Month: January 2022

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
To live with danger was a way of life, but we did not think of it as danger, merely as part of all that we must face in the natural order of living.”
                         –Louis L’Amour  (Killoe)
 
       “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.”
                         –Colossians 3:15(NLT)
———————————–
I told the story of a family that has spent the last two years cloistered in their home.  They had not ventured out for two years in fear of the virus that has come upon our land.  These people claim to be Christians yet I wondered what their walk with the Lord is like.  It’s plain to see that it must be very shallow.  They live in fear, not trusting in the Lord and in common sense.  How can they begin to fulfill the Great Commission?  How can they have real fellowship with other believers?  What type of armor have they put on?
       In the front of my journal notebook I keep a few quotations.  One of which is the following by Zane Grey.
 
“You must live your life.
Make it worth while.
Every man, every woman has a burden.
Lift yours cheerfully and begin to climb…
Love those with whom fate has placed you.
And fight–
fight the dark moods,
the selfish thoughts, the hateful memories!
Work…Love.”
 
I wonder if the devil has duped us into thinking that we will be safe in our homes, that the Lord will honor us for being cozy and comfortable.  I seem to have read that we are to take up our cross–daily.  We are to redeem the time for the days are evil, which means we need to be out doing, not cowering in our closets.  We are to live a life of faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God.
       I recall the writings of Peter:  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”  (2 Peter 1:2-3, NKJV)  There must be a continuous forward moral progress in our lives.  Our lives must cooperate with that of the Holy Spirit.  Someone said that “Faith is not only commitment to the promises of Christ; it is commitment to His demands.”   Sure we use common sense in our daily lives as we walk with Him, but we must go about living:  Work…Love.  Barclay writes, “Faith does not exempt a man from works; the generosity of God does not absolve a man from effort.  Life is at its noblest and its best when our effort cooperates with God’s grace to produce the necessary loveliness.”
       Do something with your life for the Kingdom of God this year.  Don’t cower on your couch.  Don’t fear the world.  Possibly you might have to confront your fears, you might have to fight the dark moods that come upon you, in other words you might have to fight–be like Paul and fight the good fight of faith.  Peter writes that “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10, NKJV)

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Lucas, what are you doing in here looking so glum? questioned Doc as Lucas came over to the tables.
        He gave a wry smile, then said, “Those idiots.  They’re always complaining about something, or else they’re moaning and groaning ’bout how life ain’t fair to them.  Senor Doc, I tell them, that life didn’t put them in jail, it was their foolish ways.”
        That brought a chuckle from both of us.  “I’m here to get their food,” he paused, “so they can complain again about Tia Emelda’s fine cooking.”
       “Sit down,” I suggested.  “Molly just went to the kitchen and will be back shortly.”
       “Lucas, I have one thing to say to you,” interjected Doc.  “You’ll find some people are that way–just plain contrary about life in general.  They don’t realize that the good Lord wants us to enjoy life, but to do that we must follow His rules.”
       “Si, Senor Doc, I know, but, but it gets so frustrating at times.”
       I slapped him on the shoulder.  “Don’t we all know that.  Want some coffee while you’re  waitin’?”
       “That would be nice, si.”
       Standing I went to the counter to grab a cup then over to the stove where the coffeepot was warming.  Doc and I had drunk about half of it so I poured Lucas a cup then brought the pot to refill ours.  While I was doing that Molly came out of the kitchen with a piece of pie.
       My gaze followed her and the pie as she sat it down in front of Lucas.  It was chocolate.  “I thought I heard you out here and thought you might like a piece of pie while you’re waiting for the food.  Emelda is dishing up enchiladas.”
       Lucas was licking his lips in anticipation of the first bite, but he remembered his manners.  “Gracias, Senora Molly,” he said with a smile then plunged his fork into the pie.
       “Enchiladas!” exclaimed Doc.  “I might just have to stick around for a plate of those.”
       I sipped on my coffee watching Lucas devour that pie.  It didn’t take him long and for a few seconds I thought he might lick the plate.  Molly was sitting there with a big grin on her face watching Lucas enjoy the pie.  Then she looked at Doc then to me, “I think he likes it.”
       “Well for a minute I was wonderin’,” I remarked with heavy sarcasm, then looked at Doc.  “Were you offered a piece of pie?”  He shook his head.  “Neither was I.  Hmpf, favorites.”
       Molly laughed, then got back up to go get the food for the outlaws.  In a few minutes she walked out with a tray covered with a red checkered cloth.  I looked at her then toward the tray.  “Ain’t no pie under that cloth is there?”
       She chuckled, “Might be.
       “Don’t let Lucas know.  He’ll have it et before he gets back to the jail,” I warned her.
       Lucas was looking from face to face with a big smile on his face.  He shoved his chair back still smiling and picked up the tray of food.  “I must go do my sworn duty.”
       “Wait just a minute,” urged Doc.  “I’ll go with you.  I need to check on their wounds.”  He slurped down his remaining coffee, then grabbed his coat pulling it on.  Looking at Molly, “Edith and I plan on eating supper here tonight,” he said then winked at her.
       “There goes a good boy,” said Molly as Lucas and Doc walked out the diner.
       “Boy!  He’s turnin’ into quite the man,” I stated.  “Charlie and Marta are doin’ a fine job in raisin’ him.”
       Molly smiled then put her hand on my arm.  “Marta has lightened up quite a bit.  I know that she and Charlie have been talking.  I was worried a few weeks back.”
       I nodded my head in agreement.  Then I gave Molly one of my best smiles.  “All right, you win,” she muttered in resignation.  “I’ll get you a piece of pie.”
       Customers were starting to come in as I was slowly working on my pie.  I wasn’t like Lucas to thrust it all in my mouth at one time, but I savored each bite.  Molly and Marta were both waiting on customers.  It was a place of contentment.  People coming in, smiling and nodding to one another, feeling comfort in the little diner.  It was a nice, relaxing place to eat.
       The cup was at the edge of my mouth so I could wash down the last piece of pie when I heard the shot.  In fact, everyone in the diner heard the shot…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

A murky, yellow-tinged blackness hung low over the city. He recollected that stars, and sunrises and sunsets, and untainted air, and silence were not for city dwellers.”

                    –Zane Grey  (The Call of the Canyon)

       “You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile.  The rivers of God will not run dry; they provide a bountiful harvest of grains, for you have ordered it so.”
                    –Psalm 65:9 (NLT)
————————————
We live in a strange, confused, and chaotic world.  The foundations of culture are being challenged; the postmodernists are doing their best to deconstruct society.  There is a major attempt to control the narrative–the history, the stories, the truths–of this nation.  He who controls the thoughts and the stories controls the culture.  Therefore, you can see why there is such a fight.
       The world is becoming more and more urbanized, therefore, making it easier to come under the control of the “elite.”  There are some hardy people who are “homesteading” going back to nature if you please and this is contrary to the will of those in power.  These individuals are refusing the collectivism offered to them.  Is it becoming harder and harder to appreciate the work of our Creator.  We do not take real notice of the seasons and what they bring to us.  Some will leave the city long enough to take a look at God’s great creation.  They will ooh and ahhh at what they see, but really do they go beyond that?  Flannery O’Connor wrote, “For me, the visible universe is a reflection of the invisible universe.”  Now, don’t worry, I am not getting all “New-Agey” on you.  But to look upon God’s creation, and for some to live in it, there is something definitely beyond the physical realm.
       People long for nature.  If you don’t think so why do they flock to the beach or go to the mountains?  They want to stay in their cars, or go “glamping.”  We purchase a loaf of bread without thinking of God who provided the means for it.  I was talking the other day with a friend about the weather.  We both agreed that in the “old days” we just went in spite of the weather, come what may.  I know, today’s generations would say that was foolish, that we should be prepared.  To a point I agree, but once you know the weather, and once you have your plans, why keep going back to look?
       It’s Monday, and you are probably wondering how all of what I have written relates to the Psalms.  If you have been following along on Monday, or if you have taken the time to read the Psalms you will notice that the writers were very interested in nature.  Let me give you a few to ponder from the New Living Translation.

               “The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.”  –29:5
               “The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare.  In his Temple everyone shouts, ‘Glory!'”  –29:9
               “The mountains were covered with our shade; the mighty cedars were covered with our branches.”  –52:8
               “But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.”  –92:12
               “Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord!  For the LORD is coming!”  –96:12-13

Notice that these verses have one thing in common besides nature–trees and forests (in fact, there are over three hundred references in the Bible to trees alone).  The writers of the Psalms speak of rivers clapping “their hands in glee” (98:8).  The hillsides blossom with joy (65:13).  The Psalms remind us that it is God that supplies food for ourselves and our livestock.  
       Take time this week to praise God for His marvelous nature.  For the colors, for the food, for bring beauty.  Praise Him when you see the billows roll and crash upon the rocks at the seaside.  Praise Him if you look over some grand mountain vista in awe of the majesty before you.  Take a bite of bread and thank Him for the grain that He allows to grow.

               “Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
                Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
                Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
                Who makes the woeful heart to sing.”
                            –unknown

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Those who wanted coffee, would come and sip from the pot or share from the few cups.”

                    –D.C. Adkisson (Mal de Ojo)
 
Come on in, Pard.  My mercy, I haven’t seen yuh since last year.  How have yuh been keepin’ yurself?  Out of coffee, huh?  So yuh figure yuh would come see me.  Well, it’s on the stove and plenty of it, hot, black as the night and strong.  Just the kind to get yuh started in the new year.
       Things haven’t changed much.  Folks are still runnin’ to and fro lookin’ for answers that ain’t to be found exceptin’ they turn to the Lord.  Fools!  Vaccine then more vaccine, then vaccine but wear a mask.  I saw a picture of a band with slits in their masks so they could toot their horn.  Now that is just plumb silly.  Plus where do they think the air that flows out of the horn comes from?  Hmm, perhaps there is a special filter that cleans out the virus and it’s all stuck in the horn.  
       See why I made the coffee extra strong this mornin’.  Oh, an’ this year is an election year.  Don’t yuh know we’re goin’ to hear a spew of lies.  Like I said, politicians and the like ain’t the answer–folks need the Lord.  But will they turn to Him?  They sure haven’t durin’ this here pestilence of a virus.  In fact, more and more have used it as an excuse to stay home.  Fools!  Ain’t no other word for them.
       Better drink up, next thing they’ll do is make yuh show yur vaccine card to buy coffee.  Drink it while yuh have it.  Oh, and one more thing before we part this mornin’.  I heard tell that this is goin’ to be the year of the great resignation.  Yep, from what I heard, folks are goin’ to be resigning from their jobs all over the country.  Plumb foolishness.  What happened to the Work Ethic?  We’re looking at a great hand out, those leftists are goin’ to want you and me to be payin’ for those who quit to get somethin’ to eat.  Yep, there may be desperate times ahead.  Of course, some may be forced to quit because of a vaccine mandate, but the others, why they’re just plain lazy, and the Lord sure don’t like laziness in folks.
     By the way, good to see yuh again.  The turnin’ of the year into 2022 didn’t seem to hurt yuh none.  Glad yur all in one piece.  Yuh must have checked yur cinch without me remindin’ yuh.  The coffee was good this mornin’, and the company was swell.  Yuh be havin’ a good week, ride wary and watch for obstacles that may come yur way.  The ol’ devil ain’t goin’ to stop workin’ to get yuh.
       Vaya con Dios.