Category Archives: Religious

Most anything dealing with the religious nature of life. This could be interesting, or not, or enlighting, or perhaps, inbetween

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

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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

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

From the Past to the Future and Beyond 2018-51

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From the Past to the Future & Beyond 2018- 

We know of our existence of when and where we are NOW; that is evident! We breathe in the present and with expelling, the lung vapors become the past; the past of what was in life.

The past is what was, for us, of course.  All the hopes then, of what will be, are now the history of what our wish to be was and perhaps, is now, not…. (OK, a little confusing, but continue)

We hang onto our dreams of those things that might be, hopefully…  Nobody can take our dreams away, only us. When our dreams become something in the yesterday of our lives, they cannot be brought back. They remain aspirations of what will become and what will not become, and the choice is ours. The key to our dreams becoming reality is what we do in the present. 

Up – Down – Left – Right –  Forward or Backward are decisions of how we can change what is now to become what it is in the past.

Our past will always be there to remind us of what was in life.  We own it!!! Our future has not yet occurred, so we are in control of it, to a degree.

The present is what we control, to make the future dreams again, become a reality.  The present is but a Nano-second of time, between the past and the future.

Time is something to cherish.  IT should be spent wisely with forethought, before making a commitment in doing something that might change our lives forever.

Using the present to bemoan the past is wasteful and does no good. Redirecting the present to make a change for the future, may well reap benefits beyond imagination.

The future is waiting so, once more, use time wisely and use the past as a time frame type reference for knowledge today and as a learning tool in life for tomorrow. But, the present, although fleeting, is where we can create what we want and make our dreams become the way of life.

What we believe in for the past, is also a precursor to the future, or at least, a continuation of life to a degree. I do NOT know, have NO insight as to how our past actions or beliefs WILL affect our existence, and that is a fact.  So, does our past beliefs that have been succeeded by our present beliefs in God, now dictate how our future will aspire for us?  I will state for the record, not sure, but think I know!!

We could have been unbelievers then, but by turning that around 180 degrees, we could now have a different aspect of living. With a new way of thinking of both our being and of a higher being, this may give us an extension to join with the Extreme Being of the Universe – God.

This will involve not just an end to our earthly existence, but instead welcome us to a hereafter of continuation of life.  Not necessarily as the human form we inhabit now on earth, but a soul driven state of intellect, beyond comprehension. I welcome this adventure sometime and look at this as something to experience. 

Peace,

Den Betts               bettsden@gmail.com

Troubled Waters 2018-48

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Troubled Waters   2018-48

The troubled waters of life can sometimes be overwhelming. Some person can say, “Bear with it or Deal with it” or any words to, guide us in our misery. 

When a catastrophic event to us happens we might also hear, “I know how you feel!”   That is NUTS! They do NOT have any idea how we feel at that moment. Maybe a little, but not the whole feeling we are experiencing.

If I want to wallow in self-pity, that is up to me and I will own that feeling! I can appreciate concern for my mental wellbeing, and still thank them for their concern, truly.  You MAY have empathy for me and that is great, but my feelings are mine and again, I own them.

I believe I have gotten pretty good at hiding my true feelings. It does not bother me if others are privy to how I feel though.

Due to a past accident event in my life involving a brain injury, I continually have a “buzz like” feeling that could be compared to a tipsy feeling all the time in my head/brain.  It is somewhat controlled, but is something I live with daily. My wife is acutely aware of this, and other factors that make up my daily existence.

Why tell this?  I started by mentioning about “I know how you feel” people make to others about things like this.  I say, “No, you do NOT know!”  So, do not use these words, use some other expression instead. Your compassion, your hopeful love, your empathy is what anyone with the turmoil of troubled waters,  would rather hear.                                                                          

My God, our God, knows how I feel as well as others having feelings of desolation due to an event. I pray to God for the Holy Spirit to be with me, to console me, to comfort me in those times that are troubling. I can feel His presence and with that feeling, the negative becomes the feeling of consolation, and THAT IS GOOD!!

It is difficult to describe an easy way to have God become closer to us in our lives, but it is a process that is possible. It is more than flipping a light switch, but instead is something like taking stepping stones towards getting closer to God, to the one God of the Universe.

I have no doubts that there is a God, for I KNOW there is one, the Triune God that is Alive, Active, Aware, and Present – ALWAYS.

Ever since the event, long ago now, which I call “The Happening”, the “I think” became “I know” regarding my belief in God and with that, a different existence became the norm in my life.

The quest to get closer to God has become my goal and I continue in this journey. May the love of God be with you, to all of you, in your life, regardless of your faith, beliefs, religion, and all those things that make up our lives.

Peace,

Den Betts           bettsden@gmail.com

State of Mind 2018-46

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A unique experience that occurred in the past, but I have not had it lately, which is OK, but somewhat missed. Any other person, might be more than scared, or instead, frightened out of their mind; not me. I COULD go on and explain more, but will keep this understanding to myself, which is only right…….

State of Mind 2018-46

I jumped through the window in my mind,

Into the void of darkness beyond.

Pinpoints of starry far off lights,

Surrounded me on all sides.

I was through, I was there,

Scared, but not turning back.

My body and mind floating in free space,

No veil, no hindrance of feelings

A phenomenon as before, visited once again,

A difference, of total absolute awareness.

An intensity born from desire to know,

Culminating in final release and reality.

Now looking back, not knowing for sure,

The reasons of this wonderful sight.

Knowing that again, I will revisit

To feel the power of the feeling.

I am blessed, I am, what I am, and in the knowing,

I realize that what I am is exactly that.

I am a child of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ.

And, I have seen the light!!!!

Den Betts bettsden@gmail.com

Fire Storm of Thoughts 2018-45

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Fire Storm of Thoughts    2018-45

 The inner soul that consoles, gives credence to the eternal

Spirit that resides in the mind of mine.

The holy timbre of the Godly presence speaks with

The knowledge of my thinking.

Thought overcomes spoken words that have no

Rational belief; instead have truths exposed

For myself to hear.

Honest and untethered beliefs are now

Open, as true and exact in my mind.

I am one with God; His presence is

Encompassing, welcoming, plus

Comforting to experience.

His love is overwhelming, enveloping me in a

Cocoon of feelings beyond description.

The Creator is one, one with me, one with all.

My Self, is now simple, not complex as things

Were, are now not.

Simplicity reigns, knowledge is gained,

And beliefs are confirmed again.

The inner sanctum of fears are released, and

Peace is the norm.  No longer do the

Howls of inner turmoil be held captive as the

Tinkling of quiet solutions is heard and enjoyed.

 The moment of realization that peace is

Apparent and is appreciated for what it is.

God has spoken, I have heard, seen and I know

What many do not realize, speak, admit, and believe.

God is ALIVE, He is ACTIVE, He is AWARE, He is PRESENT

                      ALWAYS!!!

Peace,

Den Betts             bettsden@gmail.com

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Living Life 2018-43

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Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow -Living life    2018-43

Each day of our lives, we wake up and what then follows is YOUR day! Then eventually we hit the sack at night and for a period of time slumber and sleep overtakes us. Then only our dreams keep us company until the morning and another day begins.

Those waking moments are all different, although we could argue, the days are somewhat the same. This is NOT true, there are many, many occasions that make the day unique to itself. The near miss by a car while driving, the bird that crapped on our shoulder as we walked in the park, the flavorful luncheon that was superb, and other varied things that make that day special in itself.

Consider that others around us are experiencing the same moments that make us all realize that what happens is ours alone, but together they make us also the same; going through life, wonderful life at its fullest. We share the same air, see the same clouds, smell the same richness of the earth, and yet we are individuals doing it.

A person in solitary confinement in jail could argue this is not true, but he is incorrect too.  Each of that person’s days have differences that they would see if only they would observe them in the process. A bug crawling across the floor, a fly buzzing around the head, the shadow of the sun making its travel across the room, all make it different to yesterday or tomorrow. I didn’t say it would be an exciting day for that person, just different somewhat.

It is amazing that we have individual minds that analyze, interpret, individually think about so many things, all at the same time, but we are alone in our own compute type, mind, generated thoughts.  We have the ability to think in a different way than others, having opinions that we either share or differ with, and we act on our thoughts in ways that conclude in OUR way and not the way of others.

This is normal and not unusual, but unique to us individually.  Our species has this ability, where we can rationally make decisions whereas animals of other sorts, can think, can act, but not do what we can do, decide on what is right and wrong.

We also have the right to believe or not believe in a higher power.  Some will deny, and that is their right, but many do believe and that is our right also. God, if we believe in Him, sits and takes in our thoughts that we do think and believe.   He knows who does believe and those that do not.  I cannot say that He makes decisions on what he notices. If He does, I would rather believe like I do believe than not believe and find out he looks at the non-believers in a way that does not bode well.   Time will tell!

I believe that God is a loving God and maybe that is all there is about this subject and I will not dwell on it, because, again, time will tell, and we will ALL find out eventually.

Take care, think what you want, and

Peace,

Den Betts        bettsden@gmail.com

Hypocrisy Rules at Times 2018-40

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Hypocrisy Rules at Times  2018-40

How many “religious people” have used their faith beliefs as a way to criticize the actions of others?

When you look at what is said by them and compare it with what their faith truly states as a guide, sometimes they conflict. IT comes across as a total different thing and makes that person or group sound very hypocritical.

To me, it makes me wonder if that faith or religious group, in general, is really something to follow or use as a belief system. People or groups that say or even believe one thing and do another, discredit their faith.  Or, they believe in what they say and the faith does too, which is different, but maybe just as bad.

Doing so, turns some people off from that group, rightly so.  It makes an opposite feeling of “how to win friends and influence people” and instead a negative feeling about them occurs.

Being a Centrist (or calling myself one) I try to take a middle ground on what I say at times, and even what I believe in certain subjects.  This is not a good thing to do though.

Hypocrites upset me! They make me think or rethink what I have as an opinion about them. How can a Christian, religious person be so judgmental and unloving towards their fellow man and claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ who touted love for all?

Using Scripture of the Bible and drawing certain phrases from the Bible as weapons in a discussion is an example of hypocrisy; sort of…

I look at the New Testament of the Bible as a guide to the teachings of Jesus, and the Old Testament as stories of the Hebrew people to learn from ln the process. I try not to use any one passage or story to use AGAINST people or their actions, but to use the statement of Jesus as an overall way to make a point in a discussion. I believe there is a difference.

People should NOT throw rocks who themselves live in glass houses, is a great rule to follow. Unless you are perfect in your ways (and nobody is) we should NOT try to come across as better than others and passing judgement on them.

Yet, it is TOO easy to cross the line and come across as a hypocrite.  Too Bad; SAD!!

Peace,

Den Betts                   bettsden@gmail.com    or follow at-  thebettsden.com