Coffee Percs

It was the coffee I was going to miss the most at the cafe, I knew that right now. This was some good coffee. The stuff I made was terrible. I was surprised every time I stirred it and it didn’t eat up my spoon.” 

                    –Patrick Lindsay  (Dead Man’s Treasure)
 
No, Pard!  I wasn’t referring to yur coffee.  But to tell yuh the truth it could do some improvin’.  Go ahead, don’t shy away from my brew; it’ll tickle all the way down yur gullet to yur gizzard an’ if yuh have enough of it, yur toes might even tingle.  Is the coffee in the bean or the brewin’?  Now that’s somethin’ to ponder.  Is it in the water or in how long yuh set it to brew?  My ain’t life full of questions?
       Speakin’ of good coffee, we’ve had a week of good friends from the past.  It started last Saturday with the celebration of life for a person from our church forty years ago.  We saw several of the ol’ crew.  Then the other night some dear friends were in the area from San Antonio.  Yuh know, and I’m goin’ to say somethin’ here, so hang onto yur cup handle.  I’m a-thinkin’ that good friends are even better than good coffee.  Coffee can make yuh feel good in yur inner parts, but good, solid friends can make yuh feel good in yur soul and spirit.  
       Notice I’m stayin’ away from all the politickin’ and publicizin’ and media spoutation.  The coffee is too good to spoil my gizzard with the lies and doin’s of the media, and the politicians.  When are we ever gonna realize that we live in a world of lies, evil, deception, an’ wickedness?  But Pard, go on take another swaller.  Sure does make my heart good to see yuh enjoyin’ my coffee.  But what I was gonna say, we need to realize that this ol’ world is an evil place, but I recall the words of that ol’ preacher-man John that, “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.”  It’s found thar in 1 John 5:19.
       So don’t be surprised at what’s goin’ on.  Don’t be a frettin’ over the future.  Don’t get yur gizzard all riled because of the sickenin’ folks and lifestyle yuh hear and read about.  Just keep prayin’, keep readin’ yur Bible, keep raisin’ the younguns right.  Have yur gun oiled, loaded and ready, keep a smile on yur face.  Enjoy a cup of coffee, and be sure an’ check yur cinch.
          Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

All this traveling and not feeling like you’re getting anywhere can wear on a man.”
                         –Robert Peecher  (A Trail Too Far)

       “And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

                         –Luke 8:58 (NKJV)
———————————
I have mentioned several times my Hymns at Midnight.  Those songs that run through my mind if I happened to wake up in the middle of the night.  Usually they are the same, but last week one floated through that I haven’t heard in many, many years.

                    My heav’nly home is bright and fair,
                    I feel like traveling on,
                    Nor pain, nor death can enter there,
                    I feel like traveling on.
                             –William Hunter

In this world of darkness and gloom we should be looking toward our home in heaven where the sun never fails to shine, because the Lord is the light.  There may be some who decide to stop along the way, others may decide to go back, but as for me, and I hope whomever reads this that they “feel like traveling on.”

                    Its glitt’ring-tow’rs the sun outshine,
                    I feel like traveling on,
                    That heav’nly mansion shall be mine,
                    I feel like traveling on.

We live in a world that mocks and scoffs at that thought.  Some will say that you are so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good, but remember they are mocking and speaking a lie.  The person who is truly heavenly minded, the one who has a close relationship with Christ and is led by the Holy Spirit actually does the most earthly good.  They have the true perspective of the world and also where they are going.  Listen, if someone scoffs at your in your walk with Christ never mind them–keep traveling on.

                    Let others seek a home below,
                    I feel like traveling on,
                   Which flames devour, or waves o’er flow,
                    I feel like traveling on.

Come, stay awhile with me.  Enjoy the fun and pleasures of this life.  A little won’t hurt you.  Let’s go out and have a good time, forget that religious jargon and join in with us.  After all we are all brothers and who is to say your way to God is better than mine?  –Do you hear those voices?  They are trying to get you to settle down in this life.  They want you to walk with them on the wide highway that leads to perdition.  Put them aside, travel on to your home in heaven.

                    The Lord has been so good to me,
                    I feel like traveling on,
                    Until that blessed home I see,
                    I feel like traveling on.

                                        Yes, I feel like traveling on,
                                        I feel like traveling on;
                                        My heav’nly home is bright and fair,
                                        I feel like traveling on.

In the midst of tribulation and trials and troubles–travel on.  When the storm rages do not stop your travel, seek shelter but continue forward.  When the battle is hard, and the enemy is strong–travel on.  When there is pain, sorrow, and suffering–travel on.  When you feel as if you cannot take another step–take one more and travel on.  Don’t be satisfied with life here, with a dwelling place in this evil world, but look as did that man of old, Abraham, who sought a “city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10, NKJV).  Keep traveling on!

 

Echoes From the Campfire

It doesn’t pay to get involved with the devil’s play.”
                    –D.C. Adkisson  (Mal de Ojo)

       “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them.”
                    –Ephesians 5:6-7 (NKJV)
————————————-
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse:  “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”  –1 John 5:19 (NKJV)

This is a confused world.  This is a world living in fear.  This is a world that mocks God and His moral values.  I heard recently that there is a trend for people to stand up in a congregation to challenge the minister’s message.  The idea is to challenge the deity of Christ.  Some things never change for this has been going on since the Book of Acts. Therefore, it is vital that WE KNOW!

               “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”
                              –1 John 5:18 (NKJV)

       “We Know” that we are born of God and do not sin.  Whoa–not sin?  Warning:  do not take Scripture out of context to make a doctrine upon it.  Christians do sin, that is why we can go to Christ and He will forgive us of our sins (1 John 1:9).  However, the believer does not continue in the state of sin; he does not continue to practice it.  John is interested in the condition of man, not the particular action of man.

               “They [unbelievers] are in the dominion of Satan.  Their whole life is a life of sin; they dwell in it, it is their realm, and they inhabit it.  But those who are born of God are no longer in that state; they have been taken out of it.”
                              –D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The unbeliever abides in the world; he abides in sin.  He is in need of a Savior.  The Christian abides in Christ.
       “We Know” that we are born of God.  He watches over us.  We are part of His family.  Paul gives us comfort when he writes,

               “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
                             –1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

Paul also tells us that we (believers) were once in a sinful state–we were once His enemies.  However, through Christ we are now reconciled to God.  
       “We Know” that He keeps us.  Satan cannot take us out of His hand.  Satan does not cling to us like a bad vine of poison ivy.  Satan cannot rob God of His possession, therefore, do not fear.  God is more than able to keep you from the clutches of the devil.  John writes, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV)
       So in the midst of this confused and chaotic world the believer, you and I, have clarity.  We know clearly that God is in control and takes care of His own.  When many are living in fear, worried about life, we know that we can trust in God.  He will never leave or forsake us.  We know that He lives and that there is a day of judgment coming for those who mock Him.  Stay firm, hold fast to the word of life.  I recall the chorus of that old hymn:

               “Only trust Him, only trust Him,
               Only trust Him now;
               He will save you, He will save you,
               He will save you now.”
                          –J.H. Stockton

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

I entered the sheriff’s office and sitting at the desk talking to Lucas was a man from my past.  “Ring, Ring Carter!  What in the world are you doin’ here?  I thought you had done retired years ago.”
       He chuckled.  “No, I tried growing an orchard of apples.  Just did want to take care of them as it was hard for me to see them grow sitting in the rocking chair from the front porch.  So I went back to transporting prisoners.”
       Looking at what I was holding carefully, he asked, “That for me?”
       I smiled, “Nope, this is for the deputy here.”
       “So that’s what you do now?” he questioned.  “Deliver pies.”  
       I handed the pie over to Lucas who gave me a large smile.  He knew what I was trying to do and he nodded his head.
       “Yur here to pick up Samuels?”  I asked.  “He’ll need some watchin’ over with his injury.”  I then explained what happened and how Lucas and I apprehended them.
       He eyed Lucas over as the pie was devoured.  “How old are you boy?” he snapped.  
       Lucas ignored him as he finished the pie.  Then he licked the fork a couple more times before looking up at Carter.  “Senor, I am but a wee nino.”
       That started me to guffawing.  “Ring, he’s old enough to do a deputy’s job.  I’d have him on the train with me any time.”
       “Senor Carter, I am sorry for the way I answered.  I am almost eighteen.”
       Carter was rubbing the whiskers on his chin.  “Listen, I’m short a guard.  I could use you for a week or so,” he paused to look in my direction.  “What do you think Miles?
       I threw my hands open and shrugged.  “He’s hired by the county.  You’d have to talk with the sheriff, who should be coming this way shortly.”
       “I’ll have five prisoners with this one.  There shouldn’t be any problem but one of them is Martin Blue, scheduled to hand over when I get him to Canon City.  The other three are low-life’s wanted mostly for robbery, one for arson.”  He looked at Lucas.  “It’d pay you forty dollars plus travel expenses.”
       When he said that I saw Lucas’ eyes perk up.  He turned his attention to me, and fortunately at that time Charlie walked in.   Ring told Charlie the situation who glanced over at me.  “That would be up to Lucas here.  His decision.”
       “Good seein’ yuh again, Ring.  You take care, and if’n I were you I’d think some more about that rockin’ chair and orchard.”  I waved at Lucas then walked out the the door down the street toward the diner meeting Charlie along the way.  I told him the story, and said I could be riding on the train, just in case, but Lucas was a full-fledged deputy and also the age of a man.
       When I arrived at the diner the other guard, Jim Bellows, was getting sandwiches for the prisoners.  The train would be pulling out in an hour and I needed to let Molly know what was going on.
       “One of these days, Miles, you’re going to have to stop being a guardian angel,” she said chiding me.  
       I pulled her to me, “One of these days, but I feel I need to look after Lucas a while longer.  The prisoners and guards will be in the baggage car because Martin Blue is one of the prisoners.”  She looked up at me and I nodded, “Yes, he is bad.”
       Within the hour we were clickety-clacking along the rails.  There were two passenger cars and I was in the one furthest from the baggage car.  We would change trains in La Junta, and again in Pueblo.  I sat in the seat trying to recall if Blue had a gang that might try to free him, but from what I remembered he was mostly a loner.  Hopefully it would be a peaceful and uneventful ride…