DAT'S JUST DA BEAST IN ME

Greetings O Ye Saints...and you know who you are...or are not.

A saint is usually thought of as someone who is perfect...no flaws...above the fray of the rabble of this world. Biblically...saints are not perfect but are forgiven...because it's not who YOU are...but who HE is in you.

SAINT: ko-desh=a sacred place or thing , a consecrated thing, a dedicated thing, a hallowed thing, saint, sanctuary

SAINT: hagios= an awful thing, sacred, blameless, consecrated

"Therefore...if any man...wo-man...hu-man...is IN CHRIST...he/she/they are new creations/creature...the OLD THINGS are passed away...behold...NEW THINGS have and are constantly coming." (II Corinthians 5:17)

In the movie JAILHOUSE ROCK (1957)...Elvis' character...Vince...grabs Judy Tyler (can't remember her character's name)...and plants a wet, sloppy kiss on her. She pulls away and says..."Don't use those tactics on me!" Elvis...slightly smiles...and says..."Dem ain't tactics... that's just da BEAST IN ME."



"Even he who is pure in heart...and say his prayers by night...can become a wolf when the wolf bane blooms...and the autumn moon is bright." (From the movie The Wolfman quoted by the old gypsy woman over Larry Talbot who was cursed with the BEAST within him).

In the year 2000 there was a CD released by a group called KENNEDY, KIRKPATRICK, MADERIA & SPRAGUE...called COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE This was a collection of musical artists and writers who recorded the songs that they have written...but recorded by other artists. The title song off of that project is the one that caught my attention. It was NOT recorded by others...but a new song...recorded by the boys themselves. The title is COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE...ala the project title.

The first song sounds like CROSBY, STILLS, AND NASH...from the acoustic guitar (ala David Crosby)...electric guitar (ala Stephen Stills) and tight vocal harmonies (ala David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash). Here's a glimpse of the lyrics...

Left to myself...it's not a pretty picture
Me and my will...it's such a deadly picture
I am first...and you're the least
That's the NATURE OF THE BEAST

If there's any love...any evidence of...if there's any good inside myself...IT'S COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE

I draw from the WELL...I drink the LIVING WATER
I look through the veil...SEE THE MERCY OF THE FATHER
Leave it to the Prince of Peace
To CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE BEAST

Coming from...coming from SOMEWHERE ELSE
Somewhere , where there's PERFECT LOVE
Won't you take me there?
Take me there...SOMEWHERE ELSE

Well...those lyrics hit me where I feel like I am...and where I am NOT. In 1970...I was confused...paranoid...fearful...and felt as if I was controlled by the BEAST IN ME. I was a torn person. I was dating Brenda...in love...BUT at the same time...my life was a total wreck. I had a BEAST within me...that was craving many things...and the more I tried to fed DA BEAST...with drugs, booze, sniffing various chemicals, music, good times...DA BEAST was never SATISFIED. In the fall of 1970...Brenda led me to the Lord...and the hold of the BEAST was loosed. It was like night and day...I was FREE...but by 1972... the BEAST reared it's ugly head...and I was doing more sin and trapped by the beast more that I was before I became a Christian. I tried to CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE BEAST... but was unable to do so. It's like the song says..."Left to myself...IT'S NOT A PRETTY PICTURE...me and my will...IT'S NOT A PRETTY PICTURE.


Paul wrote of this struggle in Romans 7.

NOTE: The great theological debate is (1) Paul was talking about his life B.C... before Christ (2) Paul was talking about his life A.C....after Christ. I really don't care it was before or after...I have experienced in both time frames.

"I do not understand my own actions--I am baffled, bewildered. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe (which my moral instinct condemns]. Now if I [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent ) and that I take sides with it. However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin[principle] which is AT HOME IN ME...and has POSSESSION of me. For I know that NOTHING GOOD dwells within me, that is, IN MY FLESH. I can will what is right, but no power to carry it out; For I fail to PRACTICE the good deeds I DESIRE TO DO, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing. Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it--it is not myself that acts--but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul]." (Romans 6:15-20 The Amplified Bible)

The question that Paul asks...and the answer the song COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE underscores is the same thing that Paul declares...

I draw from THE WELL...I drink the LIVING WATER
I look through the veil...See the MERCY OF THE FATHER.
Leave it to the PRINCE OF PEACE
To CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE BEAST

"O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death? O thank God--HE WILL! Through JESUS CHRIST...THE ANOINTED ONE...OUR LORD!..." (Romans 7:24-25 The Amplified Bible)

Well...Dem may not be tactics...but just da beast in me...I know from personal experience...that my help...any good in me is...COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. I am drinking from the well...LIVING WATER...AND I look through the "veil of His flesh" and do see THE MERCY OF THE FATHER. Lord...thank you for changing...and constantly changing...the nature of the beast. I will proclaim who I AM (a new creation IN CHRIST...the OLD THINGS (da beast within me)...has PASSED AWAY...NEW THINGS...are constantly coming as I become transformed into the image of Christ...moment by moment...day by day...from glory to glory.

Love and Changed Kisses
Rodney "Coming From Somewhere Else" Boyd

PHIL KEAGGY CD GIVEAWAY: ACOUSTIC CAFE

Greetings and salutations...friends...neighbors...countrymen... and country women also. Welcome to the PHIL KEAGGY CD GIVEAWAY: ACOUSTIC CAFE. I have friend named Katherine Entzminger...who came up to me at church bearing a gift...this CD. Actually...the gift was not the CD...but the thought and intent by this dear sister...who knew I liked Phil Keaggy. I have this CD... but thought...why not pass along the gift...thus being born...the GIVEAWAY.

For those who love the more mellow side of Mr. Keaggy...this is a wonderful project. As it says on the liner notes: Timeless love songs performed in an intimate acoustic setting will leave you smiling and inspired. It's MELLOWCOOL on a sunny afternoon.

Songs are an eclectic grouping including Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles), If Not For You (Bob Dylan), Make Me Feel Your Love (Bob Dylan), Songbird (Fleetwood Mac), Something In The Way She Moves (James Taylor), God Only Knows (The Beach Boys), In My Life (The Beatles), All I Have To Do Is Dream (The Everly Brothers), Here, There, Everywhere (The Beatles), She's Got A Way (Billy Joel), You Have My Heart (Phil Keaggy) and Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper).

Vocal guests includes: Nina Landis (Songbird), Gene Miller (Something In The Way She Moves), Randy Stonehill (In My Life), Jeremy Casella (All I Have To Do Is Dream), Geri Bobeck...Phil's sister (You Have My Heart) and Alicia Keaggy...Phil's daughter (Time After Time). Of course Phil is all over this album in vocals and guitar.

CONTEST RULES:

1. Respond to this Rambling with your favorite Phil Keaggy Song

OR

2. Take a guess at Ole Rambling Rod's Favorite Phil Keaggy Song...not limited to this C.D.

OR

3. If you never heard of Phil Keaggy...google Phil Keaggy and let me know you would like to win this CD.

4. All entries will be place in the hat...yes a literal hat...and on April 24th I will draw the winner's name out of said hat.

NOTE: You do not have to be present to win...and distance is not a factor...I will mail the prize to you.

Love and Acoustic Kisses

Rodney "MELLOWCOOL" Boyd

D.B.R...HOAX OR FACT?

Greetings and salutation in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace, mercy, and peace from the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In other words...Howdy Do.

Between 1969 and 1973...there was a group called Mason Profitt. This group were helping to forge a sound of music comprised of folk, country, rock and blues. It is said that they picked up where groups like the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield left off...and influenced groups like the Eagles and subsequent groups. At this time in our musical history people like Jackson Brown, Wayne Berry, The Eagles etc...were weaving colorful stories in their music.

After 5 albums The Talbot Brothers (Terry and John Michael)...the driving force of Mason Proffitt...left the band and began singing Christian music to reflect there deep faith in Jesus Christ.

Their album REBORN is a classic...again reflecting their faith. Terry and John recorded various solo projects throughout the years and then came together again to record THE PAINTER with the song Create In Me A Clean Heart (an accapella masterpiece).
John became a Monk and released multiple, multiple, multiple worship albums...Terry continued to release worship albums and teamed with Barry McGuire to record and tour.

You must be asking yourself..."Self...why is Rodney going on and on about the Talbot Brothers...and what does this have to do with the title of this Rambling...HOAX OR FACT?" Well...Self...I'm glad you asked. HE IS RISEN! This is not only a historical fact on the time-space continuum...but also the title of a song on John Michael Talbot's first solo project. Since April 4th 2010...we will be celebrating what is known as Easter (but really should be called Resurrection Day and not named after a fertility goddess whose egg fell in a river and rolled up on shore). Thank God that the blood of bulls, goats, turtle doves...and a cute fuzzy bunny rabbit was not crucified on the cross in place for my sins. Here is the song HE IS RISEN with a little Ruminator Commentary along the way.

HE IS RISEN (John Michael Talbot)

(Verse 1)
There's a Voice in the wind can you hear it? A Story echoes in the wind, can you hear it? It's an answer for prayer for peace come true...and it comes now from me to you...can you hear it?

NOTE: This story...extends as far back as God. The Old Testament echoes over and over again the story of Jesus...the Prince of Peace. From Genesis 3:15 where the prophecy of the conflict on the cross is first breathed...until the actual event the story reverberates throughout history. Can you hear it?



(Verse 2)

There was a Prophet in the land, do you remember? He said He was more than just a man, do you remember? He told of us a love that was so true...How it would last the ages through...do you remember?

NOTE: Jesus was a teacher, preacher, manifestation of God in the flesh, a prophet, the exact representation and radiance of God. Over and over and over again...He underscored that He was God In The Flesh...He was before Abraham...He was I AM. He expressed His love not necessarily by saying the words..."I love you."...but by demonstration. "He demonstrated His own love toward us...in that while we were YET sinners...Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

(Chorus)

Halle-lu, Halle-lu, He is LIVING...Halle-lu, Halle-lu...He is LIVING...Halle-lu, Halle-lu...He is LIVING

NOTE: Jesus was a historical figure...who was born a baby (by Virgin Birth)...grew up in the family of a carpenter...followed the Jewish customs...grew in wisdom and stature...and at 30 years old...ministered for 3 years teaching, proclaiming the Kingdom, and healing the sick. He was anointed with yoke breaking, burden lifting, oppression removing, healing power of the Holy Spirit and dynamic ability (Power/Dunamis)...and went about with this anointing doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (little d)...for God was with Him. Jesus manifested...the will of God on earth as it was in Heaven...and destroyed the works of the devil.

(Verse 3)

But they took this Nazarene, can you hear them screamin'...they took this Man of Peace, in confusion they're screamin'...tearin' His clothes they stripped Him bare...They scourge His back 'til His skin did tear, hear them screamin'

NOTE: The passion of Christ was a bloody mess. They mocked Him, spit upon Him, tore His beard out with their hands, beat Him with a cat o nine tales (made up with bits of bone/metal), gave Him 39 lashes until the meat came off of His body...and then forced Him to carry His own means of death...the cross upon His back. You can almost hear the demons speak in their screams and see the hatred for the true Love.

(Verse 4)

And the hammer it did fall to the tree as they nailed Him...And the hammer it did fall to the tree as they nailed Him...In sorrow and pain His blood was shed, For peace He wore a crown of thorns on His head...as they're screamin'

NOTE: In Talbot's song...when he sang and the hammer it did fall...you hear a hard drum beat and the rap of a fist on a guitar...giving the somber sound of nails being driven through His hands...and his feet. He was CRUCIFIED...reserved for rabble rouser, political rebels, and thief's. He was crucified on the equivalent of a modern day electric chair...to die. He was placed between two thieves...one who mocked and the other who asked for mercy. They came to break His legs...but He was already dead...and they thrust a spear in His side...and a mixture of blood and water (fluid from around His heart)...flowed. Water and Blood...He died of a broken heart. The thing is...NOBODY...Jews or Gentile killed Jesus. We did not take His life from Him...He gave it willingly.



(Verse 5)

When they laid Him in His grave, thought it was over...When they laid Him ins His grave they thought themselves that much bolder...BUT when they turned and they looked...he was alive and well...come back from the dead, conquered the gates of hell..NOW HE IS RISEN...NOW HE IS RISEN.

(Chorus)

Halle-lu...Halle-lu...HE IS LIVING
Halle-lu...Halle-lu...HE IS LIVING
Halle-lu...Halle-lu...HE IS LIVING

WOW! As I am writing this Rambling...just coming off of the season of Lent...chills are going up and down my spine...when I realize what my Lord and Saviour did for me. He became the propitiation...the substitute...the satisfaction for my sins.

Do a cursory survey of graves of political leaders, religious leaders, movie stars, recording artists and you will come up with graves full of rotting flesh, corpses, bleached bones, dust to dust and ashes to ashes. The word OCCUPIED would be written on their tombs and graves. On Jesus' tomb...VACANCY is written. Check out Confucius's' grave...no confusion...Confucious bones...check out Buddah's tomb...Buddah Bones...check out Mohammed's grave...Islamic Koranic bones...George Washington's grave...bones, wig, wooden teeth. Elvis's shrine...bones that are ALL SHOOK UP. Even Napoleon's grave has bones-a-part.

But this thing called the HOAX OR FACT...is the birthplace of Christianity (followers as we know it). The tomb is empty...He is not there...He has risen...HE HAS RISEN INDEED.

Oh I know...I know...you can't force anyone to believe this stuff...but I do. I know that the Death, Burial, and Resurrection...D.B.R...nothing more...nothing less...is real in my life. I can't see the wind...or the air that I breath...but that does not stop me from breathing in deep and living...or feeling or seeing the effect of the blowing wind. So it is in my life...since 1970...when I first received Jesus...when I heard the truth...the Gospel...and faith came...and I believed in my heart...and I confessed with my heart and righteousness and salvation became alive in me... I am still standing in the Lord. If you believe this...finish this sentence/declaration and send it back to me...HE IS RISEN....

Love and Saved By Grace Kisses
Rodney "D.B.R...Nothing More...Nothing Less" Boyd (aka A Fool For Christ...tell me whose Fool you are)