Echoes From the Campfire

The vague scent of an enduring wildness, which was less an actual scent than some powerful influence rising from a fresh earth to stir a man’s senses.”
              –Ernest Haycox  (Man in the Saddle)

    “Jesus replied, ‘No man who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
              –Luke 9:62 (NIV)
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I just read a story this week by Leroy Brownlow from his book:  A Time To Laugh.  

         “It’s better to face an actual problem than to fret over an imaginary one.” suggested this sagacious man of the people.  In calling on a mocker who never darkened the door of the church, grandpa was met with these words: “Well, parson, I’ve got a problem.  It wouldn’t be comfortable for me in heaven.  How would I get my shirt on over my wings?”
         “You have a problem,” answered grandpa, “but it’s not what you think.  It’s not about your shirt and heaven.  Unless you get started going to church your problem is going to be how to get your hat on over your horns.”

It’s maybe a little humorous, but the fact of the matter is that people are playing with their souls; making a mockery of the sacrifice that was given to man through Jesus Christ.  Hmmm, what will you give in exchange for your soul?
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Guess I’m borrowing today.  Here’s another story by R.G. LeTourneau.  This story is taken from Promises To Keep.

         I believe the secret of the power of the Gospel is to be willing to go all the way with the Lord.  I believe a man who is on the fence cannot enjoy the things of God.  I believe when he tries to get betwixt and between, he gets into an awful mess.
         We had an experience at Boulder Dam that illustrates this point.  A group of powder men had been working all night drilling holes in the mountainside to blast away the rock.  They wanted to make the big shot before the day crew came on.  At last the holes were all dug, the dynamite was in, the wires connected with the power line.  The man who was to set off the blast was short of wire and there wasn’t time to send to camp for more.  What wire he had wasn’t long enough to let him get beyond the danger zone of falling rocks.  He saw a little cave in the mountainside and thought he’d push the button and jump in there.  So he pushed the button, the blast went off, he jumped in the cave–and there was a rattlesnake!  He was betwixt and between.  He couldn’t go in on account of the snake and he couldn’t go out on account of the falling rocks.  What could he do?  He saw a huge rock at the cave entrance.  In less time than it takes to tell it, he picked up that rock, dropped it over the snake and jumped into the cave.  The snake tattled and rattled but couldn’t reach the man because it was pinned down by the rock.
         I wonder sometimes whether some folks who say they are Christians really believe in the Lord or not.  I don’t know whether they have been born again.  They’re on the fence.  They’re betwixt and between.  I want to say that you’re like that man in the cave and you’ll have to do something about it.  If you get hold of the rock of Christ Jesus, that will save you.  He can hold Satan down.
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Friends, inhale the sweet aroma of the presence of God this weekend.  Take time to refresh your souls.
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Today in the Texas Revolution:  General Antonio Gaona received new orders from Santa Anna to leave his occupation of Mina and to proceed to San Felipe de Austin.