Month: April 2024

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
We were getting close to Taos where Javier and Agatha would be getting off.  He said that he had a job riding for Alonso Ortega just south of Taos.  I didn’t know Ortega personally but I knew of his outfit and his brand.  He raised quality beef and was good to his men.  A little different from other cattlemen of the time; up towards the mountains he also raised a number of sheep.  It would be a good start for Javier and his new wife.  The shame of it was the thoughts of her father that she must carry with her.  Hopefully Javier would make up for them.  I was glad that the Chapmans were with them.  He told me they were going on down to Santa Fe for a little preaching at a tent meeting and would vacation at the same time.  He’d need prayer, New Mexico is tough on preachers.
     I wasn’t sure of how many more stops we had to make.  One, two, for sure water would be needed.  Folks that had boarded the train tended to sit away from us once they saw that I had a prisoner who was handcuffed.  That was fine with me.  Too much conversation is not good.  I would have liked to get a little more from Hendricks; I would have liked for him to tell me who the third man was and that Martin was behind it all, but he was a loyal man, very close-lipped.
     Now that’s a good quality at the right time and for the right reason.  Why, our Lord was fairly tight with his words the night He was arrested, but with good reason.  Others show allegiance by riding for the brand, but this time the brand was on the wrong side of the law, not only the written law, but moral law as well.  Most of the time, they blab about how they’re going to escape and get me, or how they were framed.  They would whine about this and moan about that and whimper that life wasn’t fair.  Hey, live on the dark side of the law and it’s a rough life.
     The whistle screamed and I could feel the train slowing.  There was a water stop ahead.  I dared not let down my guard, I had learned that much from experience.  In fact, I had a notion to move across the aisle from Hendricks and bring the Greener to my lap.  I don’t necessarily think it was a sixth sense, though some would say so, but I think things that come to my mind are actually from the Holy Ghost.  We take things in life far too often for granted, and I knew from life that we need to listen to those inner promptings.
     My eyes danced from the window on my side then to the window near Hendricks.  I also watched anyone suspicious in the car.  Nothing, and that caused me to smile.  The whistle blew, and we would momentarily be on the way.  I started to place the Greener next to the side when there was a blast of a rifle and a bullet shattered the window next to Hendricks.  I heard him groan.  I saw a man next to the tank take aim; I thrust the shotgun through the broken window while leaning over Hendricks and fired.  It was a distance, but I saw that I hit the man causing him to slump down falling from his perch.  
     The door in the front of the car burst open, catching me by surprise.  I was only expecting one other man.  Dropping the Greener I pulled my pistol.  The man was brazen.  He should have fired when he entered, but instead walked up to the couple.  He didn’t even glance my way, I reckoned he thought that his pardner had shot me; it didn’t seem they were interested in Hendricks at all.  
     I’ll give it to the Parson.  He waited until the villain was right up against the seat.  When the man raised his gun, a large sneer appeared on his face, Parson Chapman leaped into him, knocking him away, the gun discharging into the ceiling of the car.  That gave me time to move forward, and I prayed that the Parson would fall to the floor.  I shot.  The bullet hit the man below the ribs.  He grimaced then looking my way brought his gun to bear on me.  I was not one to waste time, I fired twice again, both bullets striking the man knocking him back on the poor dear lady in the seat behind.  She shrieked, trying to push him off her.  
     By this time, the preacher was up trying to help as was Javier.  I looked around, making sure that there was no one else.  “Dale!  Shut that door and stand in front of it!”  He was busy aiding the dear lady, so Javier jumped to the job.  The engineer must have heard the shots because the train had not moved.  As I reloaded my pistol I waited for the conductor, then glanced at Hendricks.  He was bleeding terribly.  I saw a large shard of glass embedded in his face, and I couldn’t tell if he was alive or not.  I wanted to make sure no one else was coming to his aid, or his demise before checking on him.
     When the conductor showed up, he was wide-eyed.  “Stand here,” I ordered, “but come closer.  If he says anything I want you to hear.”  I bent over picking up my Greener to hand to the conductor.  Hendricks opened his eyes, he was bleeding severely.  As he turned his head, I could see another piece of glass in his neck.  His eyes became glassy…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

The rule of desert survival was to live with the desert and not against it, for all desert life is an accommodation to conditions that exist.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Taggart)

       “Bless the Lord, O my soul…  Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.”
                    –Psalm 103:1,4 (NKJV)
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The presence and promise of the Lord is all we need to face life’s challenges.  The first part of Psalm 115 dealt with the futility of idols which we studied last week.  Now we see the faithfulness of God in the later portion.  As George Wood puts it, “From verse 9 to the conclusion, this psalm calls upon you to deepen your walk with God by depending wholly upon Him.”  Trust does not go to idols or individuals, but to God.  “In God We Trust” –oh that this nation would go back to this basic truth!

          9 — O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.
        10 — O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.
        11 — You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.
        12 — The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
        13 — He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.
        14 — May the LORD give you increase more and more, you and your children.
        15 — May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
        16 — The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; but the earth He has give to the children of men.
        17 — The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence.
        18 — But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.  (NKJV)

     We are called to trust and rely upon the Lord–the One who does as He pleases (vs. 3).  Notice, three times the phrase: “He is their help and their shield.”  This proclaims God’s protective care over those who put their trust in Him.  His shield is His divine protection over us from our enemies.  It is not a cliche; it is a proclamation.  Dare to trust Him!
     God is ever mindful of our needs.  Do not be like those who trust in idols, for Jesus tells us, “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8, NKJV)  He is good and He cares for His own.  I used to wonder how I could ever bless God.  How can mere man bless God?  We are told to “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1, NKJV)  When He blesses us, we in return should bless Him.  How?  By praising Him.  By not forgetting He forgave our sins and iniquities.  By offering something within ourselves in response to His blessing–such as a “living sacrifice.”  We bless Him by our actions of obedience, we bless Him when we give gratitude for His deeds to us.
       Praise and give Him adoration now, among the living.  The dead can no longer praise the Lord.  Their voices and hearts have become silent.  Now is the day of salvation; now is the time to praise and extol Him.  Bless the Lord now and regard His benefits now.  Tomorrow may be too late.  What do we have to guard against idols today?  Most certainly, John writes that we should keep ourselves from idols–the idols of the mind.  Those things which give a false representation of God.  False teachings, twisted doctrines, compromise with the teachings of the world, these are idols that we face today along with materialism and self-centeredness.  “The most important thing about you is what comes into your mind when you think about God.” (A.W. Tozer)  That means our thoughts and actions must be based on Scripture, those things that are worthy of Him.    Lloyd-Jones says, “A man’s god is that for which he lives, for which he is prepared to give his time, his energy, his money, that which stimulates him and rouses him, excites and enthuses him.”  Yes, be careful for there are plenty of idols in the world today.  Our obligation is to bless the Lord–forevermore.

               “Sure I must fight if I would reign;
               Increase my courage, Lord;
               I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
               Supported by thy word.”
                      –Isaac Watts

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

You’re welcome at anytime, for no other reason than a cup of coffee and a little conversation.”

                    –Lou Bradshaw  (Hickory Jack)
 
Greetin’ to yuh, Pard.  Glad yuh stopped by.  Coffee’s hot, strong, and ready for yuh to guzzle.  Been doin’ plenty of contemplatin’ this week.  Thoughts just seem to float through my mind, and sometimes they zip and I cain’t quite get holt of them.  Lot’s of disturbin’ things happenin’ in the world; reckon they’ll continue as long as the Lord tarries His comin’.  Boy, howdy, won’t that be a day!
       Was readin’ some this past week.  Once in a while I glean something; not much to chew on, but I do move it ’round some on my molars.  Saw where our “distinguished” President is goin’ to sign some of our rights over to WHO.  Seems like that pandemic of the virus still resonates in his mind, if that’s possible.  This little deal gives the director-general of WHO the “power to declare a public emergency in any member nation–even over the objections of a member nation.”  Whooeee, think of all the possibilities.  But we know, the whole thing’s about power.  The implications are staggerin’ though.  Don’t wear a mask–yur a danger.  Don’t get a shot–yur a threat and could be thought of as a domestic and international terrorist.  My, and the scenarios continue.  Best be ready, Pard.  The days of evil are just beginnin’; we need to be prayin’ that last prayer in Revelation, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come.”
       Pard, this ol’ boy could declare that my coffee is a danger to yur health.  Goodness, the thought is unnervin’ almost.  Too strong, yuh have to weaken it.  Need to add some sweetin’ to make yur gizzard happy and tolerable.  Make cinos, not strong coffee.  Whooee, think of all that could take place.  Best enjoy this brew whilst we got the chance for yuh never know.  Why the ol’ buzzard could declare that the batch of coffee beans contain some kind of parasite–one that makes yuh sit up straight and take notice and not cowtail to his power.  Enjoy Pard, I don’t even mind yur slurpin’.  
       Whilst yur doin’ that, I’ll pour another cup then share a story.  This comes from an ol’ preacher-man and it’s about an ol’ cowboy hat.  He said that backslidin’ is like this:  Yuh can sit down on yur hat once and straighten it right up.  But keep on sittin’ on it, an’ the more yuh do it, the less likely yur to gettin’ it back into proper shape ever again.  He’s right, it takes work to keep yur hat fit and proper lookin’.  Mess it up, an’ well, yuh understand what I’m a-sayin’.  People who were once sold out taste a little of the world, hmmm, sorta like sippin’ a cino if that’s possible, now put a little smudge on their hat.  Oh, they can still wear it, but it’s sullied up some, and sits on yur head a little lopsided.  One side is bent over, yet yur proclaimin’ that it’s still a good fit.  The ol’ boy finished his message with this:  “It’s time for you and I to keep alive a Godly fear and carefulness in our daily Christian walk.”
       Hear me, Pard, yuh right tall in the saddle.  Don’t take no guff from ol’ slewfoot, and be wary and watchful of the trail.   Remember, sittin’ on yur hat is ’bout the same as not checkin’ yur cinch.  One makes yuh look silly, the other might give yuh a knot on yur noggin’.  Keep yur gun oiled and Bible handy.
          Vaya con Dios.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

This is the road I must travel, so travel it I will.”

                    –Chris Bennett  (Road to the Breaking)

       “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
                    –Psalm 37:5 (NKJV)
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                    “God!  God!  God!  Best defined when undefined; a Fire that may not be touched;
                    a Life too great for shape of image; a Love for which there is no equal name.  Who
                    is He?  God!  What is He?  God!  Of whom begotten?  God!  He is at once the question
                    and the answer, the self-balance, the All.”
                              –Joseph Parker

     The Oxford Dictionary defines omniscient:  “knowing everything.”  Merriam-Webster adds a little more to the definition:  “having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight; possessed of universal or complete knowledge.”  Omniscient is something that we can know the meaning of but cannot fully comprehend or understand.
     There is nothing hidden from God.  He knows everything about everything and everybody all the time.  He knows everything:  everything possible, everything actual.  Think on that thought for a moment.  Some people have the idea that God changes His mind.  If He did so, then He is not omniscient.  That means He made a mistake if He has to change His mind.  It is something we cannot grasp.  God does not, cannot change His mind, however, He does change His actions.  He said He was going to destroy, then Moses interceded and He did not.  This does not mean He changed His mind, but changed His actions.  Since His knowledge is perfect, He never errs, never changes, never overlooks anything.
     God knows all events and all creatures of the past, the present, and the future.  He knows the possible events that never happened no less than the actual events that do.  Try to grasp that!  I heard recently that God may allow a person to die in order for his soul to be saved.  Could it be that He knows the course of the person’s life should he live?  Of course…oh, my feeble mind.  God is perfectly acquainted with every detail in the life of every being in heaven, in earth, and in hell.  
     This knowledge is ever before Him.  He does not have to access the information or retrieve a file.  His knowledge is always immediately and ever and directly before His mind.  E.S. Williams states, “God knows the past, the present, and the future as one eternal now.”  No wonder David cried, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6, NKJV)  And let’s remember the definition of “wonderful” — awesome, mysterious, unique.  The HCSB translates it this way, “This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.”
     Daniel declares, “He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (2:22, NKJV)  Nothing escapes His notice.  When we walk in the darkest of nights He will not stub His toe because of something unseen, something He does not know about.  Nothing is hidden from Him, every snare, every obstacle, every rut that may be there and He knows the way so well that He nothing is ever forgotten by Him.
     This is an attribute of God that we tend to put aside for we do not like to meditate upon it for it makes us uneasy.  Look at the words of David again, “You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” (Psalm 139:2-4, NKJV)  Nothing can be concealed from God.  Man would strip God of His omniscience and the wicked seek to banish God from their thoughts–all to no avail.  The Prophet Ezekiel says, “I know the things that come into your mind.” (11:5)  Hosea reminds us, “They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness; now their own deeds have surrounded them; they are before My face.” (7:2, NKJV)
     “To the Christian believer, knowledge of God’s omniscience brings the assurance that he has not been forgotten, but is being and will be cared for according to God’s promise.” (J.I. Packer)  For the believer it should be an encouragement to prayer knowing that God pays attention.  His knowledge of the future is as complete as His knowledge of the past and remember, the future depends on Him.  We read in Acts, “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning.” (15:18)  
     J.I. Packer wrote, “A God whose presence and scrutiny I could evade would be a small and trivial deity.  But the true God is great and terrible, just because He is always with me and His eye is always upon me.  Living becomes an awesome business when you realize that you spend every moment of your life in the sight and company of an omniscient, omnipresent Creator.”  And in this high tech world in which we live; remember–God does not need instant replays.  
     Therefore, we need to learn to trust Him.  In the midst of suffering, when we have to make decisions, when we need direction for our life.  Know that He knows!  “Job cried, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (23:10)  Trust Him for He knows each thought and each step that you take or might take.  He knows the way of the righteous (Psalm 1:6; Psalm 37:18)  To trust Him comes from knowing Him.  Get in the Word, know the God in whom you serve.  Praise Him for His greatness and His unsearchable ways.  “When we observe the greatness of God’s knowledge, it brings out our needs–needs for honesty, acceptance, and trust.” (David L. Hocking).
(taken from my notes developed for a course:  “Knowing God.”  Much of the material used was from J.I. Packer, Joseph Parker, Arthur Pink, and E.S. Williams).