March | 2019 | The Daily Paine

He went back to the fire, poured another tin cup of coffee and sat sipping it, watching the embers darken and die.”
–Hal Borland (When the Legends Die)

    Glad yuh showed up this mornin’, pard. Put some of that Black Gold on to brew. There are some things in life I ponder about. Take this for example: how come Folgers 1850 tastes so much better than their regular brand? If it’s that much better, why haven’t they been sellin’ it instead? Just wonderin’ pard, just wonderin’.
    I can remember the many campfires and fires in the hearth. Yuh know the hearth is a symbol of security and well-bein’ for the family. In times gone by families would sit around the hearth telling stories, reading, the women-folk might be sewing, dad sharpenin’ his favorite jackknife. They would also be readin’ of the Bible. In more modern times, the kitchen table sorta took the place of the hearth. Now, I wonder what is the security of the home? Dad’s busy, mom’s busy, all the kids are busy and if they are ever together, they are holdin’ that indispensable phone. I’ve always said that Satan cannot destroy the Church, however, he can wreck havoc on the family and that hinders the work of the Church. Hurt the family–hurt the Church.
    Sorry there pard, didn’t mean to get so somber. Let me pour some more of that Black Gold. While I do, think of some of the fires where I’ve sat around. The flames risin’ and flickerin’, the cracklin’ and poppin’ of the wood as the flames consume it. But then, it all comes down to this the fuel is gone and all that is left are the embers which glow especially when a breeze comes but slowly they go out and are but ashes.
    Kinda like a life. So while we’re hot and flamin’ we best be doin’ somethin’ with it. We get so involved with “junk” and “stuff” that we seldom really thing about the important things–like the hearth–much less do anything about them. Soon, all too soon, the flames gets lower and before yuh know it all a person can see are the embers of what once was. Oh, they’re hot, and they glow with a breeze, but the flame is gone.
    ‘Nough of that, let’s finish this pot and get on with the chores of the day. Sure don’t need to be all melancholy now as there’s work to be did and yuh never know what the crazies might be tryin’ to do. Not only do we live and wander in an evil, wicked world, but it’s also sick. So yuh take care and be watchful out there. Don’t be foolish.
    For goodness sake, pard, don’t forget to be checkin’ yur cinch.

He had loved the smell of lonely campfires, the crisp feeling of awakening on a frosty morning.”
–Louis L’Amour (Heller With A Gun)

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
–Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
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Some of you reading this will surely remember the words to a once popular song.

“Have you ever been lonely;
Have you ever been blue?”

Most everyone, sometime or other, has found themselves in that situation. Perhaps you are there now; or you might be in the near future. Loneliness is a strage phenonmenon. A person can be quite lonely amongst friends and family, in a crowd or at work. There is a type of physical loneliness, but there is a loneliness that is also brought on by an attitude, by the mind. One can be lonely if there are of a mind-set and everyone else there does not think the same way. Loneliness knows no bounds.
    It is important when we find ourselves in this situation that God understands loneliness. He understood the feelings of Joseph when his brothers hated him, threw him in a pit, and later sold him into slavery. Joseph was a lonely boy. God understood the loneliness that Moses felt leading a rebellious nation through the deserts. It has been said that “it is lonely at the top.” That’s one reason Paul exhorts us to pray for our leaders. The President, whomever it may be, will have to sit in his office and even in the midst of advisors, he can be a lonely man for all rests on his shoulders.
    God understand loneliness. He told Moses that “My presence will go with you.” Then the day came, Moses was to pass on and the mantle of leadership was to fall on Joshua. Perhaps the sense of loneliness was beginning to creep over Joshua. The Lord told him, “I will never fail you or forsake you.”
    Read the psalms of David and in them you’ll find where he felt lonely a time or two. I came across the writing and prayer of Army Chaplain Bernard Windmiller. I would tell you to get in a quiet place–get alone–and contemplate what he says.

“You can never move beyond the influence of God’s presence. The psalmist asked, ‘Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?’ There is never a place where God is not! You cannot escape loneliness, but neither can you escape God’s presence. You are never alone!
Prayer: Ever-present God, grant me the peace of your presence. When I walk through the valleys, do not permit the shadows of the heights to lull me in my loneliness, but inspire me to walk through the valleys with this assurance, ‘thou art with me.’ Amen.”
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Today in the Texas Revolution: February 29–Sam Houston arrives at Washington on the Brazos.
March 1–The Convention of 1836; elected delegates convene at Washington on the Brazos. Gonzales volunteers enter the Alamo at 1:00 am.

Month: March 2019

Coffee Percs

Echoes From the Campfire