HELP...I NEED SOMEBODY (From Ichabod to Ebenezer)

Hello fellow needers of HELP...can ya lend a helpin' hand?

Many years ago...I went to the Princess Theater...to watch The Beatles in their first movie...called A HARD DAYS NIGHT. It was an interesting night eating buttered popcorn, eating Milk Duds, drinking an orange soda...and watching... not the movie...but the crowd scream to the point of where you could not hear the movie. Their follow up movie...in color...was HELP.

HELP: "Help, I need somebody...Help, not just anybody, Help, you know I need someone...Heeeeelp!" It is still a great song. Years later...Ringo would lament on the Sgt. Peppers album..."I need a little HELP from my friends."

In my Christian walk...I have found that more than once...I have needed HELP to recover from my own self...as I have chosen to go against the principles of God...and do my own thing. Thank God...for the blood of Jesus...the Word of God...the Holy Spirit (aka the Paracletos...the one called along side to HELP... the HELPER)

In my last Ruminator Rambling...called HAND TO THE PLOW (again and once more)... we spoke of not looking back as we follow Jesus...proclaiming the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost...aka The Kingdom. We were encouraged by Jesus in Luke 9:62..."No one, after putting his HAND TO THE PLOW...and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." While we are encouraged not to LOOK BACK...there is a time when LOOKING BACK could be not only beneficial...but needed. I am not talking about looking back and longing for the "good old days...but looking back to the source of help...realizing that the same help back then will be, and is available in the NOW. NOTE: One is an Ichabod...the other is an Ebenezer. Both fictional characters...and both defining our spiritual condition.

"Whenever crime was running rampant in Gotham City...the police and Commissioner Gorden would shine the BATLIGHT...as a cry for HELP from the Caped Crusader...The Batman. Bruce Wayne would see it... and he would spring into action along with his ward Dick Grayson... and emerge costumed and out of the Batcave to fight evil and injustice. From the comics to the 1940's serials to the camp T.V. show and the various incarnations in the movies...The Batman remains one of my favorite fictional characters...because...he would HELP the HELPLESS.

The saying is...sticks and STONES may break my bones... but WORDS will never hurt me." Nice sentiment...but wrong. Words depending on who is throwing them... and the intent behind their throwing can heal or kill.

Jesus is called the ROCK...a place of stability in a shaking world. The cross is called the scandilon...the ROCK OF OFFENSE...causing people to stumble over the simplicity of the cross. Jesus spoke of people who were STONE tossers of condemnation to throw STONES...if you had no sin. Jesus called Peter...petros (little stone)....but called his revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the living Son of God as a petra (massive ROCK)...and that the church would be built on the that REVELATION ROCK...not on the little stone.

Of course little David...defeated giant Goliath...with a smooth STONE flung from a sling. David had five smooth stones...and only needed one...giving him 4 more left...for any other giants that he may face. NOTE: Just my perspective on future giants).

Now...onto the STONE...that we can LOOK BACK TO...in time of need. Of course the ROCK that we can always...and always should look to...is THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION....JESUS...THE CHRIST...GOD WITH US...EMMANUEL.

There is a ROCK/STONE found in I Samuel 7:1-17...that became a reminder of how the Lord HELPED THEM...in there time of battle with the Philistines. "Then Samuel too a STONE and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it EBENEZER...saying thus far the Lord has HELPED US." The word EBENEZER literally means...STONE OF HELP.

In contrast to the EBENEZER (stone of help)...there is ICHABOD (no glory...the glory has departed). This is found in I Samuel 4:1-22...and is in reference to the loss of the ark which meant to them...the "absence of glory in Israel". "And she called the boy ICHABOD...saying...The glory has departed from Israel...because the ark of God was taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband. She said...the glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken." (I Samuel 4:21-23)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Well...if you are going to look back...look back to the EBENEZER...and not the ICHABOD. One reminds you that He helped you there...He can help you again...but if you try to live on past victories....you will find the glory to be departed. Keep you hand to the plow...don't look back... but at the same time...return to the first love of your life...and do the things that you first did... (Revelation 2:1-7)

Love and Non-Scrooge Kisses
Rodney "Help Found" Boyd

THE HELPER...HELP...I NEED SOMEBODY

Greetings and Salutations...O Ye Mooers and Chewers of the Cud of the Word of God. Do ya ever feel as if you are in this thing called life...all alone? Do ya think that if you just had someone beside you...that you could make it?



It is a little known fact...that I...Rodney Lewis Boyd... am the President of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Fan Club...Rockvale Chapter. In my chapter are three members...Me...Brenda...and Phillip. This is NO JOKE. I even have a certificate issued by the AGSRW National Chapter....suitable for framing. The name of the Chapters are based on a line from the show...for example a chapter may be named SHAZAM or HE'S A NUT. Our Chapter is called JUST A BED AND A BIBLE taken from the comment from Brisco Darling when the hotel clerk asked him.."Can I get you anything else Mr. Darling?" Brisco looked at him and said..."Just a bed and a Bible."



I said all of that to say this...I love the Andy Griffith Show...and this first picture is a great one. There Barney Fife is...trying to modernize the Mayberry Sheriff Department's fleet with a motorcycle with a sidecar. He wanted to take Andy for a ride...and of course...as the Barney took off... the sidecar was not attached and left Andy sitting there by himself to the joy of the surrounding men and women. The question is...what does that have to do with THE HELPER...HELP I NEED SOMEBODY? I'm glad you asked...you did ask...didn't you?


As I walk around in this flesh tent that I call a body...sometimes it seems as if I am all alone in a crowd. If I could just have someone like Andy that could ride along with me in the sidecar. For the past 40 or so years...Brenda has been my HELPER (we've been married for 38 years...but we have been together for 41 years). "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be ALONE; for I will make him an help meet (helper) for him." (Genesis 2:18) Well, for Adam that was Eve...for me...it is Brenda...and for those who know me...and those who know Brenda...I NEEDED...and still do NEED HELP.



In the Bible...someone else is called THE HELPER. That would be THE HOLY SPIRIT. "And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He will give you another (one of the same kind) HELPER that He (The Helper) may abide with you forever." (John 14:16) "But when THE HELPER comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the SPIRIT OF TRUTH who proceeds from the Father...He will testify of Me."



This Person...THE HELPER...is sent by Jesus via the Father to us to HELP.



The Greek word for HELPER is parakletos (par-ak-lay-toss): From para...beside...and kaleo...to call...hence CALLED TO ONES SIDE. The word signifies an intercessor, comforter, helper, advocate, coundselor. In non-biblical literature, parakletos, had the technical meaning of an attorney who appears in court in another's behalf. The Holy Spirit leads believers to a greater apprehension of gospel truths. In addition to general help and guidance. He gives the strength to endure the hostility of the world system." (Thanks and a Tip O Da Hat to The Spirit Filled Bible and Strong's Concordance)



NOTE: I always find it interesting that the Holy Spirit is called the HELPER...and the woman is called the HELP MEET (helper). I know that when I listen to the Holy Spirit...my life flows easier...and when I listen to Brenda...my life flows easier.



My problem is when I have Andy in the side car (one called along SIDE to HELP)...I pull away and leave my HELP behind. I am just speeding away...travelling along life's highway...thinking I have got it all together...but in reality...I am out there by myself...because of my pride.



NOTE: In the Ruminator Sunday School Class...we talk about why things happen to us in this world. There are many reasons from living in a cursed and fallen world, schemes of the devil, general testing from God...but one of the reasons is what we call THE BARNEY FIFE SYNDROME. This is where Andy told Barney NOT to put the bullet in his gun...but keep it in his shirt pocket...but Barney put it in the gun anyway...and the gun accidentally goes off. If only I would listen to the Holy Spirit...THE HELPER... (or even Brenda)...there would be less accidents brought on myself.


"You can't run...you can't hide from the HOUND OF HEAVEN. This is a line from a Daniel Amos song off of their album classic...HORRENDOUS DISC.



"He got lost among the stars...Hollywood flash, cash, mansions, and cars...deep sea divers, Lear Jet flyers, this thing go to the moon?...oh yeah...give me elbow room, but take this aching away...you can't run, you can't hide from the HOUND OF HEAVEN...you're free to choose, to refuse THE SEEKER OF SOULS." (Hound of Heaven by Daniel Amos)



Wow...what a song...what a thought...what a truth.





The phrase is taken from an old poem (the poet escapes my memory as of this writing)...and speaks of the pursuit of the Holy Spirit...who is as tenacious as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES...in the Sherlock Holmes story.



In the words of THE TEMPTATIONS in their classic song BALL OF CONFUSION... "You can run, run, run...but you sure can't hide."




"Let him who has ears to hear...hear."



Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen...who is even at the right hand of God, who also MAKES INTERCESSION for us. Who shall separate us from the LOVE OF CHRIST? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35) NOTE: The expected answer is no one.



"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things prsent nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38)



FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY...NO REALLY...FINALLY.



All I know is this...I NEED HELP. Help...I need somebody...Help...not just anybody...Help...you know I need someone...HEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLPPP!!!!! (Thanks and a Tip O Da Hat to The Beatles). For me...I have found...that my relationship with God...with access by the blood of Jesus...is deepened with my intimacy with THE HELPER.



Love and Helped Kisses

Rodney "I Need The Helper" Boyd

HELP...I NEED SOMEBODY

HELP...I NEED SOMEBODY
HELP...NOT JUST ANYBODY
HELP...YOU KNOW I NEED SOMEONE
HELP!

So goes the title song from The Beatles second movie (in colour).

In this crazy mixed up world...where wrong is considered right...and right is considered wrong...where STRENGTH IS KING...and weakness is sneered upon...it is becoming increasingly evident...to me...that I NEED HELP.

The collage is a collection of HELPERS...in the TIME OF NEED. They are considered the good guys. Just in the nick of time...within a 30 minute time span...including commercials...they swoop in to save the day. These are just a few of my favorite celluloid heroes. You get extra credit if you can name them... or the show they were own. HINT...there are a few who are real life heroes.

PRIDE prevents us from availing HELP. When the pressures of this world is cooking...when the events of the day are too much to handle...when I get to the point where the question WHY cannot be answered...when my back is against the wall...and I cannot solve, resolve, or be involved anymore...I NEED HELP.


In 1970...my back was against the wall. I was a skinny kid...with not much of a future. I had no direction or drive. I was not a very good student. My idea of a good day... was sniffing paint thinner, gasoline or some other chemical (I was looking for a cheap high)...going into some psychedelic world of dreams...where my mind was expanding...but in reality it was imploding. In 2008 my cheap high is now reaching $4.00 a gallon. On top of the various chemicals...I would like to numb the pain with the old pain number alcohol. My number of choice was vodka and orange juice aka SCREWDRIVER. I went from being a social drinker to becoming a SOCIAL DRUNK. I thought I was in control...but I was a mere puppet...with depression, paranoia, and illusion pulling the strings.

There were a couple of events...that begin to change my direction. One thing was dating that sweet little Baptist girl...Brenda Sue Williams. I started to go to church...so I could catch a little extra time with my hunny bunny. I made sure that everyone knew that I did not believe in all that religious crap. I made sure that when everyone would bow their heads in prayer...that when they opened their eyes...that they knew that I had not bowed my head...because I would be staring them in the eyes as they opened. Humph...that showed them. Little did I know...that faith comes by hearing...and hearing by the word of Christ...and that I was hearing the gospel every Sunday...and I was being prepared for a life changing moment. During this time...I was still getting high...sniffing, guzzling, and popping.

NOTE: I received Jesus in the fall of 1970...and by January of 1971 I was enrolled in a Bible School in Chattanooga. By 1972...I had BACKSLIDE...FACE FORWARD...back to the old ways of my vomit. "As a dog returns to his vomit..."

I was working at a factory...and was taking "getting high" breaks. I would dip a rag in a cleaning solution...and wring out the rag...leaving only the fumes. I would then go to the bathroom stall...and sniff the fumes and go on a little trip...the pause that refreshes. I remember one little journey...where I would be listening to the conversation going on in the restroom as people were standing around and smoking as they were on break. As they left the building...I thought I had SUPER HEARING...and as I strained to listen to their conversations...as they went out the door....I felt my body...following them...and when they would turn a corner...I would enter into the concrete wall and listen as they walked down the aisle. It was so real...I could feel the concrete scraping my body causing much pain. Of course...I woke up and I was still in the bathroom. Another day...same bathroom...I heard a voice say..."You can always tell an addict by the way he holds his rag." I woke up and the realization was so overwhelming...that I was holding my rag in that special way. Another time...that I got high, I was on another bathroom break...and I found myself strapped onto a large stone altar...with a knife poised above. I heard a voice say..."Choose Big Rod....choose life or choose death." I sensed that my lungs were being filled with the fumes...and that I was coming close to my last breath. Just before the knife came crashing down...I threw down my rag...and woke up...with a gritty taste in my mouth...like grit from a large stone altar. I wish I could say that I came back to God...but I did not. I did not huff any more...but I did RUN FROM GOD...for a couple of years.

WHY AM I OPENING UP AND SHARING THIS INFORMATION? I needed HELP...and I know that if God can help me...he can help anyone. Do you need help?

"May the Lord answer you IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! May He send you HELP FROM THE SANCTUARY, and SUPPORT you from Zion." (Psalm 20:1,2)

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who FEAR HIM...on those who HOPE for His lovingkindness, to DELIVER their soul from death, and to keep them ALIVE in famine. Our soul WAITS FOR THE LORD...He is our HELP and our SHIELD. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we TRUST in His holy name. Let Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according AS WE HAVE HOPED IN THEE."
(Psalm 33:18-22)

"Let us therefore, DRAW NEAR with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may RECEIVE MERCY...and may FIND GRACE...to HELP IN TIME OF NEED." (Hebrews 4:16)

"...I will never desert you...no will I ever forsake you...so that we confidently say...THE LORD IS MY HELPER...I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. What shall man do to me." (Hebrews 13:6)

"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)

The bottom line...JESUS HUNG UP FOR MY HANGUPS...and He HUNG UP...for YOUR HANG UPS ALSO. I wrote a song...years ago when I came back to the Lord...called WALKING ON THE WATER. The idea was that when things are going good...I am WALKING ON THE WATER...but when I got my eyes of of Jesus (like Peter did)...and began STANDING ON THE WATER...I started sinking.

I'm standing on the water...the storm is all about...earthquakes, famines, and spirits of doubt...my loved ones are dying...my money just won't last...I TOOK MY EYES OFF JESUS...NOW I'M SINKING MIGHTY FAST....SO when your sinking...just REACH UP...and He'll pull you out again...even though you're sinking...He will lift you up...from YOUR PAIN WITHIN.

The KEYS TO GETTING HELP...is found in the above Scriptures...(1) realize where your help comes from in the day of trouble (2) fear Him (3) hope in him as deliverer (4) wait for the Lord (5) realize he is our help and shield (6) trust in His Name (7) draw near to him
(8) receive mercy (9) find grace (10) Get IN CHRIST....by the D.B.R...DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION...NOTHING MORE...NOTHING LESS.

Well...thanks for letting me ramblin' on...about where I came from....and reflecting on where I am at now. I know many of you have the same...but different...story...where you came to the END OF ROPE...and fell into the ARMS OF JESUS. For those who say that CHRISTIANITY IS A CRUTCH...as Andrae' Crouch says..."A crutch is a pretty good thing...if your crippled." As John Lennon says..."One thing you can't hide...is when you're CRIPPLED INSIDE." And again...as Andrae said..."If Jesus is a crutch...then give me two."
I am not talkin' about religion...but a relationship.

Love and Crippled and Healed Kisses
Rod "Ain't Huffin' No More" Boyd