Month: June 2024

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
And her hand was soft and trembly
       That night underneath the tree,
       When I couldn’t help but tell her
       She was ‘all the world to me.'”
                    –Charles “Badger” Clark  (“A Bad Half Hour”)
 
       “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it, if a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”
                    –Song of Solomon 8:7 (NKJV)
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               “Have I told you lately that I love you?
               Could I tell you once again somehow?
               Have I said with all my heart and soul how I adore you?
               Well darling, I’m telling you now.
 
                     “My world would end without a mem’ry of you,
                     I’m no good without you anyhow.
                    Oh, have I told you lately that I love you?
                    My darling, I’m telling you now.”
                            –Scotty Wiseman (released by Gene Autry)
 
A little mushy?  Perhaps, but it was my wedding day 53 years ago.  Whoopee, my mercy–the years.  If you miss Miles today, don’t fret, I’m sure he’ll show up sometime this week, but today I need/must focus on our anniversary.  I am reminded this day of the words from Genesis 2:18, “And that LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.'” (NKJV)   The King James renders this, “I will make him a help meet for him.”  However, I really like how the NLT translates this phrase, “I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
     For sure, Annie was made just right for me.  No other person could have put up with me and she has definitely been my helper.  By my side each step of the journey.  The NKJV Study Bibles states this regarding the helper, “This helper (or partner) would be truly fitting and fully adequate–just right.”  It is not a demeaning term, in fact the Study Bibles goes on to relate that this term is used to describe God when He comes to our aid.  Man cannot fully be man, woman cannot fully be woman without this relationship for the previous phrase states that “It is not good for man to be alone.”  This verse is more than just friendship; it goes way beyond that concept.  If we grasp the idea of the husband/wife relationship it is as if God Himself were there helping, guiding, advising, aiding through life.
     I read an article (sometimes I wonder where these guys come from) that stated that it is not love that sustains a marriage.  I get the drift of where the author was coming from, but he is missing something very important regarding love.  Love (agape) which is God-love already has commitment within the context.  It was love that kept Christ on the cross–commitment to you and to me.  Within agape there is commitment, as well as duty and obligation.  Jesus said if you love Me you’ll keep my commandments (John 14:15; 15:10; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 6).  Also true, though to a lesser degree is the love (phileo) of a friend or brother.  Commitment is implied with that type of love as well.
     The husband is to love as Christ loved the Church.  Love–commitment, obligation, duty–to his wife.  And the wife is to obey (whoops) her husband, because of the same reason–love.  They do not collide, they do not oppose each other.  Love/commitment work together in the relationship of husband and wife.  One finds it hard to obey if the husband is not committed to love them and take care of their needs, not just physical and material, but emotional, mental, and spiritual as well.  The same is true for the husband must know that his wife is with him through this rugged thing we call life.
     It was now over 54 years ago, in the school cafeteria I was glancing around and saw his pretty young gal cocking her eye at me.  My eyes stopped their wandering and I cocked an eye back at her.  We sat for a few seconds, cock-eyed as could be–the rest is history.  No, we haven’t gone through life cock-eyed, or ever half-cocked, but with dedication to each other and to the Lord.  How many more years are left?  The Lord only knows, but we’ll make the most of them–together!

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Friendships are not so many in this life, and we had put rough country behind us and kicked up some dust in our passing, and we had smelled a little powder smoke
 together and there’s nothing binds men together like sweat and gunsmoke.”
                    –Louis L’Amour   (The Daybreakers)

       “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
                    –Proverbs 17:17(NKJV)
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Trials, troubles, storms, and all other sorts of obstacles will come our way as we travel through life.  The truth is that sometimes we think we can’t or won’t make it as George Wood puts it so succinctly, “When you move forward into crises, a season of deep vulnerability or trial, the enemy wants you to think, ‘I’ll never survive this.”  This Psalm (118) is a wonderful word to use to fight such thoughts and feelings.  We must remember that God is our salvation, not only in the new birth but to sustain us through each day of life.

          19 — Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD.
          20 — This is the gate of the LORD, through which the righteous shall enter.
          21 — I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation.
          22 — The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
          23 — This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
          24 — This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
          25 — Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
          26 — Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!  We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
          27 — God is the LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
          28 — You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.
          29 — Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.  (NKJV)

     We cannot get away from this Psalm without looking for a moment at verse 22.  This is a prophecy of the Messiah.  Jesus, rejected by men, chosen by God who is the chief cornerstone.  Peter tells us that this stone will cause the disobedient to stumble; that is those that reject Him will continue to do so and will continue to disobey His word.  There is so much to be said regarding verse 24.  It is referring to this cornerstone–Jesus Christ the coming Savior.  However, it goes further than that for each and every day is given to us by the Lord to be used for the kingdom and to bring glory to Him.  We should upon awakening praise and thank the Lord for the day that is before us.  We shouldn’t grumble at the morning hours, that we must wake and get up, but instead give Him glory for the new day–a new day of His mercy.  “Thanksgiving is to be thanks-living, a daily lifestyle for every believer.  In this sense, thanksgiving is to be a way of life, encompassing one’s attitude and actions, both words and deeds.”  (Steven Lawson)
     I want to share a story from William Petersen’s book about William Cowper.  He was the pen behind several hymns, including “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood” and “O for a Closer Walk with God.”  Cowper, however, was a very troubled young man.  Three times he attempted suicide; twice he was pronounced insane; and if it weren’t for Christian friends and for Psalm 118, he probably wouldn’t have written anything.  Cowper found a happy companionship with John Newton, the former slave-trader turned pastor.  They communed together taking walks and writing hymns together.  For a while they tried to write a hymn every week.  When he was feeling stable, Cowper rejoiced in the twenty-ninth verse:  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”  The friendship of these men enriched each other, but their work continues to enrich believers today.  (One Year Book of Psalms, Tyndale House, 1999).
     Friendship!  How valuable it is for the saints.  A good friend helps one along the way, even when they do not know they are doing so.  Think of those whom God has placed in your life to help in your walk, even if only for a short season.  Then stand back and proclaim, “This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (vs 23)

               “You fearful saints, fresh courage take,
               The clouds you so much dread
               Are big with mercy, and shall break
               In blessings on your head.”
                         –William Cowper

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on

In a little while the chips were glowing and throwing off heat enough to boil coffee and fry bacon… He leaned back and savored a second cup of coffee. ‘This is the life we was born for.’”

                    –Elmer Kelton  (Six-Bits A Day)
 
“From this valley they say…” come in this kitchen, Pard, I was just hummin’ up a mournful tune ’bout a gal leavin’ the country.  Those ol’ cowpokes sure had a lonely life out there herdin’ them bovines.  ‘Course, loneliness comes in all sorts of ways.  Why I’ve known folk to be lonely in New York City with all them people a movin’ ’bout.  “Course yuh can’t talk to none of them, they might think yuh were gonna rob them or at the least harass them.  Hmpf, some of them need some harassin’ that’s for plumb sure.
     Here yuh go, Pard.  I know that’s why yuh came by for this cup of pure deeelight.  Watch it for it’s mighty hot, but blow on it a bit and when yuh go to swaller it yur ol’ gizzard will be plumb tickled.  It’ll help yuh see yur way through all the foolishness that’s a-goin’ on ’round us.  Why, listen to this that happened just a week ago.  A police chaplain ended his prayer “in Jesus’ name.”  Quite fittin’ for a preacher don’t yuh think?  
     Well, the powers that be, wrote the chaplain a letter rebukin’ him, an’ tellin’ him to never do that again.  Here we have a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ bein’ warned not to use the name of Jesus in his prayers.  Now is that absurd or not?  Take a deep lingerin’ sip for what comes next we’ll get yuh riles if’n yur not prepared.  This here chaplain was informed that utterin’ the name of Jesus was, an’ I’m goin’ quote direct, so hold on.  It would be “considered harassment, created a hostile work environment, and lifted one religion above another.”  Now how ’bout them apples?  They were told they could pray using any other name for God, but the “specific use of ‘Jesus’ would not be permitted going forward.”
     If’n that don’t cause the gall to rise up in yur stomach!  In the name of Allah would be alright, or in the name of Buddha, or in the name of Hoo-Doo, but oh no, not in the name above all names–Jesus!  Took place in, yuh guessed it, California.  But it could happen most anywheres.  Folks ain’t fearin’ the Lord no more.  An’ I’m talkin’ ’bout a healthy fear, not no shakin’ fear, but that’s probably what’s needs to happen.  The Lord just grabbin’ them by the scruff of the neck and givin’ them a good shake tellin’ them to now listen here…
     Haven’t hear nothin’ else ’bout the matter, but it sure is something to be sure.  Pard, I think that ol’ city manager has done fell on his noggin’ too many times.  There ain’t a lick of sense left.  Let’s finish this pot, for there’s plenty to be done the rest of the day.  Glad yuh stopped by…an’ I know I don’t have to be a-tellin’ yuh–check yur cinch or yuh might end up with nothin’ left in yur noggin’ like that feller.
       Vaya con Dios.

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Age is age, and heart is heart, and too much of the first seems never to bother the second, if there’s plenty to start with.”

                    –J.V. James  (Old)

       “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.”
                    –Psalm 71:18 (NKJV)
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I don’t know, perhaps I was just raised differently.  I was taught a simple faith; a faith that said to trust in the Lord no matter the problem that comes.  When the storms of life hit, trust in the Lord.  When the battle rages, trust in the Lord.  When life seems more than you can handle, trust in the Lord.  In saying this I want to respond to an article that I read.  It was a good article, and the person (unknown) is probably very well-meaning, however I want to look at it from my perspective and raising.  The gist of the article was how to have joy in old age, or as the writer put it, “golden years.”
     First of all, there is the loss of friends.  I remember Granny and Pappy reading the obituaries to see who had died.  Not that they were morbid, but just interested in who was still around.  This article says that “old folk” spend much of their time grieving.  Perhaps the problem is that I don’t know what “grieving” is.  When my Dad died it hit me hard, mainly because of the circumstances.  I grieved.  I was at the side of my Mom when she died.  It was hard, but it was good that she passed on.  The person wrote, “My therapist explained that the loss of friends is deep because we know we don’t have enough time to make another lifetime friend.”  Hmmm, my therapist–the Holy Spirit–has a different view, that there will be a reunion in heaven.  The article relates, that there’s no one to shop with, go to the movies with, or eat out.  Well, I never did that much anyway, and not with a friend, except the eating out part.  Perhaps their comfort resides with their friends rather than with their Friend.
     The second loss of joy is the loss of work.  People look forward to retirement.  Well, I’ll quote my wife’s Uncle John, a Christian does not retire, they just retread.  The article says that fear grips the older person as prices go up.  I always figured, and still do, that the Lord will take care of me.  Unrealistic?  I don’t think so.  He is my heavenly Father and He will provide all I need.  We live on a “fixed income,” but the Lord has and will always provide.  The author says that “our brains–once so active–now feel like mush.”  Maybe for some, but I’m constantly writing and there is so much in the Bible to study.  The loss of peers and friends are missing because we are no longer working.  New places, new church, new community, new friends.
     Number three:  the loss of purpose.  “We feel like slugs as we sit on the couch and play with the TV remote,” so says the author.  Duh!!  If a person doesn’t have the proper purpose in life before retirement I can see where this might be a problem.  Purpose–“glorify God and enjoy Him forever” is our purpose.  That doesn’t change.  If we realize that all we do should be for the glory of God then what is the problem that a person might have in retiring (retreading)?  He says to find another way to “define our significance.”  Significance is doing the will of the Lord whether you are and in whatever capacity you might find yourself.  The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord, (Ps 37:23) or is that too hard to understand?
     The fourth item–loss of health.  This hits all of us.  It may tend to put us on the sidelines, as the author states, but what is our job on the sidelines?  To learn, to cheer, to give advice, to exhort, to comfort–there is plenty to do.  Medical bills–trust in the Lord.  Pain and doctor visits…oh my.  Yes, they can get to a person.  I started yesterday with a month of visiting with doctors–all kinds.  Age does bring pain and aches and groans and moans, but through it all we are to trust in the Lord.  I remember my Grandma, who was in tremendous pain in her legs, would sit in her rocker, praising the Lord.  “Oh, the pain is terrible, but I know the Lord won’t give me more than I can handle, so I know I can handle this.”  Foolishness or faith?  Annie’s Dad, with both legs amputated, would visit others in the home because they didn’t have people to come visit them.
     Now here is one I don’t get–the loss of hope.  I won’t go into the things that were mentioned in the article, but how can a person of faith lose real hope?  I know that the devil will attack trying to discourage, trying to bring accusations, trying to get you to doubt, but then go to the Word.  Our hope is in Him.  Sing the great hymns, if not out loud, then within your soul.  “For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able…”, which is also a great verse to meditate upon. (2 Tim 1:12).  Maybe if you find yourself in this situation read the hymns, read the hope that is in the Scriptures.
     Life happens, and with that the certainty of death will come.  However, it does not have to be doom and gloom.  I will not continue, but will just mention the other facets that rob our joy:  loss of memory, loss of faith, loss of dreams, loss of passion, then the final one, piles of losses.  Are these real?  They can be, but instead of a therapist or being overly medicated–go to the Holy Spirit.  Isn’t He there for us, or was that only in our vibrant, passionate days?  Paul, when death was approaching, said that it was better for him to go be with the Lord.  Perhaps we need a fresh vision of our heavenly homeland.  As we need help to take a step off a curb, why not lean on the arms of the Holy Spirit.  As I’ve said many times in the “Echo” — He is the God who is there.
     Yes, old age can be rough and I’m getting there (ha–that’s a joke).  But to lose faith, I dare not.  To not have hope is unthinkable.  Oh, I thank God, for the teaching of my childhood and youth that has carried me all through my life.  This is not to bring discouragement or despair to anyone.  The article has some good advice, but remember, I am writing this from my perspective; it may be from an old fence post, but it serves me well.  I trust in the Lord!  “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you!  I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”  (Isaiah 46:4, NKJV)