They sat together, talking very little, enjoying the night, the rest, and the food as well as the smell of wood-smoke and coffee.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Californios)
“Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.”
–1 Corinthians 7:3 (NKJV)
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It happened a long time ago, way back. Back even before the cowboys, so I’ve been told. There was a day of joy that entered the Baker household–Anna, their first born daughter was born. Now I can’t tell you much about those first 20 birthdays as I was not around, not even thought of, but I’ve know of the next …. birthdays.
I came on the scene to help celebrate her 21st birthday. We had just started dating and for some reason she thought we were seeing too much of each other (just can’t figure that one out) so we agreed to cool it some. Then her roommate told me I needed to get her to the Joust (student union) for a surprise party. I don’t remember how I asked her, probably something like I know we said we wouldn’t see each other so much, but I need to talk to you. It was something like that. Well, it was a surprise, and maybe even more of one, we kept dating. Didn’t let a day go by without seeing each other until I went home for the summer and she stayed in Springfield for school.
There are many things I could say, but I want to bring up something by Louis L’Amour. It might not be part of the “woke culture,” but then again, neither am I. It might not be accepted in some circles, but then again, neither am I.
“This was a woman’s work, a woman who even under stress did not forget her men or the work there was to do. She was not spoiled, this one. She was a man’s woman.”
–Louis L’Amour (High Lonesome)
Wait a minute, “woman’s work”? Absolutely! There is a definite role for a women. There are things that a woman can do that a man cannot. Part of the modern culture wants to make a woman equal with a man and to do so she has to step down. A woman has the role of nurturer, keeper of the hearth and home, teacher of the children at an early age. Those are vital responsibilities, and today we want man to do them; well, he is just not equipped to do so.
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNIE! You’re my woman, my dearest, my wife. A person who has rode “shotgun” on all of our adventures. The one who nourished and raised our girls to be God-fearing and God-loving ladies of virtue. You are definitely worth more than rubies or gold. You exemplify the Proverbs 31 wife, but I especially like the following verses:
“Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her… But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”
–Proverbs 31:25-28,30 (NKJV)
She is a stayer, traveling with me wherever I went from the Rockies, to the East, to the Gulf of Mexico. She went where I went, she lived in various trials and circumstances, and stuck with me through it all. When I was gone, and on my way back home, the soup or beans was always on the stove waiting for me. Oh, and did I tell you that she is the best pie-maker — bar none!
Month: March 2021
The Saga of Miles Forrest
Moses Vexler was just shaking his head when I asked to borrow a horse. “Fool younguns!” he exclaimed, then proceeded to ask, “Are you payin’ fer this or the government? That’s a good horse, made for endurance. Don’t yuh be tryin’ to run it against that thoroughbred of yurs though.”
Star could beat almost any horse around, I said most, because I haven’t seen all the horses, for a short distance. However, Hawk would beat this horse hands down, anytime. If I could get close enough to see them, I could get them to me. Two-Bits, well, I haven’t trained him to be a law officer’s horse.
After saying goodbye to Molly, and picking up the horse, I went to get my gear from the house. I was half-hoping that the horses would be there and that the boys just took them out for a joy ride. The weather was nice right now, jacket weather during the day, but it would be cold at night and there was a chance of spring snow.
Mort Cooper said that he had seen them riding to the south. There was only one road out of Durango to the south and it was traveled fairly well, but I knew the tracks of those horses, and reckoned I’d pick them up out on the road somewhere; that is, if they traveled the road. I’d try that way first and if I didn’t come upon the tracks I’d take off cross country.
Farmington was the only community of any size, but there were a small number of Indian or Mexican settlements in the area. I’d head in that direction as there was a trading post in a place they were calling Aztec located near some ancient Indian ruins that were claimed to be built by the Aztecs of Mexico. The boys might be there, or at least passed by.
It was on top of the hill that came out of Durango that I first saw the tracks of Hawk. I would keep close watch to make sure they didn’t turn off the road. The land was covered with shrubs, mostly sagebrush, and sparse grass. Here and there I could see patches of pinon pines and juniper. I camped the first night in a grove of cottonwoods growing along the Animas River.
After making camp I was sitting in camp drinking the last of the coffee. The sky was clear and slowly stars began to emerge filling a vast canopy over me. I guess I began getting nostalgic for a bit for to my mind came many other such nights around a lonely campfire, only at the time I didn’t realize I was lonely. Molly surely had brought many changes to my life.
Sipping my coffee I remembered times I was visited by the Pale Rider. Fear did not come to my mind, only disgust. Looking at him, smelling him when he was near would make me nauseous. I also remembered the times when I had the heavenly Visitor in camp. Strange times, mystical times, however, since I had more or less settled down some I had few of those visits. I surely didn’t miss those by the Pale Rider.
Looking up after I finished my coffee, the stars were bright and the coals from the fire were glowing. Surely, I thought, no one could deny there was a Creator. I whispered out loud, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Sobering, magnificent, awe-inspiring were emotions that went through my mind. My last thoughts before sleep overtook my was that the great-God, the Creator, was at this point in time looking down at me.
Back on the trail the next morning after a breakfast of day-old biscuits filled with bacon, and a pot of coffee I followed the tracks to where they turned off the road. I could see the tracks clearly now of all three horses as they moved along the trail. As I came up on a small rise, off in the distance I could see the ruins and the tracks seem to run in that direction.
It was mid-afternoon when I came to a stand of pinons. I was about a hundred yards from the ruins and figured that I might walk up to them in case the boys were in the ruins. Dismounting I loosely tied the horse I was riding to a branch and began to move slowly trying to stay under cover as much as possible. I’m not sure how much cover sagebrush gives, but it was all I had along with patches of cactus.
I easily found the boys and standing behind a broken down wall I listened. Lucas began to complain, “I’m hungry. We should have taken the time to get some food.”
“You are such a babee,” mocked one of the boys. “We brought these fine horses to my brother, and all you’ve done is cry about it. You want to be part of our gang you have to turn your back on that old life, right Nando?”
Stepping out from behind the wall I spoke, “That’s right, and be ready to live in old ruins or worse in your new one.”
One of the boys went for a gun he had stuck in his pants. I drew and fired hitting the dirt in front of him. “Not a good idea. Now get those horses saddled up. At least the jail in Durango serves better food.”
“Jail!” exclaimed Lucas.
“What did you think?” I responded. “Horse-stealing is a hangin’ offense in Colorado. But I’m sure Sheriff Gold will make sure you’re well fed before you’re hung.”
“My brother, he weel keel you!” sneered the one that I figured was Ramon. “You will never get away from the Scorpion.”
I had heard of the Scorpion only in sketchy terms. “And who is the Scorpion?” I asked.
“Rafael Garcia,” he said then spitting at me.
“Son, you do that again and I reckon I’ll have to spank you.”
He laughed, then sneered answering me, “Come and try it.”
I took a step toward him when I heard a voice, “Not another step, Gringo…”
Echoes From the Campfire
For himself the desert was enough… But he enjoyed the giving of pleasure to others.”
–Louis L’Amour (Taggart)
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”
–1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19, NASB)
Our joy should be full, complete. We are to live in fullness of joy, in fact, we should live lives of joy, the woes of the world should not affect that. Jesus Christ is the source of real joy, therefore the message of the Church should be that of Christ. If one wants to have joy they can find it only, in its purest most complete form only in Jesus Christ. He is central–He is essential!
Is your joy not complete? I believe there are four main hindrances to having the “joy of the Lord” and living a life of joy.
1) Sin and unrighteousness — Failure to keep the commandments of God will rob us of our conscious possession of eternal life, thus robbing us of joy in the present. Sin leads to uncertainty, for Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (1 John 2:3). D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “There is nothing that so upsets our assurance and confidence as sin; the same thing that breaks fellowship with God leads to uncertainty about the divine life within.”
2) Lack of love for the brethren — This has to be a God-thing. God must help us love, for there certainly are some brethren that make it hard to love them. However, when we have feelings against a brother, it will rob us of our joy.
3) Love of the world — cannot mix God and evil. People may try to enjoy the things of the world; it may bring them short happiness, but it will cause the spirit to grieve.
4) False teaching about the person of Jesus Christ — that will/should take the joy from us when we hear it. The Holy Spirit within us will be grieved. Joy will not disappear unless you would begin to follow that teaching. For example, last week I read where one “woke” pastor said that Jesus was a racist and had to repent. No! No! No! Jesus never had to repent; He loved the world!
If there are hindrances to joy, thus, hindrances to our testimony and troublesome to living this life there must also be practical aspects to having joy.
1) Believe not every spirit (1 John 4:1). There are all kinds of spirits in the world–follow only the Holy Spirit.
2) Dwell in the love of God (1 John 4:7-21). It is measureless; it will keep you from sin and if failing it will bring you back to Him.
3) Actively keep His commandments. Oh, to fulfill our love for Him, but keeping His commandments. What a wonderful thing it is to see Him smile at us.
4) Hold the right views of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:5-9). Be certain of Who He is, of His love for you. He cares for each one of us. Know that He is the Son of God, who came to earth born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, rose from the grave, and is now in heaven waiting to return to earth.
There is joy in the assurance that you are a child of God. Because of that it is easier to go to Him in prayer. Knowing that He is your heavenly Father that makes prayer much easier for it is to Someone who loves you deeply. Being a child of God, and recognizing that, makes it easier to have victory over sin. It’s “victory in Jesus, my Savior, FOREVER” (E.M. Bartlett, emphasis mine).
“Though the whole world may be rocking around about and beneath your feet, and though hell may be assailing your from every direction, in the confident, quiet knowledge that you are a child of God, you will have a piece of which nothing can rob you.”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Coffee Percs
We dragged ourselves to the fire, grabbed up tin cups and drank down several cups of steaming coffee.”
–Richard P. Hobson, Jr. (Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy)
Hope yur not draggin’ Pard. Seems somethin’s ailin’ yuh. Sit yurself down, the coffee’s ready, and I’ll get yuh a cup poured. It’ll help yur ailin’ soul an’ give hustle to yur bustle. Ahhh, not bad, not bad at’ll.
Don’t yuh be tellin’ me that the bureaucrats are givin’ yuh fits. Yuh know they’re liars. Anything to fill their never-empty pockets. Most of them care little for us common folk unless it’s election time. Why I’ve heard of those homeless derelicts on the street be given a cheap bottle of wine and ten dollars to vote for a certain individual. Yep, they really helped that poor ol’ boy.
Say, yuh know all that money we pour into insurance? I’m gonna get some of it back. Yep, hopefully work will get started and me an’ the missus we’ll be able to move back in fairly soon. I miss watchin’ the sun come up of a mornin’. ‘Course, it’s been a spell since yuh’ve gotten up that early. Hmmm, maybe that’s why yur draggin’ in this mornin’. We’ll wait an’ see just how much my insurance goes up next year. Those ol’ boys are near as bad as the bureaucrats; they make sure they get their money.
Let me fill that cup for yuh. Listen, Pard, I learned a long time ago not to be expectin’ too much from those politikcians an’ other forms of bureaucratic vermin. If I get something, I say “thank the Lord,” for He has to work through those hearts of stone. If’n I don’t get nothin’, I won’t be disappointed. I’ve always tried to keep my hands in those of the Master. The Lord knows just what I need, an’ when I need it. Hmmm, maybe that’s why my hair is still brown though my eyes have turned a paler blue from washing my face over the years.
So, it’s time to head out. Why, Pard, yuh left a swaller in yur cup. My mercy, next yu’ll be forgettin’ to check yur cinch.