Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 12, 2023

The Lord will lead us to a place that won’t disappoint.”
–Stephen Bly (Beneath a Dakota Cross)

“That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.”

–1 Corinthians 2:9 (Living Bible)
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“I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.”
–Daniel W. Whittle

It’s a mystery for sure. Now, I can grasp the idea of sin–crime, wrongdoing–needs to be judged and punished. I also can see that God in His love wanted to save man, yet His holiness, justice, and wrath demanded that there be justice and punishment. Because of that, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to become the perfect sacrifice to pay for the sins of man–to be the substitute. I see that, but I don’t understand it all. It is a mystery to me.
There is so much that is hidden from us, one reason being that we couldn’t understand it. Alistair Begg said, “The providences of God are seldom self-interpreting. We have to learn to say, ‘I do not know, but I do know that God knows.'” Mysteries are the things of the supernatural. At times we are given glimpses into the great unknown of the spirit world, and more and more we are seeing some of the mysteries of providence unfold, but not yet, not completely.
Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the mystery, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16, NKJV) He also wrote to the Corinthians that “now we see in a mirror dimly…” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NKJV) John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2, NKJV) One day–but not now. The mystery is still there.
Think of the prophets of the Old Testament. They saw only a glimpse. Even the pseudo-prophet Balaam saw Him is a mystery, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…” (Numbers 24:17, NKJV) Job declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” (Job 19:25, NKJV)
We are given only a glimpse of the mysteries of the spirit realm. There is a rapture that will take place–explain it completely to me, We use terms, such as we’ll be given a new body, body… what does that mean? How can the dead be raised from the dead? Sure in the power of the Holy Spirit, but it cannot be explained in human terms. How can we understand the mystery of those operations of hidden forces that “either retard or accelerate the Kingdom of Heaven”? (Vine) Explain to me “grace.” I know what it is, but I want it explained. And we dare not venture into the mystery of God, Himself. Tell me, as Whittle wrote, why God revealed His wondrous grace to me?
Yes, one day soon, the mystery will be uncovered. One day soon, I shall see Him as He is. One day soon, the mystery will be revealed–but not now. In the meantime, until I see Him face to face I will trust in Him. Then the mystery of His grace, they mystery of salvation, the mystery of the spirit world will be revealed:

“But ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.'”
–Daniel W. Whittle

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 11, 2023

Durango survived the 4th of July activities with little breakage in the town. Fireworks were shot off, cowboys came in from the ranches firing their six-shooters in the air, only one major incident was when a firecracker almost went off in Bobby Windridge’s hand, and some yellowjackets chased Flori Littleton who had drippings from a syrupy cinnamon roll all over her. Now, it was back to reality. Mateo, Charlie, and Miles were ready to head back to Silverton and the corruption that would face them. Go back with me now to those exciting days of yesteryear in the Saga of Miles Forrest.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Charlie, Doc Jones, and I had finished breakfast. Marta, Molly, had joined us, and more recently by Preacher Chapman. We had decided that Mateo would go up a couple of days early to survey the scene. We were both going up as Sheriff Gold’s deputies.

“Seat yourself down, Parson, I’ll fetch you a cup of coffee,” I told him as I moved to the counter to grab a cup to fill it. Placing it down on the table in front of the preacher, I said, “You sure did the Lord good, yesterday. That was a fine sermon.”

He smiled, took a sip, then asked with a smirk on his face, “What was it about?”

“Uh, well, uh,” I heard all of them snicker at my frustration. “It was about stirrin’ up your gift,” I finally got out proudly. It wasn’t the first time I had heard that message in recent days. I remembered the encounter on the road up to Silverton.

I looked at each of them, their smart-alek grins hanging on their faces. “And if’n you don’t stir it up, the good Lord might do the stirrin’ for you,” I blurted.

A puzzled look appeared on the face of Rev. Chapman. “I don’t recall saying that in my message.”

“No, you didn’t, but it’s true. Somethin’ all of you who are grinnin’ ought to think about,” I stated. That quieted them down for a minute or two.

The train didn’t pull out for another two hours; Charlie and I went through what plans we had again, but when we were joined by our friends and family, well it was time to put plans aside for a while. A person never knows when it might be the last time they might see them.

“Charlie,” asked Doc, interrupting the quiet, “Do you have any grounds to arrest that marshal and his crew?”

“Not really, unless the merchants step forward.”

“What about the attack on Morgan Appleby?” I almost hollered.

“We can’t pin that on Johnson. I can arrest the person who beat him up, and it probably was on the orders of Johnson, but unless the deputy, whoever it was, confesses that Johnson gave him the order, there’s little I can do.”

I nodded with resignation. “What happened to Devlin would most likely happen to him.” I fingered the pocket on my vest where I had stuck the telegram from Wells Fargo. I pretty much said that I was to take care of the situation. I hadn’t told anyone about the telegram, figured I would tell Charlie when the time was right.

Looking over at the clock on the wall, it showed we had an hour before the train would leave. I sat for a moment, and looked each person over. It was good to sit at the table, breaking bread, or in this case cutting a piece of pie, with friends. There had been laughter, solemnity, and the sober reality that we could be walking into a real hornet’s nest. The Preacher got up and came behind Charlie and me, placing his hands on our shoulders. He prayed for wisdom, discernment, courage, and safety. He prayed that justice would be done, that evil would be brought to its knees.

He nodded at us, then marched on out of the diner. Doc scratched the side of his head, then the back of his neck. He stared at both of us, “You two, along with Mateo, do what needs to be done, but be careful.” He got up to follow the Parson out of the diner.

Molly and I had been through this more than a few times, so we got up leaving Marta and Charlie alone. They had been struggling since the birth of little Charles Lorenzo Gold. She was more protective of him, actually almost suffocating him. I know she was scared that something might happen. Why, a man could get run over by a runaway wagon and killed, or hit by lightning. I knew, Molly knew, and I think Charlie knew that we were in the hands of the Lord. Molly had been working on Marta’s faith.

Two hours later we were moving up the canyon. Charlie, in addition to his sidearm, carried a .44-40 1873Winchester, and I had my Greener. Hopefully we wouldn’t have to use them. I don’t think it was a lack of faith, but I had reason to believe that we would. We were to meet with Mateo at the Wells Fargo office just before it closed for the day. I glanced at Charlie who had grim features etched on his face. Sighing, I settled down figuring that it was time for a nap…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 10, 2023

Folks said there were high mountains out yonder with snow on them, and forests no man had ever seen… Maybe even find a place for himself where he could feel the cool winds and look at distance.”

–Louis L’Amour (“Bowdrie Passes Through”)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

–James 1:17 (NKJV)
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“God wants worshippers before workers; indeed, the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the art of worship.”
–A. W. Tozer

In worship we ascribe all the glory that is due His name. It must be done in humility recognizing the character of God. Thankfulness and gratitude is involved. Psalm 100 is a psalm of worship, of gratitude.

1 — Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 — Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
3 — Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 — Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 — For the LORD is good; and His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV)

This is a psalm to summon you out of grief and sorrow. It is not a dirge, but a psalm of joy. It is a psalm to get you out of the slough of despair, depressions, and despondency, not one of lamentations. Lawson describes the “shout” as one of loyalty given by a servant to the king. It is a call of allegiance to the whole world. Now, then worship the Lord with gladness, with joy. Note the term “serve”–it means that we serve God with our worship or that we worship God with our serving recognizing Whom we are really serving.
George O. Wood says that there are four reasons for joy found in this Psalm.
1) The Lord is God — Our personal world is based on His reality. “We have a floor of hope, a foundation of sureness. No matter where we are in life, the Lord reigns.
2) He made you — God never does anything without purpose. Remember, making you is not just at birth, but will continue throughout your life.
3) You are His — God’s possession; part of His family.
4) You belong to God’s community — You are not a solitary soul wandering through life.

Know then, that you are God’s. He watches over you, He cares for you, He is developing you. Isn’t that a reason for joy? “When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.” (Franz Joseph Haydn).
Authentic praise and worship should be permeated with much thanksgiving. Recall the abundant blessings that come from God. Look to Him with adoration and gratitude. “Live under the constant theme of gratitude to God” (Lawson). Why then should we worship? Because of who God is, and because of what this psalm states–“the Lord is good”! Wood puts it into perspective, “When our hearts fill up with the contemplation of the Lord and His watchful care over us, thanksgiving rather than complaint or confusion expresses itself from our hearts. Often when you are in pain, you become overly focused on realities outside you.” Come then, each morning to visit the Lord. Fill your heart with thanksgiving for His truth, His lovingkindness, endures and continues to all generations.
One more thought. Could this be a glimpse into the great banquet that is to take place at the “Marriage Supper”? Singing, shouting, laughing, merriment–thanking the Lord and praising Him. The earth is invited to respond; He has taken care of everything, all you have to do is show up. Do not slight the mercy of the Lord.

“For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.”
–William Kethe

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on July 8, 2023

He stood at the forge, a mug in his hand. The blacksmith’s fire was down to red coals, and a kettle of coffee hung from the crosspiece.”

–Paul Bagdon (Stallions of Burnt Rock)

Grab yurself a cup, Pard, coffee’s hot and strong. It’ll tickle yur tonsils on the way down to yur gizzard. Here’s a toast to progress. Hey now, don’t be a-snortin’ in yur coffee! Don’t be cleanin’ it up with yur ‘kerchief, I’ve got a towel hangin’ on the stove. Sorry, didn’t know that I’d surprise yuh that much. Yuh don’t think I like progress?

Ahhh, that coffee is good! But let me tell yuh ’bout progress. It’s one of those things that’s gonna happen, sorta like the weather. There ain’t much that can be done ’bout it. Progress is like weather in other ways too. Sometimes the weather is bad, and sure ‘nough there’s quite a few things in progress that ain’t so good either. Why progress can bring out the idiots and the fools that follow the fads.

Say, Pard, what did yuh do before cell phones? Yeah, yeah, I know, yuh think I was fur ‘nough back that I used smoke signals. Ha, perhaps back then we didn’t have as much to talk about as folks do these days. Those fancy phones are a product of progress, and they’re like the weather as well; they can be used for good or bad. They sure do take up too much time. Can yuh imagine an ol’ pioneer walkin’ with his nose down in a phone? Why, he’d be lible to step on a snake, or tripped up by a snare. ‘Course it can happen to us as well, for the ol’ devil sure has plenty of rattlers around and has laid plenty of traps for us. If’n we don’t take notice, well, bad things can surely happen.

My eldest just purchased a new vehicle. From what I’ve been tolt; it has all the bells and whistles a person could want. I was just thinkin’ before she bought it that I’d like to have my ol’ truck back, with four on the floor. Or a truck with a 3-speed on the column. All I’d want is air conditioning, and that’s a good thing from progress. I really don’t want a standard no more, my leg isn’t up to pushin’ in an’ out the clutch. But the idea suits me.

‘Nother cup? Why sure, we gotta get this pot drunk. Now, ’bout ideas. I’m ‘fraid not many ideas are much about progress as about agendas and destroyin’ the good and decency of the Lord’s ideas. Those ideas are for the most part to get our focus off the things of God. The devil wants the focus to be on ourselves, or on the destructive forces that he has out there. The Prophet Jeremiah tells us to stick to the old paths, the good way and walk in it. Then yu’ll find rest, yuh won’t be frettin’ and stewin’ and worryin’ over stuff–stuff like progress.

Some things are tried and true and nothin’ will make them any better. Why just think, if’n yuh didn’t have the good habit of checkin’ yur cinch, where might yuh end up? Maybe some day they have some kind of AI to help yuh cinch up.

Vaya con Dios.