Echoes From the Campfire

Living a life is much like climbing mountains–the summits are always further off than you think, but when a man has a goal, he always feels he’s working toward something.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Lonely Men)

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
–Colossians 1:1-3 (NLT)
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Many years ago, in fact I was in the seventh grade, Douglas MacArthur came out with his book in weekly format in “Life” magazine. I was enthralled with it and couldn’t wait until the next week to read the next installment. Since today is his birthday I thought I might throw in a couple of his quotations.

“Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.
People grow old only by deserting their ideals.
Years wrinkle the skin but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear and despair . . .
these are the quick equivalents of the
long years that bow the head and turn
the growing spirit back to dust.
Whatever your years, there is in every being’s heart the love of wonder,
the undaunted challenge of events,
the unfailing childlike appetite for what next,
and the joy and game of life.
You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt,
as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear,
as young as your hope, as old as your despair.
So long as your heart receives messages of
beauty, cheer, courage, grandeur and power from
the earth, from man and from the Infinite, so long are you young.”
–Samuel Ullman (used by MacArthur often and became “MacArthur’s Credo”)

I used to send this to teachers on their birthdays. What is age after all? It is the envitable thing that happens to all if they don’t succumb to death by some other means earlier. Read through this and you might have some thoughts about how old you are in your thoughts.
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“I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within.”
–General Douglas MacArthur

History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has either been a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster.”
–General Douglas MacArthur

In view of those two quotations we should definitely heed even the more the Scripture: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34, NKJV)

Echoes From the Campfire

Anyway, it was the pattern of his life. If a bucket was empty, you filled it. If a wood box was empty, you filled that, too.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Man From Skibbereen)

“For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.”
–Proverbs 1:32 (NLT)
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Morning to you all. How about that, I’m not burnin’ daylight this mornin’. I’m up, trying to get back into a routine. Hard to do right now, but I sure do function and feel better when I’m in a somewhat regular routine. Now, I’m not saying that a person shouldn’t have a little sponteneity every now and then, but not so that there is no order to their life.
I just finished reading a book that is, if nothing else, interesting. There are some really good things in the book, but if a person is not careful it can reach into the New Age thinking. The authors write with the premise that it is not New Age, but without the knowledge of Scripture one could be duped unawares. Saying all that I’m going to use one of the writings discussed in the book. It is titled “The Breastplate of St. Patrick.” It was written by Patrick of Ireland.

“I awake today in power’s strength, invoking the Trinity, believing in threeness, confessing the oneness, of Creation’s Creator… .
I awake today in Heaven’s might and in the brightness of the Sun, in Moon’s radiance and in glory of Fire, in Lightning quickness and in the swiftness of the Wind, in the Sea’s depth and in the stablity of the Earth.
I awake today with the power of God to guide me, the strength of God to sustain me, the wisdom of God to teach me, God’s eye to look ahead of me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak to me, God’s hand to protect me, God’s way before me, God’s shield to shelter me, God’s host to deliver me from the snares of devils, evil temptations, nature’s failings, all who wish to harm me, far or near, alone and in a crowd.
As I awake today may Christ today protect me against poison and burning, drowning and wounding, so that I may have abudant reward; Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me; Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me; Christ to the right of me; Christ to the left of me; Christ in my lying, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising; Christ in the hearts of all who think of me, Christ on the tongues of all who speak to me, Christ in the eyes of all who see me, Christ in the ears of all who hear me.
I awake today in power’s strength, invoking the Trinity, believing in threeness, confessing the oneness, of Creation’s Creator.”

One thing Patrick wanted above all else was Christ. Every breath he took, every step he took, he wanted Christ in it. In these few words, you can almost feel the heartbeat of Patrick. How much should we seek to be like him. Ask yourself, is Christ with you at work, in the car, at school, at a party, in the restaurant, at your home? And on…  I fear that we get too much of the world in us, we rationalize, we have our opinions instead of looking and wanting Christ.
By the way, the passage came from the book: A Spiritual Field Guide: Meditations for the Outdoors, by Bernard Brady and Mark Neuzil.
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There is a verse posted on my daughter’s wall in the kitchen: “Joy comes in the morning.” It is written in the midst of a coffee cup. I like that for several reasons. First of all, whoever gets up first makes the coffee and that is usually me. Oh, joy in the morning! Coffee! (but that could be any time of the day.) Second, it in the kitchen where all the good smells and flavors come from. Bacon frying, eggs or pancakes or french toast, adding to the aroma of the morning coffee–oh what joy. Third, the morning is the beginning of a new day. Remember, each day is from the Lord, it is up to us to make it joyful. Ahhh, have a good day my friend, drink a cup (or 5) of coffee, rejoice in this day for it is the Lord who has given it to you.

Echoes From the Campfire

KAPOW! The thunder rolled rattling the windows, shuttering the shutters, shaking the shingles, and making the house quake. After I was wakened the lightning danced for the next thirty minutes like sheets hanging on the line. I like to sleep during a storm, but it was a shock with that boom waking me from a sound sleep. After realizing what it was I laid my head back on the pillow and this old song came to my mind. It was like the voice of Jesus saying to rest, go back to sleep, that He was in control.
If you have read my writings for long you will remember I have used this hymn a couple of times. However, since it came to my mind, perhaps someone out there needs to see the words and be comforted by them. One of my favorites, and the composer is unknown.

“I’ve seen the lightning flashing, And heard the thunder roll;
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, Trying to conquer my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, Telling me still to fight on;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.”

Harvey hit us this past year. The winds howled, and the rains beat down. When a person stops to think of a storm and then the analogy of temptation, they are very similar. Temptation beats down upon us, just like the winds and rains of a fierce storm. Anxiety may come, but we should not fear, for the Lord our peace is with us no matter how severe the storm, no matter how severe the temptation.

“The world’s fierce winds are blowing Temptations sharp and keen;
I feel a peace in knowing My Savior stands between;
He stands to shield me from danger, When earthly friends are gone;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.”

It was 1964, a scrimmage game and I was on the mound. I was in the process of taking my windup and bringing my arm forward to release the pitch when KAPOW! Lightning struck and knocked everyone down. We never did figure out whether the lightning bolt hit the lights or the backstop, but we were all tingling from it. After picking myself off the ground, I found that the ball was still in my hand; I didn’t release it. For many years afterward I was quite concerned when one of those electric storms came; and living in Colorado, they were quite often. It wasn’t until I was in college that the Lord came me victory and assurance over the storm.
Affliction, disease, sorrow, suffering, are like the bolt of lightning that strikes out of nowhere and brings us into a world of care and woe. Or it may be as we walk the path of life the storm hits and we stumble off the well-trodden path and get caught up in the briars and brambles on the edge of the road. The rains assail and we are entangled, frustrated, and ready to give up. Then the Savior comes, cuts away the briars that hold fast to us and reminds us that He is always there to guide, to give rest and comfort.

“When in affliction’s valley I’m treading the road of care;
My Savior helps me to carry My cross when heavy to bear;
My feet, entangled with briars Ready to cast me down,
My Savior whispers His promise, ‘I never will leave thee alone.'”

Jesus, in His time of woe and suffering, was left alone. His friends ran away, and maybe worse of all, His Father turned away from Him. It was sin. On that dreadful day of storm that none of us will never have to face, He hung in our place. His precious blood purchased our salvation. He left to go back to the Father and sent the blessed Holy Spirit to be with us until that day that we walk with Him in glory.

“He died for me on the mountain, For me they pierced His side;
For me He opened the fountain, The crimson, cleansing tide;
For me He’s waiting in glory, Seated upon His throne;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.

No, never alone! No, never alone!
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone;
No, never alone! No, never alone!
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone!”

The Saga of Miles Forrest

It had been cold this week. There were some small snow flurries, but the nights were like knives cutting through you, it was so cold. I reckoned it was below zero, and the days didn’t reach above the freezing mark. Naturally, I sat most of the time near the stove in the diner and drinking coffee. I had just poured a fresh cup and sat down when through the door came Billy Denton along with two of the city council, Thomas Billington and Wilson Foster. I tried to ignore them as they marched right up to my table.
“Forrest! We warned you about causing trouble! We should have the marshal here arrest you,” yelled Billington.
Now that caught me by surprise. I really don’t know why for there’s no-telling what these uppity folk might say or do. “Arrest? Trouble? Mind tellin’ me what I’ve done?”
“Can you use it?” I asked with a smile, then took a sip of coffee. “The rifle I mean,” finishing my statement.
My, my how quickly the blood rushed up his face to his ears.
“Fact is, I hired a man to hunt some wolves when we found tracks just above my place in the woods. We figured about half dozen wolves lurkin’ around.” I wanted another cup of coffee, but I didn’t want to offer this bunch a cup. Oh, Billy I didn’t mind, he was just, well, he was just Billy. “Bein’ that close to town, they’ll lose their fear quick enough and then watch out for children could be in real danger.”
“That’s it, could be! You’re causing fear in everyone because of your ‘could be.'”
“Let me tell you straight. The only people I’ve told is the man I’ve hired to hunt, Doc Jones, my wife and the folks that work here. Mind tellin’ me how you came to hear ’bout the wolves?”
“My son Nathaniel, came home from school. Said that half-breed that you seem to allow hang around here mentioned something.”
Guess it’s just my tempetuous nature, but I couldn’t let that slide. My foot kicked the chair on the other side of the table and it slammed into the Councilman Billington. I was up and had his collar in my hand and was ready to let my fist explode into his nose when I heard, “Miles!” It was Molly. “What are you doing?”
“I was goin’ to give the right righteous Mr. Billington a lesson in good manners and humanity.”
“Miles,” she said with a mild disappointment.
I released the councilman and went back to my chair, picked up my cup and poured another cup of coffee. “Why don’t you gentlement sit down? I’ll get you all some coffee,” said Molly.
“No, thank you, Mrs. Forrest,” said Wilson Foster.
However, Billy ventured in and said, “I’d like one Mrs. Forrest.”
Molly smiled at him, “Okay Billy…and I know, with honey.”
“The other thing that has come to our attention is the fact that you’ve encouraged Charlie Gold to run for sheriff. Billy, here, is law in Durango.”
Sometimes stupidity just flows out of these men. “Now, tell me what that has to do with Billy. He’s marshal of Durango, but Charlie is runnin’ for sheriff, that means a county position.”
“Yes, but his office would be here in Durango!” Foster finally said something.
“I don’t see what you’re gettin’ at. Wouldn’t it be to your advantage to have two good lawmen living in Durango?” I said and watched Billy sort of puff up some.
“We don’t want him intefering with the marshal…”
At that moment Grizz came in through the kitchen. “Don’t mean to interrupt your discussion as I’m sure it’s important, but Miles you might want to come take a look at this.”
I followed him back out through the kitchen and into the alley. I didn’t recall that I asked for anyone to follow but those at the table were right behind me. Grizz pointed and laying in the alley were two large wolves. “Kilt them this mornin’,” he said. “After I skin them I’ll bring in the ears for the bounty.”
“Bounty,” came the flustered voice of Billington. “We don’t have a bounty on wolves.”
“Better check the minutes of the council,” I said. “Good job, Grizz,” and slapped him on the shoulder.