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.