Once the coffee was done, he poured a cup and sat down at the dinner table in the kitchen. He sipped it, feeling its warmth course down his gullet, enlivening his slow-to-respond body.”
–L. C. Matthews (The Promise)
Ahhh, the coffee’s good this mornin’, sit yurself down Par, good to see yur heathly. The missus and I’ve been on the trail an’ just home yesterday evenin’. Nice to be sittin’ here this mornin’ tastin’ the good coffee with yuh.
When I do my travelin’ I do some thinkin’. The thoughts just sort of ramble through my head at times. Well, one of the things I got to thinkin’ as I was see some pretty country was that in all my years of trails and travelin’ I shore have seen a mite of things. I should sit myself and write them down. But my mercy, how to start, where to start. I’ve been coast to coast, from border to border. Sorta like the ol’ song, “I’ve Been Everywhere…” but I’ll not go that far. I’ve never been to Winnemucca, been close but not there, but I can remember probably the reddish sunset I’ve ever seen in Truth or Consequences. Yes, the Lord has given me a few of His grand sights to see over the years.
How’s the coffee this mornin’, Pard? Strong enough fer yuh? Why on the trail home, we stopped at one place to put our heads down for the night. They had coffee, an’ I use that term loosely. After a taste, I reckon it was either dark water or “woke” coffee. Yuh know, somethin’ that looks one way, pretends to be somethin’ but after yuh taste it yuh know it’s fake.
Since I brought up sunsets, whoopti, that ol’ ball of fire was shinin’ bright as we came through Birmingham (that’s in Alabama, if’n yuh didn’t know). I could see the trail, but for the life of me couldn’t see the signs. I just had to follow my instincts. Annie, tryin’ to help, looked at ol’ sol and then for several minutes afterward all she could see was pink balloons floating in her eyes. Worried her a mite. But here’s what I got from it. The Bible says that Jesus will the light of heaven, we will abide in the city where the Lamb is the light. Now, it also says that we shall see Him face to face, we shall look upon Him. My, one of those mysteries. I know that we will have a new body, that means new eyes as well. It’s one of those things that makes me ponder the greatest of our Lord. One of the things that makes me realize that I understand very little of His wonder and awe.
Well, yuh ponder that some this week. I’ll try an’ be back to normal–whatever that is. See yuh next time, that is unless yuh forget to check yur cinch and fall off.
Vaya con Dios.
Month: October 2020
Echoes From the Campfire
These were a strange lot, these Texans.”
–Elmer Kelton (Badger Boy)
“Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.”
–Proverbs 15:21(NKJV)
——————-
I’ll be loading up the steel mount today, and headin’ out for the homeland tomorrow. I had some heavy, deep thoughts that I was ready to unload on you this morning, but decided to keep them for a later date. Right now I’m thinking of that ol’ song written by (Gene Autry/Carson J. Robinson) take your pick. For sure, besides the wife, my “best friend is my bronco and my gun…Texas is my home.”
Sure had a nice visit with Shauna and her family. We don’t get to see them all that often so it was a treat. Then Annie got to see several of her family–brothers, nephews, in-laws, and soon-to-be’s. The weather was great, can’t complain about that, but I learned a long time ago not to complain about the weather.
With the good Lord guiding our trail we’ll be goin’ back to Texas on the morrow. Going to get back where they don’t get all shook up with the corona blues. Back to where the folks can see my cheerful smile.
“Way out west in Texas around that old camp fire
We’ll sing the songs of long ago and strum on my guitar.
My heart is ever yearning, but I will be there soon,
I’ll settle down in Texas when the cactus is in bloom.
Well, a way out west in Texas, round up in the spring
You’ll hear me sing this little song while ridin’ on the range,
Broadways lights (hue to you?) moonlight suits me fine,
I’ll settle down in Texas, I’ll leave my blues behind.”
–Gene Autry
We’ll get ourselves unpacked and then next week go vote. My mercy, the times we live in so have to sure and vote the way the Bible teaches. This nation is up for grabs–stay true to our biblical roots and morals or turn it completely over to the devil. Listen, and this is as deep as I’ll get today–there is a war happening in the spiritual realm. This war will affect the lives of all of us, and the future of my grandchildren. They MUST, imperative!, be grounded in God’s Word!
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m just a sojourner in Texas. I’m biding my time until the trumpet sounds then I’ll be going to my real home. For you know this world is not my home, I’m just hanging my hat in Texas until that time to move on to my heavenly abode.
So those back in Texas, look for us when you see the dust a-flying. We’re on our way back to that home in the woods. Praying for the Lord’s protection and guidance along the road.
The Saga of Miles Forrest
Doc and I finished our pie at the same time and we got up to leave. Molly came over to give me a quick kiss on the cheek. Since I had come back and seeing Mateo lying in the street she had shown her affection more in these little ways. I certainly wasn’t complaining. Doc was going up to see a couple of patients in the Mexican section and told me he would stop to check on Mateo.
“Oh, Doc, before you leave. Do you recollect anyone by the name of Blackstone living in Durango?” I asked. He stopped, then rubbed his chin several times.
“Blackstone, Blackstone? Not an uncommon name, but I can’t recall someone living here by that name,” he answered.
I was looking down toward the Durango Hotel wondering if Mrs. Blackstone had found any answers and how she was holding up both emotionally and financially.
“Worried about the woman?” he inquired.
“Yes, there’s somethin’ about this that’s just not right. They were both sure that he would be there to meet them at the station,” I said.
“Maybe Charlie will know, have you asked him yet?”
Turning my attention to Doc, “No, I don’t think of it when I’ve seen him. Think I’ll mosey down to the jail to see if he’s in.”
Doc noticed that my eyes lifted to stare at three approaching riders. One was Cecil Thompson along with one of his cowboys, Dakota Norris. I didn’t know the other rider. They saw me and rode to where I was standing.
As they were dismounting, Tommy, one of the telegraph runners came up to me with a telegram from Gilford Coveny. That gave me some concern as it had been Gibbons in charge of the bullion shipment. Before I opened it I noticed Preacher Chapman hurrying my way and in the background was the hotel where Connor and his mother were staying.
“See ya, Doc,” I said, turning to go back into the diner.
Molly happened to see me, “Back so soon?” she inquired.
I was shaking my head as I went to my table, grabbing a cup from the shelf on the way. Thompson and his two hands came in as I was pouring hot coffee into the cup from the little stove. “Molly, please give these men some coffee and anything else they want.” I then pointed to three chairs.
As they were sitting I wanted to show my concern, “How is Mr. Keim doin’?”
“Fine,” he said gruffly, “what I want to know what you’re doing about that bounty hunter?” he paused turning as Molly sat coffee down in front of the three men, “thank you, ma’am.”
Nodding at Norris, then turning my attention toward the unfamiliar man. “Uh, this is Kyle Langston. He is sorta taking the place of Conrad.” He didn’t bother to reach out to shake my hand, just gave me a slight nod.
“Sheriff Gold is back in town so I’ll be free to do some lookin’ around. It’s been a while, but I want the man caught as much as you,” I stated.
Thompson gave me a grim smile and nodded. “Just keep me informed.”
As the three men sipped their coffee, Rev. Chapman came through the door coming straight for me then stopped seeing who was with me at the table. Motioning with his finger for me to come join him, I excused myself.
“Parson, what can I do for you?” I asked.
“Come outside,” he said whispering.
Following him out, I stopped as the door shut behind us. “Now, what is this all about?”
“I heard something of the man you’re seeking,” he said, then stopped looking through the window where Thompson and his men were sitting. “It may have been just talk, but I’ve heard he’s staying up in Silverton.”
Looking at him, I inquired, “How reputable is the information?”
He opened his hands while shrugging his shoulders. “Just thought I should tell you.”
Slapping him on the shoulder, “I’ll check on it.” Then went back inside to talk some more with Thompson.
“Was that the new preacher?” he asked turning in his chair. “I’d like to meet him. The ranch keeps me from getting in often to church.”
I must have shown my surprise for he followed up, “What’s the matter, Forrest? Don’t think I can have a relationship with God? I may be rough and gruff, but I revere my Creator.”
He got me there. I dropped my head, then remembered the telegram. It was wadded up in my left hand. I opened it fearing the worse…
Echoes From the Campfire
It is hope which makes us move.”
–Ernest Haycox (Long Storm)
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”
–Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
——————-
There is a time in the history of every country, every nation, every empire when there begins a demise. Sometimes is takes centuries as in the case of the Roman Empire, or often it comes rapidly because of warfare. I look at the state of our nation today and am reminded of the words attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville:
“Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the greatness and genius of America. America is great because America is good. If America ever ceases to be good America will cease to be great.”
Our nation is currently facing several crisis, one of which is to debunk and slander the men and women who have made this country great. People who were flawed, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV) for certain, but in the midst of their flaws and failures they had something deeper to give. It may be the leadership of a Washington in the early days of the development of our nation. It may be in the calm leadership of an Eisenhower during the course of defeating a vicious menace to the world, or an audacious Patton in that same war.
It may be seen in the courage and the determination of a man who is much maligned today–Christopher Columbus. He is mocked and scorned today because he supposedly began slavery. What a lie! Slavery has been around since almost the beginning of time. Then there is the cry of “disease” brought over by the Spaniards. Interesting, I find it that those who scorn Columbus for bringing disease from the Old World are the same ones who decry the President when he said that the corona came from China. Hmmmm…
Whatever one says about Columbus, they can not take away his courage. Few men would dare to do what he did in his day–the exploration to the West. One cannot doubt that he wanted to gain wealth, privilege, and power with his explorations, but he was also very concerned about spreading the gospel of Christ. Look at his prayer as he landed on what he named San Salvador (“Holy Savior”):
“O Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy holy Word Thou hast created the heaven, and the earth, and the sea; blessed and glorified be Thy Name, and praised be Thy Majesty, which hath designed to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy holy Name may be proclaimed in this second part of the earth.”
The Great Commission of Jesus was also part of the purpose of Columbus’ explorations. It was just at the right time in history that America was discovered and began to be developed. We often forget that God is in charge of history. What happens falls into the category of His divine sovereignty. His purposes will be fulfilled.
Of course, those that mock Columbus and others will also mock the idea of God. I wonder, these scorners, what their lives would be like if the Almighty had not “sent” Columbus to explore? What would life be like, say for instance if the Chinese had settled America? Buddhism perhaps?
In the midst of the hatred, bitterness, and scorn, I will choose to salute a great man. One with undaunted courage; one who dare to explore and to bring the Gospel to a new land