SIN, FLESH, AND FREEDOM

Hello Freedom Friends.

Have you tried over and over and over again...to break the power of sin and the flesh in your life? I have...and always come back to the pig pen and vomit of the dog. I then walk in the condemnation and discouragement of who I am versus who I want to be. Can I get an AMEN...or an OH ME?

"For what I am doing...I do not understand. For what I WILL to DO...that I DO not PRACTICE; but what I HATE, that I DO." (Romans 7:15)

If you are like me...you start off with good intentions that turns into failed contentions. Romans 7:16-21 identifies the problem as SIN. There is a WAR that is WARRING within us between "the law in my members, warring against the law in my mind..and bringing me into CAPTIVITY to the LAW OF SIN which is in my members." (Romans 7:22--23)

The conclusive thought process is..."O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) That is the question that I constantly ask myself...especially when I am in the middle of failure...again.

ANSWER: I thank God--through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! So than, with the mind I myself serve the law of God...but with the flesh...the law of sin." (Romans 7:25)

KEY TO VICTORY: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are IN CHRIST JESUS...who do not WALK according to the FLESH...but (walk) ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT." (Romans 8:1)

The devil (little d) condemns...the Lord edifies. "For the law of the SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS...has made me FREE from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)

NOTE: Read the rest of chapter 8 to see how to become MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

A great companion chapter to Romans chapters 6-7 is Galatians 5-6.

We are called to STAND FAST therefore in the LIBERTY/FREEDOM by which Christ Jesus has MADE US FREE...and do not be ENTANGLED AGAIN...with a YOKE OF BONDAGE/SLAVERY. (Galatians 5:1)

Just because you call yourself a Christian...or are actually a Christian...does not mean an automatic pass for freedom. You CAN...and WILL BE bound again by sin and the flesh...if you ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.

I speak from personal experience. I was saved in the fall of 1970...baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1972...and backslid into more sin than I did before I was saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit. It all happened because I did not follow the recommendations in Galatians 5.

NOTE: Be sure to note...that I had CHOICES to make. I CHOSE sin and the flesh over freedom and peace. The Lord never promised to deliver us from our friends...only our enemies...and as long as whatever you are doing that violates the principles of God are you FRIENDS...you will always...be caught between the the Spirit and the flesh...between freedom and bondage.

If you are going to answer God's CALLING in your life...you must really understand what His calling is for you. "For you, brethren..HAVE BEEN CALLED TO FREEDOM...only do not USE FREEDOM...as an OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH...but through LOVE...SERVE...ONE ANOTHER." (Galatians 5:13)

When we walk in sin and in flesh...we do not love (1) The Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (2) Love our neighbor (anyone other than you...including family, co-workers, friends, etc) (3) Love yourself. and we do not serve. We love ourselves more than anyone...and become bound instead of free.

"I say then...WALK IN THE SPIRIT...and you shall NOT FULFILL the LUST OF THE FLESH." (Galatians 5:16) It is obvious to me...that if I am fulfilling the lust of the flesh...I am NOT walking in the Spirit.

The solution...is found at the Cross Of Christ...and by FAITH...accepting what I can't do. Galatians 2:20...is manifested as I am faced with choices of sin and flesh. " And those who are Christ's have CRUCIFIED THE FLESH...with its passions and desires. If we LIVE IN THE SPIRIT...let us also WALK IN THE SPIRIT. Let us NOT become CONCEITED, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:24-26)

NOTE: It is easy for me to pontificate about this...but I know it is the truth. I struggle all the time with sin and flesh...but find that the more I am focused on the Word, focused on the Lord, focused on the Spirit...focused on crucifying my flesh with it's passions and desires...versus focusing on my failures and the devil's lies...I am quicker to REPENT (have a change of mind, change of attitude, change of direction...moving towards the Lord and away from sin and things of the flesh.) Acts 3:19 becomes evident as I RETURN and REPENT...and experience REFRESHING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. The neat thing is...the Lord will LET/ALLOW me to do whatever I want to do. I have found this...the quicker I get to the bottom of the pig pen...and quit digging below ground level...and look up to the Father waiting for me...the quicker I can dine on the fatted calf...versus dog vomit.

Love and Repentant Kisses
Rodney "Thanks Be To Christ Jesus" Boyd

BIRTH: The Art of Dealing With The Flesh and Spirit

Greetings and Salutations at the beginning of Lent. Is it almost over? Oh...it's only been two days. Lord...HELP!

On August 15th 2011...I will be celebrating my day of birth. I will be 60 years old. If I live to be 120 years old...I would be considered to be middle aged. I've got a feeling...that I am over the middle aged mark at this point in the game. My friend...Chip Payne...recently celebrated his 5oth birthday...and it dawned on me...that when he turns 60 years old...I will be 70 years old. That just AIN'T right.

Back on August 15th 1951...my mother Elizabeth Boyd gave birth to a boy at Allen Clinic in Murfreesboro Tennessee.

NOTE: At this point...let us focus on picture #1 and all join in with a collective Awwwwwwww....how cute.

This birth was the result of the union of Lonnie and Elizabeth Boyd 9 months earlier...and the cause and effect was pregnancy...and the culmination of BIRTH. Flesh (human beings)...gave birth to flesh (another human being). This does follow the Biblical principle...John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh...is...flesh..."

For the next 19 years...I went from a bouncing baby boy...to a skipping skinny kid. My life was shaped by my environment including my parent's values... my friend's peer pressure...the good, the bad, the ugly...religious upbringing...my free will and choices I made based on my flesh (not my body...but my nature).

In the fall of 1970...I was a paranoid, addicted, selfish, individual (who followed the crowd like a lemming running over a cliff). Why is it that we want to be individuals...and then dress, walk, talk, act like everyone else?

In the fall of 1970 Brenda led me to the Lord...and I accepted Jesus as my Saviour...and boy did I need saving. At that point on the space-time continuum, I went from being born the first time...in the flesh...to being BORN AGAIN...in the Spirit. I had received a divine touch here on planet Earth... and John 3:3...and began to see the kingdom of God. "Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly...I say to you...unless on is BORN AGAIN...he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). I went from being born of the flesh...because flesh gives birth to flesh...to being BORN TWICE...where "that which is born of the Spirit (big S) is spirit (little s).


I could NOT change myself. I personally needed a divine touch. As of this writing it is March 10th 2011. I was born again in the fall of 1970. I wish that I could tell you that...I matured spiritually from then to now on a regular, consistent basis...but I can't. I have had many HILLS...and VALLEYS. I have been on the MOUNTAIN TOP (great spiritual times) and I have been in the depths of the VALLEYS (in the lowlands and dark times).

I have walked in the Spirit and experience life and peace...and I have walked in the flesh and experienced death (a disconnect from His presence). I can't blame God, people, situations and circumstances for my flesh walk. I can't even blame the devil..."The devil made me do it."

The same principle of my natural birth back in 1951...was...and sometimes still is in 2011... flesh gives birth to flesh.

"It was for FREEDOM that Christ set us FREE...therefore...KEEP STANDING FIRM and do not BE SUBJECT AGAIN to a YOKE OF SLAVERY. (Galatians 5:1)

NOTE: A great warning written to believers who had been BORN AGAIN.


"For you were CALLED TO FREEDOM, brethren; only DO NOT TURN YOUR FREEDOM INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH...but through LOVE...SERVE ONE ANOTHER." (Galatians 5:13)

NOTE: Spirit walk can turn into flesh walk by a turning. It is not our calling to walk in bondage...but to walk in freedom.

"But I say...WALK BY THE SPIRIT...and you WILL NOT carry out the DESIRE OF THE FLESH. For the FLESH sets it's desire against the SPIRIT...and the SPIRIT against the FLESH...for these are IN OPPOSITION to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please." (Galatians 5:16)

NOTE: Paul is writing to believers...who are struggling with the things of the flesh and Spirit.

That speaks to me of my struggles over the years. When I WALK in the FLESH...versus WALKING IN THE SPIRIT...flesh gives birth to flesh...versus...Spirit giving birth to spirit.

I will either be in the flesh...and the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)...OR be in the Spirit and having growth with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

The way that this GROWTH PROCESS takes place in my life...is by death. "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus (that would be me and you via being BORN AGAIN)...have CRUCIFIED THE FLESH...with its PASSIONS and DESIRES." (Galatians 5:24) Once the flesh crucifixion takes place...then we must LIVE AND WALK BY THE SPIRIT. "If we LIVE by the SPIRIT...let us ALSO...WALK BY THE SPIRIT."


The way that we crucify the FLESH...is to IDENTIFY with the work that Jesus did...that we could NOT do. "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 in the flesh (physical body)...I live BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD...who loved me and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20).

We crucify our flesh and walk in the Spirit by faith in what HE DID...not what we do. Paul stated that "...I die daily..." speaking not of him dying for his own sin...but again...accepting what Jesus did in Galatians 2:20.

Paul questions some people who started out in the Spirit...but now were trying for perfection in the flesh.

"You foolish Galatians...who has bewitched you before whose eyes JESUS CHRIST...was publicly portrayed as CRUCIFIED? This is the only thing I want to find out from you...did you RECEIVE THE SPIRIT by the works of the Law...or by HEARING WITH FAITH? Are you so foolish? Having BEGUN BY THE SPIRIT...are you now being PERFECTED BY THE FLESH? Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? So then...does He who PROVIDES YOU WITH THE SPIRIT and WORKS MIRACLES among you...do it by the WORKS OF THE LAW...or by HEARING WITH FAITH?" (Galatians 3:1-5)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Flesh gives birth to flesh...Spirit gives birth to spirit. During this Lent season...this is my primary desire...to SAY NO TO THE FLESH...AND SAY YES TO THE SPIRIT...in my spirit, my soul, and my body. The flesh must get into line with the Spirit...and this time is where..with the HELP OF THE HELPER (The Holy Spirit)...I can discipline myself for the purpose of godliness. (I Timothy 4:8-16)

Love and Spirit-Filled Kisses
Rodney "Change My Heart O God" Boyd

DAT'S JUST DA BEAST IN ME!

Greetings Chewers of da Cud...how's the beast? Back in 1957...I was 6 years old...I saw a movie at the Starlight Drive-In....with my Mom and Dad...called JAILHOUSE ROCK. The EP record...(EP=a 45 rpm piece of vinyl that was not a full album but held 5 or 6 songs. VINYL= round pieces of plastic with grooves cut into them that when a needle is place on them and they revolve around...emits sound from a record player)...was one of the first record I owned.

As some of you know...when my friends were listening to Mary Had A Little Lamb...I was singing..."the warden had a party in the county jail."

The movie was the picture that Elvis never watched...because his co-star...Judy Tyler was killed in a car wreck after she made the movie. It is the tale of a truck driver who gets into a bar fight...and he kills a man in the fight. He is sent to prison...meets up with someone who teaches him how to play the guitar...and soon is elevated to the national limelight...with a song called Jailhouse Rock. When he gets out of prison...the story continues with him meeting a girl who promotes his music...and he skyrockets to the top. Elvis' character gets caught up in himself and turns into a jerk...and then through a series of events...comes back to being a good guy. At one point he gets into another fight and receives a punch into his larynx (lar-inks) and loses his voice. I consider it to be one of Elvis' better movies (although I like them all...even the bad ones...with King Creole being my favorite).

One of my favorite scenes is where Elvis and Judy are walking down the street...and Elvis stops and grabs her...and plants a wet, sloppy kiss on her resistant lips. She pushes away and says..."Don't use those tactics on me." Elvis responds with QUOTABLE QUOTE. He looks at her...and smiles a sneer...and says..."Dem ain't tactics...dat's just da BEAST in me."


Funny line...but at times...a little close to reality in me.

"Therefore...if any man is IN CHRIST...he is a NEW CREATION...the OLD THINGS passed away...behold...NEW THINGS have come." (II Corinthians 5:17)

Well...one would wish...that...this was the end of the story. I once was a boogerhead...and now I am not a boogerhead. But over the years...the NEW CREATION...at times...acted like the OLD CREATION.

"For the good that I wish...I do not do...but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I don not wish...I am no longer the one doing it...but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me...the one who wishes to do good." (Romans 7:19-21)

I find myself...trying to excuse myself for my actions...by saying..."Dem ain't tactics...dat's just da beast in me." Well...that excuse does not hold water for the believer.

"Even he who is pure in heart...can become a wolf...when the wolf bane blooms...and the Autumn moon is bright." (From the 1941 movie The Wolfman starring Lon Chaney Jr.).

A cursory reading of New Testament epistles (letters...not the wife of an apostle)...shows that a lot of them are letters of correction for believers...who are not acting like believers. They are people who lack no spiritual gift, like the church in Corinth, whose beast manifest in the form of partisanship in the church, getting drunk, spiritual pride, sexual immorality, chaotic services etc.

Other letters reveal Paul rebuking Peter for acting one way around one set of believers...and then acting another way around others.

The book of Galatians is written to FREE PEOPLE....NEW CREATIONS...who go back to their OLD WAYS...like dogs back to their vomit.

"It was for FREEDOM that Christ set us FREE...therefore...KEEP STANDING FIRM...and do not BE SUBJECT AGAIN...TO A YOKE OF SLAVERY." (Galatians 5:1) In other words...KEEP THE BEAST IN LINE.

"For you were CALLED TO FREEDOM...brethren...only DO NOT TURN YOUR FREEDOM... into an OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH...but through love serve one another."
(Galatians 5:13) It appears this BEAST...is kept at bay...by LOVE...expressed towards one another.

The key to victory over this beast...is like Paul said in Romans 6:24-25...
"Wretched man that I am! Who will SET ME FREE from the body of this death?" The answer is the same ONE who originally set us free...and who can restore us..."Thanks be to GOD through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD..."

"You foolish Galatians...who has bewitched you...before whose eyes...JESUS CHRIST WAS PUBLICLY PORTRAYS AS CRUCIFIED. This is the only thing I want to find out from you; did you receive the Spirit by the WORKS of the Law, or by HEARING WITH FAITH? Are you so foolish? Having BEGUN by the SPIRIT...are you now being PERFECTED BY THE FLESH?"
(Galatians 3:1-3)

"But I say...WALK BY THE SPIRIT...and you WILL NOT...carry out the DESIRE OF THE FLESH." (Galatians 5:16)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...against such things there is no law."
(Galatians 5:22)

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have CRUCIFIED the flesh with its passions and desires...If we LIVE by the Spirit...let us also WALK BY THE SPIRIT." (Galatians 6:22-25)

"I HAVE BEEN...crucified with Christ...and it is no longer I who lives...but CHRIST LIVES IN ME..and the life which I NOW LIVE...I live by FAITH in the Son of God...who DELIVERED HIMSELF UP FOR ME." (Galatians 2:20)

"I protest, brethren...by the boasting i you...which I have in Christ Jesus...I DIE DAILY." (I Corinthians 15:31)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

God's heartbeat for us is NOT...that the BEAST/FLESH in us would dominate us...but that we would WALK IN FREEDOM. The answer to that freedom is the same answer that got us there in the first place...FAITH IN THE D.B.R...DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION...NOTHING MORE...NOTHING LESS.

We can only identify with the cross...the blood of Jesus...mercy...grace...love...faith....and believe that the PROPITIATION was enough.

"He SAVED us...not on the BASIS OF DEEDS...which we have done in righteousness...but according to HIS MERCY...by the (1) washing of regeneration (2) renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)

Love and Non-Beasty Kisses
Rodney "Beauty and The New Creation" Boyd

HAND TO THE PLOW...AGAIN

Greetings Plowboys and Plowgirls...how's the furrow?

One of my FAV albums...in the top five of FAV albums of all time would be HAND TO THE PLOW by Paul Clark. The picture on the front of the album is a picture that Paul took of his Grandfather...with his hand....not to the proverbial plow...but to the real plow. Of course for us believers...the analogy is not lost... as we plow along in this walk that we are in...keep focused...don't look back... don't give up...KEEP YOUR HAND TO THE PLOW.

If you look back...the straight furrows...turn crooked...If you take your hand of the plow...you are no longer in control of the mules/horses...and your life goes willly-nilly.

The title song of the album is a mixture of jazz and rock...which turns into funk.
Mmmmmmmmmm quite tasty.

Over the years...since 1970 (the year when I first started plowing this field)... many times I have taken my hand off of the plow. I took my hands off the plow for many different reasons (some, in my mind ligit). Temptation, sin, the flesh, discouragement, hopelessness...all resulting from letting my guard down...not disciplining my self for the purpose of godliness...letting up on reading the Word.. allowing my prayer life to dry up...not dying to myself and living to Him daily (usually dying to myself every week or so or as the my needs arise)...not taking up my cross (yielding my will to His will)...ALL reasons/excuses...with the same result...NO RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST (Romans 14:17).

The first verse states:

I've felt the pressures of temptation...I've heard the breathing lies of ac--u--sa---tion...
I know the world can be distracting...but if I keep on foot there I'm--just--acting
Well, I can't think of a reason why I should look back...and I don't intend to start now
Gonna set my face LIKE FLINT TO JESUS AND HIS WORD
Yes...I'm KEEPING MY HAND TO THE PLOW

NOTE: WOW...when I first heard those words...I was infused with the hope that I can make it...I can keep on...no matter how many times I fail... I can get up again. The second verse continues:

I've felt the weight of condemnation...And how the dEVIL TWISTS MY SITUATION
My brother...if you feel defeated...let me remind you friend that YOU'VE BEEN CHEATED
Well...I can't think of a reason why I should look back...and I don't intend to start now
Gonna set my face LIKE FLINT TO JESUS AND HIS WORD
Yes...I'm KEEPING MY HAND TO THE PLOW

NOTE: Whenever I would sin...succumb to temptation and walk in the flesh...CONDEMNATION would be heaped on me...and my reasoning would be...well...I've screwed up again...why even try. The condemnation did not come from God...He convicts...with the outstretched hand of redemption. "There is NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 7:25) We have been given the ministry of reconciliation... "Now all these things are from God...who RECONCILED us to Himself through CHRIST, and gave us the MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION." (II Corinthians 2:18) This ministry is defined in the very next verse..."namely, that God was in Christ RECONCILING THE WORLD to Himself...NOT COUNTING THEIR TRESPASSES AGAINST THEM...and He has committed to us the WORD OF RECONCILIATION." (II Corinthians 5:19)

The devil (little d...he does not deserve a capital d) really does twist our situations...giving us a feeling of defeat...all the while being cheated.
Notice how the word devil says it all...d-evil.


Another great song that speaks to me...about walking out his walk is Bob Dylan's Got To Serve Somebody. Dylan lists multiple people from all walks and lifestyles...and makes the statement..."You got to SERVE SOMEBODY...it may be the devil...it may be the Lord...but you got to SERVE SOMEBODY."

You are either plowing the fields of the Kingdom of God (righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost)...or you are sowing the fields of the devil (unrighteousness, unrest, and sadness).

This picture show two of my favorite artists...Phil Keaggy and Paul Clark rocking out to Dylan's GOT TO SERVE SOMEBODY. For my money...it just don't get no better than this.

Put your hand to the plow...and serve the Lord.



FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY...

I close with how I opened...PLOWBOYS AND PLOWGIRLS...how's your FURROW. The furrow is a narrow groove made in the ground by a plow...plowed land. The plowing preceded the planting....which proceeds to growth...which results in harvest. It's all about preparation in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes...the ground becomes fallow. Fallow ground is ground that was plowed but not seeded for one or more growing seasons to kill weeds or make the soil richer...OR just left unattended. The ground develops a hardness and must be broken up again, de-weeded...etc. Either way...THE PLOW must be administered before THE PLANTING...with growth that may need PRUNING... but that's another Rambling for another time.

Love and Plowed Kisses
Rodney "Hand Back On The Plow...Again" Boyd

THE COCKROACH THEOLOGY: The Art Of Spiritual Pest Control

The German Cockroach...with the egg that houses 40 little baby roaches.
The cockroach is a nasty little insect...that can be in million dollar mansions...or filthy shacks...and everywhere inbetween. The presence of a cockroach does not necessarily indicate a "dirty house"...however...it does not necessarily exclude a "dirty house." Many moons ago...in my colorful work career...I was an Orkin Pest Control Service Technician. My job...go to a customer's house...and kill the bugs. Have you ever got up in the middle of night to get a drink of water...turned on your light in the kitchen... and saw a roach...or roaches scurry away? The little buggers...cannot stand the light. Just like sin and the flesh nature cannot stand the light. "And thisis the message we have heard from Him and announce to you...that GOD IS LIGHT and in Him there is no DARKNESS at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness...we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we WALK IN THE LIGHT as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all SIN." (I John 1:5-7)When I would go into someone's home...and it is obvious that they have not cleaned their house in years...they always say..."I haven't had time to clean today." Years of ingoring the dirty things in our lives...will result in INFESTATION. I went to one house...and sprayed my powder that runs the cockroach out of their hiding place...and it was like a COCKROACH ATOMIC BOMB. The roaches will run from the nest...and run UP...to the ceiling. This one particular house...the walls became black with the roaches...the ran up the walls and began to rain down like our recent rains here in Tennessee...falling on my head...down my shirt...all around. I invented a new dance called THE COCKROACH STOMP.When the cockroach is subjected to THE LIGHT...they scurry back into their nest. The exacerbated problem is...when the cockroaches are out and about in the broad daylight. The reason they are in the broad daylight...is because the nest is full.Sin...and the deeds of the flesh are like cockroaches in our lives. One or two may appear...but before you know it...if you don't deal with them...the egg of sin...that houses multiple things in our lives...will explode and becomes an exponential phenom. Oh...they may only come out at night like the cockroach...but after a while...like the deeds of the flesh...they become EVIDENT. (Galatians 5:119-21)In the natural...cockroaches are subjected to the bottom of my feet...and chemicals. In the spiritual... sin and the flesh are subjected to FEET also."And I will put enmity between you and the woman...and between your seed and her seed; He shall BRUISE you on the head...and you shall bruise him on the HEEL." (Genesis 3:15)"...These are in accordance with the WORKING OF THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT...which He brought about IN CHRIST (yoke destroying, burden lifting, oppression removing, healing power of the Holy Ghost)...when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED (including sin, flesh, and cockroaches) not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put ALL THINGS (including sin, flesh and cockroaches) IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEED, and gave Him as head over all things to the church...which is HIS BODY (that would be you)...the fulness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:19-22)"And the God of peace will soon CRUSH satan (little s) under YOUR FEET." (Romans 16:20)We have many resources to deal with the fleshly cockroaches and sin patters in our lives including:The Word of God, The Spirit of God, The Authority of the Believer, The Body of Christ, The Gifts of the Spirit, The Fruit of the Spirit. Love...etc.Soooooooooooooooo....it's time to DANCE...the old COCKROACH STOMP...crunch, crunch, crunch.

Love and Stompin Kisses

Rodney "PEST CONTROL" Boyd
Rodney Boyd at 7:44am May 18

After I published this...I thought of the two main resources to deal with the flesh, sin, tempation and cockroaches...D.B.R...DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION...NOTHING MORE...NOTHING LESS...THE CROSS...and THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

THE C-FACTOR

Greetings Oh Ye Chili aficionados. The question arises...with...or without? Depending on who you are talking to...you either like your chili with meat...or without meat. I prefer my chili...
CON CARNE...with meat/flesh.

I have vivid memories of growing up...and every other Wednesday night...when my Dad got paid...we would go to the local Kroger...and buy groceries. When we got home from Kroger...Mom would put on a pot of coffee...and open some cans of chili...CON CARNE. When I close my eyes... to this day...I can almost smell the aroma wafting through the Boyd household. Even to this day... I judge all chili...by my Mom's chili...out of the can.

I like my chili with meat/flesh...but my Christianity is another thing. The C-Factor...is a series of Cs...CONFESSION...of a...CHRISTIAN CON CARNE. This would be...a Christian (follower of Jesus)...with or in...THE FLESH.

Of course there is only one thing worse than a sinner...and that's a Christian...who walks and lives in the flesh...or the CARNAL...CON CARNE life.

The word in the Greek language for flesh/meat/carnal...is SARX. Sarx is...flesh...the meat of an animal...human nature...with it's frailties (physically or morally)...and passions...carnal.

In this losey-goosey...world that we live in...I am seeing an increasing tendency...for followers of Jesus...to let the guard down...and instead of walking by the Spirit....we walk/live...with a mixture of Jesus Loves Me This I Know...and...doing anything I want, when I want, and how I want. This is a recipe for trouble.

DISCLAIMER: Let me say from the onset...and I know that this will come as a surprise to many of you...that I am not perfect. You can easily come in and scrutinize my life...and I will come up lacking and wanting. I know that when you point your finger at someone...you have three pointing back at you. I know the Scriptures talk about not judging...while you try to take out a speck in someones eye...while you have a 2 x 4 sticking out of your eyes. So...as I right this...I am looking at a mirror and talking to myself.

I have been a follower of Jesus for the past 38 going on 39 years. In the early days...it was a roller coaster ride...and sometimes the roller coaster came of the tracks and I crashed in a flesh accident. I smoked more dope...drank more booze...and did more stupid fleshly things...AFTER I was saved, baptized, baptized in the Holy Spirit...than BEFORE I became a follower of Jesus. I guess that's why I have empathy...for those struggling with FLESH issues. I especially am sadden...when I see "some" young Christians...teens and old young Christians...being bound again by choices to live a carnal life.

NOTE: Not all believers are walking in the flesh...not all teenage believers are living a carnal lifestyle...but enough to where....I am reflecting on MY LIFE of FLESH WALKING.

There is nothing new under the sun. God's people have always been on the roller coaster of life...and the Bible is a reflection of how God deals with His people. If I was writing a book about mankind's relationship with God...I would probably hide the warts...and make believers look pristine...BUT not God. The Bible...especially the New Testament...are writings...letters of corrections and encouragement.

I Corinthians 10:1-33 talks about God's people who were LAID LOW IN THE WILDERNESS. Why did God reveal these things? According to I Corinthians chapter 10 verses 6, 11...these things were written to us as EXAMPLES and INSTRUCTION for us...SO WE WON'T BE LAID LOW IN THE WILDERNESS.

WARNING #1: I Corinthians 10:12...warns us that if you think...that YOU CAN'T FALL TO THE FLESH...look out. "Therefore...let him who thinks he stands TAKE HEED...LEST HE FALL." It's easy...to sit back...and look down on those who do certain things...that WE DON'T DO...and at the same time...DO THINGS that we should NOT DO.

WARNING #2: Beware of being a spiritual ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK. I am guilty of this...trying to determine someones motives for why and what they are doing. It's like it says in I Corinthians 2:11..."For who among men KNOWS THE THOUGHTS of a man...except the spirit of the man...which is in him?"

WARNING #3: Spend more time interceding for the FLESH WALKER...than tsk tsking the FLESH WALKER.

NOW...what to do...what to do? Do you just let us FLESH WALKERS...keep on walking in the flesh. No...I would dare say...encourage by the Word. As it points out in Galatians 6:1-4..."Brethren...even if a man is CAUGHT IN ANY TRESPASS (not just walking in the flesh...but actually caught in overt sin)...you who are SPIRITUAL...restore such a one in a SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS (not in a fit of anger or superiority)...LOOKING TO YOURSELVES (check out the mirror)...let you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens...and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if ANYONE THINKS HE IS SOMETHING...when he is nothing...he deceives himself. But let each one examine his OWN WORK... and then he will have a reason for boasting in regard to himself alone...and not in regard to another."

The last collage is what I desire for the youth of the church where I attend...the young adults that have grown up in the church...the adults who have been Christians forever and have gotten in a spiritual rut....and especially ME.

I Timothy 1:7-16...is Paul writing to a young Timothy...about what he needs to do...as a young man walking out his faith and authority in the church. He encourages Timothy...to not allow anyone to LOOK DOWN ON HIS YOUTHFULNESS. Don't give anyone a reason for disregarding your confession of faith in Jesus Christ. I see 5 areas where Timothy is encouraged to DISCIPLINE HIMSELF FOR THE PURPOSE OF GODLINESS....(1) Speech (2) Conduct (3) Love (4) Faith (5) Purity

SPEECH: is what we say...but what we say is what we think. Of course in the Ruminators...we quote..."UNRESTRAINED THOUGHTS... PRODUCE UNRESTRAINED WORDS...RESULTING IN UNRESTRAINED ACTIONS. I am not talking about cussing...however that is a big part of it. The foulness that comes out peoples pie holes is atrocious. I am not talking about non-Christians...I don't expect anything less...but I am talking about followers of Jesus. Reading Facebook or My Space is revealing of what is in the hearts of many people. Another aspect of disciplining the speech...is how much unbelief, worry, tension, anxiety, fear comes out of the same pie hole that praise God on Sunday mornings.

CONDUCT: is what we do...how we act. Again disciplining...restraining...our thoughts will control what we do...or the choices we make.
Sometimes on Sunday mornings as I stand up on the stage for communion...and I look out at the people...it is amazing how many people are not listening...talking...playing games on their phones...etc. Also...the way people dress is also revealing...especially some of our lovely Christian ladies. There is a looseness in dress...that is distracting...when there is more cleavage showing than a hooker on Saturday night.
Again on Facebook or My Space...are flooded with Christian believers...in seductive poses...for the sake of art...or an in the face comment on the freedom they have.

LOVE: is what motivates and moves us...but there appears to be a confusion with love and lust. Christian boys...whisper in the ears of Christian girls...that they LOVE THEM...but what they really mean is I LUST you. One step leads to another (connected to the CONDUCT)...first base...second base...third base...and rounding to home with a baby. Like Larry Norman sang...I once knew a girl as sweet as could be...but she fell for a man like a chained saw tree...she listened to his lies...fooled by his charms...now she's sitting with a baby in her arms...you got to WATCH WHAT YOU'RE DOIN'" Notice it is not just the girl...it takes two to tango.

FAITH: is what we believe...with the root of our believe in the D.B.R...DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION...NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS. If you read the book of Galatians...it is a letter of correction of believers...who are adding to the faith...in the areas of rules and regulations...and walking in the FLESH...not in the SPIRIT.

PURITY: is mixing in bitter waters...with fresh waters...and that makes the whole spring polluted. Purity is a lost art...because after all WE ARE FREE. Paul underscores this in I Corinthians 6:12...in his letter of correction to the fleshly church of Corinth..."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."

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY!

I can't tell anyone what to do...I have a handfull just with my life, my family and those who...for whatever reason look up to me. But this I do know...that is good for me...and everyone.

1. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)
2. When you know to do good...do it and don't sin. (James 4:17)
3. Whatever you do...do it by faith...and don't sin. (Romans 14:23)
4. Discipline yourself (remove encumbrances that trip you up (Hebrews 12:1; I Timothy 4:7)
5. Keep focused in the Word (I Timothy 4:11-16; II Timothy 3:16,17; Joshua 1:8)
6. Stay free (Galatians 5:1,9,13,16-26)

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION

If you are in the Smyrna and surrounding area...you are invited to THE RUMINATOR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS where we are currently studying HOW TO DEAL WITH TEMPTATION, SIN AND THE FLESH. If you are outside of the are...email me...and I will send you a copy of the workbook over your email

Love and SAN CARNE KISSES
Rodney "Preaching to Me" Boyd

NEW YEARS, NEW CREATIONS, NEW EVERY MORNING

Greetings all of you Golden Oldies...Silver Saints...Moldy Oldies...Old Creations, New Creations....Happy MOO Year.

Well...Today...is one step closer to the return of Jesus Christ...and one step into the New Year. I have experienced 57 of those lovely New Years...some I cannot remember...some I have vague memories...some I remember oh so well. There have been good years, bad years, ugly years...but collectivley...overall...it has been a good life.

I was born on August 15th, 1951...and then born again in the fall of 1970.

"Now there as a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him (Jesus) by night, and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; fro no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said t him, Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be BORN when he is OLD? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be BORN...can He? Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN OF WATER (physical birth) and the Spirit (born again), he cannot ENTER into the kingdom of God. that which is BORN of the FLESH is FLESH...and that which is BORN of the Spirit...spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you...YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not KNOW where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is BORN OF THE SPIRIT." Nicodemus answered and said to Him, HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE? (John 3:1-9)

Born again...new beginnings...new creation...are words that evoke images of leaving one place and starting over in a new place. As Ed Cole points out in his book ENTERING CRISIS AND LEAVING...we are in a constant state of entering and leaving. We enter a new room and leave the old room...we enter a new job and leave the old job...we enter in new relationships...and leave old ones...we enter new lifestyles and leave old lifestyles. The first collage is one of NEW BEGINNINGS. There is a picture of Phillip being baptized...raised to walk in newness of life. Another picture is of me and Brenda holding Phillip in the beginning of our new life as a family. The lower left hand corner is old Ruminatin' Rod entering this world in 1951...and next to it are the early days of dating with Brenda Sue Williams...who then left that old life...and became Brenda Sue Boyd. Front and center is my first Bible post salvation. I bought that for myself...and wanted a honking big Bible to go along with my faith. It not only was a powerful tool for my spiritual growth...but could also be used as a weapon in case of physical attack. The upper right hand corner...is how...me...or anyone can enter into that BORN AGAIN experience...where you start a NEW LIFE. The cross...the empty cross...that Jesus allowed Himself to be "hung up for our hang ups". He became the propitiation, the substitute, the satisfaction for God...and paid the debt that I/we owed...so we could become NEW CREATIONS.

WOW....38 years ago...I was DELIVERED from the domain/authority of DARKNESS...and TRANSFERRED me to the kingdom of His (God's) beloved Son (Jesus)...in whom I have REDEMPTION...the FORGIVENESS of sins."
(Colossians 1:13,14)

I left the OLD creation that I was...and became a NEW creation in CHRIST.
(II Corinthians 5:17)

I went from not being righteous and just (Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12) to being the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST (II Corinthians 5:21
Romans 1:17; II Corinthians 5:14,15)

The computer generated drawing of THE ROSE THAT GREW IN CONCRETE was a project Phillip did for a book report in school. It always speaks to me of how God can grow anything in a rough situation. It speaks of the miracle of going from a stagnated, concreted nothing...to a beautiful flower.


Well...it is a NEW YEAR...and time to leave the bad OLD behind. Thank God... that the new spark of life is not limited to the initial touch of God to man. After the fall...there was life...and the life was JESUS.

Jeremiah the "weeping prophet"...laments about the old condition...and rejoices about NEW MORNINGS.

"Remember my affliction and my wandering...the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me (speaks of cause and effect of the old life). This I recall to my mind...therefore I HAVE HOPE. The Lord's LOVING KINDNESSES INDEED...NEVER CEASES...for His COMPASSION'S...NEVER FAIL...They (loving kindnesses and compassions)... are NEW EVERY MORNING...GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS. The Lord is my portion say my soul...therefore I have HOPE IN HIM." (Lamentations 3:19-24)

When you become a NEW CREATION...and you begin to walk in this fallen world....you need to be RENEWED. There is every opportunity to get weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9) As we walk in this NEW LIFE...we have many choices to SOW and to REAP. We see that God is not MOCKED...for WHATEVER (good or bad) we SOW... that shall we also REAP (Galatians 6:7). We can either so to the flesh...or sow to the Spirit. Either way...we reap a crop in our spiritual walk...that will either determine if we continue to walk in newness...or go backward (aka backslide) into the old creation.
(Galatians 6:8)

NOTE: I have backslide, returned as a dog to his own vomit, reaped what I sowed.. many times. This is a condition that I see many people doing...and will be a future Rambling called...CHRISTIANS CON CARNE...Christians with flesh).

We can go from NEW CREATIONS to OLD CREATIONS...from FREEDOM to SLAVERY by our SOWING and REAPING.

"It was for FREEDOM that CHRIST set us FREE...therefore KEEP STANDING FIRM and do not be SUBJECT AGAIN to a YOKE OF SLAVERY." (Galatians 5:1) This speaks of our CALLING. "For you were CALLED to FREEDOM, brethren...only DO NOT TURN YOU FREEDOM INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH (carne...carnal nature)...but THROUGH LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER." (Galatians 5:13) Again...more of the Christian con Carne at a later time.

In this first day of the NEW YEAR...I want to encourage all of you CUD CHEWERS...to keep walkin in the NEWNESS OF LIFE....in the NEW CREATION. Remember that His loving kindnesses (plural) and compassion's (plural) and mercies (plural) are NEW EVERY MORNING. That means...that if you blow it on January 1st...you don't have to give up...there is a NEW MORNING COMING... and that would be January 2nd...and 3rd...and 4th...all the way to December 31st 2009...where I will meet you again if the Lord does not return... for 2010.

Until then..."But they that WAIT upon the LORD...shall RENEW...their STRENGTH...they shall MOUNT UP with WINGS OF EAGLES... they shall RUN and not be WEARY...and they shall WALK...and not FAINT." (Isaiah 40:31)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Teach me Lord...teach me to wait.

Love and Spanking Brand New Kisses
Rodney "NEW CREATION" Boyd

IT'S A RUMINATIN' NEW YEAR: 2009

Hello dear friends. Do you feel like you are about to dry up and blow away. Is your spiritual walk feeling like bleached bones. Are you hungry and thirsty for a Word from God.

Well...me too. I am convinced that the devil (little d)...the accuser of the brethren...and sistern also...the murderer...the thief...the one who entices you to evil and attempts not only to pull you into sin...but really wants to pull you away from who you really are...WANTS TO KEEP YOU AWAY FROM THE WORD OF GOD...and the WORD OF GOD AWAY FROM YOU.
(Mark 4:1-20)

I convince that little d knows that if you plant the Word of God in your heart...renew you mind with the washing of the water of the Word...allow the Word to abide in, continue in, take up residence in you...then FAITH WILL COME (Romans 10:17)..and little d...DOES NOT WANT YOU TO HAVE FAITH in any shape, form, or fashion.

When you have the : assurance (the confirmation, the title-deed) of the things [we] hope for (confident expectation)...being the proof of things [we]do not see and the conviction of their reality--faith PERCEIVING AS REAL FACT...what is not REVEALED TO THE SENSES (Hebrews 11:1)...you place your self in a position of PLEASING GOD...by (1) coming to God
(2) believing that God exist (3) believing that God is a rewarder (4) and diligently seeking Him versus passively inquiring about Him (Hebrews 11:6) Little d don't like that (bad English... good theology).

2009 will be the YEAR OF THE WORD. This year on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, we will have the opportunity to MOO AND CHEW ON THE WORD (Joshua 1:8)

Starting on Sunday morning...January 4th, 2009 at 9:00 A.M....THE RUMINATOR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS will be starting a new session called:

HOW TO DEAL WITH TEMPTATION, SIN, AND THE FLESH

We will dig our way into the Word utilizing a workbook. Some of the chapter titles includes:

1-Koinonia (The Common Connection)
2-Garden Roots (The Obedience Key)
3-The Lust Factor
4-The Way Out
5-The Competition Principle
6-The Art of Resisting Temptation
7-The Anointing (Yoke Breaking...Burden Lifting...Oppression Removing POWER)
8-Impotent Idle Idols
9-Freedom Fighters (How To Defeat The Flesh)
10-The Discipline of Self-Examination
11-Circumcised By The Cross
12-Flesh Reapers and Spirit Sowers
13-Whatever Happened To Sin
14-The Mindset Principle
15-Be A Visionary: GODISNOWHERE
16-VICTORY IN JESUS

These are just a few of the chapters that we will be ruminating about.


On January 7th, 2009...Wednesday night...we will be meeting for the year...reading through the ONE YEAR BIBLE...RUMINATOR STYLE.

We will be taking a journey through the entire Bible...and each Wednesday night we will have a REST STOP ALONG THE WAY...and discuss what God has shown us for that week. There may be a small teaching...but the input is really about what is God saying to you through the Word.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

1. A One Year Bible (or you can get the text for the week that night)...but I would recommend getting a One Year Bible.

2. A three ring binder note book.

3. Dividers for the notebook. You will need four sections (a) Old Testament (b) New Testament
(c) Psalms (d) Proverbs

As you read...write down what the Lord may bring forth to you. It does not have to be an in depth Bible Study. It is really the nuggets of the Word that you discover on your journey.

The CAUSE and EFFECT of all of this...will be a peace that passes understanding...keeping your way pure...faith will come...your prayer life will change as you pray the Word...Biblical success and prosperity...you may speak a word that will change a life...because you are speaking the Word.

Wednesday nights will also have many choices of classes from Kingdom life with Wayne Berry...Claudia Peterson teaching real men how to dance real good...Pastor Barbie encouraging us in our giftings...Scott Asher showing us how to effectively share our faith...Kevin O'Dea leading the 30 year and under in holiness...and the the moo and chew crowd.

Well...that's it for SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION. See ya in 2009...It's gonna be a great year in the Lord.

Love and Word Filled Kisses
Rodney "Mooin' and Chewin' Boyd

THE ART OF BUD NIPPING: AKA THE LITTLE FOX PRINCIPLE

Greeting Oh Ye Bud Nippers...how's the little foxes in your life? Have you ever wonder why things are so out of hand? Have you pondered on how you got into this fine mess? Have you ever ruminated about the source of your troubles? Have you ever thrown your hands up in the air and moaned...why does everything always happen to me? If so...consider THE ART OF BUD NIPPING... or as it is also known...THE LITTLE FOX PRINCIPLE.

James 1:2 encourages us to..."Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials..."
Note that this is written to the believer...brethren. Don't worry ladies...it also applies to the sistren. Also note that it does not say IF you encounter various trials...but WHEN. James continues the thought in verse 3..."knowing that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH...produces endurance." This is not and enticement to evil...a temptation...but a TESTING...where the pressure is on...and it will reveal stress or pressure points in your faith...so you can tighten up your faith. Endurance means to KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON as you go through life.

The endurance is not to be the end result...but merely the transition from going through stuff...to a destination. The destination is found in verse 4..."And let endurance have its PERFECT RESULT..that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." The hard part of course...is wondering...WHY? Why am I going through this trial...test? James has got this covered also...found in verse 5..."But if any of you LACKS WISDOM...let him ASK OF GOD...who gives to all men generously and without reproach...and IT WILL BE GIVEN HIM."

This is not talking about a school kid...asking for wisdom prior to taking a test that he did not study for the night before. It is not the assimilation of facts...like NEO being hooked up to a computer download directly into his mind via the port on the back of his head...as he learns Kung Fu within seconds. I believe...that he is talking about wisdom about...THE TRIAL THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. Sometimes...it could be the simple fact that we lived in a cursed and fallen world...and it rains on the just and the unjust. Sometimes it may be a well orchestrated assault from the devil and his assorted cohorts carrying out the SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL (Ephesians 6). Sometimes it is an allowance by God...to see if you will TRUST HIM. Sometimes...we pull a BARNEY FIFE....and we shoot ourselves in the foot by our own stupidity and disobedience. Andy told us not to put the bullet in the gun...God told Adam and Eve not eat of certain fruit... and they...we...me...REAP WHAT WE SOW. We sow to the FLESH...and we reap the FLESH. We sow to the wind...and we reap the whirlwind. It is good to PINPOINT...the WHY...so that we can DEAL WITH IT...accordingly. We may need to REBUKE the devil...or we may need to REPENT because of disobedience...or RESIST the SCHEMES.

But for me...a lot of the time...the reason I am going through stuff...can be traced to me...NOT NIPPING THINGS IN THE BUD...not DEALING WITH THE LITTLE FOXES. My VINEYARD...is spoiled because I ALLOWED things to happen in my life.

In the book...the Song of Solomon...The Song of Songs...the primer for adding spice to the marriage...speaks..."Catch the foxes for us...the little/young foxes...that are ruining/spoiling the vineyards...while our vineyards are in blossom." (Song of Solomon 2:15)

This wise advice for newly weds...and oddly weds. Deal with the little things... before they turn into BIG THINGS. Or as Barney Fife proclaims....

"YOU BETTER NIP IT IN THE BUD, ANDY...NIP IT! NIP IT! NIP IT!"
Words of advice on rearing Opie to Andy. Again...good advice...that APPLIES to every area of our lives.

This means to..."put a stop to something while it is still IN IT'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT." According to www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/256600.html.
"This phrase clearly derives by allusion to the de-budding of plants. The earlier form of the phrase was ...'nip in the bloom' and this is cited in Hnery Chettle's romance PIERS PLAINNES SEAVEN YERES PRENTISHIP, 1595..."Extinguish these fond loues with mnds labour, and NIP ty affections IN THE BLOOME, that they may NEURER BEE (never be) of POWER to budde."

"Be angry and yet DO NOT SIN...do not LET/ALLOW the sun go down on your anger...and do not GIVE THE DEVIL AN OPPORTUNITY." (Ephesians 4:26,27)

Awwwwwwwww....but those little foxes are so cute. Cute...until they destroy what is precious to you. They go for the YOUNG GRAPES...they go for the vines before they have a chance to mature into their destiny...wine...jams...jelly...SO...you better DEAL WITH THEM...NIP THEM...early on.

Back in the day...when I first met Brenda Sue...in the late 60's...I weighed 131 pounds. I went away to Tennessee Temple Bible School in 1971...and gained up to 175 pounds. I got married...and for a brief time when I first started taking karate...I was in shape...weighing in at my fighting weight of 165 pounds. Over the next few years...after eating Brenda's cooking...I kept putting on the pounds. I remembered when I was at Courtsouth Raquetball Club in the 70's/80's...I stepped on the scales in the locker room...and I weighed 198 pounds. One of the guys standing there...told me...you better take control now...or you will be over 200 pounds before you now it. I laughed...and told him that it would ever happen. The little foxes were nipping away in my vineyard.

Over the next few years...pound by pound...inch by inch...my girth expanded...but I DID NOT REALIZE IT...until one day...I stepped on the scales...and I weighed OVER...320 pounds. I say OVER...because I quit weighing at that point. It DID NOT HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. It was on little fox after another that I did not deal with...it was on UNNIPPED BUT AFTER ANOTHER.

What are you NOT DEALING with? Is it lust (one peek here...another yielding to a temptation there?) Are you taking one drink here...another there...just to take the edge off of the pressures of your life? Is it one Twix Bar here...a Butterfinger there...do you laughingly call yourself a chocoholic. Do you find yourself blaming your weight on your bones...after all...I'm just big boned. I look back and see my MIND SET...when I go out out to eat. I always have to have more than Brenda does...because after all...I'm the man...and I've got a MAN-SIZED APPETITE. As the commercial says...How do you handle a hungry man...HAVE NOT RESTRAINTS.

David...the boy shepherd...the boy warrior...the Psalmist...the KING...did not NIP THINGS IN THE BUD. He allowed the LITTLE FOXES spoiled HIS VINEYARD.

Step #1 Look at Bathsheba take a bath. Of course she was not bathing in her bathing suit...she was NAKED.

Step#2 He DID NOT NIP IT IN THE BUD...he lingered along with the LITTLE FOXES.

Step # 3 He developed a MIND SET.

Step#4 He abused his POWER...and had SEX with her.

Step # 5 He conspired to bring in her husband to make it look like the fruit of David's sin...was really here husbands.

Step #6 Step #5 did not work...so he plotted a murder and cover up.

Step #7 His sin is revealed

All of this could be avoided if at STEP #1...he had NIPPED IT IN THE BUD...if he had just dealt with the LITTLE FOXES. The cause and effect...SPOILED VINEYARDS. See Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 to see how to deal with the cause and effect of NOT BUD NIPPING or FOX CONTROL.

Well...remember...this principle...can apply to every area of our lives.

Love and Bud Nipping Kisses
Rodney "Foxy" Boyd