All accidents are freak accidents. All dangers are hidden dangers, by the very meaning of the word. Look out for the Indian sharpshooter where there’s no cover to hide him. Watch out for the badgerhole, far from where any badgerhole should be. A man can ready himself for anything on earth, if he knows it’s there.”
–Alan LeMay (The Unforgiven)
“Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.”
–Psalm 17:5 (NKJV)
——————–
I can remember many a time when walking to or from school when I took a misstep or didn’t notice the ice and wham-bam, right down I went. Or trying to climb an icy, snow-covered hill and slipped and fell. When one walks on ice they have to concentrate all the time. Now, I’m not saying that life is covered with ice, but the way it feels outside it is something to talk about.
As we go through this life we must concentrate on where we step. To compromise is to take a step without looking ahead or at the consequences. The consequences of compromise are often hidden, so beware. I came across an article by Richard Dresselhaus that I would like to share; it surely is pertinent for this day in which we live.
“Slippery slopes. If you don’t watch your step…you can be injured.
When you follow Jesus–be very careful about slippery slopes–those subtle compromises that Satan puts in your path.
Typically–they are concealed and hidden–like a bit of loose snow on a slope of ice. And if you’re not careful…you can lose you spiritual balance and fall prey to Satan’s ways.
The best way to avoid slipping is to be rooted in the truths of God’s Word. Those truths become like a sign: Slippery–proceed with caution.
Modern society is covered with slippery slopes–compromising religious practices–gender confusion…and secular ideologies.
When tempted by Satan…Jesus quoted the Word of God.
Do the same–and you’ll stay on your feet when you hit slippery slopes.”
Yes, watch your step. Try the spirits, try the thoughts of man, see if they line up with the Word of God, if not, let them be.
I recall when I was in high school one of the top baseball players was skiing. He was moving down the slopes when something happened. A ski must have hit something beneath the snow and he went down–hard. Here was a person, seemingly having fun, whose skies went out from under him and when he hit, his head smashed against a hidden stump. He was never the same, a metal plate replaced the bone that was crushed in his skull.
Focus on the important things–God, family, country. Life is not trivial, yet some live it as if it were. Don’t let your foot slip on the ice because you’re not focused…the consequences could be devastating.
Month: November 2019
Echoes From the Campfire
James Lamb blocked the doorway forcing Lucas to step back into the room. “What’re doing here kid?” snarled Lamb. “Coming to finish off my brother?” He reached for Lucas forgetting his bandaged hand. Lucas jumped grabbing the edge of the door swinging it as Lamb lunged for him. The door struck the arm that was amputated. Lamb let out a scream like a wounded cougar.
That brought Doc Jones running in a hurry. Lucas was back against the wall. The pain had driven Lamb to his knees, also waking his brother. He was in that position when Doc arrived.
“What’s happened here?” asked Doc, then he saw Lucas. “Lucas, what are you doing here?”
From the bed, John Lamb groaned. “Leave the kid alone,” groaned Lamb. “He came to pray for me. James tried to seize him forgetting his arms.”
Doc stooped down by James Lamb. “If I help, do you think you can get to your feet? You need to get back to your own bed. I don’t want any infection to get in that arm,” then he turned his attention toward Lucas scolding him. “Lucas, you get on out of here.”
Lucas ducked his head and hurried out of the room.
****
I had told Lucas to be at the diner early the next morning. I saddled Two-Bits and Hawk and were leading them along with a pack mule, walking beside Molly down to the diner. She liked to be the first one there but often Elena beat her. I had convinced her to start carrying her pistol in the pocket of the dress she wore to work. At least it made me feel a little easier leaving her.
Lucas and I had worked hard the day before filling up the wood box. I wanted to leave enough for ten days. The plan was to ride up, meet with the mine owners and then we’d come back on the train. There was already some snow on the pass, but it was clear this morning. After what Lucas had been through, I wanted to give him time to ride in the high country, it always seems to help sooth the soul.
Elena was there already, getting things prepared for the coming morning rush. Lucas was there waiting with a coffee cup in front of him. I noticed that he was scowling.
“Are you drinkin’ that or just staring it down?” I questioned as I came up to the table.
“Senor Miles, this is bitter.”
That brought a laugh from Molly. “Here, Lucas, put a little sugar in it, then try it.”
I watched him add the sugar and stir the brew shaking my head all the while. He sipped it, then gave a little smile.
“Sientate!” came the voice of Elena as she appeared from the kitchen with two plates of eggs, bacon, frijoles, and tortillas. “Comer!” he ordered then struck off for the kitchen.
“You’ve got your orders men, now get to it,” laughed Molly as she poured coffee for the two of us. “I’ll have a cup with yo, then need to get busy helping.”
We began to stuff the food in our mouths when Marta and Charlie came in. She had a small frown on her face. “Senor Miles, you will take good care of him, no?” she asked. Charlie put his hand on her shoulder to give some comfort.
“More’n’ likely he’ll be takin’ care of me,” I pulled at my moustache and gave a little wink. “He’s good at that if you remember.”
“Come on, partner we need to be hittin’ the trail,” I nudged him on the shoulder then drank down the rest of my coffee. “See you in a few days.”
Lucas followed me to the door then on out to the horses. I checked my cinch before mounting then stepped up and into the saddle. Lucas started to mount. “Son! Always check your cinch!”
He had a startled look with me barking at him. “I know, Senor Miles, I just forgot.”
I nodded and continued to watch him. As he settled in the saddle all of a sudden his eyes widened. “Senor Miles, there’s a rifle in the scabbard.”
“Well, why shouldn’t there be? You’ve showed you could handle one, an’ you never know when I might need the help. If you’re goin’ to ride a man’s trail, you need to be carryin’ a man’s gun.”
He reached out to touch the butt of the rifle. “You through gawkin’, we really need to be ridin’. If so, remove your hat. Lord, be keepin’ your hand on Lucas and I as we travel. We’re trustin’ in You. Amen.”
Before putting my hat back on I waved it at Molly and the rest then gave Hawk a kick and headed off down the road giving out a loud, “Yeehaw!”
I didn’t look behind me, but heard a higher pitched voice with a “Yeehaw” and the hooves of Two-Bits coming behind me.
Echoes From the Campfire
You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back.”
–Coast Guard motto
“No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.”
–John 15:13 (AMPC)
————————–
Veteran’s Day! A day of remembrance, a day to give thanks to those who have served. As of November 2017, there were 18.8 million veterans living in the United States, that is 7.6 percent of the population. If statistics are right there has been a 3.6% decline since then, meaning that only 4% of the population are veterans.
I have a scripture marked in my Bible given me by a Marine veteran of Vietnam. Many years ago, he penned it to me on the flyleaf of a book, I have then since marked it in my Bible. It is indicative of the Vietnam vet, but it could pertain to any.
“For we don’t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in the province of Asia: we were completely overwhelmed–beyond our strength–so that we even despaired of life. However, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.”
–2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (HCSB)
Both Annie’s and my family are filled with veterans. I won’t take the time to list them again, but they served their country. They understood the saying, “All gave some; Some gave all.” It makes me wonder if the Millennials and those of Generation Z appreciate the cost that the veteran has paid.
When I think of a veteran I think of someone who serves. He doesn’t look for personal accolades or medals, but is concerned about his country, his family, and his fellow soldier.
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself.”
–Galatians 6:2-3 (HCSB)
My custom for the past eighteen years has been to send John McRae’s famous poem, “In Flanders Fields,” out to my readers. I won’t send the complete poem, though it is short, but I want to concentrate on a certain portion.
“Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”
The torch has been thrown to those now living. Do they reach out and grasp it, hold it high and continue to serve? Some do, and thank the Lord for them. Our country dare not break faith with those who have past, those who have sacrificed.
Coffee Percs
He made the coffee while they opened the food bags that had been prepared for each of them. They were pleasantly surprised when each bag included two of her delicious apricot fried pies. Each man took out one and ate it with his coffee.”
–Donald L. Robertson (Logan’s Word)
Hi-ya, Pard. Just filled yur cup as I seen yuh a-comin’. Now my wife sure does make a fine apricot pies, especially those smallest ones that you can thrust in your mouth and finish in a couple of bites. No, sorry pal, she hasn’t been in the pie-makin’ mode. Tryin’ to stay off the carbs–but then I’m a-hopin’ with Thanksgivin’ comin’ up… And don’t yuh just know it, right after Thanksgivin’ is my doctor’s appointment. She’d be right riled if I gained too much weight.
I like November. The leaves all fallin’ off the trees, the air has turned brisk; well, it’s just a good month for us to be thankful. ‘Course we should be thankful not just every month, but every day. The Lord has seen fit to give us another one, so we best be doin’ our best to make it a good un, and be thankful. If yuh haven’t started a list of gratitude and thanksgivin’ be doin’ it now, and yuh can start off with those valiant men who have served our country. Monday is Veterans Day, and we shouldn’t be forgettin’ that.
Here, let me fill that cup again! Yuh keep guzzlin’ like that and yur ol’ gizzard’ll be sloshin’ ’round. Yuh remember the cornucopia? No, not that grocery down on Arapaho, but the ones yuh used to see more of. The signified the bounty of the fall harvest. Maybe we don’t see it much because we take so much for granted. It’s not like the most of us have to be out workin’ the fields and mindin’ the stock. We let HEB or Kroger or WalMart tend to that for us we just have to trot down the aisles an’ pick our goodies off’n the shelf. I’m a-thinkin’ we should be takin’ more time for the things that make life meanin’ful–those things the Lord has blest us with.
Pard, yuh have yurself a good week. I’ll hopefully be here next week with the coffee, hot and strong waitin’ for yuh. That is, if’n yuh don’t forget to check yur cinch this week an’ fall off breakin’ yur crown.