A man’s history was like a label to be seen by the world, as permanent as a scar.”
–Ernest Haycox (Guns of Fury)
“A house is built my wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.”
–Proverbs 24:3 (NLT)
Month: November 2016
Echoes From The Campfire
We often value the wrong things. We can spend our lives working to surround ourselves with things that don’t matter. We can sacrifice the things that do matter, to gain those things that don’t.”
–Dan Arnold (Bear Creek)
“Get the truth and don’t ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment.”
–Proverbs 23:23 (NLT)
The Daily Paine
I like to sit out on my patio whenever I get the chance, especially in the fall. I put a fire in the chiminea, do my devotions, read a book, or just sit. There are not many birds around thanks to the grackles, that is, except doves. They make a sound unlike other birds and they call throughout the area. Over in the corner is a garden, Red Mountain Sage, and roses. Right now the white wild roses are in bloom and also some that are brilliant red. Sitting there in the freshness of the morning, with the sounds, the sights, the aromas, and listening to the crackling of the fire. There is something about it.
“I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear,
Falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.”
–C. Austin Miles
What would it be like if the Lord came and spoke. I don’t think it would be lightning and thunder, but it would be that still, soft voice. A voice so calming, soothing, and quiet that the animals, the doves, would be quiet. The doves would realize that their cooing is not equal to His voice. When the Lord speaks there is also that special feeling put deep within our soul. It is a song of serenity, of peace, of hope; it is not tumultuous or raging.
“He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody
That He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.”
Would we stay in the garden with Christ? If so, why is it that we do not often visit Him there? There has to be reasons, for He longs for us to come. We cannot truly sing the last verse of the song, unless we first come to grips with why we do not seek Him in the freshness of the morning and in that garden atmosphere. Woe to us.
“I’d stay in the garden with Him
Tho’ the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go;
Thro’ the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.”
Just think of what it would be like to walk and talk in the quiet of the morning with Jesus. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we cannot afford to tarry and wait for Him–we cannot afford to not tarry and wait for Him.
The Saga of Miles Forrest
Lucas was sitting there and sleeping soundly. The guy had the desire to protect us, but his will just wasn’t strong enough to keep him awake. Fortunate for all of us, nothing happened. I picked him up and placed him on the pallet. then I went over and stirred up the coals and stoked the fire. This was late October and the nights were quite chilly. I figured while I was up I might as well put on a cup of coffee.
While waiting for the water to boil, I lit the oil lamp and pulled out my Bible. I had thought much over the years about the amount of evil that there seems to be in the world. If it is true, like some of those folks back in the East are expounding, that man is basically a good person at heart, then why does it seem that there is more and more evil? And not just evil, but cruelty and barbarity. Nah, I’ll stick to what God has spoken, that man is a sinner and needs a Redeemer.
I have heard people cry about showing mercy to those renegades that bring hurt and sorrow upon people. There is a time for mercy, but I also have had to come to grips with the idea that there must also be justice. If there is no justice, then mercy becomes an excuse and a meaningless phrase and justice itself becomes a laughingstock. It made me think of Elias down there in the Territory working for Judge Parker. Now, there were evil men there.
Looking over at the pallet with Lucas and Molly lying there sleeping, not hearing the sounds of the night, but resting in peaceful slumber. What will be the future for Lucas’ generation? If evil is allowed to persist, then what? From what I see in God’s Word is the fact that men are to help those in need, the less fortunate, and the children.
The sizzling of water boiling over in the pot, brought me back to my senses. Time to get the coffee boiling and ready to face the day. As soon as it was light I reckoned I would take a walk in the direction of where Lucas said he saw the man run and get on his horse. Molly would be getting up soon and heading down to the restaurant. I’d escort her this morning after our little ordeal last night.
“Miles,” I heard her voice.
“Coffee’s ready,” I replied. She got up, put on her wrapper, and came to the table. By now the fire had taken the deep chill out of the room. I got up and pulled the pot from the fire and poured coffee in the two tin cups we kept by the fireplace.
“Gray-light be approaching pretty soon,” I said.
She reached out and put her hand on my arm. Amazing, I thought how soothing and comforting little things can be.
“You going to look for him today?” she asked.
“I’ll look around. Maybe I find some clues.” I sipped the coffee, it was steaming.
“I need to get ready. Need to get down to the restaurant and get the stove warmed up. I want to have some pies made this morning.”
We left Lucas sleeping and headed out while it was still dark. The town would soon be stirring and Molly liked to have the place warm and going before the sun came up over the mountains. When we arrived, we found Marta and her mother already at work.
Marta came over to us. “You both okay? Lucas told us about the shot.”
“We’re fine. I left him sleeping. He stood guard during the night.”
About that time the front door opened. The first customers of the day…