I quit holding Charlie down. “What d’ya think Doc?” I asked. “He don’t look so good.”
“Don’t know, he’s lost an awful amount of blood,” he answered stroking his chin. “He might make it, especially if he doesn’t lose any more blood, but honestly, I just don’t know. Why don’t you let Marta in?”
Marta rushed through the doorway when I motioned to her. I grabbed her and held her, whispering, “Marta, it doesn’t look good.” Then let her go.
She fell to her knees and grabbed Charlie’s hand. “She’s been through a lot recently,” I thought. “Her injuries, Lucas’ injuries and sickness, Eliana dying, caring for Molly and now Charlie.”
“Lord,” I whispered, “She needs help.”
“Come on, Miles, let’s go in the other room. You need to talk with McClendon, and there isn’t anything we can do here right now.”
I looked at McClendon, “What happened?”
“Marshal Gold was in the store with a few other customers. There were two men, one toward the front of the store, and the other lingering toward the back. I never thought much of it, until they pulled guns and ordered me to empty the till. That’s when the Marshal took action. He drew, and when he did the man in front of the store fired at him, Charlie returned fire, but the man from the back had walked up. We didn’t know they were together and shot Charlie from the back.”
Doc began to speak, “When Charlie took the first shot, he sorta twisted and then fired. That twist might have saved his life. The other man was right behind him and fired point blank. As Charlie was twisting, instead of going into his lower back the shot hit his ribs, breaking a couple, but glancing off and coming out. That’s why there was so much blood loss; entry and exit wounds in the same proximity.”
“Charlie hit the first man, but I don’t know how bad. Then they ran from the store, the man who shot Charlie in the back helping the other man out.”
“Did they get on horses?” I asked.
McClendon looked down. “I didn’t think to look.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. There may have been witnesses outside.
Looking at Doc, I said, “From the looks of it, even if Charlie pulls through, he’s gonna be bed-ridden for a while. So you’re sayin’ that the bullet in his side hit ribs and came out? What were you diggin’ for in his chest?”
“The first bullet hit him in the left side, close to the heart, but the ribs stopped it as well. That’s why I had such a hard time getting it out. It broke a rib and was imbedded. I had to dig it out and was worried that a rib my break completely apart and go into his heart.”
“McClendon, shut your store down for the rest of the day,” I ordered. “I want to look around.”
“Doc, let me know if there’s any change. He’s gonna make it. Prayers are goin’ up for him. I’m goin’ down to Charlie’s office and then talk to folk.” He nodded and I walked out.
I went straight to his office and began to rummage around on his desk. I don’t know what I was looking for, or if I was looking for anything, just something to do so I could think. I hadn’t been there thirty minutes when a man barged in and yelled, “What are you doing in my desk?”
Needless to say I was stunned. “Your desk! This desk belongs to Charlie Gold and I’m just straightenin’ it up for him.”
“Not any more, City Council must made me marshal.”
I don’t get angry much, but it seethed up in me. I grabbed him by the collar and ripped the badge off his shirt, taking part of the shirt with it and flung it into the back. “You go tell them to come and see me!” I saw his fingers working. I released him and pick up the Greener and pointed it at him. “Git!”
With that I sat down behind the desk. I figured it would take maybe twenty minutes for one of the councilmen to show up. I was wrong, two of them came within fifteen minutes.
“Forrest! What do you think you’re doing?”
I smiled…
Month: August 2017
Echoes from the Campfire
If civilization was to endure, those who believed in it must be prepared to strike back at the dark forces that would destroy it.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Cherokee Trail)
“Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.”
–Amos 5:15 (NLT)
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It’s been several years since Tom T. Hall was popular. A few of you may remember his song, “I Love.” In it he talks of all the things he loves. Now, I want to just narrow it down to food. I was walking the other day and thought about favorite foods; probably I could add to the list but here are a few food items I love:
coffee
medium rare steak
bacon
berry pie or apple
stuffed jalapenos
a good peach, apple, cherries
coffee
pork chop
pintos
onions, slightly grilled
biscuits and sausage gravy
eggs
coffee
Hmmm, not many veggies on it, but I could add them to an almost category: yellow squash, beets, broccoli, corn, and tomato if it’s perfect. Now, I could probably add other things to the list, but you get the idea. I like different types of food, but these are some of my favorites. If you ask what kind I would say: American and Mexican are my favorite. Forget the tofu and sushi.
Along those same lines I have wondered what the supper will be like in heaven. First, of all is the judgment. After death comes the judgment of believers. However, after that comes the feast. I’ve heard folks talk of what will be there. I don’t think it will be the things we have in mind and I don’t believe it will be quail and manna either.
I do think that Christ will be seated with us and we will partake of the Lord’s Communion. He said that he would partake of it with us when He returns. Until He does return, count your blessings and be thankful. Next time you bite into one of your favorites give Him some praise.
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Had a really good service in church yesterday. It should make people stop and think; no, it should make people take action. Let me pass on a few thoughts for you to ponder.
You are changing!
Have you lost your fight?
Have you lost your sight?
You are changing!
Christians are at war in America! It is a fight for the souls; a fight for eternity.
Never forget that the Bible is the foundation of your life!
Drifting away from God results in vain imaginations and darkened hearts.
Woe, to those who change the truth of God into a lie.
If humans refuse God, then humans forget how to be human.
There is a great need to take on a burden for your family.
Read: 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Echoes from the Campfire
God never gave us a problem without the answer being right next to it.”
–Clair Huffaker (The Cowboy and the Cossack)
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”
–Romans 5:3 (NLT)
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I was raised in a Christian home by my Grandma and Aunt. I don’t remember much that was not church. Grandma would hum and I can picture her on her little bed reading her Bible. Bern would break out into song from time-to-time. I only went to Sunday School until the church moved out to the country, and then I had to stay for church. But one time, during a Vacation Bible School, when I was nine years old I accepted Jesus. It was that day I left “Egypt,” with no desire to go back. From that point on through raging “Red Seas” or pastures green I’ve tried to be led by Him.
“I long ago left Egypt, for the promised land,
I trusted in my Savior and to His guiding hand,
He led me out to vict’ry thro’ the great red sea,
I sang a song of triumph, and shouted, ‘I am free.'”
–M.J. Harris
There have been obstacles along the way. A few scraps, bumps, and bruises I’ve borne. Difficulties, failures, troubles, toils, and trials have been there. The only thing that really has made sense throughout all the years is to keep trusting in Jesus. When bad times come–trust Him. When storms assail–trust Him. If failure is there, remember 1 John 1:9, and trust Him and His Word.
“I followed close beside Him and the land soon found,
I did not halt or tremble, for Canaan I was bound,
My Guide I fully trusted and He led me in,
I shouted, ‘hallelujah, my heart is free from sin.'”
We spend time praying and begging the Lord to help us in the times of trouble and strife. Very few think of Him in the times of blessing, festivities, and celebrations. We are too busy with all the commotion to stop and pray then. We become entranced with the gaiety of the event and forget that the Lord is with us not only in the storms, but also in the green pastures. There was a time when the people of Israel scorned Moses and wanted to return to the “blessings” of Egypt, that old place of torment and bondage. They did not or could not enjoy the blessings of the Lord and those that were waiting in the future.
“I started for the highlands where the fruits abound,
I pitched my tent near Hebron, there grapes of eschol found,
With milk and honey flowing, and new wine so free,
I have no love for Egypt, it has no charms for me.”
I do not understand why some “Christians” (and I put that term in quotation marks) want to be part of the world. In biblical terms they want to be part of Egypt and still enjoy the promised land. That cannot happen, and if they think it does, it is an illusion. The world should have no charms for us. The believer cannot be part of darkness for they walk in the light. Hmmm, makes me wonder why some churches turn down the lights during part of the service. Are we not children of the light? Then why seek the darkness?
“My heart is so enraptured as I press along,
Each day I find new blessings which fill my heart with song,
I’m ever marching onward to that land on high,
Some day I’ll reach my mansion that’s builded in the sky.
You need not look for me, down in Egypt’s sand,
For I have pitched my tent far up in Beulah land;
You need not look for me, down in Egypt’s sand,
For I have pitched my tent far up in Beulah land.”
Don’t be looking backward. Don’t be wishing for the things of the world. Go forward, pitch your tent so that on the morrow you will rise with your face looking heavenward. Remember, God is the God of now.
Echoes from the Campfire
I have sometimes noticed that the people who preach peace so fervently are doing it from a comfortable place–often after a good meal. It’s quite another thing when you face armed men in the night in a lonely place, men who have no standards beyond their own selfish interests.”
–Louis L’Amour (Callaghen)
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!”
–Matthew 10:24-26 (NLT)
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I knew of a person, several years back now, who was quite the checker player. He played it all the time and even had several collections of checkers and checker boards. He said he wanted to collect checkers in all colors. Checkers and simple dominoes are games that I can handle, but chess… now that’s another story. I’ve played it a few times, but it’s not that much fun, at least to me. I read of a person who had the game of chess figured out, at least the philosophy of the game.
“The king and the queen, each in its own way, have and wield the ultimate power. In
approximately equal proportion, they use religion and their military, the bishops and the
knights, to defend whatever positions they may choose to take and to attack the enemies of
those positions. The castles at each corner of the board represent their crucial power of
wealth in terms of land and possessions…. But always, and forever, it’s the pawns, the
simple people themselves, who are the first to be sacrificed ruthlessly, for whatever reasons
seem at the moment to be an advantage to any of the others.”
–Clair Huffaker (The Cowboy and the Cossack)
Quite an interesting analogy of chess and politics. The kings/queens use whatever means they can to gain power, keep power, and extend their domain. All positions except theirs are expendable, and as stated, the first to go are the pawns–the people. It doesn’t make a difference if the government is a monarchy, a dictatorship, or even a democracy, the people are the first to go and all others are used by the leadership. Call it Machiavellianism, but the idea is the same–gain and stay in power by any means necessary, and using any means at your disposal.
One thing I don’t see on the chessboard, or in the game, is the element called “chaos.” One cannot create chaos in chess, however, in the politics of reality there can be chaos. Look around at the state of this country now; there is much chaos. What is the purpose of chaos? There may be several, but one of the main purposes is to cause confusion. Confusion, and who is the author and primary user of confusion? Satan.
Now, think of our country again. Quit blaming everyone and recognize what is happening–confusion. Hmmm, you might want to consider the foundation of your beliefs again.
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Proverbs 19:27, “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”
The Bible is for instruction in righteousness, or right living. Put it aside and you will begin to stray from the righteousness that is being taught. The Word of God is true, complete, and sufficient to live each day victoriously.
I have often wondered why people wander and are led astray by false ideas and doctrines. One reason is that we do not want to listen to God. Go back to the Garden, and that was the issue; do not listen to what God says; there is a better way. Yeah, right, and what happened?
In the midst of chaos Nietzsche calls for a “superman” to arise. In the midst of chaos I say that we better know the Word so as to protect from error. When was the last time you really “chewed” on the Word? It is vital in the time of chaos to distinguish good from evil.