Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on February 18, 2023

He haunted the coffeepot until it came to a full boil. He poured in cold water to settle the grounds, then dipped out a cup and began to drink it, disregarding its scalding heat.”

–Elmer Kelton (The Day the Cowboys Quit)

Good mornin’ to yuh, Pard. Welcome to my humble abode. Cup’s on the table an’ if yuh hold it up I’ll fill it for yuh. Careful yuh don’t drop it or yuh’d have a coffee break. Ha, thought I’d try to make yuh smile this mornin’.

Folks tell me that I need to smile for my pictures or that I need to smile. Why Pard, I’m smilin’ all the time, in fact, I’m sometimes downright hee-hawin’ at the stupidity of some folks out there. Thing is if some of their antics were so shameful and sinful they would be for sure incredibly hilarious. Yuh remember the story about the pig that they cleaned up, washed him all up, put a pretty little pink bow on him and started callin’ him a lamb? They would stroke his make-believe wool, say “baa baa” and flit around him. They next mornin’ upon wakin’ they couldn’t find their cute little pet “sheep.” They went throughout the house and then into the barn. Finally, they saw, at the edge of the pig slop, a pretty pink bow. They looked closer and couldn’t believe what they saw; there was their little “sheep” back in the hog wallow. Yuh see, yuh can’t change the way God made creatures and man is the same way. No matter the environment, no matter the education, no matter the money, no matter how hard o’ Henry Higgins works on a person, they are still sinners and need a new heart. That only comes from bein’ born again, acceptin’ the Lord Jesus Christ.

There my preachifyin’ is done for the day. With that, my coffee’s done got cold. I’ll swaller it down fast, hate to waste good coffee. Yuh did leave enough in the pot for me?

Say, if’n yur in the area stop by Calvary Christian Academy this evening for a BBQ dinner. The money goes for the kids’ trip to competition later in the spring. If’n yuh come be sure an’ check yur cinch before headin’ out.

Vaya con Dios.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on February 17, 2023

If we ever become complacent, we’ve lost the battle.”
–Stephen Bly (Shadow of Legends)

“You have seen everything the Lord your God has done for you during my lifetime. The Lord your God has fought for you against your enemies.

–Joshua 23:3 (NLT)
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Last Sunday, our church pianist played a song that I haven’t heard in probably a hundred years or so. Well, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but it’s been many, many years since I have heard it. I remember singing it as a kid in church, but as the years have gone by, the church has began to frown on the idea that it is militant and that we are in the midst of a raging war. Each verse, but the last, raises a question? See how you answer them.

“Am I a soldier of the cross,
A foll’wer of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?”

Jesus says that anyone who is ashamed of Him, that the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns (Mark 8:28; Luke 9:26). For some reason, people have become reticent about serving the King of Kings. There is a battle to be won. Oh, for sure the Lord is already victorious, but there are still many battles to face and victories to be won. If you don’t think so, just take a look at the status of our nation. Or, maybe even closer, are you in the midst of a battle? Yes, the victory was secured at the Cross, but in the meantime, we have our own fights and we want to be like Paul, and say, “I have fought a good fight.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

“Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed thro’ bloody seas?”

Who are we in this “woke society” to think that we can just tip-toe our way to heaven resting on the blood and sacrifices of others who have gone on before? Peter Marshall said, “When we eventually reach the goal to which we are all striving, God will look us over, not for diplomas, but for scars.” Have you fulfilled your mission on earth? Have you faced the enemy, braved the battle, and come out victorious? Remember, those who have gone on before. The great early church leader, Tertullian, made the remark, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

“Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace
To help me on to God?”

No, we are not like Don Quixote fighting mythical foes, thinking windmills are the enemy. There is a real devil, contrary to the beliefs of the liberal church. There is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain. There are “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV) that we fight against. This world is not our friend, yet so many are on friendly terms with the world. Perhaps that is a reason why hymns such as this are no longer sung.

“Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord:
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.”

I was looking up some history for this song and I discovered that it was much older than I had thought. It was written by the great hymnist, Isaac Watts and was written in the first decade of 1700. From what I found there was no particular reason for the writing of this hymn, except for the fact that Watts “composed a hymn every week to use in connection with his Sunday morning sermon (hymnstudies). Hear me, my friend–pick up your sword (the Word of God) and be ready and able to face an enemy who wants to destroy you. Only then can you make it, only then will the crown be placed on your head–“When the Battle’s Over.”

“And when the battle’s over we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
And when the battle’s over we shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.
Wear a crown, wear a crown,
Wear a bright and shining crown;
And when the battle’s over we shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.”

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on February 16, 2023

It didn’t take courage to carry a fresh bloody steak through a hungry wolf pack; it took wisdom not to try it.”

–Ken Pratt (The Leather Man’s Journal)

“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.'”

–Job 28:28 (NKJV)
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Remember the B.C. comics where one of the men seeks wisdom and climbs up the mountain to seek it from, naturally an old man? For some reason we associate wisdom with age, probably because an older person has experienced so many dumb and foolish things in their lives. What is the old German saying, “Ve get too soon oldt…und too late schmart.”
Solomon was granted wisdom but he didn’t understand true wisdom until late in his life as we are seeing in Ecclesiastes. Yes, he was wise (in most of his ways), but he saw that apart from God wisdom too, can be vanity.

“Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and profitable to those who see the sun.” 7:11, NKJV
“For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” 7:12, NKJV
“Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked?” 7:13, NKJV
“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other; so that man can find out nothing that will come after him.” 7:14, NKJV

Wisdom preserves our lives from human pitfalls–wisdom is protection. Most of us at least try to make wise choices. We don’t purposely get up in the morning thinking that today I’m going to intentionally make a foolish choice or commit a dumb decision. Read those verses again and ponder them carefully. With an inheritance comes the pitfall of pride. Wisdom preserves us from that. With affliction comes the pitfall of doubt and disillusionment. Wisdom preserves us from that. With the anticipation of relief, vindication, even rewards for doing what is right comes the pitfall of resentment and bitterness. Wisdom preserves us from that. (Charles Swindoll)
Read the Book of Proverbs for in it we see that one of the four characters mentioned is wise. True wisdom provides our lives with divine perspective. Look at that powerful word–“consider.” It means to examine for the purpose of evaluating.” Have you considered the work of God? Have you considered God’s blessings? If you enjoy good health, prosperity, fame, do you consider why it happened to you? Oh, I know there is human wisdom, and I’ll not downplay its importance, but have you considered that a word of wisdom is one of the gifts of the Spirit?
Verse 13 should cause us to stop and “consider.” We normally think that God wants to straighten us and everything out, but there are some paths He has purposely made crooked. There are some high summits for us to pass over, some gorges for us to cross, and some valleys that we must travel through. There are some in the world, primarily because of choices not to be wise, God has given them a hard-heart. Whatever comes our way, we are to gain wisdom from it and we are also to use the wisdom we already have in going through it–no matter the adversity, the storm, or the battle.
Too often we fight God instead of trying to find out what He has in store for us in adversity. James reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NKJV) Without wisdom, without following the Lord’s commands we find out that life is futile. Why continue in a journey of futility? If we look to God, and His wisdom, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, NKJV) In the midst of troubles, adversity, and peril, God is with us, and He has things for us to learn if we stay in His presence. We have to remember that as we journey the things that come our way are from the all-wise loving Father.

“Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.”
–Lina Sandell Berg

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on February 15, 2023

Who’s gone?” returned Charlie as he took hold of his cup.

The Parson had concern written on his face, “Dover. I went to pray with him this morning and he wasn’t in his room.”

Doc Jones rubbed his chin. “Not good, not good at all. Why if he rips open that suture, well, let’s say I probably won’t be able to help him.”

“I have two guesses,” I interjected into the conversation. “One, he is wanted for more than he told us, and…”

“I don’t believe that,” snapped the Parson. “I’ve talked with him. He’s not killed anyone.”

Looking at the preacher, I continued, “Either that or he’s out looking for Lige Donor.”

“Or down to the jail to break Clem loose!” exclaimed Charlie who was up in a flash out of his seat and out the door heading for the jail. I followed right behind.

I was but a step behind Charlie when he burst through the office door of the jail. He stopped abruptly, causing me to run into him. “What’s…” I started to say, when I looked toward the cell opening and saw Lucas standing there with a shotgun in his hands. On the floor was Fred Dover, unconscious.

We all relaxed, especially after Lucas lowered the shotgun. Charlie bent down to check on Dover, then looked up at Lucas, “What happened?”

“This man,” he said, pointing at Dover, “came through the door sorta wobbly. I grabbed the shotgun from the desk where I keep it, and held it on him.”

Lucas looked at me, then back down to Charlie and Dover. Before he could start again, Doc Jones and the Parson entered the office with Doc going immediately to Dover.

“Help me turn him over.”

Charlie helped Doc turn the unconscious man onto his back. Doc immediately checked his wound making sure that the stitches were still holding. “Only one broke loose,” he informed us. “I’ll need to stitch him up again. He passed out most likely from loss of blood and just plain being weak.”

“That’s what I was saying, He came through the door. I had the shotgun pointed at him when I saw he wasn’t wearing a gun. He gave out sort of a groan then fell to the floor. I heard his head hit pretty hard.”

“Dale,” blurted Doc, “grab a couple of men passing by and get Dover back to my office. On top of the surgery he might now have a concussion to deal with.”

Preacher Chapman bounded out of the office and quickly reentered with two men who were walking by on the street. They grumbled some, but they got right to the task of carrying Dover out. When they reached the street two other men joined them. Doc hollered at them to take the man to his office, then he led the way.

I nodded at Lucas and Charlie went over to him, slapping him on the shoulder. “You did good, son,” he exhorted.

A smile appeared on the face of Lucas, but only lasted for a moment and was replaced by a puzzled expression. He knew he had a prisoner, but had not heard the whole story. For the next twenty minutes Charlie and I filled him in on what had happened. I let Charlie finish while I went back to see Clem Donor.

Upon opening the outer door to the cells, I saw Donor standing, holding on to the bars of his cell. “What’s going on? What happened?”

“Pipe down, and I’ll tell you,” I ordered. He quieted, but kept looking toward the now open door. “It seems that your outlaw companion came to get you out, and fell flat on the floor. They’ve taken him back to Doc’s office.”

Clem looked at me incredulously, “He wouldn’t try to break me out. Why he didn’t even have a gun. Is he alright?”

“Donor, do you know where Lige may be hiding?” I asked, coming right to the point.

He went back to sit on the cot. He thought for a minute, then started shaking his head. “We don’t know the region,” then he stopped, “but…”