You need to learn to make a pot of coffee that doesn’t taste like cactus pulp.”
–Paul Bagdon (Stallions of Burnt Rock)
The coffee’s hot and strong, so get yurself in here an’ grab a cup. Come visit me when yuh want a cup of good coffee. I heard a song the other day, an’ don’t be a-frettin’ I’m not goin’ to sing it ’cause I cayn’t remember all the words but here’s a thought from it. A couple of ol’ cowpokes stopped in at one of them Do Drop By cafes along the highway. They were seekin’ a good cup of coffee. When the waitress brought the coffee to them, one of the ‘pokes stated, “Yur shore get a lot of coffee outta one bean.” Mercy, Pard, I’ve had poor, weak coffee thrust at me a time or two, but that would jist have to be about the worse.
Say, with all the doin’s with idiots out there tearin’ down our country, vandalizin’ and lootin’ I wonder if there will be much left. Shame that they’re usin’ the murder of one person to kill others and destroy the property of others. On top of that add some of the imbecilic ideas of the bureaucrats. I saw where the plan is to disband the Minneapolis Police Department. They are goin’ to start a “community-driven public safety program.” Yippi-yi-yo, Pard, call 9-1-1 and who will come to your rescue, Chubby-Tubby from next door?
But, on the brighter side, this is a day of cheers! My eldest granddaughter is graduatin’ from high school. Yeehaw! Another milestone in her life. The Lord shore has been good to her. She was able to get a job this week on top of that. Hope it’s enough to take me out for a hamburger, or some decent coffee.
Yuh be havin’ yurself a good day. Be sure yur gun is oiled and loaded an’ that yur carryin’ the Word in yur heart. An’ on top of that, be checkin’ yur cinch, with the nuts out there yuh might have to make a getaway.
Month: June 2020
Echoes From the Campfire
He was glad God withheld the future. Each day’s events were enough for him to handle.”
–Linda Pool Anderson (They Were Lawmen)
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.”
–Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)
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I used to keep a sign in my classroom: NO WHINING! Whining is one of those things I cannot tolerate. That’s one reason I don’t watch professional sports much anymore–they’re a bunch of whiners. Especially when it comes to money. My kids learned real quick not to whine. With that being said I want to give you something written by a friend, Bob Paton. (Get his blog, it is a good, inspiration blog–Learning Daily).
“Babies need our attention – they cry to let parents know that they need a diaper change, when they are hungry, and when they just want attention. However, this desire for attention only continues as parents give in every time a tantrum is thrown in order to get their way. How many times do we see children crying and doing other things until they get what they want? If this self-centered attitude is not brought to an end – well, just look at people today. The trap is set early for the lust of the world to be in people and we have the problems we see today.”
There is a difference between crying and whining. Crying usually indicates some kind of need. When a baby cries it has a need, but soon the parents must learn between crying and whining. What we are seeing in the streets of our cities right now is what happens to whining. They let it out by throwing a tantrum. The thing is, when a child throws a tantrum usually no one is hurt, but when older “children” throw tantrums people may die. The kid laying on the floor throwing a tantrum if not dealt with becomes a hoodlum. Someone, because they don’t get their own way becomes a threat to society.
A baby cries–“I’m hungry.” An adult-baby whines–“I want my way.” A child gets hurt and cries; a hoodlum thinks he is getting picked on and he throws a brick when no one is looking. It is distinguishing between “needs” and “wants.” What is it that you really “need” versus what is it that you “want”?
What we need is Jesus Christ. But the devil promises to fulfill what your evil heart desires. He promises to fulfill all your wants: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. Paul says, “And my God shall supply all your NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NKJV, emphasis added). Some version make it plural–“needs”–but what do we really need? Jesus Christ! Back to one of my pet peeves–whining. There is nothing worse than a Christian whining. “Woe is me, I need a blessing.” God doesn’t necessarily want to make you comfortable. What that person is really whining is that “I’m spoiled, and I deserve it.”
The destruction of other people’s property and the endangerment of their lives is the result of a permissive society. A society where the parent(s) would not or could not say “NO” to their little darlings. Pampering leads to whining and whining leads to a selfish person. A person who believes that he is entitled.
I pity those who are caught up in themselves. If they do not come to the realization that they need Christ; one day the whining will stop and the crying will be for real.
Echoes From the Campfire
They were sitting in the shade watching weeds grow. It doesn’t take a whole lot to keep some folks entertained.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Blue Valley)
“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
–Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)
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What is it within man where he seeks to be autonomous? Of course it is the fallen, sinful nature, but that same nature cries out for God. Some are able to squelch that sound, but it is still there unless they have hardened their heart against it. Man, from the Fall, seeks to be like God, and at times seeks to usurp God. The sin of Satan. Satan (Lucifer) was made the model of perfection. He was perfect, the only thing is that every time he looked into the throne room of God he saw more than perfection.
If man can’t make himself God, he will make other gods. It might be money. It might be power or fame. It might even be a lifestyle or a famous person. Whatever and whoever you make your god, that will determine how large your faith is. Faith in self? Hmmm, not so big, unless you think you are standing on a pedestal and if you think that be ready for a fall. Let me share something written a few years back by Air Force Chaplain, Harry B. Ansted.
“Show me the size of your God, and I will show you the size of your man. It is easy to make little gods. In Isaiah’s time they made gods out of wood and stone. Life was cheap; man was expendable.
We make little gods too. Often we think our gods are big and powerful. We see the thrust of power in our military weapons and think this will save us. Sometimes we stand in awe of people of great importance and wonder if we are worth anything at all.
When you God is small like this, then your life is so meaningless that you give yourself to something which eventually destroys you.
The God of Isaiah was big. He was so big that the nations were like a drop from the bucket. When God is big, you become a person of importance. The fear of losing yourself is traded for confidence and faith because you belong. No more need you hang your head in feelings of worthlessness and failure. Therefore, when everything else seems to be crumbling before your eyes, you can have faith in a big God who builds you up rather than tears you down.”
When man becomes autonomous there is no limit to the atrocities that he may perform. We are seeing played out right now in our country is the result of man having himself as a god, or the results of the concept that there is no God. Such foolishness, but it is dangerous. As I wrote yesterday, it is selfishness gone mad.
In all things–seek God. And never forget, in the midst of the chaos around you, He is in control. Turn to Him!
Echoes From the Campfire
If only the evil men are willing to use force, what will happen to the good men?”
–Louis L’Amour (A Man Called Noon)
“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deed should be exposed.”
–John 3:20 (NKJV)
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Protests? Bah! What I see are looters, vandals, selfishness gone mad, and anarchy. Man is acting out what is in his heart. He is fallen. Yet man will not heed the Master’s call–“come unto me.” If a person cannot see that man is in need of redemption then they are truly blind indeed.
Where is God in all of this? He’s watching, He’s waiting, He looking to see what His people will do. He wants to call the world to repentance, but He wants His children to obey His Word. How does one know when the cup of His wrath is full and He will send judgment?
“‘No one born of God commits sin; for God’s nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother.’
Sometimes, People argue whether there is a God or not, or if there is one, they then argue whether he’s dead or not.
Sometimes, I argue about the nature of God whether he’s this way or that; I wonder about the way of Christ whether it’s this way or not.
Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll succeed, or if I’ll do something well enough; I wonder if I’m doing the right thing.
Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll be strong enough, or bright enough, or good enough; I wonder if I’ll measure up.
You can’t read the Bible for more than ten minutes, anywhere–Old Testament or New–without being hit squarely with:
Some are chosen of God; some do not sin, and those who sin are of the Devil.
And for those who sin there is no hope, and I am frightened and I am small.
It isn’t in keeping with the times, this being frightened of an angry God, but I believe in an angry God, he can reject me…
And then nothing else will matter, nothing at all.”
(Lois A. Cheney, “God Is No Fool”)
You may be appalled that the above. God is not so mean, so heartless, so unloving. In fact, He is love. But, He will not, cannot condone sin forever. There is a time of justice which will bring judgment. Isn’t is sweet to know that if we do sin, He doesn’t immediately strike us down, but we can go to our Father and He will cleanse and justify us because of the redemptive work of His Son.