This was as it should be…a man and a woman working toward something, for something. Not apart, but a team.”
–Louis L’Amour
“Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth… He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”
–Proverbs 5:18; 18:22 (NKJV)
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Today is the day folks–the 49th. Yep, that’s right, 49 years ago we stood at the altar saying our vows to each other. I know that some folk remember all about their wedding day, but to tell the truth, I don’t know a word the preacher said. He said, “repeat after me,” and I did all the time looking into the face of a wonderful, beautiful gal from Pennsylvania. Funny, how I had to traipse across the country to find a wife who would put up with me. Ah, not really, I only had to go to Missouri.
I remember the first time I met her. We were in the old cafeteria at Evangel College (it’s gotten more enlightened as it is now University). I looked across the room and there, staring at me was this girl. A fleeting thought went through my mind–“you’re going to marry her.” It had to be the Holy Spirit, but I didn’t think anything of it at the time. But there she was; she cocked an eye at me and I cocked an eye at her, and there we sat–cockeyed–at least for a moment or two. That was the first time I took notice of her, and come to find out later that I had her in my U.S. History class.
It was several month later that I asked her out and we didn’t part much after that. She went to summer school, and I went home to make some money so I could go back in the fall. We met at Gary Hines’ wedding outside of Akron and I drove her home in the rain. The rain can be romantic, and perhaps this one was, but in the midst of a rainstorm I pulled over on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and asked her to marry me. Talk about romantic! It wasn’t one of these all planned-out things, and I didn’t get down on my knees, and I didn’t have a ring. It was just time to ask–it must have been the rain.
We got in late on Saturday night to her house so we didn’t get up for church. I was sitting on the back porch, she was on my lap when her parents came home. The first words I can remember hearing from her Dad was, as he came up to shake my hand, “I think you’ll make a good couple.” Nope, I didn’t ask him. Perhaps I should have, but I wasn’t cultured enough back then.
Speaking of the deep things of love comes hard for me, but there never was a more important person in my life. We were engaged for almost a year before we married. She had a rinky-dink teaching assignment in Chadwick, the copperhead capital, while I had one more year of classes. I enlisted in the Air Force, nary a quarrel, she was with me. In fact, I don’t think we’ve ever quarreled over the larger issues, it has usually been over petty things, and I would call them more of a disagree-ment.
So, it has been 49 years she has been at my side. We have had some lean times, and some times of plenty. I will say that through it all the Lord has been by our side as well. When I look at pictures from the past up to the present, I think, “WOW! Amazing, how did I get so fortunate?!!” The Lord surely blessed me beyond measure when we tied that knot. Brother Jon you did a good job; it must not have been a piece of string.
Since my heart attack, I have not taken things for granted. But it would be nice to be able to celebrate number 50, but that’s the Lord’s call. Yes, 49 years ago, I married the love of my life–Annie Baker of Leechburg, PA–she was all I wanted and more. I have surely found favor with the Lord as I have found a good wife. Thank you Lord for allowing me to spend my life with her.
Month: June 2020
Echoes From the Campfire
If you learn to really see things and to really listen, half your troubles are over.”
–Louis L’Amour (Brionne)
“Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.”
–2 Chronicles 24:19 (NKJV)
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I can remember a number of times when I wanted to shake a kid silly. No, that’s not quite right, I wanted to shake the silliness out of them. I wished I could grab some of them and shake them enough to wake them up to what they were, or were not doing. I learned that you cannot shake the stupid out of people; maybe wake them up so they choose the right course, but it is always up to them.
Have you ever wondered why the Lord does things for us? Sure, He loves us and that is one reason, but there may be more. Why did He keep you during the storm? Why did He keep you in the accident? Why did He keep you during the time of pestilence or the worries of the day? Love–yes, but more. He kept you for His sake. Maybe He was shaking you during a trial or tribulation. Did He get your attention or have you gone on the same way? In the storm, He sought to teach you that without Him you can do nothing.
“Consecration is not a religiously selfish thing. If it sinks into that, it ceases to be consecration. We want our lives kept, not that we may feel happy, and be saved the distress consequent on wandering, and get the power with God and man, and all the other privileges linked with it. We shall have all this, because the lower is included in the higher; but our true aim, if the love of Christ constrains us, will be far beyond this. Not for ‘me’ at all, but ‘for Jesus’; not for my comfort, but His joy; not that I may find rest but that He may see the travail of His soul and be satisfied!
Yes, for Him I want to be kept. Kept for His sake; kept for His use; kept to be His witness; kept for His joy! Kept for Him, that in me He may show forth some tiny sparkle of His light and beauty. By being kept in Him I shall be able to do His will and His work in His own way.”
–Frances R. Havergal
Why were you kept? Figure it out, He has a plan for you. Too often, all too often, when the storm passes we give a sigh of relief and celebrate when we out to fall to our knees and ask, “Lord, why did you see me through the storm?” We need to realize that we are His, our total being belongs to Him. Selfishness hinders His work in us and our work for Him.
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I’ve been praising the Lord since Sunday (actually longer than that). Sunday was an anniversary of sorts. It was five years ago last Sunday that I had my heart attack. Five extra years the Lord has given me. My desire is that in the days, and possibly years ahead, that I can have my life “kept in Him.” There were so many ways He intervened in my life that day.
The Saga of Miles Forrest
I took Mateo first to see Charlie. “This is Sheriff Charlie Gold,” I said in introduction. “He’s a fine man to have on your side.”
Charlie stretched out his hand. Mateo grasped it firmly, “You are married to Marta,” he stated. “She is a cousin of mine. I’ll be glad to work beside you.”
“Right now we are sharin’ the sheriff’s office. There are five cells back there, so we have to be careful of overload,” I informed him pointing toward the cells. “I’m goin’ to walk him around town, sorta introduce him to the proprietors and folk.”
They shook again, Charlie uttered, “I’m glad to be working with you. If you have any questions–ask.”
Walking out we headed up toward Foster’s. Bert Winfield happened to be walking out as we neared the doorway. “Bert, what are you doin’ in town?” I questioned. “It’s not Saturday.”
“Wife’s ailin’ some. I came to see Doc Jones then stopped to buy Myrtle some tea. Haven’t seen you in a spell, Miles. I heard you had some trouble recently,” he replied with a little laugh. “But that don’t seem to be anything new to you.”
“It was a bad situation,” I stated then introduced him to Mateo. “They made me marshal until the fall elections and even said I could have a deputy. Bert, this here’s Mateo Ramirez, deputy marshal.”
Bert glanced at him, then nodded stretching out his hand at the same time. “Glad to meet you, son. Be careful and good luck to you.”
“Do you want Molly to come out to check on Myrtle?” I asked.
“Thanks, but no. Doc Jones said he would ride out tomorrow,” came his response then headed toward his horse that was tied to the rail.
When we entered I didn’t see Wilson, but his niece Darnelle was accepting a purchase from the widow Baxter. I didn’t know her well. I saw her most Sundays when I made it to church. She played an accordion until recently; she said her hands were getting all crippled. Mateo and I tipped out hats to Mrs. Baxter when she went by.
“Hello, Miss Foster,” I announced, “I see you’re doin’ all the work.”
“Oh, are we being formal now, Marshal Forrest?” laughed Darnelle.
“I want to introduce you to our new deputy marshal, Mateo Ramirez.”
She smiled, causing her face to glow and reached out her hand. “Glad to meet you,” then she turned solemn, but that didn’t stop her face from glowing. “I’ll be praying for you.”
As we were chatting Wilson came out from the backroom. “What do you want, Forrest?” he asked gruffly.
I don’t know what happened in our relationship. He was always friendly in times past. Maybe he just had his feathers ruffled too many times being on the wrong side. He has that problem of taking a firm stance on a subject.
“Uncle! Is that any way to speak to Miles? After all he’s done for you, for our family?” Darnelle scolded.
I could see him clench his jaws, but then relaxed. “I’m sorry Miles. Darnelle’s right; I’ve just been out of sorts the past few months.”
“This is Mateo Ramirez,” bubbled Darnelle. “He’s going to be Miles’ deputy.”
Mateo reached out his hand. “Glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Foster.”
There was some hesitation, but then he grasped Mateo’s hand in greeting. “Son, I was, well, still am some reluctant to have a deputy marshal. That being said, I wish you the best.”
I clasped my hand down on Wilson’ shoulder. “Why don’t you a drop by the diner, bring your wife, Elizabeth, along with Darnelle for supper. I’ll pay.”
That brought a smile to his face. “I’ll do that.” He reached out to shake Mateo’s hand as we were leaving.
Stepping outside and into the street, Mateo asked, “What’s with him?”
“I’m not quite sure,” I replied. “He’s a good man, a moral man who loves his family and helps others. It’s just seems that lately he’s been in a stew over somethin’. Now let’s go see John Newsome. He’s a wonder.”
For some reason I always felt uncomfortable walking in Newsome’s Ladies’ Wear. I noticed that Mateo hesitated outside. I had to grab his arm to sorta nudge him in. Newsome was working at a table holding some frilly things in his hands.
“Uh, excuse me, Mr. Newsome,” I blathered. “I want to introduce you to the city’s new deputy marshal.”
He dropped the garment as if he had been burned, then looked at us. “Well, good,” then looked at us gathering his composure. “I’m glad you got someone to take care of that Mex element.”
The thought flitted through my mind that I ought to thump him, but it passed rather quickly. “Mister Newsome, this is Mateo Ramirez, deputy marshal of Durango,” I said emphasizing Durango.
He sputtered some, I could see the red rising up from under his collar. “Yes, of course.”
“Glad to meet you, Mr. Newsome,” interjected Mateo reaching out his hand.
Newsome glared, dropped his hand back to the ladies’ garments, but didn’t respond with a handshake. “Yes, I suppose it was. Now…” I could see him struggle to say the word, “gentlemen I have to get back to work.”
We turned and walked out. As we moved down the boardwalk to the next establishment, Mateo offered, “Well, you’re right, he’s a wonder.”
Echoes From the Campfire
To me a showing of wealth would only cumber my life. It would load me up with watchin’ after it, and I’d spend more time at that than roamin’ the high country.”
–Louis L’Amour (Bendigo Shafter)
“They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave.”
–Job 21:13 (NKJV)
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“When you bask in your own riches, you stop looking to God to meet your needs.” (William Petersen) In this portion of Psalm 40, David is looking at his problems in the same way. He probably started out thinking that he could handle the problems himself, but soon found out they were multiplying faster than he could count. Imagine, having more problems than the hairs on your head. In despair he began to lose courage.
11 – Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me; Your constant love and truth will always guard me.
12 – For troubles without number have surrounded me; my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my courage leaves me.
13 – Lord, be pleased to deliver me; hurry to help me, Lord.
14 – Let those who seek to take my life be disgraced and confounded. Let those who wish me harm be driven back and humiliated.
15 – Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be horrified because of their shame.
16 – Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, “The Lord is great!”
17 – I am afflicted and needy; the Lord thinks of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; my God, do not delay. (HCSB)
David had troubles! When reading this portion of Psalm 40, there are three aspects that stand out. The first was David’s iniquities. God forgives sin, but sometimes we still have to face the consequences of those sins. Notice he says, “my sins,” for there must have been many. Those sins, though forgiven, can still cause us problems. The key: do you focus on the number of your problems or upon God’s plans?
Second, his enemies were ready to overcome and devour him. They laugh at him, they scorn and mock him, they delight in his troubles and seek to add to them. “Aha! We’ve got him now!” (vs 15, NLT). They gloat at seeing him in his troubles, and want him to fail and fall.
Third, David knew he had help. He has been forced to be patient in the midst of it all, now he cries to the Lord not to delay. In other words, “I need help, and I need it now!” Notice that David remembers, in the midst of all these troubles and trials, to praise the Lord. He knows that he was always on the mind of God. Remember those two things in your time of trouble: continue to praise the Lord, and know that you are always on His mind. God’s care for us is always greater than our troubles.!
“Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in thee I find,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”
–Charlotte Elliott