The Journey

As I lay sleeping the other night, a most unusual, but interesting dream occurred.  I dreamed that I was in a foot race; a marathon with different checkpoints along the way. 

The course was challenging, with up and down hills in unfamiliar terrain.   Each runner had to find directional signs that pointed the way to the next checkpoint on the way to the finish line.  The signs were dusty, but the lettering and words were clear and concise if only the runners would open their eyes and take the time to read them.

Several of the competitors were having trouble, because they were looking in the wrong places for direction; many of them with heads down; not astute.  I was determined not to lose sight of the all-important signs that meant success or defeat depending upon one’s resolve to locate and read the words that were in clear view.

As for me, I was on course and my bearings true, because I knew the signs were placed there for my benefit.

When I was leaving the latest checkpoint, I looked up a steep embankment and saw a group of runners heading in the wrong direction.  I yelled at them and waived my hands above my head exclaiming, “This way; this way!  You’re going the wrong way!” to no avail. 

I then proceeded up the hill to the next checkpoint, which was in the opposite direction that the other runners were headed; a sign was there to point the way, but they were too busy visiting with each other and looking the wrong way to notice.

The climb was exhausting, but I continued on; determined to finish the course.  This checkpoint resembled a school setting.  When I entered the designated door I saw the proctor standing at the front of the room.  In my dream he was a substitute teacher; the fulltime, head instructor was not present. 

The master had put this person in charge, because he was a family member.  He had complete confidence that the substitute would provide the necessary information to all runners to help them finish the course.

Each checkpoint had specific things that all participants had to do before continuing the race.  I asked the one in charge what it was that he wanted me to do.  He said, “Write a story about your journey.”  I quickly responded, “The length or breadth of the course?”  He replied, “The breadth, whether it is narrow or wide.”

I peered around the room and saw several tables butted end to end that were covered with stacks of newspapers and literature of every kind.  I was able to find a couple of sheets having blank areas to write my story on before heading to the next checkpoint; always mindful of the other runners and how many were coming into the room, which were none.  “Where are they; lost?” I muttered to myself.

The first pen I found was empty of ink; as was the second and third.  This was an indication that there had been runners there before me.  Pressure was building, because of my inability to find something to write with; I kept searching. 

Under some literature there it was; another ink pen.  It was as if some entity had tried to hide it from me; but why?  I scribbled on my hand until the tip warmed up and the ink began to flow.

I titled my story, “The Journey.”  As I began to write, I remember asking God if He ever took vacations.  In my dream I heard Him respond with, “No.  I’m always helping people get out of trouble.”  I told Him that I was on a trip, but didn’t know which way to go; the narrow way or the broad way.

God answered, “Those that take the broad way are fooling themselves and lack wisdom.  Their judgment is impaired, because of disobedience.”  I waited for His comment regarding the narrow way when suddenly, without warning, an annoying little girl intentionally distracted my attention from writing the story and what God was saying.

She was impulsive, rude, and kept getting in my face; making a nuisance of herself.  I resisted her antics and moved to another table across the room; one that was higher above the floor than the rest.  I thought I would be out of her reach, but a short time later she continued with her tricks and naughty behavior.

She jumped atop the table next to the one I was at and began disturbing me again with her creepy conduct.  I looked at her eye to eye and threatened that I was going to tell her father if she didn’t stop what she was doing.  She quickly responded in a hateful voice, “Oh, in that case I’ll do what I want!”  She then kicked at me in total rebellion.  The dream was becoming more intense.

I realized in an instant that instead of threatening her, I should have taken action and involved her father immediately.  I thought, “Talk is cheap; action speaks louder than words.”  Her father would have taken care of the problem had I called him.  It was then I awoke.

I quickly got out of bed and hurried to my office at the front of the house and began to recall my dream and type the essence of its content before I forgot.  I then left the computer and began my morning shower; the dream still burning in my mind.  Clarity of the dream was revealed as I meditated upon each incident. 

Who was the little girl?  She was the devil.  Who was her dad?  He was God the Father.  Why wasn’t she afraid of Him?  She was, but I told her that I was going to tell her father, rather than calling him that moment.  I was trying to scar her away instead of making a quick call to him.  Prayer works when we take action and do it.

She was bluffing; acting tough just as Satan always does.  Her antagonistic, disobedient ways were like the roar of a lion with no teeth.  She knew the power that the father represented, which was full authority.  She knew her limitations in his presence; just like the devil knows his restrictions and boundaries, because God always has the final say.

(1 Peter 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

As far as the race…I believe it was the race that every person endures from birth to death.  Whether they finish the course depends on them.  It is not without ups and downs and challenges along the course.  Just as the directional signs in the dream pointed the way, finding direction to complete the race comes through reading the Bible.

I look around me and see many people heading in the wrong direction, because their heads are bent low under the burdens they carry; not able to see even when one is waving their hands and shouting at the top of their lungs, “This way; this way!  You’re going the wrong way!”

They are so hell-bent on pursuing their own agendas that the race becomes secondary and unimportant, which is the reason no one was entering the door at the one checkpoint.

The lack of writing material and pens represented a scripture in the Bible pertaining to the law of God.  No one should add to or subtract from God’s Word.  It will stand the test of time until all prophesies have come to pass, and heaven and earth are destroyed.

(Deuteronomy 4:2), “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”

(Matthew 5:18), “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

My writing in the dream, “The Journey,” expresses the most important point of the dream.  The path we choose determines the final destination of our journey.

(Matthew 7:13-14) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”  vs.14 “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

As Christians, we endeavor to do our part to influence and persuade others regarding the things of God; to show them the way to Jesus who is the checkpoint of life.  God entrusts us to provide words of encouragement and support to others in the race.

The proctor in charge was a member of the family of God; speaking on behalf of the Lord our Master, because He commanded us to go into the world and preach the gospel.  The proctor could have been any born-again Believer filling the spot for God—His mouthpiece; His hand outstretched.

The specific things that had to be done at each checkpoint represented the Ten Commandments that Believers must learn and abide by, as they continue the race to the finish line.

The checkpoints represented church services where God-fearing pastors and the testimony of other Christians share God’s good news; giving insight of what is needed on the journey to heaven.

(Hebrews 10:23-25), “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”  vs.24 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” vs.25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The directional signs represented Bibles that collect dust on the shelves of many homes, while the members of those homes look elsewhere for direction.  But the faithful followers of Christ read their Bibles; God’s Word, which is alive and sharper than any two-edged sword—spiritually discerned—the bread of life.

I believe that God was emphasizing, in the dream, the need to run the race with diligence; having a made up mind to follow the signs; that life is a race and those that pay attention to detail, while maintaining the wherewithal to remain attentive and aware of their surroundings, will finish the course if they stay strong and do not allow Satan to distract them from the finish line ahead.

(2 Timothy 4:7-8), “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  vs.8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Does God Smile

In early childhood I wondered if God ever smiled, or was He all business; ready to strike down any person committing the least offense that He did not agree with.  I thought for every bad thing I did that a black check-mark was placed next to my name in heaven.  

This kind of thinking must have been associated with my earthly father.  He was a rigid authoritarian and disciplinarian that believed in using the belt when disobedience was an issue.  I believe that my perception of our Heavenly Father was skewed, because of the misconception that all wrongdoing deserved punishment.

As I grew older I discovered that God was compassionate and loving.  His kindness and long suffering taught me that obedience was better than sacrifice.  I learned, through experience, that the Bible was truth and superseded any false impression I had about God. 

I found by reading the Bible and going to church that God was kindhearted and affectionate; so much so that He gave His only Son to die on a cross for our sins, because of love.  He desired that every person have an abundant life through Jesus and not suffer the penalty for wrongdoing, which is sin.

Taking into account that God is Spirit and not human flesh of this world, I believe the results of God’s presence in a person’s life can bring forth a godly smile even in times of trouble.  The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. 

Though people, places, and things are frequently changing around us, seemingly to the negative end of the spectrum of good and evil, I believe a smile finds its way to a person’s face when they look to God as their source of joy. 

Happiness prevails when faith in God’s promises are acted upon through one’s thinking.  Is there any greater delight than this?  I think not.  Everyone desires happiness; looking in the right place brings it.

(Deuteronomy 31:8), “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.  He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

 

When I look into the face of small children, I see the purity of God’s smile as they express themselves.  When I see a smile on the face of my 93 year old mother-in-law, the richness and affluence of God’s smile shines through the wrinkles.  Her relationship with Him is that of trust.  She has found the joy of living through Jesus Christ and has retained her faith in God though heartache has stepped over the threshold of her life many times.  Even in the midst of sorrow and despair, she smiles and exclaims, “God is good!”  

When we pray the following scriptures, we too can maintain a smile through life when sadness knocks at our door.

(Psalm 51:9-12), “Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”  vs.10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  vs.11 “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”  vs.12 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

It is becoming harder and harder to see God’s smile on the faces of people when tragedies continue to be front page news, like the horrific atrocity that took place in Newtown, Connecticut.  20 children and six adults were brutally murdered by a homicidal maniac that went into an elementary school bent on mass murder and mayhem.  After killing 26 innocent souls, the gunman took his own life.

Where are the smiles on the faces of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles of the deceased?  Because of one, selfish individual, the joy of many people turned to grief and painful misery in a moment of unrestrained behavior.  God did not smile that day.

The Holy Spirit grieves when mankind chooses to walk away from God’s love to pursue sin and be used of Satan to do barbaric things to children and other blameless people.  At these times we need someone to come along side us and speak peace to our hurting soul.  We have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, who sympathizes with our infirmities.  He speaks comfort in times of need through the Holy Spirit.

(Hebrews 4:15-16), “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  vs.16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

It is certainly easier to write words on paper than to put into action what the Bible tells us to do in (1 Peter 5:7).  If we stand fast and hold onto God’s promises, the Spirit of God enables us to rise above any and all situations that come our way, but we must trust Him in every area of our life. 

When our worse nightmare is upon us and the confidence we hold to is shaken and tries to take flight, it is at this point where the rubber meets the road-of-hopelessness that God speaks peace when we seek His face.  The smile returns in time, because our Father in heaven heals broken hearts.

(1 Peter 5:7), “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”    

(Isaiah 50:2) “…Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?  Or have I no power to deliver?”

The answer to the above scripture is NO.  God’s hand is not too short to deliver our heart from misery and unhappiness.  Nothing is impossible for God.  Like my mother-in-law; we need to trust Him and not lean upon our own understanding concerning things that come our way.  He has everything in control.  Nothing takes God by surprise.

As long as we are in the world we are subject to the sin of others.  Whether it is home break-ins, assaults, or any other sinful act, God is still on the throne and His grace is sufficient for every situation that may come our way.  He is the “I Am”.  

Though sin entered into the world by one man’s disobedience, (Adam); it was because of another man’s death on the cross, (Jesus); that all humanity can come unto repentance.

(John 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The devil is laughing at those in mourning and is delighted at the fear he has placed in the hearts of other moms and dads throughout the land, because of the killings in Newtown, Connecticut.  But God is still the God of smiles and peace.  In Him we can find solace.  The joy of His salvation can be ours for the asking.

The strength that is so desperately needed in difficult times is all encompassing around the joy of the Lord.  The joy of the Lord is our strength: (Nehemiah 8:10).

The depth of despair that the folks in Connecticut are experiencing is beyond my understanding and comprehension, but I must believe that God can someway make good out of this tragedy.  Though tears are forming in my eyes as I write, and my heart grieves for those having lost their loved ones, I pray that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, speaks peace to every heart that needs comforting and that God’s smile will soon return.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Justify by Reason of Insanity



According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, the word ‘justify’ can mean, “to show an adequate reason for something done.”  I then looked up the word ‘adequate’.  The definition resonated in my mind:  “barely satisfactory; acceptable but not remarkable.”

Do I want to live an average; run of the mill; second rate; middle-of-the-road; ordinary; mediocre existence for God, or one of honor; respect; reverence; having ethical and moral values?  These thoughts bring us to the following considerations.

I am acquainted with people that live their life on the edge of insanity; walking the borderline between right and wrong decisions, while justifying choices they make when wanting something that may not be in their best interest to obtain.  Some people call it, “The Gray Area.”

When people use justification as a means to acquire things that fall in the category of “Should I or shouldn’t I,” and they find themselves in the gray column of “do or don’t,” in my opinion, I believe they are on the brink of insanity if they pursue anything that can jeopardize their camaraderie with God.  I’m talking about walking in victory and knowing that all is right with one’s Maker.

When we do things that are a bit questionable, or downright wrong with respect to honesty, we fail in our duty as Christians to demonstrate and maintain a Christ like testimony to those around us that are watching our every move and listening to the comments we make. 

We cheapen our stand for God by allowing desires and compromise to taint better judgment.  Total and complete truthfulness is a must when dealing with people and situations of life.

When we justify our actions with reason, we are treading on thin ice.  Sensible thinking tells us to take a closer look at what we are doing and ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” 

It is easy to justify things in our own eyes, and be justified in the eyes of others to do certain things, but the question is this:  “Am I justified in the eyes of God?”  This will always give the right answer; perhaps not the answer we want, but it will be the correct one.  That is most important.

Justification takes the place of good decision making.  The ones justifying their actions are tiptoeing in the area of ‘compromise’ rather than running with honor in a place called ‘integrity’.  Adam and Eve became caught up in reason and deception; look what happened to them.  They were cast out of the Garden of Eden.

Though God instructed them not to eat, nor touch the fruit of the tree which was in the midst of the garden, they justified their actions and ate its fruit anyway.  The serpent had deceived Eve in believing that her eyes would be opened, and she would be like God, knowing good and evil if she ate of it.  He told her that she wouldn’t die as God had declared that she would.  (Genesis 3:1-24)   

After sinning, Adam and Eve hid from God, because they knew they had done wrong.  Their relationship with Him was compromised, because of disobedience and momentary insanity.  They lost everything in exchange for a moment of self-indulgence. 

This is what can happen when people justify their actions through the process of reason, even though the thing they want is not conducive or advantageous to their walk with the Lord.  

The fruit was enticing to body senses.  It looked good; smelled good; and the touch of it felt good.  The conclusion to Eve’s curiosity; she tasted that it was good.  She then offered it to Adam and he too ate of the forbidden fruit.  They justified their actions of disobedience, because of their desire to partake rather than refrain and obey God.

Though the senses played a big part in their sin, I surmise that the notion of being told they couldn’t do something sparked the “I want to do it anyway” feeling in them.  Does this sound familiar?

Raising three children I knew the frustration that accompanied wrong choices.  When they disobeyed my instructions, the pain of correction followed. 

I remember the words of my father:  “This hurts me more than it does you.”  As a child, I too made wrong choices and disobeyed my parents from time to time, only to suffer the consequences of my transgressions and rebellious actions.

It was easy to justify in my mind reasons why I should not listen to what my mother and father had told me not to do, which failed to hold water when the truth of my actions caught up with me.

(Numbers 32:23), “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.”

The trait of justifying one’s actions follows children into adulthood.  Why is it that people concoct and fabricate a platform of reasons to obtain something they know in their heart is wrong?  This “sin nature” is inherent in every person, of all ages and generations, from Adam and Eve to the present.

(Romans 3:23), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

When someone steps into the arena of justification, and those standing by are aware of their plight to obtain something that is in the gray column of “do or don’t,” I believe the bystanders may be as guilty as the one stepping out of cadence with God. 

If the onlookers allow another person to pursue their course of action without saying something to them in opposition, and then follow their lead and the choices they made, despair is knocking at the door for all parties involved.  As I stated earlier, they are on the brink of insanity to do so.  I call this action of looking the other way, “Guilty by association.”  

Another form of justification is when observers reason in their mind that it is not they themselves doing wrong, but rather the other person.  In everyone’s life there comes a time when the complexities of reason must cease and the integrity of pure, unadulterated honesty should be required of oneself to come to the forefront. 

Wrong is wrong no matter how a person paints it to appear otherwise.  They justify, by reason, their actions to seize what they want.  I believe we must stand for righteousness rather than lowering ourselves to another person’s level.  As someone said, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

A high, moral standard of living is needed as much today as when Jesus walked the earth.  Rather than to excuse oneself and say, “It’s the other person doing it,” we must abstain from Satan’s enticement to ‘justify by reason of insanity’.  We should conduct ourselves as Jesus would do, given the same circumstances.  A disciplined attitude and positive mindset on the things of God are expected of us by our Father in heaven.

It is wise to step away from negative, unhealthy influences lest we ourselves are considered as co-conspirators of wrong doing by God, because of going along with someone else’s agenda to justify their actions.  It develops into a negative connotation to those that choose to remain rather than severing the relationship.  They become a reflection of the one walking away from God’s best for their life.  Remember, “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Should Christians condone gray areas of justification, or should they run from it?  I choose the latter.  At times it may appear that Christians come out on the short end of things, but God has the final say.  He promotes those that stand for righteousness; prospering them in many ways that are void of heartache and stress.

When a person refuses to compromise their faith, for any reason, and rejects the temptation to go along with someone else’s misdirected brainstorm, God’s Word prevails.  It offers solace and direction to those abiding in truth.

(Psalm 37:23), “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”

(Jeremiah 29:11), “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Vexation of Spirit

For the most part, people have certain goals and aspirations, whether subconscious or otherwise.  Their desire is to see them materialize sometime in their life.  I believe it is dependent upon their measure of faith and other underlying reasons that determine whether or not they achieve such thoughts or visions.

Many books and seminars on the power of positive thinking have come to the forefront through the years.  In part, they are instructional in nature on the art of achieving fame and fortune in the face of opposition; or how to overcome laziness, which is a poignant matter unto itself. 

Emphasis is placed on the concept of personal inhibitions or lack of ability vs. the pride of ownership.  The “how” behind the drive, or lack of it, is the question behind the facade of well-doing in the status quote of living and the attempts to make ends meet, while achieving success.

Get-rich-quick schemes are as numerous as there are people with a diminished wherewithal to achieve success within themselves.  People that take the initiative to zero in on those that lack drive, self-confidence, and enthusiasm are the ones getting rich by selling their ideas and techniques regarding positive thinking. 

There is nothing wrong with attaining money.  It is called, entrepreneurship.  It is alive and well in some people’s areas of expertise.  Hard work and perseverance are two of the initiatives surrounding a focused endeavor of free enterprise.  It pays off; monetarily in some cases, accompanied with satisfaction of mind; depending upon the person and circumstances that surround individual ventures.  You know what they say, “Nothing ventured; nothing gained.”

The power of positive thinking is on a parallel course with the power of positive faith.  It is simple in nature, with concepts straightforward, but perpendicular regarding ‘recognition of source’. 

The power of positive thinking is coupled with self and the ability within a person to ignite a personal drive to accomplish goals, whereas, the power of positive faith centers around God and His ability to bring things to pass through our efforts; coupled with the notion, “God helps those who help themselves.”

There are leaders and there are followers, depending upon personalities and the nature of individuals, which are greatly affected by circumstances surrounding their trek through life.  Situations, status, environment, acquaintances, health, and luck have a direct influence in the development of personalities and success.  They are all factors, but where God is concerned, is it luck or His providence that gives direction? 

(Psalm 37:23-24), “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”  vs.24 “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

There is nothing wrong with reading books on the subject matter of how to better oneself, but until a person puts into practice what they read, it accomplishes little in areas of self-worth and confidence.  It’s like reading the Bible and not abiding by what it says in order to find abundant living and inner fulfillment.

It takes ‘doing’, whether in the power of self or the power of God to accomplish things in life.  Both bring success into view when people arise and get to work through the process of doing.  Success is just a stone’s throw away, a relatively short distance, when people set in their minds to accomplish something, whether in self or with God’s help.  This is the parallel that I was referring to earlier.

We need only to look around at the success of godless individuals in Hollywood and non-Christian business tycoons that have millions of dollars to buy anything they want in life, but one thing remains sure and unchangeable.  There is one word that is missing in their vocabulary that money cannot buy.  This word is ‘peace’.  Though they may attain things and the recognition of others, without peace, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Yes, anyone can be motivated to aspire to greater heights in self-worth, and to go forth and conquer fear and the roadblocks that cause stagnation in one’s life, but the bottom-line to the ‘equation for success’ is about eighteen inches long.  It is the distance from the brain to the heart.

If we accept, as truth, the promise in the Bible, (Philippians 4:13), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and believe in our heart that it is for us today, we can move mountains, as it were, while giving God the glory when goals are achieved; rather than becoming puffed up in self-accomplishment and saying, “Look what I did.”

The mantle of peace is stimulated and attained when self is removed from the throne of well doing.  When the gratitude of one’s ‘heart of flesh’ is directed properly in God’s direction (as it should be), and He is recognized as being the sole reason for success, rather than the ‘brain of stone’, known as self-will, being praised; we tap into God’s resources of living water that will never run dry, thus, living in peace; having an abundant life in Christ.

When anyone leans upon their own abilities and understanding, these delicate areas can be influenced by freewill, which create a feeling of, “Who needs God?”  The more the Prince of Peace is ignored and snubbed, the deeper in despair a person falls prey; causing vexation of spirit.

(Proverbs 3:5-8), “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;” vs.6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  vs.7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.”  vs.8 “It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”

When we place God in His rightful place on the throne of our heart, He gives us the desires thereof without the aggravation that accompanies pig-headedness and self-will living.

Written by,

Papa Boyd



The Clamor of Worldly Chatter



When I think about communication and the importance of its delivery and reception, it is dependent upon how a person receives what is being said that determines the interpretation of its content.  The perception is most important in how the message comes across; though presentation goes hand-in-hand with insight.

When I was a youngster growing up in the hippie movement, much emphasis was placed on the ‘communication gap’, because of the challenges facing families at that time.  It was the topic of Christian circles everywhere.  The inability of children and parents; husbands and wives; clergy and church laity to understand one another was the core, fundamental reason for seminars, sermons, and professional counseling sessions.

It seemed like everyone had an answer in their little, black bag to the quandary of better communication and how it should be accomplished.  Communication, or the lack thereof, has not improved through the years.  It has only gotten worse, now decades later.   

In my opinion, the problems facing families when I was a teenager do not compare with the troubles confronting communication skills today.  With the advanced innovation of personal computers and the ability to text on telephones (that most everyone carries), and many other electronic devices that are flooding the market today, it is no wonder that the clamor of worldly chatter is becoming a conglomeration of noise; the chitchat of misunderstandings and miscommunication, because of the vernacular and lingo being used.

True communication skills are a lost art with most children, because of video games, far-reaching types of music being played through ear buds, and the hundreds of text messages exchanged each day with family and friends, to name a few—an endless barrage of mind numbing chatter.  I call it, ‘white noise’.  “A sound containing a blend of all the audible frequencies distributed equally over the range of the frequency band,” according to Webster’s New World Dictionary.

No longer is it necessary to use words or complete sentences.  Abbreviations and codes are used to communicate, which encapsulate the realm and subject matter of white noise.

Communication at home is becoming a thing of the past, because of electronic devices.  Surfing the net, for example, steals hours of precious time from family members.  I thought communication was difficult in my day, but it is swiftly disappearing in today’s society as people submerge themselves in a self-imposed environment of recluse living.

Everywhere I look I hear the clamor of worldly chatter that misses the mark of closeness; so desperately needed, yet missing.  I see men and women ignoring their children and each other at restaurants as they search the web on their phones; text messages going and coming; or talking to someone other than those nearest to them.

The word ‘rude’ does not compute with self-centered people with tunnel vision.  It has gotten so bad; their idea of having fun is a text luncheon with friends on the phone rather than spending quality time with family members at the dinner table. 

Building confidence and making one’s spouse and offspring feel important, like they are the most significant people in the world, is not happening.  The lack of it creates unsettled emotions of doubt and misgivings that Satan uses against the family.  He tempts husband and wife to find other interests, while children resist obeying as they ought. 

I see children disobeying their parents like never before.  I believe, in part, it is a direct reflection of the lack of communication in homes between parent and child.  Parental voices become unfamiliar; void of essence and real meaning, because of worldly chatter that takes up most of the parent’s free time.  It is shameful. 

Lack of communication causes calamity to knock at the door of families.  Satan is in the business of destroying relationships.  Time is short.  Taking advantage of the time we have with loved ones; communicating and enjoying what God has blessed us with; wards off Satan’s attempts to divide and conquer.

White noise is invading the workplace.  Giving eight hours work for eight hours pay is becoming a thing of the past, because of the upswing of talking on phones and sending text messages on company time.  Instead of working, employees are playing. 

What happened to dedication, integrity, and faithful employees that were once committed to honorable behavior; having dependable character?  Failure to train children in the home about self-worth as being viable and important is perhaps the reason.  It is essential, yet lacking and ignored.  The clamor of worldly chatter is to blame in part, because noble attributes are lost in the wake of non-reactive; non-responsive listening.

Clamor is also filtering into neighborhood churches.  When the pastor is trying to deliver his message, inevitably, phones sound out without fail throughout the congregation.

My goodness, people are becoming more and more disrespectful and rude every day; having little regard for the feelings of others, even in church.  No wonder communication lacks substance.  It has become white noise—sounding brass or a clanging cymbal; having little value with no-one really hearing what is being said.  The person talking is usually the one listening to their own rhetoric.

Everywhere you look, young people are going off the deep end; turning to drugs and alcohol to numb the longing to belong; created by an unfruitful existence.  Some are killing themselves, because they lack hope.  No-one is listening to their cry for help.  They need someone to hear and care about the inner struggles they are having, but everyone is too busy talking and not listening.

The clamor of worldly chatter is taking its toll in the lives of our youth.  In all walks of life, from the poorest of families to the affluent; optimism is fading.  We cannot place a thermometer, as it were, on those of less fortune and expect it to read higher than those of the prosperous.  All classes of young people are burning up with the fever of hopelessness.  They feel alone and helpless. 

Loneliness knows no degree of material comfort when the intensity of a hurting soul goes unheard.  No matter what a person’s status in life may be, when the devil stirs the pot of unhappiness, the scale of things missing in their life is only intensified and the void more pronounced.

Christians must stop and listen, lest they miss opportunities to share the Lord with those that are looking for peace and someone to care.  Souls are desperate for anyone to hear their cry for help.  It is our duty to present Jesus to the weary hearted that have lost their way; destitute and afraid.  They need to know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He alone makes the difference. 

We must assure those that are lonely, without hope, that there is One who cares and hears their cry.  Christians have an obligation to tell them that God listens and then manifests His Spirit according to their degree of need, because Jesus died on the cross to afford them the freedom of son ship.  They need not suffer the pangs that unbelief and sin bring.  Christ is the answer to all of their requests—He hears the heartbeat of their suffering.  For this reason, God gave His Son for all mankind.

(Matthew 7:7-8), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  vs.8  “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

(Colossians 4:6), “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

(Ephesians 4:29), “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

 

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Family of God

I met an exceptional woman 42 years ago in a bedroom community near San Francisco, California.  I have never met a woman quite like her.  Her kindness to others and love for her husband and children is undeniably strong and true.

When we met, the love she exuded was like none I had ever experienced, other than that of my mom’s love for me.  This woman walks with confidence, because of the assurance she has in God.  She lives for Him and knows His peace, because her faith is ‘childlike faith’; the kind that we are to have in Christ Jesus.

The longer I know her the more I love her.  She has become the piece that had been missing in my life for so long that not too many women could have filled.  The quality of her love reminds me of my mom’s love; genuine—real.

This woman’s prayer life is like no other person that I know—early to rise, with a purpose; to pray for the needs of others.  She is none other than my mother-in-law.  I call her Mom, because she loves me like a son.

With the passing of my mother at the young age of 58, it left my heart feeling empty, the kind of emptiness that only a mother can fill.  My mother-in-law filled this void; plus, blessing me with her daughter in marriage.  I received a double blessing for sure.

When I think of the connection that prophets of old had with God, I immediately consider my second mom as being like them—a patriarch for Jesus.  Her faithfulness and loyalty to God rank highest of any person I know; a virtuous woman of God.  When things go wrong I know in whom I want to pray, because her connection with God is solid. 

When decisions must be made, I ask her to call upon God for me.  When my children have needs, they call Grandma to have her pray.  Everyone knows when she prays that God hears and answers her prayers.  When she prays, she believes that He will do what His Word says He will do…such faith!  I believe that she is the apple of God’s eye and has a direct path to Him, because of the measure of faith that she possesses. 

A side note:  My mother-in-law just this minute called on the phone.  I told her that my better half had gone to the store to buy some medicine to get me over the hump regarding the cold I’ve been suffering with.  Mom prayed a couple of days ago for me and I was feeling much better after she prayed; so she prayed again just now. 

At the end of her prayer I said, “It is finished!”  I believe that she called, because God was ready to complete the work in my body.  I only needed to reach out by faith and claim my healing.  I believe I did when I said, “It is finished!”  Thank God for His healing power!  It is finished!

I was certainly blessed to have found a loving family to be my in-laws, rather than another family of outlaws.  At 92 years old and still living in her own little house, her body is in constant pain from arthritis in her back and other places.  She can barely get around at times, because of the pain; yet, Mom's faith in God’s power to heal has not diminished or weakened; only made stronger. 

When anyone in her senior class, in Sunday school, has a need of any kind, who do you think they call?  They call Mom, because they have faith in her prayers.  She prays with the same expectation that Peter and John had when they saw the man that was lame from birth, begging alms at the gate to the temple.

(Acts 3:1-8), “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.”  vs.2 “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; vs.3 “who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.”  vs.4 “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’”  vs.5 “So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.”  vs.6 “Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”  vs.7 “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”  vs.8 “So he leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.”

When Mom is moved upon by the Holy Spirit and the anointing of God is on her, floods of living water are unleashed and enter your life; you know that God heard her prayer, because things happen when she prays.

Right now, before you do anything else, please bow your head and whisper a prayer on her behalf.  Ask God to intervene in her body.  She needs a touch—she needs healing!  Will you please pray for Marie?

Thank you.  I believe that God heard your prayer.  I am expecting good reports in the coming days as God’s people bind together on behalf of Mom.  Thank you for being a part of her healing.

We are to pray for one another, because we are in the family of God.  Like the song says that was written by Bill Gaither; “Family of God.”  Some of the lyrics go like this:  “…when one has heartache, we all share the tears, and rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.  I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God…”

Written by,

Papa Boyd



Adrift



I think most people know the importance of boat anchors and how they secure seagoing vessels.  With sails down or engine out in rough waters, without the help of an anchor to secure a boat, it will become unstable and drift out of control; sideways to the waves, which can capsize the boat.  Running aground is another possibility unless an anchor is employed. 

Associated with an anchor is the anchor line, which tethers the boat to the anchor.  Care must be taken to maintain this line in superb condition.  It must be strong enough to withstand the ongoing forces that are imposed from gale winds and rolling seas.  Manufacture's ‘integrity of strength’ specifications are most important to preserve, because human lives are dependent upon the line doing the job that it was designed to do.  

The anchor line must be 5 to 7 times longer than the depth of water.  This standard practice provides the length needed to restore stability to the boat in high wave conditions.  So if the water is 10 feet deep, the line must be 50 to 70 feet long.  That could be a very lengthy anchor line should the water be exceptionally deep. 

It stands to reason that something other than a standard anchor had to be put into operation.  Think about it, the deepest part of the ocean is the Mariana Trench, located not very far from Japan in the Western Pacific Ocean.  It has a maximum depth of 10,923 meters (35,840 ft).  A standard anchor system is non applicable where waters are deep.

Researchers came up with the very successful ‘parachute sea anchor’.  Commercial fishermen have been using these anchors for decades.  The anchor line or “anchor rode” is securely connected to the reinforced bow of a vessel and the other end attached to a large, submersible parachute; designed to slow drift and provide stability.  Drift is reduced up to 90% and the bow is kept pointed comfortably into the seas.

I am not a seafaring person, but rather a landlubber instead.  Like many of my acquaintances, we lack the skills and wherewithal needed to sustain a safe and successful voyage on any type of seaworthy vessel.

I am confident in my abilities to work on cars, and do carpentry, plumbing, and other industrial trades, but sailing is not my forte.  It takes a bigger person than I, with much more experience, to battle the powers of Mother Nature. 

Even highly trained skippers, tacticians and crew members have capsized or ran aground in their expensive, competition sailing crafts and racing yachts; having lost their lives when something unexpected went wrong.

Fishermen in Jesus’ day were familiarized with fishing from youth on; making a living selling the catch from each day.  There wasn’t too much they couldn’t handle when storms arose over the waters they fished.  The skills they had mastered through the years were instrumental in keeping their boat from capsizing or running aground when the waters became troubled.

Though experienced, when fishermen lost sails, oars, or a rudder, they were in trouble; adrift in angry waters, which could mean sure disaster unless they had an anchor to tether their vessel to.  Riding out a storm, tied to an anchor, was a last stitch effort for survival.  They were thankful for the anchor and the solid rock that the anchor gripped.

Many people in today’s societies find themselves adrift on the ‘sea of life’ without the means of directing their lives to a safe haven.  They need shelter from the elements that seek to capsize their physical and spiritual vessel, yet they are trying to navigate through unfamiliar waters within their own strength and abilities; lacking the expertise to combat the storms that Satan brings.  Satan’s attempts to sink their ship are unending—such is life without Jesus at the helm.

Nothing is worse than being adrift in an angry world of unbelief and sin.  Sin, when allowed to engulf one’s vessel, brings fear and death.  The only hope for peace and calmness is in the forgiving power of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  He alone is the rock of our salvation.  We are secure in Him.  In Jesus there is safety from the influences of godless sinners and the storms that Satan sends our way.

There is a hymn called, “The Solid Rock,” lyrics and music by Ruth C. Jones; I used to sing it in church all the time.  Three verses, but the refrain goes like this: 

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One

This Rock is Jesus, the only One

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

The rudder of our faith is the Holy Bible—God’s Word.  It provides the wherewithal to keep ourselves afloat in perilous times by giving direction and lighting our way.  Bible truths are the oars and sails that give assurance when strength is needed to combat the storms that Satan creates.  The ‘anchor rode’ is the Holy Spirit, who keeps us tethered to Jesus, our Rock.  We must take care to preserve a good connection with Him; keeping our relationship strong.

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

When storms surround us; trying to capsize our life; and we don’t know which way to go; as long as we are tethered to the unmovable Rock—Jesus, He will hold us fast and secure; keeping us safe from all alarm.

(Psalm 62:2), “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”

If you are looking for the cove of peace, Jesus is the lighthouse that directs you safely home.  No longer need you drift without direction in the blackness of uncertainties.  Jesus is the light of hope in this world of darkness when everything else fails.  You can rely upon His mercy and grace to see you through safely.

Written by,

Papa Boyd