I had shared more than a few campfires. We each knew what needed to be done and did our part without direction or complaint.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Rubio)
“We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior. Don’t participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy. But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don’t think of ways to indulge your evil desires.”
–Romans 13:13-14 (NLT)
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Working on gettin’ the ol’ steel wagon packed and ready to get on the trail. The “Echoes” may be sporadic for the next few weeks as I’m headin’ out east. Sometimes those easterners don’t take kindly to our Texas ways, and I’m a-thinkin’ it may be true of their computer waves as well.
It’s time to be seein’ my eldest daughter and her family. We’re draggin’ Emmalee along with us–guess I can use her to change a tire if needed. But she’s a pretty good travelin’ companion; knows what’s expected to be done. Now with that introduction I reckon I’ll just pass on a few tidbits that I’ve come across.
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“The everlasting God has in his wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that he now presents you as a gift from his inmost heart. The cross he now sends you he has considered with his all-knowing eyes, understood with his divine mind, tested with his wise justice, warmed with his loving arms, and weighed with his loving hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has…taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven…alms of the all-merciful love of God.”
–Francis de Sales
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Every morning I read a wonderful devotion penned by Richard Dresselhaus that is called “One for the Road” and since we’re getting ready to hit the road I wanted to share one. It’s wise words that we should all take to heart whether traveling across town or across country, or on the journey of life.
“Be sure. Those two words put urgency into a request.
Be sure to drive safely. Be sure to pay your bills on time. Be sure to watch your step.
God uses these words. ‘…be sure that you obey all the decrees and laws I am setting before you today.’
‘Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do…’
‘But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully…’
Some things are optional–but some things are essential. Some things are arbitrary–but other things are mandatory.
Obedience to God’s commands are neither optional or arbitrary. They are essential and mandatory.
Many decisions have built-in flexibility. You can use preference. The call is yours.
But…when it comes to obedience to God–be sure you obey.”
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Here are a few thoughts to ponder from Sam P. Jones a fiery, Methodist preacher of the late 1800s.
“Some of us profess to be servants of the Lord, but work for the devil, and come around at the end of the week and want the Lord to pay for our services.”
“Stagnation is the last station this side of Damnation. You can’t go beyond Stagnation without going on to Damnation.”
“What I love and what I hate will determine what I am now and what I will be forever.”
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Here’s one more to keep you until I write the next Echo.
Once there was a preacher, while holding a revival in Texas, was staying in the home of an old man. The old man kept bragging about the great state of Texas. The elder minister listened until he finally had enough and just had to comment. “From the way you talk, a person might come to think that Jesus was a Texan.”
The old man hesitated, pulled at his moustache, then stroked his chin and thoughtfully replied, “No, but he was good enough to be a Texan.”