Monthly Archives: October 2018

A Man 2018-88

Posted in Contemplation, Religious by

Just how do we feel about those that are not of our kind or looks. It is so easy to be judgmental and turn away from those not like us.  We do have much to learn about being more tolerant and forgiving to others that do not appear like us, or are different in many ways.

A Man   2018-88

I saw a man as if in a dream,

His hair was long like a once called hippy.

 

The sandals he wore appeared as old as he,

The smell of sweat was in the air, not clean.

 

Looks are not true of a man and his beliefs,

But, only are signs of what and how things just are.

 

Should I criticize the longhaired or bare footed,

Or those that are not like me?

 

A man died for me once who was like this,

Would I judge him today like he was then?

 

Do I cast a verdict for those not like me,

The outside looks are not the inside thoughts.

 

The self-righteous man has much to learn,

From those that walk the ways of life.

 

Den Betts

bettsden@gmail.com    email

thebettsden.com             blog

Infernal Internal 2018-87

Posted in Contemplation by

They say the brain is a magnificent organ, capable of doing so much, and I agree. It is extraordinary in its capabilities and what it does as part of the mind of man.

Infernal Internal    2018-87

 

Likened to a line of super Cray’s

in parallel for a mile

A microprocessor of renown

with extraordinary know how

 

The capability of doing much

in unknown ways and time

Its limits of intellect

not found; stay sublime

 

What key, what shibboleth

is required, for the one outside,

to release the master of within

and show itself with pride

 

To give full gifted power

and management of life

and dominate the existence

of man’s everyday strife?

Den Betts

bettsden@gmail.com    = Email

thebettsden.com            =  Blog

Message Heard 2018-86

Posted in Contemplation, Religious by

Ever wonder if you heard something and did not know what it was at the time? Sometimes I have, and it is somewhat disorienting at the time, the unknown, rearing its head when we least expect it.

Message Heard 2018-86

Beside a thatched dwelling

In front of a smoking fire

Bones, stones, and shells,

Fly to a mat of woven grass.

Foretelling a future, a decision

To be made, fate itself in limbo.

 

Frayed leather garments

Darkened by sweat and time

Cling to an old one with the

Insight, interpreting the fall.

The bush resounds; drums beat

Signaling the message told

By the ancient one; for all to hear.

 

Far away, a man dressed in pinstripes,

Moves his head with ear upraised.

The Manhattan intersection beckons

He lingers with a quizzical look, squinting.

The man walks away in the crowd,

Wondering what he heard in the wind.

Peace,

Den Betts  @        bettsden.gmail.com = Email

thebettsden.com      = Blog

Blackness and The Light 2018-85

Posted in Religious by

Blackness and The Light   2018-85

The epitome of the blackness in life is NOT defined by any other actions or inactions. The infestation occurs from many sources, which envelop us in ways that are terrible. This void of light can be made by things beyond our control.

Desolation can reign, where it will and what we do with this feeling of life occurrences can be changed; but it takes work sometimes if not all the time, to eradicate it.

The makeover to a venue of consolation is, or can be, a simple matter, but again it is an undertaking, which involves more than just a wish for betterment.

I can remember a time where the dark pit of despair lingered with me and that was not a pretty picture of life to experience. Some could say, I had every right to have those feelings, but, more importantly, digging out of that trough is a story I don’t want to rehash now.

Suffice to say, it took time, some professional help and understanding by those I love, that got me through it and on the road to normalcy. Nothing and I repeat, NOTHING is unsurmountable in life that cannot be changed around to a much better living. Nothing!

Yes, there may be a change in life, but this has to be accepted; period! Not easy, but the way of life today in this chaotic living we have now.

Black is a color, that’s all, and life can be changed to a brighter and more beautiful way of existence and expression.

When someone says, “I know how you feel” and you know they do not, tell them!!!!  I now say, that if you are living in the darkness of life, a blackness of existence, a period of desolation, I truly can say, I know what you are feeling, and I can only say also, there is hope, there is an escape, there is an answer.

It may not be what you want to hear, it may not be what you want to believe, and it may not be what you want to do, but the light will be exactly what you need to live again the way you want.

I have seen the light, I relish in the enjoyment of living, and my life is now one of acceptance of others, happiness of living, contentment of existence, and enjoyment of knowing the light of life is with me always. It is somewhat our job to become the sons and daughters of light, spreading this brightness to all that we know around us. I am content with living now, beyond my dreams.

Peace,

Den Betts

Question: What is the light?     

 In John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. 

In John 12:36, “Put your trust in the light, while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” 

In John 12:46, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in the darkness.”

Answer: Jesus Christ IS the light!!!!!!!! 

Who Am I 2018-84

Posted in Religious by

WHO AM I  ?   –  2018-84

 

I KNOW who I am, but guess one person does not know; so, this is about them and what they asked me.

I will just use “her” as a means of identification, for some people “out there” might know her, or perhaps not, but I don’t want her to get any more involved.

Who am I!? Well, she actually, said, “Who do you think you are?” This was in relation to either an email or posting I made many weeks ago, but was a pointed question to me

Anyhow, she asked me, and I stopped and thought and thought some more. My journey with God has had its ups and downs, that have been self-administered.  The road has been one of self-contemplation, self-denial, self-doubting, and basically self-everything else.

So, her question, made me stop and think. Think seriously about myself and what my journey to find God was all about. Part of this questioning evolved talking with my Pastor and stating some things that were factual, and this was after, again, a self-analysis of what my journey was all about.

What did I tell her?!  Well, it popped out after giving it good moments of this thinking.  I thought I knew why she asked so it was based on this process of thought.  It was a simple statement and gave her something to also think about, at the time.

I said:

I am NOT more than what I am.

What you see and hear is all that I am.

NOTHING MORE!  I just am.

I am NOTHING more than what I am

And What I am is EVERYTHING that I am.

 

Not earth shattering. Not a real, definitive statement. Not an explicit thought, but it is what I think of myself, and for a reason.

Something happened many years ago that changed me.  It turned me, finally, into what I call being a disciple of Jesus Christ. In fact, I recently stated this in a blog, or told someone, that I am a “poor example” of being a Christ disciple or student of Jesus Christ, but identify myself as one, anyhow.

I make NO claims of being special. I am not anything than who I was before and am now.  BUT, I have been changed.  I have allowed God to enter my life by submitting to Him and have surrendered myself to Jesus Christ.   Both actions are what I feel I have done, but, also feel that I am not doing a good job of it.  I think I will write about this shortly, if I remember.

Peace,

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