Echoes From the Campfire

One does not surrender his conscience, his soul, when he accepts a job.  Each of us is till a man, and individually accountable for his sins.”
                   –Elmer Kelton  (The Day the Cowboys Quit)

       “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.  This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.”
                   –2 John 6 (NKJV)
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Folks, take heed who or what you follow as this age is drawing to a close.  Those who are antichrist are lifting their ugly heads and their voices are crying out as they did back in the Roman arenas.  Those pseudo-Christians who scream out “legalism” would also do well to take note.  Freedom in not license, we are to walk according to His commandments.  Oh, and for those who are truly legalistic, check your eye–go to the mirror of God’s Word.
    One of my wife’s favorite authors is George MacDonald.  During his lifetime he was as popular as Sir Walter Scott, but little is said of him today unless you are a devout reader of Christian classics.  He had a profound influence upon C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll.  In my reading I happened across something he wrote, “Obedience.”

              I said: “Let me walk in the fields.”
              He said: “No, walk in the town.”
              I said: “There are no flowers there.”
              He said: “No flowers, but a crown.”

              I said:  “But the skies are black;
              There is nothing but noise and din.”
              And He wept as He sent me back–
              “There is more,” He said; “there is sin.”

              I said:  “But the air is thick,
              And the fogs are veiling the sun.”
              He answered:  “Yet souls are sick,
              And souls in the dark undone!”

              I said:  “I shall miss the light,
              And friends will miss me, they say.”
              He answered:  “Choose tonight
              If I am to miss you or they.”

              I pleaded for time to be given.
              He said:  “Is it hard to decide?”
              It will not seem so hard in heaven
              To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

              I cast one look at the fields,
              Then set my face to the town;
              He said, “My child, do you yield?
              Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”

              Then into His hand went mine;
              And into my heart came He;
              And I walk in a light divine,
              The path I had feared to see.
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Today in the Texas Revolution:  All Mexican troops in Texas (2,573 men) assemble at Powell’s Tavern.  This includes Gen. Urrea’s troops along with Gen. Filisola’s troops where in a council of war they agree to withdraw south of the Colorado River.

Echoes From the Campfire

Sometimes we can’t always solve a problem, or right a wrong.  Sometimes the best we can do is just move on from it.”
              –Brad Dennison  (Wandering Man)

    “So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out.”
              –Nehemiah 4:21 (HCSB)
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I was frustrated when I went to write the “Echo”.  I read where Hillary said that any other person would have been indicted under the Muellar Report.  First of all, I doubt she read it.  Secondly, of all the people to talk about who should be indicted!  Therefore, I turned away from my thoughts, disgusts, and feelings that might cause my blood pressure to rise and turn to words from St. Francis of Assisi.

          “You are holy, Lord, the only God,
               and your deeds are wonderful.
           You are strong.
               You are great.
               You are the Most High,
               You are almighty.
               You, holy Father, are
               King of heaven and earth.
           You are Three and One,
               Lord God, all good.
               You are Good, all Good, supreme Good,
               Lord God, living and true.
           You are love,
               You are wisdom.
               You are humility,
               You are endurance.
               You are rest,
               You are peace.
               You are joy and gladness,
               You are justice and moderation.
               You are all our riches,
               And you suffice for us.
           You are beauty.
               You are gentleness.
               You are our protector,
               You are our guardian and defender.
               You are courage.
               You are our haven and our hope.
           You are our faith,
               Our great consolation.
               You are our eternal life,
               Great and wonderful Lord,
               God almighty,
               Merciful Savior.”

Whew makes me feel better, knowing that despite all the injustice that goes on in the world, all the terror and slaughter of innocents, all of the craziness and man mocking God, that He is totally in charge.  He revealed Himself to John on the island of Patmos this way,

           “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'”
                        –Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

I read recently that Christians, and we are Christians despite what Hillary and the ex-President said about those killed in Sri Lanka, should stop looking for the signs of His coming.  They are already here!  We should be listening for the sound of the trumpet!  Amen!  Can I get a witness?

The Saga of Miles Forrest

Molly said she was going to visit Marta then go on down to the diner.  Edith was the only one waiting tables and she was just helping out as a favor to Molly.  Doc didn’t mind, and he came over and ate his meals there which were given to him.  They only lived a block away so it was real handy.
    I reckoned that Charlie was down by the jail.  The town council was moving fairly slowly on getting the jail repaired or building a new one.  They were also needing a marshal, but were dilly-dallying around appointing one.  I could talk with Wilson Foster the head of the council and he would give my name to them.  Foster I knew well, and Newsome, but the third man to come on the council I saw only on occasion; fellow by the name of Martin Olson who owned one of the saloons in town.  I was surprised that Foster allowed Newsome to talk him into Olson.  Come next fall, with the elections, it might become quite interesting.
    Johnson was sprawled up against the front of the jail, chained to the hitching rail in front.  Charlie was able to use the office, as only the cell area has been destroyed and a back wall made of wood was temporarily thrown up.  I saw him coming out of the telegraph office and waved.  He pointed to the jail so I headed that direction to meet him.
    “Miles, just received a telegram about a Chester Uttleman who was wanted for murder, extortion, and just about anything else.  Seems like he worked between Denver and Chicago doing dirty work for anyone who paid him enough,” he paused after giving me that information.  “I think our Tom Smith/Utley is this Uttleman as the description fits.”
    He took off his hat to run his fingers through his hair and took a seat on the chair by the jail.  “The folk in Chicago are sending a photograph of him and it should arrive sometime the end of the week.”
    I leaned back against the hitching rail and pointed at his prisoner.  “What about him?”
    “Well, I reckon Mr. Tom Johnson is going to be spending quite a bit of time in prison,” he spoke loud enough where Johnson could hear him.  “He’ll be an old man by the time he gets out.”
    That perked up his attention for he bellowed out.  “I was just bein’ a witness.”
    “Yeah, and holding a gun on a sheriff,” Charlie countered and took off his hat to scratch above his ear.  “Plus obstruction of justice, plus abetting a criminal,” he stopped and looked over at Johnson.  “And did you know that Forrest here is a deputy U.S. Marshal, so those charges will also be on the federal level.”
    Looking over at Johnson I asked Charlie, “How does your prisoner like bein’ chained outside?  Not bad now, but come one of those gully-washers he might be gettin’ some wet.”
    I turned my attention to Johnson.  “You know what happened to the jail don’t you?”
    “Now why would I know?  I just arrived in town a few days back,” he snapped.
    “Go ahead Miles, tell him,” offered up Charlie.  “He may be no good, and a piece of scum, but he does have a right to know why he’s not in a cell, sleeping on one of those comfortable cots we used to have.”
    Stepping over toward Johnson, I placed my hands on my hips.  “It seems that folk workin’ for Merker tend to end up dead.  The man in the cell was killed on his orders.  They blew the place up,” I paused to pull on my moustache and looked at Charlie.  “You know Sheriff, it seems it would be easier to shoot a man who is layin’ out here on the boardwalk.”
    “Okay, okay,” he muttered.  “My name is Henry Thomas Johnson and I don’t know no Merker.”
    “Didn’t say yuh did,” I countered.
    He moved to sit up straighter causing his chains to rattle.  He was a ragged, disgusting sight.  I wasn’t concerned about his comfort, but I did wish there was a way to hide him from the public.
    “Sheriff, you’ve no right to keep me chained up out here,” he bellowed again.  “It’s cruel and unusual punishment.”
    Charlie got up from his chair, and walked over to him.  I could tell he had a notion to give Johnson a good kick, but instead he leaned over.  “Mister Johnson, do you have money for the fine?”
    He sort of brightened up with that.  “How much would it be?” he asked.
    “Twenty-five dollars, but that would only cover the local fine.  I can’t remove the federal law that is facing you.  That would be up to the district court judge,” replied Charlie.  “But he takes it serious when someone is shooting at a federal officer.”
    “I didn’t shoot him!” declared Johnson.  “I was only helping Ches.”
    “Interestin’,” I muttered.  “So you did know him?”
    Scowling he turned part way toward the wall.  “Leave me be,” he spat.
    I looked at Charlie and shrugged my shoulders.  “I’m goin’ on down to the diner to meet Molly.  She was goin’ over to see Marta and then was headin’ down there.  If Marta’s feelin’ like it, come on down and grab a bite to eat later,” I said, the looked down at Johnson.  “I’ll have a fresh pot on and we’ll do some jawin’…”

Echoes From the Campfire

If we live long enough, we will all face the day when we won’t be able to ride up-slope.  We’ll be wanting a smoother gaited horse and a softer mattress.  There’ll be nights when sleep will be hard to come by and harder to hold on to.  It’s all part of the cycle of life.”
                  –Lou Bradshaw  (Buttercup Meets Cain)

       “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
                  –Hebrews 12:28(NKJV)
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I trust that the Lord touched you in a special way this Easter season.  My, my, it’s so good to know that the Lord looks after us and cares for us.  We’d sure be in an awful fix if He didn’t.  No hope, no future, no direction, but with Him we have all those things.  Hope is there, the future is brighter and eternal life is secure, our very steps are ordered by Him and the Holy Spirit is our guide.  Now for a look at the rest of Psalm 19 (HCSB).

    7 – The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.
    8 – The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up.
    9 – The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous.
   10 – They are more desirable than gold—than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.
   11 – In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them.
   12 – Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
   13 – Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me.  Then I will be innocent and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
   14 – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

My friend, if you’re not in the Word of God, get in it.  It is your life.  It is what guides us day-by-day.  It is how the Holy Spirit directs our footsteps and speaks to us.  His Word is perfect and trustworthy no matter what may be going on in our life.

              “I lay my sins of Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God
               He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load.
               I bring my guilt to Jesus, to wash my crimson stains,
               White in His blood most precious, till not a spot remains.”
                       –Horatius Bonar

If we believe what God said is true and trustworthy, the opinions of others do not matter.  If we believe God’s Word and truly trust Him, He will guide us and give us insight to life and that more abundantly.  Follow His commandments, in fact, Jesus said, if you love Me, keep My commandments.  They are not to be thrown out, or picked apart, or given your opinion.  They are to follow.
    Do you harbor sin in your heart?  David was concerned about sins of the unknown–sins that were in the heart that he didn’t know about.  Perhaps this is how people do things that they would never think they would do.  The heart is deceitful, so David wanted it taken care of as well as deliberate sins.  Do not follow the way of evil; do not let sin rule over your life.  
    Listen to yourself sometime, listen to those around you.  Are you not concerned about the words that are spoken, about the deeds that are committed?  Our lives, our thoughts, our words, our actions should all be acceptable to the Lord.  Or do we get used to it, become complacent or calloused to the things that go on around us and even in our own lives?  
    Then David closes with that all powerful, all wonderful concept of the Redeemer.  If you truly accept Jesus as your Redeemer then the whole person has been redeemed.  Let the Holy Spirit start working on you to let your complete life be acceptable to Him.  Ponder the words of G. Campbell Morgan this morning.

      “If our Rock were not our Redeemer, we would be without hope.  If our redeemer were not our Rock, we might be afraid.  Let us never forget that our redemption has in it the strength of the Mighty One.”
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Today in the Texas Revolution:  Santa Anna is captured.