Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on September 15, 2018

He went back to the house and decided to have some of the apple pie she had left him. Before he cut it, he decided to make himself some coffee to go with it. The coffee was strong but good, and the pie was even better.”
–Robert J. Thomas (The Reckoning)

Ahhhh, tastes really good this mornin’, don’t yuh think pard? Pure delight, makes a person glad he’s still alive. Well, here’s another day the Lord has given us. Don’t want to be taken any of those for granted.
    Saw that the state board of education voted and those smart folk in Austin saw fit to say that those who fought and died in the Alamo are still “heroic.” There was a fuss led by a professor, who is definitely more enlightened than the rest of us in Texas, to remove “heroic” from textbooks and not have it discussed in the classroom. He said it is a simplistic term and there are more important things to be discussing; that these men were rebels and disobeyed orders. Stupidity is running rampant these days. And hang on tight, pard, if the liberals get back in control. Just like this here revisionist they have an agenda.
    That’s one reason I’m goin’ to enjoy my coffee. I may not be as enlightened as that professor, but I know what a hero is, those that sacrificed their life for others to enjoy a free life. You best beware of what’s comin’ at yuh, pard.
    Did I mention apple pie? Nah, just in my dreams, but since we did go to the orchard yesterday, there sure might be one in my future. If’n it was baked and yur around I’d share a piece with yuh. Better than manna. My sweet wife has many wonderful talents, and toward the top is her pie-makin’ ability. Yep, for sure, there’ll be plenty of coffee to go with it.
    Did yuh see some of the things they accused the person nominated for the Supreme Court. Hatred sure spewed forth. Lies, well, for sure that ought to tell yuh who their “father” is. Plus the fact that they’re afraid he’ll help make abortion illegal. Imagine that, the killing of babies, illegal. Talk about stupidity. Pard, there’s a day of reckonin’ ahead.
    Sorry, did’t mean to end on a sour note. Let’s finish the coffee an’ I’ll let yuh be on yur way with all the doin’s that yuh need to be doin’ today. Ahhhh, that last sip, still good, though not quite as hot.
    Yuh have a good day and week pard. Go with the Lord and be sure and check yur cinch.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on September 14, 2018

But we can’t live without getting our shoes in the mud. Only–mud doesn’t scar. I can be washed away.”
–Ernest Haycox (Free Grass)

    “The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong.”
              –Ezekiel 3:14 (NLT)
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Life can be troublesome, to say the least. Just ask those folk along the Carolina coast. They might have more than their share of trouble right now.
    But the storms come to all in one form or another. Some of them weigh us down and we wonder how we are going to make it through it. We struggle to lift our feet just doing the daily routines of life. Then, the storm passes and there is a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit of our lives and we notice that all the mud has been washed away.
    Then there are those storms, those battles, that underneath the mud and grim, there are wounds. Wounds deep enough to leave a scar. Scars come from those things that deeply affect us. Things that hopefully we learn from and become better in our daily walk. However, with some, those scars will make a person bitter. They will complain the rest of the life, singing, “woe is me…”.
    I recall the words of Henry V (Shakespeare) when he was ready to face the French forces at Agincourt. This one day, royals and commoners will have a bond. This battle will produce scars and in the future when we remember this holiday (St. Crispian) all of us will look at our scars and remember the valiant fight and brotherhood that war brings. Scars were a sign of unity, of family that went beyond status.
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    Often we look at the death of Jesus as a great tragedy, but in reality it wasn’t. Because of the cross, and what it accomplished, and then the resurrection the Lord went back to the Father and is in the process of preparing a place for us. The question should be asked: Do we believe in the great goal that is confronting us of getting to the Father and getting to heaven?
    There are tragedies in life to be sure; the Bible does not tell us that will will not face troubles in this life nor be immune to situations not to our liking. However, it does tell us that we are but passing through this world of time. Jesus has already saved us, now we get through this life the best we can with Him as our guide. It is not a tip-toe-through-the-tulips walk. It is more like a walk through the thorn bushes and brambles of life. In the midst of these problems think of the words of the Lord that he gave to John:

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband… God Himself shall be with them… God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
–Revelation 21:2-4

In all of our trials and troubles remember that the Lord has already gone before. All enemies that stand against us this side of heaven have been met and defeated. The door of heaven is open to us. It is imperative then, that we continue to walk toward that heavenly city, come what may.

         “And may the music of Thy name,
          Refresh my soul in death.”
                   –John Newton

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on September 12, 2018

An’ all choices have results… Sometimes those results ain’t good.”
–C. Wayne Winkle (Frank Bannon–The Fixer)

    “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’”
              –1 Chronicles 21:10 (NLT)
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Sometimes I sit, look around, pull on my mustache and stroke down my chin. I ponder, many times, since September 11, seventeen years ago. We are definitely a different nation. I wonder if this country will ever be “E Pluribus Unum”. The differences seem to be widening, caused much in part by the influence of the media and the left-wing agenda. There can be differences without hatred, but it seems that hatred is part of the agenda today.
    Nevertheless, that day will not go unremembered in my memory. The enemy, global terrorism sponsored by militant Muslims, are still a threat. On our shore and in other nations throughout the world. Be vigilant, my friends, not only of jihadists, but of other threats, such as criminal immigrants.
    Remember Congress standing on the steps of the capitol singing “God Bless America.” How much they have forgotten, and many of them have surely forgotten God.
———————–
    I have heard often, perhaps too many times, that God will grant your dream. He will give you the desires of your hearts. Hmmmm, only partly true, as first we must delight in Him. “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 (NASB)
    Seldom, at least in this current culture, that we hear preached or even mentioned that God may ask someone to give up and abandon their personal dreams. My that would be a shocker coming from a pulpit. Self-sacrifice. I think of the department store owner, Wanamaker, who desired to be a missionary and God said “No.” Can you imagine, God saying “no” to someone who desired to be a missionary? God said that He has set him apart to be a businessman. By the end of his life Wanamaker was supporting ninety missionaries full-time.
    Or think of this man of long ago. We know him as Abraham and he was told by God that a great nation would be his heritage. Isaac was born, Abraham rejoiced. Then came the day when the Lord was going to take Abraham’s dream away. It didn’t seem to bother Abraham.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your descendants shall be called.’ He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.”
–Hebrews 11:17-19(NASB)

There may be that time when God wants you to abandon what you desire. In my life, there were a couple of situations, and I’ll mention one. I was stationed at the USAF Academy and optioned to reenlist. We had discussed it and we fully intended to make a career of the military. I enjoyed the life. Vietnam was coming to an end, and I was asked if I wanted to get out. I really didn’t want to, but my career field was closing to military personnel and would be civilian. After almost six years of duty, I took an early out, and became unemployed. My life surely had changed along with that of my family.
The word “tested” or in some versions “tried” means an “intense examination that is done to prove the fitness of an object.” It is the testing that will reveal true quality of an object or a character. It is important that we go through tests correctly.
So, my question in closing is, has God asked you to give up something to follow Him more closely, perhaps a career, or occupation? Maybe it is the location in which you live. Leave Ur and head for a land that He will show you. Maybe you will have to give up your dream in sacrifice to aid your children and family. Are you willing to let the Lord “try” you?

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on September 11, 2018

She strolled over to me very deliberately. I stood as she approached figuring that would give me more ability to move if needed.
    Her eyes were wide and she had a grim smile, or maybe I should say smirk when she spoke. “Marshal, I’ll be taking Billy off your hands, if you will unlock the chains.”
    “I’m sorry, can’t do it. The only way you’ll get Billy is when he’s cut in two pieces by my Greener.” I lifted it and shoved it in his side.
    “Come, come, Marshal. You know he’s not worth it, but he is blood and I’d rather have him leave here with me than go to that awful prison.”
    I almost gagged at her posh-talk. I cocked one barrel. That sure got her attention. She motioned with her hand and I could see four rough-looking characters move up on the platform. I assumed there would be a fifth to my back.
    “Come on, Billy. Let’s move somewhere where there are more savory folk.”
    “Marshal, you take a step, and I’ll kill you myself,” she said gritting her teeth. “Release him!”
    I looked briefly around and was thinking that the Lord sure better take a hand in this one or I’ll be meetin’ Him sure ‘nough.
    “Ma’am, Lillian, I’d sure hate to shoot a woman, but I guarantee that if you shoot me, both you and Billy will be lyin’ on those pine boards. I may follow you, but for certain you’ll be dead, and as I believe red and green go well as Christmas colors, red blood wouldn’t enhance that green dress you’re a-wearin’.”
    She sorta stiffened and took a deep breath as I continued. “You kill Billy, here and you’ll not find out about the gold.”
    “Did he tell you?” she huffed. “Billy!”
    “Honest, Lillian, I….” I shoved the Greener hard into his side to shut him up.
    I wondered if she had a gun. She had left her pistol with me and it was tucked in my belt in the back of my pants. Reckon she could be carrying a derringer up the sleeve of her dress or perhaps in the small handbag she was carrying.
    “Marshal, you don’t have to be so obstinate!” she exclaimed.
    “Reckon it’s time to get this ball rollin,'” I pushed Billy hard with the shotgun forcing him back down on the bench then turned toward Lillian. I fired over her shoulder at the man behind her. I doubt if he would receive a killing shot but those pellets would sure hurt and it would make him duck, plus it scared Lillian as she screamed. She was fumbling with her handbag I smashed her hands with the barrel of the Greener then ducked behind the bench as a shot was fired behind me.
    Drawing my pistol I shot at the man, now to my right. I wanted Lillian out of the way so I swept the shotgun around and caught one of her shins. She cried out as she slumped to the floor. I had a little cover from the man to my left and the one in front but I was vulnerable to the one on the right. He was standing and fired at me again and I felt a tug. Raising up a little I shot twice both bullets hitting him. When I did that the other two opened up.
    Bullets were flying and I hovered to the floor trying to push my backbone through my stomach into the wood. Up quickly I let loose the other barrel of the Greener and heard a groan. Now only the man on the left was still in the action.
    Suddenly, from the bench Billy dove, chains in all. There was a shot and the sound of chains clanging. I couldn’t remember how many shots I fired from my pistol, so I reached back and pulled the gun from my belt. I fired my Schofield and then fired, holding the pistol that Lillian had left me with my left hand emptying it at the man to the left.
    All of a sudden it was quiet. I heard some moaning, but I kept still, not need to hurry myself into a bullet because of anxiety.
    Then a voice came from behind me. Billy was laying on the floor, with Lillian beside him. She was sitting holding her derringer. I saw the man from the back of the station stand and began to limp toward us. “Marshal, I’m going to kill you now.”
    I stood, fired my last shot from the Schofield, hitting the man in the chest, the bullet broke his breastbone and plowed through his heart. I stepped forward waiting for the bullet from Lillian’s Derringer when chains clanged again. Billy had thrown them around her neck knocking her off balance and when she fired she shot into her leg. I was now close enough that I was able to thunk her across the head with the Schofield. She and Billy both slumped at the same time.
    Reaching in my pocket I grasped for two shells to reload the Greener. While doing that I turned to the man on the left and he was not to be seen. Neither was the one in front of me. I walked their direction and saw blood trails moving down off the platform.
    I decided to check on Billy and Lillian before going out to trail them. Billy was bleeding from a shot high on his shoulder. It looked bad as it might have gone through the shoulder and on down into his lung. Lillian was bleeding from the place in her leg where she shot herself.
    “Thank you, Lord,” I whispered, then heard steps on the platform.
    “Put down your gun!” came the order.