Month: September 2018

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

I’ve seen enough country to know there’s beauty spread in all directions.  If a place is ugly, you can pretty much figure it was something men had done to cause it.”
              –Lou Bradshaw (Along the Way)

    “I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.”
              –Psalm 145:5 (NLT)
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When I read Psalm 5, the first thing I think about is this:  Without the Lord what would be the use?  Where would I be?  No matter our lot in life it could always be worse.  No matter what position we hold how can we get through it without the direction of the Holy Spirit?  Abraham Lincoln said, “I would be the greatest fool on earth if I did not realize that I could never satisfy the demands of the high office without the help of One who is greater and stronger than I.”
   Too often, I am afraid, most people start the day looking down.  They look down at their feet when they get up, they then look down at their phones to see if they missed anything.  When in the shower they look down and at the table, if they take time for breakfast they will look down at their plate and coffee cup.  Instead, we should begin each day with expectation–looking upward.  In this psalm it seems that David begins the day with a “sigh.”  He starts the day already moaning and groaning.  Then he takes that cry and turns it into expectancy.

                   Listen to my words, LORD; consider my sighing. (1)
                   Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to You.
                   At daybreak, LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly. (3)

    David then begins to think of the Lord and His character.  He begins reflecting on the things that bring displeasure to God.  Deceitfulness seems to especially bring displeasure to Him.  It also seems that David takes the wrath of God for granted; he knows it is there.  But the purpose of the wrath of God is to cleanse; it is in reality a mark of His love.  
    In this modern and enlightened culture in which we live (?) we often hear that God hates the sin, but loves the sinner.  There is truth there because He gave His Son for all.  However, take a look at these next verses.

                   For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot lodge with You. (4)
                   The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all evildoers. (5)
                   You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors a man of bloodshed and treachery. (6)

The NLT puts verse 4 this way, “O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the slightest sin.”  We tend to categorize sin; in our modern view we begin to say this is okay and that is all right–after all we’re only human.  I wonder how many in the church pray as David prayed?

                  “When we don’t pray, we quit the fight.
                   Prayer keeps the Christian’s armor bright.
                   And Satan trembles when he sees
                   The weakest saint upon his knees.”
                           –William Cowper

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

He brought coffee and two warm rolls slathered with sweet butter and honey to her before the sun had chased away the darkness.  Together they sipped coffee and ate their rolls in a companionable silence, listening to the barn awakening.”
              –Paul Bagdon (Stallions of Burnt Rock)

Morning pard.  Long trip but the steel mounts are unpacked and out to pasture for the duration of the trip.  My mercy, we faced some rain, in fact one night we had to hunker down in one of them there motels.  Sure hope yur doin’ well.
    I’m tired of all the rantin’ already.  I heard a portion of the hearin’s for the judge.  Tell me, how can a bunch of stuffy, ol’ men berate a person over wantin’ to keep babies alive?  I heard that codger from Connecticut berate, and say a bunch of nothin’–just tell me how these folk get elected.
    Enough of that, at least we’re havin’ coffee together despite the miles.  That’s one thing nice about these new-fangled pieces of technology.  Ahhh, good and we had rain so I’m sittin’ on the daughter’s back deck enjoyin’ the freshness along with my coffee.
    Yuh know how I hate to talk of politics, but I’ll tell yuh this much–yuh better know how yur votin’!  Yuh better have a grasp of knowledge about what the Bible says and then vote in that direction.  There are some very nonbiblical views bein’ spouted off out there.  
    But that’s another problem pard.  Let me take a sip before I go to ravin’ again.  There are a lot of folks callin’ themselves Christian that don’t have a clue as what a walk with the Lord is like.  We are to love folk, but we are certainly also to hate the things that He hates.
    Just had to stop an’ smile.  Just above me a V-shaped formation of geese just flew over; they were sure a-honkin’.  I’d drather think of the beauty and wonder of those birds than to think of the stupidity of men.  Good thing the coffee tastes good this mornin’.  Don’t want the gall and bile to be upsettin’ my weekend.  The Lord sure does send small things our way at times to just get us back to where we belong.
    You take care out there.  Be sure an’ check yur cinch, as you might hit some storms like we did on the trip.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on

I must have dozed off, because I woke with a start.  I quickly looked around to gather my bearings.  The first thing I noticed was that Lillian was not in the car; I checked beside me and her pistol was still there.  Then I glanced to Billy and found him sleeping, slumped over in the seat across from me.
    My jaws clenched as I thought of how stupid it was of me to fall asleep, especially so soundly that I didn’t hear the door open and close at the end of the car.  She must have moved back to the other car.  I was just getting up to check when the conductor came through the door and started down the aisle.
    He moved slowly, bouncing back and forth against the seats as the train moved roughly down the track.  Stopping in front of me, he announced, “Marshal, we should be in Pueblo in about a half hour.  Dawn should just be breaking.”  He reached out his hand.  “May I see your tickets please?”
    I reached inside my jacket and pulled out the two tickets.  “You’re all set, but you’ll have a lay-over of about four hours.  You can get coffee, and the little café will be open about an hour after we pull in.  There are some other restaurants if you want to walk a few blocks from the station.”
    “Thanks,” I simply replied.
    He nodded and started to walk away, then turned back.  “Since the train you’re taking is going to Canon City there may be others on their way to the prison.  It could be interesting: tourists, miners, and prisoners,” he said with a chuckle and then went on his way.
    It was about fifty minutes later that I unshackled Billy from his seat.  He started walking down the aisle, sort of shuffling when he stopped.  “Miles, take the chains off my legs.  It’s downright embarrassing the clanking they make when I walk.”
    “Don’t think so, Billy.  Maybe they will make you think of what path you’re travelin’.  Maybe they’ll make you think of changin’ your ways.  Come on, let’s get you to the privy and by that time the eatery will be open.”
    Half an hour later, we had finished and we were heading toward the area where the other train would depart from.  The station was an open area with wooden benches side by side.  None of them had backs on them so they were not made for comfort.
    We had been sitting for maybe twenty minutes when Billy suddenly piped up.  “It’s all your fault.  You went and spoiled ev’rything.”
    I had been constantly moving my head around, but this statement made me look at him.  “Why is that, Billy?” I asked in a calm voice.
    “It’s all ’cause you kept the gold on the train instead of putting it in the bank.  My Uncle would still be alive and Lillian and those men wouldn’t be after me.”
    I glanced around again before questioning him some more.  “What do you mean?  Why would they be after you?  I thought they were trying to help you.”
    “They think I know more than I do.  Uncle wouldn’t tell me anything, but only that from time to time he would remove a few bars of gold and replace them with fake ones made of lead.  He couldn’t pay and whoever it is sent those men to collect,” he paused.
    “Go on,” I urged.
    “That’s when he decided to run away with the satchel of money.  He grabbed me said he’d turn me in as an accomplice if I didn’t come along to protect him.”
    I raised my eyebrows at that.  “Why then the assassination attempt?”
    “He hated you!” exclaimed Billy.  “He said you were always against him becoming something special in Durango,” he dropped his head then murmured.  “I shouldn’t have done it…but you always seem to make me feel small.”  Looking up quickly, he uttered, “But I didn’t mean to shoot at Molly.  Honest, I didn’t.”
    Nodding I asked, “How does Lillian fit in?”
    His eyes widened.  “Watch out for her!” then he smiled a crooked smile.  “Her husband is the boss of the outfit.  But she’ll use her wiles on any man.  I even heard rumors that she was on the take with Uncle’s replacement.”
    Graylight had fast disappeared and the sun was above the horizon.  At least two more hours to sit here in the open.  There was movement over by the corner of the telegraph office, then I heard the footsteps on the wooden floor of the station waiting room.  It was Lillian, and she was walking in my direction.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Once a man gets the smell o’ fire and smoke in his nose it’s hard to stay away.  But as fo’ sugar-fed pets, half broke, half wild, I nev’ had any likin’.”
              –Ernest Haycox (Free Grass)

    “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.'”
              –Isaiah 48:17 (NLT)
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Aren’t you glad that God is with us in our need?  When we struggle, when we are distressed and are in despair God is there.  Psalm 4 teaches us that we can have rest even when the “wrecking ball of life” may have demolished what we thought to be safe and secure.  
    Augustine said this Psalm should be sung as a testimony that God gives peace in the midst of inward and outward trouble.  We may not like what is coming our way, or what happened to us, but in spite of it all, God is there and is faithful.  Martin Luther wanted this Psalm to be sung at his funeral.
    Take a look, read, reflect, pray along with David, and meditate.

               Answer me when I call, O God who vindicates me.  You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. (1)
               How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted?  How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie?                 Selah (2)
               Know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him. (3)
               Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. (4)
               Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the LORD. (5)
               Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?”  Look on us with favor, LORD. (6)
               You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. (7)
               I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety. (8)

The RSV, verse 4, states, “Commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.”  There is something about being alone that causes us to reflect honestly.  We need to learn to be silent and think of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.  That will help us to trust Him explicitly.
    Verse 5 is something that is forgotten in this age.  Go to a church and just watch what is happening at times.  Some of it is pure nonsense.  This verse tells us to give proper sacrifices.  Doing our own thing cannot happen.  Proper sacrifices are always righteous.  They do not show off and they are not arrogant or pompous.  Perhaps we should take the time to read in Scripture what happens to those who offered improper sacrifices, hmmmm.
    In this society that promotes tolerance to the extreme it is important to be in the Word of God.  Find out what makes God angry.  We should be angry at the things that make God angry.  Don’t be hasty, or opinionated, think it through and understand that God does get angry–understand why.
    One of the most important things in reading the Word of God is to get to know Him better.  What is our heavenly Father like?  One thing that David understood completely, no matter the circumstance, is that he could trust God.  

              “If you will only let God guide you,
               And hope in him through all your ways,
               Whatever comes, he’ll stand beside you,
               To bear you through the evil days;
               Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
               Builds on the rock that cannot moved.”
                        –Georg Neumark

William Secker said, “It is better to enjoy him without anything else than to enjoy everything else without him.”  Therefore, I say, no matter what, know that He is there–trust Him!