till now, an experience,

Thought of, as one to succeed.

This period to reflect on past times

In ways of thought, words and deed

For now, my life is renewed with joy

But this time with insight, from today

It’s hard to change to a new lifestyle

From the old archaic way

But with this chance He has given me

I’ll be a better me, than was

Time will tell if I succeed in this

But God’s gift to me is thus.

To start over, renew, and rejoice

To give, to share, and enjoy this life

To look at living as a thing to treasure

And live each day as one with pleasure

 

Den Betts     Email: bettsden@gmail.com

Blog:  thebettsden.com

What and Who is FIRST 2018-54

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What/Who is First  2018-54

We, or most of us, have what is called “living rooms” in our homes! A fact!  I would say that many of us have “dens, kitchens, basement rooms” also. Some people hold dear or reserve the living room as a special place for visitors to sit and mingle with or socialize. It could then be called a “visiting room”, instead of a living room.

Some of us, could say our Lord God is good or an excellent choice for the visiting room in our home. This is where we could invite God to visit us on our terms, perhaps.  If we are any way religious, we could then go on Sunday and visit Him at the church, or visit him during devotional times there, but we do not live with Him on a regular basis, otherwise.

We do not hold God or Jesus Christ FIRST in our lives, but instead hold God just a little close, “in the vicinity”, maybe in the visiting room, but not FIRST.

Do we feel that we do not have time for God, other than, perhaps, the 1 to 2 hours spent on Sunday at church?  And, that is, if we do give Him time then, maybe we have a soccer game that is more important that day, instead? Do we then have a lack of commitment to placing God FIRST in our lives??

Therefore, God and Jesus are not that important for us and we prioritize other things that are more important in our lives, than Them.  Not untypical, somewhat of a fact for many of us.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, involves putting Him and God, again, FIRST in our lives. This is NOT easy, but is important. This was asked by Jesus for us to do so, many times as written in the Scriptures.

Throughout scripture, Jesus mentions “FIRST” and nothing less than FIRST is where He belongs in our lives. NOT EASY, because we, and I too, take two steps forward and one backward in our journey of life in getting closer to Jesus or God.

It is easy to call myself a Christian, but much harder to live the life as a disciple of Jesus Christ and to also warrant the title of being a Christian. Could we start taking three steps forward, instead of just two and challenge ourselves to take more and more to become a better disciple and Christian?

I would think so, and I would also think that God would like that to happen. Too many excuses, too many outside influences and things that pull us toward them and not toward Them.  In this modern world we live in things are different than what they were before. Before what!? Before HiDef- TV’s, IPads, PC’s, X-Boxes, Smart Phones, and all the rest of the electronic and Hi-Tech items that now control us in our everyday life. Perhaps they have become our gods to replace the one God of the Universe!????????

 

Peace,
Den Betts            Email:    Bettsden@gmail.com    Blog Site:  thebettsden.com

Y in the Road 2018-53

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Y in the Road  2018-53

A “Y” in the road to ponder about, contemplate and think about.

Which way to go, and, do we think of, what will happen if the one we take is wrong?

What will be, will not be, if the other is trodden instead!

At the end, an always present way of life will occur.

 

Feet stir up dust of memories, not realized from the path not taken,

Creating puddles of dust by the door, not opened.

A journey begins with a decision, and a decision not made, affects the outcome.

Tis not easy to live with a bad judgement, but, better to make a dubious one than not at all.

 

Sometimes we get a second chance of life to retrace our path, and with the retread, a better life will

prevail, with not much time or effort wasted; hopefully!

BUT, not taking a chance, insures no guarantee that our lives will be improved,

The journey begins with one step, then another, and finally,

An end to the mysteries of life will prevail.

 

The mysteries! Something to think about, something to actually do, to experience. What will be the

outcome of we change our ways of life, or at least modify them? We can become complacent in life and

continue down the road of mediocrity and do the same old things the same old way.   OR, we can burst

out of our shell that keeps us imprisoned in a life style of everyday similar experiences. 

 

This can be scary, or at least, intimidating. To not try something because of the risk of failure or feeling

that we will not succeed or become different is normal, but if we do not become what we want, then so

what!!!!  We tried, and in the trying, we might become better than what we are today.

Something to think about!!!!!!!

 

 

Peace,
Den Betts                  Email: bettsden@gmail.com     Blog site: thebettsden.com

Sleep Like Death 2018-52

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Sleep like Death    2018-52

 

When we retire at night and finally go to sleep, is this like when we die? When we do not dream, we are existing in a lockout of feelings and sensorial input. We do NOT have our normal senses having any input which would affect us in some way.

We do NOT smell the roses in the room, hear the clock tick, feel the covers tickling our ear, see the fly on the wall, taste the mouthwash we used before bed, or have any emotional feelings to dwell on our mind.   We are, in essence, in a dark void of being.

Is this like death, or nonexistence in relation to living such as the “long sleep” of life or slumber? I don’t think so, of course.  Perhaps it would look the same to someone observing us in sleep who could compare our inert body to one that is dead.

In sleep mode, there is an awakening (hopefully). In that time frame, our eyes open and the realization of life continues. I believe, that, when we die and are definitely dead, we also have an awakening, but in a different way.

We do not have a body shell to have and experience the earthly senses.  We do not have the pains, if any before, that the body had as a human existence. Nor do we now have the other sensorial stimulations. Our “being” is now a soul, based entity, that does not require the senses, but does have the feelings of the mind we had and memories of Self.

Our capabilities, as such, will evolve and they will be enhanced. We will not be strumming on harps, while floating on a fluffy cloud in the sky. Instead, we have entered the realm of being that is truly unknown to us.

I cannot know how it is after we pass on to continue our journey, but I hope and pray it will be a wonderful occurrence, which we all will like and appreciate. I could add that there is a stated cost involved and is written in the Scripture gospels, which detail exactly what is expected.

My journey to get closer to God, is a long time and term commitment and one that involves my doing things that I never did before. It is a wonderful trip of life that makes me feel better in ways I never imagined. It gives me peace about myself that I never expected and a feeling towards others that I never had before. I now have insight about many things that were foreign to me in the past and that is sort of great.  So, there are benefits to becoming a follower of God that has ramifications unknown and I would never have experienced them unless I took the first step of the journey. Thanks be to God!!!

Peace,

Den Betts      email:  bettsden@gmail.com   The Blog site:  thebettsden.com