What Defines Me

Have you ever asked yourself the following question?  What defines me with relation to the scope and boundaries that I should live by?  I believe it’s not only a personal choice, but possibly consequential in nature.  Let’s face it, the consequences of wrong choices can lead to negative impacts in one’s life.

Today, the boundaries of choice have broadened more than ever before in my lifetime.  These boundaries have become so wide and extended to outreaching points that things that used to be embarrassing and wrong to do are becoming activities of the norm.

Many people exercise their freewill to choose wrong rather than right, because they can.  It seems the older I get; wrongs are accepted as right, and right is sadly recognized as wrong the farther people fall from God’s statutes of righteousness.

There are individuals that could care less what God fearing men and women, or society in general, think of their antics or how rebellious and defiant they sometimes exhibit.   They do what they want to do regardless of what others think. 

I interpret this type of freedom or freewill of choice as being anti-social, while demonstrating self-serving actions that speak louder than words when defining their personality.  When a person thinks no one is watching and does something distasteful or wrong, these actions reveal their character and define who they really are.

When I was a kid, my older sibling told me if ever I were in question or in a quandary as to whether something was right or wrong, I should ask myself, “What would Jesus do?”  Right or wrong decisions define a person’s persona.

You may ask, “What defines me?”  I don’t know the answer, but I believe walking with the Lord is the defining factor that matters most in a person’s life. 

Jesus defines me.  I would hope that people see me as a Christ-filled individual having compassion, while demonstrating, through word and deed, the magnificent mercy and grace that God provided to me at the cross of Calvary when Jesus died for my sins.

God gives me a positive visual to others when they witness my reaction to taxing things or how I carry myself in stressful moments.  I want the words that proceed from my mouth to be kind, gentle in nature, and reflect positive responses of Godlike discourse, rather than being negative and using assertive, pessimistic rhetoric.

I try to emulate Christ in speech and trust that others see the Lord in my actions and deeds.  These inherent attributes denote who I really am.  I pray they define the character of Christ and not the spirit of darkness.

I hope my countenance and what proceeds from my mouth reflect the nature of Jesus rather than Satan, in that I profess to be a Believer in Christ.  My desire is that everyone around me sees Jesus in me, because my identity is in Him.  Who is Jesus?  He is the Son of God Almighty who died on a cross for the sins of humanity.

Coworkers, neighbors, and people that I rub shoulders with may have only me as a reflection and representative of God that they see in my actions and the words I speak. 

I trust that my personality remains wholesome and inviting enough to influence those that are searching for answers to unanswered questions, and allow me to share God‘s love and the beauty of His forgiveness and abundant life that they can have in Jesus.

I want people to feel my compassion and be receptive to words of encouragement, because of the nature of Christ that I strive to exude.  As a Believer, the Bible says that I am to let my light shine before men like a city set on a hill, and that they see my good deeds.

(Matthew 5:14-16), “You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (vs 15) “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (vs 16) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

My desire is that kindness and happiness shine through me, and Godly sincerity illuminate the surroundings of wherever I go, which defines who I am not only in my daily walk, but those times when I think no one is watching me.

Remember this, God sees all.  My goal is that I portray the Spirit of Christ, always.  This is what defines a person as being a child of God.  For this reason, it is very important to focus on wholesome things that feed the mind through the eye gate and hearing. which spills out to those around in positive conversations and actions.

In like manner, adverse input to the brain can influence one’s mental capacity in negative ways.  Computer lingo goes something like this, ‘garbage in, garbage out’.  I never want to share garbage with family members, friends, and neighbors.

Any type of crassness that attempts to enter my brain to take up lodging in my inner man cannot happen lest it spills out in destructive ways sooner or later, which would reveal what people see inside me.  I must constantly be on guard to not fall victim to Satan’s snares by opening my mind to trash.

(Galatians 6:7,8), “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (vs 8) “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

If I slip and fail to keep myself on the right track, God is faithful to forgive me of my negligence, while cleansing my thoughts when I ask for forgiveness.  I do not believe this promise from God to forgive my wrongdoing gives me latitude or a license to deliberately do wrong with the anticipation of asking forgiveness later.  It seems to me this careless thinking would be like walking on thin ice.

We should not take foolish liberties to tempt fate.  I endeavor to discipline self to be responsible in presenting my body a living sacrifice unto God, respectful to the cause of Christ and the blood He shed for my redemption.

(Romans 12:1), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

I challenge myself, daily, to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove when striving for the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus our Lord.  When I do this, I am a positive witness for God to those around me.  I believe this is what defines me, but more appropriately, Jesus defines me.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Beauty and Ugliness are Subjective

My dad always told me that beauty was in the eye of the beholder, which included colors and color schemes. It would be quite boring if everyone had the same taste in car colors, clothing, and hairstyles, to name a few.

I’ve heard that everyone has someone, even if they are not as attractive as the next man, woman, boy or girl.  I have seen beautiful women become very ugly when I got to know them, because they were ugly on the inside.  They were full of themselves in many distasteful ways.

That which is inside a person matters the most.  Likewise, I have seen not so attractive people become beautiful the more I got to know them.  Their beauty shined forth through actions, caring and compassion for others, because of the person inside of their outward features. 

I’m glad that God looks on the inside and sees my heart of how much I want to serve Him, rather than looking at my imperfections on the outside and casting me aside.  God thinks I’m beautiful, because He sees me through the blood of His Son, Jesus that He shed on a cross for my redemption and the redemption of humanity; to save us from sin.

How many times do we view people with a critical eye and attitude, while focusing on their imperfections rather than giving them a chance to show who they really are inside?    More times than not, we are too quick to judge.  The Bible says that we are not to judge another person lest we ourselves be judged.

(Matthew 7:1-2), “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (vs 2) “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

First impressions that I call perceptions are not always as they seem.  I have heard that you never really know a person until you walk a mile in their shoes or live with them.  I don’t think we have to go to these extremes when we give people a chance to reveal who they really are.  We must Stop, Look, and Listen.

We can then see clearly if we should associate with them or not.  No doubt, first impressions of Jesus, by some, were negative.  I believe they were looking for a warrior, strong and aggressive, as their messiah, whereas Jesus was meek, mild mannered, and calm spirited.  People were looking on the outside and failed to see God on the inside.

The ‘beauty’ of Jesus’ attributes was and are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—the Fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23).

‘Ugliness’ is the works of the flesh, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.  The Bible says that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God, (Galatians 5:19-21).   

Jesus is the ‘Beauty of Salvation’ that sets people free from the ‘Ugliness of Sin’ when we ask God to forgive us of our sins.  He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

A man in the Bible came running up to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.”  (Mark 10:18)

I believe the man was looking on the outside and perceived Jesus as just a man, instead of recognizing Him as Deity—God in flesh. 

The Bible says that Christians have the right to try the spirits.  Believers need not take people at face value when they proclaim to be speaking on behalf of God, or bearing spiritual gifts, until they have proven themselves as God’s ambassadors. 

(1 John 4:1), “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

I believe my spirit will bear witness to the truth of their legitimacy.  You may ask, “What is the general picture that this writing is saying to me?”  I’m glad you asked.  God’s Word is saying that we should be wise as serpents and harmless as doves when dealing with people around us. 

We are not to be hottie in spirit, but long-suffering and listen to conversations.  I’ve been told that a person learns more by listening than talking all the time.  It is sensible to know who we are associating with as to whether they are portraying ‘beauty’ on the outside yet are dead man’s bones on the inside.

Yes, God uses people to assist and point us in right directions when needed, but our spirit will bear witness to that person’s council if, in fact, they are representatives of God, if I remain on God’s frequency regarding communication.  The Bible says that we must worship God in spirit and in truth, not just lip service.  We need to hear His voice.

(John 4:24), “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Things Aren't Always as They Seem (Part 1 of 2)

The following metaphor makes sense to me, up to a point.  “If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.”  But metaphors like this are not always accurate 100% of the time—herein lies my thoughts.

Perception is not 100% foolproof as the duck metaphor implies.  The way we perceive ducks walking and ducks quacking as being ducks is acceptable, but things and distinguishing the true personalities of people are not always as they seem or how perception dictates what and who they are.

Identity makeup is different in every person we meet.  At a brief glance, it is hard to tell the type of individual they are inside rather than relying on the whitewash that some people present on the outside.  For this reason, we should pray for the spiritual gift of discernment of spirits, which is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit that is available to all Christians, (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

The world is full of deception, with deceivers working their angles of enticement, because of selfish greed.  These people leave a bad taste in my mouth.  To put it bluntly, in my opinion they come close to being the dregs of the cup and need the Lord as their personal Savior.  I consider them a minimal percentage of society, whereas honorable individuals are still the majority.

I want to believe in people, but to be honest, I sometimes fail to remember a scripture in the Bible, (Matthew 18:21,22).  Jesus talks about forgiving a person seventy times seven, not just up to seven times.

I must guard against the old way of thinking that I had before meeting the Lord.  He set me free from my old nature and is teaching me the beauty of forgiveness since He forgave me of my sins.  I tended to perceive certain strangers as insidious or suspicious in nature, until I got to know them.

I believe the discerning of spirits runs close parallel with perception.  It is a thin line of demarcation.  My old negative nature of perception was based on a few incorrigible personalities I met in past encounters.

It is sometimes hard for me to take people at face value until they prove themselves.  Honestly, it takes work on my part to kick certain feelings to the curb like, “Burn me once, shame on you; burn me twice, shame on me.”  The Holy Spirit is helping me to be less judgmental.

(Matthew 7:1,2), “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (vs 2) “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

I don’t know about you, but forgiveness is sometimes hard to put into practice.  I know that omitting forgiveness from my walk as a Christian is wrong, but as a Believer, I am striving to overcome the nature of bad attitudes toward ‘takers of society’.

At times, I tend to lump certain people into the same category.  I do this because of self-preservation to protect myself from being deceived or taken advantage of until they prove themselves to be trustworthy. 

This may sound arrogant or perhaps sounds like I have an untouchable spirit, but this perception of me is not at all the case.  I am analytical and have an investigative personality. 

I try to use wisdom as a guidance in helping me discern a person’s intentions and who they really are.  I am a work in progress and have come a long way with God’s help.  I am much better in many areas than when I first became a Christian. 

God is teaching me how to have an understanding type of demeanor with a long-suffering disposition.  Some people call this ongoing transformation—sanctification.      

(2 Corinthians 5:17), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

God blessed me with a wonderful helpmate that is totally my opposite.  Over the years, her kind spirit and forgiving nature have influenced me greatly.

Like I said earlier, things and people aren’t always as they seem.  Often, I view divisive individuals that use persuasive maneuvers to push their selfish agendas with ulterior motives, as wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Probably, such people fall into the category of a minimal percentile group, 1/10% of 100%, which leaves 99.9% of good people with moral character.  Reality dictates that things aren’t always as they seem and probably never will be until we meet the Lord, face to face, in heaven.

Connivers fall in the 1/10%, “birds of a feather” group, which are achievers by deceptive measures.  In their lonely world of selfish scams and the working of insidious angles, everything centers around themselves.  It is all about them.  Sadly, they do not give second thoughts when taking advantage of others. 

They fail to recognize and consider them before their own personal gain.  As my father-in-law would say, “They are takers and deceivers.”  And in the next breath, “God loves them and gave His Son, Jesus to die for their sins.  They need Jesus to give them something positive to live for.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

 

Things Aren't Always as They Seem (Part 2 of 2)

Christians must shake themselves from the lethargy that we can fall into and reach out to these people and share Jesus with them so that they can be saved from their wicked ways.  As for me, I am a sinner saved by grace.

In my dad’s day and my father-in-law’s day, a handshake meant something.  It was a bond of integrity between two individuals that meant a deal had been made.  Reneging was not an option and out of the question back then.  It was a way of life.

At best, the correct perception of someone is 99.9% and perhaps far less.  But for this writing, I have chosen 99.9%.

The Bible says in (Revelation 12:10) that Satan is an accuser of the brethren.  His antics and accusations of others are positively full of misconceptions, character defaming and slanderous rhetoric, because he is a liar and the father of lies.     

Things are not always as they seem, especially when the devil is involved and presents his deceptive slant on things.  How many times have we listened to idle gossip or propaganda and took it at face value without investigating what was said as to whether it was factual or false accusations and hearsay?

Malicious backbiting or stabbing someone in the back for personal gain, to advance oneself, is certainly evil and looked down upon by God.  I believe such people are anti-Christ that need the Savior.  Jesus would never do such things.

I don’t know how a person can live with themselves when they spout false testimony to get someone in trouble or being the party responsible for causing them to be fired or demoted. Working an angle to steal another person’s livelihood at work or anywhere for that matter, is reprehensible.  It is an out and out sin to do such things.

God will have the final say, and hold those responsible, accountable for their actions.  The Bible says in (Romans 12:19), “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

(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.”

I believe that God honors people that keep their head on straight that have been on the receiving end of treachery and deceptive actions.  By refusing to retaliate against those having wicked spirits of deception, we are the bigger person that God will take care of when push comes to shove, because we have kept the right attitude.

It is hard to pray for such people, but God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.  When we go the extra mile to forgive, that is the icing on the cake. 

When I was a boy growing up in the family-oriented community of Martinez, California, my dad always told me that my name went before me and that I would be known as an honest person having integrity and an honorable individual, or not.

In other words, people around us know us by the attitude we show, and the kind of spirit we exude.  Kindness and honesty go a long way in helping us obtain a job, and yes, keeping that job.  It enables us to find favor with others, which causes people to reach out to us in favorable ways.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Heed the Warning Signs

The following thoughts are not meant to cause consternation of any kind.  My desire is that these words become food for thought to help anyone that takes them to heart.  The Lord wants our life to be filled with positives rather than negatives and for this reason He uses warning signs.  They are a benefit to those that heed them.

Signs are posted in numerous places for a myriad of reasons. This writing refers to signs that are meant for our protection and safety.  To ignore them is like “biting the hand that feeds you” as the saying goes.

Regarding signage, it is not wise to look the other way and not focus on exactly what a sign is pertaining to.  It may prove to be hazardous to one’s health if consideration of the information is ignored.

When I was a headstrong teenager looking for adventures, I ignored the warning sign, “NO TRESPASSING—DANGER” as I entered a restricted area with my two friends.  We foolishly explored old, coal-mining caves located in the ghost town named Nortonville.

The mines were about 5 miles south of Antioch, California and 5.5 miles north-northeast of Mount Diablo.  The town was named after its founder, Noah Norton, in 1855.  He, along with three partners, started the Black Diamond coal mine in 1860.

The brick foundation of the mine’s hoisting system and an old cemetery known as the Rose Hill Cemetery are all that remain.

After a dispute with other mine owners, the company stopped production and moved all the coal miners from Nortonville to another of the company’s mines at Black Diamond, Washington Territory. 

The Black Diamond mine in Nortonville was closed in 1885.  It was posted and off limits to the public, because of the dangers that were everywhere.  The risk of injury or death was certainly in the realm of probabilities.  Methane gas was quite prevalent in the mines; a hazardous poison if inhaled.

Sadly, on December 4, 1980, four teen-age boys, looking for a good time exploring Nortonville, were found dead from methane gas poisoning inside one of the abandoned mines in the area at a depth of one mile.

Little did the boys know when they disregarded the “NO TRESPASSING” sign that their young lives would suffer the ultimate consequence for not heeding the warning.  All they wanted to do was have a little fun, but it cost them their lives.  It is mind wrenching to think that it could have been me and my friends that died the day we ignored the posted signs and explored the mines.

Warning signs posted at an abandoned mine or cave entrance, freeways, roadways, caution notes that accompany electrical tools and appliances, are there for a reason—to help us stay safe.  It’s when we ignore these warnings that danger knocks at our door.

I consider “The 10 Commandments” to be “WARNING” signs that shield us from harm and evil when we abide in these Spirit-filled laws of God.  They are found in the Bible, (Exodus 20:1-17).  As a Christian, when I obey them, I keep myself safe from all alarms and in right standing with God.

The Bible says: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).  When a person obeys the laws and warning signs, that individual is secure in God without sacrificing good health—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

There are other signs not seen with the naked eye, but through our sense of awareness.  I call it my sixth sense or more appropriately, my ’God sense’.  They are unspoken feelings that something isn’t quite right, or things don’t add up, or something’s about to happen.  I do believe it could very well be the angels of God warning us.

(Psalms 91:11, 12), “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (vs 12) “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

Here’s an example: I’ve had feelings not to get on an elevator when suspicious characters were waiting for me to step in.  I listened to the voice speaking inside my mind and went with my feelings to wait for the next elevator. 

Silly?  I think not.  When God speaks, we must listen and obey.  We are blessings ahead.  Women should adhere to this feeling, especially if they are alone.  It’s better to be safe than sorry in the day in which we live.

When exploring the coal mines, I remember heading up a narrow path to one of the mines and having an extremely strong feeling to turn around and not go into this mine.  I’ve had these types of feelings before and acted on them.

To this day, I don’t know if this was the mine that authorities and searchers found the four boys years later.  I’m just glad I heeded the mental warning and turned around that day.

You are probably replaying past experiences that may be similar, where something was just not right and you went on your feelings and heeded the “WARNING” you felt, and all went well.  I believe it was God posting the “CAUTION” signs in our minds.  I absolutely believe that God speaks to us in this manner, through our God sense; the sixth sense.

The world has a lot of pleasure in the simple things of life.  But like the four boys that wanted to enjoy the day having fun, we must guard against the wrong kind of fun.  It can come at a cost if we do the wrong things or frequent the wrong places.

We need to allow God to place a supernatural watchman at our mind to help us heed warning signs that keep us spiritually sound before the Lord.  God is life and life more abundantly when we “Heed the Warning Signs.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd