Month: May 2017

The Daily Paine

by Ira Paine, Posted on

How I long for a trip, don’t need no grip,
I’m taking one more ride
‘Way out there in the prairie air,
I guess it’s in my hide…”
       –Bob Nolan

“It isn’t the stations one has to worry about, it’s the side tracks…  So many become sidetracked and missed the things that were worthwhile.”
     –Louis L’Amour

Hard to believe that after 39 years that I do not have any actual teaching days left.  However, just to let you know that I’m longing for a trip.  Not one out of the country, that’s for sure, but a new trail to travel in life.  It is definitely one that Annie and I have never traveled before, so much of what we will face will be new territory for you.
With retirement (or retreading) looming on the horizon we are taking one more ride.  The plan is to move to the community of Coldspring, population under 900.  That’s my size of town.  It was founded because of the cold spring located there, and the first post office was established in 1847 with the community being named Coonskin.  It was in 1850, that the town became known as Coldspring.
Maybe I would prefer the prairie air, actually the mountain air, but I will settle for the forest.  It must be engrained in my hide, but it has sure taken its time to get here.  There have been vacations to the High Lonesome and to the prairie and desert regions, but now there will be temporary settlement in the forests of East Texas.
By temporary, I mean that the day will come for me, for us all, to make that last trip.  For sure, on that journey, whether by rapture or by the grave, we will not be taking a grip along with us.  (For you modern folk, a grip was a suitcase).  In fact, in this new trail we are traveling we are certainly learning the need for downsizing.  People just seem to accumulate “stuff” throughout life.  Not that it is all bad, but much of it is unnecessary.
A few years ago I did a study on Abraham.  He has become one of my favorite Bible characters.  There were a few times in his life where he had to pack up and move.  He never bothered to build a house, for he never knew when God was going to tell him to move.  Part of it was his location and part of it was due to his vocation.  He lived in a tent, but that tent was really a home.  An interesting item in the life of Abraham is that it was his normal custom, though a couple of times he neglected it, was that when he pitched his tent he built an altar.  Right there is a good lesson for us.  The tent/home should be where the heart is and with that there should also be an altar built in worship to the Lord.

“After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord.”
–Genesis 12:8 (NLT)

The Daily Paine

by Ira Paine, Posted on

“Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.”
–Julia H. Johnston

You do not have to wallow in the pig pen with the hogs. Living in mud and eating slop is not what has to be your lot. Look to that hill of Calvary and gaze on the Cross whereupon grace was personified in Christ. Grace that is so much more than any sin that we can commit. Grace that is able to wipe away and evidence of guilt and shame. It was the place where the Son of God poured out His love and provided grace.

“Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.”

Where there is much sin, there is much grace. There is grace that is truly untold, for the sinner cannot go so far as to be away from the touch of His grace from the cross. The soul is lost, without the grace of Christ.

“Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?”

The story of Dorian Gray portrays a man who tries to hide the stain on his soul. Here was a man who wanted to live his live with impunity. But, alas, it was found out for no man can do so. There is a stain upon man that can only be washed away and cleansed by the blood of Christ. Then, and only then, is there a brightness of the soul. The cost to you–nothing; just look to Jesus and believe.

“Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!”

One of the greatest songs written to humble the soul and turn thoughts to Christ. The truth and finality of God’s grace is depicted here and it is for anyone who would simply turn to Him and believe. There is no excuse and no denial, for His grace is greater than any sin.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on

I joined up with Molly soon enough and we went walking in downtown Denver. I was amazed at the commotion on Market Street. Teamsters were lined up loading and unloading merchandise. Things were bustling. As we turned back to the hotel there came a voice.
“Don’t take another step!” came the order. “Now lay down that shotgun.”
I whispered asking Molly, “How far away is he?”
“I won’t repeat it again. And as for you, you know your kind is not allowed up here.”
That did it! I pushed Molly and swung to my right extending the shotgun. It cracked him on the elbow and he yelped, dropping his gun.
I rushed to him and placed the Greener up under his chin. “Before you say another word, apologize to my wife!”
I saw his eyes flicker in surprise, “Sorry ma’am.”
“Now do you want to explain yourself?” I asked.
I pulled the shotgun away, and he began to rub his arm. “Officer Brewster, Denver police force. There is an ordinance about carrying guns in town.”
“You’ll live longer if you confront people instead of sneaking up behind them. Folk don’t cotton to that, no matter who you are. By the way, I’m Deputy U.S. Marshal Miles Forrest and I’ll carry my guns with me,” I paused and then asked. “Happen to know a big guy by the name of Murker?”
“Can’t say that I do,” came a reply rather quickly.
Just to test his truthfulness, I tippy-tapped his elbow with the Greener. That brought a quick groan form him. “He didn’t say anything about your wife.”
“Now, why don’t you tell me just exactly what he said.”
“He said to arrest you and get you out of the way for a while.”
“Better go back and report that it didn’t work.”
We left him rubbing his arm, and hopefully having learned a good lesson. He apologized again before our taking our leave of his presence. He was embarrassed, but not sure if it was from his mistake with Molly or having the Greener laid up against his arm or being caught as one of Murker’s flunkies.
There was a restaurant a block away from the hotel. It was on a side street so I figured it might be some cheaper than the one next to the hotel.  “Let’s grab a cup of coffee.”
Sitting down and after ordering, I asked, “What do you think of Denver?”
She took a sip. “Sure is getting big,” and taking another sip. “I don’t care much for some of the folk here though.”
I asked for another cup and the waitress replied, “Are you thinking of ordering anything to eat? If not, there’s a limit to the coffee.”
“Tell you what, here’s two-bits and keep the change.” I looked at Molly. “Let’s go.”
We walked on back to the hotel. “I’m ready to go home. What’s say that we leave tomorrow. I no longer work for Wells Fargo, so there’s no need to stay around here. I do want to see Dave one more time. I’ll go get the tickets and then see him.”
After getting tickets I went to see Cook. I wanted to run the doings by him and see what he thought. He might know something that I didn’t. He was in his office and we talked some about the events of the day. Murker was a new man in town and Dave didn’t know anything about him, but said he would do some checking.
“Thought any more about my offer?”
“Molly and I are headin’ back to Durango. I don’t work for Wells Fargo no more, and there’s just too many people here for my likin’.”
He smiled and reached out to shake my hand. We walked out the office and stood at the front door. “You’re a good man, Miles. I’ll let you know anything I find out.”
Opening the door I started out and my heel caught the threshold and I stumbled forward just as a bullet smashed into the brick wall showering both Dave and I.

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He put food and coffee on the fire, and while it cooked he unloaded his horse.”
–John Legg

Hope I didn’t miss you pard, but I was plumb lazy this morning.  Guess I’m doin’ a little practicin’ for retirement.  Sure been a busy couple of weeks, but only a few days left.  Ohh, so sorry, standin’ here jawin’ and forgot to pour the coffee.  Ahhhh, that’s better.
Heard somethin’ the other day.  “Due to climate change the glaciers are diminishing in Glacier National Park.”  It I’m right, glaciers are always contingent on climate.  Them move forward and they recede in relation to the climate.  How did they get there in the first place?  I think it was “climate change.”  Guess I should make a trip up there before they’re gone.
Better be gettin’ on out there and get yur Ma a present or yur wife.  Stores will be gettin’ plenty busy.  Then you’ll have to be jostlin’ with folk.  I’ve been hankerin’ for some chili so might make it for dinner tomorrow or maybe tonight.  Better if it simmers a few hours.  I read where the last words of Kit Carson were, “Like to have had one more bowl of chili.” 
Let’s finish the coffee so we can get on down the road and get the chores done.  Don’t be reckless out there now, there’s enough of them folk already.  Be sure your cinch is tight, just in case there is some jostlin’ around.