I tried to get Molly to ride with Marta and Charlie, but she wanted to ride with me, bless her heart. It was very cold and the time of year in which we could get some heavy snow. I wasn’t riding back the same direction we had come, so we made sure we had ample supplies when we reached Chama, using the horses I had brought along for Marta and Charlie as pack horses, I cut across country.
There was one small village about a half day’s ride from Chama and then nothing until we arrived in Durango. There was some forest we had to travel through, but not the high peaks of the Divide. From time to time we found trails, but mostly I just headed across country. It was something that I used to like to do; just get out and travel in God’s creation. Now it seems like I ride on the rails most anywhere I have to go.
The second night out Molly was tending to making supper. I found a spot along the San Juan. The river was running fairly swiftly for this time of year. We crossed it just before dusk. I like to cross rivers when I come to them; camp on the other side. A person never knows what might happen during the night and the water might rise.
After a supper of bacon and beans and a surprise. Molly made some fry bread and inside she stuffed some apricots. Nice little sweet treat on the trail. We were sitting together, blankets thrown around us, listening to the sounds of the night. A few yards away we could hear the rippling water of the San Juan as it coursed its way down to where it would meet the Piedra.
“We haven’t done this in a long, long time,” she sighed she sipped on her coffee.
“Too long,” I replied. “We’re, well I’m gettin’ too civilized. Guess that’s what a woman and her finery does to a man.”
She tried to punch me with her elbow. “Complaining?” she asked.
“No, but at times I miss the olden days.”
“The days without me,” she goaded.
“Not really, but there is somethin’ ’bout bein’ out in the wilderness. Somethin’ ’bout gettin’ away from all the junk that society brings to a town,” I said, and immediately following came the sound of a howl vibrating through the trees.
Molly huddled closer to me. “Wolves,” she muttered.
“Nah, just coyotes,” I replied. “Listen, you can tell the difference. Remember the wolves back at the wreck, and now pay attention when these coyotes begin their cacophony.”
For several minutes we sat there. Just listening and enjoying each other’s company while drinking the hot black coffee. I chuckled, while shaking my head.
“What’s so funny?” she asked putting her cup down on a rock.
“Funny how thoughts all of a sudden go through your head,” I said and she looked at me. “For some reason I could hear the water of the San Juan and thought about the time I almost drowned on a trail drive up to Abilene.”
“You never told me that,” she remarked.
“We were crossin the Cimarron. It’s a strange river. It’s either in flood stage or dry as a bone. Well, it was floodin’ and we were crossin’. Horse went down and I went under and to top it all off a steer gored my leg. I thought for sure I was seein’ ol’ St. Pete at the pearly gates wavin’ me in, when my pard, Elias Butler pulled me out.”
“Are you being serious with me?” she questioned, her eyes wide in fear. “You’re not funning me?”
“You’ve seen the scar on my leg. I’m surprised yuh haven’t asked ’bout it,” I paused then continued. “Truly, he saved my life, I thought I was a gonner that time.” I laughed a little, “Funny thing is, Elias was scared to death of crossin’ rivers and here he was savin’ my life. The good Lord was sure with me that time.”
I stood up, “I’m goin’ to refill my cup. You just sit there.”
However, I didn’t go to the fire, but picked up the shotgun that was next to me. I went up to the fire, set my cup on a rock next to it, and then peered out into the night. If took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. The night had just gotten quieter.
“Miles?” Molly whispered.
“Shhh, I was wonderin’ when they were goin’ to show up…”
Month: February 2019
Echoes From the Campfire
There isn’t any bright, patent-leather world that’s always shining, no matter what you do…you have to make your own world, and your own place in it.”
–Louis L’Amour (Tucker)
“For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
–Romans 8:38-39 (HCSB)
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I think we have lost the practice of enjoying the Lord. Instead I believe that we think the Lord enjoys us. Just look at the way to perform on Sunday in church, especially during the time of music. We can hop around, or mourn with great tears that flow. Let the lights go down, the music go up, the performers get their thing on, giving it up to the Lord and we think we’re all right.
Either that, or we think the Lord has us for a few minutes on Sunday. The rest of the week is mine. Sure, sure, in the sweet bye and bye, I’ll have time to be with Him, and enjoy Him there. However, the Lord wants us to enjoy His presence now. Here is the now, and also in the sweet bye and bye. If anybody understood the meaning of worship it was David. Take a look at the second half of Psalm 16 (HCSB). This is a good one to contemplate all week long, hmmm, maybe even into the sweet bye and bye.
7 I will praise the Lord who counsels me—even at night my conscience instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely.
10 For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay.
11 You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.
One time, several years ago, we were talking a midnight stroll with several others during a couples retreat. It was a hot, muggy night in the Piney Woods of East Texas. The paths were well marked and there was some chatter amongst the couples there when out of nowhere came a shout of warning: “Annie! Don’t take another step!” The only light in the crowd was a lantern held by a man who was walking behind us. He was alert and with the light he saw, coiled on the path where Annie was about to place her sandaled foot–a copperhead.
We travel through life the same way. The Lord walks with us and at times He has to holler out our names. Maybe we are having fun, being frivolous, or simply not paying attention, but He is ever alert and with His Light He hollers and we look down–the “serpent”. Even in the darkness of night we are guided by Him. Whew, it was close. With the light, the copperhead slithered off into the grass. Relief, and then nervous laughter. It should be that way with the Lord. Because of His guiding light we should have joy and not be shaken. We can lay down at night safe and secure.
As we travel through life we will have many crossroads in our paths. Junctions where we must make a choice for the road stops. The Lord will reveal the path of life to us. We then rejoice for we know that He is with us on that path to our heavenly abode. Derek Kinder said, “To have Him is to enjoy not only guidance and stability, but resurrection and endless bliss.” Because we know Him we will be able to enjoy Him in the sweet bye and bye.
One other thing to note in this passage of Scripture is a prophetic message about Jesus. Look closely at verse 10. It was a verse that must have been a treasure for Jesus. It would have been one in which He would place His life, His faith, and His death upon. “You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay.” Jesus could go to His death with confidence, and joy, that death and the grave could not hold Him. He would rise triumphant from Sheol.
Coffee Percs
He held his cup in both hands, and sipped the hot black coffee with slow pleasure. He was a coffee-drinking man, and he relished these minutes by the fire, which were too few.”
–Louis L’Amour (Kilrone)
Sure, I know it, I ain’t blind. Graylight’s already here, you’re here, so… Well, the coffee’s ready too. I was just catching a few extra snoozes this mornin’. Sit down and take that first taste, wait–hold it pard, take a whiff first. Ahhh, often wondered why they didn’t make perfume like this.
See where the bureaucrats are goin’ at it again. Yuh know, it’s one thing to be playin’ politics, and another to show malice and hatred. What I don’t get it that those elected folk don’t realize they’re playin’ politics with the lives of us here citizens. Most of them don’t care, especially that liberal side. Don’t worry pard, I’m not goin’ to get the gizzard riled this mornin’.
Was yur sweetie good to yuh this week? More important, were yuh sweet to yur sweetie? Understand, fully understand, fer it’s hard for an ol’ codger like you to be sweet. Most of it has run out of yuh over the years. But take this ol’ fence post, the sweetness just oozes from the splinters.
Ahhh, coffee’s good. Lord sure knew what He was doin’ makin’ that coffee bean. ‘Course He always knows what He’s a-doin’ that’s why I chose to ride the trail with Him long ago. ‘Course, He’s had to take care of me more than a time or two. Was wounded once, and He put some of that balm of Gilead on me and it shore did me right.
Want yuh to know, my newest book will be headin’ to the publisher next week. My first book just came out in a new edition. There was a title and cover change. To my way of thinkin’ it looks good.
Yuh be takin’ it easy on the trail this week. Don’t get yourself all riled, and for mercy’s sake, stay alert. There’s storms a-brewin’ an’ yuh have to be right careful out in that evil world. Be sure yuh don’t go places without the Lord by yur side. I’ll talk to yuh again, that is, if’n yuh don’t forget to check yur cinch.
Echoes From the Campfire
There’s campfires…where you sit over a tiny fire with a million tiny fires in the sky above you like the fires of a million lonely men.”
–Louis L’Amour (The First Fast Draw)
“He counts the stars and calls them all by name.”
–Psalm 147:4 (NLT)
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When you’re by yourself, alone, what is it that you think about? Most likely it has to do with circumstances you find yourself in; for sure it depends on your age. Do your thoughts turn to God? Our thoughts often make us do things, and by actions taken other things happened.
Remember the words of the song, “Zaccaheus was a wee little man….come on down from that tree, for I’m going to your house for tea.” Here was a man who, maybe while sitting and counting his money, for he was rich, thought: “I hear this Jesus is coming to town. There’s such a hubbub about Him. I think I’ll go check Him out.” So Zaccaheus gets up, knocking some of his coins to the floor, and hustles on out and down the street. The crowds are bad and he’s a little guy so he sees the tree and thinks, I’ll just get on that one limb and I’ll get a glimpse of this Man.
Jesus, the disciples, and the mob that follows and presses around him, along comes Jesus, who stops and looks up in the tree. His eyes catch the eyes of Zaccaheus and the poor little man almost loses his grip on the limb. Jesus almost smiles, but instead says, something like this: “Hey, Zaccaheus. I see you hanging from that limb up there. Come on down before you fall and break something. Besides, I’m coming to your house for lunch. Break out the kosher baloney and tortillas, and we’ll have ourselves a little get-together.”
I don’t know if Zaccaheus dropped to the ground, or if he climbed down, but I’m sure he hurried. Maybe Peter, the big fisherman, grabbed him by the shoulder and put him up next to the Lord. Did they talk? For sure while Zaccaheus had his servants, or maybe slaves, prepare the meal they talked. Zaccaheus came out of that encounter a changed man. He was no longer a scoundrel, a cheat, but a follower of Jesus.
Jesus’ path was determined that morning. He had a definite direction He was going. But Zaccaheus, had a thought, one upon which he acted. That thought, led to an act, which led to a changed life, which eventually led to a new home in glory.
Jesus also made a simple statement, but it totally changed the life of the hated little tax collector.
Again, what thoughts do you have? Jesus gave this man a little gift of His presence. It is important to remember that we don’t have to be grandiose with our presents and gifts and actions. Sometimes the best gift is just being there. People get too busy with their lives and don’t have thoughts; they forget to live their lives. We had best be doing the best we can with the gift of life.