one week

Just say short note to let you know that God is in control and my joy is intact.
Much Love, Dennis

Day Four

For those of you to have not read my previous post- WHATEVER, I'm not concerned, this will not make much sense. After you read it this will be clear.

I'm into my fourth day of antibiotics and I'm doing great. One of the Scriptures that I am standing on is Revelation 12:11   They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony

Jana, I'm sure you will be disappointed because the only swift kick, will be me kicking Satan's butt.

Now, for something completely different

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math. 

Much love, Dennis

WHATEVER-I'm Not Concerned

I have been feeling pretty good for a while now. I went to see my wound care Dr. at Enid on Monday. I have one very stubborn spot that is not progressing as it should. They took a culture and sent it to the lab. They now tell me that I have three different types of infection that will require 14 days of shots and high-powered antibiotics. They told me to expect two weeks of feeling rundown and run over. I believe that God uses Dr.s and I know that what they are giving me will take care of what is ailing me. However I am taking a stand right now and I refuse to let Satan steal my joy.
 John 10:10  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
If you see me, and I'm not smiling, you have my permission to deliver a swift kick to my backside. Now that I have declared my JOY I'm going to continue with my tradition of closing with something that I found humorous.

http://youtu.be/XvJ8JWV44Tk


You can retire to the Deep South where...
1. You can rent a movie and buy bait in the same store.
2. "Y'all" is singular and "all y'all" is plural.
3. "He needed killin" is a valid defense.
4. Everyone has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy Bob, Mary Ellen, Betty Jean, Mary Jo, Mary Beth, etc etc.
5. Everything is either "in yonder," "over yonder" or "out yonder."
It's important to know the difference, too.

Much love, Denni Bob

Evidently I made a mistake while posting this update. The link to the video did not work. I'm going to try it again.




http://youtu.be/IFPnwpkGioc

Much Love, Dennis

My Anthem

I ran across this video on Facebook. It really made an impact on me. I think that I may adopt it as my anthem.

http://youtu.be/IFPnwpkGioc

Romans 8:18-25

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Much Love, Dennis

The Power of the Tongue

I've been hearing a lot of teaching concerning the words that we speak. It seems as if God is trying to get my attention concerning my tongue and the way that I use it. 

I was reading Mark 11: 21-26 from the Amplified Version of the Bible

21 And Peter remembered and said to Him, Master, look! The fig tree which You doomed has withered away!
22 And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly].
23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.
26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.
I thought I was reading about how to use my words and my faith in God, and then I got to verse 25 and 26. It's like God said "Pay Attention, Dennis, this is what you need to hear and put into practice".  OUCH
Be corrected never gratifies quickly, but I do know that God works on all of our shortcomings and the end results produce attitudes and actions that are beneficial for our life here on earth.

John Wesley was a great English preacher of the 1700s. He was considered a rather spiffy dresser. One Sunday morning he wore a bow tie that had long ribbons that hung downward. After the sermon was over a lady walked up to him and said, "Brother Wesley, are you open to some criticism?" 

He said, "I guess so. What would you like to criticize?" 

She said, "The ribbons on your tie are entirely too long and inappropriate for a man of God." And she took out her scissors and cut them off. 

A hush fell over the people standing there as Wesley calmly asked, "Now may I borrow the scissors for a moment?" As she handed them to him, he said, "Ma’am, are you open to some criticism?" 

She answered, "Well, I suppose I am." 


He said, "All right then, please stick out your tongue."

Much Love, Dennis

Finger Prophecy

Had you ever been searching for a word from God.

Then you decided that you would close your eyes, open the Bible and with your eyes still closed put your finger on a spot, expecting that God would give you a mighty word. Don't raise your hand, because I'm pretty sure we've all done it at least once. Honestly, I've done it more than once. I know that God can use that if he so desires, but I really don't think that is how he expects us to seek his will. Occasionally there may be something there that might make sense to you. I started thinking about some of the words and phrases in the Bible that you would certainly not want your finger to land on. 
Genesis 6:5
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Matthew 12:34
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 23:27
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
Leviticus 20:9
‘For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him.

20 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place—on man and on beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be quenched.”

I'm sure there are other but, context is key in understanding the Word.

I have nothing against blondes, but I thought this was funny.

                                      THE PORCH
A young blonde girl in her late teens, wanting to earn some extra money for the summer, decided to hire herself out as a "handy woman" and

started canvassing a nearby well-to-do neighborhood.

  
She went to the front door of the first house and asked  the owner if he had any odd jobs for her to  do. 

"Well, I guess I could use somebody to paint the porch" he  said.  "How much will you charge me?" 

Delighted, the girl quickly responded, "How about  $50?" 

The man agreed and told her that the paint and brushes and everything she would need were in the  garage. 

The man's wife, hearing the conversation, said to her husband, "Does she realize that our porch goes ALL the  way around the house?" 

"That's a bit cynical, isn't it?" he  responded. 

The wife replied, "You're right.  I guess I'm  starting to believe all those dumb blonde  jokes." 

A few hours later the blonde came to the door to collect  her money. 

"You're finished already?" the startled husband asked. 

"Yes," the blonde replied, "and I even had paint left over so I gave it two coats." 

Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the $50 and handed it to her along with a $10 tip. 

"Thank you," the blonde said,  "And, by the way, it's not a Porch, it's a Lexus."

Much Love, Dennis
 

Joy

 I'm going to be talking about joy that goes far beyond a smile. A smile is outward. Joy is inward. A smile at its best can last a few hours. Joy is eternal. As a matter of fact, do you know what the shortest verse in the Bible is?  It is " Jesus wept".  John 11:35  Well, there is another verse with only two words: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16, which says, "Rejoice evermore".  Not 10 hours or two days. Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice. I'm going to remind MYSELF that joy is an inside job.  Because we live in a generation that's seeking happiness, that is "Don't worry, Be happy". Everybody thinks that's good advice. That's terrible advice , you're not going to be happy all of the time. You'd get tired of being happy all of time even if you could be happy all of the time. What's the difference between happiness and joy? Happiness depends upon what happens. And therefore we call happiness. If you're circumstances are  good, you're happy. If your  circumstances are  bad, you're unhappy. But if you put your trust in happiness, then you're going to be a victim of circumstances, because your happenstance will change.  God never changes. The Bible doesn't tell us to rejoice in circumstances. The Bible says, Rejoice in the Lord. And therefore, since He never changes, He says, Rejoice evermore. Now, happiness is like  makeup, Joy is like character. Happiness  comes from outside conditions. Joy comes from within, it meets your deepest needs. Happiness is like a thermometer. It registers conditions. Joy is like a thermostat. It regulates conditions. Now, happiness many times evaporates and disappears in times of suffering. Once again I have allowed my circumstances to override my faith in God. I'm glad to say back on track and I am busting out a couple of my favorite examples of joy in my life.

Sorry. Garen
Much Love, Dennis