On the trail again. I wonder if a man ever gets away from it.”
–Louis L’Amour (Radigan)
“That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
–2 Timothy 3:17 (NKJV)
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Last week I read a great devotion by Richard Dresselhaus regarding “essentials.” It got me to pondering over the weekend, what things are exactly essentials when going on a trip. I’m not borrowing from him, except the idea. But for a minute and indulge me and let’s look at essentials.
For sure there are the essentials of life. We need water, food, clothing, and shelter for survival. Remember good ol’ Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? The basic needs of life are essential. He added warmth, rest, shelter, and safety to the bottom two tiers of needs. He then went on to psychological needs and self-fulfillment needs. I am reminded of two verses from Philippians:
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (4:11)
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (4:19)
I’m sure Maslow would not totally agree with Brother Paul, but Paul understood some things about the spiritual side of man that Maslow wasn’t completely aware of. Over the years I have known and studied many of the men who were POWs in Vietnam. Of course, for life they had to have the bottom tier of basic needs, but also to a man they said the thing that kept them alive, kept them going was faith. Faith is actually a need of man.
Back to Dresselhaus’ thoughts–he mentioned the essentials of a trip. Now that all depends on where you are going and how long you will be there. A person certainly wouldn’t be packing a parka for a trip to Ecuador; it would be completely useless and downright dumb. So it is then important to pack for where you are going.
Another thing when packing for a trip is what are some things to bring. The necessary clothing and toiletries, notice I said necessary for when I would go elk hunting in the high country I didn’t bring along my razor and shaving soap. When traveling I would pack a few things for a “just-in-case” situation. Usually an axe, some rope, of course a coffeepot and that’s no good without coffee, matches, a knife, to mention a few. If I was traveling in the winter in the north country I normally had a sleeping bag packed away. Pack for the emergencies along the way.
Most people pack too much for a trip. Annie and I are getting ready for a trip back East. We’ll be staying a month, but that doesn’t mean we need to take the closet. No, my daughter has a washing machine that we can use so a suitcase will suffice. I look around the house, what is something we really need and what are somethings that we enjoy, that upgrades the need. We have a sink, so I can wash dishes, however, we also have a dishwasher where I don’t get my tender, sensitive hands all water-worn.
Look back at the idea of where you are going. If heaven is your destination, what do you need to take along? First, you need to get your reservation. Traveling to the holy city won’t do you any good without a reservation; you name must be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Second, you need to have the Word of God hidden in your heart so that you won’t sin against the Lord. Vain philosophies, psychologies, books by the great thinkers, mathematical riddles and other things that folks pack are not needed along the way. Third, take essential clothing–the armor of God must be worn. Fourth, there are things for survival: knowing how to use the sword of the Spirit, prayer, meditation are some essentials to take for the trip.
Check your spiritual pack, or suitcase. Are you carrying things that are not needed? Are you forgetting to take along some essential things? You have everything you need if you have the Lord. Nothing more, nothing less. If death would overtake you on the trip, you die with what you need.
Month: September 2020
The Saga of Miles Forrest
S
Echoes From the Campfire
Well, I wasn’t looking for any trouble, but I weren’t no pilgrim neither… I’d deal with it if it came.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Cain)
“And the king’s servants said to the king, ‘We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.’”
–2 Samuel 15:15 (NKJV)
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I’m not much of a hand-clapper, never had been. Most of the time I think people clap, and they have no idea as to why. Often it is to mediocrity. Clapping, to me, is sort of like a parent hollering from the stands when a ball goes by an infielder, “Good try.” Sit down! It wasn’t a good try; if it had been a good try he would have caught the ball. The same goes for standing ovations. Most of the time it is for mediocre performance.
However, that is not to say that I never clap. Sometimes the toe gets to tapping and then the hands just have to come together. Sometimes there are those magnificent performances and outstanding plays that deserve recognition. The thing is that when we clap there should be good reason. If we clap in church it should not be for the performance, but recognizing that God should be the recipient of the applause. Psalm 47 begins with the admonition to clap unto the Lord.
1 – Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry.
2 – For Yahweh, the Most High, is awe-inspiring, a great King over all the earth.
3 – He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet.
4 – He chooses for us our inheritance—the pride of Jacob, whom He loves. Selah
5 – God ascends among shouts of joy, the Lord, among the sound of trumpets.
6 – Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our King, sing praise!
7 – Sing a song of wisdom, for God is King of all the earth.
8 – God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
9 – The nobles of the peoples have assembled with the people of the God of Abraham. For the leaders of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted. (HCSB)
Think of what it will be like when Jesus finally is victorious at Armageddon. When Satan is cast into the bottomless pit, the Antichrist and False Prophet thrown into the Lake of Fire. There will be thunderous applause in heaven and on the earth for the Beast will be no more.
The fight of all time is finally over; it is time to celebrate. The King of kings, and Lord of lords will be fully recognized by all. The leaders on earth who still remain will belong to God, their power will be totally subservient to Him, in fact, many of them will probably lose their positions to one of the saints. One writer has described this in regard to Jesus on the throne as “the culminating act of the eschatological drama.” (W.O.E. Osterley)
“O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gracefully sing his power and his love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.”
–Robert Grant
Coffee Percs
The old man moved to the fireplace, poured a cup of coffee from a large pot hanging in the hearth.”
–Cliff Hudgins (Viejo and the Ranger)
Come in, Pard, throw yur spurs under the table, I’ll be bringin’ the coffee shortly. I remember some ol’ boys like in the above quotation movin’ slowly to the coffeepot. They always kept the coffee on, and yuh can be sured it was hot and strong enough where yuh could stand yur spoon up in it.
Say, Pard! Didn’t yur Ma tell yuh not to wear yur hat at the table? I’m surprised, I’ve not known yuh to do it before. Haircut? What!? Yuh saw a sign thinkin’ it said saloon and it turned out to be a beauty saloon. That’ll teach yuh. They tricked yuh. Well, don’t feel that yur alone, that smarty-pants from California has said the same thing an’ she’s one of the smart ones, a bureaucrat yuh know. They told yuh not to smile? Smiling is now illegal in California? How would they know if’n yuh had yur mask on. Oh, it’s not smilin’ it’s bein’ happy. They’re sayin’ that bein’ happy is discriminatin’ against all those folk out there that ain’t happy. Poor folk!
Say, if’n they would come and drink some coffee with us, maybe some of their woes would pass on. My coffee has a tendency to change one’s demeanor. Makes yur gizzard want to stand up and say “howdy.” Gloom and despair are a terrible thing to carry around, much less live in it every day. My mercy, all they have to do is turn to the Lord. In fact, He’s a-awaitin’ to ease their gloom and take away that despair and throw it into the sea.
I jist don’t understand why folks want to choose to be antagonistic toward the Lord. Now, that’s a big word, do yuh know what it means? I mean, God is so good to us; why would people choose to be filled with hate. Hmmm, maybe hate makes ’em happy? Nah, else they’d be wearin’ a smile instead of a smirk or sneer.
Why jist bein’ here with yuh this mornin’ Pard, has brought a smile to my face. The coffee helps, but we both know we’re happy because of the good Lord and how He cares for us.
Oh, Pard, yuh better put yur hat back on before tryin’ to mount. It is somethin’ to behold an’ that ol’ nag of yourn might get the heebie-jeebies and will take off before yuh can check yur cinch.
Vaya con Dios.