HASHBROWN THEOLOGY

Greetings and Salutations all of you hashbrown lovers...and you know who you are.



It's late night...and you have been out and about doing your thang... and as you are on the way home...you look over to the love of your life in the passenger seat...and tenderly say to her..."Are you hungry?"

She responds back..."Not really but I could eat something." Then she tacks on..."I'll just take a couple of bites of yours...we can share."

Well...you look for something that is open...and can't find anyplace open at whatever ungodly hour it is...until you see in the distance that familiar icon...glowing in the darkened sky...WAFFLE HOUSE.


You pull into the crowed parking lot... and realize that your inner craving is having an argument with you. On one shoulder is the good craving who implores you to go home and drink some water and go to bed. On the other shoulder...wearing the black trunks...is your evil craving telling you that you deserve it.

Ladies and gentlemen...welcome to the match of the century...Rodney "The Heavyweight" Boyd versus The Waffle House menu....Let's get ready to Ruuuuuummmmbbbbblllle!!!!!



I love to at at the WAFFLE HOUSE (in moderation)...especially the HASHBROWNS. There are at least...according to the menu...

1,572,864 ways to order the hashbrowns. I don't know if that is true...but some of the ways you can order them are:
1. Smothered=onions
2. Covered=cheese
3. Chunked=hickory smoked ham
4. Topped=chili
5. Diced=tomatoes
6. Peppered=jalapeno
7. Capped=mushrooms
8. Scattered=All The Way

What go me thinking about Waffle House Hashbrowns? I was reading Psalm 32 a while back and saw ho David was asking God to deal with his transgression, sin, iniquity and deceit. David wanted God to deal with his SIN...his SCATTERED (All The Way) LIFE. David needed JOY and Psalm 32 was a Psalm of Contemplation. David's sin was heavy upon him with his vitality drained. Combine this Psalm with Psalm 51 (A Prayer Of Repentance) and you have a man poised for repentance.

In these two Psalms...David needed his HASHBROWNS OF SIN...to be dealt with. Unlike the HASHBROWNS combinations a the W.H., there are not 1,572,864 ways to deal with your sins... there is only ONE WAY...by the BLOOD OF JESUS. With that said...here is what David desired:

1. Transgression=forgiven and blotted out
2. Sin=covered and cleansed and hide Your face from my sins
3. Iniquity=not impute/taken into account and washed thoroughly and blot out all my
iniquities
4. Purge and cleanse
5. Wash whiter than snow
6. Make me hear joy and gladness
7. Broken bones rejoice
8. God's face hidden from sins
9. Iniquities blotted out
10. A clean heart created
11. A steadfast spirit renewed within
12. Not cast away from His presence
13. Holy Spirit not taken away
14. Restoration of the joy of salvation
15. Upheld by His generous Spirit
16. Delivered from guilt of bloodshed
17. Praise coming forth from open lips and mouth


God does NOT desire sacrifice (what we can do)...or delight in burnt offerings (what we can do) but the sacrifices that God does desire and delight in...are (1) a broken spirit (2) a broken and contrite heart. God does not despise these things.


Now at the Waffle House...you sit down at the counter or one of their ultra small booths...and the waitress comes over...and says..."What'll ya have...honey?" You then place your order. Now before someone writes me and lets me know that God is not a waitress at Waffle House...please understand that my analogies always break down somewhere along the line....BUT here is the way that he ordered (respectfully requested) for God to deal with his sin, transgression, iniquity.


1. Acknowledge the sin to God
2. Don't hide your iniquity from Him (as if you could)
3. Confess (come into agreement with God...say the same thing God says) transgression to
the Lord)
4. Acknowledge the transgressions
5. Realize that against God and God alone have you sinned


Here is what is delivered to you when you REPENT (change of heart, mind, attitude, direction) and are not just SORRY that you got caught and/or are reaping what you sowed.

1. Purged and cleansed
2. Washed whiter than snow
3. Hearing joy and gladness so broken bones rejoice
4. God's face his from his sins
5. Clean heart created
6. Steadfast spirit renewed within
7. Not cast away from His presence
8. Holy Spirit not taken from him
9. Restored joy of salvation
10.Upheld by His generous Spirit
11.Deliverance from the guilt of bloodshed
12.Tongue singing aloud of His righteousness
13.Lips and Mouth showing forth His praise

In all of this...God does not desire or delight in:

1. Sacrifice (my efforts)
2. Burnt offerings (my efforts)

The sacrifices that God DOES desire and does not despise:

1. A broken spirit (heart of repentance)
2. A broken and contrite heart (repentance)

Well...there ya go. HASHBROWN THEOLOGY is an earthly way to ineffectively describe the wonderful power, love, forgiveness, grace, peace and mercy of God towards us as sinners. The bottom line is...when God does it...He does it right. He SCATTERS ALL THE WAY WITH HIS PROVISION FOR OUR LIVES...but that's for another time.

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

Love and SCATTERED ALL THE WAY Kisses
Rodney "I luvs me some Waffle House Hashbrowns" Boyd

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

THANKSGIVING MEMORIES

Happy 2 days after Thanksgiving. I am still giving thanks...even though the "official" day for giving thanks is over. It's kinda like prayer. Many people...me included...pray when there is a need...which a lot of times for me is not a need but a greed...BUT...prayer is always in order....just like rejoicing is always in order...and thanking is always in order. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Philippians 4:4)

We had a wonderful time as an eclectic grouping of people arrived at our home for feasting, fun, and fellowship. Chip Payne and J.R. Becker along with myself... baptized the bird in hot peanut oil. Remember that the word baptized is rooted in the Greek language as bapto...baptizo...which means to DIP...to wholly immerse and object into an element and to withdraw it from said element. Various baptisms mention in the Bible are John's baptism...where John the Dipper...dipped people into the element of the Jordan River because they had repented. God dips us into the body of Christ...while Jesus dips us into the Holy Spirit and fire....and Christians are dipped into water as we become followers of Jesus. The questions begs to ask....should we DIP our turkey into the element of PEANUT OIL...or should we DIP the TURKEY...in GREECE? (Sorry).

Steve Burkett...and Dr. J (Dr. Frank Jones)...brought along their musical instruments...and more important...their musical giftings....and entertained with various selections. Ol' Ruminatin' Rod even played a few. I have got to change those strings. I mean...3 years is a long time to be playing on the same strings.

For a brief minute...we thought that we may not have enough food...but the Lord was gracious and everyone got plenty of food...plus some.

It was a perfect day weather wise...in the 60's...no rain...sunshine. This is especially good...since it opens up the deck for people to congregate.

We had one mishap on this joyous day...of Thanksgiving. Someone...went through some purses...and stole over $100.00 worth of other peoples money.
Brenda and I were devastated. In all our years of opening our homes...this has never happened. As we were playing our music...while people were eating... while people were laughing...someone was giving thanks...that no one was in the bedroom where the purses were....and they were very thankful that God had supplied them sweet pickings for their Christmas.

The question is....WHAT DO WE DO NOW.

The answer is....REJOICE ALWAYS...PRAY WITHOUT CEASING...IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS....FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD CONCERNING YOU IN CHRIST JESUS. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

NOTE: The WILL OF GOD...is NOT...that someone absconded with the money....but the WILL OF GOD...is NOT to lose focus on who is in CONTROL of our lives.

"And we know that God CAUSES ALL THINGS (the good, the bad, and the ugly)...to WORK TOGETHER...for GOOD...to those who love God...to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

Lord....bless this individual that stole the money....but more importantly speak to this person...convict them of their sin...and let them realize that they need an intimate relation with you.

They can't steal from us...because we are only stewards of what God has given to us.

Love and Very, Very, Very, Thankful Kisses
Rodney "Lovin' How God Can Take A Bad Thang...And Turn It into a Rambling" Boyd