FULL CIRCLE: THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY BORN AGAIN LIFE

 Greetings and Salutations O Ye Mooers...Chewers...and Doers of the Cud of the Word of God. 

Where did you begin...where are you at...and where are you going?  My journey...or for a more Bible sounding word...my sojourn began back in 1970...when I asked my girlfriend (now my wife of 41 years)..."What do I have to do to get saved?"  She led me to the Lord and I stepped into the space time continuum of eternal life.

Along the way on this sojourn...I discovered some music...that would be traveling along with me from then unto now.  Some called it Jesus Music, Jesus Rock, God Rock, CCM, Contemporary Christian Music.  For me it was THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY BORN AGAIN LIFE.

Along the way...I have been blessed with music that was culturally relevant, sonically pleasing, and spiritually uplifting and convicting at the same time.  One of the pioneers of this genre' of music was...and still is...JERRY BRYANT.  Jerry currently has a show called FULL CIRCLE (Classic JESUS Music with Jerry Bryant).  Here is a snippet from his website that gives a little thumbnail sketch of his history.

"FULL CIRCLE is a one-hour weekly Jesus Music show featuring classic music, artist interviews, ministry and lots of memories. FULL CIRCLE is hosted by JESUS SOLID ROCK’s Jerry Bryant who pioneered one of the earliest and longest-running Jesus Music syndication.  Jerry was part of the early Jesus Movement of the 70s!   His JESUS SOLID ROCK concerts in Carbondale, Illinois helped usher in early CCM to the Mid-west. In 1978, Jerry became pastor of the Last Days Community in Woodland Hills, California with Keith and Melody Green, then moved to Lindale, Texas and worked with the AGAPE FORCE.  Jerry ended up back in Carbondale, Illinois and continued with his radio show and concerts before moving to Nashville in 1993. After an extended absence from radio, he’s back doing what he loves to do: radio!
On FULL CIRCLE you’ll hear fresh interviews from Matthew Ward (2nd Chapter of Acts), Randy Thomas (Sweet Comfort Band), Sandy Brock (Servant), Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Melody Green, Scott Wesley Brown, Mylon LeFevre and a whole lot more plus great Classic Jesus music from Love Song, Larry Norman, Keith Green, Kelly Willard and so many more!
We’ll take old and new fans of Contemporary Christian Music back to where it all began!"

NOTE:  Back in the day...when there were no radio show stations dedicated to this type of music...you had to catch it when you could...by listening to syndicated radio shows.  Shows like The Scott Ross Show, Make a Joyful Noise with Paul Baker, Powerline...and Jesus Solid Rock with Jerry Bryant.  Later on in the Nashville are....for thirty years Brian Mason was on for three hours on a Sunday morning...but for the most part...I would find myself trying to tune on various radios and listen to Jesus Music through the static.  Thank God for these pioneers.

NOTE:  You can follow this link and begin to enjoy to ROOTS of Jesus Music.

http://www.fullcirclejesusmusic.com/


The name of the show FULL CIRCLE was originally a song that Phil Keaggy wrote for Nedra Ross (wife of Scott Ross...and singer in the band Ronnie and the Ronettes.  Read the book Scott Free by Scott Ross for full details.)  Phil record the song on his Town To Town Album...and this is the one you will hear for the theme song of the show.  Here are the original lyrics by Phil Keaggy:

FULL CIRCLE
Looking back I can say
That I'm glad I've come this way.
There's no doubt that I've got more
Than I've ever had before.
You took my hand and led me
Out of darkness, oh yes.

Full circle, I have come,
You can ask me where I come from
And when I tell you that it's no lie
I've come full circle in my life.

I could hear your records play
Around the world and in the States.
And those days were like a dream,
At times you're up then down it seems.
Will this last, what will be
My life tomorrow, oh no.

Full circle, I have come,
You can ask me where I come from
And when I tell you that it's no lie
I've come full circle in my life.

With one touch of His hand
I was made a newborn man.
What I had gained I left behind
It's drifting further back in time, bye bye.
You took my hand and led me
Out of darkness, oh yes.

Full circle, I have come,
You can ask me where I come from
And when I tell you that it's no lie
I've come full circle in my life.

Last night I went to a benefit concert put together by Brian Mason...and it was a bunch of the "Old CCM Dudes"...playing for around three hours...and it was like a flashback to the early days...but STILL with a FRESHNESS and a VIBRANCY for 2013.  It spoke of the faithfulness of God.   Here is a partial list of those who participated:  Phil Keaggy, Petra, Farrell & Farrell, Kenny Marks, Jim Cole, Rick Cua, Morgan Cryar, Michael Omartian, Gordon Kennedy, Rob Frazier, Tim Archer, Mike Pachelli and others.

As I go to various concerts...from Phil Keaggy to Bruce Cockburn...to Daniel Amos to The Lost Dogs...I can count on running into JERRY BRYANT.  I am honored to know Jerry...and I count him among THE RUMINATORS.  He is a man who has a passion for the Lord...the music...and people. 

The Ruminator Sunday School Class sponsored and episode of FULL CIRCLE.  You can listen to it by going to EPISODE 51 and it is entitled WELCOME HOME TO JESUS.  It is well worth the listen.

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

In closing I want to give a Thanx and a Tip O Da Hat to Jerry Bryant for his faithfulness to the Lord...and as a keeper of the roots...to encourage us to take a stand in the now as we progress into the future.  Also...Thanx and a Tip O Da Hat for encouraging me at the concert...to KEEP ON RUMINATING and to NOT COMPROMISE in the Ramblings.


FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY...NO REALLY...THIS TIME I MEAN IT

At the benefit concert...where the "older saints"...who were once the YOUNG LIONS...Rick Cua brought the WORD OF GOD to the table.  One of the passages that he shared was from THE FAT PART OF THE BOOK (aka Old Testament0...and it SHOUTED OUT LOUD in my spirit.

"The righteous man will FLOURISH (sprout) like the palm tree...He will GROW like a cedar in Lebanon...PLANTED in the house of the Lord...they will FLOURISH in the courts of our God...they will STILL YIELD (thrive) FRUIT...IN OLD AGE.  The shall be FULL OF SAP and VERY GREEN.  To declare that the Lord is upright...HE IS MY ROCK...and there is no unrighteousness IN HIM." (Deuteronomy 92:12-15)

Love and Full Circle Kisses
Rodney "Lovin' Me Some Jesus Music" Boyd

FROM SLAVATION TO SALVATION (Going From Master to Master)

 Greetings Oh Ye Slaves or Saved people.  Have ya been SET FREE?  Have you gone from SLAVEation... to SALvation? 

SALVATION: sōtēria (so-tay-ree'-ah)= rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving. (Romans 1:16)


BONDAGE/SLAVE:  douleuo (dool-yoo'-o)=From G1401 ; to be a slave to (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily): - be in bondage, (do) serve (-ice).  G1401:
; to be a slave to (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily): - be in bondage, (do) serve (-ice).  G1401: doulos (doo'-los)= a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant. (John 8:33)

 The old saying was that..."Jesus SAVES...Moses INVESTS."  If you asked someone..."Are you SAVED? the answer would be..."SAVED from what...I didn't realize I was lost."  Some will say speaking of their"SALVATION EXPERIENCE..."I found Jesus." Of course the next statement would be..."He was never lost." 

This thing called SIN...plunged us into this thing called SLAVERY.  Adam and Eve introduced this bondage called SIN...through acts of DISOBEDIENCE.

"Wherefore as by one man's SIN entered into the world...and DEATH by SIN...so DEATH passed to ALL men...for ALL have SINNED." (Romans 5:12)

Being in SLAVATION...means being under the thumb of the MASTER.  Jesus spoke to a group of NEW BELIEVERS..."As He (Jesus) spoke these things, many came to BELIEVE in Him.  Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who HAD BELIEVED IN HIM...If you abide in My word, then you are truly DISCIPLES OF MINE...and you shall KNOW THE TRUTH...and the TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE (SALVATION) ." (John 30-32)

The NEW BELIEVERS...took offense at Jesus' characterization of them as SLAVES.  They responded, "They answered Him, We are Abraham's offspring (religious heritage)...and have NEVER yet been ENSLAVED (SLAVATION)...how is it that You say, You shall BECOME FREE (SALVATION)?." (John 8:33)

Jesus then defines how they were SLAVES even with their religious heritage.  "Jesus answered them...Truly, truly, I say to you...every one who COMMITS SIN ...is the SLAVE OF SIN (aka SLAVATION)." (John 8:34)

Jesus then underscores the need for the Son in their need for freedom.  "And the SLAVE (one in SLAVATION) does not remain in the house forever...the son does remain forever...IF therefore the SON (Jesus) shall  make you free (from slavery)...YOU SHALL BE FREE INDEED. (SALVATION)" (John 8:36)

The Apostle Paul speaks of this thing that MASTERS us..."All things are lawful for me...but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful for me...BUT...I WILL NOT BE MASTERED...BY ANYTHING." (I Corinthians 6:12)  He then defines what this TASKMASTER is in the Book of Romans..."For SIN shall not BE MASTER OVER YOU...for you are not under law...but under grace."  (Romans 6:14)

We are taken from...TRANSITIONED from a place of darkness (SLAVATION) to a place of light (SALVATION).  "For He delivered us from the DOMAIN OF DARKNESS (SLAVATION) and TRANSFERED (transitioned) us to the KINGDOM OF HIS BELOVED SON (SALVATION)...in whom we have REDEMPTION...the FORGIVENESS...of...SINS."" (Colossians 1:13-14)

In Romans...we see again that this thing SIN is a reality..."As it is written...there is NONE righteous... no not one." (Romans 3:10)  "For all have SINNED and fallen short of glory." (Romans 3:23)  "The wages of SIN is DEATH...but the FREE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life." (Romans 6:23)  That seems pretty cut and dried...SIN IS OUR MASTER.

But also in Romans...we see, "For in it (the gospel...the D.B.R.) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith..as it is written...But the RIGHTEOUS shall LIVE BY FAITH." (Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38)

Between the point of none righteous (SINNERS) to the righteous walking by faith (Saints)...that has to be a TRANSITION.  The arrow is drawn...the arrowed is aimed...and the arrow is released...and sails through the air and is imbedded in WOOD...the WOOD OF THE CROSS...aka...the TRANSITION POINT.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME...and the life which I NOW LIVE...I live by faith in the Son of God...Who loved me and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)

"If then you have been RAISED UP WITH CHRIST...keep seeking those things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For YOU HAVE DIED...and your life is HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD." (Colossians 3:1-3)

"For Christ also DIED FOR SINS once for all, the just for the unjust, IN ORDER that He might BRING US TO GOD , having been put to death in the flesh, but MADE ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT." (I Peter 3:18)

What takes us from the OLD CREATION (SLAVATION) to being a NEW CREATION (SALVATION)?  That is found in II Corinthians 5.

"For the love of Christ CONTROLS (is master) us, having concluded this, that ONE DIED (Jesus) for ALL (those in SLAVATION), therefore ALL died, and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." (II Corinthians 5:14-15)

Therefore if ANY MAN (man; wo-man; hu-man) is IN CHRIST...they are NEW CREATIONS...the OLD THINGS passed away...behold NEW THINGS have come." (II Corinthians 5:17)

So...when, where, why and how  does this TRANSITION take place.  "HE (the Father) made HIM (Jesus) who knew NO SIN...to BE SIN on our behalf...that we MIGHT BECOME (transition) the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM."  (II Corinthians 5:21)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Our final picture was the album cover from Bob Dylan's second gospel album called SAVED.  For me...the song is a powerful statement of going from being in SLAVATION and released into SALVATION...as we become bond-servants (willing servants) of the Lord.

Take a look at Dylan bringing it with a chorus of TAMBORINE SHAKERS


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIUNftAi_z4

Here art the words to song SAVED...enjoy

"Saved"
Bob Dylan

I was blinded by the devil
Born already ruined
Stone-cold dead
As I stepped out of the womb
By His grace I have been touched
By His word I have been healed
By His hand I have been delivered
By His spirit I Have been sealed.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
Saved
And I'm so glad
Yes, I'm so glad
I'm so glad
So glad
I want to thank you, Lord
I just want to thank You Lord
Thank You Lord.

By his truth I can be upright
By his strength I do endure
By His power I've been lifted
In His love I am secure
He bought me with a price
Freed me from the pit
Full of emptiness and wrath
And the fire that burns in it.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
Saved
And I'm so glad
Yes, I'm so glad
I'm so glad
So glad
I want to thank you, Lord
I just want to thank You Lord
Thank You, Lord.
Nobody to rescue me
Nobody would dare
I was going down for the last time
But by His Mercy I've been spared
Not by works
But by faith in Him who called
For so long I've been hindered
For so long I've been stalled.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
Saved
And I'm so glad
Yes, I'm so glad
I'm so glad
So glad
I want to thank you, Lord
I just want to thank You Lord
Thank You, Lord.

Well if you made it this far...congratulations.

Love and Transitioned Kisses
Rodney "Free Indeed" Boyd

THE BENEFIT PACKAGE (The Psalm 103 Factor)

 Greetings and Salutations O Ye Workers for the Lord. 

In this crazy, out of control, swirling economy...where what once was a place of reasonable stability and certainty...is now a future (or lack thereof) of uncertainty...and the only thing that is stable...is the horse barn... full of manure.  What can we do as believers in the one who is known as JEHOVAH JIREH...THE ONE WHO PROVIDES...who is in charge of our BENEFITS PACKAGE?  Before we RECEIVE...we must be PREPARED to RECEIVE.

1.  One thing that we can do is to HAVE something...and make sure that what you HAVE is based on Someone who is trustworthy.

"Have FAITH in GOD...CONTINUALLY." (Mark 11:22 The Amplified Bible)

2.  The next thing you can do...is to "DELIGHT yourself...IN THE LORD..." (Psalm 37:4)  As with having faith...the object of your "having faith" and "delight." is NOT in situations, circumstances, political parties, economics, peace in the middle east or anywhere else in the world.  It is in GOD...in THE LORD.  The CAUSE & EFFECT of this HAVING and DELIGHTING...is that God will GIVE your the DESIRES of your heart.  "DELIGHT  yourself IN THE LORD...and He will GIVE you the DESIRES of your HEART." (Psalm 37:4)

DELIGHT: ‛ânag (aw-nag')=A primitive root; to be soft or pliable, that is, (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious: - delicate (-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self.
 
To become soft or pliable...to me means...yielding to the Lord...like a piece of clay in the potters hand.  As I do that...He gives to me...plants in me desires...and then is the one who brings those desires to pass.  The next key to this BENEFITS PACKAGE

3.  The next thing to do...is to BLESS THE LORD.  Blessing the Lord must come BEFORE we experience the BLESSINGS.  Now there is NOTHING (no thing, zilch, nada, zip, zero) that we can do to EARN the BLESSINGS.  But the things that we have mentioned...places us in the RECEIVING MODE.  They are already supplied, poured out and given...based on the D.B.R...Death, Burial, Resurrection.
BLESS: bârak (baw-rak')=A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason): - X abundantly, X altogether, X at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, X greatly, X indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, X still, thank.


It is easy to FORGET the BENEFITS that we have at our disposal...especially when the WORLDLY BENEFITS are being taken away on a regular basis.  We tend to go into the default mode of grumbling and complaining because we are walking by SIGHT and not by FAITH instead of walking by FAITH and NOT by SIGHT (II Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38)  We begin to talk as unbelievers instead of believers.  We begin to CALL things that ARE...as if they will NEVER CHANGE...instead of CALLING things that ARE NOT...as THOUGH THEY WERE." (Romans 4:17-21)
"Bless the Lord...Oh my soul (mind, will, emotions)...and all that is within me...bless His Holy Name.  Bless the Lord my soul (mind, will, and emotions...and forget NONE (no not one) of His BENEFITS." (Psalm 103:1-2)

 

BENEFITS:ghem-ool'=From H1580; treatment, that is, an act (of good or ill); by implication service or requital: - + as hast served, benefit, desert, deserving, that which he hath given, recompense, reward   H1580: gâmal (gaw-mal')=A primitive root; to treat a person (well or ill), that is, benefit or requite; by implication (of toil) to ripen, that is, (specifically) to wean: - bestow on, deal bountifully, do (good), recompense, requite, reward, ripen, + serve, wean, yield.

 

This BENEFIT PACKAGE is hinged on His NAME...and His NAME...represents the BACKER OF THE PACKAGE.  As other packages are crumbling...being taken away...because what has backed them in the first place is crumbling...this package is getting stronger and stronger...because in God's economy...there is NO SHORTAGE.  Philippians 4 is a powerhouse of how NOT to be ANXIOUS in uncertain times.  Read the whole chapter for the full focus...with the SECRET of HOW TO BE CONTENT... and how NOT TO SPEAK FROM WANT.  Two of the verses are powerful declarations of faith and promise (they actually all are).

"I have STRENGTH for all thins 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)

"And MY GOD...will LIBERALLY SUPPLY (fill to the FULL) your EVERY NEED according to HIS RICHES IN GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians 4:19)

NOTE:  Before you get to these two verses...be sure to read verses 1-12.  What you think and what you speak will be the hinge on which they turn.

THE BENEFIT PACKAGE (Psalm 103:3-5)

#1  Pardons all your iniquities
#2  Heals all your diseases
#3  Redeems your life from the pit
#4  Who crowns you with loving-kindness
      and compassion
#5  Who satisfies your years with good
       things
# 6  Your youth is renewed like the eagle
While all other plans are failing...and your company is cutting back...trimming the fat...laying off and decreasing benefits...our God's PLANS...are for you to PROSPER you ...NOT HARM you...to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Bless the Lord...Oh my soul and all that is within me...Bless His Holy Name...Bless the Lord and forget NONE of His benefits.
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

In this world that we dwell in temporarily (this world is not my home...I'm only visiting this planet)...this land called NITTY GRITTY...where we walk by FAITH and not by SIGHT...the Prophet Habakkuk's words (Habakkusk 3:17-19)...to me...seem more relevant than ever in 2013:

"Though the fig tree should not blossom...and there be no fruit n the vines...though the yield of the olive should fail...and the fields produce no food...though the flock should be cut off from the fold... and there be no cattle in the stalls...YET...I WILL (by my choice in spite of what I see):

DEMONSTRATIVE 

1.  Exult in the Lord (jump up and spin around)
2.  Rejoice in the God of my salvation (Praise Him with gusto)
DECLARATION

1.  The Lord is my strength
2.  He has made my feet like hinds feet
3.  He makes me walk on my high places

BLESS the Lord Oh My soul...and forget NO NOT ONE OF HIS BENEFITS
Love and Blessed Kisses
Rodney"Supplied" Boyd
.

JUST THE SAME

 Greetings People of 2013...

Many years ago...Phil Keaggy recorded a landmark album called LOVE BROKE THRU.  One song on there was called JUST THE SAME.. speaking of the continuity of the nature of God throughout the ages.

The book of Hebrews speaks of Jesus in this way..."Jesus Christ is the SAME...yesterday...and today...yes and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

The Apostle John speaks of the God Jesus connection this way..."In the beginning was the Word...and the Word was with God...and the Word WAS GOD." (John 1:1)  As you continue to read...you will see that... "the Word became flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled) among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the ONLY BEGOTTEN (Jesus) from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

In the book of Hebrews the writer underscores Jesus being God..."In these last days has spoken to us IN HIS SON, whom He appointed heir of all things, through Whom also HE MADE THE WORLD.  And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His glory and the EXACT REPRESENTATION of His (The Father's) nature, and upholds all things by the WORD OF HIS POWER..." (Hebrews 1:2-3)

When Philip asked for Jesus to show us the Father (John 14:8)...Jesus underscored His connection with the Father..."Jesus said to him Have I been so long with yoiu, and yet you have not come to KNOW ME, Philip?  He who has SEEN ME...has SEEN THE FATHER; how do you say, show us the Father?" (John 14:9)

God Himself puts the capstone on the fact that He DOES NOT CHANGE..."For I, the Lord...CHANGE NOT (do not change); therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." (Malachi 3:6)

The song JUST THE SAME off of the LOVE BROKE THRU album by Phil Keaggy...does not contain the ORIGINAL LYRICS.  They are great lyrics...just not the original ones.  Here are the original lyrics by Phil Keaggy and Buck Herring (husband of Annie Herring of Second Chapter of Acts.  NOTE:  I would recommending going to You Tube and type in Just The Same Phil Keaggy Original lyrics.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIoWFO3PXf0

JUST THE SAME

Locked into a corner, up against a wall
I know you've been stumbling, trying not to fall.
I can feel your sorrow, I can share your pain.
I can hear the questions exploding in your brain.

Walking in the shadows, feeling all alone
Looking for the answer, rolling every stone.
Tears that run in silence and laughing in a game,
Though my eyes can't see you
I know we're much the same.

Much the same, much the same this way.
Much the same, much the same this way.

Miles may lay between us,
And rivers where the bend,
But near you is a brother,
In whom you can depend.
So share the weight with others,
And call upon His name.
Don't try to bear the load alone
Cause Jesus took the blame.

And He's just the same, just the same today.
And He's just the same, just the same today.

NOW...those are great lyrics...but I really am partial to the original lyrics...that Phil plays in concert occasionally. 

VERSE 1
When Moses and his people
From Egypt's land did flee,
Their enemies behind them,
And in front of them the sea.
God raised the waters like a wall,
And opened up the way,
And the God that lived in Moses' time
Is just the same today.

NOTE:  Think of all the times that God set you free from some habit, some situation or circumstance...with your backs against the wall of the sea of life...and God made a way...just in the nick of time...because...HE IS JUST THE SAME. Exodus 13:17-14:29)

VERSE 2
When David and Goliath met,
The wrong against the right,
The Giant armed with human power
And David with God's might.
God's power with David slinging stone,
The Giant lowed he lay,
And the God that lived in David's time
Is just the same today.

NOTE:  What/Who are the giants that you are facing?  Are the odds against you?  Is the armor that people are trying to make you wear to cumbersome.  Is the weaponry of your flesh...slowing you down and ineffective.  With the God of Israel...who is JUST THE SAME...will take your heart towards Him...and use stones and a sling to bring down the enemy...and silence the mocking of the giants in your life.  (I Samuel 17)

VERSE 3
When Pentecost had fully come, And the fire from Heaven did fall,
The mighty wind, the Holy Ghost Baptized them one and all. Three thousand got converted And were workers right away, And the God that lived in Pentecost Is just the same today. Three thousand got converted And were workers right away, And the God that lived in Pentecost Is just the same today. 

NOTE:  Is there a windless, dry, desert in your life?  Do you feel powerless?  Do you need a River Wind to blow in your life?  HE IS JUST THE SAME! (Acts 1:1-8; Luke 24:49; John 13:16; John 7:37-39)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

The year is 2013...realize that HE IS JUST THE SAME...JUST THE SAME...JUST THE SAME...TODAY.

Lave and Same Kisses
Rodney "Trusting God" Boyd

THE ART OF WASHING OF THE BRAIN

 Howdy Do O Ye Created Beings.

How's your noodle...your noggin...your thinker...your BRAIN doing?  In this hustle and bustle world in the land of nitty-gritty...we get things dirty and worn at with the daily wear and tear..  As we travel in this world in our vehicles...things begin to wear and tear...and we have to have what is known as a TUNE UP.  Change the oil, put air in the tires, check the belts and the fluids.  If we don't...it will be a rough ride.  At the very least...either run the car through the car wash or get out the hose and bucket and vacuum cleaner at the house and get to WASHING

NOTE: The link to the BRAIN...is the CREATOR of the BRAIN..

You keep the important things in your life CLEAN and RUNNING at OPTIMUM LEVELS.  For our bodies...THE BRAIN is control central for our bodies.  As the old song goes...the foot bone connected to the ankle bone...the ankle bone connected to the leg bone...and on and on.  In the physical...the BRAIN...connects to the NERVES... linking to EVERY PART OF OUR BODY...sending and receiving signals for everything to WORK...but in reality...for everything to LIVE and FUNCTION as it was designed to do.  In the words of the group THE LOST DOGS...WE WERE BUILT FOR GLORY:

We were built for glory
We were made to last
God formed our feet to walk golden streets
when this hard life is past
It's time to make your peace with God
cause this life's over fast
and we were built for glory
We were made to last

The Psalmist in his Psalm about God's Perfect Knowledge of Man (Psalm 139:13-16)...He plucks his psaltery (stringed instrument as it was DAVID UNPLUGGED)and sings:

For You FORMED my INWARD PARTS; You covered/wove me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY MADE.  Marvelous are Your WORKS and that my SOUL (mind, will, emotions) knows very well.  My FRAME (bones, muscles, brain, nerves, spine, etc.) was not hidden from You, when I was MADE in secret, and SKILLFULLY WROUGHT in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my SUBSTANCE being YET UNFORMED.  And in Your book they all were written.  The days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them." (Psalm 139:13-16)

BODY:  sōma (so'-mah)= the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively: - bodily, body, slave.

When in the physical...our bodies (soma) gets "out of whack"...aka SUBLUXATION...out bodies can be REALIGNED...so the pathway to our body parts can function as they were created to function. 

On the spiritual level we have the spirit (direct link to God) and the soul (our minds (how we think), our free will... aka volition (ability to choose) and emotions (our feelings...the barometer of what we think and choose). 

In the Speech-Language world (and other sciences)...the mind is formed by either NATURE or NUTURE.  One thought (nature) is that we are born with everything inside our brains and it develops as we grow.  The other thought (nurture) is that we were born with a clean slate in our minds...and our experiences (good, bad, ugly) shapes the way we respond and react in world and forms who we are know to be.  NOTE: I believe both are true. The mind left to it's own...depending on the environmental input...will determine how we speak and act.

Someone once told Barry McGuire...that when he became a Christian...that he was BRAINWASHED.  Barry's response was that yes he was...because his BRAIN needed WASHING. 

The way we deal with the MIND...is to WASH it by the WASHING OF THE RENEWING OF THE MIND.

In a previous Rambling we talked about the presentation (sacrifice)  of our BODIES (soma)...that is linked to WORSHIP...that is holy, acceptable, and reasonable service of worship. (Romans 12:1)


We are called to NOT BE CONFORMED to the world... but to BE TRANSFORMED.  This transformation takes place NOT in the body (soma)...but in the place of our SOUL called the MIND. 

"And do not be CONFORMED (fit into a mold) to this world...but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND...that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

In the context of putting off the old man/wo-man...and putting on the new man/wo-man...we are called to "BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND."  (Ephesians 4:23)  We see how the spiritual and natural is effected by RENEWING OF THE MIND...BEING BRAINWASHED...by having your BRAIN WASHED like the husband is to wash his wife as a picture of Christ to the church..."Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might SANCTIFY (set apart for a purpose) and CLEANSE (wash brain/mind) with the WASHING OF THE WATER...BY THE WORD." (Ephesians 5:25-26)

We are seeing how this RENEWAL PROCESS...is affecting our BODIES (soma) as we present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice...our SOULS (mind, free will/volition/choices)...and of course our SPIRITS (little s where the Big S/Holy Spirit dwells).  As with everything in the kingdom of God...it starts from the inside out by GRACE...through FAITH...and not of ourselves so we can't have BRAGGING RIGHTS about how we change.
GRACE: charis (khar'-ece)=graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our OUTWARD MAN is perishing/decaying YET...the INWARD MAN (spirit) is BEING (a process) DAY BY DAY." (II Corinthians 4:16)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

As believers...we BELIEVE (trust in, cling to and rely on) the work of God in our lives.  What can we do IF he has done it all.  Well we can:

• Believe
• Read the Word
• Hear the Word
• Confess the Word
• Declare the Word
• Call things that are NOT as thought they WERE
• Pray, Supplicate and Thank Him before you see anything take place
• Walk by faith and not by sight
• Put corresponding actions to our faith
• And the bottom line of first things first...Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength...and love your neighbor as yourself.

Love and Renewed Kisses
Rodney "Back On Track" Boyd