THE JOURNEY

Hello friends and neighbors...how is your JOURNEY going?
Have you felt like giving up along the way? How bad do you want to reach your destination?

Way back in 1973...I started out on a journey of studying karate. Really the journey began back in the 6th grade as I watched Mr. Moto movies on T.V. Mr. Moto was like a Charlie Chan character...except he added judo to fight the bad guys. That was fascinating to me. Once at school... there was a kid who was taller than me...and was clowning around by picking on me...and I emulated what I saw Mr. Moto do...I threw him over my shoulder with a hip twist. So begins the journey. Over the next few years...I would read books...watch movies. In 1972-1973 the latest craze in movies and T.V. was the martial arts. Everyone was KUNG FU FIGHTING...watching Billy Jack takes his foot and placing it on Mr. Posner's face.. Bruce Lee was all the rage...and David Carradine was kung fu kicking his way through the ratings on T.V.


NOTE: Confucius say..Man with 357 Magnum...still have advantage over Black Belt.

My pastor/mentor/friend Bruce Coble...came to watch my examination. He stated that his form of self defense is running away...that's why he calls himself...Bruce FLEE...ah so.

In February of 1973...I saw an ad in the Daily News Journal for a karate class taught by someone I knew...Mr. Newton Harris. The class was $15.00 and was meeting in the basement of a school in Murfreesboro. I signed up...along with some friends...and we began to have a kickin' good time. After a couple of years...time and money ran out and I dropped out...BUT...the desire never left me.

Fast forward to when I turned 48 years old...from when I was 23....I kept telling Brenda that one day I will get my Black Belt. I set a goal to start taking Karate again at 50 years old. I even took Phillip to a tournament and told him that one day I would be fighting in this tournament. When I turned 50... I met with Mr. Bill Taylor...7th Degree Black Belt in the Wado Ryu System...and owner of the school that I had gone to in 1973...Bushido School of Karate. I told him my story of my journey...and that I was thinking about starting karate again...but I was thinking that I might be too old. He shot back that there was a lady in the school who was 75 years old who had her black belt...what was my excuse? I had none... so I signed up.

I received my first belt (White Belt) on 11/15/01. I kept a record of my journey...when I received my various belts. On October 27th and 28th... I took my Black Belt endurance examination and Federation examination. Tonight...I will receive my Black Belt on 10/29/07.

This journey was NOT an easy journey. It was filled with doubt at times... pulled muscles...frustrations...fear. Yes...fear of failure...fear of what people would think if I quit...fear of dying on the dojo floor. I was surrounded by kids, young adults, people who were in physical shape.. and oh yes...the 75 year old lady...who I have had the honor of fighting. I am proud to say that I have been punched and kicked by 12 year old girls and a 75 going on 80 year old granny.

Each belt was a milestone. I could look back...and see where I thought I would never make it...but did make it...and then look ahead to the prize waiting for me.

Now..you did not think that I was really writing a Rambling about me taking Karate...now did ya? My experience of this journey...is about my Journey with the Lord. I started my journey with the Lord in 1970. 37 years...I am still standing and still travelling towards the prize. PERSEVERANCE is the word for the day. I wanted a Black Belt...and I wanted it bad. I had every opportunity to give up. I was faced with my own frailties...my weaknesses...my fears...but NEVER GAVE UP. I had a hunger...a desire. As a result...I stand in this last picture...still standing...and ready to receive the prize that I persevered for all these years.

The question is...do you have that same hunger and desire for the things of God. Do you "hunger and thirst" after righteousness....so you will be SATISFIED (Matthew 5:6) "As the pants/longs for the water brooks...so my soul pants/longs for God, for the living God." (Psalm 42:1) Think about how you feel when your throat is parched and you need water to quench your thirst. Is that how you long for a long drink of the Lord.

Are you in PURSUIT of the things of God like...righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness? (I Timothy 6:11). Are the things of God worth fighting for as you "Fight the good fight of faith...TAKING HOLD of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:12)

Is this journey with God worth DISCIPLINING YOURSELF FOR THE PURPOSE OF GODLINESS?
(I Timothy 4:7) Do you realize that bodily discipline (karate) is only of little profit...but godliness is profitable for ALL THINGS since it holds PROMISE for the PRESENT LIFE...and also for the LIFE TO COME. (I Timothy 4:8)

As you read I Timothy 4:7-16...there appears to be a tenacity as you discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness in the areas of speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity as you show yourself and example of those who believe. Notice the tenacity words that appears...labor, strive, fix our hope, give attention to public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching...do not neglect the spiritual gift within you...take pains with these things...BE ABSORBED in them so that your PROGRESS may be evident to all...PAY CLOSE ATTENTION to yourself and to your teaching...PERSEVERE in these things...for as you do this... you will insure salvation for yourself...and for those who hear you.

On our journey...like my karate journey...there will be many obstacles set along the way to discourage you from finishing the journey and winning the prize.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside EVERY ENCUMBRANCE...and THE SIN...which so easily besets/entangles us...and let us run with ENDURANCE...the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

Jesus is our example...on how to fix our eyes beyond the suffering...on on the goal.

"Fixing our eyes on JESUS...the author and perfecter/finisher of our FAITH...who for the JOY SET BEFORE HIM...ENDURED THE CROSS...despising the shame...and has sat down at the right hand of the THRONE OF GOD. For consider HIM...who has ENDURED such HOSTILITY by sinners against Himself...SO that you MAY NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART." (Hebrews 12:2-3)

I encourage you to press in like Paul encouraged us to do..."But whatever things were gain to me (Black Belt, degrees, jobs, prosperity etc.) those things I have COUNTED AS LOSS for the sake of Christ. More than that...I count all things (Black Belt, degrees, jobs, prosperity, etc) to be loss in view of the surpassing value of KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD...for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish/dung in order that I may GAIN CHRIST...and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law...but that which is THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, the righteousness which COMES FROM GOD...on the BASIS OF FAITH...that I may KNOW HIM and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I might attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have ALREADY OBTAINED IT...or have ALREADY BECOME PERFECT...but I PRESS ON in order that I may LAY HOLD OF THAT for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren...I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet...but one thing I do...FORGETTING what lies BEHIND nd REACHING FOREWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD
I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians 3:7-14)

Love and Kicking Good Kisses
Rodney "Ninjarodo" Boyd

HAIRESY

Hello well groomed friends. Have you looked in the mirror lately...and checked out the condition of your hair? Is every hair in place...or do you have some wild hair or cow lick taking over.

As you see from this picture...My hair was well greased..and combed back into the requisite pompadour...with the well placed hair in the front dangling down. Combine this with my Buddy Holly glasses...is there any wonder why Brenda fell in love with me....sorry ladies...I'm taken.

Why would a young teenager...in an era of the Beatles...in the midst of a musical and cultural revolution...grease his hair...comb it back...and still be smiling. Well...the ROOTS...of my hairstyle...go back into the 50's (this picture was taken around 68 or 69)...goes back to my mom teaching me how to groom myself. She would utilize Elvis Presley as my role model. She would say things like, "You don't think Elvis would smoke... do ya?" So she would use the same tactics on teaching me how to comb my hair. We would grease up my hair and comb it back into plastered perfection.
In the movie O Brother Where Art Thou...the Pomade of choice was Dapper Dan Mens Pomade..."I'm a Dapper Dan man..." George Cloony's character would even wake up out of a deep sleep...thinking about the shape of his hair. When people complained about the smell...he would let them know that the smell was part of the experience that he liked. Back in my day...there was no Dapper Dan.. but there was Brylcreeme. We were told that "a little dab'll do ya" but we still squeezed half a tube into our palms and rubbed it in to our nappy hair.
My hair ointment of choice to anoint my head (anoint means to rub on, pour upon, smear into)...was a deadly combo of JERIS HAIR TONIC and WILDROOT HAIR CREAM. This is what my Uncle Elmer would use... and if it was good enough for Uncle Elmer...it was good for me. It was kind of like General Bullmoose in the Lil' Abner cartoon and movie..."What's good for General Bullmoose...is good for the U.S.A."

I would LIBERALLY apply Jeris hair tonic...and rub it in vigorously...aof greasless good grooming (G.G.G.). Hmmmm...from the looks of the star of Bedtime for Bonzo...and future President of the United States...it does not look greaselessto me. Jeris Hair Tonic smelled good to me. Not only was it greaseless good grooming...but it my hair was promised to be healthier, handsomer hair.

I had to be careful not to stand around an open flame or someone smoking a cigarette...for fear of igniting a hair fire. I did not want to become a HOT HEAD. I remember going to Sunday School...and people would wonder aloud about what that smell was. Once they pinpointed it to my head (no not my head is pointed)...and I made some excuse about eating some exotic food and what they smelled was my breath. Good thinkin' huh?

After a little massage with the Jeris...I would then pour on the WILDROOT...with oil (so much for the greaseless good grooming)... and then drag my comb through the glop. The comb would immediately develop a white build up of Wildroot that would have to be cleaned after each hair comb.

There were three actions promised by Wildroot (1) Grooms the hair
(2) Relieves dryness (3) Removes loose dandruff. Look at the way that the lady looks at the gentlemen. This is how Brenda look at me back in the late 60's. Ladies...I TOLD you that I was taken...now calm down!!!

I have realized...that the only thing that will control my wild root of sin...is to be anointed...not with Jeris or Wildroot...but with the Holy Ghost and Fire. The blood of Jesus...needed to be applied to the lentle of my heart...so the angel of death would pass over me.

"Thou hast ANOINTED my HEAD with OIL" Psalm 23:5

Love and Well Groomed Kisses
Rodney "Slick" Boyd

THANKSGIVING AT THE BOYDS

Greetings friends...it is that time of year where the pumpkin pies are baking...the sweet potatos are being topped with marshmallows...the giblet gravy is being simmered...and of course the noble bird is being baked, hashed, deep fried, etc.

That's right...I'm talkin' bout THANKSGIVING. As you puruse the first photo...you seen the concerned look no Brenda's face as she has her hands clasped in either thanksgiving...anticipation...or anxiety. Man...you overflow some hot oil on the ground once...and you can never live it down....but I digress. The real reason for this Rambling is to invite ANYONE...who for whatever reason do not have a place to go on THANKSGIVING...to come to the BOYD HOUSEHOLD.

One year...I was preparing for the baptism of the once proposed national symbol for America (that's right...the turkey...proposed by Ben Franklin). Brenda came out and suggested that I did not need to put any more oil in the pot...but being the MAN of the house...after she went back in...I snuck in a little more oil. When I immersed the bird in the hot oil.. there was slightly too much oil in the pot...and it overflowed onto the ground...the hose connecting the gas...and the fire ignitied on my hose and the ground. It was a small fire...that burned a small area around the cooker...but as I leaned over to beat out the fire with an aluminum pan... I heard the voice of one of the guest who had just arrived...Mr. Chris Cotton...head of security at Southern Hills Medical Center. I did not see him immediately...but heard him say..."Rodney...whatcha doin'? By the time I arrived back to Southern Hills on the following Monday...the fire had grown to epic preportions...and I had burned down Rockvale. The next Thanksgiving I was more prepared as THE BRITISH BULLDOG lent me his fire fighting outfit. Thumbs up...as the bird went down without further mishaps.

Of course the Bible instructs us to raise up our children in the way they should go...so I instructed Phillip in the Art Of Putting Out A Turkey Fire.

This thing started out back in the early 90's when there was a two year period when my mother, my father, my mother-in-law, and my uncle passed away. It was a rough time. We found ourself without a place to go for Thanksgiving for my family. We wanted to give Phillip a sense of tradition..so we opened up our house for anyone who did not have a place to go...for whatever reason. Many years later...we have seen an ecclectic grouping of people...and it is always food abounding.

Well...I said all of that to say this. YOU ARE INVITED to the BOYD HOUSEHOLD FOR THANKSGIVING.

WHO: You...whosoever.
WHAT: Thanksgiving At The Boyds
WHEN: Thursday November 22nd 2007 TIME: Eat at 1:00
WHERE: 1502 Jarratt Drive Rockvale TN 37153
WHY: Food, Fun, and Fellowship
HOW: E-mail or call and let us know you are coming and how many are coming with you. Bring a cover dish.

Love and Kisses
Rod "Turkey Fried Kisses" Boyd

THE NAME DROPPER

Hello to everyone who has a NAME. Did I ever tell you that I once met Johnny Rivers (Secret Agent Man), Arte Johnson (of Laugh In fame), Sherry Lewis (along with Lamb Chop), Vincent Price (lecturing on gourmet cooking and art), Ray Peterson (Tell Laura I Love Her)...and oh yes..I met ELVIS PRESLEY at RCA Recording Studio back in 1967. I can tell you are impressed by all of the names that I have just DROPPED on you. My Pastor...Ronnie Meek is quick to tell you if you ask him, "Whatcha know?"...he will respond back, "It's not WHAT you know...It's WHO you know." Of course...he is talking about KNOWING JESUS that will make the difference.

As you look at the first picture...realize that if you know Rodney Boyd...you will be comforted. Not only me...but I am backed up by people who work for me in the comforting business...and I can back that up Biblically. In Psalm 23:4... it is stated...Thy ROD and Thy STAFF, the comfort me. Sorry...I dropped my own name...and it broke.

When Jesus' disciples asked the Master to teach them to pray...he responded with what we have termed...THE LORD'S PRAYER. He shows us how to direct our prayers to the One who can answer our prayers...and the location of the Prayer Answerer. Then He makes the declaration that..."Hallowed, revered, holy BE YOUR NAME.

Now a name...is our point of IDENTIFICATION...that we know who is who and what is what. When you say ELVIS...you are most likely going to think PRESLEY...or even COSTELLO. When you think RODNEY...depending on your experience...you will either think DANGERFIELD...KING...or possibly BOYD. You have an image in your minds...of looks, characteristics, character, memories (good, bad, or ugly). The NAME evokes something in us that either brings us comfort, pleasure, disgust, assurance, etc. Again...a name is the point of IDENTIFICATION...that we base our reactions, responses, our interaction with that NAMED INDIVIDUAL.

JABEZ...is a name that literally means PAIN... because of his mother's identification with the PAIN that she suffered with JABEZ in childbirth. As you read the Prayer of Jabez (that was an actual prayer before it was a best seller written by Bruce Wilkerson)...you see that JABEZ rose above his NAME...and was more favored/blessed than his brothers. (I Chronicles 4: 9,10)

Sometimes we are limited by our vocabulary...which limits our ability to express ourselves. When we take a NAME...and limit it to mean one thing...then we must come up with other names or words for our point of identification or need. GOD cannot be boxed in with ONE NAME.

There are MANY NAMES to describe the ONE GOD. It is not like Greek or Roman Mythology where you have MULTIPLE gods...but there are many facets to God's character...that appear to line up with our many facets of NEEDS.

In the Old Testament...God is referred to as JEHOVAH/YAWHEH. He revealed Himself to Moses as I AM. When Pharaoh asked who sent Moses...Moses was to declare that I AM has sent him. I AM...THAT I AM. There are what is known as the COMPOUND NAMES of God...that reveals the nature and character of God...where we can use as POINTS OF IDENTIFICATION for our needs.

For example...if you needed healing in your life...you would be able to call upon...JEHOVAH-RAPHA (The Lord That Heals). If you needed someone with a ROD and STAFF to COMFORT you...you would call upon JEHOVAH-RAAH (The Lord Is My Shepherd). If you need provision in your life (when the bill collector is breathing down your nose or there is a shift in your job status, etc)...you would need to be down on your needs praying to JEHOVAH-JIREH (The Lord Will Provide).

Remember...we are not praying to POLYTHEISTIC BEINGS...many gods
BUT we are praying to ONE GOD...with many aspects. If you needed healing...you would not pray for JEHOVAH-SIDKENU (the Lord my Righteousness)...because you need a touch from JEHOVAH-RAPHA (the Lord that HEALS).

NOTE: In your time of need...God is not waiting until you get the proper NAME in order...so He will know how to respond to your prayer. If you got down on your knees....and screamed out HEEELLLLLLLLP!!!!...He is a big enough God to know what you need. This Rambling is just to let you know...that God is not limited by one name...that we tag Him with. His nature, character, ability, overflows in to a multiplicity of points of identification for us. He is known as Elohim (the Creator), El Roi (the God who sees), El Shaddai (The All Sufficient One), Jehovah Y' shua (The Lord My Savior), Adonia (The Lord My Master), Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord My Banner, Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies), Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord is Peace), and the bottom line name for me... is JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH (The Lord is THERE). Whatever you need... HE IS THERE.

Of course we know that the exact representation of the Father God and the Fathers will on earth as it is in heaven (check out the gospels and see Jesus as he manifests the will of God)... is His Son Jesus the Christ...the anointed one...anointed with yoke destroying, burden lifting, oppression removing power.
(See Acts 10:38; The 4 Gospels; Hebrews 1:1-4)

Remember...a NAME is merely something that we have attached to something to identify what it is to us. A name can be a PROPER NAME like Rodney...or a name can be a noun used to describe a person, place or THING. Any sickness or disease has a NAME attached to it. That name can bring much fear and consternation in our lives. Names are powerful...BUT...we have a NAME THAT IS ABOVE ALL NAMES....the name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:9-11)

JESUS' name is above the name of cancer. JESUS' name is above poverty. JESUS' name is above corporate logos. JESUS' name is above fear. JESUS' name is above schizophrenia. JESUS' name is above hopelessness about whatever situation you are in at the moment.

Our friend JABEZ...called on THE GOD OF ISRAEL...because he knew that this NAME could provide him the answer to his prayer request. Knowing this...JABEZ...prayed with expectancy:

1. Oh that Thou wouldst BLESS ME INDEED
2. ENLARGE my border/territory/realm of influence
3. That THY HAND would be WITH ME
4. That Thou woulds KEEP ME FROM HARM
5. That it may NOT PAIN ME

The cause and effect of this simple, straightforward prayer:

AND GOD GRANTED HIM WHAT HE REQUESTED.

PAIN knew the source of RELIEF...THE NAME OF GOD.

I encourage you to drop the name of God on the name of your need...and get ready for God to grant you what you request...as His Kingdom comes...His will be done...on EARTH...as it is in HEAVEN. As of last check...there was no sickness, disease, poverty, fear, anxiety, worry and tension in heaven. Lord...my Thy Will Be Done...IN YOUR NAME...AMEN!!!!!

NOTE: As I am going through STUFF...like you are going through STUFF...last night I was overwhelmed by the STUFF in my life. My pastor Ronnie Meek...heard from God...and had those who had STUFF in our lives to come down front...and had people who at that point in time were strong (sometimes I'm strong and I get to pray for those who will have weak moments). It was a great time of release. My brother Hal... came up to me later that night after our class...and encouraged me..to WRITE A RAMBLING TO MYSELF. Hal...this is it brother. Thanks.

Love and Namely Kisses
Rodney "Standing Strong In The Word" Boyd

TOP TEN REASONS I AM SO WONDERFUL (but not very HAPPY)

Hello friends and neighbors...I thank God that I am ME...and I know that you also are down on your knees...thanking the Creator of the Universe...for creating ME. I know that some people are in the land of Cleopatra...because they are in De..Nile..but after you read these Top Ten Reasons I Am So Wonderful...I'm sure that you will have a reality check and join the masses. NOTE: These pictures really have nothing to do with this Rambling...I just like them...and after all it is about ME.

NOTE: Thanx and a Tip O' Da Hat to the Amplified Bible for clarifying what BE the ATTITUDE that I should BE HAVING. (Beatitudes).


#10 I'm so humble that I have to look up to say hello to an ant.

"Blessed--happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward condition]--are the POOR in spirit (the humble, rating themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

#9 I am so wonderful that I do not cry about anything. I even had my tear ducts surgically removed so I would not stain my beautiful face with tears.

"Blessed and enviably happy, [with a happiness produced by experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who MOURN, for they shall be comforted."
(Matthew 5:4)

#8 I am one rough and tumble kind of guy who does not take anything from anyone because I'm too wonderful to be a weakling.

"Blessed--happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions]--are the MEEK 9the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall INHERIT the earth." (Matthew 5:5) NOTE: Meek in the Greek does not mean Weak. It means to be controlled much like a powerful lion under the control of the tamer.

#7 I am so wonderful...the my righteousness exceeds the required, minimal amount of righteousness needed to make it through those Pearly Gates. I am satisfied with my own Self-Righteousness.

"Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous [that is, in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation] are those who HUNGER and THIRST for RIGHTEOUSNESS (upright and right standing with God), for they shall be COMPLETELY SATISFIED." Romans 5:6

#6 I am so wonderful that I have learned the secret of how to dominate my enemies...NO MERCY!!!!

"Blessed--happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous [that is, possessing the happiness produced by experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions]--are the MERCIFUL, for they shall obtain MERCY."
(Matthew 5:7)

#5 I am so wonderful...and pure...that my nickname is IVORY SOAP 99.9% PURE.

"Blessed--happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous [that is possessing the happiness produced by experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions]--are the PURE IN HEART...for they shall SEE GOD."
(Matthew 5:8)

#4 I am so wonderful that world peace could be achieved by just placing a photograph of me in every nation of the world...in the words of Mohammed...Clay...Ali..."I'm a pretty man."

"Blessed--enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions]--are the makers and maintainers of PEACE, for they shall be called the SONS OF GOD." (Matthew 5:9)

#3 I am so wonderful because I endure people saying bad things about me because of my wonderfulness. Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

"Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous [that is, in the state in which one enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions], are those who are PERSECUTED for righteousness' sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)

NOTE: Read Fox's Book of Martyrs and take a closer look at true persecution of the Church around the world and stop whining about people saying bad things about you.


#2 I am so wonderful that people love me...they really love me...more than Sally Fields. As a matter of fact nobody ever says anything about my FAITH in myself.. so that must mean they love and agree with me and my wonderfulness.

"Blessed--happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions]--are you when people REVILE you and PERSECUTE you and say all kinds of EVIL THINGS against you FALSELY on MY ACCOUNT (Jesus' account)...Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:11,12)

And now...for the #1 reason that I am sooooooo,
WONDERFUL....

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME BABY...IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well...That about says it all...love and adore me because I am so wonderful...or am I? If I am so wonderful...then why am I NOT..."Blessed---happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions)". Could it be linked to the #10 reason...because I am not humble...and that God is resisting me?
(I Peter 5:5-7)

As that old, wonderful chorus says:

His name is Wonderful...His name is Wonderful..His name is Wonderful
Jesus my Lord
He is the Mighty King...Master of Everything...His name is Wonderful
Jesus my Lord
He's the Great Shepherd...the Rock of All Ages...Almighty God is He
So bow down before Him...love and adore Him...His name is Wonderful
Jesus my Lord

Love and Humbled Kisses
Rod "It's All About Him Baby" Boyd

THE ENCOURAGEMENT FACTOR

Greetings You All...Ya'll. How are you doing today. Has anyone told you what a blessing your are? If not...let me be the first. So many times we go through life...and the only thing that we hear is how we mess up...or how we will never amount to anything...or a constant barrage of negative talk. Some of it is strategic in nature...as people use their words to put us down...so they can feel a little better about their miserable existence. Others shoot off their mouths...unknowingly wounding tender spirits... and leaving impressions of their souls...that will last a lifetime.

Sticks and Stones may break my bones...but names/words can never hurt me. Nice sentiment...but not true. Shooting off our mouths and then taking it back is like pointing a 357 Magnum at someone...pulling the trigger...and trying to grab the bullet back after it penetrates the body. What would happen if we loaded our mouths with the Word of God...and words of encouragement...and shot off our mouths with blessings instead of curses. Paul's fellow saint...Barnabas was know as The Encourager.

The book that you see...was a gift from someone who has the gift of encouragement. It was from Bruce Coble...my pastor, my friend, my challenger, my mentor in the faith. NOTE: Every time when I mention the name Bruce...think Jill Coble also. They both are blessing in the Boyd family. They are both examples of what it means to be Christians...not perfect...but with all the warts...what it means to truly be followers of Jesus.

If we are going to blame anyone for my constant referral to the D. B. R.
Death, Burial, Resurrection...nothing more, nothing less...we are going to have to blame Bruce. Bruce drops in little nuggets in my life...that tend to stick with me. When I was the worship leader at a little church called New Life Chapel...Bruce would remind me...that, "Rodney, worship is critical." So when you see me worshipping on my guitar...a large part of what you see...is me pressing into God because of Bruce. I would watch Bruce in action as he would be a coverdish dinner at church. As I plowed my way up to the front of the line...as I sat down and ate...I would watch Bruce...wait until the end of the line...as he allowed.. yielded place in line to others first. Being a servant of God...was fleshed out to me. When we go to other countries like Peru, Africa, Mexico... I would try to imitate the Christ that I saw in Bruce...and would do things like wash the dishes for the people versus letting them wait on me hand and foot.


In Christianity...we tend to get excited about the latest wave of FADS OF THE FAITH. The next hot teacher...teaching new revelations...new fireworks...deep things of God...and new concepts of how a church should be structured and ran...until we run that concept into the ground and move onto the next big thang. Bruce encourages me to...pursue God with a passion...BUT...always, always, always, stay close to the CROSS. This is where the D.B.R. was birth in me. I always stay rooted in the work of the cross... the salvation, the deliverance, the forgiveness, the grace, the mercy, the place that established authority in my life over things in my life. "At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light...and the burden of my heart rolled away...it was their by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day." (At The Cross: Issac Watts and Ralph Hudson)

Well...the nature of a mentor...and servant...is to NOT like the rambling accolades...that I have been heaping upon him. But I do this...to encourage you...to become a servant, become an encourager, to live your life like Jesus (to the best of our abilities with the help of the Holy Spirit.

You may think that only people like Bruce, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa...etc are able to do this...BUT the secret is... realizing that there was a reason for Jesus to come...and that is to help people like the ones I just mention...and me and you...and the rest of the world...BECAUSE..."As it is written, there is none righteous...no not one." (Romans 3:10). As John Fisher puts it..."I am just a beggar...telling another beggar where I found a piece of bread."

As Jesus puts it..."And as you go..preach, saying, the kingdom of God is at hand...heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; FREELY you RECEIVED...FREELY give." (Matthew 10:7,8)

Well...we started off this Rambling talking about our mouths...so here are a few morsels to ruminate about:

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)

"Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing." (I Thessalonians 5:11)

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to STIMULATE one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together as is the habit of some, but ENCOURAGING one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24,25)

"If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintain the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do NOTHING form selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you REGARD ONE ANOTHER AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIMSELF; do not merely look out for your OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS, but ALSO for the INTERESTS OF OTHERS.

HAVE THIS ATTITUDE in yourselves which was ALSO IN CHRIST...who, although He existed in the form of God, DID NOT REGARD EQUALITY WITH GOD A THING TO BE GRASPED, but EMPTIED Himself...taking the form of a BONDSERVANT, and being mad in the likeness of men."
(Philippians 2:1-8)

If you want JOY in your life...the proper order of priority is:

J=Jesus
O=Others
Y=You

As the song says:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Love and Encouraging Kisses
Rod "The First Will Be Last and The Last Will Be First" Boyd

Of Mice and Men

Hello fellow human beings...are we men/women or mice.

In 1785...the Scottish poet Robert Burns was inspired to write a poem after he ploughed up a mouses home in the fields. The poem was entitled: TO A MOUSE, ON TURNING HER UP IN HER NEST WITH THE PLOUGH. But, Mousie, Thou are no thy lane In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes O' Mice an' Men
Gang aft agley, and lea 'e us naught
But grief and pain.

The Standard English translation reads: But mouse you are not alone... in proving foresight may be vain...the best laid schemes of mice and men...go often askewed...and leaves us with nothing but grief and pain...for promised joy.

The bottom line...you can plan out all day long what you want to happen.. but a plough can come along and disrupt your plans.

This concept is glorified in novels by John Steinbeck (Of Mice and Men)...and the subsequent movie...starring Lon Chaney (of The Wolfman horror flicks).

You would think that after 37 years as a Christian...that I would have learned this Mice and Men principle by now...but
Nooooooooooooooooooooo....I still plan things and get disappointed, depressed, deflated hope, over and over again.

I ain't talking about a 1785 poem by the Scottish Plougman...or about a 1937 Novella by Steinbeck...or a movie by Hal Roach (also of the Little Rascals fame), but I am talking about Nitty-Gritty...down to earth...down and dirty life on planet earth. I have got to learn to temper my plans with faith in God...and adjust. In karate...boxing...street fighting...the guiding principle is...FIGHTING IS A SERIES OF ADJUSTMENTS. The same principle goes for the Kingdom of God...LIFE is a series of adjustments...and just when you think you should have bobbed...you should have weaved...BLAMMO.

Well...what's a BELIEVER to do? I'm glad you asked. First we need to live our lives like Oswald Chambers mentions in the devotional MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. In the January 31st devotion...he mentions twice and attitude that we have to keep forefront if we are to fulfill our CALLING.


NOTE: This man in the picture is saying...Have Thine own way Lord... have thine own way...Thou art the Potter...I am the clay...mold me and make me...after Thy will...while I am waiting...YIELDED AND STILL.

"To talk in that way is a sign that the reality of the Gospel of God has not begun to touch me; there is no RECKLESS ABANDON TO GOD. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in MY OWN character. Paul is unconscious of himself, he is RECKLESSLY ABANDONED, separated by God for one purpose--to proclaim the Gospel of God." (Romans ix.3.)

This is step one...to preparing for adjustments in our well thought out plans of how life should be and turn out for us.

Step two entails...getting our eyes of of evildoers and wrongdoers...that tend to appear to be the ones who screw up our lives...and then appear to prosper and get everything that we were suppose to have. Psalm 37 speaks of this...as we start to whine about life not being fair...or why does everything always happen to me.

NOTE: Things happen to us for various reasons: (1) We live in a cursed and fallen world (2) There is a devil out to steal, kill and destroy (3) The Barney Fife Syndrome where we shoot ourselves in our own foot after Andy told us to keep the bullet in our pockets (4) The natural testing of your faith as God is drawing out proven character in you.

In Psalm 37...we need to circle all of the VERBS...ACTION WORDS that appears to be OUR RESPONSIBILITY...when things AIN'T GOIN' AS PLANNED (our plans that is). Here is a cursory look at some (not all) of the things that we are suppose to do between the point of prayer and the point of provision: fret not...be not envious...trust in the Lord...do good... dwell in the land...cultivate faithfulness (feed on His faithfulness) ...delight yourself in the Lord (He will give you the desires of your heart)...Commit your way to the Lord...trust in Him (He will do it)...rest in the Lord...wait patiently for Him...CEASE FROM ANGER...

Well, you get the idea. We are NOT just sitting passively aside as the plan shifts and evildoers and wrongdoers appear to have the upper hand.

Step number 3 is a matter of TRUST: "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING...In ALL your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM...and He will make your paths straight...DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES...fear the Lord and turn away from evil." (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Step number 4 is found in the book of James: "Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we shall go to such and such a city...and spend a year there and engage in business...and make a profit. Yet you DO KNOW KNOW what your life will be like TOMORROW. You are just a VAPOR that appears for a little while and then VANISHES AWAY. Instead, you ought to say...IF THE LORD WILLS, we shall LIVE, and also do THIS or THAN. But as it is, you BOAST in your ARROGANCE...all such boasting is EVIL. Therefore...to one who know the right thing to do...and does not do it...TO HIM IT IS SIN." (James 4:13-17)

Step # 5 is found in Romans 8:28..."For we know that God causes ALL THINGS (the good, the bad, and the ugly)...to work together for GOOD to those who LOVE GOD...to those who are called according to HIS PURPOSE (not our purpose)."

And finally...Step #6...or the Joseph Principle...where Joseph...had his murder faked, stripped of his pride and joy (his coat of many colours), thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, accused of attempted rape (false charges), prison...and then elevated to a position of power. Joseph had every right to grumble, complain, whine, attempt revenge, get even...but Joseph had a DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

When the brothers who had done the bad stuff to Joseph were confronted by Joseph...Joseph states.."And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves...because you sold me here; for GOD SENT ME BEFORE YOU TO PRESERVE LIFE." God had different plans for Joseph. He underscored it again..."And GOD SENT me before you to preserve for you, a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a GREAT DELIVERANCE." Genesis 45:4-7

After their father died...the boys became fearful...that NOW Joseph would get even. Again Joseph was moving from a different perspective of how the PLANS in his LIVE were adjusted. God gave me this word personally for my first trip to Africa..."Do not be afraid, FOR AM I IN GOD'S PLACE." Genesis 50:19 NOTE: God's Place...no matter what has happened to you in the past, present or future...is a good place.

Joseph then underscores...the BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN..."And as for you...you meant EVIL AGAINST ME (meant harm)... BUT...GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD....in order (there is always order in God's plan...even when it looks chaotic)...to BRING ABOUT this present result to preserve many people alive." Genesis 50:20

Sometimes to get to the RESULT that God desires....our PLANS have to be PLOUGHED UP by the MASTER PLOUGHMAN.

Love and Planned Kisses (but subject to change)
Rodney "gang aft agley" Boyd

THE RUMBLE

Hello friends and Struggling Rumblers...as Dean Martin sings..."Ain't That A Kick In The Head."

Do you ever feel like Chuck Norris on the receiving end of a right cross from Bill "Superfoot" Wallace? You are walking along...minding your own business... when WHAM!!!! Your head is snapped around...you feel the connection of the leather glove on your chin...the electric sensation goes to your brain...the idea of laying down and saying, NO MAS, NO MAS...NO MORE, NO MORE." In the movie A FORCE OF ONE...after Chuck received this devastating blow...he rallied...and ended up the winner by Superfoots default...Superfoot died. Of course...it is a movie...and the bad guy did lose...and the good guy did win...because that is how it is written in the script...and the Director...Producer... wanted the movie to end that way.


Well...chicky...life hurts. There ain't no script...and there ain't no one to yell cut when life gets tough. You have to play with the cards that are dealt ya...you have to lay down and just accept whatever comes your way...and their ain't nuttin' that you can do about it...OR is there? There just might be an ACE up the sleeve to pull out at the last minute.

We may not have a SCRIPT...but we do have SCRIPT-ture...and we many not have a DIRECTOR...but we do have some one who can DIRECT or steps...and we may not have a PRODUCER...but we do have a CREATOR...who has a destiny and purpose for our lives...IF we do not give up...just because we are on the receiving end of a hard...knockout... punch. When the going gets tough...this is where the TOUGH get going... straight to the Word of God. Take the bullet out of your pocket...and load up.


When Billy Jack is facing the odds against him...he does the only thing that he can do...take off his boots...and start KICKIN'

Bruce Cockburn waxes poetic...in his song LOVERS IN A DANGEROUS TIME...when he states, "Nothing worth having comes without some kind of FIGHT...Got to KICK at the DARKNESS...until it BLEEDS DAYLIGHT."

Billy Jack relied on Hapkido...Old Reliable Barney Fife relies on his bullet (singular)...Chuck Norris relied on a Script...but we rely on The Word of God.

In 1957...just before Elvis was shipped off to Germany as he answered the call of Uncle Sam... he filmed what I consider to be his best movie...KING CREOLE. Multiple times...Danny Fisher (Elvis)...protected Ronnie (Carolyn Jones aka Morticia on the Addams Family)...the girlfriend of mobster Maxie Fields (Walter Mathau of the Odd Couple fame). Danny saw something in Ronnie...that made him think that she was worth fighting...and yes maybe dying for...so he would use whatever was at his disposal...to protect what he felt was worth protecting.


As Michael Buffer announces............

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttssssssssss get ready to RUUUUUMMMMBBBLLLE!!!!

The question is...are you willing to take a STAND...and FIGHT...for what satan/devil (little s and d) are trying to take away from you? Are righteousness...peace...and joy worth the RUMBLE?

Gather round children...and let Uncle Rod tell you a story. There once was a young lad...who accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour...and everything was lovely for the next 37 years...and the young lad and his lovely lady lived HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Wasn't that a nice story boys and girls? Well...it is only partially true. There was a remarkable change in the life of the young lad and his lady...but just because they accepted Jesus did NOT mean that they were immune from trouble...in some ways...it intensified.

Hardships...produced character. To walk in the Kingdom of God...be ready for battles, warfare, trials, troubles, tribulations, afflictions, persecutions...but at the same time be ready for victories, deliverance, provision, maturity, etc.

"And from the days of John the Baptist (the big dipper) until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence (is forcefully entered)...and violent men take it (seize it for themselves) by force." Matthew 11:12 To me this speaks of a hunger and tenacity for the kingdom in the face of hardships...and not giving up.

"And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, STRENGTHENING the souls of the disciples, ENCOURAGING them to CONTINUE (not give up) in FAITH...and saying...Through many TRIBULATIONS we must enter the kingdom of God." Acts 14:21,22)
Again...in the face of TROUBLE...DON'T GIVE UP.

We live in a CURSED and FALLEN world...and DARKNESS engulfs the souls of mankind...with us with the responsibility of being STREAMS OF LIGHT INTO DARKENED CORNERS.

There is method to this madness of tribulations in our lives. There is process in the maturity mambo.

"Therefore, having been justified by FAITH, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) Everyone can give a big AMEN to the PEACE OF GOD....but we must read on.

"...though whom also we have obtained our introduction by FAITH into this GRACE...in which we STAND...and we exult (jump up and spin around)...in HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD." (Romans 5:2) Again...I would like to stand up and give a great big HALLELUJAH for the HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD...YES...AND AMEN!!!!!! ...but we must read on.

"And not only this, but we also exult (jump up and spin around) in our TRIBULATIONS...knowing that TRIBULATION brings about PERSEVERANCE; and PERSEVERANCE....PROVEN CHARACTER.... and PROVEN CHARACTER ...HOPE...and HOPE does not disappoint, because the LOVE OF GOD...has been poured out within our hearts THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. who was give to us." (Romans 5:1)

I don't know what you are going through...and I don't know how long you have been going through it...BUT I do know...that IF you are a believer...versus a nominal Christian...or a religious person...that God has purpose and plan...and you will come out the other side of the RUMBLE intact...with maybe a little limp like Jacob did when he RUMBLED with God...and had not only a name change...but a legacy change. (Genesis 32:24-32)

Ladies and Gentlemen...in this corner...wearing the white trunks...weighing in...well let's not weigh in on that subject...ROD THE BOD BOYD...and in the other corner...wearing the dark trunks...weighing in with the WEIGHT OF THE WORLD...trials, troubles, and tribulations.

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeets get ready to RUUUUUUMMMMBLE!!!!

Love and Victorious Kisses
Rod "And The Winner Is" Boyd

Bruce Cockburn In Nashville TN

Bruce in Nashville

THE ART OF BIBLICAL MEMORY CLASS

Hello friends...just a friendly reminder that on October 3, 2006...Wednesday night at Smyrna Assembly...starting at 7:00...will be the beginning session of THE ART OF BIBLICAL MEMORY CLASS (Scripture Memorization Ruminator Style).

The class is based on The Navigator's Topical Memory System. We will be focusing on the first section of the Topical Memory System...THE WHEEL. The principles that you learn while memorizing the 12 verses...you will be able to apply with the total 60 verses...if you desire.


This system was first envisioned by a man named Dawson Trotman...the founder of the Navigators (a parachurch organization called along side to help the church)...who started by reaching out to servicemen. He was convinced that men/women...needed to be discipled once they received Jesus...and the main teacher...along with the Holy Spirit was the WORD OF GOD. NOTE: A great biography about Dawson Trotman is DAWS by Betty Skinner.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God shall stand forever." Isaiah 40:8

Many things shift, turn, fail...but the Word of God is constant.

In THE ART OF BIBLICAL MEMORY...we will not only learn memory principles as we memorize individual verses...but we will also be studying the surrounding context...see how it applies not only to when it was written...but also for the NITTY-GRITTY...everyday...day by day lifestyle.

The RUMINATORS...is a Sunday School class (meeting every Sunday morning at 9:00 at Smyrna Assembly in Ruminator Central (aka the Fellowship Hall). The class is based on Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law (The Word)...shall not depart from your mouth...but you shall MEDITATE (haw-gaw) on it (The Word) day and night SO that you may be careful to DO...according to all that is written in it (The Word); for then you will make your way PROSPEROUS, and then you will have SUCCESS."

The word for MEDITATE...is haw-gaw...and means to mutter under you breath (in your mouth), contemplate, meditate. The Latin word for MEDITATE is to RUMINATE. There are various animals that are ruminants...and are distinguished by the fact that they chew their food...swallow it...process it through 4 chambers of the stomach...and regurgitate the processed food into the form of a CUD...and then slowly CHEW THE CUD. Notice the cow...standing in the field...looking off into space...CHEWING THE CUD...contemplating why human beings drive by them and hang their head out of the window and begin to moo.

Well...as RUMINATORS....we CHEW on the WORD OF GOD...like a COW CHEWS THE CUD.

I look forward to seeing some of you in class Wednesday.

Love and Cud-Chewing Kisses
Rodney "I Hope I Remember To Come To Class" Boyd