Some winter mornings, the fire just wasn’t as warm as it used to be.”
–C. Wayne Winkle (One Last Chase)
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
–Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV)
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2020 has just started and folks are already worried about the future. It just seems that some people have to have someone to worry and fret over. What they need is a good dose of the Holy Spirit to quench those fears.
I came across the following many years ago, written by Milton W. Zeeb. Since I’m already running late in getting this sent, I thought I’d use his few words for our thoughts today.
“So don’t be anxious about tomorrow! God will take care of your tomorrow too! Live one day at a time.” (Matthew 6:34, Living Bible)
Anxiety is one of the enemies of the soul and life to be shunned. However, we recognize that all of us become anxious about things that we do not know definitely, especially those things about tomorrow. The question “Where will I be tomorrow?” or “What will happen tomorrow?” is not easily answered.
But there is an answer for those who have learned to trust God. Jesus knows all about our tendency to be anxious. He also knows that being overly concerned about tomorrow does not help our soul’s well-being.
First Jesus tell us not to be anxious and then he explains why: “God will take care of tomorrow too!” In other words, you managed to overcome the difficulties of today because God took care of it before you got there.
Our anxieties about ourselves, about our loved ones and about our friends are useless because God has already taken care of them.
There is one thing that you can do, however, and that is trust God that he will do what he has said. Live today in the strength that God gives, and you know that tomorrow you will be able to do the same, regardless of what may come; God is there.
Prayer: O God, my Father, help me not to become overanxious about my life. Give me the faith to know that when I go through unknown experiences, you have already been there, preparing the way for me. Amen.
Hope you have a good day in the Lord. That’s the key: IN THE LORD!
Month: January 2020
Echoes From the Campfire
There have always been those who are chosen to take up the sword against evil.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Blue)
“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.”
–Exodus 23:2 (NKJV)
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This week has seen me rushing around in the mornings, so I should apologize if the Echoes came out late yesterday. I saw something the other day. It was a picture of an ol’ grizzled cowpoke, thought I might have recognized him, at least he looked familiar. But he went in to see one of those smart, enlightened doctors, those shrinks. The gist of the story fits my situation right on the nailhead. The ol’ boy told the doc: “I’ve got a hitch in my gitalong that takes all the fun out of moseying.”
So if I’ve been slow a few days it’s because my moseying has taken a detour due to the gitalong that has a hitch.
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Yesterday I used a Scripture from Amos that spoke of doing good rather than evil and to have justice in the gates. I’m not going to get heavily into the culture of the day, nor the symbolism implied, but I reckon that the root of our problems is definitely sin. How and why it seems to be flourishing today – I can think of two main reasons: first, lack of courage and fortitude in the pulpits, and second, lack of justice in the gates (i.e., the seats of government).
Just recently the United Methodist Church has chosen not to be “united.” The reason is the ungodliness that some have accepted in the church. Marriage between members of the same-sex is never to be smiled upon. It is an abomination to God. There are several verses in God’s holy Word to support this, but one that many forget is the symbolism of the Church in the New Testament. The Church is the Bride of Christ and is referred to as feminine with Jesus being the Groom. Marriage between humans is supposed to mirror the wedding of the Bride and the Groom–the Church and Christ. That Church will be pure and undefiled when the Groom comes to get her. He will not stand for the world and Satan to sully and spoil her.
That’s just one example where the pulpit has compromised with culture. Many say that the Church must sway with the times. As culture changes, so must the Church. Not so! The Church is to be a bulwark against evil. Where are those pastors to stand up and decry the evil that is surrounding them, even invading them? Woe unto those who say that good is evil and evil is good!
With that being said, the same is true in the gates of justice. When lawmakers, with glee, will fight to kill unborn babies there is something dreadfully wrong with the culture. There is no justice in the gates. When justice is perverted to fulfill the demands of an evil agenda there is no justice in the gates.
Study the prophets. Two things that will certainly bring the wrath of God to bear is when justice is perverted to serve evil ends and when there is spiritual adultery. Those who have an ear to hear might better listen and turn their eyes toward the skies. Perhaps this what is means when Paul says to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NKJV).
Echoes From the Campfire
In this country you must never show a feather. Give up to them once and you’re beaten.”
–Elmer Kelton (Eyes of the Hawk)
“Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the Lord God of hosts will be with you, As you have spoken. Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
–Amos 5:14-15 (NKJV)
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I can remember a few years back when I was walking down the hallway of the school where I taught. Approaching me was a parent, who, when he passed said, “Love you brother.” He continued on, but only took a couple more steps then turned. Did he really love me? Was he just saying what he knew he was supposed to say? Just like when you ask someone how they are, and they mutter “Oh, I’m blessed, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh,” in a mimsical way. As he walked down the hall I thought that he doesn’t even know my name.
Another incident, another school. In one of the classes I asked the question “do you love me?” The yeses came pouring forth. I stood in front of a student and asked, “Do you really love me?” and was assured me that she did, so I continued. “Die for me?” She began to hesitate, “remember I’m 60, you’re just 17. I’ve lived a full life, and you’re just getting started. Still die for me?” Now came the hesitation and finally she blurted, “No, I don’t think I could.”
Part of the reason we are that way is the fact that we really understand little of what love is, or who God is for that matter. We are conditioned by family, peers, and that monster–the media. The media, that which is supposed to be a faithful companion to man is nothing more than a lie-spewing machine. Let me give you something from D.L. Moody:
“We give Columbus credit for discovering America. His discovery was momentous, yet he never set foot in either continent. He discovered America, but he had no idea of the vastness of the continent. He didn’t know of the Great Lakes or the Rocky Mountains or for that matter the Amazon rainforest. This is like God’s love. When a person finally discovers God’s love it is like Columbus discovering the New World.”
“I believe the reason why a great many people think God does not love them is because they are measuring God by their own small rule, from the own standpoint. We love men as long as we consider them worthy of our love; when they are not we cast them off. It is not so with God. There is a vast difference between human love and Divine love… Many of us think we know something of God’s love; but centuries hence we shall admit we have never found out much about it… When we wish to know the love of God we should go to Calvary. Can we look upon that scene, and say God did not love us? That cross speaks of the love of God. Greater love never has been taught than that which the cross teaches. What prompted God to give up Christ?–what prompted Christ to die?–if it were not love?”
We only have an inkling of God’s love.
“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height–to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with the fullness of God.”
–Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV)
The Saga of Miles Forrest
Lucas looked so tiny on the witness chair, but he sat straight with his shoulders back. He had grown up some in the past several weeks.
“You said that the defendant, John Lamb, was trying to kidnap your sister without her permission?”, questioned the defense lawyer, Conrad Belford.
Belford reminded me of a lizard, thin, cold flicking his tongue out as if he wanted a taste of Lucas.
“This has happened before! Her reputation proceeds her!” he shouted.
“I object!” yelled Milt White. “Mrs. Gold is not on trial.”
It was all I could do but sit there. I really wanted to thump Belford on the head.
“So you shot him, thinking that he was trying to take your sister?”
“Si, I mean yes, partly,” responded Lucas, now a little nervous with the outburst.
“Oh, only partly? Was there another motive in your shooting him? Did you enjoy the feeling?”
“He, was threatening my friends,” he said proudly, straightening up.
“How old are you?” Belford barked.
Lucas put his hand to his forehead. “Fourteen.”
“You’re one of those young scoundrels that run the streets causing havoc to the good folk of the community,” he accused. “Do you go to school? Do you work?”
Lucas couldn’t answer, he was questioning too fast. At last White objected, “Your Honor, he’s badgering the witness.”
Judge Broomfield warned the tactics by Belford then turned to Lucas. “Do you go to school?”
“Si, Senor Judge,” replied Lucas.
“Do you work?” the judge continued.
“Si, I chop wood for the diner, and take care of, of Marshal Forrest’s horses,” he looked at me with a smile so I gave him a nod.
“No more questions for this witness,” mumbled Belford. “I now call Marshal Miles Forrest to the stand.”
I was standing over by the jury box when summoned. I walked the few steps to the witness stand and took the oath.
Belford grabbed at the bottom of his throat. “I’m aghast! Judge, he is carrying a shotgun!” he garbled putting on a little show. “I demand he put it away!”
There came a sigh from the Judge. “Marshal Forrest, is this really needed? Only you and the Sheriff are carrying guns. Do you really think you need to have the shotgun?”
“Well,” I began pulling on my moustache. “It’s like this…” I had to smile when the back door opened and three men walked in. “Judge, not everyone in this room is unarmed. Why I even bet that Lawyer Belford has a derringer on his person. And,” I pointed to the back of the room. “Those three men are wearing guns, so I reckoned it was prudent that I keep my Greener handy.”
“Sheriff Gold, go remove those men of their firearms!” commanded the Judge.
Charlie stood and started down the far aisle toward them. Two of the men began to span out away from the center. The one I knew as Micah Teeter spoke up, “I’m afraid not Judge.”
Then I heard steps from somewhere over to my right. Two men walked through the doorway. One of them spoke, “He’s right Judge, they’ll keep their guns.”
There were two of them. One man I didn’t know. The other had one arm…