FORGIVENESS: The AAA FACTOR

Hello all of you FORGIVEN people... and you know who you are. Doesn't it feel good to be FORGIVEN? It is like a weight that has been lifted off of your shoulders. You see things differently. The flowers are brighter... the sun is brighter...there is a new spring in your steps...because there is a new spring in your heart. One thing that can bring you back DOWN is to allow...by your choice...a little thing called UNFORGIVENESS...to creep back into you heart. We need to practice what is know as THE AAA FACTOR. Of course...AAA stand for American Automobile Association. Millions of people are members of this emergency organization that boasts of "great member services and benefits." But for us as believers in the D.B.R...Death, Burial, Resurrection...AAA means so much more...for peace (a great benefit) in our lives...unencumbered by this nasty thing called UNFORGIVENESS. Jesus speaks of the AAA Factor as it relates to our PRAYER LIFE.


Jesus had just been in Jerusalem...and cleansed the temple...that had become a den of thieves...versus what it was suppose to be...A HOUSE OF PRAYER. The Gentle Saviour...had just gently laid down tables on their sides...and gently guided people out by stroking the offenders with a velvet whip...that soothed and ushered the perpetrators out in an orderly fashion. (See Mark 11:15-19 for the Real Story). Prior to making his friendly appearance in the temple...Jesus CURSED a fig tree. Upon returning to Bethany...Peter pointed out the fig tree was withered from the roots up. Jesus took the time and began to teach on prayer...and the power of focused words. (Mark 11:20-24)

But Rodo...why do you have a picture of Harry Houdini bound in chains and locks and handcuffs? Well...I'm glad you asked. Jesus caps off his wonderful teaching on the power of prayer...with a statement that would put a damper on His teaching...about FORGIVENESS...and UNFORGIVENESS. Attitude can hinder prayers. Well... I ain't Houdini...and if I am bound...I am bound...UNLESS...the Lord...gives me a KEY to get loosed. He has...and it is called the AAA FACTOR. With this factor...I can get released quicker than the Energizer Bunny with a fresh set of AAA BATTERIES.

"Whenver you stand praying...FORGIVE, if you have ANYthing...Against...ANYone, SO that your Father who is in heaven will also FORGIVE you your transgressions. But if you do NOT FORGIVE, neither will your Father who is in heaven FORGIVE your transgressions." (Mark 11:25, 26)

THE AAA FACTOR: By now you realize that the triple A means...

ANYTHING...AGAINST...ANYONE. This is the scope of forgiveness...if you were wondering who deserves your forgiveness.

"Forgiveness is NOT for those who deserve forgiveness...it is for those who don't deserve it." (R.L.B.)

Anyone can forgive those who are contrite and repentant towards you...but how about those who still curse you? It is the same principle about servant and master relationships..."Servant, be submissive to your masters with all respect, NOT ONLY to those who are GOOD and GENTLE...but also to those who are UNREASONABLE. For this finds favor, if for the SAKE OF CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD...a person bears up under sorrows when SUFFERING UNJUSTLY.. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But...if WHEN YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT...and suffer for it you PATIENTLY ENDURE IT...this finds favor with God." (I Peter 2:18-20).

NOTE: I think about this in reference to my attitude towards my job...and previous jobs...when I am in the right and the "man"...the "establishment" is WRONG. Does the AAA FACTOR apply to these situations?

The ONLY WAY that you can walk in the AAA FACTOR...is to follow "in His steps."


"For you have been called for this PURPOSE...since Christ also suffered for you...LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE for you to FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS." (I Peter 2:21)

Here...is what I...am supposed to be doing towards those who DON'T DESERVE MY FORGIVENESS.

"Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth...and while being REVILED...He DID NOT REVILE IN RETURN...while SUFFERING...He UTTERED NO THREATS...but KEPT ENTRUSTING HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES RIGHTEOUSLY." (I Peter 2:22)

If I DON'T practice the AAA FACTOR...I open myself up...for some bad stuff.

1. A root of bitterness "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God...that no ROOT OF BITTERNESS springing up CAUSES TROUBLE...and by it MANY BE DEFILED." (Hebrews 12:15)

2. Opens the door for the torturers. "Then summoning him, his lord said to him...you wicked slave, I FORGAVE you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also HAVE HAD MERCY on your fellow slave, IN THE SAME WAY THAT I HAD MERCY ON YOU? And his lord, moved with anger...HANDED HIM OVER TO THE TORTURERS until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly, Father WILL ALSO DO THE SAME TO YOU...if each of you DOES NOT FORGIVE HIS BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART." (Matthew 18:32-35...see Matthew 18:21-35 for full details).

3. If you don't master anger...anger will master you. "Then the Lord said to Cain...why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well...will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well...SIN IS CROUCHING AT YOUR DOOR...and its desire is for you...BUT YOU MUST MASTER IT." (Genesis 4:6-7)


These are just a few examples of how UNFORGIVENESS...will mess you up.

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

If you are thinking to yourself...that old Rodo does not know what someone has done to me... that I have a RIGHT to hold unforgiveness to someone...and that I WILL NOT forgive someone...then THE AAA FACTOR is NOT for you...but...if you are tired of dealing with anger, bitterness, trouble, unanswered prayers...the try the AAA FACTOR...Forgive...ANYthing Against...ANYone. When you do this...you follow in Jesus' steps...and instead of reviling in return...and uttering threats...you will KEEP ENTRUSTING YOURSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES RIGHTEOUSLY." (I Peter 2:21)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY...NO REALLY...THIS TIME IT IS FINAL

"Never pay back evil for evil to ANYone. Respect what is right in the sight of ALL men. If possible...so far as it DEPENDS ON YOU...be at peace with all men. NEVER...take your own revenge , beloved...but LEAVE ROOM FOR THE WRATH OF GOD...for it is written, Vengance is Mine...I will repay...says the Lord." BUT if your enemy is hungry...feed him...and if he is thristy give him a drink...for in so doing...you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil...but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21)

It would be nice if...collectively as a nation that we could do this. It would be nice if collectively as a church we could do this. But...whatever...if others do it or not...at least I CAN WALK IN THIS....with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Son, and the Father.

Love and Sweet, Forgiving Kisses
Rodney "Torturer...Get Away From Me" Boyd

THE MOTHER OF ALL DAYS

Greetings all of you mothers and all of you who have mothers (living or not living).

I know for a fact...that I have been touched and influenced by mothers all of my life. My life...if dusted for fingerprints...would find mother prints all over them. These pictures represent some of the best mothers that I have known...including my own mother (Elizabeth Boyd)...Brenda's mother (Martha Williams)...my sister in-law...(Shelby Williams)...my Aunt (Christine Meriweather)...my niece (Christy Lewellen)...and many more who in some form or fashion...influenced my life.

The pictures shown are (#1) Brenda's first Mother's Day with Phillip (#2) My Mom holding Phillip on the first day in our lives (#3) Brenda's mom holding Phillip at the hospital (#4) Me, Brenda and Phillip recently almost 20 years later (#5) Us that changed our lives forever.

Of course...my mother...had the first prints on me...as she held me in her arms at Allen Clinic (that use to be on East Main Street in Murfreesboro Tennessee). From that point on...I was known as here little baby boy.

My mom was always there for me... no matter what she was going through emotionally or physically... she was there from day one. Before I was born...she worked at Commerce Union Bank (that use to be on the corner of Church Street and East Main...but now is gone). When I was born...she chose to leave her job...and stay at home with me. She told me that it was not something that she had to do...but something that she wanted to do. She would always be there for me...as I had problems in school...as I went out for school sports...as I would have difficulties with Dad and she would act as a buffer between us. Even when Phillip came along...and her affections shifted to her wonderful grandchild...she still would consider me her little baby boy. When Brenda and I got married...she would cook for us...always having to much to eat and give us take home containers. She would always be slipping us money when we needed it...and allowed us to make our own mistakes as a newly wedded couple.

Brenda's Mom was also a joy. I could not come up with any negative mother-in-law jokes...because...she really stayed out of our business... and just supported us. She also became the best Nanny (grandmother name)...my son could have had.

When Brenda Sue Williams became Brenda Sue Boyd...my connection with the Williams clan...put me in contact with two other wonderful mothers. One was our sister-in-law Shelby Williams (wife of Brenda's Brother, Eddy). She is a strong woman...a loving mother...a devoted wife...and I consider...my friend. She is an inspiration to me. Her only daughter...Christy...our niece...of course grew up before our very eyes...and turned out to be a wonderful mother also (with son Brennan aka Bren). She carries the same traits that Shelby has...with her own personality interwoven throughout.

One thing about all of these women...including my lovely, darling, wife Brenda...is how they carry themselves in the face of trials, troubles, tribulations, joys, happy times, etc. They are NOT perfect...but they sure have encouraged me...as a son, a Father, a husband, family.

On June 10th, 2010...we will be celebrating Phillip's 21st birthday. Wow....21 years of Mother's Day celebrations. As with both of us...we started out...not knowing about how to raise a child... but together...with the "mother's instinct" helping to guide us...we raised our son together.

Lord...you gave me the "mother lode" when you put Brenda in our lives.

NOTE: Remember...I am not talking about perfection...but a process of learning the ART OF MOTHERING (and Fathering)...and from my viewpoint...Brenda has come out the other side of the process (that is still ongoing)...with proven character. Brenda Sue Boyd...to me...as a woman... as a wife...as a mother...is a Woman of God.

Phillip Stephen Boyd...has been blessed with a mother who...from the moment she held him in her arms...and got her fingerprints on him...has always, always, always been there for him.

She has been with him in every aspect of his school experience from Sunshine School...to his recent graduation at Tennessee Technology School of Murfreesboro...and will be there as he continues on in school. She was on every committee known to mankind in school from football booster to the After School Prom for Senior graduates. No matter how many times they would butt heads throughout the years (like all mothers do from time to time) ...Phillip always opens up to his momma...when he needs to talk.

I thank God...for all the mothers that have influenced my life. CSI would have a field day with their fingerprint kit on my life.


This last picture is the first day that we brought our son home from the hospital. What you see is not only a snapshot of a NEW MOTHER...but you see a snapshot of a PRO-VERBS 31 WOMAN...

"Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her saying; Many daughters have done nobly...BUT...you...Brenda Boyd...mother of Phillip Boyd...EXCEL them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain...BUT...a woman who fears the Lord, shall be praised."

(Pro-Verbs 31:28-30)

I have been blessed with the mother of my son...who has the charm...the beauty...AND fears the Lord. Consider this Rambling...the gate that I sit at...and tell all who will listen.

Happy Mother's Day Brenda.

Love and Proud (in a good way) Kisses

Rodney "One Father...Who Praises the Mothers" Boyd

98 POUND WEAKLING SOLUTION

Greetings and Salutation O Ye WEAK and WEARY ones...and you know who your are. Back in the day...when I first started dating Brenda...I weighed in...soaking wet...131 pounds of pure, rippling...bone. I greased my hair back ala Elvis in a Beatles cut world. The picture of the Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post...to me...looks exactly like me in profile.

Here's the question (s): Are you weary or tired...decreased in understanding...lacking in strength... having a lull in might and power... a loss of vigor..stumbling badly... and walking with turkeys instead of flying with the eagles? Is that what's troubling you Boopie?



Well I have the 98 POUND WEAKLING SOLUTION (or soul-ution) FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOLUTION: Isaiah 40:28-31)

QUESTION: (1) Do you not know? (2) Have you not heard?

STRENGTH AND SUPPLY SOURCE: (1) the Everlasting God (2) The Lord (3) The Creator of the ends of the earth (Isaiah 40:28)

"I have STRENGTH for all things IN CHRIST Who EMPOWERS me--I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses INNER STRENGTH into me, [that is, I am self-sufficient IN CHRIST'S SUFFICIENCY]." (Philippians 4:13 The Amplified Bible) NOTE: Christ...the Anointed One...anointed with
(1) yoke destroying (2) burden lifting (3) oppresion removing (4) healing and delivering power of the Holy Ghost


"And MY GOD...will liberally SUPPLY [fill me to the full] your every need according to His riches in glory in CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians 4:19 The Amplified Bible)


NATURE OF THE STRENGTH SUPPLIER: (1) He does not become weary (2) He does not become tired (3) His understanding is inscrutable [He know what you are going through]. (Isaiah 40:28)

THE GIVER: (1) He gives STRENGTH to the weary (2) He increases POWER to him who lacks might.
(Isaiah 40:29)

SOLUTION FOR FOR INCREASING WEARY AND TIRED YOUTHS AND BADLY STUMBLING VIGOROUS YOUNG MEN:

WAIT FOR THE LORD: quavah (kaw-vaw)= to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is collect , to expect, gather together, look patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)

NOTE: This thing called WAITING...is not just a passive twiddling of your thumbs until the Lord does something. It is an aggressive stance of patient expectation...as you bind together with other like minded believers as you wait IN THE LORD...not just sitting and stewing in your weakness. "But He said to me...My GRACE--My favor and loving-kindness and mercy--are enough for you (that is, sufficient against any danger and to enable you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My STRENGTH and POWER are made perfect--fulfilled and completed and show themselves MOST EFFECTIVE--in [you] WEAKNESS. Therefore...I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the STRENGTH and POWER of CHRIST, the MESSIAH, may rest--yes...may pitch a tent [over] and dwell--upon me."
(II Corinthians 12:9)

CAUSE AND EFFECT OF WAITING UPON THE LORD:
(1) will gain NEW STRENGTH (2) mount up with wings as eagles (3) run and not get tired (4) walk and not faint (become weary)

Back in the 70's...during the "Jesus Movement" we would sing Scripture songs from the Word of God. One of those songs was based on Isaiah 40:31. The end of the song was..."teach me Lord...teach me Lord...to wait."

Well...from the time God spoke through Isaiah...in the 70's...and in the nitty gritty here and now...the song still rings true..."teach me Lord...teach me Lord...to wait."

When you truly WAIT ON THE LORD...it pales in comparison to fitness guru's...muscle bound governors of California...or Hulkamania running wild...or even a scrawny kid...with a dream of being strong.


Love and Muscle Bound Kisses
Rodney "Actively Waiting for the Lord" Boyd