Self 2017-09

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                                                                                Self  2017-09

To experience a life of living for Christ, involves letting go of being self-centering and our own self-will. Pray to be forgiven for being centered on our own spectacles of life, with our made up calamities. This is NOT easy to do for many today, as life gets in the way, at times. It is easy to criticize, but much harder to accept. BUT, if we can accept, we are closer to understanding our Self. With the then understanding, we can reach out and beyond where we are when we started our journey of awareness.  The Self is not going anywhere and we CAN change to become one with God, the living Christ that is with us always………………

Den Betts    

2010 “The Happening” Revisited 2017-08

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 2010 “The Happening” Revisited    2017-08

 

7 Years ago on March 3, 2010— The day I was touched by Jesus Christ, found/saw the Glory of the Father and eventually heard the Holy Spirit.  This was the third week of Lent that year.

Someone I know said I was transformed then and became a child of God and disciple of Jesus Christ. Wow, what a moment and what a time period then and even now. The facts of “The Happening” are described in blog # 2015-69 and are in the archives of March of 2015 at my blog site, TheBettsDen.com

Before this date, I was a so- so Christian, going through the motions of being a believer of God and of Jesus Christ.  I was a drifter type religious person, not really committed or even believing wholeheartedly in a Divine being or a man-God who died so that I may have a chance of eternal life.

As I was in sort of a spiritual darkness previously, and as I began to see the light and life of Jesus, I was changed. I am NOT the man I was before then, and have since, become a student or disciple of Jesus in the process.

I struggled for understanding of what occurred. I tried to accept counseling of WHY and perhaps WHAT to do, or become and it was interesting for me.  But, in reality, time is a way of fleshing out the why’s and what’s of life and I believe I now know some of the answers.

My tenure as the lay leader President of the church I belong to, helped me to a degree. It gave me an insight as to the workings of the church and that was important to me at that time.  I learned and tried to lead as best as I could and in the process also found out some things; private things about myself.

Now I am basically on my own, learning more about the Scriptures, about Jesus and accepting the fact that it is about ME and my relationship with the Triune God. It is not about my possibly being an evangelist or anything like that. It is about my learning more about myself and my God and Savior Jesus Christ and I am finding it is a long process.

I had a Reaffirmation of Baptism a few years ago. That simple action meant much to me. That anniversary is coming up too and I look at that date as a milestone also. It was on the day before Easter which is called Paschal Vigil or Vigil Easter. My friend Paul, was my sponsor then and he continues to give me inspiration in my life.

As I have said before, I KNOW there is a God!    He is alive, He is active, He is aware by having His presence with us always. Praise be to God…………………………………………………………………………

Den Betts

Baptism of Jesus Experienced 2017-07

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Baptism of Jesus Experienced  2017-07

I attended a retreat last night that was sponsored by the Jesuit House of Parma, OH. This retreat will be an ongoing weekly thing during Lent at Celebration Church where I attend The overall title of the retreat is Living Prayer: My Life In God.

The theme last night was about “Gospel Contemplation”. This is where a Scripture passage is used to seek an openness to the Holy Spirit for guidance in life. A passage from the Bible was read, relating to the baptism of Jesus. We were asked to allow our imaginations to read into the passage and see what transpired.

This passage was where John baptized Jesus and is described in Mark 1 Verse 9-11.  In this it reads: “At the time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven. “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

We were then allowed time to think about this passage and project ourselves into contemplating this passage from the Gospel. The following is what I experienced:

“I was aware of myself. I was in the water in the Jordon River. Many people were being baptized by John. The people were speaking, but I could not understand them; I presume it was Aramaic, which I could not follow.

The water was warm, it was flowing around me and came up to my stomach. I was “the watcher”, in case people were swept downstream from where John was standing in waist high water.

One person came into the water and John led him to the spot he was using to immerse people for baptism.  This person was Jesus, as it fit the scenario, in my mind.

John took him by the hand, and then wrapped his arm around Jesus holding his back. He was talking to Him and then lowered Jesus backward into the water. John held him under the water for a short period and then lifted him upward with his arm.

Jesus was radiant and smiling as he came up to the surface.  Then, an extremely bright light filled the sky. The clouds were blown away and the sky was a vibrant blue, with the sun shining, bathing all that the rays hit around us.  A quivering halo effect enveloped both men as Jesus was highlighted by the intense rays shining down. A voice boomed from above and shook the earth and made the water of the Jordon dance.

“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” The people on shore were scared. They backed away from the water looking upward. John stood with open mouth as he held onto Jesus. He looked awe inspired with open eyes, first looking at Jesus then upwards, then back to Jesus.

At that moment Jesus looked at me. I stood in the water, sort of dazed.  He stared at me, cocked his head to the side then nodded up and down.  I looked at Him and said, “I know who you are and what you are.” He chuckled a bit and said “Peace be with you for I know who you are too.”

About that time a gong rang and the time for contemplation was over.  I sat and thought about what I experienced and recalled when I had another time with Jesus, which I will relate later this month.

Peace,

Den Betts

Today 2017-06

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                                                                Today 2017-06

Today is tomorrow’s history! What greatness can you do today that can be written about tomorrow?  Tomorrow hasn’t happened yet, so think and do today!

Den Betts

Jesus Came 2017-05

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                                                                                    Jesus Came 2017-05

Jesus came – NOT just to prepare us for living for eternity, but to teach us how to live daily. The early Christian church life was originally called” The Way”. The way of life that was so different than the rest of the world at that time. Jesus was a teacher; a teacher of life and He still is as such. His words from before, written in the Scriptures are His words for us today, and we have just to listen and learn. He came for those then and for us now and His words are not stale, ancient or void of meaning. The “Way” is here today for us to find redemption and understanding. Listen to the words, Listen………

Den Betts

Awakened to God 2017-04

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                                                                Awakened to God  2017-04

Negative thoughts creating black shadows in my mind.

Clouds of perilous despair rage rampant in dreams of dark adventures.

A feeling of being lost amongst beings not of my elk.

“Woe to me, I say, woe to me” as I hide my head in sorrow.

A sound awakens me from my stupor, then a pinprick of light beckons me to look above.

My God, My Savior, reaches toward me, enveloping my soul, surrounding me with love,

understanding and comfort reign and I am at peace.

A simple thank you of four words are spoken— Thanks be to God” over and over again;

 “Thanks be to God.”

Den Betts

The Mystery 2017-03

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The Mystery  2017-03

The melodic sounds resonate

Filling the open void with exquisite timbre

As life acquired from the sound,

Pulsated with a living, quivering pulse of being

Looking down the uniqueness observed

What was, is and will be

Seeking action, it, morphed into

 a substance, enveloping all.

Those below, tingled with the essence of creation

Acknowledged understanding, because a single thought

 of knowing the mystery, it was no longer unknown

BUT, instead, a shared and loved emotion

Finalization was apparent and welcomed

As the true being, became as one with all…………..

Den Betts

The Challenge 2017-02

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                                     The Challenge  2017-02

The challenge is not in knowing the common element of being, but

The understanding of the mysteries of life is the greater quest to know.

To delve into the unknown questions given to us and realize the answers as

Realized, is an ultimate trip of life.

Not being afraid to question those unanswered thoughts and subjecting

Them to a detailed thinking process, is a goal worth trying for in life.

Not being afraid of the ultimate and final solution is an undertaking of complete confidence

By touching on the unknown abyss of thinking and arriving at the final solution.

This gives the seeker an untold advantage in life’s guidance of living the whole as one and the

 complete satisfaction is arrived at with only a complete filling of accomplishments

Den Betts

Role Model 2017-01

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I thought of this poem when contemplating the many turmoil episodes of the period since election in the U.S.A. of last fall.  We ALL are responsible to those that look at us for guidance and inspiration.  When we do NOT do things that make an example to those that look, we are the ones that can be blamed. The same goes for those leaders that show just how shallow they are in life and we are stuck with the consequences.  Nuff said….  

                                                     Role Model   2017 – 01

 

                        A child learning of life

                        From the day it’s born.

                        Skills to be used

                        Through daily strife

                        Taught by the ones

                        That are figure heads;

                        Good, bad or indifferent

                        It learns from their stead

 

                        Macho, cool, in and such

                        Words not important

                        But many times said.

                        Honesty, ethics, rising

                        Above; some things other

                        Than the things they love.

                        Taking after the leader

                        And teacher, not becoming

                        A peer pressure seeker.

 

                        Looking beyond today for tomorrow

                        When the quality of life

                        Will be of joy, not sorrow

                        The responsibility is there-

                        Not for another, but to the role model

                        Sister or brother.

                        To instill a feeling of self

                        Respect, is a chore for all

                        To want and should expect.

 

                        Den Betts

Bah Hum Bug 2016-70

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Bah Hum Bug 2016-70

Bah Hum Bug

The season of Christmas is here.

To practicing Christians, this is a time of significance where the birth of the world’s savior is celebrated. For many, this is a time of (hopefully), good feelings, good times and a period of giving and receiving.

Overall, I feel both groups with their thoughts of why to observe Christmas have merit and it is good in my mind. There are so many traditions, acts of joy, ceremonies, and parties, other get together times and good will occasions it makes for a wondrous time of year.

Some thoughts of this Christmas period:

I will say “Merry Christmas” to anyone and not “Happy Holidays”. If they celebrate a different holiday time and respond with their holiday wishes, I will wish them well.

I feel Christmas has become very much commercialized with gifts to one another the main focus and NOT the real reason of WHY we are celebrating. .

When I was a child in the forties and fifties, I had NO idea why we were exchanging gifts or what Christmas was all about, so in some ways, nothing has changed for some of us. It would be great if something was discussed about the reason we celebrate Christmas, at least on Christmas day.

I know of someone who does NOT celebrate Christmas because he states, correctly, that  Jesus Christ was NOT born on December 25th, but what he ignores is the fact that Dec 25th,is the day we celebrate his birthday anyhow. He also wants me to know that this date originated from a Roman festival of the god’s Mithra and Saturn which was adapted to the birth of Jesus.  HE adheres to a cultish type religion that has many strange beliefs, but claims to be a Christian.

One thing about the Christmas season is where I see all the good feelings of Christmas fall off the cliff and disappear on December 26t;; it is then, back to the normal way of existence. That is sad,  in a way.

I used to have (actually still do in a box somewhere) a mirror with a picture superimposed on it of Scrooge and the words “Bah, Hum Bug” on it. This was brought out each Christmas and was mine to look at and express my feelings of Christmas. I don’t do that anymore, but instead, try to live my part as a Christian and remembering why Jesus Christ died for my sins.  I then think about the next religious holiday Easter and what that means to me too.   Maybe we all should do that.

Den Betts