It was a custom that no man coming into your camp went away hungry, be he friend, stranger, or peaceful enemy. You could fight after you ate, if that was your mission.”
–Bobby Cavazos (The Cowboy From the Wild Horse Desert)
“But he must be hospitable (loving and a friend to believers, especially to strangers and foreigners); [he must be] a lover of goodness [of good people and good things], sober-minded (sensible, discreet), upright and fair-minded, a devout man and religiously correct, temperate and keeping himself in hand.”
–Titus 1:8 (AMPC)
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Believe it or not, time got away from the ol’ retired person. It was a busy day. That is not to make an excuse, even if you do not accept it, but because of that I’m borrowing from a book that I have used many times. I purchased the book back in 1972 when I lived in Panama City, Florida. It is by Lois A. Cheney, GOD IS NO FOOL.
Before the battle a soldier said, “I am afraid.” In that battle he performed beyond himself.
Before a certain, important sermon a minister said, “I am afraid.” In that sermon he preached far better than he was able.
Before an overwhelming challenge Moses said, “I am afraid.” From the challenge came the future of God’s people.
It’s old-fashioned to have fear.
We don’t have to fear God any more,
–grin and wink–
The ole guy just rolled over and died.
We don’t have to fear sin any more,
–grin and wink–
We just label the response and alter the stimulus.
We don’t have to fear hell any more,
–grin and wink–
It’s just a medieval myth.
We don’t have to fear anything any more,
–grin and wink–
We can use it, dissolve it, or absorb it.
Man-giants, it would seem
Knew when to fear.
Where,
Oh where
Are the Christian giants?
–grin and wink–
—————–
Ponder those thoughts and along with them, ponder the two following Scriptures.
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
–Ecclesiastes 11:13 (NIV)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
–Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
Hmmm, where are those who “fear the Lord?” Maybe it would be a good word study–just a thought.
Month: July 2019
Echoes From the Campfire
No use to lay there and wish that fire going. Long ago I learned nothing gets done just by wishing. You have to do it.”
–Louis L’Amour (Hanging Woman Creek)
“We are none of us to have the spirit of Cain, who was a son of the devil and murdered his brother. Have you realised his motive? It was just because he realised the goodness of his brother’s life and the rottenness of his own.”
–1 John 3:12 (Phillips)
——————–
When I taught my senior Bible class one of the units I put in the curriculum was, “Choices.” From the time we are very small, in those days of developing personality we are constantly bombarded with choices, and that continues until we die. Many times with the physical/material choice, there is also a choice to be made in attitude. Many choices involve morality and following God’s Word.
To not make a choice is in itself making a choice. One thing for sure, if you don’t make choices, someone else will make the choice for you. It’s starts in the morning: get up, hit the snooze, or pull the covers over the head? From there the day is full of choices, many of them small, while others may have severe consequences.
I came across an article this week in my reading from a little booklet I own. It was written by an Air Force chaplain, John R. Ellis, back in the 1960s.
“‘Let us go up at once, and occupy it; for we are well able to overcome it.’ (Numbers 13:30)
This is an ancient story about a commander who sent out a patrol to gather intelligence data prior to a planned invasion. The majority of the patrol reported that the land was occupied by giants and that they were as grasshoppers in the sight of the enemy. But two men were men of faith–Joshua and Caleb. Caleb urged, ‘Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’
This story suggests we have two ways of facing life: the way of fear and the way of faith. Life consists of a long series of problems that require decisions–both personal and professional. We want to know how to handle these problems.
The majority of us are not interested in pious platitudes or cliches. We want a philosophy that will win, one that we can live by.
Each person has within himself the ability to find a satisfactory solution to each problem of life. Dare we suggest that a former commander of the European Security Region was right when he voiced his philosophy: ‘There are no problems. There are only opportunities to excel!’?
Prayer: Lord God, help me to accept the problems of life as a challenge. Temper the challenge with courage, and give me faith to know from whence comes my strength. Amen.”
Most of the choices we make do not need courage or an abundance of faith. However, there are those times in life where we must stand up and be counted. Times when we make a decision to serve God or cower away to sit in the corner. Tell me, what were the names of the other ten spies?
Echoes From the Campfire
Civilization is getting this country plumb ruined.”
–Eugene Manlove Rhodes (Bransford of Rainbow Range)
“Here indeed, in this [present abode, body], we sigh and groan inwardly, because we yearn to be clothed over [we yearn to put on our celestial body like a garment, to be fitted out] with our heavenly dwelling.”
–2 Corinthians 5:2 (AMPC)
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Just when the world can’t seem to get any more crazier–it does. If a person would stop, take a moment, and just try to reason some of the things that are happening they would be embarrassed. But then again, shame has been removed from our thinking. Maybe it’s my age, maybe it is the things I see going on, but more and more I’m looking forward to the hope of glory. Kenneth Osbeck calls it “the homing desire for heaven.”
“This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thru.
My treasures are laid up some where beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
–A.H. Howard
I mean, literally, people are stupid. More than two genders? Cows causing global warming? Illegals are legal and law-abiding citizens are second-rate? I have wondered what it was like for Lot to be sitting in Sodom. He must have maintained some vestige of righteousness or the Lord would not have sent angels to rescue him. “Christians are not citizens of earth trying to get to heaven–but citizens of heaven making their way through the world.” (Vance Havner)
“They’re all expecting me, and that’s one thing I know,
My Savior pardoned me and now I onward go;
I know He’ll take me thru tho I am weak and poor
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
Pardon! The record is clean. Sins were bore by Jesus on the cross–all sin. The sins of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That boggles me. He knows what is going to happen tomorrow; the issues and temptations that may come our way. He knows what we are going to do and if we succumb, He is there to accept our repentance for the sin was borne at Calvary. Beyond comprehension!
“Just up in gloryland we’ll live eternally,
The saints on ev’ry hand are shouting victory,
Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from heaven’s shore
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
O Lord, You know I have no friend like You,
If heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
Whooeee, do I hear the hinges on those pearly gates groaning as they begin to open? We shout the victory down here, but when we finally get to Gloryland, well, the shout will cause the earth to tremble for we will know the fullness of our victory. This world is troublesome, but we have a Friend who walks the way with us. No matter our turmoil, trouble, toil, and despair He is there beside us leading us onward and upward.
Come on friend, we can’t just stop here, one more time before going on.
“O Lord, You know I have no friend like You,
If heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”
The Saga of Miles Forrest
The shot stopped me in my tracks. I looked at the man who had fired it; he was smiling. The other man continued to move against the wall toward the door.
“Mister,” came a taunting voice, “don’t forget to fill my coffee cup.” Then then pointed to the cup with the barrel of his pistol.
I hesitated. He spoke again, “Now don’t try to become a hero and do something foolish. Just lay the shotgun on the table, get the coffeepot and fill my cup. There’s women and innocent people in here.”
“Miles, just do what he says,” ordered Doc. “Don’t be so hard-headed!”
Turning, I moved to the stove for the coffeepot. “Ah, ah, don’t forget to put the shotgun on the table.”
I glanced at him, then set the Greener on the table beside Doc. Grabbing the coffeepot I approached where the man was standing holding his pistol on me.
“Did I hear the man call you, ‘Miles’?” asked the man continuing to smile. “Why, just to think I have the famous Miles Forrest in my gunsights. Just a little tug on the trigger and he would be lying dead on the floor.” He raised his gun to point at my eyes, the smile disappeared. “My coffee.”
I reached his table and started to pour while trying to keep my eyes focused on him. “Don’t spill it!” he admonished.
“Get the woman!” he shouted to the other man who ran to grab Marta.
Molly flung herself in front of Marta. “No, leave her. Take me!”
The other gunman grabbed Molly and started toward the doorway.
I flinched, turning toward them. “Remember, no heroes!” said the man his gun leveled at my head again. “I don’t want to kill you, at least not now. I’m only wanted for robbery; don’t want to add murder to the list.”
He reached down with his free hand, picked up the cup and took a sip. “Ahh, too bad I can’t take the time to drink it. Much obliged.” There was a guttural sound of laughter then I saw him swing his gun.
I went down, hitting the floor hard. I didn’t go unconscious, but I was seeing stars. I heard the man rush to the door as Doc came over to see about me. Trying to push myself up, I fell back down burying my head in my arm.
“Easy, Miles, roll over if you can,” said Doc as he tried to aid me.
“I’ve got to get up; help Molly,” I moaned.
“You’ll do her no good if you can’t even sit up. Now take it easy, one step at a time,” ordered Doc. “Is the room swirling? Can you see my face?”
“No, and no, I don’t want to look in your haggard old face!” I muttered now able to pull myself to a sitting position.
Doc reached down to aid me, and then helped me to sit in a chair. I reached up and rubbed my head. There was some blood, but it was not bleeding badly. A few moments later, I felt a cool cloth soaked in water touching where I had been struck.
I heard someone trying to catch their breath and some sobbing. It was Marta, she was the one attending to my injury. “Marta, it’s all right.”
“She took my place,” she sobbed. “He was going to grab me and she stepped in front.”
Reaching for her hand. “Look at me, Molly will be all right. The Lord is with her, and soon I’ll be goin’ to get her. They didn’t seem intent on hurtin’ anyone.”
“Marshal,” came a slow drawl. I looked toward the voice, it was Skinny Green, an old saloon bum who would eat in the diner most lunch days if he was sober. “I was sittin’ there and he said they’d drop Miss Molly outside of town.”
I touched my head, looked at Marta and winked. “Say a few prayers,” I said. Then getting up I went to get my hat from the table, picked up the Greener and walked out. The people in the diner followed me.
Normally, I keep either Star or Hawk saddled out front, but having just come back from Pueblo I hadn’t bothered. Going to the nearest horse, I mounted. “Tell the owner I commandeered his horse…”