God’s Grace 2015-91

Posted in Religious by

God’s Grace    2015-91

So, what is God’s Grace?  Is it something we can get or is it something else? According to my favorite source, Wikipedia, it is something we get for free, from God. It is tied in with the word faith, but let me get into that later.  I think, but am not sure, that this might be a Lutheran thing, based on Martin Luther’s beliefs. I really do not want to get into a Luther versus Catholic belief thing, but may or may not have to do so.

Now, this can be hard to understand or it can be made easy. I think one way of solving this is to check out Scripture and see what it states.

The fundamental meaning in the New Testament and in subsequent theological usage is that contained in the Letter of Paul to Titus: “For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all people” (2:11), and in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift.” The book of James has another spin off regarding deeds and faith, but I will leave that alone for now, also.

Luther had his thoughts of grace. It is by faith alone (sola fide) and by grace alone (sola gratia) that men are saved. Good works are something the believers should undertake out of gratitude towards their Savior; but they are not necessary for salvation and cannot earn anyone salvation; there is no room for the notion of “merit” in Luther’s doctrine of redemption.

I admit that other religions or denominations have other thoughts about this subject, but I am not going into the divisions of this subject. The concept of grace has been called “the watershed that divides Roman Catholicism from Protestantism, Calvinism from Arminianism, and modern liberalism from conservatism. So there ARE different thoughts about how we get into Heaven or are saved. I guess I am expounding on one thought now, and will leave the others to people more capable to do so.

I was sent the following “joke” from my Pastor that may put this into perspective of how grace works, versus other actions by us.

How to Get Into Heaven per St. Peter

A man dies and meets St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter says to the man, “Here’s how it works. You need to have one hundred points to get into heaven. You tell me about all the good things you’ve done. They are all worth a certain number of points. If your total is one hundred or more, you can come in.”

“Well,” says the man. “I was happily married to the same woman for 52 years. I never looked at another woman. I was attentive and loved her dearly.”

“That’s great,” says St. Peter. “That’ll be two points.”

“Hmmm,” says the man. “This is going to be harder than I thought. Well, I attended church regularly, volunteered my time and tithed faithfully.”

“Wonderful,” says St. Peter, “That’s worth another point.”

“One point!” says the man. “Okay, okay. I was involved with a prison ministry for twenty-five years. I went into the prison, at least monthly, and shared Jesus with them.”

“Wow!” says St. Peter. “That’s another two points!”

“Only two points!” says the man. “At this rate, it’ll be only by the grace of God that’ll I’ll ever get into this place.”

“Bingo!” says St. Peter. “That’s one hundred points! Come on in.

OK, maybe that is not the way exactly how it works, but it sounds sort of neat. Common Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy (favor) that God gave to humanity by sending his son to die on a cross, thus delivering eternal salvation. Do we have to have faith to get grace, or does it come from God automatically. In John 3:16 (KJV) says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That was stated so long ago and attributed to John, but does it continue like it was or does God have a different opinion now?

Many theological theories based on interpretation of Scripture are offered about this subject. I would like to think that it is up to God to decide on the fate of his children and that can be  thought of in a convoluted way that man does or could not understand. There is no NEW tablet that anyone has hiked up a mountain to get where God has written his decrees on, so I don’t know, of course.

When I pray to God, I usually add in my prayers, “Thank you God for the opportunity to be with you for eternity because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross. Let me carry His cross in acknowledgement of His act, so long ago.”  I have stated before, I wear a cross daily, not for others to see, admire, or comment, but to remind ME of Jesus Christ and  His resurrection and that I AM a disciple of Jesus Christ forever more.

Den Betts

Past and Now 2015-90

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

From” TheBettsDen.com       Too many people, including myself, dwell on the past and don’t realize that the present is the forerunner to tomorrow. This is a new chance, an awakening, a vibrant opportunity to make a change in one’s self. I leave you with this poem to give you the time to outline what you may do, to create a new you——–

Past and Now 2015-90

The past is over; done and gone

Not forgotten, but instead a memory

of action, events and thoughts of

history that once lived in the present

 

Fond times of the past are like

spring flowers blooming in colors

and smells that delight in

so many ways

 

The bad and ugly moments of the past

are albatrosses around the neck of reason

holding down, keeping back and

retarding growth of the mind.

 

The past is made up of both good and

bad experiences, but the present

is what should matter now for it affects

not only today but also tomorrow at times

 

What you want out of life should be decided

on actions of the moment and not

be determined by what

occurred yesterday.

Bury the past

Cultivate the now

Enjoy the future.

Den Betts

Trip of Life 2015-89

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

Does anyone know of the somewhat hidden meaning of this poem?  It does have a theme of “life”, but in a disjointed way has an overall statement of “being”. Well, if not, no big deal, since I remember why and when I wrote it at the time. We all make this journey, but some do not realize just what and how it transpires. How we end up is unknown to many, but known by some. What an adventure!!!!!!!!!!   2015

Trip of Life   2015-89

To walk a tightrope of being,

Soul, body and mind intermingled

Joined as one, Earthly union

Shell then behind, duty done by

 

Control involving internal mass

Coldness, blankness

Final journey with continued existence

Eternal light shining – welcoming

 

Essence now of “being”

Progression, a normal pattern of life

Den Betts

Realization 2015-88

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

Reading over this poem, I can see that I started each first line with a word that I continued on with the thought of the word.  I want to say that I was in a state of flux such as, when we all sometimes live in a state of instability as in the presence of a force field in a specified physical medium- Hey, sounds neat to me!!!!

Realization  2015-88

Realization – that things are the way they are

because they are, and are to be

Comprehending – that some problems will always

remain –never changing, forever being

Finding – things that were, may never be the same again

ways that are, may also stay forever more

Wishing – won’t make a dream happen or bring

one back that once was and isn’t now

Trying – doesn’t’ help sometimes, even with

desire and wants so badly, so wanting…

Accepting –  the trials of life the best way that can

using each day as a new learning experience

Knowing –  the limits and capabilities and living

with them, based on Realization

Den Betts

The Mind Gap 2015-87

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

 

From: TheBettsDen.com

When does The Mind Gap present itself to a person? When it does!!!! Till then it is in the background, somewhat hiding, until it presents itself to be known. Hard to actually explain or give an example, but known when it is known. Really exhilarating to experience or have in actuality and to truly know where it comes from. This occurred before “The Happening”, but in reality, I somewhat think they are related.

I was told by my esteemed Editor (my dear wife), that I should consider NOT posting this on my blog. Well, I respect that, but also feel that I have to do what I have to do at times. So, here it is… Perhaps not easy to understand or accept, but it is what I feel I experienced and now acknowledge as factual. So I share it, only to let others know that there are “things” that cannot be explained or hard to do so at times…. So be it…..

Addendum: Perhaps, just perhaps, I am snookering (neat word!) you and this is all a fabrication!! Or maybe NOT and it is something that was, is and will continue to be????

The Mind Gap    2015-87

The point in time,

a nanosecond, the

infinitesimal span

where the conscious

and subconscious levels

of thought, separate

and become anew.

 

A moment where reality and

deep thought- change the

areas of being.

When the unusual is possible &

creativity reigns, the

mini-voltage impulses

are in a neutral state.

 

A lengthened gap

brings forth new abilities-

gives birth to an anomaly,

a true power that is

uncontrolled in any way

showing itself at random

and occurring in many forms.

 

Few have it, many dread it,

some abuse it, but all those

having it know of its existence.

The Mind Gap – a time warp,

impossible to explain, measure

prove or disprove, but is there;

believe me, I know

 

Perhaps easier to call it a

“Mystical Creation of Thoughts”

and let it go at that, for others

to ponder, wonder, and comment on

AND, to contemplate the possibilities

To strive for and obtain for Self……….

Den Betts

 

Nothing to do with the words — Mind the Gap or

Closing the Mind Gap by Ted Cadsby & Don Tapscott

 

GLORB 2015-86

Posted in Contemplation, Poems, Statement by

From: TheBettsDen.com

When I first revisited this, I first thought it was going to be a humorous one that I wrote, but soon found otherwise. Will we, as inhabitants of this large planet Earth, let things go this route, or continue to disregard the subtle signs of man’s ignoring what we are doing to the domain we live in? OK, the name is sort of weird, I admit…….

GLORB  2015-86 

Such, may be the bones withering to yellow dust

With seagulls flying by with reddened eyes

The smokestack spews forth sulfurous spume

As fish look for something no longer there

 

An oozy quagmire bubbles and ferments – almost alive

Created by the one most vulnerable by its presence – man!

The lonely toad belches forth a rumble of noise

Hearing instead only an echo of itself – puzzled

 

So big a world, so gigantic – never fear it was said

A lie, a misconception found out too late

Such may be the bones of all some day

Turning to dust in the eerie somber light

 

GLORB to GLORB and dust to dust!!!!!

Den Betts

Inspire Thyself 2015-85

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by

From: TheBettsDen.com

Maybe I should become a “Life Coach” and give advice to others, as a job in retirement! (Probably would not pay well for me!) This speaks like one, and I believe I wrote it when I was trying to give myself a pep talk or something. Anyhow, it makes some sense on how we should turn around our thinking on the doing of life….

Inspire Thyself   2015-85

 

Step out of the shadows

Of the mind; the fog of

Misunderstanding. Pierce

The veil with reality of

Comprehension and

Clear thought.

 

Sweep away the cobwebs

Of not knowing,

The stumbling

Blocks that create

The barriers

Of full belief

 

Jump over the walls

That hinder progress

And zoom, fly and

Speed past

The obstacles

That get in your way.

 

Don’t look back at

The fallen debris,

But instead, forge

Ahead, to a better

Enlightened way.

 

The only thing holding

You back is you, not others,

So look in the mirror of your

Mind and let it know

What you want, and then

JUST DO IT!!!!

Den Betts

Fog 2015-84

Posted in Nature, Poems by

From: TheBettsDen.com

I was looking out my bedroom window one morning and could not see the trees at the rear of our property because of the fog. I squinted and tried, but the fog was too dense. It was like I was in a cloud looking down at my patio and the bricks were vague forms, hard to see and make out. It was like, when I was driving on top of the Ligonier mountain of Pa. and my wife was looking out an open window to see where the line was at the side of the road. It was a scary trip for about two miles.

          Fog   2015-84

Suspended particles

of wetness

 

Clinging to all

hanging in the air

 

Breath leaving

to join the fray

 

Sight diminished

Smells enhanced

 

A cloud that comes to earth

to envelope all.

Den Betts

 

OMG 2015-83

Posted in Religious by

From: TheBettsDen.com

                                                OMG   2015-83

OMG!!!! How often do we use this small phrase in life? Daily?, Sometimes?, Often,? Never?

It all depends on the situation, I am sure.  I have a category called “Quotes” that I just started and have one from C.S. Lewis from one of his writings. In it is the quoted statement, “Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable.”, C.S. Lewis This does not relate entirely to OMG, but gives an idea as to what is not to be used; maybe…..

Now, OMG is not really a question, or is it? I am sure God has a filter system of knowing when we mean Oh My God (or OMG) as an exclamation or a request for his hearing us or knowing we need His attention. I am sure He also knows, through the filter, that we are just making noise at something.

We just stepped in a pile of dog crap and said, OMG as a startled yell of unbelief. Or something happened that was of the unordinary in life and OMG was a wail of disbelief or a real belief of greatness of what happened at the time.

BUT, it is sometimes used for getting God’s attention! He is not THAT busy that He cannot deal with our life’s problems, comfort us, or be with us in times of despair or even great joy.

Oh dear God, where are you, or help me in my time of discomfort, be with me in my time of need, help me when I am in danger, and statements or yells like this are not yells of inconsequential requests! Or again, Oh My God (OMG)!!!

I read a psalm in the Bible that a psalmist said “Oh My God” to get His attention and presume that it worked, but too many times we, including me, say it in a superficial way; period……….

OMG just thrown out for minor reasons, or exclamation thoughts, or usually just a habit of saying, are not really a prayerful saying. Really!!!

I then state, if it is not used in a, let me say religious reason, then should it be used at all? Some could say, “Who cares!” Perhaps God cares and does not like it to be used in a nonsense way or frivolous way that taxes the filter He uses for real requests from one of His children.

Does OMG bring up one of the Ten Commandments “Do not use the name of the Lord in vain”? Does God think of OMG as doing this action that He said NOT to do long ago? I really cannot say, because I do not have that knowledge. The word God is being used in this OMG context so this might be true. If it is the case, then perhaps we need to be asking forgiveness for using this phrase in our daily lives!

 

I would think if this is so, then we could say it is a bad habit of phraseology in daily living and try to change our doing or using this OMG phrase. I think I may have used it and perhaps others have done so too. Maybe it is time for a change of habit if that is what it is for us.

What really astounds me is when I hear OMG from someone that may or may not be a believer of God and it is used in a way that I described above. Why say it, when they do not believe? Why say it when we do believe?

Sometimes when I pray to God in a meditative moment, I ask God, “Why do you put up with us, the way we are and how we are in relation to you?” The only answer is a simple one that amazes me. “Because I love you!” His love is an unconditional love without strings attached, somewhat. Ok, there are strings that I could mention, but will save those for another time.

Even when we say “OMG” in a nonsense way, God still loves us, though I believe He shakes His head in wonder at times.

Den Betts

Flowers 2015-82

Posted in Nature, Poems by

From: TheBettsDen.com

Spring is still here as of the end of May 2015 and things are still sprouting and flowers are popping up to show their beauty. Ideas come to mind as to what also arrives, sometimes unwittingly (WEEDS), but also part of life in its struggle of existence.

Flowers 2015-82

Bulbs send up shoots through the soil

to burst forth and bless the sky.

Hopes and aspirations that come to pass

Linger on for awhile, before they die.

 

Bees that fly and kiss the nectar

Make honey for continued life.

Ideas and dreams that once were so true

Never make it past the trials and strife.

 

As the flower blossoms and takes its shape

And becomes all as it shall may.

So goes life, with its ups and downs

To whatever existence that happens, day to day.

 

Flower petals fall to the ground

Blown away in the wind.

Dreams and wishes borne to the mind

Disappear as if by a whim.

Den Betts