ROUTE KICKERS

Greetings all of you ROUTE KICKERS... how's the ROAD?

In 1960...there was a T.V. show called ROUTE (sounds like root) 66. It was a weekly adventure of of Tod and Buz...as they travelled around in their 1959 (starting out...they got new ones each season)...Corvette on Route 66. It starred Martin Milner (Adam 12) and Geroge Maharis (Naked City). This slab of pavement has been romanticized from songs, T.V. shows (Route 66), books, (Keorac, Steinbeck) movies (Cars). The road represents America...it's growth, it's sense of adventure...that is about the people along the road more than just the road. The oddities...tourist attractions...food...motels...people along the way on the way to some DESTINATION.

Woody Guthrie would sing songs of the land...but in 1946...a man named Bobby Troup wrote a song that was first recorded by Nat King Cole...and then later by everyone from Bing Crosby to Chuch Berry to Depeche Mode.

If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that's the best
Get your KICKS on ROUTE SIXTY-SIX!
It winds from Chicago to L.A.
More than two thousand miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route Sixty-Six!
Now you go thru Saint Looey and Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City is mighty pretty
You'll see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaf, Arizona; Don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Won't you get HIP to this timely TRIP
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on ROUTE SIXTY-SIX

John Steinbeck...in the Grapes of Wrath...called Route 66..."...the mother road...the road of flight."

"U.S. Route 66 starts at Grant Park in Chicago, reached accross more than 2,400 miles, three time zones, and eight states-- Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizone, Callifonia-- before it dead-ended at Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. People like to say the highway started at Lake Michigan and ended in the roaring Pacific." (Route 66 The Mother Road: Micahel Wallis)
The Christian rock band PETRA, speaks of roads and journey in there music. On the Come and Join us album...the title song talks about a place that is out of the shadows...a place that is in the sunlight. "Come and join us in the sunlight...if you would reach you could touch the sky...come and drink from the well that will never run dry." (Come and Join Us: Bob Hartman)


Doc Brown...in the movie BACK TO THE FUTURE...declared at one point...when Marty McFly questioned...if they had enough road to get up to the required speed to break the time barrier...WHERE WE'RE GOING...WE DON'T NEED ROADS. It was a different mode of travel than they were accustomed to. Well...where we are going...we don't need the standard superslab of interstate...we don't even need the off the road ROUTE 66. Where we are going...we have a DIFFERENT ROAD to travel.

A later PETRA album was MORE POWER TO YA. This could be one of my favorite albums. There is a song on it based on Psalm 84:5-7:

How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee;

In whose heart are the ROAD/HIGHWAYS to Zion
(who have set their hearts on PILGRIMAGE)

Passing through the vally of Baca (weeping/tears)...the make it a PLACE OF SPRINGS

The early rain also covers it with BLESSINGS

They go form STRENGTH to STRENGTH...everyone of them appears before GOD IN ZION.

Yes...songs about travel...journey...adventure...with a definite destination and direction. Route 66...Come and join us in the sunlight...Roads to Zion.


The PETRA song called ROAD TO ZION...was written by Mike Hudson, and again, it was based on Psalm 84:5-7.

Zion represents the dwelling place of God. A place in the light...out of the shadows... to be in the PRESENCE of the King...where REFRESHING is found (Acts 3:19)

ROAD TO ZION

There is a way that leads to life
The few that find it never die
Past mountain peaks graced white with snow
The way grows brighter as it goes

(Chorus)

There is a road inside of you
Inside of me there is one too
No stumbling PILGRIM in the dark
The road to Zion's in your heart...The road to Zion's in your heart

The river runs beside the road
It's waters living as they flow
In liquid voice the water calls
On thirsty knees the pilgrim falls

Sometimes a SHADOW dark and cold
Lays like a mist across the road
But be encouraged by the sight
Where there's shadow, there's a light

Sometimes it's good to look back down
We've come so far...we've gaind such ground
But joy is not where we've BEEN
Joy is who's waiting at the end.

Well...that's it. I have a hankering to set out in Chicago and go to Santa Monica...and visit all the places in between. Michael Card sings that it's the joy in the journey.

I started my other journey...back in the fall of 1970...when I made the choice to become a Christian....and Oh what a journey it has been. If you have not set out on the Road to Zion...Come and Join Me...come out of the shadows into the light.

Love and Kickin' Kisses
Rod "The Traveller" Boyd

THE BEAST

Greetings all of you BEAUTIES...got any BEAST in ya? In 1957...a girl by the name of Judy Tyler...starred with Elvis Presley in the movie Jailhouse Rock. After she made the movie...she died in a car accident...and it upset Elvis so much...that he refused to watch Jailhouse Rock ever again..or so the legend goes.

One of my favorite seens is from this picture...where Elvis grabs her...and plants a sloppy, forceful kiss on her...and she pulls back in disgust and declares..."Don't use those tactics on me." Elvis looks at her and responds..."Dem ain't tactics...that's just the BEAST in me."

Jesus...came to die in on the cross for the BEAST in us.




BEAST: (1) Any animal except man (2) any large, four-footed animal; sometis a domesticated animal (3) Qualities or impulses like an animal (the beast in him) (4) A person who is brutal, gross, vile etc.

The definition is not a pretty picture...and men...and yes, women...fit the mold. Our friend Barney Fife...was known by many names... like..
Barney Fife, M.D., Barney Fife The Bulkhead, Bernie, Bloodhound of the Law, and many more including...BARNEY THE BEAST.

When we speak of the BEAST...we are really talking about the inside nature versus the outside nature. We can cover up the outside where the inside is almost undetectable. We pride ourself on our civility, our air of sophistication, our attitude of, "I am not like THOSE people." We repel in disgust as we view peoples manners, habits, language, clothing, smells, etc. We have a certain standard...and the standard is US...and if someone does not meet those standards..then they are qualified as SUB-STANDARD. Thank God we are not a "BEAST" like them.

Jesus told of two men who went up to the temple to pray. So far...so good. Both men...doing the right thing...but it breaks down from there. One was a Pharisee (who were not very fair...you see)...and the other was a tax-gather...a publican who collected Romans taxes for a profit (a prophet for a profit). The Pharisee stood up and began to pray to himself (wrong direction for prayer...unless you worship yourself). He started out saying GOD (but really praying to himself)...I thank Thee tha I am NOT LIKE OTHER PEOPLE. He then began to list the characteristics of the other people...(1) swindlers (2) unjust (3) adulterers (4) this tax gatherer.
In other words...I thank God I don't have THE BEAST WITHIN ME.

He then began to list his good qualities so as to differentiate himself from the BEASTS...(1) I fast twice a week (2) I pay tithes of all that I get
(3) Fill in the blanks of everything that you think makes you better than the next person...that separates you from the BEASTS in people.

The Publican...the taxgather...the sinner...THE BEAST...also prayed. The difference in the prayer is dramatic...(1) He was unwilling to lift up his eyes (2) He was beating his breast (3) Said...GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER...or...God help the BEAST IN ME.

One man...thought the there was no beast within him...because of the outward stuff he did...but one man confessed and admitted the beast in him...and asked for mercy.

Jesus' response and lesson was..."I tell you...this man went down to his house JUSTIFIED (just-as-if-I'd never sinned)...rather than the other; for every on who EXALTS himself shall be humbled...but he who humbles himself (a self-choice)...shall be exalted."

The nature of the BEAST is this: (1) Does not give honor or thanks to the Father :Romans 1:21 (2) The mind is futile in speculations and the foolish heart is darkened: Romans 1:21
(3) The heart is more decietful than all else and is desperately sick: Jeremiah 17:9 NOTE: The Lord searches the heart and tests the mind and knows the truth about you from the inside out.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A BEAST HEART (Mark7:21-22)

1. evil thoughts 8. deceit
2. fornicators 9. sensuality
3. thefts 10. envy
4. murder 11. slander
5. adulteries 12. pride
6. deeds of coveting 13. foolishness
7. deeds of wickedness

Romans 1:17-32 gives a listing of BEAST QUALITIES: (1) supressors of the truth in unrighteousness
(2) Closed eyes to the revealed truth (3) knew God but do not honor Him (4) Do not have a thankful heart to God (5) Futile in speculations (6) Foolish, darkened hearts (7) Professing to be wise...they became fools (8) Exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God...for the BEAST...images of corruptible man, birds, four footed animals, crawling creatures. (9) God gave them over in the lusts of the heart to impurity. ie. He allowed them to do what they wanted (1) The exchanged truth for a lie (11) They worship and sever the CREATURE/BEAST versus the CREATOR (12) The live in degrading passions
(13) Women exchanged the natural function fo that which is unatural (lesbianism) (14) Men abandoned the natural function of th eowman and burned in their desires towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts (homosexuality) (15) They did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer
(16) There minds were depraved to do those things which were not proper (17) They were filled with ALL: unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, malice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.

WOW!!! What a list.!!! I thank God that I am not like them.!!!! The kicker in all of this is...that ALTHOUGH they KNOW the ordinances of God...that those who PRACTICE such things (see the list)...are worthy of DEATH....they not only DO THE SAME...but also give HEARTY APPROVAL to those who practice them.

The bottom line..."ALL (the publican and Pharisee in us all) have sinned (got the beast in them)...and fall short of the glory of God (cause and effect of the beast)." Romans 3:23 "As it is written, there is none (publican and Pharisees alike) righteous no not one." Romans 3:10

Notice the last picture...with Larry Norman...and the Lion within him. Jesus the anointed one...anointed with burden lifting, yoke destroying, Holy Ghost Power...came to replace the BEAST with THE KING OF THE BEAST. D.B.R...nothing more nothing less is the only thing that can tame the BEAST within you... but first you have to admit like the PUBLICAN...that you've got the beast within you...and then request the mercy. Are you a Pharisee or a Publican. Are you denying the TACTICS or just accepting..."Da beast in me."

Love and Beastless Kisses
Rodney "Yielding to the ZooKeeper" Boyd

THE SECRET STRENGTH AND SUPPLY FACTOR

Hello all of you 98 pound weaklings. Anyone kicked sand in your face lately? Have you had NEED to bulk up and deal with the bullies in your life? Do you find yourself lacking...in areas of finance, peace, confidence, (fill in the blank of what you need)? Well...welcome to my world.

As believers...we know deep down in our gut...and in the back of our minds...that God is in control. The problem is that we can talk the talk...but when it comes time to walk the walk...we tend to stumble. It is EASY (shout out to the Easy Elder)... to trust God...when we do not have any NEEDS...it is easy to be STRONG when there is no opposition...BUT the rubber meets the road...in the face of conflict.

We love a couple of verses found in Philippians chapter 4...verses 13 and 19. They read..."I CAN DO all things through CHRIST who strengthens me."...and "My God SHALL SUPPLY all your NEEDS according to His riches in glory in CHRIST JESUS." Ohhhhh..
yes...and amen...hallelujah!

But...when we CAN'T DO... and we are WEAK as bag of bones in a Charles Atlas ad...and our out go exceeds our income...we tend to weaken in our FAITH...try to do things on our own...get discouraged...lose hope...and quit.

NEVER FEAR....UNDERDOG IS HERE. There is hope...confident expectation...BUT...you have to back up a few verses...before you get to verse 13 and 19.

There is a promise of peace...but again there is a precursor to the PEACE. There is a SECRET...and it is meant to be revealed. Let's check out the SECRET STRENGTH AND SUPPLY FACTOR. Read the entire fourth chapter of Philippians.

KEY PRINCIPLES TO STRENGTH AND SUPPLY

Verse 1: Stand firm in the Lord. Anyone can give up...but you got to persevere....never give up...hang in there like a bitin' sow...take a stand. Notice that you are not standing firm in your own abilities...in your own faith...in the government...in other people...but you are standing FIRM in the Lord.

Verse 2: Live in harmony. If you have something against someone...get it right. As long as you are out of key with someone...as long as you are hitting sour notes....as long as you are walking in bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness...you will not reach verses 13 and 19.

Verse 3: Help others to accomplish verse 2. We are the body of Christ... and we really do need one another. We are not Lone Rangers...we are Multiple Rangers...with Multiple Tontos oh Keemosabe.

Verse 4: Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS (in the good, bad, ugly) and agians I say REJOICE (underscoring the importance). The word rejoice means to be full of CHEER, calmly happy, well off. I have always read this as something focused on MYSELF...but in reading this definition...it states that this is used as a GREETING to others. We are called to speak forth blessings on others...speaking cheer to others...to speak forth being calmly happy or well off to others. As we focous on others we enter in to true JOY. J=Jesus first O=Others second Y=You last. It really is not all about you baby.

Verse 5: Let...or allow (your choice) your forbearing (humble, moderate) spirit BE KNOWN to all men. Let your light shine. Live out your faith in front of others. Yes...your faith is a private intimate affair between you and your God...but you are THE LIGHTS OF THE WORLD. As Jesus taught...LET YOU LIGHTS SHINE BEFORE MEN.

Verse 5: The Lord Is NEAR. As Watchman Nee says...if we really believed that the Lord lives in us...then we might not do and say some of the things we do. Let their be an awareness of His presense...like Brother Lawrence did as he PRACTICED THE PRESENCE OF GOD...in the mundane things of life like...washing pots and pans in a monastary kitchen. Is your life as mundane as a monestary?

Verse 6: BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING. Of course it says BE anxious but what it means is DON'T BE anxious. Again...BE...reflects the ability to choose anxiety...or choose NOT to be anxious. The perameters of our anxiety is NOTHING and EVERYTHING. Take a piece of paper...divide it down the middle...on one side write the word NOTHING...and on the other side write EVERYTHING. Now...on the NOTHING side...list all of your worries, anxieties, fears, cares, doubts, unbeliefs. Be specific... God will not be shocked by what you put down. NOW...take an arrow and transfer all of your NOTHINGS...into the EVERYTHING category. THEY ARE THE SAME THING.

Verse 6: Now...we deal with the NOTHINGS AND EVERYTHINGS.

a. Prayer: Conversation with God. Talk to Him. Open up the lines of communication. Let it be a dialouge not a monolouge.

b. Supplication: A specific list. Not shotgun prayers. If you need your electric bill paid...tell Him..and how much you need down to the penny. Do it with a humble attitude. Remember also that He will meet your needs not your greeds. If you are lonely...tell Him. If you are sick and need a healing, tell Him. BE SPECIFIC.

c. With Thanksgiving: You pray..you supplicate...and while you DO NOT see or feel an answer...you begin to THANK HIM before you see anything happen. This is praying in faith. Act as if it is true. The difference between someone praying for rain is one person prays for rain...the other person carries an umbrella with confident expectation that it will rain. It's like a movie I saw last night at our karate school..FACING THE GIANTS. The farmer that plants his field and does not prepare for the harvest...is not really expecting a crop. Thanksgiving before anything changes...is an indicator of trusting God.

Verse 7: The cause and effect of doing these things...is PEACE that PASSESS ALL UNDERSTANDING AND COMPREHENSION. The type of peace that we understand...is when there is an absence of conflict. We understand that when there is no war...there is peace...BUT...God wants us to have peace in the middle of the whirlwind...when things are not resolved...when the electric bill is not paid...when the doctor's report is bad. This can ONLY COME...when we are practicing verses 1-6 at this point....and to enter into a place where we know that God will meet our needs and give us strenght definitely must come by this way.

Verse 7: This PEACE...acts as a GUARD...much like the elite Roman Garrisons (The Green Beret and Navy Seals combined) who would surround a city. This peace will surround our hearts and our minds (the place of warfare and conflict)...and set guard...in CHRIST (The anointing that lifts burdens, destroys yokes) Jesus.


Verse 8: The question is...where is your MIND DWELLING? What's on your noodle? Is your thinkin'...stinkin'? Where you're dwellin'...will be tellin'...on you lips. Your mouth is the spout that reveals your heart and who or what you are really trusting when the pressure is on. Here are a list of the WHATEVERS that we need to be letting our MINDS DWELL ON:

a. Whatever is TRUE: "Sanctify them by thy Word...thy Word is TRUTH." John 17:17

b. Whatever is HONORABLE: Venerable, honest, grave. Walk in the light as He is in the light...and not a lie.

c. Whatever is LOVLEY: How lovely is your dwelling place...oh Lord of host. Get in His Presence

d. Whatever is of GOOD REPORT: Whose report are you going to believe...I will believe the REPORT of the Lord. 12 spys went in to spy out the promised land...2 came back with a GOOD REPORT...10 logged in a BAD REPORT.

e. If there is any EXCELLENCE: Get your mind of the mediocre and focus on His excellence.

f. If there is anything WORTHY OF PRAISE: What worth do you put in God moving in your life...the GET YOUR PRAISE ON.

Verse 9: The ball is in your court. Paul says that what you have:

a. learned
b. received
c. heard
d. seen

then...PRACTICE THESE THINGS. Practice means do them...mess up... get up and do it again until they become second nature. You only fail...when you don't get up again.

Verses 10-12 lays out THE SECRET of having and not having...THE SECRET of living in prosperity...and getting along with humble means...THE SECRET of being filled...and going hungry... THE SECRET of any and every circumstance...THE SECRET of having abundance and suffering need. This SECRET is the KEY to STRENTH AND SUPPLY that you have been preparing for from verse 1 of Philippians 4.

The SECRET is found in verse 11...not that I SPEAK from want. Again... your lips reveal your heart. Pauls condition was not based on his circumstance or his checking account. Paul learned the SECRET to SPEAK from a position of CONTENTMENT versus SPEAKING from a position of want, need, weakness, fear, anxiety, bitterness, etc. He spoke from a position on what his MIND had been DWELLING ON found in verse 8.

Now you are ready for STRENGTH AND SUPPLY.

Stand firm in the Lord...live in harmony in the Lord...help those who share the struggle...Rejoice in the Lord always as you speak forth blessing to others...allow people to see your humble spirit...realize the Lord is near...choose not to be anxious for anything...pray, supplicate and thank Him before you see an answer...live with a guarded heart and mind, and let you mind dwell on Him...and speak from a place of hope.

Thanks for hanging in there as you read this. If you did you are truly a Ruminator.

Love and Long Winded Kisses
Rodney "Supplied and Strong In Him" Boyd

THE SAGA CONTINUES: 35 YEARS AND 6 DAYS

Greetings all of you LOVEBIRDS. Do you remember the first time your eyes met with your soulmate...and the sensation of your stomach creeping up into your throat...and the tingling of electricity that was infusing your brainwaves to the point that you could not think straight anymore? Do your remember how your palms sweated and your mind went blank as your groped for words to say without appearing to be a complete dork. Aaaaaaaaaaaah...those were the days my friend...we thought they'd never end (thanx and a hat tip to Mary Hopkins).

As some of you know...the goddess and I celebrated 35 years of wedded bliss on July 14th...last Saturday. In my mind I had grandiose plans of how we might celebrate...but the best laid plans of mice and men went astray.

One of the plans was to go out for a romantic dinner at a quaint eating establishement (five minutes from the British Bulldog's home)...called ELLENDALES. According to the Bulldog...it is the epitome of gourmet dining...and the atmosphere would be conducive to the intimacy of a celebration of bliss (aka 35 year wedding anniversary)
When I showed up for work on Monday...the first thing out of the Bulldogs mouth was..."How was Ellendales?" I sheepishly reported that we did not make it to Ellendales. Well...katy bar the door...It was like I poured vinegar into a paper mache' volcano packed with baking soda... the Bulldog exploded with mock shock...and it escalated around the table of the Southern Hills cafeteria...as everyone joined in on the roasting of the ole Ruminator. Comments ranged from: I can't believe that you did not go...to how could you let us down like that...to you held up the standard for all of us to follow and you have let the standard fall.

Then when I told them that we went to Chili's instead and then went to the Uncle Dave Macon Day Festival...it was like starting all over again with the Shock and Awe factor. I hemmed and hawwed...and stammered my way with various excuses like..."Brenda wanted to go to Uncle Dave's instead." Their counter response..."No...she said that but in reality wanted me to take control...make reservations...and go to Ellendales. Bulldog then embellished the story with how...since Ellendales was only 5 minutes from his house...he had prepared for us possibly dropping by...and how he had some champagne chilled for a little celebration after the Ellendales experience. Oh the guilt and condemnation that was heaped upon my weary soul. I needed the solice of Sweet Brenda Sue.

I went home that afternoon...and told Brenda how the boys at work were picking on her sugar booger...her honey bunny...her 35 year boy toy. She showed the proper encouragement by letting me know that it was alright...and that we would make it to Ellendales one day. Her voice trailed off with fading hope...of one day...maybe...going to Ellendales.

Eating...dining...socializing are all part of the dating ritual. Our very first date...pre-homecoming dance...was meeting to eat at Sir Pizza. A large mushroom pizza...cola's...and the start of what would culminate in eventual marriage and 35 years of many times of eating at various establishments.

The first photo of this tale of love that you see...is another date...at the BARN THEATER. That's right...DINNER...and a show. The time is around 1968...69...and the company was still delightful. Food...drink...laughter...socializing...holding hands in dark eating establishements...a kiss over a sandwich...shared glances over a ham sandwich...expensive hoity-toity places...and bologna and crackers...35 + years (factoring in dating from 68 to 72 pre-marriage)...there was something that linked these events together...and it was NOT THE PLACE OF DINING OR THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD. What could it be?

It was not the food...it was the company. I could eat souse, chitlin's hogs head cheese and crackers...and be with Brenda...and it would be like I was feasting at New Orleans Manor...or Ellendales...or McGuires Irish Pub...or the Barn Theater. Our celebration of love is not based on food, drink, or socializing...but based on the spark that entered us when we first met. Our years of joy, happiness, trials and tribulations, deaths in the family, births of babies, Phillip Stephen Boyd, times when we had nothing to times when we have abundance...all wrapped up in our love for God...is what we celebrate...and that took place...over a lousy meal at Chili's (won't go back again)...and a leisurly stroll with a cool summer breeze at Uncle Dave Macon Day Festival.

Here's to the next 35 years...I love you.

P.S.
That last photo was us at the BARN THEATER with the same couple that was in the first homecoming photo.

Love and Nostalgic Kisses
Rodney "I Want Some Baby Back Baby Baby Back Ribs...I Want Some Baby Back Baby Back Ribs" Boyd

CURSES...FOILED AGAIN!

Greetings Oh Ye Non-Cursed people...have you expereinced the REVERSED CURSE? Who...Me!?! I'm not CURSED!

It's like asking someone..."Are you SAVED?" Who...Me!?! I'm not LOST.! Saved from WHAT?!?" If you pursue the thought a little further...and proclaim that JESUS SAVES... you may be met with Jesus saves...Moses invests and Buddah diversifies. What has this to do with what this series is talking about...THE ANOINTED and His ANOINTING? Everything!!!

The first step is that we have to admit that we need to be SAVED...or REDEEMED from this thing called being lost or under a curse...and then see that Jesus came to REVERSE THE CURSE...TO SAVE THE LOST...and that this was the purpose of the ANOINTING.

"For as many as are the works of the Law are under a CURSE...for it is written, cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them." (Galatians 3:10/Deut. 27:26)

"CHRIST (the anointed one with burden lifting, yoke breaking Holy Ghost Power)...redeemed us from the CURSE OF THE LAW...having become a CURSE for us (in our place)for it is written, CURSED is every one who hangs on a tree." (Galatians 3:13/Deuteronomy 21:23)

"...in order that in CHRIST (the anointed one with burden lifting, yoke destroying, Holy Ghost power) Jesus...the BLESSING (reversed curse) of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (non-covenant people), so that we might receive the promise of the SPIRIT through faith." (Gal. 3:14)

CURSE: To execrate and imprecate: execration= to call evil down upon, to speak abusivley or contemptuously of; denounce scathingly; to loathe or detest. NOTE: Think about the way you talk to people. You don't have to use "cuss" words or talk "dirty" to be cursing. Imprecate= to pray or evoke evil/curse upon.

Christ (the anointed one with burden lifting, yoke destroying, Holy Ghost Power)...hung on a cross in your place...for the purpose of REVERSING THE CURSE. He REDEEMED US.

REDEEM: To buy up, ransom, to rescue from loss, improve opportunity.

The price that he used to buy up and improve your opportunity...HIS LIFE, HIS BLOOD.

THE PRICE: "For you have been bought with a price...therefore glorify God in your body."
(I Corinthians 6:20)

"You were bought with a price; do not become the SLAVES of men." (I Corinthians 7:23)

Check out these verses for more insight into the power of the BLOOD OF JESUS in your redemption process: Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19, 12:24, 13:20; I Peter 1:2; I John 1:7

NOTE: Whe the word speaks of ANTI-CHRIST...as a person...as multiple people...as a spirit of anitchrist...the word anti mean against or instead of something or someone. In our study the ANTI CHRIST means against or instead of....the ANOINTED ONE...and everything the ANOINTING stand for...which is...anti-burden lifting...anti-yoke destroying...anti-Holy Ghost Power...anti-doing good,
anti-healing all...anti-oppression of the devil...anit- helping the afflicted, brokenhearted, captives, prisoners, mourners, fainters, ruined, devestated, and desolate. Everything that Jesus came to destroy...the works of the devil...the ANTI-CHRIST are against. QUESTION: Are you for us or against us?

Jesus came to earth as a little baby...became a young man at around 13 years old...grew into adulthood...and at 30 years of age...started His ministry. For three years...He went about doing good...and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. He went about under the ANOINTING (burden lifting...yoke destroying...Holy Ghost Power (HGP)... walking in obedience...manifesting the the will of God on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. He then ALLOWED Himself to be hung on a tree...as a curse in our place...to REDEEM us...and to set us free from the power of the curse. WHY?

"Little children...let no one DECEIVE you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this PURPOSE...that He might DESTROY the works of the devil."

Destroying Devil Deception (DDD) is the mission of the Christ...the ANOINTED one...ANOINTED with burden bearing...yoke destroying HGP.

After Jesus came out of the wilderness temptation...full of the power of the Spirit...He went into the synagogues...and taught them. What did He teach them? The he teach a course in homiletics or hermaneutics... or eschatology? No...he taught them about the burden lifting, yoke destroying, Holy Ghost Power of the ANOINTING.

Jesus went to Isaiah...61:1 (there were no chapters and verses at that time)...and began to read..."The SPIRIT of the Lord is upon ME...because he has ANOINTED ME (with burden lifting, yoke destroying, Holy Ghost Power)." (Isaiah 61:1/Luke 4:18)

Jesus then listed the things that He was anointed...set aside for a purpose...to DO: (1) Preach the gospel/good news to the poor
(2) Proclaim release to the captives (3) Proclaim recovery of sight to the blind (4) Set free those who are downtrodden (5) Proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.

From that point...He went about the countryside doing the same thing over and over again...teaching, preaching, healing. He would Preach, Proclaim, and Demonstrate the WILL OF GOD on the third rock from the sun as it is in HEAVEN.

The ANSWER to your problems...your frustrations...your unrest...your sickness...your disease...your dysfunctional life...is not drugs, self-help, pulling up your bootstraps, in pleasure to the nth degree...but it is in THE ANOINTED ONE...and His ANOINTING...the burden bearing...yoke destroying...power of the Holy Ghost.

Access is FREE...the price has been PAID...the REDEMPTION has been made...the CURSE HAS BEEN REVERSED...Now...the ball is in your court. You must RECEIVE what God considers acceptable...and satisfies his requirements...by grace, through faith in the CROSS OF JESUS. That's right...it all comes down to the D.B.R...Death, Burial, Resurrection of Jesus the ANOINTED ONE.

NEXT TIME: ANNIVERSARY UPDATE (For Enquiring Minds)


Love and Curse Free Kisses
Rodney "Burdenless...Yokeless" Boyd

BURDENS AND YOKES

Greetings and Salutations friends. How's the world treatin' ya? People ask me that all of the time..."Hey Rodney...how's the world treatin' ya?" My stock answer is..."The world ain't treating me good at all...but Jesus is treating me just fine." When I respond that way...I am not trying to be cute...or spiritual...or philosophical... just being honest.

Some days are good...some days are great...but some days stink. The weight of the world presses down on our shoulders. We turn on the news...and read about another bombing...another dip in the economy...another kidnapping...another authority figure caught in theft, adultery, child molestation...another (fill in the blank). We live our lives like a soap opera drama where...our personal lives are constantly in flux...as people disappoint us again....or we disappoint ourselves as we fight the demons within...and end up on the mat for an eight count. We no longer walk upright...we are bent over with the WEIGHT OF THE WORLD. We use to rule the beast of burden...but now...we are the beast.


Yokes of sin lead us to places that we don't want to go. Where once we were in control...now someone or something...controls us. The lust of the flesh...the lust of the eyes...the boastful pride of life... where we once found comfort is turning up comfortless. How's the world treating ya? We were once in control...once had authority of our lives...and now...the things that were under our control...controls us.

In Isaiah there was a glimmer of hope for the BURDENS and YOKES.

"And it shall come to pass in THAT DAY...that his BURDEN shall be taken away off thy shoulder...and his YOKE from off thy neck...an the YOKE shall be destroyed...because of the ANOINTING."
(Isaiah 10:27)

This was speaking of a day when the cruel burden and yoke of ASSYRIAN oppression would be lifted from an enslaved people.

The ANOINTING...is burden lifting...yoke destroying power. Notice the yoke is not just removed...but it is destroyed to the point of not being usable again to enslave them. Have you ever breathed a SIGH OF RELIEF...when the pressure is off...when the problem is resovlved...when life returns to normal? Imagine being enslaved with burdens and yokes...and then they are removed and destroyed.

Fast forward...to Acts 10:38..."You know of Jesus of Nazareth...how God ANOINTED Him with (a) the Holy Spirit (b) with power...and how He (the Christ/the Anointed One and His anointing)...went about
(a) doing good (b) healing ALL who were OPPRESSED by the devil (little d)...for GOD WAS WITH HIM." (Acts 10:38)

Jesus had BURDEN lifting YOKE destroying power. But the question is...how do the two verses connect with your life in 2007?

Jesus came to planet earth for a purpose. He was being obedient to the Father...to come and be the perfect sacrifice in YOUR place...on the cross...to Die...be Buried...and then Raise from the dead (D.B.R... death, burial, resurrection...nothing more...nothing less). For three years Jesus went about, doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for GOD WAS WITH HIM. As a matter of fact is Jesus was his first name...His middle name could have been Immanuel...which means GOD WITH US (Matthew 1:23)

Jesus had received an anointing...for a purpose. In Matthew 3:1-17 we see Jesus getting baptized with water (in obedience to the Father)...the Holy Spirit coming down upon Him in the form of a dove...the Father affirming His pleasure with His son in whom he was WELL PLEASED. This is the pivitol point of THE ANOINTING OF JESUS.

Immediately after this spiritual high...Jesus was led BY THE SPIRIT...into the wilderness (a lonely place) for temptation/testing by the devil. NOTE: When you are on a spiritual high...don't think that when things come crashing down that you are out of the will of God...you are probably smack dab in the middle of the will of God as your faith is being tested...tried...proven...for the next step in your journey.

Jesus passed the test with flying colours. Remember the nature of temptation/testing. The devil's purpose is not to pull you into something...but to pull you away from who you really are. He tempts to destroy. God will take the same thing that the devil means for harm...and make it good for you as you are strenghtend and matured. Jesus defeated the lust of the flesh...the lust of the eyes...and the boastful pride of life with (1) the Word of God (2) the Anointing of God (3) Obedience to God (4) the Authority of God.
These are the same tools that we have. (Read Matthew 4 and Luke 4 for full details). In Luke 4:13 we see that after the temptation...and Jesus utilized His authority and said, "BEGONE SATAN"...that He returned to Galilee IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT. What was the POWER OF THE SPIRIT? It was THE ANOINTING. He was the CHRIST...the ANOINTED ONE...with an ANOINTING for a PURPOSE.

The purpose of the BURDEN LIFTING...YOKE DESTROYING...HOLY GHOST POWER...is found in Matthew 4:17-25. Jesus began to demonstrate "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus began to lay out the WILL OF GOD. If you ever wondered if it was the will of God for you to be healed...read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...and see the WILL OF GOD demonstrated as Jesus went about doing good and healing ALL who were OPPRESSED (burdened down and yoked) by the devil (little d).

Jesus went out in the ANOINTING and began to (1) preach (2) teach
(3) heal the sick. This was his modus operandi (M.O.) He went about everywhere doing the same thing. "And Jesus was GOING ABOUT in all Gallilee, (a) teaching n their synagogues (b) proclaiming the Good News (gospel) of the kingdom (c) healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. And the news about Him went out into all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were (a) ill (b) taken with various disease (c) pains (4) demoniacs (5) epileptics (6) paralytics...and HE HEALED THEM ALL."

How did He do it. Was it because He was the Son of God...empowered with abilities far above those of mortal man? Was he exclusivly the healer? How did his followers do the same things...and even greater things? What does that mean for me with my burdens and addictions in 2007?

The answer to these and other questions...NEXT TIME...after this commercial break.

Love and Thought Probing Kisses
Rodney "Riding the Beast of Burden instead of the beast riding me" Boyd

CHRIST the ANOINTED ONE

Hello fellow citizens of planet earth. How's your world? Collectively...it appears that the world is in constant turmoil and upheaveal. Personally... I talk to people all of the time...whose lives are in constant turmoil and in upheaveal...or if it is not constant...their lives are like a roller coaster ride. This whirling, swirling, everyday drama is not limited to one particular type of person. It is Christians and Non-Christians alike.

The problems range from financial difficulty, family troubles, inner conflicts and emotional distress, sickness and disease, depression, oppresssion, possession, obsession and any session that you want to add to the mix. WHAT'S THE SOLUTION? Many people try to numb themselves with everything from drugs, pleasure, denial, etc. From my perspective...the answer is THE ANOINTED ONE AND HIS ANOINTING.

"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God ANOINTED HIM with the Holy Spirit and with power...and how He went about doing good and healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil...for God was with Him." Acts 10:38

"Jesus Christ is the SAME...yesterday...and today...yes and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

ANOINT: To rub on , smear into, pour out upon and referes to the POWER and PRESENCE of God through the Holy Spirit. In the natural...it referes to taking an ointment, an ungent, oil and put on people of objects to set aside for specific spiritual purposes.

The word CHRIST and MESSIAH means the ANOINTED ONE...who was anointed for the purposes of God. The word CHRIST is found 341 times in the New Testament.

NOTE: Jesus Christ is NOT Jesus' last name. It was...and is not Jesus Christ son of Mary and Joseph Christ...with all of his brothers and sisters...the little Christs. When the Postman delivered the mail to Jesus' house...the mailbox did not read CHRIST 301 Nazareth Blvd.

The word CHRIST means the ANOINTED ONE. What was Jesus anointed with? He was anointed with
(1) The Holy Spirit (2) Dunamis=power---dunamis--dynamic ability. What did Jesus do with this Holy Spirit and dynamic ability? He went about...he did not stay in one place and contemplate how wonderful it was to be anointed...he went about into the real world. What did Jesus do when he went about with this Holy Spirit and dynamic ability? He (1) Did Good (2) Healed ALL who were oppressed by the devil.
How could he accomplish this? Because GOD WAS WITH HIM...by the ANOINTING.

Today...we symbolically use oil...sometimes mixed with fragrances...as a touchstone of our needs. Healing, deliverance, commissioning people for service to the Lord....BUT...anointing goes way beyond symbolism...it is STILL the way that Jesus touches us in our time of need. Oppression of the devil was dealt with by the anointed Christ...yesterday...and it is the way that it is dealt with today...and it will be dealt that way forever.

In the Ist Epistle of John....written in around 90 A.D., John writes a warning that there were many anti-christs rising up....and would continue to rise up until Jesus returns. What are these anti-christs...against? The first thing that people think is they are ANTI-JESUS. That is true. Jesus is the CHRIST...the anointed one anointed for the purposes of God...who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.

In our next few Ramblings...we will look a little deeper and see what these anit-anointed one are really against.

Love and Anointed Kisses
Rod "Needing a Touch" Boyd

35 YEARS AND COUNTING

Hello LOVEBIRDS...what were you doing back in 1968. I was popping pimples...emerging from my cocoon...just starting to play in a band called the BLIND DISTORTION...and just beginning my journey with a good little Baptist girl named BRENDA SUE WILLIAMS.

I was a shy...131 pound...bespectacled...greasy haired kid...she was a vision of loveliness who decided that she would show mercy and pity to me...RODNEY LEWIS BOYD.

The couple pictured in this photo is Bruce (the lead singer in the Blind Distortion)...and Debbie (his girlfriend...and Brenda's best friend). It was our first official double date...to Central High School (at that time the only high school in Murfeesboro) Homecoming Dance.

Bruce and the boys in the band were trying to draw me out of my shy shell...and got Debbie to invite Brenda to one of the band practices that we were having. We were in a garage off of Jones Blvd. in Murfreesboro TN. It was a Sunday afternoon...when Debbie and Brenda arrived...but all I could see was a vision...as stated before...of loveliness. I was immediately smitten...but it was not recipricol. As memory serves me...I beleive she liked the lead guitar player...Dan.

The boys in the band...urged me to give her a call...so I did that night. Remember it was Sunday. I called...her mother answered...and informed me that she was at church. Hmmmm. I called again on Wednesday night (it took me that long to get up my courage). I called up...again her mother answered the phone...and informed me that she was at church. Dan (the lead guitar player) looked at me and said and expletative deleted ...#@!*&...are you trying to date a %$2*& Missionary? I was not sure...but I sure new that I wanted to go out with her. Perseverence pays off...and I finally got a hold of her and she agreed to go to the homecoming dance with me. We met for an official first date at Sir Pizza (Bruce's fathere owned it at that time..and that was THE place to go see and be seen). We ordered a large MUSHROOM PIZZA. At that time...I had never had a mushroom...but she liked them. We were so nervous that we ate a couple of slices and left the rest.

The homecoming dance was the first in a series of dances...which is a miracle in itself since...I have two left feet....BUT it was not the music, it was not dancing, it was not even the socializing...it was being with Brenda that made it great.

We double dated that night with Bruce and Debbie. Bruce was like Will Smith and I was like Kevin James in the movie HITCH. He was trying to help me out of my shy shell...and devised a plan where I could talk. To initiate the conversation...he figured out that I knew everything that there was to know about the controversy of PAUL MCCARNTEY being DEAD. I knew all of the clues on the albums...so we planted a bunch of albums in the back seat...and at the opportune time...Bruce said, "Rodney...why don't you tell us about the Paul McCartney clues." I reached around and picked up a handful of albums, and said..."I happen to have some albums here." I then proceded to expound upon all of the various mysterious clues.

Brenda...was like an animal caught in a trap....counting down the minutes to when the homecoming dance would be OVER.

Fast forward to July 14th, 1972. A lot transpired between 1968 and 1972...and that story is for another time...another place.

Friday night...6:30...She said I Do...I said I Do...and we Did. We got married at 6:30...because tradition said it you get married on the hour...you would start your marriage on the downswing of the clock... and you want to start on the upswing.

In 35 years...we have had joy...sorrow...happy times...sad times...angry times...blissful times...arguing and fighting...making up and loving.

You may wonder what the secret is to our 35 years of marriage. Here are the TOP TEN REASONS WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 35 YEARS.

#10 I'm a funny man...and I can still make her laugh.
# 9 I am instructed in the ways of amour.
# 8 We followed the advice of Billy Graham's wife...Ruth. She never thought about the word DIVORCE in their marriage...she thought about the word MURDER a few times... but never DIVORCE. We determined at the onset that we were in for the long haul.
# 7 When we got married...we literally left our fathers and mothers...and created a life for our own.
# 6 We spent a lot of time together...doing things we liked to do...together...not just what we indiviually liked to do.
# 5 We learned the FORGIVENESS PRINCIPLE...and learned how to yield our right to be right.
# 4 PHILLIP STEPHEN BOYD came into our lives in 1989. 19 years married...and a new adventure.
# 3 I became a Christian in 1970...when Brenda led me to the Lord in her driveway.
# 2 We built our marriage, house and home on a FIRM FOUNDATION:

Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house...they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city...the watchman keeps awake in vain." NOTE: When we got married...there were 6 other couples who also got married around the same time...and out of the 6 one or two are still married...and one of those has been married multiple times. We are still standing...by the GRACE OF GOD.

Joshua 24:15 "...but as for me and my house...we WILL SERVE THE LORD." NOTE: It's a declaration of choice that we made 35 years ago. It was the right choice.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON THAT WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED TOGETHER FOR 35 YEARS...

IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM BABY...IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM.

Well...that is a thumbnail sketch of our marriage. Are we the perfect married couple. NO! Do we make mistakes. YES! We have this crazy little thing called LOVE.


HAPPY ANNIVERSAY HONEY...won't you BEE mine?







Love and Blissful Kisses
Rod "35 and Counting" Boyd







Love and

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN...UNLESS IT'S UNDER THE SON

Greetings friends, neighbor's, countrymen...and country women also...how's it going? Have you looked in the mirror lately? Do you like what you see? How long do you spend...staring into your reflection as your reflection stares back at cha'? Do you do like the Fonz on Happy Days...as he gets ready to run his comb through his Brylcreem ladened hair...and decides...why mess with perfection...or do you pull a John Edwards and spend many minutes...preening over his hair like a rooster on a mission?

QUESTION: What does a folk singer, a seminal country rock band, a wise king, an ancient document from 935 B.C. all have in common?

ANSWER: The Book of ECCLESIASTES.

This is the title of the 21st book of the Old Testament that means:

HEBREW: Qoheleth=one who convenes and speaks at an assemlby or an ecclesiastic or preacher.

GREEK: Ecclesiastes=preacher derived from the word assembly.

The Byrds recorded a song by the author of the song...Pete Seeger...taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8...and called it TURN, TURN, TURN (To Everything There Is A Season). The only line that Pete added...other than turn, turn, turn... to the mix was a cry of desperation and a cry of hope..."I swear it's not to late."

This is a picture of a vanity. It is designed for the lady...or gentlemen...to have the perfect seat to view the preparation of the hair, face, clothes. It is called a vanity...because of the nature of someone who sits in front of it...is vain.

King Solomon...son of King David...a wise man...a rich man... a powerful, political man, a man with wives, concupines (the wife of a porcupine)...a man who HAD IT ALL...wrote a book about the nature of SELF CONSUMPTION.

He starts of the book with lament..."The words of the Preacher...the son of David, king in Jerusalem...VANITY of VANITIES...says the Preacher...VANITIES of VANITIES! ALL is VANITY. What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 NASB)

The Amplified puts it like this..."The words of the Preacher, the son of David and King of Jerusalem. VAPOR of VAPORS and FUTILITY of FUTILITIES, says the Preacher, VAPOR of VAPORS and FUTILITY OF FUTILITIES, ALL is VANITY---emptiness, falsity and vain glory." (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 AMP.) Vanity...futility...vapor/mist...emptiness...falsity...and vain glory. The stuff that our lives revolve around...in the mirror of our vanity.

Solomon ends the Book of Ecclesiastes with these words..."The conclusion, when ALL has been heard, is: FEAR GOD and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, because this applies to EVERY PERSON...for God will bring EVERY ACT to judgment, everything which is HIDDEN , whether it is good or bad." (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 NASB)

Packed between the beginning and the ending of the Book of Ecclesiastes...is a review of life and the "aimless cycles"...the "inexplicable paradoxes" of life...that we use to cover up the EMPTINESS in our hearts.

Solomon had it ALL...and none of it brought lasting happiness or peace. Someone once said that, "Money can't buy you happiness." Someone countered that statement with, "No...but it sure can make misery a little more comfortable."

I like to observe people. Don't you? I find myself watching people as they interact with each other...as they walk by...as they strut their stuff when they think everyone is looking...and as they go back into normal mode when they think no one is watching. People watchers (and I am one) watch people walk by and give a running commentary on fashion glitches....or give a rating on looks...or point out the psychological make up of that indiviual.
Guys...like to watch the ladies pass by...and give commentary on (1) the looks (2) the shape (3) and delusional comments about what they would do with certain ladies if they had 5 minutes with them.

Vanity of Vanities...all is vanity. Pleasures, hedonistic pursuits, materialsim, power (over someone or something), hoarded riches, winning the Rat Race...all futile...all like a vapor or mist that dissapates with the Sun.

We need to look in the mirror of our vanity again...and see our lives without God. We need to see the value of the gold we collect go from the gold standard...to as predicted in the Bible, a time when a piece of bread will buy a back of gold. We need to see the external aging process reflecting the inward mind and emotions slowly deteriorating before our eyes...as we pursue what brings momentary, fleeting, passing, pleasure.

NOTE: I like stuff. I like pleasure. I enjoy the good life. I hate that I find myself being consumed with the things of the world...to the exclusion of intimacy with my Father. As I review my life...as I look back..not only from my birth in 1951...but from the point of my new birth in 1970...I have come to this conclusion...

(1) There is nothing new under the sun. Sin is sin...whether it is back in the good old days our in the here and now. There is nothing new under the sun...in Rockvale Tennessee, Mbita Kenya Africa, Montana, Nashville TN, Iquitos Peru, down the Amazon River, on an island on Lake Victoria, or in Canada. Lonliness is lonliness...greed is greed...sexual immorality is sexual immorality. The only hope for nothing new under the sun...is everything new under the SON...THE SON OF GOD...D.B.R...NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS.

(2) Stuff does not bring happiness. It may numb the pain of our miserable existence...but hedonism does not bring happiness.

(3) Religion sucks. The pursuit of man trying to get God to love Him through rules, regulations, attempted good works, rituals, condemnation, manipulation as a salvo of a guilty conscience. True religion...doing good, helping the poor, helping the widows (outward manifestation of an inward work)...is good.

As Solomon concluded after his reflection of cycles of life, human wisdom, pleasure and wealth, materialism, hoarded riches, political success, sexual success, work success...THE END OF THE MATTER:

1. Fear God
2. Know that He is
3. Revere and Worship Him
4. Keep His commandments

ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14

All has been heard. The end of the matter is, Fear God---know that He is, revere and worship Him--and keep His commandments; for this is the whole of man [the full ORIGINAL PURPOSE of His creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of ALL happiness, the adjustment to all in harmonious circumstances and conditions UNDER THE SUN]...and the whole duty for EVERY MAN. For God shall bring EVERY WORK into judgement, with every SECRET THING, whether it is good or evil." (The Amplified Bible)

Thanks for listening to me about MY condition. Thank God for Jesus. Someone once said that Christians use Jesus as a crutch. Andrea Crouch responded..."If Jesus is a Crutch then give me two. A crutch is a pretty good thing when your crippled." John Lennon stated..."Sometimes you can't hide...when you're CRIPPLED INSIDE." I heard someone say the other day..."Jesus is more than a crutch...he is a stretcher...I've can't even get off the ground without Him." We can't correct the Ecclesiastes observations of Solomon...without a Saviour. Jesus Hung Up...for our Hang Ups.

Love and Seasonal Kisses
Rodney "Under The Son" Boyd

DEEP WATER

Hello boys and girls...Let's all sing along...M. I. C. (see ya real soon)...K. E. Y. (why...because we like you).

If you were a child in the 50's between 1955 to 1959...most likely you watched the Micky Mouse Club. When Jimmy gave the Mousekateer Roll Call...he would call out the various names of the kids...and one of them was Annette. She was every young boys first crush. She went on to star in movies like The Shaggy dog, Babes In Toyland, and various Beach Movies. She also had a few hit recordings in the Top 10 like Tall Paul, Pineapple Princess, O Dio Mio etc. She is also mention in the Bible when she got all wet. "Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto A NET (Annette) that was cast into the sea..." (Matthew 13:47) Poor Annette...or if you endured that joke...Poor you.
While we are in the Unpuny stage... I threw in these lovely CAST A NETS into the mix.

What do these puns have to do with DEEP WATER...and why is this idea of NETS important for us the believer? What possible benefit could an act of casting a net into the sea...be for us?

ANSWER: Everything.



This morning...I was reading in the book of Luke and I came across an interesting passage that caught my eye. Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret with the people crowding around him. They were listening to the Word of God. Jesus saw at the water's edge two boats that were left there by the FISHERMEN...who were washing their nets.

NOTE: The nets were already wet...why did they need washing? It means they were cleaning out the debris and mending the tears, etc.

Jesu hopped into one of the boats that belonged to a fisherman named Simon (Peter). Jesus asked him to put out a little from the shore...and taught the people from the boat. This presented a better stage presentation for Jesus to impart his message for maximum hearing versus just the few who were crowding around him.

When he finished speaking...he spoke again to Simon...and said, "PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATER, AND LET DOWN (CAST) THE NETS FOR A CATCH." (Luke 5:4)

NET: sag-a-nay= to equip, meaning furniture, especially a pack saddle which was a bag of netted rope...a seine for fishing...a net. If you fall out of your boat while you are casting your net...will you go IN-SEINE? Sorry.

CAST: bal-lo= to throw violently or with intensity, thrust.

NOTE: A teacher of the Word of God...a carpenter at that...telling a fisherman how to fish. That would be like me telling an electrician how to wire a house. It just does not make COMMON SENSE.

Peter response..."Master...we've worked hard all night (night fishing)... and have not caught anything." (Luke 5:6)

NOTE: These were the facts. Empty nets. This is what was SEEN. Now Jesus is asking Simon...to go against what his mind tells him is wasted effort.

Simon continues on with the BUT FACTOR..."BUT...because YOU SAY SO...I WILL (Simon's free will choice)...let down the nets." (Luke 5:5)

When they had done so...they CAUGHT such a large number of fish that their NETS began to break...so they signaled their partners in the other boats to come and help them and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. (Luke 5:6-7) Good Fishing Carpenter Style.

When Simon Peter SAW this...he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "God away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man! For he and all his companions were astonished at the CATCH OF FISH they had taken...and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. (Luke 5:8-10)

NOTE: Simon had a nice little fishing business..enough to have partners.

Then Jeus said to Simon...Don't be AFRAID...from now on...you will catch men (be fishers of men)...So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him. (Luke 5:10-11)

This passage has many messages on many levels. The one that jumped out at me today...is the power of obedience. The power of doing what seems to go against the grain of reason, tradition, sight...and step out in faith in obedience to Jesus...the Living Word.


As you walk out your faith in the Risen Saviour...D.B.R...nothing more, nothing less...many times you will come across things in your life that may look contrary to reason. Your intellect will kick in and you will not step out...and obey the Living Word. There may be DEEP WATERS...where you have fished before...and you know that you will be wasting your time to cast the nets again. After all you have been out all night...and it is time to hangup the nets. Sometimes our hanging up of our nets are really just GIVING UP...because of discouragement.

But then...a carpenter...a teacher...speaks not just to the crowds on the shore....but speaks to YOU...specifically. Here are the orders:

1. Put out into the deep water
2. Let down (cast) the nets

WHY? For a catch.

You may reason with the Lord...He can handle your initial doubts. You can let Him know that yo have worked hard all night and have not caught anything. But after you state the OBVIOUS...enter in to the BUT MODE. This is where you put your emotions and intellect on hold...and step out into the substance of things confidently expected...the evidence of things NOT SEEN...and say, "But BECAUSE YOU SAY SO...I WILL LET DOWN (cast) the nets.

The cause and effect...is whatever the LIVING WORD says will happen.

Immediate cause and effect of seeing God move...was for Peter and the boys was:

1. Knowing they were sinners...and the need to have the Lord get out
of their presence. (I know that one for sure)

2. Astonishement at what took place. (It's like believing for a miracle...
and then when it happens...you say in astonishement...I can't
BELIEVE that happened)

3. Fear. Jesus is the FEAR BUSTER.

4. A New Calling. Jesus took the thing that they did for a living...and
enhanced that with being fisehers of men.

5. They then: (a) Pulled up their boats on shore (b) left everything
(c) followed Him

The first step of obedience is to PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATERS.

Happy Fishing

Love and Tangled Net Kisses
Rodney "Captain D's" Boyd