Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 8, 2017

They sat on the porch in silence with cooling coffee cups and watched the sun like a busted yolk oozing along the eastern rim.”
–Alex Cord

Sittin’ here waitin’ for you pard. Not used to all the changes happenin’ ’round my life yet. Need to get back into a regular schedule. How ’bout you? Good week?
I’ve been stayin’ away from the news but good thing we know the Lord, for there is plenty of chaos goin’ ’round out there and most of it is purposely perpetuated. It is downright evil and full of hatred. If not toward a person, toward a biblical moral standard, and especially tryin’ to upset the plan of God. Well, listen and listen tight–God’s plan for man will not and cannot be thwarted by us puny humans, nor the power of the evil devil himself!
Now the shakin’ and stupidity will continue and most likely get worse. Remember, me talkin’ ’bout the baby being born and had a non-gender birth certificate ’cause puttin’ male/female on it would violate its rights? See, plan ol’ stupidity. Say, pard, sorry for rantin’, how’s the coffee this mornin’? At least there is still a few things that delights the ol’ gizzard. Don’t like for it bein’ riled so I stay away from the news.
But, let me say one more thing. Look at that liberal side of Congress. Does stupidity reign there or not? Some of the crazy things they say, but what is worse; they keep gettin’ elected. Now what does that say ’bout the folks votin’ for them?
We just need to keep ourselves busy doin’ what the Lord has for us to do.
I was just a-thinkin’ ‘long some other lines. The Book of Leviticus told the Jews not to mix things together. ‘Course they didn’t have polyester back then, but for example, mixin’ polyester with cotton would not be acceptable. Take that there coffee I made. Good, strong, hot, black coffee. Now to make a “cino” of some kind, wouldn’t that plumb be against what Leviticus says? Ponder that one this week pard.
Well, time’s a-wastin’. I’m gonna sit a spell longer, but know you’ve got your chores to attend to. You have a good week there my friend, and don’t be forgettin’ to check your cinch (also keep your gun oiled and Bible handy).

Echoes from the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 6, 2017

“I must set my mind to knowing some men in the west are not of God’s people. They are from Satan.”
–Paul L. Thompson (When Preaching Is Hell!)

“What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?”
–2 Corinthians 6:15 (NLT)
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Has the world gone crazy? And listen, for sure it is not going to get any better. I saw where the first baby born without gender identity took place. Yep, that’s right. The parents (and the state) agree that “assigning gender at birth is a human rights violation.” Crazy!
Years ago I said that there would be a greater and greater attack on the roles of men and women in society. Clamoring for equal rights they now have want to be able to exchanges genders, and therefore, exchange roles. What ever happened to the days “when men were men, and women were glad of it”? Women don’t want men today, why should they when they can become one either physically, emotionally, or willfully? And men wanting to become women? Crazy!
Lord, help us through the jungles. We are lost and the vines and vipers are threatening to destroy us. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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“He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.”
–Proverbs 15:31-32

The natural person puts up a wall around himself that regrets godly reproof. Over and over again in the past few years I have heard students and adults say, “That’s only your opinion,” in regard to the Scripture. No, it’s God’s opinion; it’s right here: book, chapter, verse. But again they exclaim, “That’s only your opinion.” They completely disregard God’s Word, and it will be to their detriment.
People today much prefer words of flattery or encouragement, and there is a time for that, but only when it is due. When a person is in error they need to be rebuked and reproofed. People need to hear truth, instead of “fake news” about themselves. Every issue of our lives should be examined against the backdrop of God’s righteousness and His Word.
Fluff and flattery that isn’t worth a nickel should be put aside. Someone has said “The rebuke from God’s Word is not nearly so painful as the rebuke of actual experience.” Good, biblical advice is not to be scorned.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 4, 2017

I jerked my pistol and turned slightly toward Ferguson. I was thankful I drew first for he was fast, mighty fast and still beat me. His gun fired and I felt a slight tug on my left side; if I had not turned his bullet would have hit me center. I fired right after him and caught him in the chest. I couldn’t worry about the other men, but I had to take Ferguson first.
He was on his knees trying to lift his gun. I fired and hit him approximately in the same place and he fell backward with the impact. With my second shot my mind heard a shot from a larger caliber, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it as I felt the bullet from the man on my right hit my leg. I turned toward him and fired a shot. I thought I missed so I fired again and he crumpled to the ground.
There was now only one bullet left in my gun. I had to make it count as I turned to face the man on my left. When I turned his way I saw that he was already lying on the ground–dead. I limped toward Ferguson. He was alive but the light was quickly fading from his eyes.
“Why?” I asked.
He choked out an answer. “The money, it started with the money.” His eyes closed. Then came a cough and blood came from his mouth. He tried to talk, slobbering, “Then it became a quest.”
He stared at me. “Forrest, someone will get you yet.” Choking now, he murmured, “Solomon Bellows, not Ferguson,” and with that he passed on into eternity to meet with his Maker.
With the excitement dying down I became very conscious of the pain in my leg and gave way to its weakening and dropped to the dirt in the street. I figured I would survive if the bullet hadn’t hit an artery, but the pain was beginning to grow.
Then I felt her touch, “Miles.” Molly was there, and it seemed as if everything was going to be alright. Marshal Gold was right behind her and a fellow went to find Doc. He had to be about somewhere with all the sick people in the town.
A few days later we were sitting at a table in the eatery drinking coffee. We hadn’t opened yet as the town was almost completely quarantined, but there was more movement now and it seemed the epidemic was on its way out. Doc and Marshal Gold were with us. My leg was stitched up but had a burning sensation and I couldn’t be much pressure on it. The bullet that Ferguson fired had only creased my side but there was a burn there. It seemed that no matter which way I turned I felt the ache in some part of my body.
Marta was in the kitchen cutting us a piece of pie that Molly had baked. “It was a rifle bullet,” said Marshal Gold. “Someone shot that third man right through the eye.”
When he said that we all just looked up and at each other. “Trenton?” asked Molly.
“There has been nothing seen or heard about him being in town. Nor do we have any idea of who the shooter was,” replied Gold.
“Well, he sure saved your hide, Miles,” joined in Doc. “And this here Ferguson was really Solomon Bellows?”
“Seems that way, Doc. Miles, you’ll be in for a hefty reward. He’s wanted in several states for robbery and murder.”
We told Doc and Charlie that we decided to give Marta partnership in the eatery. “We’re gonna tell her after she brings out our pie,” I said. “Least we can do for her and Lucas.”
Almost upon call she came out. I noticed that the usual smile wasn’t there, but I counted that to her still mourning the death of Eliana. Molly spoke up. “Marta, Miles and I decided to make you a partner in the diner. We’re going to call it M & M’s Diner. What do you think?”
She set down the pie, sort of hard to my thinking, and it looked as if a smile started to form on her lips, but then her eyes rolled back and she collapsed to the floor…

Echoes from the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 3, 2017

I’ll let the future take care of itself. Whatever falls, I’ll be ready.”
–Zane Grey (Riders of the Purple Sage)

“For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and show my glory to Israel.”
–Isaiah 46:13 (NLT)
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“We, mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
–Declaration of Independence (last phrase)

Our country is in a mess, plain and simple. Stupidity and chaos are becoming the norm. This talk of impeachment because the President is incapable is getting headlines from the strange source–the media. If they really want to impeach someone because they are mentally impaired looked to Schumer, Warren, and especially Pelosi.
What has happened to “our sacred honor”? It has surely disappeared from many, especially those in the halls of power. Stupidity and arrogance are beginning to reign and who suffers? The people. And what is worse is the agenda of the media. I always believed that it would be the media that would help usher in the Antichrist. They call it fake news today, but in reality it is lies and who is the “father of lies”? Satan! I’m not a conspiracist by any means of the word, but there is a conspiracy from the pit of hell to prepare the way of the “lawless one.”
Honor is now a joke. Show me a honorable person and I will show you one who is mocked, ridiculed, and scorned. Many years ago aim was taken at our leadership. The idea was to show them as “real people” and to magnify their faults rather than emphasize their honor and achievements. Now look at the situation. Look at the “protestors”; they cover their faces for they do not want to be seen; where is the honor in that?
America! Wake up before it’s too late! I look at Texas and people are flooding in here from California, businesses and individuals. They want to get away from the political stupidity that is taking place there. However, when they get here they want and will vote in the very same things they are trying to get away from.
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“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
–John 8:31-32 (NASB)

From the sermon I heard yesterday I jotted down some questions and notes. The pastor started the sermon out with this question, and it is vital and pertinent. “What will you do with your freedom?” Look at our society. People have freedom, but have forsaken its very important twin–responsibility. People are now using their freedom to destroy freedom.
When I was teaching the unit on the American Revolution I would give a paper titled, “Liberty vs Security.” We would go over the Declaration of Independence and Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty” speech. This was given every year for almost 30 years and in that time those who said Liberty was more important moved from the vast majority to the now minority. People just do not understand that to be truly safe and secure there must first be liberty. The danger comes when people misuse their liberty.
One other question posed by the pastor was this, “What prison are you in?” When true freedom is gone, there is nothing left but a prison of some sort. Take away liberty and the state has you bound. Take away the truth of Jesus Christ and there is nothing left but prisons. There are all kinds of prisons. They key is that the truth will set you free, and the condition is that you must continue in His Word.