Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on November 30, 2024

Then he took the steaming black liquid in the tin cup in both hands and sipped it. ‘That’s good coffee. I’ve missed cow camp coffee.”

–C. Wayne Winkle (Gideon Parnell: The Beginning)

My mercy, Pard, that poor hoss of yur’s. How much pie did yuh eat? Four pieces or four pies? I know there was plenty of food and the folks sure filled their plates. Yuh wasn’t one of them that hit the dessert table first were yuh? Hmmm, my missus made four pies: two apple, a pumpkin, and a sweet tater. I know there was also a chocolate one around. From the looks of yur girth yuh did yurself proud.

Really nice weather down at the lake, sitting ’round the fire for a few days, eatin’, drinkin’ coffee, an’ watchin’ the flames flicker. Spent some time jawin’ with folks I see only once a year. Yep, it was a nice time. Was sittin’ there one time, sippin’ on the hot coffee that was just boiled at the fire and heard something. At first I thought it was just the wind comin’ cup and whisperin’ through the tree tops, but then I recognized that it was an “Echo”. Yep, I could hear it comin’ off the lake, beginnin’ at one end and movin’ quietly over the waves. It weren’t nostalgia, but the sound of rememberin’ and reflectin’ on how good the Lord has been to me through the years.

Made me realize the there are fewer days left in front of me than behind me. Need to be makin’ most of the time left. No tellin’ when the Lord may call a person home, or when He might be comin’ in on the clouds. In fact, when I heard the wind in the trees I wonder if’n that’s not the Holy Spirit a whisperin’ sayin, “He’s comin’, be ready for the sound.”

Sure did enjoy my time ’round the fire. Coffee was good. I’d forgotten just how good coffee boiled on a campfire tasted. Ahhh, not that what we’re a-drinkin’ this mornin’ is bad. Just something ’bout bein’ out in God’s great cathedral, enjoyin’ His creation, and swallerin’ good coffee that hits the soul. But Pard, yuh best lose those pounds for this is the Christmas season an’ jist because yuh enjoyed a feast on Thursday don’t go fillin’ yurself everyday.

For sure the Lord is good! He is faithful to His children an’ sure good to know that I’m one of them. Be sure durin’ this time of year that yuh do plenty of ponderin’ on all that He has done for you. Enterin’ Christmas be thinkin’ of why He came down to this ol’ earth. Make His comin’ personal. An’ in the hustle and bustle of the season, when yuh go out don’t forget to be checkin’ yur cinch or when yuh fall on yur noggin’ yu’ll see all sorts of colorful lights.

Speakin’ of lights, tonight they light up the town square. Nice time and it’s a blessin’ to see a community still showin’ that Jesus is the reason, not only for the season, but for our lives.

Vaya con Dios.

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on November 27, 2024

Sometimes we have to be content with small blessings.”

–Elmer Kelton (The Pumpkin Rollers)

“Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!”

–Psalm 147:7 (ESV)
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“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
–Thomas Ken

As I was sitting around the campfire yesterday, pondering on what to write, the words of the above hymn kept flowing through my mind. Simple song, yet the words are full of meaning. “Praise!” WOW, what a meaningful word and often used in a trivial way. We give praise far too often to mediocre individuals and events. But then, perhaps the person voicing the praise is one of those mentioned in Proverbs, and I’m not speaking of the person of wisdom.
The Oxford Dictionary isn’t much help–“the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something.” It doesn’t really do God honor and justice. God is worthy of praise. It refers to lifting Him up in our mind; an action and purpose of the will. We have to will ourselves to praise God. Someone said this about praise, “It is the joyful recounting of what God has done for us. Praise and Thanksgiving go hand in hand… Praise is the acknowledgment of all the wonderful, righteous deeds of God.”
One of the most important aspects of praise is that of thanking God for His blessings in our lives. We could spend hours discussing all that He has done from us from our first breath to where we are currently in life. Oh, some may scoff at this and say that God has never done anything for them, but they think too small. Breath, gravity, the systems of physics and the body–the natural world declares His wonder and without them life could not exist. I wonder, and I include myself, if we have ever thanked God for gravity. I’m sure Sir Isaac did, but imagine life without it.
Thank Him for His creation, thank Him for the starry sky and the wonders of the heavens. Thank Him that He is your heavenly Father and He cares for you. Thank Him for the Son, Jesus Christ, and what He has done for man to bring him back in relationship to God by offering Him redemption. Thank Him for the promise of the Holy Spirit who is sent to guide us into all truth. With each of these we could spend hours thanking God and there have been countless books written about theology.
One more thought–as you sit down to partake of the bounty that will be set before you on Thanksgiving, use it as an opportunity to thank God for the “blessed hope.” One day we will be at the great supper in heaven united once again with loved ones and friends. Talk about fellowship and feasting, but I would implore you now to thank God of what is to come. The words of Revelation 19:9 end thusly, “These are the true words of God.” (NIV)
This will be the last Echo until December. Take time this Thanksgiving season to be thankful for all that God has blessed you with. Take time to ponder, not merely voice words. In closing this morning‘s note I leave you with Psalm 113:1-3 (NIV), and perhaps it wouldn’t be too far wrong after you read it the first time, to read it again substituting “praise” with “thanks.”

1 — Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
2 — Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.
3 — From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets the name of the LORD is to be praised.

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on November 26, 2024

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” –Revelation 7:12(NKJV)

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

When I arrived at the depot, I saw Charlie behind some barrels just off the platform across from the baggage car. There was a man and from what I could tell, a railroad worker lying on the ground in front of the car. Steam was flowing from the engine causing me to grin. Smart man, that engineer. When the shooting started, he cut off the engine then he and the fireman hightailed it out of the area.

I ran to where Charlie was watching. “What’s the scoop?”

“Robbery. From what I can tell there are at least three men inside the….” Shots were fired from the other side of the train interrupting his information. We looked at each other, then came a shrill whistle. “Mateo,” we said at the same time.

He began where he left off. “At least three men inside. I’m not sure if there is another baggage man inside or not. They shot one throwing him on the ground,” he pointed to the man with his gun.

“Have they said anything? Made any demands?” Then came the shot from inside the car. I didn’t like the sound of that; it could mean that they shot the other worker. “Let me move over to your left. Mateo has the other side covered. Do you want to handle this, Sheriff?”

Giving me a wry smile, “We’ll play it by ear. When you get in position, I’ll move up to the train.”

I scrambled away moving behind some crates twenty feet from where Charlie was situated. I hollered, “You, in the train! This is your only chance to surrender! Throw out your guns and come out!”

There was no reply, then the side door began to open. Upon the sound I lifted the Greener in position to fire. I was hoping that they would throw down their guns. A hand appeared, holding a gun. There was a quick shot at nothing in particular, then a face emerged. I fired, blood spewed followed by a thump. The door quickly closed. When I fired Charlie ran to the train.

Being in that baggage car they had no windows. They didn’t know how many men were outside the car, or that Mateo had taken the men holding their horses. I yelled again, “I’ll give you one more chance! Throw out your weapons and come out!”

“We’re coming!” came a voice from the car.

Charlie leaned down under the car. “Mateo, go to the rear, I have a feeling.”

Moving from my position I ran to the side of the baggage car, that way I could cover the door or the sliding door. They were coming out the door between where Charlie and I stood. Two men, holding their guns up. I didn’t like it.

“Drop them!” ordered Charlie.

A shot to my left splintered the frame, I turned to fire and at the same time I heard another shot. The man who fired at me crumpled to the ground. Then chaos broke out with the two men firing at where Charlie was standing. He was safe, behind the passenger car, but dared not show himself. We waited, they would soon empty their guns and had nowhere to run.

Then a shot came from inside. When that happened there was a lull. Charlie and I both moved to the opening between the cars. He fired at the men and I cut loose with the other barrel, then drew my pistol. Suddenly it was quiet and it was almost haunting after all the noise.

“Coming out!” hollered Mateo. He had gone in through the door where the other thief had come out. “Worker inside, shot and in a bad way,” he informed us as Charlie went up the steps to check on the men that we shot. I went to the downed worker lying on the ground by the train. He was bleeding and unconscious, but still alive.

Doc Jones had left the diner right behind us, went to his office to get his bag and was now on the scene. I waved at him to come check on this man. “There’s another one inside the car,” I informed him, then moved to check on the man that Mateo and I shot.

Two hours later, Charlie, Doc, and I were sitting back in the diner. Mateo had decided to go to see Luciana to let her know he was all right. “Terrible, just terrible,” muttered Doc after taking a swallow of coffee. “There was just no sense in them not surrendering.”

“Desperate men do strange things, Doc,” remarked Charlie. “They should have surrendered,” he paused, shaking his head. “One of them would have been tried for the murder of the clerk inside the car, though.”

“Four dead criminals, one railroad worker,” murmured Doc. “At least one will pull through. He was shot just over the hip, the bullet went straight through. No vitals were hit.”

“Shame this had to happen just before Thanksgiving,” said Charlie.

“Killin’ is always a shame,” I stated matter of factly. Then looking from one man to the other. “But we can be thankful that we’re here and that Mateo is fine.”

We were sitting at the table, quietly thinking of the morning, when Nick Parsons walked through the entrance…

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on November 25, 2024

The trouble with wandering is that after a bit a man looks around and the horizons are still there. There are nameless canyons and rivers still unknown to man. But a moral man is suddenly old. The dream is there still, but rheumatism and weakening strength rob him of the chance to go further.”
–Louis L’Amour (Over on the Dry Side)

“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.”

–Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)
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The end is near, the trip is almost over. You think there would be joy and excitement, but then after climbing one hill you discover there’s still another to climb. The knees get weak and buckle. The same is trying to walk this journey of life bearing the burden of sin. Oh, what a burden reliever is Christ. Look at Psalm 130 and gain hope and renewed vigor for the rest of the trek.

1 — Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD;
2 — Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 — If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 — But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
5 — I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
6 — My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning–yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
7 — O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.
8 — And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (NKJV)

Remember that this is a song of ascent, not descent. Woe to the one who quits now and begins to walk back down the trail. Continue on, hearken to God’s word, rely upon His mercy. During the day and at night when the traveling is over take time to repent and confess your sins. It will help your soul get back on the right track. Strength is gone, but there is the hope in Christ that He will forgive and lift you up. Notice the psalmist is desperate–“hear my voice!”
Sometimes you find yourself in a situation not of your making. You are tripped, you get caught in a snare, you fall over a rock or root in the path. Other times you just plain have given into temptation. Your sinful desires took you astray. However, “At all times you must take responsibility for your feelings no matter how you crashed.” (George Wood) If not, we could fall into sin, but reacting wrongly to the situation not of our creation. Now get this–God is with you and is fully willing to forgive! As Steven Lawson said, “If God kept a record of sins, never to forgive them, no one could stand with acceptance before Him.” Aren’t you glad He doesn’t keep score? It is His nature to forgive if we come to Him humbly. “The result of true forgiveness is never a lackadaisical attitude but holy fear toward God. Divine pardon, rightly understood and humbly received, will always lead to deep reverence for God.” (Lawson)
What a psalm for this Thanksgiving season. God forgives! If we ask, He is ready and willing. I like what George Wood says, “The Lord does not offer empty words or incomplete solutions to your need.” There is full forgiveness, full restoration, full reconciliation. “He brought me out of the miry clay. He set my feet on the Rock to stay; He puts a song in my soul today, A song of praise, hallelujah.” (H.L. Gilmour)
Notice that the psalmist waits as eagerly as the watchman waits for the dawn. That was the time when they would be relieved of the burden of the night. They looked forward to that respite just as we can when we call upon the Lord. We put our hope in Him. We rest in His love and He brings peace to our soul. There is another side-note at the end of this psalm: the redemption of Israel. There will come a day when those of the covenant will finally receive Jesus as the Messiah and then God will restore them. “He himself will free Israel from every kind of sin.” (NLT)

“In tenderness he sought me, weary and sick with sin,
And on his shoulders brought me back to his fold again.
While angels in his presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang.”
–W. Spencer Walton